This, actually is my very first blog! Not something I would have thought I'd start writing, but while sitting in my workshop, unable to get to sleep because of the blooming neighbors banging and slaming doors again, I thought I'd give it a try.

I've mentioned my three children in posts on the board, but not really gone into details. But today, we did some major things involving one of them so here we go.

Our youngest daughter Serenity, aged 16 months, was actually one of twin girls born in November 2007. Her sister was stillborn. We never found out why, but we later discovered that Ren (we call her that most of the time) was born deaf.

Today, we took Ren to the local hospital where she recived her first hearing aid. Unlike ones used by older children or members of the elderly, this isn't a powerful one but it allows her to hear in a way. It's been recommended that we turn it off and remove it at bedtimes or nap times, and when she turns 4, she'll be elligable for a better one.

Work has dried up a lot because of the recession. I work as a freelance video editor but now even my regular clients are now shopping around for people willing to do the same job but for a very cheap price. I'm lucky to be able to retain a few clients who won't go anywhere else, but they are having to cut down on the number of videos that are ordered. Some companies are setting up in-house video editing departments and so puts me out of a job. Luckly, I still have a regular job as the maintainer of the computer network at the wife's school.

right, time for me to return to bed before the wife goes mad.