Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Pixie's name

My mum's name wasn't really Pixie.  She was christened Margaret Anne.  She was the fourth daughter and I think it took her parents a while to settle on a name - perhaps they expected to have a boy.  Anyway, her father thought she looked like a "little pixie" and the name stuck. In the photo, Pixie is proudly showing her first granddaughter, Elsie, to the Pinetrees chefs.

The name caused a few hassles.  When she went to boarding school aged about 10, her mother told her that she would have to be "Margaret" or "Anne".  She says she chose Anne because it was easier to spell - but she never really learned to answer to it.  She often advised women who were about to have a baby: "Whatever you do, don't call it Pixie". 

When our little girl was born last week, we couldn't resist calling her Pixie.  I really miss my mum.  She'd be delighted to have another granddaughter.  Like all women whose inconsiderate children force them to wait until their sixties to become grandparents, she loved babies. 

I called my mum "Pixie", rather than "Mum".  I started calling my parents by their names when I was a teenager working at Pinetrees and didn't want to draw attention to myself.  It still feels a bit strange to be calling our tiny little girl Pixie.  When we were in hospital, one of the midwives asked me: "Are you Pixie's mum?" and I really had to think about it!

6 comments:

  1. It's a FABULOUS name. I'm sure your Mum would love it too. And Pixie can always call herself Margaret if she wants...!

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  2. Found your site through FTLOB, and I think it's fantastic!! I'll be back following it often. I'd love it if you checked my site out and if we could keep in touch with each others sites.

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  3. Pixie is the most adorable name I've ever heard! I look forward to hearing more about your life on that beautiful island:)

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  4. Hi Dani,
    Sometimes someone finds my blog, and makes me very happy they did...You are one of them, I'm so glad our paths have crossed, now I can read about your world, you about mine. I would love to come to Australia once, hopefully it will be this year.
    And congratulations on your new baby girl! I love her name, truly love it, and I was sad to read that your mum is not here anymore. I will have to come back tomorrow to read more of your posts, it's in the middle of the night here....
    Couldn't sleep, but am glad I did pop over to you, have a good Sunday, and enjoy this time, they are growing so fast! But you already know that, take care,
    Maureen

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  5. Congratulations on baby Pixie and her wonderful name - your mum would have loved having a gorgeous granddaughter named after her. Lovely blog you have here, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Following you now, hope you come see me sometime:)
    A xx

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  6. Dani...I met you and your mum Pixie nearly 9 years ago in September 2002 when I was on my honeymoon at Pinetrees. You were over from the mainland to fill in for a bit after a family tragedy.

    Tonight my husband was reading the July issue of 'Smarter Business Ideas' and there you were on the cover! I am very sorry to hear about your mum...there should have been many more years left for her with you and your children. We bought her book on the 'History of Pinetrees'. LHI has a very special place in my heart.

    My husband and I have 3 children now, two boys Duncan 7, Tristan 6 and a daughter Frances 3. I have a little blog called 'Finding Fifth', mostly about quilting projects I am doing...not that you would get much time to read other blogs. Lovely to read about your reacquaintance with your gorgeous island. Cheers, Fiona

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