Lazy Sunday Afternoon

My girls on a Sunday afternoon.

My darling sweet Jaimee is not well, high temp and a sore throat that hurts to much to talk or even go on Minecraft or Wizard 101 or Facebook :(

 
Yikes, she must be really not well, for real!! It's not lookin good for the next few days. At least this girl I can get to take some kind of pain relief.

Madison has had a nice relaxing day, which means we all have too, yay for a rare relaxing day! I did discover that we had a little mouse in a hoodie hiding in her bedroom though.

The kid is too funny and just way too cute. I did think she might have been Pepe le Pew, one of Madisons favourite characters, as she had very detailed curly whiskers which looked more like a moustache, haha! Once again, I am glad it wasn't a permanent marker.

Adam had in the past made the mistake of giving Madison a black texta, which was in fact a permanent maker. Anything to prevent a meltdown while mummy is out.

Anyway, Madison has a thing for black pens and textas. She went through a faze of those being her only choice when doing her drawings. I always have back ups in the cupboard now. Let's just say that wasn't a fun afternoon when I arrived home. Her doona cover still wears the scars, its a favourite with a big picture of a pug on it so there was no getting rid of it.

 

 

 

Madison putting on her best mouse pose.

So here's to lazy Sunday afternoon. May they happen more frequently!

Steph

x

I Escaped ...



 

This morning I escaped !!!

 

I was thinking how lovely it would be to go and explore the markets at Yandina, I hadn't been for such a long time. Usually if it's a family affair it always turns out to be really rushed and one of us has to have a hold of Madison at all times. Then there is the thing about the dogs. People always take their dogs there and Madison just want's to love them all up and then bring them home.

 

So it was stuck in my head then, the markets that is. I had a debate with myself, I do have washing and I should be cleaning up some things to put on ebay or gumtree. Then I was thinking Ad is happy there is no surf (well not really happy), Jaimee wont know she is asleep and Madison was all giggly on the computer, so there really wasn't any thing to put a stop to me going.

 

I was up early, showered, cup of tea'd and had Madison sorted. No waves for Ad and there was no stirring from Jaimee. I whispered to Ad, I'm off to the markets and high tailed it out of there before there could be any buts or what abouts. It was only 7.00 o'clock :)  I did have a big smile on my face as I drove out of the drive way, Freedom!!!

 

 

This is the Yandina Markets

 

 

Gardeners Dream

Home grown Fruit and Vegies

Aromatic Spices & Herbs

Found this on the way out, thought it was so Classic
 

 
 

Old Homestead

 

Heading back home towards Coolum



Mount Ninderry



Other side of Mount Ninderry

Sugar Cane Fields

I am not very good at just looking! Here are all my treasures that I found.

For Madison



I love dollies, so beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Tea towels

Love these, silver servers.



Wonderful 1940's picture book



So sweet, I feel a project coming on :)

 

I had such a wonderful morning out in the fresh air and sunshine. I love going to markets and people watching, seeing all the amazing fresh produce, the plant stalls, the bric a brac and finding treasures!!!

 

It was so nice to wander about at my own pace feeling relaxed and not having that belly tightening feeling of being on Madison watch. 

 

Sometimes a little bit of me time can rejuvenate the mind, body and soul!

 

I am still smiling too.

 

 

Steph

x

 

Anzac Day ...

 

The Ode

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

We will remember them.
 

The Ode comes from For the Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon.

 

This is were my grandfather is at rest, in a lovely country town called Gloucester, N.S.W. My Nanna would have been at the Dawn Service today, she is 91 Years of age, and I'm quite sure Nanna and mum would have been out for a visit with Grandad today.

The Ode always makes me get tears as well as the Bugle when it plays The Last Post.

Thinking of you always Grandad, with much love and gratitude for what you have done for us and our country.

 

 

Lest We Forget

Steph

x



Another Wobbly Tooth...

Madison came home from school on Tuesday with, yet again, another wobbly tooth. She was already missing the three she had removed when she was at the hospital. Then she had another wobbly tooth when we were on our holiday! So this one makes gap number five, yikes! Lookin just a we bit hillbillyish, haha, but super cute.

Making sure the tooth is as safe as can be so that the tooth fairy will find it easily.

 

Madison is now content at the placing of the precious deposit.

 

 

This beautiful girl did have the tooth fairy up very very late waiting for her to fall asleep! The things fairies do.

 

There was a, mummy, mummy, mummy coming from her bedroom from 5.30 am at 30 second intervals. I did try my hardest to put her off as long as I could without going insane but the little monkey only got louder. So I'm up at 6.00am, and I was thinking she only wanted me to say it was ok for her to go on the computer, as she does every morning. When I arrived she was so excited about the tooth fairy she hadn't even looked under her pillow yet.

God she is cute!!

I did feel a pang of guilt from not getting out of bed earlier but that didn't last to long. I think it may of been my tiredness that let the guilt subside rather rapidly.

The look of satisfaction on her face was priceless when she found her gold treasure. Yes, that tooth fairy must be from Beverly Hills because apparently this fairy only brings gold and there must be two pieces of gold under the pillow.
The piggy bank was there waiting patiently to be fed but we did have to go show daddy first, much to his delight, bwaahaa!

Ad did put on his "oh my god the tooth fairy has been" face bless him but then it was back to sleep. The little piggy finally got fed and then it was time for a cup of tea for me. Fairy's job done.

 

 



Steph

x

 

It’s my B Day



So it’s my Birthday today and I am now age 39 years old!

Three years ago this scared me, the getting old thing, really scared me! Still does. Getting closer to 40 kind of meant I was half way to 80 and that just freak’s me out. Only 26 more years and we retire, then what!

I am curious though, about getting old and where that will take me and our family!

For the past few years, the couple of days leading up to the B Day was always full of worry, anxiety and a lot of fear thrown into the mix as well. It happened this time too and I get way to emotional.

 

I guess were I come undone is; I think about my girls and what will become of them when I am older and no longer able to care for them, particularly Madison. At this stage we see it like this, that she will live with us as an adult and grow old with us. I know there are other options out there but she is way too little yet for me to think about that and it just breaks my heart to think of it too. Of course then what becomes of her when we are gone. Scary!

 

Jaimee, we know will be fabulous at what ever she decides to do with her life, career, travel, marriage, kids (hopefully a couple, no pressure there) and she will be independent, confidant and capable of achieving those life milestones. I know Jaimee would always make sure her sister was looked after properly and kept safe, as any sibling would. She does ask frequently if she has to take care of Madison when they are older and that’s a whole other story right there but of course the answer is no.

Is it silly to think those things and feel that fear? I imagine everyone does at one time or another.

 

I do know in my heart that we just have to live each day as it comes especially with Madison. We have no clue as to what she will be like in a year let alone 10 years. For someone like me who needs to be organised this is difficult. I have the year planned out, have goals set, nothing in stone but at least have some direction as to how we would like to see our life flow. Living each day as it comes, is a bit tricky.

 

Ad said to me yesterday, “You should be so happy to of made it to 39, not many people do!’’ He is right of course and I am ever so grateful for the life I have and feel very fortunate to have the family and friends that are in our little circle. He also said “No matter what, we will always have each other, love each other and our girls and we will survive like we have always done”, who knew he was so clever!

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face cause it was my Birthday!!

Today it is a beautiful day, the sun is out and it is glorious!

Adam woke up and gave me a happy birthday kiss. Then went surfing! J

Jaimee helped Madison to come and say a “happy birthday mummy”, to me with kisses and cuddles.

Sent the girls off to school, they did try their hardest to stay home.

Indy our Labrador and I went for a run. Best feeling ever when the sun is out, it’s only 7.30 am and there is a chill in the air as it is getting further into autumn.

 

 

Indy and I met this fellow down at the duck pond on our run.

 

Adam and I went and had a yummy breakfast at a place called My Place. It is down on the esplanade in Coolum across from the beach, perfect!

Naughty French toast with Berries and maple syrup, earl grey tea and a freshly squeezed pineapple juice. Awesome!

 

View from My Place on the esplanade Coolum.

 

Bek, Clay and Miss Scarlett met us for a quick coffee and a birthday prize, love prizes! Love to see Miss Scarlett too; she always makes me so happy and smiley.

 

Miss Scarlett and me

 

Then home again, Ad goes to golf and I get some quiet me time, ahhhh love it!

I got to read my new book, did a little crocheting and put on Mr & Mrs Murder, my new favourite show!

Big birthday prize, then I turned back into mum again.

 

 

      

Love my new prize!

 

Great Birthday for me!!

Ohhh and Ad had a great B Day for me too, surfin, golf, the footy is on and he has some wild turkey that seems to be disappearing fast!! Bwahhaa, it’s nice to share a good day.

 

So I guess the next time my birthday comes around, it’s a big one, 40, Yikes!!!!

 

I’ve got a whole year till that happens and anyway, I hear thirty is the new forty or is it forty is the new thirty, ha, is that what people say to keep old people happy J

Till next time

Steph

x

 

Autism Awareness Month…

Today is the 2^nd of April and it is the month of Autism awareness.

 

So I was watching the ABC news 24 morning show this morning and for Autism awareness they had a lady named Jo Cases on discussing her new book and the story of her family. Her son has Asperger syndrome.

To my utter shock the stupid lady host asked the most ridiculous question imaginable. Went something like, “Do you think Autism has become one of the trendy syndromes to have because it makes you stand out and be special”.

 

I can not remember the reporters exact words, I think I was waiting for the mother to punch her out. What the !! Far out some people are just stupid.

Its Autism awareness month so go get aware you idiot!

You would have thought this lady would have done a little research before she opened her mouth. Gosh some people are just so ignorant. I tell ya, I had steam pouring out my ears and probably my nose too.

 

All I ask is that people think about what they are going to say before they say anything. It was such an offensive question and Jo Cases was very diplomatic in her answer. I don’t think that reporter would have lasted very long if she was in a room full of parents who’s lives are touched by Autism, she would have been eaten alive!

Autism is a tricky thing to understand, not just for people in general but also for the person who has Autism, the parents, their families and friends.

Madison is always changing, just as you think you’re finally getting her, she grows up a little bit more. So with that come changes. Adam and I need to adjust to these changes and be able to fully understand our Madison so we can make her life an enjoyable one.

Madison is 7 & at her favourite place, Movie World 2010



Sometimes it can feel like you are starting all over again, a lot of the time though they are changes for the better. You do get very good at reading people after awhile, which is an awesome skill to have I think. Reading people and being able to understand people is a skill both my girls struggle with.

 

I think of myself as being an open and flexible person and I am always happy to talk about Autism and Madison to anyone who wants to know. Some families may not and keep things private and to themselves. There has always been a lot of stigma about Autism and that’s why for so many years it has been a subject for behind closed doors. Not now though, thank goodness!

Things have definitely changed over the years since Madison's diagnose, it’s been about 7 years now. For the better too, but there is still so much more that needs to be done.

I think most families out there in the world living with Autism would hope for Acceptance, Understanding, Compassion and Empathy.  I know I do!

One day the people of the world will get it! Till then we just keep doing what we are doing and spread the word.

Till next time

 

Steph

x