Sitting here watching The Railway man, a scene came on where a cut lunch was on the table in the train. It invoked a wave of memories from childhood. This then got me thinking about one of the biggest changes that we go through in our lives - food.
Growing up, we certainly were not well off and at times, not even comfortable. When thinking back to what we took to school for lunches, it was always sandwiches of Vegemite or soggy tomato sandwiches. If we were lucky we had luncheon and I can even remember having spam. Sometimes we also took a boiled egg. A good day was being able to buy a Joe's pie from tuckshop. Lunch time at home on weekends or holidays were pretty much the same.
Dinner was meat and veg, savoury mince or pea and ham soup. The 'meat' was nearly always either sausages or rissoles. Sunday was always a roast dinner. When I was about 10, my mother started working at a butcher shop, doing the books. We then got to experience things like t bone every so often.
When I was 12, my parents bought 16 acre's at Kholo. Here they had fruit trees, a veggie garden, chooks, pigs, cow, sheep and turkey later in the year. All was for food. Turkeys were fattened for Xmas, chooks for eggs and then when off the lay for Sunday roast. From the cow, we got milk which also gave us cream and butter (this was churned by hand), calves that became meat - the same with the pigs. We ate a lot of duck, as dad and I would go shooting. Nothing like spitting pellets out as you eat haha.
Nearly everything we ate, came from home. Our neighbour would help with the kills and he would make sausages - including blood sausage (yuk) - and he also had a smoking room for bacon. Into our normal menu, came pigs trotters and this horrible pressed meat with jelly dish that was for on sandwiches.
We did have take away. Dad would be working on the coal trucks on Friday nights and we would go to the Ebbw Vale takeaway and get fish and potato scallops. Or Chinese from Jimmy Wahs.
Even when I moved out of home at 19, takeaway was fish and chips on a Friday night. Lunch was ham and salad rolls, dinner was meat and vegetables.
I can't remember when I fish got to try pizza or KFC. But these were just a sometimes/rare meal.
The kids all grew up on fresh food. You would make vegetables and freeze them in ice cube trays. It was always things like potato, pumpkin, carrot or choko served with chicken, fish or beef. We still had the Sunday roast but they also got hungry jacks or McDonalds.
Life was still a very 'western' diet.
Through the years Italian came into our diet more in the form of spaghetti and pizza. I was 30 when I tried my first Japanese and in my 40's before I tried it again and also got to try takeaway Thai. Due to working with a Greek girl when I was in my teens, I got to try traditional Greek food.
When I look at our diet now, it is very multi cultural. I cook Asian, Moroccan, Mexican, and more. I see what little kids have as their diet and they are given sushi and fruits and vegetables that we had never heard of. I think it is so exciting for them.
The thing that I feel sorry for those growing up today, is that they will never get to experience the full flavour of fresh food like we did. That tartness of a granny smith apple and the juiciness of it. The taste of preserved cherries and peaches, that have sat on the shelf in a laundry next to an old copper washer. Food with full-bodied flavours all of their own.
I wonder what we will be eating in another 20 years time.
Friday, 15 August 2014
Monday, 3 February 2014
Where my life has gone.
Well if ever I have wondered what I have done in my life, this afternoon has showed me. In my quest of cleaning out everywhere, I came across a memory box. I didn't realize I did so many courses haha.
Not only do I have a Diploma in Crystal Therapy, I also have done courses in the following.
Not only do I have a Diploma in Crystal Therapy, I also have done courses in the following.
- Autobiography course through carers Qld in 2008,
- A training programme completed to tutor students with their reading 1994
- Certificate of training for lifeline in 1996 and I also have certificate for recognition of service from them as well.
- My first aid certificate I did in 1989 with Veronica. I think it was 1 night a week for 6 weeks back then. Maybe I should update it lol
- Certificate for Natural Healing at Home in 1999.
- Training in Grass Roots Care for Carers in 2004
All of that equipped me to undertake the following voluntary positions.
- Lifeline telephone counsellor
- Vice President for Karalee S.S. P & C
- Fete Convenor for Karalee S.S.
- President for Karalee S.S P & C
- Bookshop convenor for Karalee S.S.
- Canteen Convenor Ipswich Little Athletics Assoc
- Wish granter for Starlight Children's Foundation and help in Starlight room and with fundraising
- Giving talks to professionals and support care workers for Carers Qld.
- Chairperson for Qld electric wheelchair sports.
- Secretary for Northern Suburbs Rugby League Club
- Smaller things like reading tutor, help with swimming lessons, helping in tuckshop.
Then of course, those that know me from emailcash, know that I had 5 years of organizing Secret Santa and Secret Bunny with up to 300 people.
Boy, no wonder I am tired lol.
Going through the box, I also came across a diary that the kids kept when we went to Sydney Olympics. It gave me a giggle with things they had written. Jade would finish her bits with good night diary lol.
There was a lot of newspaper articles from over the years with Ryan. Him sitting in an F111, photos from fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy Queensland, sports, his 18th and 21st. Photos of Jade from when she was made Arts Captain at High School and her principals 'student of the year' award.
There is a book by an American Woman Constance Foland. Many years ago, Constance joined a site I was a member of. She was writing a book and the man boy in it had Muscular Dystrophy. She would email me with things she would want to write and whether those things were possible and I would reply with yes or give a suggestion. When her book finally got published, she sent me a signed copy.
It really is a great box to take a journey through. Lots of things that I have pushed to the deep recess of my mind, but that bring back some wonderful memories.
P.S. Sitting here thinking and there are all the cooking classes I have done, as well as ceramics and I also use to make porcelain dolls.
P.S. Sitting here thinking and there are all the cooking classes I have done, as well as ceramics and I also use to make porcelain dolls.
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Beliefs
Beliefs are like fingerprints - no two people have the exact same belief system as another. No just belief due to religion, but also politics, parenting and more.
Over time, you develop and change what those beliefs are. What you thought at 20, will more than likely be a lot different at 50 and again at 70. Your life experiences, change the what you believe.
Last night in bed, I was thinking of all this when I couldn't sleep. Just what are my fingerprints on the maze of thoughts.
Religion.
I was brought up Catholic. All but one year of my schooling was done at Catholic schools. I was made to go to church each Sunday, even though my parents never went: well my mother very rarely. As I got older, I would go to the pub while I was suppose to be there.
When I left home, I would go occasionally, when the mood took my fancy. Peter on the other hand, went each week, due to family pressure. When we got married, we went most weekends, unless we thought of a good reason not to.
Getting married in a church was a given, although we didn't have a requiem service. The kids were all baptised and plans were made for them to go to a catholic school. We took them to church, the same way we did when younger.
Since Troy was born as Ryan was being diagnosed, I was determined to have Troy baptised before finding out if he also had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It was almost a frantic bargaining between myself and God.
When things settled down, we realized that school options had to change and that the kids would be going to a state school. Ryan also made his first communion and confirmation early, so that he could walk to do it.
I have to say that through this time, the priests at St Mary's were wonderful. I am sure that there are not many kids who would go to confession, but instead end up running around the church with the priest playing chasey. They were there again, when Ryan first realized that he would die young and wanted to talk to them. Sometimes he hated God and they were there to talk to listen to what he had to say.
Jade went with the flow and put her usual 110% effort into religion classes at school. Troy on the other hand, went for the first couple of years, then refused to go. It was just before this, that we stopped going all the time and it was down to Christmas eve open air mass. But that soon stopped as well.
So back to my beliefs. I don't believe that any one religion is right. I have done a bit of reading on different types and they all have their good and bad. I believe in all 'leaders' and these can be found if you look up Ascended Masters. I do think that above them, is one strong being.
Now to confuse you more. I believe in evolution. But I believe that some being, created the forces that led to to-days universe. It is to this being, that when I do have to go to any type of service, whether it be wedding, funeral or other, that I silently curse, for how life has unfolded.
There are too many things that can't be explained. Just as an example of a couple of incidences with me. Years ago, Ryan was a baby and I was going to visit a friend Belinda at Banyo. Every time I went to see her, I went along Rode Road to Sandgate Road. Every time, I missed the little slip road. Now I would of gone to her place probably around 50 times over the years. Only one time, did I get to take this slip road, without missing it.
On that day, while I was looking to see if any traffic was coming. The car that was in front of me, but that went to the lights, ran the red light. A semi coming the other way, collected the VW and it fell apart like a pack of cards. From the truck trying to stop, it swerved. If I had of not gotten that slip road, we would of been hit badly. I also cannot recall any sound from that day and couldn't even straight after it happened. Every sight memory is still in tact, but sound never.
The second incident, was that Peter and I were going to go to a wedding. We were going to catch a bus, down to NSW to it. A couple of nights beforehand, I had what could only be described as a vision. I saw a guy in our bedroom, telling me not to go or we would be hurt. It freaked me out big time. We didn't go and the bus that we were going on, had an accident and a lot of passengers were badly hurt.
Now you might say that these things were just luck. That's fine, that is what you believe. I believe it was a higher power, looking out for us. I also believe in the power of crystals, oils and nature for grounding.
Politics.
Boy covering all the taboo subjects today lol.
I have yet to see a politician that is in it to help 'the people'. I think a lot might start out like that, but by the time we get to see them, that has changed somewhat.
I have only once, voted for one of the two major parties. Normally it is greens or independents. I think the Greens now though, are far removed from the party they use to be. With the other two parties, I think it is more a point scoring competition, than running the country to the best of their abilities.
Imagine how great the country could be, if they all worked in unison and left egos at the door.
Immigration.
I think Australia should help refugees. I also believe that refugees should come by the correct channels. There are a lot of genuine ones, but there are some that aren't.
I love the diversity that they bring to Australia and that there is a lot our kids can learn from them.
I had even looked into the government scheme of taking in a refugee. For those that aren't familiar with it, you take in someone and help them get set up. Things like opening a bank account, getting a medicare card etc. The reason I didn't go further, was that our house wouldn't of been set up enough for what you had to supply.
When you read the crap online of how much they are given, stop and do some research and you will find it all false. It annoys me when people spread it around before checking out the facts.
Child Raising.
Teach your children to respect others and you will have well behaved kids.
I look some of the kids of today and wonder just what their parents are doing. Mine never would of dreamt to run around a restaurant, even Maccas. They would sit and eat, then be allowed in the playground under supervision.
Going shopping, meant that they stayed either beside or in the shopping trolley, not touching stock. If we went to visit a friend, then I went with a bag that contained toys, a small blanket and they would sit and play on it. Not opening cupboards or touching someone else's possessions.
They were by no means angels, but they knew what was expected of them. Their behaviour out was very different to home haha. Now they didn't get belted, they did get the occasional smack, but more often than not, they got time out. It was not any of this super nanny minute per age. It was stand with your nose to the wall until mum calms down. They do laugh and tell others, how I would sometimes forget they were there and doze off lol.
They are not scarred, but they will like me, go mad at your kids if you don't.
So that is a run down on my beliefs. Peter's are different to mine, as are my kids. I love that we have a pope and a queen and never want that to change - well we could skip Charles. I believe in this system and maybe that is the history buff in me.
No one else believes in all I do, and so that is my fingerprint on the world.
Over time, you develop and change what those beliefs are. What you thought at 20, will more than likely be a lot different at 50 and again at 70. Your life experiences, change the what you believe.
Last night in bed, I was thinking of all this when I couldn't sleep. Just what are my fingerprints on the maze of thoughts.
Religion.
I was brought up Catholic. All but one year of my schooling was done at Catholic schools. I was made to go to church each Sunday, even though my parents never went: well my mother very rarely. As I got older, I would go to the pub while I was suppose to be there.
When I left home, I would go occasionally, when the mood took my fancy. Peter on the other hand, went each week, due to family pressure. When we got married, we went most weekends, unless we thought of a good reason not to.
Getting married in a church was a given, although we didn't have a requiem service. The kids were all baptised and plans were made for them to go to a catholic school. We took them to church, the same way we did when younger.
Since Troy was born as Ryan was being diagnosed, I was determined to have Troy baptised before finding out if he also had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It was almost a frantic bargaining between myself and God.
When things settled down, we realized that school options had to change and that the kids would be going to a state school. Ryan also made his first communion and confirmation early, so that he could walk to do it.
I have to say that through this time, the priests at St Mary's were wonderful. I am sure that there are not many kids who would go to confession, but instead end up running around the church with the priest playing chasey. They were there again, when Ryan first realized that he would die young and wanted to talk to them. Sometimes he hated God and they were there to talk to listen to what he had to say.
Jade went with the flow and put her usual 110% effort into religion classes at school. Troy on the other hand, went for the first couple of years, then refused to go. It was just before this, that we stopped going all the time and it was down to Christmas eve open air mass. But that soon stopped as well.
So back to my beliefs. I don't believe that any one religion is right. I have done a bit of reading on different types and they all have their good and bad. I believe in all 'leaders' and these can be found if you look up Ascended Masters. I do think that above them, is one strong being.
Now to confuse you more. I believe in evolution. But I believe that some being, created the forces that led to to-days universe. It is to this being, that when I do have to go to any type of service, whether it be wedding, funeral or other, that I silently curse, for how life has unfolded.
There are too many things that can't be explained. Just as an example of a couple of incidences with me. Years ago, Ryan was a baby and I was going to visit a friend Belinda at Banyo. Every time I went to see her, I went along Rode Road to Sandgate Road. Every time, I missed the little slip road. Now I would of gone to her place probably around 50 times over the years. Only one time, did I get to take this slip road, without missing it.
On that day, while I was looking to see if any traffic was coming. The car that was in front of me, but that went to the lights, ran the red light. A semi coming the other way, collected the VW and it fell apart like a pack of cards. From the truck trying to stop, it swerved. If I had of not gotten that slip road, we would of been hit badly. I also cannot recall any sound from that day and couldn't even straight after it happened. Every sight memory is still in tact, but sound never.
The second incident, was that Peter and I were going to go to a wedding. We were going to catch a bus, down to NSW to it. A couple of nights beforehand, I had what could only be described as a vision. I saw a guy in our bedroom, telling me not to go or we would be hurt. It freaked me out big time. We didn't go and the bus that we were going on, had an accident and a lot of passengers were badly hurt.
Now you might say that these things were just luck. That's fine, that is what you believe. I believe it was a higher power, looking out for us. I also believe in the power of crystals, oils and nature for grounding.
Politics.
Boy covering all the taboo subjects today lol.
I have yet to see a politician that is in it to help 'the people'. I think a lot might start out like that, but by the time we get to see them, that has changed somewhat.
I have only once, voted for one of the two major parties. Normally it is greens or independents. I think the Greens now though, are far removed from the party they use to be. With the other two parties, I think it is more a point scoring competition, than running the country to the best of their abilities.
Imagine how great the country could be, if they all worked in unison and left egos at the door.
Immigration.
I think Australia should help refugees. I also believe that refugees should come by the correct channels. There are a lot of genuine ones, but there are some that aren't.
I love the diversity that they bring to Australia and that there is a lot our kids can learn from them.
I had even looked into the government scheme of taking in a refugee. For those that aren't familiar with it, you take in someone and help them get set up. Things like opening a bank account, getting a medicare card etc. The reason I didn't go further, was that our house wouldn't of been set up enough for what you had to supply.
When you read the crap online of how much they are given, stop and do some research and you will find it all false. It annoys me when people spread it around before checking out the facts.
Child Raising.
Teach your children to respect others and you will have well behaved kids.
I look some of the kids of today and wonder just what their parents are doing. Mine never would of dreamt to run around a restaurant, even Maccas. They would sit and eat, then be allowed in the playground under supervision.
Going shopping, meant that they stayed either beside or in the shopping trolley, not touching stock. If we went to visit a friend, then I went with a bag that contained toys, a small blanket and they would sit and play on it. Not opening cupboards or touching someone else's possessions.
They were by no means angels, but they knew what was expected of them. Their behaviour out was very different to home haha. Now they didn't get belted, they did get the occasional smack, but more often than not, they got time out. It was not any of this super nanny minute per age. It was stand with your nose to the wall until mum calms down. They do laugh and tell others, how I would sometimes forget they were there and doze off lol.
They are not scarred, but they will like me, go mad at your kids if you don't.
So that is a run down on my beliefs. Peter's are different to mine, as are my kids. I love that we have a pope and a queen and never want that to change - well we could skip Charles. I believe in this system and maybe that is the history buff in me.
No one else believes in all I do, and so that is my fingerprint on the world.
Monday, 30 December 2013
Reflection
As we say goodbye to 2013, it is time to reflect on the year that was.
I know for a lot of friends that this year ending in 13, has been the crappiest of all. For us, it has meant a lot of health problems for the whole family.
Peter - a breakdown, taken by ambulance to hospital, followed the next month by a couple of nights in with kidney stones. Work has also been turbulent, not knowing if he has a job at times, due to the downside of the economy.
Ryan - January saw Ryan start to have anxiety attacks. It is now under control, but took a while. He also became single after a long term relationship. In October, he did an at home sleep study. His specialist rang me afterwards to say that the readings were all over the place and Ryan had to go in straight away. Luckily it was the vpap being faulty and not him. He had a great year with sport, representing Qld in Power Chair Football. The support shown by friends and strangers was fantastic and we are eternally grateful. Ryan also turned 25 this year. That alone is a great achievement for him and one we were told he would never see.
Jade - As anyone who knows Jade can tell you, she works way too hard. Most weeks, she works 7 days and it can be up to 80 hours a week. She did get a week off this year and her and Corey went to Airlie Beach. The amount of work and lack of sleep, have had health effects on her as well. For her birthday this year, she told Corey she wanted a puppy. She instead got an ipad...... which she names puppy lol. Jade started up a cheer squad at Norths and had a ball teaching the girls. She also became qualified to be a wedding planner, even though she has been doing it and events for years.
Troy - Running his own business means that work is either a feast or a famine. Troy had his 21st this year and also started competing in Time Attack (car racing) at Qld Raceway and Lakeside in Brisbane. He came first in his division at both tracks for the year, which is great. In December he damaged his hand, but while not back to normal, it is getting there and at least didn't need surgery.
Spanner - stills rules the house. Has his girlfriend across the road and gives us many laughs. Abby (his girlfriend) will come over some times to play. Spanner will play for a bit and then come inside. Abby can't get in, as she is a lot bigger than him. I will tell him to go back out to her, and he walks out like he is dragging his feet and the attitude of 'do I have to'. He will sit outside the back door until he thinks you have moved and then try and sneak back in. Personality plus in that dog.
Me - A year of health problems all coming one after another. On the positive side, I got to go to a heap of live theatre. So enjoyed it and am going to miss my theatre buddy Colleen when she moves to France for a year. Guess it just means that we will have to make up for it in 2015 lol. Financially, it has been a very tough year. So that I can get out and about to stay sane, I have sold off things like jewellery, household items and personal collections. I was also lucky enough to win a lot of tickets. I was part of a tv program filming, that should be on tv around April - I will probably be cut out lol. Can't say any more about it, due to signing privacy forms, but will let you know when to watch. I have enjoyed my visits to the nursing home and getting to know the lady I visit and hearing about her life.
I think that this year has been all about lessons, especially in the last month or so.
I have learnt that I can't do it all and that it is okay to ask for help. For the first time in around 30 years I have worn outfits without sleeves. I hate my arms and I was always worried what others would say. I realized recently that how you dress or look, there are those that will criticize others, no matter how good or bad they look. So I might as well be comfortable and cool and if people don't like it, it is their problem not mine.
Even though I have done it above, I will not be doing it in the future. I don't have to explain how I get to do things and I won't be from now on. Just because we ask for help with fundraising, does not mean that every aspect of our lives has to be explained. People just have to accept that we have done everything in our power to do things on our own, as best as we can.
Another lesson is that family is not those related by blood, it is those that support you and make you a better person.
2014 will be a busy year. I am going to try to pace myself and not spread myself over too many projects. I will be making sure that I take time out for myself, to regroup and relax more.
This is a small snapshot of our year. The good, the bad and the ugly all happened. This has influenced the people we have become, at this point in time.
But we are all here to live another year and for that I am eternally grateful. We wish you lots of love and laughter, health and happiness in 2014
I know for a lot of friends that this year ending in 13, has been the crappiest of all. For us, it has meant a lot of health problems for the whole family.
Peter - a breakdown, taken by ambulance to hospital, followed the next month by a couple of nights in with kidney stones. Work has also been turbulent, not knowing if he has a job at times, due to the downside of the economy.
Ryan - January saw Ryan start to have anxiety attacks. It is now under control, but took a while. He also became single after a long term relationship. In October, he did an at home sleep study. His specialist rang me afterwards to say that the readings were all over the place and Ryan had to go in straight away. Luckily it was the vpap being faulty and not him. He had a great year with sport, representing Qld in Power Chair Football. The support shown by friends and strangers was fantastic and we are eternally grateful. Ryan also turned 25 this year. That alone is a great achievement for him and one we were told he would never see.
Jade - As anyone who knows Jade can tell you, she works way too hard. Most weeks, she works 7 days and it can be up to 80 hours a week. She did get a week off this year and her and Corey went to Airlie Beach. The amount of work and lack of sleep, have had health effects on her as well. For her birthday this year, she told Corey she wanted a puppy. She instead got an ipad...... which she names puppy lol. Jade started up a cheer squad at Norths and had a ball teaching the girls. She also became qualified to be a wedding planner, even though she has been doing it and events for years.
Troy - Running his own business means that work is either a feast or a famine. Troy had his 21st this year and also started competing in Time Attack (car racing) at Qld Raceway and Lakeside in Brisbane. He came first in his division at both tracks for the year, which is great. In December he damaged his hand, but while not back to normal, it is getting there and at least didn't need surgery.
Spanner - stills rules the house. Has his girlfriend across the road and gives us many laughs. Abby (his girlfriend) will come over some times to play. Spanner will play for a bit and then come inside. Abby can't get in, as she is a lot bigger than him. I will tell him to go back out to her, and he walks out like he is dragging his feet and the attitude of 'do I have to'. He will sit outside the back door until he thinks you have moved and then try and sneak back in. Personality plus in that dog.
Me - A year of health problems all coming one after another. On the positive side, I got to go to a heap of live theatre. So enjoyed it and am going to miss my theatre buddy Colleen when she moves to France for a year. Guess it just means that we will have to make up for it in 2015 lol. Financially, it has been a very tough year. So that I can get out and about to stay sane, I have sold off things like jewellery, household items and personal collections. I was also lucky enough to win a lot of tickets. I was part of a tv program filming, that should be on tv around April - I will probably be cut out lol. Can't say any more about it, due to signing privacy forms, but will let you know when to watch. I have enjoyed my visits to the nursing home and getting to know the lady I visit and hearing about her life.
I think that this year has been all about lessons, especially in the last month or so.
I have learnt that I can't do it all and that it is okay to ask for help. For the first time in around 30 years I have worn outfits without sleeves. I hate my arms and I was always worried what others would say. I realized recently that how you dress or look, there are those that will criticize others, no matter how good or bad they look. So I might as well be comfortable and cool and if people don't like it, it is their problem not mine.
Even though I have done it above, I will not be doing it in the future. I don't have to explain how I get to do things and I won't be from now on. Just because we ask for help with fundraising, does not mean that every aspect of our lives has to be explained. People just have to accept that we have done everything in our power to do things on our own, as best as we can.
Another lesson is that family is not those related by blood, it is those that support you and make you a better person.
2014 will be a busy year. I am going to try to pace myself and not spread myself over too many projects. I will be making sure that I take time out for myself, to regroup and relax more.
This is a small snapshot of our year. The good, the bad and the ugly all happened. This has influenced the people we have become, at this point in time.
But we are all here to live another year and for that I am eternally grateful. We wish you lots of love and laughter, health and happiness in 2014
Sunday, 3 November 2013
Life on the run
It has been a while since I wrote, well just over 3 months, but it feels like 3 years with so much happening, but that will come later.
I never want people to feel sorry for me. What I do want is friends who don't care if I vent and that can vent to me, knowing that I don't mind. Mostly I vent via facebook. It is my communication to the outside world.
If you think about how you vent, you may find it is to people you work with or see during the course of the week. Due to me not working (and yes I have been feeling worthless lately due to not working), I don't get to see many friends. In fact since the 7th October, I have seen three, face to face. No big deal, as everyone is busy with their own lives and we are not always free at the same time. This is just to show why I use facebook as my outlet to vent. Most of the people on it, except for a couple that I play games against, are all friends.
One thing I have noticed over the past couple of months, is that when I put up a status, within 5 mins, there have been comments posted on friends pages that seem to be pointed at me. At first I thought that I might be reading something into it that wasn't there, but it seems to happen nearly all the time.
Due to this, you will have noticed that I haven't put up much of anything. Everyone has different things to cope with and at different levels. It doesn't mean that any one person is worse off than anyone else. With me, writing it down, is my way of letting go and not dwelling on it. It is also the way that close friends know what is going on and I can get support just by knowing that they understand what is happening, even if we don't see each other.
Now having said that, I am going to put here all that has happened and if you don't like it, tough shit.
It all started with having an xray on my foot. Yes I told people about it, but didn't say the things that the radiologist said it might be. So scared shitless until I saw the orthopaedic surgeon and had the mri to find out it was arthritis. Plan of action, get orthotics made and if that doesn't work, then surgery to fuse the bones together in my foot.
No sooner had this been organized, then I was back seem him again and having another mri on my wrist. I thought just a ganglion but no, it was that plus Teninosis, which meant it had to be aspirated and a cortisone injection. This gave relief for a couple of weeks, but the pain is back, waking me at night. So I have to make an appointment to go back, as the orthopaedic surgeon said if it didn't last longer than a month, then it would have to be operated on to fix it.
I had the above mri, on the day after the high tea fundraiser. While the high tea was a success, it was a lot of work and anyone that knows me, knows I throw my whole self into it. Until it was pointed out on the day, while pouring coffee, my hands were shaking. By the time I sat down, my feet felt like concrete blocks and I couldn't really move them properly.
The next day and the Monday saw me lose control of my bowels. So another mri, as they thought I would have to have surgery immediately. Jan drove me to the Wesley and I am glad she did. I was in a bit of a daze with it all and it was good to have someone else there to hear what was said and to relay it.
It probably took nearly a week for it to come good, then I had to see the specialist again at the Wesley, who talked about pain relief by injections in my spine, which I rejected and also to see a rheumatologist to see if there is an underlying cause to the changes in my body.
The day prior to seeing him and Ryan's birthday, I got a call from Ryan's thoracic specialist, saying that readings from Ryan's latest home sleep study were all over the place and he wanted him in either the next day or the one after. Due to so much happening those two days, I told him no and when Ryan comes back he would come in. An appointment was made for the Tuesday.
Again more worry as to what was happening and I don't think I told anyone. Thankfully it was that his ventilator was playing up and not anything that was happening with Ryan, so once that was established, he got a new machine.
In those couple of months, we had medical bills of over $1000 just on the above mentioned items, not the regular things we have. At the same time, Peter's job was an uncertainty.
Also the place that Ryan gets his physio and ot from, has started charging $150 an hour. It is to come out of his package and they told everyone to get a review to cover the charge. Only problem is that we have had a review and been identified as needing more, but there is no money for it. We were in the middle of trying to get Ryan a new cushion to help with the pressure sores he had been getting, when we found this out. It meant that we sort of gave up on finding a cushion, as trialling more would mean charges. Luckily, Ryan found that just getting some gel pads to put in his current cushion will do.
We had just wiped out any money we had on my medical bills and Peter going with Ryan to Sydney, along with the $2000 spent on the van, to be told we need to spend more. The rheumatologist is going to be $390 for the initial consult :O
Peter's job is safe until Christmas at the moment. We have been able to fit in some morning shifts for carers, so this way Peter can start work at 5.30 and come home at lunch time. I can then go to aqua aerobics, to try and alleviate some of the pain I have.
We have come to the decision that if we can get enough for our house, then we can move and have money to get a new van and be able to put some away. If not, MDAQ have said they can assist us to fundraise for it.
Like I said, everyone has had trials that they have to deal with. So when you see me, or someone else on your friends list, writing about what is happening, know they are doing it because there is no one around at that time for them to talk to and getting it out there, takes some of the pressure off of their shoulders.
I never want people to feel sorry for me. What I do want is friends who don't care if I vent and that can vent to me, knowing that I don't mind. Mostly I vent via facebook. It is my communication to the outside world.
If you think about how you vent, you may find it is to people you work with or see during the course of the week. Due to me not working (and yes I have been feeling worthless lately due to not working), I don't get to see many friends. In fact since the 7th October, I have seen three, face to face. No big deal, as everyone is busy with their own lives and we are not always free at the same time. This is just to show why I use facebook as my outlet to vent. Most of the people on it, except for a couple that I play games against, are all friends.
One thing I have noticed over the past couple of months, is that when I put up a status, within 5 mins, there have been comments posted on friends pages that seem to be pointed at me. At first I thought that I might be reading something into it that wasn't there, but it seems to happen nearly all the time.
Due to this, you will have noticed that I haven't put up much of anything. Everyone has different things to cope with and at different levels. It doesn't mean that any one person is worse off than anyone else. With me, writing it down, is my way of letting go and not dwelling on it. It is also the way that close friends know what is going on and I can get support just by knowing that they understand what is happening, even if we don't see each other.
Now having said that, I am going to put here all that has happened and if you don't like it, tough shit.
It all started with having an xray on my foot. Yes I told people about it, but didn't say the things that the radiologist said it might be. So scared shitless until I saw the orthopaedic surgeon and had the mri to find out it was arthritis. Plan of action, get orthotics made and if that doesn't work, then surgery to fuse the bones together in my foot.
No sooner had this been organized, then I was back seem him again and having another mri on my wrist. I thought just a ganglion but no, it was that plus Teninosis, which meant it had to be aspirated and a cortisone injection. This gave relief for a couple of weeks, but the pain is back, waking me at night. So I have to make an appointment to go back, as the orthopaedic surgeon said if it didn't last longer than a month, then it would have to be operated on to fix it.
I had the above mri, on the day after the high tea fundraiser. While the high tea was a success, it was a lot of work and anyone that knows me, knows I throw my whole self into it. Until it was pointed out on the day, while pouring coffee, my hands were shaking. By the time I sat down, my feet felt like concrete blocks and I couldn't really move them properly.
The next day and the Monday saw me lose control of my bowels. So another mri, as they thought I would have to have surgery immediately. Jan drove me to the Wesley and I am glad she did. I was in a bit of a daze with it all and it was good to have someone else there to hear what was said and to relay it.
It probably took nearly a week for it to come good, then I had to see the specialist again at the Wesley, who talked about pain relief by injections in my spine, which I rejected and also to see a rheumatologist to see if there is an underlying cause to the changes in my body.
The day prior to seeing him and Ryan's birthday, I got a call from Ryan's thoracic specialist, saying that readings from Ryan's latest home sleep study were all over the place and he wanted him in either the next day or the one after. Due to so much happening those two days, I told him no and when Ryan comes back he would come in. An appointment was made for the Tuesday.
Again more worry as to what was happening and I don't think I told anyone. Thankfully it was that his ventilator was playing up and not anything that was happening with Ryan, so once that was established, he got a new machine.
In those couple of months, we had medical bills of over $1000 just on the above mentioned items, not the regular things we have. At the same time, Peter's job was an uncertainty.
Also the place that Ryan gets his physio and ot from, has started charging $150 an hour. It is to come out of his package and they told everyone to get a review to cover the charge. Only problem is that we have had a review and been identified as needing more, but there is no money for it. We were in the middle of trying to get Ryan a new cushion to help with the pressure sores he had been getting, when we found this out. It meant that we sort of gave up on finding a cushion, as trialling more would mean charges. Luckily, Ryan found that just getting some gel pads to put in his current cushion will do.
We had just wiped out any money we had on my medical bills and Peter going with Ryan to Sydney, along with the $2000 spent on the van, to be told we need to spend more. The rheumatologist is going to be $390 for the initial consult :O
Peter's job is safe until Christmas at the moment. We have been able to fit in some morning shifts for carers, so this way Peter can start work at 5.30 and come home at lunch time. I can then go to aqua aerobics, to try and alleviate some of the pain I have.
We have come to the decision that if we can get enough for our house, then we can move and have money to get a new van and be able to put some away. If not, MDAQ have said they can assist us to fundraise for it.
Like I said, everyone has had trials that they have to deal with. So when you see me, or someone else on your friends list, writing about what is happening, know they are doing it because there is no one around at that time for them to talk to and getting it out there, takes some of the pressure off of their shoulders.
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Explaining Funding
Well what a week we have had with services being cut. Sucks big time, but as always we will get there.
Best to explain it all, as it is hard to understand.
Ryan has funding from 3 different areas.
1. Family support package. This is a fixed amount from Disability Services Qld and the amount we took out of their hands for managing and put into the hands of Muscular Dystrophy Qld. This pays for 2 hours a night personal care, out of home respite and help with a cleaner fortnightly, to do the things I can't. This amount is $22,000 per year. MDAQ gets between 5 to 8 percent for helping us manage this (the more I do the less it is). With the charge for carers at $40 an hour, there isn't a lot of room for movement. This amount never increases and the amount of services it gave us when we first got it 7 years ago was double what we get now.
2. HACC funding. This gave us 2 overnights a week, but at a reduced cost and we had to pay the difference out of our own pockets. This is Federal Government and funding has been reduced to half, so we lose 1 night a week overnight care. This is not guaranteed and can go at any time. The full cost of the overnight shift we are losing is $382.50, so not an option to even pay the full amount without selling a body part.
3. Post School funding. This is to help Ryan get out into society, access his job agency and has been used for helping him do his photography course and helped with other access. This is an amount of hours. Due to weeks when we have been away or Ryan in respite or cancelled shifts, Ryan had an abundance of hours. So much so that instead of 30 hours a month, he could get 46 hours a month. So it helped with him accessing sport and another day a week to help with appointments etc for him. Ryan's case worker for this lot of support, didn't realize it was running low or in fact that it had gone over until now. So all of a sudden it is now back to 30 hours.
On top of this, there is respite at Montrose which was 4 nights a month. Due to increase of people accessing the service, for the next 6 months, Ryan will only be able to access it twice.
So in total, what we were getting was 7 overnight shifts, 12 personal care shifts, 7 days to access community and 4 out of home respite shifts a month.
What it will now be a month is 3 overnight shifts, 12 personal care shifts, 3 days to access community and the 4 out of home shifts in August and November.
Confused yet? As you can see, nothing is straight forward. When there is an increase in charges, it will all change again. MDAQ are our advocate with DSQ, but as you can see we don't just deal with them. Due to having some savings that we have been able to carry over for a once off, we can use it to pay for a carer when we have something on. So for example we have a wedding to go to and am looking at a 9 hour shift @ $51 an hour.
Our funding does not have any provision for equipment in it. MDAQ are trying to get a new bed for Ryan, as his keeps breaking down.
We were offered 2 x 5 hours days out of home respite by DSQ, but the place it was offered at was 1.5 hour drive from here. So 3 hours travel of a morning and again of an afternoon. Apart from the fact that Ryan is not up to that much of a drive a day, is 6 hours travel for 5 hours break realistic? I think not. I also think it was a token offer, knowing that it was unsuitable.
With regards to the new disability care that the federal government has brought in. I don't know how that will help or hinder us. It won't be in Qld until 2016 and the more I read about it, the more confused I am. There just doesn't seem to be any clear guides as to how it works and what help you get.
All of this is nothing new. Each year this is what we have to deal with. You seem to get ahead one step then 2 back. After 7 years I should be use to it. The sad thing is, that while I can only pray that we didn't have to go through this every year. I know that it will only stop when Ryan is no longer with us and we don't need it any more.
So I just keep fighting it all and let off steam in here and facebook when I can. I know it is hard for some to understand and I hope this explains it all a bit better. We are lucky that we get help, but it has not been from just luck. It has been from me being a bloody bulldog and fighting for it. I will continue to do that and if people think that is just me whinging, then the unfriend button is up on the right.
Best to explain it all, as it is hard to understand.
Ryan has funding from 3 different areas.
1. Family support package. This is a fixed amount from Disability Services Qld and the amount we took out of their hands for managing and put into the hands of Muscular Dystrophy Qld. This pays for 2 hours a night personal care, out of home respite and help with a cleaner fortnightly, to do the things I can't. This amount is $22,000 per year. MDAQ gets between 5 to 8 percent for helping us manage this (the more I do the less it is). With the charge for carers at $40 an hour, there isn't a lot of room for movement. This amount never increases and the amount of services it gave us when we first got it 7 years ago was double what we get now.
2. HACC funding. This gave us 2 overnights a week, but at a reduced cost and we had to pay the difference out of our own pockets. This is Federal Government and funding has been reduced to half, so we lose 1 night a week overnight care. This is not guaranteed and can go at any time. The full cost of the overnight shift we are losing is $382.50, so not an option to even pay the full amount without selling a body part.
3. Post School funding. This is to help Ryan get out into society, access his job agency and has been used for helping him do his photography course and helped with other access. This is an amount of hours. Due to weeks when we have been away or Ryan in respite or cancelled shifts, Ryan had an abundance of hours. So much so that instead of 30 hours a month, he could get 46 hours a month. So it helped with him accessing sport and another day a week to help with appointments etc for him. Ryan's case worker for this lot of support, didn't realize it was running low or in fact that it had gone over until now. So all of a sudden it is now back to 30 hours.
On top of this, there is respite at Montrose which was 4 nights a month. Due to increase of people accessing the service, for the next 6 months, Ryan will only be able to access it twice.
So in total, what we were getting was 7 overnight shifts, 12 personal care shifts, 7 days to access community and 4 out of home respite shifts a month.
What it will now be a month is 3 overnight shifts, 12 personal care shifts, 3 days to access community and the 4 out of home shifts in August and November.
Confused yet? As you can see, nothing is straight forward. When there is an increase in charges, it will all change again. MDAQ are our advocate with DSQ, but as you can see we don't just deal with them. Due to having some savings that we have been able to carry over for a once off, we can use it to pay for a carer when we have something on. So for example we have a wedding to go to and am looking at a 9 hour shift @ $51 an hour.
Our funding does not have any provision for equipment in it. MDAQ are trying to get a new bed for Ryan, as his keeps breaking down.
We were offered 2 x 5 hours days out of home respite by DSQ, but the place it was offered at was 1.5 hour drive from here. So 3 hours travel of a morning and again of an afternoon. Apart from the fact that Ryan is not up to that much of a drive a day, is 6 hours travel for 5 hours break realistic? I think not. I also think it was a token offer, knowing that it was unsuitable.
With regards to the new disability care that the federal government has brought in. I don't know how that will help or hinder us. It won't be in Qld until 2016 and the more I read about it, the more confused I am. There just doesn't seem to be any clear guides as to how it works and what help you get.
All of this is nothing new. Each year this is what we have to deal with. You seem to get ahead one step then 2 back. After 7 years I should be use to it. The sad thing is, that while I can only pray that we didn't have to go through this every year. I know that it will only stop when Ryan is no longer with us and we don't need it any more.
So I just keep fighting it all and let off steam in here and facebook when I can. I know it is hard for some to understand and I hope this explains it all a bit better. We are lucky that we get help, but it has not been from just luck. It has been from me being a bloody bulldog and fighting for it. I will continue to do that and if people think that is just me whinging, then the unfriend button is up on the right.
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
Rules for all
Recently Ryan went into Dept of Housing to put his name down, so that he could move out and be independent. He did the forms and was sent away with forms for his doctor to fill out. Within half an hour of leaving, he got a call to say not to bother to get the forms filled as he doesn't qualify.
On a day when I had a meeting with MDAQ, we rang housing to see why. There reason is because Ryan had answered the questions (truthfully), that he had to stay put. He told them that 20 years ago we built this house and it suits his wheelchair. That we look after him and haven't hurt him. So because of that he didn't qualify.
Our advocate pointed out that the government had a program (whose name escapes me at the moment) that meant that those with disabilities couldn't be excluded due to having a disability and that also allowed for them to live in society. This programme is now scrapped.
Unless the house becomes unsuitable or we hurt Ryan, he has to stay with us forever. Now I know we don't have forever, but imagine the disabilities that people have that do go on. They must stay at home.
I know that the waiting list is a mile long and I asked when the time comes that we can't look after Ryan, what then. Or if we want to move to a smaller place and it isn't suitable, what can we do. Well apparently we can then put down Ryan's name, as the housing wouldn't be suitable and if we couldn't look after him, it would be classed as unsafe.
Great!! I thought, well at least then we could get help. Hmmm, not really. You can only put their name down when that happens, not beforehand knowing it will happen and no they won't find somewhere straight away, it will still be years of waiting.
Getting the picture yet? We will have a society of elderly looking after their children, when they really can't or a bunch of people living on the streets.
Now do you think that they apply these rules to everyone? Do they ask low income earners for example, if their parents have a house and whether they harm them? As we know, most would say no. So why aren't they made to stay with them? Doesn't everyone deserve to be able to live an independent life?
I did ask Ryan why he hadn't shown them my list of 308 ways to knock him off. I am sure then, that they might have decided he was in an unsafe environment hahaha.
Just imagine if you were told that you had to stay living with your parents. How many of us would be up on murder charges by now lol
If you want to know, just what it is like for a couple of brothers with MD living on their own, then watch this link. Scott and Daniel are from Brisbane.
Scott and Daniels Story
On a day when I had a meeting with MDAQ, we rang housing to see why. There reason is because Ryan had answered the questions (truthfully), that he had to stay put. He told them that 20 years ago we built this house and it suits his wheelchair. That we look after him and haven't hurt him. So because of that he didn't qualify.
Our advocate pointed out that the government had a program (whose name escapes me at the moment) that meant that those with disabilities couldn't be excluded due to having a disability and that also allowed for them to live in society. This programme is now scrapped.
Unless the house becomes unsuitable or we hurt Ryan, he has to stay with us forever. Now I know we don't have forever, but imagine the disabilities that people have that do go on. They must stay at home.
I know that the waiting list is a mile long and I asked when the time comes that we can't look after Ryan, what then. Or if we want to move to a smaller place and it isn't suitable, what can we do. Well apparently we can then put down Ryan's name, as the housing wouldn't be suitable and if we couldn't look after him, it would be classed as unsafe.
Great!! I thought, well at least then we could get help. Hmmm, not really. You can only put their name down when that happens, not beforehand knowing it will happen and no they won't find somewhere straight away, it will still be years of waiting.
Getting the picture yet? We will have a society of elderly looking after their children, when they really can't or a bunch of people living on the streets.
Now do you think that they apply these rules to everyone? Do they ask low income earners for example, if their parents have a house and whether they harm them? As we know, most would say no. So why aren't they made to stay with them? Doesn't everyone deserve to be able to live an independent life?
I did ask Ryan why he hadn't shown them my list of 308 ways to knock him off. I am sure then, that they might have decided he was in an unsafe environment hahaha.
Just imagine if you were told that you had to stay living with your parents. How many of us would be up on murder charges by now lol
If you want to know, just what it is like for a couple of brothers with MD living on their own, then watch this link. Scott and Daniel are from Brisbane.
Scott and Daniels Story
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
When mama bears feel helpless
Don't you just hate it when your children are hurting and there is nothing you can do about it? Well that is how I am feeling now.
Last week, after nearly 2 years together, my son's girlfriend broke up with him. I have had to watch him go through the emotions of being upset and angry.
Everyone, including him, understands how hard it is to be a partner of someone with high needs. The part that is hard for him, is that it was done by private message over facebook.
Now call me old fashion, but how can you try and work out any problems or even get any closure when things are done this way. Why stay overnight here, then go home and send the message? Why not talk about it while you are face to face. Yes, I know that is hard, but hell, so is life.
I have to say, that if any of my kids did this, I would be so disappointed in them and they would soon know it.
All a mother can do, is to keep quiet and be there for your kids, to pick up the pieces and help dust them off.
Last week, after nearly 2 years together, my son's girlfriend broke up with him. I have had to watch him go through the emotions of being upset and angry.
Everyone, including him, understands how hard it is to be a partner of someone with high needs. The part that is hard for him, is that it was done by private message over facebook.
Now call me old fashion, but how can you try and work out any problems or even get any closure when things are done this way. Why stay overnight here, then go home and send the message? Why not talk about it while you are face to face. Yes, I know that is hard, but hell, so is life.
I have to say, that if any of my kids did this, I would be so disappointed in them and they would soon know it.
All a mother can do, is to keep quiet and be there for your kids, to pick up the pieces and help dust them off.
Thursday, 25 April 2013
Training paid off
A couple of weeks ago when Peter was rushed by ambulance to hospital, I wasn't to know that it would serve as a training for this week. On Monday afternoon I had been to the psychologist and talking about how I had run through what I would need to do if Peter had of stayed in. As she said, it is more complex than anyone else.
Fast forward to Monday at 5pm. Everyone on my phone has a personalized ring tone. I was just finishing off cooking dinner when it rang with Peter's tone. I answered and got "This is Rhonda from East Clinic. You need to come in as he isn't going to be able to drive home and need to bring someone to get the car". My response was "who is in there?" Peter hadn't told me he was going. He was in so much pain when he left work that he just drove there and was lucky that someone was free to see him.
So I get off the phone, ring Troy and ask him to come home, ring Jade to see if she is free to come and watch Ryan. She was teaching a dance class and couldn't leave straight away. I rang the guy across the road and asked if he could wait with Ryan until Jade came or we got home. Finished dinner while waiting for Troy, then told Ryan what there was for his carer to give him when he came at 6.30, in case we weren't back.
Troy and I went into the doctors surgery and Rhonda greeted us with "There is a bed waiting for him at St Andrews". So Troy drove Peter up the hill in my car, while I walked the 50 metres or so. In that time, I had rung Ryan's carer and asked him to come early and stay until I got home and would square it away with the agency in the morning. Rung Jade to get clothes and medication for Peter when she got to our place and bring it in.
Before Peter was in his room, with the help of my lovely friends on facebook, I had rung the agency and got a carer to come in the following morning and get Ryan out of bed. I am unable to get him up.
Troy left and brought the van home and let the carer go. Jade left after telling me that she would come over when Corey left for work in the morning so I could get some sleep then. The doctor was taking forever to come as he was held up in surgery, so I left with the nurse promising to ring me when after he came.
Ryan had a bit of a panic at Peter not being here, but I think after the first night, he calmed down. A carer came the next morning and between him and myself, we got Ryan out of bed. Jade then drove Ryan and herself to her work, then met me at the hospital. Peter had a scan and was waiting for the doctor.
Of course as luck would have it, when Ryan, Jade and I went for lunch (which we enjoyed with Rita Langer), the doctor came. Hmmm he couldn't of come in the three hours we were sitting there for haha. Anyway, Peter was to go to theatre at 5.30/6. Again they said they would ring when he came back.
In the time spent with Peter, while he was dozing, I organized a carer to come in and do an overnight shift and another to come in for Wednesday and Thursday mornings to get Ryan up.
It was about 7.30 when Peter went down. The doctor went in and dragged the stones out and put a stent in. I didn't go back up, as it was 10 before Peter was back on the ward an was out to it.
By Wednesday, Peter was a lot better, but couldn't leave hospital until the afternoon. I raced off to do some grocery shopping and I am sure Leanne thought I was going crazy as I just seemed to wander and had forgotten my list and trying to remember what I needed and the whole time just wanting to sleep.
But now, Peter is home and well. He goes back in next Friday to get the stent out. He isn't allowed to work until next Thursday which is fine since we had already been booked in to go to Mt Tamborine on Monday and Tuesday night next week.
I have decided that we have had enough excitement this year and now want it to calm down :)
Fast forward to Monday at 5pm. Everyone on my phone has a personalized ring tone. I was just finishing off cooking dinner when it rang with Peter's tone. I answered and got "This is Rhonda from East Clinic. You need to come in as he isn't going to be able to drive home and need to bring someone to get the car". My response was "who is in there?" Peter hadn't told me he was going. He was in so much pain when he left work that he just drove there and was lucky that someone was free to see him.
So I get off the phone, ring Troy and ask him to come home, ring Jade to see if she is free to come and watch Ryan. She was teaching a dance class and couldn't leave straight away. I rang the guy across the road and asked if he could wait with Ryan until Jade came or we got home. Finished dinner while waiting for Troy, then told Ryan what there was for his carer to give him when he came at 6.30, in case we weren't back.
Troy and I went into the doctors surgery and Rhonda greeted us with "There is a bed waiting for him at St Andrews". So Troy drove Peter up the hill in my car, while I walked the 50 metres or so. In that time, I had rung Ryan's carer and asked him to come early and stay until I got home and would square it away with the agency in the morning. Rung Jade to get clothes and medication for Peter when she got to our place and bring it in.
Before Peter was in his room, with the help of my lovely friends on facebook, I had rung the agency and got a carer to come in the following morning and get Ryan out of bed. I am unable to get him up.
Troy left and brought the van home and let the carer go. Jade left after telling me that she would come over when Corey left for work in the morning so I could get some sleep then. The doctor was taking forever to come as he was held up in surgery, so I left with the nurse promising to ring me when after he came.
Ryan had a bit of a panic at Peter not being here, but I think after the first night, he calmed down. A carer came the next morning and between him and myself, we got Ryan out of bed. Jade then drove Ryan and herself to her work, then met me at the hospital. Peter had a scan and was waiting for the doctor.
Of course as luck would have it, when Ryan, Jade and I went for lunch (which we enjoyed with Rita Langer), the doctor came. Hmmm he couldn't of come in the three hours we were sitting there for haha. Anyway, Peter was to go to theatre at 5.30/6. Again they said they would ring when he came back.
In the time spent with Peter, while he was dozing, I organized a carer to come in and do an overnight shift and another to come in for Wednesday and Thursday mornings to get Ryan up.
It was about 7.30 when Peter went down. The doctor went in and dragged the stones out and put a stent in. I didn't go back up, as it was 10 before Peter was back on the ward an was out to it.
By Wednesday, Peter was a lot better, but couldn't leave hospital until the afternoon. I raced off to do some grocery shopping and I am sure Leanne thought I was going crazy as I just seemed to wander and had forgotten my list and trying to remember what I needed and the whole time just wanting to sleep.
But now, Peter is home and well. He goes back in next Friday to get the stent out. He isn't allowed to work until next Thursday which is fine since we had already been booked in to go to Mt Tamborine on Monday and Tuesday night next week.
I have decided that we have had enough excitement this year and now want it to calm down :)
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Memories and senses
It is funny when thoughts and feelings overcome you. I was in bed the other night and had just dozed off when a noise woke me. I don't know what the noise was, or even if I dreamt it, but I was suddenly wide awake.
Not only awake, but whatever the noise was, it sounded just like the noise the chains that my granddfather use to put around the back of the dairy cows when they came in for milking. Along with this noise and thought came the scent. There is no other smell in the world like fresh milk. Laying in bed I could smell it as if I was there right now.
It is funny because when I normally think of the farm, it is the smell of cow dung that comes to me - I love this smell. Yes I know, weird.
I remembered the cement floor and the cows coming in and going out when finished with. The noises in the shed and of the tails swishing to shoo the flies away. The clang of the metal lids being put on the milk tins, that would be picked up later.
So strong was this memory that if it wasn't the middle of the night, I would of hopped in my car to drive to Gympie to see what had become of the farm.
Not only awake, but whatever the noise was, it sounded just like the noise the chains that my granddfather use to put around the back of the dairy cows when they came in for milking. Along with this noise and thought came the scent. There is no other smell in the world like fresh milk. Laying in bed I could smell it as if I was there right now.
It is funny because when I normally think of the farm, it is the smell of cow dung that comes to me - I love this smell. Yes I know, weird.
I remembered the cement floor and the cows coming in and going out when finished with. The noises in the shed and of the tails swishing to shoo the flies away. The clang of the metal lids being put on the milk tins, that would be picked up later.
So strong was this memory that if it wasn't the middle of the night, I would of hopped in my car to drive to Gympie to see what had become of the farm.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
Understanding.
I am reading a book at the moment about a mother who has lost her daughter to problems associated with diabetes. Last night I read a part in the book and my thought 'oh my God, I can so relate to this and it says it better than I ever could'.
..Not too long ago Nicole and I were living our own lives. And then she got sick and, by the score, doctors and nurses and therapists and social workers began falling out of the sky. ... In our wallets, their faces replaced those of dead presidents. ...Our lives were no longer our own. Every facet was governed and judged by someone else. First we were free, then we weren't, and now we were here. That's all I know for certain.
This is exactly how it feels if you have a child with a disability. Your life is inundated with people. Don't get me wrong, I have extremely grateful for all the help we receive. It's just that life is very much different. At the end of the day when you might throw off your bra or when you get up of a morning and think you might leave your nightie on until you finish tidying the house, you can't. Well maybe you can, but your house is going to have carers in it and I am sure they don't want to have their retinas burnt haha.
Your chain of thought changes and this was brought home to me this week. When I was following the ambulance to the hospital when they took Peter up, my mind was racing a dime a dozen. In the five minutes it took to get to the hospital, I had rung Jade, Peters sister and worked out a plan of action.
With Ryan in respite, my mind was racing... If they kept Peter in, Ryan couldn't stay in respite as it was Easter. Okay I will have to ring CCRC, QMDA, Focal and Alara to try and organize full time help. I had formed a plan of action in my mind and all this and the phone calls in that short drive.
Luckily Peter is fine and all this didn't have to happen.
Now for some observations from the hospital.
Shoes are optional, as most don't have any on.
You have to tell everyone around you why you are there and find out why they are there.
If you have kids, it gives you the right to talk really loud and try and be the centre of attention.
It's okay to use your phone and talk as loud as you can without going outside.
Speaking of outside, it's fine to go out and the staff spend forever trying to find you when your turn comes up (if it was up to me, you then miss out on that spot and the next in line goes).
If you eat chips or any other food, you can more than welcome to drop it on the floor.
Shifting to a different seat to get away from weirdos doesn't work, they just follow you so they can keep telling you about their kidney stones and past medical history.
Thank God we only have to go there rarely (third time in our lives, all what they thought were heart related and closest place with the right equipment if needed). Private health insurance is priceless, when it means that at other times we can go private and not deal with the above situation.
..Not too long ago Nicole and I were living our own lives. And then she got sick and, by the score, doctors and nurses and therapists and social workers began falling out of the sky. ... In our wallets, their faces replaced those of dead presidents. ...Our lives were no longer our own. Every facet was governed and judged by someone else. First we were free, then we weren't, and now we were here. That's all I know for certain.
This is exactly how it feels if you have a child with a disability. Your life is inundated with people. Don't get me wrong, I have extremely grateful for all the help we receive. It's just that life is very much different. At the end of the day when you might throw off your bra or when you get up of a morning and think you might leave your nightie on until you finish tidying the house, you can't. Well maybe you can, but your house is going to have carers in it and I am sure they don't want to have their retinas burnt haha.
Your chain of thought changes and this was brought home to me this week. When I was following the ambulance to the hospital when they took Peter up, my mind was racing a dime a dozen. In the five minutes it took to get to the hospital, I had rung Jade, Peters sister and worked out a plan of action.
With Ryan in respite, my mind was racing... If they kept Peter in, Ryan couldn't stay in respite as it was Easter. Okay I will have to ring CCRC, QMDA, Focal and Alara to try and organize full time help. I had formed a plan of action in my mind and all this and the phone calls in that short drive.
Luckily Peter is fine and all this didn't have to happen.
Now for some observations from the hospital.
Shoes are optional, as most don't have any on.
You have to tell everyone around you why you are there and find out why they are there.
If you have kids, it gives you the right to talk really loud and try and be the centre of attention.
It's okay to use your phone and talk as loud as you can without going outside.
Speaking of outside, it's fine to go out and the staff spend forever trying to find you when your turn comes up (if it was up to me, you then miss out on that spot and the next in line goes).
If you eat chips or any other food, you can more than welcome to drop it on the floor.
Shifting to a different seat to get away from weirdos doesn't work, they just follow you so they can keep telling you about their kidney stones and past medical history.
Thank God we only have to go there rarely (third time in our lives, all what they thought were heart related and closest place with the right equipment if needed). Private health insurance is priceless, when it means that at other times we can go private and not deal with the above situation.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
How much can a bear bear?
This is a whinge, but I need to get it down on paper - well in word form. So if you want to leave my pity party, now is the time to go.
Years ago a very dear friend said to me "You are never given more than you can handle". I have always taken comfort in this and believe it to be true.
I look at my close family and know that they struggle and panic with son having asthma occasionally (not trivialising asthma as you will see). This is their level of what they can bear and that is fine.
Now while I might complain or use humour to cope, we normally get through things and come out the other side, because it isn't more than we can handle.
Today has me wondering, if maybe I have reached that limit. Will I be pushed to crack? Is this some sort of test? WTF did we do in a past life that we have to experience it this time around?
If you have read my past blogs, you will know of some of the medical things that we have been through, but here is a brief run down:-
1 ovary removed, 3 miscarriages, 1 ectopic pregnancy, 3 caesarians 1 hysterectomy (well another would be impossible) gall bladder removed, in hospital for a week with asthma that they didn't think I would come home from, diabetes, asthma, severe depression and a back that as my gp says "is fucked".
Now with the kids. All 3 had asthma. Jade had a couple of hospital visits with asthma. Troy for the first 5 years of his life, would go to hospital every 6 to 8 months to get grommets, had adenoids out twice and tonsils out. Due to this he had some speech problems and had to see a speech therapist. Before he was 2, he had tests for what they thought was epilepsy but which turned out to be cluster migraines. We were told he would either grow out of the or have them for life. Thankfully he grew out of them around the age of 8.
Peter had his tonsils out at around the age of 35. Ryan had his done when he was around 10. Then of course Ryan with DMD and all that goes with that - including losing all movement after his rods being done and the problems of his back opening up. And Ryan going to commit suicide when he was younger.
We had a painting business that at one stage had 3 lots of people in a row not pay, that crippled us and a worker that went up on a murder charge of killing his wife. God this all sounds like a bad novel.
So all of the above is a summary of 1985 until 2012. Then we have 2013.
I think that this year alone, has seen me cry myself to sleep more than the rest of my life combined.
We are still struggling from the dickhead that ripped us off in January. The same week that happened, Peter's work hours were cut in half by his boss. Peter had the breakdown, Ryan had breathing problems and somehow in all that was 'normal' life.
The latest is that Ryan is having panic attacks. He has valium, which I hope helps.
I feel hopeless to be able to help my family and keep us all on the even keel of life. I'm tired. So very, very tired of the fight. It always seems like, we crawl our way to a good place, then get kicked in the teeth, never having time to enjoy what is happening. It is also very hard to focus on the positive when the negative seems to swamp you.
I know I will be fine. I am seeing a psychologist who understands the battles we are going through, as she use to work for DSQ in Ipswich.
But you do really have to wonder, just how much can you bear and what happens when you crack your breaking point.
If you stayed and read all this crap, I can now tell you that yes it has helped to get it down and out there. I don't want hugs or sympathy or anything else. Just sharing the burden is more than enough for me. :)
Years ago a very dear friend said to me "You are never given more than you can handle". I have always taken comfort in this and believe it to be true.
I look at my close family and know that they struggle and panic with son having asthma occasionally (not trivialising asthma as you will see). This is their level of what they can bear and that is fine.
Now while I might complain or use humour to cope, we normally get through things and come out the other side, because it isn't more than we can handle.
Today has me wondering, if maybe I have reached that limit. Will I be pushed to crack? Is this some sort of test? WTF did we do in a past life that we have to experience it this time around?
If you have read my past blogs, you will know of some of the medical things that we have been through, but here is a brief run down:-
1 ovary removed, 3 miscarriages, 1 ectopic pregnancy, 3 caesarians 1 hysterectomy (well another would be impossible) gall bladder removed, in hospital for a week with asthma that they didn't think I would come home from, diabetes, asthma, severe depression and a back that as my gp says "is fucked".
Now with the kids. All 3 had asthma. Jade had a couple of hospital visits with asthma. Troy for the first 5 years of his life, would go to hospital every 6 to 8 months to get grommets, had adenoids out twice and tonsils out. Due to this he had some speech problems and had to see a speech therapist. Before he was 2, he had tests for what they thought was epilepsy but which turned out to be cluster migraines. We were told he would either grow out of the or have them for life. Thankfully he grew out of them around the age of 8.
Peter had his tonsils out at around the age of 35. Ryan had his done when he was around 10. Then of course Ryan with DMD and all that goes with that - including losing all movement after his rods being done and the problems of his back opening up. And Ryan going to commit suicide when he was younger.
We had a painting business that at one stage had 3 lots of people in a row not pay, that crippled us and a worker that went up on a murder charge of killing his wife. God this all sounds like a bad novel.
So all of the above is a summary of 1985 until 2012. Then we have 2013.
I think that this year alone, has seen me cry myself to sleep more than the rest of my life combined.
We are still struggling from the dickhead that ripped us off in January. The same week that happened, Peter's work hours were cut in half by his boss. Peter had the breakdown, Ryan had breathing problems and somehow in all that was 'normal' life.
The latest is that Ryan is having panic attacks. He has valium, which I hope helps.
I feel hopeless to be able to help my family and keep us all on the even keel of life. I'm tired. So very, very tired of the fight. It always seems like, we crawl our way to a good place, then get kicked in the teeth, never having time to enjoy what is happening. It is also very hard to focus on the positive when the negative seems to swamp you.
I know I will be fine. I am seeing a psychologist who understands the battles we are going through, as she use to work for DSQ in Ipswich.
But you do really have to wonder, just how much can you bear and what happens when you crack your breaking point.
If you stayed and read all this crap, I can now tell you that yes it has helped to get it down and out there. I don't want hugs or sympathy or anything else. Just sharing the burden is more than enough for me. :)
Friday, 8 February 2013
My Baby
It's amazing how quickly life flashes by. You just seem to blink and your babies are all grown up into young adults. Sometimes you wish you could just slow down the world and enjoy for longer the journey you all take.
So it brings me to say why I feel this way. On Valentines Day, my baby turns 21. OMG where have the years gone?
Troy to me, is still that little boy with fine blonde hair that would have a mind of its own.
Troy came into our lives at a time that we needed something good. Out of 7 pregnancies, he was the only one not conceived on fertility drugs. To this day, I am sure he was sent to soften the blow and help us cope at a time we needed it. Rather than going into it all, it is written on here - http://kerrie-itsmylife.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/babies-and-jour-sneys.html
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So it brings me to say why I feel this way. On Valentines Day, my baby turns 21. OMG where have the years gone?
Troy to me, is still that little boy with fine blonde hair that would have a mind of its own.
Troy came into our lives at a time that we needed something good. Out of 7 pregnancies, he was the only one not conceived on fertility drugs. To this day, I am sure he was sent to soften the blow and help us cope at a time we needed it. Rather than going into it all, it is written on here - http://kerrie-itsmylife.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/babies-and-jour-sneys.html
Three kids in three years didn't leave much time to think.
From the word go, Troy had a mind of his own and we all knew for sure he had arrived. He was the one that would rip off his nappy when he was in his cot and trying to take after his father's profession, would paint the cot, the walls and anything else he could reach with poop.
He was my climber and nothing was going to stop him from going where he wanted to. He had a stubborn streak and we often had a battle of wills.
The two things that really stick out - Troy had a dummy and no one and nothing was going to take it off of him. To me he had gotten too old to have one at two, so I had to cut it up to stop him using it. After the initial cries which lasted all of half an hour, it was soon forgotten.
The other item was an outfit that he had. Anyone who knew Troy back then would remember it - black and fluro green bike pants, with a matching t shirt. It was so bad that I had to buy another, so that the dirty one could go in the wash. It didn't matter if you let him choose something to buy, he would still only want to wear this outfit. It was stained and getting ratty. In the end, it had to go the same way as the dummy and be cut up (well it almost just fell apart). Again more tears, but soon over it.
It must of been this tortured memory that left his mark on his fashion sense. Over the years, I could take the other two anywhere and buy them anything to wear. Troy was different, he had to have just the right clothes that he liked. So he always ended up with less clothes, because his cost more than the variety store ones of his brother and sister.
Troy was never been a clingy child. He was always saying 'I can do it'. He was though and still is to a degree, someone who didn't want to be in the spotlight. While noisy around home, he was quiet with those he didn't know.
I can still remember him going through primary school, and every time he had to give an oral, his legs would be shaking so much, that it is a wonder he could stand up. He excelled in Maths at school, to the point that his year 8 teacher would tell me that Troy could work out equations quicker than he could knowing the answer.
Troy has had a wide variety of interests over the years. He use to do karate and advanced a couple of belts in that at a very young age. He was then old enough to play soccer, which he did in the winter months for a few years. His team did very well, making the finals nearly every year. Troy was fantastic as goal keeper, although he did play all positions.
In the summer months, Troy did Little Athletics for a couple of years. Again something that he did well in and at school with athletics as well. He had decided to give up little A's and finally decided on tenpin bowling as his summer sport. Again he excelled in this and by the second year was also playing the adult league and in the Ipswich team. Troy continued with this for around the next 6 years.
Even before Troy was old enough. He got a job at the local bowling centre. He did this until he started his apprenticeship.
Career wise, Troy had wanted to be an electrician. A friend of ours, offered to give him some work experience to see if he liked it. After the first week, Troy told us that he thought it was boring and that crawling around in ceilings full of installation that would creep its way into every crevice you had, was not something he wanted to do.
Troy was then sent by the school to do experience with a marine upholster. While he enjoyed this and was offered a school based apprenticeship, he couldn't see himself sitting in a shed all day. The guy was upset, as he said that Troy was the hardest worker that had been sent to him.
At this time, one of the guys that Troy bowled with, offered him some school holiday work, helping him in his tiling business. The first day saw Troy carting over a tonne of tiles up 2 stories in a house. He loved it! So he set out to find himself an apprenticeship. This came in the form of Apprenticeship Queensland.
Troy left school - or rather ran from school - to start the next stage of his life. It wasn't always easy, as there were down times when there were no hosts to employ him. Even with these down times, Troy finished his apprenticeship in under 3 years.
The good about going through an agency is that you get to work with a variety of people and gather a wealth of knowledge. The bad is that at the end of your time, you have no job. Troy was able to pick up work here and there with tilers. Over a year ago, he set up his own business. It is going in leaps and bounds and he has a fantastic name around the area. He has gone to jobs to fill in for regular tilers and done such a great job that companies have made him their number 1 tiler to call on.
.
Right up until the last twelve months, Troy was still someone who was quiet around those he didn't know. Having his own business, he has come out of his shell in leaps and bounds. He has strong values and God help you if you have kids that don't behave, as he will tell you how he could never get away with any crap and kids need discipline haha.
At 17, Troy became a dad to a kilo little ball of energy - spanner. He came home with his dad, slept in his room, went for drives with him and even now, sits at night next to him. I think there is a similarity in colouring between the two of them haha.
Troy's feelings run deep. You don't always know what he is thinking or feeling. He will just do things out of the blue, that really show an insight into his mind. An example of this is that the necklace in the above photos. Ryan gave that to him when he was about 13. It only comes off, when he is doing something where it might get lost eg skiing. It stays there and if you ask him if he wants a necklace for a present, the answer is no, he has one. The other, was him going out and getting a tattoo of Ryan's portrait. Not many brothers would do that. It moved Ryan and I think he finally realized how much his brother really does love him.
I could not ask for a better son. Troy is wise beyond his years, caring and thoughtful. He would go without, to make the world an easier place for you to be in. He isn't a fool and won't let anyone treat him like one. I am so proud of him and the man he has become.
So on February 14th, when you turn 21. Troy you can know that I am wishing you, all the happiness that I know you deserve. I hope that his year, is all you want it to be and more. I promise that I will still keep driving you nuts at times and speaking of driving, that I will continue to make you feel unsafe in the car with me driving and NO you cannot drive my car lol.
Love you lots and forever xxx
Saturday, 2 February 2013
Thank God January is over
All I can say is that I am glad that January 2013 is over. I wasn't going to write about it, but since it is part of my life and that is what this blog is, it needs to be written.
The Good.
I went and saw South Pacific, Mouse Trap and Les Miserables. Loved them all and felt very cultural haha. I went to the Gold Coast food and wine expo, where I got some great recipes and also discovered some new food. I was chosen to go on stage with Justine Schofield and toss a crepe . I thought to myself 'this is not going to go well' haha. But I did it!!
I had a fill in my band and considering I hadn't had one for 11 months, Dr Adib was very pleased that I had maintained my weight and not put on, as most would have. My diabetes blood test came back fine, so another positive.
I got to spend time with good friends on my days out and to that I am grateful. I have such a diverse group of wonderful friends.
The Bad.
Peter has to help everyone. Over the years he has been burnt a couple of times, but nothing like this month. A friend's brother wanted him to paint his car. Long story short, he wanted the car back before it was finished. Peter told him he would have to bring it back. The guy then got his sister who is a lawyer involved.
Peter had a nervous breakdown. I was having to deal with it all and talk to lawyers, who said that they had no case. Due to the harassment of the sister, Peter would then get worse. I got to the point of just not being able to deal with it all. I ended up giving the guy what he wanted, which was everything he had paid - money for paint used, money to panel beater. He hadn't paid for the painting, but it was more paying him to piss off.
I had to borrow money to make up the shortfall. Have been selling my jewellery, carousel, bell and crystal collections and anything else I can get my hands on. They are just things and its more important to me to get rid of this headache.
In amongst all this. Ryan had an ear infection and a burst eardrum. The antibiotics were playing havoc with his bladder. At times he couldn't go without hoping out of his chair. Since I can't do this, I would have to ring Peter at work to help. Even though he would clocked off and he gets to work his own hours, his boss went off and we thought Peter was going to lose his job.
Now add in more crap with DSQ to top it all off. The couple of days without power or phone from the floods was nothing. An inconvenience to looking after Ryan, but nothing more. Peter is getting better since it has all gone away and he can bury his head back in the sand (this is how he deals with most things. Not a criticism as such, just his way).
I think that I have used up my years worth of crying and so it now all has to just get better.
I joined the relief baked team on facebook and did the cooking for Laidley area, as my way of giving back and trying to restore my karma balance (can't think of any other way to say it). I am going to put January in a box and burn it.
Thanks to those friends that gave me a shoulder to cry, scream and complain on.
Now lastly, something that I thought of this week. When I had the reading, she told me that I there would be some trouble involving money and the law. I thought police, but with what has happened, it is lawyer. I am not a firm believer, but so much has come true with what she said. Food for thought.
The Good.
I went and saw South Pacific, Mouse Trap and Les Miserables. Loved them all and felt very cultural haha. I went to the Gold Coast food and wine expo, where I got some great recipes and also discovered some new food. I was chosen to go on stage with Justine Schofield and toss a crepe . I thought to myself 'this is not going to go well' haha. But I did it!!
I had a fill in my band and considering I hadn't had one for 11 months, Dr Adib was very pleased that I had maintained my weight and not put on, as most would have. My diabetes blood test came back fine, so another positive.
I got to spend time with good friends on my days out and to that I am grateful. I have such a diverse group of wonderful friends.
The Bad.
Peter has to help everyone. Over the years he has been burnt a couple of times, but nothing like this month. A friend's brother wanted him to paint his car. Long story short, he wanted the car back before it was finished. Peter told him he would have to bring it back. The guy then got his sister who is a lawyer involved.
Peter had a nervous breakdown. I was having to deal with it all and talk to lawyers, who said that they had no case. Due to the harassment of the sister, Peter would then get worse. I got to the point of just not being able to deal with it all. I ended up giving the guy what he wanted, which was everything he had paid - money for paint used, money to panel beater. He hadn't paid for the painting, but it was more paying him to piss off.
I had to borrow money to make up the shortfall. Have been selling my jewellery, carousel, bell and crystal collections and anything else I can get my hands on. They are just things and its more important to me to get rid of this headache.
In amongst all this. Ryan had an ear infection and a burst eardrum. The antibiotics were playing havoc with his bladder. At times he couldn't go without hoping out of his chair. Since I can't do this, I would have to ring Peter at work to help. Even though he would clocked off and he gets to work his own hours, his boss went off and we thought Peter was going to lose his job.
Now add in more crap with DSQ to top it all off. The couple of days without power or phone from the floods was nothing. An inconvenience to looking after Ryan, but nothing more. Peter is getting better since it has all gone away and he can bury his head back in the sand (this is how he deals with most things. Not a criticism as such, just his way).
I think that I have used up my years worth of crying and so it now all has to just get better.
I joined the relief baked team on facebook and did the cooking for Laidley area, as my way of giving back and trying to restore my karma balance (can't think of any other way to say it). I am going to put January in a box and burn it.
Thanks to those friends that gave me a shoulder to cry, scream and complain on.
Now lastly, something that I thought of this week. When I had the reading, she told me that I there would be some trouble involving money and the law. I thought police, but with what has happened, it is lawyer. I am not a firm believer, but so much has come true with what she said. Food for thought.
Friday, 4 January 2013
Emotions
Isn't it funny how a sound or a sight can bring back memories of childhood. Last night at South Pacific that happened to me.
Now I can't recall when I saw the movie, but I know that I was young. I think I was born loving musicals. Doris Day movies were always a favourite of mine. Last night the haunting Bali Hai was what sent that knowledge of knowing I had seen this before. I knew all the songs and when Nellie sang I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair, I had the visions of it being sung. I had to look up to see who played that part in the movie as I was thinking it was Doris Day, but no another blonde Mitzi Gaynor. I guess that is where my brain over the years just remembered blonde and who actually sang it.
In the second half, Nellie played by Lisa McCune, came out in her brown uniform. While all the men were in khaki, she was in a brown uniform. For anyone that went to a catholic primary school in the 60's or early 70's, it was that brown. When she entered the stage I was momentarily transfixed by it and thinking 'it doesn't have green buttons'. They were the colour of what we use to wear - brown with big olive green buttons. I could feel the touch of that fabric in my hands.
I guess it was the old memories and the uniform, but I was sitting there as a child of seven or eight, watching with excitement. It was the strangest of feelings and I had to give myself a bit of a shake and to concentrate again on the show.
The show was fantastic. It certainly fulfilled the wish that I hadn't done last year of going to an opera and being moved by the singing. When Teddy Tahu Rhodes sang you couldn't help but react. My body just felt like it was welling up and ready to explode with emotion. Christine Anu was perfect for the role of Bloody Mary. Lisa McCune stood out as Nellie and Gyton Grantley was amusing in his role of Billis.
I have a feeling that this is going to be a cultural year for me.
Now I can't recall when I saw the movie, but I know that I was young. I think I was born loving musicals. Doris Day movies were always a favourite of mine. Last night the haunting Bali Hai was what sent that knowledge of knowing I had seen this before. I knew all the songs and when Nellie sang I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair, I had the visions of it being sung. I had to look up to see who played that part in the movie as I was thinking it was Doris Day, but no another blonde Mitzi Gaynor. I guess that is where my brain over the years just remembered blonde and who actually sang it.
In the second half, Nellie played by Lisa McCune, came out in her brown uniform. While all the men were in khaki, she was in a brown uniform. For anyone that went to a catholic primary school in the 60's or early 70's, it was that brown. When she entered the stage I was momentarily transfixed by it and thinking 'it doesn't have green buttons'. They were the colour of what we use to wear - brown with big olive green buttons. I could feel the touch of that fabric in my hands.
I guess it was the old memories and the uniform, but I was sitting there as a child of seven or eight, watching with excitement. It was the strangest of feelings and I had to give myself a bit of a shake and to concentrate again on the show.
The show was fantastic. It certainly fulfilled the wish that I hadn't done last year of going to an opera and being moved by the singing. When Teddy Tahu Rhodes sang you couldn't help but react. My body just felt like it was welling up and ready to explode with emotion. Christine Anu was perfect for the role of Bloody Mary. Lisa McCune stood out as Nellie and Gyton Grantley was amusing in his role of Billis.
I have a feeling that this is going to be a cultural year for me.
Sunday, 30 December 2012
2012 in Review
Wow what a year!!
This year has been one of many experiences and journey into finding myself again. While this time last year I had made the resolution to do things rather than say I wanted to. I never thought that so much would be accomplished. Turning 50 surely was a great year.
Holidays - So we went on a cruise, which was so magically and I can't wait to go on another. If you haven't experienced one, do yourself a favour and go. The food was divine the shows were first class and the other passengers and crew were so friendly.
That was April and May saw us go for two weeks to the Sunshine Coast. I love it here and most of all loved catching up with great friends. If I won lotto, I would buy the apartment and live there permanently. While up there, I was surprised by Jade coming for Mother's Day, which was lovely to spend time with her, even if it was just for one day. We went up to Maleny and finally got to visit the cheese factory that for years I have said I was going to.
November was our week down the coast. While it is nice to visit the Gold Coast, I certainly wouldn't want to live there. It is too busy for me.
Now when I saw the psychic, she told me there would be 3 holidays in a 6 week period. Well we had a night at the Gold Coast for Ryan's Jades 21st, then our week there and in that time I also bought Peter's Xmas present, which is 2 nights at Mt Tamborine. So I guess all that counts.
House - I have spent a lot of time this year doing gardens around the house. It has been great, designing and planting and even better when you can eat the fruits of your labour. It has given me a great place to release any tensions and overall just something different to do. When I am in the kitchen looking out at the moment, I can see the vines of melons growing what looks like wild in the garden. I look and thing 'I grew them from seed'. It gives you a great glow inside.
I have also spent a lot of time, minimizing. Apart from giving me money to do other things I want to get done, it also feels good to have a clean out of crap you don't need any more.
Cooking - Wow where to start? This year I have done classes in pasta, cannoli, crème brullee, profiteroles, Asian dishes, Easy Christmas, vegetarian and demos at the Good food and wine festival. I was chosen to cook with Jamie Oliver, which was exciting. Most things I cook now are from scratch instead of using bought sauces or dressings etc. The family is really enjoying this new style of cooking and I am enjoying it all as well. As I tell everyone, I don't do anything that is hard, but have learnt how to do everything easy that can impress guests haha.
Family - A lot has happened with family this year. Troy has moved back home, which I love having him here. He has his own business and it is thriving and he has a great reputation with it. I am so proud of the young man he has become. Ryan, while he has lost a lot of weight which is a concern, is doing really well. He is back playing sport and enjoying it. I think sometimes he worries more about us than we do about him. Jade is constantly working, but the club is benefiting with the functions it is holding and catering for. It is one thing that I am so glad of with my kids: they all have great work values. Peter has stopped his job with the newsagency after 15 years or so. No more getting up at 2.30/3 am. He now just works for someone painting his rental homes. And the saint that he is, still putting up with my moods.
Friends - I have the best friends! I know that those I call close friends, can be called any time day or night if I needed and I hope they know that the same applies if they need to call me. I was lucky enough to see so many of them this year that don't live close. I did have a couple of set backs where my judgement of people took a battering and I started to doubt how I saw people and who I could trust, but it is all good now - well I hope so. :)
As you look back on the year, the things that gave grief just seem to fade away and only the good memories remain. I am hoping that I can continue to keep pushing my boundaries and experiencing new things in the future.
I can't finish without thanking my wonderful family for their support, even though they tell everyone I am doubly crazy as I am on two anti depressants haha. While I don't like to single out people, these friends are there and have listened to my rantings and supported me so much and more than I could ever say. So to Jan, Veronica, Colleen and Kerrie, please accept my heartfelt thank you for just being there and being yourselves and for me being able to call you all my friend xxx.
I hope that all my friends get to live your dreams in 2013 and that it is one of happiness and good health for you all and I look forward to reading and hearing about what adventures you are undertaking as the year progresses.
This year has been one of many experiences and journey into finding myself again. While this time last year I had made the resolution to do things rather than say I wanted to. I never thought that so much would be accomplished. Turning 50 surely was a great year.
Holidays - So we went on a cruise, which was so magically and I can't wait to go on another. If you haven't experienced one, do yourself a favour and go. The food was divine the shows were first class and the other passengers and crew were so friendly.
That was April and May saw us go for two weeks to the Sunshine Coast. I love it here and most of all loved catching up with great friends. If I won lotto, I would buy the apartment and live there permanently. While up there, I was surprised by Jade coming for Mother's Day, which was lovely to spend time with her, even if it was just for one day. We went up to Maleny and finally got to visit the cheese factory that for years I have said I was going to.
November was our week down the coast. While it is nice to visit the Gold Coast, I certainly wouldn't want to live there. It is too busy for me.
Now when I saw the psychic, she told me there would be 3 holidays in a 6 week period. Well we had a night at the Gold Coast for Ryan's Jades 21st, then our week there and in that time I also bought Peter's Xmas present, which is 2 nights at Mt Tamborine. So I guess all that counts.
House - I have spent a lot of time this year doing gardens around the house. It has been great, designing and planting and even better when you can eat the fruits of your labour. It has given me a great place to release any tensions and overall just something different to do. When I am in the kitchen looking out at the moment, I can see the vines of melons growing what looks like wild in the garden. I look and thing 'I grew them from seed'. It gives you a great glow inside.
I have also spent a lot of time, minimizing. Apart from giving me money to do other things I want to get done, it also feels good to have a clean out of crap you don't need any more.
Cooking - Wow where to start? This year I have done classes in pasta, cannoli, crème brullee, profiteroles, Asian dishes, Easy Christmas, vegetarian and demos at the Good food and wine festival. I was chosen to cook with Jamie Oliver, which was exciting. Most things I cook now are from scratch instead of using bought sauces or dressings etc. The family is really enjoying this new style of cooking and I am enjoying it all as well. As I tell everyone, I don't do anything that is hard, but have learnt how to do everything easy that can impress guests haha.
Family - A lot has happened with family this year. Troy has moved back home, which I love having him here. He has his own business and it is thriving and he has a great reputation with it. I am so proud of the young man he has become. Ryan, while he has lost a lot of weight which is a concern, is doing really well. He is back playing sport and enjoying it. I think sometimes he worries more about us than we do about him. Jade is constantly working, but the club is benefiting with the functions it is holding and catering for. It is one thing that I am so glad of with my kids: they all have great work values. Peter has stopped his job with the newsagency after 15 years or so. No more getting up at 2.30/3 am. He now just works for someone painting his rental homes. And the saint that he is, still putting up with my moods.
Friends - I have the best friends! I know that those I call close friends, can be called any time day or night if I needed and I hope they know that the same applies if they need to call me. I was lucky enough to see so many of them this year that don't live close. I did have a couple of set backs where my judgement of people took a battering and I started to doubt how I saw people and who I could trust, but it is all good now - well I hope so. :)
As you look back on the year, the things that gave grief just seem to fade away and only the good memories remain. I am hoping that I can continue to keep pushing my boundaries and experiencing new things in the future.
I can't finish without thanking my wonderful family for their support, even though they tell everyone I am doubly crazy as I am on two anti depressants haha. While I don't like to single out people, these friends are there and have listened to my rantings and supported me so much and more than I could ever say. So to Jan, Veronica, Colleen and Kerrie, please accept my heartfelt thank you for just being there and being yourselves and for me being able to call you all my friend xxx.
I hope that all my friends get to live your dreams in 2013 and that it is one of happiness and good health for you all and I look forward to reading and hearing about what adventures you are undertaking as the year progresses.
Friday, 16 November 2012
Dream renovation
Do you ever have a dream that is a continuation of another dream? I do and while it is very rare, it happened this week.
Ages ago I had a dream that we bought this house that needed a heap of renovations done to it. It was almost like an old castle. So much character to it. It had 4 levels - yes it was HUGE.
The walls were a grey stone, but the steps leading up to the front door, were more what you would find for a modern hardy plank home. They were in need of a lot of repair and very unstable. The inside of the main entry floor, was a heap of small rooms, that were really nothing rooms. A lot of walls needed to be knocked down for it to be truly liveable.
We really only used the top 3 floors. We were able to renovate them into a very regal look. Lots of burgundy carpet, with very wide sweeping staircases and heavy drapes. The kitchen was huge and old timber with a couple of walk in pantries. The inside was just magic.
Outside though was a different story. The yard was bare, the grass was dying and the driveway was pot-holed dirt. Weeds grew out from the foundations and it really gave the feeling of despair.
Now the bottom level was one we never ventured into. It was cold and damp. There were a lot of books lining it that were dusty and mouldy. A lot of the books were first edition. There was also some sort of entity in there that scared the bejeebers out of us. Going in there you got this creepy feeling of someone watching you and following you around. Your spine would tingle and hairs stand on end and butterflies would be going berserk in your stomach. I couldn't get out of there fast enough and so we decided never to go in there again.
In my second dream, it was the same house, with looks and feelings. Troy had moved home and the 3 stories with a monstrous amount of room was feeling too small haha. Then Jade said she was going to move home and we went into a panic as to where to put everyone. It didn't matter that we had about twelve bedrooms, we just wanted everyone to be happy.
We made the hard decision to convert the bottom floor into a granny flat for Jade. One part of it was not too bad and we easily installed a kitchen and bed and had it looking very much like a loft area. It had its own door out to the side of the house, so that privacy for coming and goings was available.
I was extremely happy with the way that it looked, but there was still that creepy feeling in the other part of it. I would stand looking at the loft area with the books behind me, and my spine would tingle. I knew I had to get brave and clear it all out.
I got the kids to bring in some boxes and said we would start to pack up the books. As we started on the first row, something really strange happened. Behind them was not the rows of books that had been there the first time we went down. Instead there were rows and rows of extremely high warehouse type shelving. On all the shelves were all the toys the kids had when they were younger - although in real life they weren't.
Looking at all the toys, I was flooded with memories of their childhood and the fun they had. Tears came to my eyes as I looked around and thought of the time wasted in this house because of fear of this area, when it could of brought me so much happiness.
I didn't know how they had gotten there and we thought maybe the removalists had put them in when we moved in. There was so much Thomas stuff it was unbelievable. Toys like you would find in a public park - swings, rockets, etc. It was a treasure trove of memories.
It was also the answer to us being able to sell these items off and get out of debt and finish the house on the outside. The items you could never buy now and for some reason were one of a kind.
So that is just one of my dreams that have a continuation, what are yours?
Ages ago I had a dream that we bought this house that needed a heap of renovations done to it. It was almost like an old castle. So much character to it. It had 4 levels - yes it was HUGE.
The walls were a grey stone, but the steps leading up to the front door, were more what you would find for a modern hardy plank home. They were in need of a lot of repair and very unstable. The inside of the main entry floor, was a heap of small rooms, that were really nothing rooms. A lot of walls needed to be knocked down for it to be truly liveable.
We really only used the top 3 floors. We were able to renovate them into a very regal look. Lots of burgundy carpet, with very wide sweeping staircases and heavy drapes. The kitchen was huge and old timber with a couple of walk in pantries. The inside was just magic.
Outside though was a different story. The yard was bare, the grass was dying and the driveway was pot-holed dirt. Weeds grew out from the foundations and it really gave the feeling of despair.
Now the bottom level was one we never ventured into. It was cold and damp. There were a lot of books lining it that were dusty and mouldy. A lot of the books were first edition. There was also some sort of entity in there that scared the bejeebers out of us. Going in there you got this creepy feeling of someone watching you and following you around. Your spine would tingle and hairs stand on end and butterflies would be going berserk in your stomach. I couldn't get out of there fast enough and so we decided never to go in there again.
In my second dream, it was the same house, with looks and feelings. Troy had moved home and the 3 stories with a monstrous amount of room was feeling too small haha. Then Jade said she was going to move home and we went into a panic as to where to put everyone. It didn't matter that we had about twelve bedrooms, we just wanted everyone to be happy.
We made the hard decision to convert the bottom floor into a granny flat for Jade. One part of it was not too bad and we easily installed a kitchen and bed and had it looking very much like a loft area. It had its own door out to the side of the house, so that privacy for coming and goings was available.
I was extremely happy with the way that it looked, but there was still that creepy feeling in the other part of it. I would stand looking at the loft area with the books behind me, and my spine would tingle. I knew I had to get brave and clear it all out.
I got the kids to bring in some boxes and said we would start to pack up the books. As we started on the first row, something really strange happened. Behind them was not the rows of books that had been there the first time we went down. Instead there were rows and rows of extremely high warehouse type shelving. On all the shelves were all the toys the kids had when they were younger - although in real life they weren't.
Looking at all the toys, I was flooded with memories of their childhood and the fun they had. Tears came to my eyes as I looked around and thought of the time wasted in this house because of fear of this area, when it could of brought me so much happiness.
I didn't know how they had gotten there and we thought maybe the removalists had put them in when we moved in. There was so much Thomas stuff it was unbelievable. Toys like you would find in a public park - swings, rockets, etc. It was a treasure trove of memories.
It was also the answer to us being able to sell these items off and get out of debt and finish the house on the outside. The items you could never buy now and for some reason were one of a kind.
So that is just one of my dreams that have a continuation, what are yours?
Saturday, 10 November 2012
Good Food and Wine Festival
As I write this tonight I am tired, but it is a good tired from having had a great day out. I got to cross another item off of my 50 things to do list. I went to the Brisbane Good food and wine festival with Veronica.
Arriving at the show prior to it opening, we were lucky enough to be in part of a line that got to be head of the line at another door. From when we entered, we only had about 15 mins before we had to line up to the first thing we were booked into. This meant we had just a quick look around and scored some free marinades from Masterfoods and then went and lined up.
The extra show I had booked us into, was Miguel Maestre. It was a cooking demo with 3 course meal with matching wines and a goodie bag, chock full of lovely stuff to take home. He showed us how to make duck liver pate (which I had never tried before, but didn't mind this one), beetroot cured salmon and olive oil shortbread that was to die for. I decided that I am not going to buy shortbread this xmas but make this recipe. Fingers crossed it turns out, because it was one of the best I have ever tried.
Miguel was funny and informative and so glad we got into his show.
Read 50 books in the year. Doesn't matter what type but as long as its 50 and I will be able to keep track with my new kindle.
2. Do another cooking class. At least 1 but hopefully 2.
3.Go on a holiday, hopefully to Melbourne. Had a couple of holidays, didn't get to Melbourne, but there is always next year.
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day
5. Go down another 20kgs Need to have another fill, so this one is moved to next year as well
6. Get a lot more writing from my autobiography done - Been doing heaps of that
7.Have lunch or dinner at Bretts wharf or Aria Brisbane - While I didn't get to either of these, I have had some amazing meals by great chefs this year, so class it as done
8. Go through the glow worm caves at Springbrook hopefully when the glow fungi is out as well or the fireflies
9. Do a charity event - with not a lot of walking
10. Have a tarot reading
11. Go to a musical (booked for Jersey Boys in July)
12. Go to gold class movie
13. Go on a cruise - booked and leaving in April
14. Get a fish - either fighter or gold fish or two.
15. Go to a zoo
16. Go to brisbane city markets
17. Brisbane's koala and river cruise
18. Toowoomba carnival of flowers
19. Attend a dawn service
20. Go to Q1 lookout - have my ticket and going in November
21. Get my bonsai started
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. finish a crocheted rug. I start them all the time, just never finish
24. have a facial
25. have a massage
26. try a new food
27. aqua aerobics classes.
28. be part of a flash mob - now where does someone find these people
29. Drive a convertible with the top down and music blaring.
30. Get family tree in order - got heaps of this done
31. Go on a retreat
32. Go to the comedy club
33. Play blackjack at the casino
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer While not done this year. As someone pointed out the Pirates of Penzance was an opera and I had been to that lol
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class
41. try a new drink tried lots of new ones now lol
42. queen mary falls walk
43. drink a cocktail done and dusted
44. host a murder mystery dinner party
45. Put $5 a day into money box -
46. Have a games night with friends
47. Put $50 on black at the casino for my first and only bet at the table. and won
48. Trike ride from Gold Coast to Mt Tambourine wineries
49. Ride on a carousel
50. Have a kick arse birthday party
Arriving at the show prior to it opening, we were lucky enough to be in part of a line that got to be head of the line at another door. From when we entered, we only had about 15 mins before we had to line up to the first thing we were booked into. This meant we had just a quick look around and scored some free marinades from Masterfoods and then went and lined up.
The extra show I had booked us into, was Miguel Maestre. It was a cooking demo with 3 course meal with matching wines and a goodie bag, chock full of lovely stuff to take home. He showed us how to make duck liver pate (which I had never tried before, but didn't mind this one), beetroot cured salmon and olive oil shortbread that was to die for. I decided that I am not going to buy shortbread this xmas but make this recipe. Fingers crossed it turns out, because it was one of the best I have ever tried.
Miguel was funny and informative and so glad we got into his show.
I guess not too many people get to drink wine at 10.30 in the morning with a 3 course meal lol. But Gaanz, you would be proud of me. I tried the red and didn't mind it lol. The wines in order of service with meal were - Peter Lehmann 2010 Art Series Shiraz Grenache, Peter Lehmann 2012 Art Series Rose and Peter Lehmann 2012 Art Series Moscato (this one we ordered later on in the day for home delivery).
After this we started to work out way up and down the isles. We came across the Cuisinart display. They had the icecream/sorbet/frozen yoghurt maker that I have been looking at buying for around $50 less than I have seen it. So I shouted myself a pretty pink one. We got them to hold it for later pickup and oh, it came with a free knife as well.
We went to Maggie Beer's stall and got her show bag, which included a free icecream. Veronica got the burnt fig, honeycomb and caramel one, I wasn't too fussed on it. I got the passionfruit, which was so yummy. Her show bag included Verjuice, barossa tomato sauce and apricot paste.
The day was spent trying different foods - some we liked and others we didn't. Trying liqueur's and liking Feeney's Creme Brulee liqueur. If you have never tried it, white chocolate rocky road. I bought some of this to bring home. At the kikkoman stand, they had samples of things they had made up using soy sauce. This sounds really weird, but boy it was good. As a filling in little tart shells or chocolate cases - melted white chocolate, thickened cream and a touch of soy sauce.
We tried yoghurts and cheeses, salami's and noodles. There was one stall that was very much a 'why would you' type of product. Super sprout. Now looking at this stall, I was thinking they had maybe found a new 'super' product. Something along the lines of olive leaf extract etc. They had all these jars of thinks like carrot extract, beetroot extract and other extracts such as apple, broccolli sprout, ginger etc. Now what this product is, is the food dehydrated into a powder form and you can then add them to yoghurt, liquids etc. Yes I know you are asking what I did.... why? Well it is because people might not eat these foods and the woman gave the example of her brother that had lapband and could only eat liquids - totally wrong of lapband proceedure, but I let her tell her story. This powder can give you all the vitamins and fibre of the real food, but without you having to eat a whole apple etc.
I asked how much you would take for daily intake and the answer was - whatever you would like, your body will just get rid of the excess. Hmmm not really something I think I would use, but I did get some samples to try. I am thinking of serving Peter up a steak with a teaspoon of each on a plate. Do you think he will like that???? haha
In the afternoon we went and saw Ainsley Harriott. What a funny, funny man. His style of cooking is very much the same as Jamie Oliver, in the 'throw everything together' type of method. He made crispy chicken thighs with savoury puy lentils ragout and a blueberry cheesecake and a goats cheese salad.
Ainsley came out, got changed on stage into a more comfy shirt and went onto entertain us. He has a very girly giggle that sent the crowd into fits of laughter. He danced while whisking and cooking and he was someone you could sit and watch all day. It was just a shame that it couldn't have been longer.
So after this it was more browsing and buying. By the time we left, my car boot was chocker block full. With so many free things that we got, I have oils, marinades, so many samples to try, cookbooks that were being handed out and so much more. I can't wait to try out some of the things I learnt today.
Out of 50, I have 19 that I haven't done yet on my list. Over November and December, I know that I will be doing at least 6 of them. So with only 13 not done, I think that will be great :)
1. 3.
5. Go down another 20kgs Need to have another fill, so this one is moved to next year as well
7.
8. Go through the glow worm caves at Springbrook hopefully when the glow fungi is out as well or the fireflies
1
15. Go to a zoo
17. Brisbane's koala and river cruise
1
20. Go to Q1 lookout - have my ticket and going in November
21. Get my bonsai started
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
28. be part of a flash mob - now where does someone find these people
29. Drive a convertible with the top down and music blaring.
31. Go on a retreat
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear
39. feed the homeless - (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class
42. queen mary falls walk
46. Have a games night with friends
48. Trike ride from Gold Coast to Mt Tambourine wineries
49. Ride on a carousel
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