Everyone has beliefs, but not everyone has respect for others beliefs.
Some people believe in God, a Higher Being, Angels, religion of some sort. Others do not. Some believe in a combination of religion and science. Everyone, no matter who they are, has some sort of belief system.
I have found that there are people who do force their religion on others. They might be the door knockers that come around, someone on the computer that sends you religious messages, or a friend that might just tell you to go to church with them at every chance they get.
Then there are those that mock religion at every chance or do the same as above and send you messages on your computer about atheistism (don't know if that is a word, but it is now lol).
What both of these groups of people don't tend to realize is that they are the same. "What!!" I hear you say. "I am not like them." Well guess what..... you are. You don't respect what others believe.
Why am I writing about this? Well its simple. I feel because of these two groups of people, that I have to watch what I say. If something happens to one person, I won't go in and say that they are in my prayers as they would get offended by it. The same as I don't go into posts where people are asking your to pray for something that I don't believe in.
They say a lot of wars are caused by religion and yes that is true. But isn't it also true that a lot are started because of someone else's intolerance to the religion that other people believe in.
So what are my beliefs. Well they are complex. I believe that yes the world was created millions of years ago and the evolution of man. I also believe in a God/Higher Being and that they created the universe that allowed all this to happen. I believe in the ascended masters and that above all of them is a higher being ( you can find them here http://www.celticgardens.com.au/Ascended-Masters.html ).
I believe in psyhics, crystals, meditation and various other therapies/beliefs. I also believe there is a lot about creation and religion that we don't know. I believe that everything happens for a reason and that when our time is up, its up and nothing we do can change that.
I have heard a lot of people ask about faith as its something you can't prove. My thoughts are - neither is love. You can't see love or prove it. Its a feeling, a belief. Faith is the same thing.
But I will go on how I do now. I tend to keep everything neutral when talking to someone eg I am thinking of you, rather than I am praying for you and I try to respect their views. At Christmas time I tend to go a general Merry Christmas. Some people don't celebrate Christmas and that is fine. I am not going to stop being their friend because of it.
Being and thinking differently is what makes the world what it is today. Respect for fellow human beings is what will make it a peaceful place to live in.
Monday, 4 June 2012
Friday, 25 May 2012
Our Humour
One thing I love about my friends, is that they get our sense of humour. It's also sometimes amusing to view others reaction to us. Some are shocked, disgusted and some just think we are plain weird - and we are not denying that.
Unless you have been in a situation the same as ours, you will never know how you will react. This saying says it all.
When Ryan was diagnosed, there were another 8 boys in the Ipswich area with DMD. He is the only one of the 9 left. We were told he would only live up until 20, but here he is 23, nearly 24. Every day he is with us is a blessing.
At every cough, sniffle or pain - we panic. If someone comes to the house who is unwell, I spend the time from when they have gone, spraying the house with disinfectant. Even when we are unwell, we try to spend little or no time near Ryan.
Now in saying all of that. We could just sit around and cry and be upset. But if we did that, then life would be harder. Ryan or ourselves wouldn't enjoy it and to be honest, I don't think he would be here if we lived life like that.
So instead, we laugh at the things we can't change. We make fun of each other to relieve tension. Just imagine you spending 24/7 with your teenage/young adult child and not working out ways to knock them off when you have had enough of each other, but still have to stay together lol.
When we joke around, it doesn't mean we don't love each other, it means that we do and have the type of relationship that we can talk about anything.
So if you happen to come across another crackpot family like ours, remember that the way they are is probably their coping mechanism. That if they didn't laugh, they would spend their time crying. The laughing items is what makes the best memories and they are the things that will never be forgotten.
Unless you have been in a situation the same as ours, you will never know how you will react. This saying says it all.
At every cough, sniffle or pain - we panic. If someone comes to the house who is unwell, I spend the time from when they have gone, spraying the house with disinfectant. Even when we are unwell, we try to spend little or no time near Ryan.
Now in saying all of that. We could just sit around and cry and be upset. But if we did that, then life would be harder. Ryan or ourselves wouldn't enjoy it and to be honest, I don't think he would be here if we lived life like that.
So instead, we laugh at the things we can't change. We make fun of each other to relieve tension. Just imagine you spending 24/7 with your teenage/young adult child and not working out ways to knock them off when you have had enough of each other, but still have to stay together lol.
When we joke around, it doesn't mean we don't love each other, it means that we do and have the type of relationship that we can talk about anything.
So if you happen to come across another crackpot family like ours, remember that the way they are is probably their coping mechanism. That if they didn't laugh, they would spend their time crying. The laughing items is what makes the best memories and they are the things that will never be forgotten.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Strange things I now know.
Following my holidays so far this year, I have learnt a few things and possibly should share this info haha.
1. If you are paranoid about public toilets - do not go on a cruise. There is no way you can squat with all that swaying.
2. Men are only allowed to do number 2's in your room or toilets also set up for disabled. The men's toilets in open areas only had a urinal. My way of thinking with this, is that they know that yes, men's shit does stink and only their wives/partners should suffer the smell in their rooms haha.
3. Drinks are reasonably priced, bingo is expensive. They also only play 1 game per card eg 1 line then onto next game. So with 5 games you pay $30 and the games are 1 line, 1 line, 2 lines, top and bottom line, full card.
4. Ugly Dave Gray is not dead as we thought, but entertaining on cruise ships.
5. You don't roll out of bed when its a bit rough.
6. Its fun to watch the shower water pooling in the tray swish back and forth.
7. When metal detecting, don't go to an area that has recently had council work done. You will find an assortment of drill bits and bolts and nothing else lol.
8. Too many bubbles in a spa, sends you out looking like a giant meringue.
9. The trip back home, always seems quicker than the one there.
10. Don't try and finish that book before getting home. I spent the last night reading a book I couldn't put down but that had me bawling for the last quarter of it. Was a wreck in the morning lol.
11 and finally. The more people you talk to and get to know, the better your holiday and life will be in general.
Now my updated list.
1. Read 50 35 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. So far done 5, one of which was with Jamie Oliver and one on the ship
3. Go on a holiday, hopefully to Melbourne. I was last there in 1984, so just a few years ago lol Well I didn't get to Melbourne but have had a holiday
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day - going to Ipswich cup next month
5. Go down another 20kgs (gotten a bit stuck at the moment)
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
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 done today MDAQ walk
10. Have a tarot reading - have the name of someone really good in Fernvale
11. Go to a musical (booked for Jersey Boys in July)
12. Go to gold class movie
13. Go on a cruise
14. Get a fish - either fighter or gold fish or two. - Ryan got me one (Elvis) for mother's day
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
21. Have a flying lesson - Changing this to do the flight stimulation first, then maybe a flying lesson
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. do a cross stitch
24. have a facial Have had a couple now
25. have a massage
26. try a new food Tried dragon fruit and poppadoms and some vegetarian dishes so far and now macaroons
27. aqua aerobics classes. Done and going to do more
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 - done and won
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer - don't know if I could sit through a whole opera.
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear (Went on the Brisbane wheel to overcome fear of heights but had to get off, so only went around once. Never again lol )
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - was looking into this a couple of months ago but didn't do anything about it. (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class - well I have enough belly to wobble haha
41. try a new drink tried lots of new ones now lol
42. queen mary falls walk
43. drink a cocktail
44. host a murder mystery dinner party - have the game here, now to organize
45. Put $5 a day into money box - use it for something special at the end of the year. - been doing this
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 (venue, dj, food sorted. Decorations started)
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day - going to Ipswich cup next month
5. Go down another 20kgs (gotten a bit stuck at the moment)
7. Have lunch or dinner at Bretts wharf or Aria Brisbane
8. Go through the glow worm caves at Springbrook hopefully when the glow fungi is out as well or the fireflies
10. Have a tarot reading - have the name of someone really good in Fernvale
11. Go to a musical (booked for Jersey Boys in July)
15. Go to a zoo
16. Go to brisbane city markets
17. Brisbane's koala and river cruise
18. Toowoomba carnival of flowers
20. Go to Q1 lookout
21. Have a flying lesson - Changing this to do the flight stimulation first, then maybe a flying lesson
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. do a cross stitch
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
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer - don't know if I could sit through a whole opera.
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear (Went on the Brisbane wheel to overcome fear of heights but had to get off, so only went around once. Never again lol )
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - was looking into this a couple of months ago but didn't do anything about it. (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class - well I have enough belly to wobble haha
42. queen mary falls walk
44. host a murder mystery dinner party - have the game here, now to organize
45. Put $5 a day into money box - use it for something special at the end of the year. - been doing this
46. Have a games night with friends
48. Trike ride from Gold Coast to Mt Tambourine wineries
49. Ride on a carousel
50. Have a kick arse birthday party (venue, dj, food sorted. Decorations started)
Monday, 21 May 2012
Holidays Galore
What a wonderful 2 weeks we had on the Sunshine Coast and boy did it live up to its name. I know they have had some terrible flash flooding and heaps of rain, but apart from one night with a quick shower, there was no rain until coming home today.
We arrived on Monday afternoon, unpacked and relaxed. Tuesday was spent doing a grocery shop and having a look around Stockland shopping centre. Good to see nothing has changed there. Ryan and I went for a walk along some of the new paths beside the water and checked out the new decks in the park next to where we stayed. Can't wait until the path is finally finished all the way to the broad walk at Bullcock Beach. The markets on a Sunday will be an even closer walk lol.
Wednesday we went to Kings Beach Surf lifesaving Club for lunch. Lovely meal with a great view. Took some pics and we confirmed that we are going to get our ashes thrown off the point, which is where we had our wedding photos taken. Back at the unit we got ready for Steve and Cindy who were coming over for dinner. I had made some pumpkin soup the week before which I had frozen, so thawed it. I also made some bread and chicken sausages which was served with asparagus, broccoli and baby carrots. Cindy chose well with dessert of apple crumble cheesecake - 2 of my fav desserts in one. So lots of laughs, conversation and a lovely relaxed night.
For the first time ever we had carers on holidays. People don't realize that going away - which we love to do - means that it is a lot more work for us with Ryan. We don't have the help 4 nights a week and the 2 overnighters. It can be very tiring and a lot of the time we normally spend sleeping during the day in shifts. This time though was heaven. We asked the agencies down here if they could brokerage to an agency up the coast the hours we normally have. One (the one that comes out of our dsq package) said yes, and they were able to get a fantastic guy to come in the 4 nights a week. He was great with Ryan and fitted in with us very easily. He finished his time with us, by giving us his number and saying that anything he could do to help - if we wanted to go up and someone to spend time with Ryan or watch him for us to have a night alone up there, to just ring and he didn't want any payment for it. We would never take him up on no payment, but it was so lovely for him to offer.
The other agency (the one that we pay for ourselves) said no they wouldn't brokerage it out, so instead Queensland Council of Carers said they would help at no cost to us and had someone come in 2 nights a week from 10 to 6.30am. She was someone who was also a great worker. She picked it up very easily and did a great job.
Having them both come in, meant that we weren't tired all the time and more relaxed.
On the Thursday we headed up to Sunshine Plaza shopping centre at Maroochydore. I always get some great bargains there. I found a dress for my 50th, a beach towel on special at Myers for aqua aerobics and some pressies for friends. I also treated myself to San Churro.
Peter and Ryan came back home on that Friday as they had a football match to go to. They also went to the Gold Coast on Saturday for Ryan to visit his girlfriend Jade and see Peter's mum for mother's day, before returning to the coast on the Sunday.
I on the other hand spent Friday going to a party shop and getting some decorations for my party. On the Saturday I went to Noosa to have lunch with some friends who I went to school with from primary school. I love catching up with Tanya and Carolyn. We had a beautiful Thai lunch before heading back to Tanya's house. About 7 hours after we first met up, I headed back to the unit. As I sat down to dinner, fireworks were being set off just outside one of the windows (but in the distance) and it seemed like a show just for me.
Mother's Day and the wonderful Lawson family arrived to spend the day, just beating Peter and Ryan returning. Again a day of laughing, fishing, talking and more talking and another great day. It wasn't to end then however, with Jade and her friend Jess surprised me by turning up at 10.30 that night. They came bearing flowers and lollies and what was going to be an early night in bed - which is where I was when they arrived lol - turned into a nearly 1am night after yakking to them in the bedroom. A great way to end Mother's Day.
The next day I knew that Ryan's girlfriend Jade was coming up for a couple of days to surprise him. As I was leaving with the girls to Montville, I said that a friend would be turning up in an hour. Ryan said he was going to leave my friends to wait by themselves until I got back. We all laughed and said 'yeah I bet you don't'. On returning, Peter told us that when they went down Ryan was grumbling, but as soon as he saw Jade his face lite up.
We on the other hand went to Montville. I got some thank you lollies for my party. An outfit for our Jade to wear and some yummy choc macadamia fudge. On the way back we called into the cheese factory. Nowhere near as good as Hunter Belle Cheese, but the yoghurt I got from them was so light in your mouth, with a true passionfruit taste from the pulp littered through it.
Jess and Jade left after lunch. Throughout all this I got invited to go to the Ipswich Cup next month, so my mind was racing as to what I would wear. I settled on the dress I had gotten for my party and we again went back to Sunshine Plaza to try and find a hat. I found one that had a white flower, but pulling it off, I put on a black one, got some blue feathers and blue diamantes to dress it up and I had a one of a kind hat. So my $25 dress is going to 3 outings so far lol
We showed Ryan's Jade (see how confusing my life is with 2 Jades haha) around the coast. That night Peter and I went out for a meal at the RSL. Bloody awful meal, but at least the $176 I took out of the poker machine covered the cost.
Jade left to go back to work and Uni. I was able to get presents for the 7 birthdays we have happening in the next month, so that made me feel that I was organized.
Thursday we went to Golden Beach tavern for lunch. For $10 my meal of fish and salad was wonderful. The boys had steak and commented it was cooked to perfection. Well worth going to is your ever up that way.
Friday lunch and Steve and Cindy came for lunch and brought Steve's dad along so he could admire the view. Speaking of the view, it has an awesome reaction from people. When Jess and Jade came, it was night. The following morning Jess walked out and he first words were OMG. The same reaction from Jo the overnight support worker. She arrived at night and when it got light enough for her to see the view, she was awestruck.
Saturday was the Coffee Club for lunch. Its right opposite the beach and very relaxing to sit and enjoy a meal while watching the happenings on the beach. Another old friend Julie came over that afternoon for a catch up.
Peter and Ryan left Sunday afternoon and I finished packing. I also got to spend a couple of hours with Judy the manager of where we stay. We get along really well and enjoy catching up on how each others families are doing.
As I drove home this morning, it was with a heavy heart and a wish that it was time for us to move up there. Have I mentioned that I am gradually selling any excess items I have? I am culling so that all we have left will fit in a unit.
So for another 13 months, it is goodbye Sunshine coast, lots of fresh seafood and great friends and view.
We arrived on Monday afternoon, unpacked and relaxed. Tuesday was spent doing a grocery shop and having a look around Stockland shopping centre. Good to see nothing has changed there. Ryan and I went for a walk along some of the new paths beside the water and checked out the new decks in the park next to where we stayed. Can't wait until the path is finally finished all the way to the broad walk at Bullcock Beach. The markets on a Sunday will be an even closer walk lol.
Wednesday we went to Kings Beach Surf lifesaving Club for lunch. Lovely meal with a great view. Took some pics and we confirmed that we are going to get our ashes thrown off the point, which is where we had our wedding photos taken. Back at the unit we got ready for Steve and Cindy who were coming over for dinner. I had made some pumpkin soup the week before which I had frozen, so thawed it. I also made some bread and chicken sausages which was served with asparagus, broccoli and baby carrots. Cindy chose well with dessert of apple crumble cheesecake - 2 of my fav desserts in one. So lots of laughs, conversation and a lovely relaxed night.
For the first time ever we had carers on holidays. People don't realize that going away - which we love to do - means that it is a lot more work for us with Ryan. We don't have the help 4 nights a week and the 2 overnighters. It can be very tiring and a lot of the time we normally spend sleeping during the day in shifts. This time though was heaven. We asked the agencies down here if they could brokerage to an agency up the coast the hours we normally have. One (the one that comes out of our dsq package) said yes, and they were able to get a fantastic guy to come in the 4 nights a week. He was great with Ryan and fitted in with us very easily. He finished his time with us, by giving us his number and saying that anything he could do to help - if we wanted to go up and someone to spend time with Ryan or watch him for us to have a night alone up there, to just ring and he didn't want any payment for it. We would never take him up on no payment, but it was so lovely for him to offer.
The other agency (the one that we pay for ourselves) said no they wouldn't brokerage it out, so instead Queensland Council of Carers said they would help at no cost to us and had someone come in 2 nights a week from 10 to 6.30am. She was someone who was also a great worker. She picked it up very easily and did a great job.
Having them both come in, meant that we weren't tired all the time and more relaxed.
On the Thursday we headed up to Sunshine Plaza shopping centre at Maroochydore. I always get some great bargains there. I found a dress for my 50th, a beach towel on special at Myers for aqua aerobics and some pressies for friends. I also treated myself to San Churro.
Peter and Ryan came back home on that Friday as they had a football match to go to. They also went to the Gold Coast on Saturday for Ryan to visit his girlfriend Jade and see Peter's mum for mother's day, before returning to the coast on the Sunday.
I on the other hand spent Friday going to a party shop and getting some decorations for my party. On the Saturday I went to Noosa to have lunch with some friends who I went to school with from primary school. I love catching up with Tanya and Carolyn. We had a beautiful Thai lunch before heading back to Tanya's house. About 7 hours after we first met up, I headed back to the unit. As I sat down to dinner, fireworks were being set off just outside one of the windows (but in the distance) and it seemed like a show just for me.
Mother's Day and the wonderful Lawson family arrived to spend the day, just beating Peter and Ryan returning. Again a day of laughing, fishing, talking and more talking and another great day. It wasn't to end then however, with Jade and her friend Jess surprised me by turning up at 10.30 that night. They came bearing flowers and lollies and what was going to be an early night in bed - which is where I was when they arrived lol - turned into a nearly 1am night after yakking to them in the bedroom. A great way to end Mother's Day.
The next day I knew that Ryan's girlfriend Jade was coming up for a couple of days to surprise him. As I was leaving with the girls to Montville, I said that a friend would be turning up in an hour. Ryan said he was going to leave my friends to wait by themselves until I got back. We all laughed and said 'yeah I bet you don't'. On returning, Peter told us that when they went down Ryan was grumbling, but as soon as he saw Jade his face lite up.
We on the other hand went to Montville. I got some thank you lollies for my party. An outfit for our Jade to wear and some yummy choc macadamia fudge. On the way back we called into the cheese factory. Nowhere near as good as Hunter Belle Cheese, but the yoghurt I got from them was so light in your mouth, with a true passionfruit taste from the pulp littered through it.
Jess and Jade left after lunch. Throughout all this I got invited to go to the Ipswich Cup next month, so my mind was racing as to what I would wear. I settled on the dress I had gotten for my party and we again went back to Sunshine Plaza to try and find a hat. I found one that had a white flower, but pulling it off, I put on a black one, got some blue feathers and blue diamantes to dress it up and I had a one of a kind hat. So my $25 dress is going to 3 outings so far lol
We showed Ryan's Jade (see how confusing my life is with 2 Jades haha) around the coast. That night Peter and I went out for a meal at the RSL. Bloody awful meal, but at least the $176 I took out of the poker machine covered the cost.
Jade left to go back to work and Uni. I was able to get presents for the 7 birthdays we have happening in the next month, so that made me feel that I was organized.
Thursday we went to Golden Beach tavern for lunch. For $10 my meal of fish and salad was wonderful. The boys had steak and commented it was cooked to perfection. Well worth going to is your ever up that way.
Friday lunch and Steve and Cindy came for lunch and brought Steve's dad along so he could admire the view. Speaking of the view, it has an awesome reaction from people. When Jess and Jade came, it was night. The following morning Jess walked out and he first words were OMG. The same reaction from Jo the overnight support worker. She arrived at night and when it got light enough for her to see the view, she was awestruck.
Saturday was the Coffee Club for lunch. Its right opposite the beach and very relaxing to sit and enjoy a meal while watching the happenings on the beach. Another old friend Julie came over that afternoon for a catch up.
Peter and Ryan left Sunday afternoon and I finished packing. I also got to spend a couple of hours with Judy the manager of where we stay. We get along really well and enjoy catching up on how each others families are doing.
As I drove home this morning, it was with a heavy heart and a wish that it was time for us to move up there. Have I mentioned that I am gradually selling any excess items I have? I am culling so that all we have left will fit in a unit.
So for another 13 months, it is goodbye Sunshine coast, lots of fresh seafood and great friends and view.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Carers/Support workers
Carers are the people that keep us sane. They are the ones we trust to help us care for Ryan. Most are the most wonderful and caring person that you could ever meet. But if you have never had any experience in dealing with these men and women, here is an insight into this very special world.
Ryan was 9 when we got our first carer. We didn't really know too much about how it all worked except that someone would come into help. The first guy came, toileted and showered Ryan, then when he was finished, came into the lounge room, plonked himself on the lounge and asked where his cuppa was. We thought this must be normal. He would stay for another hour or so.
Other nights he would turn up when he wasn't rostered on because 'I can't come tomorrow night'. This I found unsettling. Due to it being a night when no one was suppose to come, I would be in my pj's relaxing. He was very touchy, feely with Ryan. Not using a washer in the shower and some other things that didn't sit right. When I rang up to cancel the service, they wanted to know why. I hesitated but they told me that 6 other families had rung that day as well. He was sacked and we were talked into letting someone else come in and show us that what this guy did, was not normal.
The next person was a young uni student. She was very outgoing and professional. We were sad to see her go when she found a job out west. It meant that we had seen, that carers don't expect us to wait on them and that they are here to help.
In the last 14 years, we have had people of all ages, races and genders. The youngest has been 17 and the oldest nearly 60. Some when they first come, have you thinking... 'if I saw you in a dark alley, I would cross the street and be worried'. There are kindly 'mother' type woman, tattooed bike riding girls, christian young men, muso's, long haired 40 year old ex meat workers - people from all walks of life.
One thing that amazes me with them, is that they can do this job. I know that I couldn't and have so much respect for them. A lot of people think that being a carer is an easy job for them. That they get to take people out to movies, shopping etc. Yes that is one side of the job, BUT there is this side. How many people do you know that would toilet an adult? Its not just sitting them on the toilet, but wiping etc. How many would shower another adult? Wash their hair, clean their teeth, adjust their body parts (how something that looks like a plucked chicken, can need so much moving, is beyond me lol ).
We have had one carer for over 10 years now. We have also only had 3 that we have had to get rid of, apart from the first guy. One guy had relationship problems. He would come here, cry for the hour and half and then go home. Meanwhile, we had to do Ryan because he was incapable of doing it because he was too upset. He also talked another client into giving him a car. He didn't get to stay in the job very long. Another guy, would not turn up for shifts because his wife wouldn't let him come. He also didn't get to stay too long.
The third was a woman who was really good at her job. We know that accidents happen and accept that. One night I was out and Peter was in the shed. He came down to find her gone and the kids by themselves. The kids when I got home were in a funny mood. It took a while but finally they admitted that something had happened. When hoisting Ryan, his penis had gotten caught and he yelled. The woman then told the kids they weren't to tell us that it had happened and left early. The accident is not what got her sacked from us, it was telling the kids to lie. That I just don't tolerate.
Carers are told they aren't to become close to clients. Sorry but when you are in someones home 3 or 4 days a week, you become part of the family. Any parties or celebrations they come too. They know more about us than our closest friends and family and we know all about them as well.
At first; well probably for the first few years, we would act like visitors were here. The things that you do when you get home from work like, ripping your bra off, having a shower and getting comfy in your jammies, laying on the lounge vegging out. These things we didn't do since someone else would be in our home. Now I do. Hell we have carers stay overnight 2 nights a week and they have the run of our home while I am asleep lol.
After reading all this and if you still think that carers have good jobs, then remember this. Agencies, as I have said, tell carers they are not to have a 'relationship' with clients or their families. Some of their clients are terminal and when they pass away, instead of the agency telling them, they will ring and say that the shifts are cancelled and the person is no longer a client. They don't tell them that the person has passed away, even if they have been with them for years.
These men and women are amazing!! We are blessed to call them friends and even some of the ones that have moved onto other careers are still friends with us. They have my respect and my heartfelt thanks.
Ryan was 9 when we got our first carer. We didn't really know too much about how it all worked except that someone would come into help. The first guy came, toileted and showered Ryan, then when he was finished, came into the lounge room, plonked himself on the lounge and asked where his cuppa was. We thought this must be normal. He would stay for another hour or so.
Other nights he would turn up when he wasn't rostered on because 'I can't come tomorrow night'. This I found unsettling. Due to it being a night when no one was suppose to come, I would be in my pj's relaxing. He was very touchy, feely with Ryan. Not using a washer in the shower and some other things that didn't sit right. When I rang up to cancel the service, they wanted to know why. I hesitated but they told me that 6 other families had rung that day as well. He was sacked and we were talked into letting someone else come in and show us that what this guy did, was not normal.
The next person was a young uni student. She was very outgoing and professional. We were sad to see her go when she found a job out west. It meant that we had seen, that carers don't expect us to wait on them and that they are here to help.
In the last 14 years, we have had people of all ages, races and genders. The youngest has been 17 and the oldest nearly 60. Some when they first come, have you thinking... 'if I saw you in a dark alley, I would cross the street and be worried'. There are kindly 'mother' type woman, tattooed bike riding girls, christian young men, muso's, long haired 40 year old ex meat workers - people from all walks of life.
One thing that amazes me with them, is that they can do this job. I know that I couldn't and have so much respect for them. A lot of people think that being a carer is an easy job for them. That they get to take people out to movies, shopping etc. Yes that is one side of the job, BUT there is this side. How many people do you know that would toilet an adult? Its not just sitting them on the toilet, but wiping etc. How many would shower another adult? Wash their hair, clean their teeth, adjust their body parts (how something that looks like a plucked chicken, can need so much moving, is beyond me lol ).
We have had one carer for over 10 years now. We have also only had 3 that we have had to get rid of, apart from the first guy. One guy had relationship problems. He would come here, cry for the hour and half and then go home. Meanwhile, we had to do Ryan because he was incapable of doing it because he was too upset. He also talked another client into giving him a car. He didn't get to stay in the job very long. Another guy, would not turn up for shifts because his wife wouldn't let him come. He also didn't get to stay too long.
The third was a woman who was really good at her job. We know that accidents happen and accept that. One night I was out and Peter was in the shed. He came down to find her gone and the kids by themselves. The kids when I got home were in a funny mood. It took a while but finally they admitted that something had happened. When hoisting Ryan, his penis had gotten caught and he yelled. The woman then told the kids they weren't to tell us that it had happened and left early. The accident is not what got her sacked from us, it was telling the kids to lie. That I just don't tolerate.
Carers are told they aren't to become close to clients. Sorry but when you are in someones home 3 or 4 days a week, you become part of the family. Any parties or celebrations they come too. They know more about us than our closest friends and family and we know all about them as well.
At first; well probably for the first few years, we would act like visitors were here. The things that you do when you get home from work like, ripping your bra off, having a shower and getting comfy in your jammies, laying on the lounge vegging out. These things we didn't do since someone else would be in our home. Now I do. Hell we have carers stay overnight 2 nights a week and they have the run of our home while I am asleep lol.
After reading all this and if you still think that carers have good jobs, then remember this. Agencies, as I have said, tell carers they are not to have a 'relationship' with clients or their families. Some of their clients are terminal and when they pass away, instead of the agency telling them, they will ring and say that the shifts are cancelled and the person is no longer a client. They don't tell them that the person has passed away, even if they have been with them for years.
These men and women are amazing!! We are blessed to call them friends and even some of the ones that have moved onto other careers are still friends with us. They have my respect and my heartfelt thanks.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
ANZAC Day
After an early start this morning, I got to cross something else off of my list.
I had set my alarm for 4 and a second for 4.05 in case I just turned the first one off lol. Up, shower, dress and in the car. I drove to Veronica's and collected her on my way to Amberley RAAF base.
I didn't expect to see so many people there. It was dark and cold which had me reflecting on what it was like for our diggers 97 years ago. How terrified some of them must of been and hearing of how many died and were injured on that day, so that we now, can enjoy the freedom and lifestyle that we lead today.
It was a very humbling experience and one that I hope to do again.
Thank you to Veronica for coming with me. This crossing off things is the way to get out and live and experience new things. It is stopping me from only doing the familiar and giving me a new zest for life.
1. Read50 38 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. So far done 5, one of which was with Jamie Oliver and one on the ship
3. Go on a holiday, hopefully to Melbourne. I was last there in 1984, so just a few years ago lol
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day
5. Go down another 20kgs (gotten a bit stuck at the moment)
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
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 done today MDAQ walk
10. Have a tarot reading - have the name of someone really good in Fernvale
11. Go to a musical (booked for Jersey Boys in July)
12. Go to gold class movie
13. Go on a cruise
14. Get a fish - either fighter or gold fish or two. When I was single I had 2 goldfish, 1 black and 1 gold called Abraham and Lincoln lol (Ryan is giving me this for Mother's Day)
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
21. Have a flying lesson - Changing this to do the flight stimulation first, then maybe a flying lesson
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. do a cross stitch
24. have a facial Have had a couple now
25. have a massage
26. try a new food Tried dragon fruit and poppadoms and some vegetarian dishes so far and now macaroons
27. aqua aerobics classes. Done and going to do more
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 - done and won
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer - don't know if I could sit through a whole opera.
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear (Went on the Brisbane wheel to overcome fear of heights but had to get off, so only went around once. Never again lol )
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - was looking into this a couple of months ago but didn't do anything about it. (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class - well I have enough belly to wobble haha
41. try a new drink tried lots of new ones now lol
42. queen mary falls walk
43. drink a cocktail
44. host a murder mystery dinner party - have the game here, now to organize
45. Put $5 a day into money box - use it for something special at the end of the year. - been doing this
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 (venue, dj, food sorted. Decorations started)
I had set my alarm for 4 and a second for 4.05 in case I just turned the first one off lol. Up, shower, dress and in the car. I drove to Veronica's and collected her on my way to Amberley RAAF base.
I didn't expect to see so many people there. It was dark and cold which had me reflecting on what it was like for our diggers 97 years ago. How terrified some of them must of been and hearing of how many died and were injured on that day, so that we now, can enjoy the freedom and lifestyle that we lead today.
It was a very humbling experience and one that I hope to do again.
Thank you to Veronica for coming with me. This crossing off things is the way to get out and live and experience new things. It is stopping me from only doing the familiar and giving me a new zest for life.
1. Read
3. Go on a holiday, hopefully to Melbourne. I was last there in 1984, so just a few years ago lol
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day
5. Go down another 20kgs (gotten a bit stuck at the moment)
7. Have lunch or dinner at Bretts wharf or Aria Brisbane
8. Go through the glow worm caves at Springbrook hopefully when the glow fungi is out as well or the fireflies
10. Have a tarot reading - have the name of someone really good in Fernvale
11. Go to a musical (booked for Jersey Boys in July)
14. Get a fish - either fighter or gold fish or two. When I was single I had 2 goldfish, 1 black and 1 gold called Abraham and Lincoln lol (Ryan is giving me this for Mother's Day)
15. Go to a zoo
16. Go to brisbane city markets
17. Brisbane's koala and river cruise
18. Toowoomba carnival of flowers
20. Go to Q1 lookout
21. Have a flying lesson - Changing this to do the flight stimulation first, then maybe a flying lesson
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. do a cross stitch
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
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer - don't know if I could sit through a whole opera.
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear (Went on the Brisbane wheel to overcome fear of heights but had to get off, so only went around once. Never again lol )
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - was looking into this a couple of months ago but didn't do anything about it. (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class - well I have enough belly to wobble haha
42. queen mary falls walk
44. host a murder mystery dinner party - have the game here, now to organize
45. Put $5 a day into money box - use it for something special at the end of the year. - been doing this
46. Have a games night with friends
48. Trike ride from Gold Coast to Mt Tambourine wineries
49. Ride on a carousel
50. Have a kick arse birthday party (venue, dj, food sorted. Decorations started)
Monday, 23 April 2012
My week of paradise
Wow, Wow and Wow!!! That is how to described my last week. I got to cross off heaps from my 50 things for 50 years list and met some amazing people.
Lets start at the beginning.
Thanks to some wonderful advice from Carolyn and Veronica, we set off on our big adventure well prepared. I had 3 boxes of kwells, 1 box of natural ginger travel sickness tablets, 1 box of stemitel and 2 cameras.
Troy dropped Peter and I off at Brisbane Cruise terminal around 9.30am. We checked our luggage in, then proceeded to check in, where we were given our cruise card - which becomes what you use for cash onboard. We were told that we would go on around 11.10, so headed off for a coffee and to take some photos from the viewing deck. For anyone cruising, you are given a time to go on, in order of arrival, so don't get there too late.
You go straight to your room where you find your key. We were also greeted by our Steward Devdat, who was just wonderful. Our bags were outside our room, so we unpacked then headed off to explore.
We made our way to lunch in the Burgendy restaurant and got seated at a table with 6 others. Straight away we hit it off with a lovely couple Neil and Marge. They were in their 70's but you would never have know it. They had been friends for 50 years along with their partners when they were alive and now were beginning to take their friendship to the next level. It was so sweet. They invited us to book into the Bordeax and eat with them that night. We ended up doing that every night except one.
After lunch and making our reservation we headed up to Lido deck for the sail away party. Being nervous about getting seasick, I made Peter take a kwell when I did and the ginger tablets as well. Two o'clock and off we set sail. Goodbye to Brisbane!
Cairns was so bloody humid. We went for a walk in the morning before our tour, but gave it up as a bad joke. When the time came for our tour, we were taken by bus up to Kuranda. Here we had an hour to look around and of course went to the butterfly sanctuary and then to some local markets. From here we went to the train station and caught the old rattler along with century old track.
The train stopped at Baron Falls for us to take some photos before continuing on with commentary about the history of the rail and area. The views were magnificent. We saw 4 different waterfalls and wonderful countryside and at times could see right out to the Coral Sea. Its funny how in some things heights terrify me, but in others, such as this train, it doesn't bother me.
After we got off the train we had a short bus ride back to the ship. That night after dinner, we went to the Cairns night markets. $15 for a 40 minute massage, 2 bamboo shirts and a barmah hat for me -as Peter hated the one I had - and we walked back to have a well deserved cold drink and sleep.
To say we loved the cruise would be an understatement. Instead of us caring for someone, we had people caring for us. All meals made, bed made of a morning and turned down with chocolates and towel animals at night. Entertainment galore and even a massage on board. I only had 1 day where I had to lie down, but that was due to food getting stuck in my band. Plus as a bonus I got on the scales today and I had lost 1 kilo from when we left haha.
I would recommend it to everyone to do at some time in your life. This all wouldn't have been possible and extremely relaxing and enjoyable if it wasn't for Queensland Muscular Dystrophy and for the help from Ryan's carer agencies Alara and Focal plus my kids and their partners and Veronica and Doug. I cannot thank you all enough for all you have done. xxxxxxx
1. Read50 38 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. So far done 5, one of which was with Jamie Oliver and one on the ship
3. Go on a holiday, hopefully to Melbourne. I was last there in 1984, so just a few years ago lol
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day
5. Go down another 20kgs (gotten a bit stuck at the moment)
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
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 done today MDAQ walk
10. Have a tarot reading - have the name of someone really good in Fernvale
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. When I was single I had 2 goldfish, 1 black and 1 gold called Abraham and Lincoln lol (Ryan is giving me this for Mother's Day)
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
21. Have a flying lesson - Changing this to do the flight stimulation first, then maybe a flying lesson
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. do a cross stitch
24. have a facial Have had a couple now
25. have a massage
26. try a new food Tried dragon fruit and poppadoms and some vegetarian dishes so far and now macaroons
27. aqua aerobics classes. Done and going to do more
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 - done and won
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer - don't know if I could sit through a whole opera.
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear (Went on the Brisbane wheel to overcome fear of heights but had to get off, so only went around once. Never again lol )
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - was looking into this a couple of months ago but didn't do anything about it. (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class - well I have enough belly to wobble haha
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 - have the game here, now to organize
45. Put $5 a day into money box - use it for something special at the end of the year. - been doing this
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 (venue, dj, food sorted. Decorations started)
Lets start at the beginning.
Thanks to some wonderful advice from Carolyn and Veronica, we set off on our big adventure well prepared. I had 3 boxes of kwells, 1 box of natural ginger travel sickness tablets, 1 box of stemitel and 2 cameras.
Troy dropped Peter and I off at Brisbane Cruise terminal around 9.30am. We checked our luggage in, then proceeded to check in, where we were given our cruise card - which becomes what you use for cash onboard. We were told that we would go on around 11.10, so headed off for a coffee and to take some photos from the viewing deck. For anyone cruising, you are given a time to go on, in order of arrival, so don't get there too late.
You go straight to your room where you find your key. We were also greeted by our Steward Devdat, who was just wonderful. Our bags were outside our room, so we unpacked then headed off to explore.
We made our way to lunch in the Burgendy restaurant and got seated at a table with 6 others. Straight away we hit it off with a lovely couple Neil and Marge. They were in their 70's but you would never have know it. They had been friends for 50 years along with their partners when they were alive and now were beginning to take their friendship to the next level. It was so sweet. They invited us to book into the Bordeax and eat with them that night. We ended up doing that every night except one.
After lunch and making our reservation we headed up to Lido deck for the sail away party. Being nervous about getting seasick, I made Peter take a kwell when I did and the ginger tablets as well. Two o'clock and off we set sail. Goodbye to Brisbane!
You see so many exciting things along the Brisbane River. The wharf full of cars and farm equipment, the swarm of jelly fish that I think lost their way from Bribie Island and even some dolphins. I was expecting to go over waves like you see at the bar at Caloundra, but no you don't. Its all very smooth sailing.
After exploring some more and trying to figure out just where along the coast we were, we got dressed up and headed for dinner. Going to the formal dining room, we thought this was expected, but soon learnt that on the top left of the Pacific Daily (your nightly newsletter that lets you know what is on the following day and what dress you can have while dining), that we didn't need to and shorts were allowed that night.
Dinner this night was interesting. We had lots of laughs with Neil and Marge, but it was another couple at the table that had everyone's attention. An older woman in her 60's who was a minister and telling us that she didn't want to be on this earth any more and that she didn't want to even be on the ship after watching 60 minutes with people being drugged and raped. We half expected that she would lock herself in her room the whole trip to stay safe lol. She was seen walking around though, but thankfully not at our table again.
Ugly Dave Gray was one of the acts and on the first night. Unfortunately by the time the show started at 9, I was already falling asleep in the chair. I left Peter with Neil and headed off to bed. It took a little bit of time to get use to the rocking, but I was soon out like a light. Oh and our bed was turned down by Devdat prior to getting back there.
Peter woke early and went to breakfast at the buffet, where he soon made friends with another guy named Gary. Later on in the cruise they had a marriage game. Peter and I put our names down but weren't chosen. I think we had a lucky escape lol. Gary and his wife Kerri were picked though. They had everyone in hysterics with their answers. First the women were taken away and the guys had to answer a bunch of questions. Sex was referred to as 'gardening' due to children in the audience. They had questions like - when was the last time you did the 'gardening'. A young couple we got to know on their honeymoon were in it and he had the answer as 20 mins ago, luckily his wife got that right as well haha. Gary and Kerri also matched with, on our birthdays last year haha.
The question that had everyone just about wetting themselves though, was, where is the strangest place you have done the gardening. Gary went on to describe how they were at Fraser one day and wandered off and found a lagoon. With no one around they stripped off, got in and did the gardening. Kerri suddenly discovered that on the hill at the side, a bus load of Japanese tourists were standing watching them. Gary then showed how Kerri turned on her back and pretended to be swimming, all the while forgetting she was naked. They also matched on this answer and went on to win.
lol.
All the shows and organized events were fantastic. There was something to do from morning to midnight and after if you wanted to. There would be shows in the showroom each night, comedy club in The Terraces lounge, bands in another bar or on the top deck. There was duty free shopping, internet, a library, games, bars and the casino.
Ahhhh the casino. Now as someone who hardly drinks or gambles I was in a whole new world. On my list for this year was to place a $50 bet on black at the roulette table and walk away win or lose. We went in and I got my money changed to a chip and put it on black and won. True to my word, I walked away. I went and played a poker machine and took out $50 on top of what I put in.
The next day I played blackjack. Again on my list and again I came out ahead, but was giving money to Peter to play and he kept losing lol. I took another $80 out of another poker machine. I was then not going to play again, as I figured the odds of winning towards the end of the cruise would be less. However Peter and I were sitting having a drink in the promenade lounge on Friday. There were 2 machines that I told Peter were 'talking' to me. He put $5 in one and won nothing. He told me to play the other which I did and won the major jackpot. After playing it some more, I took out $180 on top of what I put in. I was happy!! Late that night - around 11pm - we went in again.
There was no one playing 3 card poker and the dealer taught me how to play. Its a bit boring though and I came away with what I started with. I went to the roulette table and put $5 on red and won, I then put $5 on 14 and won - 36/1 - I put the next $5 on 18, and won. A girl sitting at the table was flabbergasted and the croupier said she had never seen that before. She called the pit boss over to tell him. I then put $5 on black and won... 4 out of 4. I gave her a $5 tip and cashed in my $400. The only other bet I had was with a free $5 chip I got to use on even money bet. I won and used the winnings to put on a number. I lost on it though.
Cocktails, my other discovery. Now I haven't had a cocktail since I was about 17/18 and it was a fluffy duck. Bloody awful drink! My promise to Veronica was to have a Toblerone. I have never had Bailey's as I tell everyone I hate milk alcohol drinks. Well all that has changed. Toblerones are to die for. I also had a Long Island Iced Tea from Carolyn's suggestion. I loved it as well, but did wonder where the tea part was lol. I wasn't fussed on the Midori Splice and the Island Punch started out nice but got too sickly sweet half way through.
Mornings commenced with a coffee and I found I liked lattes. Nights ended with a hot chocolate, which I never have at home, but really enjoyed there. I had never tried a macaroons and thought they were just a cookie type of biscuit and didn't know what all the fuss was. OMG, how Divine are they, and they aren't like cookies at all. The only problem was, I told everyone about them and some days they ran out haha. Its funny but a lot thought the same as me.
We met people from so many different walks of life. I had the policy that if we went to sit and have a drink or to eat in the buffet, that we would sit with someone or a couple on their own. Then me being me, I would babble to them and they couldn't just sit and say nothing lol. Apart from those I have mentioned above, there was a lovely couple who now live on the Gold Coast but moved there 5 years ago from Russia. There was a family from New Zealand and the dad's job was designing the wheelchair entries on buses. There was April and her family from Victoria, who we got to know well. Jacqui who has a cake business on the Gold Coast and many, many more.
The staff were fantastic and very hard working. Above in the photo is Jhen and Jamari who were our wait staff in formal dining. They were a great at their jobs and in having laughs with us and we discovered they were a couple in real life as well. The only sad part to those working on the ship, was the uncertainty that a lot have for their future. Some know they are going to be working on the Dawn when the Sun finally goes to its new owners - it's becoming a casino in China - others don't know if they will be reassigned. It was also interesting that the staff told us that P & O don't hire Australians on the local ships. But there were a lot of staff in every area of the ship. You never had to wait for anything and it was all service with a huge smile.
When I woke up on the second morning feeling fine, I decided not to keep taking the sea sickness tablets and I was fine. The last day of sailing was rough. Peter felt a bit sick and went to lay down but I was fine. Although it has taken nearly a day and a half to stop swaying on land lol.
The tours I chose to go on were great. At Airlie Beach we had to anchor offshore. This meant that we got catamarans to the mainland. We were taken by bus to a camp site in Proserpine. We were greeted by 2 guides who firstly supplied us with a traditional Aussie morning tea - billy tea (swinging the billy around to separate the tea leaves) and damper cooked in a camp oven.
After that and a small talk on crocs we were loaded onto trailers and towed by a tractor into the wetlands. It was informative 2 hour tour on how the aborigines survived in the area, what trees were used for food/tools/shelter/medicines and some wildlife. Our guide was one of the youngest snake relocator around. He was trying to find one to show us all how harmless they can be. Did you know that more people die from vending machines falling on them, than by snakes, sharks or crocodiles in Australia? Makes you stop and think then.
We returned for lunch of bbq steak, sausages, chicken, barramundi and salad, followed by lamington. We then piled onto a boat and went up the Proserpine river looking for crocodiles. Now keep in mind that this is the wild, not a reptile park. We saw about 15 to 20 of them. The biggest was 5.5 metres long. We saw lots of babies. A female needs to lay 4 lots of eggs, just to get 1 crocodile that survives to adulthood. She will lay around 70 eggs. Only half will hatch, other animals will eat them and at 6 weeks of age, when the mother no longer looks after them, even she will eat them if they get in her way. For 2 hours we went up and down the river. The guides were great, but we had to get back to the ship to set sail to Cairns.
Cairns was so bloody humid. We went for a walk in the morning before our tour, but gave it up as a bad joke. When the time came for our tour, we were taken by bus up to Kuranda. Here we had an hour to look around and of course went to the butterfly sanctuary and then to some local markets. From here we went to the train station and caught the old rattler along with century old track.
The train stopped at Baron Falls for us to take some photos before continuing on with commentary about the history of the rail and area. The views were magnificent. We saw 4 different waterfalls and wonderful countryside and at times could see right out to the Coral Sea. Its funny how in some things heights terrify me, but in others, such as this train, it doesn't bother me.
After we got off the train we had a short bus ride back to the ship. That night after dinner, we went to the Cairns night markets. $15 for a 40 minute massage, 2 bamboo shirts and a barmah hat for me -as Peter hated the one I had - and we walked back to have a well deserved cold drink and sleep.
To say we loved the cruise would be an understatement. Instead of us caring for someone, we had people caring for us. All meals made, bed made of a morning and turned down with chocolates and towel animals at night. Entertainment galore and even a massage on board. I only had 1 day where I had to lie down, but that was due to food getting stuck in my band. Plus as a bonus I got on the scales today and I had lost 1 kilo from when we left haha.
I would recommend it to everyone to do at some time in your life. This all wouldn't have been possible and extremely relaxing and enjoyable if it wasn't for Queensland Muscular Dystrophy and for the help from Ryan's carer agencies Alara and Focal plus my kids and their partners and Veronica and Doug. I cannot thank you all enough for all you have done. xxxxxxx
1. Read
3. Go on a holiday, hopefully to Melbourne. I was last there in 1984, so just a few years ago lol
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day
5. Go down another 20kgs (gotten a bit stuck at the moment)
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
8. Go through the glow worm caves at Springbrook hopefully when the glow fungi is out as well or the fireflies
10. Have a tarot reading - have the name of someone really good in Fernvale
11. Go to a musical (booked for Jersey Boys in July)
14. Get a fish - either fighter or gold fish or two. When I was single I had 2 goldfish, 1 black and 1 gold called Abraham and Lincoln lol (Ryan is giving me this for Mother's Day)
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
21. Have a flying lesson - Changing this to do the flight stimulation first, then maybe a flying lesson
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. do a cross stitch
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
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer - don't know if I could sit through a whole opera.
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear (Went on the Brisbane wheel to overcome fear of heights but had to get off, so only went around once. Never again lol )
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - was looking into this a couple of months ago but didn't do anything about it. (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class - well I have enough belly to wobble haha
42. queen mary falls walk
44. host a murder mystery dinner party - have the game here, now to organize
45. Put $5 a day into money box - use it for something special at the end of the year. - been doing this
46. Have a games night with friends
48. Trike ride from Gold Coast to Mt Tambourine wineries
49. Ride on a carousel
50. Have a kick arse birthday party (venue, dj, food sorted. Decorations started)
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