Rockingham Foreshore, Western Australia

Sally & I had a girls day out at the Rockingham foreshore on Monday. On Tuesday Mark and I had lunch at the foreshore with his Mum & Kevin.

Rockingham is such a beautiful place. It's certainly a place that I would considering living.

Garden Island.

Point Peron, Western Australia

Mark, Sally, Luke and I visited Point Peron this afternoon. It's such a beautiful place to visit. What an amazing view of the Atlantic ocean.

Bullet Journal - July

I bought some lovely scrapbooking stickers yesterday. They're all about travelling. Perfect for while Mark and I are in Western Australia.

I am Loving Western Australia!

Mark and I flew to Perth on Wednesday morning. We're staying with his Dad and Paula (step mum), two lovely people.

We wanted to surprise Marks Mum (Helen). So we didn't tell her that we were coming over. I finally got to meet my Mother in Law for the very first time yesterday. The look on her face was priceless when she saw Mark walk into Sallys lounge room. We were hiding when Helen and Kevin arrived.

Helen has a wicked sense of humour. I really like her. Kevin (step dad) also.

Marks family is amazing. I am so glad I am part of it.

I am Going on a Holiday!

This time next week I will be on my way to Perth. I can't believe that I will be meeting my MIL for the first time!

I have been told Perth is a lovely city. I am sure I will love it if the photos I have seen are anything to go by.

Australia Day 2015

It's Australia Day! 

I don't really have anything planned for today. 

Other than maybe having vegemite on toast for brekky and lamb chops for tea ☺☺ 

Maybe a relaxing day in front of the TV watching some Aussie actors and crocheting might be the order of the day.

Perhaps even reading a book from my favourite Aussie author, Kate Forsyth.
Here's a list of 10 great Australian authors, just in case you want to check some out. My fave isn't on this particular list though.

We were discussing going to a BBQ with some of Mark's amateur radio club friends. Although I'm not 100% sure on that one. It has been ages since we had a barbie though so it might be nice.

Have a great day!! 

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I am thankful this week:

• returning safely from our holiday interstate
• family - it was great seeing everyone again. The boys loved spending time with their aunties and cousins.
• mild weather while we were on holiday
• heaters - it was pretty darned cold yesterday. Cold enough to snow but not where we live *sigh*
• crochet - I made a blanket for one of my nieces while we were in Adelaide
• adding to my yarn stash - I brought home two shopping bags full of yarn
• finding lots of things on sale - I bought quite a few new clothes for the boys and I (well mostly me) while on hols and I bought Mark a new coffee machine

What are you thankful for this week?

Our (Mis)Adventure

Yesterday morning the boys and I left for our trip to Adelaide. The plan was to try and get into Adelaide and through the Adelaide hills before dark so that I didn't have to drive at night (something I really dislike doing).

All was going well and good. We stopped near Ballarat (approximately 2.5 hours from home) for a toilet break and to get some fuel. We also stopped for a quick toilet break in Ararat. The next stop was planned for Horsham (the half way point between our home and Adelaide) so that we could have lunch. 

Oh we stopped there alright. In fact Emmy began chugging about 15 kilometres (around 9 miles) out of Horsham and she scared the pants off me when she was doing that. We made it into town and I had just turned the corner at a set of traffic lights when she stalled. Uh oh, not good. I start her up again and think on lets find a petrol station. I was begging the car to not stall again so that we can make it 100 metres down the road. We pull into the service station and she stalls again. Crap. I start her again and make it a few more metres to a car park at the petrol station and turn her off. 

The next thing we do is phone Mark. HELP! Not that he can do much considering we just travelled 4.5 hours & we were 400 kms [248 miles] from home. We open the bonnet as directed and Brodie notices that the gas converter (LPG converter) has frozen. Mark tells us to wait a good 20 minutes or so for it to defrost. He suggests we go somewhere that's shaded (it was quite hot in the sun) so we can cool off. Plus the boys were hungry so we used that 'defrosting' time to have lunch. I can tell you I was no longer hungry after the stress of this but I forced myself to eat something any way. 

Rather than risk driving all the way to Adelaide with a car that was now misbehaving mark said turn around and come home. You have no idea how relieved I felt when he said that. So before we took off to find a park Brodie and I phoned Dad and Julie to let them know about our car troubles and that we were turning home. I did spend a little bit of time having a cry. Mainly because I was letting family down for not being able to come over and help out with Dad but also because I was stressing over how on earth will we get home safely AND how on earth will we make it through the city, especially through citylink and the domain tunnel, without stalling.

After lunch and after making sure the car has cooled, Mark instructed us over the phone how to safely open the radiator cap without getting splashed with boiling hot water. We had hardly used any water. That was a good thing. While we were still in Horsham we found a SupaCheap store (they sell stuff for cars) and purchased a very large 20 litre [5.28 gallons] water container just in case. The guy that served us was also kind enough to fill it with water for us. I was so grateful for that. 

Once we were on our way home we stopped every hour or so to check the gas converter to make sure that it hadn't frozen. We also checked the radiator again to make sure there was plenty of water in it.

It had taken is 4.5 hours to get to Horsham in the first place and it took us a little over 6.5 hours to get home. Boy was I so relieved to see Mark in the carport when we got home. 

Even though the trip back home was a long one it was pretty uneventful. Apart from that stretch on the Western Highway near Ballarat where we have to drive through some pretty thick smoke. That was kind of eerie. Taking it easy on the road returning home made all the difference. Well that's my thinking anyway.

I do have some photos of our travels that Brodie has taken. I'll share them with soon I promise.

I Need A Nanna Nap

I wish I was as energetic as the characters in this animation.

Gosh its one of those days today. The kind where you need lots of Nanna naps! I've already had one but my eyes are telling me I need another snooze Zzzzzz. Don't you just hate days like that?

We had a pretty quiet weekend this time around. Angus went and stayed at a friends place & came home today. Brodz is now off on an Interchange camp until Wednesday afternoon. You know what that means. Bliss. The boys wont be fighting with one another. I think it does them good to spend some time apart.

Not that I am counting or anything but there's still two weeks left of the Summer holidays. Please cross you fingers that we will survive the next couple of weeks because we've had enough stress these holidays (well I have at any rate).

Temperatures Are Rising

With the temperature rising to the mid 30's (mid- high 90's) today so has our tempers. The boys have been nit-picking & annoying one another for weeks. I am tired of the way that talk to each other and the way they (mainly Brodie) talk to me. The raised voices, the swearing and just being plain old rude.

I don't think that the word RESPECT is in their vocabulary. Well maybe it is but they have certainly forgotten what it means. Perhaps its because they are on school holidays that they think they don't need to mind their P's and Q's and behave. I think it's time to slap them with a wet fish and knock some sense into them. If they aren't careful that wet fish might come in the form of a can of tuna!!

On a brighter note. The Australian Open started today. You know what that means don't you? Two weeks of not much on TV and lots of tennis! There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. It means that we are that much closer to the school holidays being over. We're half way through the Summer break. Thank goodness. I know I said I was looking forward to the sleeping in but I would gladly give that up for some peace and quiet.

For now the boys have been separated. One at each end of the house. Let's hope that this makes a difference. At least for tonight. I'll worry about the rest tomorrow.

Staycation

The school holidays started on Friday & we are having another staycation ( that's a vacation where you stay at home). The boys are home for two weeks. I am so looking forward to not having to get up early every day. I don't get to sleep in very often and its been nice waking up and not feeling tired. I was getting so tired of waking up tired (some of you may recognise that as a line from a Hoodoogurus song. You can check out the video here if you like)

Angus is off at a friends place tonight. There's a whole heap of kids from his school having a sleep over. I use the term 'sleep over' quite loosely here as I really don't think the boys will sleep at all. No doubt it will take a couple of days for Angus to recover from this lack of sleep. At least he is getting a break from his brother. These breaks don't happen very often but when there is a chance for Angus to have one I encourage him to go.

Brodie wants to sit for his learners test this set of holidays. As long as he organises all of this I am quite happy for him to go and do it. I am trying to teach him to be more responsible for himself. It's very slow going but he is getting there. After all isn't it the aim of parents to help their child become more independent? If he forgets to do something he really wishes to do I am sure that he will learn really quickly to not make that mistake again. I have already told him that its not up to me to organise things. If he wants his license its up to him to get it on his own. I will take him to the appointment if he asks but that's it.

We don't really have anything planned for these school holidays. I have a few things planned for me but no family outings. I guess that's something we can discuss as a family once Angus comes home from his friends place.

What Day Is It?

Do you ever have those weeks when you wonder what day of the week it is? It's been one of those weeks/days for me. School holidays tend to do that to me. The days blend together and I forget. Only four more days to go and the school holidays are over. Then its back to the usual school routine. In some ways I am looking forward to that but not the fact that it will still be very cold in the mornings when I have to take the boys to the bus stop & school. I don't mind winter so much its just the cold starts to the day.

Baby Vest

I finished another knitted item for one of my nieces. Since they are both having girls I have no idea who to give it to. Maybe I should make two then I wont have to worry about who gets it or not. The pattern for the vest came from one of my vintage books. One I haven't shared with you yet but I will soon.
I have now started on a bright pink & white entrelac blanket like the other one I made. You can check that one out here if you haven't seen it already.

Time to go warm up a little then go prepare tea or I might have some very hungry teens on my hands.

The Storm

You can never say life is boring in my house. Your hair would curl if I put everything into a post. Although some days are much better than others. The rest are the kinds of days that you wish you never got out of bed for because it would be easier to sleep the day away. Those are the days that you need to ESCAPE from all sorts of things.

Last night turned into one of those days. I thought it would be nice to have a nice supper, being New Years Eve and all, with lots of yummy food to eat. We had 4 different types of cheeses to taste, dips with celery & carrot sticks, kabana, cocktail franks, crackers and chips. I thought we could sit down to watch a movie together. You know something normal families do. I forgot though, my family is NOT normal! I had completely forgotten that normal was only a cycle on the washing machine. What was I thinking?

You see sometimes my boys are wishy-washy when it comes to some things. Angus was, oh I don't know I can't find the right words to describe it, being overly careful when cutting the cheese and wanted me to do it for him. Mark told him to grow some balls and do it himself. he really meant grow up and do it yourself. You can't have Mum do it for you all the time. Well Brodie didn't like it. That's when it started. The SHIT hit the fan! My goodness the yelling, the swearing, the carry on, the tears.

I'm trying to settle things down asking Brodie to leave the room and calm down. To go to his room and cool off. But NO! He was refusing to listen. More things were said. I don't remember them all but there were probably lots of things that shouldn't have been spoken. Poor Angus is looking at me with pleading eyes. Eyes that were saying I started this didn't I?

Eventually Brodie went to his room. Mark went into his shed. Angus & I were left in the lounge room. What were we meant to do now? Mark says he's leaving. Brodie said he's worthless. Angus & I are crying but for different reasons.

Brodie eventually came out to talk with me. Angus went to talk to Mark. Brodie wanted to apologise but didn't know if he would be believed. I told him that he is good with words if he writes them down. So he went and wrote an email to Mark.

Things are much better today. The storm hit, we survived. We live in the calm before the next tempest! Looking back at things, hindsight is a wonderful thing. There were signs there that stated a blow up might occur. Words could've been chosen more carefully (but who does that in the heat of the moment). I shouldn't have insisted that we all sit in the lounge room. I could've made it more casual.

I mean let's face it Brodie has Aspergers (and Mark has Borderline). I forget that sometimes. Brodie likes routine and its predictability. I changed that routine. Now I am not saying that I am totally to blame. Brodie needs to learn to control his temper and to listen. But as I said hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Any way, it was not the best way to end an old year and start a new one. Let's hope that this new year has a better forecast than yesterdays storm.

Our Christmas Tree

The boys put the Christmas tree up yesterday. Well Brodie put it up and added the decorations while Angus was at school. Angus added the candy canes & tinsel when he got home.

Brodie just told me he LOVES Christmas time. When I asked him why he said its because we get the longest school holidays of the year. And here I was thinking it was because he likes getting presents & spending time with his family! Pffffft!

A Horse Holiday!

Have you ever known anyone who gets a public holiday for a horse race? No? Well you have now!!

Today is Melbourne Cup Day! It's held on the first Tuesday in November every year. This year they are celebrating 150 years of the cup. The race itself is known as "The Race that STOPS the Nation!" and it pretty well does too. I hardly know of anyone that doesn't stop what they are doing to listen to the race. I'll probably watch this years one on the TV as well.

this is last years winner (image from ninemsn wide world of sport)
Shocking is also in this years race.

I don't bet on the race. I've not done that for years but I hear that millions of dollars are spent on this race every year. A waste of money if you ask me. I have much better things to do with mine (like spending it on yarn/wool) but each to their own I guess.

Anyway I'm enjoying the fact that the kids aren't at school today. I got to sleep in (always a good thing in my books!) A day at home to rest, knit & play on the computer! :)

Day 26 - 30 Day Meme

Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.

This photo was taken when the boys & I travelled on The Overland to Adelaide one year for Christmas. The train was going over the Murray River near Murray Bridge.

I really enjoyed travelling by train. It was much nicer than having to drive the 800kms (5oo miles). There was only ONE major problem. It was before we got the 'official' diagnosis of Brodie having Aspergers & he was a bit of a horror on the train. I got complaints from people saying he was staring at them while they were sleeping. Its very unnerving having someone you don't know watching you sleep.
I vowed that if I ever travelled on the train to Adelaide again I would get a sleeper next time instead of economy. That way we would have a private little room to stay in instead of just the seats with everyone else. Nowadays though I think they only travel during the day. They no longer do the night time trips.

This photo was taken while we were in the Adelaide hills on the way into Adelaide. One of our LONG driving trips. We were visiting Dad for Christmas.

It was an extremely hot summer that year. Lots of days in the 40C (over 100F) range. I recall some days were even 45C. Dad's air-conditioner didn't work and we sweltered. About a week or two after we went back home Dad had a new air-conditioner installed.
Mark & I vowed that we would NOT go to Adelaide again during summer and that we would only travel there during winter!

Holiday Memories

Thanks to Kate over at Picklebums for this topic. I hope she doesn't mind that I borrowed the idea.

I agree with Kate that holiday memories as a kid get jumbled up & that sometimes you just don't remember all of the details either.

I remember one year when Mum was on holiday in Fiji with her bestie. Dad, my brother Mark & I went camping along the Murray River in Morgan. We slept in a tent & ate cold baked beans straight out of the tin for breakfast!

I also remember another time Mum was on an overseas holiday with her bestie that Dad, my brother & I went to Streaky Bay to see my sister. It was around the time that the movie Blue Fin was being made. Julie was working at the hospital in Streaky. We had our dog, Kym, with us. She was an adorable Alsatian. I love her to bits!

I also remember another time that Mum, Dad, Mark & I went to Geelong to visit Uncle Johnny & Auntie Maria. I also remember swimming at the beach & something about shark nets.

I also remember during that same Geelong holiday I had to bathe in the laundry sink because there was no bath tub & I didn't quite get the hang of showers back then. So Mum washed me in the sink.

I remember visiting Julie & her hubby Ken when they used to live in Cummins. Its somewhere near Port Lincoln.

I remember visiting Port Lincoln but I don't recall what we did there. Only the fact that we drove there to do some shopping.

I remember driving to Whyalla to visit Auntie Ce & Uncle Ivor when we were on our way to Cummins. I remember on that same trip we dropped off our cousin Janine. She was staying wit out Auntie & Uncle for a while. I don't remember if we picked her up on our way home.

I remember one time we went to Port Elliot, near Victor Harbour. I remember Mum & Dad rented a little place for us to stay in. I also remember walks along the beach & by the waters edge. I also remember Mum & Dad saying don't get wet but I did any way.

I remember going for a walk on the jetty in Victor Harbour. I recall something about a train that travelled over to some little island. I also recall looking out towards some rocks in the harbour somewhere.

I remember staying somewhere near the Coorong with another of Mum & Dad's friends and their family. I remember staying in this shack. Although I don't remember anything else except the fact that there was a lot of sand.

I also remember staying in our neighbours shack in Moonta. And I remember Mum eating periwinkles. They looked too much like garden snails to me.

I am sure that we went on many other holidays. I just don't remember them all. Some of them I don't even recall how old I was when we went on them. I guess it doesn't matter really. The fact that I remember them all and think of them fondly is all that counts.

Happy New Year! 2010!

As the year draws to a close I've been thinking about how much 2009 has changed everyone. Its been full of ups and downs just like a roller-coaster. Who doesn't like riding on one of those, right? I certainly don't but with the highs and lows of this year it has helped us grow. Hopefully in a good way.

After the bushfires last summer we are more aware of what is going on outside in our community. Not a bad thing if I do say so myself. We are more prepared this summer than we were last time. At least we have an action plan that has now been tested (we did put it into use last February). I just hope and pray that we don't need to use it again.

Brodie's school year was a lot better than previous years. He did very well and I am as pleased as punch with his achievements. He just needs to focus a little more for next year specially since he is doing Yr 11 (VCE).

Angus has been such an interesting kid this year. He's now a teenager. You know that I know EVERYTHING stage in life & I KNOW better than you do! He started High School which went swimmingly until the second half of the year. I am planning for next year. I don't want to see him struggle like he did during the second semester. I want the teachers to let me know ASAP how he is going and not wait for me to find out when I receive his reports at the end of each semester.

Other than Angus being that knowitall teen he is a lovely kid otherwise. I get lots of people telling me how sweet he is. Maybe sweet isn't the right word but you know what I mean (I hope).

I got side tracked and totally lost my train of thought for my post. Oh well it doesn't matter.

Happy New Year! I hope you have an awesome 2010!

Angus's Report

I am beginning to wonder why Angus's High School posts all kids reports home instead of giving them to the kids. Is it so that the parents actually receive the reports? Is it timed this way for the parents to receive them during the holidays so that they cannot pick up the phone and complain about the grades (and comments) their child received? I am beginning to think that they are both true and that the last one seems to be the main reason!!

I am not very happy with Angus's report. Not the fact that he isn't at the level that he should be for his age and grade level but for the simple fact that only one of the teachers he had informed me at any time that he was floundering in their subject and needed help. The rest did NOT bother. AND to top it off they ALL place comments about what the Parents can do at home to ensure that their child is more successful.

HELLO!!! I have been doing all of the things they suggested. Things like asking what he has learnt in class. Do you have homework? When is your assignment due? How's things in class? I've asked ALL of these questions and more.

How can I do any better? Do I need to become a homework demon for the next school year and make the kids do nothing but homework straight after school? Do I banish after school sports and activities to make sure that they do their assignments? How about taking away computer privileges? I've done all that before and it obviously hasn't worked!

Now that I feel bad about myself for letting Angus down do I get mad at the school for not letting me know sooner that he was struggling? Do I 'tell off' the teachers for letting him flounder and fail? Do I talk to them next year as soon as school goes back and explain the situation at home and how difficult things can be with all of our issues? Will that prejudice them against Angus? Will it label him? Is he already labelled as a lazy child?

I have way too many questions and not enough answers. Some how I have to make school more enjoyable for him. He hates it already. He gets teased at home, at Church and at school. When does he get a break? Its no wonder he is either depressed or angry all the time.

I don't know what to do to help him and it breaks my heart.

Temptations

They kids are back at school today for Term 4. Well not both of my boys but at least Brodie is at school. Poor Angus has a rash that the doctor referred to it as rosalia but explained that it really only applied to young children. Basically it is a rash of unknown origin and he said that Angus should stay home and away from any pregnant women just in case. So the little ray of sunshine gets an extra day off school. I am hoping that it will clear up soon. I don't want him missing too much school work.

At least I managed to survive another round of school holidays. Although at one stage I wasn't so sure. It seems that our Brodie has decided that he doesn't always want to follow our rules & now that he is getting older (and stronger) he is exerting more 'power' I guess you could say. The word compromise is becoming a very familiar term in this place. Not that its a bad thing its just something that we have had to do to keep the peace.

Brodie has made friends with some of our neighbours kids. I don't begrudge him making friends in fact I like how there are new people who seem to tolerate him little quirks and accept him. Its just that these kids don't always exhibit the best characteristics that I want Brodie to see. They have been know to drink alcohol and smoke. Two things that we are dead set against. They go against our beliefs and it seems that temptation will be in Brodie's way.

Brodie will probably flip that I am blogging about this but he drank some alcohol during the holidays while at one of these friends places. He said he only had a sip and I believe him when he said that. I was and am grateful that he told me about it straight away. I told him I was extremely disappointed that he had done this but ever so thankful that he had the courage to tell me about it.

I guess I shocked him because I didn't flip my lid when he told me. I thought what's the point of yelling at him. It was obvious that he felt horrible. He said he didn't even like the taste of it. Thank goodness for that!!!
Mark explained to him, calmly I might add, that drinking alcohol and epilepsy do NOT mix. Neither does it mix with the medications he is taking. I think we managed to get the message across to him. He hasn't had any since and I hope he wont again.

I really could've gone ballistic about all of this especially since Brodie and his friend are under-age but as I said I didn't. Nor do I intend to but if it happens again I may not be next time. If there is a next time that is.

Anywho we survived another lot of holidays. School is back and the last term of the year has begun. Let's hope it doesn't go as fast as the previous one.