The best excuse! (long & personal...warning)

I've been absent from my blog because of major issues in relation to Rainer's schooling for 2010.

Suffice to say, if you have a child with a diagnosed disorder, you'd be best NOT TO TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE BALL!!! I did and naively left my child's educational development in the hands of those who promised I could just "be Mum" this year and not "Mummy-Therapist".

HOW WRONG.

So for the last 2 weeks, I have cried more times than I'd like to remember, and wondered why I should keep fighting for Rainer's right to be around Neuro-Typical (NT) kids and in a NT school environment.

I have learned so much about myself (and how bloody strong I can be), I have learned so much about how others can manipulate you in order to get the easiest result for them (bugger your own child's well-being), and above all that, how you can have some very productive "off-the-record" chats with some very influential people.

So, where to from here?

I have an appointment with a highly recommended Neuro Psychologist to determine Rainer's cognitive abilities (very hard for an ASD child with limited language) and had very positive meetings with the new Principal of Raine's NT school and Special School.

I have an issue with a person who is employed one school, who I passed the ball to, thinking they had Rainer's best interests at heart, then produced no IEP (Individual Education Programme) all year (despite having an IEP meeting in early May), but manages to co-ordinate an information seminar for parents of ASD kids for her private consulting firm!!!!!

I have issues with people who "double dip"! You either work for the school OR do private consulting. And you only do private consulting when the paid employment work is DONE!

Don't pay for this advice! I will happily give it for FREE!!!!! After all, it's probably information she gleaned from all the parents she met with in her PAID EMPLOYMENT at the schools.

Am I the only one who sees a problem with this?

BUT ONWARD AND UPWARD.

I would whole-heartedly like to thank those who have interrupted my frantic research hours on the computer with an msn chat. At least with msn you can simultaneously bawl your eyes out and communicate -- just awesome technology.

The professionals I have spoken to FOR FREE, who understand that parents of a child with a disability/disorder, don't have spare cash to throw around for $100/hour consults. You build good faith first, then when you begin to give specific recommendations, you can charge.

Thank you to my patient and completely stressed out family. In amongst all the crap I'VE dealt with, hubby has been trying to organise finance for an auction last Friday (we didn't get it, no biggie) on top of his own job which he never seems to switch off from. Poor Mackinley has felt the strain too. We had a "Mum and Mackinley" day at the Brisbane Roar game on Saturday which was excellent time-out.

my mojo is gone!! if found please return to me :(
i miss you!

I could go on in more detail, but there is danger in that on a public forum, I don't care how few people read this blog LOL. Some things really need to remain private and so they should.

One day I WILL write that book - and it'll be FREE!!
Do me a favour -- hug your kiddies very hard and long. Sometimes we forget how "normal" our lives are and we go searching for stuff to complicate it.

Don't take your eye off the ball!!!

Retreat Heaven!

I'm back and feeling so wonderful, it's hard to describe in words without putting a huge smiley face next to it.

The bus trip from hell....(just jokes)

Notice the high stack behind Sandie's head? Good thing we were going uphill and not down..pmsl.

Kerry the Prima Queen - my stomach hurts from laughing so hard. Thanks for a top weekend Roomie!!! xxx


Sweet Sandie - what a beautiful soul


Sassy Narelle (and self-confessed Bogan...LOL, you are the best bogan ever!!)


Mal the Magnificent -

when I grow up, I want to be just like Mal.

Charming Charm --

too perfect for words xx

Buon Bon - the best Boss Lady -

she talks the scrap-talk and walks the scrap-walk. My idol!!

Mumma Kate


and there will be more photos lying around on blogs. I just need copies of them all!!!

Thanks to Bon and her DT and the amazing Melbourne girls who helped make the Retreat one of the best getaways in the history of getaways. The details for 2010 are up, so better book in if you want to experience something AMAZING!!!

LAYOUTS
(haven't got photos of Bon's mini book class...oops)
Peta's 3 layouts in 2 hours class












Sandie's class





Charmane's class





I'm exhausted uploading so next post will be Bon's Mini, Tam's Layout and the layouts from Bon's August Kit (amazing stuff in there).

Remember to...

coz I sure did :)

finally some eye candy!!

Here is my 123 Challenge layout I finished today!!!

I am so happy I was able to use a few metal bits and pieces destined for my art journal, but they are here now.


Using all Pink Paislee "Fetching"...papers, embellies, alphas...such an awesome range.

The wings are inspired by the FABULOUS KELLY RAE ROBERTS and her book "Taking Flight". If you don't have a copy.......WHY NOT???

I left the wings and heart so they are off the page....taking flight!!!

And my last layout using the Sandylion papers for Inkredible.


I must confess to being DELIGHTFULLY INSPIRED by KYLIE FRASER'S layout in Scrapbooking Memories Vol 11 No 6 (page 41 to be precise). How freakin' awesome is that little peek-a-boo window for the flowers?????




I have another wicked idea for the loads of Kaisercraft Offshore papers - again inspired by a layout in Scrapbooking Memories - but that will have to wait until I return from my RETREATING!!!

LASTLY....the Blind Challenge from Bon's CyberCrop.




Thank You Charm for a lovely class and another top layout for my albums. Entries for the other challenges close midnight tonight!

Have I told you how much I'm looking forward to meeting all my CYBER CHICKS from Bon's on Thursday???? It's going to be loud, it's going to be emotional, and it's going to be
FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!!!

run down??? Count 1 - 2 - 3....

I know I am at the moment but as a true "Mother of the Year" I am pushing through all the housework, cooking and the fun stuff....like scrapping.

Lately when I'm feeling low I like to find a video on YouTube of a song I've heard that's made me smile.

What's made you smile lately????

This song puts a spring in my step, and the film clip is HILARIOUS. Only true blue Aussie dags could pull this off!!!

p.s. You can fast forward to about 2.45mins if you're not interested in Extreme Skipping ... pmsl..... haven't done that in ages.

Roll on THURSDAY!!!! I'm retreating!! wooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

123 CRITERIA ARE UP!!!!
SO drumroll....

use some type of metal on the LO {eg: buckle, label holder, tin, etc}
Nina Granzien

out of focus photo
Christine Rayner

Use of at least 5 staples
Linda Eggleton

finish your entry by tonight (just jokes) and email the girls at challenge_123@hotmail.com

You absolutely have to be in it to win it. Make sure you head over to the site to double check formatting etc. It's nice to have a list of materials you've used too. Love to see how people use their stash.
Off you go now!!!!!