Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Blogging With a View

*Sigh*


Hard life... not. Off for meetings this morning, then family fun this afternoon.



Think I could get used to this.



Maybe.

Monday, June 14, 2010

No Words Necessary...

View from Sydney suite:







Have Sleep Deprivation, Will Travel...

Yes, it is a man, but I couldn't find anything else to suitably sum up how I am feeling this morning, lol. Truly, add boobs and voila - ME!

Not going to grumble too much, suffice to say that travelling with the Boy 1 Aspie is a little challenging. Change is *ahem*, difficult for him, and so sleep is disturbed unless he climbs into my bed. Then sleep is difficult for me.




And the one night he managed to sleep in his own bed was the night of Trivia, and wine and sleep are not how it works with me. I usually doze on and off, waking with a start every hour until eventually waking wondering who decided to vaccuum my mouth sandpaper dry and then place the dead mouse at the back of my throat?


Don't think I'll drive this leg, could be lethal...

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Ah, Home.

You can never go back, they say. But I would disagree with them. I have now lived in three other places and travelled the world twice, but I still call the small country town of my childhood home.

I am here for only a few nights, yet already the worries of the world and the weight of tension have left me. Aaah, home.

I love this place.

We ate takeaway, drank wine and played Trivial Pursuit with old friends last night.

Manning Point, NSW
We went fishing and watched the sunset in the briskness of a winter afternoon (we caught ten very small fish: eight brim, two puffer fish, much to the excitement of all) today.



*Sigh*. Life is full of simple pleasures in the land of my childhood. I lived here for the first eighteen years of my life, and have always come home frequently. It is my life source, and all ills heal if I return. My power charger, the battery that keeps my spirit intact.

If you want to see more of the little cottage where we are staying, go here.

And tomorrow we leave. We head to Sydney via a Newcastle luncheon, and more reunions with good friends. I will probably enjoy Sydney, it was home for the second part of my life: University, career, partying. The second eighteen years. But that is another story, and in all liklihood, another post this week.




Saturday, June 12, 2010

Fresh Meat... Ooops, I mean Yippee: New Followers!




104...104... Oh how fun, I've made the score!
Beat the ton, and then some more,
Cannot believe it... 104!

105, 106... Oh I don't mean to be a bitch
But if numbers rise my fever will pitch
Could you imagine... 106?

107, 108, 109 I do await
What can I use to be the bait?
Would I be happy at 108...

201, no -  202, oh my lord, can I do?
A girl can dream, how about you?
Can you help me to 202?

1003, 1004... I'm starting to panic, can't handle more.
Cannot breathe, the excitement is raw
The room is spinning, 1000 and...
*Thump*     floor.





On The Road Again... Sorry Mel.

Apologies my friend, but it was running in my head all day yesterday too...

On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again


Thanks Willie! Sooo, yes we are on the road. A lovely friend is housesitting/pet minding for us and our zoo for the next ten days and we have run away. Well, not really. I have to fulfill some business committments for the Wise Woman (for those who are new to the Madmother scene, WW is my wonderfully sprite yet frail 90-year-old mother, her brain is in top gear, I operate as her eyes and legs at times) and we decided to make a family holiday of it.

Eight hours drive later (thanks to Boy 1 panicking on the plane to the funeral a few weeks ago), we are here:

"The Manor" - Tinonee Cottages

Not a bad view to wake up to:



*Sigh*. We are only here for three nights, then off to the big smoke: SYDNEY! But the bonus in all of this is we are meandering our way slowly down the coast and catching up with some old friends we have not seen for a while.

The life I love is making music with my friends

This weekend we will see quite a few from my hometown, Monday we see Boy 1's Godmother and family on the way through Newcastle, then in Sydney we catch up with Boy 2's Godfather,


These two are not alike at all, are they? NOOOOOOO!
and then go to one of my oldest and dearest friend's house as well. The one who led me astray HERE. Please note: I have vowed not to do any bug impersonations with the kids present...

Then back up the coast to see Boy 2's Godmother and family, back here for 1 night, then we return to sunny Queensland just in time for the last week of school (Mwahahahahaha...). In a way Boy 1 has done us a favour by his freak out mid-flight, it has become far more of a family holiday and less of a business trip by becoming a road trip.

Will be taking photos as we roll...

Oh, and WELCOME to my new followers. You'll find I am a rather random and fickle blogger and topics can be serious, fun, insane and well, sometimes dull. But I will come back later and post a thank you bad poem. Maybe.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Followers, Followers, Where Art Thou Followers? Flog Yo Blog Friday!

mummytime

Yeah, yeah. You know the drill.

Go to MummyTime , read the rules
Then follow ME you silly fools
Cause I'm stuck on 99
True followers for all time!

Trying hard to reach the ton
But no-one seems to join my fun.
So come on in, I'm not that bad
I am not stupid, just sometimes MAD!

And seriously you must admit
That sometimes we all need a Bitch
To fight for us, take on another
And what better choice than THE Madmother.

Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...





Thursday, June 10, 2010

Power and the Passion... Otherwise Known as Passionate or Piss-Weak?

Discussing recent and not so recent events with an old friend evolved into an interesting discussion on personalities. The discussion went something like this:

OGF(Old Good Friend): "You need to realise you are a strong, passionate, highly capable women. And because you are honest and out there you invoke a strong reaction in others."
MM: "You mean I'm a demanding, confrontational bitch who scares the shit out of people!" *nervous titter*
OGF: "Oh, get off the self-pity wagon, that is not what I said at all. Look, we've been friends for over 25 years and I've watched the people around you, and you do, you inspire a lot of people to want to be like you. And because of that jealousy and envy enter into the equation."
MM: "Come on, who the hell would want my life? Look at it, it ain't exactly a bed of roses."
OGF: "Listen to me, it is NOT your life they want, it is the passion with which you live it, and the strength you fight adversity with."
MM: "Yeah right, how many times have you seen me fall into a sobbing mess on the floor?"
OGF: "I know that, and you know that, but there are many out there who do not. And even those that do, see you pick yourself up and keep on going. All close to you realise you are not this hard-arse some think you are, and are a real softy on the inside. But I am saying those who look at you with this type of obsession see only the vibrant, out-there persona and want to emanate you, and when they cannot then those strong feelings make them want to destroy you, make you feel failure like they do."
MM: "Well, they nearly succeeded this time. You mean those who do not make or are ejected from the inner sanctum wish to demolish it."
OGF: "Yeah."
MM: "Wow. Deep. Fringe dwellers?"
OGF: *laughing* "Yeah. Fringe dwellers."



Now there was a lot more to this conversation obviously, and it was made clear that the FD's OGF referred to were the wounded puppies/nutter types I tend to pick up along the way. Those who are insecure and unhappy with who they are, and feel the need to either become someone else or bitch about those who do change their lives whilst they wallow happily in their self pitying poor me attitudes. Jealousy, pure and simple.


 So, I guess my question to all of you out there is this. When you are no longer how do you want to be remembered? As a passionate, somewhat controversial person, about whom conversations still revolve over time (I know I have dearly missed friends who still provoke the "Remember when she/he..." type comments), or do you want to rate the "Yeah, she/he was nice wasn't she/he..." quiet compliment?




Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Oh No!


I am trying desperately to fight off some sort of virus at the moment. Sunday, was feeling downright off... aches in jaw (tetanus), incredibly painful stiff neck (meningococcul), shooting pains across chest and down arms (heart attack). Yes, Big Boy says I am a walking hyperchondriac, not that I am NOT ill, just that all my little symptoms seem to be major illnesses in my head. Oh, and then of course I refuse to see a doctor. Big Boy also says I should have been a man (make of that what you will...). Me, I think I just err on the side of caution and one day you shall see on my epitaph: "See, I told you I was sick!"

But I digress. Yesterday I felt much better, thank goodness. And so off I toddled to work and the gadzillion other things I had to do. You see, I am off on a business trip on Thursday. And I cannot afford to be sick. No. And before then I have to have this whole house organised or else the wheels will fall off whilst I am away. I have no time to be sick.

So, damnit, why did I wake up this morning feeling like death warmed over? Really, really bad timing.

Maybe I should have started taking those super multi-vitamins I bought last week, oh and the magnesium too. Some zinc like I am forcing Wise Woman to take along with vitamin C, probably wouldn't go astray either. Oh, and fish oil. Jeez, always have good intentions but am rushing so much I just forget. Hope it isn't too little too late.

Will run off to pop pills right now!


Just one thing to add before swallowing the equivilant of a cup of capsules... I have a new phone. A flash whatsi with all sorts of doo-dads. Now if I can just work out how to answer the bloody thing...

Sunday, June 6, 2010

I have a confession

I did something very immature and childish, yes even spiteful. Walking through the school at pickup Friday, I saw the puppet master. I began to shake with indignation and anger. I wanted to walk up and confront her, I wanted to say: "How dare you attack the personal reputation of a man who has more integrity in the tip of his little finger than you could dredge up in your whole existance!" I wanted to make her see how delusional and petty and downright nasty she is with her lies, and how relieved I was that someone else had seen this and called her a liar to her face. And that maybe she would now cease playing the victim and go get a life away from me and mine.



But I did not.



What did I do?

Stood there so mad, and shaking and tongue-tied, and regressed into the same playground mentality of her and her little posse...

And called (quietly so only she could hear):


"Liar, liar, pants on fire."


Oh, the shame.



But a little funny now in hindsight.

Only a little.

And I'm meant to have a way with words, *bah*...

Well, I guess I have finally lived up to the delusional lies she has been spreading and *personally attacked* her.


Saturday, June 5, 2010

Those Magic Little Pills

Now I've got you thinking, haven't I? Could be so many types: anti-depressants (yes, been close to that), anti-anxiety meds for Boy 1, sleeping tablets for the household...

So what does the title refer to?





These:



Miracle pills, at least in our case. Okay, here is the story whilst you try and stop giggling, thinking Madmother has finally lost the plot.

Many years ago, when Boy 1 was in Grade 1 (aged 7) and after we had trialled Dexamphetamine (urgh - at paed's insistence, not a good result) and dabbled in the Mannabear culture with little success, we decided to give fish oil a go. After a disastrous attempt to get Boy 1, with all his sensory and food issues running rampantly high, to try a couple of liquids (thinking we'd minimise the gag problem - aah, wrong) we resorted to chewable capsules. Unfortunately the covering they were in had some sort of colouring that sent him off the planet. Our final recourse was to give the Efalex capsules a go, thinking he would refuse to swallow them. Boy 1 took one look at those shiny gold crystal orbs, and pronounced them to be magic brain tablets. Of course, it greatly helped that one of his obsessions was/is crystals. Without a protest he swallowed six, YES six of the soft capsules every morning. At the end of the twelve week compulsory double dose (three is what is recommended for NT children), we decided to continue with it. I had no doubt that it helped a little, but was still wondering how much was all the other intervention therapies, him growing up, and how much the fish oil really contributed.

If you had asked me in that first twelve months about it, I'd have answered: "Yeah, I think it helps a little." Then we went on holidays just after Christmas. And I forgot the capsules. Thought meh, I'll grab some in a few days, and within 24 hours my child had morphed into what I call the TT (Today Tonight- current affairs show here in Oz) ASD horror. Meltdowns erupted for nothing. He was moody, angry, short-fused, volcanic. I ran to the nearest pharmacy and grabbed a bottle of the golden remedy. And never doubted again the validity of the way they helped my son function.

I discussed this incredibly fast deterioration with a pharmacist once. Not our regular chemist, but another. Asked him why it was so quick. If these products took twelve weeks to build up enough in a child's system to have effect, why did my son became horrible within a couple of hours of missing his morning ritual?
His answer was that a study had just been completed into this very thing. Most people were helped by fish oil, but that a small percentage of special or high needs kids (it was around 20%) reacted incredibly well, but also were the ones whose bodies shed the products remarkably quickly.

I must admit I feel a bit silly not thinking of increasing the dose as puberty hit. It has only been a fortnight, and those two extra capsules of a morning have him balanced again. I feel so lucky that he is one of the blessed 20%, and that these pills really, absolutely without a doubt, help him focus and calm so much. Worth a try if you haven't. Oh, and different brands/blends work for different kids. Give it a shot.


Aspergers, Aspergers, Aspergers

Seems to be the running hot topic in todays blog list. Yes, I know I follow a lot of ASD Mummy Bloggers and so these posts are to be expected, but usually they are not simultaneous. These are blogs about many things, and of course our kids figure largely, but it is rare that so many post about the Autism Spectrum at the same time.

One intrigued me with the title:
The ‘impact’ of Asperger’s on my family life Like a Dump Truck is a regular read of mine. I find she writes as I think, and thus I always enjoy the posts and the points. This entry was no different, prompted me thinking what would I say to such a question as this mother was asked:
"I was recently asked “what has your son’s Asperger’s taken away from your life?”

My reaction would have been very close to what LADT posted, but like everything, time changes your impressions and answers. But the end result would be the same. Her  answer:
No, his Asperger’s has not taken anything away from me. Instead, it has given me more love and understanding than I ever thought possible. Exactly. Whilst it means a lot of things are different to what others experience, so are the rewards greater.

Another friend (and yes, she is just that) was struggling with what, where, how much to reveal on the blogosphere circuit about her family struggles and battles with ASD. As usual, my blunt response provoked a *ahem* strong reaction. But she has bravely decided to lower the guardrails and allow others to see just how hard it really is in the early years. I won't post a link here, as I am unsure how much public interaction she wants at this point, but I truly believe when we post about our lives it helps others AND it also will show our kids just how far they have come, and how proud they should be of themselves as they grow.

And that brings me to us. We have (obviously) had some very challenging times as a family, totally autonomous to the ASD aspects. But on the Aspie front we have certainly had some swings and roundabouts, both victories and setbacks.
Minuses:
  • Boy 1 deciding on flight to funeral that HE does not cope with flying, and has panic/stress attack on landing (not a loud one, but I do think the arms of his seat will still have the marks of his fingers embedded in them, and the sweat poured off him). This meant the return flight was not good either, and we will not be flying again for a while.
  • School meeting a month or so back. Was decided to implement an adjusted expectation/curriculum to allow us to set a 45 minute planned study time with no penalties if work not finished. Worked well, but on our return stress/anxiety returned for a few days.
  • Appointment with paediatric psychologist made to talk about anti-anxiety medication. None available till August.
Pluses:
  • Most of the time Boy 1 is COMPLETING all homework and assignment expectations in the 45 minute slot. Now pressure is off he knows he has to sit and work constantly for that time only. And so without the panic/meltdowns his work ethic is fantastic and the brain is no longer crippled by pain. Big win!
  • Increased fish oil capsules (Efalex) to 8 a day. Made big difference in concentration/attitude at school. Teachers have been really vocal about how impressed they are with him the last week or so.
  • Psychologist is in same clinic as the proposed psychiatrist. Back from hols, spoke to me at appointment for Boy 2 last week. Was lovely and assured me that whilst it is going to be hard yards in the next few years, he truly believes Boy 1 will come out the other side as a happy, successful adult. That he sees hundreds of boys and the ones like Boy 1 are the success stories. Nearly cried in relief.
And so life goes on.
And to my fellow ASD bloggers, hang in there. We are a bit further down the path than some, and when I read your blogs I am reminded of how hard it is at all stages, and how hopeless it can seem. And with the wealth of hindsight I want to reach out and hug you, but I also know a hug is not always what is needed. And so if I come across as blunt, it is not to hurt, but merely to nudge you out of the fog, as I know I really needed that at times myself.

Just as I appreciate those who are further down the track coming in and giving me a shake when I am wallowing in self despair. Because the truth is these kids are bloody amazing, and we need never to forget it.




If it Walks Like a Duck




Quacks like a duck and tastes like a duck, NICELY roasted and adorned with a tangy plum sauce, then the odds are it is a duck! What on earth is she on about now, I can hear you asking yourself.


It appears that many cyber friends have been the victim of an elaborate fraudster. A blogger/twitterer lying swindler attempting to set up the big con. But she came unstuck, how I do not know, but word spread quickly and she vanished into the ether. You can read here and here and follow the links/comments onto the many trails of betrayal. I am cautious with people until I get to know them irl. I am happy to offer support, advice and tentative friendship, but never money or financial help, especially if asked. To me it is the ultimate red flag, and I will run a mile if scenting any type of fiduciary motives. It stems from a childhood of watching the flame haired one get scammed for money by unscrupulous men who proclaimed to love her. It arises from so-called lovers stealing from her residence after her death, even blatantly denying it when cught red-handed by our horrified parents. It comes from personal experience in my ignorant youth when people felt they were entitled to keep money borrowed from myself, whilst knowing I was a struggling student.

Trust your gut, and CONSTANTLY be aware that people are not always what they seem. Sadly, life is now about protecting ourselves whilst relationships are developing. Being open but not TOO candid, keeping your eyes peeled and senses alert even whilst embracing new friendship. Walking that fine line of not shutting yourself off from life, and not leaving yourself open to deception.



Oh, and whilst I am on here I'll tag onto the end (a day late) of Flog Ya Blog Friday.

mummytime


Go, check out the boss babe's rules. If you don't follow them she can be roolly scary...


Tuesday, June 1, 2010

A Memoir in Memory of Memoir Mondays, with Kudos to Thea for her Inspirational Post...

Yeah, I know, the title itself is enough of a novel without the post... But here goes, *deep breath*.

I was MIA for a few weeks as well you know, sunk into the quagmire of sadness and nursing a severely wounded spirit. And so I missed a couple of the infamous Memoir Mondays. Imagine my sadness when upon my return I read this post of Trav's on his aptly named  I Like to Fish... blog.


Now, whilst I understand the reasoning I am one who truly hopes this is a mere skuttlebucket in the Travisphere and that he hurries on back to us blog buds.

But in my own little world as I am, I am holding a Memoir Monday all on my lonesome. If you wish to add to this pseudo blog hop, feel free to leave link in a comment and I'll add ya at the bottom of this post. All you need do to join is:
Grab the button from Trav:

Do your memoir and link it here, it has to be a true tale, and either add a comment on Trav's Blog to let him know, or tell me to do it. Just so he knows we care...

Now, on with my tale... and the story behind the second half of the title.

In my google reader today, up pops a post from the lovely Thea at Do I really Wanna Blog? Now, this a subject near and dear to my heart, as not only do I have two terribly fussy eaters, but I myself was one such creature in my childhood (and even a little now as a all growd-up).



All those wonderful little jibes sounded so familiar, all those "Ooh, what do they eat then?"
comments we endured, not to mention the nasty holier than thou attitude of those "Oh, my kids will eat anything I tell them to" pariahs.

I choose my battles, and as long as they eat, and eat reasonably healthily MOST of the time I sure as hell don't stress over diet.

This brings me to my Memoir Monday Memory...

As I mentioned my children in their finicky fussiness taker after moi. However I grew up in a household where by hell, you ate what was put in front of you or else you will sit there until did! No, not Wise Woman, but Grumblebum imposing his formidible will upon his picky, stubborn daughter. Did I mention how much I take after him in lots of ways?

So, there we'd sit. Glaring at each other. Until I got smart. Learnt to always wear a top or coat with deep pockets, made sure I did a toilet run mid-meal (with masses of food buried deep in my stretched cheeks), brought the family pet in under the dining room table (though that little bugger hated most of the same things I did - bar lamb's fry... very grateful for his appetite for lamb's fry), ducked into adjoining lounge room on a quick ruse..

Wise Woman often remarks that she was still finding food stuffed down the back of the lounge decades later.

Did it change my eating habits? No. It wasn't until I was much older and moved away that my tastes expanded. But I grew up, as will my boys. I don't sweat the small stuff, as long as they eat reasonably healthily most of the time, then I am happy. I tell you though, the smell of fried lamb's fry still makes me dry retch.

And next time my darling sister-in-law makes snide jibes about my kids "And what on earth do they eat?" when they refuse her jam drenched cheese dip, I'll sweetly remind her of the times she bought McDonalds on the way to our place for a meal, when I had already checked and organised their favourite foods... How short memories can be.

See Thea, you are not alone in the kitchen as the short order cook (though I personally prefer to be called Queen), in fact I doubt there would be elbow room!



Schnitzel anyone?