Zoo - Roar , slither, squawk and coo, things are happening at the Zoo!"

Sunday we had the chance to peek a boo at the new Visitor Plaza at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
We have visited this zoo before when the boys were 2 3/4 yrs.

Yes, it was pouring and a had to 'coax' a very reluctant DH to come with the boys & I.

It was free to visit the new open area but not the zoo. Though residents can get a discount so we will go back when it's not raining or too hot.

I discovered teenagers can become Youth Zoo volunteers at 13yrs.

We actually got to see some animals closer than our real visit to the zoo 18 months ago. They got their faces painted and painted their own boomerang.

Who am I

A kangaroo

3yr small Salt water crocodile ...they had to keep reminding the children to stand & pat from behind.They can grow to 2m+ This one was mall for age.

Ring tailed Possum

Bearded Dragon

My Little Cheetah

(Echidna)

The boys got up close and personal with a python too (but I didn't get a pic)

We laughed watching Lemurs play in the rain on their ropes. Even animals like to play.

Then we went back to the farm to play 'animals' & roar at each other.
See more play ideas at

What's your favourite animal ?
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Yesterday

On Thursday, I found one of the hammocks we've had for over 15yrs ...still in the packet.

"Most people put off
till tomorrow that which they
should have done yesterday."

I had heard DH say he wanted to find the hammocks to take it to the farm ...so I did.
I don't think he had sharing in mind when he strung it Saturday.

Hammock Peddler: The price is ten dollars. But, I must warn you, this is no ordinary hammock. Its webbing is a mesh of comfort…and evil.

Homer: You had me at “comfort”! -

(Ps I can totally see where the evil comes in ...)

"Most people put off
till tomorrow that which they
should have done yesterday."

Me I got 3 mins in it.

This is more my idea ...

1. My hammock

Homer: Mister Hammock, say hello to Madame Ass

I think we need this setup -sans the nude beach
Flickr(Nude beach hammocks)

"Procrastination is the art of
keeping up with yesterday."

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Xanadu

Xanadu was an Olivia Newton John movie from 1980. The movie wasn't such a big hit but the soundtrack was.



'Olivia' aka Kira was a muse who broke the rules and fell in love .
The Muses visited Earth often to help inspire others to pursue their dreams and desires .
Xanadu was the title track.
I just loved the roller skating and Olivia was my idol lol.
Songs of the 80's...my teens are my favourite :) .
What's your favourite 80's song ?
or play along @ Thea' s
Thea's rules are simple

On Sundays pop two favourite songs onto your blog.

An oldie but a goldie.

And a newbie, fresh off the charts.

I am thinking about a newie.

or there is
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Wonderful week

1. Water... Full watertank, full dams and that our shack has running water and even hot water. Water is a lifeforce no-one can live without. The boys are going to be so pumped today when we blow up the little pool.


2. Wonder...The wonder, awe and excitement of small boys spying a shiny Christmas tree and wandering their hands over the Christmas tree bling.


3. Wine ...a glass (or two) in moderation .Enough said.
   


4. Where I am right now #...I am happy to live in the moment and not worry too much about what lies ahead.


5. Winning ...thank you to Naturally Carol (for my gorgeous handmade prize) & Nellbe @Nellbe's Gluten free kitchen
   

*(I don't mean for breakfast.)
#(We are at the farm actually this weekend too )

See more Grateful at Maxabella Loves
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Ups and Down

Somedays when we feel we could all use a little more
♥

Leunig

1. Guided Imagery like this
2. Journaling ... blogging
3. Sex (I didn't write this)
   
4. Laughter( Lol Cats and dogs are a good start)
   
5. Music Therapy & Listen To Music
6. Take a Walk I have been every day
   
7. Plant a Garden - I love my rose garden
8. Eat a Balanced Diet
9. Enjoy Aromatherapy ..stop and smell the roses or a dab of Lavender
10. Reduce Caffeine Intake
11. Drink in Moderation
12. Don’t Procrastinate
13. Learn Assertive Communication Skills
14. Share a funny joke about Extra Sauce or watch some Youtube funny & cute baby videos
    thanks Lily
    This has to be the cutest little boy rocking to Florence and the Machine's 'The Dog Days are Over' or
    

Just don't try it all in one day !


A few of my other favourites are

1. Pray ... talk to God it works for me !
   
2. Dance to your favourite music when doing the housework or to drown out the kids' noise.
   
3. Take to the waves for real ... sea air, salt water the sound of waves and the wind in your hair all contribute to a growing sense of calm...this is on my very soon to do list !
   

See more Thursday 13 here or here
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Quotes and Quests

(Children's rose)

(Charlotte Rose)

(Peace Rose)

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."~ Abraham Lincoln

I signed up to the Brave Girls Club daily truth emails.Here is their blog. It is such an inspiring place to visit ; a quest for happiness for all women.

I honestly feel my spirits soar when the daily little bird emails deliver their message of hope and encouragement. It's not a bible scripture , though I have nothing against them either.

It feels like it is from someone who understands your situation completely. Here is the latest ...

Dear Lovely Girl,

Look around at what exists in your life right now, beautiful friend. Look at the events that had to be orchestrated to get you to exactly where you are, doing exactly what you are doing, with exactly who you are with, learning exactly what you are learning and experiencing exactly what you are experiencing.

Look at all of this and know that it was meant just for you. If it feels like you are in a place that you would rather not be at this time, just know that you are in the middle....on the way from here to there....and that you will get through it...that it will last exactly as long as it's supposed to last and teach you exactly what you are meant to learn. And later, you will see how this time was one of your very greatest teachers.

If you are in a place that feels miraculous and wonderful...full of beauty and peace...be sure to marvel in it. Breathe it in, know that everything brought you to now...and that there's always a reason that will take your breath away.

Everything matters. Every decision matters, every experience matters, every relationship matters, every interaction matters, every lesson matters. Each piece creates a whole that is the life you are living in this moment.

What a miracle.

Have a beautiful weekend.
xoxo - Brave Girls Club.

I also love We heart life blog community and their quest for happiness . It is quite different, though along the same theme of all things positive, beautiful and quirky with 21 topics to share information on just about everything.

In all the negative spin of our daily life , these moments of wonderful remind me be always stay positive and look around for the happiness.

...Then deep gratitude seeps in and I know what a good deal I have just to be alive and I breathe a little easier... at least for a while.

Sunday Citar! Tabitha @ FreshMommy.

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N is Neurofibromatosis

What ?

Yes, neuro f.ckity fi-bro-mat-o-sis it is a hard word to say; it's even harder living with it.

NF 1 isn't a rare disorder, it is the most common neurological disorder caused by a single gene. Find out about the facts and stats for NF here.

Everyday, I feel like I am dodging a bullet ...you just never know which one going to get you. No exaggeration.

I rarely talk about NF, even within my extended family, so believe me when I say how hard this is to do. Lately, because of what my husband had to deal with his cancer I've been immensely anxious and terrified by unmentionable fears for both of us. Mind games I don't want to talk about.

I finally got the courage to ask my GP to refer me for a Brain MRI. It's booked for 2 weeks. I'm also having a few more tests for other concerns I have... I am so sad I can't talk to anyone.

Thursday 14 ...because I am superstitious about 13.

1. I have rarely mentioned it on my blog that I have NF1(much less in real life, many friends would have no idea). It affects about 1 in 3000. It is more common than CF but I know many would never have heard of NF1 or 2. I discovered it quite by accident , though the features had been there since infancy. In 1989, I found a newsletter from the NFAA - (Neurofibromatosis Association of Australia) on my Aunt's table .I was visiting and as she was busy with her 3 toddlers, my then small cousins, I started to read it. My toddler cousin had not long had an optic glioma removed (common NF1 type tumour on optic nerve ~ removed via complex brain surgery in 1988/9).It left her blind in right eye & cosmetically affected. (She is now 25, a lovely young mum, still beautiful..now they use chemo to treat it.)
2. I knew straight away NF1 was what I had ...had since birth. I cried for days, alone and despairing.I was so shocked. I almost lost the plot. It was before Google and the Internet (showing my age) No mistake, I knew from what I'd read that it was a potentially horrible neurological disorder. Despite being a registered RN nurse I didn't know much about it. I think the medical profession was largely undereducated too or rather they never mentioned it to most of the 'family' the implications of having NF1 clinical features.
3. The end of her 4th year medical student the other day hadn't heard of it.
   No doctors had ever mentioned it; though I had numerous and very large cafe au lait spots (milky coffee coloured / 'dirty' marks) plus other definite signs. After, I calmed down I went to see a neurologist, a geneticist and other doctors. It was more of a case of wait and see...then manage the symptoms.
   
4. I've seen a few DRs over the years. I decided a long time ago to move on with things and not let NF1 defeat me. I made some appointments , got myself checked by a neurologist and broke the news to my boyfriend (my DH).He said he didn't care, he still loved me ...this I think was my greatest concern apart from the NF1.He told his mother, who at the time had her concerns I hadn't explained it fully to him. (Not that it was her business -really he was 22). Her neighbour a Paediatrician had given worst case scenario. I HAD...honestly told by BF (DH) everything.It didn't break us.We got engaged 2 months later and married 7 months later.
5. NF is a genetic disorder, 50 % dominant inheritance which means pretty much 1 in 2 chance if you have an affected parent. It can also be a new mutation in about half the cases...not quite a freak event but you know what I mean.The family history started to fall into place.My grandfather, mum, aunt, 2 uncles (K deceased @ 31), my sister, 2 cousins ...now one of my sons and my cousin's daughter (2). My grandfather didn't have much contact with his extended family after he got married but I suspect they carry this too from a few things that were mentioned in hindsight.
6. I suffered a fair amount of 'bullying & teasing' at school because of my many dirty 'birthmarks'. Bullying and social 'exclusion' wasn't too much to deal with ..just enough to bring misery.
   
7. We [my affected family members] all live relatively normal lives though we have almost all had various 'surgery' for removal various tumours.
   My Uncle K, had died in a nursing home at 31yrs of age (he was 1o yrs older than me). He had a benign [non cancerous] brain tumour but surgery had debilitated him and broken him. Surgery and complications from blocked brain shunts left him physically handicapped , ? incontinent , barely able to walk or talk or swallow properly. My elderly grandparents had no choice but to admit him to a nursing home.K died 3 wks later - l think it was a seizure not from the tumour .I didn't know it then but suddenly I knew K had NF1 most definitely (he had birthmarks too). I was in shock.
8. I've had a large one in my left thigh(over 7yrs) It only causes pain if pressure is applied (which wriggly little boys do often climbing onto my lap) and other sensations -tingling/pulling/tightness.They say they leave them alone unless they cause pressure/pain or other damage by structure /organ or nerve compression.
9. Nekkid (of course that isn't going to happen) ... it's no exaggeration when I report I have maybe thousands of small nodules/skin tumours/ ugly bumps & soft lumps and freckling (skin pigmentation). My body is hideous to me but clothes cover up most things , thank 'God' ! I have several small soft lumps on my face but nothing too hideous or noticeable ...yet. Click here to see a picture of elderly woman's back severe NF 'skin'.
   There is a huge range of severity and manifestations even within the one family and it varies from individual to individual. (They call it variable expressivity).
   
10. I joined the NFAA years ago for a few years .Then I didn't renew my subscription because the newsletters were too depressing and scary. I couldn't read them anymore.( I still haven't re joined.).It still gives me a spirit of darkness and has been upsetting me more lately. Unsettling and freaking me out.I won't describe it as being depressed, but my mood lately has been bleaker and it scares me.
11. There I said it...Neurofibromatosis that I have to live with this fear is with me everyday. That my young son has to face this life long 'demon' too gives me a lot of grief. We keep a close watch on him. He has minor vision problems.He is being followed up by the Children's hospital clinics. The cosmetic things you learn to live with you can't hide them.I worry every day for my little boy.
12. Some children have learning difficulties but most attend mainstream schooling with some therapy as required. I didn't have any learning difficulties I am not exaggerating but I was chosen for a gifted & talented program at school and I did manage well academically.
    
13. If you saw me walking down the street you probably wouldn't know I had NF.My clothes hide me well.I don't leave home without them. Some others are less fortunate as they have severe facial disfigurement or other disfiguring tumours . There is no cure ...yet ! Management is a program of treatment by a team of specialists to manage symptoms or complications as and if they arise ... if .
14. I revised and pulled it out again wrote this post not to 'whinge' but because if I could bring awareness to one person /family and help them in some way then it was worth baring all.
    

Sorry if it was too long ...

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Escapes and exits

1. Scrabble Letter E, 2. Educational Block E, 3. The paradise exists: spot the 2 elephants in the crystal clear water, 4. E

Three weeks ago our 17 yr son got a job...minutes after he entered the employment support/job finding agency

.

It was a labouring job . The company were having trouble keeping employees. DH took our son there the same afternoon and they said start the next day;Friday
Teen started and was told by 'somebody' the 'pay' was $580 a week.
He was very excited but they were so wrong.
The teen had to start at 6.30am and work to a quota of 410 widgits.
His first pay he got about $319.
We weren't sure it was for a full week or not , or what the day the pay week started.
The teen was less than happy.
I discovered under most awards teenagers and up to 20 yrs old are paid less ...
at 17 it was 55% of the award.
Even though he had to do exactly the same job & fill the same quota.
18yrs get 70%
19yrs get 85%
only at 20 yrs was it 100%
Grossly unfair ... probably.This clause exists in most industrial awards.
Dh was getting up every day to drive him the 10kms to work at 6.10am.
Anyway, the next week we escaped went to the farm. DH rang him at 5.30am both days to make sure he was awake & ready .
Teen told us he was going to work ...but didn't both Thursday & Friday.
Later his excuse was he was exhausted.
He probably was ...just saying he has a certain attitude to hard work. It doesn't agree with him.
However he neglected to call in absent.
His next pay on Friday was $216 for 3 days.
Last Monday DH dropped teen at work . The teen was told his services were no longer required and he was shown the

We were very disappointed in him ... and for him. Still I make no excuses for him because it was his own fault.

---

Escape ...
Have you ever dreamed of living in paradise, where you can hear the ocean , feel the calm ocean breeze and smell the scent of salt in the air ?

I do all the time LOL ...but we'll soon be living with the scent of this in the air !

Once we bite the bullet and put our house up for sale.

---

Elephants ...
Have you seen the new female baby elephant at Taroonga Zoo born 2nd November .
Did you know elephants are pregnant for 22 months and their babies are born at 120kgs.OMG my eyes are watering.

I have a thing for elephants at the moment ...especially reminding me to take things one step or bite at time. The elephants above live in my kind of paradise.

Escapa ...this game is purely a time waster & difficult. Don't even bother.
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