Wordless Wednesday : Despicable Me

Guess who brought both iPad and Mini to Sydney ...much to his twin's - that was despicable - he did it on purpose attitude TOO.

J had 5 days with just my old iPod. Anyway, this Cheeky Minion had a Neurogenetic Clinic appointment at Westmead - for annual Neurofibromatois review. We encountered this big Minion in the corridor. Sam wanted this picture ! It is so HIM.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Wordless Wednesday ~ A piece of Advice

As Wordless as I can get ...

 


 

I'm taking part in the Mother's Day Classic raising funds for breast cancer research. Every extra dollar raised goes towards vital research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer. I'll be participating or volunteering along with 120,000 Australians nationwide who are making a difference on Mother's Day . You can help me too by donating online  

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Wordless Wednesday - My boy ... my hat too !

"twinkle twinkle little boy how you fill my heart with joy..."

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Wordless Wednesday ~ iSleepy

iSleepy iGen - iPod and iPad

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JulEYE ~ don't take your vision for granted

Last week Sam , six , had a followup appointment and vision check at the Children's hospital eye clinic. Sam has worn prescription glasses, fulltime, since he was 20 months old.



Sam is currently having his eye patched 2hrs each day to improve the strength in his weaker eye. Much to his dislike.This visit his prescription was changed by the Specialist Paediatric Ophthalmologist  , only five months after new glasses *$igh* but I know it is for his benefit.

We didn't detect his vision problem apart from the white eye reflection which I picked up in photos when he was 11 months old. I was terrified *.

Sam has a genetic disease "Neurofibromatosis 1" - which can result in an optic glioma, his eyes were being already being checked (initially every 3-4 months) to detect any issues - early- if they occurred.

Fortunately while he hasn't had an Optic glioma , he does have myelinated retinal nerve fibres plus myopia (causing nearsightedness). He still has photos with a white eye reflection - potentially a serious symptom of some eye diseases.


I know what Sam's white eye reflection is - myelinated retinal nerve fibres plus myopia - white fibres cover his lens. It has affected his vision though wearing glasses helps corrects this.

I just hope he doesn't end up with a turned eye ('cross eyes' -like me) because when a child has vision issues that go undetected it can cause the brain to switch off that eye (like lazy eye).It was only on subsequent visits they found he was longsighted in his other eye. I am glad we were having his eyes checked.

When I received another email asking me to mention about JulEYE I agreed to mention the campaign.

Why ?

Every 65 minutes, an Australian loses part or all of their vision – this may explain why one third of Australians list blindness as their most feared health condition alongside cancer. Yet the majority of Australians do not get their eyes tested regularly, despite the fact that 75% of vision loss is preventable or treatable. The Eye Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, is once again encouraging all Australians to get their eyes tested in July as part of its annual ‘JulEYE’ campaign, kicked off on July 1st.

Week 2 of the campaign focuses on diabetes and eye health - and urges people with diabetes - no matter their age - to make regular eye checks part of their diabetes management plan

Don' forget your children’s eye health . They are also encouraging parents to have their children’s eyes tested and be aware that vision problems are not exclusive to the elderly only and can affect babies and young children.

As a mother, who has faced such issues I wanted to share this.I am aware that is quite widespread in Australia.Undetected vision problems are estimated to affect one in four Australian children. Parents need to be aware of the importance of children’s eye health and that regular eye checks are just as important to a young child’s overall health and well being as other regular health checks, therefore, good eye health begins with testing from birth.

The Eye Foundation is asking all Australians - no matter their age - to get their eyes tested this julEYE, and place eye tests every two years on their family’s calendar of regular medical checks.

AS parents we need to protect our children’s vision and our own.The eye foundation would love others to mention this and help spread the word about this great cause!

For more information or to link to the Eye Foundation website please go to www.eyefoundation.org.au


• Follow on Twitter- @EyeFoundation;

• Like on Facebook- The-Eye-Foundation

• Chat to them on their blog- EyeSiteBlog.com

The amazing - Rachael Leahcar , 17, from Team Delta on Channel Nine's hit TV show.The Voice Australia suffers from a rare eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa.

I can't stress enough how important sight is. I am partially blind in one eye for a completely different reason (head injury as a child at school with undiagnosed partially detached retina).I have some peripheral vision but a huge blind spot in my central vision.

*Everyone please note - white eye reflection is not normal and you should get a referral to an Opthamologist asap if you see it in your photos. It could be life threatening if left unchecked.I still get hits on this topic every week.

This is a non sponsored community announcement - because it is so important to me.

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The Pine o cleen kid dances too close to the fire

 THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED POST FOR PINE O CLEEN

Yesterday was my birthday and after a delicious home cooked  bacon and egg breakfast (by hubby), I was alerted to the fact Sammy had burnt his right buttock cheek on the slow combustion fire ...the night or day before or  ?

I didn't see him do it and I have no idea when he did it.  Apparently, he said he was touching his toes at the time. Knowing this kid, who likes dancing, buck na ked, in front of the fire - it is likely how he did it. Surprisingly, he did not tell us, but I am sure it was hurting. The boys, both dry and dress themselves independently 90% of the time now.

If I burn a fingertip, I'll moan all night. Initially, it didn't look too bad. I felt a mother load of guilt bad for him.

Through the day, he played 'rough' outside with his brother and 2 cousins. It wasn't bothering him. DH, his cousin and uncle were finishing the backyard fence, so we can keep the dogs contained when we have to go to Sydney for my treatment. DH's nephew, and/or neighbours will be able to feed them.

I noticed Sam preferred standing to being seated , his little seat was sore after all. After his bath about 5pm, I noticed it was looking mucky . I dressed it and decided even being Sunday evening we had better go to A & E for a check up.

We had a quick dinner in town, for my birthday and because the boys were hungry and it wasn't so urgent. Hub waited in the car with Joel. The A & E wasn't too busy fortunately but we did need to wait our turn to see the Dr .

Sam was already asleep with his head on my lap, at almost 11pm when we got called to the examination room. Once Dr Dee had a look , he decided antibiotics were needed and a new dressing. He took a swab and left the room to organise a nurse.

Sam , still tired and grumbling was cuddling up to me whilst standing. I reminded him to be careful because I was still sore (especially where the drain is still in on L side). He asked to look and I showed him 'sparingly'. Neither boy has seen fully the scars crossing my chest, side to side.

He asked why the Drs had to cut me. I explained the Drs had to cut the bad germs out , not going into many details. Sam interest was immediately piqued,
  "I know Mum" - he says smiling - launching into a spiel about the merits of Pine o cleen and it's germ fighting powers - "It gets rid of germs with one swipe".

I had to laugh. He told me he saw it on TV. I can't even remember the last time I saw a Pine o cleen ad. Sam thinks it is this one.





We rarely watch commercial TV so it must have been recently while we were in Sydney.
Goes to show how much even 'boring' cleaning product advertising influences children...or just mine.

A nurse came to dress his burn and antibiotics were given , plus some spare dressing changes. Though what was she thinking - as she demonstrated with her hands and explained  - to ME to hold his cheeks further apart while he did #2 's ??? - a dressing that covers most of his little butt. Hold and picture that image for a giggle (not that it really is a laughing matter). I think I'll change the dressing as required !

It wasn't too bad.

I did not like that she told him - 'they will take Mummy away if he didn't tell us when he hurts himself ...how would he like that ?'


Just another day in tree change. What ad do you or your kids notice most ?


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You have to start somewhere ~ Finding Gratefuls in grief

This wasn't the Grateful post I wanted to write today.

I arrived home at 10.45pm from the Sydney Kids Business Bloggers Brunch. A round trip of 773kms or so, not including the trip into the city with the gorgeous Sara & Em.

I am very grateful for safe travels and Sara's offer to drive into Sydney.
Though she now lives interstate - she was a rally champion. I hate city drivers driving.

After the Bloggers brunch I had to return my friend's cat carrier . She is moving this weekend too .
She was working at her new property . I used my Mum's GPS for directions as I hadn't been there. It lead me down a very badly maintained country road , across a little flowing creek ( 'Roberts Creek' road should have alerted me ).

As I was furiously cursing the potholes, gravel road and hairpin bends ...I am grateful for the little Echidna I saw crossing the road. A car coming the opposite direction flashed me , though I had seen it already. It turned and looked at us both stopped, changed it's mind and ambled back to side of the road. Unaware.


Hours later I was relieved to arrive home, safe.
It still feels strange calling this place home , but it is starting to feel like HOME.

DH said nothing , then... nor the small boys who were fast asleep.
We chatted over a cuppa and went to bed.

First thing this morning I woke to one boy cuddling up to me and both boys telling me Jed, our puppy was dead ...run over by wheels (of the 'Jeep' driven by DH), and buried .
The boys told me all the details , all matter of fact'ly, DH added a few scant details, it only happened at 5.30pm last night. Just after I called him to say I was on my way home.

The boys saw it all , they were in the car , driving on the property.
Daddy drove back to find ... Jed was bleeding, his were legs in the air ? with actions.

No tears were mentioned and I didn't ask if there were, tears.
I can't even ask where they buried Jed. They just told me Daddy buried Jed.

My hub said he didn't want to upset me last night.
I had a little hot, salty spill when he went into town, then again at the clothes line.

I know it will affect him too, he just won't talk about how much. Jed was such a lovely dog. DH has a soft heart and will embrace his own grief and guilt in his own way.

Jed  ... Dashi

I'm grateful, Jed's sister Dashi (after the Octonauts)  is still here to soothe us and we her . She seems to be looking for her best buddy and is very affectionate today. She seems wanting ; to get up close and personal.

Moving on ...Kinder news topic this week is PETS. Talk about bad timing.
Different children have news each day of the week. Joel and Sam's turns are Thursday and Friday respectively. I should be grateful for that.

I will have to write and let the teacher know.
Sure as hell I will choke up and cry if I try to tell her any other way.

 

The boys adored Jed , we had him 6 weeks. Long enough to love him forever. Everyday, teaching him to play fetch, watching him chase cows or race our other puppy through the grass. Teaching him to shake hands, walk on the lead, laughing as he'd lick their faces ...He followed the boys everywhere.


I don't know if they are particularly traumatised (WTH ? is it with spam bots that RT any mention of traumatised) , though they saw it all.

However, they still tell everybody about our 13yr old dog, Patch, dying and being in heaven ... that was 2 yrs ago (He was euthanised ).
Whenever they saw a dog in Western Australia, on our trip, they told the owners about our 'Patchy.' So we would have to explain.

I am grateful the boys have a lovely teacher who will know (I hope) how best to manage news this week.

How did you help your children deal with the loss of a pet ?

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Ride em' Cowboys

Everyone wins a Rocking Horse Race !

Jan 2009 - Our Rocking Horse Story

Have you entered my GIVEAWAYS ?

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Breathe

The last few weeks really took a toll.
There is so much more than I couldn't begin to explain. Other 'stuff' better left unsaid.

Today I am thankful that I can breath again, deep long sighs of relief. It's my most thankful Thursday ever. Thankful for Tuesday's good news. Thankful we can move on. Thankful for prayers. I am thankful every day !

Yesterday our 18 yr old was offered a job, to start Monday week (11 days). I hope he realises the privilege of employment and a weekly wage. I am truly thankful that someone is giving him a go.

It was Sam and Joel's last day at their early learning centre 'preschool'. I feel a bit sad they are leaving. The teaching and carers are wonderful and kind. The Director, owner, lives next door and is very hands on. It is also a beautiful centre on acreage with sheep,baby lambs, a cow and views. I am thankful for the care they have given my cherubs the last 2.5 yrs (mostly 1 day a week, except a few weeks of 2 days when hubby was having radiation treatment last year. They helped us out there immensely).

Their last day was also White Balloon day

so it was  a huge celebration with a jumping castle, visit by

 

Lightening McQueen,

Firetruck, balloons, cupcakes,face painting,lollies ...fun all round. I got to spend some time there too.

It has been 7 yrs since we bought our home yesterday and I am thankful for the memories we have engraved on our hearts here. Settlement was unfortunately the day of our Charlotte's funeral so it will be forever etched.

What are you thankful for ?

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10 ways to stress less while your husband is having an MRI

My husband is off having an Brain MRI right now , hopefully as we speak.

He had a follow up appointment with the Radiation Oncologist at Cancer care centre , all seems good. A huge relief .

Then he saw a Neurologist because of the the ongoing headaches. They decided they would do another MRI just to rule out anything, it's been 11 months and 1 weeks since his last one.

It was supposed to be 3 weeks ago but 15 mins after they booked the scan (7pm the same day after the appointments) by the time he had walked up to give/receive informative the machine had broken down.
They think it is more likely stress, and they told him to adjust his medications too.

I am not stressing. 


Last week , when Sam had his annual Neurofibromatosis  [NF1] review at the Children's hospital clinic . We saw the Specialist not just a registrar . She decided Sam needs a brain MRI too. Again just to rule out anything causing his vision changes.

The eye appointment 3 weeks ago shows his eyesight is slightly worse in left eye. The eye they can't see the optic nerve in because of the myelinated nerve fibres covering the disc.

In children his age they give them a trial mock MRI first to see if they will cooperate and lie still enough without a general anaesthetic. When I mentioned we were going away for 2 months in 3 weeks, she said let's try to get it done before you go...have n't heard yet.

If he can have it done without a GA the wait will not be as long. I am not stressing ... !

How do I stress less ?




(Just what I am doing)

I said to myself "I can manage at least a few of these every day" ...

He just called and is on his way home.
How do you cope with stress ?

Edited to Link up with Sif @ At the bottom of the garden's 10 things on Tuesday.
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Giveaway ~ Everyone needs a little Fairy in the kitchen

Remember back in MAY when I posted about PG house , well the dirty secret is out...

While Peter was cooking lunch we learnt all about secret cleaning business which we couldn't discuss till now.

I wouldn't mind a Peter in my kitchen either.

There were prawns in there somewhere.

We received a swag basket of samples to take home and I was very impressed. 

I freely admit I am not a domestic goddess. No white gloves allowed here.

I encourage the children to help :) as much as I can ...

It's been interfering with my social media life   a challenge having to keep the house clean every day and rush around every morning being an uber domestic goddess because the house is on the market (still).

Just don't lick the bubbles !

I doubt my readers are very much interested in hearing about cleaning ...since most of us do anything we can to avoid it.  Though we all love to make it easier.

I have been using  FAIRY for everything ...as well as cleaning dirty dishes, FAIRY cleans shower screens, sliding doors and anything really.

Excellent for wand polishing.

I still have my green Fairy - a little goes a long way (I believe the claim- lasts up to an incredible 50% longer than the next best selling brand!). I recently purchased Blue too (it's my favourite colour you know if you want to send me anything...just saying). 

Thanks to Fairy I’d love to offer you an Ultimate Dishwashing Pack that includes the following ...

1 x Fairy Dish Liquid – RRP $3.99

1 x Fairy Platinum dishwashing tablets – RRP $20.99 (these help clean dishwasher with each wash)

1 x Fairy All in One dishwashing tablets – RRP $20.99

1 x Tupperware lunch container – RRP $24.99 * (no picture yet sorry)

- Total Value: approx: $70.96

PS * Tupperware endorses Fairy as it's recommended cleaning product. Fairy even cleans oily, tomato stains with cold water ... they put it to the test right before our eyes. It rinsed clean in cold water with just a , squirt of Fairy - squish and shake.


That being said ... I still say one of my new blogging goals is to be able to afford a cleaner :) .
In the mean time I highly recommend visiting Katrina @ Organised housewife - she has all the tips and tricks for busy mums to get organised and whip up your cleaning regime.

To enter tell me your what is your least favourite cleaning job to tackle or a handy tip if you are a speed cleaning demon ?

Australian residents only.
Closes 18th August
Two Extra Entries for sharing this giveaway via FB or twitter, leave a comment .

Disclosure: Prior to this review I received a package of Fairy dish washing products in May which I have loved using.

No financial payment was offered nor accepted for this post.All opinions expressed are my own...

PPS :  It actually cost me a Freddo or two.

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