Time to move.........

"The forward youth that would appear

Must now forsake his Muses dear,

Nor in the shadows sing

His number languishing:

Tis' time to leave the books in dust,

And oil the unused armour's rust,

Removing from the wall

The corslet of the hall."

from An Horatian Ode, Andrew Marvell

On Cromwells return from Ireland in 1650 before he took action against the Scots .

I am on a roll now, after yesterdays early intervention session and talking to the other mums in the group, I have come to the timely realisation that there is a HUGE gap in the systems which support children with additional needs as well as others. Not just in the education sector, but support services, information access, Government assistance schemes, you name it. As for my self I have become a sponge for absorbing information from others who are happy to pass it on, for many it is just too much to take in when your child is young, initially diagnosed, you have other children. All these services, information, funding etc, need to be

1) Easily and readily accessible

2) Found in one area or with valid, quick to locate links and cross references

It needs to be in a folder format with interchangeable pages as info changes available at doctors, pediatrician, community health centres, pre schools, where ever ...Not every one is PC savvy, Web literate or even wants to spend hours on the www looking up stuff. It also needs to be on the Web. Stuff like continence nurse information, assistance with continence aides, respite care (this takes many forms )Govt assistance (Carers Allowance, Carers Payments or even just a Health Care card for your child), speech pathologist and therapist listings, OT and physio listings, the funding system for both Govt, independent and religious schools, the lists and information seems endless. It is vast and it is varied. I have meet people with kids with bed wetting and toileting issues who are not defined by additional needs but who knew nothing of continence nurses, funding for aides, medical assistance available..Who just thought they had to struggle along with this unhappy child and the ongoing issues.

I cannot believe the amount of information, assistance and funding there is out there and that to locate it requires half a day on the telephone, dialing six numbers, talking to seven people and a cut lunch!!!!

Same goes for the Net, for example, there is an assistance with ongoing therapy available through Medicare known as Enhanced Care Plan, it involves paperwork being completed by the GP to an allied health professional who must be registered with the HIC (Health Insurance commission)it covers Aboriginal Health Workers, Audiologists, Dieticians, Mental Health Workers,OT's, Physio's, Podiatrist or chiropodist, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Psychologist, and SP's. The completion of these forms allow for a rebate of $45.00 per session for any of these services up to FIVE per calendar year....Well worth the paperchase. But is this on the Medicare site...NO. Call Medicare and no one knows what you are talking about. This is my point, the assistance is there but poorly advertised, non accessible and information poor.

I am going to start compiling information in relation to services, funding, assistance, whatever, primarily for additional needs kids but hopefully it will encompass and cross over into some aspects of regular kids who just need a bit of help with this or that. It is something which needs to be done, should be done and I will try and get it done. Any one who reads this blog who knows of any such services (Australia only)which I might not know of, please drop me a line with details. I will also look at including help groups and discussion groups although from my personal point of view they are a bit daunting, inaccessible and non feasible if you have other kids and limited child care options, but I am happy enough to list them.

LEGAL NOTE: Any smartie who thinks they might steal the idea as a money spinner or just as your own, beware, it has been listed with a copyright registration as a idea owned by ME!!!!DON'T BOTHER

Music, music ,music

Brian has the best meme's at times, this is such a music lovers one and requires little or no thought, just memories.

Go here. Type the year you you finished school in the search box. Click the link for the top 100 songs of that year. Copy and paste the list to your blog.Put an "X" next to those you hated; Bold the ones you liked; COLOUR the ones you loved.

1. Every Breath You Take, Police
2. Billie Jean, Michael Jackson X
3. Flashdance... What A Feelin, Irene Cara
4. Down Under, Men At Work X
5. Beat It, Michael Jackson X
6. Total Eclipse Of The Heart, Bonnie Tyler
7. Maneater, Daryl Hall and John Oates X
8. Baby Come To Me, Patti Austin and James Ingram
9. Maniac, Michael Sembello
10. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), Eurythmics
11. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, Culture Club X
12. You And I, Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle X
13. Come On Eileen, Dexy's Midnight Runners
14. Shame On The Moon, Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band X
15. She Works Hard For The Money, Donna Summer X
16. Never Gonna Let You Go, Sergio Mendes
17. Hungry Like The Wolf, Duran Duran
18. Let's Dance, David Bowie
19. Twilight Zone, Golden Earring
20. I Know There's Something Going On, Frida
21. Jeopardy, Greg Kihn Band
22. Electric Avenue, Eddy Grant
23. She Blinded Me With Science, Thomas Dolby X
24. Africa, Toto
25. Little Red Corvette, Prince
26. Back On The Chain Gang, Pretenders
27. Up Where We Belong, Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
28. Mr. Roboto, Styx
29. You Are, Lionel Richie X
30. Der Kommissar, After The Fire X
31. Puttin' On The Ritz, Taco X
32. Sexual Healing, Marvin Gaye
33. (Keep Feeling) Fascination, Human League X
34. Time (Clock Of The Heart), Culture Club X
35. The Safety Dance, Men Without Hats X
36. Mickey, Toni Basil X
37. You Can't Hurry Love, Phil Collins
38. Separate Ways, Journey
39. One On One, Daryl Hall and John Oates
40. We've Got Tonight, Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton
41. 1999, Prince
42. Stray Cat Strut, Stray Cats
43. Allentown, Billy Joel
44. Stand Back, Stevie Nicks
45. Tell Her About It, Billy Joel
46. Always Somethmg There To Remind Me, Naked Eyes
47. Truly, Lionel Richie X
48. Dirty Laundry, Don Henley
49. The Girl Is Mine, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney X
50. Too Shy, KajagoogooX
51. Goody Two Shoes, Adam Ant X
52. Rock The Casbah, Clash
53. Our House, Madness
54. Overkill, Men At Work
55. Is There Something I Should Know, Duran Duran
56. Gloria, Laura Branigan
57. Affair Of The Heart, Rick Springfield
58. She's A Beauty, Tubes
59. Solitaire, Laura Branigan
60. Don't Let It End, Styx
61. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You, Laura Branigan
62. China Girl, David Bowie
63. Come Dancing, Kinks
64. Promises, Promises, Naked Eyes
65. The Other Guy, Little River Band X
66. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All, Air Supply X
67. Family Man, Daryl Hall and John Oates X
68. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Michael JacksonX
69. I Won't Hold You Back, Toto
70. All Right, Christopher Cross
71. Straight From The Heart, Bryan Adams
72. Heart To Heart, Kenny Loggins
73. My Love, Lionel Richie
74. I'm Still Standing, Elton John X
75. Hot Girls In Love, Loverboy
76. It's A Mistake, Men At Work
77. I'll Tumble 4 Ya, Culture Club X
78. All This Love, Debarge
79. Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy, Sammy Hagar
80. Heartbreaker, Dionne Warwick
81. Faithfully, Journey
82. Steppin' Out, Joe Jackson
83. Take Me To Heart, Quarterflash
84. (She's) Sexy + 17, Stray Cats
85. Try Again, Champaign
86. Dead Giveaway, Shalamar
87. Lawyers In Love, Jackson Browne
88. What About Me, Moving Pictures X
89. Human Nature, Michael Jackson X
90. Photograph, Def Leppard
91. Pass The Dutchie, Musical Youth
92. True, Spandau Ballet
93. Far From Over, Frank Stallone
94. I've Got A Rock 'N' Roll Heart, Eric Clapton
95. It Might Be You, Stephen Bishop
96. Tonight I Celebrate My Love, Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack X
97. You Got Lucky, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
98. Don't Cry, Asia
99. Breaking Us In Two, Joe Jackson
100. Fall In Love With Me, Earth, Wind and Fire

Won't tell what year these are from and it I haven't marked them it's because I never heard of them or don't remember them, Enjoy and don't forget to wash the car .

Thinking Reality not numbers

Ohhh shit , have heard about people posts being "eaten" now have to say I too have had the experience....So I will start again. I have been successful in getting Mr 5's paperwork submitted to the Catholic Education Office(CEO) for funding for 2006. This is after his cognitive scores were borderline but too high for part time entry to the local special school, his speech pathology assessment scores not indicative of anything other than language disorder, even if the term dyspraxia was used it has to be SEVERE to qualify. And his Global Developmental Delay (GDD) is no longer global given that he has mastered and come into line with some of the skills of children of his age.
After last week, I sat and thought about the future and what he has now and has a right to have...If we sit back and let everyone tell us that this is the way it is nothing changes for any one, EVER. My child does not meet any criteria set by bureaucrats because they are just that, not parents, not carers, not therapists. Why should a child need to fit into a diagnostic box?? Nothing is ever black and white but many shades of grey, I was always taught. So on this basis, I moved forward...To the Director of the CEO. 24 hours later I received a very NICE call from the special services co ordinator, I put our case to her, told her that Mr 5 does not fit into any set category but together his associated issues qualify for further investigation, his scores do not permit him to be considered for funding but overall he is a child who will struggle in the classroom, the playground and the social environment of mainstream school. I was not willing to take a "wait and see" approach in regards to his step in the realm of formal education. There is no going back once on this track, only being kept back. I am a person of action and believe in pro activity, hence why I went into bat for consideration outside the realm of numbers and scores. For what good it will do, the principal has been instructed by the CEO to submit a funding request for Mr 5 for 2006. I will be submitting (for anyone else who might like to take it on) the following:
1) pediatrician letter in support of an intergration aide ( I actually asked for a letter outlining his diagnosis/es over the past years and got a support letter)
2) Speech pathology Assessment report (CELF-P) showing scores
3) cognitive Assessment report complete with Vineland scores
4) Supporting paper work showing him to be a danger to himself and others which gained additional assistance for pre school.
Having been told by the principal that based on the cognitive scores it was not worth applying for funding, you really have to wonder about why they want everything neat and tidy , labeled and boxed. If I had let this lie, I would not be where we are now, which is significantly further than last week as the application goes in tomorrow. The submission serves several purposes:
1) If declined, they at least have the paperwork, so that WHEN they decide he has a learning problem which requires assistance, they can apply for a second round of funding. (NOTE : I say "when" not "if")
2) that in the event that something happens to my child or another as a result; direct or otherwise, of his limitations..I have fully disclosed the possibilities of such to the school and the governing body by way of this paperwork. They will have not forfilled their duty of care in support services for him.
3) that in the supply of the information to the school I am ensuring that my child's limitations and/or condition will not be discussed with another parent in the event of an incident, as that would be a breach of confidentiality .

I am tired of trying to make others understand and be open about my child's limitations in an attempt for him to be accepted by his peers, all it has done to date is cause bias, judgment and vilification. If you don't tell, they cannot talk. No longer will I explain my child's condition to another parent, his sister just says "he has special needs" although she understands the way in which his brain does not allow his vocabulary to work ("broken wires from the stereo to the speaker") if any one asks, and I doubt they will, I will want to know why... For often it is for gossip only and not genuine empathy or care.

So for parents/carers of additional needs children, take note, accept nothing as the end of the rope, go over other heads, ask for another opinion if it sounds wrong or unjust. You are the only voice your child has right now, they need your mind to be a storm, your voice ..Thunder, your words need to be like lightening. There is a way to make that round peg fit into that square hole.

Puppies, Puffers, and Speechies

Have been VERY busy last few days, what with school returning for the last term and the eldest being sick with asthma, 2ic sick and refusing to see a Doctor or take time off work. Reports to file,research to do,papers to write, stuff to get ready, things to do, people to see, puppies to view...Yes, that's right folks, puppies to view (get to that later)

Miss 8 had an infection which has long gone but the by product being asthma(activity induced) which leaves her coughing and tired, a visit to the GP yesterday confirmned the fact that the asthma has not gone and has gotten worst....Great and we all thought she was growing out of it. So back to preventatives and meds again.
I have been trying to gain access to a speech pathologist (SP)for Mr 5 for 2006 also as he will not be able to see his existing one as she is leaving on maternity leave at the end of November, plus she works primarily with the EIP groups and we are unsure if/when she will be returning in 2006 anyway...I'd pay anything for her to continue as his SP but it's not to be. We are on 3 waiting lists for SP's as they have to wait to see if their current patient load will decrease at the end of the year or not before committing to new patients. I do not want him to start school without ongoing SP but finding one is harder than I thought, it seems to be the job of choice for part time work and job sharing as none seem to work full time (MORE POWER TO THEM I SAY) Must say some of the them are very organised with CV's and costings being sent out within days of placing him on a list... Some even have teaching degrees which is brilliant as his therapy may have to be incorporated into the curriculum. So have to wait and hope he gets in with someone.

We have decided that the children are old enough for another dog, both of us grew up with dogs and we have one now but Jemma is now 11. We always had two but lost Tolkien 4 years ago he was 13 and should never had died, but for a corn cob thrown over the fence by a neighbor's child which Tolkien ate, it got caught in his lower intestine damaging the tissues on the way. Miss 8 still has his picture up in her room, they were inseparable. Having trained two Australian Cattle Dogs in obedience, had them as pets and farm dogs, we have looked at something different this time round. Some very good friends have had Koolies for many years and all our kids have grow up knowing these peoples dogs. Koolies are a working dog breed so have the stamina and brains to be able to be trained, are a tad bored with repetition which is fine with me as I like to train my dogs at one level ahead of what they actually compete in. But they are a very social dog ( most dogs can be if socialised properly) which is what we want for the children. The colours, sizes and coat styles come in many hues and types..It's wondrous. Our friends have also been at us to get another dog and suggested a Koolie for many years, now these are two people who between them have over 50 years experience in the dog world so it is not a recommendation we take lightly. On Sunday we visited with our friends at the clubs meeting, met some very nice Koolie owners and people who understand their dogs and are working towards DNA testing of all Koolies for breed histories and family links. And had a great time catching up with our friends, it seems that our friends dog has sired a litter( due 18th October) to a very nice bitch (yes, female dogs are bitches in the dog world and I will not apologize for using the word in the correct context) we know the history of both dogs and have seen the mother of the sire as well as the sisters and half sister of the dam. So we hope that all going well , we will be able to have a puppy before Christmas. We want a male as we already have a bitch and they would get on together better. A pup would bring more life into Jem not that she's lacking but it'd brighten her up a bit too. The kids loved the Koolies and there were two pups there which our tribe demanded "we take home" but they were Jack Russell crosses who had been rescued....These people take their dogs very, very seriously and one member runs a Koolie rescue and adoption service and she is also a registered Obedience judge...So this is how serious the proper promotion and protection of the breed is taken.

Voluntary Tag

I ,again, put my hand up for Jamie to ask any questions, I have to answer them and list a reason why. Here's the rules for any one who dares.
1. If you want to participate, leave a comment below saying, "interview me".
2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each persons will be different.
3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Jamies questions of me:

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? Standing on the fence by the milking shed watching the cows get milked and seeing how happy they were, the smell(?), the coldness of the air, the freedom of it.
2. What is the most important thing that you teach your children?
Acceptance and understanding, with these they will I hope be better people in a world of hate and suspicion.
3. If you were to leave one thing behind when you die, what would it be and why?Tangible, my wedding ring, my mothers wedding ring and my grandmothers wedding ring, all of which I wear now because all signify the unity which allowed the next generation to be born. Intangible: happy, laughing memories for my family
4. What one thing would you change about your past, if you could?That my mother did not die when she did or that I was not so ANGRY with the world for so long about her dying and me and mine having to live without her.
5. Thoughts on reincarnation?My religious teaching tells me that the soul goes to "heaven", my logic tells me it is the "soul plus something else" unsure of what, my experience has shown me that those who have gone come back in some form when you need them.

SLD but still no help.....So where does it start??

Got Mr 5's SP report yesterday, short of boring all and sundry with the techno terms; it boils down to the fact that he has a Severe Language Disorder (SLD) but as his Clinical Evaluation Of Language fundamentals-Preschool (CELP-P) test shows his receptive language to be 69, expressive language to be 69 with a total language score of 67, the mean being 100 and a standard deviation being 15..He still would not qualify for help in the Govt system as his score needs to be 55. This is despite him being "delayed in articulation skills as he can be unintelligible and the word and phrase level" and that "these factors will have a significant impact on his learning and language skills".

Yes, I know I have beaten this dead horse so much, but the fact that there are so many kids out there with similar issues; they have a problem which does not fall into a clear cut category in the world of DET but the refusal to acknowledge that these condition/s will ultimately affect a child's learning abilities seems to be lost on the Minister and her cronies. Given that parents can fight and fight but soon wear out, leaving their child to struggle in a supposed learning environment without PSG's(Program Support Group) or even an IEP(individual education program) without the therapies promised or even any at all...Where is the responsability to the child? Where does a educational facilities role as an educator cease to be feasible because of the child's condition/s? Who makes such a call and who declared them God? State schools only obligation is to get the child to Grade 2 level of reading/comprehension, I know parents who have questioned the help their children are/are not receiving to be told this by principals. Where do teachers obligations now lie? With keeping to budget and not making it too hard for themselves? Or are there still the unjaded ones who are in it for the "right" reasons and genuinely care enough to help, support and encourage??
I can fight, I can fight for my child FOREVER for what he needs, but what he and all kids who fall in the "cracks" of the system really need is a voice, lots of them, loud angry ones full of upset, soft spoken voices of reason, voices who speak through the power of the pen, negotiator with a clear mind, advocates who can speak objectively, everyone has some of these attributes and more for a child; be it their own or another.
People need to not accept the restrictions placed on support services supplied to their children based on the Government policy (and I am speaking of whatever Govt..Not inasmuch a political party) Ministers need to be "EDUCATED" in what their decisions mean to the children at the coal face and what it means to the teachers of these children. Until we do, our children will remain without a voice, will have lost the opportunity to be the future and have had the right to forfil their own potential taken from them.

Holiday fun for Everyone

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,16744832%255E2862,00.html
Makes for interesting reading, I don't even read this paper but a relative called today to tell me Sunbury was back in the news, or at least someone from Sunbury was. "Police Fireworks Over Saucy E.Mail" Incidently, I believe the term "cannons" like "guns" are a term used by body builders for their biceps/arms in relation to the musclature.

Chocolate Crackles

Brian wanted the recipe so here it is
4 cups Rice Bubbles ( in US; Rice Crispys ;I think, "puffed grains of rice")
1 cup desiccated coconut
1 and 1/2 cups icing sugar
3 table spoons cocoa
250grams Copha
24 patty cases

mix all ingredents ,except Copha, togther well in large bowl with wooden spoon
chop Copha and put in saucepan on low heat, monitor well until all melted
stir melted Copha into mixed ingredents until all mixed togther
spoon mixture into patty cases and refrigerate until firm
YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM

Who do they think they are....

I just cannot get over the sense of "superiority" that Bush has, he just is not LISTENING * hello, any one in there, raps knuckles in his wooden head* Much of the US want the war to end and believe it was wrong, many Australians feel the same and even more of the world. He cannot even comprehend the needs of his own country or look after them in a crisis except when the media attack him for it and then it is too late. Oh, except of course if it is your home state of BIG ARSE TEXARSE in which case 1) you protect yours and your own and 2) learn from the lethal mistakes of the Katrina disaster and protect your ARSE from further public scorn. Same goes for Little Johnny (YES GEORGE) HoWARd who listens to no one and honestly believes himself to have a "mandate" of the entire populice..well, Jonny, you suck and if you really cared you'd do something about petrol prices but hey BIG BUSINESS is who helps keep the party in power, its who you pass your antiqated IR laws for, its the mates who get you the big ticket items as gifts *sure you declare them all nudge,nudge wink wink* you care little for the PEOPLE because you are so out of touch you would not know what real people do. As Brian said "when God spoke to Moses through a burning bush, the bushs name WAS NOT GEORGE DUBYA!!!!!!!"

Sorry folks, I am on a roll today as JAKAS has returned to the realms of SUNBURY ON LINE and he's just plain silly, be interesting to see how many more people are incited to post on SOL in his favour...given I know his little way of visiting those he thinks are supporting him and sprouting theories about multi user IDs and multiple PC's (like who would bother) and encouraging people to "give them hell" . You see JAKAS picked the wrong person to visit when he rocked up to my place that day and although he got off with the electoral roll matter as the matter cannot be looked at in RETROSPECT (does not imply nothing wrong was or was'nt done, it just CANNOT be investigated) there is still the little matter of another Cr. giving JAKAS my address from unrelated correspondence so JAKAS could invade my privacy. Be afraid, be very afraid, revenge is a meal best eaten cold.

Fun things for Holiday Joy...Or how to stay sane

Seeing it is school holidays here and I am on a roll for fun and frivolity, I thought I'd post whilst the kids are outside picnic lunching. Firstly, I have to thank Brian for the following piece of fun:
Failure defined:

Follow these directions:

1. Go to Google search.
2. Type in the word "failure" (quotation marks not included).
3. Click the "I'm feeling Lucky" button.
4. Laugh till your sides hurt.
5. Post this meme to your next blog entry and spread the good word!

I am still laughing, its better that using the thesaurus in Word 98 , I think, for "ass" and getting Bill Gates.

Today we made ....Chocolate Crackles...mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, betcha want to come to my house , my house, betcha wanna come to my house, doncha, doncha....see what too long with kids does to the mind.
For the uninitiated and unrefined, Chocolate Crackles are an institution for children in Australia ( except maybe in NT, Nth Qld. etc where they'd melt) If any one is interested in the recipe, I will post it if you ask. Tommorrow we are making truffle balls. Cooking is good for measuring, hand eye co ordination, co operation, learning new skills, plus it makes sure my boys will make some one very happy because they will be able to cook and not ask "where do you keep the boiling water" of any one. No joke, that little ask is in a TV commercial now but I know the very guy who whilst reading the instructions for making a cup of instant coffee, asked just that very question. I also know that the other housemate of this brainiac is now a writer and probably wrote the comment based on the "genuis" we houseshared (read babysat) with for 6 horrible months.
We are also out and about in the yard, as it is 23degrees today, playing trucks and moving sand ( I would prefer it stays in the sandpit, but hey, I am only the Mum, not the "boss of the sand" I have been told) Later, we will go to the library and then perhaps plant some seeds in seedling trays..have to think carefeully on that one as I have to have somewhere to put them where they will not be tipped out and turned into something else. Well off to have some fun now. Don't forget to put the lid back on the toothpaste.

School Holidays..Then and Now

I remember

School holidays were two weeks in May, two weeks in August, with four or more days at Easter and about 5 -6 weeks aver Christmas/New Year. In secondary school we also had a “mid semester break” of about 4 days in July, I think.

May and August being winter were shitty for holidays, too cold or wet most days to play out side.

<>We went to the movies once a week usually to see the new Disney film at the Grand in Footscray and had lunch at the Coles cafeteria after wards (we thought we were sooo grown up) as we caught the bus by ourselves.

School holidays were when Mum took us “into town” by train to look at the “big shops” and so Mum could look at the new fashions and talk to other designers/dressmakers at Georges, Myers and such. They would have a big morning tea at an upstairs room at either Georges or Myers, with yards and yards of fabric about, mannequins with designs half completed and dressmaker patterns everywhere. We just liked the food and the accents of some of the people.

School holidays were when you did not see your friends so you made your own fun with your siblings or neighbors. Summer was for running about under the hose or sprinkler (no such things as water restrictions and it watered those nice suburban lawns too) and “tiggity cricket” (you hit it, you run) in the evenings held over three front yards. Winter was for wandering down to the creek, for ‘taddies” (what did we know) or just to try and dam up parts of the creek and construct bridges and ride your bike if it wasn’t raining.

We did not have DVD’s, we didn’t own a video player, my brother had a TV game which played ping pong and Space Invaders which we were allowed to play if it was raining. My brother also had a home based CB radio which was fun, to think about it now; it was no more dangerous than an internet chat room is now, except our parents could hear what was being said.

School holidays; you wrote to your pen pal more, you rode your friends horse at the creek, you read, you went to the library to get books not for the activities (there were none) you went fishing at the “Hotties” on summer nights. You built forts in trees and bushes, you built billy carts, then fought over whose house it should be kept at, you had running street battles throwing lumps of dirt at each other, ambushes from out of the trees and bushes, safaris in the vacant block before they cut the grass, you got dirty, wet, bruised and tired. You had fun.

Now, there's Foxtel, DVD's videos, PC games, on line chat with friends, mobiles and SMS... God forbid you be away from your pals for 2 days without telling them what you are doing. Movies are crap and unsuited to under 10's most times. A trip to the city is no big deal, all they want to do is shop. They want "playdates' with friends they whine about all term, the Royal Melbourne Show is on during September holidays so all and sundry want to go to that. Holidays are now 2 weeks in March/April (easter time) two weeks in June/July, two weeks in September and 6 weeks at Christmas/New Year. There's school holiday programs run by councils, libraries have activites, you can't go to the creek for fear of toxic waste, drowning or whatever and no one really has a pet horse any more so you have to go and ride a riding school hack. Play in the street and neighbours complain about them being on the garden..(not so much where we are). Ride bikes and get told to go to a bike park or on a bike path, make a billy cart and some one, somewhere will complain or tell you to where a helmet ( I NEVER heard of any one getting killed on a billy cart) Parents are becoming over zealous in the "protection" of their kids to the point that if its not handed to them on a platter (or CD ROM) they don't know how to have fun!!! Currently, mine are outside in the backyard romping throught the agarpanthus with a hand drawn map looking for a treasure they hid yeasterday. That's after they drew a "road" on the road outside with chalk complete with a zoo, shops, railroad, park, traffic lights, etc and rode about on it whuilst I did some gardening. A friend of my daughters wanted to come over but first asked my daughter if they'd be watching "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory " on DVD, after being told that DVD's/TV/Foxtel was only for rainy. cold , wet afternoons..she did'nt want to visit anymore... oh well, off to make popcorn for my intrepid explorers.

Two Deviated Points;;Ooops ,no funding for you..Sorry.

I got a call last week which I have internalised until we sorted out the implications and ramifications. It appears that Mr 5 has an IQ of 74, Vineland 68, Verbal 77 Overall performance of 73. Regardless of what this might mean in the "real" world; to DET and the CEO, it means absolutely SFA. Nada, Zilch. No dice. With regards to any sort of funding to help him at school..Let alone him qualifying to go to the specialist school part time. Whilst I am happy that his IQ scored high, this is within the two deviated points allowed so he well may be a 70 or 69.5 and has been marked up..We will never know because once the scores indicate over the required level a written report is not done. So I have scores and I will have a written speech path. Report and hopefully a diagnosis report from his pediatrician and that is all the school will have to help them learn to teach him..It ABSOLUTELY SUCKS. The school can use existing funding the help him but this won't happen. We need to find a really good S/P to take over from his EIP S/P as once at school he cannot access the program and we need a S/P who will work with the teachers. We need a teacher who can think outside the square and can modify and adapt the curriculum to his learning capabilities. Over 80% of the tasks and things he has learnt to date have been via inventive and round about ways rather than the norm.
The special education unit at the Catholic Education Office really needs a kick in the pants as apart from not being advertised on the CEO website ( what don' t they want add. needs kids in their schools? ) the amount or lack of empathy I received was contaray to the ideologies of the teaching of Catholicism, let me say that. No one seems to want to tell me what paperwork they require to even help them to help him..I am more than happy to get reports needed but TELL ME WHAT IT IS YOU NEED!!! Apart from the principal not returning my calls , I had already told him Mr 5 had missed the funding bus so of course we are of no consequence because we are not worth any extra $$$ to the school. I have to contend with trying to get an IEP (individual education program) for him and convincing him to let me have the teacher I want. This is my son's step into the stage of formal education, I need a director who can direct and motivate him, a venue he is not afraid of and an audience who appreciates his interpretation of life.

Girls Weekends...Don't you wish you knew what goes on??

Well, I am back in land of the breathing, not living exactly as still have asthma, but able to function. The weekend away was GREAT!! Nice food, great company, lots of laughs, nice food, great books, lots of laughs, no kids or hubbies. I can recommend Cafe Medici on the Docklands Boardwalk for a great meal and if you are into people watching, a great source of fun and commentary. Gold Class cinema at the casino is to die for, I had never been, only heard of it, and although very decadent..Is worth saving for a special occasion or night out. I could not believe the number of families a the Casino complex, near the food court and Circus galactic or whatever they call it..If we are taking out kids to places like this for entertainment; is it any wonder the country has a gambling problem. I think you should not be allowed to take kids any where near the complex..The idea that the "children's entertainment area" is even in a casino, lends itself to the question of underage kids getting into the casino to gamble..I saw at least 3 of dubious ages heading towards the main complex. But, hey that's my issue, I don't even bet on the Melbourne Cup or buy Tattslotto tickets. Anyway, we shopped(or two of us did) the other being pregnant, decided that staying in the apartment with free access to Foxtel without a child asking for Nick Jnr or Disney was relaxing enough. She also had a nap, totally uninterrupted. After three plus hours of shopping, I had vouchers from my birthday to use to..We came back to sit, eat and read for hours and hours of uninterrupted bliss until we went to the piccies.Sunday was Girls Day In at a place called Natskin which has all sorts of packages, we had manicures, pedicures , full body salt scrubs and full body massages...So much luxury was absolute bliss and they are really nice people. Not much for manicures, my nails are short and long nails and kids don't go together, plus I garden a bit so it was quite an experience. Have had the other treatments before at Daylesford and love them. You are soooooo sleepy when you return. I was in bed by 8.00 that might and slept through until 07.45!!!!!

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory..Or how to ruin children's Literature

Have now seen the Johnny Depp version of "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" a few times now on DVD (don't ask, if I tell you, you will have to be buried in the yard with the others who asked)and I am unimpressed...Very much so. I have been told that they have used Dahl's original story line with the underlying premise as to why Willy Wonka becomes a chocolate guru along with much more of the original book....But for the life of me am unable to locate this "original" work anywhere (still trying though). I loved the 1960/70 Gene Wilder version as do my kids and the version of the book everyone knows to date is great also. But this film is something else, directed by Tim Burton, with only writing credits to Dahl, it is rated PG13(USA) as it has violence,language and sexual references. One liners like "never come between a squirrel and his nuts" emit a chortle from the parents but are lost on under 10's ,I think. It is "Clock Work Orange "like in cinematography and none to easy for kids to follow. Johnny Depp REALLY does look like he took make up lessons from Marilyn Manson and as Willy Wonka is just plain rude and not mischievous like Wilder was. But I guess Depp had to develop the character the way he saw it...But what was he on when he read the script, is my question.

I would NOT recommend it to any child under 10 despite all the hype, it's not an under 10-12 film, definitely not for the littlies. The magic of the waterfall room is missing, the children are more than just naughty.They are destructive, the wonderment of each new room visited is lost as somewhere along the way Wonka insults someone or has these scary "flashbacks" which without giving away the story; would stop any under 10 ever visiting the dentist again let alone having orthodontic work done. Totally unimpressed, people and I think Nestle should remove itself from promotion of the film.

I am still sick, on antibiotics and have asthma pretty bad, Mr Almost 3 has been diagnosed with ...SURPRISE SURPRISE ....Asthma....Activity induced...Great, just like Mum used to have. Bonus is I grew out of it at 14 and it came back during pregnancy 1# and is now virally induced like Miss 8"s who has almost grown out of it...Or is so damn healthy she doesn't catch colds or such any more(touch wood).

Two and bit days(have to count today as it's not over and never been one to wish a day away) till the GIRLS WEEKEND AWAY. But who's counting....
Ok that 's it, people, don't forget to eat your brussel sprouts and teach the budgie to say rude words. Bye

Coughs, Capital Punishment,Harry Potter and Me

I have a COLD ...all say AWWWWWWW, I am coughing and such, I have taken my sure fire "Ease A Flu" natural stuff and eliminated the runny nose, etc part of the thing but my asthma playing up and as Mr Almost 3 has been coughing also, decided to make a Dr's appointment for later today for us both. OK ,onwards and forward.

Read an interesting article in Saturdays "Good Weekend"(September 3, 2005) in an incisive piece entitled "Sympathy For a Devil" , Alex Kotlowitz looks at the crime, trial and outcome of a capital offence in the town of Indianapolis, USA. The crime was captured on the shop tape, the culprit confessed, and as the State Prosecutor told a reporter..."There isn't a jury in the world..That would not recommend the ultimate penalty in this case, the death penalty" Out of 38 death penalty states in the USA, 33 of them leave the final decision of of death with the jury not the judge. Jurors are given a 24 page questionnaire about the death penalty as part of the elimination process, they all told the court that yes they could vote to end a persons life...a mandatory condition to sit on capital crimes cases. In the end, all 12 rescinded on the death penalty and gave life imprison instead. It make interesting reading, given that Australia gave up such ideals decades ago but there are still those who call for its reinstatement. The advent of DNA testing and errors in evidence processing have left way for multiple appeals on various grounds in many areas of crime. The Govenor of Illinois has, since 2000, had a moratorium on executions due the high number of wrongful convictions...Where would we be today if Lindy Chamberlain had been convicted under a capital offence and met the death penalty??? The NT Government would still be paying compensation until Hell froze over!!! Articles like this need to be bought to the forefront of the argument against capital punishment as it is logical, non subjective and shows the truth in human nature.

I finished Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince, yes I know I took my time but a good read needs to be savored like a fine wine..OK. I had actually decided that if it was like the Order Of the Phoenix I would not continue reading the HP series...but Rowling has lifted her game again. Might be just me, but I enjoy descriptive prose, I like to know what a room looks like and what the characters are eating and where they are going and what the surrounds look like. Maybe as Order was set mainly in the one place or that HP was getting frustrated and therefore so was I, that I did not enjoy it. But I have been reinvented in HP after the HBP and will read the next installment with gusto. Thank you JK Rowling for a great read!!!

COUNTDOWN..... fours days till GIRLS WEEKEND AWAY... And yes as per every other year I have got sick just in time to go. Being anally retentive and having a GREAT dislike for change I think it is my bodes way of reacting to the forthcoming change and saying " hay what do the think you are f&^%$(ing well doing? Going away, leaving spouse and children to fend for themselves for 48 long arduous hours? Am a tad concerned, 1st year I went hubby bought a DVD player, last year he negotiated price and signed papers for the new house, what will I come home to this year is anyone's guess???

Seven Things....

I got tagged by Brian to do the meme of SEVEN:

SEVEN THINGS YOU PROBABLY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT MR. BRIAN
1: Mr Brian is really the reincarnate of Hemingway
2: He actually loves the drive to work as he puts on gospel music and sings aloud during the trip..And you all thought his observations were what he wrote about...hahah
3: He once was lost for two days, he was found in his boxers wandered about Washington in a disoriented state, asking "where's George Porgey?" I wanna anuther drink"
4: He has been to Area 51, don't ask, he can't remember.
5: He has a night light and has it on all night
6: He like to sleep in jammies with feet in them and a flap at the back
7: He has been to Ibiza on a mysterious interlude with an international man of intrigue and dubious vocal skills, David Beckham.

SEVEN THINGS I HAVE NEVER DONE AND MAY NEVER DO:

1: Bungey jumped
2: Windsurfed
3: Wild water rapid trip
4: Lesbian relationship
5: Have un questioning faith in the decisions of the Catholic Church
6: Taken illicit/illegal drugs intravenously ( too scared of needles and being out of control)
7: Enjoy or understood the enjoyment of football

SEVEN THINGS I DID NOT DO THIS PAST WEEKEND:
1: Kiss a woman
2: Smoke (anything)
3: Drink alcohol
4: Go swimming
5: Sunbathe
6: Wear a G string
7: Wear high heels

SEVEN TIMES I HAVE ALMOST DIED OR BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED:
1: Was born 3 weeks premature, weighing 4lbs, 7oz, 19 inches long....Spent first 2 months of my life in hospital with the Drs telling my parents the best thing for them was my mum to get pregnant again ASAP as I was not going to live.
2: Aged 2, at my brothers baptism , wandered about draining beer bottles of the guests ( this was a LOOOONG time ago and when people thought it cute to give littlies a sip of beer)I got alcohol poisoning and was in hospital for a week.
3: Aged 3 onwards....Constant bronchitis infections complicated by asthma, 2 bouts of pneumonia.
4: Age 5 or 6:Jumped from the verandah roof because my cousin told me I could fly if I believed in fairies as they would help me. As I was taken to hospital, she told me I mustn't believe in fairies otherwise I would not have been hurt. I broke both ankles and various other bones in my feet.
5: Age 9?:Fell down the stairs at school and hit my head, got up and slipped in the blood from the split in my head, fell and broke my wrist.
6: Age 15; Self imposed dietary regime, less than 1000 calories a day, whilst walking 10 kms to school (got off the bus 5 stops early) playing softball, tennis, swimming squad, and doing drama and dance. Rode bike 10 plus kms per night. Got extremely run down, got pneumonia and was hopitalised for 3 weeks.
7: Age 22? Trip back from Wagga Wagga with then boyfriend ( now husband) he fell asleep whilst driving, I was asleep, awoke to sensation of the car traveling sideways, spun across double lanes we were traveling in, onto double lanes of oncoming traffic. Hit NOTHING and NO ONE HIT US. Not a tree, not a car, not a truck.

Finally, seven people to tag:
1:Guruann
2:More Australian Ramblings
3: Creative Mechanisms
4:Crritic
5: Not the 6 O' Clock News
6: Jamie
7: Caz

If people are too busy, whatever, its ok...Just a bit'o fun. Remember the the first section is about the tagger, the others are about the taggee. Enjoy and say hello to your cat. hehehehehe

Anagrams

Got this little lot from "Lets Talk About Dyspraxia" the newsletter of the ADASG, it was sent as an e.mail, author is unknown but as the editor says someone has WAAAAAAY too much time on their hands or is absolutely deadly at Scrabble.

DORMITORY rearrange letters to DIRTY ROOM
PRESBYTERIAN rearrange letters to BEST IN PRAYER
ASTRONOMER rearrange letters to MOON STARER
DESPARATION rearrange letters to A ROPE ENDS IT
THE EYES rearrange letters to THEY SEE
GEORGE BUSH rearrange letters to HE BUGS GORE
THE MORSE CODE rearrange letter to HERE COME DOTS
SLOT MACHINES rearrange letters to CASH LOST IN ME
ANIMOSITY rearrange letters to IS NO AMITY
ELECTION RESULTS rearrange letters to LIES-LET'S RECOUNT
MOTHER IN LAW rearrange letters to WOMAN HITLER
SNOOZE ALARMS rearrange letters to ALAS, NO MORE Z'S
A DECIMAL POINT rearrange letters to I'M A DOT IN PLACE
THE EARTHQUAKES rearrange letters to THAT QUEER SHAKE
ELEVEN PLUS TWO rearrange letters to TWELVE PLUS ONE

Three truths and A Lie..Now the truth

OK , here it is the winner is Jamie I am shocked that anyone could consider that I would have told a Federal MP to FO (snigger,snigger snigger). No folks,unfortunately most of the contact I had with MP's was work related and although I had much cause and many opportunities to tell them where to go...I DID NOT!!!

1. Yes, I did extra subjects in Year 12 (it took 14 months to get the then VISE approval)and wanted to study vet science but hated maths and had mastered physics, biology, etc much to surprise of the teachers who thought it implausible any one could apply a maths solution without a Math 1 or 2 background. So I did English, Literature, European History, Legal Studies, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Drama. And they still wouldn't let me into study vet science even with a score of over 380. The count used was first four subject scores added and 10% of others.

2. Yes, I have impersonated a police officer. I was 19, at uni and was driving home from uni and inadvertently got stuck on a left hand turn /straight ahead lane at a set of lights, sat there as I was going straight ahead, with the guy behind beeping and gesturing to the point I thought he'd have a seizure. I was on "P" plates (probationary license) and was not going to go through against the lights. Lights change, I travel on and Mr "Bust a Blood Vessel" follows me in his Mercedes (see I remember all) When I stopped at shops near home I realise he was still there, I got out to go to the shops and Mr Bombastic approaches bellowing fit to bust a gut. This guy had followed me over 15 kms in order to vent his tiny mind!!!! After he kept yelling, "what have you to say for yourself??" I told him I was sorry but he could have turned when the lights changed, he just kept going and going, So I told him to "shut up, buzz off cause I was a cop". So there you go...Next thing I know, four hours later, there is a knock on the door at home and my dads friend Ben is there (Snr Sgt at the local copshop) Mr Mercedes has gone and complained; not about me saying I was a cop...But about the BEHAVIOR of the cop who was in the wrong lane LMAO. Remember I was 19, dressed..Let's call it Army Surplus grunge...And at the time had pink hair...This guy actually believed me. So after a "talking to" from Uncle Ben, all was forgotten. The guy was a wanker anyway, words of Snr Sgt Ben not me.

3. I DID fail my learners FOUR times....The learners was a written test with questions like "who do you give way to if you are car A" together with a diagram, and road signs where you had to write what you had to do when you approached them. There was one easy as pie test every one wanted to get but they are given out randomly. Being naturally left handed but having that forced out of me at school..I have trouble setting a table, let alone working out left from right in an abstract model like on paper( no, I cannot read road maps either without them facing the direction of travel)so I failed the test four times because I could never work out who gave way to whom. Don't worry though, it works when am behind the wheel of a car. *hehehehehehe*

So there you are.

Three Truths and A Lie

Can't help myself really ;I cannot; with these little jaunts into my life via various medians. Got this from Jamies NEW, IMPROVED Blog and thought it sounded like fun. I will give you three statements about me and you have to choose which is a lie.
1) I completed my final year of high school with excess of the usual 5 subject load permitted
2) I have impersonated a police officer
3) I failed my learners permit 4 times (written format)
4) I once told a federal politician, to his face, to "F&%$ Off"

So people, your choice, which is the lie. Please feel free to explain why you think it is a lie, I'd be interested. I will announce the lie tomorrow and explain the rest for the curious. Until then, don't forget to change your undies. LMAO..God ,I'm in a funny mood today..Watch out!!!

The Word According to ???????????

The Courts, long though they be established and steep in Law...Are wrong,
The judiciary, except for the ones still living in the 17th century, and despite the fact they they are considered by the rest of mainstream society to be learned enough to be given the position..Are even more wrong,
"Socialist bleeding hearts like Fr Norden" are wrong, wrong, wrong for believing what his Church and God taught him and believing there is good to be found in everyone. He is a Socialist because I say so, a bleeding heart because he cares for those I don't care about.
Any one who has ever done any thing wrong, does not deserve a second chance..Because I say so.
People who question what I say, on an intellectual level...Do not deserve my glorious response and they are wrong too.
Any one accused of anything is guilty; even before a trial ;because they are wrong and I am right,
Any one convicted of anything never serves enough time in prison and has no rights in society because I say so,
Any one who I say should be punished by capital punishment, should be, because I am right and they are WRONG,
Any one who disagrees with my ideals is wrong or a caviar communist or a socialist bleeding heart or a leftie commie calathumpian or all of the above and is wrong also
Any one convicted of a crime is a cretin, so sayeth me
For I am ????????, the man with no mates, accuser of the innocent, savior to the redneck,and model for the downfall of human rights.
I am the word , the tosser and the politically defunct.
(Amen is not allowed as that implies religious belief )

Hysteria, Mobs and other Manic Afflictions

I have to wonder about the mentality of some folks, I really ,really do. Given that this subject has been taken up by various other local blogs such as Not the 6 O' Clock News I just had to vent my spleen on the matter instead of continuing a ongoing commentary in the comments of other blogs. The situation being that a convicted pedophile was apparently in Sunbury some time ago visiting his family, he has been paroled and is under parole conditions. I cannot condone nor understand the actions, drives or mindset of such people but he served his time and was paroled, albeit he committed the crimes in another state and came to our town to visit family..He was here a few days. Enter the great white knight of the people, JAKAS (Jack Also Known As Steve) Medcraft: local COUNCIL representative and self appointed advocate of all he believes to be wrong with the world ( the Word According to JAKAS). Any way one thing lead to another and a mob developed out side the home of this persons family and he was not even there!!!! The people who were there were local and took their children there also...Now let me get this straight, you are concerned for the welfare of your children, you take them to the house where there is no pedophile, to witness verbal abuse and mob mentality of the family who live there who left with crying and distraught children...This taught your children what exactly?? That dad is a YOBBO???

Given that the whereabouts of the parolee would have been known to the police as parole conditions would have been such that he would have had to report to them...I doubt the police would not have been checking the whereabouts of the parolee. I do not think that they would have given out the address as it would have been contary to the Privacy Act and endangering the lives of the occupants, plus would have caused the police to have to watch out for this KKK style rally which was insidiously organised.

I cannot understand the ideals of such people, as the sister of someone who was sexually abused, I know for a fact that victims want to forget the past as much as possible; closure comes with the incarceration of the perpetrator. This sort of action does nothing for the victim and they rarely , if ever ,attend such gatherings. The ideal that they are doing it for the victim is a furphy as the victims in this case are not local nor even in the SAME STATE!!! Protecting your children, from what ...a 70 plus year old man worn down by years in prison with the label of "rock spider" who would have spent most of his time in lock down security for his own protection, from an old man whose every move would have been monitored by family and police..Oh, yes and the Bogeyman lives under your bed too , I bet.

Victims do not want nor need the sort of vigilante style protest as demonstrated in our town on Sunday, I do not want my town associated with the term "red neck", I do not expect my locally elected officials to undertake my "protection" in this or any other manner like this, I do not want nor need the dangerous, insidious, underhanded fears of a self appointed white knight to speak for me or mine. I was bought up to believe that forgiveness is divine and if the victims are able to move on from this , who are we to undertake their so called cause for our own perceived publicity gains?

Do do do do do do What is It??? 

Four in a row., name now known... Way to go, little man

Now I am not one to judge a child's successes on the amount of friends they have or such, I just want Mr 5 to have a friend; a real friend, some one to play with as an equal and such..For the experience as there are no kids at his kindy going to his school next year. Suddenly he has not one, not two but FOUR , count them people..They are on my fridge door...PARTY INVITATIONS over the next four weekends!!!!!! Admittedly, one is a joint brother/sister one whose parents are old, old friends of ours but they all count...Sounding pathetic now aren't I???

To see him go from the dejected boy of several weeks ago who stood in line whilst invites to another child's party were being handed out..To be told "I don't want you at my party" to the boy who told his pediatrician this morning that he was going to FOUR parties..Complete with five fingers..Makes me sob. This same boy who today almost wrote his name in the doctors office at the doctors behest and the same guy who attends all his toileting needs (almost) by himself (thank you to the gods of Hot Wheels and Lego for bribery incentives) is going to FOUR parties.
So after the Drs' visit and dropping Daddy at work, off we went to Mattel ( I have a membership card for the Toy shop there, nah nah nah nah)to get presents for all these parties we are going to attend, plus a few bribes for Mr Almost 3 who is in TT (toilet training) in a BIG way.

My little boy is growing up on Wednesday I had to order his school uniform and we still do not know if he will qualify for the specialist school part time. So we are traveling in a void at the moment, he will attend the mainstream, either way, just what help he will get if there full time is unknown until January 2006...So if he gets nothing we have to find a speech therapist who will travel to the school and work with the teachers. Just a tad short notice, I think.

Any way on a brighter note Mr 5 has been busy in the yard making things, any one who cares to tell me what they think the picture preceeding is,please do..I know what it is, but do you know the mind of a 5year old???

Ten Things You Need to Know About My Sons World

Carrying on with the theme of a few posts ago, I decided to list ten things (although there are probably more) about Mr 5 and dyspraxia that people probably do not know. There are many people with dyspraxia in the world; some are diagnosed and others are not. Given that Dyspraxia awareness Week(1st -8th September, 2005) commences here in September, I thought it an opportune time to help increase awareness via my blog.

1. Dyspraxia affects more boys than girls, often it is not picked up as soon as it should because of the the adage "boys develop slower than girls". If you think something is amiss, say so; if you feel the Dr. Dismisses it..See someone else. I always have said "Your right, your child, their voice".

2. Poor gross and fine motor skills, however dyspraxic kids such as Mr 5 become dab hands at avoidance and manipulation away from things they cannot do or afraid to try. They will feign non interest when all the other kids are climbing, cycling, kicking balls, etc but be watching carefully to try and learn. One on one play away from others sometimes helps until they master some of the skills needed..We kicked a soccerball about in the yard for most of the year, he only started trying it a kinder two weeks ago.

3.Poor handwriting is one of the most common symptoms, these children do not need to be told their handwriting is poor, they can see that they are not as good as their peers. Dr Rosemary Sassoon (Handwriting expert)believes they should be judged against their own best efforts and to progress in a relaxed way. Mr 5 hates pen/pencil work and is still learning to hold a pencil in the proper manner. Tracing letters formed from dots helps to keep lines straight and pressure off the actual order the letters come in. (courtesy of "Let's Talk About Dyspraxia" Issue no36)

4. Sequencing is also a problem, he does not understand the sequences of time, actions, or those involved in learning (number and letter sequences) pattern recognition is difficult. If told we are doing/going somewhere after lunch and it is 0900, he believes that in eating lunch now brings the "after lunch" event to fruition. He does not recognise the consequences of actions, such as running in front of a moving swing, car, lawnmower. There is a "blank" as to what happens if I do this or that...even if asked, he is unable to reconcile the cause/effect relationship.

5. Dyspraxic children are very aware of their perceived limitations, I say perceived; because Mr 5 today does things he would not have tried a year ago or 2 years ago. His SP has taught him that a "try is as good as a do" in all things. We encourage and celebrate all trying and accomplished tasks, in doing so teach him that it's not the completion of the task that matters but the attempt.

6. Dribbling by some children is, often, not related to any one thing. It could be a excess of saliva, new teeth, learning a new sound or just need for oral stimulation. Mr 5 dribbled when he was getting his first ADULT bottom tooth (about 4 weeks ago) after nothing for months, when he learnt the letter "p", when learning a new physical task, and generally when he forgets to close his mouth...He is just gently reminded to wipe his mouth and close it. Until 3 months ago he had a "chewy" which was a piece of surgical tubing, knotted at each end, which if he felt the need to chew something, he was directed to.

7. Eating can be a trial for these children, many will resort to routine foods they are comfortable with. Mr 5 rarely ate meat until a six month ago...It was hard for him to chew and chewing was not his forte. They will balk at any changes in diet, and often want the same for breakfast, lunch and tea. Mr 5 has always been a big milk drinker, likes juice (but this is limited to breakfast) he prefers peanut butter to Vegemite, likes cheese in slabs, not slices and I have been lucky that he loves fruit. I discovered from the SP that these children often like sauce with food (tomato, BBQ, whatever) as the sauce helps to break up the food in the mouth as they chew. I never had this occur but at the age of 2 ,Mr 5 would tip his cup of water on his plate and eat the sodden food..Makes sense now.

8. My experience and that of other parents I have spoken with; tells me there is something amiss with the sleeping habits of dyspraxic children. Now this is only MY OPINION, not medically proven to my knowledge, as dyspraxia cannot be diagnosed until 2.5-3years of age. But it seems most children who later are diagnosed with the condition were really bad sleepers in the beginning, sleeping for 45 minutes in the day only, from day one was Mr 5's story. Consequently, you have an overtired and irate bub. What is going on in these little brains that is so important that they cannot sleep? And is the lack of the ability to sleep related to the misfiring synapses which are believed to be the cause of dyspraxia?? Like I said, only my opinion but I really wonder.

9. Because you see a parent in a shop, park, where ever, yelling at the child to "come back", "be careful" does not mean the child is naughty or disobedient. Dyspraxic children have a problem with receptive language..That is they have trouble processing commands to actions. So the repeating of the command reinforces the action, perhaps together with the signing or actually showing the child what needs to be done.

10. Expressive language is often a problem too, together with a vocabulary which is marred with errors and an inability to make themselves understood, dyspraxic children often resort to grunting, pointing or even taking the person to the item they want. Patience, alternative methods of understanding, and the encouragement to "use the words" all help to increase the usage of words, number of words used, ability to use them in context and not only the child's willingness to use the known words but also the wanting to know "what that named".

This is but a small part of what I have experienced since Mr 5 was diagnosed, it is not the "be all and end all" and will never encompass all I know or have learnt. It is not a medical text nor do I have any real medical knowledge, only what I glean from reading more about the condition. It serves only to inform, encourage and generally let people know that the condition exists and that there are ways to help and there are rest stops along the trip, complete with drinks and ice creams.

COUNTDOWN.................

ONLY 2 DAYS TO GO NOW............. NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BUT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN (OR 2IC WILL BE REDUNDANT!!!!)
I SOOOOOOOLOVE BIRTHDAYS MAYBE CAUSE EVERY ONE I REMEMBER AS A CHILD WAS FUN AND SUSPENSE FILLED, SO AS A TREAT I AM GOING TO LIST EVERY PRESENT I EVER GO FOR MY BIRTHDAY....DON'T WANT TO KNOW...TUFF. YOU MAY NOW LEAVE THE BLOG.....GONE ARE YOU?? GOOD, WE DON'T WANT YOUR TYPE HERE ANY WAY. NOW EVERYONE SITTING COMFORTABLY?, FINGERS READY TO SCROLL? PREPARE FOR A TRIP INTO MY PAST........................................................
1ST 3FOOT PANDA BEAR, WHICH I STILL HAVE

2ND SQUEAKY BELLY TEDDY WITH MOVABLE ARMS AND LEGS...STILL HAVE IT, HIS NAME IS "TED"

3RD PUZZLE BLOCKS WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT PART OF A PUZZLE IN EACH SIDE...STILL HAVE THEM TOO

4TH HANDKNITTED JUMPER MY MUM MADE AND MY FIRST BOOK : FARMYARD ANIMALS. THE JUMPER WAS LIGHT BLUE ANGORA TYPE WOOL AND I HATED IT BECAUSE IT MADE MY ARMS ITCH, I STILL HAVE BOTH BUT NEVER MADE MY DAUGHTER WEAR THE JUMPER

5TH MY OWN PUPPY, A PURE BRED AUSTRALIAN TERRIER, WHOM I CALLED MITZI...SHE LIVED TO THE AGE OF 19.

6TH I GOT A BIRTHDAY PARTY, I INVITED GIRLS I WANTED TO BE FRIENDS WITH AT SCHOOL...3 OUT OF 5 CAME AND THEY PLAYED BY THEMSELVES.

7TH A "VELVET" DOLL, THEY HAD HAIR THAT COME OUT OF THE BACK OF THEIR HARD SO YOU COULD HAVE LONG OR SHORT HAIR ON THE DOLL..I GAVE IT TO MY COUSIN.

8th A "BABY CHRIS' DOLL THIS WAS THE SAME AS THE VELVET DOLL BUT A BABY, FUNNILY IT WAS TWICE THE SIZE AS THE VELVET DOLL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A BABY. NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED TO IT. OH AND I GOT A DOLLS CRADLE FOR THE DOLL TOO.

9th MY FIRST SET OF DERWENT PENCILS AND A DRAWING PAD

10th MY GUITAR, I HAD BEEN LEARNING FOR 3 YEARS ON MY TEACHERS ONE.

11th 2ND SET OF DERWENT PENCILS (WATERCOLOURS)

12TH A PARTY...TOOK SIX YEARS TO GET OVER THE LAST FIASCO AND DID NOT WANT ANOTHER..THIS ONE WAS FUN.

13TH CHEMISTRY SET

14TH WATCH

15TH EARS PIERCED

16TH BRACELET (I WAS AT BOARDING SCHOOL OS, AND MUM SENT IT TO ME)

17TH TRIP TO TASMANIA (SCHOOL CAMP)

18TH BRACELET..I CHERISH THIS ONE AS IT WAS THE LAST BIRTHDAY PRESENT MY MUM GAVE ME, ITS IRREPARABLY BROKEN BUT I STILL HAVE IT.

19TH DAD FORGOT MY BIRTHDAY AS IT WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER MY MUM DIED, I PAID FOR MY FLIGHT TO QUEENSLAND AND STAYED FOR THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS..BUMMING ABOUT

20TH MY FATHER GAVE ME $100, I PUT IT TOWARDS MY END OF UNI TRIP

21ST A PARTY AND THEN TO THE SNOW THE NEXT DAY ...OOOOOOOOHHH

22ND A TEDDY BEAR(BIG ONE) I HAVE A THING FOR THEM....2IC HAS BEEN GIVING THEM TO ME FOR BIRTHDAYS, CHRISTMAS, ANNIVERSARIES FOR MUCH OF OUR BC LIFE TOGETHER...AC WE DECIDED I HAD ENOUGH AND WOULD HAVE TO SHARE THEM ANYWAY (NOT.WON'T AND DON'T)

23RD-30TH TEDDY BEARS AND OTHER STUFF
30TH PARTY AT A RESTAURANT(I organised it myself)

As I don't want to a) bore any one to death
b) let any one know how old I will be
the birthdays stop at 30 I am thinking of taking upon myself the policy of my friends father who has been 27 for as long as I have known him despite his oldest daughter being 44!!! So I am and always will be 25.

Some fun and some nice things....

This is just nice, I thought. Believe it
But I also liked Hillary for President 2008
And one for the kiddies....Pootin Tootin
Look just go to Justsaywow for some laughs ok???

Breath slowly and deeply.........................

As I have ranted before ; I have some big ISSUES with the parents at Mr 5's kindy. Today was "Grandparents Day" or as amended "Special Persons Day" at kindy from 0830 to 1000. Now our children have one grandfather(Granda) and one grandmother (Nana). Given that many families do not reside in the same locale, suburb or often state as their parents , I found this "day' to be more about the parents wants than the children actual needs. Little if any benefit could be found in the twenty plus odd "extra"adults in the room pandering to their little "dearests" whims. Yes, maybe I am bitter ;as my father being an older parent who lives over 60kms away and has a life totally of his own (good on him at almost 80) could not possibly fathom the need to travel so far for so little..What ,a cup of tea and a biccie!!! He prefers to see his grandchildren at home or at his place, he has not the need to show them off in front of others like trinkets, he knows how great they are!!! My MIL lives 30+km away, she is widowed and does not drive, she does not fare well on public transport and a trip here would be too much...Collecting her for the event would have been logistically impossible, plus she has umpteen specialist appointments.

So despite the photos with grandparents and hugs and such which my son missed out on because all our family live too far away to come as "special people", he was relatively unscathed by the event. His "special person" today was one of the aides, as it seems most kids had someone there today. I think it a shame that parents neglect the fact that just because their family unit is such a way that all are the same, its like the celebrating of Mothers and Fathers day at kinder or creche...So many children come from split homes or re married ones where there are step parents or some are even in the care of family other than parents. It happens, just because it is not within the realm of your little Barbie, peachy-keen, Tupperware,love my new Dolce jeans world..Does not mean it does not exist. I feel sorry for such kids as it only makes them more aware of what others perceive to be their differences. The best thing I can offer such children ( and parents) is to be themselves; 'cause that's was pisses off the establishment of designer label ,wearing heels with jeans,dinners out without the children, blond tipped brigade of fakes we have the bad luck of having to share this world with.

Now on a nicer note, I found this song on Supermoms site, she kindly printed the words and I will try and set up the link for the film clip and the song...It 's wonderful with Fathers day coming along and made me cry when I heard it. And if you find C&W a bit too much, have a listen anyway.

Butterfly Kisses" Bob Carlisle- lyrics and video link
Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses Lyrics

There's two things I know for sure:

She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.

As I drop to my knees by her bed at night

She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and I thank god for all the joy in my life

Oh, but most of all

For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;sticking little white flowers all up in her hair; "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."

"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."

In all that I've done wrong I know I must have done something right to deserve a hug

every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today

She's looking like her mama a little more everyday

One part woman, the other part girl.

To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls

Trying her wings out in a great big world.

But I remember Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking

little white flowers all up in her hair.

"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."

With all that I've done wrong I must have done something right to deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time

Like the wind, the years go by.

Precious butterfly.

Spread your wings and fly.

She'll change her name today.

She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.

Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.

She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm notsure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."

She leaned over

Ând gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,

Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair

"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."

"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy?

Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right.

To deserve your love every morning and butterfly kisses-

I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.

I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember

every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.

.All lyrics are property and copyright of their owners.

Not sure how to load the song here but if you follow this link and type the artists name in the search field, you can cry along with every one else.

PALS or Poison?? You decide???

Have to really wonder about people who have sites which incite hatred and malcontent in others . I mean ,each to their own and all that but to hide, what I see as subjective, prejudicial and bias, beneath the guise of justice reform is a bit of a joke.

The site linked to this title is about people against lenient sentencing..Therefore it probably should allow for debate and educated suggestions. Instead, we have the ravings of one individual whose attempts at literary genius make the Cookie Monster look like Bronte'. How do I know it is the one person? Simple matter of syntax, hyperbole, idiom and the underlying supposition that what this person writes will be read by like minded ,vigilante type militants.

Now, I am for punishment of the guilty and agree the judicial system on all levels requires some overhaul. But we are speaking of a system steeped in history, legend, laws, Acts of Parliament, tradition and old school mentality, a system which has taken centuries to get where it is and still does not seem to move in the century in which we live. The lamblasting of judges as being the "softest judges on the bench" and the name calling of convicted persons is tantamount to childish tantrums because no one is taking notice. Perhaps they are, and they are probably the wrong people.

The matters referred to and the instances cited are idiosyncratic of someone who dislikes Catholics or all religions ..."The illustrious Fr. Peter Norden, because of my stand on criminals who set about destroying lives and families with their ruthless actions and total disregard for respect, not to mention Law and Order." Law and Order capitalised is a TV series, I think.

"Further to an earlier story on Gerard McNamara, the former Catholic school headmaster who pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting seven students in the early 70Â’s, it was disappointing but not surprising to see the pathetic comments and subsequent sentence that Judge Jim Duggan handed down."

If you are going to play with the big boys you need to play by their rules, judges are immune to criticism , they are constantlycritiquedd and by wordsmiths of a higher calibere than the author of such childishness could ever hope to achieve. Thinking that the criticism of priests in a quasi vendetta type median will suddenly turn about years of inbuilt "thick skin" in the realms of thejudiciaryy is a joke. Hey, some of them might even be Catholic themselves.Itss not all a WASPS club now.

Another outstanding matter of some note; or maybe it's just me because I am a woman; is the strange absence of any reference to domestic crimes or sexualassaultss against women . There is the one reference regarding the conviction of John Sharpe who killed his wife and child. But nothing on any domestic or sexual crimes against women..This ,to me is a telling omission. Telling of what I am unsure but the site is very subjective in its content.

Why am I wasting time writing about a site which is tantamount to a bullys school yard rants?? Only because it and many others show a side of human nature detested by many, that of the verbal vigilante, the scrawny guy who has sand kicked in his face and wants retribution of a physical kind, the over zealous Bible referring so called "church going" Christian who advocates antiquated credos like "an eye for an eye" and name calls those who disagree with the sentiment. The Neanderthal, myopic who cannot move out of the 18th century in terms of criminology and science, someone who cannot understand the diversity between socially created crime and recidivist crime. Some one who claims to care but really doesn't.

Who is out there??? I wonder

Tell me, tell me , tell me do, who's been looking at my blog today..Have all my friends have fun at play?? Or whatever crap that Miss Helena on "Romper Room " used to carp on with. I got this off Jamie who got it off Brian who got it off Scotty (whose blog I do not know but if Brian will let me know I will publish it and give him more credit)

"Do you read me?""If you read me on a regular/semi regular basis, leave me a comment and let me know. Then post this in your blog and find out who reads you. You'll be surprised how many different people read you, and you never know who you might become friends with."So, I leave it to you. Leave a comment, please!

Just curious as to who is just reading with naught much to say...Still waters run deep, you know. And I'm guessing I may be one of the blogs referred to in Sunbury On Line but as Ann tried to point out about blogging ,many do it for many reasons and under many guises. Thanks Guru, but as I am obviously an "anonymous or unidentifiable individual" SOL saw fit not to print Ann's link to my site. I'm supposing here, that many in Sunburys blogsphere know who I am and if not you can PM me at Sunbury Community Forum and I will let you know..But I'm guessing you know. It never occurred to me to be of any consequence to write under a non de plume but it matters to Jason at SOL...So if you want to know, just ask.

I have had a very strange week in all, we have lost several tropical fish ( one Gurami, three Angelfish and a silvertailed shark) over several days. I may have been over zealous in my feeding...(I do so like to watch them eat) so 2IC says it may be a build up in potassium from food leftovers. (NOTE: I have relegated Mr Supamum to 2IC, LOL, I like it) So once we stabilize the water and retest it , we will be getting some more fish. Tetras (angelfish and the like ) are hard to keep any way...That's my excuse and I'm stickin' with it.

Mr 5 has mastered (almost) proper pencil grip with the help of a big, fat, triangular pen grip you get for occupational therapy and such, if we "warm his fingers up " first with some work with things like playdough or modeling clay, he can replicate the grip but has to be reminded. His O/T was rapt today with his grip, we spent much of Sunday playing with modeling clay and colouring in, so it fell into place as I did not know what was in the agenda for today's session. YAH FOR ME.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr 5's S/T who is pregnant and not just a bit either, how insular are we that a person we see weekly and sometimes more and who plays such an intricate part of your child's life is 5 MONTHS pregnant and we don't notice until someone else tells us??? I really wonder about what else I am not in tune with after this little oversight. Saving grace is, it wasn't just me who didn't notice.

OK COUNTDOWN NO1# COMMENCES NOW....I HAVE A BIG BIRTHDAY COMING UP AND IN SIX DAYS I WILL BE .............................. ONE YEAR OLDER THAN I AM NOW. SO JEN, IF YOU ARE READING THIS (AND I KNOW YOU ARE) DO NOT TELL ANY NUMBERS BUT PLEASE TELL ME IF 2IC HAS A PARTY PLANNED OR NOT. I AM DYING HERE.

COUNTDOWN NO2: WE HAVE ONLY 4 WEEKS TILL THE ANNUAL "WHAT HAPPENS IN DAYLESFORD, STAYS IN DAYLESFORD" WEEKEND, EXCEPT ITS NOT IN DAYLESFORD THIS YEAR (MAKE ANY SENSE, NO?? GOOD, IT'S AN HAD TO BE THERE JOKE) SO 4 WEEKS FROM NOW THREE GIRLS WILL HAVE 2 NIGHTS CHILDFREE(EXCEPT FOR THE ONE WHO IS PREGNANT), GO SHOPPING, HAVE A GREAT "GIRLS DAY IN " MASSAGE/PEDICURE/MANICURE/FACIAL AND GENERAL LOUNGE ABOUT AND HAVE PEOPLE DO NICE STUFF TO YOU SESSION. BUT WHO'S COUNTING THE DAYS, NOT ME.

Words of Silence...Welcome to My Sons World

I have decided to explain more about Mr 5's condition as it, as all conditions/disabilities do, affects other aspects of his life (and ours).
By the age of 2 you are not talking, you are attempting to talk with ummm, errrr, ummmmm together with intonations which sound like you are trying to have a conversation but in another language. Your granda would say he "talks like a Chinaman" (apologizes to any one of Chinese background or origin) You do not walk until 14 months and spend a lot more time awake than asleep. You would sleep for exactly 45 mins in the day from the time you are born, we attended two sleep clinics (one day stay , one overnight stay) to little or no avail. Your night sleep pattern was 7.00 and you would wake at 0500. When you are still feeding at nights you will wake every 3 hours. "Roll over feeds" did not help with the early waking. I suspected something by the age of 2 but little can be done as males are "late developers" in speech. Remember, this was my second child and I could not possibly put it all down to his sex. We found a speech pathologist and whilst she was good, she was more intent on play orientate speech( which did not always work) and telling me I was doing a "wonderful job" with him. After a visit to the local MCHN with no:3, she asked about your progress and I let her know that I thought something was amiss and was not happy with the SP we were seeing. Over time we refered onto a developmental pediatrician, and by 3 and a half you are in the local early intervention group. Initially your diagnosis was developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD)with global developmental delay(GDD), that is to say you are delayed in all major gross and fine motor areas as well as speech patterns being irregular. You are unable to tell any one you loved them till he was almost 4, 97% of what you say is unable to be understood by others because the "mispronunciation" is irregular. That is that what might be "bup" for cup , will next time (5 minutes later, 5 days later or 5 months later) be "tup". There is no consistency with the mispronounced words unlike a speech impediment such as lisping. We are lucky that we interact a lot with our children and listen carefully (most times) to what he says so we can try and ascertain what he is telling us. People say I understand him extremely well and always have, but I am with him the most so I had to learn. The condition also encompasses "lost words" that is the word or the knowledge of the word may be there one day but it may "disappear" on another day ...The pathway for the retrieval of that word is lost,ipso facto so is the word. We have yet to have this happen on a permanent basis, only on a irregular temporary basis.

As you can imagine the frustration for a two year old learning to speak is a lot, let alone a two year old who cannot make his needs known or clear. Put that sort of pressure on three year old along with delayed motor skills and toileting and you have a problem. You have lashing out, you have determination to get things for himself rather than ask, attempts to go where he wants instead of asking...Because it is easier than trying to make yourself understood and feeling you have not achieved anything.
At four, you are a boy who is reluctant to try anything new, painting, drawing and art work you just avoid because you feel you cannot do it and are now so very aware of the skill levels of your peers and the perceived inadequacies of your own. You develop safe guards for not attempting these things, crawling about with you forehead on the floor and inciting others to follow suit, throwing things and an old favorite (when you are accomplishing toilet training) needing to go to the toilet.
By five, you are so very aware of things, so alert to the differences between yourself and other children. The fact that your speech is still hard to understand and that the other children call you "baby" hurts you, you are unaware of the consequences of your actions so are a risk to yourself and others, you will try to avoid any or all activities involving structure and or sequencing (apart from jigsaws which you are a absolute wizz at) you'll open doors, windows in an attempt to go outside when every one is inside, and vicea versa. Your toileting skills are where they should have been 18 months ago, but the other children still torment you if you have an accident. Learning new skills is something you do not like to do and numbers and letters are beyond you right now. Your interests revolve around Toy Story characters Buzz and Woody, Thomas the Tank Engine and trains in general, cars and bikes. You dislike ball games but can kick a soccer ball left footed. You like to climb but get stuck on the descent as you forget where to put your feet. You like to try and talk with the other children but they ignore you or use you to chase them when no one wants to be "it " in a game of chasey, they do not reciprocate and take a turn. You stand sadly by as birthday party invites are handed out in front of you and on one occasion stood inline awaiting yours, to be told.."I don't want you at my party"as the mother stood by and shrugs as if to say " what can I do?".

You will struggle to learn most things and the biggest smack in the face your mother got was when a MCHN said "you know he'll never go to uni, don't you?". Well, my darling, blue eyed dream,,, you will do what ever you can and we will get you by whatever means possible. Uni is not the be all and end all..If you want it, you will get it. Because the biggest part of you is your heart and within that lies the strength of determination...You are determined enough to open child proof gates...You can do ANYTHING.

WTF,.......

I was on a total roll and was adding to my last post about Govt interference in parochial and independent schools and I hit a key when I dropped my pen (which one ,who knows) and lost the post and the connection...Now I cannot be bothered getting back on my soap box to restart my rant.

I am in a creative frump right now..I cannot write, just cannot, nothing comes , zilch, nada, zero. It's not writers block, the ideas are there, the words , the syntax, the prose..It just isn't coming out...Maybe I have the equivalent to cognitive constipation or something. Is there a cognitive laxative I could take or do I just read some Jackie Collins and hope it'll loosen up the synapses???

I often write stuff as I think of it, but I'm thinkin' and nothing is coming out of the pen when I put it to paper...Oh well, might as well go fold some washing...........

I am also awaiting the reply from the kinder committee regarding my letter to them of a month ago, I waited until the next meeting so they could have their little "discussion" about it. I know I will get some long winded attempt to justify and minimise their actions but I have nothing to loose now. As another mum ;from the other kinder where the teacher was also; said yesterday "our boys have lost the best thing they ever had in losing X, we have nothing to lose by taking them on" I agree, I am not at the kinder to make friends or influence people..It was for my son.
We have decided to go full on and it will eventually get to the papers along with a tribute to the teachers 15 years in early childhood education. We cannot understand how a similar incident could happen last year to another teacher and that Hume City Council are doing nothing about it ..it is not the parents, so much, (as apart from being IDIOTS)as they are rarely the same from year to year; but the other staff at the centre.

The spaceshuttle landed safely but the program is grounded until they sought out the heat tile problem....Great ,they can put a team in space (one an Aussie) cannot help their own poverty stricken, ain't is a wonderful world?

Where have I been? I'm sure I do not know

I realised today I have been very remiss in some matters. I visit peoples blogs and comment under my blog name, thereby leaving a trail for them to visit my site, but I have not updated my sidebar. How inconsiderate..I think this is a bit like meeting someone in the street that you know when you are with someone else and not introducing them...Very rude. So to the people I am about to introduce..I apologise for my rudeness.
Firstly, there is Creative Mechanisms who has a local blog with great pics and an insight into the local political scene that is like something out of the Nixon era. Next there is Not the 6"o" Clock News another commentary on issues both local and abroad. And finally there is Sign Language who has written a brilliant critique on the the new HP book ( PSSSST...I think he is/was a teacher in the English/lit area as I know I am often compelled to critique any thing and everything) and has other interesting reads amongst his political manifestos. So now I am up to date and I fiddled about a bit with some things and hey, presto (well, I'm impressed it worked, Ok!!!)changed the titles and split them into local and other things (big deal, right, yeah I know I should be soooo over it)

I have been busy, busy, busy...Completion of Mr 5's Vineland on Wednesday went ok....Some questions do not allow you to score as "establishing" for a task, they can either do it or cannot...So I decided to score could not for those he could accomplish less than 50% of the time and that he was able to do those he could do more than 50% of the time. I am at a point now where I do not think he will qualify for funding and we will have to do what we can within the Catholic system and just fight for everything. Notice the PSD will be changing in 2008 there was an article in yesterdays "Sunday Age" about changes but the critics are saying it will be an election year and will get pushed to the background. Thursday saw me playing at kinder (Claytons fruit duty, the fruit duty you do when there is no fruit) had a great time with the Lego farm yard and the Mobilo...Why do little boys always gravitate to me? Do I look like I could build a truck from Mobilo? (For the record I can) Friday, I cannot recall what I did but it was housework related with alternating playing of cricket with Messrs 5 and Almost 3 and the dog and hiding from the "spacemen" who inhabit our garden along with the fairies and the "monsaws" (monsters).

One scary thing I must comment on is the Governments idea to force independent schools to adhere to a State guidelines of practices. It is supposedly to stop the spouting of quasi religious based advocacy of violence...But I can see it interfering with religious teaching. Given there is now a video being promoted which pushes the premise of Creationism about also, I worry about political interference in the choice of religious or non religious teaching in the classroom. Darwinism was taught to me in a private Catholic girls school, the diversity between that and the basis of our religion was left alone as we were old enough to see that one was science and one was religion. Same as other beliefs in other religions...If taught at the most opportune time and with understanding and explanation...Students will see that one is the exception not the rule and that much of it is metaphoric. People send their children to religious or independent schools for many reasons...One of the most prominent being a lack of faith in the State system. If the Government interferes with these schools they will become nothing more than pawns of the Government.