Cactus is finally flowering again...

My beautiful flower...

Only one flower but am happy that it has opened up finally. There were a whole heap one other time about half a year ago and then they all just dropped off. One I accidentally knocked off... There is another bud coming so can't wait for it either. I have this one in the bathroom so love to see it every day...

This one started flowering while I was at the retreat with Carer's on the weekend so am glad that it was still around for me to capture it on camera and to enjoy it. :)

Cheers Damaris

Brad is aging...

My lovely Brad has done 30000km...

Yep, he has done 30000km already. Must say that I am rather proud of him as I have had him since 9.12.08 and it was only four days to when he should have reached the 30000km mark. You know they say the old 20000km per year. Being out here too I would have thought that I would reach that target sooner but am doing good... All is well and he is having his service next Wednesday...

Now that I am not going to Toowoomba every month it will also be better with km's. :) Don't like doing the long distances. Hardly ever go to Brisbane anymore either, just the way I like it. :)

Am also rather chuffed that I bought the car when there was that special that any warranty services only cost $120 so that is all it will cost next week... So good to be able to plan for these things and not having to guess what the service might cost. :)

Cheers Damaris

Being 'Out There'...

Latest 'addition'...

What it looks like under the skin. :)

While I was away at the retreat these last few days I went with one of the ladies to hold her hand (sort of) while she got her nose stud done. I already have one so was happy to come along. I needed to get a bike tube for Joshua's bike anyway so why not...

While I was waiting for her to get her piercing, I was flicking through their folder of what they are capable to doing. And there it was... I couldn't believe it and HAD to get it done... There goes next fortnight's pocket money. hehe

I got a diamante Dermal Piercing done. It is situated on my left hand on the middle finger. I don't wear any rings on that finger and now it looks like I have a diamond on it but no ring. It is soooo lovely. After six months of healing I can even change the top to different ones but am very happy with my little sparkler. :)

What surprised me most of all is that there was hardly any pain. They take out a 2-3mm piece of skin in order to go deep enough for the anchor to go in and sit well. Once the hole has been made they let it bleed for a couple of a minute to ensure a completely clean wound. The they get the stud which has the rod and anchor already attached to it and wiggle from side to side till it is in as deep as possible and the diamante sits flush with the skin. All components used are also surgical steel. Apparently there is a small chance of rejection but I sooooo hope that will not happen to me. I actually really love it.

Russell on the other hand is increasing my life insurance, hehe, getting me a glove so he doesn't have to see it and sending me to a shrink... He believes I have lost the plot. :) I put up a picture on my Facebook page and sure enough he bit. :) His sister commented that he had no sense of adventure. hehe

Anyway I am really happy with it. Have to spray it with anti bacterial stuff morning and night for the next couple of weeks. The anchor has holes in it also so the flesh will grow through it and therefore keep it in place. People have these in all sorts of places but I didn't want it catching anywhere. Wear gloves for washing and gardening anyway and will just generally have to be more careful. That is always a good thing I guess. :)

One of the mums in our village has a sister that had hers done on her leg and due to complications had to get hers removed after about 6-12 months. I soooo hope that will not be the case with me...

Will let you know how it goes...

Cheers Damaris

Retreat time...

The en suite I accidentally scored. hehe

Mother of a TV

Lovely Kitchen...

The view from my private balcony...

Beautiful details...

Toowoomba at night...

Have just come back from a three day, two night retreat in Toowoomba. We ended up staying in the Hotel across from the Town Hall... We were in two Penthouses and I loved accidentally getting one room with an en suite... I was half unpacked before realising it was even there. hehe

For me it was not so much a retreat as we didn't really have allot of down time. I tried Bowen Therapy for the first time and was really happy to find that even after just 15 minutes of manipulation that I was able to sleep the last two nights without pain for two hours before falling asleep. The patella is very worn behind my left knee so have allot of pain when I first try to fall asleep... Last night I slept like a baby. First night, not so much... The noise, sirens, lights all got to me. I love my country quiet that is for sure... The sessions on reflection were nice and it was wonderful to see how far people had come from their P.A.T.H. and family plans from when they did them to now. I loved re reading mine. :)

This was the retreat to finalise things for the 2 year Pilot Project that I have been on. It was for the Family Collective which is apart of Carers Queensland and was funded by Disability Services. I must say in allot of ways it will be sad to not see everyone anymore on a monthly basis... On the other hand, I am rather exhausted right now and am glad it is over for now.

There are a few that I will continue to stay in contact with but am not interested in going to Toowoomba once a month or even once every couple of months just for this. I have gained allot of knowledge from some very knowledgeable people within the group and was glad that I was able to learn about new disabilities at the same time. Most of the families were associated with Asperger's Syndrome but there were others as well.

Now it is time for a new Family Collective that will be run for three years this time. I wish them all luck and hope they get out of it the good bits that I got out of ours. :)

Cheers Damaris

Guess what...

Yep, she is pretending to be asleep. :)

Tried to get in front of the fireplace yesterday and guess who wouldn't let me get my chair... Yep, Nova. Cheeky girl. She just laid her head down, closing her eyes slowly, tail not wagging as normal to make me think she was sleeping... Cheeky girl. :) Love her to bits but... :)

Cheers Damaris

Baking day...

My bake off this morning. :)

Prawns with Shallots, cream, garlic, butter and a little salt... YUMMM

Today is the first time in a while that I have had the day at home during the week... Will happen again next week but has been rather tough the last couple of weeks. I so much rather enjoy having the day at home instead...

So today I needed to bake up a storm. I made bread to start with, then muffins for the boys morning tea and Anzac Biscuits. I bought some prawns yesterday while getting lovely fish and tried to copy a friend of mine's recipe... Turned out not bad at all. Felt a little bad for having it all to myself... only a little though. Kept some for Joshua or he would have gone nuts... :)

Glad to have the baking done, now off to do some sweeping and then some more decluttering. Love it that I have dedicated the month of June to do that as I have compiled a lovely list that I am enjoying ticking off as I get rid of things or rearrange to what our needs are. :)

Cheers Damaris

A new month... new challenges...

New month, new challenges...

Today is the first of the month... of June. :) Where on earth has this year gone to I wonder...

All week and most of last we have had overcast and wet days here... Not much to write about as most of it is spent indoors or I have been busy being out. Last week was a nightmare, this week is not much better. Tomorrow is my only day at home and even then after picking up Timothy from the bus I have to go to Brisbane for an appointment. Timothy is having a mole frozen off... It is on his leg and will be a pain. I can tell. He loves wearing his long pants so hopefully will be able to adequately wrap it up.

Thursday I am off for three days and two nights... I am off to Toowoomba for the Carer's Qld Family Collective Respite getaway. Lots of loose ends to tie up and at this retreat we also decide as a group whether we keep meeting even though funding will have ceased. Will be a good time to get even closer to the families that we have spent nearly two years with on a monthly basis.

Today was a very rewarding day. I went to the monthly ASD Parent Support Meeting in Warwick and we had a guest with us today. She is working in the Education Department and is the person you seek out when you have trouble dealing with things at school. Very lovely lady and had spoken to her on one other occasion before. Glad I don't need to yak in her ear but good to know her face all the same. :) Quite a few parents were able to have their worries heard and will be followed up on which is so good to hear. Was a fantastic meeting. :)

Last night I made up a long list of things that I need to still declutter and this list will be my main challenge this month. I will be working through them as I need the clutter gone out of my house and life. Started this morning and gave a huge bag of wooden plain and painted blocks to a friend who has two littlies that will appreciate them. They are always playing with them when they visit so could not think of a better home for them to go to.

Best start on my list, after making dinner that is. :)

Cheers Damaris