School funding is a double-edged sword.

In Spawn's first year of school, we applied for funding, due to his 'severe behaviour'. I know that in different states and countries, the process is different, but I'm sure there is one consistent aspect across the board: it's hard. Emotionally, having to constantly discuss and read about how terribly behaved your child can be, among other flaws, is heartbreaking. It has been two years since I discovered Spawn's application for funding was granted, after six months of hell.

The process for funding took twice as long as Spawn's ASD diagnosis, which was conducted immediately prior to the funding application began. I commend the school for being on the ball and getting things rolling as soon as they could, but as a parent, this double whammy broke me in ways that I don't think I will ever recover from. I ended 2015 with symptoms much like those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Legit. I was treated as if I had PTSD, and there was only one small aspect of my sanity that gave my psych pause to officially diagnose. Two years on, I am doing better, but the scars are still there. They will always be there. 2015 can kiss my arse, even now, in 2018.

Now that a little back story has been established, let me get to the heart of this rant/word vomit/expelling of bad juju. I am grateful for the school working tirelessly to get Spawn funding. I am grateful to the department of education for seeing Spawn's need for funding and actually approving the application: this is not something the DoE does lightly, after all. For this reason, I know that many families miss out on this funding, which impacts on the education of so many students. It's hard. There are so many cracks. For example, Spawn has ASD, but we did not apply on the grounds of his ASD diagnosis, for we would have been rejected. The criterion are so stringent, it's actually ridiculous! We applied under severe behaviour, as Spawn's behaviour was so severe during that first year of school that he only attended school for a couple of full days a week, with the remaining being half days. He had drawn blood from his teacher, caused his class to be evacuated, and literally been dragged from school over the shoulder of the vice-principal. OMG, I'm getting a little emotional just THINKING about that year. Even now, whenever the school calls me, my first thought is, "oh no, what has he done now?!" Fortunately, the school is quick to let me know if it isn't bad news, having known how bad things once were. I was on a first name basis with the school admin a lot quicker than most.

Due to the hard work, absolute terror and horrific reports I had to read, I get a little funny about Spawn's school funding. As a pre-service teacher, I understand how having a student with funding in the class can benefit many, but as a parent, I don't want my child to miss out because of others. Having other unfunded students piggybacking off of Spawn's funding is all well and good, but where do you draw the line?! At what point do you, as a parent, step in and be like, "ENOUGH. How many complex students do you want to piggyback off of my child's funding?! Don't you think this might be detrimental to MY son's education?!" As I have mentioned, I worked hard for that. I endured things no parent/carer should have to endure, all in the hopes it would provide my child with better opportunities moving forward. It has, by the way. Education support staff are amazing. Spawn had this one lady supporting him for nearly two years and she was amazing. She saw him that first year, and was with him as he changed for the better. Spawn has come so far that it's mindblowing, but does that mean that the support worker working with him this year will be asked to spend more time with other students? Sure these students need help, otherwise they wouldn't be getting it. But will this have a negative impact on Spawn? His behaviour last year went downhill and part of me wonders if that is because so many students with additional needs were lugged into his class in order to piggyback off of Spawn's funding. Just because Spawn has learned to mimic more appropriate classroom behaviours, does not mean he does not need the funding. For Spawn, working to behave appropriately is a task that requires constant focus, as his brain is always working so fast, the result of both his ADHD and giftedness. I feel that if Spawn is neglected, for even a little while, it will take twice as long to rebuild those appropriate mindsets for the classroom. Perhaps Spawn will think it normal that he adapt for awhile, then lapse back into his old way of behaving as soon as the teacher isn't looking (so to speak). This actually terrifies me, on a level I am not sure I'm ready to comprehend. I considered changing schools last year; seriously considered it. I thought it might be better to send Spawn to a school more understanding of funding and special needs children. However, Spawn loves his school, so we are giving it this year to see how things go. I have spoken to a few schools and know our options, but hopefully I don't need to go down this path. For the most part, I do like our school's community. It's a great little school most of the time. :)

So this is the vicious cycle of school funding. The department of education really needs to get their act together and figure out a way to adequately fund all students who need assistance. In doing so, students who DO get funding will not be forced to miss out due to teachers and schools trying to service the needs of many with funding meant to service one.
Do not even get me started on the fact that parents have no say in how a school spends funding they receive for students. I don't know if this isn't a common thing, but where I live, it's how it works and I think it sucks; as both a parent AND a pre-service teacher.

On the topic of pre-service teaching, I'm doing my next placement in February; two weeks after school starts back. At a school with only 100 students. This will be interesting! ;)

If you got this far, thanks for reading. Feel free to share advice and tips for dealing with this: I welcome all advice! :)

- L. x

Countdown until school starts is ON.

Oh, my gosh! Spawn goes back to school this week!

Yes, that was worthy of bold AND italic! These holidays have been long, they have been fun, and they have been strenuous on my mental health. That's not to say I don't love spending time with Spawn, because I do. I really do! It's just that when you are with your children day in, day out, for over a month, things get intense. Especially once they have developed the attitude that comes with being a know-it-all school kid! Like Spawn. He loves to correct me, even when he's wrong. ESPECIALLY when he's wrong!

The weather forecast for today was supposed to be hot, so I told Spawn we could stay home, write up schedules for school days, and then eventually go play outside with the hose and chalk bombs. But then I woke up, the skies were grey, the bureau of meteorology showed massive rain on the horizon and at lunch time, we are yet to surpass 25°. So there goes that. If I had known the weather would be like this, I would have gone to the beach!

Considering there are only two days until Spawn goes back to school, I now have this sudden urge to do all the things we didn't get to do. Figures. We have done the beach a few times, but I want to go explore the rock pools further down. All the tourists have fled home as holidays have technically ended for most, so it will no doubt be super quiet down the coast. It would be an ideal day for rock pools! But no, it's too late and I have now lost motivation to get dressed. I'm also starting to dread another year of packing lunchboxes, washing uniforms and rushing to sports and appointments. Ughhh.

On that note, I have just put bolognese on the stove for dinner tonight (recipe can be found on the previous post). Naturally, it's making me hungry as it smells AMAZING. So I'm off to make lunch. Something lacklustre, to ensure Spawn thoroughly enjoys dinner tonight, lol.

Peace out!

- L. x

Studying is SO HARD.

For real. I know why kids are pushed to go straight to university from high school: who wants to go back to this torture after experiencing the freedom of the real world??? Well, aside from those wishing to further their knowledge, or pursue their dream career, like me. Except, the degree I'm undertaking will not result in accomplishing my dreams! We all know law is my thing. Or aviation. However, due to Spawn's diagnoses last year, I decided to take a cruisier path. Yes, I know teaching is anything BUT cruisy, but it's a lot less demanding than corporate law, most of the time. (I dread report writing already, and I'm only one semester in on a four year degree!!)

Anyway, teaching is hard! You have to cover such a variety of areas, all with their own way of teaching and terminology. Take this semester for example: I have the basic subjects, but then I have ecology *yawn* and children's literature! Such different styles, with so much fuzziness. I think that's one of the things I like most about law: it's so factual. Sure, legislation is open to interpretation, but it's easy. There's a lot less fuzzy business, and a lot more, 'this is how we're doing this!' Wah. What am I doing?!!! WHY AM I DOING TEACHING?!!!

I have three assessments due on Friday. I already submitted one, because it was easy. The other two, however, are a lot more complex, and of course, Spawn had to go and get sick! So now today is a write-off, hence me getting super stressed. I do not like leaving things to the last minute, yet that is what I seem to be doing this semester. Please, let me find the strength to get on top of this business for the rest of the degree! My sanity cannot take it! LOL.

Anyway, I just had to have a quick vent. Now I'm off to prep dinner. Perks of sick child, I guess. More time to make yummy meals, that will hopefully aide in ridding him of this illness (and prevent me from getting it).

Peace out!

L. xx

The End is Nigh.

Oh, my gosh.

These holidays have been a blast! However, I am more than ready for Spawn to return to school! His need to defy everything I ask him to do has my hair turning greyer than ever before.... So tragic. I am officially at the stage where I will be dying my hair for the rest of my life. :(

Recap of the holiday activities we have partaken:
- zoo. This was fun, until Spawn decided to meltdown and run around making himself trip - what is with that??? I need to bring this up with the paed at our next appointment. It does my head in to no end!
- craft activities. These have been my saviour, without a doubt! I stocked up on a bunch of Naplan style math workbooks, and bribe Spawn to behave in order to get one. *snickers* Bribery is an amazing tool.
- baking. Didn't do as much of this as I thought we would, but Spawn did enjoy making a strawberry cake, then making a strawberry puree to put on top. Neighbours were very appreciative of our efforts!
- Sovereign Hill. This was our last day out for the holidays (apart from the trip to the shopping centre the following day, which resulted in disaster [details to come!]) and a lot of fun! I hadn't been to Sovereign Hill in a REALLY long time and it was amazing how little it had changed, yet how different it looks from an adult's perspective. Spawn had fun doing the mine tours and panning for gold, and now has a new obsession with all things gold related. Love the obsessive mentality of his mind. He truly is incapable of doing anything by halves! He also met a little girl and his impulsive nature meant he had no problem straight up asking her for her number! (she would have been around 4) This little girl then came up and casually put her arm around him. It was so adorable! I love the innocence of kids. So pure and untainted. :)

During the holidays, I have tried implementing new techniques to prevent angry outbursts from the little devil spawn, however few methods seem to work. I know that you have to give things time to sink in, but when you're trying to calm an aggressive child down and he gets significantly worse - well, this does not call for a fun time. I feel like all we're doing in going in circles, with no sane way out. The calm bottle however, is an AMAZING thing. It actually works, if I get Spawn to play with it before his temper fully kicks in. Loving it immensely!

On the topic of sanity; I officially lost mine yesterday. We went to the shopping centre to buy groceries and a new board game to play over the quiet weekend to come, and Spawn went ballistic, trying to destroy things in the centre!!! Not so much embarrassing, as I find myself being able to ignore most of the stares, but definitely depressing. Am so grateful that my mum was in the area and able to take him for the day - it worries me what could have happened if he had stayed with me. :/
Chocolate swirled brioche and red wine definitely helped me a little though. I found my sanity at the bottom of the bottle - yay. :)

I find myself a little scared at the prospect of Spawn returning to school. I'm getting to the point where I want to drop him off, then turn my phone off and not worry about anything until I pick him up at 3:30. All the phone calls and face-to-face conversations are so taxing! I am so grateful that Spawn's teachers are understanding and try to keep him in line, but him being sent home really doesn't help our situation. He comes home so ANGRY - at me mostly - that I dread it. 100%, no doubt about it. Don't want it to happen!!

Ah well. If I were a believer of God, I would be SO upset at the idea of him believing I am worthy of such a child. Just once, I'd love for something to happen in my life that wasn't so... demanding? Painful? Intense? Hard?
Just give me easy, please? Just ONE thing. I don't ask for much, do i?

Peace out.

- L. x

It's Official.

I really am Crazy.....

Well, it's midnight, damn right, we're wound up too tight.
I've got a fist full of whiskey, the bottle just bit me.
Ohhh, that shit makes me batshit crazy.
We've got no fear, no doubt, all-in, balls out.

Quoting lyrics that mention batshit somehow felt appropriate. Possibly because I'm of the strong belief that I may just be BATSHIT CRAZY.

So I have received Spawn's official diagnoses. It reads more like a shopping list of 'how to make parent's go crazy' LOL. The diagnoses include Autism Spectrum Disorder (high-functioning), ADHD, ODD, anxiety and Motor Dyspraxia (DCD). We're currently trialing Ritalin to see if it helps Spawn behave more appropriately in school and so far, so good! Originally, I was never into medicating... I always thought there was some 'magical' way to manage a child's behaviour that didn't involve drugging them. But Ritalin is some kind of wonder drug. The paediatrician told me that it is one of the most studied drugs in the world and doesn't so much 'drug' a child, as it enhances things. Like glasses, except for the brain, not the eyes. Whatever; it's all super confusing and I'm basing decisions on what I feel is the best option for Spawn. It's early days, but so far I'm of the belief that I definitely made the right choice!

As you can imagine, getting a diagnoses as big as the one we got, is scary. Terrifying. Somehow I made it through the appointment without breaking down! I think I was kind of numb? I knew some of it was coming - namely the ASD and ADHD. The rest was a bit of a shock. I didn't even know what 'motor dyspraxia' was, and am still mildly confused about it.

The actual diagnoses don't scare me too much, though. They're just labels, really. It's knowing that one day, Spawn is going to have to deal with these labels. Possibly get discriminated against. Maybe get picked on... Nobody wants their child to endure things like that. Well, nobody in their right mind.

At least now I can rattle off the labels and have people understand what I've been dealing with for the past....well, 5.5 years, really. No wonder my sanity is dissipating so rapidly! Here's hoping that now we have gone through this mammoth process, we can now implement strategies to help Spawn reach his full potential without too much stress. And understand his complex little mind a whole lot more!

Well, that's me for now. I have to go embrace my domesticated side and clean this mess before I pick Spawn up from school in a couple of hours (yay, half days.). Can't believe another term is almost finished!!! Crazy.

Peace out.

- L. x

Autism Awareness Month.

As some of you may know, Spawn is currently undergoing an ASD diagnosis. I'm not kidding when I say it is long, expensive, exhausting and scary. But you know what I've learned this year? It's okay to fear the unknown. There is so much out there that none of us know (including what actually causes ASD!?), yet people can become so accustomed to their own little bubble of safety, that they never expect to have to deal with something as scary as ASD.
I have to admit, the first time I heard the word 'autism' in relation to my son, I almost burst into tears. I see autistic kids as being those super intelligent children who cannot talk, never show emotion, and live extraordinary lives that are anything but normal. All I wanted (and I'm assuming most parents would feel the same way) was for my child to grow up having lots of friends, confidence, and maybe some skills in the athletic world. Instead, I'm learning that Spawn has sensory processing issues, which explains some of his behaviour and his incessant need to touch myself (and others) to the point where it gets annoying. Which often results in guilt. Why is my son touching me annoying?? I should welcome his touch, right??! WRONG. You don't need to have sensory processing issues to become overwhelmed by constant touching. It's like having a stage five cling-on partner - ain't nobody got time for that!
So don't feel bad if your child is too touchy. You don't have to feel guilty because some parents wished their child would touch them at all. Everybody is experiencing different things, and just because one person's problems are not as bad as another persons does not make them irrelevant. It just means that some people are at a point in their life where having the wrong shade of pink nail polish on their toes is a total disaster, while others are rocking in a corner wondering if it's all their fault that their child is 'different'.
However, a little consideration does go a long way! I recommend using the filter between your brain and mouth whenever you're in a social setting, purely to avoid any potential awkwardness. :)

So anyway, I digress (a little). April is Autism Awareness Month, and the month kicks off with a 'wear blue on April 2' theme, in order to help spread awareness.
Autism is more than just the a-typical "autism" that most people grew up understanding. As of 2013, Autism - or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as it's now known - now encompasses all disorders on the spectrum, including the high-functioning Asperger Syndrome.

Many people comment on how children don't look like they have autism. ASD is not a deformity that leaves a person with visual anomalies. ASD makes a person special. Unique - more-so than others. ASD means that a child can have difficulty handling normal social situations, such as a trip to the supermarket, a school assembly, or understanding a person's boundaries. ASD means a person sees the world a little differently than us 'normal' folk, but that is in no way a bad thing. Can you imagine how amazing it could be to see the world in more than just black and white? To see yellow and blue and green and all the other colours of the spectrum??? I truly believe that 'normal' people are the ones who should be looked at with pity.

So the next time somebody tells you that their child has ASD, do yourself a favour; don't look at them with pity, or move away thinking they're contagious. Stop and have a conversation with them, if they're able. It could be one of the most enlightening conversations of your life. :)

If you're curious to read more about Autism Spectrum Disorder, there is plenty of information available, some of which can be found:
here
and here
and even here.

And if you're curious about the ASD diagnosis process, some information relating to how it's done in Australia can be found here. If you think someone you know may have ASD, the diagnosis process can be long and confusing, so don't be afraid to ask your GP questions, or go see a paediatrition/psychologist.

Peace out.

- L. x

Chasing waves at Bells Beach!

Hello, Sanity?

Dear Blog World

It has been eight days since I last blogged, and three days since Spawn started his first school holidays. 

Three whole days. Well, technically one, seeing as weekends apparently do not count.
ONE WHOLE DAY. And already I may be slightly crazy. He's been great. TOO great. You know when there's a big storm coming, and right before that storm, there's this eery sense of calmness about the world?? I feel like my life is in that stage, and it's FREAKING ME OUT.

It's been fun though. We went to Healesville Sanctuary yesterday. Was a great day for it, and a ridiculously long drive, throughout which I was able to reminisce about the days when I would drive out that way at least once a week..... How on earth did I afford the petrol back then?!! Crazy.

So anyway, we went to Healesville. Great place, by the way. Definitely recommend if you're ever in the area. Or the state. Or the country, depending on where you're reading this from. They have this damper making station. Oh, my god. Do you remember making damper during school camps, back in the day? (well, for me it was back in the day. I'm such a fossil, lol!) They did it differently at Healesville. There were big chunks of lemon myrtle in the dough. Can I just say, my tastebuds are practically orgasming just thinking about it!!! Who would have thought that merely mixing flour, water and lemon myrtle together could bring such a strong reaction!!? Ughhhhhhhhh. Give me a minute...

So anyway, I left Healesville smelling like I'd spent the weekend camping. Not necessarily a bad thing: I do enjoy that smoky hair smell.... Until I walk into my clean house and discover how overpowering the smell of smoke can be, when it's in every crevice of my body/clothing!! Jeepers!

Now I want to go camping. I should go camping!!! Spawn needs to go camping!! He wants to be a bug cowboy, after all. Shame this little bug cowboy is terrified of flies and ants. LOL. And wasps too, apparently.

OH, right! A friendly warning: Melbourne Zoo has a crazy amount of pigeons. Typical Melbourne thing.
Werribee Zoo is full of flies. Well, it is open range and full of African animals who do big poos...
However, Healesville Sanctuary is full of wasps. Yes, WASPS. What even?!!! They're perfectly harmless, yet annoying as hell. If you have food in your mouth, they will TRY TO GET INTO YOUR MOUTH. Hilarious.

That's me done, for now. I will no doubt return in a few days, once the storm has hit.

Peace out.

- L. x

baby emus!!!! <3

Big, Bad, Ranty Rant.

It's that time.
TL;DR: my life is shit and I'm just going to complain about my first world problems for a bit.

Have you ever had one of those days that just brought everything together? Like, one thing happens, and then another thing happens, and before you know it, your whole life just seems like one big pot of rotten doggy-doo? 

I'm having one of those days. It started off okay. I did school drop-off, and even got a great park! Then, I went to the library to pickup the book that they told me was waiting for me......except it wasn't. Waiting for me, that is. Whatever. No biggy. I'm currently reading two books anyway! (The Explosive Child by Ross Greene, and The Longest Ride by Nicholas Spark; in case you were wondering)
Get in my car to come home and realise I forgot to put petrol in my car last night. Then remember I left my purse on the bench. (Lucky that book wasn't ready - I wouldn't have been able to borrow it anyway!) This later turns into a hilariously depressing issue.
Get home and binge watch some Pretty Little Liar... I'm now up to s5e18. WOO! Had some funny chats on fb, a great phone call from a friend.... The kind of day that makes up for the barely registered crap of the morning. 

Then it goes downhill... I get a phone call from someone close to me. Basically, they won't be around for my birthday this year. Granted, my birthday isn't until September, but that's beside the point! This is a big year!! I'll be 21!!!! (with a *cough* few years experience) Whatever. That hurt, but not a lot.
Next up: a phone call from the occupational therapist saying there's been a cancellation and they can see Spawn on Monday. GREAT!! We're on a care plan to help with this whole potential ASD diagnosis process, so I'm glad to be seeing her earlier. Spawn really needs help getting a grip (literally) at school. Then I find out it's going to set me back over $200. YAY. Have I mentioned I'm a single mum? Most of you probably know that, but figured I should put it out there. Bring on the pity party.......or not.
So this $220, plus the speech therapist fees (no idea how much she's charging - less than the OT I assume), plus my own medical expenses.... Can you see where I'm heading???
TODAY SUCKS.

So then I go to pick up Spawn. Get to the roundabout... Wait for incompetent morons to navigate the roundabout.... Car stalls. WHAT THE FRUITCAKE?! I never stall!!! I'm a perfectly competent manual driver!!! Realise car is out of petrol. Servo is 200m from the roundabout.... Am fortunate enough to live in a nice enough neighbourhood, so a local tradie helps me get to the servo. Yay tradies! :)

I know it doesn't sound like much, but it is. Especially when I'm battling depression and trying to come to terms with the possibility of my son receiving a medical label in the near future. It's just hard, ya know?? 

I want a job. I want money. I want to live in a better house, that has proper heating and cooling. I want to be rid of this depression. I want to be healthy. I want to be stress-free. I don't want to be so isolated. I want to stay in this great community I'm in, but also want to move closer to friends and happiness.
I just want to be happy. Why is happiness so hard to achieve?? It's the one thing every person is born with, yet have that happiness leave you and it's mission: impossible, to get it back. 
 
Peace out.

- L. x

You Have Failed This Consumer!

Samsung, you've done it again.

Well, almost.... Okay, you COULD have done it again. But then you took away the removable battery and micro SD slot. So now, the new S6 is just a fancy phone. Just like the iPhone. NO DEAL, Samsung. NO DEAL.

Have you seen the fancy new video announcing the details of Samsung's latest creation?? It's right here. I'm so gutted. I currently have the Samsung Note 3, which I've had since it was first released almost 18 months ago. So obviously, I'm about due for a new phone. Now I don't know what to get. I like the removable battery thing!! And I LOVEEEEEEE the SD slot!!! It's added security, which is great considering my phone is my life, my camera, my everything. I break my phone, I lose everything............well I would, if I didn't have an SD card saving my arse. ;)

Hmph. Such a first world problem, for sure, but a real problem nonetheless. So, help a girl out. What phone should I get? Added bonus if it comes with a stylus!
I'm thinking I should just wait for the Note 5, and hope Samsung reverts back to the way Samsung lovers want things. Not the way Apple lovers love their iPhones. We get android phones because we DON'T want iPhones, after all.

Peace out, crazies.

- L. x

The pretty phone in question - the Samsung Galaxy S6.

Ooooh, burrrn.

Oh! Oh! Oh! Have to blog this while it's fresh.

You know what I hate?! Being one of those people who HAS to have dinner on the table at 17:30.
Why?? Because it means I can get phone calls regarding jobs I've applied for (and other useless calls) while I'm sitting down to eat.
Case in point: I just sat down to enjoy my tofu stir-fry. It smells so good that I practically started INHALING it the second my butt hit the chair. I was just putting a piece of almost raw (the best way to eat it!) broccoli into my mouth, when my phone rang. I recognised the number as being that of "X", so quickly chewed and swallowed. By the time the broccoli was traveling down my throat, I had missed X's call. Ugh. No problem! *calls back* VOICEMAIL. Leave brief 'phone tag' message, then resume eating, thinking I probably won't hear back until tomorrow..... A few minutes later, I had JUST put piece of broccoli in mouth and my phone rings again! Bugger this; I'm so not playing phone tag all evening! So I swallow the exceptionally large piece of broccoli WHOLE. Gotta love not having a gag reflex. ;)
Exchange pleasantries with X. Discover this call is basically a rejection call. "The other candidate we're going to interview has a fraction more experience than you, which is why we've decided to interview her over you. However, should we decide not to go with this candidate, we will be in touch."
Okay, that's fine. I get that - I know I'm super green with my freshly completed education and lack of workplace experience.......BUT WHY DID YOU HAVE TO TELL ME THIS NOW?! Why not just call me tomorrow and reject me/ask for an interview????? Some people make NO SENSE AT ALL.
And now I'm sitting here with a piece of broccoli chilling uncomfortably at the entrance to my stomach, all thanks to this 'maybe' phone call.

....I need an alternate ending for when I'm feeling anything but "peaceful".

- L. x

Mad Woman, Bad Woman, that's just what you are...

Yeah, you'll smile in my face then rip the brakes out my car.

Remember that time I mentioned my waning sanity??? Well, it's waning some more right now. Well, today. Why is parenting so hard? Why don't you get an instruction manual, that also includes a list of common issues children dish out over the years?!! I swear, the person who comes up with that manual, and finds a way to give it to everyone in the country (or world!) deserves a prize. Like, a country or something equally epic.

Soooo. How's the serenity?! No, really. Tell me. I forget what it's like to know real peace! Even while Spawn is at school - and I CHERISH those precious 6.5 hours - I never really experience serenity. There are always floors to clean, dishes to do, food to prep, shopping to do, people to see, cleaning to do, toys to hide.....I mean, put away.
DOES. IT. EVER. END?!! Who knows? Maybe some great-grandparents know. Although, I suspect they're facing their own problems....like incontinence.

I'm looking forward to watching The Walking Dead (s5e10 for those in the know) tonight. Ahhh, nothing like some mindless zombie action to distract a crazy lady. Daryl is supposed to have a decent appearance tonight. I miss him. He was such a crazy redneck when he first came on the scene - I'm not sure when I developed a little crush on him?!!! And he's old!!! Like, (almost) as old as my parents! Creeps me out. He aged well. *excited*

If you need me, I'll be that weird lady in the corner talking to herself about the days when sanity was a thing she knew well.........

Peace out.

- L. x

Misophonia.

Misophonia (mis-oh-foh-niă)
Noun. dislike of or aversion to sound.

Sometimes referred to as 'selective sound sensitivity syndrome', misophonia is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder in which experiences such as anger, hatred, flight and disgust are triggered by specific sounds.

Hands up who thinks they could be a candidate for this disorder???!
*puts hand up*
Not going to lie - I am one of those people who, in certain circumstances, can be easily aggravated. Especially where sound is concerned! I cannot stand people who chew with their mouth open - Spawn learnt very quickly to close his trap whilst chewing! I also despise the sound of weird breathers, high pitch sounds, air-conditioners at night, and other random sounds.
I always thought it a little weird that certain sounds could evoke such violence to pour out of me without notice, so imagine my surprise to learn that this is actually a real thing. People actually get diagnosed with this!!! Like, WHAT ON EARTH!? Are there any misophonia sufferers out there??? Talk to me! :)

Further information on this disorder can be found here.

Peace out.

- L. x

Officially a 'School Mum'!

So Spawn (not his real name, although I have contemplated having it changed in the past) had his first full day at school today! This was interesting. Six and a half hours of FREEDOM.
He was fine, naturally. Had a blast! I on the other hand, was bored. One can only do so much cleaning before there is nothing left to clean!! I'm trying to pace myself so I don't run out of tasks, and obviously there will be things to do everyday, courtesy of the 5 year old boy spawn resident, but BIG tasks.... Well, there aren't many. My house is small. I do not have a backyard. I do not hoard, therefore there is minimal clutter.

So what does one do to kill time in such a situation???
One Google's cleaning techniques. I looked for new ways to clean things in different ways! Today I cleaned my shower, using bicarb and dish washing liquid. Not the Viva shower wipes that I generally use for their ease. Noooooope. I did it the hard way! And it was more rewarding!!!! Who needs a gym membership when you can scrub your house with bicarb, gloves and a scrubbing brush? ;)

So anyway, I have decided I may be certifiably insane a lot earlier than I first anticipated. I think I need to rediscover the meaning of 'social life', LOL.

Peace out.

- L. x

Sunday Funday & Those Damn Cyclists!

So today was the Cadel Evans GOR bike race, here in Geelong. Usually I love living where I do; across from the river in a cute little area. Until that area suffers horrific road closures all day so that a bunch of cyclists can race around in lycra!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for cyclists using their legs to get around, instead of creating pollution and further damaging our damaged planet.............until they get in my way. Then it's game on - I've even got the face paint to put on my war face!

Eh, wasn't so bad. Geelong looks pretty on camera. Go Australia! ;)

So, Sunday. The day before THAT day. You know, the worst day of the week?
I spent most of the day food prepping (which of course, is something I do), with the exception of walking to the park and getting frostbite thanks to Mother Nature failing dismally at her job. Does anyone remember what Summer is supposed to be like??? Shouldn't I be complaining of sweaty cleavage and sunburn, not being cold and hating the fact that I had to dig out my winter wardrobe in February??! Meanwhile, CANADA is having great weather, apparently. Damn Canucks. (I love you, Canada. Let's be friends!)

Then, to top off my fantastically boring Sunday, my internet drops out. Hmph. Here I am, trying to meal plan around the sauces and other random things I prepared today, and I lose internet whilst hunting down recipes!! Telstra, I do not pay you an obscene amount of money each month for you to drop out on me!! I was just bragging yesterday about how my internet NEVER. DROPS. OUT. Now I look like a liar. Not cool.

SINCERIOUSLY. How's this word!? I'm a bit of an Arrow addict, therefore I am also a Stephen Amell addict. Actually, I think my love for Captail Amell allows me to love Arrow more. He's such an amazing human being. When I grow up, I hope I can be half the philanthropist that he is.
Swore I'd use sinceriously in my next blog post. It is definitely something I love to do - speak sinceriously, that is.
For those who do not know, you'll find Captain Amell's definition of sinceriously below.

Okay, enough rambling from me, for now. ;)

Peace out!

- L. x

Well, hi there!

My name is Crazy. I will be your guide for the next ...however long I'm here, to assist you whilst you decline into that state of being commonly known as "OMG MUM, YOU'RE SO WEIRD!"

I swear, I wasn't always this crazy. I've always been a little quirky - this is bound to happen when you grow up being the eldest of four, with three younger brothers. But once upon a time, I could have a conversation with strangers that wouldn't conclude with a weird look being sent in my direction by at least half my audience. My audience who, by now, is desperately trying to think up some excuse to get as far away from me as possible. LOL. See that on the floor?? That suspicious white puddle?? That's superglue. You're stuck here now - FOREVERRRRRR.

Ahahahaha. But seriously. Hello!
My name is L... Yeah, L. Let's just play it cool for awhile. ;)
My son is 5 years old. He is not allowed additives of any kind. Like I said, I'm trying to stay sane for as long as possible.
I live in Geelong, which is the second largest city in Victoria, Australia. My son goes to a cutesy little school with a big sense of community. I love it. The mothers are nice. Yes, NICE. I know some of you fellow mothers out there are thinking "but most mothers are nice!" ...No. Not once your children enter school. They turn, and they turn fast. Like vampires....except they don't sparkle. They glare. Maybe like zombies. Yeah, zombies.

Speaking of zombies, The Walking Dead, anyone??? I cannot wait for the break to end. YAY!

I was going to conclude this post with a recipe, but I think I'll create a new post, so those who don't want to read my ramblings, but want my recipes, can get them without walking away from this wondering what on Earth they just read.

Peace out!

- L. x