priorities...

we all need days in our life where things are just simply simpler and not as hectic as they always seem to be. we live in a society where there isn't quite enough hours in our day to fit everything in and that no matter how much we try to slow down (if we can that is) we really just add more to our already busy lives.

time to slowdown, pause and stop awhile as we count our blessings and prioritise what really is important in our lives and as a mother of 4 teenage children...3 of them with disabilities, my priorities will be very different to many others.

life has taken on a whole new meaning for me since taking on the role of president for bendigo autism asperger group and for the first time in a very long time i feel like i belong in society again and that i've found a place within the human race once more. i have been so lost for such a long time i honestly didn't think anything could allow me to feel so good again, to feel like i am worth something and to finally have some self esteem and confidence with all that our family have gone through is a miracle in itself. at the end of what seems to be a very long, narrow and incredibly dark tunnel there is definitely light and it's full of hope even if at this time it is only a glimmer...it is positive and it is worth it.

although we still have difficulties and are dealing with some serious issues here i am seeing it all in a different light and tim and i are managing. it all comes down to what's important and what isn't, what's a priority and what we have decided is not because at the end of the day the things that matter, count and anything that doesn't count doesn't matter. anything not a priority simply must not be allowed to have anymore energy wasted on it either physically or very much so mentally.

the things that matter to me....that count.....that become those priorities for me are my beautiful family, my husband tim and our 4 incredibly unique and amazing kids. love is such a strong emotion, it gives meaning and purpose to life, it has no boundaries, it shares no limits and it does not discriminate.

before i finish up tonight i thought i would leave you with another priority of mine.....taking time out to be creative. something i have missed and something i felt was really important to restore because honestly i need a "me" thing and i've been scrapping one way or another for far too many years to give up on it just yet. it allows me to pour all my emotion and thoughts into layout after layout, treasuring every part of those memories, documenting the good with the bad, recording precious moments and cherishing life and loved ones. definitely a worthwhile cause and one that sits on my "priority" list!!!

credits:

urban love collection- birgit kerr - scrapbookgraphics

font - sidewalk

have a great weekend and take care, hugs chris xoxo

friday...

thank goodness the end of the working week is here and boy has it been busy. so busy that i feel i have barely been home these past few days and i've really missed hubby and the kids. i'm hoping to have a fairly quiet weekend as it's needed and by doing so recharge a little for next week which is going to be pretty full on too. i know things will settle down soon for me, this is just momentary for now as i try to find my feet and settle into being president of BAAG and balance life the best way i can with all the challenges that come our way.

only a quick blog tonight as i'm eager to start another lo and i'm also hoping that on sunday tim and i can spend a little time in town so i can take some photo's...i'm getting pretty desperate and keen to get out there and click away, it's always very inspiring.

almost done...lol but before i go here is a lo i put together last night quite simply and really enjoy the fact that it is just that.....nice and simple!!!

credits:

freebie art photo vol 1 - july designs 

kit freebies - july designs

cardboard circle alpha - amber clegg

have a great weekend hugs chris xoxo

beautiful...

isn't she? yes this is my grandmother who turned 97 on sunday the 8th of august and i love her dearly. she is my inspiration in life and always has been. she has been through things that you cannot possibly imagine and i am so fortunate to have her in my life.

oh and yay look at the lo above.....it's been far too long and i really enjoyed getting back into it all and expressing myself this way. anyhoo that's all folks till next time as i'm off to check out what other photo's i've got and see what's up next for scrappin'

credits:
the sweetest - studio natali - scrapbookgraphics
font - book antiqua


hugs chris xoxo

overhaul...

yes my blog has had an overhaul.....at long last, finally and i'm loving it. they say change is as good as a holiday and well it was time for a bit of fiddling and plonking to get it all looking somewhat orderly and organised with a touch of digi goodness.

i find it really amazing at the moment that i seem to have a breath of fresh air since becoming president of bendigo autism asperger group and with it i feel not only a sense of well being and belonging but human again. for those of you who keep up to date with my blog and our day to day stuff i think you will fully appreciate and understand where i'm coming from. for a very long time it was simply a matter of surviving from moment to moment, day to day and most of the time pretty darn exhausted both mentally and physically but now i feel like i've managed to take a place in society again, a place in this human race of ours where i am learning to be me all over again......that in itself is very daunting, very overwhelming and quite a challenge when you've been falling deep into a huge bottomless pit unable to do anything about it but continue head first into nothing but emptiness and complete darkness. however for the first time in a very long time i see a glimmer of hope in me....something that has simply not been there for what feels like, seems like and has been forever.

it's not to say that things are really easy here because truthfully they are not but i'm managing and so is tim and that's what counts. there is still no sign of help for isaac within the school for an integration aide that he so desperately needs and yes he still only attends about 8 hours each week because he can't manage any further and i'm ok with that.

steph is in crisis mode with serious issues relating to bullying at school (she being the victim again) and so she is home from school because of that and has been in quite a state on and off since last week. the world can be a terribly cruel place for all of us, but imagine being autistic, dealing with depression and being visually impaired, struggling to fit into a place in society that so terribly taunts and throws curve balls at you constantly.....that has too be so tough.

grace has just had 8 teeth out (yesterday) under a general anesthetic and 4 of them were her impacting wisdom teeth. poor kid is sore, swollen and bruised, can barely talk, eat or drink, will have a few days off due to surgery and has stitches all in her mouth in 8 places....yikes and next is braces which they start to fit on the 17th with spacers (molds already done last week) and then I think the 24th is when she officially gets her braces on. i really feel for her at the moment.

lance....has been sick with the flu and out of action with righteous pups for the past week. and although well now simply didn't get their yesterday as grace and i spent the day up at hospital while she under went day surgery having all those teeth removed. he's missing it but will get right back into it come tomorrow.

me.....i've been flat out attending the 2 day victorian autism conference for 2010 here at the all seasons last thursday and friday. then sat was the monthly BAAG coffee morning, sunday my nana's 97th birthday, monday dealing with grace and surgery and still having to attend BAAG's monthly committee meeting which i chaired. today phone calls and emails and deciding to pretty much bite the bullet and work on my blog and i must say that although pretty tired i'm in good spirits.

i do have to say one thing though and just thank my hubby for being totally wonderful, dealing with all the home stuff while i've been busy and taking care of so much. he really is amazing and i am very blessed to have him and we have been through hell and back and next month we celebrate 24 years of marriage and i love him to bits.

anyhoo this was only meant to be one very quick post.....lol but then the blog itself is titled chris's ramblings!!!
oki doki that's all folks so till next time, stay true to yourself and don't let anyone pull you down....they aren't worth it however you are worth so much more then that!!!

hugs chris xoxo

happy birthday...

to a beautiful soul my grandmother. nana turned 97 today and yes she is still alive and still very healthy physically. being 97 does come with a few hiccups and for my nan that means dementia and the older she becomes the more the dementia takes over......that just breaks my heart!

anyhoo wishing you the most beautiful day nana. you are my inspiration in life and i love everything about you. thankyou for being a huge part of my life. ♥♥♥

hugs chris xoxo

exhausted...

but for very good reason. yes it has been incredibly hectic since taking on the president's role for BAAG - bendigo autism asperger group and as much as it has been a little overwhelming here and there it has also been incredibly exciting. there's been barely any sleep the past fews nights, the brain keeps me awake because it doesn't switch it's thought's off at present but i'm managing and i think that says it all.

today and tomorrow i am attending the victorian autism conference here in bendigo at the all seasons out on mcivor road, which is being streamed live throughout the region from melbourne. it's been amazing so far and tomorrow will be just as good. for more information on this please click on the link under the logo's and it will take you straight to the site complete with full programs.

 

Victorian Autism Conference

it's only a quick update tonight as i'm a little pooped for anything more and my brain hurts a little too much.....lol but i thought i would leave you with one thing i took from today. we're all on the 'human spectrum' yet it takes a very unique and individual person to be on the 'autism spectrum'.

hugs chris xoxo