School Holidays and all that Jazz!

Yes it's school holidays here in Bendigo and we've just started the 2nd week of them. I have to admit that apart from the kids being at home I don't feel like I'm on holidays. Everyday last week we had an appointment of some kind and if it wasn't the doctors it was the paediatricians, then another trip to the doctors then an appointment with CAMHS and that's without the phone calls and much needed things that we need to implement along with a few other government departments to get some support and help for our son Lance. Yes we have now gone into implementing a crisis plan as of last Thursday because things are critical here. As much as I want to blog more often, scrap more often and simply take time out from this world our family lives in, it isn't going to happen. How we all survive is truly a miracle and I thank God everyday for his help.

Last week I received some more bad news and yep if things couldn't get any worse.....man they can. My father is in hospital seriously ill - he has just been told he has cancer. I am somewhat numb with it all myself I have to admit. One operation down things were going ok for a day or two until he took a turn for the worse and is now being feed intravenously with tubes coming out of every part of his body with what they are pumping in and what is coming out.

Until he is stable they are working out what to do as he needs to recover from this operation where they took part of the bowel and now there is another lump and so the initial thought was - operation done, home to recover then once done he would possibly start chemo, now he has taken a turn for the worse I am not sure what will happen and I don't think he will be home for some time. So apart from all that is going on here, keeping in contact with mum and helping out when I can life is hectic.

Scrapping....yes although I don't scrap as often because of different priorities now I still do manage to get some done. These LO's below were actually created some weeks ago ready for Tara to go live at her new store over at Funky Playground Designs on the 15th of this month. Unfortunately due to unforseen circumstances just as quickly as her shop opened there she is no longer selling at FPD or PBP. But still she has her store here @ Tara Dunstan Designs

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Oh and have you checked out this new store After Five Designs cause if you haven't then you're missing out. Packed with the most awesomke designers and many of them were and still are the most amazing scrappers. Anyway go check it out for yourself oh one thing I should mention.....major drooling over the designs in the shop may just happen so be warned!

A couple of LO's with some of those gorgeous designs!

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Click on the credits to find what gorgeous goodies were used and don't forget to check them out in the shop. Well that's it for today, I hope you have been inspired somewhat and I hope you enjoy my LO's. As for all those mums (and dads) out there on school holidays with their kids enjoy them and stay sane.

Till next blog post take care guys and hug a loved one. Hugs Chris xoxo

Creative chaos and all things hectic!

Ever feel like you live on another planet? Well if you answered yes then welcome to my world!
Every day seems a whirlwind, every moment chaotic and every morning I get out of bed I surprise myself that I still am!

Today I managed to bring grown women to tears (including myself) who share a similar experience as I do......looking after a child who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Today I attended my first Autism Support Group meeting here in Bendigo and although my very intention was to sit and listen, take note in new surroundings, learn of others in similar situations, slowly pace myself, crawl before I walked, walked before I ran, I found myself to be the very opposite when they all asked me about my son Lance and our struggle in everyday life with him before diagnosis and the here and now since his diagnosis of autism some 2 months or so ago.

Just like me they were shocked to hear and learn it had taken so many years for our son Lance who mind you just turned 17 on Monday (15th) to be finally diagnosed with a lifelong neurological learning disability - Autism and that he indeed suffers with depression, severe anxiety and has learning and communication difficulties just to name a few.

Today I felt that I was able to sit, share and talk with all these other amazing and incredible mums who not only know exactly what it means to have a child on the autism spectrum but the difficulties and complexity of such a diagnosis, the impact it has on everyday life for not only the child but the family as well. Life will never be normal for the Turnbull family.

So ok it's been a while since my last blog but life has been somewhat hectic, oh and that in itself is an understatement. Since my last blog posting on the 2nd Lance had an EEG to check out some sort of seizures he has been having. Hopefully we find out the results of that next Monday. Tim and I with Lance were asked to go in to CAMHS to visit with one of Lance's assessors last week - this psycologist and talk to us about the diagnosis and listen to our journey with Lance his whole life completely undiagnosed and then begin to tell us that Lance is a high support needs child and they will put in place everything he needs and with some things he has become a priority. Appointment at the high school for Stephanie to sort out her course selection for next year -yr 9 and get that underway, completed, filed and signed off. Dealing with Lance and the aftermath of a massive meltdown and blowout last week. Another doctor's appointment for Lance yesterday with more health issues, ultrasound today, results next week on top of seeing his paediatrician Monday. Never ever a dull moment here...ohhh and that's without normal life, raising 3 other children, dealing with school camps this week, my own appointments, family visitors this past weekend, school difficulties with Maddison and his difficulties with his visual impairment, trying to implement strategies and plans for Lance and dealing with NETschool and coming to the realisation that Lance is not coping as well as we would like him to.

OH and let me tell you that it was mine and Tim's 22nd wedding anniversary on the 6th, Lance's 17th birthday on Monday (15th) and my mother's birthday yesterday (Wed 17th) and it is Maddison's 13th birthday tomorrow (19th)! Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday guys and gals!!!

So that's my lot, anyone want it? Nah didn't think so......lol, however I could seriously do with a clone!

While I have you here though I have managed to scrap a LO or 2 or 3 or more....ohhh yeh they are far and few between at the moment but still when I can I will. This one is for the latest Hodge Podge Challenge here over at the Hodge Podge Art Blog in which you are all invited to join in. Tara invited me on very short notice and although it was one of the quickest LO's ever done......lol it was finished in record time and has been up over on their blog ever since, I am only getting about uploading it into my own personal galleries. Such is life!

Hip Chic

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......and this one below too!

{huh}

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....and last but not least (for tonight anyway)

Old Building

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Ok so that should take care of the creative chaos and there are a few more CT LO's ready to go but you know, I think I'll leave that till next time. Till then blogging buddies, take care, stay safe and be true to yourself! Hugs Chris xoxo

Up for some Retail Therapy?

Oooh that got your attention now hey? Cheeky I know but still worth a shot. Ok seriously guys Tara Dunstan Designs is having a HUGE sale over at her store because it's time to retire some of her old gorgeous goodies to make way for some of her new gorgeous goodies. The shop can't hold them all so if your up for a little retail therapy and let's face it who isn't....hummmmmm yummy...ooops sorry got sidetracked a bit there, then why not pop on over to her store and grab yourself a bargain, I would be if I didn't already have everything.....lol.

That’s right, 50% OFF EVERYTHING! ((Includes all Commercial Use Items)) <..... awesome hey with the CU items!!
Lots of products will be retired once the week is up to make room for lots more goodies too so get on in while stocks last!
If you cannot see or click the image above please go to:
http://www.taradunstandesigns.com/shop

So what ya waiting for and better be quick because once the sale finishes, her retired goodies will be no more.

Oh and pssst just 'tween you and me I know there's a typo in the above advert but if you don't tell then I won't let Tara know either!

Ok so lots to say but for now I think I'll leave it for tonight and simply leave you with the above temptation. :)

Till next blogging take care, stay safe and enjoy scrapping with those gorgeous new Tara Dunstan Designs. Hugs Chris xoxo

The weekend's here...WOOHOO!!!!

I am so grateful the weekend is finally here. I was just saying to hubby this morning that there is just so much I want and need to do but if only I had another 12 hours in my day or just think if we didn't need to sleep what we could accomplish. I have to admit that life for the Turnbull family still has not slowed down and I don't think that's going to change anytime soon but we just manage the best way we can and I think that's all that matters because unless I had a clone (although one of me's enough) or a maid I simply can't do the impossible and I'm no superwoman!

So least see....hummmm what's new since last time I blogged?

Lance is slowly settling into NETschool and although I expect once the honeymoon phase is over for him things may be a little different and that's ok cause just like every other thing.....we will deal with it. We have an appointment on Monday to meet with his mentor and discuss some matters I felt needed addressing for peace of mind because when the transfer was made unfortunately not a whole lot of Lance's personal details went with it so I asked if we could meet to discuss all those things parents need to discuss with those that need to know.....ahhhh clear as mud yeh I thought so....lol!

Grace went to Melbourne today as part of her Indonesian Class activities and went to an Indonesian Festival although 2 hours later they were all bored and so with teacher in tow managed lunch at Macca's, shopping in the Bourke St Mall and more shopping at DFO....man why didn't they ever have school excursions like that in my day. :)

Stephanie is busy tonight at the Zone Entertainment Centre here in town laser tagging with her mates. She has also been fairly busy with her school sewing class creating an outfit for a fashion parade next week. Very exciting because while she finished the dress which looks awesome she also asked me to buy t-shirt material so she could make a top in class.
I will admit one thing, all my kids have a real creative side and I think it's awesome, ahhhh must be the mum genes me thinks......lol!!!!

Maddi is not up too anything much at all.....lol except playing Runescape on the pc and that's about it. He seems to be settling into semester 2 a little easier then the start of the year but I tell ya......high school and primary school are just so far apart from one another with getting a handle on things that I think once he fully settles down and to be honest that won't be till next year he will be fine. He loves his hands on subjects such as woodwork, metalwork, electronics and all that jazz but as for the "typical" subjects forget it and not that I blame him as this kid loves to keep his hands busy. 2 things he has always said for as long as I can remember is...mum I want to join the army and I want to be a plumber. I hope those dreams of his come true and his knowledge of all things WW1 and 2 are pretty impressive I tell ya and he's only 12.

Tim has had a bit of a difficult week but we are managing and there is just so much going on that I am not surprised he has taken a step or 2 backwards but you know I've been there and done that so many times myself and as I said to him he only had to look at all we are dealing with on a daily basis and realise that we are doing it pretty darn tough and all on our own!

I threw my back out last Saturday and that's why I feel like I've been invisible. Yep another disc hernia...same place and although Tim wanted me to go to hospital to seek help I knew what it was because I have had so many of them for years that I simply said no. I just spent a day or 2 in bed because I couldn't move too well. Today has been my best day although still very painful but then I also have osteo arthritis in the spine which doesnt help and although I have needed bed rest and a walking stick I am doing kinda ok. But it sure takes everything out of you and it is very crippling. I just cannot do anything when it is like that and even when it settles I still live with chronic back pain and have to be careful with it all.

No scrapping to show off this time. I have managed to finish a few LO's but can't show them off because they are for September's issue of BSM and Tara Dunstan gorgeous new goodies not yet released.....lol and apart from that I have not managed anything else. But on the plus side of things I have been wanting to get my hands dirty again with a little paper/hybrid scrapping and have been busy purchasing a few bits and pieces to create a few bits and pieces. Can't wait to get started and now just to find a little time to work on a few little projects in time for xmas. Woohoo!!!!

Ok well I think that's about it from me tonight guys except to say here it is Friday night already and my weekend has started so I hope wherever you are and whatever you are doing.....have a great one.....weekend that is!!! Till next blogging stay safe and take care. Hugs Chris xoxo

New look and all that jazz!

Isn't the new look for my blog awesome?! I have been wanting to change it's appearance for sometime but mainly time stood in the way. I have also spent many times over at the fabulous Shabby Miss Jenn shop looking at all her gorgeous goodies for months and finally decided it was time to take the plunge and invest in a little blog wear. Thanks to Tara Dunstan for paving the way because she lost her blog and had to start a new one which I must say looks rockin' and is also using blog wear from the fabulous SMJ. Anyway I fell in love with French Attic and so thanks to Tara as well for fiddling about on my blog (behind the scenes) cause she needed too and I didn't have the time we have popped a little colour in and alot of love. Thanks girl it looks amazing and you've done an awesome job. Hugs xo

I will be putting a photo on the header but trying to take one of all the kids together might be a tad tricky and I think I will seriously have to bribe them....oh I mean reward them....lol so we can all work together with it so the header although looking good is not finished. So if you like the new look leave me some love and if you don't then love some loving anyway....lol!

Anyway it's Saturday here and I have been busy pottering about the place. Cleaned the pc desk and Tim and I are looking for a new one next week as well as a book shelf or two for all those bits and pieces that need to be away but not out of sight. May even take the plunge and buy me a new monitor. I have a Phillips 19 inch monitor and love it. It cost us a fortune about 5 years ago when we got our first ever home pc and that was the biggest you could get then. I am needing me a bigger one and my DD has a 22 inch and I wouldn't mind one that's 24 inch.....lol not greedy much hey.

Well that's it for today and to all you guys who visit thanks because it means so much and to all those keeping up with the family issues as I blog about them thanks for taking the time as well. Hugs Chris xoxo