Merry Christmas and a Wonderful 2015

from our home to yours :)  

The Little Girl Bag

   The Little Girl Bag

                                  

                       designed by Lorelei Jayne

This week I was given the opportunity to be a test sewer for a pattern which was re-launched today.  The Little Girl Bag by Lorelei Jayne is just sooo cute!

It's a quick sew (I made it in an hour with all the interruptions 6 children are likely to give) and very easy to follow.  

This bag is fully lined and can be made from a whole range of fabrics.

Mix and match the pieces in complimentary fabrics or add some embellishments for a bag fit for a princess.  Oh and boys don't miss out either - make it out of plain or boyish fabrics and it is a versatile bag for carrying matchbox cars or blocks or even filling with dirt (as our Toby loves to do) 

Seriously a very easy pattern, quick sew, multiple uses and design applications and FREE!!!!  

Check it out on the Lorelei Jayne Blog HERE  or on their FB Page HERE

Crafty Time :)

I'm making a more concerted effort to do some "me" things... one of these things is crafty stuff.. sewing, knitting, scrapbooking etc etc...  Some ties in with a little business venture which will formally launch early 2015.  It's something that I really feel soothes my soul and allows me to be more me (that probably does't make much sense)

So I unpacked my new sewing machine a couple of weeks ago.  It's nothing flash, a spotlight rebranded machine - Elna 40 (rebranded Janome Magnolia or Janome 8077 - there are differing views) and started cutting into my precious minky to make Toby a tag blanket.  He has a fascination for tags, rubbing them, threading them onto his fingers or just stroking them when falling asleep...  he will scout them out to help sooth him - to the point that I found him snuggling up to a pair of Aerynns knickers one day, stroking their size tag!!!!

Well one blanket evolved from under the sewing machines foot... and Toby LOVED it!  a smallish, patchwork blue minky one one side, quilting cotton the other with numerous different size, thickness and width tags on its outer edges.  I fastened a ribbon tag with a snap on it so the blanket can also be secured to prams and trolls for added reassurance it won't be lost.  

Tag blanket getting the snooze of approval, Adelaide Nov 2014

I thought all was well until Miss Aerynn spotted Toby's new blanket... and insisted she needed one too!  And in princess pink - seriously, she is such a little princess and pink is her favourite colour! So out came the minky stash, scissors and within an hour Miss A had her own matching Taggie blanket :)  

Two very happy little kidlets... and I swept out some of the cobwebs which my creative bug was starting to drown in :)  Now to do Domeniks minecraft weighted blankets, weighted toy, santa sacks for everyone, maybe a few other little projects in between... oh and starting on building up a supply of bits and pieces for the launch of "The Simple Life" online store - opening 2015!

Quick Update...

It's been almost a month since I last posted and so much has happened.  At the moment I am completely exhaustipated (yup it's a word - even if I made it up it's a real word hehe) We have had 2 trips to Adelaide, numerous specialist appointments, therapy sessions, blood tests, EEGs, risks, diagnosis and head scratches in these last 3-4 weeks.

Miss A and Mr T have both had a genetic work up and have had bloods taken and sent off all around the world to see if there are any genetic reasons for their situations.  Toby is physically a perfect specimen of a 20 month old boy, but there are no obvious reasons for why he is not talking.  He is communicating, and very social and an absolute delight, but not one single real word.  He has attempts and has a few babbles, but no words.  He is carrying on his sisters tradition of stumping the medical fraternity so it seems ;)  His speech therapist is keen to have a sedated ABR test done (its for hearing) to completely rule out hearing issues.  That's not to say that if he passes it that it isn't hearing in a non-sterile world (basically saying background noises cause confusion with the sounds meaning he can hear but not really interpret or make out what he is hearing).  The general consensus is that it is to autism related, but my gut is starting to twitch at that possibility.. he has started head banging from frustration and biting, and when we lit up the Christmas lights he started running in circles and flapping his hands with excitement... not much in the scheme of things, but possible traits nonetheless.

Miss A, well.. Aerynn, what can I say?  lots of worry and concerns there due to her headaches escalating to migraines and now seizures.  She has seen a neurologist and had an EEG which came back clear - however, he still suspects she has epilepsy, something called a partial absence seizure, which apparently don't show on EEGs.  We are to try and record the seizures she is having and sent the video to him for confirmation.  Once has has this she will start on medication.  The other possibility isn't so nice... she is being booked in for a sedated MRI early 2015 to rule out a possible brain tumour.  The dr reassures us that her pattern of migraines etc is not indicative of a tumour (phew) but it needs to be ruled out for our peace of mind.  In the meantime we are to keep her on her current meds and connive keeping records of her headaches and episodes.  We may even be able to wean her off the meds in a few months time if she has no more migraines (and MRI etc are clear)  so some positives there :)  

The rest of the family is as per normal... a group of 3 hormonal, surly but sometimes amusing teenagers who have completed their relevant schooling years.  Mr W has graduated primary school this year and onto high school next, Mr A has completed Middle school (year 10) and took out the grade IT and Woodworking achievement awards (Yay!!!) he is into senior school next year and pulling out all stops to get into the uni courses he wants to pursue.  

so that's a quick update... sure there's been other messes, laughs, tears, tantrums and giggles in and around... but like I said, I'm exhaustipated and my brain is completely fried so trying to remember everything is a stretch too much for this old duck at the moment ;)  

Madness week 1 is here... and Menu Planning

This week we prepare for our weekend in Adelaide.  the weekend itself should be nothing more than relaxing and listening to the waves, gulls and palms in the breeze as we put our feet up at Adelaide Shores Adventure Caravan Park...  but the Friday and Monday surrounding the weekend are going to be busy busy...  Not only are we doing the 500km trip to and from Adelaide but both days have medical appointments and we can't miss any of them!

So this week is lots of housework, list making, packing, stressing (because that's what I seem to do best) and planning to make sure we haven't missed anything, any one or the likes ;)

So menu planning this week is literally using up what we have and going to be for the fortnight starting from today (Monday).  We don't want to do any big shops over the next week and a half while we are going to be in and out and away so boring, pantry staples it is going to be ;)

• MENU PLAN: November 19th - 26th
  
  
  

  •  Monday:  Slow cooked Porcupine Meatballs and Pasta
  •  Tuesday:  Pasta Alfredo  with Schnitzels
  •  Wednesday: BBQ or Rissoles with Salad
  •  Thursday:  Marinated Chicken with Steamed Veg
  •  ** Friday: On the Road - Takeaway? Maybe chicken and salad from Woolies
  •  ** Saturday: 
  • Lunch -  Cold Meat and Salad Sandwiches
  • Dinner - BBQ with Pasta Salad and Coleslaw
  •  ** Sunday:
  • Lunch -  2 Minute Noodles
  • Dinner -  BBQ with Salad
  •  ** Monday:  On the Road - Takeaway
  •  Tuesday:  (Steve and Jess here)
  •  BBQ with Salad lunch 
  • Slow cooked Beef Casserole
  •  Wednesday:  Chicken Mignons with Steamed Veg
    
    
    ** Back up meal:  BBQ with Potato Salad
  
  
  • Snacks/Recess:  Banana Bread, Biscuits

  
  

  ** indicates day in Adelaide or on the road

So much to do....

Madness, I tells ya, pure madness!!!

The next month is going to take it's toll.  2 trips to Adelaide, a Christmas Parade, Christmas organising, teenage school issues, My school stuff (or working out if it's even possible for me to study!) and then regular family life and dealing with our day to day things on top...

List making is going to be the thing to get us through...

A weekly list of general things.

A Christmas preparation list.

Adelaide trip lists x 2 - one for each trip

Menu planning

and kids therapy lists for both daily and weekly therapy and where we are going to squeeze it in!

At the moment I'm feeling very out of control...  I'm hoping woking out what needs doing, in what order and when will help us feel a smudge calmer and confident that we can complete this month with a little sanity left in reserve...  Here's hoping!!

Starting with    this weeks list...  

Appts:

• Monday 
• 9am - high school
• Tuesday
• 2.30 Podiatry Mr T
• 4.30 - Millicent, Aleks lizard
• Wednesday 
• 12.45 primary school re autism SA visit
•  2.00 group therapy
•  3.30 groceries (Must take shopping list!!!)
• Thursday
• 8.45 Paediatrician Miss A
• 11.30 Speech therapy Mr T and Mr D
• 4pm Rubys drop off Miss K
• Friday
• 8am Rubys pick up Miss K
• 9am Drop Trixie-Belle at vet for de-sexing
• 10am Sensory Processing meeting
• Saturday
• 11am Christmas Parade - Mt Gambier
• School lunchbox baking
• Sunday
• Mamabake - Christmas puddings, dry mixes, vanilla paste and stocks

To do:

• Menu Plan
• 2.5 hr study block x 7
• list for Adelaide medical appts
• list for Special Childrens Christmas Party weekend
• Update and organise Aerynns medical diary
• Drops in Tobys ears

Daily: 

• Therapy Mr D - brushing 2-3 hourly, therapy box 20 mins, weighted therapy 10-15 mins, whole body activity 10-15 mins.
• Sensory Play all children interested 20-30 mins/day
• 5-10 minutes AUSLAN with Mr T

Photo-a-Day aka PAD

I'm doing a "break" month this November...  Mostly as it's becoming incredibly hectic with appointments and end of year organisational stuff (honestly it's because I've been lazy again!!!)  I have promised myself to pick it up Dec 1 and run it into the new year.  

I do have the rest of October to upload... I may do some images for Nov, but at the moment I have school, appointments, 2 trips to Adelaide (1000km round trips each!!) and a difficult situation with a teenage daughter to deal with...  Looking forward to some more peaceful, calmer times where I can enjoy more without the stress!!!