Saturday 21 January 2012

Home

Travelling, new environment, socialising, very little sleep and alcohol make you very tired afterwards !!!!

Female Jetstar Airline staff were amazing. Their assistance made everything so much easier.
Unfortunately every male staff member we encountered treated me like an inconvenience.

Amelia needed a lift to get on and off the plane.
Jetstar seem to only operate with stairs now and Amelia and I were not confident with her attempting them.
Even with me supporting her she may have sent us both tumbling.

But where there is a will there is a way.

I do my best to make Amelia feel that she is not an inconvenience. Sometimes I fail when things become difficult but during our 7 days Tom was a fantastic help.
The old moods and behaviour returned as soon as we walked in our front door, but at least I have witnessed the "Tom" I always hoped was there.

Our hosts could not have been anymore hospitable but the rain dampened spirits on a few occasions.

The experiences and lifestyle we lived were wonderful.
Tom definately suits the lifestyle up there more.
Amelia does not. The humidity was difficult for her.

Now it is back to normal. Speech Therapy today and catching up with friends before school begins.

As always my mind, observation, evaluating and analysis have been in overdrive.
The soul searching and goals for the future are currently being assessed.
I am working on a plan.
I just do not know the details yet.
It is basic but something to help me tackle 2012.
But you can be assured that I will let you all know as soon as I know it myself.



xxx

Monday 16 January 2012

Sunshine Coast

A few months ago I decided to plan the next "goal" after Disneyland.

I have a beautiful friend who lives in Queensland with her four daughters.
I have always wanted to come and visit.
So here we are !!!!

Rewind......
Leaving Melbourne was slightly stressful.
The wind and rain blowing us across the road was scary.
Then we leave our car at the parking bay and I notice a huntsman spider running into the boot of my X-Trail.
My efforts to kill it failed.
So if you hear of a purple car running off the road on Wednesday (where the occupants of the vehicle are screaming) it is just us.

Jetstar were very helpful and assisted me constantly.
Amelia took the "lift" to the plane so she did not have to climb all of the stairs.
The kids behaved beautifully on the plane, except for the "tickle fest" they decided to create !!
Tom entertained all of the passengers with his excited "weeeeee" at take off and landing.

It has been such a wonderful visit.
The house is ALL girls but Tom has coped extremely well.
The girls are wondering when he gets tired though !!
The lifestyle here suits him perfectly.
Beach walks, early mornings, other children to play with and lots of attention.

Amelia also loves being here but finds the heat and limited sleep difficult.
She has been grumpy and physically shut down a few times.
But she has also been giggling and having lots of "girly time".

The weather has been all over the place.
Extreme heat and lots of rain.

So peaceful though.

Yesterday we were taken to my ideal environment.
A house in a valley, surrounded by forest.
So surreal.

Our hosts have been extremely welcoming.
They now have a new name.
They are no longer the supermodels.
They are The Cullens !!!
(perfectly explained by their sister/aunty)

You walk anywhere with this family and people stare in shock.
People walk past and second glance.
Absolutely fascinating to watch.
And none of them can see it.

Me ?

I have enjoyed the soul searching, the conversations and the rest.
The alcohol on Saturday night contributed to a fun night.
I am so very proud of Tom because his behaviour has been mature and ..... well, good.
Amelia has had another experience that she has loved to contribute to her amazing life.
We are all missing Scott but know that this 7 days has been a wonderful way to begin 2012.

Speak soon.

xxx