Yesterday at Aldi, there was a young intellectually disabled man buying some cola and a watermelon. I felt sorry for the checkout guy as when the young man came to pay he was short by nearly $4, and could not or would not understand that he had to put something back. He was getting more and more irate. It bought home to me, that when you let our kids into the world, it is our responsibility to train our kids in shopping and the value of money. If they have no idea like this young man obviously didn't, then it shouldn't be up to the poor shop assistant to have to explain and deal with a situation that he is neither trained or paid extra for. I ended up paying the $4 just to ease the situation, but I felt really angry towards the young man's parents. If he can't understand, then don't send the kid on his own!! Maybe this kid does this regularly..goes to the shop and gets some unsuspecting git to pay for his stuff.
It gives people with intellectual disability a bad name when shit like this happens.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Looking at starting a touring company!
I am seriously starting to look at starting a touring company. I believe I have a niche market.
As you know, I solo travel...no tour groups. I like my little piece of alone time, but at times it also gets very lonely. I looked for a tour that isnt with all couples, isnt with all oldies and isnt with singles (Pick up tours)...there isn't any, not for our age group anyway. I was looking for a more informal tour...one which had drivers available to take you where you want to go prearranged, people to go out for dinner with, but not to be with a group all the time. There is nothing out there. I am not touring to find a man....I have one and dont want another, I dont want to be hit on all the bloody time either.
I will be researching into it a bit more, but I really think it would be a great fun thing to do, and face it, combining travel with making money and tax deductions for it would be pretty damn good. Let me know what you think!
As you know, I solo travel...no tour groups. I like my little piece of alone time, but at times it also gets very lonely. I looked for a tour that isnt with all couples, isnt with all oldies and isnt with singles (Pick up tours)...there isn't any, not for our age group anyway. I was looking for a more informal tour...one which had drivers available to take you where you want to go prearranged, people to go out for dinner with, but not to be with a group all the time. There is nothing out there. I am not touring to find a man....I have one and dont want another, I dont want to be hit on all the bloody time either.
I will be researching into it a bit more, but I really think it would be a great fun thing to do, and face it, combining travel with making money and tax deductions for it would be pretty damn good. Let me know what you think!
Wearing my heart on my sleeve!
I won't say that the last three weeks has been easy. I feel as if my heart is in Steve's hands the whole time he has been away. I trust him with all my heart, its other women that I don't trust.
In case you don't know, we have chosen to have separate holidays due to the fact that we cannot get extended respite care for Stef. We can't do it together right now, and after losing some great friends, we also realise that we can't put off doing some of the things that we really want to do with our lives. Life is too short and too tenuous to put things off..and you never want to leave the earth with regrets. This month has been Steve's turn away...3 weeks in the West Indies, mainly to see cricket, but a lot of partying in beach bars and swimming. I would never say that it has been easy..after all, lots of beautiful women, far more beautiful than I am....skimpy bikinis etc. I trust him, but I know too that some women target a married man. It really has been the ultimate exercise in trust and strength in our marriage as I guess me going to Italy on my own will be.
It is with such relief that I know he is on his way home, and that his love for me is as strong as it ever was and that he is recharged for life, love and challenges. I miss him so much...23 years and still going strong...and thats saying something in this world of love em and leave em, especially when you have extra challenges in life like ours. Love you Stevo!
In case you don't know, we have chosen to have separate holidays due to the fact that we cannot get extended respite care for Stef. We can't do it together right now, and after losing some great friends, we also realise that we can't put off doing some of the things that we really want to do with our lives. Life is too short and too tenuous to put things off..and you never want to leave the earth with regrets. This month has been Steve's turn away...3 weeks in the West Indies, mainly to see cricket, but a lot of partying in beach bars and swimming. I would never say that it has been easy..after all, lots of beautiful women, far more beautiful than I am....skimpy bikinis etc. I trust him, but I know too that some women target a married man. It really has been the ultimate exercise in trust and strength in our marriage as I guess me going to Italy on my own will be.
It is with such relief that I know he is on his way home, and that his love for me is as strong as it ever was and that he is recharged for life, love and challenges. I miss him so much...23 years and still going strong...and thats saying something in this world of love em and leave em, especially when you have extra challenges in life like ours. Love you Stevo!
Monday, April 16, 2012
A lesson in gratitude!
Yesterday, Stef and I went to a family reunion. It was great!
I had a lesson in what makes me happy and that truly I am a happy person. My cousin made a few comments..that I smile so much...as he pointed out, far more than anyone else there, that when I talk to stef, there is a pure love in my eyes for my girl and the warmth of her cuddles. As he said with all the hardships that I have faced in my life, there is always a positivity that comes shining through.
Yeah, so shit has happened along my life, some of it the worst shit that can ever happen to a person, but to my own credit and that of Steve, we have worked through it, put it in the past where it belongs and havent let stuff alter the future.
Another cousin...said in her loudest voice that her mother was an abusive horrible woman who has caused her major depression, anxiety etc...it really has affected her whole life. She is now in her sixties and is still so bitter. I would never give anyone that power over my life. As a person, I had the responsibility to sort out my shit....not only for myself but for everyone around me...thats what pschologists are for.
I have a lot to be grateful for in my life. The kids although they have their battles are all doing so well. There is always improvements along the way, small steps are celebrated in this house. We have a loving home...a sanctuary for my kids and us. I have a loving husband and a relationship which is dynamic. I have a husband that understands my independence and individuality and respects me for it. We have the means to indulge our travel aspirations. So much to be happy for!
I had a lesson in what makes me happy and that truly I am a happy person. My cousin made a few comments..that I smile so much...as he pointed out, far more than anyone else there, that when I talk to stef, there is a pure love in my eyes for my girl and the warmth of her cuddles. As he said with all the hardships that I have faced in my life, there is always a positivity that comes shining through.
Yeah, so shit has happened along my life, some of it the worst shit that can ever happen to a person, but to my own credit and that of Steve, we have worked through it, put it in the past where it belongs and havent let stuff alter the future.
Another cousin...said in her loudest voice that her mother was an abusive horrible woman who has caused her major depression, anxiety etc...it really has affected her whole life. She is now in her sixties and is still so bitter. I would never give anyone that power over my life. As a person, I had the responsibility to sort out my shit....not only for myself but for everyone around me...thats what pschologists are for.
I have a lot to be grateful for in my life. The kids although they have their battles are all doing so well. There is always improvements along the way, small steps are celebrated in this house. We have a loving home...a sanctuary for my kids and us. I have a loving husband and a relationship which is dynamic. I have a husband that understands my independence and individuality and respects me for it. We have the means to indulge our travel aspirations. So much to be happy for!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
I realise that travelling solo has changed me.
Last night, a lovely friend gave me two tickets to a show at the Comedy Festival in Melbourne at short notice. I decided stuff it I will go and you know, the prospect of being on my own didnt phase me. I drove to Melbourne, found a car park (a whole other story) and wandered down to the theatre. I was early so I grabbed a cider and started chatting to these people a bit younger than myself. They were good people....two of them were up and coming comedy performers and the other a friend who they were hoping to also get into the show (performers get free tickets to any shows)..I ended up offering my spare ticket to the friend. The show was great, and the tickets were good..almost centre second row. The young man was very grateful for his seat just a very chatty nice young person. Had a quick beer with him and his friends before we parted company.
Went to Sofitel for a quick coffee..quick lol, 2 hours later and Im still there. Ended up being coopted into a table of 3...a merchant banker from the uk and two girls from sydney, all around my age. One girl was a hairdresser newly separated after 30 years of marriage and the other a married without kids career girl who was a management specialist. So many different conversations happened. Chats about managment theories (was digging back into my memory for my uni management stuff) and how redundancies in a company cause people to feel threatened and no amount o fmoney will changed their level of satisfaction with their jobs if they feel unstable. We talked about mariage and kids..All in all it was great company. I must have needed the adult conversation.
What does surprise me now though is that Im not afraid of being alone...not scared of breaking into conversations with people where previously I was very hesitant to do so. And just think....I have another 6 new friends!
Went to Sofitel for a quick coffee..quick lol, 2 hours later and Im still there. Ended up being coopted into a table of 3...a merchant banker from the uk and two girls from sydney, all around my age. One girl was a hairdresser newly separated after 30 years of marriage and the other a married without kids career girl who was a management specialist. So many different conversations happened. Chats about managment theories (was digging back into my memory for my uni management stuff) and how redundancies in a company cause people to feel threatened and no amount o fmoney will changed their level of satisfaction with their jobs if they feel unstable. We talked about mariage and kids..All in all it was great company. I must have needed the adult conversation.
What does surprise me now though is that Im not afraid of being alone...not scared of breaking into conversations with people where previously I was very hesitant to do so. And just think....I have another 6 new friends!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Long time since I blogged!
Gee, I just realised its been 6 months or more since I wrote anything. It shows in my mental state too. I am so much better when I write every day..its good for my mental health.
Time to set new goals....
1. The pereneal....give up smoking...quit date is 26th April..thats 3 months before I leave for Italy. I would like to spend that extra 1000plus on clothes and shoes!!
2. To lose 15kg before I hit the plane.
3. To value our marriage and relationship and to work at making his life a little better each day.
4. Plan my trip to Italy including costings.
5. To work with Stef for at least 30 minutes a day on typing...aim is for her own name and 5 words.
6. To help Jack a little more.....especially with his organisational skills. Teach him about the emotional tool box and how he can use it to make better choices.
7. To have the house neat and uncluttered...one room at a time
Time to set new goals....
1. The pereneal....give up smoking...quit date is 26th April..thats 3 months before I leave for Italy. I would like to spend that extra 1000plus on clothes and shoes!!
2. To lose 15kg before I hit the plane.
3. To value our marriage and relationship and to work at making his life a little better each day.
4. Plan my trip to Italy including costings.
5. To work with Stef for at least 30 minutes a day on typing...aim is for her own name and 5 words.
6. To help Jack a little more.....especially with his organisational skills. Teach him about the emotional tool box and how he can use it to make better choices.
7. To have the house neat and uncluttered...one room at a time
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