Hi guys,

Well we made it to hubby's appointment on time yet the Dr was an hour late . . . GRRR . . . Hubby then endured a series of tests and one of them had me sitting on the edge of my seat as he looked like he was going to have another seizure right there and then . . . .  Finally the EEG was the last test and it proved beyond a doubt that my darling hubby has developed Epilepsy.

I have to tell you guys that I yelled "yippee" when the Dr told us, I thought the poor doctors mouth was going to stay permanently on the bloody floor . . I then found myself explaining to the Dr that we had both been terrified that hubby's tumor was back or that he had developed "Apnea Syndrome" so a diagnosis of Epilepsy was fantastic! ! ! ! . . . Once the Dr understood why I was happy he smiled and said that he had never said congratulations to a patient being diagnosed with Epilespy to which I bodly said "well there is a first for everything . . . So huuby got congrats from the doctor then he got on to the more serious side . . .

First up hubby is not allowed to drive for at least the next 6 weeks. He was not impressed here but understands the need.

Second up is hubby will be starting on medication called Epilem to hopefully stop any more seizures

Third is that there is definately some damage done to hubby's brain from to two massive seizures that he had three weeks ago so hubby is to have another MRI scan in the next few weeks. The Dr explained that the small changes to hubby's personality will most likely correct itself over the next few months . .  PHEW . . I love my husband dearly but its scary to see a side of him that I don't like and to hear that this is most likely not permanent is great news not only for me but also for him as there have been a few times when he has done something that even he has had trouble understading . . .

So there you have it . . . .

Now to the tradgedy . .  As you all know hubby and I  often take in troubled and homeless teens . . . Well the last young lady that we had was 16 and she was lovely girl . . L left our care in order to move in with her older sister H and help out H with her 2 yr old son . . . WELL . ..  nearly a week ago H went missing, police are now treating the case as a possible murder investigation . .  H is a lovely girl and her son is just the most adorable blue eyed boy - to think that he may grow up without a mum is so truly sad . . L is a mess as you can understand . .

The one thing that amazed me was the bond that the sisters shared, it was truly specail as they had both survived an alcoholic and pot using mother. Their sad upbringing gave them both a bad start but they were both climbing their own way up and out . . .

Mine and hubby's fear is that if H has been the victim of foul play then we are worried as to how L will cope. Then there is the battle that will occur between H's sons grandparents, it is all so very sad . . . .

So I would appreciate it if as many of you can please say a prayer for H, L and the little boy D . . . .

Hi guys,

Well today is D day for hubby as today is the day that we finally see the neurologist. My hubby is so very nervous but desperate to get some answers as to what caused his seizures and a few other strange things. We will be heading off at around 10am in order to get to the app at 1.30pm, we have also been told that there will be a series of scans and other tests that hubby must have prior to his app so he most likely will not get to see the Dr until around 3pm.

I have to admit that I am bloody nervous too, hence me waking back up at 2am. I have been so strong for hubby and have been full of encouragement and happy thoughts but inside I am a nervous wreck. My MIL is watching Sumara while we are at the Dr's, this will be the 1st time she has looked after Sumara on her own so I hope all goes well. . . . Sam is going to be at home when Danesha knocks off school as I thought keeping things as normal as possible was the best . . . .

On some really GREAT news -  Sam has asked to move back in, so we are in discussion mode about the pro's and cons. I am so HAPPY that my wayward angel is finally coming home, all I want to do is hug her tightly but I keep reminding myself that she is now 17 and I need to not smother her. It's so hard to believe all she has been through . . . .  Sam also is having an operation on the 28th of this month and the doctors are not sure if she will be able to keep her remaining ovary so we are in positive thinking mode there as well . . 

It seems unfair that at 17 she may lose the chance of being able to concieve a child naturally when she is ready too. What really annoys me is that the nasty prick that raped her 3.5 yrs ago is walking around without any health probs yet my angel has had one prob after another. I know it seems nasty BUT i can only hope that one day HE gets to suffer the way my little girl has . . . .

Anyway I am going to enjoy a nice cup of tea and then try again to get some sleep . . . . I hope all you guys are doing well and if anyone is feeling crappy then imagine me sending you a big HUG . . . .

Hi guys,

Bloody WOMEN ! ! ! ! As you all know today we were supposed to picked up Brooke's brother from the Wynyard airpot - WELL . . . .  We got to the airport and got the shock of our lives. There was NO brother instead there there was a very LOUD and vivacious lady YELLING "HA HA HA KELLZ I TRICKED YA!" . . . .

Brooke started laughing and said "oh shit - its Michelle!!!!". . . . . Next thing I know I'm being grabbed and hugged that damn tight I thought my inside were going to come up and out my mouth . .  Tony just stood there sharing his head and rolling his eyes as both Michelle (cheekymonkeys ) and I made a LOT a noise in the very little Wynyard airport!!

Turned out that one of Michelle's friends owns a little Cesna and ways planning a flight to tas today to catch with a friend so Michelle bummed a ride. Michelle had conned Brooke's partner into lying to us about her brother . . .

So today has been a BLAST . .  Michelle is a GREAT person with a huge heart and hubby cannot believe how alike we are . . .

There will be HEAPS of pics to post later - In the meantime we are having a blast! ! ! ! ! Sadly both Brooke and Michelle will be flying home tomorrow. A cheap holiday for Michelle as its only costing her $50 to get home . . 

So anyway know I understand why every time Brooke or I would phone Michelle we were told she wasn't home . . She really got us a beauty and knowing Michelle I can bet she got some others as well . . . .

Cheers Kellz

Hi guys,

Wow - what a day . . . Who knew sight seeing could be so tiring . .  he he he . . . What wore me out was Sumara, she LOVED all the mud puddles, muddy hills for which she just HAD to slide down on her butt and then OMG the water . . . . *sigh*

Seriously though Brooke is having so much fun she is a lovely girl . .  We got a call today from Brookes partner asking us how far away the Wynyard airport was because Brookes 17 yr-old brother is flying into there tomorrow and we have to pick him up and put him on the bus the the East Coast as he is going to stay with other family members tomorrow . . 

So we will have to make time in our day, it cool though . . . ..  Brooke just laughed and said her brother needs to STAY in Tas and learn how to behave himself. Well he is a typical 17 yr old boy trying to be a man . .  he he he

Today we went to look at two different waterfalls and also a nature reserve, Brooke was totally amazed at just how beautiful it all was . . Will post pics once I get camera charged up and then I can upload them . .

Hope everyone else is having a great weekend . . . . Cheers Kellz

Hi guys,

YES you are reading right . .. My mystery guest is here FINALLY . . . . . .

So who is she, now this is where it gets interesting . . . .

My mystery guest is NEW to Minti but is an old friend of an older Minti member . .

My guest has been having a hard time and was in desperate need of a holiday and some down time in order to recoup her mind and body . . . .

My mystery guest is a friend of Michelle (cheekymonkeys aka mumof10). Michelle asked me as a personal favour and I was happy to oblige . . . . My mystery guest is Brooke (pudgygirl06) . .  

Picked her up at airport at 5pm, made it home by 7pm had some tea and a few good laughs as Samantha entertained us with her stories . . Tomorrow we are off to see the sights and will blog some more as well as some pics . . .

Hope you are all doing well and wishing you all a great weekend . . .

Cheers Kellz

I was sent this beautiful winter poem and thought it might be a comfort to you, as it was to me, and it's very well written.

'WINTER'
a poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre...

'SHIT, It's Cold!'
The End

Hi guys,

Life passes us all day by day but how many of us take the time to stop and 'smell the roses?'

Yesterday I walked home with my 9yr old daughter. It was a very rewarding thing as my daughter reminded me that no matter how busy I am it always pays to stop and smell the roses as you never know what is around the corner.

Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and listen and feel as each day passes. My 9yr old sometimes shows wisdom beyond her years yet she is still so very innocent. It was a pleasure to walk home with her and its something I intend to do more often. The walk is small as her school is only around the corner BUT it is so very rewarding . .

So please the next time you jump in your car think and take some time to smell the roses, you may just get a shock!

Cheers Kellz

Hmmmm, well - that's the last time we set out to surprise anyone . . .

It all started with us winning half a tank of fuel (used to be a full tank but but due to escalating prices it is now only half). We were rapt with our win and decided to add to it so we could take the girls out for the day . . .  So we kept our little win a secret and set of on a two hour trip to visit some relies we hadn't seen in a while.

All was going well until we hit the 1st place on our destination hit list . . We all snuck out of the car and tip toed to the door and went to go running in only to find NO ONE was home!! . . . Very disappointing I can tell you, poor Danesha was so deflated as she had been looking forward to seeing her cousins . . Oh well in order to perk Danesha and Sumara back up we headed off to the local bakery for a treat before driving on to our second destination . .

The rain was belting down and the roads were ever so slippery so our trip was made safer by me slowing down to 80km's on the highway, better to go slow and stay safe than speed and end in disaster .  In order to keep girls entertained we played spot the cow and other great games . .

finally we hit destination number two and SUPRISE no one was home!!! . .  sheesh talk about bad luck! ! ! Poor tony was beginning to feel a little stressed as he had another headache brewing . So its was off to destination three, the in laws!

Arrived at in laws and GUES WHAT - No-one was home!! . .  So we had to sms them to find out where they were, they were both in different places but the MIL came straight home when she learned we were there waiting in the rain . . Then while we were waiting both ppl from our other destinations smsd us and they were all close so they all turned up and the in laws . .

Everyone was laughing as normally its always them surprising us and we are always home BUT the one and only time we try to surprise them it ends up wrong . . . .  Oh well these things happen.

All in all we all had a great day BUT that is the one and only time we will ever try the 'surprise' arrival as we have decided an two hour trip to surprise someone who isn't home really isn't a good idea . . .

UPDATE ON HUBBY - He is doing well so far and is still suffering from constant headaches although they tend to vary on strength. He is feeling totally frustrated at not being able to drive but realises the safety issues. . . His back is still very sore from the seizures and his eyes have finally returned to normal . . .

I hope everyone else is well and having a great time . . .

Hi guys,

A day at a time - This is how we are living for the moment, we have focused on all the positive things around us and we are taking small steps forward with each day . .  This is working for us at the moment.

My hubby had another seizure Last night and thankfully it was only a small one in comparison to the two he had last week. Even though it was small it still a Grand mal, his jerking etc was not as severe as it was last time and for that I am eternally grateful. . . . .

We have sat Danesha down and explained things to her as best as possible. We were told NOT to say anything to her but when she has to look at how his eyes were effected we felt that talking to her was a better way to go. Danesha took it all on board really well and we have found that she is more settled . . . 

Here is a pic of what my hubby's eyes looked like after his two violent seizures last week.

His eyes have nearly returned to normal and that is great. Sumara really wasn't sure of him at first but now she is back to climbing all over him. Tony is finding it difficult having to rely on others as he can't drive etc at the moment, my husband is very good at helping and not so good at being helped . . .

Today we went into town to do some shopping and my normally quite and calm hubby got very upset and stressed so we came home early. He was so angry and how tired he felt just by doing something so basic. One good thing though is that he commented on how I must feel been my Lupus flares etc and I can't do much, he said thinking he understood and knowing are two different things.

So for now we are focusing on the positives, we are looking forward to all the visitors we are expecting next month and are happily preparing the guest room . .  I have now kitted out the guest room with two double wardrobes, one dresser, on TV and stand and one large futon which converts into a queen size bed. Plus of course there is a double ensemble bed. It has all come together really well . . . . .

Anyway - I hope everyone else is doing well and not getting to cold and miserable in the colder months . . .

Cheers Kellz

Hi guys,

Before I do write anything else I would like to say a HUGE thanks of behalf of my family for all the emails, cards, phone calls and the lovely floral arrangements that has my local florist at me door each day. . . .  This has all been very appreciated and I thank you all for caring. Each little thing no matter how big or small brings a smile to our faces. My 8yr old Danesha loves all the flowers as she is a real nature girl . .

NOW to the teens - Here is where both my husband and our self have been totally flawed. Word has spread around our local community and we have been inundated by so many teenagers wanting to offer their help. The local newsagent even commented on how the teens have been seen around my home more and more often.

It is so nice to see. Most of these teens have been on my door at some time over the years when they've needed a little help and now they are returning the favour . . 

Here I have two pics of two of the teens. The boy is "J" and we have know him since he was 8, he is like a son to me and my hubby and he has taken over all yard duties.  So today he has weeded, mowed, raked and helped me to put fresh pine bark down.

Next is "C" . . At 5.30am on the morning that Tony was struck down she did not hesitate to come and watch the girls while I was at the hospital. C also took it upon herself to vacuum, dust, wash up and a few other things. Then she stayed with us for a few days and was on hand if I ever needed a help. Due to my own health I am unable to do some minor things like vacuuming so C took on this and a few others tasks . .