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 . .

 

Hello guys,

Finally I have time to sit and write a blog and let you know what is going on . . .

At 3am on Wednesday morning my husband suffered from 2 Grandmal Seizures. These were horrific and were the worst ones I have ever seen. (As you know my teenager is epilptic so I have seen alot of seizures)  . . . . My husband first seizure lasted for 2mins 30sec and during this time he almost bit his through his tongue (the Dr's at the hospital took pics as they don't see this very often).

After a two minute break my husband began his 2nd gradmal, this time I had to recall the ambulance as he was blue and not getting any oxygen, I couldn't move him as he was fitting so violently. They told me to move him and I simply couldn't I was crying as I thought my husband was dying - I felt so helpless . . .

The seizures were so violent and one side of his face had drooped as though he had suffered a major stroke, there was blood coming out his mouth and nose . . The whole thing was completely terrifying.

As most of you know my husband has been in remission now for 20 yrs from a brain tumor, the only time he fitted in the past was before they found the tumor. The doctors are concerned that his tumor may be active again and he is now awaiting an urgent consultation with a Neurologist, sadly and frustratingly this wont happen for 3weeks as Neuro is away til then.

My husband is home with me now BUT he is not himself mentally or physically. Physically his whole body is very sore and most of his muscles have been either severely strained or pulled, he has two black eyes as the force or the fits caused the small blood vessels around his eyes to burst. He can barely eat as is tongue is so bruised and very swollen after nearly biting through it. . . . Mentally he is frustrated as he is having difficulty with short term memory and is having probs remembering conversations . ..

As for me - I have never been so terrified in my life . . . My husband is my rock, my lover, my strength and the love of my life, just the thought of losing him was too much to bare and as soon as the ambulance arrived I collapsed. . .  I am pretty much running the whole show now and this is dufficult with my own health probs but I refuse to let him see me struggle. If I need a cry then the loo is where you will find me. If my pain levels are through the roof then again I hide in the loo . .

My husband needs me and all of me, he does not need to see me struggle or battle . . .  I just want the Dr's to hurry and  finish all these scans and tests, if he has developed Epilespy then I can deal with that BUT if they tell me his tumor is back then my nightmare will be just beginning and I don't know if I can handle even the thought of him not being in my life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hi guys,

To all my pals and confidants . .  due to all the flaming, innuendo's and downright underhanded events of recent times I shall be taking a break from the main forum of Minti . .

I shall continue to visit the 5 private groups that I have either set up or am a member of and to all those mums from the DEP site that have joined please do not panic . . I will still be on hand if you need me, just privately email . . .

To all those mums that I support with children whom suffer chronic health conditions please now that you can still page me in the usual way, I will remain on call as per usual . .

MY BREAK will only include the MAIN forum such as public groups, Q&A's and articles .  . .

I am NOT perfect and have made a recent error in judgement, stress and other factors DO impact on some people and I know better . . . I have said sorry and that is ALL I can do sadly it does not seem to be enough . . .

So hopefully this brak will allow me time to recharge . . To those in the private groups I will see you soon . . To others I am only an email a way . .

PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT in my blog if it is flaming . . . . . Have some respect and integrity . . .

HUGS to all . . . .

Hi Guys - Often in life's day to day stuff we seem to forget the most basic of things .  We forget to REALIZE what is important in life, love and laughter . .  We should never forget the art of realisation.

To realize the value of a sister:
Ask someone who doesn't have one
 
To realize the value of ten years:
Ask a newly divorced couple
 
To realize the value of four years:
Ask a graduate
 
To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam
 
To realize the value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn

To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby

To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper

To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane

To realize the value of one-second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have

You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special
 

To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.

This has been another community announcement by Kellzacar

 

Hi guys - I thought I'd post this here in case some of you have missed the news recently, this is easy enough to do being a parent as we don't always have time to sit and rest . . . This is VERY important especially if you have younger ones using mobiles or even an elderly relative . .  
Police wish to inform the public of a recent scam similar to the hitman email scam that is being sent in the form of a spam text message.

It appears people are receiving a text message stating that their life is in danger and the sender has been employed to kill them.

The text message states:
"Someone paid me to kill you. If you want me to spare you, I give you 2 days to pay 5000 dollars.  If you inform the police or anybody, you will die, I am monitoring you."

This message is followed by numerous other messages asking for funds to be transferred via Western Union to the name ASSANA MIZELE PATRICK.

A yahoo address with the user name khun19 is also mentioned.

“Members of the public are advised not to be alarmed if they receive these text messages to their mobile phone,” said Superintendent Brian Hay, Fraud and Corporate Crimes Group.

“In order to protect Australian consumers Western Union have advised that they have blocked the transfer of all funds to the name stated in the text message, however, the scammers may change the name,” he said.