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My Seven Scrappy Do's

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A while ago, the lovely La Belette Rouge tagged me for a Scrappy Do - or a little me ME about myself.
There are also a few "sevens" going around in the blogworld so consider this hitting two birds with one stone. Seven useless things about me. (as if you were interested?)

1. I own several bras with a pink ribbon on one side that says "Push up."
These are meant to be removed upon purchase but I left them on and when I wear them I pretend I have just won an award for "great boobs."
Who would present this award and pin it to my bra? I don't know, maybe the mayor. But it gives me a "lift" (ha ha) most mornings and I don't want to take 'em off. Call it an affirmation.

2. I buy most of my clothes in Charity Shops and Recycled Clothing Stores where previously rich but now ever so slightly broke people sell their clothes on consignment.

I do this because
A) I'm a tightarse and I refuse to be exploited by ridiculous retail aspirational ma…
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Why I try to be like Tess McGill

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Just watched "Working Girl" - one of my favourite films, and not for the hair or shoulder pads.




Firstly, it's about breaking free of where you are told you "belong"

Well, as much as I love my family and I have come to love my "home town"
I was never going to stick around and take up the safe and steady job in the Commonwealth Bank.

In fact on the day of the Aptitude Test, I got a Spiral Perm instead. (it was 1986)

So like Tess I crossed the water to the big city. For Tess it was the Staten Island Ferry. For me it was QF1
which in those days went Singapore, Bahrain and then London. No stopovers.

I used the education I had, and made the most of it. I have never been to night school like Tess. But I did do a few weeks of Japanese and a First Aid Certificate. When I wanted to be an Air Hostess. (it was the early 90's, it was a glamorous job in those days)

But mostly I just learned as I went along, took on extra responsibility where it was offered and …
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One Small Bite of the Cookie - Taking it one day at a time.

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One small bite of the....


Two good friends have asked me the same question recently;

"What are you going to do with Bratty, when she grows up?

This is because Bratty is the more severe of my two children and at the moment, the more challenging. But it was also because these friends both have girls, who are growing up.

Girls, because of their biology, approach puberty sooner and in a more obvious way. So as a mother of a girl, you have to take on another level of self care and self management. Something new to cope with.

Boys are a bit easier! Okay, they get a bit tackle happy but that happens with typical boys too, and I have to say, from the age of about 3 months (when they can find it) until, at the last check; 45 years (and counting) that doesn't change.
All that changes is where and when they decide to play pocket billiards, a simple case of "choose your environment." Or in my brother-in-law's words; "there are some things that is okay to do alone in your roo…
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Why I want to Be Elle Woods

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Apart from the obvious, she is polite, friendly and respectful of everyone, no matter what their job or status.

She is well educated (no one says you have to study The Classics - knowing your Dolce from your Dior is just as valuable)

She looks for the good in people.

She focuses on what she wants and she looks for what it takes to get there. She is adaptable, and willing to learn new skills where neccessary.

She is generous and when she spots an opportunity to be helpful - does not hesitate.

And she is honorable. Betraying a confidence is not an option. There is always another way.

And when she needs moral support and someone to listen, she knows where to look for it.



Nobody should go it alone. Talk and Share with someone.

This is Depression Awareness week. If you know someone who is falling - reach out and catch them and help them look for help. If you feel like you are falling then turn to someone and ask them to help.

Don't be embarrassed. Don't be ashamed. Depression ca…
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Turns out It takes a village ....

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This is my niece Jessica feeding her pet Kangaroo. She does this every day before rounding up the feral Koalas (a plague) and feeding them to her pet Dingo.


Oh, did I mention she lives in Australia?

Which is where Boo and I spent Christmas this year.  Where we ate from the barbie after making brash and direct comments to each other using lots of swear words.


And at my big sister's house they have a pool.


Boo as you can see was very happy there. He got loads of exercise which really helps with adolescence and the little upswings of aggression and impulsive behaviour that pop out here and there.

It also helped me to have him surrounded by family.

For 12 years I have longed and wished for someone other than myself and Mr H to truly and unconditionally be a part of my kid's lives.

I know I have the Angels and they are wonderful, but it isn't the same as having family that will welcome you into their home and make allowances to support the unique way we have to live.

So I have t…
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Verbal Behaviour goes Techno

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On Friday I am giving a presentation to the Global Autism Public Health group on my not so secret project - the iPhone app I developed with my daughter and iPhone wizard Steve Stroughton-Smith

Since the news item on 11th December, the App has been picked up by a number of blogs world wide and as a result, some interesting comments. I have also had people say it to me personally - "why did you bother when there are already so many autism apps - like Proloque2go?"

Believe it or not, I had the iPhone for almost 18 months before we loaded the finished version of Grace. So I was playing around with the existing functions and apps for a good while. What I ended up developing with Steve was something that suited my daughter's particular communication needs and my personal philosophy.

I am a strong believer in Verbal Behaviour.

"BF.Skinner refers to "verbal behaviour" as "...behavior reinforced through the mediation of other people ...and specified that "..…
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Home again Home again - A few pics

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I will save the thought provoking essay for a time when my eyes are not threatening to go on strike
but instead I will share with you the few photos I managed to take while on my annual trip home to Aus.


Singapore Zoo, 1/1/2010
My attempts at Zebra Therapy continue:

We arrived at the zoo at 5:30pm after Boo declined to leave our hotel room any sooner. So missed the normal days entry but a lovely girl in the help desk let us in for free for a look around before the "Night Safari: started at 7pm.
We had such a good time going around in the empty zoo, that by the time 7pm arrived we were ready to go home. Highlights of the evening? A giant snail making its way towards an exotic plant by the light of the lanterns, some kind of tree shrew that was hopping around on the WRONG side of the enclosure which freaked me out entirely. And an impromptu dip in the waterplay area by Boo, surrounded by off duty ponies from the petting zoo.
Absolutely poured rain at times but it all added to the tropic…
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