this week, Jovie and I have been exploring new supported playgroups for kids on the spectrum (that’s Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD). we have one more to go next Tuesday but so far, i loved them all but will wittle it down to 2 a week until therapy starts in December.
today at playgroup, Jovie was BUSY in the 2 hours we were there:
ran out of the room – at least 30 times
stared at the bookcase – at least 15 times
swiped at her own morning tea – at least 10 times
swiped at the other kids morning tea – at least 3 times
managed to steal other kids’ morning tea – 1 time
stared at the bathroom – at least 8 times
scratched at my face – at least 5 times
swiped the glasses off my face – at least 5 times
screamed out of happiness – at least 3 times
screamed out of sadness – stopped counting..
swiped at the glitter glue – at least 4 times
ate the glitter glue – 1 time
i love that in these supported playgroups, i don’t have to explain that Jovie doesn’t talk, that she doesn’t play with toys, can’t pick up toys, can’t feed herself, gets upset and throws tantrums. we were still different to the other kids there, but you learn all kids are different anyway.
oh to be a parent/carer of a kid with Autism… it takes alot out of you but i wouldn’t trade it for anything. i’m due back at work at the start of November but am again considering either taking more unpaid leave OR resigning completely (to stop jerking my boss around) and finding a nightfill and/or job so I can spend the day taking Jovie to therapy and playgroups.
who would of thought i’d long to be a stay at home mum? i friggin love that i get to drop Jasper off at school each Friday and then scoot over to playgroup with Jovie…. it’s where my heart is but we have to think of the future, where education for Jovie isn’t paid in sunshine and smiles.. (but how COOL if it was??)
The bane of my existence is taking a self portrait every year or two. I like to do it so that you’re not seeing a photo of me that isn’t ‘true’ and it’s also a good opportunity to practice lighting and posing. I don’t have a tripod at the moment so hand holding at arms length is my only option, and my goodness it’s a good workout for that arm. It takes me a good hour to take a self portrait that I deem viewable by humans, lol, so I’m glad it’s over.
Here are my top 5 tips for taking your own self portrait
1. Get Pretty. You don’t have to dress as if you’re going to a ball, but just find a top that you like, brush your hair (should of taken this advice myself..), slip on some lip gloss and then be done with it.
2. Find The Light. My preference is my ‘office’ upstairs which has a huge window/door and light white curtains. The curtains act as a diffuser for the harsh sunlight which is perfect for naturally lit portraits. I don’t like direct sunlight and you want the light to fall on your face or to the side, rather than on your back.
3. Discover Your Angle. I think everyone has one, the one (or more if you’re a supermodel) angle of your face that you prefer over others. Whether it’s front on, left or right side in, chin up or chin down – move your face around as you take your photo to see what you like for yourself.
4. Relax Your Eyes. Yes, your eyes. They will ultimately tell how you’re feeling in the photo – too much eyeball and you can look TERRIFIED. Too little and you’re suddenly Sleepy without the other dwarves.
5. Have FUN! Self portraits don’t have to be your standard headshot, try adding more white space (or more blue space in my case above), smile, frown, poke your tongue out, wave, shake your head, look up, look surprised, think of your happy place, look at the camera, answer your phone, bring in a prop – just let it go and make it a fun photo shoot so that you’ll end up with a photo (or photos) that you will be glad to use for the year.
Happy self portraiting! (Post a link to your self portrait if you’ve taken my advice!)
I had a hankering for something sweet, today. And to be in the kitchen! So I grabbed a couple of things from the supermarket and while dinner was cooking, I got start on a Nutella Mousse Tart. YUMMO. Make it today, make it tomorrow – just try it if you’re a fan of Nutella 🙂
Ingredients
Base –
1 and a half packets of choc ripple cookies, crumbed
Half a stick of butter, melted
Filling –
Half a jar of Nutella
300ml of thickened cream, whipped
250g of marscapone
Let’s get started!
Combine the crumbed cookies & melted butter in a bowl and then press into a non-stick pan. Stick it in the freezer.
Mix the Nutella and marscapone in a bowl until combined. Fold in the whipped cream until it looks like a mousse.
Take the base out from the freezer and fill it with the nutella mixture.
Chill in the fridge for an hour to set, and then enjoy!
Too easy.
