I am sad that I did not blog as often as usual in 2011.
What can I say? Life and work were busy, I was hanging over on Facebook a bit more, but the main reason for my lack of personal blogging is also because lots of things have been happening that I am still dealing with and I haven’t felt like writing about them. Yes, I still live a lovely life in the country with my gorgeous boys and our animals, I still have the best job in the world running Lark, I still get to travel and shop, and I still bake, eat, make things, and laugh a lot with my friends.
But the last few months have been tough as well as amazing. We lost a very dear friend (a mum to three young kids) in August, as well as my lovely great-auntie Joan and Paul’s great-uncle Bill later in the year. Paul had a sudden life-threatening illness in October (he is totally ok now), we found out that our son has Asperger’s Syndrome, and lots of other crappy and challenging stuff has happened around us that I won’t bore you with. We ended the year exhausted.
The GOOD thing about this: all of the chaos has forced us to take big steps to simplify our lives in 2012.
For the last year we’ve been living and working between Daylesford and Ballarat, a historic country town about 40km away, where the boys’ school is. This year we’ve taken the decision to commit to living in Ballarat full-time, and we have bought a new home there, that we will move into in April. We have also found a fab new office and warehouse for Lark in Ballarat.
The Lark Shop will still be open in Daylesford and this will not change, and we will still be spending lots of time in Daylesford as a family, but sadly (gulp) we are going to have to sell the Lark House in order to buy our new home. We are still taking bookings for the house up until May, so you might like to book in now if you were hoping to visit at some time.
Paul and the boys and I are so excited and happy to be putting down roots again after a tumultuous year. We’ve just spent a wonderful Christmas with our dearest friends in Daylesford and Melbourne, now we are looking forward to our summer beach holiday, and to hanging out together doing nothing for a few weeks until school is back.
And of course, putting my work hat on, we have some VERY exciting plans for Lark next year, that I will tell you about as they come to fruition. In the meantime we are already listing lots of new-season products and new designers on our website.
I hope that all is well in your world, and that you, too, find the strength and support you need to deal with the challenges that come up amongst all the good stuff in life! Here's to a truly happy, keep-it-simple, healthy and beautiful 2011!
20 comments:
Oh what an awful time you have had. My lovely step daughter has Asperger's syndrome. One day we will catch up for coffee like we said and have a good chat.
Will be thinking of you and sending you good vibes all though 2012.
Cheers Marilyn
Thanks Marilyn! Yes, we DEFINITELY must do that! x
I think 2012 is the year of the re-arrange and redefine the focus ... we too are on the move - interstate - and I am planning a major career shift - from working full time to not ... plus we will be renovating the house we are moving back to ... trust me this is less of a load than 2011 .. and we have family illness too. Good luck with your son - fine to have the label sorted but from what I understand there numerous degrees to AS and numerous approaches to making things work for him ... my best to you le xox
What a year of ups and downs! My son (4) has HFA/Aspergers too. Happy to talk to you further about it if you want to ask anything/share info/resources (have A LOT of information/websites etc). I blog (very intermittently) over at http://blogofmichele.blogspot.com/ or will find your email somewhere so you have mine too if you want to contact.
I really do hope that 2012 is a much better year for you & your lovely family. Good luck! xx
Thanks Le and Michele, yes we are lucky that he is not very high up on the 'spectrum' at this stage. We are working with a really good specialist to find ways to work with this as a family - and not forgetting that there are MASSIVE joys in having an Asperger's child too, anyone who has experienced it will know what I mean!! We feel very blessed (as well as exhausted)! xx
Sheesh! Calling your year "challenging" is putting it politely. Soundslike you have been through the wringer! Your future plans sound very sensible and it comes through that you have a lovely strong bond between you all. Ballarat has some lovely homes too! Wishing you lots of happiness and love for 2012! All the best! xx
It certainly sounds like 2011 wasn't an easy road. I hope that 2012 is an easier year for you!
There are many support groups and a large aspergers/autism community that can be a fantastic help for families.
I have two little children who are autistic. If you ever need to talk or need a sounding board please email me. It can be a confusing time.
The only piece of advice that was given to me and that I pass on is always remember that your beautiful boy was your son first...and then he had aspergers.
xx
oh no! what a tough year. i'm so sorry to hear that. i hope 2012 is kinder to you xox
I hope that 2012 is a gentler & quieter year for you!
Thanks for your support, lovelies! 2012 seems to have been tough for a lot of people, I think things can only get better this year!x
Oh, Allison, what a year you've had! I so hope things for 2012 are much brighter and lovelier and that life for you and your family goes ever so smoothly as you transition to Ballarat.
I'm not sure if you're interested but one of my dearest and oldest friend's is a great support for parents of kids on the autism spectrum. Her own son has classic autism. She's run a group locally for the kids and their families. She's a lovely gal and I know that if you needed a listening ear at any time she'd be so very happy to listen and support in any way she could. She's a wealth of practical knowledge when it comes to autism. Email me if you'd like her contact details and I'd be happy to pass them onto you.
xx
What a very hard year. But, it's a new year with a new home with all sorts of new adventures and I truly they're happy ones! :)
Thank you for having one of most amazing stores ever!
Makes a whole lot of sense, Al. I'm glad you made the decision. A lot of time and energy is invested when you live between worlds. You and Lark will make Ballarat an even more wonderful place to be, I am sure of it.
Happy new year. I'm glad you're family is all okay now. x
Wow! I totally understand! My very close girlfriend lost her husband a couple of months ago to cancer at the age of 35, and he left two beautiful little girls behind, which just breaks my heart.
It does make you reflect on what is and isn't important in life and I too have been simplifying this holidays and de-cluttering.
Wishing you a smooth transition with your move and may 2012 deliver to you the simple and beautiful life you so deserve.
You've been missed.
-< MASSIVE-TIGHT-SQUEEZY-HUGGINGS >-
Oh Alison,
I've missed your posts, and can now see why you haven't been here alot.
That is a tough year, but good on you and your family for making the hard decisions to make it work for you. I think too often people stay in situations that aren't ideal for them and their family.
I know you will have a great many resources, but can I offer one more ?
Nelle Frances, has written a set of books, especially for kids with Aspergers and they are brillant :
http://www.aspergerchild.com/
Best wishes for a much smoother sailing 2012,
Dee x
oh Allison sorry to hear the past year was a difficult one. I missed your blog posts... Life sure has its ups and downs, glad to hear your are working with a great specialist for your boy, I dont know much about Aspergers but I hear it more often...glad to hear Paul is OK too!
im hoping the move goes well and 2012 turns out to be a FAB year for you and your gorgeous family!
Dear Allison, I have missed your posts too. A 40km trip to school must have been exhausting, let alone everything else.
Hope you, Paul and the boys have a fabulous 2012 where everything falls into place.
With love, jen x
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