A dream for a group of adults with special needs is just a click away.

A grant is up for grabs for the 'dream' with the most votes. Laura Rae's dream is to help some adults with special needs go on a holiday.

While a vacation might not be a 'necessity' in life, it is a treat that most of us enjoy at one time or another. But many people with intellectual impairment are too vulnerable to travel on their own. And to travel with a support person is too expensive.

Laura's Dream is to organize a cost-effective and safe holiday for people with special needs to go on vacation with their friends. This grant would help make it possible.

As a post-school learning environment for adults with special needs, The Tertiary Place is always learning about other places and cultures. Friends of theirs who travel send back photos of fun places they've been. (Check out some of the fun places HERE.) 

This dream would not be sending this group of friends to places like Africa or Austria but it would get them to experience a plane and enjoy a vacation together.

Here's what will help that dream come true.
Could you please:

1. Click on the link (http://sunsuperdreams.com.au/dream/view/holiday-of-a-life-time)
2. Vote 
3. Share this message with your social network.

I'll leave you with a video of these friends performing (one of their favourite things to do.) at a basketball game.

Let's help to make this dream come true!

Music can bring on so many different emotions. I watched this video clip through tears and giggles. 

Watch it and tell me what you felt.

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of going to speak to a first grade class about Christmas in Australia. I read them a book. I let them touch a kangaroo skin. I even sang them a song. All of this took maybe 20 - 25 mins. This gave me plenty of time to run home, get changed and head to work.

When I had finished I stood up and reached for my coat in order to leave. As soon as I touched my coat the intercom blared with an important message. 

We were now in LOCKDOWN mode. It was a drill but a drill still runs as if it was the real thing.  This meant that I had to get down and out of sight. I did the first thing I thought of and climbed under the desk I had been sitting in front of.

Of course I barely fit under there and my knees were killing me but this was a drill and wasn't going to take very long anyway...right?

WRONG! It was a drill and was treated like the real deal. I was on my aching knees for maybe 15 mins before I thought "OK...time to get comfortable". I tried to scoot my knees out from under me. Nope. No can do. I was pretty much jammed in under this desk that was built for a little first grader. This move was going to have to be a major production....and it was. 

I ended up rolling back under the desk and just laying there until the police showed up and allowed us to come out from our hiding places.

I thought "Good. I can still make it to work on time." But noooooo. Although our little classroom was no longer on lockdown we still had to remain in the classroom until an announcement was made over the school intercom. This didn't happen for another 15 mins maybe.

The teacher kept apologizing. She didn't have to. I was fine. She gave me chances to quickly leave the classroom and head out the back door. I chose to stay and see what went on. Plus it was going to give me a good story to tell.

I made it to work only 10 minutes late and with a fun story to tell.

If I had been thinking straight I would have taken a photo of me under the desk AND one with the policeman when he came into the room.  Clearly I wasn't thinking straight so you end up with a photo of me under the desk here at home and a photo of the police cars at the school.

What I did learn is that the schools here in Utah are doing a fantastic job of keeping the children safe in case of an emergency and that the police are a big part of that. 

"Musick has charms to sooth a savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."...William Congreve, in The Mourning Bride, 1697

Music has also helped give me a boost of confidence or make me feel stronger.

Lyrics that have done this are:

Whistle a happy tune (from The King and I)

Whenever I feel afraid
I hold my head erect
And whistle a happy tune
So no one will suspect I'm afraid

The result of this deception
Is very strange to tell
For when I fool the people
I fear I fool myself as well

Kind of like 'fake it till you make it'. I have often pretended to be brave or confident and in doing so I have found confidence where I thought there was none.

I am Woman (Helen Reddy)

I am woman, hear me roar....

If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman!

You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

I remind myself often of this song. Particularly the 'you can bend but never break me' part. I remember a number of years ago one of my children came home crying. He told me that someone said that I was fat. It made him sad that someone called me a name. 

I held my little boys face in my hands and looked him in the eye. I told him that it was OK. Though his friend said those things to hurt my son and possibly me, we choose not to give those words power because HELLO! I AM fat . In accepting this, those words may bend me but they can't break me.

Firework (Katy Perry)

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause, baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth

ROAR (Katy Perry)

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar

Brave (Sara Bareilles)


Show me how big your brave is


Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

What you have to say is important. Don't ever be afraid to say what's on your mind. Maybe you need to take some time beforehand to just whistle (scroll back up to the first song choice if you need a refresher).


What doesn't kill you (Kelly Clarkson)


What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter


Yes the song is about breaking up with someone but the chorus can be sung (preferably loudly) about any difficult situation. 


What is your go to 'feel strong' song? You know the one. The one you turn the volume way up for.

I really enjoyed watching this video for a number of reasons. First of all I have a tender heart towards all those with special needs, their family and carers. Secondly I love that Katy Perry sang her hit song with Jodi letting Jodi take the lead. And then I LOVE this song,  It's one of my favourite songs at the moment.

I love this song because at times I have felt "...so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?" I also know there are many of you out there who feel the same.

For all you who are feeling like you're "buried deep six feet under?
Scream but no one seems to hear a thing" I want to look you right in the eyes and tell you "After a hurricane comes a rainbow.......baby, you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth......It's always been inside of you.....And now it's time to let it through."

You ROCK! Let's do lunch.  xoxoxox

Yesterday I stopped into a craft store to have a look around since I had some time to kill. I enjoyed looking at the Christmas decorations and watching mothers with their daughters discussing what wreaths to buy or how to use a certain decoration.

I looked at the tree ornaments. Boy there are so many different kinds nowadays. But the one that really made me stop and think "Really?" was this PICKLE ornament.

So my question to you is "Really?"  Would you hang a pickle on your Christmas tree?

UPDATE: Turns out that pickles hanging on the Christmas tree are associated with Germany (More about that HERE.) One friend mentioned they've hidden the pickle in the branches of their Christmas tree for years.  So I stand corrected about the strangeness of a pickle ornament and actually kinda like the idea. What a fun tradition. I say GO FOR IT.