hey thats Christmas over with

Hello there blog readers hope you all had a great Christmas. I have been taking a little time away from everything dyslexia for the past couple of weeks. I will probably not start getting back into the dyslexia swing of things until after the new year. I am just exhausted and need to take a step back from it all.

We had a great first Christmas in out new home. Had the family round for dinner Christmas day. Totally stress free it was too apart from the fact my wife was ill that is. Nothing serious just a bug that knocked her out  bit. There are many reasons why I like Christmas. One of the main ones being everything closes down for that one day a year. Apart from a few little corner shops that is and the emergency services. One day in the year that is not a 24 / 7 full on day.

We had my wife' s parents here for Christmas dinner as well as Layla, Charmaine and Lesley here for Christmas. I especially enjoyed watching Layla opening all here Christmas presents. She is four years old and totally believes in Father Christmas ahhh the innocence of child hood. She left a carrot out for Rudolph as well as a mince pie and glass of milk for Santa.

Gawd when I was a kid I used to listen to the older people and their pessimism about life, the universe and everything and think to myself I will never be like that when I get older. Gawd now I am 55 and exactly like them lol. Nahhhh not really you cannot be involved with dyslexia and be pessimistic lol.
 
We have been lucky here in Fife and have escaped the extremes of weather experience in other parts of the country. It can't have been much of a Christmas for anyone affected by the weather.

My thoughts go out to all the people affected by austerity and government cuts. The injustice of this whole austerity thing is just crazy. The local supermarket has been collecting food in a shopping trolley for the past few weeks to give to the food banks here. Charities have been collecting toys to give to kids as well. Its a sobering thought to know how little some people have in this time of plenty for the few. Things are happening in this country that I never thought in my wildest dreams could ever happen.

Have to take some time here to thank everyone who sent us cards and gave us Christmas presents. I had a bit of a Nintendo Christmas lol. Got the new Zelda and Layton games for my 3DS as well as one of those new Wii U consoles with the new Zelda game included. My good mother in law and father in law gave me a bottle of asbach brandy. I am not much of a drinker of spirits but I do love a drop of asbach. Have to blame my father in law for that as he introduced me to asbach lol. If any of you out there a brandy drinkers I heartily recommend you try it.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all the directors and volunteers involved with Dyslexia Pathways CiC and the Unique Dyslexic project. You help and support is very much needed and appreciated.

A few more days and 2014 will be here. Blimey I have just gotten used to writing 2013 dates and now I will have to try and forget them and get used to writing 2014 dates lol.

I am dyslexic and very happy to be so

“I am not someone with dyslexia. I am dyslexic. Were I not dyslexic, I would not be me.” Cooper (2009)

I am dyslexic therefore I am me ( #IAmDyslexic 😎😎😎 )

News up dates

Well as far as dyslexia support goes at both universities its all very positive. Lots of positive feedback from students, lots of very happy students in fact. This is the last week of work until after Christmas and the new year. Here's hoping I will be just as busy in the new year.

The Unique Dyslexic project is, "doing away", as they say here in Scotland. I think it means going ok. For me personally its all taking more time that I anticipated. 

The Unique Facebook page has over 100 members. I am trying to encourage members to share their stories and creative works. I have posted a few bits of my own in the form of music and photographs. The project is open to anyone of any ability who would like a place to share their work in a supportive and positive place. Mind you I have always been an impatient individual sigh.

The Unique website is still not moving along. I have contacted the web developer, oh must be over a month ago now,   and still not heard anything from them. I have some funding to develop the website further its a question of how and who is going to do it. If I can get it up and running it will give me some time to learn Word Press or find a volunteer to act web master. I have completed my web brief so its all ready to move forward.

Once the Uni work stops for the break next week I will have time to concentrate on moving the Unique Dyslexic Project  forward. From next week I will be going about in Fife talking to organisations in Fife about the project, making people aware of what its about and getting people involved. Organisations such as Fife college, Youth 1st and FEAT etc. The plan is to put together a small team of volunteers to help push the project forward. 

I am going to try and put together a podcast of my blogs over the next couple of weeks. Its to try and make my rather long blogs more accessible. Have to see how I do in front of an camera lol.