Marriage, the whole "till death us do part" thing, is a big commitment. What you don't realise in that first flush of pheromones and the heady early days is that you are committing to a whole lot more than you first thought. You are agreeing to love - even when the spouse is being an idiot. You are agreeing to honour - even when you know … [Read more...]
Remembering Cracker Night
We enjoyed sparklers and a bonfire last weekend and it reminded me a little of cracker night. Do you remember the frosty, winter nights when your back yard lit up with exploding fireworks? Small children cried in fear, dogs howled, dad's did stupid things, older kids blew up the neighbours letterboxes ... I may not be painting cracker night in the … [Read more...]
The Fridge Debacle
On Friday 30 bloggers were invited to Kirribilli House to meet the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. I wasn't invited. Something to do with not enough reach or influence I suspect (although I would argue the ten of you I have left after the great blog move are highly influential people). It was blogger power to the fore as Julia learnt about the … [Read more...]
Life Before Children
Last week somewhere between finding lost socks and transporting children to endless activities I was struck by a thought (just one, my crowded mind can't cope with more than that at the moment). I realised I've got no memory of life before children. Is it some sort of parental dementia designed to help your fragile brain cope with the … [Read more...]
A Year of Last
Youngest children thrive in an environment of benign neglect. They have to, it's all they have available to them. Eldest children enjoy a parent's undivided attention, they are the prototype of our parenting and as such we relish every moment, recognising milestones, throwing ourselves into this brave new world. When my eldest started school, I … [Read more...]
The Mothering Years
The mothering years engulf and consume you. They reshape your heart, mind and soul. They simultaneously weaken and strengthen you. The mothering years redefine your life. Happy mothers day everyone. … [Read more...]
Growing Up Country
I grew up in a country town surrounded by blue-grey hills where houses sat on wide streets and had big backyards. In a time before the internet, digital TV, Skype and mobile phones when living in the country meant existing in an insulated time warp. We had: Two TV channels. The ABC and the local one which played programs years behind the Sydney … [Read more...]
The Stages of Parenting
I hear young couples discussing the "best" time to have a baby and I chuckle to myself. Seriously, you are already over-thinking it. You can't plan or prepare for the caper that is parenting. You just need to dive in head first and brave your way through each new crisis as it erupts. Look, I know you've seen those cute babies in the tv commercials … [Read more...]
No sick leave for Mums
I've opted out of my real world job today. Given in to whatever this bug is I've managed to acquire. Made a phone call. Sympathetic colleague told me to take care. Tomorrow I'll return, fill out a sick leave form, and our super efficient administrator will pay me as normal while calculating my leave hours. People will politely enquire if I'm … [Read more...]
The Story of Shambles Manor (an exercise in owner-building)
Be careful what you wish for it might just happen! For as long as I can remember I haven't been able to drive past a display village without popping in, wandering through the delightfully styled rooms, marvelling at the space, loving the design. When we moved to Port Macquarie I searched high and low but couldn't find a house I liked, so I … [Read more...]
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