tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49849795214845327062024-02-20T01:54:41.009+10:00Just One More ChapterThis is all about the weird things that might cross my mind at any given time!Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-88335598105758478632016-02-23T13:42:00.000+10:002016-02-23T13:42:01.970+10:00I'm still me<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Recently, I've been reading that if you're a mum and you do certain things like baking or cooking, there's a good chance you lost a piece of yourself when your child came along. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You know what? I think that's a load of bull. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Prior to Miss 4's arrival, I always used to cook and bake anyway. DH and I used to enjoy a range of my cooking experiments. One night, I made a Japanese feast from scratch. Another time, we had curry chicken parcels. Then there was the vegetable quiche.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Baking wasn't so high on my list of things to do. We're not huge sweet eaters normally. Since Miss 4 came along, I find we are getting into the kitchen together a whole lot more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She loves to make sweet things, but we always limit it to one sweet thing a week. And there's normally 4 days a week she doesn't eat things like that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel like the time we spend choosing what the weekly treat is, then making it (and taste testing it!) is important to OUR relationship. It is important to our values and the way WE want to raise her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
But you know what? It's not for everyone. I'll admit there are times where I will be thinking, "Why did I get myself into this?" when the flour and sugar is spread over the bench. But the smiles and giggles from Miss 4 make it worthwhile for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, I moved even further outside of my traditional comfort zone. Whilst trying to *ahem* relieve myself, Miss 4 marched in with a Cooking with Peppa (or something like that) magazine and declared it had yummy stuff in it. And "May please can you make me this?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A cheese and chive soufflé. Great. Eeeeek. Slight modification came about as she doesn't like chives, but I made it. And it was pretty nice. A bit rich, needed a salad to cut through the cheese and egg, but I felt accomplished. Successful even.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Had Miss 4 not used her manners and looked so cute, I never would have made it. Sure I'd have said how awesome it looked in the magazine or I may never have even seen it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I'm super proud of how it turned out. My picture was taken just as it was starting to settle, but geez it puffed up amazingly!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBO4-E73gRwqQ2dK51ZplyPB5KUmUShhiyAirAxBaZUUYKK9340IN5oJvsSqlUebNIyPYzgOoAnSOWDO_tLHU8gS_HRG1xQ8NPf6m0BOhXko7n66HQxdw6Lrv5CKLOdybwCvl-UT__HvFT/s1600/20160223_121610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBO4-E73gRwqQ2dK51ZplyPB5KUmUShhiyAirAxBaZUUYKK9340IN5oJvsSqlUebNIyPYzgOoAnSOWDO_tLHU8gS_HRG1xQ8NPf6m0BOhXko7n66HQxdw6Lrv5CKLOdybwCvl-UT__HvFT/s320/20160223_121610.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So to all my readers. Whether you bake or not, it doesn't matter. Do what you want. Chase your dreams. Don't let anyone tell you that you've lost part of yourself, or that you're not "rad". Be yourself. Love yourself (as much as you can - I understand some of us can't always do that). Enjoy your friends and family. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, I've linked up with the ever wonderful Jess at <a href="http://www.essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT. Happy Tuesday peeps.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/1775-2/ibot"><img src="http://essentiallyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ibotbutton.png" /></a></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-27525028018691956042016-02-01T14:46:00.000+10:002016-02-01T14:46:16.151+10:00Right There On My TV<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, how happy was I last night? Mulder and Scully have started gracing my screen with NEW episodes. NEW ones!! So totally excited right now. I can't believe I have to wait for Sunday now. Every. Single. Sunday. For the next 5 or so weeks. The first episode back really grabbed my attention.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This week, when I saw the prompt for I Must Confess over at <a href="http://www.myhometruths.com/" target="_blank">My Home Truths</a>, I knew I had to take part. You see, I probably watch way too much TV. I have a number of guilty TV pleasures. But, having a four year old, I don't really get to indulge them as much as I used to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's my Top 5 - and believe me, it's hard to narrow down, plus I've used TV shows that I've stumbled across on Netflix.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In no particular order:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://almightyjohnsons.co.nz/" target="_blank">The Almighty Johnsons</a> - A great New Zealand series about four brothers and their relative (I won't give it away), who are re-incarnated versions of Norse Gods. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.netflix.com/sense8" target="_blank">Sense8</a> - An awesome Netflix original series where one person can have 7 other connections to people, normally in different parts of the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.netflix.com/unbreakablekimmyschmidt" target="_blank">Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt</a> - Another Netflix original. Has a damn catchy theme song (watch it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIdFa1qLgNQ" target="_blank">here</a>). Laughs abound. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://cwtv.com/shows/jane-the-virgin" target="_blank">Jane The Virgin</a> - Catchy, but stupid. Sometimes I wanted to just stop watching, but I couldn't!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://stargate.mgm.com/" target="_blank">Stargate SG-1</a> - The ONLY series (apart from Firefly) that I own in its entirety. Enough said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I'm a pretty open, straightforward person, so most people know that I watch these shows, but they give me so much stick about it, that I just give up listening to them these days, haha. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ok - enough of the distraction. It's killing me to sit here (in pain after physio) so I'd best sign off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Keep an eye out for more confessions from me this year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up with Kirsty at My Home Truths for </span><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.myhometruths.com/i-must-confess" title="I Must Confess"><img alt="I Must Confess" src="http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w662/MyHomeTruths/imustconfess-button_zps67a7b01e.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-78800256756277735642016-01-28T10:30:00.002+10:002016-01-28T10:30:51.984+10:00Just our luck<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello again, JoMC readers. I know it's been a long, long time since I've engaged with you all this way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quite simply and honestly - I am slack. I start things and I never quite finish them. At least right now, I'm still plugging away with my blog, albeit very slowly. There was a trip to New Zealand last year, which I promise to get around to blogging about!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Normally, Thursdays find me at work, plugging away on a project team there at the moment, away from my normal role. This finishes pretty soon though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead, today, I am at home, feeling under the weather (maybe anxiety, maybe not) with a little girl (Now Miss 4), who was most unwell at the ungodly hour of 1am and 5 more times after that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since 1, I've had about 45min sleep. I'm running on empty. I am honestly that tired, that I am dizzy. The room spins. Thankfully, I don't have to drive anywhere today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've put Miss 4 in front of the telly with Despicable Me 2 on, I'm set up on my laptop and I'll be damned if I don't get my TAFE Assignment finished. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is my second last assignment of my last ever unit to obtain my Diploma. It's getting real now!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And as some of you may have seen on my Facebook page, DH has managed to break his hand by falling off his mountain bike. It only took him 4 years of mountain biking to get his first cast! And it's his first ever cast in nearly 31 years of life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm off to the physio next week for my knee, but that's just because I'm getting old. My goal is to run a half marathon at some stage, but I can't begin training until I get this knee sorted out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, I hope that you are all well, and that you'll see me around more.</span>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-9609853247296120962015-06-30T13:14:00.001+10:002015-06-30T13:14:31.028+10:00Hi, you've reached Sarah......<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hi, you've reached Sarah. Sorry I can't take your call at the moment, but if you leave your name, number and a brief message, I will get back to you as soon as I can."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God, you don't know how many times I've wanted to say that today. Life would be a breeze with a message bank option on day to day stuff. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You see, it's a hard day for some reason today. I'm trying to avoid battles with Miss 3, without making her a spoiled brat. I have picked my battles based on social situations, and even though they were long, and hard fought, I won. In the end that is. Even after a heart stopping moment where I couldn't find her in PillowTalk because she ran off. Again. Despite mummy telling her that it was scary for her when she ran off. So she giggled and ran off for the umpteenth time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've washed, run down to rescue it from the impending shower of rain. I've made the pikelets for daycare (pink this week), I've made DH and Miss3 their banana choc chip muffins for work and daycare. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm tired, I'm grumpy, I'm not feeling 100%, and I am struggling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I find it hard to admit that sometimes, because when I do, people don't always understand. They don't understand what I mean, they don't understand why, they don't understand I don't want to be engaged in conversation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes, it makes me feel like I've failed. But I know in myself that I haven't. I am successful in my job, I'm doing a project that is extremely rewarding and challenging that I LOVE being a part of, I have an awesome husband, and a stubborn, strong-willed, independent, intelligent young daughter. When she sings the North Melbourne Club Song to me, I KNOW I've done something right. So when she wakes up from her nap, I'm going to give her a great, big cuddle and ask her to sing "Norse Melbourne" for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This will be after I have had my me time, checked the other IBOT posts and I've eaten that cheesy pizza baking in my oven that has my name written all over it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Obviously, I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for the wonderful IBOT. Happy Tuesday.</span>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-77934149384481308202015-06-26T06:00:00.000+10:002015-06-26T06:00:00.415+10:00FYBF - Where did my money tree go?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm kicking myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm also kicking my husband. Metaphorically, of course.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You see, four years ago, in our newly pregnant wisdom, we upgraded my car. My old car was a beautiful, little red Hyundai Accent, affectionately named Red. She was my baby. I'd bought her new 7 years earlier and I hadn't even cracked 40,000km. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But we decided that a 3 door wasn't practical with gumby old me, so we sold Red privately and upgraded to a Hyundai i30. Which 4 years on hasn't even cracked 25,000km. We did this at the end of June, and the car was registered to us from 28/06/2011.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not once did we consider that in 4 years time, my licence would also be due. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As would the insurances on our two cars. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So this week, I'm skint. $830 for the licence and rego. Luckily, I've successfully remarketed our insurances to a better policy, for a much lower price and bundled all with one insurer now. We dodged a bullet there, as we now have until 20 July to pay them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But TAFE have been sending me numerous messages and emails to enrol in my next subject. So I rang them today, fairly confident that I'd be able to afford the $195 I've been paying for my past 6 out of 8 required units. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But now, the Government has decided that online students aren't important and have taken away all funding. My last two units are going to cost me as much as the last 6 have. They want $590 for the next unit. We can't afford that. I'm not HELP'ing it, either, as it is just something that goes against my beliefs and I cannot bring myself to do it. Plus they charge an extra 30% if you do that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, whoever cut the money tree down out of our backyard, you suck. That money tree would be so handy right now!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.withsomegrace.com/" target="_blank">With Some Grace</a> for Flog Yo Blog Friday for the very first time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://www.withsomegrace.com/fybf-2/"><br />
<img src="http://www.withsomegrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/fybf.gif" width="155" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-66598359339468016002015-06-23T21:31:00.001+10:002015-06-23T21:31:36.267+10:00Older and wiser?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is it about a "milestone" birthday that makes us think we are more mature than we used to be? </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recently turned 30 and for some reason, I thought I'd all of a sudden stop making stupid decisions, and turn into this wise, calm creature. Neither wise, nor calm have occurred. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To celebrate the year of three of us turning 30 and one turning 35, my three best friends and I recently went to a local restaurant. I thought that 30 was special enough to break out the fancy pants peep toe heels, that I have had for about 6 years now, thinking that seeing as we are all "old", we wouldn't be seeking a night on the town. How wrong was I....</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After dinner, we decided to seek alternative entertainment and hit up the new, hip, trendy place in town. This was a mere 1km away - I've since Googled it! I protested, as I knew my poor, soft feet would. But, these girls are a convincing bunch, so we decided to walk the 1km on the rugged terrain (flat footpath with a few stones and Telstra pits). By the time we got to the new bar, I was all but crying in agony. I could feel my toes disintegrating in my heels. The girls needed a comfort stop (they needed to pee) and we found a bench to sit down on. I carefully slid my heels off and was confronted by big toes so mangled, that almost 4 weeks on, they are still healing.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My sister-friend (the sister you always wanted if you could pick sisters) and I decided to call it a night, especially after another friend (aged 30) quite loudly dissed "The bloody youth of today!". A quick call to hubby and he was on his way to pick us up. Thankfully, we were able to give SF a lift home, as her hubby had their two little ones tucked in bed, and my own DD was off on a sleepover with the grandparents. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whilst awaiting our chariot, we were treated to the sights and sounds of the next generation (and possibly past generations, but not me...). There, in the middle of the road, where the centre parking is, leaning over a garden bed, was a figure with their hair being held back while performing oral fertilisation. To my left was a lonely young woman watching the two figures across the road. When the chestnut maned figure stood up, he walked back over towards his female companion, while being congratulatory slapped on the back by his best mate who'd held his hair back while he spewed. The charming young fellow then chased the young lass around whilst making horrible dry retching sounds. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The night ended with hubby making me walk another 500m in those stupid bloody shoes. But I was tucked up in bed by 10pm. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I guess turning 30 has made me wiser - I know the body and mind can't function on the few hours sleep it used to!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know this isn't the best return to blogging, but baby steps, people. Baby steps.</span></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-59681830597683237022013-12-16T08:14:00.001+10:002013-12-16T08:14:30.796+10:00What a slacker<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must confess.... I have been VERY slack on the blogging front. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The JOMC household does things big in December, and I'm not talking about Christmas. 2 years ago, DD blessed us with her early arrival. And this year, we decide to sell and buy a house! Yep. In our infinite wisdom, we do it in December. And the new place settled on Friday the 13th. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've missed blogging and the opportunities it presents to get things off my chest. It's also been hard because our laptop gave up the ghost and stopped working. Granted, we've had the new one about a month now, but I never knew DH's password to unlock it. Story of my life hahaha.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Since I last blogged in October so much has happened, not just the house stuff. My depression and anxiety has flared up. I have had a few bad attacks. It got to the point where I have had to start seeing a psychologist. Through my employer, I have access to 5 sessions paid for by them. And that has come in extremely handy. My attacks have reduced but I have been suffering other health problems where I have to have the dreaded cameras up and down next month. I've continued losing weight, and am now nearly 20kg lighter than when I started the year, and that is not through diet or exercise. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And November saw JOMC turn one. I missed my first year blog-iversary. It was something I really wanted to celebrate but life had other ideas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've also been mulling over the fact we're not having an actual birthday party for DD this year. We're going to celebrate as a family, but just don't see why she has to have a party every year. Is that ok? Does that make us bad parents? We are having a little Christmas celebration with my friends the night of her birthday and we will have my best friends little girl who is only a year older than DD. So it's not like she won't have someone to play with. I AM making cupcakes for daycare on Friday and supplying fruit for the child who isn't allowed sweets. That way she can celebrate with her daycare friends. We don't even know 90% of the other families. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Also, DH has been arguing about how much money we've spent on DD. I honestly don't think it's that much. She's getting two main presents for Christmas and one for her birthday. All up, probably just over $100 for ALL 3 items. He won't believe me that there are people who spend that on just one present and then buy more. I think he got a bit frightened by the stuff I put on layby during the toy sale which was farmed out to his sister. It was so I knew what DD was getting and also helps my sister-in-law as she has her own little guy to worry about this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Anyway, that's enough rambling from me. I need to go and vacuum the floors and couch, and put a bra on, just in case someone decides they want to look through our current place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oh, and today, I'm linking up with Kirsty over at My Home Truths for I Must Confess</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.myhometruths.com/" title="My Home Truths"><img alt="My Home Truths" src="http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w662/MyHomeTruths/I-Must-Confess-Button-150x150_zps76a95c97.jpg" style="border: currentColor;" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<br />Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-148261766954731962013-10-07T08:47:00.000+10:002013-10-07T08:47:19.744+10:00The Soundtrack of My Life<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must confess that this week's prompt from <a href="http://myhometruths.com/" target="_blank">My Home Truths</a> has really caught me. Kirsty wants us to confess the Soundtrack to our Lives.<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.myhometruths.com/" title="My Home Truths"><img alt="My Home Truths" src="http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w662/MyHomeTruths/I-Must-Confess-Button-150x150_zps76a95c97.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Music has always played a huge role in my life. I'm not creative enough to be able to play an instrument, or sing all that well, but it's been a constant for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were only talking at work the other day about how a song has the ability to transport you to a time and a place in an instant. It can knock a decade off and all of a sudden, you're back to being that kid in high school. Which can sometimes be pretty awkward. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know if I can commit to Kirsty's recommended 10. I either have too many that don't mean that much, or not enough that mean everything.<br /><br />But here goes and they're in no particular order.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdeSLxz5TTE" target="_blank">I Go Back</a> - Kenny Chesney - This song sums up how I feel.<br /><br /><a href="http://youtu.be/BsKbwR7WXN4" target="_blank">Turn Back Time</a> - Cher - It was playing when I was at daycare as a small child, and I loved it then. Also holds a special meaning when played at a friends <a href="http://jomorechapter.blogspot.com.au/2013_03_01_archive.html" target="_blank">service</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/7T5hYlUsQ0s" target="_blank">Maggie May</a> - Rod Stewart - No particular reason, I just love it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/Vo_0UXRY_rY" target="_blank">I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing</a> - Aerosmith - I'm suddenly 13 again and starting what would end up being the biggest health battle in my life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/RYnFIRc0k6E" target="_blank">Rollin' (Air Rad Vehicle)</a> - Limp Bizkit - This signified my big rebellion and when I'm feeling a little kick arse I love to crank this if I can find the CD!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/K8KgP2aOXcA" target="_blank">Flame Trees</a> - Cold Chisel - Not sure what it is, but this cheers me up for some reason when I'm feeling a bit blue. Maybe it's singing it at the top of my lungs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/wkc1r_jj_LU" target="_blank">Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu)</a> - Russell Watson - my first foray outside of "mainstream" music (well as mainstream as country music is!) It's also the first time I have tried to learn lyrics in a language other than English.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bit of an odd mix there, I know - I try to listen to such a large variety, but I have to admit I don't listen to much of the new stuff these days. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm off now. Probably to go pick up a coffee and crank a bit of Kansas. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-36382707826046512162013-09-24T09:37:00.000+10:002013-09-24T09:38:49.272+10:00Standing up for yourself<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know what else to do. The last couple of weeks, we've had to sign a few incident reports at daycare. By we, I mean DH, because he has been doing the pickup in the afternoon. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In each case, DD has been on the receiving end of something, whether it be a bite, scratch or similar. But I'm not understanding why she is putting up with this sort of thing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By no means is she a complete angel. However, I have seen her give as good as she gets When she is pushed around. You see, on Saturday might we had a function where DD interacted with a girl of a similar age. This time girl was quite rough and tumble due to having two older brothers. When DD was playing with an old jukebox, this other child shoved her out of the way and DD pushed her back. Not seeing the other child do the first shove, I gently reminded DD to play nice. My mother in law pointed out what was happening, and five minutes later, the other child comes up to DD out of the blue and does it again, with DD responding the same.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I don't understand why she isn't standing her ground at daycare. Don't get me wrong, I am happy she isn't the one instigating the events, but I just don't know why she seems to 'let' the other child do it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've been told it is a personal space thing, but aged under 2, I don't know that the fully comprehend the concept. Personal space doesn't exist at home that's for sure!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">l feel like we are going to be treading a fine line. I don't want her to be a bully, but she shouldn't have to be a victim. I want her to know that it is okay to stand up for herself and what she believes in. I don't want her to feel bullied or suppressed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am at a loss as to where to go from here. Do we just ride it out? Or what? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today sees my regular link up with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/1775-2/ibot"><img src="http://essentiallyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ibotbutton.png" /></a></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-41106538212364553142013-09-23T09:40:00.000+10:002013-09-23T09:40:28.561+10:00If This Ain't Love<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm taking a very brave step this week and I am linking up with Kirsty at <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2652900" target="_blank">My Home Truths</a> for I Must Confess..<br />
<br />
The prompt given for this post was Young Love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've thought it through very hard, to share or not to share. If I was talking to you face to face, I'd most likely tell you the story, all while blushing with sheer embarrassment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After reading Kirsty's confession this morning, apart from one or two things, I felt like I was reading something I had written about my own teenage years.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was never really a "girly" girl. But nor was I a tomboy - I was stuck in that weird in between - not really anything special. Oh, I was a bit of a geek - I loved studying Economics (and I'm kicking myself 11 years later that I never went to uni to study it further) and was (and to a degree, still am) totally obsessed with Stargate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/D6JbS4_0S1w/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/D6JbS4_0S1w&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/D6JbS4_0S1w&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I used to sing this to myself a LOT at high school....</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When a boy, who also liked Stargate, asked me out on Valentine's Day in Grade 12, I was so shocked and at the same time stoked, that someone had an interest in me. We broke up almost a year later. It wasn't pretty. I'm ashamed at my behaviour but my heart was shattered. I haven't spoken to him since. If I see a member of his family, I smile politely but never stop. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About 8 months after we broke up, I heard on the grapevine that he had "come out" and I struggled a lot with this news. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he could finally admit his true feelings, but there was also a (very big) part of me that couldn't deal with it. My heart shattered again, after me finally putting it back together. I remember going out to the pub with my friends, and crying, asking them what was wrong with me. Was I that ugly, fat, uncaring, useless, that I had to be used as a cover story? What did I *do* to make him gay? Usually that last question was after my last drink for the night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did I love him? I think I did. Was I ever really in love with him? Looking back, I don't think I was. We ruined a really good friendship. And I didn't fight for it in the end. Sometimes I think about sending him a Facebook message to see how he's doing, but then I stop myself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was that scared by the whole experience, that I was VERY wary of starting a new relationship with anyone, lest he turn out to be gay too. So for two years, I flirted, and danced with guys at my favourite pub, but never went any further than that. Oh, there was one guy who did the old boob grab, but it was New Year's Eve. I finally got back on the scene and was introduced to a lovely guy through a work colleague who was dating one of his good mates. It took him four years to propose and five years in total to marry me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes we fight, and get cranky with each other, but hey, we bounce back each time and we have a gorgeous little girl. We make very good looking babies! How do I know that I am in love with my husband? There are days I want to throttle him, until I realise I can never live without him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My young love experience wasn't great, but I managed to stick it out until Mr Right finally arrived!</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.myhometruths.com/" title="My Home Truths"><img alt="My Home Truths" src="http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w662/MyHomeTruths/I-Must-Confess-Button-150x150_zps76a95c97.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-48848073936667690312013-09-17T09:59:00.002+10:002013-09-17T09:59:38.753+10:00Spring? That's a little metal thing, right?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">September....</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I think about September, I think footy finals. Longer days. A bit more sunlight. The weather warming up a tad from the frosty weather in July and August.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I don't think about is summer temperatures and the risk of summer storms.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the past week, we've been having temperatures up in the mid-30's.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's our summer weather. Days of 35 and 36 degrees are normally reserved for Christmas Day onwards. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not September.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like my little weather bubble has been shattered.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is the first day where we have the predicted risk of a storm.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love a good storm, the rain that comes with it. But I hate the wind and lightning. Normally though, there's a little deflector in our town and the storm comes threateningly close, and then disappears.<br /><br />But we need the rain. August was completely dry. There's so much shit getting around in our town that we need the rain to give us a good clean out. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's not much point to today's post. Just what I wanted to say if I actually got to have a conversation today with someone over the age of 18. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But because it's Tuesday, I'm linking up with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT.<br /><br />Hit me with your weather stories.<br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-32000242270781905012013-09-03T08:54:00.000+10:002013-09-03T08:54:29.617+10:00The Not So Domestic Goddess<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a problem.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will admit it freely.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hate housework.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really, honestly despise the stuff. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I still do it, even though it is a struggle. Although, with DD, it is becoming increasing difficult because she hates the vacuum cleaner when it is turned on, wants to ride it when it's turned off and crawls under the ironing board and wobbles it while I'm trying to iron.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now, facing a return to work for a third full day per week, it's only going to get harder. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I could be doing some more housework now, but DD is napping, and I've been a good wifey and ironed hubby some work shirts for later in the week, when he goes back. He's got some time off for uni and only needs to wear casual stuff so there's no great drama there.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I purposely bought items that don't require ironing for myself. Wash 'em and hang 'em and they are fine!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But no matter what household chores I do, cyclone DD comes along and straight after the cleaning rag has been put away, or the vacuum cleaner has been unplugged, she will destroy a snack, or a magazine. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This kid shreds paper worse than a cat!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd prefer to spend my time watching cartoons with her, reading a book with her, or even running around the backyard like maniacs. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If it didn't cost so much, I'd hire a cleaning lady.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yep. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm that lazy and not so domestic!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I'm still a goddess. Don't you forget it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I'm linking up with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT. Happy Tuesday everyone!</span></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-41283755954969742332013-09-02T09:21:00.001+10:002013-09-02T09:21:53.082+10:00Inspiration from the strangest place<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A light hearted post for that terrible day of the week....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That ever elusive muse of mine has popped up at the most awkward and inconsiderate of times lately.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mainly while I'm at work, and in my job, there is definitely NO room for blogging. The best I can do is type a quick memo/note into my phone - a subject rather than a post - and hope that the urge is still there.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that I'm back at work, I have been engaging in the real world. I know what is happening outside of the worlds of Peppa Pig and Giggle and Hoot. And it's all thanks to having breaks and access to the news.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, in my household, we have over 100 episodes of Peppa Pig. We watch them on a regular basis. And if the television is on and DD is around, it's on ABC4Kids. Because really, who needs their kids who are far to young to understand seeing the horrific footage that's been on lately from around the world?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I've been trawling through news articles. Devouring them. Hating the crap that goes on, and loving the left of field stories.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's why when I found the article about the University of Washington actually working out <a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/university-of-washington-researchers-invent-mindcontrol-mechanism/story-fn5fsgyc-1226706398935" target="_blank">mind control</a> I instantly wanted to go grab my tin foil hat. You know, like in the movie Signs? Because seriously, who is really going to want someone else controlling their actions through mind control? The article says you'd have to be a willing participant, but really???</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's things like that story which have made my return to work a little easier to deal with. It's the adult contact, and it's the stimulation to different parts of my brain that Peppa just cannot get anywhere near. This is what I mean...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/87FrlVIx2Kg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Now there's almost 30 seconds that you won't get back again. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But really, my muse has been hiding in news stories about day to day life all along. Whodathunkit?</span></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-18711755268869248712013-08-30T20:02:00.002+10:002013-08-30T20:02:59.532+10:00Until death do you part<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a romantic idea, isn't it?<br /><br />That line in wedding vows about how the couple will stay together until death parts them?<br /><br />Isn't that what we all hope for on that fairytale day?<br /><br />With current divorce statistics estimating around 1 in 3 marriages end in divorce, are there really people who stick it out? Is it really a fairytale?<br /><br />But here's the clincher for the fairytale.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are married for 65 years. Just days before your 66th wedding anniversary, your husband passes away. 11 hours later, you join him.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it's not a fairytale. It's real life. This is what happened to Harold and Ruth Knapke. You can read their story <a href="http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/couple-married-60-years-die-on-same-day/story-fnet09y4-1226704661405" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to admit, it made me warm and fuzzy to read their story. It makes me want their story.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />It makes me think about how they made it work that long.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did they fight? Did they argue? How mad did they get with each other?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did they say, "I love you?" every night? Did they ever want to throttle to other out of pure frustration?<br /><br />But most of all.... Did they still get that kick in the heart they got the first time they realised that the other was The One.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-16614148355152362782013-08-28T10:27:00.001+10:002013-08-28T10:27:36.971+10:00Reliving the Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Today for the very first time, I'm going to link up with </span><a href="http://mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;" target="_blank">My Little Drummer Boys</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> for Wordless Wednesday. And it's time warp time back to 2011 with my favourite honeymoon photos!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXiege4cN1-RMNHsiG5EYNeOyKm_INqJ8HM8I1eH1ZHKaxl-T-h_cIZz6-KOcwvdq9Zup9ubvPHGSTTep-23ExjZQngdV38mD1FUOZiuYHJdrHyFxT7Gig0SHUnz78fasvj00p_Eg0YQF/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXiege4cN1-RMNHsiG5EYNeOyKm_INqJ8HM8I1eH1ZHKaxl-T-h_cIZz6-KOcwvdq9Zup9ubvPHGSTTep-23ExjZQngdV38mD1FUOZiuYHJdrHyFxT7Gig0SHUnz78fasvj00p_Eg0YQF/s320/IMG_0650.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Huon River, Huon Valley, Tasmania</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju41kHUlXGqErSyWF9efoBK8iXtmDx8j9TsfkK0_LbAMaM60pNs0IgCaGbjFUoj8m9pOfMShI5iGnN4x0vFwRPRxGwNVUxVv5B-pQDZAZmAKlFJOQHbTKpsevH4cYld8Gf0qmBSa11358S/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju41kHUlXGqErSyWF9efoBK8iXtmDx8j9TsfkK0_LbAMaM60pNs0IgCaGbjFUoj8m9pOfMShI5iGnN4x0vFwRPRxGwNVUxVv5B-pQDZAZmAKlFJOQHbTKpsevH4cYld8Gf0qmBSa11358S/s320/IMG_1121.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Nut, Stanley, Tasmania - the weather is why we couldn't do a seal boat cruise</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJOKcRMb2xCmFYk_WmrUi_4WwC5yOpcraRL2j5EB07XRBoDxRRYB3OVcmqAo3KkyrmqNBRPgGoVEObrevWULygyvorTPyxIJJrFlsbg0ffmfI6IDtdECjsFFu1NpDX7V1HieZuyCEwUKI/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJOKcRMb2xCmFYk_WmrUi_4WwC5yOpcraRL2j5EB07XRBoDxRRYB3OVcmqAo3KkyrmqNBRPgGoVEObrevWULygyvorTPyxIJJrFlsbg0ffmfI6IDtdECjsFFu1NpDX7V1HieZuyCEwUKI/s320/IMG_1252.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Melbourne, prior to the start of GP 2011</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE74873KYeGTtuY9M4k33MqWMZFaaSHVmwxKUNUPqWUn_GA39DNEKCcFeTJv5MVgexvDCC-RzTag0VUTIkIrnhnHaJq9lvhM2367Jix5qIJ59HMipYQEmMXrI4kkgM_naL7HG-lNtadI6D/s1600/IMG_1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE74873KYeGTtuY9M4k33MqWMZFaaSHVmwxKUNUPqWUn_GA39DNEKCcFeTJv5MVgexvDCC-RzTag0VUTIkIrnhnHaJq9lvhM2367Jix5qIJ59HMipYQEmMXrI4kkgM_naL7HG-lNtadI6D/s320/IMG_1450.JPG" width="213" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One of the only photos of DH and myself, somewhere on the Great Ocean Road, taken by a lovely fellow tourist</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9iSygnFq_X0dMlvbdkRUc39Aj3fmaa8SfAhAkXL8o1DY-Yvtlw3ezPdb8DFCZkMhB4In0jrCdaDydqjOCdD_qSBPGGQ2K4IWpK6vDKPQMUGyz5ujJwOKTzS0nm1eIduicx5K1I1cFhp1/s1600/IMG_1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9iSygnFq_X0dMlvbdkRUc39Aj3fmaa8SfAhAkXL8o1DY-Yvtlw3ezPdb8DFCZkMhB4In0jrCdaDydqjOCdD_qSBPGGQ2K4IWpK6vDKPQMUGyz5ujJwOKTzS0nm1eIduicx5K1I1cFhp1/s320/IMG_1673.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Huh? Where do we leave? Sovereign Hill</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3nZoMt3Wvund6g5V5Cri5cEdI3p_aXhzHhWOGMVUrRiVwTw_OauZaaiUxWh8EsAbRWU1k7HVVd-Nx9HCDHKZ9pC2MFQljCGnqcxuaGKdWAILDI8Whr70LRjJfhOyqjMRqj5d9C7q2_GW/s1600/IMG_2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3nZoMt3Wvund6g5V5Cri5cEdI3p_aXhzHhWOGMVUrRiVwTw_OauZaaiUxWh8EsAbRWU1k7HVVd-Nx9HCDHKZ9pC2MFQljCGnqcxuaGKdWAILDI8Whr70LRjJfhOyqjMRqj5d9C7q2_GW/s320/IMG_2212.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Yep, he's alive - previously had been lying flat like he'd been run over!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-83373503789363057492013-08-27T09:05:00.000+10:002013-09-02T17:14:14.145+10:00Why can't I eat what I want?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lightbulb moment...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my muse ideas decided to pop up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other day, I was reading <a href="http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health-fitness/eight-foods-you-should-never-eat-again/story-fneuzkvr-1226696031906" target="_blank">this article</a> and by the end I was rolling my eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seems we are told what to eat, when to eat and how to eat these days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What happened to being responsible for your own actions?<br />
<br />
I'm guilty of eating most of these items, on occasion and in moderation. Isn't that the key? Moderation?<br />
<br />
It's like Cookie Monster - it's a sometimes food.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It got me thinking though. We all know there are foods that are bad for us. But what foods are bad for you as an individual? What foods do you avoid because you just cannot stand them?<br />
<br />
MY top 5 foods to avoid are:<br />
<br />
1. Cucumber. Not sure what it is about it, but it tastes absolutely horrible to me!<br />
<br />
2. Bananas. This possibly stems from a really bad immune system as a kid so there were a few cases of antibiotics.<br />
<br />
3. Custard. Ugh, the texture and flavour just doesn't do it for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Mangoes. Meh. Just don't like 'em. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Old school cheese sticks. You know, the fake cheese? It's bad enough in slices, let alone chunks. Bleh. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But seriously, do we have to be told constantly what to do? Are we not adults? Do we not have brains? Just because there is an obesity "epidemic" across the world, why must we all be made to feel like crap because we have healthy balanced diets and enjoy a variety of foods?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://digitalparents.com.au/page/dp-blog-carnival" title="Digital Parents Blog Carnival" target="_blank"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/gHA4wkWOWje7BaDJdtsiey2O9-Qlbalg3io3*DH6FQZNcbvVN-cSe0lGgs3i6iEcf6y8yn*X3w30waf4mkdkKTKRqQRYO*64/blogcarnival.gif" style="width:150px;" alt="Digital Parents Blog Carnival" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-24779256634372975612013-08-26T09:04:00.001+10:002013-08-26T09:04:18.178+10:00Lost and Found....And Lost Again<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blogger tells me my last post was quite a long time ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For this I apologise. My brain has not been my own and has not been functioning correctly for some time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sickness has been rife in our household. No excuses though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've now been back at work for almost 2 months. Granted it's only two days a week so it isn't that long at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My muse has been gone for a fair while. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then last week, I had a pearler of an idea for a blog post.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I was at work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where I can't do anything about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ten minutes later, the exact same thing. This happens for about an hour and I'm brimming with fantastic ideas. I can't wait to put "pen to paper" so to speak and share everything with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get home, bath DD, have dinner, put DD to bed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't feel like grabbing the laptop from the office. I might wake DD.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My eyes hurt from 8 hours straight of looking at a computer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm too lazy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll do it tomorrow night. Same thing happens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So today, in a moment of peace while DD settles for her nap and DH is at work, I decide to get these ideas out. Tell the world! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But you know what?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My muse is gone again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Where? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You tell me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is it about the atmosphere at work? Is it because I can't do anything about it? Is it the adult contact and conversation? Is it the type of work I'm doing?<br /><br />I'm going to try and set aside some time each week to blog, and hopefully I will have a few posts in reserve. Eventually.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But for now, this little tidbit is going to be it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I apologise to anyone who is following me. I know I'm slack. But I promise to at least try harder.</span>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-82646226707212370062013-07-05T09:22:00.000+10:002013-07-05T09:22:13.799+10:00Returning to work<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night my heart was racing, I was shaky and I felt sick. I also wanted to cry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of this because on Thursday I was back to work after 18 months away looking after our beautiful Darling Daughter (DD).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I barely slept Wednesday night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday morning came and I didn't want to not do the daycare drop off so hubby and I both took DD to daycare. She had no idea what was going on except that Mummy was wearing "nice" clothes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My heart was STILL racing and I still felt sick. I didn't so much feel like crying but running away and hiding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why was I so worried?<br /><br />I'll admit it. I'm shallow. I was worried no one would talk to me. That no one would like me. I can't help but wonder if this was exacerbated by my PND.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I rocked up only 15 minutes early. Before DD I would be there at least half an hour early to have a coffee and a chat. No time for that yesterday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Admittedly I got my coffee. Then when I sat down with the lovely lady doing my return to work training, I felt at ease. Things made sense. I had set guidelines I had to follow to help people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I forgot about the teasing and ribbing from a few people. I'd forgotten how much I missed them. One of the guys can't believe I do my own footy tips. Maybe because I'm not just beating him but I'm on the top of the ladder. For now. We've still got a fair way to go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I missed hearing people on the other end of the phone wanting me (or my colleagues) fix their problem whatever it may be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then came the dreaded phone call from daycare. DD had some suss nappies. Could we please pick her up? So I rang hubby as he had the car with our carseat (our second carseat is waiting for us at our local Target to be picked up). He took a few hours off work. Then he text me to say daycare wanted us to keep her home today to be on the safe side. I only work 2 days a week. Today should have been my second day back. But here I am blogging away. While DD sleeps peacefully. We're thinking it's her teeth. She's certainly not off her food, bottles or water. And her top molars are cutting. Ewwww. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I'm glad I went back. I'm happy I took the extra 6 months. Yes it was hard financially but we did it. I'm also super happy that I've gone back now, and not any later. I can't wait to finish my return to work training next week and really get back in the swing of things. </span>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-26307810372341356572013-06-04T07:41:00.000+10:002013-06-04T07:41:33.033+10:00I'm a LAP'er <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm a LAP'er. And I'm proud of it, and everyone else who is one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is a LAP'er? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a mum, or a dad, who is a member of <a href="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/" target="_blank">L'il Aussie Prems</a> forum.<br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/wp-content/themes/lilaussieprems/skins/skin1/images/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/wp-content/themes/lilaussieprems/skins/skin1/images/logo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Darling Daughter (DD) was born, I wondered who the hell I was going to talk to, ask questions, relate to. None of my friends were parents to prems, or so I thought. There's no support group in my town, nowhere to turn to relate to premmie issues. You might remember from a previous post, that we weren't allowed to go to any of the mum's groups (<a href="http://jomorechapter.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/the-in-between.html" target="_blank">The In Between</a>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I turned to everyone's good friend, <a href="http://www.google.com/" target="_blank">Google</a>. I looked up things about premmies, from local support groups to worldwide groups, and then I found L'il Aussie Prems. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the first moment I joined their forum, everyone was so welcoming. Over the last 18 months, I have seen LAP grow from just a support group, to a registered charity helping families of premmie babies get through it all. I have to admit, when things are going great, I don't post on the forum very much, because I feel a bit bad for the parents who are having a bad time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Through LAP, our family has celebrated two <a href="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/wear-green-for-premmies-2013/" target="_blank">Wear Green For Premmies</a> days in 2012 and 2013 by wearing green and our wristbrands and one <a href="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/world-prematurity-day-2012/" target="_blank">World Prematurity Day</a> by lighting our special purple candle at the same time as many other families.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/topright-300x153.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/topright-300x153.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's also a wealth of knowledge for parents who might be in the midst of bringing a premmie into the world. Their <a href="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/premature-baby-articles/" target="_blank">Information Page</a> has links to different articles which can help explain what might happen next.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've found myself returning to the forums lately, mainly because it's been almost 18 months since DD joined us and also because I'm facing the daunting, yet exciting prospect of returning to work. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that if I ever have a question about if DD is doing what she "should", the parents on L'il Aussie Prems will have the answer, and on the slight off chance they don't, I'll still get support.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please stop by and have a look around the website. What you will find about these wonderful, awesome little fighters might surprise you. And if you are a parent of a prem, feel free to join us in the message boards. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I'm linking up with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for #IBOT<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">** All images have been used with permission from L'il Aussie Prems :)</span></span></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-16186255628130541102013-04-05T08:21:00.002+10:002013-04-05T08:21:41.147+10:00Shhhh<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you hear that? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nope, that's the sound of silence. It's what my keyboard has been like for nearly two weeks now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've got no blog-spiration. I don't watch the news, we are eating dinner at that time and have ABC4Kids on in the background for noise, so current events are out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No funny or interesting stories. I could probably have a whinge about mountain biking but that might upset Darling Husband (DH).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've still been reading blogs as much as I can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />But DH has had the laptop squirreled away to use for his uni studies. It's behind a closed door again because a certain little someone likes to push buttons on it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm feeling flat and uninspired lately. I think it's lack of contact with people, but that's my own fault. I'm a creature of singularity sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please bear with me while I turn my life upside down and try to find my mojo?</span>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-36959524780486744502013-03-19T08:38:00.000+10:002013-03-19T08:38:39.833+10:00Hey, you. It's me<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey, you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sorry we lost contact. I tried so hard when I left the industry to track down a way to contact you, but I just couldn't find you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I met you ten years ago, well, just over ten years ago now. I was a naive 18 year old, you were the one who would end up training me in the ways of insurance. And for that, I thank you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only that, but you were, and will always remain, a loved friend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We worked together for almost four years before you left the company, and I can honestly say, I'm glad you got out when you did. Things went pear shaped not long after you left.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You stayed in the industry, so with us both being part of such a "small" group, it was easy to still talk to you, email you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember that my mum, you and your sister all conspired to decorate the office for my 18th. You would have had to have been out of bed early that day, and I know for a fact, you weren't a morning person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of my funniest experiences happened with you, like the time I told you I thought the dog catcher was "a bit of alright" and you kindly informed me he was your nephew. I wanted the world to open up and swallow me at that moment. I can only imagine the shade of red I went.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You're the reason for my Anne Bishop obsession, lending me your copies of the Dark Jewels trilogy. That reminds me, it's March. I should go to the bookshop - she's due to release another one!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOrYZvWoJ1bcKvgckPpVP5ZwOfBDYhFpxuWrfj5MwpYnT7ZMcBVlSIaRlkAbx1O_cbQlc0JOfdenLJOKBE6z0A1BnW2IQztyLgwWKlIsZKVznAVpwZohP3s17jZDhiMX0WyNLAtZu86bY/s1600/IMG_4734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOrYZvWoJ1bcKvgckPpVP5ZwOfBDYhFpxuWrfj5MwpYnT7ZMcBVlSIaRlkAbx1O_cbQlc0JOfdenLJOKBE6z0A1BnW2IQztyLgwWKlIsZKVznAVpwZohP3s17jZDhiMX0WyNLAtZu86bY/s320/IMG_4734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There's more stashed, trust me!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You also encouraged me to start collecting the DVD sets of Stargate SG-1 and Dark Angel. I took it further and included Farscape, Battlestar Galactica 2003 and Firefly/Serenity.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztGdbIye0BQOxev_49FPIrFMEIS6AbW6U3MvvGUpyfqCj2BNqoSgOZPNyuOnC9fXX4oxEzRUq1Kp7oMNeP-cHSI3KkpE93NgTVdgC7C1AMa0QORT9jD0FuSZQVp_Vr3IADGZJh8IJiCLo/s1600/IMG_4733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztGdbIye0BQOxev_49FPIrFMEIS6AbW6U3MvvGUpyfqCj2BNqoSgOZPNyuOnC9fXX4oxEzRUq1Kp7oMNeP-cHSI3KkpE93NgTVdgC7C1AMa0QORT9jD0FuSZQVp_Vr3IADGZJh8IJiCLo/s320/IMG_4733.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I even have the SG-1 books!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We saw each other in September last year, in Coles. It was the first time I had seen you in a number of years. I won't lie, your appearance shocked me, but I KNEW it was you from your voice and your cheerfulness when you said, "Hey, Miss Sarah!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's something else you started. It's not the same when someone else calls me that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last time I saw you was the day bub was discharged from hospital after being crook. We didn't get to talk, but I saw it in your eyes. I'm so glad you got that fleeting look of my darling little girl. You would love her, and I know she would love you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I heard the news of your passing, at first, I wasn't sad. I had been expecting the news for some time. But as it sunk in, that I'd never hear your voice again, never share a joke, never show bub off to you, it hurt. You're the first friend I've lost in over 10 years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We farewelled you last week. You wanted us all to wear purple. So I did. And because I knew you'd laugh, I wore purple undies for you too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm still sad but gee I'm laughing now, especially knowing that you've written down stories about me and your family (including your nephew) have read them. I'm also cringing but in a good way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where ever you are now, I know you won't make it easy on anyone. You make sure they are all up to your standards!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love and sci-fi forever,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miss Sarah</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I'm linking up with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a> for IBOT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/1775-2/ibot" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://essentiallyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ibotbutton.png" /></a></div>
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-25970188712364757982013-03-12T08:41:00.001+10:002013-03-12T08:41:57.343+10:00A slip of the tongue<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today it's IBOT day with <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/1775-2/ibot" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://essentiallyjess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ibotbutton.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know it's being talked about EVERYWHERE, but I'm jumping onto this too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, the Duchess of Cambridge had a slip of the tongue and said she would take a teddy bear (as a gift) for her d.......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The giver of the gift assumes she was going to say daughter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But what if her and the Duke are having a darling baby? Or dear son?<br />
<br />
Why is everyone presuming it's a little girl?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong, with the new succession laws I'm really hoping they do have a little girl first so that there IS going to be another Queen in the not to distant future, without her father/brother having to abdicate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It got me thinking though. Maybe the Duchess has baby brain? I honestly don't blame her. Darling Husband (DH) and I had names (girl definite, boy tentative) and we were keeping them a secret. We wanted it all to be a suprise for everyone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So imagine my absolute dismay at myself with speaking with a colleague at work and I spill the names! I tried to cover, but I'm pretty sure she didn't believe me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it doesn't always happen to pregnant women. It can happen to children (spilling secrets) or an excited adult accidentally ruining a surprise. Like a birthday present. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's your biggest, "Oh crap, I shouldn't have said anything moment?"</span>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-2074590343425674422013-03-05T08:32:00.000+10:002013-03-05T08:36:03.659+10:00Only, but not lonely<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's IBOT day today so I'm linking up with the lovely <a href="http://essentiallyjess.com/" target="_blank">Essentially Jess</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to everyone who voted in my poll. Looks like you want to know what it was like for me growing up as an only child.</span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm an only child, but not by choice. I'll leave the rest of it at that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm the child my parents were told they'd never have. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing up, it never occurred to me that everyone else had brothers and sisters.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kids would tell me I was strange or missing out.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my early years of preschool, my best friend was a boy named Matt. I was going to marry him. His father was the MC at my wedding to Darling Husband (DH) because he is a close family friend of both families. I used to hang out with Matt and his younger brother. His parents are the only parents of friends who I refer to by their first names. Even now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there was the trusty trio in grades one and two. Ezza, Mezza, and Sezza. Sadly, we all drifted apart, but through Facebook have reconnected. These ladies should know who they are. When spending time with Ezza, she had two younger, twin sisters. Mezza had an older sister and a younger sister. See? Plenty of people to hang out and play with.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Different friends over the years. But always with siblings. I felt like an extension of those siblings in many cases. Did I get lonely at home? I sure as hell don't remember feeling that way. Did I ever wish for brothers or sisters? I won't lie, I sure did. Was I spoilt? Probably. But I think I've turned out ok.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a child, if I wasn't asking to go and play at someone's house, I was reading. Something which I still love to do today. Being an only child meant that there was only ever MY lot of book club to pay for, meaning I could order more. I let friends borrow books. I still had friends for sleep overs. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm extremely blessed to have my best friend, Tegan, who is my sister of the heart. We don't need blood to connect us. We are two peas in a pod, an extension of each other. We can have an entire conversation with nothing but a few eyebrow wiggles, or on a busy day, a few little noises or even just one word each. Without Tegan, I don't know who I would be anymore. I am also lucky now to have a sister-in-law. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But please don't look at an only child with pity. It may be through choice or otherwise. We don't miss out on things, we aren't monsters or freaks. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our parents just managed to make the "perfect" child on the first go! (sorry people with siblings!)</span></div><br />
Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-67318707673967856232013-03-04T08:36:00.000+10:002013-03-04T08:36:57.810+10:00I hate ants<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess my title says it all. I hate ants. The little blighters make me so angry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Darling Husband (DH) keeps telling me it's because our house is 'dirty'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meaning I don't do enough housework.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll admit it, I don't like doing housework, but I do enough so that we live in a nice, clean, comfortable environment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Right now, I'm watching one of the little menaces climb up the wall, that's been sprayed with ant spray. Why won't they die??<br /><br />I'm sick of picking them off Darling Daughter's (DD's) mat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's only been since ex-TC Oswald that all the ant dramas escalated to the point now where the slightest tickle on my leg and I'm madly swatting to get them off me. Whether they are there or not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've sprayed ant spray, I've tried killing by hand, I've tried vaccuuming them up. To no avail.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My house is almost spotless. Where the ants are most, IS spotless, it's been cleaned that many times in the last few days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are driving me batty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess you could say I'm getting ant-sy (oh a terrible, terrible joke, I know)</span>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4984979521484532706.post-77836671584973044952013-03-01T12:50:00.000+10:002013-03-01T12:50:11.238+10:00Socially stunted<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post isn't about feeling sorry for myself, or for anyone else. This is just something that I wanted to put out there for all to know and maybe understand a little better. And I'm sorry, it's not my readers choice post. Yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having a premature baby is one of the most socially isolating things to ever happen to me. I wasn't a popular person in school, I was a nerd, but this far surpasses even the pain of being an outcast in high school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When someone has a baby, there's always the thought of, "Oh, I have a cold, I might not go visit just yet."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if that baby is a premmie, that is more important than ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, amongst all the other complications stemming from premature birth, there is also the added risk of an immature immune system.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For this reason, we were advised by our health care professionals that for at least the first six weeks, to avoid crowded places, places with large airconditioning systems and people who had been sick in the last week or fortnight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This meant being stuck at home, going nowhere as a family. DH (Darling Husband) would go to work and come home. If a colleague was sick, he'd avoid them and have a shower as soon as he came in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After her six week needles, it changed to mainly avoiding sick people and places where sick people might converge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other parents didn't seem to understand when I would ask if they or their child (or children) had been sick. If their child had a runny nose, they never understood why I'd make an excuse and not meet up with them.<br /><br />When DD (Darling Daughter) got sick at 4 months of age, it was terrifying. It was the first time she had ever been sick. As the parent of a premmie, my biggest fear was RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). It's common in children and can often lead to hospitalisation, but it is especially dangerous to premmies. For more information about it, please see the Lil Aussie Prems page on <a href="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/" target="_blank">Respiratory Syncytial Virus</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We spent 4 days and nights sitting up with DD constantly as she would choke and be unable to breathe. Thankfully though, it was just a bad cold that turned instantly into a chest infection and it wasn't RSV.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even now, at 14 months old, I still won't willingly subject her to kids I KNOW are sick. Seriously, I don't go up to someone when they have a cold or vomiting to try and catch it, so why should I subject my child to it?<br /><br />Yes, I know getting sick helps to build their immune system in the long run. If she catches it, she catches it, but I'm not going to play Russian roulette with my daughters health. You never know, it just might be more serious for her than your child. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">14 months on and it's still hard. I feel like a social outcast, never to be allowed out again. It might have something to do with the rainy weather, or it might be the fact that DD has a chest infection again, and to allow her to get better we haven't gone anywhere until yesterday and even that was a bad idea. I still have days where I feel so alone because we barely ever hear from anyone anymore, and I feel like I am being cut off from society one tiny strand at a time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, the next time a friend of yours has a baby, who is premature (less than 37 weeks gestation), please show a little consideration. Please don't ignore them, exclude them or make them feel guilty if they cancel on an event because they've just found out that someone coming has had vomiting and diarrhoea in the last week. Simply let them know that it's ok. You understand. Reschedule. And if they are still nervous, please <u>please</u> don't hate them. Don't make a joke of it. It's hard enough being a parent let alone a parent of a premature or chronically ill child. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you do have a premmie, please check out <a href="http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/" target="_blank">Lil Aussie Prems</a> for information and their <a href="http://forum.lilaussieprems.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">forum</a> for support and understanding from other premmie parents. </span>Just One More Chapterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438633558454736596noreply@blogger.com2