tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44377421871490671132024-02-21T21:51:09.633+11:00Diary of a Domestically Challenged HousewifePerfectly ImperfectNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-1778157379340337852010-07-31T14:59:00.000+10:002010-07-31T14:59:41.495+10:00A meme to get the ball rolling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXI2Qn-2zARENjYSV5PnRp6iGVaSp1hM9sTUdpsM1szFpGoNnEG5JtIu4KTyaFiGexFGPRKC_FNEmIFvqEwRX4L5oADEg5cdftqVvzgaQb6BVKBwJuGCquilX7Hsym433O3z1yO3JNH-E/s1600/book+cover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXI2Qn-2zARENjYSV5PnRp6iGVaSp1hM9sTUdpsM1szFpGoNnEG5JtIu4KTyaFiGexFGPRKC_FNEmIFvqEwRX4L5oADEg5cdftqVvzgaQb6BVKBwJuGCquilX7Hsym433O3z1yO3JNH-E/s400/book+cover+2.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Writing my blog is a bit like a conducting a relationship. Sometimes I pay it a lot of loving attention, visit daily and am totally absorbed by it. Other times I need a little bit of space to attend to other things, refresh and renew. Yes, blog and I have had a bit of much needed space, and absence certainly has made the heart grow fonder. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Two things. Firstly, fiance noted the love triangle developing between myself, blog and him and requested some quality time. I think his words were something to the effect of:</div><br />
Fiance: 'You're on the computer too much, why don't you turn it off and spend some time with me of an evening. Hey I know, maybe we can watch the sport together!' <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Nic (thinking quality time and watching sport = oxymoron alert!'): 'Uh huh! Ok but does that mean you'll come with me to salsa classes one or two nights a week?'</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Fiance: 'Errrrr.....'</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Secondly, I've had a good run after 18 months as a stay at home mum, but as much as I love blogging, it isn't paying the bills. So in early May I returned to the world of work 3 days a week. After that little shock to the system, and taking some time to adapt to life juggling work and family, it's time to blog once more!<br />
<br />
So it was really appropriate that Heather from <a href="http://travelingwith4kids.blogspot.com/">My Travels with 4 Kids</a> tagged me for this meme....'Repost your first ever blog post'. The rules are that I need to repost my first ever post, then tag 5 other blogs to do the same. What a great exercise to review where I've been, where I'm heading and how my blog has evolved. In fact when I first signed up to Blogger I had no idea what I wanted to say and took 6 months to write my first post (no surprises there!). So here it is:<br />
<br />
********************************************************************************<br />
Learning the Art of Homemaking (originally posted 7th September 2009)<br />
<br />
I've been responsible for a £10 million pound marketing budget. In one quarter I juggled and delivered 22 marketing direct mail packs on time. I once project managed an event that involved 70 members of staff over a period of 6 weeks, working 12 hours a day. And yet managing a home has been by far the hardest thing I've ever done.<br />
<br />
I now have a new found admiration for my mother who at the tender age of 22, had a 16 month old and a new born, kept a fastidiously clean and tidy house, and kept us clothed and fed on a shoestring budget. I believe that Homemaking does not come naturally to most women. It's a skill, an artform that is learned just like any job role. In my mother's and grandmother's day women were expected to take on the role of full-time housewife once they were married. Their education revolved around learning home duties. Now women have more choice and education revolves around developing a career.<br />
<br />
My mother dropped by with some books I had stored at her house since I had moved to London. Amongst them was a book titled The Collin's Book of Household Hints and Tips. 'Oh no', I protested, 'this isn't mine, it must have got mixed up with my books'. 'Oh really?', my mother replied with fake nonchalance, 'it must be one of your grandmother's. Oh well you may as well keep it since it's here now.' Hmmmm, are you trying to tell me something mum? A 'quick' flick through revealed some interesting and alarming advice. You're meant to clean the fly screens on your windows at least once every three months, mirrors can go for a month between cleans, but toilets and floors should be cleaned everyday! I'm still getting around to clearing away the dishes from last nights dinner!<br />
<br />
So now my new education begins; learning the art of Homemaking. But first I guess I better get out of my pyjamas and attack those dishes!<br />
<br />
*******************************************************************************<br />
Haha I think I may have lightened up just a little since then!<br />
<br />
I'm passing this meme on to the following:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.boobiesbabiesandablog.com/">Boobies Babies & A Blog</a><br />
<a href="http://www.motherhoodthetruth.blogspot.com/">The Truth About Motherhood</a><br />
<a href="http://www.meanderingmadmother.blogspot.com/">Meaningless Meandering from a Madmother</a><br />
<a href="http://www.punkrockmomma.com/">Punk Rock Momma</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pampersandpinot.com/">Pampers and Pinot</a><br />
<br />
So thanks <a href="http://travelingwith4kids.blogspot.com/">Heather</a> for pulling me out of my blogging rut and helping to remind me how much fun blogging is! <br />
<br />
Until next time,<br />
Nic<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-60545727760314501192010-03-21T15:31:00.001+11:002010-03-21T15:35:47.120+11:00Some Honest Scrap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjCcRRgx1e9nsMnKodvla7a9Xu3X_L78nRP7LceRwYjOK4dG7FymghRYOEwmjl_hfbd6sg-T07_MniG19zihlXM4W7o1bL5969LNZsT6s7eaoOTgFnSAZotEIbn8VF-jQ2Nc4TIlQdkXu/s1600-h/honestscrapaward.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjCcRRgx1e9nsMnKodvla7a9Xu3X_L78nRP7LceRwYjOK4dG7FymghRYOEwmjl_hfbd6sg-T07_MniG19zihlXM4W7o1bL5969LNZsT6s7eaoOTgFnSAZotEIbn8VF-jQ2Nc4TIlQdkXu/s320/honestscrapaward.png" vt="true" /></a> Thanks to my fellow mummy blogger at <a href="http://imfindingmyweigh.blogspot.com/">Finding My Weigh</a> for passing on the Honest Scrap Award to me! The Honest Scrap Award is 'for bloggers who put their heart on display as they write from the depths of their soul.' <a href="http://imfindingmyweigh.blogspot.com/">Finding My Weigh</a> is a true 'Honest Scrapee'; I love reading her posts on post pregnancy weight struggles and trying toddler times, so check her blog out if you haven't done so already.<br />
Ok so now I have to list 10 honest, random and interesting things about myself, so pull up a chair, grab a glass of wine and get a pillow to rest your head, it's gonna be a long night because...<br />
<br />
<br />
....1. I'm a mull-it-over type of person. Some people have an uncanny ability to think and speak on the spot but when I try this, all I get is deafening silence and the sound of the the wind whistling between my ears. Not surprising then that one of my most used lines is '<em>let me think about that.</em>' It's the reason why my blog posts take an age to write. I write some, I google trivial crap (read: procrastinate), I write some more, I delete everything I've written and start over, I read some blogs, I write some more, I sleep on it overnight, I search through iStock images (read: procrastinate), I write a bit more. Then finally a week or so down the track a blog post is published. It's also the reason why it's taken me two weeks to compile this list, so....<br />
<br />
....2. I asked fiance to help me out:<br />
<br />
Nic: <em>'Tell me something about myself that's interesting or random.'</em><br />
Fiance: <em>'Hmmm well you've travelled heaps?'</em><br />
Nic: <em>'Yes but that's not really what I'm looking for, anything else?</em>'<br />
Fiance: <em>'I dunno you've never really done anything that random'</em><br />
Nic: <em>'Uh huh, ok thanks and never mind!'</em><br />
<br />
So there you have fiance's contribution to my list. I lived in London for 7 years which is a perfect base for globe hopping. My favourite city of all time is Florence for the architecture, art and that <em>amazing</em> sculpture of the Statue of David.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGiqIxnyb1ZzvvbodOICG_E0hGqb0d4J2ochGEFtYc4wWzmY9xnpW2pWQ6RG7yJ6qKBgTDADFre0m1uY10D4FUBlRkIhWgwp93clOpwBZBCyIsJ7OEdg1KQJ-M4F5V_6rOf41PTiTCB8F/s1600-h/band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGiqIxnyb1ZzvvbodOICG_E0hGqb0d4J2ochGEFtYc4wWzmY9xnpW2pWQ6RG7yJ6qKBgTDADFre0m1uY10D4FUBlRkIhWgwp93clOpwBZBCyIsJ7OEdg1KQJ-M4F5V_6rOf41PTiTCB8F/s200/band.jpg" vt="true" width="200" /></a></div>3. I love music with a passion. In days of yore (pre-baby that is), fiance and I averaged at least one music gig a week, sometimes more. I've seen Joe Cocker perform inside the Tower of London, stood less than a few metres away from Prince watching him perform Stevie Wonder covers at his after show party (pure genius!), and seen INXS play at my small local town hall before they were famous. If they invented a time machine the first thing I would do is transport myself back to the Woodstock and Glastonbury Festivals of the late '60s. Fortunately I've been able to see some awesome comeback appearances by artists like The Who, Paul McCartney, The Police and Blondie that I was too young to see first time round.<br />
<br />
4. I once had a very cheesy piece of 5 minute fiction published in an Australian women's magazine. My short story about a woman who meets the man of her dreams in the supermarket (barf barf) paid the princely sum of $270. Originally titled '<em>The Shopping List</em>', the editor changed it for publication to <em>'Aisle of Love'</em> (cough, splutter, double barf barf!). I haven't tried to repeat it since which is probably just as well for an unsuspecting public, and Dame Barbara Cartland's crown as the queen of Mills and Boon remains safe for the time being.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeGk9NYjOM_qYA1RjEA6bSkhcIjEAA1kGB08ocvcKHmVDQClrGa_MrxYnipncKYoq7qnb-vsuv7iIF7dmXz8DelpYQK8LeDfS1VO_q1Mh6uZLEuFeTJ46Z8BF29nSps9pD7fONg9Tlw0e/s1600-h/lotus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeGk9NYjOM_qYA1RjEA6bSkhcIjEAA1kGB08ocvcKHmVDQClrGa_MrxYnipncKYoq7qnb-vsuv7iIF7dmXz8DelpYQK8LeDfS1VO_q1Mh6uZLEuFeTJ46Z8BF29nSps9pD7fONg9Tlw0e/s200/lotus.jpg" vt="true" width="200" /></a></div>5. I have a small tattoo of a lotus flower on my behind. I was first inspired by the symbolism of the lotus flower after seeing the movie about Tina Turner; '<em>What's Love Got To Do With It</em>'. The following quote appears in the opening titles:<br />
<br />
<em>'The lotus is a flower that blooms in the mud. The thicker and deeper the mud, the more beautiful the lotus blooms</em>.'<br />
<br />
That quote really struck a chord with me, and the idea that such a beautiful flower survives adversity and grows toward the sun really motivates me to keep going no matter what life throws my way.<br />
<br />
6. As a starry eyed teen I harboured ambitions to be an actress or a singer despite being painfully shy and of nervous disposition. I tried drama classes but suffered stage fright every time I had to perform (a case of the old wind whistling between the ears again!). Career fail? Yep!<br />
<br />
7. I'm a comfort eater. If I'm stressed or bored I have the frightening ability to inhale food.<br />
<br />
8. I'm a bit of a worrier, always have been ever since I can remember. Significant others have been known to refer to me as stressy pants, panic pants and stress head. What can I say other than I'm a gemini and it's in our nature to be flighty and prone to nervous energy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEBoSeIDZh39FTSv_S1hsEk4xixCT35Y4JliIPIGz5a_5bDqnp6BrQpL0htHpi-CluzLhs8xgbbFugICBDoWTi9VzYibbGVLd1cdrQSkEnjnY_NMZ5_TWmjK7PnkNpc7fli9q7Xlnc4pb/s1600-h/ballet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEBoSeIDZh39FTSv_S1hsEk4xixCT35Y4JliIPIGz5a_5bDqnp6BrQpL0htHpi-CluzLhs8xgbbFugICBDoWTi9VzYibbGVLd1cdrQSkEnjnY_NMZ5_TWmjK7PnkNpc7fli9q7Xlnc4pb/s200/ballet.JPG" vt="true" width="200" /></a></div>9. I studied dance (classical, jazz and tap) for 10 years. Although I never had the physique (my ballet teacher told me I needed to lose some weight when I was 11, gotta love the early 80s for a complete lack of political correctness!). I would clomp around the class while others pattered gracefully but still I loved it and only started losing interest when I discovered boys and partying!<br />
<br />
....and finally one from Google....10. On my blogger dashboard, my blog title is automatically abbreviated to 'Diary of a Domestically Challenged Ho....'! On that note I'm going to maintain a dignified silence!<br />
<br />
Now for 7 bloggers that I feel embody the Honest Scrap spirit;<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bustedplumbing.com/">Busted Plumbing</a><br />
<a href="http://calamityandotherstuff.blogspot.com/">Calamity, Kids and Other Stuff</a><br />
<a href="http://the-lunatic-cafe.blogspot.com/">The Lunatic Cafe</a><br />
<a href="http://motrctymommyx.blogspot.com/">Mommy X</a><br />
<a href="http://kbxmas.blogspot.com/">Wanderlust</a><br />
<a href="http://www.headacheshormonesandhotflashes.com/">Headaches Hormones and Hotflashes</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thesnyder5.com/">The Snyder 5</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And finally a big thank you to Jane over at <a href="http://worldofmamayjane.blogspot.com/">World of Mamay Jane</a> for giving me the Beautiful Blogger award, now twice bestowed. So just incase you're on the verge of pushing up z's and that pillow is feeling more and more comfortable, I'll link to my previous post for this award <a href="http://domesticallychallengedhousewife.blogspot.com/2010/02/sharing-beautiful-blogger-awards-love.html">Sharing the Beautiful Blogger Awards Love</a><br />
<br />
Have a great week!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-32310294147557791452010-03-12T20:27:00.001+11:002010-03-12T20:29:21.596+11:00It's a Friday Follow Fest!It's Friday Follow and here are two awesome blog hops:<br />
<br />
Numero Uno....<br />
<a href="http://www.middayescapades.com/search/label/Friday%20Follow" target="_blank"><img alt="Friday Follow" src="http://blogrockmaryrc.com/followfriday01.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Check out Friday Follow hosted by <a href="http://one2try.blogspot.com/">One2Try</a>, <a href="http://heartsmakefamilies.com/">Hearts Make Families</a> and <a href="http://www.middayescapades.com/">Midday Escapades</a> and sponsored by Tooth Soap! Hop on over and enter your blog URL in the Mcklinky. Follow the hosts (the first 3 on the list) and as many other blogs as you like. Don't forget to display the Follow button and sponsor button on your blog!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.toothsoap.com/special-offers" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/dperry_2007/toothsoapbutton.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Numero due...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mummy-time.com/"><img alt="mummytime" border="0" src="http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/mummy-time/FlogYoBlog/th_flogyoblog.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Brenda over at <a href="http://www.mummy-time.com/">Mummy Time</a> is hosting FlogYoBlog Friday so hop and over and get your McKlinky on. Enter your blog URL and a 100 word description if you so desire, then follow Mummy Time and as many other blogs as you like.<br />
<br />
It's all happening! Happy Friday Follow Fest!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-2064840358813668742010-03-10T22:06:00.000+11:002010-03-10T22:06:33.408+11:00Rockabye Baby!<span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=diarofadomech-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000L22TAG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=diarofadomech-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000IFSFYA" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ1RvZPLUuk7KOpY9clHKUZtDhr7YJpJgJPY0VDAmYs2jQiHFqaCCgP5vo0kKLpop-T2ht_oKwNlWliiXSn3ED9DzlXDR09OhyEacCLdD7almTuM3eBR2FLTAIutL-zlAVbuRu732qez9/s1600-h/baby+record.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ1RvZPLUuk7KOpY9clHKUZtDhr7YJpJgJPY0VDAmYs2jQiHFqaCCgP5vo0kKLpop-T2ht_oKwNlWliiXSn3ED9DzlXDR09OhyEacCLdD7almTuM3eBR2FLTAIutL-zlAVbuRu732qez9/s200/baby+record.jpg" vt="true" width="133" /></a></div>A British survey by <em>Mother and Baby</em> magazine found that parents prefer to sing their little ones to sleep with pop songs, and have trouble remembering the lyrics to more traditional lullabies and nursery rhymes. Am I surprised? Quite frankly, no. Having trouble remembering? I don't think so. It's a ploy. A chance to regain some sanity you see.<br />
<br />
To explain, as I write my son is watching <em>Yo Gabba Gabba</em> on TV, which means one thing; for the rest of the day I'll have 'Yo Gabba Gabba Yo Gabba Gabba' stuck in my head. I'll catch myself singing it when putting the washing out, or humming it while turbo charging through the aisles at the supermarket. As if that's not enough, within the course of a day my son watches more than one show, so at any given time I could have a whole swag of kiddy jingles rattling around inside my grey matter. It could be: 'hot dog hot dog hot diggity dog hot dog hot dog hot diggity dog (thanks <em>Mickey Mouse Clubhouse</em>!), 'There's an animal in trouble, there's an animal in trouble....what's going to work? Teaaaamwork<em>'</em> (hope I can repay the favour one day <em>Wonderpets</em>!) or, not forgetting our British counterparts, 'Yes my name is Iggle Piggle, Iggle Piggle Iggle Iggle Piggle' (you're oh so polite aren't you <em>In The Nightgarden</em>?). And don't think the Australian shows get off lightly, I'm talking to you <em>Wiggles </em>and your 'Hot potato hot potato'!<br />
<br />
It doesn't stop with TV shows either. Yes that's right, I'm naming and shaming! Mr Fisher and Mr Price, you know who you are. My son has one of your <em>Yankee Doodle Dandy</em> playing ride on toys. If I go about my day singing 'Yankee Doodle went to town riding on a poneeeee stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroniiiiiii' one more time, I think I'll go insane. And lets not even go there with your Laugh and Learn Piggy Bank: <em>'</em>Ohhhhh I'm a piggy bank with coins big and small in lots of colours you can learn them all...oink oink!' Incidentally Fisher and Price, surely you can afford to put more than one female singer on your payroll, must all your toys sound the same? <br />
<br />
So is it any wonder that at the end of a day of singing robots and cartoon dogs, oinking piggy banks and ride on cars belting out old revolutionary war numbers, that parents of the world just want to get a little of their own back?<br />
<br />
What sing-to-sleep pop songs made it into the top 20 you ask? Take That is at the top of the list with <em>Patience</em>.<em> I Kissed a Girl </em>by Katy Perry makes it in at number 3, while Guns and Roses' <em>Sweet Child O Mine </em>is sitting high in 8th position (I might need to enlist the help of fiance to play some air guitar if I sing that one!). You can read the full article and top 20 here <a href="http://www.motherandbaby.com.au/ContentItem.aspx?ContentID=1117">Rocking it. No more lullabies for babies?</a><br />
<br />
Anyway I have to go, <em>Young Einsteins</em> is about to come on and I don't think I can take another tune at this point....'the puppet show the puppet show the puppety puppety puppet show'....arggghhhhhh!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span><span><span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/ROCKABYE-BABY-NIRVANA-LULLABY-RENDITIONS/dp/B000IFSG6C?ie=UTF8&tag=diarofadomech-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="ROCKABYE BABY! NIRVANA: LULLABY RENDITIONS OF NIRVANA (ARTIS (CD)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000IFSG6C&tag=diarofadomech-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=diarofadomech-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000IFSG6C" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rockabye-Baby-Lullaby-Renditions-U2/dp/B000L22TAG?ie=UTF8&tag=diarofadomech-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of U2" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000L22TAG&tag=diarofadomech-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=diarofadomech-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000L22TAG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rockabye-Baby-Lullaby-Renditions-Metallica/dp/B000GY72JM?ie=UTF8&tag=diarofadomech-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Metallica" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000GY72JM&tag=diarofadomech-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=diarofadomech-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000GY72JM" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></span></span></span></span>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-88045088202044518212010-03-05T23:38:00.000+11:002010-03-05T23:38:54.041+11:00Writing My Lines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://domesticallychallengedhousewife.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My blog button" border="0" height="235" src="http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad193/nicmcl/Blog%20Buttons/writinglines.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Not really the type of lines I should be writing but I just discovered a whole new world of blog button making! And, like my son when he discovered that he could push our kitchen chairs from one end of the room to the other, I'm feeling pretty clever with myself! Feel free to borrow said button if you're flagging and in need of a kick up the blogging proverbial!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-64482224392260382812010-03-05T14:32:00.002+11:002010-03-05T15:48:16.238+11:00FlogYoBlog Friday<a href="http://www.mummy-time.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mummytime" border="0" height="200" src="http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/mummy-time/FlogYoBlog/th_flogyoblog.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hey all happy Friday! It's my favourite day of the week....not just because it's the gateway to the weekend and I can partake in a little vino, it's also blog hop day! Brenda over at <a href="http://www.mummy-time.com/">MummyTime</a> is hosting a nifty little blog hop called FlogYoBlog Friday. Here's the low down...<br />
<br />
FlogYoBlog Friday is hosted by Brenda of MummyTime (<a href="http://www.mummy-time.com/">http://www.mummy-time.com/</a>). Rules: 1. Follow her blog (only if you want to. No pressure. She is link #1 btw). 2. Grab the FlogYoBlog button and post it on your sidebar . Thankus. 3. Link up your URL below. 4. Take time to check out the other linkyers/bloggers. 5. Follow at least 1 linkyer/blogger. And get to know them. Pay it forward ya know. 6. The list will remain open for linkyers on Fridays (Sydney Time). 7. A new and fresh link list will be up every Fridays. And you will have to link up AGAIN. The previous link list does not carry over to the following week. 8. And lastly have lotsa fun!<br />
<br />
As for me, I promise more posts to come very soon. From the school of 'bite off more than I can chew', I've been helping set up a new Playgroup formed from all the mum's in our local new parents group. But it's all systems go now, which means I'm free to blog again. Yipeeee! On that note, I came across an interesting post from Wannabe WAHM - <a href="http://www.thewannabewahm.com/2010/03/posting-everyday-can-it-really-increase.html">Posting Everyday: Can it really increase your traffic</a><br />
<br />
Which is why I gotta go now, I have some posts to write! Oh, and a little glass of vino to guzzle!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">GHFHSNV16414538 (excuse this bit of code, I need to verify my site for shareasale!)</span>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-3032246782806272872010-02-27T02:04:00.000+11:002010-02-27T02:04:55.549+11:00There's a yummy mummy in here...somewhere!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb6ryOku_Mlkb-8ty9WVliFv4yEBk9ASMXy_DpUgnvwArsN8m1_3otxY6bXGkrYA1gLAM-JDoj3ia1gJp5gTQ0hXkZbkJwdV9ekLj9wllt_OPNmW7pW4lBruaNHtQoSBclrnL6ZQnfMvP/s1600-h/track+pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb6ryOku_Mlkb-8ty9WVliFv4yEBk9ASMXy_DpUgnvwArsN8m1_3otxY6bXGkrYA1gLAM-JDoj3ia1gJp5gTQ0hXkZbkJwdV9ekLj9wllt_OPNmW7pW4lBruaNHtQoSBclrnL6ZQnfMvP/s200/track+pants.jpg" width="200" /></a>I can't get enough of series 2 of She's Got The Look, airing here in Australia at the moment (friends in the US will already have seen it last year). With such a focus on youth culture, it's great to see a shift toward valuing beauty at any age. But what's really got me riveted is the behaviour of some of the contestants; it's a showcase of claw sharpening and neuroses at its best! Like beauty, it seems that insecurity and drama are also not only the domain of the young. When I first started dating my younger fiance in my mid 30's, I remember him being surprised at the time, wise cracking 'Gee I thought once a woman reached her 30s she (quote) "had it all together" (unquote)'. Errr no, not as the contestants of SGTL prove, and as I reminded him only a few months ago when I howled down the phone to him at work because I lost a gift voucher worth $100, sobbing hysterically 'bbuuuuttt I I I waaasss gggoing to to to buy a pair of ttttrainers wi wi with it!!!' Anyone would think my puppy had died!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">However, in spite of their insecurities, there's no denying how fabulous these women all look (alas, when god was giving out attributes, and the contestants of SGTL were first in line for 'genetically blessed with youthful genes', I was too busy looking the other way, eyeing off the line for 'a love of food but a metabolism that will never burn it off'!). After watching an episode, my inner yummy mummy wants to break out and I feel inspired to put a load of lippy on and run around the house all pouty lipped in my stillettos. But I'm more of a schlumpy mummy at heart...it's track pants, jeans and flip flops, comfort over style for me (apparently I seem to have forgotten I'm no longer at university!). So unless they develop a TV show called 'She Got The Schlumpy Mummy Look', I'll just have to stick to sharing my neuroses with fiance! Lucky him!</div>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-44261341487713772010-02-19T23:58:00.003+11:002010-02-27T14:36:47.957+11:00Sharing the Beautiful Blogger Awards love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RQ_arzMcDHtUcZG5nRvgwAYUh9ncc1O7F1XR4p3dVE5oNEiZ2FvDA2DPUfuK_ZdJuKenOit1xAyVRNid6yYEZRcQjaJ8a2n-f0E3YfJKAL_vFlDKge0gOcYuIMcnZh9ND5tCBHSZ1pkO/s1600-h/beautifulbloggeraward%5B4%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RQ_arzMcDHtUcZG5nRvgwAYUh9ncc1O7F1XR4p3dVE5oNEiZ2FvDA2DPUfuK_ZdJuKenOit1xAyVRNid6yYEZRcQjaJ8a2n-f0E3YfJKAL_vFlDKge0gOcYuIMcnZh9ND5tCBHSZ1pkO/s320/beautifulbloggeraward%5B4%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Happy Days! A big thanks to Jessica over at <a href="http://lafindumondfarm.blogspot.com/">La Fin DuMond Farm</a> who has kindly bestowed on me the Beautiful Blogger Award; my first ever award! <br />
<br />
Hey so now I get to pay it forward and choose 15 rockin' blogs that I've come across on my blogging journey. It was a hard task to narrow down to just 15 blogs given all the great ones out there, but here they are in no particular order...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blogtofabulous.blogspot.com/">Blog to Fabulous</a> - I feel inspired to continue on my weight loss journey when I read Kellie Marie's blog.<br />
<a href="http://thesuburbanjungle.blogspot.com/">The Suburban Jungle</a> - Angela gives great advice on how to make money from your blog and has some fab reviews and give aways.<br />
<a href="http://www.dsheray.typepad.com/">Dsheray Dish It Out</a> - I love Dsheray's relationship advice and celeb goss.<br />
<a href="http://www.danielleandsteve.blogspot.com/">Danimezza</a> - a fellow Aussie blogger, I love Danielle's writing style and updates on family life.<br />
<a href="http://coffeeandsippy.blogspot.com/">Coffee Mugs and Sippy Cups</a> - Alicia discusses everyday parenting issues we can all relate to.<br />
<a href="http://www.musingsofageriatricmummy.blogspot.com/">Musings of a Geriatric Mummy</a> - Like Geriatric Mummy I'm also a later in life mum.<br />
<a href="http://www.thetamom.com/">Theta Mom</a> - I like Theta Mom Heather's philosophy on motherhood; we're not perfect and shouldn't try to be.<br />
<a href="http://www.thesinglemotherschronicles.com/">The Single Mother Chronicles</a> - Swati has great tips for single and partnered parents.<br />
<a href="http://www.thewannabewahm.com/">Wannabe WAHM</a> - like Wannabe WAHM I'd love to be my own boss and work from home.<br />
<a href="http://www.theunexperiencedmom.com/">The (Un)experienced Mom</a> - a SAHM like me who is also proudly 'undomesticated'.<br />
<a href="http://www.mummy-time.com/">Mummy Time</a> - another fellow Aussie, Brenda's a funny mummy blogger. She's cracks me up every time.<br />
<a href="http://cakeblast.com/">CakeBlast</a> - Larry H. is a daddy blogger who posts product reviews and giveaways.<br />
<a href="http://www.livitluvit.com/">Livit Luvit</a> - hillarious musings on day to day life from LiLu.<br />
<a href="http://fiftiesmom.blogspot.com/">Life in the Fifties</a> - great posts from Fiftiesmom on being a 50 year old mum to 3 young adults still living at home.<br />
<a href="http://www.worldofmamayjane.blogspot.com/">World of Mamay Jane</a> - I love Jane's blogging enthusiasm and cute stories.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
So guys...here are the rules to receiving the Beautiful Blogger award:<br />
<br />
1. Thank the person(s) that nominated you; link to the person that gave you the award!<br />
<br />
2. Pass this award on to 15 bloggers you’ve discovered and think are fantastic.<br />
<br />
3. Contact said Blogs; let them know they've won!<br />
<br />
4. State 7 things about yourself<br />
<br />
So last but not least, here's 7 things about me:<br />
<br />
<ol><li>I'm absolutely addicted to Judge Judy; shamelessly so. I'll even watch the repeats on occasion to get my daily Judy fix. It's not so much the muppets that appear on the show but her razor sharp mind and dry wit that appeals. I find that I often have need to use Judge Judyisms on fiance, namely: 'I don't believe you!', 'Is the word stupid written across my forehead?' and my favourite, and most frequently used, 'The table didn't have 3 beers and get up and move!!!'</li>
<li>I'm a later in life mum having given birth to my son at the tender age of 38. Becoming a mum has been far more rewarding than anything I've done career wise, but it wasn't without an ensuing identity crisis, a few teary nights and some 'what the hell do I do now' moments. But I came through the other side with a renewed sense of self and a beautiful little boy who brings me joy everyday.</li>
<li>I'm really looking forward to turning 40 this year and having a big knees up. They say that 50 is the new 40 which makes 40 the new 30! After spending the last couple of years of my 30s redefining myself and rediscovering my passions, I think my 40s are my decade to shine.</li>
<li>I love sleep. Now I know that most people like to sleep, but I LOVE sleep. Scientists say that you need 8 hours sleep a night to function but I'm more of a 10 hours a night person, otherwise forget it. I'm lucky that my son takes after his mummy and also loves to sleep - he's a 14 hours a night boy so I'm in heaven! Which leads me to fact 5....</li>
<li>....Coffee! Even after 10 hours sleep I don't come to life in the morning until I've had one to two cups of the black stuff. It's my main vice now I'm a mummy and Jack Daniels has had to take a back seat.</li>
<li>I still can't fit back into my pre pregnancy clothes some 14 months after having my son but I'm getting there slowly - 11.6kgs and counting. I also have a lovely C-Section belly flap, also known as mother's apron, however I like to call it my baby trophy and jiggle it with pride.</li>
<li>Ultimately I'd love to be a WAHM, be my own boss, set my own hours and make a decent living for myself and family. That's not too much to ask is it? </li>
</ol>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-38093226117906021542010-02-10T20:39:00.001+11:002010-02-27T14:37:56.924+11:00Cougar? More like a lioness!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKHaETKk91ng3oiOrPTNtTmoj1GTgTwhUosd6rISy59wuBTN7UBM4vNIiI2Aof14a7IkEiTWHJUirace3AJzo8K4N6ZgXtRB25wGdTGP22VGwS3d6YAVYAu8Fhidj2jns71DyzzpVNLbF/s1600-h/Zoo_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKHaETKk91ng3oiOrPTNtTmoj1GTgTwhUosd6rISy59wuBTN7UBM4vNIiI2Aof14a7IkEiTWHJUirace3AJzo8K4N6ZgXtRB25wGdTGP22VGwS3d6YAVYAu8Fhidj2jns71DyzzpVNLbF/s400/Zoo_9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I'm really looking forward to watching Cougar Town which starts on TV in Australia tomorrow night. The TV station's been airing previews for the last month and it looks like a good laugh, despite the use of that hideous term 'cougar'. Every time the previews come on my loving fiance, ever the smart a**, turns to me and says 'Ahh the Cougar! That's you Nic!' Haha ok honey you've had your fun, so what does that make you, a small rodent? Now PIPE DOWN!<br />
<br />
True I'm 9 years older than fiance, but I really do object to the term.<br />
<a name='more'></a>It just sounds so callous and predatory. Certainly for me, there was no hunting for prey involved. It was simply a meeting of the heart and mind. Everybody: 'awwwwwwww'. Violin strings aside, no one is really sure where the term originated from though it's been a form of Canadian slang for many years, and was then also popularised by Valerie Gibson in her book <em>Cougar: A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men. </em>Either way it seems to have ingrained itself in popular culture.<br />
<br />
So, if I am going to be likened to a hunting cat, I'd prefer to seen as a lioness. A lioness is a more sociable animal, living in a family group or pride. Cougars on the other hand are more solitary animals and only come together to mate. More appropriately, the lioness does most of the hunting, then the lion comes in, shoos her away and eats all the food. Now that's something I can relate to in my household! Yep, definitely a lioness!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-25061756672502762562010-02-03T20:53:00.002+11:002010-02-03T20:57:59.955+11:00It's tough out there in Wii Fit land!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjEX8Ho5-9ulK4oTY_IygMNRJMIQ7mrHEk3MRfNowtYWv-To-B8RUZX3jUQmTQi9R72-JyoO1_1y8i-pIeu6sWbgfw5kuEDYM42Yrsr3nzK45uVZJjjihqOI1h6X68PRObQ7rA1bHmisF/s1600-h/avatar+nic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjEX8Ho5-9ulK4oTY_IygMNRJMIQ7mrHEk3MRfNowtYWv-To-B8RUZX3jUQmTQi9R72-JyoO1_1y8i-pIeu6sWbgfw5kuEDYM42Yrsr3nzK45uVZJjjihqOI1h6X68PRObQ7rA1bHmisF/s200/avatar+nic.JPG" width="115" /></a></div>Typing this post is proving quite difficult. My shoulders, arms and stomach ache. Muscles that haven't been used since I found out I was pregnant with my son some 2 years ago, have suddenly been put back into action, dragged kicking and screaming into motion. Why? I've finally set up my Wii Fit! As part of the set up I was able to create my own little avatar; I've called her, obviously, 'Nic'. So of course I took the opportunity to re invent myself in the virtual world of Wii Fit land. Avatar Nic has beautiful deep green eyes (forget plain old Hazel!), lovely glossy dark brown hair (no frizzy, grey mess there!), beautifully shaped eyebrows (fortunately no plucking or waxing required in Wii Fit land...what a dream!) and a pert nose (nothing better than a bit of cheap, pain free cosmetic surgery I say!). Avatar Nic also has a very hunky male personal trainer in Wii Fit land, affectionately named Brad. Sadly though, Avatar Nic is a little depressed. You see the standards in Wii Fit land are quite high. According to the Wii Fit body test, Avatar Nic is classified as...obese! Ouch! Granted, Avatar Nic is currently wearing an Australian size 16 (US size 12) and does have about 25kgs (55 lbs) to lose, but come on!!!! Does this qualify as obese?<br />
<br />
So after Avatar Nic had cried into her wine for the evening, she decided it wasn't such a bad situation. Afterall, she had Brad to exercise with and thus decided that Wii Fit land could 'bring it on'. Fast forward to a jog through the virtual park, some push ups, lunges, and a hula hoop challenge later, and Avatar Nic is in need of a soak in some bath salts and a goldfish bowl sized glass of wine! But shhhh, don't tell Brad about the wine!<br />
<br />
Updates on Avatar Nic's progress to follow over the coming months so watch this space!<br />
<br />
<a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=nicmcl"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=nicmcl" type="text/javascript">
</script>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-72008311102414103172010-01-29T20:52:00.002+11:002010-02-05T22:07:58.971+11:00Reaching the big 5-0 and Australia Day celebrations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZL4dkEQPta5sZNNA8QaNEgbZgNwEzeICNgG-xr276foKQARZpshtWCwghrqBjRoXTnnixtEKh27iKHhYZjnmVUrdvJm5dxw0AJ75Uhf2G1Da7glh3AXt5rRqqgr2E4QQQh5DHqMypJaS/s1600-h/vegemite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZL4dkEQPta5sZNNA8QaNEgbZgNwEzeICNgG-xr276foKQARZpshtWCwghrqBjRoXTnnixtEKh27iKHhYZjnmVUrdvJm5dxw0AJ75Uhf2G1Da7glh3AXt5rRqqgr2E4QQQh5DHqMypJaS/s320/vegemite.JPG" /></a></div>Not my age, that can wait! I've reached 50 followers! Thanks to all of you for helping me reach this blogging milestone. Bring on 100 I say!<br />
<br />
I've been on hols interstate visiting family and friends for a few weeks hence the absence, and although I've thought from time to time about building up a bank of pre-written material that I can whip out during holiday time, it's still on 'the list' alongside finishing my son's first year baby book (he's 13 months old now!), picking up the guitar fiance gave me for my birthday 7 months ago, and sorting out all my old photo's into scrapbook albums. I'll get there one day I'm sure!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Happy Australia Day to all Australians, old and new!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It was Australia Day on Tuesday and a national public holiday. So in the spirit of our national day, I though I'd write the next paragraph of my post with aussie vernacular thrown in. For all my non Australian blogging friends, I've included a glossary at the end.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
As with all aussies we celebrated in fair dinkum aussie style, starting the morning with vegemite on toast for brekkie before chucking some lamb chops on the barbie in the arvo, all washed down with stubbies of amber fluid for the blokes and bubbly for the sheilas. Later on we vedged out in front of the TV, barracking on Australia in the cricket while polishing off lamington's for sweets. All in all a real ripper day!<br />
<br />
Feasting aside, by far the greatest thing about Australia Day for me is the 16,000 or so people from over 200 countries that became Australian citizens in ceremonies all over the country on the day. This great mix of culture and diversity makes Australia the unique and wonderful country that it is! So Happy (belated) Australia Day to all Australians, old and new!<br />
<br />
GLOSSARY<br />
<br />
Fair Dinkum: true, real, authentic<br />
Vegemite: a spread made from brewers yeast and rich in vitamin B (if I told you it came from the bottom of a beer vat I wouldn't be far wrong). Seriously you need to grow up on this stuff in order to love the taste.<br />
Brekkie: breakfast<br />
Chucking (as in chucking lamb chops on the barbie), or to chuck/chucked: to place, put or do<br />
Barbie: barbeque<br />
Arvo: afternoon<br />
Stubbies: small bottle of beer (usually 375ml)<br />
Amber Fluid: beer<br />
Bubbly: champagne or sparkling wine<br />
Bloke: man<br />
Sheila: woman<br />
Vedged: relaxed<br />
Barracking/barrack: to support/cheer on<br />
Lamington: sponge fingers covered in chocolate icing and rolled in coconut<br />
Sweets: dessert<br />
Ripper: great, awesome<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=nicmcl"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=nicmcl" type="text/javascript">
</script> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-34512445975861888712010-01-05T22:59:00.001+11:002010-01-29T20:55:22.733+11:00The shoes have it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXdWSM8An-_b0eOeUfmkPSNwhjG3VHyW5idv3O-0zfzutNWmA5zl9hv1xw-2WgAdcGu5PI22h4Rq39BdN4WUWeetxsjZ2fvbJy9ygjEzg_lWMlvTpqrvPS2D_JnDfaoHFQkT25h1qCxTW/s1600-h/DSC03361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXdWSM8An-_b0eOeUfmkPSNwhjG3VHyW5idv3O-0zfzutNWmA5zl9hv1xw-2WgAdcGu5PI22h4Rq39BdN4WUWeetxsjZ2fvbJy9ygjEzg_lWMlvTpqrvPS2D_JnDfaoHFQkT25h1qCxTW/s200/DSC03361.JPG" /></a></div>This is a story about shoes. Not of the Manolo or Choo variety, that story occurs only in my dreams as alas, I have 5 toes on each foot and a desire to keep my little one fed and clothed. No, this is a story about the rubber soled variety...the sport shoe, AKA trainers, joggers, sandshoes, runners, sneakers or gutties all depending on which part of the world you're from. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Mr Adolf Dassler, the forefather of the sports shoe began manufacturing them in 1920. Later he went on to form Adidas and the rest, they say, is history. Now I'm sure when Mr Dassler was slaving away in his little shoe workshop designing the ultimate sports shoe he didn't intend them to be:<br />
<ul><li>Kept hidden in the boot of the car for several months alongside several empty take away coffee cups and a half eaten baby rusk. Only rediscovered upon the 6 monthly car clean.</li>
<li>Worn as protective footwear when cleaning the shower. Guaranteed the more expensive the sports shoe, the more bleach will be splashed on them, but at least feet remain dry.</li>
<li>Worn for a spot of retail therapy (hey, you never can have too much foot support when browsing the racks of you favourite clothing store!).</li>
<li>Sat at the back door gathering stones and spiders.</li>
</ul>Now I've been thinking. What if, just what if I tried to use my sports shoes for their intended purpose. What if I upped and went for a shuffle around the block, or power walked to my local shopping centre instead of driving the car. Rumour has it that this just might help shift the post pregnancy kg's (12 months and counting!). Ok Mr Dassler you win. Just gotta go get them out of the car boot!<br />
<br />
New Years resolution number one...commenced.Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-12956661964215485822009-12-30T16:29:00.002+11:002010-01-29T20:54:55.418+11:00Avoid turkey flapping next Christmas...celebrate Festivus instead!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjU6brQ60N2JqGKN0z5jttfVGmFes6AReqZGRGrhlmwhKgsLij4WyQmwJlp1SK7nOAkG7lv7G8BWAl9Q9x0zD-qWLWSm5SZS2tia25cV7KkikYNzzIdO9Mz5WDdCeeUHPy5otzIoIe7-S/s1600-h/chrissieblog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjU6brQ60N2JqGKN0z5jttfVGmFes6AReqZGRGrhlmwhKgsLij4WyQmwJlp1SK7nOAkG7lv7G8BWAl9Q9x0zD-qWLWSm5SZS2tia25cV7KkikYNzzIdO9Mz5WDdCeeUHPy5otzIoIe7-S/s320/chrissieblog.JPG" /></a>At Christmas time in our house, there are generally two turkeys. The first and obvious one, is the feathered variety whose destiny is to end up on our dinner table come Christmas Day. The other is much larger, squawks a lot, and fusses and flaps about as though being chased by a farmer with a rather large axe. That, would be me! What with cards to send, presents to buy, battling for parking spots and the Christmas crowds at shopping centres, family and other social get togethers, financial strain and the general organisation of Christmas Day, I tend to get a bit frazzled (hey they don't call me panic pants for nothing!). So to save my sanity by not adding another task to my to-do list, I decided to leave my Christmas post until after the event. Kind of a post Christmas wrap up if you will. </div><br />
Now you'd think by the way I've been talking that I actually do all the cooking on Christmas Day, but noooooo sireeeee, I'll stress for a lot less! Coming from a divorced family, I could alternate Christmas Day amongst various family members (mums, step mums, sisters, step sisters, in-laws, in-law's in-laws, out-laws...the list is endless!) for years to come without having to host the day myself. <br />
<a name='more'></a>So this year we went to my father's house and de-stressed while Dad and his wife cooked up a lovely spread. Of course Christmas Day wouldn't be Christmas Day without the obligatory eating and drinking until bursting point; far be it for me to go against tradition! Needless to say that if anyone ever says to you 'come on, just one more...', say NO!<br />
<br />
But when that day looms and I'm the only one left in the family save Great Aunty Nellie to hold Christmas at ours, I'm going to suggest we sack it and celebrate that intriguing holiday made famous by Frank Costanza in Seinfeld...Festivus! For those not in the know, check out this website <a href="http://www.festivusweb.com/">http://www.festivusweb.com/</a>. Basically, Festivus is a non-denominational holiday traditionally held on Dec 23rd that avoids all the commercial trappings of Christmas. Those attending Festivus get to participate in an 'Airing of the Grievances' where each person tells the others how they've disappointed them over the past year, and later the head of the household (in this case fiance) gets to choose someone to challenge them to a 'Feat of Strength', not considered over until fiance has been pinned to the ground. Suddenly the festive season seems a whole lot more interesting huh? Best of all, there is a feast but it can be ANYTHING, so I'm thinking I'll get Colonel Sanders to cater...cooking worries gone! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for celebrating good ol JC's birthday, but I can still wish the holy one a happy birthday on his big day without all the fanfare. And I might just get my Christmas post done by Chrissie Day! Now if you'll excuse me I need to...hic...go get the...hic...Pepto Bismol...hic!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-18990918393385565472009-12-17T14:40:00.002+11:002010-01-02T21:10:38.716+11:00Scoffing the one year old way<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/AVvXsEilPaTTdg0EqBodZdskLXMiYMuMx4fVVPsOlp8vF2WnYNdgqHWtIOtmaO3AYwvn1Sgyi8yAlBfTARhOAV8Q0HHHSmAPu42575M1Kmi77jlY8BMxxZNmKBvoiqLV4SVP5aYhbjGOYnTjMqyy/s1600-h/birthday2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPaTTdg0EqBodZdskLXMiYMuMx4fVVPsOlp8vF2WnYNdgqHWtIOtmaO3AYwvn1Sgyi8yAlBfTARhOAV8Q0HHHSmAPu42575M1Kmi77jlY8BMxxZNmKBvoiqLV4SVP5aYhbjGOYnTjMqyy/s320/birthday2.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>I'm feeling very proud today as our beautiful little boy turns one. We threw him a little party on the weekend and he had cake for the first time. I know, I know, there's no going back now he's had a taste of the sweet stuff, and I'll probably spend the next 15 years or so trying to get him to eat an apple rather than a chocolate bar or a biscuit, but to see him scoff his cake down (and when I say 'scoff' I mean 'SCOFF'!) like it was the most delicious thing to ever pass his lips, got me to thinking that babies do have the right idea when it comes to expressing enjoyment of food. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Think about it; a chocolate, jam filled sponge covered in blue butter cream icing just invites itself to be scoffed. It may as well have 'scoff me' written right across the front in huge letters. A delicate dessert fork simply will not do! So while I do intend to teach him some table manners (he may just have a tough time dating when he's older if he insists on burying his face in his apple pie at a restaurant!), I think I'm going to allow him to scoff for a bit longer. Afterall, life is here to be enjoyed, and food is one of the great enjoyable things in life. So the next time you have cake, feel free to scoff. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY JACKSON!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.glitterlive.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk128/tgpg/happy_birthday/004.gif" title="More Glitter Graphics at GlitterLive.com" /></a><br />
<center><a href="http://www.glitterlive.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy Birthday Glitter Graphics</span></a></center></center>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-28703014279493927232009-12-10T11:20:00.006+11:002010-01-02T21:18:22.103+11:00Lets Talk About Poop...Baby Poop! <br />
Ok first up apologies for the subject matter, but I figured us mums are pretty immune, having spent the first two to three years of our little one's lives up to our elbows in the stuff. You see, I just love the new commercial for Baby Love nappies...<br />
<object height="315" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iK0SobQovME&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iK0SobQovME&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object><br />
<br />
It really hits the nail on the head or, should I say, gets to the heart of the messy matter. Afterall, which mum hasn't been caught out at the most inopportune time when their little cherub has had a poo explosion AKA 'the number 3's', or 'PE' for the sake this post (and those eating their dinner!). The PE is known for its timing which seems to work in an inverse relationship to whatever the occasion or state of mummy's mind. On the freeway with nowhere to pull over? Your little one is bound to have a PE. Stuck in a queue at the supermarket checkout? Bring on the PE. Slight hangover at 6am in the morning? Hello PE. Just about to race out the door to a party, baby in his or her best threads? PE!<br />
But really my point is not to talk about the PE itself (heaven knows I do enough of that already as you will see) but the fact that us mums DO talk about it. A lot. It's ever been the topic of conversation and analysis in my mum's group...where did the PE occur (usually followed by some titters and nods of sympathy and understanding). What had the baby been eating just prior to the PE? And were there any casualties? Eg: car seat, mummy's skirt, sofa cushion? <br />
<br />
If someone had told me 5 years ago that in 5 years time I'd be analysing my babies PE on an almost daily basis, I'd have told them they were crazy. But now the conversation in our household goes something like this:<br />
<br />
Fiance, phoning during a break in his busy 12 hour day: 'Hi, how's it going?'<br />
<br />
Nic: 'Yeah good, Jackson just did a big poo, the second one today! How was your day?'<br />
<br />
Fiance: 'Uh huh! Oh me? Not much really, processed 20 contracts, ran some risk analysis spreadsheets, you know that kinda thing.'<br />
<br />
Hmmm, is it any wonder that relationships change when babies come along? You know though, I could talk about something else, but the fact is I am excited about everything baby does, including his PEs... as only a mother could! Awww, cue the Baby Love ad. jingle (courtesy of one Mr Lionel Ritchie)... 'Say you, say me...'Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-45973915495580163812009-12-04T11:05:00.001+11:002009-12-18T11:23:51.685+11:00Meditation for Mummies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2ZDERcwWWtUw5fX8CnHWQRiA6A2nyxKHZfuw-02WzSOgr6E5hHnoRJ37nNMbpP4UEMpgbo-cf323ro4V18dgVSx7p0CDPszlkMaIZvXc9zmSwPZKAJ7VUUh8wcimxrdDxWCf2jFysnU7/s1600-h/blog+door+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2ZDERcwWWtUw5fX8CnHWQRiA6A2nyxKHZfuw-02WzSOgr6E5hHnoRJ37nNMbpP4UEMpgbo-cf323ro4V18dgVSx7p0CDPszlkMaIZvXc9zmSwPZKAJ7VUUh8wcimxrdDxWCf2jFysnU7/s320/blog+door+final.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
My 11 month old son has recently mastered the art of crawling. Great for him as it opens up a whole new world of exploration. Not so great for mummy who now spends most of her time running around the house after him! If it's not placed up high, nailed down, vacuumed up (oh yes we've had a few little crumbs and other bits of unidentified object go from the floor into the mouth!) or locked up he's into it.<br />
<a name='more'></a>One of his newfound favourite pastimes is opening and slamming shut doors, cupboards and drawers. This he can happily do for hours on end, intensely studying the wood panelling, hinges and door knobs with such a look of joy and fascination that anyone would think he was meeting the Queen. If only us adults could stop and find enjoyment in small uncomplicated things like children do. How peaceful life would be. I used to go to a meditation group in my mid 20s, which is in itself quite ironic (please forgive if I've done an Alanis Morissette and not used this word in the correct context!); in my mid 20s, single, not a care in the world and I'm going to meditation class. Fast forward to late 30's, an active baby, fiance, and financial woes, and the only meditation I can muster is the those moments when my eyes glaze over from lack of sleep! But back to the story...I remember my meditation teacher telling the group to do everything with intent and to take joy in everything we do. Even cleaning our teeth should be done with love and intent. At the time I remember thinking this was a bit wacky but I know what she was getting at...to be present in every moment and to be focused in that moment brings a sense of joy and contentment. If I did would I need to watch Judge Judy and Doctor Phil? No. Would I need to get my fill of trashy mags, worried about Brangelina and the whereabouts of the twins? Probably not. Would I need to have my 5pm stress relief scotch? Hmmm maybe that wasn't such a good example, keep the scotch, but I think my point is illustrated. So in an attempt to be more focused on the moment I'm going to try a little social experiment. Tonight when fiance sits down to watch sport and suddenly develops selective deafness, I'm going to open and close a cupboard door ad infinitum. I'm sure it's bound to bring me a sense of joy and contentment. Peace Out!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-5106090935069502862009-11-28T16:42:00.002+11:002009-12-10T12:02:42.931+11:00Saying goodbye to the plumbers<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrosiJRl10ULSmU6XfqV-nRzu4VzAiU69g17SbMmT_AvqlX4id67uZVi5fOuzaYvNe47Co3rVLWDXZZtk2AAz3g1waSijl1BOc3tB7gLNijueJ2wQlgGHzt1ARYi1298OPb9UY_C9Lce3r/s1600/jeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrosiJRl10ULSmU6XfqV-nRzu4VzAiU69g17SbMmT_AvqlX4id67uZVi5fOuzaYvNe47Co3rVLWDXZZtk2AAz3g1waSijl1BOc3tB7gLNijueJ2wQlgGHzt1ARYi1298OPb9UY_C9Lce3r/s320/jeans.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><br />
No I'm not waving off some tradesmen who've been working at our house. I'm talking about the other type of plumbers. You know, the rather inelegant phrase that refers to the part of your derriere that has a mind of its own and will not be contained by your jeans? Ok I'll just say it, your ahem, your butt crack. Proper name; your intergluteal cleft. Well, my 'plumbers', or 'intergluteal cleft' as the case may be, causes me a fashion nightmare. Let me explain.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
I was loading our dishwasher yesterday when the following conversation occurred between myself and fiance:<br />
<blockquote> Fiance (shovel in hand): 'Nic, maybe you should stop wearing jeans and just wear dresses from now on.'<br />
</blockquote><blockquote> Nic (looking perplexed): 'Excuse me? Whatever do you mean?'<br />
</blockquote><blockquote> Fiance (starting to dig): 'Well it's just that whenever you wear jeans your plumbers is on show.'<br />
</blockquote><blockquote> Nic: death stare and silence<br />
</blockquote><blockquote> Fiance (digging deeper): 'I'm just being kind you know.'<br />
</blockquote><blockquote> Nic: So frosty, hell has frozen over<br />
</blockquote><blockquote> Fiance (standing in a hole the size of Mount Vesuvius): 'Ahh, just a suggestion.'<br />
</blockquote><br />
20 minutes of silence over dinner later, and I had to admit to myself he had a point. Since low waisted jeans have become all the rage, I can't contain my 'plumbers', and sitting and bending down have become an impossibility (not that I can imagine ever going back to high waisted jeans, what a bunch of harry highpants we all must have been in the 80's and 90's!). Even when I've been a size 12 (US size 10), and wearing a belt, I've still had the plumbers problem, meaning I've either got a long torso or an in proportionally large butt (I'm guessing the latter!). This puts me in a predicament if I want to continue wearing jeans; low waisted and plumbers on display, or high waisted and no mates harry highpants! Add to that the fact I'll be 40 next year (don't worry, there'll be plenty of sad and sorry posts as that date draws closer!), and maybe it's time to overhaul my wardrobe (anyone got Trinny and Susannah's phone number?). It's a hard fact for me to swallow. Me, the perpetual rock/grunge chick with a staple wardrobe of jeans, rock t-shirt (picture 'glittery Rolling Stones lips') and boots or white sneakers might just have to grow up. The thing is, now that we're a SIF (single income family), I can't exactly afford a wardrobe overhaul. So I'm choosing the low waisted option and the plumbers will be visiting for a while to come (apologies in advance to anyone who may happen to be standing in the wrong spot when I walk by!). In the mean time I think I might start a support group called the ICBS (Intergluteal Cleft Benevolence Society). New members welcome.Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-19322872155260328052009-11-27T22:42:00.003+11:002009-11-28T12:10:28.183+11:00Cleaning HouseA big thanks to Template Mama (template-mama-freebloggertemplates.blogspot.com) for my fabulous new blog template. Please excuse me while I play around with the design of my blog, things might look a bit messy for a while....enjoy the weekend!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-56798947350517096502009-11-21T22:51:00.001+11:002009-11-27T22:19:57.080+11:00Going back to basics<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7djkH5R-WZH5nDanmBdJ5joYyG2S9sktTc_IPgtka17dNr9Sf_QAvOPImi-XpZ3YqmAjqs_PM2uQfjclpB7bwQ8KmgoUrA_fVTNHAiaKg6irvcOjb5eBNTbhMKs8s4eFgCmB-VIL9FEYy/s1600/DSC03136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7djkH5R-WZH5nDanmBdJ5joYyG2S9sktTc_IPgtka17dNr9Sf_QAvOPImi-XpZ3YqmAjqs_PM2uQfjclpB7bwQ8KmgoUrA_fVTNHAiaKg6irvcOjb5eBNTbhMKs8s4eFgCmB-VIL9FEYy/s320/DSC03136.JPG" yr="true" /></a>A recent survey of 30 countries found that Australia has the fastest rising supermarket prices in the world. This comes as no suprise to me. I lived in London for 7 years and on a visit back to Australia one year, was shocked at how much prices had risen and how unaffordable groceries were. Even London, one of the most expensive cities in the world, has reasonably priced groceries. Worse still, fruit and veg in Australia is increasingly being imported from overseas which seems ludicrous to me in a country with plenty of sun and a perfect climate for growing fresh produce.<br />
</div><br />
I recently came across a service that delivers fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, bread and even meat right to your front door. Better still it's all locally grown produce and supports Australian farmers, and the cost is competitive againt the major supermarkets. I received my first delivery of fresh fruit and veg yesterday and I'm feeling very hippyish and salt of the earth if I do say so myself. This from me, ex London city chic, lover of convenience food and frequent supporter of food stores attached to service stations. I'm not about to don the wellies, move to the country and live off the land just yet, but you never know...this girl's a changin!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-34101798625037218502009-11-16T21:35:00.001+11:002009-11-28T13:02:28.170+11:00I'm not forgetful, it's baby brain!Since I touched very briefly on baby brain in my last post, I thought I'd elaborate a bit more on this most mysterious of afflictions affecting mothers everywhere. Eleven months on from the birth of my beautiful little boy and the one thing (weight gain aside, that's a whole other story!) that lingers still is baby brain.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
I used to pride myself on being quite sharp minded. When I was at high school, having blitzed a french test, my dutch french teacher (now that's confusing, I think I just created a language called 'dutch french'!); what I mean to say is that my french teacher who was dutch by birth and spoke in a wonderfully thick dutch accent, praised me in front of the class for having a photographic memory. Which obviously I don't. Otherwise I'd probably be on TV playing piano concertos after listening to them just once, or memorising whole phone books in just one read and telling poor unsuspecting audience members what their address and phone numbers are. But I took the complement anyway and nodded in agreement.<br />
<br />
Alas since pregnancy and birth my mind has gone to mush. Over this time I've done some ridiculous things:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>I've left the house wide open and I don't mean unlocked, I mean both the security door and the front door wide open for anyone to walk in.</li>
<li>Continuing on the open doors theme, I've left my drivers side car door wide open in the local shopping centre car park while I've gone shopping.</li>
<li>I frequently call the women in my mother's group by their baby's names.</li>
<li>I've gone to change my baby's wet nappy only to put the wet one back on rather than the fresh nappy.</li>
<li>I've gone to the supermarket only to buy everything but the item I went there for in the first place. I once forgot to buy dishwashing liquid 4 days in a row when that was the main purpose of each shopping trip.</li>
<li>I've walked into rooms in my house only to forget what I wanted to go there for in the first place. Now I know this affects people without baby brain every now and then, but I do it almost every time I walk into a room. This makes it exceedingly difficult to complete any tasks; it's a wonder I get anything done!</li>
</ul>Now there's a chance that my memory problems could be to do with getting older, severe lack of sleep, or the fact that I spent many a weekend over the years with my old mate Jack Daniels (these days it's Jack who?), but I think this baby brain theory has some weight. I'm sticking to it anyway, especially when I need to explain to fiance that it's why I forgot to do the washing, cooking and cleaning!<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear from any mums out there who have funny baby brain stories to share!<br />
<br />
Have a good week!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-92001060590272230592009-11-12T15:20:00.001+11:002009-11-28T13:00:37.012+11:00Lets talk about...err...toothbrushes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqUIiE5rGiAFmzB_m0sJNA7Fh31SpkW-Jg9k5qYbe738eX56pn-yd_58J_DWwAcJ-z3NRT4lr4ZoRRsohxwS-Q65UQkEv1Km7AmfegeJo1V2uQZzoYJA5bGin4ztmdmccpAQmra2D8oPa/s1600-h/DSC03106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqUIiE5rGiAFmzB_m0sJNA7Fh31SpkW-Jg9k5qYbe738eX56pn-yd_58J_DWwAcJ-z3NRT4lr4ZoRRsohxwS-Q65UQkEv1Km7AmfegeJo1V2uQZzoYJA5bGin4ztmdmccpAQmra2D8oPa/s200/DSC03106.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>I've broken the number one cardinal rule of blogging...that of committing to post something regularly and consistently. Infact, my poor blog has been neglected since 5th October! Though I'd like to think with good reason as we've just faced the most hideous of tasks...packing, cleaning and moving house. If you've ever rented a house you well know that the estate agent will expect you to make sure the house is cleaned to within an inch of its life upon vacating the premises, even if it wasn't that clean to begin with.<br />
<a name='more'></a> Dirt that has been gathering in window tracks, on tile grout and ceiling fans since your rented abode was first built in the 1960s will suddenly become your responsibility. For someone who's cleaning shy, I certainly have a lot of whiz bang cleaning products. To demonstrate, I have a laundry cupboard full of: dirt and grime removing spray, antiseptic germ killing spray, leave on no need to rinse shower spray, bathroom spray of the grime removing type, bathroom spray of the germ killing type, vanilla fridge wipe spray, mould removing spray, cream cleanser, bleach, floor cleaner meant for dilution, spot floor cleaner that can be applied directly, sugar soap, cleaning cloths, scourers, paper towel, scrubbing brushes of various shapes and sizes.....you get my drift! So along with my cleaning cavalry I set about to do my move out clean. And what do you suppose was the most used item in my arsenal? Not my nifty battery operated rotating duster, or my window squeegee that reaches around the outside of the window, but a toothbrush! A simple toothbrush and some soapy water sorted out my window tracks and tile grout! It was great for getting into tight corners around taps and spouts and I even used it to clean the dust sticking to the skirting boards. So ladies forget about all about fancy cleaning products making big promises. All you need is a toothbrush and some elbow grease! And for the baby brained amongst us (I hear you sister!), make sure you don't put it back in the toothbrush holder alongside toothbrushes destined for teeth. That might just end in disaster!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-81042768331838915242009-10-05T16:33:00.001+11:002009-11-28T12:59:56.483+11:00Anyone know a cure for a missing off button?It's true, I'm completely devoid of an off button! You know the one that allows you to stop after one chocolate biscuit, or switch off after just 2 glasses of wine? I think I may have been born without one and and am missing the gene responsible for controlling over-consumption of indulgent and wickedly delicious food and beverage. For that reason I don't keep much in the way of sweet stuff in the house. When I do, I have to buy his and her treats so my long suffering fiance can stash his at the back of a cupboard where I can't find them!<br />
<a name='more'></a> Many a time he's gone to have a chocolate bar or a biscuit a week or two after the purchase only to find they were devoured within the first few hours. It's been the cause of much bickering in our household and the occasional begging on my part for him to reveal his sweet stash hiding spots! I've just come back from 2 weeks at my sister's house (she lives a good 12 hour drive away) where much to my equal delight and foreboding, I discovered a very large bag of chocolate bars from her three year old's kindergarten fund raising drive (apparently you're meant to sell them to raise money but sis, feeling guilty for not having the time, buys the whole bag herself!). So every night with a cup of tea, out came the chocolate bar bag! Two weeks and about 30 chocolate bars later and I'm back home feeling wider around the midriff and thighs and dreading the weight watchers weigh in this week. So for now I can honestly say I've curbed the chocolate cravings and fiance's secret stash is safe for the time being!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-67948536902096492182009-09-11T13:43:00.002+10:002009-11-28T12:36:06.967+11:00The new love of my life - my slow cooker!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love love LOVE my new slow cooker! Ok so I know they've been around since the '70's (the humble Crock Pot) and have been enjoying a resurgence in popularity for a while, but I've always been a bit slow to adopt trends so forgive my enthusiasm.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a> I'm all for anything that makes life easier and these babies are at the top of my list. Just throw the ingredients in the pot in the morning and turn it on low, 8 hours later and ta da.... a cooked meal with little effort. Or, if like me you find it hard to get your act together until midday or beyond, put the slow cooker on high and 4 to 5 hours later you're set! And the smells that permeate through the house are divine! Here's my fave slow cooker recipe at the moment:<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Slow Cooked Corned Beef</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">500g Corned Beef (or near enough size)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 whole peeled onion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A few cloves (spice variety not garlic)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 tablespoons of brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Simply place the corned beef in the cooker and add enough water to cover. Add the vinegar and brown sugar and throw in the onion whole with the cloves sticking out of it (I didn't have any cloves in the cupboard so sprinkled a bit of Allspice which has the same aroma). Put on low for around 8 hours, or 4 to 5 hours on high if you can't prepare it until the afternoon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Absolutely delish and now fiance has left over corned beef for sandwiches to take to work. You can also freeze the cooked corned beef if you have a lot left over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy slow cooking!</span>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437742187149067113.post-14750825331556774062009-09-07T13:15:00.002+10:002009-11-28T12:16:08.952+11:00Learning the art of Homemaking<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been responsible for a £10 million pound marketing budget. In one quarter I juggled and delivered 22 marketing direct mail packs on time. I once project managed an event that involved 70 members of staff over a period of 6 weeks, working 12 hours a day. And yet managing a home has been by far the hardest thing I've ever done.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a> I now have a new found admiration for my mother who at the tender age of 22, had a 16 month old and a new born, kept a fastidiously clean and tidy house, and kept us clothed and fed on a shoestring budget. I believe that Homemaking does not come naturally to most women. It's a skill, an artform that is learned just like any job role. In my mother's and grandmother's day women were expected to take on the role of full-time housewife once they were married. Their education revolved around learning home duties. Now women have more choice and education revolves around developing a career.<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My mother dropped by with some books I had stored at her house since I had moved to London. Amongst them was a book titled <em>The Collin's Book of Household Hints and Tips</em>. 'Oh no', I protested, 'this isn't mine, it must have got mixed up with my books'. 'Oh really?', my mother replied with fake nonchalance, 'it must be one of your grandmother's. Oh well you may as well keep it since it's here now.' Hmmmm, are you trying to tell me something mum? A 'quick' flick through revealed some interesting and alarming advice. You're meant to clean the fly screens on your windows at least once every three months, mirrors can go for a month between cleans, but toilets and floors should be cleaned everyday! I'm still getting around to clearing away the dishes from last nights dinner!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So now my new education begins; learning the art of Homemaking. But first I guess I better get out of my pyjamas and attack those dishes!</span>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16119242796711022761noreply@blogger.com0