It's Me: Day 4

Today is Friday. The Doctor has gone into the city with his grandmother. Tiny is fast asleep. Maybe even snoring. I'm about to get stitching on a little project I'm working on. I've made Bills choc-chip cookies. I am ready to embrace the weekend. It better be sunny or it will have me to answer to.

I'm having a massage tomorrow and you can not even imagine how excited I am. I plan to fall asleep on the table. That's not a threat. That's a hopeful promise.

Oh - a long time ago I mentioned I couldn't find shoes that fit. Well I have. Because I got them made. If you need every day shoes and can't find anything in your size, may I refer you to Salvio's? They are super friendly, helpful and keen. The ballet flats in this shot have been worn to death, though still going strong. Plus I picked up a new pair the other day, and already have ideas for the next pair. I did want to get taps put on my next pair, but after reading this, I think I've rethought the whole idea.. But it would be fun tapping down the street. Yes, yes it would.

It's Me: Day 3

Day 3 reveals that yesterday I was wearing my very favourite tee (it's Genki). Again. It's easy to wear. I don't need to justify it. Right...? Right...?

Yesterday we spent a glorious morning at Balmoral with my sister and her little girl (that would make P-Bee my niece). The sun was shining. The seagulls were swooping. The babes happily played together in the sand. Tiny got a little too up close and personal with a wave.

Hello Spring - I've seen you around the traps lately. Let me invite you in. Stay awhile.

Little Red

Life as a mama can be full of hum-drum. Working all day every day is draining to every part of me - physically, mentally, emotionally. Anyone who says that being a stay-at-home mum* is not difficult, try it for more than a few days. The novelty will wear off and you'll see that the monotony that can be almost crippling, let alone being called out, yelled at, and constantly requested for food, trafficking tantrums and trying to keep the house tidy (trying is the operative word there).

Malvina Reynolds was an American folk and blues singer and songwriter, as well as a political activist. Try saying that ten times fast. You might know her song 'Little Boxes'. Here's Regina Spektor's version that was used on 'Weeds'.

But the song that's talking to me at the moment is below. I am sure you will know this age-old story. I used to listen to the story on an old record player that belonged to my grand-uncle Silas. I'd lie on the carpet and turn the page when the record went *ding*.

Charge your glasses for all the hard-working mamas of the world. It's Friday. Let's all snaffle some me-minutes this weekend and re-charge your batteries.

* No matter what kind of mama you are, working, SAH, juggling, we're all in this together. I've been both. I can vouch for both. Both are very hard work.

It's Me: Day 1 & Day 2

My husband can sometimes go days without seeing my in civvies. Sometimes he just sees me in PJs, and he may well think I go the whole day in my PJs (or tracky daks - but let's just keep that between you and me), but he'd be mistaken. As proof, I've embarked on a wee 10-day project. It involves bad pictures of myself and whatever I happen to be wearing that day. Here's day 1 and day 2.

Here's proof that I still do function in society. It's totes true.

A New Family Member

Don't get your knickers in a knot, I'm not up the McDuff. Not even close.

Today we welcomed Ned into our fold. The wonderfully talented and uber generous Jess from Teddy Bear's Wednesday made the Doctor a new teddy. He is divine. Beyond divine. He is incredibly beautiful. The Doctor, without doubt, loves him. Ned is a ted we will all treasure for many, many years and love to love.

Jess makes such loveable, huggable, heirloom-able bears - check them out and snaffle one for yourself.

Nerdy Pursuits

I am a great believer in the thought that there's a bit of dork in all of us.

I am in touch with my inner-dork. In fact, so in touch, I have my inner-dork on speed dial.

Last night Matt and I sat down together and did a puzzle. We're tight like that. We can be dorky together. We embrace the dork.

Sunshine Blogging

I'm sitting by the window with the sunlight streaming through. The windows may be dirty but the sun knows it's way by rote. Some asked for proof that Spring is coming. Packing its bags from one part of the world, to wing into our part of the world. If this sunshine isn't enough, I don't know what is. But here you have a list that I am busy compiling:

- the birds are singing

- the cherry blossoms are starting
- the camellias are still blooming
- the magnolias are on their way in
- shy jonquils and daffodils are making an entrance
- I can stand to be oustide for longer, even hanging the clothes out is becoming more bearable
- the sun is hanging out with us longer

I found these books on my recent sojourn. They were 20 cents a pop, part of that haul. I didn't take them all, I didn't want to be greedy, but the illos are so very good. And the content? Timeless.

Let's Find Out About Spring - Martha & Charles Sharp, illustrated by Laszlo Roth (published 1963).

Here, let's take a peek together, shall we?

'When is spring? Spring is when it's warm enough to put away winter coats and hats and ...go out in lighter clothes.

Spring is when you can ride bicycles, go skating and play ball.'

Hey - it sounds pretty good to me.

Have you noticed any seasonal changes in your 'hood? What are they?

Boombastic Is Back

Brilliant news to the max. Boombastic is back.

Last night, once the smalls were in bed, I started doing a wee tidy up. I put away a few things, as Mamas are prone to do, and while putting away some coasters, I opened a b(e)arly (sic) used drawer and who should I find? Teddy Boombastic up to tricks and teddy yoga in the drawer. Check him out.

So I popped him into bed with the Doctor (who was fast asleep) with a tag that read:

Hello Doctor,

I am happy to be back from my beary cold holiday.

Love your bear-st friend,
Boombastic x

This morning the Doctor came in while I was still out to it. He said: 'Mum, this bear has the same eyes as Boombastic.' I open my eyes. Barely conscious. Blink. Blink. 'But dear Doctor, that is Boombastic, the one and the same.' Disbelief by the Doctor, questions, where has he been? Where did you find him? Is this really Boombastic?

I explained away Boombastic's absence by explaining his deep penchant for honey and biscuits, and the fact that Boombastic had gone off in search of honey and a holiday. And maybe mugs of bear. Oh I mean bee-r.

The real explanation - I've no idea why he was shoved into a drawer. But it may have the same explanation as Tiny's dolly's clothes being shoved into a teapot in the cupboard. Tiny does like to do these things.

Boombastic is back people. I'm not going to let him out of my sight.

Backyard Circus

As it turns out, we did wind up finding a circus while we were away. 'Backyard Circus' - a vintage book for a whole 20 cents.

I found a whole stack of vintage kids books and at that price, I could afford to get the ones I really wanted. I can't argue with 20 cents.

As far as op shopping went, I didn't buy that much. In fact, I spent only $3.20.

And July.. Well, once we got to my Mum and Dad's place, things were bound to turn around as soon as we were greeted. Someone left their partially used parking ticket on the machine, and this was as good an omen as any that Ugly July had left the building, and all that was left was sunshine and sleep.

I think sleep deprivation helped turn Ugly July into Even Uglier July. I hadn't been sleeping very well following the attempted break-in, then Tiny got an ear infection, and one round of penicillin hasn't cleared it up, so we're on to round two of that. But I can feel the sunshine, Spring is coming, and as much as I enjoy Winter I'm very much looking forward to the magnolias blooming and the cherry blossoms scenting the air. There's so much ahead.

Thank you for all your thoughts, comments, prayers and overwhelming McLovin'. I have appreciated each and every one.

But We Didn't Find A Circus

So we ran away. We're up visiting my Mum and Dad and it feels so good. Country air. Freezing cold nights, chilly mornings, so many cups of tea. The smalls playing in the dirt. Op shops. Cups of tea! Cake! Lights! Camera! Lions.

I've hidden my camera at home so well I can't find it. I always seem to do that. I put things in 'special' places. So 'special' they're soon forgotten. Aye aye aye.

Thanks for all the kind comments. We're all good. I'm giving the first half of July the bird, but the rest is pretty darn good. I made an ace pear butter cake from here, and if you have it - do it, it's totally delightful.

So no photos today. But you'll be ok, won't you? Meditate on the cake. Trust me, it's worth it.

Don't Say Anything At All

Remember that age-old, if you've got nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all?

" . .
.

.... . ...

..."

'nuff said. I think I'm going into hibernation. July just got uglier. I think it might even be hideous. Full of disappointment and heart ache.

Have You Seen Teddy Boombastic?

As a continuation of ugly July we've now lost the Doctor's very favourite bear - Teddy Boombastic. He was given to the Doctor by my Dad. Four years ago. He's well loved and goes everywhere, Christopher Robin stylie, a boy and his beloved bear.

I've looked everywhere, turned the house upside down, the car inside out, questioned the Doctor (who keeps pointing the finger at Tiny and saying she's hidden it from him).

I've called all the shops, I can't even remember if Teddy came with us, but I'm just calling anyway. Blindly. No joy.

I've called the makers - Tomfoolery - nope, no cigar. They discontinued 'Albert' a while ago (why, why teddy bear makers? Is it to prematurely age weary parents?).

Would you believe - above is the only shot I can find of my little Christopher Robin with his bear? What a bad mummy.

If anyone has seen Tomfoolery 'Albert' in a shop - I've already been told I have Buckley's of finding one, please let me know. I am desperate.

In a bid to end ugly July.
Yours,
PMM x

Green

I met this green-eyed guy once. He was ridiculously cute. Beautiful actually, cute doesn't do him justice.

We were at the same party for NYE. I'd just rolled up and decided I was going to pretend I was French for the night. I don't know where this harebrained idea came from (it could have been the alcohol - nooo, say it ain't so), but I know very little French.

I met this green-eyed beauty, went and made him a punch (three parts vodka to one part punch) which he refused to drink. I kept telling him to drink it. He wouldn't take it. I introduced him to a group of people (who incidentally - he already knew and I didn't) as my husband - and then I forgot his name three or four times.

We chatted and chatted. I finally lost my silly French scheme and merged into myself. We relocated inside from the balcony, looked at the fish, kept chatting and then I whispered in his ear, 'I'd like to kiss you' to which he replied 'Well why didn't you?'. And then he kissed me.

I like green-eyed boys who become my husband.

Go Green friends!

Things That Go Bump In The Night

July really isn't our month. Last night I woke up to some strange noises. And then realised that someone was trying to break in. Thankfully I have a sixth sense for the dodgy (is there a TV series in that?). Half frozen in fear and pumped up with adrenaline I woke Matt and we spent the next few hours awake. Watching. We called the police.

I'm not wishing away my life, just July. I'm over it already.

If you haven't got the new Donna Hay Kids Magazine, there are some tops ideas in there to make the smalls salivate.

Mama Punishes Herself

Sometimes I wonder about myself. I really do. I see Tiny doing something she really shouldn't be. But I think, oh well, she's having a great time, I'll let her go. And then I wind up picking up hundreds - maybe even thousands of these bead things from all over the ground (let's just say that life got a whole lot more colourful after these shots were taken). What's that saying about making a rod for my own back...? Next time I will not let Tiny get unruly with the beads. Next time I will hide the beads and not let her go crazy with the beads. Reminds me of this.. Yes. History does repeat itself.

But it's pretty.. And it reminded me of a weird dream I had last night of a rainbow that had grey hearts punched out of it. Weird. Yes.

Sorry for the dull nature of my photies. It's grey here. And I have no control over the sunshine.

Memory Makers

I always embrace a new way to preserve memories. So many things happen, so many high points, low points, memorable points, so much that I won't remember unaided. And I want to remember as much as a I can about my children growing up. I wish I could just simply add some more memory to my own personal hard drive, but given I can't, there are ways to remember good things. And it's more than just photos.

I am pretty certain I gleaned this awesome idea from Brooke at Inchmark.

Whenever the Doctor says something funny, I take a scrap of paper (and I mean scrap, an old receipt, the back of an envelope etc) and write it down with the date. I then pop it into a tin.

When I'm having a grey day, I take out these little things and read them. And there are some real funny ones in there:

'Mum, look what the Winterman says!' - the Doctor calls the weatherman the Winterman. Quite apt during Winter.

'Mum why is that dog going for a walk without it's anter?' - the Doctor for some unknown reason calls owners 'anters'. It's too darling to correct him.

Or this one from pre-Christmas last year: 'Our Christmas lights are dancing'.

Or this one: 'Thank you for letting me do some toilet training a very while ago'. (Seriously, the pleasure is all mine).

Cheap and cheerful. Got any other ways to preserve your darling memories?

The Difficult Post

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I'm sorry for my previous post. I just find it difficult to know what to say.

So I'll just say this.

Last week a little cousin left us unexpectedly. She was only three. A beautiful, wide-eyed three year old with a smile to match.

Needless to say, today was a big day and such a sad farewell.

Send Out A Salute

Thanks to those who gave me book recommendations for the Doctor. We got 'Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between' by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen. We'll visit the library over the weekend to find some more.

Today is a really difficult day. One of those days when you wake up and no matter what, you can't lull yourself back to sleep because you know what's to come.

Make sure you hold your smalls close, breathe them in, hold them, really, really hold them. Remember that. Take a mental snapshot. Write about it. Breathe them again. Tell them you love them. You can never tell them enough.

Good night sweet prince

And flights of angels, sing thee to thy rest!

- Hamlet, V, ii

The Croupinator

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Last night we spent over three hours in emergency at the hospital. Fear not, we're all good in the 'hood. The Doctor seems prone to croup and woke up coughing and coughing and coughing and couldn't stop.

Of course once we got to the hospital the Doctor perked up. Because there are bright lights, cold stethoscopes, 'swineys' (people wearing masks) and trolleys being wheeled this way and that way.

I'm tired and have a headache due to lack of sleep. Times like these we're lucky to live with my in-laws because Tiny got to stay home while we went out. Otherwise we might have had a tiny little zombie baby pouncing around the hospital.

The Croupinator (aka the Doctor) got a big fat syringe full of steroids and we were on our way.

Juicy, Delicious, Watery - Ergh, That's Me...?

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Kindly Mama Mogantosh has awarded me with a Watermelon Award. To be frank, it should be the bananas award. Or the coconuts award. But I'll go with watermelon - apparently my blog is sweet and refreshing. Thanks Rach!

So I must name 6 things that make me happy. And I did do this earlier today, but it's easy to think of things that make me happy, so I'll go hell for leather and hit you with another six, and then I'll pick six blogs that make me feel sweet and refreshed too. Dig?

Six Happy Things

1. Playing 'Wanna Be Starting Something' up loud and getting the Doctor and Tiny to dancey-dance.

2. When Tiny says cat and then does the obligatory 'meeeoow' - over and over again.

3. Selling all my stuff on eBay. Not everything, but just stuff I don't need.

4. Finding new delicious recipes to whip up in the kitchen. Gets me in a frenzy every time.

5. Late afternoon sunshine when the day's been dull and grey. Loving that heat - no matter how weak.

6. For the first time in a long time, lying on the couch and relaxing without the gnawing guilt of thinking I need to be doing something else rather than just 'being'.

Six blogs that are ripe for a-pickin'

1. Tracey from Peppermint Patcher - Tracey's like a warm breeze on a chilly day

2. Kerri from Life and Other Crises - Kerri has a real knack for making me belly laugh

3. Sally at Georgie Love - Sally also makes me laugh, and laugh, and then laugh a little more

4. Michelle from Hugo & Elsa - because I am going to move in next door one day, but Michelle doesn't know it yet

5. Victoria at Earl & Cookie - so creative, so girl genius 'nuff said

6. Megan from The Scent of Water - she's inspiring, she's conspiring, she's wickedly wordsmithy

By no means is this list conclusive. I could go on and on 'til the break of dawn. So play along if you'd like. Six happy things? Hit me up!

Think Pink

Some think pink stinks? Me? I think pink is the clink de la clink. Look at it sing. It's sweet and sappy, always snappy. Pink.

Other things I like:

- tea-cake fresh from the oven

- old school stylie Sesame Street - welcome back!

- perfectly brewed cups of tea

- that swimming is over for the holidays

- hugs and wet kisses from my smalls

- the sound of the front door when Matt arrives home

Et tu?

Knitta Please

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Heard of this way cool gal before? Knitta Please is in Australia and - gulp - she's headed to Sydney. Yeeehaw!

Starting in 2005, Magda Sayeg started covering boring, inanimate objects with knitting. With a whirlwind of response from the public she kept going. And going. And she still hasn't stopped. She's been knitting her way around the world tagging this and that. Now she wants to tag something big in Sydney.

I like the idea of bombing with a bit of yarn. Maybe you and I can join up and tag with the best of them.

What's something you'd like to see Knitta Please tag in Sydney? Me... I'd like them to do the usual suspects. The Harbour Bridge or the Opera House. Go forth and knit.

Read more here.

Serendipity

I've kind of gone insular at the moment. There's lots going on (heck, I'm sure that's true of most lives). I'm sure I'll write about it later, but right now, I'm just digesting. It's a quiet thing, but there's serendipitous moments that gleam through it.

Tiny's keeping me on my toes by getting into everything. Including the garbage bin (she must have got that gene from me - though I tend not to eat two day old peanut butter crusts found in there with dustballs).

The Doctor is tired, and almost at the end of the term. Holidays next week. I think we'll get out of Sydney for a few days and breathe some country air.

Matt and I. Well we're enjoying the odd spot of sunshine creeping in our windows. Fingers of it in the mid-morning. I'm enjoying turning the oven on with no idea what I'm going to bake. But I just gotta bake.

And right now, aren't these camellias spectacular, spectacular?

Quiet Music

I'm having a real love affair with Bon Iver's music at the moment. Love to love.

Quiet Days

We're enjoying quiet, sunny Winter days with the smalls enjoying windows of time playing outside. Up and down the path on the tricycle. Tiny tentatively pushes the trolley. Up and down they go.

If you're at a loose end this Sunday, and looking for something to do, come along to Mathilda's Markets. I'll be working with Cindy from Bug and Pop. Make sure you say hi if you're around.

Being Grateful

Today I have so much to be grateful for. Simple things take on new meaning.

I challenge you to think of at least five things that you can be grateful for. I know you can go beyond the five.