Lists

1. Exercise: 
I dumped it. 
You probably predicted it. 
I bought a FitBit, convinced I would use it - and I don't. 
I don't know how to fit it into my life.
Do you find it tough?

2. A haircut:
It's been months since my last. 
Maybe it will give me an overhaul. 
Chop. Chop.

3. Salad days:
I've got some ideas. 
And a new Tupperware Mandochef. 
I need to get cracking. I need to take lunches to work.

4. Should I get into smoothies?
Tell me dear reader. 

5. Christmas shopping: 
It's on my mind. 
I've bought one present.
I need some lists. 


What's on your list? 

How To Make Yourself A Little Happier:: 5 Tips

So lately I have been doing small things to add some happy into my day. To get myself out of the Groundhog and onto the good foot. They're not big things. They're not groundbreaking. But they have made me happier. 

Want some tips on getting yourself happier? 

1. Get outside. I know I love social media. But sometimes it makes me not so happy. Putting down technology and going outside is SO good for the soul. I spent a happy afternoon last week pulling weeds. And pulling weeds. And pulling weeds. There are a lot of weeds in our garden, and passersby may think we're busy cultivating them. 

We're not. Weeds intimidate me. Plus I don't want to find any creepy creatures in the garden. But that afternoon of weeding not only got me outside, it let me feel the sunshine on my back, gave me the feeling and satisfaction of having done something with my hands, and made my garden look slightly better. 

2. Do something for someone else. When I was feeling a bit blue a couple of months ago, I donated some red. Blood that is. When you do something for someone else - you feel good. It's not just me that thinks this. It's got the psychologists talking too. 

Doing something without the expectation of receiving something in return can have a major influence on happiness. It provides more positive social interactions and opportunities to make friends; it relieves distress about other people's misfortunes; bottom line = it feels good. 

Try donating blood! And if you can't donate blood, there are SO many charities that will happily host volunteers. Give some time to someone who needs it. You'll get the buzz benefit. 

3. Make something with your hands. It goes back to that thing of doing something with your hands. I have a fairly sedentary life, so gardening is good for me - physically and mentally. But if you're not into gardening, stitching, painting, even joining a drawing club can have that positive effect. Being purposeful can mean you can quite literally take your own happiness into your hands.

4. Cook something. I don't get much time these days to cook, unless it's my day off or on the weekend. But nothing beats the feeling of making something for your friends and family to enjoy. Last week it was risotto. The week before brownies and peanut butter and choc chip biscuits. This week? The world is my oyster. But it won't be oysters. 

5. Catch up with a friend. Dr PottyMouth prescribes you a restorative catch up with friends. Or family. In my own experience, there's nothing better than spending time with people you love. Meet a girlfriend for coffee or a big walk, chat. Catch up. Laugh. It is truly the best medicine, and you can't beat that high. 

What You Want Me To Blog About

It's been a while my friends. I don't want to bore you with my reasons other than to say - you know when Bjork sang "it's oh so quiet". Well let's switch those lyrics out - and sing "I'm oh so tired, shhh shhh."

Not sleeping. Not eating. I am totally stressed. 

I'm contributing my verse, as per Apple's instructions. This is my freaking verse. 

Like Fantine in Les Miserables - I dreamed a dream. 

I did people. I did dream a flipping dream. And life is not quite what I expected. Which is both enchanting and exasperating.

Right now, I am so tired to the bones that my bones are aching. I just need a really huge hug. But then - do not look at me. No. Don't even dare. Because if you do, if you are too nice to me, I will cry.

I am right there my friends. 

So instead I am delivering the things you've requested via Facebook:

1. Kitten News: We've hit the teenage months when the cat canters through the house like a race horse. Gai Waterhouse would do well to get over here, because when he runs, he really runs. 

I have one good hand, and one battered hand. The battered hand is the hand that Happy likes to attack. 

He's taken to climbing the flyscreen. 

He's totally, purely, utterly, extremely crazy.

I would like it if he'd sit a little closer to me on the couch at night. I would really like that. Right now I have to play hard to get.

2. A people post merged with part of the reason I haven't been blogging: Last year Matt's job finished up. It wasn't something we'd planned for - and as such, it took some mental adjustment. For some part - it was over the holidays, and it was kind of good because we don't really have anyone to look after our kids; but on the other side, it was super stressful as only money woes can be. 

While being able to support and provide for my family has been awesome - it's also wearying. And emotional. And I feel like I never get to see my children enough. And when I do, I am a cranky tired ogre. 

There's also the bit where paying bills is a huge struggle. Yeah. That bit. 

In the morning I may well delete number 2 from this post. I hate talking about this stuff.

3. Oscar Prep: I am pretty sure all celebrities are polishing up their sequins. Let's guess that J-Law is going to wear Dior. Heidi Klum is going to be attention seeking. Sophia Vergara (if she attends) will wear a fishtail frock. Because she always. thinks. she's a mermaid. And has to keep showing us her incredible hourglass figure. Yes. We're jealous. The men will wear suits. Boring. 

4. Miscellaneous: I can't stop listening to this song. If you need a big sob, play this. And watch the clip. And then look at how hot Christina Aguilera is.


This is the post that you asked for. 

Feel free to ask me a question. I'll answer it. Ask me anything. 

What's Happening In Our House

Tonight my eight year old commented: "Mum, I love how your bottom wiggles every time you move. It's so funny. It's like two cheeks, wibble wobble."

My ego is wildly out of control now.

This may have been the motivation I needed to get back out and exercising. 

In other breaking news - Tiny is taking a pair of summer pyjamas to school for news tomorrow.

PS - how beautiful is this owl?! 

Sunday Stuff:: The Great Catch Up of 2013

Sheesh, I have really dropped the blogging ball the last few weeks. It's actually a gift, from me to you. 

Unwrap it, consider it, and then decide what to do with it. 

I've had nothing much to report on in the last few weeks because I feel like we're back in Groundhog territory.

Let's get something sorted out upfront. 

I love school holidays. I love having the smalls home. I love the easy routines. I love spending sunny days together. I just love school holidays. 

I am not so much in love with the rushing, the stress and the herding out the door for school, or picking up two tired bodies at the end of the day. 

These children. They are tired. 

One thing I have managed to do, is spend less time on the interwebz. Less time wasting time. 

This is good. This is very good. I'm more connected. I have more time to do what's important. 

It's made me rethink what's important. I'm spending more time with my family. Reading books. Getting rid of clutter. Watching Girls. Listening to more music. 

How much time per week do you spend on the computer when you could be doing something else? 

Why Hello There

Thank you for all your kind comments over the weekend - it really touched me. I always think of that adage - a problem shared is a problem halved (is that right?) and think it absolutely applies when you're grieving. You feel less alone. Blogging is good like that. 

This last week, losing my Aunty so suddenly, has made me study life more closely. Re-assess what's important. And think about my own mortality. 

Sally was someone who touched the lives of many people within the community. I am buoyed by the thought that so many people will remember her effervescence and warmth. 
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It's a crazy time of year and I feel like I'm spreading myself thin. We're all in the same boat. 

I'm rushing around the city and feeling like I'm not getting any time to myself - but it will happen. I'm taking some time off over Christmas and I can. not. wait. 

Tiny had her Christmas concert at preschool today. I had to employ my tips to help myself from crying. Because right now, if I leak one tear, I'll soon be sitting in a puddle. It was bittersweet - Tiny's starting school next year - I can't quite fathom how we got here so soon. One minute she's a mermaid swimming into the world, the next she's been wearing her school uniform almost all week. She's so excited. 

My Tiny turns five on Sunday. My funny, smart, thoughtful, kind, cheeky Tiny turns five. She's almost not tiny anymore. 

We were going to have a party for her this week, but it felt like too much right now. Emotionally I just can't do it. So we've postponed until January. Someone tell me that's ok. I knew I should have organised it back in September. December babies totally luck out.
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Four weeks ago my sister and I started group personal training. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I've really loved having a reason to get up in the morning - to meet with my sister and get our heartbeats up underneath the gum trees before most people have even switched their alarms off. 

Personally it's meant more changes - not just with diet (less alcohol, less sugar, less crap), but it's meant I feel like I get time to spend on me. I think as a mum it's super important. It's valuable to feel valued and it feels good to look after myself. 

What about you? What are you up to? 

image via here

Money Money Money

Must be funny. In a rich man's world. (Ha. Ha. Ha.)

Money's too tight to mention.

There's a reason there are songs written about money. And it's not the romance.

It's quite simply, because money is not funny. At all.

Money is boring. Yawn-worthy. It's the bone of contention, the source of much stress, angst and sometimes loud arguments. It's also a great inspiration for long sleep-less nights.

Blergh. Money. You are a big poo.

Just when you think you're getting on top of the bills, you get another one that wipes out any savings you thought you might have (big thanks to the $800 electricity bill - gulp).

So here's a question for you, what are your very best of the best frugal tips?

(for more hilaire dollar bill artworks go here. PMM does not condone defacing federal property.)

Stuff Happens

Remember the other week when I wrote about what was happening for our little family? About the childcare woes, the distinct lack of village, and the big changes?

A few people commented on here and over on Facebook, imploring me to ask some mums. After all, what was the worst thing that could happen? They could say no.

I sat on it for a few days feeling really, absolutely awkward.

Then I bit the bullet and contacted a few mums that I vaguely knew from dropping the kids off to their houses. I asked them if they could look after our smalls one afternoon a week, for the next two terms. I told them they had no obligation.

And then I waited for them to respond. The three all responded saying they'd love to help, but of the three, one logistically couldn't do it. But the other two said YES! And one asked if we could look after their daughter before school. Of course we said YES!

Things have worked out well. Well, so far so good. We won't know until we're in the thick of it. But for now, I feel so much happier with this place we are at.

Thank you for empowering me to ask. Thank you. Thank you.

images - because I love them - by Spanish artist Lola Guerrera via Design for Mankind

So. It's Wednesday. I Am Ready To Talk. Sort Of. (Also Known As the Most Vague Blog Post Ever)

It is true. It is Wednesday.

Life is a funny thing. Isn't it?

When you think one thing will go one way, it goes the other. When you expect something, it will turn itself on its head - anything to not happen.

I am not going to lie. Life, these last few months, has been... Interesting. It's been a difficult and sometimes tumultuous ride. A ride that I have thought - hellz bellz, I want it to stop.

You know, I know, Sydney sucks me dry. I struggle with it. On one hand, I really love it. It's a beautiful city that offers so much. And on the flipside, it's like a bad friend that takes and takes and what does it give me? Expensive living costs.

Are you lost? Yes. Me too. Is this cryptic? Gosh. I hope not. There's nothing I loathe more than cryptic blog posts.

But all I really want to share is this, this is your take-away from this blogging session:
just when you think the chips are down - you can turn the beat around.

Last Days of Disco

The last few months have been a real struggle for me. Juggling almost full-time work with parenting, with housework, with wife-ing, and then toss blogging on top of that - I'm not going to lie. I am 100 % completely exhaustipated*. 


Something's got to give because everything in my life seems to be suffering from the knock on effect of everything else. Every night I race home from work, help with the kids going to bed, and collapse onto the sofa so darn beat down, I can barely muster any energy to open my laptop, let alone use my brain to come up with some content. I've tried. Trust me. I really have, but I feel like I am drowning in over-commitment - it's not a good feeling. 


It's with heavy heart that I've decided to put PottyMouthMama into retirement. At least for the next few months. 


If you feel a bit jipped, might I suggest you start at the very start of PottyMouthMama? There's four years worth of content, with highlights being Tiny smearing poo everywhere, the Doctor being delicious, and me rummaging through someone else's bin. For. Weeks. On. End. 


Bon appetit baby.


By the way, I'll still come back tomorrow and announce the LEGO winner. Last chance to enter that competition chicitas. 


image source here


*exhaustipated was a word a girl that I used to work with always used. I never had the heart to tell her it wasn't a real word. So I always thought of it as a combination of being immensely tired - and constipated - all at once.

The Perfect Myth

The other day I inadvertently interrupted one of my colleagues speaking with some other work friends. Later, for some reason or another I asked what they had been chatting about. 

"Your perfect family."

I cringed. And I'm sure my brow furrowed. And then I cacked myself.

"My family perfect?" And then I laughed hard again thinking about how imperfect my life is. 

The perfect family? Don't think so. Far from it.


I quickly popped that bubble - because I am not one for perpetuating myths. I am not perfect. My family is not perfect. Life is not perfect.  I quickly jumped to my family's defence and went to town mythbusting.


I rattled off a whole bunch of reasons why our family is not perfect:
- we argue
- our house is a mess
- sometimes we can't pay our bills on time
- we don't really know what we're doing - we just fumble along
- we sometimes struggle to make decisions - big decisions
- I want to move out of Sydney, Matt wants to stay in Sydney
- my kids faces are covered in chocolate
- I struggle juggling family life with work life
- and sometimes we eat crumpets with butter and honey for lunch

There's so much more that makes us imperfect, and delightfully so, but I won't bore you.

But I did keep confirming to her that our family was not perfect, and that there isn't such a thing as a perfect family. With four individuals, there's bound to be conflict, tension, tears, and mess. Everyone has their challenges.


I could go on. And on. And on. But I won't bore you on the reasons why our little family is imperfect. And we're perfectly happy being imperfect.

This Is Me. Just Another Mother Blogger.

This is me.
Lexi.
PottyMouthMama.
Worker bee by day.
Mama and wife by night.

I was thinking about mummy bloggers and thinking how that tag does not fit me. Well I don't think so anyway. That tag makes me really uncomfortable. I get kind of itchy. I am no expert parent. And sometimes - a lot lately - I am sad how little time I have to spend with my children, that is quality time. I get home, I am tired. Sometimes snappy. I hate that. I feel so distant sometimes. There's a disconnect between work life and family life. I struggle with it. Battle with it daily. I don't find the work-family juggle very easy and it can sometimes make me feel immensely sad. Right to my bones. 

But we gots to live.

And someone once went to town on me in the comments section, saying that I chose this and that it's my own fault. Well. I guess she didn't read my blog very carefully. I work four days, and when I am home, Matt works. We have that one day together, and Sydney sucks you dry. To your very marrow.

But back to my blog. Life is this imperfect thing, and so is my parenting. But, I am a mama, but I am also so much more. And my blog is more than parenting and sometimes not so much about parenting. And since I've returned to the paid workforce, I feel distant from the mummy blogger tag. Actually I think I've always been distant from the mummy blogger tag (EEK!). I could go 'round and 'round in circles with this discussion by myself. I won't. But I could.

I think Anna sums it up well here.

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This is me wearing a necklace my friend Pip gave me, a few years ago. I love wearing it. It makes me think of her and all the awesome sauce she spreads throughout the world.

I have other things that have been gifted to me that remind me of special people in my life. My Mum gave me one of her vintage kaftans. I wore it throughout my first pregnancy, with the Doctor in my belly. I love that kaftan, though it's getting a bit threadbare, it's so loved and makes me think of my Mum.

I love wearing things that remind me of people. It puts me in a good mood and makes me think they're kind of looking after me that day. In a weird way. That might sound kooky. Apologies. I might be a little kooky.

End of rambling post.
At ease soldiers.

When Life Hands You Lemons

I'm not even going to pretend.

The last few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster. And I really want to get off it, pronto.

My Mum is sick. And I'm worried.
Work is stressful. And I'm not coping.
I miss spending time with my smalls.
Some a$$hole broke my rearvision mirror - and 5 others in our street
The kids fetes are on - stress. Baking. Donating. It's never ending.
And Matt's show opens this weekend.
Right this minute, I've drunk half a bottle of wine (yep, way to control stress) and I'm dancing to this.

How are you holding up? For realz, I want to know.
And so what I was going to say is: when life hands you lemons, make a peach and raspberry tart to sell at the preschool fete. Ok? (Trust me, it's easy)

So What Can I Tell You About This Week?

Oh man. Phew-eeee!

It's been a heck of a week. I've been body-slammed at work with lots on and I'm pooped. So I'm grasping at straws as to what to share.

- One more sleep 'til our habit forming starts, but ladies - can we start on July 2? Saturday? That is much better for me, but if you're busting to bust out your new habits, start tomorrow, I can dig it.

- It's rainy in Sydney. I love this shot of The Beatles. It reminds me of my Dad who introduced me to them - well their music, when I was around 9 or so. I loved lying on my tummy, next to the record player, listening to them, reading their lyrics. I think I was completely obsessed with the Sgt. Pepper's record cover and used to stare at it for what seemed like hours.

- Seeker Lover Keeper have released their debut album is out. You should get it. It's amazeballs.

- Bon Iver's new album is out. It's beautiful. You should get that too.

- I've eaten way too much cake.

- Matt and I are going on a date tomorrow night. Quelle romantique.

Anything to report? I'm listening.

Saving Sydney

This week I had the great joy of receiving an email from my MIL containing tips on "how to save".

I abstained from responding all manner of responses. Right now, Sydney's sucking the marrow from us, all that's good and positive is being drained straight out. Right now, Sydney sucks.

Sydney is a shining, dazzling city that's fooled itself into thinking it's bigger than it actually is. When a 2 bedroom apartment on Sydney's outskirts is on par with an apartment in Manhattan - well you've really got to think, Sydney you're a bit of a bloated over-rated money whore.

And as if SMH was keyed into my thoughts, this week a piece on Sydney's lowdown ugly-ness.

Where to next?

Jesus saves. But not on my wage, and not while living in Sydney.

Are We Equal?

Well clearly we're not. That was a dumb question. But what are your thoughts, hopes, dreams for what it means to be a woman?

And Then It Was Wednesday

Hello friends, it is I, super mummy, sent to save the dayfromturningintoThursdayalready.

I played hookie yesterday and didn't front up for my blog. Sorry folks. Yowser. Life got in the way of the show going on.

I took the Doctor to his school kindy orientation. I felt a bit sad. Then the Doctor asked me if he could go to a school that he would only have to attend four days a week. Then we chatted. Then I shopped for fruit and veg. I went for a walk to the park with my wee family. I pretended I was a Squid Brother at the park. I pretended I was a policeman on a police-issued scooter at the park. I went on the slide. I went on the swing. I walked home from the park with a naked almost-three year old. Yeah. Uh huh. Almost naked except for a nappy and a pair of pink sandals. It's all the rage for the under 3 set.

I am pretty exciting, yes?

What's on the haps in your 'hood?

Life Is A Box Of Chocolates

It's just a shame that sometimes the box of chocolates are left in the car. In the full sun. Melted chocolate is good. Liquid chocolate, not so much.

But life is a cabaret old chum, except for when you get a hole in your fishnets, and your tap shoes run out of taps.

If you were to be author of one of these overused sayings, how would you end this:

Life is a...

Today, mine would read: life is a really fast rollercoaster, zipping up and around, upside down, sideways, backwards, and then a prompt stop. Whiplash never felt so good.

When Life Hands You A Banana.

You make fruit salad, right? Or you can eat it monkey style...?

Or if life hands you a rotten banana, make banana bread - right?

Photos courtesy of Tiny and her train ride. (I've got plenty more where those came from - try ten shots).

I'm Coming Up Empty Handed

Due to the lockdown that is life at the moment, we're stuck at home with the Doctor and his croup, Tiny and her snotties, me and my sinuses, I am in fear I have nothing, NOTHING to share. It's a bad old day when you have nothing of value to share, isn't it sausages? Oh yes!

So what to report... I'm twiddling my thumbs folks.

* I love the new Sia album (not to be confused with the Safety Institute of Australia - although I'm sure they're quite good too)

* I love the new Angus & Julia Stone album

* I have drunk three cups of tea today, with another on the way

* I have picked up countless crumpled tissues today (gee thanks kids)

* I have refereed countless wrestling matches between the smalls today

* I am going to watch the Young Victoria today. Or maybe Mad Men. But something. Because Glee isn't on

* I haven't organised dinner yet due to confinement

* I have mopped the floors

* I am up to date in the laundry

* The kids are in the bath at 4:00pm. The Doctor is crying because a) it has bubbles (which I thought he'd like tonight and b) Tiny kicked him. AGAIN.

* We have a very large old wardrobe currently eating all the room in our living room because we have nowhere else to put it. What to do with it folks?

On a more exciting front..

Check out Meet Me At Mikes for the Medina MumSpace giveaway. You must be in it to win it. (And for more chances to win a night at the Medina of your choice, head over to MumSpace - fo' realz).

And if you're looking for something absolutely, infinitely more interesting than this post, I might suggest this to you.

image via manataka