Tuesday, September 27, 2011

10 Things You Didn't Need To Know

I got tagged by Robyn at Slightly More Depth Than a Teaspoon (squeal, someone tagged me!) so here is the top ten things you didn't know about me, all of which you probably don't want or need to know.

1. I am a little bit crazy, but it's ok because so is my husband so if he ever tries to pigeon hole me I can break out the mirror.

2. I am a dog lover, but secretly a cat person. I have shown my husband tiny little hints about this and he hasn't taken it well so I'm officially in the closet about this one. This is my baby kitty Ninja who was forced to live with my grandma and change her name to Sparkles.



 

3. I am lactose intolerant and tentatively diagnosed as gluten intolerant as well.

4. I am majorly stubborn; therefore number 3 is effectively ignored 100% if the time. As a result I can often be heard moaning "why am does my belly hurt and my skin welt after every bowl of cereal/cheese sandwich/ice-cream cone? Boohoo". 

5. My husband thinks I was a hippie in a past life. I have lefty views and I believe in the old ditty "if it's yellow, let it mellow - if it's brown, flush it down". 

6. The TV is on 98% of the day when we are home. It upsets me a lot but we have a tiny house and huge tv; the ratio of tv to house is about 1:2. It's very hard to have it off. It's like a family member, we can't ignore it! Last night I implemented a NO TV AT DINNER TIME rule, which my  husband quickly deviated to TV ON MUTE AT DINNER TIME, and I'm still annoyed about it. It drives me nuts that Axel can turn the TV on in the mornings before we get up, and we let him because it buys us 30 minutes in bed. Bad parenting! Stupid TV. 

7. I hate feet. Gross, man.

8. I have elaborate daydreams about all sorts of weird things, like alternate lives that I return to when I'm exercising or having sex. It's not like I am unhappy with what I've got - not at all! - but my pretend lives have lots going on. (In my defense, refer to 1.) 

9. I have this weird recurring dream of being on a beach and getting washed away by a giant wave. The circumstance - location, day or night, size of the wave, who I'm with, what I try to do - change endlessly, but the outcome is always the same. I've had this dream since primary school. 

10. I have a bit of a thing for Karl Stefanovic... And that concludes 10 weird things you didn't want to know about me.

Friday, September 16, 2011

I can't believe I am blogging about the weather

It is as hot as balls today.

One of the things I like about living in Brisbane, QLD is the weather; not northern enough to be too tropical, but still perfect beach/pool/water-fight weather in the warmer months, and not southern enough to really suck in the colder months. But it is only mid-September and today is hot. As balls. It's going to be 30 degrees tomorrow, which would be good if I wasn't working (and if my boss wasn't such a tight-arse with the airconditioner). I'm going to seize this warm turn and take my kiddy to the Southbank beach in the coming days, and in fact I'm going to make sure we appreciate the Southbank beach much more this summer as it was nearly gone forever after the floods.

Another reason I like living in my city is the close proximity to the ocean; 30 minutes in any easterly direction should land me at a nice body of water, and I'm digging the ocean this lifetime. I love it. I dream about it. I am convinced that I was a sailor or a fisherman in a previous life and I dream of the day when I can own a boat. It's going to be a very good hobbie because my husband won't get on it. Sorry husband, but you can be a turd sometimes and when I own my boat it is going to prove useful when we need to get out of eachother's faces. You can go off and play with the car.

So that's what's going on in my head on this sweaty day. Seriously, my thighs are starting to chafe just from swinging on this chair while I type. You're welcome!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Well, I'm all good. How are you?

Today is R U OK day, an initiative set up in 2009 to create national awareness for mental health; in particular depression and suicide. This year it is touching very close to home after the recent suicide death of a good friend's young husband. He didn't have the conversation that could've saved his life. 


Depression and suicide are unfortunately well known in my family. I remember vividly the afternoon that I found out my mum's eldest brother had taken his life; I was eight years old and chucked the shits when my brother came to my friend's house down the road to tell me to go home. I was meant to be having a sleep over and was not happy. I ran into the kitchen to start complaining to my mother but stopped in my tracks when I saw her face. She did not have an easy upbringing and her brother stepped in as parent when my grandmother wasn't there. Seeing how his death had shattered my mother has had a deep and lasting effect on me. Earlier that same year my parents' house burnt to the ground leaving us with nothing. It was a difficult time and my mum had to shoulder the burden of depression on her own for many years.


When my son was born I found myself battling with a little more that 'the baby blues'. I went to a very dark place before my husband finally tweaked and took me to a good doctor. I went on antidepressants for a little while, and wrote about that unpleasant experience here. Now I have this lovely little bottle to keep me level, and I could not be happier with it. I realize it might not be the answer for everyone who has battled depression, but I am so thankful that I gave it a try. A huge bonus is the fact that at $12 for a bottle of 60, it is a fraction of the cost of Cymbalta (which used to cos me around $50 a month), but the best part is it's all natural and isn't messing around with my body.




Bad shit happens, I know my tale isn't extraordinary. But that's the scary part; we all go through trials in our lives and this year 65,000 Australians will contemplate or attempt to take their life as a way out. It's a big number, and while I sit in my home today I find myself feeling overwhelmed. When my friend's husband took his life she put his picture onto a facebook page called Putting A Face On Suicide. I thought it was a worthwhile sentiment and liked the page, but had to hide that sucker after many teary visits to my news feed. 


This is a big issue, and more needs to be done. Mental illness is stigmatized in this country when it should be viewed the same as a physical illness. We need to treat our mental health with the same level of importance as we do our bodies; we put time in at the gym to look good so why can't we put the same effort into our mental well being? I feel very small with this issue, but today I will do what I can and open my eyes to the people around me. You should too.

It's my birthday and I'll be the BOSS if I want to

Birthday spoils 

It's my birthday today, so I've compiled a list of things that everyone needs to know about being the Birthday Boss. It's already 7:45pm, so sadly it's a little late for my family to reform for this year, but don't worry because I'll personally stick this post on the fridge for next year. 

Birthday Boss Rules
  • The Birthday Boss does not have to meet with undesirables today. That may or may not include in laws who want to 'pop in for a cuppa'
  • Birthday Boss should not have to prepare dinner, nor should they have the pressure put upon them to decide where to dine out
  • If you take Birthday Boss somewhere crap for dinner, they are well within their rights to complain, even if you gave them the option of choosing the venue and they declined
  • If any small people should require assistance in bum-wiping, it is undeniably NOT the Birthday Boss's burden to bare today
  • In the unfortunate circumstance where the Birthday Boss has to work on their special day, it is of utmost importance that you give appropriate attention and sympathy to their weary bodies at the end of the day. Foot rubs aren't out
  • 'But it's my birthday' is basically the all-access veto to any and every chore; baths to be run, stories to be read, dishes to be done. It's only one day of the year, and if the Birthday Boss happens to be a mum, you know damn well she has to do this crap 364 other days this year
That about covers it. 

I had a pretty decent birthday, but with a little help raising awareness about these important rules I think we can improve. And just in time for me to turn a quarter of a century in '12.

Monday, September 12, 2011


My evil genius clever guy turned three last week, and I thought it was about time I got some stuff down for him to refer to in the future. I may or may not have watched The Notebook the other day, and may or may not be 100% convinced I'm going to succumb to Old Timer's one day. (Don't google the symptoms if you want to have an ordinary life free from paranoia.) 

So Axel, listen up! Here are some of mamma's tips on life, the universe and everything:


  • I know you really dig those Hotwheels cars, but baby they are sharp. Stop hiding them in the shag pile rug.
  • Your 10 month old cousin is not a turtle, so please stop trying to create her shell. She spends two days a week with us now, and you sure know how to stir her up just enough to make it look like you haven't done anything and she's a crazy baby.
  • I know about the stash of lollies in the bottom of your cupboard, I just haven't moved them yet because I like the peace and quiet they afford me when I'm blogging (see, I'm blogging).
  • I am so, so proud of your toilet achievements. I haven't had to buy nappies for a whole month! But we really have to get a better system going for when you need help with number 2s. I'm not sure what the bank guy thought last week when he was visiting and heard "MUM, WIPE MY BUM PLEASE!" echoing down the hall.
  • Oh, and on the subject of number 2s; kangarooing my toilet? Your dad's mates used to do that when they visited, but I sorted them out... I don't think I'm legally allowed to do the same to you, but I will think of something if this keeps up:   


All that said, I am pretty peachy keen on having you around. I like the tricks you do; in particular the one where you pick the worst time to come and kiss the top of my head. You humble me kid. 

Stay cool x mum