Halloween is one of those events that, for me, definitely has a 'then and now' aspect to it. Then Halloween was Barm Brack. Literally. Just barm brack and nothing else. Well maybe a few fun games in school and monkey nuts... but what with all the allergies doing the rounds now (scarier than anything Halloween … Continue reading The Icing On The… Barm Brack
Dogs Make A Special Impression
Our dog Rocco died. When I say our dog, I mean Alan's dog. Because a dog only truly ever has one master. I met Rocco the first time I met Alan, when he bounded out of the house to meet me. He gave me the impression he approved of me. But then, Rocco was the … Continue reading Dogs Make A Special Impression
We Should All Be Feminists
I was driving into my local town recently, minding my own bee's wax. Chilling out, maxing, relaxing after (play)school (drop-off). You know the way. Anyhoo, I passed a 'Men At Work' sign and it sparked immediate outrage. I mean immediate. Outrage that an extremely sexist road sign was here, on my turf, being offensive to … Continue reading We Should All Be Feminists
The Dignity of Work
Is there anyone more important than the one who serves you a hot coffee, with a smile and one of those divine teeny-tiny buttery biscuits on the side? Or the clued-in shop assistant who jumps on the free till because they can see you're weighed down and weighing up the merits of continuing to wait. … Continue reading The Dignity of Work
Getting The Hang Of This
I've just had a long conversation with Ranger Rob (aka, my four-year old in full method-acting character mode) and I'm losing my mind. These two things aren't necessarily linked either - Rob is just a bit-player in the drama that is my disintegrating brain. This isn't the worst it's been and I know it will come … Continue reading Getting The Hang Of This
Wheels Of Industry, Take Five
We're two weeks in with our new addition. A party of five negotiating new family dynamics and car seat arrangements. It's busy, it's messy, it's all-consuming. It's the fantastic time that is your new-life with a new-born. And so far so good-er than the first two times around. Yes, our parenting CVs read a lot … Continue reading Wheels Of Industry, Take Five
On The Brink Of Maternity Non-Leave
Well, this one won't be a July baby, that's now been settled. I'm officially overdue. Just two days, but that's more than I've gone before with one early-arrival and a bang-on-timer. Just sitting, waiting. Well, apart from the eight times I just climbed the stairs to ever so gently threaten the small girl with banishment to … Continue reading On The Brink Of Maternity Non-Leave
Size Matters More Than It Should
I'm relatively tall. Relatively. Not the tallest in my class at school, but tall enough that I caused jaws to (literally) drop while once visiting China. Or maybe it was the freckles. No, it was definitely the height. The locals would kindly shout at me in English that I was 'very, very tall' and even … Continue reading Size Matters More Than It Should
Not Built For The Heat
I'm sorry. Excuse me? Did someone order a heat wave? Cos I sure didn't. But I now find myself trapped in the body of a heavily pregnant lady literally cooking from the inside out. And back in again. A nurse whose expertise is in dermatology was on the radio yesterday talking about sun safety - … Continue reading Not Built For The Heat
Keep Smelling The Roses
Did you know that June is the month for roses? Yup. If you look out for them, you'll see them everywhere. Blooming. Showing off. Being wonderful. It's this time of year, every year, that I remind myself I must plant a rose bush - they're just so bloody gorgeous. So queue some mild self-loathing (just … Continue reading Keep Smelling The Roses
