Yesterday I had the same conversation I've had plenty of times before. The one I know that I need to work out the answers to. I've had it plenty of times before and yet my wish to punch myself in the face remains the same now as it did the very first time I had it. It goes a little something like … [Read more...]

Or just the one I filmed in front of the world map in my daughter's bedroom. Whichever takes your fancy. … [Read more...]

9 month old babies are possibly the sweetest babies in the world. Actually, strike that. 9 month old babies that you can give back and don't have to wake to in the middle of the night but can enjoy all the cute parts of, are possibly the sweetest babies in the world. Georgie, who visited us on … [Read more...]

So, yesterday Daisy woke up with a wee cold. Nothing too sinister, a runny nose, a few sneezels and a sore throat but it took me all of 2.3 seconds to declare it a DAY OFF SCHOOL! She was excited, Harper was beside herself and I was thrilled that I could potentially stay in my pj's all day. Everyone … [Read more...]

The thing about living in a teeny tiny village like the one where we do is that there is a teeny tiny School that goes with it. We are now almost the whole way through Term one and it's been a steep learning curve for all of us. Routines, homework, after School activities, newsletters, notes, new … [Read more...]

My fancy pants brother who got me onto Hendricks and Tonic bought down with him his new favourite gin last weekend. He discovered it here - it's full of lovely olive, rosemary, thyme and basil flavours and I'm happy to report that it is now my favourite gin.Served neat, on ice, with a few sicilian … [Read more...]

I have spent all year asking the same stupid questions that Rob pointed out to me last week when I was crying and asking the same question again, that there are no answers for. Things like:"Why don't our children SLEEP?""How can she be awake?""How on earth can she be happy on NO SLEEP?""How is it … [Read more...]

Saturday we: stayed in our pyjamas for as long as humanly possible before our visitors arrived: went back to bed in the middle of the day and slept: played with cousins: played Star Wars Monopoly: sat in front of the fire: read lots and lots of magazines: ate this deconstructed salad of YUM which I … [Read more...]

I went to the Doctor on Monday with a cough that I have had for the past month, hoping for some antibiotics or something to make me feel better. He told me that antibiotics can't fix what I've got....exhaustion. I need rest. Snort.This morning I went and had a massage and then proceeded to have … [Read more...]

Of all the old time flowers that a garden can grow, I think these are my favourite. So simple. So pretty. And at the very end of the season, all the shades of white to blue and the most beautiful, perfect green. I've just filled the house with little bottles of them. A simple joy to behold. … [Read more...]

That man of mine is at it again. This time down the mountain and to the sea. A nice way to start your day...WERRI from Rob Macdonald on Vimeo.As ever best results to watch full screen through Vimeo. Or here. Or whatever takes your fancy. Or not. … [Read more...]

I like to sweep. I sweep a lot. I get great satisfaction from a messy pathway, or verandah swept clean, a new start, a nice entrance way, a welcome that shows someone that you care about this piece of ground. Or something. Some people like to smoke, or take a valium. I, I like to sweep. My family … [Read more...]

It was so great to have Harper back on board and have a relatively normal weekend. It was the local show so we went and checked that out on Saturday with my Mum and step dad who had come down for the weekend. Given the week I'd had there were no entries to the show this year which ruined my plans, … [Read more...]

Our Doctor and every single person that had been through this procedure before me who I cried on the phone to or sent frantic messages keep saying to me "It will get better. I promise. Just like *that* she will get better."And you know what?She did.Yesterday she would not get off me. All day. She … [Read more...]

Today, for me, being a woman means...: Waking up bleary eyed and exhausted: Discussing septic tanks issues and concerns with my husband: Getting the fire on before my family woke up so they were warm: Doing maths homework with my oldest even though we both didn't want to: Putting the same clothes on … [Read more...]

: What? She's still not done with this thing yet? No, no I am not. It's consuming me at the moment and it's all I have to offer. Next week I'm sure there will be something a little more interesting. It better be anyway! I wasn't going to keep writing about it, but then I keep getting emails from … [Read more...]

This morning Daisy announced that "it is SO boring having a baby sister who has her tonsils out." And you know what? She's right.I won't lie, things haven't been pretty round these parts. It's been miserable inside and out while Harper recovers. She has been in pain, having trouble taking her … [Read more...]

It's done. We are home. She is (kind of) resting. In some pain. Refusing her medicine. Accepting some pretty big bribes to take her medicine. And breaking our heart with her bravery. I know that the hard part of this is ahead of us over the next 10 days but bloody hell, it feels good to have the … [Read more...]

OK, I am worrying a lot about...: How Harper's operation will go: How she will be when they try to put her under: How she will cope with needles: How she will be when she wakes up: If she will be crazy and possessed: Or if she will be sick and vomiting: The stay in hospital: When we get home: The … [Read more...]