Mia rugged up for winter
by MIA FREEDMAN
Baby it’s cold outside. Winter. Sniffles. Coughing. Illness. I have always been a bit germ-phobic but I get particularly snitty (not to be confused with snotty) about it at this time of year. Nobody likes being sick but after you have kids, it becomes a whole new level of punishing.
Not only do your kids not allow you to stay in bed and moan like the poor wounded animal you are, but invariably they catch it. So just when you rejoin the land of the healthy, they crash. And then you have to take MORE time off work to tend to them and make chicken soup. Or make it from a packet.
So.
Sick people. Can I take a moment to send many many virtual germs to whoever came up with the ‘soldier on’ campaign for whatever form of cold and flu medication they were trying to sell. DO NOT SOLDIER ON, PEOPLE. STAND DOWN, SOLDIER & PUT YOUR GERMY WEAPONS AWAY.
At many workplaces and schools, there is a tradition of ‘sickies’. Pretending to be sick so you can have a day off. At Mamamia, we have something I have dubbed “healthies” – where sick people PRETEND to be healthy so they can come to work.
I know. It’s insanity.
My husband Jason and I are very strict about sick people staying at home. We insist upon it. If we hear a cough or a sneeze or a sniffle, our ears immediately prick up. Cough/sniff/sneeze multiple times and you are likely to get a red card and an order to go home. ‘Benched’ if I were to use sporting terminology.
So people pretend their sneezes are hayfever. People try to hide their coughs and their sniffles. They go into the kitchen or the bathroom to cough. Furtively. Just yesterday I was in the kitchen and someone rushed in, took one startled look at me and rushed out again. She needed to cough. BUT I HAVE SHARP HEARING AND I CAN HEAR YOUR SECRET COUGHING SO STOP IT AND GO HOME.
Ahem.
And no, that wasn’t a cough. I was just clearing my throat.
Anyway – here’s what else has been happening around the office this week.
Brainstorm alert! There's been a lot of this at MM HQ recently.
Background music: we’re still streaming smoothfm while we work – you can check it out here.
What’s on your mind this week?
Comments
401 Comments so far
I wish all work places felt this way about people being sick. I’ve had jobs where they insisted you stayed home if you were sick and I’ve had other jobs where unless you were hospitalized, you were made to feel really bad about calling in sick. When you returning, they would “punish” you by piling work up onto your desk, it was awful. Didn’t stay long at this place!
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Trying not to count down the hours to Monday morning. Wondering if it’s a bad thing to want to ditch a job because it’s “all too hard” or suck it up. I used to love going to work. Somehow, i’ve become the person who can do no right, even though I’m approved by the boss in one-on-one meetings but then admonished in groups. I’d happily give my boss what he wanted if only he could communicate clearly exactly what that is… Anyone been there?
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I’m lonely.
Really lonely.
And yet, I have the perfect life.
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Hey!!I
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I love post idea lists like this (Sean Platt also did a great one recently). Your second topic is a great one
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OMM is that I’m sick sick sickety sick. To compound my grumpiness about this, we had a power cut so there’s been no computers all day (they’re rebooting – we have a complicated set up) meaning no recorded tv or downloaded stuff to watch. Daytime tv sucks!
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omm: uni results released on friday. stressing as always. i’m just constantly feeling like i’m never quite enough, and it disappoints me more than anyone else. i try and talk about it but it just comes out as whinging. i just know that whatever they are – i’m going to be upset about it. even when i know i tried as hard as i could. and not amazing results mean that i’m never going to get the kind of job that i so desperately want. it’s a spiral that happens every semester and it kills me, every single time. [/end whine]
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Hey Ellie, it’s not whinging, if you’re feeling upset about it then you have every right (and need) to talk about it with someone who actively listens. I do hope that you’ve got a good friend or family who can do that for you – if not, MMers are all ears
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Job interview today. Not my finest hour but so glad it’s over! Luckily it’s not a job I HAVE to have so I won’t be too crushed if I don’t get it.
Would love to know how high up job interviews are on the list of Dreaded Things. Definitely worse than the dentist!!
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Just wondering why your column has not said anything about Barry O’Farrals attack on Working woman and men in regards to the changes he wants to make to the Workers Compensation Scheme?
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Hey MIa, just wondering where do you think you’d be now if you never met Jason?
I remember that you were a very cool nightclub girl (have seen the pics) and have read about a past crap relationship.
You did get into relationship with Jason quite young… do you ever wonder about if you’d not met him?
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Mia, totally with you! I know i’s easier for some to stay home than others but as a teacher with 4 children of my own I used to get so annoyed at being exposed to other people’s sick children and the same for my own. The bigger your family,, the more time off needed and it isn’t easy. Many of the staff come in sick as well. I freak out if people are obviously coughingall over the place at the supermarket, yet some part of me knows they must eat!
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haha I wish you hadn’t said this (that goes for you too Mia), I’m a uni student and I’ve got a horrible cold… looks like tomorrow will be spent cuddled up in bed rather than at 3 hour lectures.
For the health of the faculty of course!
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Fair enough! And watch the lectures on Lectopia!
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Really struggling at the moment with anxiety/depression/everything ! Have been battling with it for over 10 years (I’m now 23) and its getting harder to keep telling myself it will be okay and I can get better.
I have withdrawn from uni for this semester, am sleeping on the floor of my mum’s bedroom in her tiny apartment, too anxious to work, have no real close friends and despite trying to get help from a GP and having been to MANY psychiatrists, psychologists etc over the years it doesn’t seem to be getting better! My saving grace was my boyfriend but he broke up with me almost 2 weeks ago and the anxiety has increased as well as the depression. My insomnia is terrible-couldn’t sleep till 7AM this morning !
I am having panic attacks about the future and especially around my parents dying and how would I ever cope. All in all just stuck in this dark place. Anyone have any advice? Especially with getting to sleep! ?
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Hi anonymous
My heart breaks for you reading this because I have been there – but it does get better! Sometimes the meds you take need to be changed, or the dosage changed, but please persist. Everyone is different but for me, therapy and medication helped (I had to change doses a few times before I found what worked for me). Please don’t give up; it does get better!!! Wishing you all the very best xxxxx.
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Ohhhh I have been there!! The key at this point you are at right now is getting on the right medication. Once you have the medication right, everything else becomes that bit easier and you can then put in place coping strategies, therapy, etc etc etc. Doctors can be VERY lax about depression until someone is literally suicidal. (happened to me!) Shop around GPs and find someone who actually listens to you and will work with you to create a Mental Health Plan and figure out the right meds. Good luck sweetie, thinking of you xxxx
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Anxiety is the pits, no question. Have you tried CBT as well as drugs? Hang in there. Sometimes you can’t imagine that things could possibly improve but they can. Many of us are living proof. Anxiety can’t be cured but it can be managed. Don’t give up. You will get there eventually.Good luck.
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hey, I have been through similar amount as you. You are going through an incredible amount.
not being able to sleep, just in itself, can break you. I was recently hospitalised with depression and a couple other women were there with insomnia. Ive experience terrible insomnia due to post traumatic stress disorder.
Can I suggest (suggest only) that you ask your doctor about a fantastic medication they give for insomnia and depression called “Seroquel”.
It’s helped so many people with shocking insomnia. It has significantly helped al these people and me and with no side effects or next day zombie feelings.
When you can’t sleep you just can not handle everyday life, of course.
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I take seroquel occasionally for anxiety and sleep and it definitely works. However I do feel like a zombie the next day so try to use it on weekends or when I know I don’t have major work commitments.
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Sounds like you are taking too high a dose. I take a small amount, every night, and if I take any more than the next day I do feel zombie like. but normally on my usually low dose I have no side effects at all but have the most wonderful sleep.
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Hi Anon,
Right now I now exactly how you feel. I suffer from anxiety and depression which inevitably go hand in hand. I’m doing uni as well and truly feel like most days I haven’t got the motivation to even think about it. I know how hard it can be to manage everything that you’ve got going on in life as well as manage the anxiety. It’s a constant battle to “feel better” and it’s exhausting.
I highly recommend finding a different psychologist who will treat you with a type of CBT called ACT. It’s acceptance commitment therapy and it’s really helped me. My psychologist recommended a book called The Happiness Trap which really cleared up some of the issues I was struggling with. Also be kind to yourself.
I also got a temporary drug called Buspar during a bad period. It’s not anything like Valium or anti depressants. It has no side effects, and it’s taken for 6-8 weeks just until the serotonin is balanced and you feel a bit more “balanced”. It was the best thing I ever did.
As for the insomnia, try a good herbal tablet like valerian to ease you into sleep. They don’t work for everyone but a pharmacist can recommend a good brand which might help.
And I think speaking out about it and getting reassurance that it’s ok is the best thing you can do. This website is also a great resource http://www.anxietynomore.co.uk
As the others have said you can’t get rid of anxiety but you can learn to get better at feeling it and not struggling with it. Hope this helps
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Just a quickie: I find Valerian ineffective (I’m not sure it helped at all) but another herbal product called SleepMore has made a big difference. The local chemist said more and more people are coming in asking for it. http://www.totallynatural.com.au/sleep-more.html
I take sleeping meds three nights a week to ensure I at least get a solid 8 hours those nights and take SleepMore on the other nights if I feel I need it.
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I work full time and do a Masters part time. Have two major and two mini assignments to submit before Friday so *very stressed* comes to mind.
This morning in a department manager meeting (I’m 2IC, it was my manager’s day off) my store manager said that we should see if anyone wanted to take some annual leave this week since sales have been down (save money).. I messaged my boss and asked if I could take tomorrow morning off – I knew I would be needed in the afternoon.. She was all for it, knowing I could do with the time off and a 10 hour shift has turned into 4.
Ahhh relief.
Just have to get through the next couple of days and then I can focus on Europe. 2 weeks to go.
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OMM: Finished reading Nikki Gemmell’s ‘With my Body’ today. I loved, loved, LOVED it. Wasn’t totally thrilled with the ending (only because it’s not going to be mine!) – but so much of it was my story. How did she do that? And so beautifully written too. Thank you Nikki Gemmell for your gift. http://www.sexlovelosshate.blogspot.com.au
And, Marriage Equality is weighing on my mind. Has been for years! It’s a no brainer and I’m totally confused as to why there is even debate. Hello people?! It’s 2012 for goodness sake! The age of human rights not human NO’s!
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Why is it, or why does it seem, that two educated people can’t put their animosity aside for their dying son? Whether through ACA, FB or other channels many have heard the terribly sad story of 5 yo Talin who has an inoperable brain tumour. Two separate FB pages are current, one in Mum’s court and the other in Dad’s. I do not know this family, nor can I comprehend what they are dealing with. But. I do know, no parent is more important to a child. It takes two parents to bring you into the world, both should be allowed to see darling Talin out of this world.
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Pretty proud of myself.. There’s this guy I have been very casually seeing for 18 months or so. Not a healthy situation for me but it’s instant gratification. Yesterday when he asked if I was able to catch up Friday I replied that it’s best that we don’t meet up anymore.
Ahh feel so liberated that it was me to end it and I did the right thing, as much as it is a bit painful to end the friendship as well.
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I am in precisely the same situation and this is exactly what I need to do! You go girlfriend!
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You can do it! Feels good to be in control – and I’m sure there is bigger and better out there for both of us. xx
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The thing that is on my mind is the fact that I have the best friend ever. I have had the worst times lately (not doing well with Uni and having to discontinue 4 out of 4 of my subjects at University, family troubles and losing most of my friendship group) and she has really been there for me in a way that no one has been in my whole entire life even though she works full time, has a boyfriend, studies and actually has other friends.
I really really love you, Nicole Parker and sorry for being such a ranter lately. Thank you for being such a great friend.
(She’s a MM reader, so I hope this puts a smile on her face)
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Best friend and I hitting Sydney in July, haven’t been to Sydney in the winter before, so would love winter tips, please
Best place to get hot chocolate? Special ‘winter’ places to visit?
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There are a few Lindt cafes, and Max Brenners around. They have good warm drinks!
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Absolutley the ice skating rink right on Bondi Beach (you don’t need to skate can just have drinks etc there) and also at the Cathedral in the city. These are such special sydney winter activities.
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If the budget allows book a whale watching cruise, unbelievable! Guylian cafes also do great hot chocs!
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OMM and has been for a long time: hearing disability. I have one. I have an aid, and am fine with one or two people, but in a large gathering I struggle to keep track of the conversation. That’s OK, at least I CAN hear most things.
Count blessings.
But my problem is people saying to others who don’t know me, (sometimes in a sniggery voice) “She’s deaf, ignore her.” Or often variations on the same theme. I kid you not.
This really, really hurts.
I want to know if there’s anyone out there in MM-land who’s in or been in this situation? What’s a really snappy retort to let those people know how unkind their words are? But no vicious repartee, please.
They make it sound like it’s my sin, and I should be ashamed. Which I’m not.
I wish I could flaunt my 3 uni degrees and a couple of post-grads at them to let them know I’m not an idiot, nor am I a 3-y-o.
I often avoid those people later – the ones who have said the cruel things. And then I find I’ve got a reputation as being stuck-up and aloof.
Who can – please! – come up with a brilliant come-back?
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My mother has a hearing issue and I can absolutely see how socially difficult it can be. My heart goes out to you.
Perhaps you could say, “My hearing is better than your sense of compassion.”
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Thanks, picardie.girl – that’s a great line! I’ll definitely use it.
Does your mum get these hurtful comments too?
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Found out we are having a third boy!
I am happy of course. I did have a cry, I had to come to terms with the fact that I will not have a daughter.
I am happy. Also rather nervous about another boy – they can be very hard work!!!
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Happy Hump day!
Yay for a short week for us Westerners!!
OMM: excitement that my mum arrives next week!!! she is only here for a week and then off to Paris and England to visit family/friends with her sister im so excited for her!!
roll on friday!!!!!!
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My favourite post of the week (out of the regular ones anyway)!
Love sparkle day (and oh my goodness Mia, you have such a wonderful collection of sparkly shoes!!) Definitely going to give it a try – I too believe a little sparkle can go a long way but didn’t think of it for work…
Also, where did you get those plants? I saw below you mentioned the buckets are from Ikea – are the plants as well? I love them and really need some green for my desk, just haven’t found anything I liked.. until now.
Only 2 more sleeps until it is Friday! And more importantly, a long weekend!
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My problem with sick leave is this. Because so many people have thoughtfully rorted the system most companies now have policies that state you must have a doctor’s certificate for any sick leave of a certain length (in my experience anything more than a day generally). If you have a cold or the flu, you’ll probably be sick for several days. This means your choices are either go back to work earlier than you should, or go out in public and pay $60 to infect the whole doctor’s surgery with something we all know there is no treatment for to get a doctor’s certificate.
It just annoys me that people who abuse a system do nothing but make it harder for people to do the right thing.
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YES! we can’t have a day off without a med cert. so i have to spend at least 2 hours in the medical centre to get a day off. bullshit!
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They’ve brought that it at Mum’s work, and she said that it would make the sickies taken go up, because if you’ve got a certificate for 3 days, of course you’re going to take all three. She was right – it’s happening already.
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You can get them from some pharmacies now.
It’s such a hassle, I once trapsed there with horrible gastro as I had 2 days off, and threw up in the gutter outside the pharmacy. I thought there was some irony in that!
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I didn’t know about pharmacies.
My problem with the 1 day medical cert was if I sprained my ankle, which I used to do A LOT, it would be bad for a day but if I stayed off it, I’d be OK to get around the next day. But if I had to go and get a certificate, that just extended the length of time it was bad for, because I WASN’T staying off it and resting it and allowing it to start to heal properly. Since ankle recos it hasn’t been such an issue.
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So true, when you’re feeling so sick you can barely get out of bed or you’e running to the bathroom every 5 minutes driving to the Doctor s surgery and sitting in the waiting room for an hour is not always possible or fair on the people you have to pass to get there.
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I had two days off a couple of weeks ago due to a bad cold and went to see the doctor on the second day.
He said he could only give me a doctor’s certificate for the day that I’d gone to see them. I had tried to get an appointment for the day before that but couldn’t.
I thought his ‘policy’ was just crazy – particularly since I’d needed a whole week off a couple of years ago due to gastro and the doctor I saw at the same practice had written a note excusing me for five days.
That note, combined with a certificate from a locum who had come out to see me in the middle of the night when the gastro first hit, the fact that I had needed to call my mum to drive me to the doctor’s appointment because I was so weak, and weight loss of about 3kg was still not enough to convince my then manager that I had really needed the entire week off. Bitch.
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there are ways around this…..not necessarily CORRECT ways….but if I’m not actually rorting the system, and am actually sick, don’t want to waste time/money and infect others when it’s only cold/flu…..there are ways
…..medical certs aren’t usually checked up on, ya know?
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I check them routinely, as do many other managers at several companies I’ve worked for. I actually sacked someone once for forging a medical certificate. Not worth the risk in my opinion.
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Pharmacists can write medical certificates for minor ailments. They usually charge a small fee but it’s cheaper and faster than going to a doctor.
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Handy to know this – it takes about 3 or 4 days notice to get into my GP so a sick cert isn’t really possible for a 24 or 48 hour thing!
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OMM: BIG life decisions.
I’m about to graduate with a degree and am toying with the idea of taking on a huge career as my next big challenge. I am toying with going Defence force and have been recommended for some amazing career paths/roles. My only hesitation is that in my perfect little plan for a life (ridiculous i know!), I wanted to have kids young, and be a SAHM until they hit school. If I take on this career, it wont be an option (I’ll get generous leave entitlements, but just wont be a SAHM).
Its a big decision and no one can make it for me. Gah! Why cant I have my cake and eat it too dammit!?
Rant over
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Wow you are so impressive! Wish I was this smart at your age. It’s so wonderful that you know what you want and you can plan for it. I think career is extremely important as you never know what life will bring and one day you may need to have a well paying job and not have to waitress.
Have you looked into which companies pay for maternity leave? Maybe these are the ones you should be looking into. I think Defence force would be fantastic, great career and life. Would they let you have time off to be a sahm? Even unpaid? That may changed in the near future too and they may pay maternity leave.
Also you have to consider that you may not enjoy being a sahm or change your mind after a few years. Good luck.
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Big waves – I took my two kids to the beach this morning to admire Sydney’s HUGE surf. It was incredible – nature at its most fierce, impressive and humbling!
Also of note were the two idiot teenagers getting pulverised in the ocean pool. To be honest they did look like they were having fun but I know I’m old now because all I could see were the (not inconsiderable) risks!
http://mummyateme.blogspot.com.au/
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OMM: I leave for Eurpoe on Friday! And I need to pack. And it’s cold and rainy in London and this saddens me.
BUT SO EXCITED!
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That *is* exciting! Have a great time.
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OMM – how much i hate leaving for work while my sick toddler reaches out and cries for me. he has an ear infection in both ears, swollen glands, high temp, plain miserable. All he really wants is his mummy. i remember that feeling when i was a kid and mum could always make you feel comforted and better, and i love that i get to be his mum and make him feel comforted just by being there holding him. and i just hate walking out the door while he screams for me, to go to a job i am finding very stressful and overwhelming and not enjoying very much at all.
I work evenings/nights so my husband is usually home with him which definatly makes it that much easier,,. but normally i just take the day off work when he is sick as it is always me who is up with him at all hours of the night as hubby leaves for work very early each morning, but i have taken soo many days off in the last few months as he has had a bad run of flus/ear infections,.. and has shared the flu with me on more than one occasion.
i could hear him crying for me as i drove away yesterday evening and i cried most of the way to work. Altho that may also have been the sleep deprivation talking too. Sorry for the whingey OMM, just feeling guilty and a bit emotional as tonights shift looms ever closer.
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Oh Anna, sending you hugs! Hope he gets better soon x
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Thank you Mia – this soldiering on shit me to tears!
People need to know that it is ok to stay home if you aren’t well. Please do not infect me or my son!
We went to a kids party last week, my son caught some disgusting bug from a clearly ill child, developed an ear infection and has given both the cold an dear infection to me. I am supposed to start a new job tomorrow!
Not happy
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Last night’s sleep was a gift! It was the first decent night I’ve had in a while.
It’s been a week since my store opened and it’s been a rollercoaster. I’m obsessively checking Google Analytics to see if people are coming to the site.
When they do, I feel like a million bucks. When it’s slow, I panic quietly.
I wish I was one of those naturally calm people that can always see the big picture! I have a funny feeling they have fewer problems with sleep
Ipomen Scarlet
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I just had a look at your site. Your jewellery is beautiful. I’m now going back to your site because I want to have a really good look and maybe get myself a little something something.
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That is such a lovely thing to say – thank you! You made my day!
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I agree with Natalie. I just had a look and have bought a lovely bracelet…it was very difficult to stop at one!
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Thanks so much, Frazun!
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My sister will love your jewellery – I’ve sent her the link. Best of luck.
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Thank you so much, Chellebelle.
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Totally freakin agree! Plus, it sucks worse when you catch stuff that you personally cant get any wonderful ‘soldier on drugs’ FOR because you’re 6 months PREGNANT!!!so, go hooome people and stay there. I will be eyeballing you!
OMM:how to stay healthy til September when i can stay home myself!!!
OMM2: really big deadline/meeting for my PhD coming up on Friday, terrified they’ll tell me i wasted a year and they wont fund me anymore
sooo nervous i am not sleeping well (combined with preg related things) & i just cant wait til 12:00 friday afternoon when it’s allll overrrrrr…
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PERTH PEOPLE!
We are meeting this Saturday, 9 June, 3pm at Siena’s in leederville for a coffee and hopefully to make some new friends.Come build a village!
Just post on here if your coming and we will see you there. I’ll be the one in the bright red coat. Siena’s also has an indoor playground so little ones are welcome.
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Awww, i so wished i lived in Perth right now, would be great to meet some fellow MMers.
Great idea, hope you have fun and make sure you get back to Mia with an update on it and maybe she can post it so other cities (cough Brisbane) might do this too!!o
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purple jellybean,
I’m in brisbane too, we need to get a MM gathering started here!!!
Any others brisbane-ites that would be interested?
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Count me in Megs:)
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me too, I’m in
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I’ll come too!
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OMM: I am agonising over whether to have baby #3 or not. Apologies to the ladies out there undergoing hardships with fertility – I don’t mean to come across as flippant in my decisions. Husband says no but I know he will come around to the idea if I really wanted to. At the moment we have a three year old boy and a 21 month old boy (15mths apart). Husband works away at the mines but both my parents and his live 5 minutes away. I just can’t shake the feeling that I am “not done” yet even though I dread the difficult first six months/year, tiredness and general chaos that three children would bring. How does one ever make such a decision? ‘Cos lets face it……you can’t give them back! P.S I am 32 and husband is almost 41.
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I am meeting up with my ex boyfriend overseas and I am SO EXCITED! It’s only for a week so who knows what will happen after I get back from the six months of travel I’m doing afterwards, but I’m so happy. I’ve been missing him since I broke up with him 18 months ago (because I “needed to be single”). YAY!
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Please please keep us updated on your story, love hearing about this.
Happy travels xxx
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Oh thank you!
BTW I posted about weeks ago under “best of times/worst of times” about how my ex was going overseas for 7 months and that I wouldn’t see him, but that getting to see him and kiss him that afternoon was the best part of my year. ANYWAY, it was after that that I decided to just go ahead and meet him – so thank you for the MMers support. I’m so happy about it!
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Yes I loved that post!
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OMM: I’m sick of my boyfriend not having his driver’s license. We went driving the other day in my car and he was okay at it, but he just considers it unnecessary and point blank refuses to even consider buying a car. He’s slooooooooooooooooooooooooowly learning to drive but he takes it so casually. It’s easy to think driving’s not a big deal unless you’re the overworked girlfriend zooming around everywhere. He doesn’t expect me to drive or anything, he’s always happy to take public transport, but on nights out I don’t want to be taking the bus, I want to be nice and cozy and safe in a car. I don’t think that’s being a princess, public transport at night is dangerous. So ultimately I elect to drive which means no drinking, and because I’ve said I want to drive, I can’t complain about not being able to drink. It’s not that he’s deliberately selfish and doesn’t care, he just loves buses and doesn’t understand the problem. Every time mention driving he says he’s fine with getting his license but he’s not getting a car, and that’s just not fair. It’s frustrating because in all other respects our relationship is wonderful.
Men.
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Where do you live? I get public transport all the time at night in Sydney and feel exceptionally safe – lots of people and lots of security.
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I live in Perth, where you can stab someone and go to jail for 18 months.
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Sounds like he’s lovely and laid-back and got his priorities in order, getting his driver’s licence and having a car are right at the bottom of his list.
Is that your only problem in this relationship?
If so, don’t make waves if you’re not prepared to row the boat.
It’s not worrying him, why let it worry you?
Chill.
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My boyfriend doesn’t have his either, and it’s such a hassle! He works nights (bartender) and I work days (admin) and we live about 50km, or two bus routes, apart.
I am ALWAYS the one having to go in and get him if I want to see him. Or if we drive anywhere on holiday…. I’m the one that does all the driving. And if for any reason I can’t/don’t want to drive, eg had a glass of wine at home (I’m on my P2 license), then there goes seeing him most of the time. Or even if he catches the bus – it’s a 1.5 hour nightmare which means he’s always late to everything we do.
And yes I live in a dodgy suburb and I just can’t wait to get the call that he’s been robbed.
Wowwwww this is such a first world problem and I sound like a total brat. It’s not as bad as I make it out to be, but boy did it feel good to get that off my chest haha
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OMM: I feel like I’m stuck in an exercising rut at the moment. I’m thinking about doing the Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred. It seems like a good challenge. Has anyone here completed it? Where you happy with the results?
I need to mix things up a bit.
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My friend has done and has had BRILLIANT results on it.
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PS I have the same boots as Lucy. I LOVE them.
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Snap!
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OMM – Thinking about where and when I want to travelling when I get to London in August. I have a month over in Europe and i’m trying to work out where I want to travel. I’m doing a sail tour with a couple of friends but we don’t know whether to do Croatia or Turkey. Has anyone been there and can suggest one or the other??
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I did a trip a few years ago with “Sail Croatia”… was awesome and I would highly recommend it! The island make up of croatia makes it perfect for sailing trip, and the best part was sleeping off the hangover from the night before as the boat took you to the next destination!
Turkey is great too, but my fav part (Capadoccia) is inland – so no boats there!
Have a fab trip!
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Croatia is amazing!! Relaxing all day, jumping off the boat into the middle of the ocean, meeting awesome new people and then exploring the townships in the afternoon/evening/night. Great fun.
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Istanbul is gorgeous and Spain (if it’s an option for you) is AMAZING!
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The Croatian islands are very pretty but theres not much to do once there. Turkey amazing.
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Turkey is amazing! but Croatia is probably better to do if you want to sail. ‘Sail Croatia’ is really good.
The turkey one just goes from Fetihye around to Olympos-so you would miss out on seeing anything inland. In saying that you can get an overnight bus from Olympos to Cappodocia and another up to Istanbul.
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Turkey is INCREDIBLE-plus it’s CHEAP!!! as it’s not on the Euro.
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Started my 4 mth old bub on farex this morning! Was a bittersweet moment for me but he loved it so I just have to get on with it!
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Is anyone else having trouble connecting with Facebook?
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Anon, I’ve ALWAYS had trouble connecting to Facebook. It sucks. However, it may be due to the fact they are switching to the new Internet protocol Ipv6. No, at this stage, you don’t need to do anything.
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I tripped running to my car in the rain and have two whopping grazes on my knees, one has a lovely bruise surrounding it. I discovered another bruise forming on my belly this morning.
Just imagine a footballer going for a try. On concrete. My beige coat is headed for the dry cleaners.
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It could be worse: you could have broken something eg your nose. Just bruises = you’ll be fine.
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I just bought Lucy’s boots. I figure they go with my entire wardrobe so cost per wear ratio is about $2. I’ve practically saved money!
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I own them and I can say that they are so ridiculously comfortable, you will wear them all the time!!
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I know that it was mentioned before where they’re from but I can’t find the mention…
Where are they from?? I adore them!
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They are from Wittner.
Here’s the link to the online store – http://www.wittner.com.au/cookies-army-suede-gold-glitter.html
Plus the black ponyskin ones are on sale!!! Yay.
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That was me, didn’t sign in before. Oops.
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I like this. Your cost per wear ratio makes a lot more sense than mine. In my twisted shopping logic, I only need to wear them 4 times to justify and I’ve done that now so I’m saving money too.
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So I slept with an eyemask on last night (I get so much light in my room and my landlord refuses to get a thicker blind!) and I possibly slept longer than planned (I woke up about an hour or so ago.. oops)
Anyway- my eyes are still crazy blurry. The mask didn’t feel particularly tight on but I guess after 8 hours of sleep it was. Trying to study with blurry vision is proving particularly difficult even with my glasses on- has anyone else experienced this? Anyway to speed up the process of getting rid of the blurry vision?
Thanks
also- my housemate has gastro (booo!) and I have exams this week and next.. aside from buying hand sanitizer (which i just did) and disinfecting the toilet before I use it.. how else can I try and stop myself getting it?!
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I don’t have a solution to your blurry eyes…but I do have one for your blind problem!
Our apartment has only mini blinds and the bedroom window is directly opposite a bright building light. I don’t do light bedrooms, so a solution had to be found, but no screws allowed.
I got two of those large 3M Command hooks (the ones that are adhesive but remove easily) and stuck them above the window at each corner. I got a cheap curtain rod (one of those adjustable ones) and a tab-top blockout curtain, threaded the rod through the tabs and put the rod in the hooks. Instant curtain with no holes in the walls!
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Hang a blanket over the window – universal student remedy!
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I was a good girl and went and got my pap smear done today. Slightly icky but all together qucik and painless. Yeah, no more for 2 years!
I also found out at the doctors today that I have slightly elevated cholesterol. I guess I’m saying bye bye to butter!
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Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor and I don’t even play one on television, but I’m pretty sure fish oil can help lower cholesterol.
I’m obsessed with fatty foods and had really bad cholesterol, but when I started taking high doses of fish oil, my cholesterol came right down.
Ipomen Scarlet
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Yes, just started on the fish oil. Hopefully it helps!
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Best of luck!
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When I was working and I took a sick day I’d get into trouble. One time when I was pregnant I had a trip to the ER and took 4 days off work. When I returned I was told I should go part time. So when I was sick I felt too guilty to take any time off work so I just fought it at work. One time I had 2 viral infections that a number of people caught in the office but when I asked to leave work early for the day to rest I was told I wasn’t allowed because my boss wanted to leave early.
Writing this I now know why I’m so hesitant to even go back and get a part time job after being on maternity leave for over a year.
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This week we are standing down with illness as 3 kids decide to be sick at different times. Never at the same time that would be too easy. Just get sick the very day another one is feeling better.
This week I pulled my daughter out of her ballet class and we’ll be moving on. Probably doesn’t sound like such a big deal but after 5 years of her doing ballet including exams and concerts and everything else her most recent ballet sadly closed down. It is has taken just 8 short weeks for her new school to destroy her confidence and joy when dancing, leaving her a blubbering mess.
My Mum is back home with us few a week taking a break from caring for her terminally ill brother. We’re all thrilled. Good timing for my daughter to have her around.
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I stopped enjoying ballet as a kid too, for similar reasons. I took up drawing classes for a bit of a change and loved it. I also started piano more seriously. Best decisions ever!
Oh, and sailing. which is the world’s greatest confidence and independence building sport hands down! I love it and it’s taught me far more practical skills (and health/fitness) than ballet ever did.
Hope everything else works out well for you and the family, your girl will get her confidence back, kids are tough little crackers
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I second that. Loved ballet and dancing in general but sailing was the best thing I could have done (and I’ve tried just about every sport on the planet!).
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I often wish I could go back to the ballet teacher who said to me (at 8) that I was too tall, not good and there was no point in me continuing dance, and point out that after destroying my confidence it took me till I was 24 to get back into dancing and now I teach it. I hope you can find her something else she loves just as much.
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ok somehow age eight turned into a smiley with sunglasses!
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Have you looked at different styles of dance? My nephew started with ballet (but quit aged 6 because he was annoyed at seeing 7 year old girls on diets!) then did a bit of tap, ballroom and Scottish.
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OMM: Lots of stuff. Mainly the fact my car decided it didn’t like it’s shoes anymore and decided to start taking them off . . . On the F3.
I’m ok, my cars ok, my bank balance is now not ok. I would have gone into work today and worked until my car was ready, but it’s not worth it. From the Central Coast there are only 5 direct services down the North Shore line. FIVE. This means that 7.10 am is the last time I can get a direct service from Wyong to Chatswood. So for me to catch the train from Wyong at 10.30 am, it would take 2 hours. By the time I’d get to work, I would only have an hour, then have to travel 2 hours in return to pick up my car.
Stupid right? Anyway, I’m sitting here waiting for the phone call to come and pick him up (my car is a him, and his name is Superman) and I’m cold. The cats are in my bed, I’m thinking I should hop in with them. Would be a smart idea huh.
Also, this weekend, Sunday to be exact, Gamer Guy is coming for a visit and I have a really bad feeling it’s not going to go the way I want it too. It’s got nothing to do with growing lady balls or anything.
Oh well. Time to rug up methinks, the cold is going to my brain.
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Hello MMers
Mentioned I’d changed my meds late last week and I am astounded at the difference it has made. I honestly didnt realise how much less than ok I had been! My love for my home has really been MIA (Missing in Action – the other MIA) , and this week I am actually doing housework and wanting to tackle things that have just made me shudder before this. Also feel more plugged in to my cherubs. Scary to think I had only just been functioning before this. Also makes me wonder if I’d have made the man related choices I’ve made of late. Hmmm.
Bought 50 Shades of Grey. Can’t read it til i do my tax
Had a killer gig on Sunday. Dedicated ‘All that Jazz’ and wore a boa for my darling friend’s boy who would have turned 9 that day.
OMM: Been on a couple of dates, and decided that its actually really ok that this isn’t what I what. Know I’m still not over the last one. Sad but true. Will just be kind to me for a bit.
Also – how good are new slippers!! *dag alert*
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Were did you find the greens in the silver buckets? Would love to know as have the perfect place to put them.
Cheers
Mel
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Ikea
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OMM: Life decisions, the future, etc. Feeling positive despite the heavy content. Had a lovely talk with the man yesterday and just feel so good about us.
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I have a 2.5 year old nephew being christened in a couple of weeks. I am struggling so much for present ideas. I want something that will be a keepsake but most nice christening prezzies are more suited to babies or girls! Any suggestions greatly appreciated. X
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My son was christened last week, and some of the most beautiful gifts he received were hard cover classic books (such as Treasure Island, Wind in the Willows), with lovely inscriptions on the inside from the family that gave it. Something that will always be kept, and much more useful than a silver mug!
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Books for me too. Hard cover all time favourites of yours. Very lovely. They will cherish it, forever. And better yet, never grow out of it.
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What’s his name? My nephew’s name is Max so I bought him ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ special edition book. Kids love stories with their names in them.
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Love the book idea, thanks. He’s got so many books I just hope I don’t double up. Another idea I had was getting red wine or port that he could keep for 10 odd years. Is that inappropriate?!
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When I was born my then uncle got me a bottle to drink on my 21st. It was an awesome present, so much anticipation and it was brilliant.
Just go to a really good bottle store and tell them what you want. I suggest you wait for 21, because drinking at 12.5 isn’t really appropriate and at 18 people don’t really appreciate a good wine yet!
Oh and put a big sign on it so it doesn’t get accidentally drunk in the meantime.
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Oops. I meant 20 odd years!! I really do sound like a crazy Aunty now! He was born in 2009 so I might try to find a bottle from that year. I wouldn’t want to spend more than about $40-$50 on a wine as I think I’ll also get a book. Do you think I could get a good one for that price that would last 20 years?
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Well I think you sound like a lovely Aunt. I would say you could. Go to a real bottleshop where people know their stuff, not a Dan Murphy’s etc. They will be able to advise you.
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Not sure if your near the hunter valley or if dan murphys sell it, but tyrells vat 1 semmilon. Devine and made to cellar for that length of time. I juts bought the 2011 vintage from the cellar door for $35 , not that i expec it to cellar more than 5 years befor it gets too much and i open it !!!!!
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My brother and his wife gave my son a jacaranda tree. They are now about the same size and we are almost ready to plant it in the backyard.
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