Welcome to your Monday watercooler catch up. We want to know how your weekend was – what you watched, what you did, what you thought… everything. So spill.
Not everyone has a workplace or a community with whom they can gather and debrief about their weekend and even if you do, we bet they’re not quite as much fun as we are here.
Here are some of the things that caught our attention over the weekend:
Psy, rocking it Gangnam style
Everyone is getting their groove on ‘Gangnam Style’.
Korean rapper Psy’s video has been going viral fast (If you haven’t watched it yet think of the ridiculousness levels of the YMCA, mixed with the popularity of the Macarena – or you can just watch it here). This week has seen several big names in Hollywood have taken the ‘Gangnam Style’ on and are making it their own (funny little ‘throw the whip around your head’ moments for everyone!).
And truth be told, the more parodies and hilarious versions we’ve watched – the more its cheesiness has grown on us. The whole team has been dancing around the office busting out the crazy ‘invisible horse dance’.
There are so many reasons to love Ellen DeGeneres. But last week she “introduced” us to the best Gangnam Style dancing ever. What makes it so special? Maybe it’s the fact that they are so serious, maybe that they dance SO WELL, but it’s probably because they are mother and son. Seriously could they be any cooler? Watch it here and let us know what you think here.
Emmy’s speculation is rising fast.
What they wore. Last year’s Emmys.
American television’s night of nights for sparkly frocks and enormous hair is here again. We’re placing bets on who will take home what prize and which actress will keep Mia happy by wearing the most fluoro. Antiques Roadshow is also nominated for best reality television program and we think that’s a little bit ace and will be cheering them to victory from afar.
We’re also excited to see Girls nominated for best comedy series (if you haven’t yet watched this awesome new American TV show then go and get your download on – fast). Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey and Mad Men are all vying for the best drama series title, so we’re thrilled not to be in the red swivel judging chair for that one.
Keep up to date with our rolling Emmy’s coverage here.
It finally got hot.
Intern Alicia, getting into the Spring Racing spirit.
Oh yes, we have finally hit that frosty-fruit-licking time of year when the weather decides to put on a decent show. Did you hit the beach this weekend? Or make the most of the sunshine at the park? Here in Sydney it kind of felt like the entire city woke up and headed to the water. And while that made finding a car park within a 50km radius of the waves a little like entering the Powerball jackpot – it was worth if for those who made the trek
With Spring finally kicking off, it’s also time for the fluffy feel-good-ness of racing. Whether you’re in it for the day out with the ladies, for the endless supplies of bubbly or you know, the horses, it’s the one time of the year when you can proudly wear the most extravagant bundle of feathers/flowers/glitter on your head – so much so that it may very well resemble a birdcage – and nobody thinks you’ve gone nuts. (If your birdcage has gotten lost in the mail, you can find an alternative here or here)
So what caught your attention this weekend? The good? The bad? The ugly? From pop culture to personal, funny things your kids said, new clothes you bought or delicious things you ate or cooked…..speak up.
Comments
138 Comments so far
I think I’m honestly cursed with men in Sydney. It’s like when they first meet me, they love it, see that I am the whole “package” (as one just said) and then they figure out they want to be single. Why oh freaking why when im not even looking :’(?
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What do you mean? Can you see any patterns in your behaviour or similarities in the men you date?
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Yes, more info please BH.
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Today I am wondering… what does real, solid emotionally security feel like? To have love to fall back onto when life is tough, or even when something really fantastic happens. To feel free from worry and stress, and to plan a future with and dream of having a home together etc. I feel like I am being blocked from getting there.
I do not believe I have ever had a genuine and sustained exchange of normal, healthy supportive love from my family or from a partner. Ever. Only short bursts. As I get older, it is harder not to feel worn out, and to be able to bounce back. I also find it tough to let my guard down at times, and I find it hard to trust other’s motives unless I know them well.
Mostly I get along with my mother, but when we fight it is bad.
In the last 24 hours, I had a fight with her. She is anxious, controlling, demanding and deliberately lashes out with nasty barbs because life has not gone her way. I am more a grown up than she is. She relies on me financially and socially and I feel as if I am slowly suffocating and watching my dreams of my life dissolve before me, which is shattering because I am smart and attractive and decent and caring and funny. I have done pretty well despite this, I am oddly resilient, however if I had had a ‘standard’ more stable upbringing and adulthood even, I could have achived so much more by now in my life. I’d be far more confident and take more chances in my goals. Everyone around me is moving on in their milestones while I sit alongside and watch. I am tired of playing the parent. I worry that although I feel very maternal, my desire to be a mother myself may fade as I’ve never had my selfish ‘me’ period. I’ve had to be strong all the time for a very long time. I feel grief at the possibility of being denied that.
Yes, I have tried talking to her, I have tried many approaches. She doesn’t see past her own immediate problems. I wish I had a parent that was proud of me and could let me go and push me towards my personal dreams. I am estranged from other family members, and for good reasons. There’s no one else for me to turn to. I worry that this will prevent my having a partner. I wish she’d somehow get to a point of balance where she’d find a stable loving relationship herself, but I doubt it’s any kind of priority for her. The axis we swing from is really not good, and I feel nervous. She got to have her marriage and family. I need my chance to shoot for the stars.
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I think real, solid, reciprocal love and security is what most people long for. Sadly I think it is only stumbled on by a lucky few. This is my take on it. (speaking from experience)
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Thanks unlucky. I wish to love without fear or reservation, like when I was much younger – and know I am loved in return. How beautiful would that be? I hope it is possible and that it happens to me
I want to close my eyes and just trust and feel safe.
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I think it is possible Anon for this! I have witnessed it through family and friends and in the throws of a relatively new relationship am experiencing it myself for the first time. Don’t give up. I think it just comes down to meeting the right person (previously I kept meeting the wrong ones!) and letting your guard down a bit. You sound like a very unselfish person, who has a lot to offer the somebody. I am sorry that your relationship with your mother is so fractured and difficult. You certainly deserve your chance to shoot for the stars and owe it to yourself to do just that. Perhaps you need to pull back from your mother slightly and focus on your self and your dreams a little more? Sending hope and strength to you.
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I think I hate Mondays.
I wrote a letter in anger yesterday, and sent it. (I know… who writes letters anymore? …that would be me.) I’m waking up to myself this morning and shuddering. Wish. I. Did. Not. Send. Letter. Unsend! Unsend!
Am I the only one on the planet who has experienced drink and post? At least I have a couple of days to position myself at the recipient’s mailbox to wrestle the offensive letter from the delivery person’s hands…. surely?
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Robbie Williams has just joined my small, very un-celeb gym in London.
Needless to say I shall be pounding the treadmill frequently now…
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I had a weird week this week.. Quite eventful; highly upsetting at times and elating at others. Ugh, I feel awfully weird reflecting on it all. (Especially since I haven’t commented on Mamamia for quite some time!!)
I got hit by the envy bug early this week. See, my sister’s quite the perfect person. She’s a year younger than me but has achieved sooo much!! I think that’s where I feel imperfect. It feels so awful to feel like that and sometimes resent her for it but also feel extremely proud of her.
See, this year she has been SRC General Secretary. There’s only one person of this type in the whole school and in a school where the girls are all high achieving that’s a HUGE deal! I tried out for this position last year and was shortlisted and given an interview but wasn’t selected.. But she did and got the position the following year. Now, on Tuesday she got told she was going to be made School Vice Captain. I was with her when she got told and when told I felt extreme delight as well as a stab of jealousy.. Arrgh!! I hate myself for that! Why not only happiness and pride?
Then, since the start of the week I’ve been waiting for my UMAT results. [Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Application Test].
I have been preparing for this test for, like, one and a half years. (I know they say you shouldn’t, but why should I disadvantage myself when others are studying for it as well? Yes, I want it THAT much!!) I’ve been praying for it every day, at church.. Making promises to God, bribing him and everything.
Yes, I stooped that low, and that’s how the system works for me and him/her (God).
I knew from forums that the results would come out this week and I seriously coudn’t sleep. I was awake until 4:00am on Friday in a sweat thinking about it. I was going to go and study, to distract myself from these swirling thoughts.. Argh!
They usually send it out before 1:30 (remember, I go to a high achieving school so that’s was a large part of the conversation we were talking about). So by 4:30 we were resigned and sure they would send it out the week after. I was sitting at the shopping centre with my friend at close to 5:00pm when she checked her email and found out that the results had been released.
And we seriously started hyperventilating after telling our friends that they had been released (we’d all agreed to do that before hand)
Then one of out close buddies told us that she hadn’t made the cut off: 52%ile… While me and my friend were still at the shopping centre.
We asked our parents to pick us up, because we were feeling quite seriously upset. I just got into the car and started bawling my eyes out. That friend was pretty upset, I was upset for her and knew that my results would probably be the same.
My parents took us to a church talk type thing.. I sat at the back of the room with a couple of friends, my sisters and continued crying. I seriously couldn’t stop. OOhh, gosh, it was so embarrassing. The people there saw me, and a couple of people commented later.
Later I got hiome and slept, too tired to do anything and feeling slightly superstitious I decided to open it the next day. (I’d had a bad day: late to school, feeling the wrath of two teachers in the one day.. Pretty bad luck.)
I openned it with my family over the internet the next morning and found that I had made the cut off (just) of 85%ile with a 87%ile.. But with University’s ever increasing cut off scores, I’m not sure I’ll qualify for anything yet.
I’ve also found out that all my friends (4 other who wanted desperately to do med also didn’t make the cut off) so am feeling pretty sad and horrible for them as they really did want to do med
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Good job! It sounds like there’s a hellova lot of pressure on you and your friends to do well for uni… Remember that your results do not distinguish whether it is the end of the world for you or not! Seriously! Chillax
As for your friends, keep in mind there are other paths to study med at university! Your high school score isn’t EVERYTHING. Really, it isn’t! I promise 
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Thanks for that!! We’re convincing ourselves that there are other opportunities to do what we want to do. It’s just harder later on to pursue it or hard to remember it now— I can’t decide which is more true.
Actually, after all that my mum’s pushing me not to do follow medicine. She says it seems like a good idea now, but that I’ll later regret it because of the long working hours.. I don’t know. She’s usually right!! 
I really want to do it, but I see her point as well..
It may come across as though we have pressure on us.. I think we just tend to do that to ourselves
If that came across as offensive in any way, I am so sorry.
xoxo
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Congrats on your brilliant results!
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Thank you for that!! It just seems bittersweet now, I don’t know.. I think I’m probably thinking about it too much. It’s only a fwproblem. RIght?
Thanks again!!
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Hi there, just a quick note to say the UMAT is not the end of the world. I did an Arts degree and had a great time at uni for four years, travelled, then sat the GAMSAT and am now in first year medicine at age 25. GAMSAT is way easier than UMAT and medicine is a lot easier when you are a bit older and wiser. Good luck with your future plans!
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I’m sorry to hear you’re upset, but trust me – these things happen for a reason (for your friends, anyway). Your UMAT results are brilliant, and you should be very proud of yourself. I worked my butt off in Year 12 and did extremely well in the HSC, and got into law at one of the country’s top universities. With only a year left on my degree, my mental health was suffering, and I decided that I needed some time out and so I’m about to graduate with Arts, and probably go back to law later on. My point is that the pressure we as young women place on ourselves to achieve so highly and know exactly where we’ll end up is unrealistic. I’m not saying don’t have dreams – dream away! But remember that ambition is about bettering yourself and wanting more for yourself, not comparing yourself to others. As for feeling imperfect – no one is perfect, we can all only be the best versions of ourselves.
Also – there is always a way into Med if you don’t make it. I know plenty of highly achieving young people who didn’t get into med after high school and went and did science, pharmacy, psychology or med science degrees and got into postgrad med. Obviously keep your head down and your bum up for the next few weeks, but don’t be too disillusioned – you’re in for such a thrilling ride for the next few years at uni, regardless of what you end up studying.
Best of luck for the HSC exams – get plenty of sleep, eat well, don’t forget to exercise and give yourself a break too, all of your most conducive study will already have been done. Thinking of you. xx
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Worked all day Saturday then went to a friend’s place for a cheese, wine and games night. Brought a plate mounded with strawberries, blueberry’s and maltesers – delicious! Ended up playing Uno with a group of Russians which was hilarious! On Sunday went for yum cha with family and then sushi train for dinner with my brother and his fiancée- what could be bad about a day of eating?
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Sounds like a great weekend to me! Especially the wine, cheese & boardgames night!
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It was and to be honest I needed it after the week I had! Hope you had a great weekend too!
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The worst this weekend: I got retrenched/made redundant/no longer have a job. I work in retail and the shop hasn’t been doing to well, and my boss needed to make staff cuts in order to keep the business. Applied for like 5 jobs today and will do more tomorrow so hopefully I will get something!
Best: I had my birthday afternoon tea party yesterday, and my friend’s Downton Abbey themed birthday dinner Saturday night. Great food and friends, and a very full stomach!
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Happy Monday, MMers
Been a bit AWOL lately. Just been getting my head on straight, looking for work, do a bit of client work and hunkering close to the cherubs.
Had to sack the Human Mollusc (useless ex) last week. No longer having him here to ‘spend time’ with the cherubs – when it turned out he was just buying them maccas, outside smoking and the rest of the time on his phone. Even got him to put money in my account so I can now hire a sitter so I can attend rehearsal without Mr Useless taking up space…Spoke to the cherubs a bit about it over the weekend, and they are actually quite good about it. They have mentioned several times about Dad not keeping his word, or not doing things he had said he would etc, and he didn’t object to seeing them less, so I guess its working out how its sposed to?
Friday night I took the cherubs to a family kareoke night – was great fun. Miss 13 got up and had a sing. Miss 8 made some new friends. My group of mates were there too so it was fun for all.
Saturday we hung off at home and domestic diva’ed our bums off. Had to do a small bit of work for a client. Made a present for one of the cherub’s friends’ birthdays. I think I need a bit of creativity to stop me sitting on buildings or taking a hostage :p
Sunday a delicious sleep in and then I snuck two hours away from the cherubs to catch a gf’s gig and meet a nice man who had been paying me ridiculous attention for the week. He is crazy tall, seems to say and do all the right things and his company was pleasant. He just buzzed me today – was shooting through my town and asked me to pop up the road to say hi. Nawww. Attention is nice. Emotions still in neutral
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I’m sick again. Sounds unremarkable apart from the fact that I have been getting sick constantly since January. I get a cold, finally get over it for two days and up to a week and then BANG, sick again. Am so upset that I couldn’t sleep last night until about 1am. Mum and my husband have said that I must have a few weeks off the gym because I’ve only been getting this sick since I joined in January. I do Les Mills classes about five times a week. My diet is excellent, I don’t drink alcohol. Trouble is I think I have a bit of a body image problem where I fret and obsess about how many gym days I’m missing and am convinced every meal I eat will make me put on weight. But I have to get well because looking after a 3yr old and 2yr old with a husband that works away plus being unwell constantly is starting to take a toll.
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Gyms are FULL of germs!
While you’re doing a workout, DON’T touch your face. At. All.
And when you’ve finished – if you’re not staying for a shower, then wash your hands BEFORE you leave.
Because you’ve picked up all those sweaty germy coughy nasties on handles and bars and controls.
Wash them off!
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Maybe it’s stress as well?
I’m not sure.. In Psych class we learnt you could do meditating and relaxation exercises (deep breathing and stuff) if it were stress.
Hopefully that helps.
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Have you still been going to the gym while sick? Could your body not be getting enough rest to fully recover and so the sickness keeps re occurring? If have been suffering from re-occurring colds from Jan till now ( 9 months!) I would be concerned something is not quite right with your immune system! Have you seen a doctor? I would see a GP and also a naturopath and possibly a chinese medicine doctor or acupuncturist. I would imagine that you need to strengthen your immune system somehow so that you are not constantly fighting colds!
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I’d look in to your iron intake. Hard training will reduce your iron levels. When you go back to the gym, you should also have a rest day or two, don’t do 5 days in a row.
Try and re-frame your thinking on food around health goals, not weight. If hubby’s asking you to take time off the gym, then he must be more than happy with how you look and is more concerned with getting his healthy, happy wife back.
Also, the internet will have many wild and varying opinions as to your health, ask your GP.
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Over training makes you susceptible to all sorts of bugs. Maybe take your workouts down a notch and try some walks or yoga instead?
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Ok can someone explain the point of this pre-moderation to me. I thought pre-moderating comments was to stop the ‘trolls’ so why is it that again my comment for this post hasn’t turned up? Just like my comment on best and worst last week.
Seriously feeling like there’s no point in commenting here anymore.
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Hi Cinnamon, your comment should now be visible. Thanks!
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Thanks!
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I wrote a reply to this but it hasn’t appeared yet?
Also I am not receiving emails to notify me of replies so I have to keep coming back to check! Sigh
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Started the weekend out with friends, had a wonderful NZ sav blanc. Slept terribly that night a missed the Saturday morning farmers markets as I had to catch up.
Husband was with the marching band until late, so I got some alone time Saturday night, which was good – made granola cookies!
After spending most of Sunday in pjs on the interweb, I have vowed this week to limit my screen time. I waste so much time doing sweet FA on the net, and then get angry with myself for not doing what I wanted to get done. Weaning shall begin this week!
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oh my god Rach the muso, I know that feeling of guilt after wasting time on the internet so well! I might be doing it a little at the moment …
Sometimes I feel so defeated that I just can’t control myself enough to just bloody concentrate on what I have to do. I have to do things like turn the internet off when I must work on the computer, and avoid the computer when I can because I’m just so powerless against the pull of mindless crap.
I am just glad I’m not the only one
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I keep working my weekends away inside a store. The nicer the weather, the harder it gets!
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I know not everyone agrees with abstinence, but for those that try and live it… this article is awesome! Such motivation! Wanted to share
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/09/14/staying-celibate-before-marriage-was-best-thing-ive-ever-done/?cmpid=cmty_fb_Waiting_till_the_wedding_night_%E2%80%93_getting_married_the_right_way
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He just seems really really arrogant to me. I’m engaged and have a baby with my partner, did we do it “wrong”?
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Yeah he does come across as arrogant but I think it was still motivating (for those that want to wait). Obviously he believes he is right, otherwise what’s the point in waiting!?
Congratulations, hope everything goes well (baby + wedding/marriage).
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I was interested to see what he had to say, but by about halfway through I just wanted to smack him for his completely judgemental smug arrogance. That has to be one of the most ill-judged and patronising articles I have ever read – he manages to completely condemn and insult the vast majority of the population. For anyone who was contemplating doing what he suggests, I’m sure his attitude had the opposite effect to what he intended and turned them completely away from the idea. Sheesh.
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I didn’t really find the article arrogant, just sort of poorly written. Feature articles are intended to be persuasive, right? The guy didn’t bring up any points apart from ‘I believe God said it’s good’. There were no quotes from no one else, no statistics showing it’s better, nothing! Just him and his little opinion which is that he believes it was God’s intention. He didn’t even bother giving examples on how he had been ‘judged’ because he chose to remain celibant.
In my opinion, a GOOD article would have been one that sits at the halfway mark – a piece that respects that people have the right to choose what they do and do not root. Honestly, who gives a poo whether somebody sticks their parts into someone else’s before they have a ceremony with cake? Each to their own, I say! If you feel bloody great about yourself because you didn’t root your wife before your wedding, go you! If you feel bloody great because you rooted your wife before your wedding, go you too!
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It’s not a feature article, it’s an opinion piece. To those who practice chastity, sex is more than just ‘sticking your parts into someone else’s’. Think about it like this, abstinence is really difficult. For those trying, seeing someone else practice it the right way and succeed is motivating.
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Personally I thought the whole thing was sweet. Good on them for taking the narrow road. They have experienced something few couples do. I think it’s great, and tend to agree. (shoot me)
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My weekend was great. I got to see my lovely boyfriend, and we went shopping to kit out my new apartment. Got a new pillow, some cutlery, visited my brothers new nutrition shop. (By the way, if I am allowed to do this, my brother has a nutrition shop in Penrith, called Mass Nutrition. Here is the FB details: they ship as well! https://www.facebook.com/MassNutritionPenrith)
We went to the movies, and I now have a new love: Resident Evil! So good. We went to dinner and I had a Guinness Beef pie, my boyfriend had a schnitzel. It was just relaxing and fun. Sunday night sucked, though. He went home and my first night alone in my new apartment was scary.
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You get used to being alone but it is much nicer to have someone there. Still how lovely is it to have your own space! YAY.
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Very exciting weekend for me – my boyfriend proposed! I was working out of town on Friday, so my boyfriend came with me for a night away. We went out to dinner, went back to the hotel and had sparkling wine and chocolates, a spa bath and then when I was getting into bed he proposed! I was completely stunned and had no idea it was going to happen! He gave me a temporary ring and we are going shopping this weekend. YAY!
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Congratulations, Elise! How lovely. I hope you have fun with the preparations and choosing a ring.
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Congrats! I love hearing about real surprise proposal stories
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Congratulations!!!
Wow… You seem very lucky, with a thoughtful FIANCE!!
xoxo
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Made the most amazing prawn, chilli and lemon linguine for dinner on Saturday night.
Unfortunately it’s not one to eat often as it is just dripping with butter ! Focused on the “good” olive oil and lemon juice on the dish. Saw it as two serves of fruit for the day. Filled up on salad.
My wife wants me to develop a low-cal version. The butter helps to hold everything together. Any tips on what to use instead of butter ?
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hey bradley, butter isn’t actually that bad for you. the better the butter, the better it is (becasue you can’t eat that much as it feels you up, so you acutally eat less). Real food, real ingredients is best!
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I agree! The linguine itself is much more fattening !! Most of us could easily eat a big bowl of pasta but would struggle to eat more than a spoonful or so of rich butter. Zucchini strips instead of linguine would be my “low cal” version.
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I do a pretty similar dish just with olive oil. Seems to work fine although I’m sure butter would add that extra deliciousness.
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I melt the butter in with the olive oil. Instead of using dried chilli flakes, I substitute a dessert spoon of sambal olek. Somehow, it emulsifies nicely to form a sauce that sticks to the pasta rather than remaining at the bottom of the pan.
I suppose that in the long run, I really didn’t use “that” much butter.
Feeling healthier already.
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I use coconut oil in stead of butter in a lot of cooking, but not sure it will achieve the same thing as butter in your recipe.
Maybe phoodie has the answer?!
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Also, chilli is great for keeping away sickness
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i’ve been cooking the same thing. as a low-cal version i serve the “sauce” (i.e. prawns and chilli etc) on rocket. pretty dang tasty!
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Just have it occasionally and the way the recipe was meant to be, with butter
I have friends who always tweak recipes to the low cal version and despite their claims that you would never notice, they never taste any good.
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Very excited…
A little while ago I bought a new Nick Cave & Bad Seeds t-shirt. I took a photo of me wearing it and posted it on the NC&BS page saying something like ‘loving my new T’. This morning (ON MY BIRTHDAY!) I woke up to a notification that ‘Nicholas Edward Cave’ liked the photo I posted on the band’s wall page. Wait…it gets better….I friend requested him and he accepted. *Faints!* OMG. Best birthday ever. (Might be a fake Nick Cave but I’m going to believe it’s true – just for today anyway.)
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OMG! Am heading straight over to the jealousy post for therapy. Happy Birthday!
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Ohh fangirl squee!! I requested Steve Kilbey from the Church – and he has commented on a couple of my posts!!
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For a second I thought you were talking about some random from your local church and thought ‘calm down! they’re not a celeb’..then realised the band…lol
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This weekend I forgot to wear sunscreen and went out in a t-shirt. And well… you can probably figure out the rest.
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No sunscreen ?
Well you were being a goosey, Lucy !
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I know… I know…
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oh dear, as a pale skinned female I empathise. If you can, get an aloe vera plant. Cut off the thorns, peel back the layers and just lie it on the skin. Works a treat. (you can do it for a few days while its all red and sore and hot).
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I scrape out the insides with a knife, mash it up and slather it on. Gets pretty messy but it definitely works. I find if I have a shower to cool the skin and then put on the aloe vera and leave it on for a while (an hour or so ) I don’t blister or peel like I normally would.
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I remember when I was in London in summer and I spent about four hours drinking at an outside pub in summer, in a t-shirt and jeans. I massively panicked when I got home because I realised that I hadn’t been wearing sunscreen, and was expecting that I would be red raw. Turns out I only had the tiniest line of colour difference. If I pulled the same stunt in summer in Melbourne, I’d be in the emergency room with third degree burns.
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You were lucky. My other half and I got shockingly sunburnt in London last June. We could not believe it! I’ve still got the random tan line now.
That said when I went on a cruise I noticed that in places like Vanuatu I didn’t burn. I was suncreaming but really didn’t even colour up that much, in Australia even with suncream I would have burned (I am such a white girl). I guess it just shows the difference having an ozone layer makes!
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Grocery shopping on Sat was just exhausting. Miss C was pushing all those buttons. Master A (usually the better behaved one) thought he’d join in too. Think I might start going shopping on my own.
Sunday we had a friends housewarming bbq which was lovely to get out and talk to real people. But again, I always forget how tired I get at these things, and am struggling today. My meds seem to be giving me some insomnia which isn’t helping. Oh well.
And today I just got back from getting Master A his 18 month needles. Poor little thing has crashed out now. Where did my baby go? He’s now a toddler
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I’m going shopping one day this week as I’m on uni break and KDot is still going to kindy. A proper shopping day (even my rubbish attempts. I hate shopping) is not fair on either of us.
Oh and re the 18 month thing – K pulled her pants off and squatted to do a poo today. I had just been looking up toilet training (when to expect it, what signs to look for to show they’re getting ready) and was going to ask at her 18 month checkup with the Nurse on Wednesday!
Hope you can sort something for the insomnia!
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and now he is running a temp. Sigh.
Unless you are super keen to, I wouldn’t stress about toilet training. We did Miss C at 2.5 and it was still 6 months before she really got it. And we still have accidents (she gets distracted and forgets to go). By all means if Kdot is showing signs then give it a crack, but with Master A I am going to wait until he is well and truly ready. I don’t expect that to be until he is well into his 2′s, if not closer to 3.
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Oh no, not going to push it with her, no point stressing everyone out! Mum says let her go without a nappy over summer, if she’s starting to get the idea I’ll follow her lead. If not, we can wait, no problem at all.
I suspect it’s from watching me and seeing the kids at kindy do it.
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Oops – I almost never take the cherubs shopping. There isn’t a wine IV that drops from the ceiling….
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I’m actually loling at that. Yes I needed a few after that. Normally they aren’t too bad, and I like going with all the family. But I think both of them have hit that age. Plus I actually wanted to look at some clothes (shock horror) and that was the worst thing in the world. Oh well.
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Had a function on Friday night and won 2 nights in the Phillipines…..though it was only accommodation, and it isn’t a short trip there. May sell it or see how I go, as with a mortgage I don’t have cash lying around for a holiday!
Boxing on Saturday was rather disappointing. I really didn’t push myself hard enough! I was SO fatigued afterwards I spent the day dozing in bed! I think the last week has caught up with me!
Cleaned a crap load on Sunday, then headed down to the local with the man for a cider and really good music. Which really made the weekend awesome!
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Hi Maggie
I’ve been to the Philippines and I can’t imagine 2 nights in any hotel there would be worth an inconveniently timed and expensive holiday. It might only cost $100 for a stay in a some of the beautiful resorts there – for a week.
I would research the value of the prize and eBay / Gumtree it.
But if you ever get a chance to go I recommend Boracay!
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The voucher was for the Shangri-la in Boracay! Hrmmmmm may have to look into this more….
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Wow!!!! Ha
Well I obviously recommend Boracay!
http://www.facebook.com/boracayphilippines#!/boracayfan
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Weekend started well with Friday night drinks for a friend who’s leaving her work to have a baby, followed by a gym session on Saturday morning and then back to the pub to watch my AFL team make it into the Grand Final next week! Sunday consisted of washing the dog and then taking him around to a friend’s house to show him off as they are thinking of buying his breed followed by another gym session! Unfortunately I’m on the sick list today (let me just say that I need to be very close to a toilet!!) so sitting here in bed catching up on all the MM and Emmy goss
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Spent the weekend doing an assignment for uni, starting to prep for exams and overall avoiding both. It just seemed like too nice of a weekend to spend indoors. Now I am paying the price
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Had an awesome weekend with my sister arriving from orange to tell us all she’s pregnant, which is really lovely because she’s been told so many times she might never conceive due to endometriosis and pcos. Also went to the beach yesterday- gorgeous!! My 15 month old has never been and both her and my 3 year old had a blast. also, my husband is awesome. Lots to be grateful for. Decided to just let go of some anxiety regarding past traumas that I’ve been carrying around for years. It’s a work in progress of course.
I’ve lost 10 kgs of baby weight this year so I’m off to do done online shopping. Lg.
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What a great post, chickadee!
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Had worked drinks on Friday night and was talking to an office guy who was incredibly close to me alllllll night, but kept to me about how he doesn’t do office relationships. Now he isn’t talking to me at all. Why are males just so ridiculous?
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*Bangs head against the wall* Feeling your frustration Sarah!
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The woman who accurately answers this question will be our new messiah, Sarah.
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The Jesus of relationships I imagine. I am so banging my head against a wall. It’s ridiculous!
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I know it’s probably not what you want to hear but my guess is he’s just not that into you.
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Nah, I don’t mind that he’s not. Just some adult professionalism would be nice.
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Nah, he *is* into her… he’s just even *more* into himself.
Sarah, have fun showing him what he can’t have… lol
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Doubtful, but still in love with this comment.
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Sounds like a bit of a player….. to be close to you all night but saying he doesn’t do office relationships… maybe wants his ego stroked and trying to get you to badger him to date him? Weirdo!!
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Ha! That’s a great perspective! I was telling a friend about it via text. Her response was “there is a reason why he’s late 30′s and single…” – I don’t really mind, but seriously. It’s the workplace. It’s so not the environment to behave like a douche.
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I agree with your friend. Alarm bells ringing. Late 30′s, single. Sends you mixed messages. Keep away. Danger, danger.
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Lol – you’re not from Melbourne by any chance? He’s not dark haired and has a one syllable name by any chance? It sounds eerily like a guy I know! Men, *eyeroll* Pfft
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I am in melbourne! But no. Two syllables! Haha, if only this wasn’t the internet. We could bitch with cocktails together
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I have pretty much decided I am going to break the sexy-as guy who is playing strategic games with me at work. I am going to react the way he doesn’t expect! lol
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It’s the blonde and blue eyed curse in my land
It’s unfortunate.
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Males are not ridiculous, Sarah.
You haven’t met me !
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Sorry Bradley. You’re the exception, not the rule
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I believe the technical term is ‘the dick gene’….
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That appendage has soooo much to answer for, am I right?
And yet, I can’t help but be rather fond of them despite myself, and despite how they look kind of like a deflated turkey when at rest.
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It’s not an attractive thing is it? Oh well. afw I’ve decided to take his advice. I have no intention of following through but there isn’t anything wrong with a bit of payback is there?
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I had a really up and down weekend. My boyfriend and I had an amazing time on Friday and Saturday celebrating our anniversary – feeling so loved up and happy with him! And then on Saturday night I had dinner with my best friend, she left me waiting for her in the restaurant for over half an hour and then didn’t apologise when she finally did arrive. I didn’t say anything then – the evening was already awkward enough – but I did tell her yesterday that it wasn’t okay to do that. She then turned it into a conversation about why I haven’t introduced her to my boyfriend yet and wouldn’t listen when I tried to explain that I’ve been avoiding that introduction as she was so incredibly rude when I introduced her to my last boyfriend that he didn’t like her at all and I didn’t want that to happen again. Feeling surprisingly okay about the fact that it seems pretty likel;y our friendship is over becuase I think it’s high time I stopped tolerating her poor behaviour!
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I think Monty Dimond has a very relevant post about your friend’s behaviour up today!
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Thanks distracted – just read Monty’s article and could relate to it all to well! Its an interesting point you raise about my friend – maybe her behaviour is driven by jealousy/envy? She does have problems with depression and anxiety which has made me feel guilty in the past about calling her on her poor behaviour…
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It wouldn’t surprise me belle, but I don’t really know what to do about it!
One piece of advice for dealing with depressed ppl that has stuck with me is that they need to know that you value them. If you do value her then I guess you just need to do your best with a really hard situation … lots of luck xo
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I think that while it’s good to acknowledge that her crappy behaviour is likely linked to the depression and anxiety, you still need to be accountable and face up when you do bad stuff. The depression and anxiety are reasons, not excuses. When you’re in there you often think you’re getting away with murder with how you behave, it’s good to have people pull you up, it makes you realise that it’s not all about you and that other people do in fact pay attention to what you do and are affected by it. Don’t feel guilty about pulling her up.
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Thanks Kris and Distracted – really appreciate your replies! I agree with you Kris that it’s still okay to opull her up despite the depression – I’d love to think that that will make her realise how her behaviour effects others but so far all I’ve got is defensiveness and counter attacks
And Distracted – I also agree its important to tell her I value her even though I disagree with her behaviour on this particular occassion – I have tried to do so but I think all she is hearing is the criticism of her actions…
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I hope it works out how you want it to, belle!
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Of course she’ll be defensive – she’s being attacked. It’s a perfectly natural response, but the whacked out behaviour is not natural. It’s the behaviour not the person you’re calling out. She’ll get that eventually.
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We had a mostly at home, just us weekend and it was lovely! Did some serious spring cleaning on Saturday, there is more to be done, the dust behind couches always amazes me. Did some shopping, my other half bought my birthday present, a lovely spring green dress that I now have to wait 3 weeks for.
Yesterday was a divine spring day so we went to Floriade. I’ve took a heap of photos, they are on my blog at http://blithemoments.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/floriade.html. If you are in Canberra or can get here for a visit, I really recommend it, it is just beautiful.
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OMM: Jill Meagher, the 29 yo (originally Irish) woman who has gone missing on her way home from a bar Friday night/early Saturday morning (around 1.30am-2.00am) from Brunswick in Melbourne. Last seen at Bar Etiquette on Sydney Road.
She was just five minutes from her house. I hope she’s found safe. Her husband is so distraught. http://www.facebook.com/HelpUsFindJillMeagher
I was in Brunswick Saturday night before the news broke Sunday morning, which drove home to me that it can happen to anyone. Ladies, make that either sure your man collects you when you are out at night, or that your friends see you home safely – always book and share a cab, don’t walk through isolated shortcuts.
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Let’s see I spent the past Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in bed sick with a cold and just feeling like crap! The weather here went from hot to cold very fast and a lot of the kids at work were sick as well which wasn’t a good mix! Husband’s friend is here right now for work so I managed to pull myself together and go out with them and another couple (another story for Open Post) for dinner. Sunday night here and feeling much better.
Also the fact that my laptop charger had died last week and I had no use of it was annoying! Finally went and picked one up today, catching up on MM now
Btw I commented on Best and Worst this week and my comment is not there, also when am I going to start receiving notifications of replies again to my email?
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using a different name today for obvious reasons…
I was using hubbie’s computer on saturday and stumbled across a collection of p*rn images. I wasn’t spying, just going through picture folders looking for a certain photo of our daughter.
I’m adult enough to be able to cope with a man having some porn images
but some of this stuff was just revolting. Without going into inappropriate detail, some of it involved incest themes.
I still feel sick, just thinking about it. How can anyone find that sort of thing arousing? I dont know what to say to him. I dont want him to touch me.
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You really need to approach him to talk about it. One on One. Just the two of you. i know that some porn sites automatically download stuff on to your computer. So he may have searched for something innocuous but other images automatically downloaded. At the same time, having or distributing child porn is a pretty hefty crime.
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I should clarify – the actual images were adult women but he had this cartoon thing… i dont know what to call it precisely, but like a cartoon story, very graphic though, with the central theme being a son seducing his mother and a daughter seducing her father.
So I’m not worried because I think its illegal. I just wonder how he can find a story of a father having s*x with his daughter arousing?
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I’m sorry that this is bothering you. I’ve gotta say though… this would not upset me at all. As long as it’s legal, well, each to their own. You can’t dictate what someone else likes.
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Honestly if I were you I’d pull him up on it. But not in an angry ‘what the hell is this’ type of way but more like ‘I came across these images and they concerned me, would you like to explain’ kind of way.
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Been in this position, Maria. I know the feeling, it made me feel absolutely ill, horrified, like I’d been living with a monster all this time.
But the conversation that came out of it was actually a catalyst for disclosing (later on) that he had been abused as a child.
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I went to K Mart over the weekend to spend my $100 voucher that I won from writing on a website (ahem, http://www.mamamia.com.au). Here’s what $100 can buy you there: Seasons One and Two of ‘Mad Men’, Season Three of ‘Nurse Jackie’, ‘The Hangover Part II’ a new frying and a new pair of sunglasses. Now THAT’S what I call shopping! Spent a few hours at my sister’s place playing with her two month old baby who is the very definition of sweet, and then did a lamb roast on Saturday night. Nice weekend all up!
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How good is Kmart for a bargain?? I went a bit nuts in their kitchen section recently and is still cost me less than $40
All in all your weekend sounds great – shopping, cooking and playing with a baby = perfect!
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Had a break from the bub and managed to park on the wrong level, get served by the rudest checkout dude in Target history and almost come to blows in Aldi with rude, pushy people. Next time hubby takes over I’m avoiding the shops and getting my hair done.
Also convinced bubs is never going to sleep through and I’m never sleeping through again either. Why are all the other 12 week olds sleeping through and mines not???
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My two children did not start to sleep through until they were 13 months old and weaned off breastfeeding. At mothers’ group all the kids slept and mine didn’t. I ended up at Tresilian which improved things but it was a long time after that, after breastfeeding stopped, that they learnt not to wake up or if they did, to go back to sleep. Try and avoid talking to other mothers about sleeping children – it used to make it worse for me hearing about how all their kids slept!!
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I have three children. They were all different. One never seemed to sleep through the night, she’s still not a good sleeper and she’s nine! One was sort of average, and one seemed to sleep through from the day we brought her home. I think the only way to get through is to lose your expectations of what people tell you the baby should be doing and to try to accept the situation.
Having said that, isnt there a dvd or something you can download on this site called “The Gift of Sleep”? I’m sure there was an article written about it.
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Agree with Frankie Rose, avoid talking to other mothers about sleeping habits. Some kids just don’t sleep regardless of what you do. My youngest didn’t sleep one night through until she was 16 months old despite everything I did. She’s still not the best sleeper even at 4, but at least most nights sleeps through. Just go with it, nap during the day if you can and don’t try to do too much. Accept all offers of help and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You will get there eventually.
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absolutely agree – a lot of mother’s lie or certainly stretch the truth about when their babies start sleeping through. My 7 month old is able to sleep through some nights whereas my 3 year old still finds his way to our bed every single night. It’s not a competition so don’t worry about what others are saying. You will all get there
x
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Because the other mothers are lying!!!
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Other mothers are not lying. Or at least not all of them. My first slept from 6 – 6 from 5 weeks old. My second, 6.45 – 6.45 from 4 months.
I always read stuff like this and see ‘all the mums are lying babies never sleep through’ and feel terrible.
All babies are different. They don’t all sleep through. It’s not about what you do or don’t do.
But please don’t say the mother’s are lying. I never join in conversations on when my kids slept through for fear everyone will think that!
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Agreed! I definitely didn’t lie about my 4 month old who slept through 19 nights out of 20.
Nor did I lie about my second child who still gets into our bed at night at nearly 5 years old!
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Gross generalisation. All four of mine were good sleepers. One slept for 6 hours straight from 6 weeks with one doing that at 3 months, the other 2 somewhere in between. All of them slept 10-12 hours straight by 6 months. Yes, all of them were breastfed too, just not as long as I’d have liked.
I know how lucky I was,we’re all good sleepers, but not everyone is. I don’t ever mention it to clients. It’s not helpful to them and I don’t like people thinking I’m lying about it either.
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Fufu, I have 4 children and they were all completely different.
My first slept through at 6 weeks and my latest one to sleep through was 14 months. The others fell in between. I had the same routine going for all of them. Some just do it differently. Hang in there it wont last forever
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They’re not. People lie! LOL it’s phyysiologically normal (and a survival instinct) for a tiny baby to be wakeful at night. That’s the harsh reality, so lean into it and get sleep where you can
I got very good at naps, and would often make my husband take over on a Sunday afternoon and go get a solid few hours sleep to tank up for the coming week. LOL
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Thanks Ladies, I needed to hear all that. Yesterday I almost had a breakdown after a week of 2 hourly wake ups and me running around doing housework rather than napping. It’s hard to let everything go and just rest, you know?
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oh big hugs, be kind to yourself. I strongly believe in the mantra – sleep when baby sleeps!!! housework schmousework. Besides, once you’ve done it, you just have to do it again a few days later
Babies aren’t really meant to sleep through at 3 months, they still need food. But every baby is different. Miss C didn’t sleep through until 13 months. AT ALL (despite a stay at sleep school). Master A slept through from about 8 weeks, until 6 months, then went back to 2-3 hourly feeds for a while, and again at 13 months now sleeps through 1 night in 3. It will happen, but it takes time, patience, and sometimes some help. And be kind to yourself about the shops – you are probably too sleep deprived to think straight. I remember going to the post office when Miss C was about 3 months and randomly pushing the pram into shelves, people, you name it. I was just so tired. Bit scary really.
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I really wouldnt be worried. My 2 year old has slept through less than 5 times ever but then her itchiness keeps her awake. Majority of babies still wake for a feed that when theyre that young… If baby is still doing it at 6 months, look at ways to get them to settle on their own but I think theyre still finding their way at that age,
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As a person who has never found it difficult to rest rather than do housework, I think you should try things my way. Cut yourself some slack, and put your feet up when you get a chance. Even if you aren’t actually sleeping, having a few chances to rest throughout the day will make you happier. Do the housework later, if you clean up now you’ll just have to do it again anyway… mess is not that bad.. all the best.
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People’s definitions of sleeping thru differ as we’ll. for some it means a 10 hour stretch, others consider it the sleep between 10am and 4am-ish. I reckon it’s much more usual for babies not to be sleeping through at your bub’s age!
Also, the babies in your mums group may be all sleeping thru, but that’s this week. The only definite is that it all changes from week to week!
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My first slept through at 9 weeks. My second, treated with the same routine, same parents, everything…. 12 months. Some babies sleep. Sme don’t. Luck of the draw.
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Because all other 12 week olds mothers are lying, lol! My twins slept through at 3 months – but I was giving them a dream feed at about 11ish, and it was not consistent. My 3rd child slept through at 4 weeks, again with a dream feed. I’m still feeding #4 twice a night at 4 weeks old. So you never know what you are going to get!
Have a little talk about sleep deprivation with your mothers group. When they all start complaining, you will see that their babies don’t sleep through the night at all!
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