What’s your BEST & WORST this week?
It’s that time of the week where I invite you to share your best and worst moments of the week. What were your absolute high and low points? I’m going to go first….
Last week, when I ask you to share your best and worst, there were some amazing, hilarious, heart-breaking and fascinating Best/Worsts. An absolute slice of life.
I spent hours reading through them and was left feeling humbled, inspired, grateful and entertained.
This week, I’ve found myself thinking all week about what mine would be when I posted this today. It can be difficult and yet worthwhile narrowing the million things that happen into a Best and a Worst.
MY WORST: Finding my 3 year old daughter incredibly difficult. Angry, tantrums, obstinate. Despairing that we seemed to be going backwards just when I thought the Terrible Twos were behind us. And then suddenly realising that she’s struggling to adjust to her baby brother getting bigger and needing more attention and her older brother being busy and also demanding more focus of late. Not being able to articulate how she feels, she’s started acting out as a way to gain attention. I felt awful that she was unhappy and that I’d allowed her to slip through the classic middle-child attention gap. Have spent the rest of the week trying to remedy that with lots of one-on-one.
MY BEST: The ducks are back. Every year for the past few, we’ve had a pair of ducks come visit. The first year it was just one day for a few hours and then it’s increased to longer stretches since then. After several weeks of daily visits, they were last seen in November last year after a particularly unfortunate incident during Coco’s birthday party when I turned around to discover a dozen toddlers feeding them cupcakes and vegemite sandwiches. And chocolate crackles. Must have made for some sore duck tummies. They finally returned this week and have been hanging around for long stretches each day. We feed them bread and rolled oats and they’ve become very much part of the family. Something about interacting with wild animals that’s very grounding.
EARLIER ON MAMAMIA…
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What’s been your BEST & WORST of the week?
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BEST & WORST of the week
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When your sibling is….difficult….
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And then you blew me away…..
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What were your BEST and WORST bits of 2009?
Best: Realising how precious life is and how amazing my beautiful partner is. Also, feeling creative and writing/painting more than usual =)
Worst: Attending said partner’s Nan’s funeral- she was such a beautiful woman, and I miss her so much already.
Worst: being dumped my boyfriend of 6 months via a text message – when he was drunk – following a previous message of ‘I really really miss you’ sent 30mins before.
Best: still waiting.. I guess the best moment has been realising that now I don’t have to waste any more time or emotion on someone so worthless…and gutless.
Best – a weekend away in Melbourne with two of my closest friends. Realising that this could very well be the prime of my life.
Worst – Wondering how long it’s going to take to get over him..
*aloud. Whoops.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this. For the past two weeks I have initially started to read this as a big grump in a bit of a huff about something or other. I then end up convinced that I have no ‘worsts’ relatively speaking, and that people are mostly good eggs with a lot of support, generosity and empathy, even for faceless strangers on a blog. It has pulled me out of my slumps two weeks running, and it’s just a pleasure to read.
I read some of them allowed to my husband last night and he wrote me an email this morning as soon as I got to work saying: ‘We are SO lucky, and we should feel SO grateful’. I am sure the two are related.
My worst – nothing in the scheme of things.
My best – I love lots of people and they love me. I am also healthy, safe, happy and fulfilled. And I have a new hat.
BEST: spending the best part of 4 days with my sister and her tribe in their little hometown by the sea……so refreshing to change the routine
WORST: hearing the news that one of my besty’s was miscarrying…so devastating for her and her family.
Mia – I love best and worst. We’ve instituted it in our house and my 4yo BEST for the week was “finding the temote (remote – one of those words we won’t hurry to correct!) when x (his little brother) hid it and then getting to watch a movie” *sigh* – I try to be a good mama!
It was such a bad one for me it’s taken me 3 days to finally post LOL
Worst – having just gotten 11yo son better after 2 weeks of a horrid viral infection, Miss 5 came down with tonsillitis and then (worse…) had such a bad reaction to the antibiotics that it was like she had gastro. One memorable incident involving both ends exploding while she sat on my gorgeous beige microsuede couch. ‘Nuff said…poor her and poor me
Best – Escaping the House of Pestilence (thanks to my folks for bravely babysitting) for One Night Only to go and see the unbeatable French and Saunders at the Capitol with my husband. We NEVER get to go out so this was a huge deal and we laughed our heads off, then cried at the end realising we’d never ever get the chance to see them perform together again. Unforgettable.
Susie – thanks for the book suggestion. I will definitely be looking into it. I’m reading a book called “Rebuilding when your relationship ends” which I’m finding helpful but it’s more general in its approach. Good if you’re looking for something with a healing focus.
Thanks again for your posts – they have meant a lot.
Mia – my apologies too
Thanks Rita – I’ll take a look at the website you suggested. The oats idea actually came from a friend who works for WIRES so I thought I was doing the right thing…..
Erin and Bells – if either of you ever felt like writing an anon guest-post for mamamia, please email me:
info@mamamia.com.au
I would be honoured to publish it and I believe MM readers would be honoured to read it…
Turkey Town – I SO feel for you. I have come to realise that time is probably the only thing that will make it better. I read a book just recently which really helped – “Men Who Can’t Love” by Steven Carter. It is excellent. I felt like it was written just for me. I don’t know what you precise situation is but for me, this book was like manna from heaven.
“I feel stupid for letting someone who clearly doesn’t deserve the tears I’ve cried for him, still have so much hold over my emotions.” – I think the same thing every single day. My friends can’t understand why it still hurts so much when he clearly was a creep and unworthy of my love. You are not alone.
Sorry to hijack this thread Mia!!!
If you must feed wild animals, please feed them something better than bread and rolled oats.
Here’s a link about feeding wild animals.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Wild-Animals-705/feeding-wild-animals.htm
Susie – thank you for the empathy. I know it shouldn’t, but it does help to know I’m not the only one. Since the break up, I feel like I’ve been haemorrhaging pain and I can’t figure out how to close the wound. I’ve tried everything and I don’t feel like I’m making any progress. All I want to is to feel like myself again- to stop thinking about this, to stop being sad and to be the happy person I was before we broke up… before we even met.
I feel stupid for letting someone who clearly doesn’t deserve the tears I’ve cried for him, still have so much hold over my emotions.
Can I start with my worst??
Losing my Aunty, to a stroke at the age of 58…..
and being on the other side of the world away from the rest of my family…..
Best: Realising how much all of my family mean to me, and how lucky I am to have them. Can’t wait to be back in OZ at the end of the year……
Worst : Not of this week, but of this year – Being told I was toxic, akin to weed killer, by someone who had two months previously said we were ‘as close as family’ (this still cuts months on- seriously it was over an email misunderstanding and I DON’T think you should just dump people out of oyur life, no matter who they are, or what they do, save murder and various other nefarious acts of course, but to be called this and various other vile things by someone I trusted and loved has hurt and still hurts and hurts more because my kids go back to school with her kids this week)
Bests: Actually, for the first time since this has happened believing I am nothing like weedkiller or a snake, not poisionous toxic or deadly, actually kind of ok to be around really – as my son puts it – just right because you are Mum.
So that is why that fits into this week.
Oh and hugs to all with ill babies seems to be going round.
Worst: Being used by a guy but wont admit it or get rid of him due to fear of being alone, also, calling my friend on being incredibly rude towards me and my family and her taking it as a joke.. arghh
Best: My friend from work making me laugh until it literally hurt over something incredibly stupid lol.
Long time website viewer, sometime commenter.
BEST: Realising that no matter what your support network will get you through and after reading the last 19 pages of comments wishing I was a part of this site commenting more.
I just quit my soul destroying Devil Wears Prada job in Brisbane to up and move to Sydney with no job in 3 weeks and it all doesn’t seem so hard after reading all of your posts.
WORST: Having the guy I was semi seeing tell my friend some horrible things about me and my worthlessness over the phone after she was concerned when he didn’t turn up to dinner.
Ready for a change anyone?
Best: Surprise find – “so you’re going to be a dad” book. Very cute, even if it was next to the loo.
Worst: Realising the morning/noon/afternoon and evening sickness doesn’t actually vanish into thin air after the first trimester, in front of half a dozen co-workers.
Best: Feeling guilty about not having done much in my first week of holidays, then realising that I still have about 2 1/2 weeks left.
Worst: Probably having my dad (who is not married to my mum but they have been living together for 5 more than my almost 15 years) leave officially after he decided a couple of weeks ago to live by himself. Whenever I see romantic comedies, I never used to think that they were unrealistic because I lived with two people who seemed to have it. Now that they don’t anymore, I don’t really know what to think.
So yeah crappy week for me. ;-(
Wanted to add a couple more bests (being super positive this week).
Taking my son to the mobile blood bank and getting the chance to show him that needles are not so scary, and to explain to him the concept of giving such a small part of myself to help others.
Dancing like a crazy woman with my kids to the Triple J hottest 100 of all time.
Best: Visiting Perth and the weather isn’t too cold. In fact, today was beautiful sunshine. (And rediscovering a love for white wine that disappeared a few years ago on a Swan Valley tour yesterday).
Worst: Finding out that I didn’t get the job that I wanted – didn’t even get the chance to apply for it as someone as just appointed.
lbj;
The fact you’ve been to the GP is good. Getting diagnosed is good. Asking for help is good.
Don’t be afraid of meds. If you had a broken leg, you’d go to hospital, get a cast and painkillers.
There are so so many of us. And it does get better, I promise.
I know those dark days – and the nights on the nursery floor awash with tears – and the frightening thoughts. I was there and I never thought I’d get out; but I did and you will too.
Sending as much love as a stranger can.
ERIN
New worse-
Reading the article in the paper this week about teachers being lazy and having too much annual leave! After an 11 week term – reports, parent teacher interviews, every kinds of flu and germs being passed from kids to teachers and back again, planning, programing and dealing with beautiful but challenging students and their often challenging parents – that article just made me depressed and angry!
You do your best and some bitter journalist puts down your career, your “calling”….it’s demoralising
Worst: scooping poo out of my son X’s undies twice on the same day (we are toilet training).
Best: Having lunch with X at Replete (fabulous Melbourne cafe) after having a fun morning at the Lazytown concert.
Worst: Having my GP confirm that I most likely do have post natal depression.It explains the weird crazy thoughts that go through my mind and the ongoing feeling of sadness that clings to my stomach. Hoping to find a counselor this week.
Best: my baby girl learning to roll from her tummy to her back and being so pleased with herself
Best : Deciding what to do with my life, FINALLY, and how to do it.
Worst: Sick children, heart in pain, very unwell me
Best: restoring and repairing an old and strong best-friendship that fell apart due to communication breakdown and different priorities 4 months ago.
Worst: realising today is the end of school holidays and I have to go back to work tomorrow.
Thanks Mia!
In response to Turkey Town’s worst… I’ve have had the same experience. 5 1/2 months ago my partner ended our relationship inexplicably. I know how tough it is and my heart goes out to you. I wonder when I will be able to honestly say I’m over him. I wonder if he thinks he made a mistake. I wonder what went wrong. It’s the lack of explanation and closure that makes it so hard.
BEST: Buying my first home with the love of my life
WORST: coming home after working on saturday to find that my cat destroyed our living room
WORST
Yelling and getting angry at my 22mth old for being so naughty and irritable all day to then discover early that evening she had a temperature and wasn’t well and had no way to let me know. I felt so sorry for her and so incredibly guilty for getting so frustrated by her.
BEST
Taking same 22mth old to Collingwood Children’s Farm and watching her expression as she patted a sheet, goat and horse. Absolute delight.
Best: having a really good view of the new baby elephant at the zoo yesterday
worst: finding nits in my two year olds hair
BEST : my incredibly gorgeous, funny, smart, sexy man! I’m definitely being rewarded by the universe …
WORST : all pretty good with me really, considering what I’ve just read here … I have no worst right now.
But I’ve been there, time does heal & life usually has a way of working itself out – so, maybe I’m being rewarded for time served.
Worst: Being in hospital for minor (but not so pleasant) surgical procedure while my babies all had chest infections, tonsilitis etc
Best: Sitting in the wonderful sun on our back porch recuperating and watching Mr 3 play in the sand, then going inside to find Miss 10 and 8 had made the beds, tidied the loungeroom and packed away all the leggo. Thats what love is..
Mine are silly, but..
Best: Having an absolutely fantastic night out with friends last night, then today on Facebook someone said I was ’so much fun’ yeah it’s weird but I worry that I’m boring.
Worst: Making effort to celebrate being with my boyfriend for a year, getting a hotel room in the city, then not feeling appreciated for any of it. He doesn’t mean to take it for granted, but it still sucks.
I take comfort from knowing that my troubles are pretty minor, and my heart goes out to all going through really tough times.
Best: Confronting a “friend” about the crappy way he speaks to me. Having that friend realised what he has been doing, and hearing him apologise to me.
Worst: Getting a blood test on Monday and having the biggest and most freaky faint the nurse had ever seen. I woke up on the floor with the nurse yelling at me “DO YOU HAVE EPILEPSY?!” Ahh… No?
More tests are to be conducted on this rather spectacular “faint”. I wonder what’s wrong with me now :[
Worst – (it’s the same every week) realising I haven’t had a moment of real happiness since my partner suddenly (and inexplicably) ended our relationship a few months ago.
Best – waking up this morning to find my sister had stayed the night after a particularly bad alcohol-fueled self-pity fest last night.
Best: Waiting patiently for 1.00pm when my mother’s bus arrives. she’s coming for a visit and I haven’t seen her for a year and a half.
Worst: Remembering 6 years ago, 2 crazy kids in love, and wondering how and why it all went so horribly wrong, and trying to figure out what’s fixable and what’s not.
Worst: was going to be BAD toothache. Much pain all week. Much waiting for dentist appt.
Then turned out to be: being told by exhausted hubby that he was so tired and out of sorts because he has spent the week dealing with me being grumpy & holding me together emotionally when things happen like my pants ripping because I don’t really fit into them anymore. (btw, tooth all better now, thankyou nice dentist!)
Best: catching up with old friends and being able to tell them I’m doing well and it actually being true! First time in nearly a year.. yay for the slow and steady recovery =)
Best: Having some time to myself to exercise.
Worst: Have had quite a good week and can’t complain really.
Best: Having a MASSIVE bowel movement after 5 days of horrid constipation. Best feeling in the world.
Worst: The 5 days before that.
Best – finally getting some time for myself and waxing my own legs
Worst – being reduced to doing my own 2X
BEST – Having my wonderful husband home again after having been away for several conferences. Also getting to spend time with him, my parents and my kids visiting Cambridge and getting shown around and taken punting by a friend who lives there.
WORST – headache/s for more than half of the last week. Put such a dampener on all the above…so trifling as a ‘worst’ compared to many of the ones above.
Young Mum, Bells and NJ – sending lots of positive thoughts your way
xxx
Worst – in week two after separating from my husband… Tough week.
Four days home sick with no voice (which my ex was probably thrilled about!) then waking up yesterday with a vomiting bug – euuwwww!
So after that week I didn’t think I had a best until reading all of the comments and realizing this will ALL pass. Thank you for the sense of perspective!
My new best – having wonderful friends who will support me through break ups, mucus and vomit! Nice!
Young mum, my brother’s gorgeous girlfriend suffer too of epilepsy, and like you need to take lots of medication to stay alive, her biggest regret in life, is that because of the strong medication she is taking,she is not allow to have babies,I send you the biggest hug and lots of lots of love, and hoping you get good result with your neurologist this coming week, love ooxx
Best: I am really starting to find some excitement and fun in my job as a teacher and am finding it to be truly fulfilling.
Worst: hurting my back and having to wait two and a half days for an appointment to have it fixed (NOT related to my former ‘best,’ I swear).
BEST: Getting the results of my first semester of uni and proving to myself that it is possible to study, get good marks and still be there for my boys. And also realising that my baby brain hasn’t affected my capacity to learn (even if it means I can’t remember what time my doctors appointment is).
WORST: Dealing with an already difficult 3yr old when he has chicken pox, poor little soul did not have a good week especially when he missed little kickers, his most favourite thing in the whole wide world.
@lu – that’s so funny, I thought I’d be the Earth MOther type, and I wasn’t. I was diagnosed with PND (though not hospitalised). I used to get resentful of the 24/7 committment my baby demanded, and it was my undoing. But now, I’m loving every minute with my bub.
I really don’t have a best or worst of the week. I’m in a new place and have only got one friend (who I met through my blog), so life seems to follow a happy but samey pattern at this stage…
The best, though is seeing the sprog’s face everytime i go in to pick her up from a nap. She’s just so happy!
Dear Youngmum,
Your post made me cry – actually cry – for how frightening and awful that must have been for you and your partner and little girl. What you wrote was so simple, so heartwrenching, so real. Thank you so much for sharing and to all of you who have shared similarly serious ‘worsts’ – hope the act of putting it down in words has in some small way lightened the load. Thanks Mia for connecting us all up in this way.
Best: My seven month old learning peek a boo (by holding up a face washer), and playing it over and over again with everyone in fits of giggles.
Worst: Seeing my Nanna deteriorating more and more each week. And, watching one of my best friends struggling with being (accidentally) pregnant to a bf she doesn’t love. I’m so worried about her and the decisions she needs to make about being a single mum or staying with someone when she isn’t happy but it may be best for her baby. I wish I could wave a magic wand for her.
I’m with you Bugmum on the SAHM vs working mum debate, great advice to Ophelia. I know a mum who was convinced she would be an earth mum and never work again. She ended up in hospital with PND and couldnt wait to get back to work just to get something back for herslef. Another one, a career animal found the whole idea of handing her baby over to someone else too much and hasnt worked in 6 years! You have to do what makes you happy. Bugger what other people think. They all have their own views. We all think our own kids are perfect and others are brats!
Young Mum:
I’m sorry to hear about your seizure (Betty Boo’s Daddy has epilepsy too). Best wishes and good luck for your appointment. xo
Susie:
Your post made me laugh out loud!
Worst: Being made redundant from the full time job I loved and struggling with the adjustment of managing my head strong 2 year old full time instead (which I’m finding much tougher than the juggle of doing both)
Best: Realising that being a full time Mum (without the stress of work) AND being paid to be at home (due to redundancy) is actually the best job I could have.
@RosieMum – thank you. I like yours too :p
Worst – being messed around by the first man I’ve meet in years that I actually like. I think I’m going to be single forever!
Best – getting two high distinctions and two distinctions this semester for my graduate law program and spending the evening with the very best friends on earth.
Best: passing my Jewish conversion exam and having my fiancé say I was his hero
worst: not having the guts to tell my mum my conversion is soon. Sorry mum x
To: TheOtherRosie
I really like your new commenting name
Best: Showing my 3 year old the Evian Babies clip and watching him belly laugh the whole way through, then demand I show it to him again and again, pointing out who all the different babies look like (his sister and friends’ baby siblings)
Worst: The realisation that when my husband tried to do a nice thing, I found myself getting snarky about the little extra he could have done instead of being appreciative…
Amanda (bugmum): Thank you so much for that, it made my day
I like reading your stuff too, along with the rest of the regulars. I hope it will work out. It was just upsetting to see what happened. I’m one of the younger women on here (though there are certainly those younger than myself) and REALLY want to have children one day. So when I see women that are older and I respect and are in positions I want to be in terms of family life being like that to each other… well, it makes me question why we bothered with things like feminism if we still can’t accept our different choices and perspectives.
But I’ll keep coming back. I need my MM fix, like everyone else. Thanks again for that.
Love and support to all who are going through difficulties right now XX
Worst: Being sick and bedridden with a horrible flu all week.
Best: Spending Friday evening at home with my lovely boyfriend, eating chocolate (a special treat from afformentioned boyfriend!) and watching Masterchef.
worst- my boss really just being demanding and ungrateful, realising how much i’ll miss my job when I leave in two weeks(i’m a nanny and i’ll miss the boy), and still struggling to get the whole emotional eating thing down pat.
best- the boy i look after telling me to not be sad im leaving cause we can have a sleepover, getting $5700 back in tax, really, honestly and truely realising i am SO fortunate that my dad is buying me a new car and letting me pay him back in my own time during uni and seeing how much my bests out weigh my worsts!
oh, and congrats Danielle!
Dear Ophelia
I’ve been thinking about your post since I read it yesterday and I just wanted to say that I really do hope you’ll keep coming back to MamaMia because I, for one, really enjoy reading your comments (not in the least because you’re a fellow Canberra chick!)
On the whole SAHM vs Working Mum debate; honestly, when you do have children you will make the choice that works for you.
You’ll probably agonise over it, you’ll sometimes wonder if you’re doing the right thing, but you’ll eventually find the right fit for you…others will make different choices but, they too, will have moments when they’re unsure of that decision.
…and, at the end of the day, as long as you and your family are happy then it doesn’t matter one iota what anyone else thinks.
xox
Best:
The birth of my precious little boy Noah Jack. After going through a heartbreaking year of TTC I finally fell pregnant. I can’t believe he is finally here..
Worst:
Hearing him cry…something i’m still getting used to!
Worst: Being told by my husband that we have to move interstate and then chucking a hissy fit cos I don’t want to move….not my finest moment.
Still feeling sick at the thought of it.
Best: After bursting into tears at the hairdressers as my hair was cut just a bit to short(this wouldnt have bothered me at any other time, was the day after said hissy fit) and trying to explain that it was’nt the haircut at all, a lovely older lady told me the story of when she moved here from england, she knew no-one except her husband and how wonderful it was in the end. Makes me a little bit excited to move and start fresh. Could be a positive experience after all.
Thanks for this Mia, and all the comments. They are truly heartwarming / heartbreaking at the same time. Mental note: don’t read these at work….can’t hold back the tears!
My worst: watching my bff sit opposite me with her beautiful 4 month old on her lap and cry that her marriage is over. She is strong and brave and wonderful, but she doesn’t want to do this parenting thing alone
My best: Coming home from a stressful, soul-destroying day at work to little feet running up the hallway and screams of “Mama, mama, mama” (followed closely by “Park? Park? Park?”). She warms my heart & soothes my soul.
My heart goes out to all of you with awful “worsts”, and I wish that next week, this week’s “bests” will be your “worsts” (I’m sure that there’s a saying like this & it is no doubt much more eloquent than me, but hopefully you get the drift).
Best: Sharing the excitement with my 6 yr old daughter when her first front tooth fell out. This was quickly followed by a discussion about the Tooth Fairy and how she has been told for a front tooth the Tooth Fairy leaves a Nintendo DS. Ummm, no.
Worst: When the same child came up to me and said delightfully “here Mumma, smell this!” “What is it?” I asked after sniffing. “My bottom, I just scratched it”. When does the obsession with bottoms and toileting end? Somebody? Anybody?
Best: Having several pj days with three children with minimal fighting
Worst: Shopping for a new sofa with 3 children and one (pain the butt)husband only to have my hubbie like the first one I showed him after taking 3 hours to make up his mind and trying out at least 50 others.
Bells, sorry to hear your news.
Best – an uneventful and stress-free week pretty much. Got to love them when they come around!
Worst – reading Bells’ worst for the week.
I am so sorry Bells. Lots of love to you and your partner. xo
Abam and Maddy – thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts!!
I absolutely hate (and that’s Hate with a capital ‘H’) being epileptic.
People treat you differently, alcohol is pretty much off-limits as are late nights and interesting jobs and the multitude of medications I’ve been on have never managed to fully control my fits so I’ve never been able to go for my drivers licence.
I just hope that some viable options are made available to me – irreversible brain surgery without the guarantee of success is not really something I want to consider.
Thanks once again – will let you know how it goes
Thanks so much Alex, I will definitely look into it!
WORST: Going through my second miscarriage in 3 months
We seem to have no problems conceiving (only been TTC for 3 months) but the bubbas don’t seem to stick past 6/7 weeks. I have a 17-month-old daughter (an unplanned but happy accident), so I know I can carry babies to term, so I think these MCs warrant some further investigation 
I feel for all of you going through the heartache of TTC.
BEST: Said daughter saw me crying, said “mama, mama”, gave me a big hug, and kissed my tears away
God, I love her to death.
To Young Mum: I have epilepsy & a young child too, know exactly what you are going through. I had two fits in Jan this year after about 12 months seizure free. Was quite upset for a while after that, as I really thought it had settled down. Thinking of you.
Just read through all of the rest of the posts since I myself posted…So sorry for everyone going through something horrible. Also, YoungMum…So sorry to hear about such a frightening seizure. A lot of people don’t get how traumatic/painful/embarrassing/life controlling epilepsy can be. I really am thinking of you with your neurology appointment!
Best: being very happy with my gorgeous bf
Worst: Having someone say incredibly nasty, personal things behind my back. To attack someones opinion is one thing, but to attack them is quite another.
Ah well, it matters not, because I am being the bigger person.
Best: securing media coverage for my ultra deserving, pro bono client thanks to the open heart of a wonderful journalist
Worst: ongoing discussions with husband about where we want to buy, where the best place to live for our kids, what can we afford. So over it!
Hi Courtney.
This place, http://www.earplugstore.com is amazing. But the sheer abundance of plugs can be overwhelming. I personally like Moldex brand, but they give you options for trying a variety of brands and plugs. I’d definitely go with that first. Some plugs may be effective, but they hurt. Others may seem effective at first, but fall out during sleep. It’s a tedious process of trial and error.
The place I get the putty from is, http://www.earplugsonline.com/
Good luck!
Best: Coming first in five subjects in half-yearly report.
Worst: How on earth can I keep that up for the rest of the year?
Best: My husband agreeing to another baby! Getting there will be another story… 14 cycles of IVF for the first.
Worst: Too Windy!!!!!
BEST: asking my partner to listen to the “Chinese – a tribute to Lilly Allen” clip on mammamia because it’s just how we feel about each other and knowing he will get teary
WORST: hearing my youngest tell me how he threw up because he accidently drank dishwashing liquid, which had been placed in a kids juice bottle!? Then, having him tell me it was his own fault for “not thinking and being silly”. Accidents happen, but adults shouldn’t guilt trip a little person.
Best : Spending a week alone with my Wonderful husband. Seeing my Girls after spending the holidays with Nanny and Grandad.
Worst: Realising I haven’t recovered from my illness as well as I thought I had…
Hope life treats us all a little kinder next week.
Worst: having a five minute long epileptic fit – despite being on two mind-numbing medications.
My beautiful fiancé and four-year-old daughter had to hold me down while I had blood streaming down my face (from biting the insides of my cheeks), and I struggled to hit them with my flailing limbs.
And the very worst part: I didn’t even know I was doing it.
Best: Booking a flight for me and my gorgeous girl to get up to Sydney to see my neurologist for treatment.
Best: Getting to spend 4 days alone with my 3 year old son while while my husband and older boys hit the ski slopes. Time alone with him is devine.
Worst: Sleeping in on a work day and having 20 minutes to get ready and get a 3 year old to his destination so I can get to work on time. Is it just me or does everyone’s day turn to crap when this happens?
kateinlondon: sorry to hijack this forum for a personal message, not even sure you’ll get this, but I hear ya! i’m a lucky chick with a 21 month old and plans to try for no.2 (6 months trying so far, but when I used an ovulation kit this month realised we’d been ‘peaking’ too early
and I worry alot that I am not enjoying this as much as I should, as others seem to etc etc. While I get alot of joy out of my gal, I also find it boring alot of the time. I find the best bits of my day is meeting other mums for coffee and walks. I think some of it has to do with starting my family later in life (36) being previously occupied in a good career, and just being the type to get bored easily. Also I second guess myself alot. Sometimes you just need to sit back and remember not many find it easy or fun all the time, that not everyone is that into babies (I know I’m not, but LOVING this stage now) and that you’re no doubt doing a fab job. Definately read that book I mentioned way back on page 2, it’s a reassuring and positive read!
Worst: I’ve really plateued regarding my weightloss and am a little bit discouraged by that.
Best: I learned how to roundhouse kick by doing Tae Bo… not giving up!
Wow. It is so humbling reading all these accounts. It it so comforting to know we’re not alone when going through hard times (not that I want other people to go through hard times…)
Jaz, Jaye, Indi, Bells, NJ, my thoughts, prayers, love and big big hugs are with you.
Alex, where can I find these industrial strength ear plugs??
WORST: Constant worry about friend with depression/anxiety disorder not getting any help or acknowledging she is having panic attacks out of fear. Wishing deeply I could change how she sees herself and knowing of course I can’t. Going through my own particularly bad bout of panic attacks (have had panic disorder for almost 2y).
BEST: Seeing lots of friends, work colleagues and boyfriend, enjoying time off.
Mia,
Thanks for this section.
Worst – fight with my boyfriend after a lovely day together.
Best – hanging out with two close friends tonight.
Worst – feeling so down and confused for the past 5 years as I am always envious of what other people have.
Best – Talking to my Mum about how I’m feeling and realising I have a lot to be happy about and that no ones career/love/monetary/etc. life is always picture perfect.
Another Best – reading everyones best and worst of the week and putting life’s bests and worsts in to perspective. As well as that, proving to me that, as usual, my Mum is always right and I have a lot to be thankful for.
Worst, having a slashing match with Miss Manly, I apologised to her already , I like to apoligise with the rest of the commnity, and also I learned (that even with the best intention) not to tell a person how she should run her relationship,” I must be the daughter from hell”, sorry to you too
Best, lissening to the music my son create this week, for the first time, love to all ooxx
for the ones having tough time I sending you a double hug, and I hope for you that thing will be better soon, ciao
Best: Having WAYO (WA Youth Orchestra) rehearsals all week in preparation for the concert tomorrow. Awesome pieces, awesome people, fun fantastic challenge.
Worst: Realising what a bitch I’ve been to my family all week.
Worst: searching for the ultimate anti-snoring earplugs, thinking I’d found them (special plugs from the US plus a special putty also from the US to seal the entire ear – we’re talking industrial strength snoring here), and then damaging my eardrum by pushing them in too far. I’ve felt lop-sided for days.
Best: I’m an aunty-in-law! My brother-in-law just had a baby girl!
worst – cold mornings
best – sleeping in…
The worst – freaking out about being so close to having another baby. Lying in bed worrying about the breastfeeding, the emotions, the 2 yr old, the operation, the NHS, the sleeping and the fact that I am not really that interested in babies. Drifting off to sleep while worrying and keeping husband awake with 32 week pregnant ’snores like a freight train’. OK, that bit actually made me laugh, can’t really call it a worst. Off to read ‘You Sexy Mother’- thanks!
The best – taking 2 yr old to yum cha after spending all morning at the park. Realising how much better I am with babies when they grow up – maybe I can do this mother thing. Getting excited about leaving work and being able to have some time to ponder what the next career step is going to be.
Lots of love to all those struggling this week. x
I’m so sorry Bells. xx NJ
Worst: My sister telling me that she plans to leave her toddler daughter in the sole care of her abusive partner while she’s in hospital having bub #2 “because he’s her father” (I mean, is this ever a reason? The rhetoric of people in abusive relationships is heartbreaking) and feeling a hugely conflicting mix of fury (that she’d put her daughter at risk); sorrow (that she doesn’t seem to feel she or her children are worth more than this) and confusion (surely I’m not the only one in my family that thinks this is NUTS!? but I’m the only one speaking up about it)… Also sad that I am desperate to help her but just don’t seem to be able to strike the balance between keeping the communication open while not judging her while offering support while not appearing to condone the relationship!! Phew.
my sister’s situation is likely to be on my ‘worst’ list for some weeks or years to come, as it has been for some time now…
Best: Believe it or not, having swine flu. The tamiflu I brought home bought me a precious day on the couch with DVDs (once the cold sweats had stopped I actually enjoyed Bride Wars), husband took the kids out! I highly recommend it! (as long as you don’t have to look after the kids as well obviously!)
Hopee, if I lived where-ever you are, I’d come work for you. I’m a bartender by trade, was a manager for 6 months before giving it the heave-ho. Staff calling in sick at the last minute and no-one else wanting to work is the pits!
Assuming you’d have me that is! xo
Mia, I make a mean G & T
Oh, and a small postscript here…
I just want to say thank you firstly to Mia for running this best and worst weekly.. please don’t stop (I promise I wont write a short story every week). I have no one I can talk to here, I haven’t been living in this town for long, (I mean, I do have people that I can talk to on the phone, but we are all busy…) I cant talk to my partner about how frustrating this situation is either, because he is living it as well, and the last thing he needs is to hear me whining constantly, as he is unbelievably fed up as well. It helps, just this small outlet, I felt good after being able to get all of that stuff off my chest last week.
Secondly, to the Mamamia community.. you people are amazing, there is so much generosity in the support given to each other, it is humbling… And for everyone to open their hearts and lives and to share so generously… well, for all the good and the sad that is shared on this blog, it really is comforting.
or maybe I have been away from civilization for to long??
Oh Hopee, if I lived near you I would come to your pub even though I am not much of a drinker and probably couldn’t manage enough beers to keep you afloat…
No day off in 2 months…my goodness….
Best – After reading last weeks comments and getting a little perspective on my situation (moved to country to manage pub on to find out 7 months later that it has been sold from underneath us etc). I have been saying for a while that I want to get out of the hospitality industry, and now I have my chance. I am applying for jobs that I have always wanted to but didn’t due to low self-esteem/lack of confidence/comfortable in current job. So, thank you, you thoughtless bastards who hired us with the knowledge that you intended on selling the pub so the longterm job we were promised would never eventuate; you just gave me the encouragement I needed! Now, heres my fingers crossed that I get a job!
Worst – Of course, I’m still stressed. My partner and I work 7 days a week (and I’m not just be melodramatic!) I had an optometrist appointment in the city, so we both used it as a reason to have the best part of the day off, and all of the night. Plans were made… shopping, dinner, maybe a movie…. It is an hour travel to the city. I had just had my eye exam, and we got a phone call from work saying that a staff member had called in sick and no one was willing to work. So, no day off. It is only a small thing, but we hadn’t had a day of in maybe two months, and then we only had time off to drive to another city (6 hours round trip) for a meeting with the boss to be told that the pub had been sold etc.
Wow, that was a big story. Sorry.
And, to all the ladies out there who are trying to get pregnant, I am sorry for you all… I have been trying for almost 12 months now, and nothing. It isn’t nice.
worst: getting major surgery and staying in hospital for days with tubes sticking out of me and nurses waking me every hour to check my temperature and blood pressure.
best: realising how many people love me and care about me during my recovery, when all my closest friends came and brought me flowers, cookies and (my favourite!) black jellybeans. oh and my boyfriend visiting me in hospital, where he pretended not be disgusted while watching me throw up all the food my stomach couldn’t tolerate… poor thing!!
Best: making a conscious decision to be more patient and thus not lose my temper so often. Just saying aloud “I don’t want to be angry all the time” has made a huge difference.
Worst: excruciating period pain
Best: Lovely date with a new man on Monday
Worst: having to put down my beloved cat (aged 16) – I didn’t want her to suffer but I miss her so much…
…and the same for you RosieMum. You are not alone.
My best:
Been invited to go shopping and together we discovered this place that offers the best quality shoes at their cheapest!
And: i learnt to play Pool!
My worst:
I don’t remember. It had been a pretty good week on the whole…
Thinking of all the commenters going through hard or sad times.
Best: A toss up between violence and some loving! Having a longggg cuddle on the couch with my mother on Wednesday night just because. And sparring six big guys one after the other at karate tonight and having the opportunity to let go and get a few hits in, as well as build my skills some more.
Worst: My great-grandmother’s second husband passed away on Sunday. They’d been together over 50 years and while I wasn’t very close with him, I am with my Nana, and I feel for her.
Bells…there are no words. We are here for you if you need to talk.
Worst: Finding out I will basically have to sit down until this pregnancy is over (another 14 weeks) due to hips not coping at all (ouch) and painful veins popping out in places where I didn’t even know you could get veins popping out!
Even worse: Feeling guilty that I felt a little bit sorry for myself about this. Am lucky to even be pregnant – it wasn’t a smooth ride to get here, (understatement) but we’re here, and I am grateful.
Best: Miss 2.5 taking my hand, looking into my eyes and saying ‘Whenever we’re apart Mummy, I’ll always be with you’ then whispering, ‘I’ll always be with you’
OK, so she was quoting Winnie the Pooh, but it still worked for me
I’m so sorry NJ and Bells. And Steph and Lee_Melbourne too. Hang in there…
Best: I’m a medical student and have just finished my GP rotation. My GP supervisor said some very nice things, and told me that I’ll be a great doctor. It’s good to receive some positive feedback.
Worst: All the people who come to the doctor with the common cold. I’ve had two colds in 3 weeks because of these idiots. Flu I understand – swine flu (and other flu) is everywhere, and of course they should come to the doctor and get Tamiflu. But the common cold? The symptoms are different. Stay away if you have a cold people!
Worst: Feeling jealous of my gorgeous pregnant friend at work who tried for 12 months and is just now pregnant with IVF. Miscarriage is such an ugly experience and it has made me feel like this. I am so happy for her but just want it to happen for me too.
Best: Going to pick up Miss 2 from my Mum’s and telling her how exhausted I was after the working week, she listened to all my mini-dramas, fed me a homemade scone, then handed me a take-home package of homemade pie so I didn’t have to cook dinner tonight.
Worst – Running out of patience with my 9 year old son. The school holidays have been tough on us!
Best – Discovering Mamamia! Oh and my 17 wk old baby laughing and giggling at me being silly. It is the most beautiful time!
Worst: driving 20 minutes to check on my uncontactable mother, only to find she’s alive and well but just not talking to me at present (except to give me a mouthful on how much I suck as a human being).
Best: My wonderful loving partner telling me how much he loves me at least 5 times a day. I would be lost without him!
Oh, another best, cats that need to wake you up in the middle of the night just to give you a sandpaper kiss
Meant to add – thanks for this Mia, it is a marvellous way to end the week and I really like the way it makes me reflect upon what has happened, rather than just ploughing on with life as usual.
Bells, I am so sorry to hear your worst. Makes mine seem pretty ridiculous by comparison.
BEST: Finding out I’m going to have another little brother/sister. I really wanted it to happen for my stepmum (and for me!) It was the last try on IVF and feels like we’ve finally completed our family
WORST: news like the best outshadows it so you dont realise! Ask me a few days ago and I would of probably given you a list of things silly and not very meaningful- shows the new perspective huh.
Worst: my own almost 3 year old’s tantrum this afternoon, complete with wails of “no Mummy get grumpy!!” when I got fed up with the screaming and yelled at him to get a grip.
Best: our new game of 1-2-3-CUDDLE!! He has been so sweet lately and very cuddly, his 10 month old sister is very much the same – I am so lucky to have such gorgeous and sweet children.
Sending love and support to all those who need it. NJ and Bells…..ugh. I’m so sorry.
Best: spending the evening with my amazing friend who is bringing up two beautiful kids all by herself. She is awesome.
Worst: standing in the shower the next morning, thinking of all the nasty things I could say to her (soon to be ex) husband. He cheated on her, then left her when she was 8 months pregnant with baby number two. Shouldn’t waste my time thinking about such an a**ehole. Makes me sooooo MAD!!!!
Worst: Still not feeling well so keeping my two year old indoors for this week – he is so desperate to get out but I just cannot do it. He then gets destructive and then I get more cranky – not a great week in our household.
Best: Getting to know (online) some of the sweetest, nicest people from the Mamamia community. Although this hasn’t been the best week for many MM readers, it has allowed me to meet or develop better relationships with some really talented, funny people that I am really hoping to meet in real life one day. Thank you for that Mia. Its nice to know there are friends only a click away sometimes
Best- Honestly enjoying the school holidays (mostly!) for the first time ever. My kids are amazing!
Worst- Honestly nothing! That’s a great feeling!
P.S- My Missnearly4 went through was Mia and so many others commented on. If she could see that I was trying to understand her it would help. She can now articulate herself better (and understand me too)and we’re best friends! (her words)
Best: Coming home with a headache after work to my gorgeous boyfriend who tidied our place, cooked a divine dinner, cleaned up the kitchen and just generally looked after me. Bliss!
Worst: Having a difficult conversation with a girl I used to consider my best friend but hasn’t been there when I needed her… sometimes you have to move on but it’s not easy!
Oh and another one which is combined:
Worst: knowing my BFF (interstate) is in terrible pain after the first anniversary of her beloved dad’s unexpected (and possibly avoidable) death.
Best: her phone call on Sat night, while in hysterical tears, that she trusts in me enough to call me like that and just emotionally vomit. We talked for hours, and I am pretty sure I was at least a small amount of help and love for her. Love you Lela.
Worst: Finding out that our builder-mate who did a small job (partial wall removal) for “materials, a meal and a slab” now is charging us $650. Given that it was a removal not a build, I can’t see how a little bit of plaster, re-using cornicing and skirting boards and a few very thin panels of gyprock cost $650. Oh, and the dog throwing up on my bed. Again.
Best: Having a bath with my 2yo son, singing Old MacDonald for about 40 minutes with him heartily joining in, E-I-E-I-Oing, choosing the animals, and making the BEST quacks, roars, woofs and god knows what else. Apparently Old MacDonalds Farm is more like a wildflife park…. It was awesome fun!
BEST: When the two little kids (2 and 3) that I nanny told me they love me. Think I have the best job in the world looking after such cuties.
WORST: Scoffing down a bag of Allen’s raspberry lollies like a bag of chips…. and really enjoying it!
Worst: Miss 2 having a major meltdown yesterday when trying to buy shoes. Mr 3 was being perfect when the sales assistant chimed up with “lucky you didn’t have her first or you wouldn’t of had another”. How’s her form?
Best: Sunday morning when my husband takes the kids and I get a sleep in followed by a big zone out in the Sunday papers.
Best of luck to you Bells and NJ. Never say never.
Worst: Mum almost finding out about my new bf in a way that i would really NOT want her to…she smelt his aftershave on me and i panicked. I would rather tell her than have to sneak.
Best: My mum and new bf getting along at dinner last night, even if to her we are ‘just friends’..ill break the news soon. also, my little weekend away with him. Awesome, excellent fun!
Worst: Getting pulled into slanging match and allowing it to fester for 48 hours
Worst still: Having a seizure that no one can explain whilst home alone with 1 year old
Best: 1 year olds kisses & cuddles & friends, even those you have never met in person.
Sending hugs to those on here that need it xoox
Best: Having a fantastic day at the park with the kids and sharing in their excitment when we took a trip on the tram in the park. It makes me so happy seeing them enjoying such simple things. And of course the glass of wine im sipping at the moment!!!!
Worst: Trying to convince my huband not to take himself off his depression medication and to go to his doctor.
Worst: ‘Snapping’ at my kids on Wednesday, shouting and telling them to “shut up” because I was stressed and they were sick and demanding.
Best: Catching up with a dear old friend and not feeling like she thought I was boring! And having her describe my children as ‘delightful’ was the icing on the cake.
Best: Finding out a good friend is pregnant on her 5th IVF attempt. So happy for her!
Worst: Myself & 2 year old daughter both sick with a horrid flu but still having to go to work because I’m in the middle of an important project. Would much prefer to just curl up with my little girl & watch Dora.
Best: A trip to the Gold Coast, courtesy of my boyfriend on Monday in a 5 star spa retreat at the Marriott. Wet’n'Wild, here we come!
Worst: After 3 months of dealing with Centrelink rejecting me for youth allowance based on errors on THEIR part, finding out that they have paid the back-pay I’m entitled to into SOMEONE ELSE’S account.
Best: sitting here on my couch on a Friday evening, watching Masterchef with my husband, my beautiful girl snuffling and sighing and snoring on the monitor, party pies in the oven and a glass of bubbly on the way. We three are safe and happy and together and alive.
Worst: never quite banishing that sadness at the knowledge that our lives will one day end and I won’t be with my beloved family anymore.
Beautifully put Cerry. What’s the saying…? “(feels like) only the bogans are breeding” (generally speaking). Brackets added to generalise things and make them polically correct.
Bells: my thoughts go out to you. xx
Worst- locking my keys in my car with a hundred bucks worthn of groceries inside the boot. Causing a blackout while cooking dinner. A parking fine for staying 10 minutes over the allocated parking time. Finding out I’ve been ripped off at work by them not paying the correct award wage. Discovering I will have to PAY tax this year because of my stupid HECS debt.
Best- having 5 days of holidays and getting a small sleep in. Finding out I’ve been ripped off by my employer who wasn’t pay the correct award wage and them having to backpay me. Seeing French and Saunders LIVE!
Another best: Seeing the support readers of Mamamia give to each other… Example – see above
x
What a lovely way to end the week…thanks Ellie and Cerry xox
…and Bells, sending out lots of love to you xx
Bells, I can’t imagine how much that must suck. It’s really crap that things like that happen to nice people, when complete asswipes can have as many kids as they want. I’m sending positive vibes your way.
Best: i had a great work lunch/afternoon for NAIDOC week today.
Worst: We were told there’s no hope for us with IVF. I don’t even know how to express how I feel about that yet.
Oh, I have another best. Amanda (Bugmum)’s post on her blog about the 9 things I can’t live without. She said the nicest things about me, and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy.
BEST: discovering that Madonna is playing live in Belgrade the night i’m there for the thrifty cost of 30 euro! Bargain no? And just in general feeling happy and satified with life.
WORST: the fast approaching leaving date of my 7 month europe trip and feeling rather jittery about money matters. rather small considering the lovely rest of the week!
Best, learning that someone damaged Sam Newman’s car and worst, learning it was only his car.
I need another best – being asked if I am my teenage sons sister – Awesome – it made my day
Worst – Having my Sister in law a SAHM of 3 (under 4yrs) tell me, a working mum of 2, that people who go back to work after having kids shouldn’t have kids at all – “Why do they have them if they don’t want to raise them”
Best – Looking at how feral my sister in laws kids are compared to mine & knowing that being a good parent has more to do with how you spend your time together as opposed to just being at home together.
Worst: Being in the shower with shampoo in my hair, when toddler announced she needed to do poo. Then running naked and cold with shampoo in my hair around the house cleaning up a poo trail all the way to the loo…gross and cold.
Best: Looking forward with glee to a luxury weekend away next week (thats gratis) with babysitting by grandparents….I cannot articulate how exciting that is sufficiently…to everyone- very mummycentric but thats life at mo.
Worst: everyone in the family sick this week (except me), meaning I have been home looking after cranky kids who insist on fighting for my attention when I really really needed to be at work for at least part of the time.
Best: delicious homemade lemon cupcakes and banana bread have been lifesavers and have resulted in smiles even on sick little faces at different times during the week.
Worst: desperately wanting to end catch up on my list of must-dos at work … and not getting there. Juggling too many things at once and being overcome by stress.
Best: looking forward to Friday night, start of my free weekend, snuggling with some movies on the couch. Need to refresh my mind to go back to work on Monday reinvigorated and able to tackle everything!!
Best: My housemate/best friend getting back from his Melbourne trip. It was so nice just to cook together and hang out again.
Worst: Realizing that in the next 5 days I have 3 performances (and need to wash my costume each time), family coming to visit (so I need to change the sheets), packing to do despite my non-performing night being filled with a concert I’m going to. And only $100 to make it all come together. And the nagging wish to find someone who wants my babies, instead of another otherwise perfect person who has no interest in them!
Little stuff, but I tend to do fairly well when busy. It’s when things get dull I get frustrated.
Worst – getting on a plane home leaving behind some of my dearest and most loved friends, who are family really, not just friends, and not being able to be there for sister and friend at a very sad time.
Best – seeing the look on my son’s face and hearing him say “we’re home” when we finally got in the door…
also – to all of you trying to get pregnant, I have been there – hang in there, you are not alone.
Best: introducing my cat to a three year old toddler. Barbra is usually very snobby towards people, but she was intrigued by Matt – and even let him pat her! A beautiful moment!
Worst: (Saddest, really) Seeing Paris Jackson sobbing after she paid tribute to her father. I lost my dad when I was her age, and recognised the full extent of what was in her face.
Best: seeing the week by week progress of my little boy in regards to his speech therapy. Sounds he was having trouble with only a couple of weeks ago are second nature to him now. So proud of him.
And a little superficial one – am loving JJJ’s hottest 100 of all time
Worst: Allowing my anger to get the better of me and to get caught up in something that in the scheme of things – matters NOT. And realising (yet again) that my darling 1 year old has inherited my temper.
best: finding out my son may not need speech therapy for his stutter
worst: feeling anxious about my son possibly needing speech therapy and then feeling guilty about feeling anxious bacause things could always be worse
I do like the reflection that this topic brings. To start with, I wasn’t going to comment, because I figured that nothing interesting had happened this week. But then, once I started thinking…
Best: Being appreciated by a friend, who told me that things I do, “mean the world to her”.
Worst: This isn’t an incident as such… a growing feeling of negativity; feeling more antisocial, acopic and contradictory. It’s hard to put words to….
Lee-Melbourne: I hear you! I’m also hoping that will be my ‘best’ one day too.
Amanda(bugmum): It’s good to see back! Have missed your sage comments. Hope your family is well soon.
Best – Bub finally taking a bottle of expressed breastmilk! I can smell the sweet smell of freedom!
Worst – didn’t lose weight despite no chocolate for 3 weeks! Bugger…
worst – starting working at a new centre who does not adhere to the correct ratios – leaving me alone with 18 three-five year olds [nsw ratio is 1:10].
best – discussing with my boyfriend all the things we want to do together when i finish uni – buy our house is the one we talk about most.
Best: Getting home on Monday night to a spotless house, a casserole on the stove, and my gorgeous, smiling husband.
Worst: being 8 months pregnant and so anxious about how we will survive on one income when I go on maternity leave – I’m sure lots of you have experienced this one!
Worst: cleaning up an incontinent old man after he had pooed in his bed.
Best: having him look up at me with such a look of appreciation and say thank you.
Corny and gross but thats nursing.
Can I have another best, please! Am really proud of myself for losing 5kg!
Yes, shallow, I know, but still happy! 
Added benefit from reducing dairy and sugar intake is that my PMS moodswings are barely existent.
Best : Dinner and vino last night at a yummy restaurant with an old friend. So many laughs.
Worst: friend diagnosed with cancer which we think has already spread to other organs. We have everything crossed for him
Best: spending some lovely time with my kids esp. Mr 5 on school holidays. Not worrying about work for a change and just enjoying them.
Worst: losing Mr 2 at the shops on saturday for at least 5 minutes. I found him at the service desk and burst into tears.
Worst – Vomiting child at 4am. He went back to sleep, we didn’t!
Best – Same child got reading glasses this week, and his reading and writing has improved by months in a matter of two days! So proud of my little boyo!
Best: Finding my dream engagement ring, putting said ring on hold, now soon to be resized. Also I haven’t been able to sleep till late at night because I can’t stop smiling – missing hours of needed rest is so worth it when you’re too happy to sleep.
Worst: Having the best week and then, walking to the bus stop from work today, tripping on a huge rock on the way, falling, cutting open my knee and either spraining or twisting my ankle (yet to be determined). Then slumped on dirty ground in white skirt as I sobbed to partner who was too far away to come pick me up then spending the rest of my meager pay on taxi home because I can’t walk.
Worst: I was having trouble trying to decide what worst was, but reading yours helped Mia. I too am having trouble with my 3yo. We didn’t even go through terrible twos, he has been generally a pretty good boy, no tantrums, listens most of the time etc. But lately he has been slowly getting worse, and I haven’t known how to deal with it apart from yelling at him, which makes him and me feel worse. So, I think not being able to handle this change as I would have liked to would be the worst. I want to be one of those mothers that never yells at their children, at least not unless they’ve done something REALLY bad. I used to see mums yelling at their children all the time and think “bitch, I’m never going to be like that”. But today I found myself doing just that, and thinking “bitch, you said you’d never be like this. NOW look at you! Huh? Huh?”
Best: Real Magazine getting mentioned on Girl With A Satchel. And starting my new uni course.
Worst: Both of my girls are down with the flu today. My almost 6 year old wants to be cuddled. But my little 1 year old would not give her the chance, she just wants to be held all the time. Good thing she’s not that heavy.
Best: I don’t have to cook dinner tonight. I’ll just order some Thai. Yay!
Worst: Having an argument with my parents, then leaving to go home straight after. Never a good idea to leave on such bad terms. Ever. And a couple of really bad low’s due to depression.
Best: I have been finding out more about who I am, what inspires me and what I want to achieve in life. Helplessness and hopelessness slowly starting to to subside.
Best: Signing for my first home with my hubby – we move in next week
Worst: Wondering what I’m doing in my job because the boss doesn’t want to talk to me face-to-face and I’m getting so bored regularly. Not the worst that could happen but anyway…
Worst – My 3.5yo levering off keys 9 and 0 from my laptop keyboard. No.9 has been rescued and reinstated but no.0 is MIA. Possibly eaten!
Best – 7 month old learning to roll over while rest of family stand by and cheer.
Best: Knowing that my partner has not only still got his job, but a pay rise! And the lease finally being over on my old house, so we can start to save money to buy our own place.
Worst: Getting annoyed with my partner over little things (even though he couldn’t be anymore thoughtful and understanding), just because I’m stressed.
Worst: Suspecting that my 2 year old is about to drop her daytime nap – 2 MONTHS before baby #2 is due…aaagghhhh!!
Best: Getting my PhD, with rave reviews from the examiners!!!! (only took 5 years!)
My worst is miniscule…finding out just now I’m required for Jury service on Monday… and after spending the week on the treadmill, eating right, and working out etc…I only lost 200 grams WTF?
My best, knowing that if that’s the worst thing that’s happened to me this week, then I aint doin’ all that bad.
Worst – I was using another girl’s computer at work for the day, and received an email meant for her which was about me, describing me as a “dumb blonde” along with other derogatory remarks about my appearance – was a massive blow to my self-esteem! I was so upset.
Best – getting a high disinction in medical law at uni and knowing I am not a dumb blonde! Also, after chatting with my friends, realising that a 55 year old woman who sends bitchy emails at work about a part-time uni student is obviously incredibly immature and not someone whose poisonous opinions I should let affect me
Worst: Having crippling anxiety about the possibility that we will never have another child, having “tried” for 16 months. Worried that my beautiful 3 year old son wont have a brother or sister to share things with and feeling guilty for not being able to give him that.
Best: Making the firm decision with my husband to have a seachange for our family and taking the positive steps to do so…house on the market, mortgage pre-approval etc. Knowing that fresh air, space and financial stability lie ahead! And hopefully a pregnancy!!!!!!!
Worst: My 2 1/2 year old daughter tripping and hitting her head on her brother’s bed and having a massive egg sized lump and bruise (could have been worse though).
Best: My nearly five year old son tapping me on the arm and saying “I love you mummy” as we were on the tram on the way to see “Ice Age 3″.
OK really simple but:
Worst: Getting called into the kindys version of the “principals” office to tell me 2 year old is off the richter for badness on Tuesday. Good, great thanks, we’ll work on that.
Best: Laughing at work over stupid stuff. Stuff as gay as it sounds, you had to be there, to get.
worst: cant pinpoint one worst, pretty shit week all round.
best: workaholic hubby just rang (4.30pm on a Friday arvo) to say he’s on his way home. Unheard of, and no he hasnt lost his job!
Some lighthearted ones this week
Worst: just got dog poo stuck in pram tyres. And on son’s only pair of shoes
Best: got a girl’s weekend in city to look forward to. Woo hoo!
Worst: Being stuck at home most of the week with my sick 5 year old daughter (she’s better now) and 2 year old son. I lost the plot a couple of times so I was scary Mummy.
Best: Grandparents are taking the kids for the weekend!!!!
WORST: Realising I played a role in aforementioned slanging match. Very ashamed of myself. Enough said.
BEST: Every single moment with my 19 month old. She was born at an extremely difficult time in my life, and she has brought unbelievable joy to everyone in my family. Even when she’s a cheeky monster, she’s adorable (which does not augur well for my ability to discipline her).
She lays her head on my shoulder, says “I lub you Mama”, grabs my nose, and all is okay with the world.
Worst: Getting a phone call from my mum on Wednesday that my Pop had passed away. Unfortunately he couldn’t hold on for my wedding which is only a couple of months away.
Best: Curling up with my puppy who I know could sense that I was upset and has barely left my side over the last couple of days.
Worst: Losing my shit at the newsagent when my four year old stamped her foot and had a hissy fit over my refusal to buy her anything else. I shouted at her in the shop, and was immediately embarrassed for both of us because I couldn’t decide who looked like the bigger brat. Next time I will exhale, frogmarch her out of the shop in silence and then beat her senseless in the privacy of our car (only joking!!).
Best: Celebrating 19 years of togetherness with my gorgeous hubby over yellow box tacos and Moet while watching Masterchef. We’re first class all the way…
best: having my mum here for my birthday, and to support me in my ‘win for the little guys’.
worst: spending way too much time inside my own head, wondering if i’m wasting my life.
Best: Going out on a date with a sweet guy
Worst: Not hearing back from him since *sigh*
Worst part of the week was the purchase of our new house not settling.
The best part was resigning from a soul destroying job to go out into the unknown!
Worst – A tie:
- finding out on Wednesday that I should have submitted an assignment on Monday. I got no sleep that night between trying to get it done and having freak-outs that I was going to fail my course. Then, as I am prone to do, that freak-out about my assignment turned into a freak-out about my life in general and I ended up feeling like a failure.
- realising that I had thrown out the earrings my friend had given me when I was bridesmaid for her. Not only were the earrings of sentimental value but I had really liked them!
Best – it may sound insignificant in the scheme of things but I have really savoured my food this week, whether it be a casserole, apple and berry crumble and bottle of wine shared with friends, home-made bircher muesli each morning (makes getting up in the morning worthwhile), tuna and sweet potato cakes that turned out well, or a burger and fries after a drunken night.
Best: cuddling my 3 month old grandson, and having him smile and ‘talk’ at me.
Worst: Monday morning getting out of bed.
All in all, I figure if that is the worst I can come up with to 4.40 on a Friday afternoon, I have had an exceptional week.
WORST
Can I have two?
Firstly, being in hospital with my baby girl for 11 days (and counting) with severe bronchiolitis. Consequently, being in this awful place instead of home for my big girl’s birthday; and having to cancel holidays – both for the second year running.
Secondly, that ONCE AGAIN the nasty fights on here over the past couple of weeks are making many commenters’ “worst” pick. I love this website. I think of the people who comment regularly as a little community. so, to see that usual environment of thoughtful debate disintegrate into infantile and personal insults made me very, very sad…for Mia and for all of us. Let’s try to play nicer this week, eh?
BEST
Hub doing the night shift on Wednesday night so I could sleep at home after 8 nights at the hospital; read my big girl stories and put her to bed; have a couple of glasses of chardy on the couch while watching Masterchef; and have big early morning cuddles with my beautiful girl before having to return to her little sister’s bedside…
…then having a little bedside birthday party for her this morning and seeing all the smiles on people’s faces as she strode through the hospital foyer clad in her Tinkerbell outfit and black converse sneakers; my hand in one of hers’ and a huge Dora helium balloon in the other.
It’s the simple things…
p.s. I see your ducks and raise you 12 peacocks (there WERE 2, then 8, then…) A tribe of them like to roam the neighbourhood and, unfortunately, leave rather large ‘calling cards’ on the front porch…
Worst: didn’t have one until I read Harvey’s tagline entry… hmmm, me thinks someone had a bad week, but please do not direct your anger/dissatisfaction/whatever emotion to innocent people.
[HARVEY'S COMMENT HAS BEEN DELETED - MIA]
Best: Having my sister inform me that the shop that we were in was taking a further 50% off sale items and then scoring myself the hottest pair of Gold Siren Booties for 40 bucks!!!! Oh and said shop was Sheridan Shoes in Town Hall Square for those that want to know
Best: Spending time with my cousin, who’s just come back into town after 6 months overseas. We’ve never spent heaps of time with that part of the family, and it’s fun getting to know her.
Worst: Having to give my puppy a bath this morning. Not a fun experience, because she doesn’t like baths, so cries while trying to escape, but she sat in her own poop, so the bath was necessary.
Best: My 21 month old just pointed at the heavens and said tree, then pointed at her guacamole and said ‘Poppys’, and we realised she was remembering that last week she helped her Poppy pick avocados, and put two and two together. Sharp little minx, painful at times, but cute as well
Oh and this week she’s statred saying ‘Happy’ when she is, so adorable.
Worst: waking on a wet Wednesday morning, with nothing much planned apart from hanging out with afore mentioned minx, and wondering if I’m really cut out for this, and if I am really capable of doing it all again for no. 2 – just self doubts I guess. Missing some of my old life. But anyone else in this situation I totally recommend reading ‘You Sexy Mother’ – at times like this I need the reminder it’s a very tough job, but a privilege too. Anyway even with all this positivity it was still my hardest moment this week (and most weeks)!
BEST: Decided to buy a puppy – he arrives in just a few weeks!
WORST: Someone stole the hubcaps off my car, how rude.
Best: Starting a regular work out routine for the first time in my life
Worst: Having my sleeping pattern stuff up completely and finding it really hard to fix
Worse – being phoned by my daughter’s school to come and pick her up at lunch time because she was sick. Being at work and feeling guilty about how to manage things. Having a strong suspicion that her unwell feeling was actually an anxiety attack – she hates getting the bus home. Feeling judged by the school secretary who doubted my explanation and wanted me there to pick her up asap.
Best – leaving work, getting to school, chatting with my daughter and confirming she was feeling sick in the stomach about getting the bus. Feeling a bit vindicated and using the opportunity to get the bus home with her to face her fears. Being told by my daughter that I am the “best mum in the world” and being given a hand made card to that effect
Worst: Having my sister and her boyfriend over for dinner last Friday and having to sit there and smile while she gushed about the new leather jacket and Tiffany bracelet he’d just bought her, as well as their recent romantic trip away AND the fact that they both got promotions and pay rises during the week (& his was very significant – like 50K). After they left I cried and cried. (& then I felt guilty for being so superficial and cried some more about what a bad person I am)
Best: My sweet boyfriend buying me flowers the next day (he thought the tears were over something he’d done!) Then he played host (cleaning up and refilling coffees etc) when my girlfriends came over for afternoon tea so I could just sit, relax and chat with them.
Best of the best: Realising that there are more important things in life than money.
best: mum helping me to wean baby onto bottle after weeks of trying (and crying)
worst: baby on bottle now (for my return to work) I will cry for the missed bonding – they grow so fast
Best: Dinner for my husband’s birthday and seeing my 2 year old eat a curry for the first time. She wasn’t a huge fan, but her face and all the water drinking was priceless.
Worst: Finding out I wasn’t pregnant anymore on my husband’s said birthday. Crap.
Worst: Reading the very ugly debate that happened a few days ago. Maybe this indicates I have no life that this is the worst thing to happen, but oh well. I didn’t take any part in it, I wasn’t watching it or anything. But I read the comments and felt like I’d been slapped, even though I hadn’t had any part in them. It was an incredibly nasty shock that showed that no matter what choice I make when I have children, I’m never going to win. I will always be judged and vilified, no matter what I do. That was REALLY upsetting, caused an unfortunate lack of sleep, and for the first time made me question whether I wanted to keep coming back to Mamamia. Nothing against you, Mia – it’s nothing to do with you. You do a bang-up job. But… what can I say? It gave me an unpleasant dose of reality a long time before I really wanted to deal with it.
Best: Planning my 21st birthday with my mother, who is going a bit overboard with it, but it’s nice. Also preparing for her birthday next week, which is always loads of fun – we go out and have lunch, have facials together, go to a movie, go shopping… it’s great. Also, getting good marks in a subject at uni I love and had a very scary and intimidating lecturer as my marker. Woo!
Best- the chance to win a digital camera, as I don’t have one.
Worst- seeing Mamamia degenerating into a slanging match.
Love this – the ‘bests’ bring a smile to my face and the ‘worsts’ really puts my worsts into perspective and make me realise how lucky I really am!
Best: Had a great week of healthier eating and more excercise. Made me feel positive about the future and proud of myself!
Worst: Still working on getting a job after being made redundant nearly 4 months ago…
Worst: Like Mia, having my middle 3 year old child so upset at times, and really tough to negotiate with. Worst moment, having him hysterical about puting his books back on the shelf after I had packed them. He is feeling unsettled and unsure about our upcoming move away from the only house he has ever know.
Best: Signing off on the paper work for our first house. In 3 weeks time, my husband and I and our three gorgeous boys will move into our first house in the country and by the sea.
Worst: Taking my husband to see a GP because he has a man-cold. My husband takes off his shirt and the GP does a quick mole check while we are there. The GP asks my husband if he has any moles ‘down below’ (meaning the area covered by his jeans). My husband replies…..wait for it….”just her” pointing to me!
Best: Realising I actually have a quick witted husband even if the jokes are sometimes at my expense!
Oh and hearing my six year old call Foxtel “foxtail” – love it! Will never correct him.
Best: I’m having dinner with my sister tonight and her new man. Her husband died a few years ago and I’m so glad she’s found happiness with someone.
Worst: Not being pregnant. Again. Months have turned into years now. But I believe that one day on a Friday my ‘best’ will be a pregnancy. I’m not giving up!
Best: may have just scored an interview with an america rock star!!! and its only for my school paper
im very excited, she is touring Australia near the end of the year and i have been a huge fan for years!
Worst: My jaw locked while i was trying to sleep, and i panicked. I ended up getting all dizzy and sick and collapsed a few times before throwing up in the toilet…that was an experience
Now i am too scared to sleep because my jaw stil lclicks