Best/Worst

BEST:

I managed to get away for a couple of days.  Remy and I went down to my parents' beach house to spend some time with them before they travel overseas.  Not only was it good to spend some solo time with Remy to work out her tired and hunger signs, but it was also good to be with my parents.  Sometimes when you become a parent yourself, you lose sight of the relationship you once had with your parents - without children around (particularly those children that can talk and walk!).  Maybe parents feels a little replaced, or disconnected? I think it's still like nurturing an important friendship. 

WORST:

Not all will understand my worst for this week ... my 750ml water bottle leaked in my Crumpler.  Not only this, but it wet my entire diary and writing book.  Everything was wet, wet, wet.  My pages are smudged and crinkled.  My writing book practically snapped in half and I had to buy another one.  My love of stationery is altogether something else - really!

What were your best/worst for the week?  Gaining insight into each others' worlds helps us to understand one another better.  I love reading them! xo

Motherhood

Many of us don't really get the time to reflect on who we are, and what we have become, until we take  time off work to look after our bubs.  

I know that I'm personally loving my 12 months.  I have NEVER taken time off like this before.  Once I had finished secondary school I went straight to university and then straight into my first job.  I then went back to university as an adult and also worked part time.  When I had my first child I only took two months off work.  Now we can afford for me to take time off - and my head space is much better with baby number two. 

This year already I have started working through my 35 List and am feeling a great sense of achievement.  Most importantly, I have started my issues-based blog (www.thewordhamper.blogspot.com), which I had been banging on about for years!  The time has also made me reflect on how much energy and time with give to our occupations.  This is certainly something I'm going to explore further throughout the year.  I need plans in place so that I find a comfortable meeting ground between work and my personal life.

Anyway, enough about me ... my friend, Al, is also on maternity leave (we live five minutes away from one another!).  She loves to sew and this time at home has given her the opportunity to explore, create and make some gorgeous pieces.  I'm far from keen on sewing - or even okay at it - so I always marvel at how others can create their pieces of work.

Here are some pictures of Al's latest creation - bibs with terry towelling on the other side so that you can wet the bib and wipe the bub's face clean after the feed.  All in the one bib.  Such a great idea!  Watch out 'The New Inventors'!

What do you think?

Best/Worst

ME! - In the car alone and pumping the beats.

BEST

This week's 'best' was definitely hitting another number on my 35 List - starting my new social/issues based website.  There is no way I could have done this without the constant assistance and technological know-how from my buddy, Alison.  The idea of the new blog is to present to the internet audience one issue a week.  This issue is written up in such a way that all can understand its content.  The aim at the end of each posting is to encourage discussion - with no judgement on each others' comments.  I love doing the research, reading and writing into each issue - I'm a bit of junkie when it comes to news, news and news.  It would be greatly appreciated for all those that follow/look at this blog to have a look also at the issues-based blog.  I need the support and encouragement to keep going because I have no idea where it will lead me.  Check it out at www.thewordhamper.blogspot.com

WORST

Across the road from my house is an Aboriginal family.  I haven't had much to do with Aboriginal people and have never really fully comprehended the gap between the native people of Australia and 'white fellas' - in a practical sense that is.  In this three bedroom house are two parents and eight children.  One child in particular grabs at my heart strings.  She is about 11 years old and every morning when I go outside she also comes outside.  She is always in her school uniform - ready to start the day - but I never see her go to school.  Her mother simply doesn't take her - in fact she doesn't take any of the children.  There just doesn't seem the emphasis towards education and I now see the media and politicians' push to narrow this divide between the cultures - not that I necessarily think either are using the right policies.  Last week I really started to make an effort with this little girl.  I now talk to her and encourage Amaya to also talk to her.  I'm even thinking of asking her mum if I can take her to school because she clearly wants to - and needs to - attend.  But what I really want to do is to make her all mine. 



What were your best/worst for the week?

We have a Smile! :)

This little poppet is starting to really smile and it makes my heart melt every time.  Love you Remy. xo

Best/Worst

This week's insight into my existence:

Best:

We spent the weekend down at my parents' house beside the beach.  The best part of this trip was playing 'What's the Time Mr Wolf' and 'Duck, Duck, Goose' with my nieces, nephew and Amaya.  We had so much fun and Amaya had us in hysterics with all her little antics - and bossiness mind you.  The rules seemed to change from minute to minute - particularly when it was her turn.

Worst:

Feels like I have a little cry once a week ... but, this week's worst was when my precious Amaya woke up on the Saturday night screaming and crying.  She complained that her legs were hurting as she was thrashing around in her bed.  It took a bit to console her and sooth her back to sleep.  My heart ached for her knowing full well her pain.  Luckily it was dark and she couldn't see the tears streaming down my face. xo

What were your best/worst for the week?

Best/Worst

The 'Best/Worst' entries are an opportunity for all of us to have a glimpse into each others' worlds.  Once upon a time, people dropped in for cups of tea, rang each other on the landline, hand wrote letters, and were much more available for one another in a physical sense.  My blog is a new form of communication for all.

Please leave your best/worst for the week.  Here are mine:

Best:

On two occasions I had the opportunity to rest and relax in our new therapeutic spa bath.  I know that it is a luxury item, but it was worth the wait and the money.  There is nothing like lying back with a good read, a cold drink and the jets massaging my weary body - without a three year old wanting to hop in with me!  

Worst:

On Thursday, Luke had the chop.  Yes ladies and gentlemen, Luke had a vasectomy.  He is one brave man and certainly seems to be in the minority.  I will be forever grateful for Luke's decision and I know that he has done it also as a means to protect me from the woes of my condition if we were to accidentally fall pregnant again.  So why do you ask, is it a 'worst' for me this week?  You all know how much I would love to have more children, but my condition makes this a challenging task for me.  In fact, if I were to fall pregnant again I really don't know if I could be a very good mother.  The constant pain would be debilitating and I would find it very difficult to keep on top of our active lifestyle.  Luke having the chop meant that having another baby was really over.  This, within itself, is a grief process for me and one that has brought me to tears on many occasions.

March Favourite

I know that it's not winter ... yet ... but I've already picked up my winter boots for the fashion season ahead.  I usually buy your classic black knee high boots - but not this year.  My boots this season are Pinkerton, low calf gumboot-like blue boots.  We've had a couple of rainy days and on I popped my boots.  They are super comfortable and can be worn with anything.  I'm set for the cold and rainy Melbourne winter.