Thursday 28 February 2013

Group Emails




Pics courtesy of a group email "Weird and Wild Photos" - source unknown

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Terrorist Negotiations


"You know, this whole camouflage thing, for me, doesn’t work really well....Because if you go in the jungle, I can’t see you. You know, it’s like wearing stripes and plaid. For me, I want to do something different. You go in the jungle, make a statement. If you’re going to fight, clash. You know what I mean? "

Robin Williams, Good Morning Vietnam


Having a toddler is pure psychological warfare. No lie. This past week I have been reduced to tears almost every day as our boy engages me in a full-frontal battle of will.

I am a pretty straight up person. I like to confront my issues head on and am happy to talk about anything at anytime - lay your cards on the table and know where you stand. It is only now that it has become clear to me that with a toddler you can't just chew the fat and say it like it is over a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, or a bottle of milk. It is a war dance. A very lonely solo dance that I am really just mildly guessing the steps to.

I know that our Son is about to experience his first surge of testosterone. 
He is asserting his new found independence and is frustrated as he can't express his emotions verbally, so has to chuck a tantrum - this I get. I am fully aware that he is pissy at me because I am the one who dumps him at daycare two days a week so I can work from home. I realise that he wants to only be with fun man Dad who is at work most days and comes home when it is time to rumble before bed. The control freak in me is aware that I have to just let things go (obviously to a point). And I know not to take it personally, and should appreciate the time out that I get when he prefers his Father as a playmate. But it is heartbreaking, and I am navigating my way out of this minefield blindfolded, trying not to scar him emotionally. Dig deep. Find strength. Poker face. I would make a really bad POW. 

Sunday 10 February 2013

Country Cook Off



I have just about completed my gluten-free, dairy-free, red meat-free, fun-free cleanse. I have to confess I took a night off in the middle, just when I was starting to feel energised. It has been said that if you do anything for three days it breaks a habit. That point was about when the anger and headaches dissipated and the feel-good set in. I was no longer hungry due to the ant sized portions provided, so I messed with it by drinking wine and eating cheese. I felt no guilt, just jumped back on the wagon, and I can say that the Dietlicious program is a winner for me.

Whenever I am doing some sort of cleanse I find it really therapeutic to go through recipe books and get inspired to make new dishes for myself, my partner and our son. Drooling over the pictures of food I am missing out on sadistically helps ease the suffering. If I can't eat it then I can at least bloody well cook it. In our kitchen I came across an old folder that I made for my Mum when I was younger. I have collected all of her hand-written recipes, some her friends passed on to her, as well as ones I have put aside over the years to cook someday when I was Domestic Goddess in my grown up kitchen. I am confident in that I will never be wired to be that image of domestic bliss I had in my head, however, I am now on a mission to attempt each and every one of the dishes each week 
to expand my very limited culinary repertoire. Except the Pumpkin, Apple and Scallop Soup. Oh, and the Soupe Aux Broutes (Spring Cabbage Soup). I don't have the origins of most recipes so apologies ahead of time for plagiarism. Country Women's Association eat your heart out.