Friends are Forever.......



When my eldest daughter started school I was nervous. Nervous about her making new friends, nervous about making friends myself. I don't socialise effortlessly and easily like some people do. I always feel self conscious, like I'm going to say or do something wrong, like everyone is staring at me and thinking 'What an idiot'.

After a while, I started to see the same girls (ladies really, but to make us all feel young and hip I'm going to say girls) everyday. We would chat at school drop off and pick up and then we started meeting each other for coffee, shopping and birthday parties. My insecurities slipped away, I was part of a group....and a wonderful group at that. The BBQ's started, the social gatherings. We could count on each other to take care of each others kids and to pick up  the pieces when our lives went wrong. New babies arrived and they would fit in amongst the group, the children, the husbands and us girls.

Women make wonderful friends. We love and laugh big. We give it our all, we care. Our hearts are permanently on our sleeves.

Then, we found out that one of us has to leave. To start a new life somewhere else...a long way away. We know that she'll be back, her and her wonderful family, but for a while there will be a space, just waiting for her, for when she comes back.

Last weekend we said goodbye. Not in a crying, hugging kind of way. We escaped....just us girls....on a weekend getaway. We said goodbye with laughter, love and fun. We said goodbye while cracking jokes, eating tonnes of food and relaxing.

So, to our dear and darling friend. We wish you all the best, we wish you happiness and health in your new home. And we'll all be here, waiting for your return.

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The make everything better fairy.

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I have a fairy. No, really I do. She's the 'Make everything better fairy'. Unfortunately for the poor dear I rely on her quite a lot to wave her magic wand and fix all the problems in my little world......

Feeling unappreciated?
Children being ratbags?
Overworked?
Underpaid?
Deprived of sleep?
Grumpy spouse?
Squashed under the massive load of unfolded washing?
Isolated?
Lonely?
Deprived of Internet access?

Just pay a visit to said fairy and the day will seem brighter, the worries will melt away and you can face the world again.

Now, the 'Make everything better fairy' is in great demand. Seems that her reputation for fixing things has become widely known. There are others in far greater need than I. But somehow my fairy has time for everyone.

Sometimes I wonder, 'Who makes everything better for my fairy?' Should I pull out my magic wand, dust it off and attempt to wave it in her direction? Isn't it only fair that after years of her fixing everything for me that I should reciprocate?

So, I'm pulling out my 'How to be a better fairy' book, I've found my wand and I'm dusting up my skills. Because one day, my fairy friend, when you need me, I'm going to be there for you too.

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All Worn Out!

"The one thing children wear out faster than shoes is parents"


I am totally and utterly exhausted. This afternoon, when we got home from a fun but busy outing, I curled up on the couch with a cup of tea and a sinful slab of caramel slice and enjoyed a moment (albeit brief) of relative peace and quiet.

How can four children be so draining? Surely, a grown mature (!?) woman like myself can handle a day of the constant demands and shenanigans of a handful of kids? I'm in charge....I'm in control.......therefore I should easily manage any situation thrown at me.

So I chased Miss Tornado Two endlessly, I constantly reminded Mr 5 to stay out of trouble, Miss 8 asked for things on a continuous basis and Mr 10 was in a bit of a 'mood'.

By the end of the day I was shattered. Hubby was busy at work, so it was all up to me ( and my friends who stepped in when I needed it - thanks!)

Usually, I'm not so perturbed. Usually, I take it all in my stride, but sometimes the constant demands get to me.....and I want a little time to myself...or to sit in chat without an interruption....or to go to the loo without a visitor.....or to sleep at night without a little body wrapped around me.

They're lovely....really they are, but today I'm worn out....like an old pair of shoes.

Image from weheartit.com