Monthly Archives: May 2016
Operation: Borneo – RRSAHM
Operation: Borneo
Every time I remember that I’m going overseas in less than one months time, I panic slightly. I am not ready for this. As usual, I’m disorganized, not really sure what I’m doing, and running just that little bit late.
Yesterday I got four needles, two in each arm. It seems trekking into Borneo requires vaccinations for typhoid and rabies (two shots down, another one to go); as well as boosters for tetanus, MMR and hepatitis (one blood test to see if I need them- I did- and one hep shot done, two to follow). And there’s malaria tablets to be taken, too.
I’m on my third course of antibiotics to ensure my burst eardrum is well and truly healed before I get on an international flight; and I’m taking a ‘practice’ flight domestically in a week, just to make sure I’ll be okay.
My mum, being worried about me, as mothers generally are, has managed to make me a million kinds of paranoid about getting sick while I’m overseas (in a country where I don’t speak the language and the medical care is probably not quite what I’m used to… fair call). With that in mind, I’ve taken it on myself to get all health-kicky. Water, good food, walking four kilometres whenever I find a spare child-free hour.
Passport photos. Flattering.
I’ve (finally) gotten my passport and the photo is traditionally awful. Thanks to a reader of mine name Lisa, I have a comprehensive packing list of everything I should take (such a huge thank you to you, Lisa). I’m using Lisa’s list as a master spreadsheet and adding the gear I’ll specifically need for this trip.
I don’t actually possess a lot of the things on either of the lists (and I’m still trying to figure out what a lot of them are… voltage stabiliser, anyone…?). But I’m working on it. A massive thank you to Manda, another reader of mine, who sent me my very own super-tiny-but-packed-with-everything first aid kit.
It’s both strange and lovely, the way the littlest things– like being able to cross ‘first aid kit’ off a list of one hundred or more items– make you feel as though the entire task is more manageable.
I’m planning to blog as much as possible while I’m in Indonesia, but, realistically, that depends on my Internet access. I’ll be MIA when I’m in the jungles of Kalimantan, evidently. So prepare yourselves for an orangutan overload upon my return.
Any fundage you can throw to Orangutan Odysseys are muchly appreciated– click here or on the widget below.
And I’m still most definitely up for travel advice, especially regarding international flying, internet accessibility, local customs of Bali and Borneo, packing tips, and anything else I haven’t thought of yet. Cheers.
Previous post: Why Does School Pick Up Suck So Much?
Next post: Being A ‘Good Mum’ (And Other Righteous BullSh*t).
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Respect my Authoritile.
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Things I just do not get….
I'm Blogging Nude. – RRSAHM
I’m Blogging Nude.
No, not really. But that certainly got your attention, didn’t it? Weirdos.
The very awesomeness Jodie at Mummy Mayhem is running a very special meme today (Well, actually, it’s tomorrow, and I’ll edit the linky list in then. I got all excited and jumped the gun. Sad but true.) It’s called Bloggers Without Makeup and it is one truly brilliant idea. And muchly self explanatory, really. I suggested ‘Bloggers In the Raw’ where we all get nekkid, but no one else seemed too keen on that idea. I’m still up for it. Let me know if you want in. I’m only kind of joking, really.
I’m a basic make up kinda chicky. I discovered the wonders of mascara at the tender age of fourteen and I’ve been hooked ever since. I did go through a phase there in high school of doing a full foundation, concealer, blush, lip liner and lip stick, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara, and then some highlighter
on my cheekbones.
I’m happy to say I’ve grown past that.
But I do wear a smidgem of eyebrow pencil, some eyeliner and a lashing of mascara every single day. Rain, hail or yoga class. Leave the house or not. It just makes me feel better. And isn’t that the aim of the game?
Which brings me to here. The Aussies have probably already seen this damn cool magazine cover, featuring three Aussie celebs sans make up artistry.
Ain’t Ricki Lee cute, with her freckles? That’s the brunette, OS’ers. She’s a funky size 14 and she rocks hard.
Thea at Do I Really Wanna Blog? did a post not too long ago on the photos we use as our blog pictures and our Twitter pictures. I hate to say, I’m not even guilty of picking a pretty one. My Twitter and FaceBook pictures are of me holding a camera over my face. As is that one on the top left. And I use my Random Button for everything else.
On the off chance I do publish a photo of me, it’s normally from my wedding album. Less than a year old, $200 worth of hair and make up. They look damn good. And let’s face it- for that price, they oughtta.
So… here I am, ladies and jellyfish. Lori, totally nude without a stitch of make up on. And bad lighting to boot.
Not too shabby, eh? (Just watch what you say here people. I know where you live. Well, not really. But I’m bloody sure the Google God can help me find you).
Leave a Comment
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
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May 16, 2010 at 3:44 pm -
You're lovely! And in a totally non-weird-non-creepy-non-psychotic way, you have an adorable and kissable nose. You know, if I wasn't a stranger a bajillion miles away. I'm sure your husband feels the same, in a totally different kind of way.
I'lll be quiet now.
Thank you for sharing your true self with us!
- May 16, 2010 at 2:59 am
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No wonder I didn't recognize any of those celebs – it's an Aussie magazine! LOL
You do look lovely – glad I got to read all these new blogs thanks to bloggers without makeup.
- May 15, 2010 at 9:32 pm
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You look fabulous!
- May 15, 2010 at 5:12 pm
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Love it – and those eyes of your need no enriching – just so beautiful.
- May 15, 2010 at 10:46 am
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Gorgeous!
- May 15, 2010 at 10:01 am
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Oh, such blue eyes! You look great.
- May 15, 2010 at 7:07 am
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Damn! You look great without makeup!
- May 14, 2010 at 10:29 pm
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gorgeous
- May 14, 2010 at 9:46 pm
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Oh my Pretty lady….
- May 14, 2010 at 6:57 pm
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Oh my gosh, pretty!!!
- May 14, 2010 at 5:40 pm
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Shabby should never be used in a sentence describing your photo! I had you pictured completely different (imagining what was behind the camera in your profile shot). But I LOVE how the real you looks!
- May 14, 2010 at 5:25 pm
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Such a natural beauty. Gorgeous eyes.
- May 14, 2010 at 5:23 pm
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You are naturally stunning – gorgeous and glowing (and amazing eyes!).
- May 14, 2010 at 4:56 pm
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I'm a the works girl, almost every day! Gorgeous!
- May 14, 2010 at 4:00 pm
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Beautiful and your eyes are just stunningly blue and clear!
- May 14, 2010 at 2:19 pm
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gorgeous!
xx - May 14, 2010 at 2:07 pm
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Whata great photo – stunning eyes!
- May 14, 2010 at 1:41 pm
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and like the girls on the mag cover -you don't need makeup – you're beautiful as is
- May 14, 2010 at 12:10 pm
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WOW What a natural stunner. Fresh and glowing and beautiful eyes! x
- May 14, 2010 at 11:48 am
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i must say i am a mascara eyeliner and foundation addict
- May 14, 2010 at 10:47 am
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I blog nude daily! It lets my skin breathe.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a note. I appreciate the encouragement!
- May 14, 2010 at 10:28 am
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Beautiful + funny. What a great combo! Thanks for sharing. x
- May 14, 2010 at 9:44 am
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You look beautiful. So many new blogs I am finding through this. Gorgeous eyes.
- May 14, 2010 at 8:59 am
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Wow, you look great without make-up and your eyes… beautiful! I never leave the house without mascara and lipgloss and have never been to work without a full face of make-up (foundation, concealer, eyeliner.. the works). I often wonder if my workmates would fall off their chairs if they saw what I really look like!
- May 14, 2010 at 8:47 am
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Great shot, Lori – you look gorgeous! xx
- May 14, 2010 at 3:14 pm
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Gorgeous eyes
- May 14, 2010 at 2:13 am
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Bloody gorgeous babe! Woo hoo! Oh, and when I successfully meet the weight loss challenge I've undertaken I'm totally doing a blogging in the raw (full monty) meme. And I'm tagging you!
- May 14, 2010 at 12:02 am
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You look fabulous! So pretty!
- May 13, 2010 at 9:27 pm
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Oh, PS, thanks for the link to my post. xx
- May 13, 2010 at 9:26 pm
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You are lovely!!
I always always wear eyeliner, every day, never leave the house without it…or feel nekid if I happen to forget.
This is so much fun!
- May 13, 2010 at 8:27 pm
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You are The Beautiful. The End.
- May 13, 2010 at 6:11 pm
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Wow, you look GREAT without makeup.
I want to participate too so will have to check out Jodie`s blog. I never go outside without make-up but my facebook picture for awhile was one without makeup (but it was black and white- so not too hidious!)
You look beautiful and I agree you have lovely blue eyes!
- May 13, 2010 at 4:55 pm
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Fabulous. Just fabulous, Lori! You look wonderful! Lucy is right – beautiful blue eyes!!
Thanks so much for getting involved.
xx
- May 13, 2010 at 4:13 pm
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You're FAB-ulous chicky!
And just for the record, I wear a smidge of mascara and some eyebrows everyday too. It just feels right. - May 13, 2010 at 3:59 pm
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Goddess with the blue-est eyes I ever saw! xx
- May 13, 2010 at 9:51 pm
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Gorgeous!!
Previous post: Operation: Eat More… Move Less?
Next post: If Shakespeare Used Emoticons…
Video Blogging From Borneo – RRSAHM
Video Blogging From Borneo
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
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July 8, 2013 at 7:14 am -
The rain looks just like home in the Wet Season
Griff recently posted…Big Things
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June 24, 2013 at 7:30 pm -
Wow. Just…WOW.
Miss Pink recently posted…Being Mindful
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Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Internet Dating 101
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Jeans and Stuff.
Run, Run, As Fast As You Can…. – RRSAHM
Run, Run, As Fast As You Can….
Run, run, run.
Stop, in Paradise, grow roots here, for now…. we are spending Summer here.
There doesn’t seem to be much to go back for- a handful of people we love, and who love us, but not enough to cotton wool us, to protect us from the bumps and bruises of that pain.
Run, and run. Work. All day, attend to my children’s every need, do my housework, keep my garden. Sleep, if both my children sleep, to pass the hours, make each day go faster.
I don’t know why. I don’t know what I’m rushing toward.
And then, when the children sleep- work. Fill every hour with projects and writing and learning.
And try not to think. Because I am so exhausted of thinking, so exhausted of relaying the same thoughts over and over. I try and spill them, purge them, let them flow blood red all over this keyboard, every day…
And yet still they come. My head is so full of thoughts. It feels like a dam, filling up with water… this blog a tap that continually running, the same clear liquid of guilt and pain over and over.
But there is hope, here. Not hope, as such, as much, as truth. Knowledge.
I am a survivor. There is nothing fun, or joyful in that.
But I survived this.
I can survive anything.
There’s life in that.
“I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself”
T.S. Eliot
***
I can’t wait for summer here. It smelt like sprng today.
Long days, the beach, sand and salt; a million miles away from the smog and grot and grime and sweat of a suburban heat wave.
Summer… and it will be one year. How much will that heat, those long nights, make me remember what happened last year, on long twilit nights like those? Will I want to remember? Is summer really going to bring any relief, or am I just holding out desperately for something, anything, to get me through this, the saddest, coldest winter of my life…?
We’ll see.
Run, run….
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
- August 3, 2011 at 1:54 pm
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I hope this doesn't sound stupid, but it's so interesting as an American to try to grasp the opposite seasons you all have Down Under.
It seems for us, me and my family, that most of our hard stuff happens in the winter, not the summer.
Do you know I think about you and wonder how you are every day? I hope you are having a good day, or even if you're not, that you're at least OK.
I guess just know that youre thought of, and I hope my thoughts are somehow getting to you across the world.
- August 2, 2011 at 9:35 pm
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Oh Lori, I'm exhausted just reading this. I think this summer will be hard, but hopefully it will be good, too. This year of "firsts" will be behind you. Hold on, mama. It has to get better, baby steps. Lots of love.
- August 2, 2011 at 6:36 pm
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The ocean heals us, bonds us and binds us to each other the world over. I hope you remain close to the sea, for you and Chop and Bump. I send blessings of springtime: baby birds, flower buds, lawnmowers and kids chasing one another about your feet.
- August 2, 2011 at 3:43 pm
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Keep writing, keep sharing… you're helping others so much, I hope it's helping you the same way…
- August 2, 2011 at 2:35 pm
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"Because I am so exhausted of thinking, so exhausted of relaying the same thoughts over and over."
This resonates with me because I feel the same about bipolar disorder.
Let's hope one day soon you will no longer have to run.
Sorry we did not catch up on the weekend. - August 2, 2011 at 2:13 pm
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Be free Lori. I wish you peace and calmness and a quiet mind.
- August 2, 2011 at 6:08 am
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I started to have a real interesting read after reading your post tonight. The quote is from Self Pity by DH Lawrwence
"I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
without ever having felt sorry for itself"I wasn't quite sure though how to interpret it.
I found a forum with 2 interesting views one says: "The bird in the poem dies nobly, with dignity. I think Lawrence is trying to tell us how to approach our own death. You can choose or succumb to some emotional reaction. If you choose, you can choose to be alive until you are dead."
The other was "They say, that the Human is the only creature which is aware of its own mortality.
Regret is another, higher order emotion peculiar to us; regret over things we have done, or didn't do.
I think D.H.L. envied the little bird its lack of these feelings, – which fill us with anguish, self loathing and self pity, sometimes … "I like the thought that I can "choose to be alive until you I am dead".
I am sorry you've had a hard day, but thank you for leading me to this learning.
- August 2, 2011 at 3:46 am
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Oh Lori, winter will be over soon, and spring colors and the scent of sweet flowers will fill the air, everywhere you look, vibrant colors, bumble bees buzzing gently around the delicate petals, and warm breezes blowing pink, blue, and white petals, making them raining down from the trees, and you, watching with renewed hope; Chop playing, Bump dancing, dog laying in the sun. You will know you can't possibly work on a day like this, and instead you will soak up the spring, get a pretty tan from the sun shining down on you. There, you will find your happy place. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but there is one.
- August 2, 2011 at 1:32 am
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I am a survivor. There is nothing fun, or joyful in that.
But I survived this.
I can survive anything.
There's life in that.
Right there? You nailed it.
Been feeling a bit crappy the last few days. I know it's all relative, but thank you for reminding me that if someone like you can survive what you have, I've got no freakin' excuse.
Emma.
- August 2, 2011 at 12:11 am
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hope you do become a wild thing, or at least have moments where you feel like one. 1 year will be hard, sounds like you're feeling it already. well done surviving, its enough just to have survived being torn in half.
- August 1, 2011 at 9:41 pm
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I love you and wish you nothing but love and one day (hopefully sooner rather than later) happiness.
- August 2, 2011 at 12:15 am
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Oh, Lori… I pray that this summer DOES bring the relief you're looking for. I know exactly what you mean by being exhausted of thinking. Our thoughts really can be a broken record, can't they? As for hope, know that I have hope for you – I have hope that one day you will be able to be happy again on a more regular basis. I have hope that you will get to a point where your thoughts stop acting like buzzards circling and circling. I have hope that the guilt and pain will dry up eventually.
HUG!!!
- August 1, 2011 at 10:59 pm
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As always, I never quite know what to say but I soak up every word of what you write, hoping and hoping that doing so will take away the anxiety and the pain from you, if only for just a few minutes x
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Make Up (Part Two, Faces). – RRSAHM
Make Up (Part Two, Faces).
After skydiving, canyoning and trapeze lessons, I decided that January might the month to chill out and relax a bit and entice RedBalloon into giving me a totally different mission for the month.
A make up course in the Sydney CBD sounded just about perfect. Especially because it came with $95- the full cost of the course– reimbursed in Napoleon Perdis product.
Win.
Despite doing my usual half–an–hour late thing, Claire The Make-Up Chick was very lovely and didn’t seem to mind much at all. She sat me down, let me relax, gave me some facial wipes for cleansing, asked me what in particular I wanted to learn today (”Uhhhhh…. Stuff….?”) and we got started. (”Let me know if you want to have a go at doing any of this yourself, rather than me applying it,” says Claire The Make Up Chick sunnily, and I think no thanks, I’ll just sit here and be pampered, if that’s ok with you…)
And I spend the next hour indulging in girls, fun things. Like learning to put on makeup so I look like an adult not a teenager on their way to a party. To mix yellow bases with beige–concealers to reflect light from underneath eyes. Which brushes go with what substances.
The best thing about this one was the non–intimidation factor. I rate ‘attending a make up course’ right up there ‘going to a snooty hairdresser’ in terms of uncomfortability and having–to–make–small–talk–edness. I almost always leave encounters such as that one feeling just a little bit not–cool–enough, and very much like sixteen year old Lori.
 |
| Before and After. |
I’m happy to report that this time, I felt more like a normal person and less like a pin-head after this experience. Claire The Make Up Chick inquired as to how I normally did things when doing my own make up at home and I answered as honestly as my self–consciousness would allow, confessing to sins such as spreading concealer with my fingertips and applying lipstick straight from the tube. Claire The Make Up Chick didn’t make me feel like an idiot at all. She actually presented the whole concept of ‘making yourself up’ as completely accessible for everyone– something along the lines of less is more, but paint should be fun and not too much fuss.
I got my ninety five bucks reimbursed on NP Primer (which is a cult product for a reason, evidently. This stuff is amazing and I could quite easily wear it every day without irritating my skin) and a pressed powder compact that I discovered, to my pleasure, is malleable enough to use with the finest of fan brushes and doesn’t cake into laughter lines in order to make me look older, and possibly sadder, than I already am.
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| The Face Sheet. |
Claire also filled out a ‘Face Sheet’ for me, with all the techniques and colors and names of the products she’d just used to make me look all glamorous. There was no pressure to purchase any of this stuff. But the Face Sheet is now pinned to the top of my bedroom mirror, and it’s almost a ridiculously practical guide to have it on hand for future reference.
And, of course; I left the funky, stripy, black and white and gold storefront an hour later with a full, gorgeous face of makeup…
And nowhere to go except pick my kids up from daycare.
As you do.
Whatever. I adore make up. I love making myself up. I take immense pleasure in sitting cross-legged in front of a large mirror in my bedroom, the morning sun creating perfect lighting from every angle, my brush set unrolled in front of me, applying colors with feather touches and sweeping the density of each hue away again so only shadows of colors remain. I can easily sit like that, entranced in some sort of divine meditative state, for forty five minutes or more. I get lost in it (and, really, romanticism aside, this practice can quite possibly be held responsible for that fore-mentioned chronic lateness issue I’ve got going on here). I take a comfort, a steadiness, in the process and ritual of it.
There’s something enchanting about wearing a mask every day, when most people have no idea it’s there at all.
***
Thanks to the team at Digital Parents
Collective for inviting
me to be a part of the RedBalloon Experience Program. Stay tuned- more awesomeness over the next few months. As
always, all opinions are my own (because no one else would want them…?) however the experiences are
complimentary.
And, to assist you even further,
there’s a special offer for RRSAHM readers- Spend $79 or more on any RedBalloon experience, and receive $20 off.
To redeem: Visit www.redballoon.com.au and enter the promo code
REDBLOG14 at the checkout to receive your discount.
Terms and Conditions: Offer valid until 30/06/2014. Promotional Code can
only be used once
per person. All purchases are subject to Red Balloon T’s and C’s.
per person. All purchases are subject to Red Balloon T’s and C’s.
Leave a Comment
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
- January 8, 2013 at 9:23 pm
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I really need to learn how to do my make-up properly. My excuse is that I don't have time to spend on myself due to child-wrangling. But to be honest I am 38 and still don't know what I am doing!
- January 8, 2013 at 8:51 am
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I use my hands to put on make-up as well – I know it's wrong but nothing else gets the same effect. I was once putting my make-up on in a room full of girls and one of them turned to me with this horrified expression and said, "so, you really put your foundation on like that?"
I'm a terrible girl.
(Oh, I have to mention this though – because every time I start talking about make up with anyone I can't stop rambling about this product. Australis Paparazzi Perfect High Definition Foundation is pretty much like magic liquid that makes me look like some kind of clear-skinned goddess who actually has a face that is one single colour. No really! It's cheap as and THE UTTER SHIT.)
- January 8, 2013 at 6:34 am
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Gah! I'd love to go to a make-up class. I too put my tinted moisturizer on with my fingers and lipstick direct from the tube!
Previous post: Clown Paint (Part One, Faces).
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Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Food on the Un-Foodie Blog.
The Vegemite Vlog – RRSAHM
The Vegemite Vlog
A rose in every cheek!
Vlog. Watch it? Ta!
And because linkage is important, here’s Katie and Mr Serious SEO Guy. Cryptic, you say? Watch the bleeping video. OK? OK.
Leave a Comment
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
- November 5, 2010 at 2:06 pm
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Love the vlog! But I'll pass on the vegemite. Have tried it before and it tasted like deeply salted axle grease to me!
- November 5, 2010 at 11:03 am
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I love your accent. And the vegemite lesson.
- November 4, 2010 at 11:59 pm
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It just sounds gross. Blah!
- November 4, 2010 at 3:22 pm
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I eat mine out of the jar with a spoon…
I also eat it on toast with either ricotta cheese or parmesan cheese.
Or on a toasted sanga with a tasty cheese slice (used to use plastic cheese but converted to the real stuff 3 years ago…)
And Kate, VEGEMITE trumps Peanut Butter 7 days a week!
- November 4, 2010 at 2:50 am
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you crazy foreigners and your ropey food! What's wrong with good old British decent spreads like Marmite? I am a bit peckish after watching that though…. Katie – about a quarter of a point per pint probably
- November 4, 2010 at 12:53 am
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How many weight watchers points in a serving of vegemite?
- November 3, 2010 at 5:19 pm
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I'm with Jane, Vegemite toast is a fantastic hangover cure!
I have to have the toast HOT and the butter melted.I also love in on toast with scrambled egg on top nom nom nom.
And lettuce, cheese & vegemite sandwiches. YUM.
Oh, and on fruit toast & hot cross buns…
OK stopping now.
- November 3, 2010 at 2:17 pm
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Vegemite toast = Best Hangover Cure EVER.
I used to eat mine on white bread, toasted, with a shitlot of butter and a thin scrape of the good stuff. Then I put on 4 kilos as a result.
Now I eat it on grainy toast with avocado, and sometimes a poached egg thrown on top.
Yum yum yum.
Great vlog xxx
- November 3, 2010 at 1:30 pm
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Just noticed I spelt vegemite with an I, what kind of an Australian am I!. Charmaine
- November 3, 2010 at 1:29 pm
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Vegimite toast and thinly spread. My husband has cheese, vegie and advocado under the grill. My son is like me just a little bit of vegimite. Charmaine
- November 3, 2010 at 1:08 pm
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We're a bad Australian household – we don't even have any vegemite in the cupboard!! Not big fans in this house
- November 3, 2010 at 12:32 pm
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I loooved vegemite singles, it sucked when they stopped making them.
We love vegemite & cheese (gotta be plastic cheese LOL) and vegemite & lettuce. Noms =)
- November 3, 2010 at 11:59 am
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Never heard of vegemite…ever! Very interesting the things we do differently around the world.
- November 3, 2010 at 11:46 am
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You had me up to 'fermented veggies' its a chore for me to eat REGULAR veggies let alone fermented ones. Though I do appreciate the answer!
I do have two more questions.
1. What type of cheese would you eat it with?
2. Between the two, which is better- peanut butter or vegemite (I know, apples and oranges-but I need to know.) - November 3, 2010 at 11:38 am
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I'm a vegemite on Saos kinda gal
- November 3, 2010 at 11:37 am
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As I've said,I don't really dig the vegemite. Something about it coming from yeast.; )
Lovin the vlogs!
- November 3, 2010 at 11:04 am
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That's the biggest jar of vegemite I've ever seen! They were right to ask what exactly you do with it!!! x
- November 3, 2010 at 1:06 pm
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I think I'll pass on the Vegemite!
- November 3, 2010 at 11:31 am
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Omm nom nom. DP walked in half way through that and I said "GO MAKE ME SOME VEGEMITE TOAST NOOOWWWWWWWW!!"
He is making it as we speak.
I love vegemite. We have the huge jar in our cupboard too. Remember those giant bear shaped jars it used to come in sometimes?
Vegemite mmm
I also microwave my toast after putting the spread on. Especially if your having it with cheese. Mmm half melty warm delicious vegemite and cheese….
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Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Falling Into Place
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: In The Powder Room
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Jeans and Stuff.
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Jeans and Stuff.
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Exhaustion.
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: All This Stuff
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: RUOK?
Random Ramblings of a SAHM: F*ck.
The Chop's #BrilliantRoadTrip – RRSAHM
The Chop’s #BrilliantRoadTrip
Road tripping with my little man has been all kinds of awesome brilliant.
When the concept of dragging a kidlet along on the Putty Rd adventure came up, I attempted to ignore the swelling panic that accompanied the thought of a long drive with a child strapped mercilessly into his booster seat. I can’t help it– it’s a bad, but realistic, habit of parents in general, I think. But after reassessing the situation, I decided that a driving holiday with the just–turned–five–year–old Chop might be, actually, quite an awesome brilliant idea.
Turns out (thank the gods of country roads), I was right.
I get so phenomenally caught up in the whinging and whining that emanates from not one but two small children, all day, every day, that sometimes I forget what absolutely rocking little people they are. And how very much I enjoy their company. The Chop is, as we know, all too grown up and mature and deep for his age. It hurts my heart in places I didn’t know it had, watching him absorb the reality of the big, wide world much faster than anyone should have. But at the same time, it’s built a human being in miniature, who’s tough, smart, funny, easy going and very much an observer of the universe… a watcher of the god of small things.
Time slips by like salty water when you have little kids. There’s always all these things you mean to do, memories you will create… one day. When things aren’t so busy, when money’s not so tight, when your To Do list doesn’t look like the local phone book.
And then, before you know it, your oldest child is starting school in just a month’s time. He’s grown, separated from you in ways you can’t even comprehend. Become a person in his own right. And you’ve done a great job, especially if you happen to be doing it all alone… but some of those things you meant to do, some of memories that will last a lifetime that you’ve been meaning to create for him… they just didn’t happen. They got washed away, slipped through wet fingers before you could grab them and make them real.
Which is why this is so special, the chance to conjure memories like these– like go-karting, and metal men in the middle of nowhere, and riding above the vineyards in a helicopter– with my son and his favorite godparent. Because maybe, maybe, having recollections of his mother having fun, of mum laughing and stomping through bushland and being brave and real…. maybe that can balance, in some way, the memories he has of mum suddenly becoming a shell of a person, when the sky fell in. Of waking up in the morning to me sobbing, hastily wiping tears from my cheeks (”It’s OK, baby, Mummy’s OK. I just miss Daddy is all.”)
The Chop makes for cruisey company, excited to be a part of the adventure and doing ’adult things’. The idea of a hotel fascinates him. He asks the most entertaining questions (“If butterflies have babies, does that mean they have vaginas?” and “Why aren’t there balls in the hotel BallRoom?”). He doesn’t complain no matter how tired he is (although he does get very sick of me taking his photo). And, after the general structure of a road trip (lots of driving, playing I Spy for interesting things, staying in a different place every night and so forth) is explained to him and discussed in detail, he’s quite happy to chill out in the backseat and watch the world go by.
It’s different, mothering a boy child. It requires a certain pretense, maintaining the fallacy that you understand dirt and monsters and cars and fart jokes. But find something you both think is cool– a ferry punt to carry your car, a broken down bus in the middle of a gorge, a lonely go kart track where you’re the only drivers– and the connection is intense. They say something about men looking to their mums as an ideal, a silhouette of how a woman should carry herself. If that happens to be true, then I want my little boy to know that it’s OK to cry, especially she its raining…
But when the sun’s out, you’ve got to bask in it. And have some fun.
***
Check out Day Two of our brilliant road trip on YouTube. Remember to check out our Google map journey, our profile on the Hyundai website, and we’ve got photos on Flickr, too.
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- December 17, 2012 at 9:32 am
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I love hearing that you had such a great time with the Chop! Dare you to do it with both kids next time…hahaha. Is Chop off to big school next year?
- December 15, 2012 at 2:32 pm
- December 15, 2012 at 11:33 am
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God, I'm so happy you're having fun! I think like every Mum alive today I'm heartbroken by the news from the US, I just want to seize every precious moment I have with my boy. *HUGS* Live it to the full, Lori
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Random Ramblings of a SAHM: Sedation
Shadows. – RRSAHM
Shadows.
I read this post on Eden’s blog…
Once. Only once. I’m not sure I can read it again. It’s everything I’m afraid of, written down and real and happening to someone else’s family right now.
All I can think of is my boy. My sweet, precious, innocent, serious little boy. My son, and all that’s ahead of him.
We’re in a somewhat ‘pleasant’ lull of life right now, in comparison to what has been and what will be. Chop hasn’t asked the question, not yet, of how daddy died. He will. But I’m in no hurry to begin explaining, to begin building foundations and framework for what he will eventually need to understand.
I mourn for Eden’s brother, her Cam. I mourn for her and her sisters and this shitty reality they’ve had to face. Again and again and again.
It doesn’t end. It’s just taking your pain and transferring it on. It’s a chemical reaction, and the catalyst is a rope. A running car.
It doesn’t stop, it doesn’t stop, it doesn’t stop. The actions of one person who’s not here to see the repercussions just flow on and on.
It keeps hurting, even after you’re gone.
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November 9, 2013 at 4:25 pm -
I have been thinking of you a lot since reading the posts from Eden. Just devastating.
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November 9, 2013 at 2:35 am -
Musing on your post for a different reason, you’ve sure got me thinking. I am afraid for my son (15) and his potential for a different kind of death, a slow death that drags everyone down just as much as a fast death (I mean that with the greatest sensitivity, but clumsy words can’t always demonstrate the tone and emotion that I’m feeling, right?) His father is an alcoholic as was his father before him (and probably generations going back) and I’m doing everything EVERYTHING within my power to break the cycle. If 50% of my son is me, let it be enough to allow him to stay strong and not fall in to the same addiction. While we all live together as a “family” (a mistake, I believe) he sees very little of his father who is most often out drinking… who with, I’m not sure. Probably on his own. So we have all learned to make ourselves smaller almost invisible when he comes home late, drunk. He’s not violent, just a sad, soggy, foolish ASS of a drunk. He doesn’t see the problem and won’t get help.
What can I do to keep my son from repeating this life? I’ve worked so hard to make it not so, giving him honesty, trust, faith, real discussion and pathways in his life where he sees that different people (fathers) don’t always act like this. Being 15, I feel like the longer I can help him put off the drinking behaviour – typical high school experimentation stuff – the more mature and better equipped he will be to manage it. But what about 20 years from now, when he has a family, maybe a mortgage and a high pressure job? Will it be his escape, his out? Will he torment and abandon his son in the same way for want of a better role model? I also have two girls but for a variety of reason I don’t feel that they are at the same risk as Mr 15.
So, (sorry for the brain dump here) I think I understand that you want, more than anything, to find the way to help your lovely boy avoid the same … I think genetics has a part to play, but I believe that we can influence, model, and can help our sons find a better way. Never stop talking, express your fears and hopes, get help. I’m cautiously … very… optimistic that I’m showing him a better way. But ask me again in 20 years.
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November 15, 2013 at 12:22 pm -
Dear FunMumX3
I feel for you, and especially because I’m talking from the other side of the fence. I am an alcoholic, just over 19 months in sober recovery. It took me a very, very long time to finally stop drinking after many unsuccessful attempts by myself. I put my family through hell and still cringe when I think of what I have done to them and realise that much of that damage can never be undone. But, the past remains the past and if we’re willing we can learn from it and try to move on with a better way of living.
If you want, I can discuss my personal journey with you another time. But this is about your life, your beautiful children and the future ahead for your shining boy. I believe that you will be able to get some very good support and help by getting in touch with your local Al-Anon group. These are family members of alcoholics, who have gone through what you describe with your husband and often still are, but are learning strategies to help heal their own lives and that of their families.
Let me wish you love and hope.
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November 8, 2013 at 4:14 pm -
Ever since I heard about Cam, my mind has wandered to you. It must be frightening to have to read Eden going through what you had to (and still do) endure. Sending hugs your way.
K x
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November 8, 2013 at 2:01 pm -
So true
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November 8, 2013 at 1:49 pm -
Just utterly tragic. No words.
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La La La. – RRSAHM
La La La.
Happy, happy, happy.
I’m so happy I could vomit all over the place.
Being this content, I’ve discovered, is not necessarily conducive to being busy, or organised. It’s been a slow dawning realisation over the last four weeks that most of my cleanliness, my routine, my keeping-on-top-of-things, is firmly rooted in anxiety and taking my mind off other stuff.
A veritable lack of anxiety or depression or even passive irritation has meant that I’ve spent the last week or two wandering around in my own little fairy world. La la la la la la la.
Being disorganised and not even caring is lovely.
La la la la.
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- October 3, 2013 at 2:42 pm
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I love that you are feeling this.
My anxiety works in the same way, that push to get things done and always be busy that when I’m ok I’m happy to just be for a bit. Doesn’t help with my usual appearance that I am always doing so much, lol.
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September 30, 2013 at 9:34 am -
Oh Lori, I totally relate. My writing regime, punishing workout schedule and drive to make my house utterly clean and perfect are ALL anxiety-based. Fear of wasting my potential, of not being perfect, of not having things exactly right.
When I’m feeling good I’m much more inclined to let things slide, to be kinder to myself. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one, but it would be nicer to just chill and relax into things a bit.
Good on you for getting there!
Whoa, Molly! recently posted…Midday Epiphanies and Now What? - September 29, 2013 at 9:03 pm
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Welcome to…. Poo Poo Island – RRSAHM
Welcome to…. Poo Poo Island
Aloha, let’s get lei-d,
Welcome to Poo Poo Island. A place infested with all manner of wipes, papers, pull ups and training pants. A scary place, where the bathroom floor must be mopped daily and finding poo on the carpet is a semi-regular occurrence. An atoll ruled by a small, very cute, almost-three-year-old tyrant child. A child who, when inquired “Don’t you want to start using the toilet like Mummy and Daddy?” replies by screeching “NO! Not going to the toilet, ever, EVER!!”.
Awesomeness. Sounds pleasant, doesn’t it…? They assure me there is an escape plan in place. I’m thinking it has to do with a hatch and lotto numbers and Others. Or eating grubs and winning immunity and voting people off. Or something.
*Ahem* *cough* I’m having a hard time toilet training the Chop, can you tell…? I am toilet-training the un-toilet-trainable child. May the Gods of Poo Poo Island have mercy on us all. Any advice, practical or otherwise, will be greatly appreciated if not necessarily followed.
Anypoo. I got together with a few other mummies at this erm… picturesque… location recently, courtesy of Kleenex Mums, to discuss being a survivor of Poo Poo Island. You can view the whole thing here.
Or, if Poo Poo Island sounds terrible and you don’t want to visit (why on Earth not, I ask…?), I’ve recorded a postcard. It’s Postcard number three, under the groovy tropical video screen. I’m wearing my daggy grey cardigan. I really should’ve taken that off. it tells the true story of how the Man deals with stinky nappies when I’m not home.
I only wish I were joking.
Enjoy. Or.. something.
Anywee. I know some people can’t watch these video thingies (sorry River). Don’t worry, this isn’t becoming a video blog. We return to regular programming tomorrow. Don’t miss it. This post is…well.. electrifying. It demonstrates what happens when the Man goes all Tim the Tool Man Taylor on the household appliances.
And, I promise, whatever you’re thinking…. that ain’t it.
See you then!
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- November 16, 2010 at 9:44 pm
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It's a messy job, but someone's got to do it! I don't have any advice except relax.
Both my boys were the same – we tried and tried to enthuse them with the idea to no avail. They would happily use the potty but would also happily crap on the floor, their trousers, in the bath, in the store, in the car etc. etc. we chilled an waited. Both of the little buggers left it until about a week before they had to start school and suddenly ping – they decided they would use the toilet.
From that moment on we never had any accidents at all (they wore and needed night time nappies for a while but not for too long). They just simply shrugged their shoulders and made the decision themselves.
relax, and try and get sponsored by vanish carpet cleaner or similar products.
- November 16, 2010 at 8:59 pm
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I also know way more about poos and wees than I ever needed to know. And have spent far too much time locked in toilet encouraging small child to produce poos and wees. Shudder. They don't tell you this stuff when you sign up for parenting.
- November 16, 2010 at 8:15 pm
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That's okay Lori. After 4 kids and a few grandkids, I know more than I ever wanted to about poo-poos and wee-wees.
- November 16, 2010 at 5:36 pm
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We will soon be departing for Poo Poo Island as well (much to my dread) although I suspect we end up with expired passports by the time we are through as there is ZERO interest from the child (bribes or no bribes) to get this rite of passage under his belt!
- November 16, 2010 at 2:58 pm
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It was a fun project! And you rocked it! Hooroo!
- November 16, 2010 at 2:27 pm
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The poo poo island video is so funny! Hmm, not sure about the hose though, men!! Ok, I will stop laughing now, otherwise karma will get me and I will have an awful time with the next baby!
We did it a bit differently as he used the potty from 10months old. That is not because he is a wonderchild or anything remotely like that. Its because I hate dirty nappies that much! It was just part of the pattern of the day and he used to read on there!
I like the cardi too! - November 16, 2010 at 11:13 am
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I resorted to bribery. One poo on the toilet = one jelly snake. When they had the hang of it, I just "forgot" to buy more jelly snakes.
- November 16, 2010 at 10:47 am
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I thought the grey cardi was sexy
- November 16, 2010 at 10:29 am
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To poo, or not to poo, that is the question… Poo Island, I love it, you make it all sound… well, sanitary. Having raised a round dozen, with the last one, Emmylee, I just left it up to her when she wanted to be a big girl and she did it all by herself. I found that trying to make the horse drink was in the too hard basket, the horse has to want to drink.
AV
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Lori – dobt worry about a thing – its Emma here ( I’ve already emailed you ) and I’ll be joining you on the trip – I’m leaving my 3 little boys as well so totally understand your anxiety, but we will be fine and this trip will be the most incredible experience – Gary seems very organised and very responsible and if u ready the comments on the OO website everybody has an incredible time ! My mum and I will see you there ( I think there is one other lady ) What a small world re the bridge climb ! Wow ! 4 days to go ! So much to do I know , you will be fine ! See you Monday !
Emma
Hi Emma!! I’m so excited, I can’t wait- I veer between terrified and excited, to be honest
I think I’m all ready to go and organised- fingers crossed 
See you Monday! 
xx
Lori Dwyer recently posted…That’s Anxiety, Too.
Haha! Great , me too (a bit !) I’ve been totally emotional and excited all week – hey write a list , most important thing , I’m sure you have but I HAVE to as my heads too full not too , and I pack the night before , always , coz by then you have pretty much done everything else so you can relax and pack properly ! Pretty basic advice but it works for me ! We will have a great time – a dream coming true for us ! Ill miss my babies though! At least we can both relate !
See you then! Oh I just can’t believe it!
*grins* I’m so glad you like it! I felt a bit utterly ridiculous sending it to you, but I figure if I see things that make me think of my friends I give them spontaneous presents, and I saw that and thought of you. You’ve got me through some crappy times, reading your posts.
So I figure, what the heck, random gifts. Almost makes the mailbox worth checking!
And I got a card back, which was absolutely fabulous. Good times. Hope your injections aren’t too awful, I think one of those ones made my shoulder itch. Can’t remember. xxx
I’ve stayed quiet for so long, but I feel the need to say?
Your passport picture is actually QUITE GOOD!!! I looked like an angry serial killer (or EXTREMELY knackered single mother) in mine.
You’re gonna love the trip
~L
Passports and licence photos….ugh. We might as well be having police mugshots taken! Re. international flying…. comfy clothes, drink plenty of water, moisturiser, ear plugs and eye mask (to block out any screaming children who don’t belong to you). Valium?
I can’t believe your trip is so close now, it seemed like ages when you first announced it! Have an awesome time, don’t forget to pack a notebook and pen/cil.
omg that SO doesn’t look like you
god I love passport photos!
I have been to Borneo, it is amazing. You will love it. Other than the isolation when you are out in the jungle bits you will find that it is actually a great place. Marvellous people who will look out for you.
Relax, it will be great.
Ah, so exciting! I can’t wait for the Orangutan overload when you get back!
Don’t worry, if you think your passport pic is bad, you should see mine!
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