Archive for I Am Woman
Who let the Mums out?
Posted by: | Comments*sigh*
I was recently “let out” for the weekend. Really, I needn’t say that as I do have a most wonderful husband. Or, I just do stuff and he just goes with the flow. Either way, I was away from home for 3 very long days attending a 3 day long business seminar.
As I’m in the house all day every day with running the business from a room in the house, yelling about “mummy is at work!!!! So. Shut. Up!” and doing the washing in between writing stuff, getting out is a rare treat.
Even if that getting out requires much functioning of brain and thinking of stuff. And things.
An extra treat this last weekend was the dinner that was put on for us. Complete with scrumptious food, dressing up as “rock stars” and a band. Normally quite reserved, I chose this opportunity to just let loose and have a bit of fun. After all, unlike the last party I went to, I was kid free …
I frocked up in my hot pink tutu, made for me by my gorgeous friend Emma of Hand Print Massage and had a bit of dinner and then popped onto the dancefloor. Ok, yes, before the band actually popped up on stage, but I do like dancing. And there I stayed the entire night.
Unless, of course, you get technical and consider the few minutes I was, ahem, on a table, dancing, as “not on the dance floor all night” …
What I realised on the night was just how much FUN I was having, and how much better I felt, emotionally and mentally during and after the event. Physically … well, tired and sore! But I had a blast. I had a laugh, I burnt off some energy and just felt bloody great!
I wasn’t the only Mum to get up to mischief either. There were a bunch of us, and tempted as I am to post a photo or two – because it was a bloody funny night – I won’t.
More than once someone made the comment “Who let the Mums out?” I believe this was also done in song form at some point, but I can’t be 100% on that.
For the record … no, I wasn’t pissed. Nor were most of the others.
We were just having FUN!
This isn’t the first time, either, that the Mums have been let out and had a bit of a laugh and enjoyed themselves considerably. There’s this incident that I’m not sure if I want to forget, or keep to remind myself to have fun and live positively …
(Featuring Stacey from Sunny Mummy and Brenda from Mummy-Time 
)
I felt on top of the world after that one, albeit somewhat pissed at the deterioration of my pelvic floor. Pardon the pun …
Sure, there’s that voice in the back of my head saying “You can’t do that! Mums don’t behave like that!”
To that, I say “fuck that” … coz I’m having a blast and I’m a way better Mum for it!
Besides, after moments like this, I always have some really daggy songs from the 1980′s stuck in my head. What better way to parent than dance and sing louldy on the way to school with your kids? Huh?
And what do you do for fun?
And the Finalists are …
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s that time of year, again, all focussy on Mums what with Mother’s Day and various (ok one other) Mother of the Year Awards and waffling on about how fabulous mothers are and how we would kill to get our hands on the latest Electric Light Orchestra (who??) CD …
I digress. Once again, we have the Award celebrating the fact that ALL mother’s deserve an award of some sort. Our Award focusses on the forgotten mums, the truly amazing mums that do such inspiring work and make a difference not only to our children, but to many, many other mothers.
It is the Real Mum of the Year Award, the award for the Mum who has coped with the reality of her own life as best she can and, as a result, giving the rest of us a damn good laugh and thanking the stars that it actually happened to someone else.
Nominations have now closed and we can announce our finalists. From the Real Mum of the Year Award website, and in no particular order …
Do you REALLY do everything for your kids?
Posted by: | CommentsHooray, hooray! My favourite event of the year!
Aside from my birthday of course, because I love birthdays. Actually, no, Mums’ Night Out! is way more FUN! Because there is dancing and cake and lots of wine and fun chicks and scrummy food … just like I want my birthday to be, but it never is.
*sigh*
Anyhoo, thanks to the awesome support of businesses like Dot Info Enterprises and Clever Streak it is on again … Friday the 14th of May … you can check out all the details at www.mumsnightout.com.au!
I also believe there are some photos, thaks to Photos by Kelly, up from last year’s event on the Mums’ Night Out! page on Facebook if you are interested.
At first glance, it’s just a fabulous night out with drinking, food, dancing, entertainment, music, and a bunch of fun chicks.
What it turns out being, quite by accident, is the best mental health moment a mum can have.
Sure, you go home the next morning (well, a bunch of us go home the next morning … some make it home the evening of the night out) with sore feet, hungover and swearing we’re never gonna drink again. Some of us just go home swearing. And sore from dancing.
Just a night of absolute freedom, fun and just the best laughs ever, kinda does quite a lot for the stress levels, the hormoney things that are released when you laugh and dance (remember those two things).
I think just being allowed to be yourself, and someone bringing you a drink and something to eat when your bum hits a chair, rather than the other way around, may have something to do with it, too.
Anyhoo, I’ve booked my ticket.
Have you booked yours yet?
The 1st Day of Christmas – one for the Mums
Posted by: | CommentsI have no real idea what the 12 Days of Christmas tradtion is, or where it originate. I’ve just known about the song all my life.
And heard talk of it. Although I do believe it kicks off on the 25th and runs till January 6th the following year, by which time you must have pulled down the Chrissy tree for fear of attracting bad luck.
Anyway, I’ve chosen to use these first 12 days of December to tell you about some really cool stuff we’ve come across (and possibly reviewed) during the year, remind you of some of the awesome people who have sponsored some of our events and share some ideas on some great Christmas presents … for you, the kids, the hubby, aunts, uncles, friends and various others …
Just a suggestion: feel free to forward the link of the stuff you like to someone else and say “BUY THIS FOR ME!”
The First Day – we’re offering something for Mums … we’re doing a pre-Christmas pre-sale of Mums’ Night Out! tickets for May 14th next year.
The pre-sale tickets are a once off, and this price will not be repeated.
(With the possible exception of those who become Bad Mother’s Club Members – details to come)
The pre-sale will conclude at midnight on the 25th of December – this is for those of you who get crap presents and would like to supplement then with something really, really awesome!
Tickets will be $69 per person. The pre-sale price, ending December 25th at midnight are $59 per person.
Buy Yours Now (or send the link to someone who has no idea, telling them where to get your awesome present) … http://mumsnightout.eventbee.com
Well, what do you know? There ARE Good Mums!
Posted by: | CommentsLast Friday night – the 6th November – was the launch of Bad Mother’s Club, an initiative I’ve undertaken to support, empower and provide a safe haven for Aussie mums, where they can also have fun, and reduce their stress and Mother Guilt levels.
It was mildy (ok, really) stressful leading up to the event, and loads of work went into it. I also swore a lot more than usual. Which is pretty impressive, coz I swear a lot. Allegedly, and according to everyone who is not me
My main concern with the event was that it was FUN! I knew the food would be great, the wine great and the service awesome. I knew the goody bags were amazing, and the prizes even more so.
But, and you’ve all heard the stories, get a group of mums together and things can go pear shaped. And I’m not talking post-baby bodies and the white and dark chocolate mousse we had for dessert!
There was my core group, who have been members for a while and have established strong friendships. I had my People Who Know Their Stuff, a close friend of mine, and a few others who had come on their own. No friends or people they knew. No “support” per se. The support of just having someone you know at an event where you know no one.
The main highlight of the night – for me – was that everyone had a great night, felt included, laughed like they hadn’t in ages, and felt supported, not judged.
What do you know? There are Good Mums out there, and they were all with me last Friday night.
I’d even go so far as to calling them Great Mums, for their ability to be honest, open, welcoming and making the rest of us laugh so hard!
I’m priveleged and honoured to have been in their presence … and can’t wait for the next one.
(The next one is December 5th at 2pm – stay tuned for details. I cannot wait!)
Wednesday’s W(h)ine – creative Cab-Merlot
Posted by: | CommentsUrgh, first week back after school “holidays” (I’m still trying to work out which bit is the “holiday” part), we’re back into the routine, and I’m back into work.
Creativity is somewhat … smothered I think is the word I’m looking for. Mostly by children who can’t find their shoes which they are tripping over whilst they’re trying to find them, given they are once again in the middle of the hall. And a seriously clingy clingon who appears to find even my looking in a direction that is not his extremely traumatic. Even when I’m holding him.
Argh!
I always find a nice merlot helps the creative processes. I think its the smoothness of it sliding down your throat that reminds me of a smooth release of ideas from the brain.
Cabernets just remind me of Chicago type dances (or perhaps I’m thinking of Liza Minelli iin Caberet? Anyhoo, jazzy type dancing in sparkly black costumes … ) lots of fun.
Thus, a Xanadu Dragon Cabernet Merlot 2005 will do the trick to get the fun, creative juices flowing. And not just into a wine glass, either. Described as:
This delicious wine won a gold medal at the 2008 Qantas Western Australia Wine Awards.
This wine exhibits vibrant, aromas of cassis, dark plummy fruits and mocha, entwined with hints of sweet, toasty oak. The full bodied palate is packed with juicy blackcurrants, ripe briary fruits and chocolate characters. This is a generous wine with ripe, approachable tannins, and a warm, lingering finish.
Whilst drinking well in its youth, the 2005 Dragon Cabernet Merlot will gain further complexity with bottle maturation, and will certainly reward with medium term cellaring.
“Bright colour; a fresh, elegant medium-bodied style; nicely savoury/spicy notes frame a juicy fruit core. Gold WA Wine Show ’08. Rating 94 Drink 2018 Date Tasted Oct 08 James Haliday AWC 2009″
… it is available from the Real Mums Wine Club (inlcuding free delivery ) for $10.99 a bottle.
The latest Wine Club offer has a 6 pack of this wine, with bonus 6 pack of the semillon. Bonus!
(We do suggest you drink responsibly and not whilst holding a full glass on a roller coaster. Especially not a glass of red wine. Joining the Real Mums Wine Club is totally free and you are under no obligation to buy anything. But why would you not when you get up to 70% off wines, free delivery to your door and go in the draw to win a bottle of Penfold’s Grange)
Wednesday’s W(h)ine – bloody birthdays
Posted by: | CommentsSeptember is birthday month. At least, it is in our house.
Two out of five birthday’s occur in September, and I LOVE a good party. We celebrated our one year of being parents of three boys yesterday (actually, we celebrated over most of the weekend ) with lots of different wines.
The problem is, whilst I personally LOVE a good party, I’m married to someone who’s idea of celebration is “oh, yeah, Happy birthday” and when I really push to do something that I like for my birthday, I get *sigh* “fiine, we’ll go out for dinner” and, if pushed more “with a few people”.
But I want a party!
Not bloody likely. So, I will indulge and spoil myself instead with a scrumptious sauv blanc from Marlborough, NZ (my favourites!) – the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008. Descibed by me as …
Yummmm! Another glass thanks. And would it kill you to get me some cheese and crackers to go with it? Sheesh.
… and by the Wine Club people as:
It’s a little more on the expensive side, but worth it. Especially for a special occasion. Usualy $39, but only $30.99 from the Real Mums Wine Club.
(Which is free to join and can be done just here. Best of all – the wine is delivered free to your door Hurrah!)
The Slap
Posted by: | CommentsSeptember’s Retell Therapy Book Club read is The Slap by Chris Tsiolkas.
Book Description:
The Slap is a novel about the relationships between children and adults, and the new Australian multicultural middle-class from the controversial cult author of Loaded and Dead Europe.
Get your hands on a copy of the book at Seek Books then join us on Real Mums Retell Therapy Book Club to discuss … this read will generate some great discussion!
Wednesday’s W(h)ine – Winter w(h)ine
Posted by: | CommentsI really do hate the cold. I don’t cope well with it at all. The problem with Melbourne weather is you never know what you’re going to be getting out of bed to. Yesterday was mild, today it’s freezing.
Actually, I lie about hating the cold. I hate cold weather. I don’t mind it when its a glass of chilled wine, like, oh, I don’t know, a Bethany Quarry Reisling Semillon 2008. Works for me. Probably because the wine notes start with “The best thing about this blend is it doens’t need to be the middle of Summer to enjoy it.” I don’t know about you, but I’m sold!
The rest of the notes about it read:
Wednesday’s W(h)ine – Cab Merlot & Semillon anyone?
Posted by: | CommentsThe school holidays are here and we’re packing to head off interstate for a holiday with the extended family.
Not sure of the worst bit of the lot of that … it being holidays, packing for the family, or spending time with the extended family? Oh, and its the extended in-law family, to boot. Of course, there is always the four hour plane flight, late at night, with three kids to look forward to.
Rather than one wine to assist in getting through the next ten days, I came across this fabulous, multi wine offer I just couldn’t refuse. I may even share with everyone. As long as they stop behaving like in-laws and start behaving nicely …
A Xanadu Dragon Cab Merlot 2005 6 pack and bonus Semillon 6 pack, quoted as being:
Cab Merlot: This delicious wine won a gold medal at the 2008 Qantas Western Australia Wine Awards. This wine exhibits vibrant, aromas of cassis, dark plummy fruits and mocha, entwined with hints of sweet, toasty oak. The full bodied palate is packed with juicy blackcurrants, ripe briary fruits and chocolate characters. This is a generous wine with ripe, approachable tannins, and a warm, lingering finish. Whilst drinking well in its youth, the 2005 Dragon Cabernet Merlot will gain further complexity with bottle maturation, and will certainly reward with medium term cellaring.
Semillon: The really smart thing about this wine is that it starts out all vibrant and fresh, the bouquet offering lively fruit aromas of quince, citrus fruits and dried herbs. Following some rest and maturation the varietal starts to develop a second life and the barrel maturation has added further complexity with restrained, toasty oak characters and hints of roasted cashews. The palate is generous and refined offering ripe pear and fresh grapefruit flavours with underlying bready/nutty characteristics. Beautifully structured, the fruit is balanced by crisp, integrated acidity, layered with a subtle creamy texture. You don’t have to just love Semillon with age to enjoy this monster as it speaks to all drinkers on the level of quality hand picked fruit with loads of integrity and all the hard cellaring work has been done for you!
And it stays, “Drink now until: 2013″ – like it will last that long!
Only $69.99 and not $264 – that’s like a ridiculous $5.83 a bottle – and available from the Real Mums Wine Club.
Which, by the way, is free to join and you get loads of ridiculous offers like these and lots of really nice wine delivered to your door free of charge. Join now.
Real Mums Wine Club
