100 Happy Days - Part 3

I can tell that I'm about to go back to work. A look back at the past month and my happy moment have revolved around Mini Me and food.

There is only a month left of my 100 Happy Days challenge and I wonder what sort of happy days I'll have while I'm back at work.

Year of dates: BamBOO and Rockpool

As my morning tea leave starts to wind down and the day to return to work looms closer, I'm finding we're busier than ever.

Lots of last minute catch ups, beach sessions and, being the control freak I am, lots of organising so I can make the most of non-work time with Mini Me and Hubby. Time really does seem to go faster when you're older. This article best explains it - it's all relative. Lightbulb moment.

It's funny that amongst the busy-ness, I also find I'm more boring than ever. When people ask what's been happening, I'm stumped. I actually do more, see more and have lots of stories, but I can't seem to remember them as I rush around. Which makes my writing a boring list of activities. Hence the winding down.

But I have managed to squeeze two dates in this weekend with Hubby.

First was February's outdoor cinema and second was March's progressive dinner.

Thank you Scoop Magazine for the tickets I won to see Dallas Buyers Club at the new outdoor cinema at BamBOO, next to Luxe Bar in Mt Lawley. Run by the Luna Cinema people, they turned the under-utilised outdoor amphitheatre into a summer movie venue. With deckchairs and beanbags, it's pretty comfortable but what sets this outdoor cinema apart from all of others is the cocktail bar ready to shake and stir a tasty beverage to accompany the night under the stars. 

And with the tasty Ace Pizza next door, you can grab a quick pizza before, or order it take away and eat during the movie. Which is a nasty thing to do for those without pizza. Even though we had smashed a cheesy Porky's Revenge, followed by the half baked dessert (snickers semi-freddo - OMG), I was leaning towards my neighbour salivating at their tasty pizza.

It was a great grown up night and surprisingly I didn't fall asleep!

Then on Sunday we stuffed our face full of tasty food. With so many weddings, the events that go with it, and general frantic-ness we decided to swap the progressive dinner with a World's Greatest Shave charity lunch at Rockpool that we were invited to by my uncle. Organised by Ahrens to raise money for Leukaemia Foundation I could not wait to get my mouth around some signature steak. Wow, that sounds naughty.

The menu did not disappoint. A earthy but zesty onion and Beetroot tart was followed by the tenderest beef imaginable that I didn't even need to chew the meat as it melted in my mouth. I was stuffed but managed to eat half of my light and fluffy pavlova.

With full bellies, the official proceedings begun. Honestly I'm a sucker these days. As the Ahrens General Manager explained how they rode to the function on kid's bikes, which would then get donated to sick kids across WA, I started to well up. This mummy thing has softened my heart into a sloppy ice cream melted mess.

The Ahrens guys did a fantastic job with auctions and raffles, and from the last count that I made, would've raised over $25K. They probably raised more but I had to sneak home early to Mini Me, while Hubby kicked on to see his beloved West Coast start their season.

While date number two was not the romantic night we planned, we found trying to cram in the dates was actually more stressful than relaxing. But spew we're still baby free, had some adult conversation and frocked up.

In saying that, is it bad that I can't wait for the year of dates to end?

While a great idea, life does fill up quickly and it's hard to find the time. Which is ridiculous to say as I write that. Maybe next time we should make it a seasonal thing.

Making the drop with BookCrossing

The saying goes that if you love something, let it go and if it is meant to be it will come back to you.

In this case, I'm hoping that isn't true.

It isn't that I don't love what I have released into the wild, or that I don't have fond memories or an attachment to it. It's just that, well I love books so much, especially actual physical books, that I want to share them with everyone. I'd be happy if each of my books just keep getting passed around and around.

Books into the wild, I hear you scoff. Those are the words the BookCrossing creators use when you sneakily leave a book in a public place for someone to pick up, adopt and take home.

Splashing out

I'm in a foul mood this week.

Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's because my dad is visiting an staying with my father-in-law, which is always trying. Maybe it's because Mini Me is out of whack due to starting daycare, teething, or because she's a baby. Maybe it's just one of those weeks.

So when it was Mini Me's nine-month birthday (nine in, nine out) I needed something and thankfully my yummy mummies group had the perfect solution.

Getting saucy on Italian Sauce Day

The end of 'Looking for Alibrandi' got it all wrong. Sauce Day is not a day of Italian tunes, people wearing head scarves and families embracing happily.

It's a little more like La Tomatina... there are tomatoes thrown, tears, tantrums, fights and that's all before the first espresso. Then the stench of rotten tomatoes lingers on your skin and hair.

The paving looks like a Japanese Whaling Ship (no animals were hurt in the production of thick juicy sauce). Nonno (grandfather for non-Italians) gives a mean eye when he thinks you're not boiling the bottles properly. Nonna mutters that Kevin never checks the tomatoes properly. Sister S is being Sister S and thinks its a laugh. My very Australian husband thinks it is the best fun.

What am I saying? It's a hard slog, but it's tradition. I'm a sucker for tradition. So if ya gotta do it, then do it with some style.

100 happy days

Is it possible to be happy for 100 days in a row?

2014 must be the International Year of Niceness and Happiness. Everywhere I'm seeing challenges to pay it forward, capture happy moments, create memory jars, all in an effort to feel warm and fuzzy.

Already for my 101 in 1001 I wanted to make a list of the 100 things that make me happy. I've been slowly building that list as I go along. Then on Facebook I noticed a friend post a challenge #100happydays.

Could I be happy for 100 days in a row?

Benefit of being a mum #7

Morning tea leave. That's what I like to call maternity leave.

I have never gone out for so many coffees, picnics or lunch dates in my life. Who wants to go back to work when you can do this everyday?

Aye Carumba, Mama's turned 50!

My family are young breeders.

Mum was 21 when she had me. My grandmother 20 when she had my mum. My great grandmother was the same and only passed away a few years ago. I definitely bucked the trend with Mini Me and I don't feel old at all.

Four generations of women in my family.

Life's a picnic

This is a little brag post. I'm riding high after a job well done for Mini Me's christening picnic we held on Sunday.

If only I could control the weather, it would've been perfect. A little too hot for my liking.

But everything else was exactly like I imagined it. Nicely presented food. Lots of tasty food. Full bellies. A game of footy for the boys. Playground for the kids. Wine for the ladies. Shade and blankets to lounge on. Perfect.

What's the recipe for this successful little party? Well here you go.

Mystery Day - Light up the night

Here's a riddle. On Saturday night I found myself in a sea of fluro and I wasn't anywhere near a mine site. I was at a dance party puffing, but I wasn't dancing. 

Where was I?

Mystery Moles struck again. Ms Lou made up light up the night at the Neon Run, a 5km dance party.

Mystery Moles

Year of dates - sailing the ocean

Marriage is a lot like sailing. During the sunny calm waters you relax and soak it in.  For the rocky times its all hands on deck as you work together to get through it.

I didn't think of that analogy as I booked November's date. I was thinking, how awesome would it be to learn the ropes on a tall ship.

November date - sailing on the Leeuwin

Getting into the spirit - pumpkin carving

Ha ha... I crack me up. Get it, spirits. It's Halloween (well the day after). I know. I'm a riot.

I love America. And not in a Team America 'F*** yeah' sort of way. I love that everything is big. Big Apple. Big steaks. Big on Sex and The City.

They really throw themselves into it, and largely seem to be having fun as they do it.

I know Australians whinge 'Halloween is so American'. In fact, most of the traditions came from Ireland or the UK. In fact, it's a Catholic thing before All Saints Day on 1 Nov. In fact, it was a pagan holiday before that.

So what? Who cares? It's fun and that's what life is about.

I've always wanted to get into Halloween, but life is too jammy and I run out of time. This year we have Sister S's engagement party, so I can't join the festivities, but I could knock number 11 off my 101 in 1001. Carve a pumpkin.

Frocktober 2013 Day 25 - Date day

I didn't think I'd do it. I was pooped on last time. But I found myself in the dark again.

Yes, I went to another mum and bub movie session.

I really wanted to see 'About Time' and I knew Hubby wouldn't really want to see it. So when a yummy mummy suggested we go, I reluctantly said yes. Boy am I glad I did after the first foray was a bit crazy.

Event Cinema is bigger and way more equipped for a 'Babe in Arms' movie session. The bad thing is they allocate seats. But it turned out to be a good thing because they also allocate a seat for the baby, so you have room to spread your stuff.

And the movie was lovely. A heart caressing time warp with more of a family focus than a typical rom com.

For our date Mini Me wore a fail safe white t-shirt and jeans.

Frocktober 2013 Day 24 - It's lucky they make them cute

It's lucky babies are cute. Especially when they poo, wee and spew on you.

I was watching Mini Me's squashed 'I'm pushing a poo' face with much enjoyment. She was concentrating and giving it her all. It was minutes of hilarity for me. Then once she filled the nappy with green sludge, she decided she had to wee. It had no where to go, except out and onto my white dress.

Costume change.

Then at lunch she was spew-spitting over me and impeccably dressed Mrs S. Nice one.

It's lucky her summer Bambi jumpsuit, or 1940s swimming costume as I like to think of it, was untouched.



Get those pins out

Frocktober 2013 Day 23 - Ahoy Sailor, it's another date

Today is our three-year wedding anniversary.

With Hubby's new job, spring fever and Mini Me's social calendar finding time for this month's 'year of dates' is tougher than expected. That's why I gave Hubby two options this month for our date... you'll have to read on to find out.

In the meantime... We're loving costumes this week, and today she's a little sailor.

Ahoy there - more donations please.

Frocktober 2013 Day 22 - Little Miss Spew

Picture this, I'm writing this in a singlet and underwear.

Why no dress you ask? Well, it is because my daughter, Little Miss Spew, gorged herself and spewed all over my friend's backyard like a 16-year-old after she sculled her first bottle of Passion Pop. It just kept coming out of her like a fountain.

Then she spewed on the way home. So everything went into the wash and we chilled out in our undies until I was convinced there was nothing left in her stomach. Then we bathed and she is now asleep.

The worst thing is she did the exact same thing, at the exact same time last week.

I'm hoping it is the rice cereal I gave her last week and today and not seeing my yummy mummy's group. I really like the ladies but if she spews every time I see them, I think I might need to stop catching up with them.

Before she gave me a glimpse into her late teen years, this is what my Little Miss Spew wore.

Little Miss Spew

Frocktober 2013 Day 19 - Moss mouth

It's like moss has grown in my mouth. All furry, clammy and earthy.

My breath probably smells like decaying foliage. A bottle of champagne is not a suitable dinner. I could've easily stayed in my dressing gown and uggs today.

It could've been worse though. I could be revisiting last night's endeavours in the bathroom. My head could be pounding like the music that drowned out our conversation. Thankfully I just have forest floor mouth.

Why am I talking in short sentences? Hmmm.

Less talking. More frocking.

Mini Me is channelling Little Pink Riding Hood today. What a cheeky monkey.

My what big eyes you have.

Frocktober 2013 Day 13 - Designer threads

Mini Me has an enviable wardrobe.

Just check out today's wicked pants rom Zara. Yep, Zara. On the playmate she'll be suave and say to the other droolers, 'Oh, you can't get them here. They're from Zara.' Tres chic.

'Sorry, you can't get them - they're from Zara'

Frocktober 2013 Day 11 - Multi-tasking like a.. well a woman

Poor Fur Child. After four and half months, he's realised there is something occupying my time. But he has also realised that while feeding Mini Me I'm powerless to move.

At first this meant jumping onto my lap for cuddles while I was feeding. Great when Mini Me was the size of a 2kg packet of flour. Then it meant barking at me. Never great.

Now it is fetch.

Feeding, playing and thinking about my day. Multi-tasking like only a woman can.

Frocktober 2013 - Our third teammate

So far I've documented Mini Me and my Frocktober exploits.

But there is a third person in our team. She may be silent in this record of our frocking, but it would be the only place in the world that she is quiet.

Introducing Sister S.

Styling Sister S