The agony and the ecstasy

You know that feeling where you think your heart is so big, so full of love, that it might burst out of your chest? I had that feeling last night.

Back story

My daughter is 8 going on 9 and she is a beautiful, complex, unique little character.

If there's such thing as a typical girl, she's not it. She hates dolls, loathes pink, shies away from anything sparkly, avoids dresses whenever possible, has no interest in boyfriends and just a few chords of a One Direction song appears to leave her in physical pain.

Sometimes it drives me completely nuts (have you tried to buy a last minute book week costume for a little girl that isn't princess inspired?) but most of the time I am simply in awe of this creature who knows who she is, what she wants and doesn't care if other people think she's 'weird'. I recently told her that she is the person i most admire in the world, and it's true. She is comfortable in her skin, not afraid to contradict herself if she changes her mind and won't be peer pressured into anything. I wish i had that self believe at 8.....or 18......or 28......

Don't get me wrong - she's not perfect - she can be moody, whiny, manipulative and downright annoying some days, and is already showing signs of being a nightmare from the ages of 12 to about 20 but at this very moment in time she is simply awesome.

And she is constantly changing. A few months back, out of the blue, she asked me to buy her some lipstick. Now, i have a tendency to over-analyse things so my first reaction was to wonder if she was being brainwashed by our beauty-obsessed society, whether she felt she needed lipstick to feel feminine or whether someone had given her a hard time about not being interested in make-up.

No, she assured me, she knew she didn't need makeup and she's lovely the way she is. She'd just like some lipstick. Please. If that's okay.

So off we went to Priceline to buy some lippie. I let her choose and to my surprise she picked the most vibrant, deep red shade they had. For half a second i thought about telling her she needed to choose something more 'appropriate' then i thought 'fuck it. what's appropriate anyway?' and bought her that kick ass red lipstick. She wore it to the school disco and she rocked it!

But the whole situation made me realise that i had underestimated her, or at least had made a whole lot of incorrect assumptions about her. I realised that she is constantly evolving and learning more about herself and the world and as such is changing the way she things about things.

It was a bit of an epiphany for me and since then i've tried hard not to presume to know what she might like or dislike, what may interest her, and what her opinions are of, well, anything!

So, that leads me back to last night. When i got home from work she greeted me and asked if we could have a private chat a bit later. Cue panicked overthinking. Were the girls at school being mean to her again, had she been mistreated in some way by someone, was she in trouble? Oh gosh, pass me the wine.

I got distracted by the usual evening routine of cooking dinner and organising uniforms and then noticed she disappeared with her big brother into her room (which usually ends with yelling and demands to get out). A few minutes later he came out and said that i needed to have a chat with her.

So i went in and sat on the bed and my gorgeous girl looked at me then covered her face in her hands and said "I don't know if i should tell you this". Before i had time to start panicking again she kept talking "today when i was playing with my friend Blake-" (if this Blake kid has hurt her i'll kill him. KILL HIM!) "- and he admitted that he loved me and had a huge crush on me". "Oh....Oh.....and how do you feel about that?" She tells me she is happy and he's a really nice, good boy, and he really likes her just the way she is. Then she goes on to say she didn't tell me the night before because she was still in shock and needed to get her head around it. I feel myself start dying. Dying from the cuteness. Then she tells me she discussed the situation with her big brother and he advised her to tell us what was going on. (dying). She gives me this huge smile and says "I never thought this would ever happen to me."  BOOM. I'm dead. I want to cry, hug her, lock her in a cupboard, freeze frame this moment where she is so full of excitement, promise, wonder and joy and keep it that way forever. Instead i put on my sensible mum hat and tell her that she is amazing and while it's great Blake loves her, she shouldn't judge herself on what others think of her. She tells me that she is perfectly happy with the way she is and will never change for anyone. TOO MUCH. TOO MUCH CUTENESS.

She then took a deep breath and said she'd better go and tell Dad, unless i wanted to do it. No sweetheart, i tell her. It's your story to tell.

So she goes off to break the news to her father, then with a grin from ear to ear she goes to bed and wishes us sweet dreams.

My heart is so full of love, but there's fear there too, i want to go after her and warn her about heart break, disappointment, failed expectations and all the dangers of life. But i can't. I can't taint that pure, innocent joy. It's not my story. It's hers. I just have to stand back and let her live it, and be there when she needs me.

This parenting caper is hard!!

Bucket list update

Well its been almost two weeks since my epiphany and decision to write a bucket list. 

I was kind of hoping my whole outlook and attitude would simply change overnight and life would become full and rich and exciting immediately. Did I mention I'm very impatient??

I realised yesterday just how ingrained my fear and lack of joy has become. There was a Facebook post by a guy I went to school congratulating his wife on making a representative side for touch football. I immediately thought to myself "how stupid is that? What's the point - it's not like she's going to make the Olympics. And she's in her mid 30's for christ's sake. Hasn't she left it a bit late to be sports star??". That thought was quickly followed by another "uh helloooo maybe she's doing it because she really enjoys it. You know - joy, fun? Remember those things you bitter old cow?"

It was then I realised I need to make a conscious and sustained effort to get my shit together and change my attitude - stat!

So I started my bucket list. It wasn't that easy because every time I came up with something my inner critic would say "what's the point of that?" Or "you can't afford to do that" or "thousands of people want to do that, what makes you think you'll succeed where they've failed?" (I really don't like that bitch!) Anyway despite the voice I've put pen to paper (or fingers to iPad) and started my list. 

So here goes:

Learn to sing (and perform a in public)
Learn to dance
Learn to play an instrument
Paint a beautiful picture
Act in a play
Write a book

So there it is - or at least the start of it. I'm hoping to continue to add to it (and even tick some off) soon.

The Bucket List

Bucket list
My husband I and I were driving along the other day. It was sunny and we were on our own, feeling relaxed and happy and we were chatting about this and that when he asked me what was on my bucket list. I couldn't think of anything. Not one single thing I really want to do before I 'kick the bucket'. The realisation hit me like a cold, wet slap in the face.

I wish I could say my bucket list is empty because I feel completely fulfilled with my life as it is and there's nothing I aspire to do. I mean, I have two gorgeous children, amazing friends, lovely family and a job that isn't too taxing and allows me to have a work-life balance. And in one way it is true. I love my life and the people in it and I feel so grateful for all I have. But to say that's why I don't have a bucket list would be a cop out. It's because over the years, I have become so focused on just surviving, that I haven't given myself permission to dream. The pressure of being the major breadwinner, the responsible one, the one who has to keep the family grounded and  safe has left me empty. I haven't dared to take the time to think about my dreams, my hopes, my passions. 

I began to cry.

 Not exactly the reaction my husband was expecting to his lighthearted, playful question. 

I sobbed as I realised just how crippled by fear I have become without even noticing it. When did I turn into this person? I used to have ideas, dreams, desires. Where did they go? And when? 

As I wept, with my slightly baffled husband by my side, my sorrow slowly started to be replaced by another feeling - gratitude. I am so grateful that I've had this realisation because now I'm aware of it, I can change it. 

My first step is to dig deep and find those long forgotten dreams and breathe new life into them. Then I'll start my bucket list.

I'll let you know how I go! 

Do you have a bucket list? What's on it? 

Looking back, looking forward

It's the last day of 2013 and for a lot of people they'll be saying "thank god!" It was a year of struggle for many of the people I know, affected by illness, death, separation, business failure, friendships ending, troubles at work. It seems everyone I talk to can't wait to see the end of the year. I totally understand - I went through a few of those things i just listed - and it would be easy to just write it off as a shit year and one I'm glad is over, but I had to stop myself and realise a) while a lot of crap happened so did some great stuff (sometimes as a result of the crap I went through), and b) everything that happened taught me a lesson which I needed to learn to better equip me for an amazing year ahead.

For example My husband and I had some really dark moments (days, weeks, months) where I think we both ready to just call it quits. It was hard to see any light at then end of the very long, very black tunnel we found ourselves in. There were tears and arguments and shouting and blame and anger and sorrow and depression. I don't know how but we've managed to keep it together and today, maybe even because of all that yelling our relationship is the strongest it has been in the 12 years we've been together. We are communicating more and have had some really honest conversations that probably wouldn't have happened had we not been through that awful period.

I was also jolted by the deaths of several friends over the year. One was a friends mother who I knew and really liked and admired for many years. She was ill and her death was not unexpected but I think what really surprised me and gave me a kick up the ass was her funeral. It was truly lovely. She had been able to plan a lot of it and she made it full of joy. The last few years hasn't been kind to Jenny and she had every reason to be angry and bitter but she wasn't. What shined through on the day that she was laid to rest was the gratitude she had. She was grateful for her friends, her children, her life which she filled with adventure and fun and experiences. The other thing that was evident was the love in the room. Everyone there knew and truly loved Jenny for who she was. It occurred to me that this was the kind of life I wanted and the legacy I wanted to leave. Then I realised there is only one person in the world who can make that happen for me. ME! I will forever be grateful to Jenny for her inspiration.

There was also the sudden death of my friend Chris who I didn't know was even sick. He was taken swiftly and without fuss in November. I hadn't speak to him in such a long time but had often thought "I wonder how Chris is going. I really must call him" but I didn't because other things came up and I got busy. How easy it is?

Chris's death was another wake up call for me for me to take responsibility for my life and my happiness because our time is limited and we are in charge of our own destiny.

For me, trying to find lessons from these tragedies is a way of trying to make sense of them and honouring the memory of these people who made the world a better place just by being in it.

There is so much more I could write about how and why 2013 has been a tough year but I want to finish it in a positive way, because despite the things that have happened to and around me there is still so much to be grateful for and I know I am so incredibly fortunate in the grand scheme of things.

I have discovered new friends and have been reminded of the amazing support of old ones. When I stop and think about the people I have in my life I literally well up. I am surrounded by love and strength and support, and I've been making a conscious effort to make sure those people know how much I love them.

I have achieved things I wanted to achieve. I've achieved things I thought I wanted but realised they actually weren't all that great, then summoned up the courage to walk away from them.

To varying degrees I've been hurt, let down, betrayed, manipulated, underestimated, lied to, lied about and disappointed and while I haven't fully forgiven those who did wrong by me this year (I'm not a fecking saint) I can say I have (mostly) let go of the anger, accepted that everyone is fighting their own battles and have their own reasons for doing what they do, and have taken a little lesson away from each experience.

I have also felt the pure joy of meeting brand new human beings who have brought with them so much love and hope. Their innocence and beauty warm the heart and nourish the soul. I look forward to watching them grow and develop over the next year and beyond.

So all in all it's been a tough year but I know it has prepared us well for the future and whatever it holds.

Happy New Year

A picture can say a thousand words

Warning: If you do not agree with/enjoy the objectification of men, do not look below.

That is all.

Have a nice day :)

The break up

So two weeks ago I ended one of the biggest relationships in my life - i broke up with Facebook.

Well actually, it was more like a trial separation. I didn't delete my account but i stopped using it, and anyone who knows me knows what a huge deal that is. I thought i would really struggle with the disconnect considering i was a borderline compulsive but actually it was easy. True, i did miss the daily giggles i got from the updates of some of my lovely, funny, slightly crazy friends but i didn't miss all the other garbage on there - like the notifications that this 'friend' took the "How sexy are you today" quiz, or the status of that 'frenemy' that was offensive, racist and, worst of all, contained SPELLING ERRORS. I also didn't miss the passive-aggressive status updates by family members that just plain pissed me off.

Jokes aside though what it all boiled down to was that I just didn’t have the headspace for Facebook. My brain went into information overload and I realised that logging on was actually stressing me out.

Anyhoo, while i was revelling in my new found freedom from the shackles of social networking, Facebook wasn't coping so well. It took rejection pretty hard. I imagine it in its underwear, with three days of growth, lying on the couch in a dark room with empty bottles of Jack Daniels littering the floor (oh yeah, Facebook drinks JD).





After about three days of mourning it began its campaign to woo me back.


At first it was just a friendly email “Jennifer, we noticed you haven’t been on Facebook for a while” which I thought was really sweet – wow it actually noticed I wasn’t there…
…..Then the next day there was a more insistent “Jennifer, you have notifications pending”, which I thought was a little abrupt but hey FB is busy…
…..then there was repeated attempts at emotional blackmail “Jennifer, Nicci posted some big news, don’t miss it”, and “See Sally’s new photos”.
Then finally it moved into the angry stage of grief – “If you don’t get your ass back on Facebook now we’re going to track you down and kill you and your family!” (Actually I made that up).


So finally I have caved. I’m hooking back up with Facebook BUT we’ve got some new rules.

I’m only remaining friends with the people I actually care about. I’ve deleted all the former school mates who I wouldn’t sit down and have a coffee with if I had a chance. I also deleted anyone I didn’t know personally, anyone who I knew only friended me to collect info for their next gossip session and anyone who added me just to boost their numbers.

Gone too is everyone under the age of 21 because either a) they are too young to read what I put on FB or b) I’m too old to for their dramatic crap (also they can’t spell and use slang I don’t understand).

So after taking some time off, deleting the people i don't care about and updating my profile picture to something more flattering I’m ready to give this relationship one more try.

Geez if only life was as simple as Facebook……..

Mother of the year

Guilt. We all have it. It might be about what we eat, what exercise we don't do, how much we spend on clothes...the list goes on and on...and on.



The guilt i tend to favour is the 'bad mother' variety. Don't get me wrong i don't get drunk and beat my kids, i don't even beat them when i'm sober (oh but sometimes i'd love to), I feed them, clothe them, encourage them and love them to bits. But some days (many days) they DRIVE ME INSANE. Separately they're okay - they both have a wicked sense of humour, buckets of compassion for others and an intelligence beyond their years, but put them together and they're nasty, obnoxious, argumentative little shits.

 

This is where the guilt kicks in. I shouldn't feel like this about my kids should i? And if i do I certainly shouldn't say it publicly. This kind of attitude is horrible and socially unacceptable. I should be grateful for the gift of children (which i am), I should embrace all their foibles as a wonderful part of their growth, I should cherish every single moment of their childhood because all too soon it will be gone. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.

I'm sure this is all true but when i'm living with them slyly hitting one another, snatching the remote control, teasing, name calling etc all i want to do is walk out the door, find a nice quite child free bar and drink myself to oblivion.

I know it is more a reflection on me than them. I'm simply not the all giving, all sacrificing earth mother that i 'should' be. I loath going to school functions (small people en mass tend to make me hyperventilate), I hate constantly nagging about keeping their rooms clean, taking care of their stuff etc (because frankly i still need someone to nag at me for the same things) and I LOVE my alone time.

Actually i think my aversion to school functions also stems from the feeling of judgement by other mothers who are on first name basis with all the staff because of their involvement with the P&C, their regular shifts at canteen and their attendance at weekly mass. I kinda hate those mothers. They're silent but screaming reminders of my maternal shortcomings. I should qualify this by saying 'i'm sure they're really lovely...' but screw it, it's my blog and i can rag on them if i want to.



All that aside i am slowly coming to terms with the fact that i will always need a significant part of my life that is 'me'. It's taken years to make peace with that and i'm not quite there yet. I do have to say though, when 7 mother's immediately 'like' my Facebook status saying "my children make me want to drink" it makes me feel better, because it's proof that i'm not a freak. There are other fabulous women out there who also struggle with the everyday realities of being a mother. 

I just hope when my kids grow up (and when they finish their therapy) they will understand that being true to who you are and accepting that is the only way to live a happy and full life. And that i love them, the little bastards....