Ladies who lunch

This morning I decided Lil-lil and I needed to to spend some time together, one-on-one. She tends to have to share the limelight with her sister quite a lot, so I thought it would be nice to do something grown up together. Something just for her.

So, we got on the bus, went into town and grabbed lunch and a movie. Her eyes were abuzz with all the action of the city. I think her eyes nearly popped out of her head when we stepped into the cinema complex and she saw a life-size Buzz and Woody, "I can't believe it!" she crowed.

With an enormous box of popcorn on her lap, her eyes remained popping as she sat and watched Tinkerbell on the big screen. As soon as the lights came on at the end, she jumped up and said "Let's have lunch at a restaurant." How could I refuse?

The height of sophistication for Lil-lil is a Sushi Train, as luck would have it there was one next door to the movie. As soon as she spotted the Japanese delights turning on the conveyor belt, she dragged me over. "This is the restaurant where we eat."

We got back on the bus, tired and full. It felt a little indulgent for a Monday, but before I know it she'll be off at school and these opportunities to play ladies will become less. I'm soaking up these moments.

Nothing better

The past week or so, there has been very little sleep happening in this household, less than usual (which isn't a lot). Yesterday, I was walking around like a zombie. Numb. A shell.

My mum came over, took one look and suggested I tuck myself up in bed with Goosey (who was as tired as I, but never likes to miss out on a minute of the day) and have a nap while she entertained Lil-lil. I didn't hesitate and within minutes of snuggling under the doona we were both snoring away.

There is nothing more blissful than a siesta. It's pure luxury. The end.

It's something I didn't appreciate fully until I had kids and sleep became oh so precious.

A solid two hours later, we stretched that contented stretch,  slowly waking ready to tackle the afternoon. Feeling more human than I had in days.  I'm moving to a country where everyone takes an arvo nap. There is truly nothing better.

Sticky moments

On the weekend, we took a little adventure out to the western suburbs of Sydney. Now, this wasn't an aimless adventure. No, we had a sticky situation that we desperately wanted to get involved in.

We'd had a taste of it before, but we needed to go and experience it for ourselves. Just what am I talking about, exactly? Abla's Pastry at Granville.

Abla's is the home to trays and trays of filo nutty treats, syrupy stickiness that have your lips smacking. I love Lebanese sweets, but these gems are on another level. On Saturday night, these crispy yet syrupy morsels proved the best way to swallow the election results. Packed with pistachios and cashews they were the only thing nuttier than the ballot count.

Lil-lil thought they were the best and her bottom lip dropped the following morning when she saw the dish was almost empty. The best thing about Abla's? You buy by the kilo!

Is there anything so good, so delicious that you travel miles for?

Racing retro

This morning my house is filthy, the kids are snotty and I'm tired and cranky. So, I'm going to pretend that they only thing I have to focus on this week is my frock for the races on Saturday, in the hope that the other mundane problems will vanish!

As I've mentioned before, Skip and I go to the races often. A lot of Saturdays throughout the year at least one of us can be found trackside. This Saturday is the Golden Rose Day, the biggest day of the Spring Carnival at Rosehill. I'm hoping it will be a warm sunny day, perfect to relax, have a glass of champagne, catch up with friends and watch all the action – hopefully win a few pennies as well.

My wardrobe is quite sad, the only things in it are park wear and race wear, with not much in between. Seeing as the races are the only time I really get away from taking the kids to the park, I guess it's OK. Despite having a fair few race frocks in the cupboard, it might be nice to buy just one more...

As I've been watching a lot of Mad Men recently, I think a heavily-tailored retro look will be the way to go this Saturday with gloves and hat to match. Elise Silk in Leichhardt is my favourite race wear designer, who I'm sure will have just the thing.

Here are a couple of Betty Draper looks that I'd like to try out this Saturday (though in reality, a frock from the cupboard will be making another appearance).

A stroll down memory lane

During the week, during my blog break, I had a couple of hours without the girls. I decided it was the perfect time to get out into the sunshine and take a long walk. I went down to a harbourside reserve that I used to spend heaps of time at while I was growing up. Many summer nights were spent here eating BBQ chook and rolls, swimming and watching the sun set. I have so many good memories of this place. We watched New Year's Eve fireworks, watched the Bicentenary celebrations here, Naval celebrations, Australia Day and had parties and many gatherings. One summer I think we ate dinner almost every night with my aunt and cousins. 

While walking down memory lane, I took some photos. Funny how everything looks the same, if not a little smaller. Join me as I get all nostalgic.

Not a bad view.

I remember standing on this rock with my cousin when I was about 9 or 10 and he telling about nuclear warfare, I was scared for years afterwards.

The world's best view from a swimming pool.

We used to carol outside this house on Christmas Eve and the occupants would throw chocolates.

We slept here the night before the Bicentenary to bags our spot.

Thank you, Tony Abbott

As you all know I've been lacking a bit of fire in the belly recently. Well this morning I was listening to the radio and heard the words "On Sunday we may well have a new PM in Tony Abbott."

I got goosebumps. Not the good kind. The fire was reignited, it became a blaze. I was ready to blog again.

Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia. Those are very, very scary words. As former PM, Paul Keating said "If Tony Abbott becomes Prime Minister of Australia, then God help us".

Can people seriously have forgotten WorkChoices? Forgotten the time when Abbott was Health Minister and stripped $1 billion from the hospital system? When as Health Minister used his own religious beliefs to block the introduction of RU486? When he fell asleep in his office and missed the vote for the government's stimulus package, which he now says he was 'strenuously opposed to'?

Remember when Mr Abbott said a paid parental leave system would happen "over this government's dead body". I suspect if he becomes PM his paid parental leave system will vanish with his other non-core policies.

Remember when he said climate change was "absolute crap".

Remember when he said he felt "threatened" by gay people.

I am a Labor supporter, but if Malcom Turnbull or Joe Hockey were the Liberal leader I would not be writing this post, urging you to think about who you will vote for. I truly believe that having Tony Abbott as our country's leader is dangerous. I want a leader who respects the rights of people of every gender, religion, ethnicity, sexuality and age.

But don't listen to my words, listen to his


Remember, vote early and vote often!

We interrupt this broadcast...

As I've written lately, I'm feeling a bit ho hum. A bit flat. The fire in the belly is just a puff of smoke. I'm struggling to get excited about anything much at the moment.

I've been trying to 'fake it to make it' with the blog recently, but I think it's really starting to show. It's a pretty dull day in my life.

So, last night I decided to take a conscious break from blogging. Step away from the keyboard and try and ignite the fire again. It may just be a day, it may be a week, it may be a month. I suspect I will be back sooner rather than later. In any case, I will be back.

You may wonder why I'm even writing this, why not just step away for a while? Well, for me I suspect, actually saying out loud "I'm taking a break" will be the trigger to get the creative juices flowing again. Writing when I feel inspired to, rather than out of habit or routine.

I'll still be lurking. Reading blogs, on twitter, on facebook.

I'll see you again real soon.