Well, this week really revolved around Paper Giants for me. Sad, I know, to be so swept up in a TV show. But Woman’s Day was my LIFE for 8 years (OK, my marriage and two kids also played a role) … so it’s kinda understandable.
Anyway, I kicked off by sharing some “Belated mag love, tears and more confessions” after finally getting the chance to watch the second part of Paper Giants (Husband had the audacity to return home from a business trip 10 minutes before the show started and give the steely-eyed impression that he would NOT be impressed if I turned the tellie on. Well, to be honest, the first half of the blog was written BEFORE I watched the show, which meant I had to write a vastly different second half of the blog because part 2 of Paper Giants turned out to be pretty confronting.
Still rattled by it, I wrote a blog called “Are celebrities fair game?” the next day and reminisced about the time I was the subject of a “reverse paparazzi” stalking at the hands of The Chaser.
I got antsy about a commenter on the ivillage Facebook site who said: ”I loathe seeing other parents disconnect from the swimming lesson week in week out, smart phone in hand. Just being there is not actually being present.” So I wrote this cranky little blog in response, explaining how much I loathe sitting at swimming lessons each week and how “I usually need a can of sugar-free Mother in one hand and a social media device in the other to make it through”. The blog was republished on iVillage later in the week. No response yet from the sanctimonious swimming mum. I feel a bit sorry for her actually. I suppose I should be thinking “good on her” for her dedication.
My griping continued as I perused the packing checklist for the eldest’s school camp and I wondered: “Oh, and here’s the hilarious next stipulation: ‘All baggage needs to be of a size that will allow your child to independently carry or pull it along.’ Right, so you’ve just asked me to pack everything bar the kitchen sink and you want it in a bag the child can independently carry. Bwahahahahahha. Very funny. I’ll start injecting her with anabolic steroids now, shall I?”
My gossip round-up for the week came with the title “Freaky 50-year-olds to reality stars with whatsit tattoos”. It starred Brad Pitt, who Husband and I happened to see in World War Z on Thursday night. World War Z was TERRIFYING. I was still shaking 20 minutes afterwards. Literally. Shaking. I’m not sure it was the best choice for a rare “date night” with Husband. Almost as unfortunately chosen as the time my sister bought a kilo of prawns and rented District 9 to celebrate Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend. Eeek!
A week wouldn’t be complete on HouseGoesHome without some recipes (not that I’m finding much time to cook now I’m combining work and parenting again). Since the chilly days are finally upon us, I blogged my 7 favourite soup recipes.
Meanwhile, over on iVillage …
This dad suffered the most heartbreaking loss, but he wants to thank the women who were there when it happened >> http://bit.ly/ZG3fNV
Sometimes getting your kids through the school year can feel like the most exhausting marathon in the world. Relate? Then I predict you’re going to love this hilarious post >>http://bit.ly/16OlkyB
This dad has invented what we dubbed the most dangerous pram ever. Click here to find out why >> http://bit.ly/1bxVrjl
Some people think Aussies are crazy for putting beetroot on our burgers. But this gallery of wacky burger creations redefines WTF >> http://bit.ly/142jJiT
It seems some men will go to any lengths to be like George Clooney. You won’t believe the intimate plastic surgery trend he’s inspired >> http://bit.ly/11AA6RA
When cat bearding goes wrong… this gallery of photos is the laugh-out-loud result >>http://bit.ly/14w6Akq
When I asked iVillage readers for suggestions on what to bake for the school band’s cupcake stall at Bunnings I got heaps of awesome suggestions, but this one, above, was my favourite. Here’s my version that I made (after burning the first 24 – argh!!!)
I thought this was the funniest vasectomy story EVER >>http://bit.ly/1btSIYd
I suggested on iVillage’s Facebook page that there are some days as a working mother where these sort of “life hacks” move from funny to kinda tempting …
But I didn’t really write that much on iVillage.
I was too busy collecting Hollywood gossip and reporting on Lisa Curry’s IVF attempt, Curtis Stone’s Spanish wedding and Kim Kardashian giving birth, because my gossip sidekick, Kahla, had gone home to visit her parents for a mini-holiday.
(One woman got really cross and said: “Why do you keep bagging her out?? Jealous much…” To which I replied: “Ooooh yes, terribly jealous Melinda. Wish someone would have paid me some moolah for my wedding. And I reckon I would have taken it in a flash. I’m just curious to hear what other people think.” To which she replied something even snarkier, but I can’t tell you what because I hid it from the page … drunk on power I am …)
Geez I was hopeless without Kahla. The number of social media stuff-ups I had … broken links … double-ups … anxiety attacks … I was SO thrilled to see her walk back through the door on Wednesday.
So, how was your week?
housegoeshome 
I want to see World War Z – it was terrifying but was it good?
Petrifying but amazing