My 11-year-old constantly dazzles me with her positive attitude. She has terrible eczema and associated nasty allergies, but that doesn't stop her being one of the most glass-half-full people I know. I'm also awed by her ability to engage with just about anyone and ask them thoughtful, interested questions. While I was in the Hunter... Continue Reading →

I often tell DD how lucky we are. We found each other. We fell in love. And we have the loveliest adventures together. It sometimes feels like we deal with more than our fair share of dramas, but the wonderful moments far outweigh the shite ones. Over the weekend, we headed to the Hunter Valley... Continue Reading →

It should have been gossip that brought Shelly Horton and I together, but was booze. Well, the booze industry. The former gossip columnist was guest speaker at a Women in drinks event I attended for the drinks association yesterday. The event was held at Diageo's head office. Drinks companies, I've discovered, have the most fabulous... Continue Reading →

I had a bit of a La La Land at the Oscars moment last night. I was presenting the award for Digital Communicator of the Year at the Wine Communicator of the Year Awards (the drinks association was sponsoring the award and I scored the invite). So there I was at the microphone saying "And... Continue Reading →

I got really cranky with the eldest on Monday night when she announced she wanted to go trick or treating for Halloween ... but wasn't going to wear a costume. That is NOT acceptable! I ranted. If a kid your age turned up on my doorstep wanting lollies and not wearing a costume I'd tell... Continue Reading →

Flying around the world for meetings and conferences might sound glamorous, but there are weeks - like this one - when I'm very glad I'm not a FF like DD. I dropped him at the airport on Sunday night for a three-day business trip to London. Shudder. Can you imagine anything worse than spending more... Continue Reading →

Have I mentioned the eldest wants to be a tattoo artist? She's done extensive research on the subject, built a model of a tattoo machine so she can get used to the grip, emailed tattoo parlours for tips, established her ethical guidelines for when it's not OK to tattoo people (such as when they are... Continue Reading →

I went to my last-ever primary school band spectacular last night. Last. Ever. I've been going to primary school band spectaculars for seven years. It had an "Australia" theme, so they played iconic songs between the band performances. One dad thought he'd make the night just that little bit more memorable for the crowd -... Continue Reading →

My brain has permanently deleted vast swathes of my life. My mum and sister were reminiscing during our Hawks Nest holiday about another family trip we took together - all as grown ups - to Noosa. While I knew the holiday happened I hadn't retained a single detail from it. Not one. My brain does... Continue Reading →

Sooooo, I made a big mistake yesterday. I did my tax return. Doing my tax return should be a good thing, right? But it turns out I owe the government $1800 ... which isn't great news when you've just spent $3000 saving your dog's life. Dammit. Oh, and my car rego and insurance and other... Continue Reading →