It was my spunky DD's birthday yesterday. We won't say which one, he's a bit bleak about his encroaching old age. Finding time to celebrate around our single parenting responsibilities is always a bit tricky, so we staged a two-parter. On Saturday, I popped up to his place for a swim in the surf, followed... Continue Reading →

As I can't afford therapy, I often self-analyse why I am the weird way I am ... as opposed to the weird way other people are ... we're all weird in our own special ways. Most recently I’ve been contemplating the intense and pressing urge I often feel to run away. It surged again yesterday... Continue Reading →

It's a bit scary when a school friend - who's a few months younger than you - announces they've had a heart attack and need triple heart bypass surgery. It's a female friend too. I think people are a bit unaware about the high risks for women. As the Heart Foundation notes: Nearly 3 times as... Continue Reading →

The youngest finally got her outrageously expensive braces on Monday. She has been VERY grumpy ever since about how they look and feel. Much like her mum is about the bill. But I felt cornered by her mouth-breathing-induced overbite, missing-front-tooth agenesis and teen vanity conditions. As I watched the braces being laboriously glued to her... Continue Reading →

You will exclaim "Oh Alana!" ... and not in a good way ... when I tell you this story. Within hours of receiving the horrifying $2400 plumber's bill for my leaking gas pipes last week my drains started doing this ... I was a bit emotionally numb by that point and dejectedly sent the above pic... Continue Reading →

Whenever DD and I host a soiree, someone invariably thinks it's going to be a surprise engagement party. There was lots of speculative murmuring at our joint 50th last year. On Saturday night, DD hosted a Christmas in July celebration. When he ding-ding-dinged his glass to silence the crowd, I got a nudge-nudge-wink-wink from someone. I... Continue Reading →

It was a busy night in booze land on Wednesday. Champagne Bollinger sent me a press release yesterday announcing it "hosted key media and guests at Fred’s in Paddington to celebrate the launch of the new La Grande Année 2008". Thanks for letting me know I’m non-key media. Delete. Ah, I was busy anyway, celebrating... Continue Reading →

I rousted the youngest from bed yesterday for her post-surgery check-up. As we were dashing out the door I realised her new referral was made out to the WRONG SPECIALIST. Arrrrrghhhhh! The doctor's surgery wasn't open yet, so I couldn't call them to get another one. Arrrrgghhhhh! I darted into the waiting room and apologetically... Continue Reading →

I can't believe I'm typing these words, but another drama has befallen me. I think it is most unreasonable of the universe to have lumbered me with an additional crisis, but you know what they say about life's unfairness. Anyways, I've been having problems with a leaking gas smell in the front yard. It's been... Continue Reading →

Yesterday was a shocker. You've probably heard the Kathleen Folbigg news. Click here if you haven't. Kathy is a mess as you can imagine. My life tends to be one of extremes, so I was at the Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards when I got the message that  an announcement was being made... Continue Reading →