It's a little jaw-dropping to realise I've been blogging at HouseGoesHome for five whole years this month. Wow the blog has been through a lot with me. Those first few posts weren't too fabulous, though my debut included the gem: "I helped out at a '100 days of kindergarten' celebration. Unfortunately it ended with Sprog 2 clinging to me and crying... Continue Reading →

I never tire of gazing at the ocean and hearing the waves crash, so when DD invited friends up for Sunday lunch I suggested we do a bit of sightseeing while they were in the Northern Beaches 'hood. Top of my list was Barrenjoey Lighthouse, so we could combine viewing pleasure with hard yakka. The... Continue Reading →

It's my dad's birthday tomorrow. We celebrated last night at my sister's place. Most family events play out my sister's deck these days - weddings, birthdays, Christmas, Easter - though my mum reckons my 50th should be a Waikiki affair. She's piling up the Frequent Flyer points ... who am I to argue? My sister's... Continue Reading →

You know you're getting old when you sit around the dining table regaling children with stories about what it was like when I was young. That's what I found myself doing at a friend's house last night. We told them about how there were no ATMs, so you had to make sure you got enough... Continue Reading →

A post popped up in my Facebook feed yesterday from my break-up bible, Huffington Post Divorce. It was an extract from the dearly departed Nora Ephron's book I Remember Nothing And Other Reflections. I love Nora Ephron. I dream of writing the way she did. I shed so many tears and found so much comfort... Continue Reading →

Old age, you terrible thing. I drove over my glasses the other day. I'd spent days wondering where they were. They were here ... in the driveway ... Kinda arty, really. They must have been in my lap then fallen on the ground when I got out of the car. I didn't notice and they... Continue Reading →

Remember my DIY Brazilian? (How could you forget?) Well, one of my readers shared this story with me from a forum. I have no idea of its origin or authenticity, but it made me laugh until I cried so I thought you might enjoy a giggle too. In her case, it went horrible wrong ...... Continue Reading →

There was ice all over my car windscreen yesterday morning. I don't remember EVER having ice on my car in Sydney before. I was so bloody cold last night that I couldn't get to sleep. Flannelette pyjamas, bed socks, doona, dressing gown draped over the top ... and still shivering an hour later. DD, however,... Continue Reading →

A few weeks ago, booking.com sent me an email with a header that said: "Alana, we've found last-minute deals for you in Ryde!" I thought it was a little odd, as I've never expressed the slightest desire to visit Ryde while on the booking.com site. I drive through the Northern Sydney suburb of Ryde on... Continue Reading →