I was shocked to read on smh.com.au at 8.28pm last night that "erratic swings give Labor hope." I was certain there was no hope for Australia. Especially after filling out that ridiculous senate paper at the polling booth. It was truly disturbing. Why the hell do they make you tick six boxes when the choices... Continue Reading →

The youngest's affection for the kitchen came in handy last night. After I cooked up burgers and homemade wedges dusted in Cajun spices - go me - it was time for some Election Day baking for the school cake stall. Nothing turned out quite the way I'd planned. Sigh. I'd decided to make "dirt" covered... Continue Reading →

I haven't worked full time in an office since my youngest daughter was born 10 years ago. I even managed - with the support of the most amazing deputy editor, Nicole Byers - to edit Woman's Day while working only four days a week. I didn't understand how lucky I was back then, when I... Continue Reading →

I didn't want to get out of bed this morning. Not because I was bleeeeeaaaaaak, which is usually the reason people don't want to get out of bed ... or because they're lazy or really good at sleeping or something, like my 12-year-old, who could quite happily stay under the covers until lunchtime. She doesn't... Continue Reading →

"You must really love swimming," one of my colleagues noted when I told her I'd been kayaking and splashing in the surf on the weekend. "Yes!" I replied. Then I paused, a little startled by my answer, and added, "Actually, I can't swim. I've always hated the water ... until lately." Two years ago, I... Continue Reading →

"One thing you might not know about me is that I am a punctual person," Mrs Woog wrote yesterday. "This is a recent phenomenon, rearing its head about the same time that I became obsessed with the weather forecast and when I started selecting clothing based on whether it would crush or not. It is... Continue Reading →

Back in 2014, when I was feeling a little down, the universe sent me a pig. It's pretty hard to stay miz when a squealing pig runs past you in a suburban Sydney street. It kinda startles you out of it. Yesterday, the universe got jack of my middle-class-white-girl moping about life's challenges and one-upped... Continue Reading →

The youngest has always loved cooking, but she's become a bit obsessed lately. I blame it on watching Masterchef every night. She even makes her own bread now. She wanted to make her own pasta yesterday. From scratch. She's 10! I said NO! Saying "NO!" to making pasta didn't really make my day any easier.... Continue Reading →

So how about that Brexit shocker yesterday? Confession: I was pretty oblivious during the morning because I was being brain numbed at a ABAC briefing, then wafting around Northbridge School of Visual Arts trying on jewellery and admiring the art ... It was only when I asked DD how his day was going and he... Continue Reading →

Many years ago I had my one and only public speaking gig. It was in Newcastle, just after I finished up as editor of Woman's Day. I filled my speech with lots of celebrity anecdotes and it seemed to get quite a few laughs, though my mum remains slightly embarrassed to this day by my... Continue Reading →