A Republican In A Tiara

On Friday night Map Guy, Tricky and I arrived by our 244 horsepowered carriage at Wembley Manor for a delightful affair to celebrate the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter to Miss Catherine Elizabeth Middleton.

One must dress appropriately for a Royal Wedding party so ties for the gentlemen and hat/headwear for the ladies was required. Map Guy dusted off his suit and bow tie whilst I wore a black cocktail dress and accessorised with pearls and a tiara... and whilst one doesn't like to brag, I will mention my hair looked nicer than Chelsy Davy's and my headwear was a thousand times better than Princess Beatrice's... though that's not really saying much is it?

And dress codes count for babies too, so young Tricky wore a cute little shirt with a multi-coloured car tie on it that I made... I know - I even impressed myself.

Straight outta a magazine

Our hosts, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge(Street), went to so much effort and supplied us with copious amounts of homemade British fare; miniature mushy pea pies, miniature bacon and egg pies, chicken tikka skewers with yoghurt and coriander dip (because you can't get more British than curry), and my favourite Yorkshire puddings with melt-in-the-mouth beef and a delicious horseradish sauce.

And if that wasn't enough, for dessert we had the same chocolate biscuit cake that was served at the reception (the groom's cake), and scrumptious Eton Mess.

It was a great night and even though I'm a republican, I loved watching the pomp and ceremony of a Royal Wedding and the feeling of watching a little bit of history unfold... plus I liked laughing at the eyebrows and hats and horrid outfits while hanging out with my friends.

So here's to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; may they have a long and happy marriage (and avoid white FIAT's and Parisian tunnels).

Back row: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge(Street)
Middle row: Lord and Lady Glow, The Count and Countess of Moose
Front row: Baron and Baroness Von Fridge

Did you celebrate the Royal Wedding? Would you feel jipped if you married a Prince and got given the title of Duchess? Or is it just me?

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

FlogYoBlog Friday - The Giant Puffy Dress Edition

Get out your top hats and tails or frocks and ridiculously large and feathery hats, this edition of FlogYoBlog Friday has a dress code!

Today's the day that Prince William marries the commoner, Kate Middleton... but really, if you're mixing in those circles, you're not really common are you? 

Tonight I will be watching the wedding at a fancy schmancy Royal Wedding Dinner Party - which is code for hanging out with friends (wearing my tiara) and playing a drinking game where you have a sip every time the commentator says beautiful/stunning/gorgeous/momentous.

If you're staying in tonight, you can check out Three Li'l Princesses' Royal Wedding Pyjama Par-tay - a live event starting at 7pm AEST. If I could get away with taking my laptop to the dinner, I'd join in.

Just so we're clear, I think Ms Middleton would look amazing in a sleek, understated gown ala Carolyn Bessette, BUT my bet is that she will wear a giant puffy dress with a massive train.

So grab a fascinator and let's Flog!

The Rules

(As stolen from Lori, thus making Baby Jesus cry... sorry)

1. Follow Where's My Glow? 
2. Bow down at the alter of Mummy Time; Blog-goddess, all round groovy gal and creator of FYBF
3. Grab the FYBF button and post it on your sidebar or in the post you're linking up
4. Link in your favourite/best post from the week (don't just put your blog URL)
5. Follow at least 1 linkyer/blogger (Be nice and spread the comment love)
6. The list will be open for linkyers on Fridays (and for the foreigners Friday as well)
7. A new and fresh linky list will open every Friday. And you will have to link up AGAIN. The previous link list does not carry over to the following week
8. Because I live in Dullsville Perth the list will open around 7am AWST - I'm not getting up at 5am and the last time I scheduled a post it didn't work.

<a href="http://www.wheresmyglow.com/search/label/FlogYoBlog"><img alt="FYBF" src="http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/mummy-time/FlogYoBlog/flogyoblog-1.jpg" border="0" alt="FYBF"/></a>

 




 get the InLinkz code ___________________________________________________
Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to
HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

Party Pooper

I've heard people say "Congratulations on surviving the first year as parents" but what I didn't know is that they were actually congratulating them on surviving the intense drama that surrounds orchestrating a first birthday party.

This week Map Guy and I wrote a list of people we would like to invite to Tricky's first birthday... there are 50 adults on the list. 50! I've never had a birthday party with 50 people so you can sure as shit bet that Tricky isn't having that many at a party he won't even know is happening let alone remember.

You're wondering how on earth it can be 50, aren't you? Well it's my bloody Mothers' Group's fault. Those of you who lament how cliquey and bitchy your group was, well it just might have been a blessing in disguise. I've got a group of gals that are awesome and are now actually my friends. Damn them for being so nice!

My other problem is I have the world's tiniest house; if we all stood crammed in shoulder to shoulder, it could possibly fit 20 malnourished individuals... you know, like the ones on billboards. Whilst I'm thankful none of my friends are as emaciated as Keira Knightly, it does mean I will have to find a venue for this frickin party, even with the guest list halved.

So now I'm wondering do I just go to a local park with BBQs and just hope that the bone-dry Perth winter continues? What is the protocol if rains on the morning of the party? Will everyone expect to come to my place? Or can I get away with pointing to the trees and suggesting everyone huddle under them?

All I want is a small gathering of friends, some nice finger food and to be able to take Tricky's photo while he smooshes cake all over his face. No petting zoo. No bouncy castle. No bloody fairies or clowns (unless it's Lily Petal or Lilly Pilly, of course!) and definitely not 50 people. Is that too much to ask?

I will accomplish it - if only so I can tick it off my Thirty before 30 list (which I kinda forgot about - oops).

How did you handle the first birthday? Is it rude to just go on a holiday instead?

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

He Did What!? Wednesday - By Eat, Roam, Shop!

Weddings, Parties, Anything - Guest post by Eat, Roam, Shop!

Back when I lived in Sydney and first met my husband I worked full time at a hotel doing shift work and ran a catering business part time.

I met my husband and was super in love, he knew I loved cooking and we were in our getting to know you stage. He also knew I liked to throw parties, I even suggested I throw a small party for his work colleagues so we could get to know each other.

He also knew I was busy with work and had my biggest catering gig coming up, a sit down wedding with cocktail appetisers and four courses. Not only would I be prepping all the food for this wedding but I was also arranging hire, delivery and set up of equipment, washing and ironing linens, staff hire, decorations and floral arrangements which I would be putting together myself.

So with juggling work I had a pretty tight schedule and was pretty stressed about the floral arrangements, I had done one or two arrangements as presents for people but this was a wedding and I would be putting together a ton of flowers and preparing a ton of food and coordinating deliveries.

So what did my then boyfriend do? Well he announced to me a few days beforehand that he had invited everyone around from work, for a party to be catered for by yours truly, no pressure but "I told the boss what a great cook you are..." The night before the wedding!!!

Husband said I seemed so relaxed about the catering gig it didn't occur to him it would be a problem.

Grrrr! 

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Jen brings an International flavour to He Did What!? Wednesday this week: she's an ex-pat Aussie, is currently living in Brussels, and is so obsessed with Japan that when she went there on exchange she "went crazy with sticker photos, collecting kitsch, wearing majorly big socks and waking up at 4 am to practice Japanese sword fighting".

At her blog, Eat, Roam, Shop!, she has dedicated entire posts to her love of hot chocolate, the precise art of shoe maintenance and her obsession with her iPhone.

She's an avid Tweeter but has only just started up an account for her Blog Tweets, so be sure to check it out.

Next Week: Who's on SawHole's Shit List?

Send your S/He Did What!? submission to Glowless@wheresmyglow.com

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

Tangled - Giveaway

With my permanently unbrushed hair, who better to review Tangled than moi?

The staunch feminist in me shys away from the older fairytales where the girl meets the Prince, the old woman/witch/mother/step mother dies and they live happily ever after and the underlying moral of the story is that once you've found a guy and offed your mother, you're set for life. And Rapunzel is no different... but this isn't Rapunzel, it's a reworking.

Sure, Tangled has a fairytale ending, but it's not the same. In this version Rapunzel is a smart and sassy chick who shows that even though she is faced with some pretty tough stuff, she can handle herself just fine thankyouverymuch.

Is it schmaltzy? A little, it's a fairytale so it kinda has to be. But it's also hilariously funny. I did the whole laughing-out-loud-even-though-you're-the-only-one-watching trick at half of the things Flynn says.

One of my favourite parts of the movie would have to be the "I've got a dream" song with Vladimir and his ceramic unicorns. It was stuck in my head for days!






Now, the part you were waiting for: Thanks to Walt Disney Studios, I've got a copy to give away! To win your own copy of Tangled on DVD all you have to do is be a follower of Where's My Glow? and leave a comment below telling me which Disney character is your favourite and why. My answer would be Mater from Cars (which is Disney/Pixar) because he's so cute and sweet and gentle.


TAC: Entry is open to Australian residents only. Twitter entries must be added as a separate comment. Prize will be drawn on Tuesday 3rd May at 8pm AWST. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator - to ensure you are contactable, sign in to Disqus (the comment platform) with a valid email address. Winners will be announced on the Where's My Glow? Facebook page and notified via email. Winners have one week to respond to the notification before a redraw. The winner's name and address will be provided to Walt Disney Studios for the purposes of delivery of the prize. The prize is provided by Walt Disney Studios and is non transferable. 


Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of the DVD courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment via Aussie Mummy Bloggers. No financial payment was offered nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

FlogYoBlog Friday - The Wabbit Season Edition

Hello my darling chocolate-stuffed cherubs!

You've come to visit me on a public holiday? Oh how kind of you!

I'm not religious so to me, Easter is all about the public holidays. It means I get to spend a bit of extra time avoiding with my loved ones, eating hot cross buns and copious amounts chocolate... what's not to like?

It also means that I got to go play with makeup for this week's FYBF theme - you didn't notice they were themed? DAMMIT!

What's up, Blog?

I realized after these photos were taken that I forgot to put my matching blue satin bow tie on. Sad bunny (wow, I nearly made that a hashtag - I really am addicted to Twitter!). Why do I even own blue satin ears and a bow tie? Well, because they came with the puffy cotton tail I got to put on Tricky because I'm a cruel mother.

So Happy Easter to you all, enjoy the super long weekend and stay safe on the roads.

Let's go Flogging, my little bunnies!

The Rules

(As stolen from Lori, thus making Baby Jesus cry... sorry)

1. Follow Where's My Glow? 
2. Bow down at the alter of Mummy Time; Blog-goddess, all round groovy gal and creator of FYBF
3. Grab the FYBF button and post it on your sidebar or in the post you're linking up
4. Link in your favourite/best post from the week (don't just put your blog URL)
5. Follow at least 1 linkyer/blogger (Be nice and spread the comment love)
6. The list will be open for linkyers on Fridays (and for the foreigners Friday as well)
7. A new and fresh linky list will open every Friday. And you will have to link up AGAIN. The previous link list does not carry over to the following week
8. Because I live in Dullsville Perth the list will open around 7am AWST - I'm not getting up at 5am and the last time I scheduled a post it didn't work
9. Send me an Easter egg

<a href="http://www.wheresmyglow.com/search/label/FlogYoBlog"><img alt="FYBF" src="http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/mummy-time/FlogYoBlog/flogyoblog-1.jpg" border="0" alt="FYBF"/></a>

get the InLinkz code

___________________________________________________

Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

Arse Covering 101

If you're a medical professional, perhaps a paediatrician, and receive a letter from a mother drawing attention to the fact that you missed all the signs that point to a baby having a particular skull deformity, here's a few tips for you on how to respond in your own letter:

1. Make sure to get the tone of said letter just right; you should aim for a mix of arrogant bastard and condescending dickhead. If you pretend that you're God while writing, it should be perfect.

2. Ignore all the physical characteristics that were brought to your attention, the ones that should have set off alarm bells, and instead focus on one characteristic that you did notice, the "slight facial asymmetry", that isn't actually related to the syndrome in question.

3. Lie and say you mentioned this asymmetry to the mother and had a conversation about it - say you remember that particular conversation clearly even though you see hundreds of babies. Include a copy of the medical notes where a nurse has written "slight facial asymmetry" but don't include the copy of the notes where you ruled a line through everything and signed it - hopefully the mother would have lost these notes. She hasn't.

4. Point out the unrelated matter where the mother chose to not get her baby prophelacticly injected at birth with a synthetic substance for a rare blood disorder "against medical advice" rather than state that the mother chose to be informed in her birth choices and not swayed by fearmongering doctors.

5. Chastise the mother for not coming back to you for the six week infant check up, even though you said it was fine for her to go to any General Practitioner unless there was something in particular she was concerned about.

6. Completely deny that you said anything offensive in regards to the mother's breasts but then contradict yourself and say you were only trying to be light-hearted because she was having difficulty establishing breastfeeding - ignore the fact that the notes you've attached say the child fed like a champ from the get go.

7. At all times remember your job is to make the mother feel guilty for daring to have a child without obtaining a medical degree first.

8. Continue to demand payment of $400 even though you didn't do your job properly, but mention that Medicare pays for some of it so the mother has nothing to complain about.

9. Maintain that the syndrome, which is visible in photos from birth, must have developed some time after the mother and child left the hospital.

10. Once you've had your secretary type it up for you, make sure you back date it so that it appears you responded immediately after being contacted instead of being honest and documenting that it took you a month.

11. Above all else, blame everyone else for everything.

Whilst you may think that writing a letter like this would just inflame the mother, you'd be wrong. It is true she will feel intense rage when reading you words and that bitter, angry tears will spill from her eyes, but, because you've managed to work in so many insults and pick at the frayed edges of her being, her very soul will be crushed and instead of fighting you, she will instead curl up in bed and cry... a great result with the added bonus that your indemnity insurance premiums won't go up.

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

I {heart} Heart Surgery

Well it's been a tough week for me. But it's been about a million times rougher for my Dad.

We were told that the surgery to replace his damaged heart valve would take only two hours - when the two hour mark came and went with no sign of my Dad, funnily enough I didn't start worrying (well I was already worried, I didn't start worrying more).

Instead, because I hadn't anticipated being at the hospital this long I was faffing around trying to find food for Tricky. He had eaten all the food I had brought with us (an entire lunch box full) and he would be getting hungry shortly - I'm normally so organized, but my head just wasn't in the right space.

After much kafuffle, calling the kitchen and walking to the hotel down the road, two pieces of bread was all that could be found. It was one of those moments where I was so grateful that I was able to breastfeed because I was able to 'top him up' and keep him happy.

At least it kept me busy, because by now we'd passed the four hour mark and I was getting antsy. My mind was reeling and every minute felt like an eternity but I remember thinking that time didn't drag quite this slowly when it was Tricky under the knife.

Because we were trying to keep Tricky quiet-ish and were getting sick of walking around the cupboard-sized waiting room, my Mum took one step outside the door and there he was... being wheeled past us to the Intensive Care Unit, almost five hours after surgery began.

A while later we were allowed to go in and see him. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Three IVs, plus five separate syringe pumps, a ventilator, drainage tubes, wires everywhere. Even some which led straight to his heart that were connected to a defibrillator, ready to be zapped should his heart stop.

I stood next to him, held his hand, and even though he was unconscious and would be kept that way for another day, I told him I loved him and that Tricky was just outside the door and couldn't wait to see him. I bawled my eyes out, then, as we'd arranged earlier, I took his picture so that when he's all better he can see what he looked like.

No, I won't put that photo here, because it's pretty confronting. Instead, I'll put this one, taken just two days after, when he was still in ICU, barely able to move, but still gave a thumbs up.

In the days that followed, the machines (that go PING), the wires and tubes were gradually reduced and he was moved from ICU to coronary care.

It's a bit strange to see a man who has shoveled 4.5 tonnes of crap from my garden in one day become so exhausted after doing his breathing exercises that he can't talk; so tired after a shower that he needs a two hour nap; so weak that he can't lift the Sunday paper.

But that's to be expected after having your sternum sawn in half, I'm told.

And today... well today he comes home. One week. Apparently that's all it takes to heal from open heart surgery. Though, after seeing how overworked the hospital was, I'm convinced he's not so much "recovered" as "taking up space". Taking up a bed that some other poor sucker, who is about to tread the same path as my Dad, is quite literally dying to have.

Major thanks again to everyone who sent their best wishes and prayers, and to Kim of All Consuming who reminded me that my Dad now has to say "That's not a scar, THIS is a scar"

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

He Did What!? Wednesday - By Mumstrosity

Reg Grundies, Nanna Style - Guest post by Mumstrosity

When I was in hospital after having [insert kids name, theres so many kids I can't remember whose birth was whose], I wanted new underwear. I instructed DP to go to the supermarket and buy a pack black, size -- knickers that were Bonds brand, exactly the same as 98% of my other jocks, low waist in either boyleg or 'normal' style.

I figured this wouldn't be too hard a task as he has seen my knickers many a time, as 3 babies would show, so off he went, determined to be helpful.

He comes back later with my parcel of jocks (not literally jocks, I call them jocks), I asked him - Did you get black? - Yes, Did you get Size --? - Yes, Did you get Bonds ones? - Yes again. Oh good, I thought he actually got the right ones.

I opened the magical jock parcel to find 3 Black, Size x, Bonds jocks - in some sort of 'Nanna Cut' like I've never seen. Waisties. Not only that, but they had a seam that down the middle, front and back for that "oh so comfortable" Wedgie/Camel Toe combination that all Mothers enjoy wearing after labour..

*sigh* and I had to wear them. 8 points for trying DP.

At least I could tuck my entire Mummy Tummy into them.

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The super fabulous Liz is the evil genius behind Mumstrosity. With the tag line of "Sometimes Mum Fucks Things Up" you know it's gonna be an awesome read.

She's been blogging for a year (at Mumstrosity since January) and, by her own admission, divides her time between drinking coffee, blogging, changing nappies and shopping... probably in that order.

As a 20-something mum(strosity) to three kids, I have no idea where she finds the time to blog about everything from techie stuff to anxiety to debt reduction and of course, fucking things up.

You can often find her lurking on Twitter and tagging people on Facebook, just because she can.

Next week: We cook up a storm with Eat, Roam, Shop!

Send your S/He Did What!? submission to Glowless@wheresmyglow.com

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

The Seventh Food Group

One of my Mama friends, Mrs O, nearly made me throw up the other day.

Unlike the last time I felt sick, which was as a result of rockin' out at an awesome party being a bit dehydrated, on this occasion it was preempted by a story about her son, Mr Messy, and his latest snack. Being the wonderful friend I am, after gagging then laughing I asked if I could blog it.

Last weekend Mr & Mrs O grabbed the keys to their new house and opened the door to find the place completely filthy. Crap left in cupboards, junk in the yard and bugs everywhere. Delightful stuff.

To her credit, Mrs O went head down, bum up and had the whole place spick and span within a weekend thanks to some hard yakka, a couple of cockroach bombs and using up all her babysitting credits. There is obviously something seriously wrong with her me because I've lived here for years and I still have boxes that I haven't unpacked.

A few days later, after the lovely new-home excitement has worn off a bit and it was back to the usual mundane tasks of mamahood, Mrs O turned around to find Mr Messy chomping happily away on something... something brown, with six legs and wings... a gigantic cockroach. Gag.

Image Credit: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

After doing the whole 'my child is eating something icky' dance, complete with arm waving, she remembered the cockroach bombs. So not only was Mr Messy eating a brown bomber, he was eating a bombed brown bomber.

PANIC STATIONS! A poison cockroach!!!

Mrs O kept her cool and rang the Poisons Information Centre - should she give him milk? water? induce vomiting? Apparently the amount of poison he would have ingested was minimal and that it's not really harmful to humans anyway. Phew. They did tell her to give him a drink to make sure he washed it all down and there wasn't any left in his mouth to choke on... which induced her own vomiting (and my own).

So I put the call out on Twitter, asking people to name the grossest thing their child had ever eaten, half because I wanted to reassure her she wasn’t the only one and half because I wanted to know just how much I have to prepare myself for as a Mama... after hearing some of the results I'm thinking I will have to either be really vigilant or develop and iron stomach.

Some of my favourites were:

@MotherMoments Whose son was such a fan of kitty litter they had to rig up a system on the laundry door so the cats could get in but he couldn't;

@Our_Adventures, @TutuAmes and @CollinsWeribee Whose children all ate dog poo (some more than once!);

@MeganBlandford and @katesaysstuff whose kids both ate worms, then remembered their table manners and ate dirt with a spoon;

@Hey_Bambini whose child ate an old piece of toast crust with a mysterious green substance on it (was quite likely to be mould but will be referred to as "avocado") that they found in a basket of toys in a café;

And Mrs O – you’re not alone:

@MrsGMach’s son ate a cockroach and after she fished it out of his mouth and threw it away, he went and got it back out of the bin & kept munching!

@MummyMcTavish ate an entire cockroach when she was little even though her Mum found her part way through – she left her eating it so she could get a tissue, not wanting to touch it!

So what is the grossest thing you or your child has even eaten?

For a poisons emergency call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

Mummy Manners - Giveaway

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend the Perth launch of Libbi Gorr's fab new book for Mamas and Mamas-to-be, Mummy Manners: An etiquette guide for managing other children's Mothers and assorted Mummy dilemmas.

I don't think I've laughed so hard in a while! The super-savvy Libbi Gorr and her hostess with the mostess, the gorgeous Dixie Marshall (who offered to sleep with Map Guy - it's a long story), who have been good friends for years, had Aunty Penny and I almost wetting ourselves laughing. Tricky wasn't too impressed because he was asleep on my lap and every time I guffawed he would startle. Sorry, Tricks, but Mama needed a little break in the tension.

I've admired Libbi (see that, we're totally on a first name basis now) from her days on Live & Sweaty when she was the Doc-Marten clad Elle McFeast - though I'll admit to not actually caring about the content (sport, ick), I just liked the way she was able to make hunky footballers feel uncomfortable by asking the questions no one else could. For someone like me who is a born shit-stirrer, it really appealed.

This is Libbi's first book, and it was "written in between feeds" and is perfect for reading that way too because it's little snippets of information and you don't have to remember plot or even characters (see Time, Never Enough p173). Plus you'll get a few giggles along the way!

You will learn the difference between a play date and just using a Mummy friend as a free babysitter (see Dumping, Children p45), how to get out of a play date when you really can't be bothered (see Hairdressing Appointment, Feigned p67), how to sound intelligent when your eyes are falling out of your skull (see Sleep Deprived p156; Dostoevsky p43) and how one may be punished if seen to be treating another Mummy ungraciously (see Chops, Quick Slap Across The p30; Bitch, She's Such A p19).

If it wasn't for the AVO, we'd be besties

If you would like to get your hands on this book, which will help you navigate your way around the social nuances of Mamahood, then run off to your local book stores and for $29.99 it can all be yours... or if you'd like to get your hands on a SIGNED COPY then all you have to do is be a follower of Where's My Glow? and leave a comment below telling me your best Mummy Manners tip (mine would be: Despite it's comedic value, it's best not to intentionally spray breastmilk on another Mummy). If you'd like a bonus entry you can tweet this giveaway then come back and leave a comment letting me know!

TAC: Entry is open to Australian residents only. Twitter entries must be added as a separate comment. Prize will be drawn on Wednesday 27th April at 8pm AWST. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator - to ensure you are contactable, sign in to Disqus (the comment platform) with a valid email address. Winners will be announced on the Where's My Glow? Facebook page and notified via email. Winners have one week to respond to the notification before a redraw.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Mummy Manners from HarperCollins Publishing... I chose to get that copy signed to give away. 

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

FlogYoBlog Friday - The Altiyan Childs Edition

Happy Flog Day!

To start, if you don't know who Altiyan Childs is, you can check this out - he's been in the news a lot this week. And by news I mean gossip columns. 

I'm still high as a kite after being told in the wee hours of yesterday morning that I'd won the Aussie Mummy Blogger with the X-Factor Award thanks to Home Loan Finder and Aussie Mummy Bloggers.

But I want to assure you, other than now being a snooty Apple-owning gal (this will be my first ever Apple product - I never even had a iPod, I used to carry around an old walkman because I hadn't even managed to get my hands on a discman) this won't change me a bit... and I'm going to declare that right now:

I, Glowless, solemnly swear to not move in with my drug and weapon possessing manager, have an intimate relationship with a 16 year old fan or become the executor of said 16 year old's mother's will. I will also not wear silk ties, talk like a lunatic and hang out in a cave to reconnect to "beautiful sadness"... If any such need for reconnecting occurs, it will be carried out the way normal people do it - in my lounge room, watching re-runs of Dexter with a bottle of unwooded chardonnay.

Got it? Good. But in all seriousness, thank you so much to everyone who voted - I have never won something like this in my entire life and I'm am humbled. Well, I will be humbled... just as soon as I stop jumping up and down with excitement. Plus I got to tell my Dad when he woke up after surgery and it made him smile - see that people? You made a sick man happy! Do you know how many karma points you just got??

But this isn't my platform, it's yours, so let's get on with the Flogging.

The Rules

(As stolen from Lori, thus making Baby Jesus cry... sorry)

1. Follow Where's My Glow? 
2. Bow down at the alter of Mummy Time; Blog-goddess, all round groovy gal and creator of FYBF
3. Grab the FYBF button and post it on your sidebar or in the post you're linking up
4. Link in your favourite/best post from the week (don't just put your blog URL)
5. Follow at least 1 linkyer/blogger (Be nice and spread the comment love)
6. The list will be open for linkyers on Fridays (and for the foreigners Friday as well)
7. A new and fresh linky list will open every Friday. And you will have to link up AGAIN. The previous link list does not carry over to the following week
8. Because I live in Dullsville Perth the list will open around 7am AWST - I'm not getting up at 5am and the last time I scheduled a post it didn't work

<a href="http://www.wheresmyglow.com/search/label/FlogYoBlog"><img alt="FYBF" src="http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/mummy-time/FlogYoBlog/flogyoblog-1.jpg" border="0" alt="FYBF"/></a>

 get the InLinkz code

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

He Did What!? Wednesday - By BM I Don't Care

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing Tweeting - Guest Post by BM I Don't Care

The other night, Professor and I went out on a Date Night - our first in months. We started this tradition when we had International Students living with us, as a way to get out and just have some time to ourselves occasionally, and we've continued it even though we're alone with each other all the time. All. The. Time.

We had been out all day at a religious assembly, so we were dressed up. I was quite happy to wear what I was wearing, being a Date Night and all, but Professor detests ties and decided he wanted to get changed. I said I would just sit in the car so we could keep it running to charge my phone, as I had left the proper cord at work and only had the car charger.

So I'm sitting in the car, and I catch up on Twitter. I catch up on my blog comments. I start to wonder where Professor is but decide he's pretty-fying himself for our date, so I check my emails. Still no Professor. I check FB and BB, and by now I'm starting to be concerned that Professor's had a stroke or an aneurysm or is having an affair or has disappeared into Narnia. 

So I do the only responsible thing, and instead of getting out of the car, I ring him from my mobile.

You know what he was doing? Cutting and cleaning his nails. All. Of. Them.

Also, the outfit he chose for our Date Night? Sweater shirt, cargo pants and thongs. THONGS.

I have not the words.

___ . . . ___ . . . ___

Jody Jones, aka Lady Fabulous, blogs at BM I Don't Care, quite possibly the happiest looking blog in town with it's awesome rainbow coloured butterflies and flowers.

She started blogging to preserve her sanity as she and her husband, The Professor, tread the sometimes arduous path of Trying To Conceive (TTC).

I've been lucky enough to meet Lady Fabulous twice; once when I recognized her, like the blog goddess she is, at the movies; and once at a Perth bloggers meet up. Both times she's been awesome and I've wished I could talk to her more, so now I stalk her on Facebook and Twitter.

Next Week: We get in to Mumstrosity's knickers

Send your S/He Did What!? submission to Glowless@wheresmyglow.com

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

Comfort Eating - Gourmet Glow Style

I'm up for a little comfort eating at the moment and I felt I hadn't made a new button in a while, so I've done the proverbial two birds with one stone trick and come up with 'Gourmet Glow' for your culinary pleasure. You can thank me later.

WARNING: The following post is not safe for dieters, diabetics or those with heart disease. Read on at your own risk.

Did somebody say cookies? No? It was just in my head? Um... right... awkward.

Never fear, that can be remedied! You will all be saying coooookies when I'm through here... either that or lapsing in to a diabetic coma.

I honestly have no idea where I got this recipe from, but I know the first time I made them was in August 2009 (how is it I remember the month I ate cookies but have no idea of the date I got engaged? Priorities!). If you recognize where the original recipe came from let me know and I'll credit it - though one of the things I learned at AusBlogCon was that if you put a recipe in your own words you completely circumvent any copyright... which seems a bit unfair to me, but for the purposes of these cookies, suits me very well.

The Best Ever Gooey Glowy Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 2 1/4 cups plain flour
• 1tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar (I know, two different kinds of sugar! Awesome, right?)
• 2 eggs
• 2tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• Extra chocolate chips for decorating (Cos 1 1/2 cups is never enough)

You can feel your arteries hardening already, can't you?

• Preheat your oven to 180C or 160C fan forced
• In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk and set aside
• With a mixer, cream the butter and both sugars
  

  

  Heart attack, anyone?
• Add in eggs and vanilla, then beat it, baby
• Add half the flour mix, beat, add the other half, beat (Or just dump it in one lot if you're lazy like me)
• Stir in chocolate chips while eating a few
  

  

  Chocolate

• Use a tablespoon to scoop the cookie dough out on to a baking sheet in to balls about 5cm apart - they spread like crazy 
• Bake for 6 minutes then take them out and put the rest of the choc chips on, to make them purrrdy
  

  

  Right side has extra to make it look nicer
• Bake for a further 6-8 minutes
• Remove and let them cool on a wire rack (or burn your mouth eating them straight away)

Always with milk

 Or if you're able to share the goodness, wrap 'em up and you'll have a friend for life

I could only share six

If you have a go at making these let me know, you could even post a picture up on the Where's My Glow? Facebook page if you're feeling brave!

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

I've got HOT BUNS! - Giveaway

Nom nom nom nom nom. That is the sound of me devouring some scrummy hot cross buns that were delivered to me by courier from Bakers Delight. Courier, really? How cool.

I recruited the big guns for this review; my parents and my inlaws. Though not at the same time. The two sets of parents have met but if I can avoid it, they won't meet again. It's because I have the sinking feeling Map Guy's parents will see just how loopy my family is and say "Run, boy! Get out while you can!".

Why would they say that? Well, because of this:

Yes. That is my mother. They are her preferred poses for photos that are taken with the express purpose of being published FOREVER ON THE INTERWEBS.

*ahem*

So the tasting panel were there to taste, not to look either sane or pretty.

We got to sample three different flavours of hot cross buns; original (fruit with no peel), choc chip and mocha.

The verdict?

Original: Loved by everyone, particularly my Dad because he's not a fan of peel but loves the fruit. I really loved these cut in half and lightly toasted under the grill with a bit of butter on top. Divine!

Mocha: They tasted milder than expected after being smacked in the face by the overwhelming coffee aroma upon opening the bag. My Dad could only eat a quarter, they gave my Mum indigestion (though it could be related to how fast she inhaled it) and my Father-In-Law, the biggest coffee drinker of the lot, really enjoyed them. Map Guy and I don't drink coffee so we didn't try these ones.

Choc Chip: Both mine and my Mother-In-Law's favourite, after trying them we decided not to share them with the boys! There may be a fight between us for the last one, but I've got the home ground advantage.

Don't forget that this Saturday April 9th is ‘Bundraiser’ Day! All 630 Bakers Delight bakeries, donate $1 from every six-pack of hot cross buns sold to their local children’s hospital in an effort to raise more than $123,000 for sick kids. In WA it's going to Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, the hospital Tricky went to for his craniosynostosis surgery.

I've got five $5 vouchers to give away so if you want to get your hands on some delightful baked goodies from Bakers Delight (see what I did there? Clever, huh?) add a comment below telling me your favourite thing about Easter, even if, like me, you don't really celebrate Easter. My answer would be the public holidays.

TAC: Entry is open to Australian residents only. Prize will be drawn on Thursday 14th April at 8pm AWST. The five winners will be chosen using a random number generator and contacted via email - to ensure you are contactable, sign in to Disqus (the comment platform) with a valid email address. Winners will be announced on the Where's My Glow? Facebook page and notified via email. Winners have one week to respond to the notification before a redraw. The vouchers have their own terms and conditions printed on them.

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

FlogYoBlog Friday - The Heart Shaped Box Edition

Come As You Are, Floggers, there is no need to Stay Away.

I don't want to Drain You, but I need to know if you'll be linking up today? Or is there Something In The Way?

I've tried to make it as easy as possible, and if it's a bit hard, then All Apologies.

I know you're not Dumb, you might have baby brain if you're cookin' a little something In Utero, in which case you need to Milk It for all it's worth.  Check out the rules below, just like when you were at School, and link on up!

I wonder if anyone will link up a post About A Girl or a recipe that requires Sifting?

For now, I'm off to do some cleaning with some Bleach. If I inhale enough of the fumes I might even attain Nirvana.

Have you got any idea why I'm rambling on like this? No? Nevermind*. Let's just Flog:

The Rules

(As stolen from Lori, thus making Baby Jesus cry... sorry)

1. Follow Where's My Glow? 
2. Bow down at the alter of Mummy Time; Blog-goddess, all round groovy gal and creator of FYBF
3. Grab the FYBF button and post it on your sidebar or in the post you're linking up
4. Link in your favourite/best post from the week (don't just put your blog URL)
5. Follow at least 1 linkyer/blogger (Be nice and spread the comment love)
6. The list will be open for linkyers on Fridays (and for the foreigners Friday as well)
7. A new and fresh linky list will open every Friday. And you will have to link up AGAIN. The previous link list does not carry over to the following week
8. Because I live in Dullsville Perth the list will open around 7am AWST - I'm not getting up at 5am and the last time I scheduled a post it didn't work

<a href="http://www.wheresmyglow.com/search/label/FlogYoBlog"><img alt="FYBF" src="http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/mummy-time/FlogYoBlog/flogyoblog-1.jpg" border="0" alt="FYBF"/></a>

get the InLinkz code

*Today marks 17 years since the world found out that Kurt Cobain had passed away.

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors

Jinxed It

Have you ever written a post about the one thing you’d hate to see happen, then it’s happened and you’ve felt like you’ve caused it? Just by thinking about it?

When I asked this same question on Twitter, Tiff from Three Ring Circus was quick to answer in the affirmative, feeling like she'd jinxed Ivy's health at times by writing about how well she was doing.

Today I’ve been writing some posts to go up next week when my Dad has his heart surgery, thinking that I probably won’t feel like doing too much. I was writing about how we’re all understandably anxious and how I’m particularly worried the infection he has (from a frickin boil) will spread and that, at the eleventh hour, they will cancel his surgery.

I’d not long written those words when my Mum called...

A chest infection.

More antibiotics.

Surgery in doubt.

I know I didn’t cause this. I know my words have no impact on the world; that I’m not some fanciful omnipotent being who can write something and make it happen. Yet there is still that tiny little voice, at the farthest edge of my conscious that says I shouldn’t have written it. I should have just stayed quiet and this wouldn’t have happened.

He needs this surgery. He’s had to wait a month longer than they wanted him to because of scheduling conflicts. The conflict being the surgeon was going to Rotto for a holiday and didn’t want to pass the surgery to someone else. I’d call him a heartless bastard but if I’m not nice to that guy I’m afraid it will be my dad who will be the heartless one.

In this one, incredibly long, slow month I’ve watched him deteriorate from a man who was just a bit tired to one who sleeps most of the day and spends his nights on CPAP.

I have tried to spend as much time with him as possible but he stays away when he’s at his worst. Not wanting to be a burden. But all I want is to be near him; to drink in the joy of him and Tricky playing together; to help him sit down when he has one of his ‘turns’ and his heart races and he can’t breathe; to just be with him.

I’m worried his body is shutting down. He’s been on hardcore antibiotics and had penicillin injections all this week to try and knock the small infection yet he’s developed a bigger one.

I’m worried they won’t do the surgery.

I’m worried he won’t make it out of surgery.

I thought I was OK with it, this circle of life.

I thought I was learning to accept that these things happen, and to enjoy every day like it was your last because it just might be.

But I’m not.

I’m just a scared little girl who wants her Daddy to be better.

 

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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to

HealthyChart and Baby Goes Retro and Simply Colors