International Women’s Day – How Far Have We Really Come?
08 Mar 2015 Leave a Comment
in Klever Kids
I had a beautiful post planned for today, a celebration of how wonderful we really are, and that everyday should be a celebration of our awesomeness.
Today we should all be focusing on how far we have come in just a few decades.
In Australia there is very little we can’t do. With hard work and devotion, we can choose our career and thrive at the top. We can vote, enter parliament, run a company or rule the country!
BUT, there is a reality that is not often spoken about that does exist in work places around the county.
This headline made my stomach churn…..
‘Sexual harassment rife in medical profession, senior surgeon Dr Gabrielle McMullin says’
The article highlights the plight of a female surgeon who chose not to provide sexual favours, puts in a complaint, won a court case, but has never been able to get a job in Australisia. Dr McMullin recommends to female medical students that they would be better off take part in such advances rather than reporting them. The article was published on ABC.net.au and you can read it here.
Why did this upset me so much?
As I am writing this Miss WW is not down at the pub enjoying a Sunday Sesh with her friends, instead she chose to lock herself in her room and study. She is on the long road of hard work required to realise her dream of becoming a Neurosurgeon.
We have lost count of the number of people who have asked her if she has chosen this path so she could make a lot of money. For Miss WW this is not part of the equation. She wants to be a pioneer, make a difference, discover something new, try things that may have never been tried before. This is why she chose neurosurgery, we know so much about the human body, but the brain still holds so much mystery. Money if it comes will be a bonus (and allow her to buy even more makeup)!
The thought of her working so hard, to possibly have to trade sexual favours to achieve her dreams brings a tear to my eye.
Another skill she is going to have to master….. how to politely and powerfully deal with inappropriate advances.
She might look like a Barbie doll, but she has already had plenty of practice at warding off unsuitable admirers, she is just going to have to get even better at it.
I truly hope she never has to face this sort of discrimination, but the reality is that she might.
In this time of equality, have we really come that far?
International Day Of The Midwife, Thank You!
05 May 2014 3 Comments
in JoyFULL, Klever Kids
International Day Of The Midwife, May 5
Just shy of 15 years ago I was pacing up and down the corridor of North West Private Hospital well and truly in labour.
I seem to like to have my babies on a Saturday, both girls chose that day of the week to come in to the world.
The only problem with this, is that my fantastic OB, had every second Saturday off, which of course happened to be the Saturday I needed his help.
He had organised a replacement and with my first daughter all went well, he arrived on time, did his thing and Miss WW entered the world, 5 weeks early but healthy.
Talk about dejavu, the next Miss WW, decided to pull the same stunt, 5 weeks early and on a Saturday afternoon.
Mr replacement OB strolls in, does his examination and decides I still have hours to go, so leaves the hospital to have a cup of tea with his mum who lives close to the hospital, I kid you not!
Well Miss WW was having none of that and I very rapidy reached the point of no return, and before the doctor could get back to the hospital, my precious midwife had taken care of things and another little girl joined our family.
She was born blue, due to her rapid arrival, the cord wrapped around her neck on descent and had cut off her oxygen supply. My midwife whipped her away from me and they did what they had to do and thankfully, she was recuscitated and has grown up into an amazing young lady with no ill side effects.
Miss WW loves playing with phone camera apps, and I just love this one!
I had no kind words for that replacement Doctor when he finally showed up.
The most fun part of this whole experience was when I was going for a little stroll the next day my OB happened to arrive to do his rounds and I watched his jaw drop to the floor, as his replacement had not even advised him that I had given birth, big bonus was the bill was binned, his only way of apologising was making sure I did not have to pay!
Thanks to my amazing midwife I have my gorgeous girl and all is well, she did the job just as well as any specialist would have done, and to her I am eternally grateful. xxxxxxx
Sharing for #IBOT with Essentially Jess 🙂
Let The Celebrations Begin!
25 Jan 2014 Leave a Comment
in JoyFULL, Klever Kids
Today marked the start of a milestone birthday celebration, Miss WW is turning 18!
Many discussions were held about how we were going to celebrate this very special birthday. Slight problem when your birthday is at the start of the year and your friends will not be turning 18 until later in the year. A party with cocktails and canapes was not a feasible option.
I was not prepared to have a group of under aged kids getting smashed in my home. Apart from being totally irresponsible and illegal, I just don’t have the patience to deal with a bunch of young drunks! Miss WW has enjoyed many a sip of my drink, not a problem, but a group of them having way more than a sip was not happening on my watch!
So what to do?
What is the next best thing to consume when alcohol is not involved…….chocolate!
Max Brenner at Southbank to the rescue, the perfect place to have the ultimate chocolate fix. Everything is made of chocolate and tastes absolutely devine.
Just for the record, banana bread dipped in chocolate is simply amazing!
Out of necessity, we organised a 3 oclock start, which turned out to be perfect. We were able to get a large table in airconditioned comfort and order quickly. It is not unusual for the line up to be out the door! Yes it really is that popular. What an amazing business model. Any other type of business, and people would see the queue and walk out the door, but oh no, our love for chocolate deliciousness will see us line up for ages to get a good fix.
The girls had a fabulous time, chatting, laughing, catching up on gossip and eating chocolate. Winning!
I have no mess at home, no stress over what to cook, no drama, perfecto!
I could not help myself, just had to make goodie bags for the last time. I love making goodie bags. A shot glass may or may not have accidently slipped into the bags just to ’18erise’ them. I am sure they will be put to good use later in the year.
Celebrations will contine with a family/friend lunch out on Monday, where Miss WW will be able to enjoy her very first drink in public, legally.
Wonder what she will order?
Never Say You Can’t Do Something!
16 Jan 2014 24 Comments
in JoyFULL, Klever Kids, Travelling With Teens
“If you want it bad enough, you will find a way”!
Lot’s of celebrations happening at WWHQ today.
Apart from the fact that it is my birthday.
Miss WW logged on to her QTAC account today, and was greeted with the offer of a place at the University Of Queensland for Bachelor of Science. Her first preference and the only spot she really wanted to get.
In the beginning…………
This is her grade one year book entry.
In grade 1 she thought that girls were nurses and boys were doctors. By the end of grade 2 she discovered that both men and women could be doctors. From that day on her path has never wavered, she was going to be a doctor.
Her father never went to University, nor did I. I could have but really had no idea what I wanted to do with my life when I finished grade 12. I just sort of slipped into a job in the travel industry and spent 13 years as a high flying corporate travel consultant until I had the girls.
Just because we didn’t go to University, does not mean that my daughter can’t.
Never once have I said she was aiming too high.
I have always told her to follow her dream.
At the end of year 9, she passed the entrance exam and interview and earnt her spot at the prestigious Queensland Academy for Science, Maths and Technology.
She spent 3 years working very hard and graduated at the end of last year. She had to wait until the 6th of January to get her results (she did the IB not the normal Queensland OP). Her score was more than high enough, so today we celebrate her offer to go to UQ, the only place she wanted to be accepted in to.
Come March, step one of the very long road ahead to becoming a neuro-surgeon begins.
I have no doubt in my mind she will make it through over a decade of study before she is even close to being a surgeon, and neither is she.
She has a goal, she has a plan, she will succeed.
So proud of her and her acheivements.
Never tell your child to stop dreaming, anything is possible.
Any child can acheive anything they set their mind too, if they are taught how to use their thoughts and the amazing power they have been given. You can teach your children how to become masters of their own destiny with the help of my book….. How To Unlock Your Child’s Super Powers! – A powerful guide to help your child be the best they can be and create an extraordinary life. Your child will learn lot’s of valuable things at school, but the most valuable tool is how to use their minds to create what they truly want. You can purchase your copy here for the cost of two coffee’s. 🙂
Sharing for #FYBF at With Some Grace
The Long Road To Legal (Driving That Is!)
23 Sep 2013 10 Comments
in JoyFULL, Klever Kids, Travelling With Teens Tags: 100 log book hours, Getting a drivers license, learners plates, learning how to drive, p plates, parenting teens, stessful
The joys of parenting teens! It is sometimes just pure heart stopping material!
The process of getting a drivers licence, should be relatively simple. Get your learners permit, do 100 hours of logbook driving, send it off to be approved, go for your driving test, and whammmmmo! You have your licence.
BUT oh no, this has been a long and harrowing experience! Very grateful for a heart that still beats.
P-plates have kicked the L’s out the door!
Getting her Learners Permit was easy as, she got 100% on the written test, and then with my heart in my mouth and my hand clutching the hand grip on the door, she managed to get us home without hitting, squashing or scaring anything!
Over 100 hours of log-booking (which is such a tedious chore!!) complete, the book is sent off to be authorised and the text message arrives a couple of days later, all good! Booked in for a driving test, well we thought she was…..
Attempt No 1. – We turn up at Rosalie at the alloted booking time, to discover that Miss WW, had accidently cancelled her appointment, hitting the refresh button trying to get an earlier appointment. We sat there all afternoon in the hope that someone would no-show, but no go. One very disappointed pair head home for the night.
Attempt No 2. – We manage to score an appointment for the next afternoon. The test was going really well until on the way back to the depot, she misread a 4 lane intersection, everyone including the car were safe, but no passing the test, oops!
Attempt No. 3 – We manage to get a booking nice and close to home at Strathpine, and low and behold, one of the indicator globes decides to go and even after a dash up the road for a replacement, there is not enough time for her to sit the test. Home we go again.
Attempt No. 4 – 7 days later, we are off to Strathpine again, this time with an almost a perfect score, she is now the proud owner of P plates, and the freedom to drive where ever she wants.
My heart will still be in my mouth every time she puts the key in the iginition, but I have no choice, I have to let my precious teen hit the road without me. The worries never cease, no matter what age they are, you just want them to be happy and safe!
I now know how my parents felt, but they let me go, and I am still around!
Was getting your licence easy or hard?
Sharing the stess for #IBOT with Essentially Jess!
I Am Rocking This Single Motherhood Gig!
31 Jul 2013 22 Comments
in Harmonious Home, Healthy Habits, JoyFULL, Klever Kids, Travelling With Teens Tags: being a single mother, divorce, loving your children, motherhood, seperation, success, surviving single motherhood
After a very painful start, a ton of tears, sleepless nights and panic attacks, I am truly rocking this single motherhood gig!
I applaud all single parents as this can be the hardest thing, as parents, that we ever have to do.
When 23 years of marriage comes to a grinding halt, the feeling of terror is indescribable. It washes over you with every breath you take. As the days pass, it slowly releases it’s grip and you start to see your world in a whole new light, one that I am kind of liking.
The Universe sent me lot’s of messages, but I did not listen, I did not see, I did not notice, that my marriage was over, until one day it slapped one at me so hard that I could not ignore it. One of today’s vital necessities, the mobile phone, and text messages on my husbands phone that happened at odd hours. He was in the shower late at night, and I glanced at the phone and just about threw up! The next 24 hours were devestatingly hard, but by night fall the next day, I asked the questions that needed to be asked, I made no plee, I found strength that I did not know I had, and it was over.
2 1/2 years later, and I am the CEO of WWHQ, and totally rocking this!
Cheers to me!
A house full of girls is fraught with a dose or 10 of bitchiness and hormonal fluctuations, but holding it all together is a bond of love and support. We are an awesome team, forging ahead and moving mountains.
I have my chauffeur’s cap, my chef’s cap, my maid’s cap, my banker’s cap and my nurturing cap, that all fit snuggly. I call the shots, I make all the decisions, I get to chose what we eat, I mow the lawns (never did that before, we had a deal, he didn’t clean toilets and I didn’t mow lawns), the rubbish bin does get put out every week, I decide what my teen girls can and cannot do, I hug them when they are in pain, I support them when they are stressed, I nurse them when they are unwell, and I would not have it any other way.
I am blessed with two girls that are going through their teens with a positive attitude, big dreams and strong work ethic. They have fortunately both avoided the dreaded teen sulleness that so often rears its head when the hormones kick in. They have great friends, do really well at school and make me so damn proud.
One of them wants nothing to do with her father if possible, and the other one loves him to bits, and goes and stays with him for the weekend quite regularly. We have things nicely sorted without the need for lawyers, mediators or the like.
I am still single and have no idea if or when that will change. Will leave that to the Universe to sort out. I enjoy having the whole bed to myself, I enjoy not having anyone tell me what to do, I enjoy being me and not the ‘pretend’ person I was. I am now the only one responsible for my future, and I intend to keep rocking it!
Getting cosy on THE LOUNGE and sharing our awesomeness with Musings Of The Misguided
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like…..Physie Interclub Season!
30 Jul 2013 2 Comments
in Healthy Habits, JoyFULL, Klever Kids, Travelling With Teens Tags: BJP Physical Culture, dance sport, Everton physie, fishnets, Granite Belt physie, interclub competition, leotards, physie, Spray Tan
It’s that time of the year again, Physie Interclub Season, has begun!
The scent of spray tan lingers in the air, cans of hairspray are stock piling, new leotards have arrived, hair pieces have arrived from the UK and the road tripping has begun.
Months of learning and practice now hit the floor for warm up competitions begin in preparation for Champion Girl at the end of the year.
Everton hit the road of the weekend, for a ‘little’ trip down to Tenterfield to join in an awsome interclub, hosted by our ‘sister’ club Granite Belt. Beautifully organised to perfection, it was great to see so much wonderful physie in a fun and friendly enviroment.
Guess what our club colours are?
Yes the red and white bags are full of make-up, hair bits, tan, fishnets, leotards and more!
The winter woolies came out of retirement, as in Brisbane we really don’t need too much of that sort of thing. Heading south with overnight forecasts of 1 degree is a bit scary for the subtropical dwellers like us.
Physie weekends away are fun! Lot’s of wine, good food, physie, and time to relax and enjoy meals together. As my stomach is tied in knots when my girls go on the floor, after a long a day it is great to have the time to relax and chat to all the families that make up team Everton.
Competition day starts with a good breakfast. French toast, banana, bacon, maple syrup and really good Merlo coffee hit the spot perfectly at the Willow Tree Cafe in the main street of Tenterfield. Others at the table had waffles, ham and cheese french toast or a big traditional hot breakfast. Not one of us was disappointed with their choices.
The sun shone, and it was really quite mild if you were not in the wind, so we took the opportunity to to take some pics, before the girls hit the floor for competition.
Physical culture or physie as it is called is an amazing sport for girls to participate in. Building strength, flexibility, stamina it is great for health and deportment. Fantastic friendships have been formed. Some families have mum and daughter participate and this really is the most delightful sight. My girls only started 6 years ago, but some start as little tiny tots and never stop. With age brackets for all ladies, it is one of the wonderful things you can do at any age. Celebrating 120 years of dance sport, BJP Physical Culture is a fabulously healthy and inspiring thing to be part of.
Thank you Tenterfield for making everyone feel so welcome, nothing beats country hospitality. We are looking forward to our next visit in a few years time.
Sharing today for #IBOT with Essentially Jess.
How To Unlock Your Child’s Super Powers – My Book, A Giveaway And An Affiliate Link.
07 Mar 2013 6 Comments
in Absolute Abundance, Brilliant Books, Caring Compassion, Harmonious Home, Healthy Habits, JoyFULL, Klever Kids, Travelling With Teens Tags: Affirmations For Children, book affiliate program, book giveaway, How To Unlock Your Child's Super Powers, natural parenting, Teaching children about the law of attraction
It’s Done, It’s Published, and I am just a little well a lot excited to share with you my new e-book, “How To Unlock Your Child’s Super Powers”!
This book was born from my experiences of 17 years parenting 2 amazing teen girls, all my training as a Natural Therapist, every silly mistake I have made. Coupled with a burning desire to see my girls have the MOST amazing life, with no limits, with no ‘it’s not possibles’, without fear to trying and being healthy to boot!
And where are they right now…..Miss 17 is in Year 12, attending a school set up by the Queensland government for children that are bright and prepared to work their behind’s off. The Queensland Academy For Maths, Science and Technology is not for the feint hearted, it is study at it’s most difficult, using the IB as it’s curriculum. But all this effort produces amazing results and opportunities for kids that are going to go on and do amazing things in the future. She is going to go on to medicine and eventually Neuro Surgery. On top of all that she is ‘addicted’ to Physie, precision dance that saw her make national finals at the Opera House last year.
Miss 13 is also doing very well at the local High School. Whilst her social life is her main priority (which is pretty normal at that age), her choice of future careers changes weekly, but she is incredibly caring and compassionate and hopefully she will find a path when the time is right where she can put those skills to good use.
They both have plenty of wonderful friends, great social lives, stay out of trouble, have adjusted beautifully to the demise of my 23 year marriage to their father, and are truly the light of my life. I love them with all that I am.
I want every child to find their passion, follow their heart, never take no for an answer, and simply shine!
“How To Unlock Your Child’s Super Powers” is over 80 pages of tips, tools and fun!
Everyone is born with amazing powers to create, but so often the values passed on to us by our parents, and life circumstances can see our power being squashed.
“How To Unlock Your Child’s Super Powers” is for any parent who wants their child to be the best they can be and includes:-
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Natural ways to support good health and wellbeing
- Powerful ways to develop self esteem and self love
- Practical solutions for childhood issues such as imaginary friends, bullies, shyness, the sulks and more
- What colours you should not use in your childs bedroom
- Valuable and practical life skills all children should learn to help them in adulthood
- How to introduce affirmations into your lives and how to make them really work
- Fun games with valuable lessons
- How to help your child master the Law Of Attraction
- Easy ways to get your child off the computer and into life
- Discover how our limiting beliefs can stop our children from excelling
- And so much more……..
Find out more and download your copy now for only $9.95 HERE
GIVEAWAY TIME! I love a giveaway and to celebrate the completion of this milestone for me, I am giving away 5 copies. All you have to do is share this post on Facebook and Twitter with #HTUYCSP and leave a comment on this post and next Friday I will select 5 lucky recipients and a copy will be delivered to their inbox, with my pleasure.
AFFILIATE OPPORTUNITY! Would you like to make some money sharing my book? I have set up an affiliate opportunity with e-junkie, and you will earn 50% of all sales you generate…..just follow the link….. Join our Affiliate Program! It is free to sign up and start selling! If you want any help or support just contact me, happy to help!
Sharing the blogging love for #FYBF with our lovely host With Some Grace
A Special Gift For All Parents!
14 Dec 2012 2 Comments
in Harmonious Home, JoyFULL, Klever Kids Tags: Kids R Klever, Mummy Manifesto online market
It’s almost Christmas, and this weekend, starting TODAY, I am linking up with group of bloggers to share some special Christmas offers, at Mummy Manifesto’s first online market, yay!
Christmas is an amazing time, especially for children. All the glitter, sparkles and excitment of the arrival of the man in red, is more than most can bare.
I adore my two gorgeous girls and love sharing in fun activities together, like decorating the home, baking my famous shortbreads, choosing gifts for family and friends and enjoying wonderful celebrations with those closest too our hearts.
More than anything, I want my girls to have outrageously successful and fun-filled lives, to live out their dreams, be, do and have anything they want, and be full of love, compassion and kindness. I wish for them to live in great health, rise above fear and not fall victim to living a lesser life being dragged down by others.
All parents simply want the very best for their children, but so often, our past conditioning, current life situations, stresses and fears teach our children that life is hard and that is just the way it is.
Determined to give my girls the best possible chance of creating a dream life, I have had to change the way I share and teach them about life.
To help other parents do the same, I have written a positive parenting e-book, that is full of fun and loving ways you can tackle lfe’s issues and concerns and teach your children in the most uplifting way how to be the best they can be.
For this weekend, I have slashed the price by 50%. Download it now for only $4.95!
Discover all the wonderful inclusions and download it now HERE (this offer only applies to the direct download option, not the Kindle edition)
Come and join the market day, discover some great offers and new blogs and spread some Christmas cheer!
Stay In Touch!