tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50007553197040758332012-02-21T19:58:47.612+11:00My life, in general.Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.comBlogger761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-15455924868480505862011-09-27T20:47:00.001+10:002011-09-27T20:54:09.493+10:00

It has been a Week Of Firsts. It started off windy and unpromising, but jeez, wasn't it a beautiful afternoon in Melbourne? We've had a ripper- so much so that I even feel inspired to update the blog. We are all home at the moment, school holidays, you know. Mr M is also home, having taken two weeks off. I was dreading this, thinking we'd all get under each other's feet and what not, but we're

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-35868104171577013072011-08-02T10:52:00.001+10:002011-08-02T10:52:11.871+10:00

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-48986983126934911372011-07-09T16:31:00.001+10:002011-07-09T16:31:34.536+10:00

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-44629554619046225112011-07-07T14:01:00.001+10:002011-07-07T14:05:05.184+10:00

It feels like I have lots to say, but then I sit in front of this blog, and I got nuthin'. Well, not exactly. It's possible that I've got so much that I don't know where to start. Baby Sprout is seven months old all of a sudden, and I've just realised that I've taken precious few pictures of her. Way too few. She's such a gorgeous baby, so clever and happy. Why haven't I taken more photos? Is it

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-25621530834708687062011-04-18T15:02:00.002+10:002011-04-18T15:04:56.709+10:00

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-16335338322359890952011-04-16T18:04:00.000+10:002011-04-16T18:04:59.705+10:00

This post is ridiculously late. However, since I always said this blog was for posterity, and for the kids to look at when they were older (more reliable than a photo album) it doesn't matter that Australia Day was months ago, and that Sprout Mangroves is now over four months old. She's growing like a weed, and turning out to be a chatty little thing too. The Ratbag is so affectionate towards

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-2080525016932981582011-01-18T21:22:00.002+11:002011-01-18T21:24:43.467+11:00

It appears that we've made it through the first six weeks, and we're all still alive, and not even missing any limbs or anything. Well, some of us, anyway. Mr Mangroves has the use of only one arm at the moment, due to an accident at home, which has also taken out our 37" LCD Television. He had to go and have an operation on his right hand in order to repair a couple of torn tendons, and his

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-46763654437849352882010-12-07T23:36:00.001+11:002010-12-07T23:39:27.135+11:00

And so it was that we arrived at hospital at 7.30am on Friday the 3rd December, were greeted by lovely, friendly medical-type people and escorted to our matching backless blue glamour-gowns and hair nets.  Waiting for our room, and to be taken into surgery A spinal block and catheter later, there was some uncontrollable shivering (courtesy of drugs) and a few laughs (when we realised that we'd

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-8861469066818266522010-12-02T17:32:00.003+11:002010-12-02T17:35:33.658+11:00

Tomorrow's the day. We're to be at the hospital at 7.30am, which is the same as it was when Peanut was born. If all else is the same too, Sprout will be here around 10am, I guess. This was taken at 30 weeks while I was still working. I'm really nervous, so much more so than I was with Peanut. I'm pretty sure that it's because I'm actually terrified of looking after 3 children now. I can barely

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-75235115612778272862010-11-12T11:40:00.000+11:002010-11-12T11:40:57.864+11:00

I'm floundering. I'm tired of being pregnant and I'm starting to worry that I might be a little bit depressed. Is there such a thing as 'a little bit' depressed? I don't know. I just feel... umm, trapped, tired, alone. Physically, all the things that bothered me a bit with the previous two, have become major issues this time. I don't remember being in quite this much pain before. I couldn't

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-31966712769256976492010-10-04T12:10:00.001+11:002010-10-04T12:15:36.814+11:00

...I'm huge. I'm 'having trouble putting shoes on' huge. I'm 'out of breath walking up the 13 stairs at work' huge. I'm 'can't see them, let alone shave my legs' huge. I'm the kind of huge that baffles strangers when they enquire 'how long to go' and are told: 9 weeks. I'm always tempted to add 'but stand back because if this thing blows, you don't want to get any on you'. We've had a

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-70438627069207308662010-10-01T12:16:00.001+10:002010-10-01T12:45:07.979+10:00

I prepared this post last Friday, but didn't post it. I wasn't sure why at the time, but now I know I was waiting on one more little piece of WIN to arrive before I did. Without further ado, here is (last week's) post! It's been a week of WIN. There has been WIN at every turn, so much so that I'm wondering if Something's Up With Karma. I don't want to have to pay this shit back, it might take

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-25378965396445704762010-09-20T14:22:00.001+10:002010-09-20T14:28:48.097+10:00

Here is my Monday's Child, my scruffy little Ratbag, as I found him this morning - it was very quiet and I went looking to see what kind of trouble he'd gotten into. Isn't it divine? Needless to say, he had chocolate cake for morning tea in thanks for showing me such a gorgeous sight on a Monday morning. And since I had the camera out, I thought I'd take a few pics of him posing with his

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-22135596694476178722010-09-18T21:50:00.002+10:002010-09-18T23:24:42.715+10:00

Almost every single comment to the last post had something to say about the First Haircut Hijack of 2006. Mothers are quite passionate about it, which I obviously relate to! So I decided to go back and check if I was being unreasonable and blowing the incident out of proportion - perhaps the Ratbag's hair was so long that it obscured his vision? Perhaps he was starting to look like a baby

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-78756573612697727822010-09-17T22:53:00.001+10:002010-09-17T23:02:41.918+10:00

... the letter I, for itchiness, indigestion and irritability. We took the Ratbag to see the otolaryngologist on Wednesday, and after a check of his test results, it was recommended that we bring him back in order to have grommets fitted in both his ears. Very cozy on the top bunk Almost all of his cousins have had this done, and certainly survived to tell the story, so I shouldn't be concerned

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-62122799871277344922010-09-08T00:02:00.002+10:002010-09-08T00:05:28.870+10:00

As I write this post, I realise that my laptop has tiny smeared blobs of dried chocolate on it. The last time I used it was on Friday night in Lancefield, while sitting up alone in a double-bed, propped up comfortably on four fluffy pillows, nary a child nor husband within screaming distance. That's right dearest reader (Hi Mum!), I ate chocolate in bed while writing a story on my laptop, away

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-4938361732930374562010-07-29T15:57:00.001+10:002010-07-29T21:25:38.323+10:00

I feel like I'm back at school this week, seriously. It's like I've got a science assignment due and my Dad's in jail, so he can't do it for me. Whatever. Anyway, The 20 week scan went great, so at least that's one potato out of the sack on my back and into The Soup of Life. We think we know what we're having; it's an 80% surety, but the sonographer declined to sign her name in blood on the

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-68025544688221570862010-07-05T21:38:00.002+10:002010-09-15T18:03:32.522+10:00

I'm watching a man eat a fat grub. It's the size of a thumb, and its guts are lumpy, like cottage cheese, but yellow, like... um, guts. It's grotesque beyond words, but I can't look away. And, in all honesty, it's one of the more ordinary things that he's put into his mouth. He has been known to munch a raw zebra (OK, we've all been there) and a fat spider (it almost made him puke, never mind me

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-86054134902174170402010-06-26T14:56:00.000+10:002010-06-26T14:56:36.397+10:00

I'll make this a short post, I think. Sewjourn for the Queen's Birthday long weekend = 3 nights and almost 4 days of away-from-home bliss, surrounded by creative, interesting people, who infuse you with the drive to make, and inspire you to create. I could stop there, but... View from the studio, Sunday morning, 7.30 am I was really sick the whole time; I drove to Lancefield on Friday afternoon

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-56649825239271550462010-06-17T16:44:00.000+10:002010-06-17T16:44:00.840+10:00

Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. And so, it happened to us. So busy were we working like dogs, paying our mortgage, rushing to get out of the house on time every morning and trying to not eat shit food day by day, that life happened to us while our backs were turned. Literally. I'd been feeling a bit under the weather, weathering the flu, fighting to keep on

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-3447568463127935642010-03-15T17:37:00.000+11:002010-03-15T17:37:37.851+11:00

Firstly, thank you all for your encouraging words, my small training team all made the Run, we all finished it, and we all ran the whole way, an amazing feat, Ladies! Well done. The speediest of us made the 5.2 km distance in just over 30 minutes, followed by me and another lass at 37 minutes, and the last of us coming through at a very respectable 40 minutes. The Ratbag and his Kelly & Lewis -

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-32631190473332267042010-03-13T02:35:00.000+11:002010-03-13T02:35:06.763+11:00

So I'm getting ready for work on Friday morning, kids are already fed (courtesy of me) and dressed (courtesy of Mr M), and he's packing them into his car (he's reshuffled his work hours so he can drop off and pick up kids from care every day while I speed off to Sth Melbourne for work). My job is to pack everyone's lunch, so I do that while listening to their happy banter before they set off for

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-78728474223267368302010-03-08T21:33:00.001+11:002010-03-08T21:36:03.547+11:00

A warm breeze. A bit of sun after two days of rain. A pleasant drive. My children laughing. The smell of steam and heated metal.* Hotdogs with sauce. ...and just to prove I was there...Ice-cream. Puddles. It's been a great day. Can you tell? It's the anniversary of Steamfest Scare Test, the day that I lost the Ratbag for over 20 minutes and just about lost my mind as well. Today is the

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-84963453578096440362010-03-03T10:38:00.001+11:002010-03-03T10:40:36.613+11:00

And so, it came to pass that I ran in the fun-run. I came in 14th in my category (the 3kms) with a time of 21.38mins, which was alright, considering there were 188 people in the race, with an average time of 28.05 mins. The ladies that I trained with came in 8th and 20th positions, and I'm happy to report that we all ran the entire way without stopping, as tempting as it was to just slow to a

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-31310647213524865452010-02-26T09:57:00.006+11:002010-02-26T10:28:06.513+11:00

Alright ladies, just a quick spill, then it's back to work.I've charged my iPod, I've washed my favourite underpants, got my lucky four-leaf-rabbit's-foot at the ready, set...... GO!Wish me luck, it's the Wyndham Fun Run on Sunday! *squee*I would like to also formally apologise to all the blogs that I follow; I've been lurking, but I've left no comments lately. I know you probably don't mind,

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-63263629192879031912010-02-19T22:35:00.010+11:002010-03-02T23:03:32.592+11:00

Oh Hai !I feel like one of those wacky I-Can-Has-Cheezburger cats. Specifically; this one.Last night, I had a dream that I had two small kids and a mortgage, I kept a house and I worked four days a week and I ran at least 3kms every second night while training for 2 fun-runs*.While this was happening, I was busy not getting fired, I completely ignored Facebook and its demands on my time, my best

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-66286135221480462010-01-29T22:11:00.009+11:002010-01-29T23:39:41.604+11:00

Mr M knows that the correct answer is 'Yes'.This has nothing to do with anything.Just thought I'd throw that in for free.I love this pic of them just bumming around at home. Somehow, I've managed to capture the Ratbag with a writing implement in his hand. I'm pretty sure he was only chewing on it, but still, it's something.So, it's been an exciting couple of weeks! I feel my creative muse

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-62875930014976781002010-01-16T08:23:00.018+11:002010-01-16T23:20:01.511+11:00

So, it's been a busy couple of months. Blogging felt like a chore, so I didn't blog. Or vacuum. Or put away clean laundry. I have 50 pairs of clean underpants, but I don't know where they are. The first present of the day was the biggest hit - the pink Tutu from Ellie, Tyler & Soph. The pink party dress was immediately discarded in it's favour. Well, obviously they're somewhere in 'Clothes

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-6538137383143736982009-11-30T16:13:00.010+11:002009-11-30T17:07:53.641+11:00

So, I wrote a massive review of New Moon for you. By massive, I mean ridiculous.Then, I took pity on you, and didn't post it.Suffice to say, I'm now Team Switzerland; I refuse to be affected by territorial disputes between mythical creatures*.Basically, I'd go Team Jacob when Team Edward wasn't looking.I've been having a bit of fun with my new obsession, and have discovered the huge community of

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-29848787956450453312009-10-10T09:11:00.005+11:002009-11-30T16:51:47.463+11:00

A grown woman with a demanding job, two small children, a house and mortgage, two dogs and a cat plus a psycho Polish extended family stays up to ungodly morning hours reading novels about a teenager's taboo romance with her vampire lover.Having devoured all four books within a matter of days, and watched the movie several times including all the special features on the double DVD (unheard of,

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-27831714676150697552009-09-13T20:16:00.017+10:002009-09-13T21:44:14.403+10:00

A lot of stuff has been going on, and in amongst it, I didn't feel like blogging about it. Nothing bad happened, I'm still mulling over the last couple of posts, wondering how to follow them up. Should I continue to chew your ears off with the continuing story, or just move on and pretend it doesn't matter? I've decided to move on, not because it doesn't matter, but because it is unresolved.We've

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-40546237279458729982009-08-12T10:31:00.004+10:002009-08-12T11:01:00.083+10:00

Just a quick post, to thank all of you who commented on my previous post, and also those who emailed me directly with your words of support and advice.None of you were out of line, or overstepping the mark, or unwelcome in commenting. Thank you all for giving a crap really.We know what we have to do, but talking to people who know us is too close to home. You guys on the other hand, aren't going

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-22794418000211750912009-08-05T20:49:00.012+10:002009-08-08T21:51:06.865+10:00

I've been wrestling with something.Not trivial brain litter, but something really important that should take precedence over Mafia Wars on Facebook and what underpants to wear today. Something's been making me angsty.Sit back, if you will, and imagine that..Your kid's Little Kinder teacher takes you aside one day and asks is everything is alright with your son. They don't know each other that

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-49094894985153929242009-07-25T00:46:00.005+10:002009-07-25T09:40:57.769+10:00

"You are second in the queue. This message will be repeated in Vietnamese, Cantonese, Turkish and Arabic. Press 7 now if you do not wish to hear these options."Not very comforting.Especially as Peanut hacks up another lot of spew-smelling foam into a towel in the background. Her Dad is with her, rubbing her back and giving her drinks of water.It is almost 1am, and she's been at it for a couple of

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-37520429392775364742009-06-21T19:42:00.011+10:002009-06-21T21:09:12.029+10:00

It's been another jam-packed week, wall to wall with watching TV, playing games on the computer, making meals in cauldrons so they last a few days and trying to hold back the urge to do more washing. I resisted the urge to a point, which I'm very proud of. There are only 4 garments hanging on clothes hangers off the hallway door frame, instead of the 12 that were there last week when I succumbed

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-52180227558968512942009-06-15T19:44:00.012+10:002009-06-17T10:42:21.189+10:00

Bloody hell, she's posting twice in one month!Well, you're right to be shocked and dismayed; what could it mean!DiggingNormally it would take me weeks to recover from the rants of the previous post, but being fired on Wednesday has invigorated me in strange ways. I definitely feel that it was for the best, much like falling out of a bird's nest and landing softly in a cat's lap; the adrenalin has

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-57238408260604299032009-06-10T10:30:00.022+10:002009-06-11T20:05:32.863+10:00

Bless me Blogland, for I have lived. It's been a month and two days since my last post. In that time, I have not dyed my hair, and decided to acknowledge that I'm going grey. In fact, I went grey some time ago, and have been unsuccessfully hiding under a cloak of Supermarket Darkest Brown. I am 36. So what. Next. I've rediscovered that my body has it's own cycle, outside of the pill-enforced one.

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-83476513072395813682009-05-08T20:31:00.014+10:002009-05-09T15:24:54.242+10:00

And so, firstly, let me say that on reflection of my previous post, I painted it pretty black. I wrote it the way I remembered it, which wasn't nice. And I didn't lie when I said it took me a while to get over it, but honestly, now that I read the way I remember those events, I reckon I was a bit of souk. Really. In fact, I think that every mum's birth story is just as dramatic and unbelievable,

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-49755602311313348252009-04-20T12:06:00.023+10:002009-05-05T16:07:43.869+10:00

I like to read this blog by Laura-Jane, as she is a midwife, and often posts about her experiences on the wards. My mother-in-law was a midwife, and has also told me some amazing stories. It made me respect her even more, if that's possible. There is something really compelling about birth stories, and I'm a sucker for them. Also, I'm fascinated by the use of professional terms, such as primip. I

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-40786234968899303312009-04-15T11:01:00.008+10:002009-04-15T11:34:52.066+10:00

Your name was fairly and squarely drawn out of a bag, and you are therefore the winner of my Blogoversary giveaway :) I've decided on the prize now, but I want it to be a SURprise - let me know if you like it !Thanks to all 7 of you who left me a comment, although I didn't make my quota, and was tempted to leave myself anonymous comments, offering myself genuine Adidas accessories. I don't

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-63134311891921963062009-04-01T15:08:00.027+11:002009-04-02T13:44:58.858+11:00

Being an intermittent blogger at best (and at worst a complete can't-be-fagged slack-arse), I am constantly amazed that someone reads the crap I go on about, especially as it's not crafty and clever like Leni & Rose, or funny like H&B, or talented like Stomper, or warm and honest like Muppinstuff, or socially enlightening like Blue Milk, or even important. And since I'm linking left, right and

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-11029494250436861442009-03-08T20:12:00.018+11:002009-03-15T22:46:01.409+11:00

We had been looking forward to today for some time. Yes, even me.I've previously mentioned that I am a willing participant in the Vintage Internal Combustion Engine hobby that Mr Mangroves and the Ratbag enjoy so much, and now even Peanut is really getting into it, her pink-socked feet swinging rhythmically off the edge of the pram, to the tune of the putt-putt-bang. She laughs out loud when they

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-4334384701059227542009-02-26T14:51:00.007+11:002009-02-26T15:16:00.467+11:00

What do the above things have in common?They are the tastes of childhood, I think.Here is my baby Peanut, who recently turned 1, having her first taste of Playdough, at Playgroup. You might notice she is sporting her new Fruit Loops necklace, which she has momentarily forgotten to suck on, so enthralled was she with the blue dough, and being given a chopping implement. A couple of days ago she

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-45053428676390883612009-02-11T09:53:00.032+11:002009-02-12T11:05:02.933+11:00

I'm sitting at work today, with a shitload of stuff to do. I've got quotes to type up, print jobs to follow up on, urgent deliveries to organize, but I've been stopped dead in my tracks by a song on the radio.It's Don Henley's 'Boys Of Summer'.I'm instantly transported to the arse-end of 1984. My family are all asleep, in a two bedroom flat, on the third floor of a block of flats in East St Kilda

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-37683175677985460352009-01-31T22:28:00.007+11:002009-01-31T23:04:02.725+11:00

Forgive me blog, for I have sinned. It's been over a month since my last post.In that month, a lot has happened. While it was happening, I couldn't seem to find the time nor the inclination to blog about it. Now that it's over, finding any give-a-shit has been even harder. I'll summarize, if I may.Our Polish Christmas Eve was wonderful, and would have been even better if we didn't have to be the

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-43991049700477192922008-12-10T11:57:00.005+11:002009-03-15T22:46:49.211+11:00

If my sister had a blog, she would be writing about this.She does not have a blog.I feel it’s my sisterly duty to rip her story off, as payback for all the times that she.. oh wait. She hasn’t really done anything to warrant this treatment.However, the story is so good, that it’s not enough to stop me. I’m sure she will find a way to repay me eventually. The story is so good that I will carry the

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-4937437891667657122008-12-08T09:36:00.005+11:002008-12-08T09:47:01.974+11:00

Hello Ladies and Germs,Please forgive me for using this forum to further a cause, but bugger it, I feel the need.I came across an article in The Age not long ago, and as a mum, I want to help.Please check out 25 WomenBasically, these ladies were just sitting around waiting for a cause to reveal itself I think, because they've put their heads together and decided to raise heaps of cash to help

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-43842097468112726192008-12-04T14:11:00.004+11:002008-12-04T14:32:27.005+11:00

Apparently, the silly season has started. I have been told that Father Santa Craws has to come and drop new Thomases under our tree.And of course, the catch is that we now have to get a tree. Which involves going out into the shed, climbing on ladders, negotiating spiders and cockroaches, setting the bloody thing up, and then spending two hours arguing over where the decorations go. I wouldn't

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-6509627496221698092008-11-10T18:00:00.002+11:002008-11-11T11:06:33.243+11:00

Have I told you that the Ratbag is now fully toilet trained? Which means that I see him silently get up and walk away, I yell 'do you need help?', he yells back 'NO MUMMY', so I go into stealth mode, follow him to the toilet and hang in the hallway, wait to hear if he's standing or sitting, wait for the bomb drop, and then casually walk past and offer to help again. At which point he gives in and

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-44308324340780876022008-11-03T10:14:00.016+11:002008-11-03T19:44:24.440+11:00

Sitting at work today, phones silent, in-box empty. Why? Because the boss is in Sidney and I don't feel like workin'? Not really. It's because it's the Melbourne Cup Day Weekend, and all smart people have the day off. All the smart people that would normally be calling and emailing to get work done here, at our friendly little design studio. So, in the absence of clients, paperwork caught-up on

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-16950982292571198442008-10-31T16:52:00.007+11:002008-10-31T22:07:49.807+11:00

I think I am about to attempt the sport of Extreme Planning.In addition to Melways, I have printed out maps from whereis.com, and now know my way around Ballarat. I have a booked hotel room, a car with some petrol in it (no thanks to me, just ask Mr Mangroves who thought that letting the tank get almost empty and not filling it was the equivalent of kicking the Pope square in the nuts except he's

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-25099882529236246282008-10-14T12:05:00.009+11:002008-10-14T14:44:27.857+11:00

Last week, my grandmother died. She was my last living grandparent. She had been ill for only a short time, but there was nothing anyone could do. I guess it was her time. Mum got to speak to her at the hospital, and apparently, she was talking about my children, her great-grandchildren number 2 and 3. This makes me feel great - as though we were on her mind too. I always hoped that she would

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-91789960646334145282008-10-04T22:08:00.011+10:002008-10-04T22:56:32.311+10:00

September was a funny month. There wasn't much to blog about, in the sense that I'm not really the day-to-day kind of blogger. You know, the kind that writes "A new flower popped up on the dahlia, lovely sunny day, had sandwiches outside and the Ratbag had leftovers of sandwich which the dogs kindly shared with him". I'm more the "Here's my pet hate / current love, and let me go on about it for

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-40856602685565498012008-08-22T11:26:00.007+10:002008-09-18T18:56:37.419+10:00

When Peanut was born in January, I discovered, by accident, that there was in fact a legitimate reason whereby I could kill a man and hopefully, be acquitted on the grounds of 'Fair Enough'.I remember that when the Ratbag was but a wee babe, Mr Mangroves would wake up in case I needed something every time the baby was at the midnight milkbar. I found this very annoying after a while, and told him

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-72288816684504654472008-08-21T21:09:00.009+10:002008-08-22T20:44:07.032+10:00

Better late than never ! Here, finally, after promising them over a week ago, are pics of Peanut wearing Leni & Rose's divine slippers and bib. Aren't they fantastic? And a bargain too. Thanks again Mich ! I got a bit upset when a stream of pumpkin-coloured puke shot out immediately after taking these two pictures, but I'm OK now.We've had an amazing couple of weeks, the ankle-biters both having

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-57682654715383122932008-08-08T15:25:00.006+10:002008-08-08T21:09:42.470+10:00

Firstly, let me thank Mich from Leni & Rose for the beautiful slippers and matching bib that she made for my Peanut. I absolutely adore them, she did an excellent job, and they were a bargain. Thanks heaps lovely, and I promise that I will take a pic of her wearing them this weekend to post here and show everyone! I have been working all week, and haven't had a chance to scratch myself but this

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-66526982563699546932008-07-29T18:17:00.024+10:002008-12-10T11:15:02.084+11:00

You've met Boomer, also affectionately known as the Pornstar, in my previous posts about the manimals in our house. He is the last remaining feline after we lost two old ladies earlier in the year. Well, he has also become known by another moniker. He is now generally referred to as Knucklehead. Here is a current picture of Knucklehead. That scar on his head is from a fight he got into a few

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-28650339131521658572008-07-15T19:48:00.006+10:002008-12-10T11:15:02.198+11:00

I can't believe it.Not only does someone read this blog, but they like it as well!Thanks to the lovely and prolific maker of fantastic quilts, Julie at Julie's Provincial Patch, I've just been awarded this lovely title, and I've gone all bashful-like. Don't worry, it won't last. And now, to forward the honour onto my 5 favourites:Muppinstuff - Janet's life in vivid colour. I would describe her

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-9188822869528478682008-07-10T08:02:00.012+10:002008-12-10T11:15:02.766+11:00

Due to the recent restructuring of our extended furry family, we now have 2 dogs and 1 cat. Here are some pics of them, Baltazar the Black and Rubi the Mini Foxie, and Boomer the cat, also affectionately known as the Pornstar.One day, I went to Aldi and brought home a catalogue, as you do. I looked through said catalogue that night after the usual bed/bathtime battles were won and another day was

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-44843958371554895172008-07-05T13:18:00.008+10:002008-12-10T11:15:03.319+11:00

Another death in our furry family, not unexpected, I'm actually quite grateful that it was of old age and naturally, instead of illness and by an injection, or worse, in an accident. We knew by yesterday afternoon that it was imminent, and had time to prepare with her all evening. We wrapped her in a piece of flannel sheet from her bed and I held her on my lap while we watched 'Riding In Cars

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-70037975537272803152008-06-28T19:21:00.009+10:002008-12-10T11:15:03.814+11:00

This might look like instead of going to a life drawing class, I stumbled onto the set of a German Romantic Comedy being filmed. Not so; these two are a nice couple who came to model together for our group on Thursday night. This pose was chosen by them, and we all stood around scratching our heads for a few minutes, trying to wrap our minds around it. Literally. 'Her HEAD is in his LAP', my mind

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-70523362849599080492008-06-22T08:35:00.014+10:002008-12-10T11:15:04.443+11:00

I've noticed an alarming trend lately, where Peanut woke up at night, I would try to feed her, but I couldn't. Literally, I couldn't get a let-down. For those of you who haven't breastfed, the let-down is the physical letting down of milk into the ducts where the baby can access it. It means milk comes out when you want it to, and not all day long. Although, don't get me wrong, sometimes it does

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-59556017883212104162008-06-16T12:45:00.011+10:002008-12-10T11:15:04.991+11:00

Kids. Who'd have 'em ! I mean really, if you knew what you were in for, would you say to your pre-baby, size 10, perky-breasted, soundly-sleeping, regularly waxed and groomed self:"Go ahead, it's really no big deal, it's the best thing you could ever do!" Nope. That's the fairy tale we tell pre-baby couples so that they can experience the same misery. After all, why should we suffer alone?The

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-39489393318893246922008-06-08T21:15:00.012+10:002008-12-10T11:15:05.379+11:00

I made a break for it again this week, and went to Life Drawing. It wasn't my best work, and I was sadly reminded of how long I'd been away. It's like falling off a bike, you never forget, you just hurt yourself more. I'm choosing the best part of the 1 drawing I walked away with. The pose was for over an hour all up, but I still managed to cock it up. The bottom half looks like belongs to a

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-21323675373968212572008-06-04T20:00:00.020+10:002009-03-15T22:49:24.484+11:00

I thought I'd have a quick look at new posts tonight, then scamper off to the kitchen for a hot cup of tea, followed by a sojourn on my armchair with Medusa and Episode 1 of Season 9 of the X-Files (yes, I will watch it even with agents Doggett and Reyes after Molder buggered off). However, after posting a comment for Aunty Shabby which explained the origin of my blog moniker, I can't stop

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-62268817140887370192008-05-31T20:06:00.006+10:002008-12-10T11:15:06.617+11:00

Following a laid-back Saturday of potty training, baby wrangling, laundry hanging, bed-making, left-over pizza eating and general household handling (hang on just a cotton pickin' minute, it was just like any other bloody day!!), I had no intention of posting tonight. I was looking forward to a cup of milo after the rugrats were in bed, relaxing and reading through everyone's new posts. Instead,

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-14775572201104659032008-05-29T19:00:00.005+10:002008-12-10T11:15:06.844+11:00

Aaaaaaaaaaaand we're back ! Back on the potty that is. As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, the Ratbag (scientific name Ratus Ratus Baggus) had recently decided that it was much simpler if he just peed in his pull-ups until they were so wet that they literally disintegrated and fell off with a sopping plop. Pleasant. I didn't want to think about what this said about me - I let my child's

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-14312466163950184062008-05-23T16:34:00.006+10:002008-12-10T11:15:07.173+11:00

Hello everyone,Just a quick post to show you an updated Medusa, as true to my word, I've been needling away at her at night, while watching a variety of questionable TV. Yes, I have surprised even myself at my dedication. Normally she would be history for another 6 months, but since BBB challenged me to finish it by the end of the year, I thought I should at least try. I'm prompted to show you an

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-15737131179601234532008-05-20T13:44:00.013+10:002008-12-10T11:15:08.155+11:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks since my last post. Mr Mangroves changed jobs. Our modem went to God. We took our first family outing to the Zoo where the Ratbag ignored the exhibits and preferred to chase the seagulls instead. I took the kids to their first Mushrooming expedition with their Grandpa, a family legacy to be upheld at all costs. We attended a birthday at the Altona Miniature

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-10499334788162287082008-05-02T21:00:00.019+10:002009-03-15T22:48:18.625+11:00

I was tagged last week by my friend Janet, who writes the charming Muppinstuff blog. I've spent a few days putting this off, thinking of something clever to do with a theme, something interesting, something people might actualy like to read about and not immediately get bored with and piss off to somewhere else. I've decided that I'm not a mindreader, and if you get bored with these 7 Random

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-55563040066554488022008-04-26T09:43:00.006+10:002008-12-10T11:15:08.897+11:00

It's 3 in the morning and I'm about ready to slap myself over the head with a brick. Unfortunately, the only thing handy is the box of wipes, and the baby.Surprisingly, I choose neither, opting instead to pretend this is not happening. Quoting Mythbusters, 'I reject your reality and substitute my own'. I look down, and apparently, I have been trying to force a dummy into her mouth while at the

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-2334168476094489892008-04-23T22:36:00.004+10:002008-12-10T11:15:09.049+11:00

I'm very happy to see that today, I have racked up 100 visitors to my fledgling blog.I'm pretty sure that only about 80 of those are me, so that's something to get excited about!Thanks to the other 20, whoever you may be xx

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-26319975562455289372008-04-22T16:59:00.010+10:002008-12-10T11:15:09.450+11:00

I had a phone call from a friend a while ago, to tell me that the project he had been trying to get off the ground was finally live: a life drawing class in our own Western Suburbs. Jamie Richmond administers a community arts centre out the back of Laverton (some who have lived there like to call it LaVERton, it's kinda like Target with a 'j' and a silent 't' and makes us sound like even bigger

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-6869231166179912282008-04-17T20:27:00.000+10:002008-12-10T11:15:09.587+11:00

And so, the pee journey continues.Forget the ankle swelling, morning (or in some cases - all day) sickness, labour agony (I find this word is more appropriate than just pain), projectile vomit, squidgy poo that goes all the way up their back and then the stains don't come out, teething, general whiney whingyness, and all the crappy crap that goes with having kids; this takes the cake.Potty

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-39885698080537022502008-04-11T20:51:00.001+10:002008-12-10T11:15:09.709+11:00

So, hello again! I thought that since the inspiration to write this blog came from viewing what other people were crafting, it might be interesting to have a look around at my life and see if there is in fact anything that I've also been crafting, could be crafting, or should have crafted long ago. Actually, I haven't touched my sewing box in so long, I'd forgotten it was there, let alone that I

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000755319704075833.post-25227058705618572842008-04-10T15:34:00.000+10:002008-12-10T11:15:09.918+11:00

In the infamous words of Mr Worf:"Perhaps today IS a good day to die", err, I mean blog.After feeding and changing the baby this afternoon, I settled her and her 3yo brother in front of the idiot box to watch some quality children's programming while I ducked off to kick the computer in the guts and do the one thing I had never done.. leave a comment on someone's blog.It all started while reading

Alby Mangroveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771830405134059871noreply@blogger.com3