Babysitting Adventure
Good friends of mine are in town this week and we caught up yesterday afternoon / evening. The Gallagher’s have two children who I adore. I babysat the kids while they went out for dinner and a movie. Zoe is 4 and Nick is 3.
Let me set the scene.
The Gallagher’s are staying in a service apartment in the city and the bathroom is attached to the main bedroom. The door has one of those locks where you push it in, but you need a key to unlock it.
After playing games of “Go Fish” and Snakes and Ladders which apparently I suck at. Bedtime comes around I read them a few books while their tucked up in bed. I say good night turn the lights off and wander into the bedroom to watch television. Now im under the impression they are sleeping when actually it’s called pretending.
Next thing I know Zoe comes in announcing she wants to go to the toilet. So I respond with okay. She is in there for a little while and im like you ok she goes yeah im finished now… I went okay wash your hands and flush toilet… She completes this task than comes out and is hanging on to the door handle. As im watching her Nick comes in.. “Emmma my tummy hurts i need to do a poo” all I could think of was oh f*&k. Trying to keep calm I go ok I look back at Zoe and thinking what is she doing with the door… I proceed to ask her and her response was nothing. She shuts the door takes off saying Night Emma. I should have known then and there she was up to something.
As I take Nicks hand to lead him to the bathroom I begin to turn the handle a sinking realisation hits. My little princess had locked the door.
Complete panic rages on in my head as I realised I can’t open the door, Nick is staring at me rubbing his belly saying it hurts and he needs to go. I could feel myself getting flustered. I mean seriously I’m a competent woman but all of sudden all clear thinking is out the window. BECAUSE I can’t get in OR find a key, logically all I could think surely there is a key somewhere.. Go into the kitchen to see if it on the bench then realise ahhh fuck its one of those plastic keycards to open the door they weren’t given keys… During this whole process Nick is following me around telling me he needs to go to the toilet and tummy hurts. Im like I know sweetie hang on for me. Finally I have my light bulb moment it dawns on me to ring reception. As the phone is ringing, Nick tugging on my hand, the phone is finally answer In a rush I explain to the guy I have no idea the room number im babysitting please tell me you have a key to the bathroom the door is lock. And you need to understand I have 3 year old busting to go to the toilet. As the dude holds back laughter he goes no worries, we do have a key we will be up there shortly.
Let’s face it I’ve never been so happy to see someone in all my life.
Problem solved and Nick goes to the toilet. Now let me just say I completely forget I had put a night time nappy on him, I don’t think anything of it as he flushes the toilet washes his hands and goes back to bed. MEEEEEE not thinking anything of it watches him traipse out door, when I hear a massive thud. Unbeknownst to me he had turn around to come back into the room to give me his nappy and he hits the corner of the door..
Ahhhh F*&K echo’s in my head. As I look at the tears streaming down his cheek. I’m giving him a kiss and cuddle saying it will be ok, this voice in my head goes oh god their going to think I beat their child as I was pretty sure there was a big egg bump forming on his head.
As I explain the situation to the parents, they couldn’t hold back their laughter assuring me it’s okay. It was a fun night I love those kids and can’t wait till my next babysitting adventure…. Mmm I think.
Happy Birthday Jodes
God saw you hungry and created food. He saw you thirsty and created wine. When you were in the dark he created light. When he saw you without a cute, adorable, funny, FRIEND…………..HE created ME!!!
I can hear you laughing and I’m pretty sure you’re shaking your head.
I’m writing this dedication to you Jodie. Because realistically every now and then you need to put yourself first and sometimes you forget to. This is the perfect week to commit to this goal because it’s your birthday and I’m reminding YOU that your to take the week not the just a day. And I will be checking in with you everyday to make sure you’ve spent a little bit of time on yourself…
Plus I want you to be able to read this message anytime this week leading up to your birthday and on your birthday if you want a bit of a warm fuzzy feeling. I would have loved to be going home this weekend to help celebrate.
Occasionally you need to be told what an effect you can have on someone. Therefore I’m going to talk about Jodes, as it’s her birthday this week and to me she is someone special.
Without fail she has been there by my side, it started in high school, every Thursday and every second weekend she would accompany me to my fathers place while I attended my access visits. I asked her a couple of years ago why she came to those visits. Her response was not sure just knew you needed me. I survived those visits because of her and she made them very memorable.
She was right I did need her and to this day I need her. She makes me laugh uncontrollable at myself; she actually listens to me when I need to be heard. Listens to me cry because a moment of fear has over come me. Supports and encourages me. But most importantly believes in me and my dreams when I start to have a moment of doubt. She continues to remind me that anything is possible as long as we continue to believe and hope.
To my amazing friend who has an inner strength that she sometimes forgets she possesses. It shines through when she thinks it doesn’t. You continue to keep your sense humour when sometimes you want to cry. When you do cry I wish I was beside you demolishing a box a chocolates and drinking a bottle of our favourite wine together. Because lets face occasionally it is the answer to everything. Sometimes changed can be forced upon us, however you continue to adapt and transform yourself in one very inspirational woman. Don’t ever forget that.
Here is to the next phase or your life, we both know I’m not going anywhere, I might be a few hundred odd miles away, but we have the unbreakable bond created from Centre Street days. How many people can say they can transport themselves right back to one of those memories and giggle to the point they have tears rolling down their cheeks.
I have complete faith in you and the things that are about to come your way, because I believe you’re one in million and I’m extremely lucky to have you in my life. So thank you for being you and of course being there for me. Plus as Jim Hayes says “An old friend will help you move. A good friend will help you move a dead body.”
Happy Birthday Jodes here’s to a lot more laughter and memories.
The Whitlams & the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Again another brilliant show at the Opera House, to me its one of the best establishments to watch a performance. Last year I saw The Whitlams at the State Theatre this year it was at the Opera House where they performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Again they prove to be very entertaining to watch and of cause listening to Tim Freedman’s random comments / observations to the audience makes the evening much more enjoyable.
A Year Today…
It’s been a year today since I took possession of the keys to my unit… My god its gone mind-boggling fast what a crazy, emotional, year of learning it’s been, as my brother says “ remember what it looked like then and what it looks like now…..amazing what some elbow grease and a few coats of paint will do”. Oh so true, and I finally get to show off all my hard work to my mum this weekend instead of emailing her pictures.
To those people and you know who you are, that helped, were interested in what I was doing and gave me moral support when I didn’t think I could keep redecorating / renovating. Thanks
Still one room to go but who cares, it’s still an amazing sense of achievement.
Another Year Older
The last month has been difficult for me as I struggle to come to terms with yet another birthday. However I realised that I’m changing or maybe things around me are changing. It finally dawned on me that I was creating the pressure, something I didn’t really need to do. I’m so proud of what I have achieved I’ve worked hard and learnt a lot this year. I just don’t mean the renovating the unit I also mean emotionally, physically and mentally.
It’s taken me a long time but I can finally say eating and exercise has become automatic part of my life I no longer have to think about it. I still have one of those days where I gorge on chocolate but I no longer feel guilty about it. I just dust it off and remind myself I don’t need to eat my feelings even if the rum n raisin chocolate tastes bloody divine.
I remind myself on a daily basis that I don’t need to surround myself with negativity as it brings me down. I sometimes have a high expectation of people that are in my life which can sometimes be my downfall. But realistically the only person that can cause my downfall is me.
So I might be another year older but I’m not to concern. Its funny it was my team and of course Jodes, Farls and Shari that reminded me that I was about to embark on another adventure I just needed to embrace it. And they were right I have embraced that I’m another year older. And I’ll continue to remind myself to have a little bit of faith as everything happens for a reason.
I’ve done a lot of soul searching over the last few years and I can finally say that I have felt at peace for a very long time. The sensation of pure happiness with no doubt in myself is a breathtaking feeling and I won’t allow anyone to take that away from me.
Hence until my next birthday I’m going to just breathe and see where my next escapade takes me.
Random Observations Part 3
- 420 George Street Topping Off 1 & 2 parties were a major success.
- Took me 5 weeks to organise a event for 600 odd people. And I kicked arsed and loved every moment.
- I’m continually surprised at how many of the subbies I know on site.
- Laughing uncontrollable at the DJ’s weird dancing movements.
- Realising that one shouldn’t drink from 1:30pm without consequences the next day.
- Watching my team blowing off steam, but most importantly having fun.
- Finalising our crane lift for next week, terrifying yet unbelievable excited at the same time.
- Continually surprised at how well my team know me.
And of course Mchottie, thank you for coming last night.
Dentist…mmm Dr Emma
I still have a baby tooth, and I grind my teeth. Last week I notice my baby tooth was a bit sensitive so I knew it was time to find out what my options were if it fell out. Because lets face it I’m slightly vain about this and I don’t want a gap in my mouth.
So while I was sitting in the dentist chair for my check up, Dr Catherine ran through my options. Now I’m only going to talk about one option because I’m still in a state of shock.
Me: So what are my options if the baby tooth falls out?
Dr Catherine: Ok well you have a few. A flipper, an implant, a bridge
Me: Implant what’s that?
Dr Catherine explains that the implant procedure and how realistically it’s the more naturally looking out of the lot of them.
(In hindsight of course it is, it’s the most bloody expensive)
Me: mmm Ok so what’s the cost of an implant?
Dr Catherine: About $6-7 grand
Me: WHAT, are you serious $6-7 grand for one bloody tooth, do I get a discount if I do two teeth…
Dr Catherine laughing
Me: No seriously do I… I did with my wisdom teeth four out cheaper than one at time.
Dr Catherine still laughing no it’s just for one tooth.
Me: Oh My god seriously I need to change professions, 6-7 grand for one tooth. I guess its time I got that mouth guard to protect that baby tooth.. Because lets face it I’m keeping this baby tooth.
Dr Catherine: Laughing will do and x-ray to check out baby tooth, then organise appointments for mouth imprints for mouth guard.
Me: Shaking head… Seriously need to change professions…
Mchottie & The Human Body Cube
Its been a while since I’ve written about my sessions with Mchottie, but yesterday’s session needs to be mention. 1 It was unexpected 2 he has a wicked sense of humor and 3 I’m convinced I’m starting to see definition in my abs, but that’s not what this entry it’s about.
Normally after a session with Mchottie I send an email to let him know how I’ve pulled up. Okay I admit occasionally my debrief can have a slight drama queen quality about it.
However one thing remains clear when he talks muscle groups my eyes kind of get a glaze look about them. I just nod and pretend I know what he is talking about. For the record I hated biology at school, god I shudder just thinking about Ms Ryan and the science labs. Nevertheless its a bit of a running joke between us that I never remember any muscles he tells me, I normally just say you know the ones at the back of the arm or the front of the thighs their sore, I always promise that I’ll pay more attention and remember next time.
I was being a bit cocky about this upcoming session with Mchottie secure in the knowledge that I would not have to endure lunges. He had made a promise of no lunges something I intended to keep him too, since it was a birthday request mmm in hindsight I should have known there would be a loop hole its called squats lots of bloody squats.
Anyway before our session started on Saturday Mchottie presented me with a birthday gift. My reaction was a burst of laughter as I looked at the cube he held up. He had given me the Human Body Cube, it covers the eye, ear, heart, lungs, water works, skin, blood, nerves, bones and but most importantly muscles. As he placed it in my hands his comment was now when I get the next email from you’ll be able to give me the correct muscle groups.
So to Mchottie thank you it’s absolutely pure gold, every time I pick it up I can’t help but laugh. As I sit here studying my cube I can say my triceps, gluteus maximus, and I think it’s the sartouris hurt just a wee bit! But then again as I stare at the human diagram on muscles it could be the quadriceps.
Random Observations Part 2
Random observations part 2 over the last couple of months
- Realising that I loved every part of renovating, I still have one room to go.
- Feeling complete joy at hearing about Justin and Janelle pregnancy.
- Watching the emotion cross my brothers face as he told me about hearing the baby’s heart beat for the first time.
- Background noise from the boys on site over the radio is highly entertaining.
- Laughing uncontrollably with my team.
- My morning coffee – that first sip is perfection.. And better yet Elks is still my Thursday Coffee Bitch and The Greek might be in Melbourne but still makes comments about my life via email or phone.
- A large majority of Sydney Trains are hideous in summer no aircon.
- Having random strangers at the gym tell me their life story.
- People only want to hear what they want to hear.
- Some people will never understand how actions and comments can hurt people.
- Cold Feet is still one of best UK TV series of all time.
However most importantly
- Receiving compliments have a powerful effect.
Aunty Em
A little blessing is arriving in our family next year. The first grandchild on both sides of the family. I’m going to be aunty, saying I’m excited is an understatement.
Next year can’t come fast enough, the way I see it where getting a belated Christmas present or a really early Easter present.
To my brother and sister in law congratulations I’m so excited for the two of you, here is to the next amazing chapter of your lives.
