This is day 5 now without alcohol (except for the half a glass 2 nights ago) and I feel so tired and cranky and short.  Has it really affected me this much?  I thought on the whole my temperament was a lot better and had more patience with the kids but little things still really tick me off.

I just have to focus on how proud I am to be 5 days without grog.  And I've been exercising so that helps and sleeping better than I normally do.  There's merit in this yet.

but last night I had half a glass....here's my excuse....

My husband decided he wanted a potato gratin and that we should use the mandalin to cut the potato so it would be all nicely cut the same width.  Anyway, after fobbing me off about using the safety slider where you put the vegetable in and then slide it across to cut with another object you press down on it, he decided just to use the tool which you press down on the vegetable and slide it himself......at a high speed I might add, but only 5 times before

...slicing half his fingerprint of his smallest finger on his right hand.  Claret EVERYWHERE!

So, had to "attend" to that in between difficult children at meal time, getting our own dinner ready and then realising I better finish the potatoes, but not before, cleaning the gore off the blade, removing the last few pieces "just in case" and in the process finding that poor unfortunate bit of his flesh under the mandolin.

That was it for me.  (I studied Business for a reason .....I almost fainted whilst learning to strap ankles in Health & PE at school).   There was no way I could eat any dinner whatsoever.  I was tired, cranky, flustered, had to dress and redress this wound which which kept leaving claret everywhere and despite the several vomits and poos I've cleaned up after kids, childbirth, monthly periods, bleeding noses, which I was all fine with, nothing quite compares to a small amount of human flesh to gross me right out for 24 hours.

So he sent me to our room with a glass of wine & Desperate Housewives to get my appetite back but let me tell you, I'm still struggling.  If I was a nurse, I think I'd end up anorexic and an alcoholic!

I have tried to give up alcohol for some time now and have taken up running again.  I'm not an alcoholic or anything, but do enjoy a bottle of wine with my husband each night.  Cooking the meal, sitting down at the dinner table with the kids, and then after putting them to bed and watching tv on the couch together just goes so well with a bottle of wine.

But, as I am trying to get fit again, and cant seem to shift the extra weight I've put on over the last 15 years of not running and having babies and enjoying life etc, I am trying to give up the alcohol. 

It's a lot harder than I thought though.  So small steps at a time.

I've managed 1 night so far.  Getting through Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters tonight is always a test - especially when hubby is still enjoying his wine! 

Wish me luck.  I plan to go for 1 month and definitely need some help and support and if I have to report to my Minti friends to keep me honest, then I'll give it a go.  I have an 8km race on June 23 in Nowra and if I was just 5kg lighter - might make it a bit easier!

Hi all

I've have been rather quiet this week as we were interstate for a holiday with the kids and to visit my family. 

We went to Seaworld (Gold Coast) for 2 nights and what a great time of the year to go!  Still busy but not ridiculous and staying the Nara resort was just so easy with the kids as we could come back on the monorail just for about 30minutes in the middle of the day just to chill out and that was enough to recharge and go again.  The water was cold to swim in but the kids didn't care and it was so cheap!!  We only paid $99 per night and that includes 1 adult pass into Seaworld worth $64 so it's a great deal and you dont have to pay for kids under 4.

Also went up to the observatory deck of Q1 tower - the world's 20th tallest building and has the fastest lift - 80 floors in under 30 seconds! amazing! 

Kids had a great time and if anyone out there is from Brisbane - I am absolutely amazed in the change in Wellington Point.  It's great for young kids and plenty of cafes to eat at and the Wello is all done up.  Wow, what a transformation it has taken over the last 15 years.

My husband and I got talking about the birth experiences of both our children tonight, which we did lots and lots immediately following the birth but they are now 3 & 4 so a fair while ago.  I was surprised at how much I dont remember and the strange things I did remember. 

But one thing that sticks in mind and why my husband brings up the topic is that he needs to debrief too, and in some ways, more than I need to debrief about the birth.  My son's childbirth was quite traumatic, and touch and go (as it is for many people, I dont put myself out there by any means) at times.  But I remember little of what happened, yet I only had an epidural.

We often forget that the Dad of the newborn has very important role during childbirth.  He is our support person and he knows, decisions lie with him for whatever may happen.  It's a huge responsibility and if trauma presents, it will last in his memory.  And if something goes wrong with us, even though it's not his fault, he will always feel responsible.  We should give our husbands credit for what they have to go through emotionally whilst we are vulnerable and going through the biggest pain in our life because, we, the women are built to forget that pain.

Hi all

I'm making a card for my parents' golden wedding anniversary and looking for some literature type verses - does anyone know of a site where I can find verses for this sort of thing?