A March Of Fun

It is so simple to fall into a routine. Too easily we forget to do things other than the usual day-to-day.

But it is so important. That feeling of having let go is exhilarating. To have fun is what makes life worthwhile, gives us something to look forward to. And after being sick a few times lately, being tested by my toddler, and noticing that so many others are facing the same, I realised that is exactly what we need.

Let's do it. We are going to challenge each other to have a little fun.

Once a week for the month of March, let's do something a little carefree. It might be something small, but it must be out of the daily routine and it must make you smile or, hopefully, laugh. Even if just for a few moments. 

Let's add a little excitement to our March.

If you have kids, you might want to incorporate them into this. You can use it as an opportunity to focus on them and spend time sharing the fun with your little ones. Or you can involve your partner or friends. Or just have a little carefree fun all by yourself if you want to.

I will post about my experience each week and would love it if you would also blog about yours. Then leave a comment here with a link to your blog so we can all see what you've been up to. If you don't have a blog, you can comment with your little story of adventure.

I'll be back on Thursday to let you know about my fun for the week.

I can't wait to hear your story! xo


Megan

The Migraine

Migraines are hell on earth.

Unfortunately, it is an overused term. In the same way that someone with a bad cold will go around complaining of suffering from the flu, a headache is often referred to as a migraine. It is not the same thing.

To give you an example, this is how my last couple of days panned out:

Friday AM: Housework, done. PM: Paid work. Think again. I stopped for a break after making the house all sparkly clean. I was feeling fine, but the spots appearing in front of my eyes told me this would not last long. I took the opportunity of being able to see while it lasted: threw down a couple of Panadol tablets (could not find anything stronger) and prepared Abbey's lunch quickly. By this point, I could only see patches of things when I squinted. And the nausea had hit.

That is how suddenly things can change for a migraine sufferer.

I lay down on the couch, with a bewildered Abbey watching me with interest. The headache would be next, and this was accelerated by a smack in the head by a toddler armed with a board book. Thanks Ab. 

I closed my eyes and wondered how this one would be. Sometimes my migraines leave quickly, other times I have lost speech, vomited and felt pins and needles down one side. I was a little worried, being home alone with Abbey.

Luckily, this one went quickly. The spots left within about half an hour and the headache barely even registered. But the after-effects of a migraine are just as bad: exhaustion, nausea and the feeling of having been utterly drained of energy. Sleep is the only answer.

That night, I planned on having a good night's sleep and feeling much better by Saturday. However, our neighbours decided to have a get-together, a very noisy one, that night.

I finally fell asleep at around 2am.

Saturday AM: Abbey woke at 6.30am. Steve was at work. I cried. Got up, made her breakfast, lay on the couch and cried. Felt even more sad as she wandered around aimlessly, clearly wanting to play with me. In a stroke of, um, genius, I had written an emotional rant on Facebook during my sleepless night. Mum rang during the morning after seeing it and she came over and played with Abbey until Steve arrived home.

For me, a migraine is usually my body's horrible, nasty way of telling me to stop. Forcing me to take a break from my constant thinking, planning, doing.

I would prefer a little tap on the shoulder from a fairy godmother. 


Megan

One Of Those Days

I feel as though I've been so quick to write about the bad days here. And there have been a few challenging ones this week, following on from Sunday (read about that here).

But, surprise! Today was brilliant. It was one of those days when I felt like the happiest, luckiest person on the planet.

We had a slow start to the morning. Although doing this mid-week might sound a little extravagant, it is one of the benefits of being a stay-at-home and work-at-home Mum! Abbey woke at 6am (yuck) and wouldn't go back down in her cot (she gets very restless with her sleep when teething), so I brought her into my bed for morning cuddles. She snuggled right into me and feel back to sleep for another couple of hours.

Bliss.

When she woke and saw me lying next to her, she smiled so brightly that my heart melted. Then we spent a little time in bed just laughing and singing together. 

When we finally got up and ready, we went shopping. Firstly, to Ikea, then to buy some clothes for her that I had seen on sale, followed by the supermarket. She was her usual happy self at all those places: chatting, laughing at her own 'jokes', saying a loud 'hello' to everyone we passed and just generally charming everyone who saw her.

Especially one person.

You could not have wiped the huge grin from my face. All day.

I really am a very, very lucky woman.

Megan

Read, Share... Riley Books

I came across author Tania McCartney a few weeks ago in an online forum. We had our involvement in Febusave in common and ended up being the only two in attendance at this particular online chat. So, we chatted amongst ourselves. After letting Tania in on a little secret - that I would love to be an author, with a quiet longing to write children's books (not a secret any longer!) - whilst madly Googling her name as I was sure I had heard it somewhere, I discovered she is actually a kids' book author herself.

It is her website, Kids' Book Review, that I was invited to participate on shortly after this. That is an experience I am loving; I could write about books all day every day!

Not only is Tania an author, but a self-published one at that. Now, that takes courage! She has been so generous with her time and her lovely feedback, and I can't gush enough about her!

Last week I realised something: I had not purchased her books as yet. So I decided to remedy that oversight, and she kindly obliged by sending me a signed copy of each, made out especially for my little girl, Abbey. What a beautiful keepsake for her. 

A little about each book:

Riley and The Sleeping Dragon is Tania's first book. Her gorgeous character, Riley, puts on his stripy scarf and aviator goggles, jumps in his little red plane and takes his first adventure across Beijing in the search for the dragon he had seen in his dreams.

Riley and The Dancing Lion has Riley soaring around Hong Kong in search of the traditional new year dancing lion. He sees a jazz dancing lion, a synchronised swimmer and a tap-dancing lion, but will he find the one he is seeking?




My thoughts:


The first thing to strike me as I opened the package containing these treasures (as books are to me), was that I don't recall ever seeing a children's book about travelling the world. There are books on most other topics, often used as a way to introduce kids to various concepts, but none about travel (not to real-life places anyway). So my first thought: what a great idea, to give children a passion for travelling, an idea of what it is all about. Second: I wish I had thought of it first. (Joking) (Sort of).

My next action was to grab my unsuspecting daughter and 'try them out' on her. After all, a kids' book is surely only great if kids love it. And love it she did. I have to admit, this took me a little by surprise. I know Tania's website says they are great for all ages, but I honestly thought that, at seventeen months, Abbey wouldn't get much out of them yet. Another parenting lightbulb moment: sometimes we underestimate our children. I read one to her, then the other. Then the first again, the second again, then again, and again. I had to bring my laptop over to the couch to sit next to her while she then flicked through them over and over, as I attempted to type an email to Tania to let her know how much Abbey was enjoying them. It took me half an hour to do so, as I had to keep up with the demands to read them "more, more, more".

Why?

Well, it was obvious upon the first reading of the first book, Riley and The Sleeping Dragon. I would stop reading aloud every so often, to let myself read ahead a little. Abbey was not happy with this. She looked at me with pure annoyance in her very expressive eyes until I continued reading to her. When my arm accidentally covered up the pictures a little, she pushed it off straight away. The illustrations are vibrant and colourful (Abbey was kissing the sleeping dragon) and Riley is so adorable that she was waving him off as he went on his adventure.

In other words: the story itself is beautiful. It does not speak down to its audience (one thing I loathe in a kids' book) and the language is gorgeously descriptive. The unique combination of bright illustrations with the black and white photographs of real-life destinations is really striking.

These books are that wonderful mixture of fun and education. And although I'm raving about them for a toddler, I can't wait to next have a visit from my nieces and nephews (aged from two to nine) to see their reactions. Because these books will have something to offer a huge range of ages.

You can buy them from Tania McCartney Press or at online bookshop Booktopia.


Megan

A Recipe For Disaster

Sometimes it's the most enjoyable experience in the world. Filled with magical moments, like the first smile, wobbly little steps, learning to say 'Mumma' and running over for an enormous cuddle. Those days are filled with heart-stopping moments where you think that, as a Mum, you must be the luckiest person in the world.

Some days, we play and laugh and run around happily.

Sunday was not one of those days.

Sunday's recipe of mothering went something like this:

Ingredients:
One seventeen-month-old
A couple of other kids
One father trying to chat to friends
A tired mother

Take the toddler and place in same room as older children. They will automatically razz each other up.
Once sufficiently over-excited, separate children and attempt to quietly entertain seventeen-month-old.
Watch as child grabs things she should not have and throws them around. Discipline as required.
Wait a moment whilst big tantrums are thrown.
Repeat.

Note: for extra effect, ensure toddler has not slept well the previous few nights, due to teething and hot weather. This will make the tantrums extra juicy. If this is not enough, take mother at a time she is feeling run-down and already grumpy.

Have fun.


Megan

Let's Talk About Debt

The last Monday of Febusave. During February, we have talked about why I chose to support an initiative promoting financial awareness (read that here), my tips on saving money on food shopping (here) and how I learned to save money (here).

Now, let's talk about the much-feared financial subject: debt.

This is the real forbidden topic. No one ever asks: how much debt do you have? How do you manage it? When are you aiming to have it paid?

I will admit to something, just between you and me: I am scared of debt. It terrifies me. So my theory is, if I can save for something rather than borrowing for it, I will. If I do 'need' to go into debt for something, I will pay it back as quickly as possible.

This fear means I will never be a millionaire. Making money means taking risks. That is something I will never do, but that's okay. I'm happy with what I have.

It has also spurred me on to pay each car loan I have had very early. I am not sure that banks love me for this, but it is what I am comfortable with. When I pay off a debt, I feel proud of myself. I look at my car and think, you're mine now. It really is a great feeling.

My fear is matched by my husband. Together, we have worked to pay our mortgage. Our dream, like many, is to own our home. Our dream is now a little further off, due to plans to extend our house, but I have no doubt that we will get there.

Good luck in managing your debt.


Megan

Read, Share... After The Fall

I have been toying with the idea of talking about some of my favourite books here. After reading this one, I wanted to share it with everyone, so here we go...

After The Fall, by Kylie Ladd


Firstly, let me tell you how I came across this novel. I have Twitter, or, more to the point, my friends on Twitter, to thank. I was tweeting away one evening, when the lovely writer, Jayne Kearney, announced that Kylie Ladd had joined Twitter. A couple of other writer friends began raving about her novel, After The Fall. I began following Kylie and eventually declared that, based on all the rave reviews, I would buy her book. I went straight to an online bookshop and two days later, my brand new purchase arrived (online shopping, I do love you).

Kylie is a Melbourne author, freelance writer and neuropsychologist. She is also a lovely, friendly person who I have had the fortune to 'meet' via Twitter and engage in some 'conversation' with. Her comments have also made an appearance on some of my blog posts.

This novel tells the story of two couples: Kate and Cary, Luke and Cressida. Kate and Luke fall into an affair and we are taken with them as it all unfolds. Most intriguing are the consequences 'after the fall' - from the fascinating mechanics of the new relationship, to the ways in which this new dimension affects the two marriages, and the eventual discovery of the truth.

While reading, you become so involved in the characters' lives that you want to find out the ending as soon as possible, yet do not want the book, and your relationship with these characters, to end. You want them all to live happily ever after, but at the same time you realise that could be impossible.

This is an intelligent, thought-provoking, realistic insight into the lives of those involved, told from six viewpoints (the four involved, plus Kate and Luke's best friends). The ins and outs of their lives become our property: their intimate relationships, careers, families and innermost thoughts. Kylie's writing is beautiful, poetic and will hook you from the first sentence: 'I had been married three years when I fell in love'.

I must admit, I was a little nervous about reading After The Fall, given that I had declared my intention to do so publicly to the author herself. But I was excited when I opened the cover and knew, when the first line grabbed me, that I would enjoy it. The next day, I wrote to Kylie on Twitter, blaming her for keeping me up late the night before. Her fault, for writing such a gripping story. (As an aside, I think for a writer to have that immediate feedback from her readers must be thrilling. Judging by all the smiley faces that suddenly appeared on Kylie's Twitter updates, I think she would agree.)


Megan

Radiant? Try Puffy, Tired And Sore.

This is me. Obviously, heavily pregnant. 34 weeks, to be precise.

We were going out to a formal dinner that night. I had bought a new dress, the only one I could find that did not make me look like the side of a house, been to the hairdresser and splurged on new makeup and jewellery (to make up for having to wear flat shoes).

I was feeling pretty damn hot.

When you're pregnant, you need to feel that way sometimes. And at that stage of a pregnancy, it can take a little effort.

I had spent the great majority of my day lying on the couch with my feet up, to avoid puffy feet and ankles ruining the look of my dress. I went for a small walk, in excruciating pain, to loosen my back so that I could manage to sit at a dinner table for a few hours. I had a nap to make sure I would stay awake past 8.30 that night.

My very active baby had by then been kicking me with great force for 4 months. I had not had a full night's sleep in about the same length of time. Between the kicks and being constantly hungry, needing to eat a couple of full meals during the night, I was tired all the time.

But, that evening, I was all set to 'glow'.

Unfortunately, the first person we saw when we arrived at the dinner chose these special words, just for me: 'God, you're huge. How long have you got left? Still 6 weeks? That baby is going to be enormous.'

I felt fat and ugly the rest of the night. No matter how much everyone else complimented me, all I could think of was that first comment.

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but not glamorous; growing a baby is exhausting. When you see a pregnant woman, one statement will suffice: 'You look gorgeous'. That is all. It will make her day.

(And I'm considering doing it all again? I guess that just proves that the prize at the end is more than worth it...)




Megan

How Do You Know You're In Love?

When you cannot imagine your life without him.


When the grin on your face can't be erased when you see him arrive home.


When your ideal night is time spent together, no matter where.


When you know that being in his arms will fix anything.


When he can make you laugh, even at the most ridiculous jokes.




To my gorgeous husband, happy 7th wedding anniversary (for the other day). xo


Megan

I'm Elsewhere Today

You can find me at:


Kids Book Review - I am in love with this website, and still so excited to be able to contribute to it. Read my review of Paul Jennings' book for parents, The Reading Bug And How To Help Your Child Catch It, here.


Onya Magazine - an extended version of my article on being 'un-Australian' is up on this online magazine today. You can view it here.




Megan

Do You Want To Save Your Change?

It's still Febusave month (read about that here and see my other tips here), so I have some more words of wisdom to share with you.

This time, we're talking about saving.

I am actually quite good at saving. It all started when I was seventeen. My best friend invited me on a holiday to Bali with her family. I was so excited; I had always, always yearned to travel, and here was my first chance to leave the country. My friend and I began planning it all, in typical teenage girl style: what we should pack, the items we needed to shop for before leaving and those we would shop for once we arrived. My friend, as a veteran traveller, gave me lots of tips on getting my passport arranged in time and what to expect in Bali.

The whole trip was arranged in our minds.

Now, all I had to do was ask my parents.

Mum and Dad looked at each other, not quite sure how to respond to this unexpected request. They discussed it, promising to let me know soon. When they did, the answer was: 'If you can save enough money to pay for yourself, then you can go'.

I rang my friend straight away. I could come! They hadn't said no! All I had to do was... hang on a second. How on earth was I going to save up enough money to pay for an overseas trip? I was still at school, working part time on weekends, earning around $12 per hour.

I decided to give it a shot anyway. I worked every available shift in my job at KFC, every evening and all weekend. Yes, I stank of chicken salt constantly. No, I did not have a life for a few months. I didn't have time to go out much with my friends and, besides, if they were doing anything that cost money I did not want to be part of it. Everything I earned went towards my trip.

And yes, I made it to Bali.

I had been so focused on my goal, it was only after returning that I realised what my parents had tried to do. They admitted as much: they had not wanted me to go, so gave me what they believed to be an unattainable goal.

I learned a few things from this experience. Firstly: my parents wanted to outsmart me. Secondly: parents are not always smarter than their children.

Most importantly, I learned to save. Unintentionally, they taught me the value of wanting something so badly that I needed to make sacrifices to reach my dream.

This is a lesson that has stayed with me. It is still something I do. If I want something, I save and save until it is mine.

You see, sometimes you can reach the unreachable, whether it be a holiday, new furniture, expensive shoes... if you place it as a priority, you will get there.

Megan

Can Studying Become An Obsession?

I have admitted many times on this blog that I am a nerd. And here I go again, with the admission that I love to study. I like the excitement of learning new things and I like writing assignments (usually).

After finishing school, I went straight to university. I only lasted one semester, but went on to TAFE. Later on, when I was establishing my career in Human Resources, I went to university at nights to complete my postgraduate studies.

But I have recently found myself wanting to do more study.

When do you decide you have had enough of studying? Is there such a point?

And do I really need more qualifications? 

When does it become a strange obsession?

Megan

My Town - Weird But Wonderful

This is where I live: the Dandenong Ranges, on the outskirts of Melbourne.

It is a place where the tourists flock on a weekend, yet head into the national park and it's just you and the trees.

A place that is part of a big city, and you always bump into someone you know.

This is a place where interesting characters reside, such as 'The Wizard' who walks the streets looking like Jesus, with his long beard, robes and staff, but has a Facebook page with 2,000 fans.

It is a place that is fearful to many during summer, but the residents love it enough to face the bushfire threat.

This is a place from which people travel to the city for work every day, yet go for dinner in the city and are met with an astounded look at the mention of driving back home that same night.

And when you do drive home, up the road we locals call The Mad Mile, the fresh air that hits you as you wind your way up the hill makes you happy to be home.

I love it here.


Megan

Stop And Smell The Gerberas

How I love my glittery eyeliner, I was thinking as I carefully applied it. As usual, this popped into my head amongst a million other half-thoughts racing around in there: wish I'd set my alarm; why does a toddler only sleep in when we need to be somewhere; running late; should have left already; hope Abbey will nap at childcare... Stomp, stomp, stomp. Bang, bang, bang on the front door.

Who on earth is that? Don't people know I'm running late? Grrrrrr. I raced to the front door, hair unbrushed, makeup half done, still in my tracksuit pants.

I opened the door, half expecting someone to begin asking me to change electricity companies or, worse, attempting to convert me to their religious beliefs. I could feel the look of annoyance on my face.

Then my heart melted. The grin shot onto my face within half a second. Tears sprung to my eyes.

'Flowers for Megan?' the lady asked tentatively. 'Sorry', I said hurriedly as I took them from her, 'I wasn't expecting...' but she was gone.

And I was left standing there in the open doorway, with a big bunch of the brightest flowers. Red Gerberas, orange lilies.

As I walked back into the house, I searched for the card. Not sure why though; I know who they're from. Sure enough, there was a card from my husband telling me that I am beautiful and wonderful.

I shed a little tear, before reminding myself that I had just applied eye makeup. On one eye anyway. And I took a moment to call my husband before finishing getting ready for my meeting.

Sometimes, it's important to stop and realise how much the people in our lives mean to us. And to let them know that.


Megan

Money Monday

As part of Febusave (read about that here and hit the button on the right-hand-side of my blog to join), I told you I would share some tips for saving money. 


I thought I'd start with food: a huge expenditure for families, as well as something I love to have lots of!


Here are the ways in which I save money on food, while still eating well:


Plan meals each week. I am fairly new to meal-planning. But there are so many benefits: saving time racing to the shops a few times each week to grab more items needed for meals; saving money, because inevitably every trip to the shops for a couple of things means returning with three bags of goodies; less waste, because you buy what you need and therefore you use it.


Make your lunches. Include them in your meal plans. Buying lunch is expensive. When I worked in an office, going out for lunch would involve a focaccia and a drink, totalling at least $10. It doesn't sound like much, but that's $50 every week (not including going out on a weekend) or around $2,500 each year. 


Buy lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. I don't like fruit and vegies from the supermarket. I find they are often expensive and don't last terribly long. I go to a local fruit shop or market, where the prices are reasonable and the produce worth eating. 


Explore the option of buying meat in bulk. I found going to the butcher, or buying meat from the supermarket, would cost me a fortune. Now we buy our meat through a cattle farm, who supply us with beautiful fresh beef and lamb at a really reasonable price.


PS - Just wanted to let you know that my being an ambassador for Febusave is purely a voluntary exercise. There is nothing in it for me, other than trying to open up the lines of communication about money and saving.


Good luck!

Megan

A Year Ago Today

Black Saturday.


On February 7th 2009, Victoria was ravaged by bushfire. There are no words to describe the devastation and the loss experienced by so many. The statistics - 173 dead, 5000 injured, 2029 homes destroyed, 4500 square kilometres of land burnt - cannot make us realise the pain of so many Australians.


During spring I took a drive up to Kinglake, to show some support to local businesses and to see the after-effects of the fires. I was amazed by the beauty of the bush with the greenery regenerating amidst the black of the burnt trees and land:

We really do live in an amazing country. And the people make it even more so. The support with which Australians provide each other - emotionally, financially and practically - is a show of the greatness of the human spirit.


Today, I ask you to remember. The land is recovering, the rest of the country has moved on. But the people affected by the bushfires are still rebuilding their lives.


One year on.


Megan

UPDATE - Before The Big 3.0.

A month ago, I began my list of things to do before I turn 30. The fact that I did this a month ago does make me freak out a little, because now it is only five months until the big day. Uh-oh. Tell me my 30s are going to be wonderful? Please?

Here is an update of my list:

1. Go on a holiday that isn't camping. - I haven't done it yet, but a holiday to Samoa is booked for June!
2. Have some professional family photos taken. - Once again, not done yet, but it is booked for March. I am so excited about this one, having come across the photographer (Lou Lou Portraits) via a Twitter follower. How amazing are her photos?
3. Learn to cook some things I've seen on Masterchef: gnocchi, souffle and duck. - Will wait until I am off my gluten-free trial before embarking on adventurous cooking
4. Plan a party to mark my 30th birthday. - I keep changing my mind over what to do! Any suggestions are more than welcome (read: HELP!). The only requirement is that it must involve lots of champagne!
5. Take Abbey to visit my Nanna. - This is too sad to contemplate. Nanna did get to meet Abbey a year ago, but sadly I was unable to go to Hobart since then.
6. Start doing daily exercises again to get more toned. - Oh dear. I keep forgetting to do this one.
7. Get tanned (either a spray tan or fake tanning stuff). - This one makes me excited. I never usually tan naturally, but somehow I am this year. I am lovely and brown all over, despite being better than ever with my sunscreen application.
8. Write more. Maybe study or do a course in writing, just for my own enjoyment. - Here I am. Writing lots and lots! And I have achieved my unspoken goal: I wanted my writing to be published somewhere other than my blog before I turn 30. Tick!
9. Decide whether to have another baby. - For someone who barely told a soul that we were trying for our first baby, I am being surprisingly open about this one. The answer is: Yes. We will. Not yet. But we will. Don't hold your breath though; it did take us two years to fall pregnant with Abbey.
10. Start our house extension (obviously I won't be actually doing that, but I want it to have started). - Not yet started, but not far off!
11. Learn to have something even vaguely resembling patience. - I fear this may have been an overly ambitious goal...
12. Make some decisions about what I'm doing with my work, and stick to them. - I am much more content about my work situation. I have learned to view working from home as a luxury rather than a way to trap me in my house. I love it and it's getting better and better.
13. Learn to sew. - I have made my first thing! A little dress for Abbey; I'll post a photo of it soon.
14. Organise my house - which mainly means sorting out Abbey's toys. They seem to breed overnight and spread out through the entire house. - I started this one. But it's Ikea's fault I haven't finished. I went there and picked out a storage unit, one with tubs that slide in. I grabbed heaps of tubs and went to the warehouse area, only to find they were out of the actual units. So now I have a whole heap of tubs scattered around, in addition to the toys. Ikea is an hour away, so I have to motivate myself to go back for the unit.
15. Catch up with friends more often. - Yeah, I've been pretty social. 

Megan

Just Send Me A Short Bio

My first two articles to be accepted somewhere other than my own blog were published the other day (you can read about my excitement here).

I think the hardest part of the whole thing was this request: 'Just send me a short bio before we put the article up'. 

Sure. No worries. I can write a few words about myself. Easy-peasy.

Except that it was not. Here are the two I came up with (I wanted them to be slightly different due to the different nature of each article):

1. 'Megan Blandford is a mum who works from home and loves to escape the real world through writing, blogging, reading, travelling and photography.'

2. 'Megan Blandford is a mum who works from home as a Human Resources Consultant. She holds postgraduate qualifications in H.R. and has had a range of generalist experience.'

But I just think anything one writes about oneself seems to sound a little strange. You feel a bit stuck up if you write anything too nice, but on the other hand you can't say, 'Megan is a bit of a cow at times'. It's a difficult balance to find.

After chatting with a couple of Twitter friends the other night (lovely sisters Thea and Michelle) about this very subject, I decided to come up with some more interesting bio's. And the only way for that to happen would be if my life were a little more intriguing.

Here are the bio's I would love to be able to publish:

'Megan is married to a sexy French chef, who bakes delectable pastries and souffles every evening and speaks to her in his wonderful accent. They have some children, who are so well behaved that Megan forgets they even exist as she gorges her face with baked goods.'


'Megan is the author of one hundred best-selling novels and is currently travelling the world. She enjoys spending her huge fortune on daily shopping trips and expensive champagne.'


'One could describe Megan as an amazing superwoman who fits into her days all the things she wants to do. She is a perfect mother who plays with her child for hours on end, while a housekeeper sees to all the mundane parts of life.'


What do you think?

How would your dream bio read?

Megan

Daddy Dearest

Dads are special.


Your Dad will love you,
Protect you and
Make you feel safe,
Just by holding your hand.

He will make you laugh,
Call you funny names and
Cuddle you tight to make the nightmares go away.

Your Dad will protect you from boys,
Be the man you always trust,
Make sure you stay safe
Forever.


Happy birthday Dad. 


Megan

Megan Elsewhere

Today is an exciting day for me. I have been published on not one, but two other websites!

A few months ago, I held an unfulfilled desire to write. I was embarrassed about it, thinking I might fail. But once I discovered the world of blogging, I realised it was worth a try: I could write whatever I felt like writing and experiment with some different styles. Most importantly, I could practice with some purpose.

Pursuing a lifelong dream is amazingly liberating. And receiving generous comments and feedback from some accomplished writers, and my friends and family, has encouraged me all the more. It appears that now I have started writing, two things have happened: I have realised that the opportunities are endless, and I'm addicted!

Here are my first two published articles:

I came across the website Kids' Book Review through an online chat with the brilliant author, Tania McCartney. Tania has self-published two gorgeous children's books (available through the book review website) and written for numerous other publications. Tania has been so generous in encouraging me to write and has given me the opportunity to become a regular contributor to her website. I am honoured, and look forward to sharing my love of kids' books with you all through Kids' Book Review.

The second article is one that has been posted here on Writing Out Loud previously. I was asked to allow it to be published in the online magazine, Your Balance, a publication promoting flexible work practices, working from home and work/life balance. These are issues I am very passionate about and enjoy discussing and promoting. Leah, who heads both the magazine and online job board, Lifestyle Careers, has asked me to contribute further articles, so watch this space.

I hope you enjoy them!


Megan

Cook, Share... Chocolate Chip Cookies

You can't beat a good, old-fashioned Choc Chip Cookie.


To me, biting into a mouthful of delicious cookie softness with chocolate that melts in your mouth brings back memories of school. Our school tuckshop had the best Choc Chip Cookies. They were huge and oh so delicious. Every spare 80c went to buying one. Especially on the days when they were made with M&Ms, or on Valentine's Day when they were baked in the shape of love-hearts. Aww. 


This recipe is the closest I have found to the taste of those scrumptious bickies. Oh, and the image about is not of my cookies. I do not stack my baked goods. But when my husband (who sure knows the way to my heart) baked a batch the other day, they were far too yummy to stop and take a photo of.


125g butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
200g milk choc chips OR M&M choc chips


(Note: the SR flour can be replaced with White Wings Gluten Free SR flour. If being made gluten free, you will also need to add 1 teaspoon Xanthan Gum)


Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celcius
Cream butter and both kinds of sugar until light and fluffy
Add egg and beat well
Add vanilla essence and flour and mix to a soft dough
Stir in choc chips and mix thoroughly
Roughly shape the mixture into balls, flatten slightly and place on greased baking trays
Bake for 10-12 minutes


Enjoy!


Megan

What Is Febusave And Why Do I Support It?

You may have noticed the new button on the right-hand-side of my blog. Although, chances are, you're frantically looking for it now.

It's the one under 'About Me'.

Febusave. ANZ. Found it?

What is it all about? Febusave is an initiative to create awareness of women's financial security and savings.

Why am I supporting it? Not long after I joined Twitter, the lovely Sarah from the blog Oh The Possibilities made me aware of the fact that Australian Women Online were looking for female bloggers to become ambassadors for Febusave. So I looked it up.

The statistics are scary. The majority of women would last less than three months on their savings if they were to lose their job. 

So February is the month to become aware of how much you spend. It's the time to give up something and get saving.

Go on, I dare you.

Click on that lovely new button. It will take you to the Febusave website. Join up and pledge to go without something for the month. You could even win money for doing it.

What does it mean for Writing Out Loud? During the month of February, I'll be trying to break through that forbidden topic: money. I've already told you about giving birth, my big fears, and my not-so-great mothering moments. Oh, and some of my secret recipes. So surely we can have a few chats about money. 

Megan