I remembered! Whoo hoo hoo! In previous blog attempts at setting a day of the week for a type of blog post, I’d sail right past the next week and face-palm two months later. But here I am with this week’s Thursday’s Three Thank-yous. Even if you’re not applauding the effort, I’m totally chuffed.
While I contemplated cheating again and splitting a thank-you into 3 parts, I ended up having quite the list. Here’s the three that have made the cut.
1) The non-movie afternoon
I’ve heard of mother’s groups that are total nightmares – and that’s bound to happen sometimes, when you lump a group of perfect strangers together whose only commonality is sudden parenthood and sleepless nights. And Before Arddun, the idea of getting together weekly with a group of women to talk Baby seemed slightly bizarre and, well, contrived. So I’m completely stoked about my mother’s group because we all get along swimmingly. No malice, no bitchiness, no competition. Just lots of support, laughs, and mutual bewilderment. Perfect.
Tuesday was long-awaited. It’s been months since I’ve watched a movie with Arddun in a cinema and while the home of her little friend, Leila, isn’t Hoyts, it’s probably even better. Huge projector screen, large cushy seats perfect for feeding or balancing a coffee on, and a humongous play area for the babies to entertain themselves between meals and sleeps. Plus, we were going to order in for once – so no bake-offs that won’t get eaten because we’re too busy yakking or feeding or putting our children to bed.
Well! We ended up not doing the movie because we had such a ball catching up. And then I stayed behind for a much-needed cup of tea while Arddun and Leila played. (By “play”, I mean that Leila would pick up a toy and Arddun would help herself to it and then crawl away, thankyouverymuch. Am now teaching Arddun the concept of not coveting thy neighbour’s Lamaze toy.)
I wasn’t kidding when I said that the best way to break the ice in Canberra is to become a mother. I am loving all these new friendships. Mother’s group meetings are much anticipated in this household, I tell you what.
2) Skype
After a comedy of errors, both my mum and I finally got Skype and running with BOTH web cameras and microphones and speakers (sorta) working. And so what did we do? Have breakfast/lunch together. Because Singapore is behind by 3 hours, mum’s having breakfast right when I’m having an early lunch. And then Arddun woke up to join us. Truly enjoyable, and it almost felt like we were sitting around the same dining table exchanging news. Now to get the in-laws’ Skype set up…
3) Feedback
I don’t usually get comments or feedback on my blog posts. I know there are readers out there, judging from the site traffic. But most of my readers seem to be lurkers. Whether they agree, disagree, laugh, cry, or want to hurl a shoe in my general direction is quite a mystery to me. Suffice to say, as much as the typing and posting is cathartic, sometimes it gets a little lonely. Like, Hello? Is anyone really out there? Or is it just spam bots, running around chocking up traffic points.
And then this week, I got comments and emails telling me how much people enjoy reading what I write. Some private, most left on Facebook, but still feedback. And it made my heart smile. (Daaawww!) The encouragement to GO AND WRITE A BOOK AND GET PUBLISHED! seems to be the common hymnal in some of the comments, and maybe one day I’ll find the guts and stamina to go sit down and write “for real”, but meanwhile there’s this blog. And if I’ve made you smile or think and you’ve taken the time to tell me… thank you. It’s heartening to know I’ve made a connection.
19 January 2012 at 10:02 pm
Here I am!! Long time reader and first time…. um ok I have commented lots of times but still :) But seriously, now im a nervous new blog owner I know what its like to wonder what the response is to a post and how much a comment means! And I was very much inspired by your bravery and honesty in your blog… I love your thoughts and your conscientous parenting and being just a bit further along in this gig, I smile warmly at your posts because most of the time I thought or felt just the same at that same stage – I love how this mothering thing unites us all in so many shared emotions/fears/exhaustion etc!! Anyway, you are an amazing mama, a brilliant and funny writer and a wonderful friend – oh and extra credit for having a literal gift for gift buying – always so thoughtful! x
20 January 2012 at 9:04 pm
Aw Kate, thanks for all your previous comments! (Yes, the thank-you above was for you too.) And yes, a comment is powerful stuff. It’s validation that you’re not a waste of cyberspace, because people feel touched enough to say something about what you’ve written. Heart-on-sleeve and all that.
SO glad you’re finally blogging! Watch out… you’re going to go places!
20 January 2012 at 2:19 am
Looking forward to Skype with you. Wish I wasn’t just a moving,talking picture to Arddun. :) BTW I am one of the ‘lurkers’. I do enjoy reading but I’d rather comment verbally.
20 January 2012 at 9:02 pm
I know you read my blog, mum. But you kinda have to. You’re my mummy. It’s where the Yummy Mummy juices originate.
20 January 2012 at 9:18 am
it is funny, I have always read your blog and spoke to you about it so you knew I read it but until I started my own I never understood the power of someone leaving a comment. The satisfied feeling you get by like you said connecting with someone. Anyway I will endeavor to leave more comments so you know I stopped by. I agree when I saw how many times by blog was viewed I kinda started thinking, who is reading it as only a few left a comment here and there. So I am reading, not lurking or clogging up traffic! I love going oh yeah that just happened for us as well:)
Skype is my new best friend, it allows everyone who I cant see all the time see my little girl grow up. It is also nice to sit and have a cuppa with my mum when I need advise:)
20 January 2012 at 9:06 pm
Isn’t Skype grand for that?! I thought we were being SO clever, sitting around the dining table like that! Never knew you’ve continued reading my blog, after the initial first few posts! Very honoured. See? Wouldn’t have known until you told me. hee hee!
Loving your posts, by the way. It’s hard sometimes to think of what to say, or the summon the energy. But it’s ALWAYS worth it for the creativity and catharsis alone.
20 January 2012 at 11:52 am
Velle, I regularly check your blog to see whether you have updated it :) Love seeing Mummydom from your perspective :) I also know a few people overseas who read this too :)
20 January 2012 at 9:08 pm
Overseas? (Apart from Singapore?) That’s so cool! WordPress.com doesn’t allow me to track my blog using other web analytic tools like Google’s, so I don’t know where peeps are coming from. Chuffed!