Category: General

Today I’m joining other blogger from all around the world to take part in Speak Out, ‘a collaboration of BlogCatalog and Wanderlust, who have teamed up to launch an international domestic violence awareness campaign and fundraiser’. Speak Out is encouraging bloggers to tweet, blog, talk about, share and general just encourage people to “Speak Out” against domestic violence.

There are so many stories being shared and I have decided to add mine. I am a survivor of domestic violence. For 8 years I lived in terror for my life on many occasions. WARNING this post discusses issues that some people may find triggering.

When I first met my ex I thought he was great. He helped me get off drugs and seemed nice. He was older but that was nothing unusual for my choice in men. The first year or two were ok. He had a bit of a temper but I’m know for having a temper myself so thought nothing of it, he’d never hit me.

Then we went out one night with some friends. After quite a few drinks we decided to head home and that’s when it started. He was yelling at me about flirting with one of the guys who had been there. I laughed and told him not to be stupid. Then *thump*. He smacked me across the face and stormed out. This pattern continued over the next five years in varying degrees. Sometimes it was just a slap or smack other times it was full on punches. Make up became my best friend as I often would have to cover bruises and cuts. Often I’d fake illness so I didn’t have to go out and see anyone.

I eventually decided to go to uni just to get myself out of the house.This ended up making things much worse. He became so jealous of my new friends, what I wore to uni and accused me on more than one occasion of sleeping with a few of my new friends. The violence also increased. One night in particular stands out. One night I think I will never forget. The one night that made me decide it was finally time to leave.

It started out innocently enough. Two of my now close friends from uni had just moved into town and to celebrate my bff & I decided we should all go out on the town for a few drinks. Now my ex was a big drinker. We all were. At around 11 we decided to head home. He cracked the shits & decided to sleep in the car. I probably should have left well enough alone but I went out to check on him. The next thing I knew he was yelling at me and calling me all the sluts under the sun and how he knew I was sleeping with one of the guys from uni. I yelled back and then *wham* he had me on the ground, trying to choke me and banging my head into the cement. Luckily my friends heard my screams and rang the police and came to help me. He ended up in custody over night while I went to hospital so they could check me out for concussion and broken bones. I stayed with my bff that night then she took me to my parents the next day where I told them everything that had happened. Dad looked like he was ready to kill, as did my brother. Dad said I wasn’t going back there. He rang me the next day and apologised, said he had a drinking problem, an anger problem and so much other bull that I had heard so many times before. “It’s not me, it’s the grog”, “My dad was violent”… A couple of weeks later I made the final move. I went and saw him & said I was sorry but I couldn’t live my life in fear anymore.

There is more to the story but I’ll save that for another time. He didn’t let go easily – threatening phone calls, emails, message. Lies spread to mutual friends. Friends who know the truth now & have apologised for not believing me. I’m glad I got out but it was hard. I honestly feared for my life and I know that is why many people (because domestic violence happens to BOTH women & men) choose to stay, because they honestly fear for their lives.

I urge you to read this post. I agree when Wanderlust says “Whoever you are, wherever you are, please know this. You should never live in fear of speaking your truth. You should never be afraid to be yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable being 100% yourself in your relationship, please, please, think long and hard about why you are there.”

If you are in a violent relationship, please seek help. Tell someone. You are worth so much more than living in fear. In Australia you can contact Reach Out

P.S . I’ll be back tomorrow with something a bit more cheerful. Today, this story needs to be told. We need to Speak Out. ');

Well that was a short wait

I can finally announce I’m on the 2012 Design Team for Log Your Memory *yay*

The new logbook AND challenge book will be released Wednesday (in the US) so check back here. Let me tell you, the 2012 book is AWESOME!

I’ve got some exciting news to share but I can’t tell you just yet. Soon I promise

I was hoping today’s post would be full of cute pictures of Miss K at the Tasmanian Craft Fair in Deloraine, including photos of her on the awesome old carousel they had there.

Not many photos. It was stinking hot (I got my first sunburn of this spring/summer season) and Miss K slept a lot! Oh and there was no carousel

If you ever get to Tassie during the weekend of the Tassie Craft Fair, do go check it out. It’s pretty family friendly. Children under 10 are free. Adult tickets this year were $15.

If you’re into art, craft, food and wine, then there is something for you. For art & craft types there are plenty of art & craft exhibits and plenty of crafty types selling their wares.

Into food & wine? There is heaps. Taste testing abounds (omg I have never tasted so many different alcohols during the day for sooooo long).

I’m not a wine drinker but came home with a bottle of Ned Kelly Red ‘Heavy’ & a bottle of Tawny port for hubby. OMG the red is yummo (& the white isn’t bad either).

and we tried the Cherry Max and Bush Liqueur from Lark Distillery and some chilli beer from somewhere else. Then the food. I came home with some cheese from Ashgrove, some Anvers fudge and some Brown Bees Honey. Oh, I can go all posh and have wine, biscuits & cheese LOL don’t think so

and there were alpacas

But the highlight of the day for Miss K wasn’t at the craft fair. No, it was back at Grannie & Grandpa’s place. A swing set Dad picked up second hand. She loved it and didn’t want to get off it when we were ready to come home.

This morning 5 years ago I was lying on my parent’s couch sick as a dog (I never really got that saying). I had a cold face washer over my face & thought I was dying. A couple of hours later (& a shot from the doctor) I was sitting getting my hair & makeup done with my bestie (& bridesmaid).

5 years ago today I went from becoming Miss to Mrs. Honestly I loved every minute of it. The Day was glorious (it rained the day before & the day after).

I cried when I walked down the aisle (not that it was an aisle – it was outdoors but you get the idea). Then cried again when I saw my future hubby.

I know he probably won’t read this but I’d like to thank him for so much.  He knows what & I won’t go into details here So thanks & here’s to another 5 like the last.

This week I’m playing along Kate Says Stuff’s Thankful Thursday

I’m thankful for my Mum this week. She has been a godsend when I’ve needed a break from Miss K over the last couple of weeks. This time of year gets busy for work & mum has come and either taken Miss K for a drive or visiting family giving us a couple of child free hours.

I’m thankful that we now have a side fence & a gate creating a safer backyard for Miss K.

I’m thankful that hubby lets me buy stuff for my hobby (well he buys enough for his LOL). I’m actually just thankful for my hubby cause we’ve been married 5 years tomorrow. Hmm that means this time 5 years ago I was as sick as

I’m thankful for awesome friends, both IRL & online.

I’m also thankful for the awesome bloggers out there.

So that’s my lot for this week. Pop on over to Kate’s site and check what other blogger’s are grateful for.

Just a quick pre-post. This month is NaBloPoMo (basically posting on your blog everyday). I’ve done this for the last couple of years.This year, I’m a bit meh with the whole thing. I’m loving Kelley’s idea

Basically it’s all about posting whenever & however much you want. Love it! Means I don’t have to feel obligated to post everyday. So now on to my main post….

Sleep, we all complain when we have kids that we don’t get enough of it (unless you are blessed with a super sleeper)

Miss M has in the last month taken to having some weird sleeping habits. From not sleeping during the day at all to sleeping all night to waking every 2 hours. The waking overnight I can understand at the moment, she’s teething.

And then there’s the sleeping on the floor. It started one night when she pulled her pillow and doona onto the floor and refused to get back into bed. Then the mattress was moved to the floor as well *sigh* She’ll sleep in our bed fine but not in her own. Then there’s this

Yup sound asleep in her gumboots.

Does your child have any weird sleep habits? Please tell me I’m not alone

Oh and just for Kelley (ducks for cover now lol)

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