Romance by the Sea

   Romance By The Sea

      A Feast of Words for Romance Readers and Writers

September 8th 2012

Half of all fiction novels are love stories – let's talk about why.
Meet some of Australia’s best loved romance authors, including Stephanie Laurens, Keri Arthur, Anne Gracie, Marion Lennox, Fiona Lowe, Sarah Mayberry, Lilian Darcy, Carol Marinelli and M.J. Scott, plus Jennifer Kloester, biographer to the fabulous Georgette Heyer.

This is a fundraiser for Cottage by the Sea, a children’s charity which offers fantastic seaside programs for disadvantaged children, giving them an experience of a lifetime. Take a look at why we’d love you to support us in supporting them.
www.cottagebythesea.com.au

Cost is $100 ($70 of which will be receipted as a tax deductible donation to Cottage by the Sea). Price includes a delicious, light lunch at the historic Queenscliff Hotel, insights into the lives and loves of your favourite authors, and readings and signings at venues all over town. If you’d like to make a weekend of it, there’ll be a pay‐as‐you‐go dinner on Saturday night. We’ll have more signings on Sunday morning, with authors again available to mingle and chat, plus an opportunity to tour Cottage by the Sea .

Gather your fellow romantics and come and play. Bookings at:
www.romancebythesea.net or Ph. 03 5258 3645 (10am‐5pm SeaviewGallery,Qcliff) 
Sept 8th 10a.m.‐5p.m. Queenscliff Hotel, Gellibrand St, Queenscliff, Vic

Bracing

My 7 yo is having so much dental work at the moment my head is spinning.
Fillings, root canals, you name it, he's having it.

And yesterday was his first orthodontic visit, where I learned he'll need to wear braces on his top teeth for a year.

At 7!

He had the most beautifully straight baby teeth and lost his first 4 over summer.
Unfortunately, due to crowding, the top 2 are crooked and not leaving much room for the rest when they come down.
So we need spacing and straightening.

I know it won't hurt much and I know he'll cope admirably but he's pretty sensitive and the thought of him going through teasing so early...

Hey, I'm a mum.
It's my job to worry :)

Roll over and one fell out

Changes afoot in our household last night.

Toddler moved from cot to his 'big' bed. And it is a big bed, a queen futon.

He loved it, very excited and fell asleep in a heart beat while mum? More than a little sad my 'baby' is growing up way too quick!

Despite lining both sides of the floor with cushions just in case he rolled off, I still didn't get much sleep worrying about him. And yep, 5am this morning, found him lying on the cushions.

Today, I need to go buy some of those side railings so I can get some much needed sleep!

Foiled

Today's post should've been named men being contrary rather than yesterday.
Or should be 'boys being contrary' more to the point.

Last night was a mums' night out from school, our first dinner for the year.
I don't get out much. Can't think of the last time I went out without the kids. So was looking forward to it.
Felt a bit bad leaving toddler, who has my awful cold but he was happy enough. Prep kid had a mild rash on his cheek but was otherwise okay.

So what happens?
I'd barely set foot in the restaurant when the phone rings. Prep kid's rash has spread to his back and chest and he can't stop itching.
I issued instructions to head off to chemist for an antihistamine (obviously an allergic reaction to something, we haven't figured what yet) and to keep me posted.
But I couldn't do it, sit there in the restaurant and chatter while worried about kidlet.
So I left, after ten minutes.

I always put my kids first and never begrudge being with them 24/7.
But as the wonderful Barbara Samuel told me during a chat at last year's RWAus conference, I need to refill my well, take some me-time. I don't do it often enough.
I'm aiming to change all that.