Op-shop hopping!!

So, some exciting news! My sister, Miss Boo, has literally come from the other side of the country to join First Mate and I in our sea change adventure. She's lived away from the family for several years now so needless to say I'm uber excited to have her back in close proximity.

Miss Boo and I are quite different individuals to say the least but one thing we do share is our love of op-shops.  We have started to suss out the best second hand stores around our new town. 

Half the fun of op-shopping is just checking out the weird and wonderful things that people have once owned, but we certainly enjoyed picking up some cute little bargains in the process.

How amazing is this beautiful organ.  We had an organ in the house when I was growing up but it was no where near as extravagant as this one! 

Such a sweet old sewing machine. Miss Boo just so happens to be in the market for a new sewing machine and had it actually worked I think the funky retro-ness (is that even a word?!) of this one might have proven too hard for her to resist.

However, we did each succumb to a vintage handbag.  Miss Boo models hers above and mine looks darling on my accessories ladder. Not bad for $4!

But my most exciting find was this gorgeous old solid timber cupboard for $50. I instantly fell in love with it's square shape and solid features. 

It's only taken me two days but I've finally managed to rearrange all my furniture to fit it into my house! 

You haven't heard the last of my new favourite wardrobe.......

Yours from the trenches,

The Captain.

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A sea change is as good as a holiday.

Sooo... let's just ignore the fact that I've neglected my poor blog for, oh, eight or so months.....

Let's pretend, for a moment, that the stresses and pressures of my crazy life didn't distract me from the diligent and witty recording of my everyday observations.

Let's get back on track......

First Mate and I have made a sea change.

After much deliberation and planning we've swapped the hustle and bustle of city life for the calm and quiet existence of a regional seaside town. A calculated risk that, so far, is definitely paying off for both of us.

Stay tuned for more correspondence from the (new) trenches.

The Captain.

 

Posted with Blogsy

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Who Am I Again?

Today is Father's Day, and probably a timely moment to talk about what life is like as a sole parent.  Not as a single parent who shares parenting responsibilities with an ex partner (and I'm not for one second pretending that is without it's difficulties), but a sole parent where the child's other parent, for whatever reason, is not part of the equation.

I've been a sole parent since very early on in my pregnancy. How that came about is a long story but the fact remains that, not by my choosing,  the First Mate and I have been on our own from day one.

Being a sole parent is hard. Is it necessarily harder than being any other type of parent? I couldn't tell you because I don't know any different. But this gig is tough and I'm always on the hunt for ways to make it easier.

You often hear single parents talk about having to be both Mum and Dad to their kids. It's very common for well meaning people to bestow their pity upon me for having to play both roles to my son.

Image from aquablutopia.blogspot.com.au

And for several years that's exactly how I felt. As though I had to try and be two different people, bring the same amount of love, energy, time, money, fun, attention, discipline, knowledge and resources into my household that two parents would be able to provide.

And I failed.

Because it's impossible.

I am only one person.

And while I'm busy trying to split myself down the middle to be best father to First Mate that I can be, I'm only able to be half the mother I need to be.

So at some point, I made the decision to stop trying to be a father. I will never, ever be able to do that.  Ever.

But I can be a mother.  First Mate deserves a whole mother, not half of one.  And I deserve to just be me, not half of me and half of some else. Because, believe me, that's exhausting.

So, to all the sole parents out there, give yourself permission to just be one person. It will help you become whole. xxx

The Captain. 

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This Little Piggy Goes to Market

I love markets.

I mean, I LUUUURVE markets. Barely a weekend goes by that I don't visit some kind of market, fair, stall or bazaar.

There is something about food, crafts and good old  trash 'n' treasure that brings the community converging into a melting pot of culture and language. Professions and socio-economic status don't apply as we collectively fill a bag of snow peas for $1.99.

There is something about being at the markets that makes people happy. Everyone you meet has a smile on their face and an interesting story to tell.

I don't know if  it's the aroma from the coffee van mixed with freshly cooked gyoza……

I don't know if it's the stunning vibrant colours at every twist and turn…..

Perhaps it's that crisp, instantly recognisable but indescribable smell of fresh fruit and vegetables…..

What ever it is, there is something about this assault on the senses that has the power to make this battle weary mum think she can handle anything!

What's your favourite local market?

The Captain.

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