Dear Lizzy,
Didn’t get to bed ‘till midnight again – Matthew had invited his long time friend and my now business partner Mr. Giles Grey for a “Bollywood” themed evening at our place to celebrate me signing up with that new magazine I was talking to you about “The Green Engine”. Expecting a quiet night I decided NOT to get the kids a babysitter (Saffy bit the 16 year old TAFE student so we are now having to opt for a more mature and expensive agency sitter at $20 per hour until 12 and $30 for every 30 minutes after!) anyway, that was mistake number one.
Not having a babysitter meant that rather than spend the hour between 6pm and kick-off at 7 taking a shower, choosing something co-ordinated and ironed to wear and applying make-up liberally enough to have me pass as a women who still gives a dam, I ended up changing Saffy twice – she found Matthews secret herb and spice jar and helped herself to a generous helping of turmeric. Not Nice! Following that I was informed by Hannah that the rabbit had just been let out by the dog who, not being able to believe his luck ended up chasing the poor thing half way down our large bushy block while Hannah and by this time Ella looked tearfully on, sure to never see Blossom the bunny in one piece again…..
Giles actually spotted the rabbit at around 11am when Matthew took him outside to inspect our new worm farm – you can imagine his delight to see such non-native vermin being nurtured on our property!
Anyway, still dressed in my out of shape trackies the door bell rang and I realized that I still had mud on my hands and what I think was probably baby spew down my top! Matthew god bless him had organized the food AND thought through the evening’s entertainment – he spent the two nights prior uploading the latest Bollywood hits to his IPod and putting together a “slumdog millionaire” inspired quiz. Thinking that it was just a cosy meal for four was mistake number 2.
Giles had called Matthew earlier to say that he had his young nephew and girlfriend over from the UK and asked if they could come along. Sniffing out some free food and entertainment the nephews travelling companion “River” had also tagged along. Apparently he’s due to leave Sydney tomorrow (Sunday) for Madras and had heard that Matthew’s family came from that area and wanted some insider goss (We all know that Matthew hasn’t been to India since that dreadful trip with his grandpa in 1990. We still suspect that they were on the bride hunt). Anyway, by the time the guests had got to discussing travelling I was out of it – wrestling Hannah and Ella into their own beds after they had fallen out over which DVD to put on L
Luckily, for me, Matt entertained our party of five while I dragged on a pair of jeans and a new top (you would be proud, as it isn’t black OR from the Op Shop). I also managed to spray myself with enough Coco Chanel to mask any remnants of baby sick / poo from my earlier miss-adventures. After that, it was plain sailing thanks to Matthews’s quizz, tall stories and five spice!
Well Lizzy, I am not sure how much I have told you about this new magazine deal, Giles seems nice but his stories about how he chained himself up to the World Bank and lobbied outside of parliament house naked did leave me gasping for another G & T. I will be putting my photography skills to good use by directing the magazine’s visual branding. I am pretty excited and am glad that Matthew talked me in to it now – he is always wanting me to become more “environmentally aware” and I am always telling him that a few hours more uninterrupted sleep per night would be a step towards enlightenment!
Anyway, I will probably be calling you soon to discuss a PR strategy for the mag as I my first project is to organize a big launch for one of our main advertising partners. Text me a time to meet up that suits. Saffy is starting pre-school so I can do Monday or Wednesday between 10am and 2.30pm. We should do lunch?
Speak soon
Catherine the tired but excited suburban mother!
Tags: Fe-mail
Loading ...