judemulhern

I don't know what is going on with my husband and I, but after twenty-five years together in relative harmony we seem to be bickering about EVERY LITTLE THING. Generally we do not argue much (perhaps one major meltdown a year) but all of a sudden we can't seem to communicate without sniping at each other over the most RIDICULOUS issues. Last week the washing machine (which has been broken for about six months) was making its eeeeeeeeeeech eeeeeeeeeeech eeeeeeeeeech noise and Mufasa insisted... Read Full Story

Are You convinced yet? I'm not sure if I am which is a shame because tomorrow is my fiftieth birthday. As of this moment I am still a forty-something, which just sounds SO, SO much younger than fifty. To be honest I've been dreading this birthday for at least five years which is ridiculous because as anyone (younger than you) will proclaim "It's just a number." Secretly they are dreading their OWN fiftieth birthdays but take major comfort from the fact that you got there first.  However... Read Full Story

Men are absolutely TERRIBLE patients. A minor male cold will put considerable strain on the most stable of marriages. So if you happen to be in close proximity to a man who actually has something seriously wrong with him you have my UTMOST sympathy. Last week my husband had kidney stones. Yes I know it is very very painful but before it was even diagnosed (and we thought it was a common-or-garden backache) I knew I was in for a rough ride. Nursing is not my bag as I really don't like anything... Read Full Story

When planning my New Year's Eve dinner for eight  I decided to go for a simple menu that would leave no room for error and would allow me to enjoy the evening rather than stress over the cooking. As most best laid plans go awry it stands to reason that my crab claws were mushy, my beef was overcooked and my FOOLPROOF potato bake was semi-raw. My husband then decided to add hot water to my mushroom and wine sauce after Genius declared that "the gravy was too thick" so naturally I wanted to... Read Full Story

T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house Not a creature was sleeping except for MY SPOUSE. The stockings needed stuffing but he didn't care He was peacefully resting, it seemed so unfair. I had baked and I'd Roasted, my fingers burned red. While visions of pinching him danced in my head. Replete from the dinner and triple nightcap He had settled right down for his long Winter's nap. When back in the kitchen there arose such a clatter I thought he'd jump up... Read Full Story

Dec. 22nd 7 a.m. This is the list of things I need to do in the next 48 hours: 1. Gift shopping 2. Gift Wrapping 3. Fill Xmas stockings 4. Food Shopping 5. Food Preparation 6. Laundry (tons) 7. House cleaning 8. Prepare guest bedrooms for arrival of friends 9. Bake mince pies for office 10. Bake Peanut blossoms for Rockstar & Genius 11. Fight with RTG about missing sofa cushions 12. Get repair completed on broken fridge (which would be better if done before # 4... Read Full Story

After listening to Andy's version on the radio EVERY day this week I was DRIVEN to write this............. IT'S THE MOST WEARISOME TIME OF THE YEAR It’s the most wearisome time of the year With the kids really yelling And everyone telling you “Be of good cheer” It’s the most wearisome time of the year It’s the crap-crappiest season of all With carols repeating and much overeating When friends come to call It’s the crap-crappiest season of all You’ll be way overspending... Read Full Story

So just like that Rockstar has left home. I had about two weeks warning but frankly until he actually started loading stuff into the car I didn't really think it would happen because it involved signing leases, credit checks, accounts for electric and water and a ton of other grown up stuff that I had no idea he was ready for. Of course whenever something is that well organized you can be SURE that there is a woman at the heart of it. Rockstar is sharing the new abode with his girlfriend... Read Full Story

Everyone's job is important but there are some vocations that carry the ultimate responsibility - protecting someone else's life. If I have a bad day at work a sofa that would have looked better in red might be green but if you are a pilot or a brain surgeon an off day might result in a TOTAL catastrophe. These thoughts are always forefront in my mind when (like now) I am thousands of feet above ground and have entrusted my well-being to someone I have never met.  Adding to my morbid... Read Full Story

Now that I have two adult sons I find I am TOTALLY in favor of arranged marriage. Prior to becoming a parent I thought the whole concept was barbaric and inhumane but all of a sudden it seems to make PERFECT sense. After all who knows a child better than it's Mama and Papa? And who else really has their best interests at heart? Watching your kids date a bunch of LOSERS while smiling and pretending to like them requires enormous restraint and a lot of patience, neither of which are qualities... Read Full Story