When it rains it pours?! Let's hope one of these pans out! This is great news. Also great that you've got a way of getting your record cleared so it isn't gonna keep being a problem

Fantastic! YOU did this! I'm so proud of you!

It's all looking good.😸

Look at those happy eyes. Mickey is ‘mirin

Communication can be so easy to mess up, especially when you're new parents.

Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth:

People make mistakes. They always will. It can be frustrating, especially when the stakes can be quite high.

But, the most important thing we can do when someone close to us makes a mistake, is to forgive them. Without strings attached.

Without recriminations. Without "I told you so's". If there are harmful consequences from our loved ones to error, we begin to keep things to ourselves. To stop communicating for fear of causing strain.

That doesn't mean there aren't consequences for mistakes. But they must be wrapped on patience and forgiveness.

We can only hope to do the best we can in this crazy world.

/end rant

I'm grateful I get to return home soon (Tuesday, hopefully)

I’m grateful for you lot. Although I don’t comment very much, I love checking in here each day. Love the camaraderie and chit-chat, and the support that is offered when people need it.

I'm just happy to be here

I'm alive. I'm not struggling. My daughter is happy and healthy. I can do the things I love.

That was nicely said. I'm grateful for the roof over my family's heads, a split system that's in good working order and for it being Friday! Sooo tired!

mayo is a brilliant idea and sounds delicious

Next time you're in Kew try Toscanos, haven't seen egg shortages there so far.

I'd say if you like the woman and get along with the kids go for it. As far as resentment and/or feeling like an outsider, you can walk away if its not working out, maybe feeling like an outsider is the price of that freedom.

Where there is great love there is family.

Blood ties is not the same as love, I have seen it. 😔

Hm, that is a doozy. Only you can answer that one, I think. Be true to yourself.

I know for some, having their own biological children is important to them, and for other's, less so. It's also important to consider what these Hypothetical Step-Children (HSP (lol)) think as well.

But finding love is hard, and like with all choices, there'll be pros and cons with whatever is picked.

You don't have to decide right now, so take your time and see what happens 🤷‍♀️

This one is tough. I don't believe I'd have had the strength to do it before I had kids. I really wanted to be a dad and I wanted my "own" kids. The idea of forming a relationship with a single mother was also mega daunting to younger me.

But now that I've gone the traditional route, I could absolutely imagine the "other path" to happiness. I can recognise that I'd have loved it had I met my wife and kids as a package and joined the family. I don't love them because they have my DNA. I love them because they're my kids.

It'll depend on the age(s) of the kid(s), but to a kid is under 5, they won't remember a time before you were in their life. You won't be an outsider, you'll just be "dad".

I came back to work on the 2nd of January only to be told my contract was being terminated.

You've probably seen me post here often about the trials and tribulations I've been through looking for work.

Of course, our circumstances are quite different, but let me be an example of what happens when you don't have a job to jump to.

I really hope something comes through soon that's at least marginally better than your current place. Staying somewhere well past your personal use-by date is very taxing on the soul and the resentment/disconnect can spill over onto others and exacerbate matters.

I don't know what your industry or financial situation is like, but do you think it might ever get to a point where it's better to just cut ties and stop the rot from setting in any further, even without another job in hand?... I was getting a bit antsy with job hunting after 2.5 months but I don't regret for a second leaving my old job when I did and taking the hit to my savings, being able to hold out for a good position really made all the difference

Cheers 🍸

Get one up ya 💪🍻

Hot chips suck when delivered.

For me, a good Pad Thai or a pizza or an indulgent curry would be my go to

Butter chicken and garlic naan

Well they don't deliver dragons, so I guess not that. But they do deliver MacBooks, so you can get a comfort computer if you're happy spending a few grand

Burger. Has to be a burger.

If you use sweetened tomato juice this comes out disgusting

My ex-MIL had such a weird obsession with having a photo of all the grandkids together in the bath. So so weird.

I think I have 3 photos of when I was a kid, parents just didn't care, they were too busy taking photos of the favourite kids.

Go to Kmart and get something else warm for $30 and go for a nice meal instead

I have one of each. Long wool coats protect your bum and legs from the wind, but have to be drycleaned, brushed of hair or lint and protected against moths. Puffers are more practical and portable but cover less of you, and depending on filling may also have to be dry cleaned (in the case of down).

The trench coat I have is op shop and the puffer is Kmart so getting both came in well under budget.

If you really can't choose you could start with a cheaper puffer to get an idea of it while you continue saving. Then if you don't like it you can donate it and buy something more suitable

Edit: Also consider where you'd be wearing it most. Woolen coats are generally more formal and puffers more casual.

Thermals are also great to layer under clothing if they're not a sensory issue for you

Edit 2: Also definitely consider adding scarf, gloves, woollen socks and maybe a beanie. They don’t have to be expensive or brand name, just having them helps a lot

I used to have a long down puffer with a detachable hood, it was the warmest coat. Make sure if you have a long puffer it has press studs as well as a zip. Woolen hat to cover ears and forehead, scarf to cover neck and face if need, thin gloves or double gloves.

You can get end of season puffers from overseas sellers .

Sometimes when it's cold here in Melbs I put on a roomy lined wind proof raincoat and have warm jumpers underneath

Here are some deals in my inbox this morning:

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/854646

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/854668

There was a BCF one that said expired, but that could be the extra $20 off

To throw a spanner in the works my current go to (with a long underlayer) is a lightish jumper (usually woollen) and a shell jacket that doubles as a raincoat over the top. Super efficient at keeping out the wind and easy to pack down. I walk everywhere so it's heaps warm enough the wool jumper is warm for inside.

Other than that I would go puffer first for packability (I love my pea coat but rarely wear it now)

I've got a wool welders jacket that's basically sat in retirement since I got my puffy. I'd start with the puffy and then reassess your needs. I do sometimes wrap a blanket round my waist like a towel to keep my midsection (kidney) warm if I'm tinkering in the shed on winter nights.

I'd say get a puffer, much more versatile esp if you don't drive as it's lighter and easier to pack down/carry around if it gets warm. I almost never wear my trusty old wool jacket now.

Best option is get a Patagonia/North Face/Macpac etc while on sale. You might've missed the sales but have a look online anyway. I bought mine from Wild Earth

everyone raves about uniqlo.

imo, prosecco is as revolting as pinot gris

Ironically I was too warm to sleep last night

Many of them have a trial policy, where you can return within x days if you don’t like it. So it’s pretty low risk. It’s a different feel to a sprung mattress, which will come down to personal preference and if you have any back or body issues. I personally like the foam mattresses, have a koala one and so far it is fine. Although from what people say it seems sleeping duck ones are a bit better.