Happy Friday! Miss me much???
We’re up to the 3rd week of FYBF’s “Fears, Tears and Belly Laughs” series.
After Kathy’s emotionally moving “Tears” post last week, it’s time to schedule in some laughter because well, who doesn’t need a giggle or two in their day? Especially their Friday!
My next blogger is the ever charming, Amanda from Cooker and a Looker. She was adamant that she couldn’t pull off some comedy, but I beg to differ.
Take it away, Amanda!
**********
It was a fabulous Sunday night. My husband, Bearhands, and I had been enjoying each others’ company at a family wedding. The kids were safely tucked up in bed and being carefully cared for by a friend. The drinks were flowing, the food was great and Bearhands remarked that middle age suits us.
I, sufficiently lubricated and feeling pleased with my veteran decision to swap my heels for flats, gave him a high five and agreed that we were having a pretty fine time of it.
The ‘life’s pretty bloody good’ conversation carried on the cab on the way home and before I climbed into bed that night (having first removed my makeup like a grown-up) I scrawled a few notes on the back of a shopping docket. Such was my inebriated confidence, I would write a blog post about making middle age my bitch and write a recipe for kick-arse peppercorn sauce.
The following morning, firmly back in reality, I sat down and studied my list:-
Why I’m making middle age my bitch:
1. I can let a fellow buy me drinks all night without worrying that he’s thinking it’s some kind of beer economy barter arrangement.
2. I spend 30% less time thinking about what thought thought .
3. I can enjoy watching my parents tear up the dance floor and know that their dagginess in no way reflects on me.
4. I don’t have to stop short of filling the car because petrol is eating into my precious beer budget.
All valid points, especially the first one – Bearhands knows the cleaning is the currency that pays dividends around here. However, upon sober consideration, they don’t quite constitute mastering middle age.
Then, somewhere between removing a shoe from the bathroom sink and very nearly missing the bin man (which any parent of a child in nappies knows makes for a really lousy week), I remembered another conversation that Bearhands and I had about middle age….
We were on a family holiday at Cobbold Gorge in Central North Queensland. We’d already spent a couple of solid days in the hire car to get there. The Gorge was to be the highlight of our holiday. We’d enjoyed a boat cruise and had started about our five kilometre guided bush walk to the top of the gorge. About half an hour in, our olfactory organs alerted us to the fact that the Little Sister was packing a poo. Bearhands and I hung back from the group and changed her, then he lifted her back on his shoulders and I was left to do the rest of the walk hanging behind the group, so as to not to smoke the butterflies out of the butterfly cave or knock low roosting birds from their perches.
Further, so odiferous was the offering, I didn’t want to put it in the bag with our drink bottles. So I spent the afternoon wandering the beautiful reserve – to which we had travelled 1700 kilometres – with a warm packet of excrement in hand. We’d turned for home when Bearhands turned to me and said “you know you’re in the prime of your life when you take another person’s poo for a walk” and snapped this photo.
And that, dear friends, is how I realised I am not making middle age my bitch, but I’m having a lot of fun with it. That said I’ll be happy not to repeat tour de turd any time soon.
what’s your favourite part of being middle aged?
ever been to Cobbold Gorge?
**********
At their wedding in 2007, Amanda’s husband joked that his footy coach had told him “you either get a cooker or a looker, you can’t have both”. So when time came to start a blog, naming it Cooker and a Looker seemed the perfect choice.
Amanda spends her days reluctantly crafting with the Big Sister and trying to distract the Little Sister while she unpacks the dishwasher, all the while dreaming up what to write next.
Cooker and a Looker is dedicated to good food, mediocre gardening and (sometimes very) ordinary parenting.
You can find Amanda on Facebook, Twitter and be on the look out for her digital magazine, Flossie.
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Deb - An Inspirational Journey says
Happy Friday all x
Deb – An Inspirational Journey recently posted..Feeling fearful.
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
Happy Friday Deb. x
Nikki@Wonderfully Women says
The things we do as mothers! Can’t say I have ever ‘enjoyed’ a country stroll fully loaded. 🙂
Nikki@Wonderfully Women recently posted..Homemade Ice Blocks – A Healthy Summer Treat!
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
Leaves you in no doubt about who’s running the show, does it Nikki?
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..kick-arse peppercorn sauce + making middle age my b*tch
Lydia C. Lee says
I love the enthusiasm that a little bit of alcohol unleashes. Everything seems so great. I love your list that you wrote down, esp “Thought thought”.
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Cart wheels
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
I should have a t-shirt that says “this beer is making me awesome” Lydia! 🙂
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..kick-arse peppercorn sauce + making middle age my b*tch
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Haha thanks for making me smile this lovely Friday morning! You definitely pulled off the comedy! Tour De Turd… still making me giggle! xx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..The Sweetest Baking Blogs Going Around!
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
That little packet is the gift that keeps on giving Lucy! 🙂
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..kick-arse peppercorn sauce + making middle age my b*tch
Emily says
Aaaaah, the tour de turd. I’ll be using that. Thanks for the laughs, Amanda! Own that middle age. Or just keep having fun. x
YES, WE MISS YOU GRACE! Fabulous guest posts so far. Hope you’re having a wonderful time.
Emily recently posted..Magic
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
We DO miss her, but I’ve been living vicariously through her instagram. It looks like she’s having a ball Em.
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..kick-arse peppercorn sauce + making middle age my b*tch
natalia familia says
Good one Amanda! You have quite a funny bone! Sometimes I find dealing with someone else’s poo on a daily basis a little demeaning, but I really like your spin on it… I must be in the prime of my life too then! (love your blog too btw xx)
natalia familia recently posted..This moment.
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
We’re killing it Natalia! x
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..kick-arse peppercorn sauce + making middle age my b*tch
Desire Empire says
Amanda is a complete gem and an absolute goer. It was lovely to meet her and compete against her in Noosa earlier this year for the Gourmet Garden bloggers cook off.
She is a great writer and I watch her development as a blogger up on the Sunshine Coast with great interest. I am also looking forward to reading her new e mag.
Go Amanda
Carolyn
Desire Empire recently posted..The Mediterranean Diet: Lose Weight Without Trying Too Hard.
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
Thanks Carolyn – you’re very kind. xx
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..kick-arse peppercorn sauce + making middle age my b*tch
Wendy Parks says
Just love it – tour de turd.
I’ve changed some nappies in strange places, and hidden them under the parked car so as not to stink out the car while we are out and about. I do remember to dispose of them later!
Wendy Parks recently posted..A Trip on Puffing Billy
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
There’s nothing like that parked car, dirty nappy odour is there Wendy?
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..as much polish as a rusty nail: the formal edition
Robomum says
Tour de turd! LOL.
Your post made me think of numerous camping trips where this has featured!
Robomum recently posted..Kidsumerism
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
I’m in good company then Robo. xx
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..kick-arse peppercorn sauce + making middle age my b*tch
Becc says
I am thinking that you didn’t have enough to drink at that wedding – you managed to take off your make up and your writing was actually legible the next day!
Tour de Turd, well I would have banished that from my memory 🙂
Becc recently posted..The little ailments normal people get
Kate says
We’ve recently had a 23 year old single male staying with us and during our debrief after he left (as you do) I asked hubby if he wishes he could go back and be that age? He didn’t waste a second in replying with an adamant NO. I agreed with him. There is still so much to look forward to in the future and I’m finally at the stage where I understand myself a little bit and don’t care about others opinions quite so much. Middle age rocks. Love your 3rd point about parents – so true, so true. Great post 🙂
Kate recently posted..Quitting the Quick Fix: My Journey
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
I wouldn’t swap either Kate. I’m happiest right here, shite sherping and all!
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..as much polish as a rusty nail: the formal edition
Leanne Winter says
I’m sure it was a very enjoyable outing for the poo.
I love middle age, too. Just so much more confident in myself, happier with my appearance, and generally more relaxed about everything. What’s not to love? x
Leanne Winter recently posted..Same-Sex Schooling
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
Think you’ve nailed it Leanne. Although an old head on young shoulders would be pretty awesome too. x
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..kick-arse peppercorn sauce + making middle age my b*tch
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
Yep, we sure are in the prime of our lives! I spend most of my days telling my son to stop grabbing his willy and that it won’t fall off – he’s not convinced!
Lovely to have you as a FYBF All Star – you rock 🙂 xx
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
I imagine if you own one it’s hard not to play with. They are pretty funny looking! 😉
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..as much polish as a rusty nail: the formal edition
Janet @ Redland City Living says
Oh Amanda, thank you so much for the great big belly laugh!!!! xxx
Janet @ Redland City Living recently posted..Since when did Schoolies Week become Compulsory?
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
Pleasure Janet. It’s been a big week in your house – I expect you’re ready to collapse after all the excitement! x
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..as much polish as a rusty nail: the formal edition
Author Bek Mugridge (@bekmugridge) says
hahaha what a mum!
You always make me laugh.
BUT there is no way you are middles aged! You are way too young Amanda!
Author Bek Mugridge (@bekmugridge) recently posted..WHY Does Fitness Matter
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
Thanks Bek – even at the time there was nothing to do but laugh! 🙂
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..as much polish as a rusty nail: the formal edition
Bec @ The Plumbette says
Jeepers I thought middle aged was 50?? Love this story and I would have done the same!
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..Know when to say sorry
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
I’m not sure I’ll make a hundred Bec – so maybe 40 should be my middle age! 🙂
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Random Acts of Zen – the interview
Kim says
What a scenic walk for the poo. I’m sure it enjoyed it. 😉 hilarious Amanda. I’m slowly coming around to middle age. I’m not yet sold on the hangovers!
Kim recently posted..Bridesmaids Revisited
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
I know they’re getting worse as I age Kim!
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Random Acts of Zen – the interview
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Thanks for the giggle, as usual, Amanda!
I think middle age lets us be kinder to ourselves, and it sure does seem to get that creativity flowing. Maybe we’re just that bit more organized now, and can put our fabulous ideas into action. x
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Early Christmas Beetle
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
You’re right Lisa, I think I am a bit kinder to myself (although I have work to do on that front!)
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Random Acts of Zen – the interview
Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
Im not middle aged yet… at least I hope 29 is not considered middle aged, but I have carried a bag of poo around so I totally get that bit 🙂
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..Seeing the world through different eyes
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
I’m using middle age loosely Toni – I’m 34 and I hope I’ve got more than another 34 years in me. 🙂
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Random Acts of Zen – the interview
Alicia O'Brien says
Loved hearing about the poo tour. You can write humourously Amanda 🙂
Alicia O’Brien recently posted..How I tell the time
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
Thanks Alicia. x
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Random Acts of Zen – the interview
Emily says
Ah, yes the great outdoor trek with under threes! Happy memories.
Emily recently posted..The Conception Game Part II
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
You’ve got to laugh, don’t you Emily?
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Random Acts of Zen – the interview
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions says
Oh man, Tour de Turd, that’s gold! WHile not quite at middle age yet I do sometimes think that I am making my 30s my bitch. And then we have a week like we had last week, where we travel through that parenting right of passage that is the family gastro bug and I realise that I may not be making the 30s my bitch after all but I certainly am somebody’s bitch!
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Christmas Shopping…For Grandparents
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
I’m hearing you Kylez! xx
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Random Acts of Zen – the interview
Lisa Wood says
Funny as walk!! Good Story for the 21st Birthday Party 🙂
Lisa Wood recently posted..In The Sand
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
That little red-head is giving us a lot of material Lisa. She’ll be sorry when she’s older!
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Random Acts of Zen – the interview
Robyn (Mrs D) says
Amanda you are too funny!! As for middle ages – you’re far to hip for it but if you insist then you ROCK it!! xx
Robyn (Mrs D) recently posted..The next chapter in our lives………
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
As do you Mrs D. x
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Random Acts of Zen – the interview