Before I write too much about my newest title – I need to reflect back on last week, which was about friendship. You may recall I closed off as I was heading out for lunch, with friends…

Nothing like those friends to keep you humble, I hadn’t mentioned them in my post, so they were sure to let me know, they weren’t my closest friends and that I should go hang out with my real friends! They tortured and teased me over lunch, which had us causing havoc with laughter from our table. It was a lunch that was pure gold. Who are the friends – I would have called them ‘recent’ friends although we have been friends for some 6 or 7 years now. Leanne and Kris who are always up for a catch up, who open their home to me for that drop in drink and are always inviting me to night’s out or a quick dinner. Leanne is my ‘no bullshit’ friend, absolutely tells it like it is and I love her for it. Leanne and Kris have both supported Storyfest for many years – they’re the first to donate their time and collectively have raised, I’m guessing, in the vicinity of $75K or more for disadvantaged kids! Salt of the Earth people! Kel, it turns out our kids went to school together although we never really knew each other then. Kel was too busy forging her career, she’s an amazing individual who I have sought advice from and I admire her for her ability to make change in her personal and professional life and absolutely crush those glass ceilings!

Photos: Leanne, Kel, Kris and myself; second image – Kris and Leanne celebrating my new apartment!

Now on to this week’s topic…

For the past 6 months, it’s been a shuffle of vehicles between Dana, BJ and myself. Dana’s little Mazda decided to up and quit on her, just before the wedding. They spent some money to keep her going until the end of the year although she just didn’t make it – the air conditioning went and it wasn’t feasible to fix it. At first, it wasn’t a problem although when I saw my 6 month pregnant daughter and granddaughter flushed, and hot and bothered, I made an offer – they can buy my car from me, at family rates of course, and I’ll get a new one. It’s what we do…

So about November, I took on the Mazzie with no air con (holy crap) and handed the Honda over to the kids. My Navy girl was very grateful and it definitely eased that hormonal pregnant woman – you’re very welcome BJ McKay!

How did we ever drive vehicles with no air con, I’ve definitely gone soft in my old age. I had thought that if I were to replace my car, I’d look at either an electric or hybrid, trying to do my part for the environment but also with the rising cost of fuel, I think this is the way of the future. Having driven a hybrid during the recent trip to the UK, I started investigating. I’ve never had a problem with my Hondas and they’ve just released the Honda ZRV a hybrid SUV. So this week’s venture was to take delivery of the new car and all things being equal, possibly my last car, maybe?

I was excited, I was on Navy pick up on Monday, so had let her know A’Ma will collect her, in the new car. I arrive and she’s less than impressed. She tells me my car is just like the red car across the street!!! Yes that is several exclamation marks – really? Like that red one – no disrespect, but really?

In the title of this week’s post, I’ve added ‘Mothers’, now that is not to say that certain fathers wouldn’t do the same however, in my personal experience, both my father and the father of my children, have always put themselves ahead of their families. This post is not about them or the respective traumas they’ve caused, I just believe a mother will go above and beyond, will go the additional step, will sacrifice that bit more whether it’s the extra potato from dinner or in this case, a car to be sure their children and grandchildren are safe. I’m fortunate that I’m in a position to be able to offer this to my kids and I do it because I want to.

I could write a post a day and not be finished in a month of Sundays about women I know and the sacrifices they have made for their children. They go about their day, most working full time jobs as well as nurturing the home, without any fanfare. Ladies – take a bow. You deserve to treat yourself, take that 5 minutes to yourself each and every day and don’t feel guilty. I know at times, I’ve indulged and my kids probably have wondered what was happening although I like to think, like other aspects of my life, I’m setting good examples for them to become strong women who value themselves.

Now that my girls have families of their own, I’m getting more of my time back – I do indulge, as I quite often sit at Rick Shores enjoying that bug roll – the kids will message me to complain about their invite!

First video in the blog, let me know if there’s problems viewing!

You may wonder how they know when I’m heading for a sneaky bug roll, we all have iPhones and share our locations, we’ve always looked at it as a safety issue, although as this example shows, the tables have turned, they can now also track me…

I’m happy to share a bug roll or ten with them – we’re off for bug rolls this afternoon, or so they tell me, it seems it’s my shout!

So I thought I’d wait until after lunch to publish – bug rolls a hit…

It’s just so beautiful sitting by the beach, enjoying great food, great wine and the best company ever!