Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Quite frankly, I'm hoping my SilverLining is somewhere very close over the rainbow... but for now I'm having some crappy days.  Wednesday was a good day, and hopefully tomorrow will be a good day too.  I've been quiet on the blogging front, so hopefully this post will explain why, on top of the usual being a Mummy, study and life in general excuses.

A couple of days after Pickle and I returned from Oz, BoyWonder* said he wanted a divorce.  (Nothing like burying the lead, hey).  I've been trying to work things out, but he's adamant that he's felt like this for some time and can't move beyond how he feels.  We tried two sessions of couples counselling, and while my goal is to work through our problems, build on our friendship and reconcile, his goal is for an amicable divorce, so there's not a lot for the counsellor to work with.

I'm pissed at him.  I think he's a numpty and will regret it down the track.  And that's being kind.  I'm angry, but most of all I'm sad.  I've been dealing with a good dose of denial as well - it's actually been months since this happened, and I guess I was hoping he'd change his mind, see the error of his ways or whatever.  I'm doing a good job of working my way through Kubler-Ross' stages of grief.

I had depression about four years ago.  It was my second time.  Most people who get depression will get it more than once.  BoyWonder* blames my depression for the downturn in our relationship and his subsequent depression.  It's an illness, you have to have a predisposition to it, a bit like diabetes say.  Believe me, I've argued 'til I'm blue in the face that I can't be blamed.  And I'll be the first to put my hand up to say I didn't pull my weight around the house when I was depressed.  But when he's running through a list of any and all of my failings from the past seven years of our relationship, it's no wonder it's not worked.

His inability to communicate is a major factor - he has one friend who he's been completely honest with, but talking to me a couple of years ago might have helped.  He admits he hasn't been successful either in opening up or when he has, not doing it successfully.  My lack of realisation just goes to show there's a reason people don't counsel those they know.

When we first started going out, within the first three months in fact, I pointed out our age difference (he's 9 years younger than me) and how I really wanted kids and eventually wanted to move back to Australia.  We agreed on the fundamentals.  Since then, BoyWonder* has changed his mind, or was previously only telling me what I wanted to hear.  I was naive enough to believe it.

And while I am trying to have a balanced, non-snarky post here (not least because my lovely in-laws might read this), he's starting to sound a bit like Mother-bloody-Teresa.  He's made some really horrible comments recently... mind you, I've stropped back with "you'll be rid of me soon enough" as well, so not my finest moment.  Thankfully they've been the exception to the rule, and I believe I've (generally) dealt with them in a calm and adult way.  But FFS, he's leaving me.  A little snark is surely allowed?

He wants to stay friends, and I think that will be possible, if we can get through the crappy stuff quickly.  We're trying to do the divorce bit as amicably as possible.  It would be good to stay friends in the long term, as he's still Pickle's Daddy, and we both want what is best for Pickle.

For now, that will mean Pickle, the cats and I move back to Australia in the near future; to be closer to our families, and at least in the same country as the friends I consider close enough to be family.  It will unfortunately mean leaving a few of my really close friends here who I love dearly, and who have been a great support.  I'm crying while I'm typing this now.  In the library.  Nice.

It will of course mean leaving BoyWonder* in the UK too.  We will set up regular Skype times for Pickle, but it won't be the same.  Down the track there will be visits.  We'll sort it out.  It won't be easy, but hopefully there will be a SilverLining.  Cross your fingers for me, OK?

Cheers, KangaRue :)

* well that pseudonym is going to have to change isn't it!  Alternate suggestions welcome, but Pickle's Daddy (PD) might have to suffice for now.

PS.  If you are family or friends reading this post, and this is how you found out, I hope you can forgive the mode of communication - quite frankly, it's exhausting to talk about.

157/366 - Jubilympic Cocktail

I've loads of both Project 365 and blog posts to catch up on, but will have to do those out of order... the reason for my blogging break will likely become obvious in due course (the usual excuses of course apply - being a Mummy and studying a degree are certainly not the least of the reasons!).

It's funny, in Australia I'd consider myself a "republican" (but certainly not in the US sense!) - I don't understand the necessity of having the Queen as our head of state; especially as she can remove an elected leadership, which has happened in my lifetime.

However, I like the Royal family in the UK, they're a great tourist attraction and I've been really looking forward to the Jubilee.  I even hung some Union Jack bunting outside our house, and Pickle has been having a great time waving his flag (which should also come in handy for the Olympic torch arriving in the local square).  Pickle is English after all, even if he is now also officially an Aussie.

So for my lovely friend, Caroline's, Jubilee BBQ, I decided we needed an appropriately patriotic beverage.  There is nothing more English than tea, so gathering inspiration from a cocktail I'd tried some time ago, I infused some vodka with Earl Grey tea (full recipe below); using good quality ingredients really does make all the difference, so I'd recommend using the best of these you can afford.  The traditional accompaniment of lemon, topped with lemonade completed the cocktail.  They were definitely a hit, and I'll be doing the infusion again, and trying some alternate mixes.  This was served in short glasses yesterday, but today I used my  vintage tea cups, though martini (marTEAni) glasses could also work.
 
Vodka infusion
500ml vodka
6 teaspoons or teabags of Earl Grey tea (if you use tagged teabags remove the tags before submersion)

Infuse the vodka with the tea for half an hour.  Shake, then leave for another half an hour.  Strain or remove the teabags.  The vodka can then be kept in the fridge or freezer.


Jubilympic Cocktail
2 medium unwaxed lemons, squeezed
Lemonade
Ice

Per glass:
Pour in 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, and coat the glass.
Add 50ml vodka 
A few ice cubes 
Top with lemonade
Garnish with a peel of lemon

Enjoy!

Cheers, KangaRue :)