the fifo wife

Its Halloween tonight. And did you know its actually a western European (Celtic in origin) tradition to mark summers end and pay tribute to the dead and its celebrated by the English, Scottish and the Irish? Typically it went to the Americas with the immigrants and well need I say more.

We don’t celebrate (infact we never have celebrated this will be our second time)  in the sense that we go crazy with the decorations or trick or treat; I don’t like that idea at all. The idea of give me something or I’ll cause mischief to your house which from what I have seen equates to I will egg your house um no that’s no how it works for me even in the name of tradition or festive fun. Where is the fun in someone scrubbing the veranda of foul smashed eggs because they didn’t participate in someone else’s tradition?

Yet the other idea of Halloween of bats, ghost stories and all its sweet spookiness just presents something a little bit fun. And last year husband was at work and it was just a really good way to add a little fun to the month. It was a month breaker. It was our first time so it was ab-it of a disaster but this year I have a little bit more of an idea.

We are having a halloween dinner.

So this morning I’m heading out to get some black card just to make some bats to hang from the dining room lights and blu tack to the wall a orange table cloth an viola we are Halloweened. To make it extra fun Im going all out and making dessert which we never have will have a Halloween theme. I’m thinking toffee apples which is traditional apparently and just a little bit of cake.

Its just a bit of fun.

A perfect distraction for the kiddies!

Happy Halloween lovelies,

xx Deb

 

 

For those that follow on face book you would know that I scored a all night babysitter Friday night for those that don’t I scored a babysitter Friday night. It was all very last minute. It was all very exciting. It was definitely all very unplanned because whilst I was planning a ‘all nighter’ with my very fine husband as one friend so eloquently put it I had also planned to attend a ‘girls night in event’. Damn. I had double booked. Husband would be alone because I wanted to attend the girls night in event; I needed that thing that only a evening with a bunch of like minded women can bring. Missing out on one of these things would not do. A night alone together with the husband could not go wasted, neither of these things happen often and not wanting to ditch the girls I decided to attend the girls night in and plan an evening with husband. Ambitious I know but you know I’m a can do girl. I booked a table at the local Chinese restaurant for following a drop by with the girls. The Chinese restaurant not ideal but anything without plastic chairs and no children is now my idea of classy evening.

It was like all my social events had come at once. I was on fire and good golly miss molly I was excited. An evening with some amazing women, a evening with my amazing husband and you know what else my lovelies? The real possibility of a full night sleep. It was like someone had given me the golden fleece.

The kids gone. I dressed for my night out. Frock and heels. It was kind like heaven. Not screaming at anyone. Not having ‘mummmm’ whinging at me through the bathroom door while Im trying to do my hair. It was bliss. A little cocktail and I could have been 23 again. My lift arrived and a 10 second kiss with to the husband with the promise of more and I was out the door.

For the time I was at the girl night in event it was fantastic. If you can host one do it if you are invited to one attend it. Its a great opportunity for some reconnecting some fun and most importantly its in the name of charity.

So husband arrived at 810 to pick me up. I said a goodbye girls with a wink and after negotiating the drive way that is rural Australia, a few wallabies and patiently waited for a snake to slither its way across the road we were at the restaurant by 820pm. I giggled like a school I was so happy.

The restaurant can I say is still sitting somewhere in the 80’s. I don’t care its chairs are not made of plastic and its service doesn’t revolve around a play ground so I was happy.

They steam rolled us to our table; by the kitchen door. I smiled at our location it wasn’t the cute kitschy corner I wanted but that was okay..the whole evening was little last minute what could I except? They took our order. They brought us our drinks. I had never known the service to be so good. It was fast.

Yes it was fast. So fast that we had finished and had our table cleared by 847 pm.

We had finished a three course banquet in 27 minutes.

I had thought perhaps leisurely chatting to my husband. Playing romantic footsies under the table. Perhaps.

The waiter came with her note book for what I assumed was to take our dessert menu.

I asked for the fried ice cream. No. Why not? I was confused. I had been thinking of the fried ice cream like I had been thinking about my husband all evening. I wanted it.

Turns out the kitchen closes at 830pm so no I couldn’t. And she was their to simply to hand us the bill.

What they could offer me in compensation was an ice cream sundae. No thank you I said. I knew the black and gold ice cream they used because I had seen them buy it from the supermarket;  the disservice a small town can bring.

I looked at my husband. He laughed and raised his eyebrows  its all we could do. We could have made a scene that we ahd paid for it and all that jazz but there is one with I have learnt making a fuss never really gets you want so we chose to giggle about it. It added to the evening. It was fun. It was terribly bad fun.

The evening didn’t improve. We got home to a message on the phone. B2 and B3 wanted to come home. Our all nighter….gone.

My husband trudged on up the hill to the neighbours to collect two of our three boys like someone had ripped away his prize money at the show.

My boys came in smiling.

Husband and I sat cuddled on the couch with two of our three seated opposite as we watched a rerun of Mrs Browns Boys.

Life couldn’t really have got any better.

Have any horror dates of your own?

xx Deb

 

 

 

And keeping really balanced here is my husbands real life FIFO story..

1.Was there a reason you started FIFO? Ie deposit for a house, life style, or where you single what was your reaction when telling women about your roster? Did you talk about it before start FIFO(as a couple) or the relationship? How long has FIFO been part of your relationship? Was there a time limit? Has that happened

It seemed to be the next stage in my life following the defence force then the mines it seemed the progressive step. I have not thought of anything else other than it, I am lucky to have meet FIFO wife while during the time I was in the defence force, so having spend 6mths away and not being able to contact her months at a time othe than emails, going to mine working 4wks on 1wk off, 2wks on 1 wk off, 3wks on 2wks off, 4wks on 4wks off.. This is the best one we have done equal time, so we have known not much else but this,  we have an every  changing time frame for this industry,   it has always been stated that we will retire young, saying that if it has to be earlier because of family matters it will be family is always first

2.What do you like best about FIFO

I have to say the flight too and from the job, reason, I get to fly see new places, My boys are  little men not reliant on me and able to go it alone and be guided when needed and the first look that I get from FIFO wife when I am picked up the sparkle in her eyes tell me that I have been missed the boys fighting over how is to hold my hand who is going to tell there tail first the first to crack a joke and the first to tell me what is plan for me this time off you can not beat that.

3.Tricky, hilariously bad about FIFO? What would change if you had a magic wand

You will always have ups and down but that is part of the industry you can not change it the saying that one week in the offshore industry is like a year passing is true problem start and finish in days but seems like months .

4. How do you and your wife fit marriage into the balance? Do you think FIFO makes you be more romantic? Do you put more of an effort into you marriage? What do you do to maintain your marriage to keep it healthy?(ie communication, date nights)

We are talking all the time it is what we do everything from if we where to break up and relationships and duties that would happen and not. Funeral’s, lost of child parents everything so that we have a clear frame of mind not making bad discions in the heat of the moment. This leads to marriage issues how we can help and it is the small thing that is noticed with my FIFO Wife being able to do the shopping with out the kids me included, I can be worst than the kids, have coffee in a café  one on one dates with each child while I look after the other two, able to get beauty things done, getting flower for no reason, saying bugger it let go out you and me lets do it, listen, cook dinner have a family meal gives FIFO the best feeling sitting around the table every one helping dish up and clean up, I remember how I pulled off a 30^th surprise birthday  party for FIFO wife I thought that was romantic, I would like to think that I do but you will always have to ask FIFO wife if it is even though we have the same ideas we are so different with feeling. Painting the house I think it is romantic, (UGGGG me fix, paint and pretty for you UGGGG ) no oh well

Making efforts for the things that mean to her ask FIFO wife has done for me leading up to where we are now, have to put her life on hold as an excuse can not wash now, we have that option to do the things now in the 4wks off

5.Do you find you have trouble balancing your time off ie you, wife and kids

I don’t think it is trouble just finding the groove, life may not seem like it has change but it has boys have new tasks not long the need your help dad, sports start and finish, new activities and library days.  It is as you make it, you wont it to be difficult then it is.

6.How do you stay connected to your family when you’re away? Do you think the kids are okey  with you going to work?

The industry is very focused on family if you are happy at home than you should be happy at work being in the age that we are able to use the internet free phone to call home, on some jobs you get to skype, that is good for the boys they got to wend a day with me via skype they loved it, meet people see whales swimming passed, it is  all available for you if you  like,

7.How do you handle fitting back into routine? Dealing with discipline?

I have the same ideas my wife, we never under mind each other when disciplining the boys, like all parents it is nice to hear that you have well mannered children, you have to give the credit you FIFO wife as she has them 6ths of the yr more than I do, credit where it is due you have done an exceptional job.

8.Do you get lonely on the rig? What’s the toughest time for you?(if there is one)

It is too busy and with the phones and internet it can be just like finishing work at home sit down chat about the day, watch tv and bed if you choose.  It is all for a big picture if you work in town, on the beach, in the country you will start the day early finish late miss the drop off at school and the pick up, the swimming, the birthday party, the family walks, the fist words spoken, weigh it all up and I do not as I hunger for my time off and the excitement that the boys plan.

 9.How do you manage life away do you have a routine sleep, eating, exercise and personal space issues on the rig?

I have a routine, it makes it easier, get up out the door 15mins later on the phone chat for 15mins, off to work, lunch and gym shower back to work, finish work off to the gym check emails chat if FIFO wife is on line watch a movie and than bed same day in day out 28days

 10.What’s the most surprising thing your partner has managed whilst you’re away?(This question is very optional but public bragging about your partner is such a nice thing..)

At this point finding a diff for my truck, and putting up with me, managing life finances, medical emergencies, tenant’s mechanics, councils and complaining neighbour’s.

 11.What advice would you give to newbie’s about coping with FIFO

Your FIFO wife is sheriff, follow the rules communicate and talk about every thing even the ice cube, bottle brush and the money in the French maids outfit cover all bases is what I am saying do not be afraid it is a life style and a good one.

Thank you husband,

xx Deb

Spring is here and summer is just a month away so to make my life easier I spring cleaned our winter wardrobes. I laundered, donated clothes we hadn’t worn for the season (I have a strict rule with anything not worn for more than 12 months goes) and dry cleaned what needed be dry cleaned.

I vacuum packed (love vacuum bags we get a mix of damp humid weather in summer vacuum bags help protect against that) and popped them into some old suitcases. Re hang anything not on a good quality hanger and boxed up my shoes.

I also put the silica bags that come in your shoes boxes into the suitcases for added protection against any damp.

Husbands cupboards didn’t exscape this year either something I normally leave for him.

It just saves so much time rummaging around and things stay tidier and neater longer. I think.

xx Deb

PS this not my only wardrobe..I also have a hanging rack in my study my frock obsession is a little out of control…

 

 

Just a quick edit note lovelies ..there is 60 not 38 sleeps till Christmas..opp’s talk about enthusiastic.

Sorry for the heart starters.

xx Deb