the fifo wife

FIFO husband goes to  work Thursday. He jet sets his way to one city to do a course then jet sets to another very very cosmopolitan city for the ‘weekend’ before joining his vessel for what I imagine will be 12 hours a day of exhausting work in a compound in the middle of the ocean with 16 foot seas. It is hard work I know that but I’m not talking about then I’m talking about now. I’m a here and now kind of girl.

So I asked him the other day are you looking forward to going back to work. I waited for the pause. I waited for the long drawn out yeah I suppose. No it was not is was yes. It was a straight away not having to think about it yes. I was reeled at the quickness of the yes. Consquently he has been in a good mood since he found out he is going back to work and its irritating. That good mood is irritating. Now he is normally is a good mood type of person and so am I but this is singing, whistle blowing good mood. I like to think I’m not moody, jealous, even tempered but this whistling, singing, talking about hotels, hire cars and what the weather will be like is really starting to tick me off as I think about my lonely nights and cold mornings.

Yet this is another new adventure for him and when it comes down to it I’m supportive of him and his career. And in reality I know that good mood is relief, relief that he has another contract to go to. Bills will be paid. I understand that but its also a new adventure, new vessel, new crew and I am excited for him really I am just as he is supportive of me, my shop and this little blog of mine. And I love my job just not right now. Right now all I can hear are the kids fighting, FIFO husband is trying to get B1 ready for school and its just so damn cold in this old house, so cold its uncomfortable. And its just that my adventure doesn’t take me away to exotic locations, cosmopolitan cities and glamorous hotels. And if I hear one more question about whether his five star hotel has a laundry, or is walking distance to the gold cinema I will freaking scream.

Oh well my lovelies I’m off to do the laundry..oh the adventures my laundry holds..lol.

xx Deb

Beef Chow Mein

Add what ever vegetables you like. Quick easy. Yum.

What you will need:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium brown onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 600g beef mince
• 1 carrot, peeled, halved, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 1 cup beef stock
• 350g packet fresh chow mein noodles
• 1 bunch baby pak choy, trimmed, shredded
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce

How to:

Even better served the next day!!

xx Deb

Did you know that they think that reminicing your first dates, days and weeks are part of the key to a long healthy relationship? I heard this awhile ago and went ahhh that makes sense. Im constantly reliving how FIFO husband and I first met. Constantly. It was one of the most happy and amazing time of my life and its one I constantly play through my head. I remeber the smells, the sounds and the feelings. How blissfully happy I was. It was also that time in my life when I started knowing who I was. I liked who I was. He liked me for who I was.

I remember our first date. I think about it all the time. I remember those first three weeks with such clarity it makes my heart sing. Love him more. Our first date was fun. It was heart beating not wanting it to end fun.

We met outside the Mitchell st woollies at 10am I had just been to the Rapid Creek Flea Market for breakfast. I was dressed in denim and sandals carrying the Australian Newspaper, I loved to read the newspapers back then. I still do but it’s not the same. I can’t immerse myself in it with three kids needing my every bit of attention. I devoured every page like a good novel. It was the Sunday after the Friday that we met. We walked and walked. We walked the Darwin esplanade. I was struggling to keep up with his stride he thought I was trying to walk the date over. We talked about our favourite cartoons. I love the old cartoons Fred Flintstone and bugs and the gang. He is a Disney boy.

We went to the museum to an art show. I went to the gallery every Sunday. I love art. It was the first he had ever been to. We argued over a painting of an old woman. We left and had coffee at the Cool Spot a Darwin institution. He had mocha coffee. He ordered it by mistake. Thinking it was a hot chocolate. He doesn’t drink coffee and it set his heart and tongue on fire. His laughter got louder his talking faster. He made me laugh like no one had before.

We went back to my place. He made me dinner. Omelettes it was literally the best omelette I had ever had. We talked and laughed some more. He told me stories about his childhood that I thought quite simply had to be untrue they had to be made up. His stories. Him being funny was sexy. It still is.

Our date ended with a movie. The sound of one hand clapping. We met his mate at the theatre. We watched it separately. Not touching. Just two friends. He walked me to my car. I remember standing there holding the car door wondering if he was going to kiss me. What was this day to him? No he said good bye from the kerb a safe but friendly distance. I didn’t care. I wasn’t offended. I wasnt dissappointed. Either way I was happy. I had met someone special. I was intensely happy with that.

So what was your first date. How did you meet your significant other? Tell me I love knowing. The best love stories are the real ones.

Reminisce girls it makes the heart grow fonder. Truly it does.

Have a wonderful Friday lovelies,

XX Deb

What you will need:

2kg chicken pieces

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1/3 cup (80ml) dry white wine

1½ cups (375ml) passata

4 anchovies, finely chopped

2 tablespoons shredded basil

1/3 cup (50g) kalamata olives, pitted,

halved basil leaves,

cooked pasta, to serve

How to:

1. Dust chicken pieces in flour. Heat oil in a flameproof casserole dish on high. Pan-fry chicken, in batches, for 2 minutes each side, until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and garlic to pan and pan-fry for 3 minutes, until soft. Return chicken thighs to pan and add wine. Bring to boil. Simmer for 2 minutes, until wine almost evaporates.
3. Add passata and 1 cup water. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add drumsticks and cook, covered, for another 5 minutes. Add remaining chicken and anchovies and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, until cooked through. Stir through shredded basil and scatter over olives.
4. Sprinkle with basil and serve with pasta.

Enjoy,

xx Deb