Author Archives: Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

About Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Bouncing into middle age armed with courage, ambition and a pair of tweezers (chin hairs for anyone over the age of 45 reading this) I am a writer with a mission: to redefine this midway point in my life when the last thing I want to do is hang up my high heels and become invisible. This is the end of the beginning, not the beginning of the end. A single mum to 3 fabulous girls, an author, and a fundraising consultant, both ends of my candle are on fire. As I enter this new stage of my life, I want to explore what it means for 'mid-aged' women today, who were promised they could have it all, ended up doing it all, and just do not identify with the traditional image of middle age.

Overwhelmed and underperforming

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

I feel a bit of a cheat. My last blog obviously gave the impression I was some sort of smiling Stepford wife, happily baking and whipping up a trifle whilst knocking the oven door shut with my hip, loaf cooking … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, stress, time | 6 Comments

Feast or Famine

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

There are several advantages of not having family living nearby…… no over-enthusiastic visiting from mums and mother-in-laws; no loosing your husband to Saturday DIY sessions at the grandparent’s house; no Sunday lunch obligations; no cousin babysitting. Of course the disadvantage … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Christmas, family | 7 Comments

Movie Star Syndrome

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

The last couple of days I’ve felt like a movie star. OK, I regularly feel like a movie star…. Matt Damon, Ryan Gossling, Matt Damon… but I mean it differently this time. This time I felt like two movie stars… … Continue reading →

Posted in Swine flu | 1 Comment

Those shoes

Posted on November 26, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

In answer to another of Josie’s excellent blog prompts at her Writing Workshop at Sleep is for the Weak, here is my answer to “Find a picture of a shoe that best sums up your personality” (of course, I’m late … Continue reading →

Posted in shoes, writing | 4 Comments

Great Expectations

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

There are many reasons I love Dickens – his word wizardry aside. Who could not love a writer who gave me this perfect antidote in my hour of need when I weigh up washing my dirty laundry in another spin … Continue reading →

Posted in cleaning, writing | 3 Comments

One day….

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

In answer to Josie’s fantastic blog prompts in her Writing Workshop at Sleep is for the Weak, here are my thoughts on my dreams for ‘one day…’ One day, I’d like to fulfil my dream of having a menagerie of … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, dreams, motherhood, writing | 5 Comments

I’m cracking Christmas

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

There are times when my outer children reach in and grab my inner child by the hand and pull her out to dance around the house. But at Christmas, my inner child steps out all by herself, grabs everyone by … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Christmas | 2 Comments

Accepting acceptance

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

For someone who rushes everywhere at warp speed – I’ve even been known to eat my breakfast and clean my teeth at the same time – I realised recently I’m actually a bit slow. Daisy starts school next year but … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, mummy bloggers, parenting, therapy, writing | 2 Comments

A little something for my hubby

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

Do you know the best thing about life? It goes on. But best of all, it goes on with you. And while we mourn the loss of our unborn children, it is our two very present children who make us … Continue reading →

Posted in aniversary, children, marriage, miscarriage | 1 Comment

How did I become that woman?

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Grin & Tonic by Alana Kirk

For someone who never wanted the traditional family life, I sure as hell pursued it with a passion. In my youth, I craved excitement, not commitment; I sought travel, not stability; I choose freedom, not responsibility. But then I met … Continue reading →

Posted in loss, miscarriage, parenting | 4 Comments