Parting is such sweet sorrow...

Like any Ryan Reynolds movie, all good things must come to an end. And alas, it with that sentiment (and image in my mind to cheer me up) that I sadly farewell my role as the Sealy Australia sleep ambassador.

What a ride it has been, road testing sleep suggestions both from the general public and panel of sleep experts and reporting back my findings to the faithful who followed me on this journey.

For the record I am still unable (and let’s be honest, unwilling) to kick my caffeine and chocolate habit but even with these unhealthy vices I can state, hand on my heart, my sleep quality has improved immeasurably. How could it not when you consider I am swathed every night in the pure sleep luxury that is the Diamond Jubilee King Size Ensemble?

It’s been quite the exciting ride and I've not only a new found appreciation for the dedication and hard work that goes into creating Sealy's quality beds, after my trip to Head Office in early October, but also incredible admiration for the whole team who have treated me so well during this process. Kim, Sally, Ross, Britta, Gareth and the gang from Sealy Australia HQ in Brisbane – I sincerely THANK YOU for treating this humble blogger with the utmost respect. And to my PR Guru, Will from Lucre PR – you have my eternal esteem!

Parting was always going to be such sweet sorrow. This has been a dream opportunity in every sense - isn't it everyone's ultimate goal to be paid to sleep? In all seriousness though, this has also helped me tick a big item of my bucket list and write for a well respected organisation. I’ve cherished the opportunity to hone these skills and be associated with an iconic company.

Just quietly though I am a little uncertain my demands of sleeping in (all in the name of work, naturally!) will be quite so well received in this house now that my internship has ceased… It could be worse I suppose – they could make my give back my beloved bed! Though, I’d have to be prised from my prize with a chainsaw – you can see I’m quite attached…

Sincere thanks for sharing in the Sealy Australia "Sleeping on the Job" promotion with me!

Not a fan of the fan...

I guess it would be a bit forward of me to come right out and ask “so, how’s thing in your bedroom” but I am going to be bold and go there anyway. 

But not, I suspect, for the same reasons you suspect.

You see, while I adore my husband, and believe him to be a prince among men, he has a sleep related shortcoming that drives me to the brink of insanity.

He needs to sleep with a fan on. Every. Single. Night.

It can be the dead of freakin’ winter, 3 degrees out and he’ll still find it essential to switch it on. For him it’s not so much related to staying cool, it’s all about the buzz. (But not the buzz in the sense he gets a high from it, though I am sure he does – why else would he persist so??!!). No, seems The Husband can’t stand the silence and sees this as a sort of “white noise” that drowns out, oh, a stampeding horde of angry oxen or a squadron of fighter jets doing loop-de-loops over head.

Am I being a tad dramatic? Likely - but that is how much I detest it and how annoyingly loud I find it.

To be frank, I find it is anything but conducive to promoting a restful snoozing environment. Though, I do try to understand his plight as I'm a fellow poor sleeper. And I shouldn’t point the finger of blame squarely at he as I’ve far too many of my own weird conditions that must be met in order for me to be in a prime frame of mind for my own beauty sleep. (I’d need whole separate blog post to list my own silly sleep idiosyncrasies). 

Besides the noise factor, it doesn’t help I’m allergic to dust - and we all know that even the cleanest house is no match for the nuclear resistant entity that is the common house dust mite. So not only am I huddling under pillows and mummify-ing myself in blankets to ensure none is being blown my way, but I'm also forced to don ear plugs to drown out the very thing that he uses to drown out everything else...

Crazy cats, aren’t we? Yet it’s apparently the only solution to both being able to get some restful slumber together. However it is purely pot luck as to whether I'll manage to survive the whole next day without being at the mercy of a full blown allergies attack on my feeble sinuses.

I recall I once saw an episode of Oprah where a couple admitted the key to their harmonious union was keeping separate bedrooms. While it was criticised by the panel of experts – and I think a little dramatic – I’m going to admit there are nights when that works best for us. Not long term though, but the odd night here & there so that we both wake refreshed.

But clearly, NOTHING shall come between me and my beloved brand new Sealy. Should it come to that I'll be sending him packing to the space room!

So, can you tell yet? I am clearly not a fan of the fan.

Do you have a particular crutch that you can’t live without when it comes to catching zzzz’s? And what is your best suggestion on how the Husband and I can co-sleep happily ever after?

Guest posting today at colesonline.com.au blog!

Want to know how you can win friends and disarm enemies all though the simple act of baking?

Then you need to click here and head on over to the Coles online blog and read all about my Mum's to.die.for Chocolate Slice and how it helped me negotiate the wily ways of the schoolyard!

Bon Appetit!

Dear "Shaggy",

This year I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.

Each of the last nine anniversaries since the world was robbed of your beautiful spirit, I’ve mired myself down in grief, focusing on your loss instead of celebrating your incredibly full life.

I’d hoped my recent reading with Deb Webber would ensure I reflected with a smile on all the crazy, fun filled memories I had of my mate Shaggy, but I still cant help but feel the pull of pain when I focus on the hole in our world that has been left since you’ve been gone…

After the weekend gathering of your greatest mates, to mark this sad milestone, everything has been brought back up to the surface. My brain is brimming with recollections – the good, the bad, the funny, the sad… Throw in the fact “your song” came on as we drove to check in at the Gold Coast and I was wavering in my resolve. We hadn’t heard it in so long yet there it was, haunting us after flicking to a random radio station…

I know you know how much your death affected me. Sometimes it still takes my breath away with shock, even a decade on…

Perhaps a sixth sense made me bury my head in your chest, that April night, on the eve of my overseas backpacking adventure. I’d said so many goodbyes to so many people that week yet a force I cannot explain made me cling to you and cry when it became time to say farewell to you… The very last words you said to me, face to face, as I cried in your chest: “You’re beautiful” are still etched into my mind.

Then there was that unexplainable urge that led me to phone you just before your birthday, when I was near broke and 15,000 miles away – it would be the last time I would hear that cheeky laugh.

If I’d have had the slightest inkling of what lay in wait, I’d never had hung up the phone.

Anthony has been entangled in his own memories and today as well. He agrees it never stops being sad… Our little Harrison too sensed something amiss today. This morning he came and laid his head on my lap, encircling me with a cuddle, announcing out of the blue “I love you Mummy”. It reminded me how blessed I am that you had a helping hand in bringing them both into my world…

To honour you, we took a trip to our local beach this afternoon, and amongst the unseasonable wind and chill we stood and whispered our personal messages into the waves, throwing out a flower each in your memory.

The tears came then, as I suspected they might… Some people, even when gone from sight for 10 years, are so damn special that it can help but to still break your heart that you can no longer reach out and touch them, hear them, see them… The daggy dancing, the cheeky grin, the endless laughs, the days you were my rock when I needed a friend to understand when no one else could… What we’d all give to be able to see that mischievous glint in your eyes and that mop of unruly hair, propping up the bar, laying on bets, or burning up the beach.

We wrap the memory of you around us always.

(And next year I vow to try harder not to cry).

Forever your friend,

Donna

Surviving the Sealy Australia Sleep Challenges - Week 2

Image from here

Chocolate and caffeine. Ah, my two most treasured vices, who've seen me through so many tired days, never failing to give me the much needed middle of the day pep I so often require to function after my ridiculously early morn starts...  So when I was greeted with the news that week 2 of my Sealy Australia "sleep challenges", (as suggested by the Sleep Wellness Panel) involved weaning myself cold turkey from these little sweet treats that I live for, all in the name of possibly acquiring a great night's sleep, a sense of nervous anticipation coursed through me.

This was going to be a challenge in every sense of the word!

We were off to a rocky start, me wide awake at 4.30am, my brain buzzing with all I needed to achieve that day. I decided an early morning gym workout had to help my cause; translating those endorphins into energy was likely my only hope of surviving what might be the busiest day I'd have all year!

At times I felt empowered, and instead of fuelling my tired body with its familiar caffeine flavoured diet soda and chocolate treats, I drove it by imagining the sense of achievement I’d feel by beating it.

Sadly, 48 hours, 3 headaches, 2 18 hour days and 2 restless nights later I caved. Turns out I have quite an addiction that needs conquering... Hopefully the fact I am not a coffee lover, and that its just caffeine related soft drinks that give me my boost, will make it a little easier to end the habit.  However its likely to be a snowstorm in summer before I break up with chocolate for good.  We've partners in crime for far too long to be parted now!

Second out from the sleep starting blocks came the child centred sleep challenge. As per the wise words of child behavioural expert, Sonja Walker, I was to maintain the method of “consistency, consistency, consistency” when dealing with my son’s penchant for nocturnal visits to our bed.

Its no secret we’ve been dealing with a myriad of sleep issues where Master Harrison is concerned. So I was eager to take on board this expert advice and see how I could perform. I was well aware sustaining a status quo with my son’s nightly antics was something I’d failed at. As all parents know, some nights when you limbs feel loaded with lead, and delirium fills your head you automatically revert to the “whatever is easiest” option.

As fate would have it, for the first time in months, my son managed to string together consecutive nights of uninterrupted sleep! Whether or not he secretly knew he was in for some tough lovin’ we managed to avoid the night time tantrums that always ensue when he’s unceremoniously returned to his rightful bed. But I do vow to use this technique if when this behaviour makes a comeback.

To round out week two I was issued with a slightly more unorthodox routine to road test from Mark Stephens – perform a “mind dump” and repeat a mantra “think about nothing, worry about nothing”, coupled with some deep breathing exercises, all with the aim of promoting a stress-free slumber.

Considering my passion for prose, downloading the swirling eddy of thoughts from my brain before bedtime was a familiar undertaking. I’d performed this ritual many times before when sleep seemed to elude me – it’s definitely a great way to alleviate the mind gymnastics!

Repeating the mantra and instating the deep breathing techniques were effective at the start of the night but sadly not so successful during my night’s when I’d wake at 4.30am and be unable to return to the land of the long white sleeping cloud. But still, I would rate this as an effective tool in helping you feel ready for rest when it’s time to lay your head in bed. Even having a notebook handy to jot down a to-do list for the next day by your bedside can do wonders to clear the mental cobwebs!

All sleep challenges aside, even the most restless night sleep is made bearable when you consider you are being swathed in such luxurious sleep surroundings as a divine king size Diamond Jubilee ensemble! Thanks to the fine folk at Sealy Australia I can safely say no matter the issue that may arise, I am already on the right path to improved sleep.

Now it's your turn - what works best for you? 

Please feel free to share helpful hints & tips for a great night sleep!

Surviving the Sealy Australia Sleep Challenges - Week 1

The gang at Sealy Australia have been busy making me earn my keep as the Sleep Ambassador, teaming up last week with the general public, who offered up suggestions for me to road test so that my (and hopefully, ergo, some of your) nocturnal issues can be resolved.

(You’re welcome. Generous to a fault, I know…)

First up – and most likely my most loathed sleep matter – we had to tackle the child waking ridiculously early issue.

Well before the sun decides it time to rise and shine, it’s become a annoying norm to have a little person appear at our bedside anytime from 5am. Even if he hasn’t had a particular restful night’s sleep, Harrison will announce “it’s a lovely day for me!” and decide it’s time we all got the day underway. I’ll concede, maybe he is just a morning person (certainly doesn’t get that from me) but it makes for a long day and it is something we have tried countless ways to fix but as yet with no success.

After many worthwhile suggestions the option chosen to try was to tell Harrison “if you want to get up an hour earlier, then you need to go to bed an hour earlier”.

I’ll admit, I was wary. While I agree it sounded good in theory, as suspected, it was tricky to translate into results.

After a herculean effort required by me to get dinner cooked, him bathed, fed and in bed by 6.30pm he still didn’t drift off to sleep for almost an hour the first night and was still raring to go come 5.15am. The second night saw a similar fate but by the third night he was asleep 15 minutes after lights out. And managed to make it to 5.40am.

Perhaps if he was a bit older it would have worked well but it was hard to retrain his body clock in just a few nights and to get him to grasp the concept of why he was being made to go to bed so early. Though just quietly, the night he was all tucked up and snoozing before 7pm felt like heaven to me!

Second on the testing regime came the requirement for me to work on my own wakefulness issues. My mind has a habit of morphing into a mental gymnastics arena once I lay my head in bed. Thoughts swing like monkeys swooping from vine to vine – more often than not it’s hard to still them and drift off to sleep.

The general public suggestion to counter these issues was something I was mostly already doing. Relax in a scented bubble bath, spray your pillow with lavender and lose yourself in a trashy book before bed.

Ordered to indulge in a bath and read a book? Bring that on I say! Though I ditched the suggested Mills & Boons book and opted from one of my own taste.

The lavender works a treat when it comes to catching some zzzz’s but still found myself experiencing some middle of the night mind aerobics that no about of lavender seemed to halt. And soaking in a bath or getting up to go and read at 2am sounded too much like punishment to me when you are sleeping in such luxury as the Sealy King Size Jubilee Ensemble!

To round out the week, my last task saw me instructed to restrict my Internet and TV time for an hour before lights out.

It’s funny how you never miss something until it’s suddenly unavailable to you. It dawned on me that I must use TV to unwind before bed, which I’d never before realised. Internet – not so much. Though I did feel a slight tug of irritability that I couldn’t check my emails one last time before bed, or leap in for a quick look at the Twitter stream.

Instead I fell happily into the pages of my book and slept soundly. In fact I would go so far as to say I had one of my most restful night’s shut-eye in a long time. Not only did Harrison also sleep through (miracle upon miracles!) but I was bequeathed a heavenly sleep in opportunity – followed up by breakfast in bed.

All in the name of work, naturally. I am, if nothing else, dedicated to the task of being a superb Sleep Ambassador…

And so week one concluded rather restfully. The son was making minor improvements, and I was feeling quite a lot less fatigued than normal. Which was a good thing indeed because of what was waiting for me come Week 2…

Stay tuned for next week’s instalment where I accept sleep challenges from a panel of wellness experts, including a particularly trying task set by the lovely Diminishing Lucy!


In the interim the platform passes to you! Feel free to share what sleep tips you have to counter an early waking child, or still your mind to get a restful night’s sleep...

Is there enough of the PR pie to go around?

Image from here

My head has been flooded with thoughts of all things PR related recently. After attending the Digital Parents Unplugged event a fortnight ago it has left me both enlightened and bewildered. Because even though there was a fountain of public relations knowledge flowing it begged the question: is there enough of the PR pie to go around to all?

Many agree the blogging landscape in Australia is in full bloom. The possibilities of what it could translate to are endless. And for people like me who house a hope that they might just be able to make a little pocket money from this hobby, it leads you to carve out aspirations for your humble little blog. But it is also against a backdrop of many others also vying for that same piece of PR pie. And when your knowledge of how the mechanisms of brands benefitting blogs is limited, you feel behind the eight ball before you even shoot to break.

Thank goodness many bloggers are happy to share their words of wisdom on this subject.  In particular, people like Brenda at Mummytime, the gang at Brand Meets Blog or the recent Digital Parents Blogazine article on seeking sponsorship have been of great assistance, giving everyone snapshots at how to work towards achieving this transition in your blogging world.


My very first taste of the PR pie has come this month, thanks to Sealy Australia. Much like anything that that feels so damn good, you crave the continuation of it. It has left me with a strong desire to translate this golden opportunity into much more once my “Sleep Ambassadorship” is sadly over on October 31. I have loved being linked to such an iconic Australian Brand. I've relished stretching my writing voice and thoroughly enjoyed every second of this new ride so far.

But that is when little cobwebs of worry start to cloud my mind. Realistically, I can’t help but question whether smaller sites (such as mine) could ever compare to the uber blogging elite and vie for a slice of such awesome opportunities? Because I truly can understand why a PR company might choose only to court certain bloggers. Business is business and they have their own KPI’s to meet and clients to keep content.

Selfishly, however, I hope that companies come to the party and share the PR love around. We won’t all have the biggest & best stats, but we do all deserve a chance to prove our worth.

So what lies in wait in terms of enticing PR opportunities after this remains to be seen. I understand more than ever that one must be proactive. It will not just fall in your lap in a nice neat lashing of triumph. You need to earn it, own it, chase it…. Have the utmost in confidence in your abilities -forget the fear of pitching myself and my humble little blog and do it anyway. It’s my year of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. The worst that could happen is rejection. The best is a taste of success. It is a risk worthy trying for.

Sealing the Sealy Australia deal

I’d love to hear how you got your start in the Blogging/PR arena – and feel free to impart your wise words here to help other novices such as I!

I Think We’re Alone Now

Silence.

I cast a furtive peek out from under my eyelids. There was just me. Guiltily, I now glanced over my shoulder.

Yep, still just me. And still silence.

It was the first night in over three years that I had found myself ALONE. No husband, no child, no family, no friends (and thankfully, no uninvited intruders!). Just me, myself and I, all tucked away in a Sydney CBD hotel room.

I’d been so looking forward to this long forgotten solo sensation. It shimmered on my horizon, beckoning like an oasis. A free from broken sleep oasis, which sounded like music to my weary ears.

Yet now the moment had arrived all I felt was a shiver of unease.

Here I was, all alone in a rather cheap and not so cheerful hotel room, with only a wooden door protecting me from the outside world. I felt, small, scared, vulnerable. And certainly as if I didn’t belong so far from home.

My nerves were rattled as well, thanks to a less than auspicious start to this little solo city sojourn.

Two minutes after nonchalantly requesting the family drop me at Redfern Station, so I could make my own way into the CBD, I began to snake my way towards the trains. Seconds later there was commotion, causing me to dart out of the way before being bowled over by a posse of 6 police who were in hot pursuit of a bag snatcher.

If that wasn’t unsettling enough, I finally find my accommodation, to see it’s actually perched on top of a rowdy pub. While I begin to silently lament this unknown misfortune, my inner voice reminds me “you get what you pay for”. So I trudge up the three flights of stairs, and am handed the key to my shoebox sized room. Pushing back the door I’m greeted with the unmistakeable stench of stale cigarette smoke.


Fab. Now I need to morph into one of those demanding patrons who insist on a room change. (Though realistically it was that or face the fact I’d have an asthma attack all alone in a seedy hotel room).

Suddenly bedtime battles with my son seemed so far away – and by association not nearly so bad.

Thankfully my case in point was easily proved to the manager when they came to check my room and moved me to the only other one available- which also happened to be best in house. I’d finally made it to three and half star accommodation level!

Rushing off to the Digital Parents Unplugged networking event took my mind off my surprising unease and thankfully when I returned (at a very reasonable hour and completely sober no less!) I suddenly began to embrace the surreal sense of solitude. It hit me that I didn’t have to rush to bed, to try and cram in as much broken sleep as possible while also tending to my nocturnally challenged son, or be dragged from my deep slumber until my own body clock damn well declared itself ready to do so.

So there I lay, watching mindless TV, eating CC’s in bed and finally revelling in the “oneness” I’d long forgotten about.

Nine hours later (yes, NINE whole freakin’ unbroken hours!) I awoke and felt instantly refreshed and reenergized. I allowed myself some languorous stretching time and of course more mindless TV before taking my sweet time to get ready for home. Because how long it will be again before this ever happens I did not know.

And when I finally arrived back with my boys (only 19hours later from our speedy farewell) I felt a renewed sense of peace and equilibrium flowing through me. Like the weeds of my soul had been dismissed and flowers again bloomed. I’d been restored.

What’s Luck Got To Do, Got To Do With It?

I’m the first to admit I’ve hit a bit of a purple patch of late. After a particularly tough few months where I began to question every little thing about myself, suddenly the stars have aligned and I’ve been revelling in a never before seen cloudburst of blessings.

And so it leads people to comment on this run of luck, that I somehow just managed to randomly in the right place at the right time to be the benefactor of such blessings.

The lovely Nat (as mentioned) with my sister & I

But my lovely friend Nat had a different perspective: “You have certainly created some good opportunities for yourself” she complimented me. Another friend Kylie offered “you’ve just set the right balls in motions these last few months” when I joked how I’d gone from zero to hero in the flash on an eye. It gave me pause, and you know what? I had to agree: it can’t alone have come down to just plain providence. The universe has had a big hand to play, as has being proactive.

I learned the value of this sort of positive behaviour last year, when my all-time celebrity Everest of crushes, Oprah, came to town. It was my most coveted life-long wish to attend one of her shows so I set about showing the universe why I was worthy of recipient of this dream come true experience. And it worked!

I also think sometimes luck comes along when you are really due a break. Like being presented with a dream opportunity to meet world acclaimed medium Deb Webber. I’d spent months beseeching the universe to give me a sign I was on the right track by trying to follow my dreams. This was the moment that set the winds of change in motion. I even said so out loud. And the universe listened as I thanked it.

I also like to think winning the recent Sealy Australia "Sleeping On The Job" competition was more than a mere fluke.  Sure I was lucky the judges thought one of my entries was worthy of being shortlisted, but when it came to crunch time and I was required to vie for votes against other four equally worthy potential winners, I had to peel myself out of my comfort zone and literally start begging! Normally I’d be far too self conscious to do this but determinedly told myself pride be damned! 96 hours later after it consuming my life and I was so relieved to see my hard work (and result of being thrust out of my comfort zone) had paid off.

*****

We all face highs and lows in life. I've certainly experienced my fair share of each!  But it was during a visit to a well known psychic earlier this year, that it was explained to me we each have pre-ordained periods in our life when it’s our perfect time to achieve and shine. I was in the midst of mine now and if I didn’t make the most of these divine opportunities, I’d have another 9 year cycle ahead before my pinnacle would return. It was the celestial kick up the butt I needed.

There has been no silver platter borne my way; each blessing has been earned some way or another. I’ve also felt the sting of rejection far too often this year as well, but not giving up has gained me some rewards.

It’s been a very timely lesson to me that those dark days I endured when I wondered whether it was worth all the angst to pursue these lofty dreams that surrendering and trusting the process can help more than you may know. That and reminding myself that what Oprah orates is true: “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity”.

Amen to that!

I’d love to hear your opinion (as no doubt this post will polarise people) because unless you are Paris Hilton I imagine luck alone can only take you so far?

Don’t try this at home. (or do, if a careers in R&D awaits!)

Hands up who, as a kid, got their kicks out of the nationally (un) recognised childhood pastime that was jumping on the bed?

If I were a betting woman, I’d lay my money on the fact Sealy Australia’s Research & Development Officer, Gareth, used to be one such star jumper, testing out the springs that laid beneath. Because if indeed he did in indulge in these clandestine childhood activities, then it’s all been for the betterment of his career. Fast forward in time and he is paid to (and I quote) “make stuff and break stuff”, all in the name of a better night’s sleep for Sealy’s faithful customers.

I know - Coolest.Job.Ever.

On Wednesday I had the pleasure of meeting Gareth, along with a whole spectrum of other equally dedicated employees, whilst visiting the outskirts of Brisbane, where the heart of the Sealy Australia operation beats.

Done Deal! Happily signing my sleep ambassadorship
with Ross,National Marketing & Sales Manager

Thanks to my recent success taking out the coveted “Sleeping on The Job” crown, a trip to Sealy headquarters was in order.  This allowed me to not only sign my official "Sleep Ambassador" contract with Ross (the congenial National Marketing & Sales Manager) and meet his equally committed team of Britta, Kim & Sally, but also see first hand what actually goes into the process of manufacturing their superior sleep products.

I’ll admit I was as oblivious as the next person when it came to where you lay your head in bed. But now, after being guided through a colourful company history lesson with Michael, (National Training & Development Manager) and given a comprehensive site tour and lesson in all aspects of bedding manufacture by Gareth, I have a new found sense of appreciation of the streamlined labour that has gone into the creation that cradles you at night. 

A close inspection of products with Will from Lucre
PR & Kim Bennett, Retail Marketing Manager

From the vast workshop floors that house the various arms of manufacture, accommodating state of the art machinery, through the pleasant office area and beyond into the showroom, enticing with its array of Sealy Australia beds on display (how staff don't sneak over there for regular Nanna naps, I'll never know) the cogs turn in a finely oiled manner. Everyone is working towards a common goal; a commitment to ensure Australians sleep comfortably. 

Between 400 - 600 beds are made to order each week, offering a three day turnaround from order placement to shipping.  BUT, that is only if the product has first met Gareth's rigorous schedule of test!

The sleep lab in full swing!

Walking into his sleep testing laboratory, is a treat to wannabe experimenters the world over! Humming away before us was an 110kg hexagonal weight rolling continuously back and forth over a mattress to simulate 10 years of use, to see how it withstood. This runs around the clock for five consecutive days to gauge its durability. And if its not in use, you might see a "bottom shaped" sledge hammer (err, obviously not its technical term) suspended from a height, ready to slam into a mattress below, to ascertain the wear and tear that comes with the innate human tendency to always sit on the same edge of the bed spot!

But beyond all of its impressive gadgetry, workmanship and commitment to customers, the crux of their success lays with their loyal staff and the fact they are a proud, family run, Australian owned and operated business which is as steeped in tradition as it is excellence.

Will & I pose for a final group shot with the
Sealy Aust. team, who made us most welcome 

It is with this sort of basis that they are able to uphold the reputation Sealy has for being the best-selling premium bedding brand. They know beds are big investments. Because, in an ideal world, its where we are meant to spend the bulk of our time re-energizing ourselves, healing and preparing. And Sealy are so committed to making sure every night of respite on one of their superior products is like a little slice of bedded bliss.

So next time you see your child – or even feel like reliving your childhood yourself – wanting to bounce away on the bed, spare a thought for Sealy R&D Guru Gareth. You might have yourself a future bedding researcher and developer in the making!

Attempting to build back up the sleep debt thanks to Sealy

In a perfect world...

Sleep is the currency every parent craves. It is the one topic we can be found most lamenting or celebrating, not to mention dissecting with all the finesse of a forensic investigator. It starts from day dot of parenthood and follows you through until they are old enough to slam the door in your face as you beg them to get out of bed because its midday on the weekend (just quietly I am counting down to those days).

While we initially had a rocky start to sleep (an entire 45 minutes of shut eye the very first night he came home from the hospital) and only slight improvements those first bleak weeks, we eventually found ourselves with a champion sleeper. Sure, he was the king of catnappers during the day and was quite partial to rising with the sun, but I consoled myself with the knowledge “at least he is great at night” so we all felt much more rested for it.

Fast forward to Jan this year, and the dreaded withdrawing his beloved dummy from him event, and it all went supremely pear shaped over night. And we have been yet to regain ground from those early sleep deprived days.

Suddenly everything regarding bedtime became “scary”, or we were informed “my bed is broken” and any notion of self settling has been erased from his memory. Much comfort can apparently only be sourced – at numerous times of the night – in the safety that is mummy and daddy’s bed.

Now, being a bit of a scaredy cat myself, I kinda get it. As a child I’d want to sleep with the lamp on but was told I’d end up burning down the house. I often went in search of parental placation after nightmares but was never allowed in the family bed. And now I know why!

Caught out in the climbing act

Because you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Either the child keeps you awake with the tears and tantrums, or they are allowed in your bed only to stick to you like a magnet and exert their right to sleep at a diagonal angle, usually with a finger flung up your nose thrown in for good measure.

Therefore one of the things I am loving the most about the big beautiful Sealy Posturepedic King Size Ensemble that I won thanks to the their “Sleeping on the Job” competition is that my son literally cannot climb on in on a whim. Yes, mean mummy that I am, I now actually have the choice whether he is able to join us or not and not just wake to find he has invited himself under the covers at some stage during the dead of night.

Needless to say, he is less than impressed. Though he has realised if he drags his step from the bathroom all the way down the hallway he can gain access but he will too forgo the advantage of the surprise attack (dragging that sucker on the tiles would wake the dead!)

See how much I heart thee?

The first morning he came for an early morning cuddle (read: I wasn’t prepared to start my day at 5.15am) further fashioned his disapproval after he automatically turned himself around to scoot off the side as he’d always done. Except that this time he was a far greater height off the ground and ended up taking a bit of a tumble before I could stop him. He then proceeded to announce through his tears “Mummy, I want you to get your little and not scary bed back”. He’d have more luck asking the Pope to acknowledge same sex marriage as I am never ever slipping back on the bedding scale after sleeping in such luxury!

But the good thing too, should I relent (as I am known to do) is that there is room for three should we wish it to be so. To sleep, I need space. And with that extra room the king bed provides I no longer find myself clinging to dear life to the edge of the bed, nor silently fuming that the three of us are wedged in like sardines. So I thank you Sealy; you may well be responsible for rebuilding our much depleted sleep debt!

Hands up who else admits to cosier than thou sleeping arrangements or it is each to their own in your home?

For the month of October I am blogging about all this bedding and sleep, as a part of my prize as the Sealy Australia "Sleeping on the Job" winner

NappyDaze Requests Permission for Take-off! Time to let this lil blog shine...

Ladies and gentleman, (if indeed I could be so presumptuous to think a male might be reading this!) we interrupt normal transmission for some breaking news.

Please do not turn away from your screen or think you have clicked into the wrong web page. You are where you intended (and by that I mean also me, finally in the 21st blogging century). Because, hallelujah, NappyDaze has had a much needed face-lift and is finally moving with the cyber times!

Thanks to a recent win (ok, big freaking fabulous win with the cool dudes at Sealy Australia) I have a little pocket money to finally re-invest into my blog. And its not without time, I know. I've been embarrassed about the lack of professional sheen my little slice of cyber space since it began back in June 2009. But I plodded along, hoping that one day I could try and emulate the experts I've for so long admired. And after seeing Mrs Woog's blog-lift, I knew it was time for me to take the plunge.

So now NappyDaze.com is a one stop shop to keep in contact with me. You'll note my super cool Menu Bar, where you can find out what floats my blogging boat (About Me), how to get your business featured on my blog (Advertise with Me), where else you may have seen me pop up in the Online, TV or Print publishing realms (In The Media) and most exciting of all, direct links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts which will help maintain a more consistent social media platform from my end from here in.

My eternal thanks goes to the endlessly patient Sharnee from suckmylolly.com who created this fab and fun blogging canvas, happily tweaking and fine tuning every time I had another suggestion.  If it wasn't enough she's working full-time and juggling twins, she is also taking the time to respond to a million emails and suggestions from me. The woman is a saint - and a talented one at that!

It is now (or so I desperately hope!) onward and upwards for Nappydaze as I've many hopes and dreams for this humble little blog of mine. And after attending Friday night's Digital Parents Unplugged event in Kings Cross, where a cross section of PR and Bloggers collided for the betterment of blogging, I have burning within me a renewed flame and focus.

So, long may my love affair with all things literary continue, as well as my resolve to offer writing in the name of posterity, hilarity and sanity. I hope that you will be sure leave me some comment love or loathing to tell me your thoughts on this redesign and to stop by again to my very own bright & sunny place in cyber space again soon!