Life in a Nutshell

By Kate Young

Young is unapologetically blunt as she shares an honest insight into a not so perfect and far from normal life of a real woman starting at puberty and goping through all the different stages and events that life throws in people's way. Life In A Nutshell removes the blinders from readers' eyes, tossing out the great expectations they may have in life and exposing the often harsh realities of life. Do fairytales happen to anyone else other than Cinderella? It would be pure whimsy to think so. But life is what one makes it to be. It can still be a fairytale, somewhat lopsided and unconventional, still with its own imperfect but happy ending.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Sep 24, 2010
• ISBN: 9781453566145

Kate Young

Kate Young is an award-winning food writer and cook. As a dedicated bookworm, Kate's reading inspires her in the kitchen. After mastering the treacle tart from Harry Potter, Kate started blogging about her creations and was named Blogger of the Year in 2017 by the Guild of Food Writers. Her first book, The Little Library Cookbook, was shortlisted for Fortnum & Mason's debut food book award and won a World Gourmand food writing award. Kate is also the author of The Little Library Year and The Little Library Christmas and has written for the Guardian, Sainsbury's Magazine and The Pool. Originally from Australia, Kate now lives in the English countryside.

Book preview

Contents

PART I

The Nut

Before Puberty

After Puberty

End of School: End of Life as We Know It

The Workforce

Dating in Real Life, Not Hollywood Style

Marriage: Word Meaning Not Very Much Indeed

The Big Day

Marriage, Sex, and Babies

PART II

The Nutshell Gets a Little Crowded

The Birth

Mothers’ Group

Back to Work

First Birthday

As Time Goes By

My Little Winge

Bump Number 2

To Cheat or Not to Cheat

The Truth, the Whole Truth, Which Is Way Too Much Information

PART III

Vacating the Nut

Reality Hits

Night Out

Night Out Nightmare

The Morning after the Nightmare

The Phone Call: Who Is Speaking?

Conference Call

Coffee Time

What Dinner Date?

How to Date This Time Around

Internet Dating: A Different World

Contact Made: First Date Arranged

Round 2

Ok it must have been the drink

Extending the family

Happily ever after

I would like to dedicate this book to my mum. She is the strongest, most reliable person in the world. It is thanks to her that I am half the woman I am today. Without her in my life, I could not have tackled many of the situations that life throws at us.

Also I would like to mention my stepdad. He came into my mum’s life at a time when she had not one, but three horrid children, me being one of them, who went out of our way to make his life hell. But unlike some men, he stuck it out, and I do believe my mum got the fairy tale she deserved, and I got the best dad in the world.

So to Mum and Dad, I love you both and thank you for never giving up on me.

PS: Dad, ignore the swearing . . .

PART I

The Nut

There comes a time, when all of a sudden, you look in the mirror and think, ‘Shit, when did I get to be this old, and what the fuck have I done with my life?!’

At some point, it hits us like a sack of shit, and you never look in that bloody mirror again. Well, you do, but just not in the same way, ever.

You begin life with this great expectation and innocence about growing up, getting married, having a family, and living happily ever after. Well, I’m sorry, even Cinderella had to kiss a lot of fucking frogs and start a relationship with pet mice before she met her Prince Charming, and let’s be realistic. I would rather be committed, before I form a relationship with any rodent (OK, ex-husbands do class as rodents, but that’s a different story).

As women, we put so much pressure on ourselves to be this unobtainable person, who can do dishes whilst sexually pleasing her partner, whilst changing the baby’s bottom, whilst sweeping the floors with the broom that is permanently stuck up her arse. As I am sure both my ex-husbands would tell you, we are not fucking perfect, and the thing that goes first is the sex.

Yes, it’s a shame, but we still manage time to sweep that floor whilst changing bums and doing dishes. So how did this happen? One minute you’re a fun-loving, free, and sexy individual, and the next, you’re Mrs Fucking Domesticated Mess!

You have met the man of your dreams—smart, funny, successful, and even your best best friend loves him, but then you wake up from your dream and the reality hits you.

I blame the society that makes you believe that you must get married and have a family. Obviously, society was formed when a group of men, who from as far back as one cares to remember, had the need to control everything and everyone! So in a nutshell, here is a little breakdown of a woman’s not-so-perfect fucking life.

Warning:

Please do not be offended or

[Lily Young · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful book. I loved it I’m blessed to know the author