I arrived home to an empty apartment last night. I had picked up potatoes planning on cooking her a dinner involving vitamins for a change and I was greeted with tumbleweed. Naturally, my first thought was to ponder where I would start looking for her if Ireland's first and only serial killer was roaming the streets of Dublin looking for 5ft 5 inch 16 year old teenagers who wear a lot of black and listen to Slayer.
You never can be too careful. I always error on the side of the fact that she's been killed rather then she's out with mates or anything ordinary like that? Now I'm thinking how quick can I get to the cop shop to report her missing. Yes, I am a morbib soul.
As it turns out I was mistaken, she was up town 'hanging' with her mates. This hanging takes up a large amount of their time, one wonders what criteria is involved for this hanging and if it is exclusive to teenagers or anyone can partake. When she arrived home, she annouced P's dad would be ringing so we could chat to him about Holland. I had visions of them getting together up town, paying some hobo to ring our landline and tell us he was going to Amsterdamn with them. I made a mental note to ask some questions about P and see where it got me.
He's to ring tonight and we can chat to him. We shall reserve judgement until then although Mammy2 is adamant about the trip already. Words like there's not a hope in hell of it happening spring to mind. She can be quite stubborn when it comes to the kid at times, she has a few streaks of her mother in her and sometimes this is not necessarily a good thing! I said we should talk to P's dad, see what the story is and then make the descision. I have softened somewhat from my initial "it'll be a cold day in hell before she gets on plane with THAT lot" type thing which is not really constructive at all.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
back from the wilds of Wales
We went on holiday for 7 days and she didn't burn the place to the ground. Well, she had sitters but still, we were well impressed. A week in Wales , its a beautiful country. I had spent a summer there when I was in college, working as a chambermaid. It hasn't changed much. A relaxing week spent in the company of Mammy2 , lots of sleeping, eating, reading and drinking. Mammy2 was adventerous when it came to trying out new beers, I wasn't bothered.
The place is so picturesque, when I've uploaded the holiday pics I can pop a few images in here of Tenby and Pembroke. The ferry trip was fun, I felt like I was on a episode of the Love Boat, without the buffon though and the bad storyline.
We arrived back on Saturday last, 12 hours travelling as we had to get the bus from Tenby to Pembroke Dock, the ferry to Rosslare, the train to Dublin and then the LUAS home. We got into our apartment for around 10.30. The place was tidy enough, she was at a house party that night so we had the night to adjust to being home before our ears started to bleed once she returned. It had been a whole week since she saw us, she was probably storing loads of information. We did ring on Thursday to see how she was. It would have been mam's birthday and I was worried she might have been upset or something. But no. We rang the house phone no answer, rang her mobile and she was in Supermacs with one of our mates, they worked out a rota of who had her on which night. Yes we are lucky we have such good mates. And that she gets along with them all so well.
The sunday was spent washing clothes and listening to her talk about what had happened to her in the 7 days we were away. The hair was commented on by the vice , but she is going to talk to her about it, because its so unfair that other people are allowed different hair, and so on and so forth. In the midst of the rant about how her chemsitry teacher hates her, and the vice is picking on her and her new best friend is a schizo, she slipped in the fact that P, a 'friend' has already booked the trip to Holland. Ages ago, she mentioned to us that this P character, who is not top of our list of mates for her, was thinking of organising a group of them to go to Amsterdam over the Halloween break and there would be adults going etc. We repsonded by saying that once she'd checked it out, as to where they would be staying and which adults were going we would CONSIDER it. Obviously the teenage definition of consider is a lot different to our definition, because she mentioned that P had booked it. And that one adult was going, P's dad.
Now, due an incident last year involving P, we are extremly wary of him. The rest of the gang people she knows from the Bank, also top of our list. So, whilst we indicated we were giving it some thought, it was never going to happen. What parent would let a bunch of teenagers loose on Amsterdam?
I broached the subject of her not going on Tuesday evening. The eyebrows were raised, the indignant face was pulled and the excuses began. I'm pretty sure she was casting some spell at the same time, judging from the contortions she was pulling.
For every reason we listed, she had an answer to. It ended as a stalemate. She thinks. She's not going, I just have to learn how to be firmer with her. If only there were a book to teach one how to do that.
One of her friends has 4 months to live. Apparently, because her white cell count is low or something like that. I find it very hard to take most things she says about her mates seriously, this girl has been dying for the last year, every time the kid meets up her? Whilst I didn't laugh outright at the
suggestion, she did accuse me of not taking her seriously. Her new friend S is apparently schizo, because she wanted to her lip pierced EXACTLY like the kid? Single , White, female eat your heart out, you've got nothing on this S girl!?!
We were warned to steer clear of the apartment on Tuesday evening whilst she praticed her 'singing'. I had to stop myself from dropping a leaflet under the doors of our neighbours apartments to warn them of the impending apocalypse. Her singing drowned out by god only knows what riff she has decided to play. She has been a full month at school and so far only one phone call. My guess is they are waiting until we have our 2 month review with them and then the head is going to let rip. I will be waiting for her, because whilst I have all the respect in the world for the vice, she is only doing her job, the head's job appears to be to make every girl who attends this school a living hell.
With the lack of lip-ring and makeup these days on the kid, she has taken to arguing about how far the tie should be up to her neck. I worry about how she spends her nights, rocking back and forth with a measuring tape next to her neck, watching herself go blue and thinking that maybe the tie is too tight that far up? She's a nutjob. I was intimidated by her last year and I think she knew it, this year, I will not be. I think there's some politics going on with her and the vice as she got passed over for the vice's job. Thank god, I shudder to think what the school would be like with her as vice.
I'm just back in work today, after a 3 day jave course. It was an excellent course and I hope to get the chance to use the skills I picked up over the next few weeks. Its true that your brain really is a muscle that needs regular exercise. After those 3 days I feel like I can take up games programming or something equally taxing. God bless my innocence.
The mornings really are starting to get darker as are the evenings, its a real sign christmas is approaching. She's been going on about christmas and being really excited about it coming. I think it might have to do with the large christmas list she has written up for us. I'm not that niave.
The place is so picturesque, when I've uploaded the holiday pics I can pop a few images in here of Tenby and Pembroke. The ferry trip was fun, I felt like I was on a episode of the Love Boat, without the buffon though and the bad storyline.
We arrived back on Saturday last, 12 hours travelling as we had to get the bus from Tenby to Pembroke Dock, the ferry to Rosslare, the train to Dublin and then the LUAS home. We got into our apartment for around 10.30. The place was tidy enough, she was at a house party that night so we had the night to adjust to being home before our ears started to bleed once she returned. It had been a whole week since she saw us, she was probably storing loads of information. We did ring on Thursday to see how she was. It would have been mam's birthday and I was worried she might have been upset or something. But no. We rang the house phone no answer, rang her mobile and she was in Supermacs with one of our mates, they worked out a rota of who had her on which night. Yes we are lucky we have such good mates. And that she gets along with them all so well.
The sunday was spent washing clothes and listening to her talk about what had happened to her in the 7 days we were away. The hair was commented on by the vice , but she is going to talk to her about it, because its so unfair that other people are allowed different hair, and so on and so forth. In the midst of the rant about how her chemsitry teacher hates her, and the vice is picking on her and her new best friend is a schizo, she slipped in the fact that P, a 'friend' has already booked the trip to Holland. Ages ago, she mentioned to us that this P character, who is not top of our list of mates for her, was thinking of organising a group of them to go to Amsterdam over the Halloween break and there would be adults going etc. We repsonded by saying that once she'd checked it out, as to where they would be staying and which adults were going we would CONSIDER it. Obviously the teenage definition of consider is a lot different to our definition, because she mentioned that P had booked it. And that one adult was going, P's dad.
Now, due an incident last year involving P, we are extremly wary of him. The rest of the gang people she knows from the Bank, also top of our list. So, whilst we indicated we were giving it some thought, it was never going to happen. What parent would let a bunch of teenagers loose on Amsterdam?
I broached the subject of her not going on Tuesday evening. The eyebrows were raised, the indignant face was pulled and the excuses began. I'm pretty sure she was casting some spell at the same time, judging from the contortions she was pulling.
For every reason we listed, she had an answer to. It ended as a stalemate. She thinks. She's not going, I just have to learn how to be firmer with her. If only there were a book to teach one how to do that.
One of her friends has 4 months to live. Apparently, because her white cell count is low or something like that. I find it very hard to take most things she says about her mates seriously, this girl has been dying for the last year, every time the kid meets up her? Whilst I didn't laugh outright at the
suggestion, she did accuse me of not taking her seriously. Her new friend S is apparently schizo, because she wanted to her lip pierced EXACTLY like the kid? Single , White, female eat your heart out, you've got nothing on this S girl!?!
We were warned to steer clear of the apartment on Tuesday evening whilst she praticed her 'singing'. I had to stop myself from dropping a leaflet under the doors of our neighbours apartments to warn them of the impending apocalypse. Her singing drowned out by god only knows what riff she has decided to play. She has been a full month at school and so far only one phone call. My guess is they are waiting until we have our 2 month review with them and then the head is going to let rip. I will be waiting for her, because whilst I have all the respect in the world for the vice, she is only doing her job, the head's job appears to be to make every girl who attends this school a living hell.
With the lack of lip-ring and makeup these days on the kid, she has taken to arguing about how far the tie should be up to her neck. I worry about how she spends her nights, rocking back and forth with a measuring tape next to her neck, watching herself go blue and thinking that maybe the tie is too tight that far up? She's a nutjob. I was intimidated by her last year and I think she knew it, this year, I will not be. I think there's some politics going on with her and the vice as she got passed over for the vice's job. Thank god, I shudder to think what the school would be like with her as vice.
I'm just back in work today, after a 3 day jave course. It was an excellent course and I hope to get the chance to use the skills I picked up over the next few weeks. Its true that your brain really is a muscle that needs regular exercise. After those 3 days I feel like I can take up games programming or something equally taxing. God bless my innocence.
The mornings really are starting to get darker as are the evenings, its a real sign christmas is approaching. She's been going on about christmas and being really excited about it coming. I think it might have to do with the large christmas list she has written up for us. I'm not that niave.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
her to do list
- Make sure you take your tablet every night before you go to bed.
- Little or NO makeup when going to school.
- The tie is to go around your neck as opposed to the bottom of the bag.
- Skirt visible under jumper at all times.
- Homework done before the Charmed marathon starts on Digital.
- Lip ring removed and left beside Mam before going to school.
- Have breakfast, lunch and dinner. 2 Twix’s do not count as dinner.
- Don’t have the Discman on all the time; you won’t hear when your teenage sitter arrives.
- The extra money is for essentials. Coke and chocolate, despite what you may think, do not count as essentials.
- Bedtime not later then 12.30. I can see you rolling your eyes.
- Remember the neighbours do NOT want to hear your music or guitar at any time, no matter how 'sexy' either is.
- SOLAS at 5 on Tuesday. Don’t forget.
We shall see you on Saturday. Hopefully without the bodies of your sitters scattered around the apartment.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
and the results are
6 honours and 4 passes. She got the A in art and a B in maths. She's chuffed and we are so proud! I can't believe how well she did considering the last year she put in.
junior cert results in less then 3 hours..
So today's the day..I think we're more nervous then she is! I have to ring her at around 12 to see how she got on. Then she's heading to her mates to get the rest of hair dyed blood red. They ran out of hair dye last night which explains her 'interesting' roots this morning. She had therapy yesterday for the first time in over a month and of course she didn't want to go, but she eventually agreed. Apparently, she's not falling for the therapist's tactics of wanting to talk about her childhood. You'd swear the therapist sat waiting to throw stuff at her and catch her out or something?
According to Mammy2, J is on the way out. I think the dumping will take place at the weekend. She obviously has to find time in her hectic social schedule. She lasted a grand total of 3 weeks. As Mammy2 put it last night, we're like the revolving doors of her relationships. She meets someone,
they hang out, we meet them, they seem nice, we feed them, she dumps them. Its like a conveyer belt of girlfriends and boyfriends. I suppose she is only 16. Trying to talk to her about feelings and other people's feeling is just a waste of time. She just shrugs her shoulders and moves on.
So we're bringing her out to dinner tonight and then she wants to go see some polish band in some unknown location on the Quays. Like that's going to happen. I explained to her in no uncertain terms that she was not heading off in search of some band at night? There's a girl still missing, an 18 year ,
it was reported at the weekend and she disappeared in and around Eden Quay. I got an over the top rolling of the eyes and then another shrug of the shoulders.
"That's not going to happen to me"
We shall see what she wants to do, we are not entertaining the notion of polish bands.
I feel I am getting older. Its scary. Last night, when she barreled in the door looking like an extra from the true life movie of the week with her peroxide roots, she yelled into the bedroom that she was going to have a shower. To which I responded " Don't use the good towels" . I mean, good towels? Really , was there any need to utter those words. How old am I? I do have a valid reason though, because once she enters a bathroom espeically when there is hair dye involved
everything in the bathroom changes to that color. Well, that's my defence and I am sticking to it.
But still, I shudder when I think back.
Did I mention another failed attempt. Well, here it is. Not that I thought it had taken this time. Something to do with my ovaries being very picky. Its weird the way the body works and the way you want it to work. Sometimes the body treats the sperm entering it as an infection and tries to fight it. I'm not quite sure if the market is ready for ovary yoga just yet but its definetly something worth pondering don't you think? Get in touch with your inner ovaries and all that. Tell them that when something is swimming towards them, not to wallop them into the middle of next week, thereby causing the vessel, ie your body considerable discomfort, but more along the lines of embracing them and welcoming them to their bosom. Chance would be a fine thing.
I can see the Jerry Spinger show now: "Welcome to how your ovaries feel today"
Anyway, I am holding out for an October/November conception as then the kid would be a Leo and be fantastic! No pressure or anything like that. Our next attempt should be when we return from holidays so if I'm not relaxed enough then I'll never be...
I think I should do some work whilst the concentration levels are somewhat high. Then again that could be due to the smell of coffee wafting towards me.
According to Mammy2, J is on the way out. I think the dumping will take place at the weekend. She obviously has to find time in her hectic social schedule. She lasted a grand total of 3 weeks. As Mammy2 put it last night, we're like the revolving doors of her relationships. She meets someone,
they hang out, we meet them, they seem nice, we feed them, she dumps them. Its like a conveyer belt of girlfriends and boyfriends. I suppose she is only 16. Trying to talk to her about feelings and other people's feeling is just a waste of time. She just shrugs her shoulders and moves on.
So we're bringing her out to dinner tonight and then she wants to go see some polish band in some unknown location on the Quays. Like that's going to happen. I explained to her in no uncertain terms that she was not heading off in search of some band at night? There's a girl still missing, an 18 year ,
it was reported at the weekend and she disappeared in and around Eden Quay. I got an over the top rolling of the eyes and then another shrug of the shoulders.
"That's not going to happen to me"
We shall see what she wants to do, we are not entertaining the notion of polish bands.
I feel I am getting older. Its scary. Last night, when she barreled in the door looking like an extra from the true life movie of the week with her peroxide roots, she yelled into the bedroom that she was going to have a shower. To which I responded " Don't use the good towels" . I mean, good towels? Really , was there any need to utter those words. How old am I? I do have a valid reason though, because once she enters a bathroom espeically when there is hair dye involved
everything in the bathroom changes to that color. Well, that's my defence and I am sticking to it.
But still, I shudder when I think back.
Did I mention another failed attempt. Well, here it is. Not that I thought it had taken this time. Something to do with my ovaries being very picky. Its weird the way the body works and the way you want it to work. Sometimes the body treats the sperm entering it as an infection and tries to fight it. I'm not quite sure if the market is ready for ovary yoga just yet but its definetly something worth pondering don't you think? Get in touch with your inner ovaries and all that. Tell them that when something is swimming towards them, not to wallop them into the middle of next week, thereby causing the vessel, ie your body considerable discomfort, but more along the lines of embracing them and welcoming them to their bosom. Chance would be a fine thing.
I can see the Jerry Spinger show now: "Welcome to how your ovaries feel today"
Anyway, I am holding out for an October/November conception as then the kid would be a Leo and be fantastic! No pressure or anything like that. Our next attempt should be when we return from holidays so if I'm not relaxed enough then I'll never be...
I think I should do some work whilst the concentration levels are somewhat high. Then again that could be due to the smell of coffee wafting towards me.
Monday, September 12, 2005
talking to snakes...
This is the latest thing she claims she can do. I mean, really, how is one supposed to react to that annoucement. Weekend was surprisingly uneventful. She was in reptile haven and the snake didn't react to D, her best mate, but when she went over the snake apparently was moving around and making noises. I'm assuming he was upset by her lack of clothing or the black eye makeup. J, the gf, bought her 2 t-shirts. For t-shirts read something with a bit more material then a hanky. Yesterday, she modified said t-shirts. They are covering as little of her body as possible. I sometimes have to stop myself from saying the words "You're not going out like that".
She's out of school today and tomorrow due to a leak in the roof or something. She thinks it has to do with her bringing home some of the roof off the toilets last year. I hope not, the last thing we need is the vice knocking on our door asking to speak to the kid. She was hanging for most of the weekend so myself and Mammy2 counted our blessings and chilled for most of the weekend. Saturday was grocery shopping and then date night. We were given a voucher for Halo, the new restaurent in the Morrison.
We weren't overly impressed. Menu was very expensive and the portions were very small. I didn't think it was value for money, then again it was the Morrison, so maybe its all about being seen in the place, rather then actually consuming some food!
Spent the day on the couch watching the GAA yesterday, it was a disappointing result for Galway, I thought they would have put up more of a fight. It was sister's night as usual last night, so we toddled over to see what gems Chartbusters had to offer. We rented out some Asian horror, but I think these days they have made the name for themselves as scary films and as such don't have
to make much of an effort in that department. The film was crap. It didn't help that I was exhausted. I went to bed around 9.30 and am still tired this morning. Lots of weird dreams about Mam. Which is strange considering I haven't been thinking about her. Maybe my sub conscious is? Who knows.
She's out of school today and tomorrow due to a leak in the roof or something. She thinks it has to do with her bringing home some of the roof off the toilets last year. I hope not, the last thing we need is the vice knocking on our door asking to speak to the kid. She was hanging for most of the weekend so myself and Mammy2 counted our blessings and chilled for most of the weekend. Saturday was grocery shopping and then date night. We were given a voucher for Halo, the new restaurent in the Morrison.
We weren't overly impressed. Menu was very expensive and the portions were very small. I didn't think it was value for money, then again it was the Morrison, so maybe its all about being seen in the place, rather then actually consuming some food!
Spent the day on the couch watching the GAA yesterday, it was a disappointing result for Galway, I thought they would have put up more of a fight. It was sister's night as usual last night, so we toddled over to see what gems Chartbusters had to offer. We rented out some Asian horror, but I think these days they have made the name for themselves as scary films and as such don't have
to make much of an effort in that department. The film was crap. It didn't help that I was exhausted. I went to bed around 9.30 and am still tired this morning. Lots of weird dreams about Mam. Which is strange considering I haven't been thinking about her. Maybe my sub conscious is? Who knows.
Friday, September 09, 2005
thank crunchie its Friday
As we reach the end of her first full week at school, I am happy to say stress levels are at the norm for being in charge of a teenager. The usual disagreements during the week, with wearing of the tie and the makeup but no dramatic declarations of dropping out of school. She is constantly tired through. She thinks to counter act this feeling she must drink copious amounts of coffee. She is now convinced that she's addicted to caffine after one week of drinking a cup of coffee every morning. I decided not to get into an argument with her before she headed to school.
Homework wise, she's applying herself fairly well. Chemisty she is finding tough, I think moreso because the teacher is boring. Or so she claims. She got reprimanded yesterday for not having her tie up the whole way to her neck. I sometimes question these teachers who patrol the corridors checking how they dress? Surely, if they show up in full uniform its enough. Apparently not. Tie up to the neck, not the slightest hint of makeup, no piercings, skirt the requisite length, leave your personality and individuality at the door.
She has been getting hassle from some of the girls and so far she's doing okay, but if it continues we shall have to pay the school a visit. I'm not sure what constitutes bullying and if this is even covered but if they are making her uncomfrotable with their comments, then I think that would be bullying
in my book. They can't seem to handle anything that's different. School can be so tough on kids at times.
On the plus side, its the nearly the weekend and she's just looking forward to sleeping. We have to pick up some application forms from Pennies as she wants to get a weekend job. The lack of funds is starting to get to her. She's never had a job, this will be entertaining if nothing else. I think it would do her self confidence the world of good though. Having to ask for things herself and work with people.
It is raining cats and dogs at the moment and its promised to continue into the weekend. Not that I have anything planned. With the exception of the excitement of grocery shopping and sister night, the weekend stretches ahead and I am looking forward to doing nothing! I'm on call as well, but so far I have never received a call so fingers crossed it stays that way.
Homework wise, she's applying herself fairly well. Chemisty she is finding tough, I think moreso because the teacher is boring. Or so she claims. She got reprimanded yesterday for not having her tie up the whole way to her neck. I sometimes question these teachers who patrol the corridors checking how they dress? Surely, if they show up in full uniform its enough. Apparently not. Tie up to the neck, not the slightest hint of makeup, no piercings, skirt the requisite length, leave your personality and individuality at the door.
She has been getting hassle from some of the girls and so far she's doing okay, but if it continues we shall have to pay the school a visit. I'm not sure what constitutes bullying and if this is even covered but if they are making her uncomfrotable with their comments, then I think that would be bullying
in my book. They can't seem to handle anything that's different. School can be so tough on kids at times.
On the plus side, its the nearly the weekend and she's just looking forward to sleeping. We have to pick up some application forms from Pennies as she wants to get a weekend job. The lack of funds is starting to get to her. She's never had a job, this will be entertaining if nothing else. I think it would do her self confidence the world of good though. Having to ask for things herself and work with people.
It is raining cats and dogs at the moment and its promised to continue into the weekend. Not that I have anything planned. With the exception of the excitement of grocery shopping and sister night, the weekend stretches ahead and I am looking forward to doing nothing! I'm on call as well, but so far I have never received a call so fingers crossed it stays that way.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
returning home
Mammy2 returned from the wilds of Montreal and had a blast. I didn't realise how much I missed her until she returned, sounds stupid I know. The weekend passed way too quickly for my liking. Was dying of a hangover on Saturday as well as still having the cold and felt miserable. I blame the hangover on the sister K, who I was out with the previous night. I'm not able for mad nights out anymore methinks. Anyhew, I was a pathetic shell on Saturday just about managing to get out of bed and cook dinner for the kid and J, who dropped around after their date. I was supposed to meet P that evening for tea and jaffa cakes, but in my current condition I asked him to re-schedule, god bless him he didn't mind. I crawled back to bed vowing to constantly stock up on Vitamin C so as not to get any more colds.
I was working Sunday evening. It was strange coming out here whilst it was so empty. It all went well and my boss dropped me home around 7.30ish as the heavens opened. Me being niave didn't think to bring a jacket or any sort of protection against the rain. Because it never rains in Ireland. I was allowed to take time in leiu for working the Sunday night, so yesterday morning after walking the kid to the bus stop and having the usual argument about school and makeup and rules and repressed individuality, I got the bus out to the airport to meet Mammy2.
Before her flight landed, the place was hopping with cameras and reporters. It turns out some more Irish people who survived the hurricane Katrina. Quite an emotional reunion. I nearly shed a tear before I pulled myself together. Eventually herself comes toddling out of the arrival gates and there was lots of hugs. We refrained from kissing etc. Sometimes I hate that side of things, other couples were all over each other and we just hugged. Pants is what I say. Anyhew, she was home and that was all that mattered.
I headed home with her and caught up on all the Montreal news from her before heading back out to work. I wasn't in the mood of working and the day was beautiful. Sunshine, a rarity in these parts. We had date night last night and caught up on all the goings on in each others lives. A nice meal in Luigi's followed by some drinks in the Morrison. Mammy2 made loads of contacts and some really good mates. One of the girls she hung around with had a kid with her partner. They did it the exact same way we are going about it and after 2 attempts were pregnant. Lucky feckers. However, she is certain its going to happen for us, its only a matter of time or something like that. Well, I am due this week, and all signs of PMT are pointing towards another failed attempt. Not that I'm getting downhearted by it at all. I am feeling more confident then ever that it will happen when its meant to.
We're, as in gay people, are getting a lot of bad press recently with this whole furore over gay couples adopting. There was a poll on ireland.com and I don't know why I did it, but I read some of the comments.
My 4 daughters use to like staying over at their friends homes during the holidays and I didn't bat an eyelid as I knew they were safe. If, on the other hand, they had been boys instaed of girls and the parents of the friend were a couple of liberal, active homosexuals, would I have let my them go? The answer is no. I wouldn't put a baby boy in their hands either. It's not about rights, it's abour risk. Sorry.
Why oh why do people still associate paeophilla with gay people? I mean, its just so frustrating. Yesterday, whilst heading home from work, we passed this little girl, she was 5 or 6 , in her school uniform wandering along chattering away. Beside her was , what I can only assume was her mother/gaurdian/whatever completly off her head. She was walking somewhat insteadly and really out of it. This person is a parent. I'll get off my soap box. I just don't get it, if you don't have any information about what gay people are like as parents, research it. Don't throw out the old a child needs 2 parents, one male and one female. How many single parents are there out there doing a fantastic job raising kids?
So, back to the kid in our life. Her results are out in a week's time. If she's still in the school to get them. She's arranging a meeting with the vice today to discuss make-up etc. I can see it ending in tears. I wished her well with it.
I was working Sunday evening. It was strange coming out here whilst it was so empty. It all went well and my boss dropped me home around 7.30ish as the heavens opened. Me being niave didn't think to bring a jacket or any sort of protection against the rain. Because it never rains in Ireland. I was allowed to take time in leiu for working the Sunday night, so yesterday morning after walking the kid to the bus stop and having the usual argument about school and makeup and rules and repressed individuality, I got the bus out to the airport to meet Mammy2.
Before her flight landed, the place was hopping with cameras and reporters. It turns out some more Irish people who survived the hurricane Katrina. Quite an emotional reunion. I nearly shed a tear before I pulled myself together. Eventually herself comes toddling out of the arrival gates and there was lots of hugs. We refrained from kissing etc. Sometimes I hate that side of things, other couples were all over each other and we just hugged. Pants is what I say. Anyhew, she was home and that was all that mattered.
I headed home with her and caught up on all the Montreal news from her before heading back out to work. I wasn't in the mood of working and the day was beautiful. Sunshine, a rarity in these parts. We had date night last night and caught up on all the goings on in each others lives. A nice meal in Luigi's followed by some drinks in the Morrison. Mammy2 made loads of contacts and some really good mates. One of the girls she hung around with had a kid with her partner. They did it the exact same way we are going about it and after 2 attempts were pregnant. Lucky feckers. However, she is certain its going to happen for us, its only a matter of time or something like that. Well, I am due this week, and all signs of PMT are pointing towards another failed attempt. Not that I'm getting downhearted by it at all. I am feeling more confident then ever that it will happen when its meant to.
We're, as in gay people, are getting a lot of bad press recently with this whole furore over gay couples adopting. There was a poll on ireland.com and I don't know why I did it, but I read some of the comments.
My 4 daughters use to like staying over at their friends homes during the holidays and I didn't bat an eyelid as I knew they were safe. If, on the other hand, they had been boys instaed of girls and the parents of the friend were a couple of liberal, active homosexuals, would I have let my them go? The answer is no. I wouldn't put a baby boy in their hands either. It's not about rights, it's abour risk. Sorry.
Why oh why do people still associate paeophilla with gay people? I mean, its just so frustrating. Yesterday, whilst heading home from work, we passed this little girl, she was 5 or 6 , in her school uniform wandering along chattering away. Beside her was , what I can only assume was her mother/gaurdian/whatever completly off her head. She was walking somewhat insteadly and really out of it. This person is a parent. I'll get off my soap box. I just don't get it, if you don't have any information about what gay people are like as parents, research it. Don't throw out the old a child needs 2 parents, one male and one female. How many single parents are there out there doing a fantastic job raising kids?
So, back to the kid in our life. Her results are out in a week's time. If she's still in the school to get them. She's arranging a meeting with the vice today to discuss make-up etc. I can see it ending in tears. I wished her well with it.
Friday, September 02, 2005
and so it begins
Did I say that things were going too well for my liking? Well, I should have. She is a grand total of one day back and already the vice is ringing me. I was fuming. Basically, she got her period yesterday and as usual, no-one has ever suffered from period pain as bad. I gave her 2 tablets with breakfast and gave her 2 to bring with her. She was going on about being in pain but I thought she would pull through it once the tablets kicked in.
When the vice rang me, she told me she found the kid in the toilet on the floor and she had an empty packet of tablets beside her. She was furious and obviously so, as she said, they had been very leniant with her last year after everything that had happened but this year she had to obey the
rules. No makeup, she was rolling the skirt up and making it look too short and she was not to hang out in the toilets. I agreed with everything she said, the problem was trying to make the kid see it this way.
The kid rang me when she got home to explain that she wasn't doing anything wrong by being in the toilet. I told her I couldn't talk about it in work and I would speak to her when I got home. I met C when I got in to the city and I went and parted with the best part of 200 euros for her books. I was tempted to throw them at her when I got in. Fair play to C and his manly arms, he carried the books for me, they weigh a ton. I can't even imagine what its like carrying them around all day. You'd end up looking like quasimodo?!
So, I got home, we had the chat, she got upset as she tends to do when she's been given out to. She reminds me so much of myself when I was her age but anyway. We sorted things out and headed to the shop for chocolate. She has said she won't wear any makeup in, she'll keep the skirt below the knee and wear the tie properly. I told her I want no more phone calls from the vice. We shall see.
Mammy2 rang last night, it sounds like she's having a blast over there. There was supposed to be a black tie event last night but she managed to persuade her group to skip it and head out on the town instead. She's such a bad influence on them. Helped the kid with her art homework, I mean, design a road sculpture? She's starting to hate art which is sad in a way. I hope she at least keeps it up for the Leaving, it would be a shame to see such talent thrown to one side.
Thank god its Friday, this cold is making me look like a pathetic young wan with a big red nose. I can stay in bed tomorrow morning and burrow under the duvet! Yay for weekends.
When the vice rang me, she told me she found the kid in the toilet on the floor and she had an empty packet of tablets beside her. She was furious and obviously so, as she said, they had been very leniant with her last year after everything that had happened but this year she had to obey the
rules. No makeup, she was rolling the skirt up and making it look too short and she was not to hang out in the toilets. I agreed with everything she said, the problem was trying to make the kid see it this way.
The kid rang me when she got home to explain that she wasn't doing anything wrong by being in the toilet. I told her I couldn't talk about it in work and I would speak to her when I got home. I met C when I got in to the city and I went and parted with the best part of 200 euros for her books. I was tempted to throw them at her when I got in. Fair play to C and his manly arms, he carried the books for me, they weigh a ton. I can't even imagine what its like carrying them around all day. You'd end up looking like quasimodo?!
So, I got home, we had the chat, she got upset as she tends to do when she's been given out to. She reminds me so much of myself when I was her age but anyway. We sorted things out and headed to the shop for chocolate. She has said she won't wear any makeup in, she'll keep the skirt below the knee and wear the tie properly. I told her I want no more phone calls from the vice. We shall see.
Mammy2 rang last night, it sounds like she's having a blast over there. There was supposed to be a black tie event last night but she managed to persuade her group to skip it and head out on the town instead. She's such a bad influence on them. Helped the kid with her art homework, I mean, design a road sculpture? She's starting to hate art which is sad in a way. I hope she at least keeps it up for the Leaving, it would be a shame to see such talent thrown to one side.
Thank god its Friday, this cold is making me look like a pathetic young wan with a big red nose. I can stay in bed tomorrow morning and burrow under the duvet! Yay for weekends.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
thank god its thursday
Another day, another dollar. The cold is taking its time working its way through my system, its such an energy sapping fecker. Got home yesterday evening after wandering up and down Henry Street looking for the Virgin shop that doesn't exist any more. I got vouchers for my birthday and wanted to use them up. The shop was there a few weeks ago, things move fast in the city. As I walked down the corridor to the apartment D barrelled past me with a quick hello/goodbye as she had to head home. When I got into the apartment, the place was reasonable tidy and herself was heading up town to meet someone to 'hang' with for a while.
The book list was sitting on the table, I'm sure the bank account can't wait for me to purchase them. I refuse to believe that she won't be allowed to particpate in class if she doesn't have her books. That is just ridiculous.
She headed up town and I did some housework and put the dinner on. It was a relaxing evening, though a bit odd without Mammy2 around. She didn't ring at all, but I'm assuming by the time she hit Montreal, she was wrecked and it was probably too late to ring the land line. Anytime the phone rings after 12 at night, there is this momentary flash of panic. When Mam was in the hospital, the bad phone calls always came later in the night. I hope Mammy2 will call today, it was strange being in the bed by myself. Whilst I am enjoying the alone time, I miss her loads already. Yes, I am a sap.
I have to get organising our holiday else we won't be going anywhere! We're gone for a week in 2 weeks time and I need to talk to my mates about taking turns with kid-stting. They're a great bunch of people and we would be lost without their support. We shall of course provide the holy water.
Not sure where we're going to go on holiday yet, we were supposed to be flying to Portugal but with all the plane crashes and my nervous disposition towards flying, I think we may be staying closer to home.
She wasn't in the best of form this morning, she was dying from period cramps. Excellent reason to skip PE, not that the PE teacher would recognise her anyway. She hates PE, then again what kids like it. I think they should really change the way PE is taught in schools. When I remember back to the PE classes I hated in secondary school, PE was a popularity contest and that was it. The girls who played basketball were picked for everything and we were left standing in the courts like wallflowers. Is it any wonder most kids hate it. They should make it more involved for kids, do things other then basketball and soccer. Anyhew, I shall get off my soapbox now.
The teacher that caused all the heartache last year isn't teaching her for any classes this year and still manages to find the kid in the corridor and haress her about the length of her skirt and her eye makeup. Is it this woman's sole purpose in life to make people feel like shit? Because if it is, she is doing a damn fine job. The kid rolled the skirt down a bit and that seemed to satisfy her. Apparently, the scangers, as the kid so affectionately refers to the other working class girls in the school as,
aren't as bad as last year, mainly because they realise she can draw. I'm not sure what it is about the kids's talent for all things arty but people seem in awe of it. And there's a cute girl in one of her classes, I guess she'll be attending that class fairly regularly. All in all, first day back and I can't complain. Lets see what sort of day today is when she actually has class.
The book list was sitting on the table, I'm sure the bank account can't wait for me to purchase them. I refuse to believe that she won't be allowed to particpate in class if she doesn't have her books. That is just ridiculous.
She headed up town and I did some housework and put the dinner on. It was a relaxing evening, though a bit odd without Mammy2 around. She didn't ring at all, but I'm assuming by the time she hit Montreal, she was wrecked and it was probably too late to ring the land line. Anytime the phone rings after 12 at night, there is this momentary flash of panic. When Mam was in the hospital, the bad phone calls always came later in the night. I hope Mammy2 will call today, it was strange being in the bed by myself. Whilst I am enjoying the alone time, I miss her loads already. Yes, I am a sap.
I have to get organising our holiday else we won't be going anywhere! We're gone for a week in 2 weeks time and I need to talk to my mates about taking turns with kid-stting. They're a great bunch of people and we would be lost without their support. We shall of course provide the holy water.
Not sure where we're going to go on holiday yet, we were supposed to be flying to Portugal but with all the plane crashes and my nervous disposition towards flying, I think we may be staying closer to home.
She wasn't in the best of form this morning, she was dying from period cramps. Excellent reason to skip PE, not that the PE teacher would recognise her anyway. She hates PE, then again what kids like it. I think they should really change the way PE is taught in schools. When I remember back to the PE classes I hated in secondary school, PE was a popularity contest and that was it. The girls who played basketball were picked for everything and we were left standing in the courts like wallflowers. Is it any wonder most kids hate it. They should make it more involved for kids, do things other then basketball and soccer. Anyhew, I shall get off my soapbox now.
The teacher that caused all the heartache last year isn't teaching her for any classes this year and still manages to find the kid in the corridor and haress her about the length of her skirt and her eye makeup. Is it this woman's sole purpose in life to make people feel like shit? Because if it is, she is doing a damn fine job. The kid rolled the skirt down a bit and that seemed to satisfy her. Apparently, the scangers, as the kid so affectionately refers to the other working class girls in the school as,
aren't as bad as last year, mainly because they realise she can draw. I'm not sure what it is about the kids's talent for all things arty but people seem in awe of it. And there's a cute girl in one of her classes, I guess she'll be attending that class fairly regularly. All in all, first day back and I can't complain. Lets see what sort of day today is when she actually has class.
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