Oh look at that, a whole week without a blog update. How boring is my life. Or maybe not, ya feckers. Perhaps I've been extremely busy/lazy. Take your pic.
You know, teenagers are a conundrum. One minute, she's swinging from the lampshades and I do mean literally, happy as larry, all talk about college, friends, boyfriends and being in a band. Now she's crying and upset and its over the latest beau. I mean, I wouldn't waste my breath on him as he sounds like bad news. But you can't talk to a teenager about love, you wouldn't understand as you were never a teenager or in love!
She was supposed to stay over at a mates on Friday night. Mammy2 was adamant about wanting to speak to a parent. The phone rang, I spoke to what had to have been the youngest father ever. And he was crap at pretending to be a dad. I asked to speak to the kid, and he was all "Oh she's just gone out". We rang the kid and asked her what was going on and who was the 'parent' we spoke to. She explianed that she couldn't get hold of any parents, which sounded ominous and if she told us this we wouldn't let her stay over. Damn right we wouldn't. After much talk and threats,we agreed. On Saturday night whilst heading up town, I bumped into her and her mates.
She looked like she'd had a few drinks but she didn't appear drunk.
The lads walked her home. When I got home later on in the night, I realised how drunk she had been. She's thrown up in the toliet and in the sink and was in bed. She wanted to chat about stuff but she was out of it. She also admitted she'd gone back to cutting herself. She showed me her arm. We chatted some more and I tucked her in.
Mammy2 and myself had a chat about it the following morning. We tried to convince the kid to talk to her therapist. She's seeing her on Friday so hopefully. She'd been drinking Tequila all day Saturday. How I didn't cop it was beyond me, I am raging with myself. I'm such an idiot at times. She's heading back to school soon and I suppose the stress of the final year will be getting to her. The poor thing.
And Mammy2 is still really sick. I think she's going to have to give up work for a while or go part-time. She's sleeping 15 hours or more a day. I think financially we might be able to wing it, I'll have to do the budget and see what the sceal is though. I hate to see her dreading work and the muppet boss. Some people need slaps.
I was in Killkenny with R yesterday, one of the last road trips before she returns home. Its a lovely city, really lovely and the weather stayed fine. Until we got back to Dublin. We also sampled the joys of public transport. As a tourist, it is something to behold. Par example: We got the bus down. One would think we could get the bus back. No. The bus from Clonmel pulls up. It was already half full and there were over 40 of us. The bus leaves with 25 of us standing at the station. Of which 5 of us were irish. The rest were bemused tourists who didn't understand why there wasn't a second bus. I was also bemused and I'm irish, I can only imagine the stories they brought back to their respective countries.
Another driver who took pity on the sight of all us sitting waiting for an imaginery bus tried to organise something for us. Or least pretend to organise something for us. He was getting nowhere fast and the crowd were getting anxious. Emergency packets of Tayto were being brandished left, right and centre.
A leader was appointed, she was reluctant to take the post but was convinced when a pregant lady looked like she was about to give birth right there in the station. She liaised with the driver who had left. He was talking to some train people about letting us on the next train with our bus
tickets. I was thinking " Like that's gonna happen" and then our leader got off the phone and said we could all go on the train. I was impressed with her negociating skills.
The collective followed our leader as she marched up to the train dude. Sure enough, we all got train tickets and onto the train. The train ride back was fun. We got seated beside a rowdy bunch of Dubs. There was no harm in them, they were very funny but loud and R was not impressed. I think she wanted to sleep or something. I thought they were hilarious.
This week is looking quieter then last thank god. With PMT I need to rest. I had the best dream last night. I dreamt I was pregnant and when I woke up I went looking for my bump! Ah well. The Rose of Tralee tonight and tomorrow night, I love that show, it brings me right back to when I was a young un and we'd head up the grandparents on holidays and we'd watch it. The mate A is up from Athlone next weekend and I can't wait to see her, its been months. I think there's talk of heading to the Dun Laoghaire festival and checking out some events. Roll on the weekend...
Monday, August 21, 2006
Monday, August 14, 2006
Parties and nocturnal teenagers
One of those mornings, I am pretty sure that on my way out of bed I am going to meet her going to bed. The hours she keeps is mad. 5 this morning I think when I saw her lights go out. Do teenagers not need sleep like the rest of us? Are they immune to tiredness? I suppose she's enjoying the last few weeks of freedom before the madness of the leaving cert begins. Fun times ahead with her. All I keep hearing is how much grinds she needs. We have decided to help her with some of the
subjects but the likes of Chemistry is going to need other help. We have to purc hase school books and uniform. The summer flew.
Weekend was fun, parties in Dalkey, how posh is that place. And impossible to get a taxi out of there. The mate R had told me this, but I apparently neglected to listen to her. We walked to near Dun Laoghaire. It was one of the baby dykes bday and I had to go along. She's lovely, such a nice person. We got through some glasses of wine, as you do. Lots of chat about my website. She
introduced me to everyone as Shelly from angrpotato. Its my full title! It was nice to switch off from the absymal result of the match earlier in the day. The worst performence ever by Westmeath,
I'm sure of it.
Of course Mammy2 was chuffed with the result. Of course, her being a DUB and all that. I think the Dubs might go all the way and win it now. Yesterday was spent recovering, we were supposed to take a trip to Kilkenny but there was no moving from the couch. A 4 o'clock bedtime is not good. My liver is not talking to me. I think its still in some random bar from last week.
This week will hopefully not be as mental as last week. I've got business meetings and grocery shopping and a bday to celebrate. And lest I forget, Eddie Izzard on Friday! Soo looking forward to going to see him.
Mammy2 is out sick today, think the bout of depression from last week is still hanging around. I feel so useless in these situations. Much like when the kid's upset. I make tea. That's about all I'm good for. I need something to fix and in this situation there is nothing to fix. I just have to wait for it to work through. Her work place isn't helping much. They kept ringing this morning. They know that if she's out with a bout, she can't talk to anyone. Grrrrrr..... Feckin eejits. I think people don't understand that its an illness. Its not a case of getting on with it or chin up. Its an actual illness and can affect the person in many different ways.
subjects but the likes of Chemistry is going to need other help. We have to purc hase school books and uniform. The summer flew.
Weekend was fun, parties in Dalkey, how posh is that place. And impossible to get a taxi out of there. The mate R had told me this, but I apparently neglected to listen to her. We walked to near Dun Laoghaire. It was one of the baby dykes bday and I had to go along. She's lovely, such a nice person. We got through some glasses of wine, as you do. Lots of chat about my website. She
introduced me to everyone as Shelly from angrpotato. Its my full title! It was nice to switch off from the absymal result of the match earlier in the day. The worst performence ever by Westmeath,
I'm sure of it.
Of course Mammy2 was chuffed with the result. Of course, her being a DUB and all that. I think the Dubs might go all the way and win it now. Yesterday was spent recovering, we were supposed to take a trip to Kilkenny but there was no moving from the couch. A 4 o'clock bedtime is not good. My liver is not talking to me. I think its still in some random bar from last week.
This week will hopefully not be as mental as last week. I've got business meetings and grocery shopping and a bday to celebrate. And lest I forget, Eddie Izzard on Friday! Soo looking forward to going to see him.
Mammy2 is out sick today, think the bout of depression from last week is still hanging around. I feel so useless in these situations. Much like when the kid's upset. I make tea. That's about all I'm good for. I need something to fix and in this situation there is nothing to fix. I just have to wait for it to work through. Her work place isn't helping much. They kept ringing this morning. They know that if she's out with a bout, she can't talk to anyone. Grrrrrr..... Feckin eejits. I think people don't understand that its an illness. Its not a case of getting on with it or chin up. Its an actual illness and can affect the person in many different ways.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
6,300 euros a year
Is how much it costs for third level students to live. Latest figures from a survey carried out by Ulster bank. The kid finishes school next year, is taking a year out to do a portfolio course and then hopefully go on to college. Free education my eye. That is a tidy sum and on average if they do a degree, which lets face it, most will, you're looking at just under 30,000 to send him/her to college. The cost is madness. You've got the students to take up part-time jobs but these end up being
exhausted trying to study and work. I suppose its a bit cheaper if they live with you, but I can't see that happening. Once they hit college, they want to branch out and leave the nest.
I wonder what route the kid will take. All I know is we need to start saving some more for her college fund. The likeihood of us getting a house before she starts college are slim and none. On the plus side, she's looking forward to college. Three years ago she didn't even entertain notions.
To add to this , the brother still hasn't contributed a penny to the account. We had a discussion at the start of the year, as to why we should all chip in as the kid is an orphan and whilst we can afford her schooling now, there is no way we will be able to save for college as well. The sister has been giving her bit but the brother is infuriating. He will make up the stupidest excuses to get out of it. And now he's stopped replying altogether. Out of all of us, he's the one with the least expenses. He got the family home for next to nothing a week. Because Mam was on disability allowence the rent was always kept low, it went up a bit when he took over but not much. Its beyond me how he can't or won't contribute 50 euro a month for the kids education. I feel like I'm banging my head off a brick wall sometimes. I've left him to it now, the sister is taking over trying to get him to give something. My stress levels are at a reasonable level and I don't want them through the roof thanks to that eejit.
exhausted trying to study and work. I suppose its a bit cheaper if they live with you, but I can't see that happening. Once they hit college, they want to branch out and leave the nest.
I wonder what route the kid will take. All I know is we need to start saving some more for her college fund. The likeihood of us getting a house before she starts college are slim and none. On the plus side, she's looking forward to college. Three years ago she didn't even entertain notions.
To add to this , the brother still hasn't contributed a penny to the account. We had a discussion at the start of the year, as to why we should all chip in as the kid is an orphan and whilst we can afford her schooling now, there is no way we will be able to save for college as well. The sister has been giving her bit but the brother is infuriating. He will make up the stupidest excuses to get out of it. And now he's stopped replying altogether. Out of all of us, he's the one with the least expenses. He got the family home for next to nothing a week. Because Mam was on disability allowence the rent was always kept low, it went up a bit when he took over but not much. Its beyond me how he can't or won't contribute 50 euro a month for the kids education. I feel like I'm banging my head off a brick wall sometimes. I've left him to it now, the sister is taking over trying to get him to give something. My stress levels are at a reasonable level and I don't want them through the roof thanks to that eejit.
Sleep and teenagers
Settling back and our lovely 2 week holiday, last week was a tad mad. I don't tend to do things by halves. Monday night, a work mate was getting married so there were drinks for him. I know him well enough so I had to show my face. Tuesday caught up with R, who was back from holidays in the wilds of Scotland. As per usual, it was a late one and I spent most of Wedensday looking forward to my bed. The rest of the week followed suit, with catching up with Mammy2 on the Thursday, mates on the Friday and a 30th in the wilds of Meath on a Sunday.
It was too soon to wax lyrical about the kid, I should have known. She was single for a grand total of something like 6 hours. The new boyf, Ste is some geek who studies, actually I've forgotten what he studies. But I'm not liking him already. I got a txt on the Wedensday morning from her, something along the lines of "Hey, don't worry about me, I was up early and met the lads. Be gone all day, luv yas, bye" This was at 9.30. I rang Mammy2 to get her to check the room for the kid. Sure enough, no sign of her and a lump set up in the bed to make it look like she was asleep. Mammy2 was on the warpath, I was reaching for my blue helmut. She finally got through to the kid on the phone she txted us from. Her phone 'died' apparently.
For died, read left in bedroom in case we want to reach her. Fecker. Mammy2 ripped into her. She was suitably contrite. The lads were in town at 5 and she met up with them. Yes, I did say 5 in the morning. Once Mammy2 had calmed down and was able to speak in a normal voice, we discussed punishments. She wanted to take her phone and ground her. I left it up to her, I'm useless at dishing out punishments. She was happy enough to take whatever Mammy2 threw at her but apparently she didn't want me to talk to her or give out to her. I must appear scarier then I've realised. Damn, all this time I assumed I was the pushover. Well, she was grounded until yesterday. She seemed happy enough with the punishment, most people are telling us she got off lightly. I know that.
The weekend was a bit hectic and wound down to sitting by a lakeside in Glendalough. Its a beautiful area and I can't believe I've never been before. We're working our way through R's list of things she must do or see before she heads back to South Africa. In exactly 4 weeks. I can't believe how the time has flown. I'm going to miss her a lot. But she's returning to her studies which is a good thing as she's wasted where she works at the mo. On the bright side, I suppose I can start writing letters and getting fridge magnets. Always looking on the plus side of things.
Glendalough was great apart from 2 things. The midges. And the bus journey. It rained ON the bus. The sun roof vent thingy was opened and kept dripping on me. It was great fun, or so R thought. She was laughing for most of the journey whilst I played dodge the drips. The rain steered clear
so the walk was a bit more pleasent. And it turns out I was quite possibly the only irish person in the whole place. I added to the stereotype by eating Taaayto.
The midges got intimate with me on one occasion. Damn feckers and their sharp teeth.
Yesterday was spent lounging from the bed to the couch and back to the bed, I did nothing. I avoided sitting for too long in one spot, Mammy2 is on her PMT cleaning rampage and I feared I'd be bundled into the washing machine or something worse. Next week I turn 33. I don't feel 33. I'm not a big fan of birthdays either. The kid gave me my bday pressie early. She did a charcoal sketch of Jimmy Dean and its fab. She's excellent at charcoal, well, she's excellent at most things but this is deadly. I shall have to get it framed. She has such a talent for art.
It was too soon to wax lyrical about the kid, I should have known. She was single for a grand total of something like 6 hours. The new boyf, Ste is some geek who studies, actually I've forgotten what he studies. But I'm not liking him already. I got a txt on the Wedensday morning from her, something along the lines of "Hey, don't worry about me, I was up early and met the lads. Be gone all day, luv yas, bye" This was at 9.30. I rang Mammy2 to get her to check the room for the kid. Sure enough, no sign of her and a lump set up in the bed to make it look like she was asleep. Mammy2 was on the warpath, I was reaching for my blue helmut. She finally got through to the kid on the phone she txted us from. Her phone 'died' apparently.
For died, read left in bedroom in case we want to reach her. Fecker. Mammy2 ripped into her. She was suitably contrite. The lads were in town at 5 and she met up with them. Yes, I did say 5 in the morning. Once Mammy2 had calmed down and was able to speak in a normal voice, we discussed punishments. She wanted to take her phone and ground her. I left it up to her, I'm useless at dishing out punishments. She was happy enough to take whatever Mammy2 threw at her but apparently she didn't want me to talk to her or give out to her. I must appear scarier then I've realised. Damn, all this time I assumed I was the pushover. Well, she was grounded until yesterday. She seemed happy enough with the punishment, most people are telling us she got off lightly. I know that.
The weekend was a bit hectic and wound down to sitting by a lakeside in Glendalough. Its a beautiful area and I can't believe I've never been before. We're working our way through R's list of things she must do or see before she heads back to South Africa. In exactly 4 weeks. I can't believe how the time has flown. I'm going to miss her a lot. But she's returning to her studies which is a good thing as she's wasted where she works at the mo. On the bright side, I suppose I can start writing letters and getting fridge magnets. Always looking on the plus side of things.
Glendalough was great apart from 2 things. The midges. And the bus journey. It rained ON the bus. The sun roof vent thingy was opened and kept dripping on me. It was great fun, or so R thought. She was laughing for most of the journey whilst I played dodge the drips. The rain steered clear
so the walk was a bit more pleasent. And it turns out I was quite possibly the only irish person in the whole place. I added to the stereotype by eating Taaayto.
The midges got intimate with me on one occasion. Damn feckers and their sharp teeth.
Yesterday was spent lounging from the bed to the couch and back to the bed, I did nothing. I avoided sitting for too long in one spot, Mammy2 is on her PMT cleaning rampage and I feared I'd be bundled into the washing machine or something worse. Next week I turn 33. I don't feel 33. I'm not a big fan of birthdays either. The kid gave me my bday pressie early. She did a charcoal sketch of Jimmy Dean and its fab. She's excellent at charcoal, well, she's excellent at most things but this is deadly. I shall have to get it framed. She has such a talent for art.
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