There has to be a guide out there for parents? Some sort of how to be a brill parent in 24 hours jobby? Because right now I think we need it. Or maybe I need it. Mammy2 appears to be taking everything in her stride.
Things to cause panic in parents/guardians
- When left alone for a night, boyfriend stays over. Breaking Rule Number 342 which CLEARLY states that when parentals are not around, boyf is not allowed within a 20 yard radius of the apartment let alone stay over.
- Late period, after telling us that yes , she did a test last week and it was positive clearly breaking Rule 32 subsection B which states she must never EVER had sex, Rule 5 which states if she is doing 'stuff' she has to take responsibility for her actions and Rule 65 part A, which states if she does have sex, she is not to tell me. EVER.
- her thinking that maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing if she did have a kid. * head explodes *
Before you all start congratulating us or commiserating with us, she was 2 weeks late. Granted, she was in a lot more pain then usual which makes us think chances are there was something there. * Blesses self * People wonder why we are stressed so much. I mean, what are we supposed to do? Where do you go from here? Locking her up? Beating seven shades of yer man. This would require a ladder as the fecker is over 6ft.
I must have mistaken when I thought last week that things had calmed down. I now know what to get her for her 18th. A one way trip to a convent. A chasity belt. Anything to stop her being sexually active. In her defence and I suppose this is the only thing we can say for her, is she said she did use protection. My head stopped spinning. Slightly. She's making an appointment for the doctor and getting back on the pill pretty quick smart. From discussing it, she knows that it wouldn't be a good thing, I explained that we are only adjusting still to having her, never mind being grandparents.
* Blesses self again *
In other news, the christmas tree is up. Yay! Mammy2 finally caved. So the apartment looks like Santy has vomited. Not at all tacky. Bit of a strange weekend. Friday night was spent doing housework and singing Bohemian Rhapsody with the kid. Hardcore. I think I'm an EMO. The kid thinks I'm sad. But yes, Friday night and I'm ironing! Mammy2 had a BatttleStar Gallatica marathon with her sister. Yes, she is that much of a nerd. The telly now display everything in greek. Don't ask. Mammy2's attempts to 'tune back in' the DVD channel. We're getting used to it now though. And we can now talk to a greek person if they use the words brightness, volume and contrast in the conversation.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
I love Westlife.
I'm getting a great slagging in work these days because I outted myself as a Westlife fan last week. I'm not one of those people who get easily embaressed by the fact that they like rubbish music. Well, rubbish in everyone else's eyes. I love music, all kinds of music, but I do really like Westlife. And Kian. Ahem moving on! They are fab though.They are playing in April and we still don't have tickets. I've dropped subtle hints, I think I may give up on the subtely, its obviously not working.
I got up this morning to a re-arranged living room. I'm not a fan of change as I may have mentioned before. The kid has a habit of re-arranging furniture, often times whilst you are sitting on it. She gets restless if things are in the same place for too long. I suffer from culture shock when this happens. I get used to things being in the same place. I have to say its not as bad as I had envisioned when
Mammy2 mentioned it. Mammy2 has been taking the morning shift these mornings, which is basically only making lunch. Ah , I remember when the morning shift went as follows:
1 - Switch off alarm.
2 - Stagger from bed and call her.
3 - Back to bed, wait for her to get up.
4 - No movement, back into her room. No answer from her.
5 - Eventually she tells you she's not going in
6 - You explain how she needs to go to school, this making sense to niether of ye but you manage it. She drags herself from the bed.
7 - You get get dressed and start to make her lunch. You set the table for breakfast.
8 - She arrives out looking like Marylin Manson.
9 - You explains the school doesn't allow black eye up.
10 - She explains the school is a facist place and its repressing her right to expression.
11 - She talks about dropping out. You ask her does she want ham or cheese in her sandwiches.
12 - She tells you she hates her life. You ask her does she have her bottle of water.
13 - After much grumbling, we leave to walk to the bus.
14 - She tells you she hates school, she's dropping out, she's getting a job. You ask her what she wants for dinner.
15 - She gets on the bus. You head back home, praying she'll last the day.
Compared to now, we have come a long way. She still talks about dropping out, but in a more jokey way. She gets the bus by herself. She's a lot stronger then those days. Thank god. I don't know if we could have survived those early days if things continued as they did. Although, everytime I think things have settled down, something comes along and throws a spanner in the mix. * Crosses fingers and toes *
We were watching a documentary on these 2 women who have been together for 25 years. They had two kids, boys who were teenagers and they were being interviewed about having 2 mammies. The whole family came across really well. Of course Mammy2 was in tears at the end of it, she's such a softy. The kid was talking about how she'd beat anyone up who came near us. I'm not sure what she got from the documentary, or even if she was watching the same thing as us but violence is the answer apparently. After that, we watched a documentary we had taped from Monday night about the first civil partnership in Northern Ireland, Grainne Close and Shannon Sickels. It was fascinating story, the build up to the wedding, the wedding itself, the pressure and stress the 2 women were under. Getting out the car and facing the world's media as well as the bigots and their stupid signposts. They were so brave, pausing for pictures and to make a statement. Two extremely brave women. Mammy2 didn't cry at this, I pinced her a couple of times though and then she did. :)
The kid is even more into her music then I am and so the odd time, she will ask me to 'back up' some music for her. Whilst my writing is bad, her's tend to be a lot more ledigable at times. So when I read her latest list, I assumed I was completly out of touch with music. I had to search for an album, she didn't know the artist, with the song "I woke up in a can". Need less to say I found no music with that track on it. I mean who writes about waking up in a can. Just because I'm not a big lyrics fan doesn't mean I don't listen to them once in a while. As it turns out it was "I woke up in a car". Ahem, which makes a bit more sense. Although with the 'music' she listens to , the first one might probably be a song.
I got up this morning to a re-arranged living room. I'm not a fan of change as I may have mentioned before. The kid has a habit of re-arranging furniture, often times whilst you are sitting on it. She gets restless if things are in the same place for too long. I suffer from culture shock when this happens. I get used to things being in the same place. I have to say its not as bad as I had envisioned when
Mammy2 mentioned it. Mammy2 has been taking the morning shift these mornings, which is basically only making lunch. Ah , I remember when the morning shift went as follows:
1 - Switch off alarm.
2 - Stagger from bed and call her.
3 - Back to bed, wait for her to get up.
4 - No movement, back into her room. No answer from her.
5 - Eventually she tells you she's not going in
6 - You explain how she needs to go to school, this making sense to niether of ye but you manage it. She drags herself from the bed.
7 - You get get dressed and start to make her lunch. You set the table for breakfast.
8 - She arrives out looking like Marylin Manson.
9 - You explains the school doesn't allow black eye up.
10 - She explains the school is a facist place and its repressing her right to expression.
11 - She talks about dropping out. You ask her does she want ham or cheese in her sandwiches.
12 - She tells you she hates her life. You ask her does she have her bottle of water.
13 - After much grumbling, we leave to walk to the bus.
14 - She tells you she hates school, she's dropping out, she's getting a job. You ask her what she wants for dinner.
15 - She gets on the bus. You head back home, praying she'll last the day.
Compared to now, we have come a long way. She still talks about dropping out, but in a more jokey way. She gets the bus by herself. She's a lot stronger then those days. Thank god. I don't know if we could have survived those early days if things continued as they did. Although, everytime I think things have settled down, something comes along and throws a spanner in the mix. * Crosses fingers and toes *
We were watching a documentary on these 2 women who have been together for 25 years. They had two kids, boys who were teenagers and they were being interviewed about having 2 mammies. The whole family came across really well. Of course Mammy2 was in tears at the end of it, she's such a softy. The kid was talking about how she'd beat anyone up who came near us. I'm not sure what she got from the documentary, or even if she was watching the same thing as us but violence is the answer apparently. After that, we watched a documentary we had taped from Monday night about the first civil partnership in Northern Ireland, Grainne Close and Shannon Sickels. It was fascinating story, the build up to the wedding, the wedding itself, the pressure and stress the 2 women were under. Getting out the car and facing the world's media as well as the bigots and their stupid signposts. They were so brave, pausing for pictures and to make a statement. Two extremely brave women. Mammy2 didn't cry at this, I pinced her a couple of times though and then she did. :)
The kid is even more into her music then I am and so the odd time, she will ask me to 'back up' some music for her. Whilst my writing is bad, her's tend to be a lot more ledigable at times. So when I read her latest list, I assumed I was completly out of touch with music. I had to search for an album, she didn't know the artist, with the song "I woke up in a can". Need less to say I found no music with that track on it. I mean who writes about waking up in a can. Just because I'm not a big lyrics fan doesn't mean I don't listen to them once in a while. As it turns out it was "I woke up in a car". Ahem, which makes a bit more sense. Although with the 'music' she listens to , the first one might probably be a song.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Stress balls...the point?
I have one on my desk. I would assume that the point of them is to de-stress you? I think squeezing them makes not a blind bit of difference. I reckon throwing them at the source of your stress and hearing them hop off the person's head might do more. Very unprofessional though. Don't try it at home folks. The weather gets worse. See how irish I am?If its not death, which if you notice I talk about constantly, its the cold. But it was freezing this morning. The kid wore a jacket, yes
you heard me, a jacket to school. Now, lets not crack open the champers just yet. It was what she termed a 'jacket'. I would term if a long sleeved handkerchief if there is such a thing as. The one thing I LOVE about this weather is that she has to wear more items of clothing which is always good in my books. There's no such things as too much clothing where she's concerned. I'd have her
wear a full Burqa if she was even slightly interested. Just you know, to make sure she's warm and stuff.
We arrvied home last night and there's a lump in the bed. She muttered something about being freezing cold. She went to sleep whilst we went shopping. I didn't have the energy to wrestle someone for cornflakes so we just headed to Fresh in Smithfield. Its a grand place for a quick shop. There's also less chance of you being killed by those kids on wheels. It took me ages to realise that they had wheels on their feet. I thought I was suffering cold turkey as a result of being away from the PC for more then 30 minutes. They shoot past you, with half your shopping. Its scary. Of course if you leave your foot out and trip them, you're the worst in the world. Only when they collide with the wine shelf.
Mammy2 headed to the gym whilst I tried to work. I say tried to because the kid was all chat once she had crawled from the bedroom avec duvet and hat. School was grand apart from one teacher saying she was an alco. We did a double take. Once we had broken it down, it turns out some teacher said they couldn't be hanging out in the toilets as they might get in trouble. Big difference.
The sister in Holland rang and we caught up on all the news. She has a bit rough as she had celebrated her birthday a day early. Well, I always thought she celebrated it on the 19th. Give me a break! I asked her what date she was planning on celebrating christmas on this year. I heard a welly being thrown from Horst. Lucky her throw is crap, so chances are there's a pissed of Dutch person knocking on her door as I type. Actually, that would mean they were really slow to react. I mean it took them the best part of 24 hours to get to the sister's door. I digress. You get my drift.
The kid wants to put the tree up next week. She's worse then I am. I don't know where she gets it from. She also mentioned her christmas list. I wait the arrival of a manuscript. She threw out the casual art stuff and books, but you know if its left at that she'll have a face longer then a horse on her come christmas morning.
you heard me, a jacket to school. Now, lets not crack open the champers just yet. It was what she termed a 'jacket'. I would term if a long sleeved handkerchief if there is such a thing as. The one thing I LOVE about this weather is that she has to wear more items of clothing which is always good in my books. There's no such things as too much clothing where she's concerned. I'd have her
wear a full Burqa if she was even slightly interested. Just you know, to make sure she's warm and stuff.
We arrvied home last night and there's a lump in the bed. She muttered something about being freezing cold. She went to sleep whilst we went shopping. I didn't have the energy to wrestle someone for cornflakes so we just headed to Fresh in Smithfield. Its a grand place for a quick shop. There's also less chance of you being killed by those kids on wheels. It took me ages to realise that they had wheels on their feet. I thought I was suffering cold turkey as a result of being away from the PC for more then 30 minutes. They shoot past you, with half your shopping. Its scary. Of course if you leave your foot out and trip them, you're the worst in the world. Only when they collide with the wine shelf.
Mammy2 headed to the gym whilst I tried to work. I say tried to because the kid was all chat once she had crawled from the bedroom avec duvet and hat. School was grand apart from one teacher saying she was an alco. We did a double take. Once we had broken it down, it turns out some teacher said they couldn't be hanging out in the toilets as they might get in trouble. Big difference.
The sister in Holland rang and we caught up on all the news. She has a bit rough as she had celebrated her birthday a day early. Well, I always thought she celebrated it on the 19th. Give me a break! I asked her what date she was planning on celebrating christmas on this year. I heard a welly being thrown from Horst. Lucky her throw is crap, so chances are there's a pissed of Dutch person knocking on her door as I type. Actually, that would mean they were really slow to react. I mean it took them the best part of 24 hours to get to the sister's door. I digress. You get my drift.
The kid wants to put the tree up next week. She's worse then I am. I don't know where she gets it from. She also mentioned her christmas list. I wait the arrival of a manuscript. She threw out the casual art stuff and books, but you know if its left at that she'll have a face longer then a horse on her come christmas morning.
Monday, November 20, 2006
The weather outside is frightful..
Okay, so its not as bad as yesterday. Yesterday, I had to go uptown to get the kids meds and make a phone call. If by any chance you were driving up or down the quays and noticed a 5ft ball of clothes and doc martens stuck to the wind screen of a parked car, that was me. Every time I took
a step , the wind went "Nah, you're not going home today.What rugby watch" * Swirls leaves in front of her face *. I could just about see out from under my hat and everytime I got 2 steps forward, the wind would be blow me 5 steps back. I eventually blew in the apartment and vowed to never leave again.
The kid managed her first week back after suspension fine. Things appeared to have calmed down. She handed up her art assignment a week late. The teacher said it was excellent, but there was a lot of black in it. You know there are people out there who love to live life on the edge. They go bungee jumping, white water rafting, paragliding and what not. This art teacher belongs to that group of people. She's a brave lady, if she followed up with the word EMO i reckon she'd be thrown out of the school. However, she started with a compliment so she knows she kid well enough.
The kid wants to drop honours irish but the teacher won't let her. We have to talk to the school about it. I look forward to that conversation. As always.
We were away in the Saturday night with the inlaws. It was the mother-in-law's 60th birthday today and so the family all sent her away for the weekend and then we joined them on the Saturday night. I have to say I wasn't overly impressed with the hotel. It was 4-star but quite old fashioned. I prefer
modern hotels. Would ya listen to me, as my mother would say, its far from hotels you were reared! But if I was forced to stay in one, I would perfer the modern style then the old style. The mother-in-law enjoyed herself. It wasn't as stressful as I thought, mainly because Mammy2 kept an eye on me. Sometimes her family can be a bit full on. I was always worried about the finances, because we'd budgeted for a certain amount and it was definetly going to be more then that. Coming up to christmas and all that, I wanted to make sure we were okay. Throw in a failed baby attempt this month and I was a tad out of of sorts. Espeically with all the kids around. Put it this way, there's nothing wrong with the in-laws ovaries. One sister has three kids under 6 and the other brother has 2 kids under 8.
Lots of noise. They are quite cute though so I was taking lots of pics. The camera behaved itself. Somewhat. Some of the pictures came out pants. Not sure if the camera was adjusting to the cold or what. After the ruggers and some dinner, I opted for bath and bed. I was tired, grumpy and a bit strung out. The sister in Holland assumed we had forgotten her bday. As if we would. So, I stayed in with the rubber ducks, I was not suited for adult company and then went to bed. There's a lot to be said for 12 hours sleep. Today will be a better day AND its 34 days to christmas!!!
a step , the wind went "Nah, you're not going home today.What rugby watch" * Swirls leaves in front of her face *. I could just about see out from under my hat and everytime I got 2 steps forward, the wind would be blow me 5 steps back. I eventually blew in the apartment and vowed to never leave again.
The kid managed her first week back after suspension fine. Things appeared to have calmed down. She handed up her art assignment a week late. The teacher said it was excellent, but there was a lot of black in it. You know there are people out there who love to live life on the edge. They go bungee jumping, white water rafting, paragliding and what not. This art teacher belongs to that group of people. She's a brave lady, if she followed up with the word EMO i reckon she'd be thrown out of the school. However, she started with a compliment so she knows she kid well enough.
The kid wants to drop honours irish but the teacher won't let her. We have to talk to the school about it. I look forward to that conversation. As always.
We were away in the Saturday night with the inlaws. It was the mother-in-law's 60th birthday today and so the family all sent her away for the weekend and then we joined them on the Saturday night. I have to say I wasn't overly impressed with the hotel. It was 4-star but quite old fashioned. I prefer
modern hotels. Would ya listen to me, as my mother would say, its far from hotels you were reared! But if I was forced to stay in one, I would perfer the modern style then the old style. The mother-in-law enjoyed herself. It wasn't as stressful as I thought, mainly because Mammy2 kept an eye on me. Sometimes her family can be a bit full on. I was always worried about the finances, because we'd budgeted for a certain amount and it was definetly going to be more then that. Coming up to christmas and all that, I wanted to make sure we were okay. Throw in a failed baby attempt this month and I was a tad out of of sorts. Espeically with all the kids around. Put it this way, there's nothing wrong with the in-laws ovaries. One sister has three kids under 6 and the other brother has 2 kids under 8.
Lots of noise. They are quite cute though so I was taking lots of pics. The camera behaved itself. Somewhat. Some of the pictures came out pants. Not sure if the camera was adjusting to the cold or what. After the ruggers and some dinner, I opted for bath and bed. I was tired, grumpy and a bit strung out. The sister in Holland assumed we had forgotten her bday. As if we would. So, I stayed in with the rubber ducks, I was not suited for adult company and then went to bed. There's a lot to be said for 12 hours sleep. Today will be a better day AND its 34 days to christmas!!!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Firefox and early mornings
What an ingodly hour of the morning to be in work. Up at 5 and in here for 5.30 for urgent updates to a website. Who looks at a website at 6 in the morning? Apart from me that is. It was pissing rain and pitch black when I hailed my cab. With a mad man. Who ignores the signs for No Right turn and apparently was so busy chatting, hit ramps at 60 mph. I hit the roof a few times. Lovely man though. Just a bit insane. More illegal maneouvres then I've seen Mammy2 execute of an average evening. But he was so nice about, i let him away. And there wasn't much traffic around at this hour. Who cares about U-Turns? I got here on time with only a few bumps on the head and some song about shaking booties in my brain.
The kid is back in school and its hell apparently. They are all facists, nothing new there. They are all talk about her being the alco of the school. I suspect she may be slightly paranoid but I do feel for her. Its been tough getting her up on Monday and yesterday but she seems to be facing it.
Well, that and she wants to drop out. Oh, and she wants to go to art college. We've been looking at the requirements for Dun Laoghaire, she's NOT going to NCAD, its full of knobs. To quote the great woman herself
Her art project is nearing completion , a week after it was due. See my head where the hair should be? Yip, stressed? Me? No. She had a head to head with the art teacher yesterday. Yesterday, when it got very dark and you could hear the rumbling of thunder and there was a couple of flashes of lightning, that was them 'talking'. I'm not sure how the art teacher fared but the kid was a bit bruised and battered. I am counting the days until she finishes school. So is she I'm sure! Still, in another few weeks she's be on christmas holidays and hopefully, then we will be into the final few months of the madness.
I was at a firefox party last night, don't ask. Yes, it is completly nerdy and yes I did enjoy it. Managed not to win anything though. They gave away loads of merchandise, I am convinced myself and the mate C were the only ones not to win one thing. But I got stickers! There was about 100 or more people there and I got chatting to some woman about accessibility. My new favourite subject. For now. This may change.
We are heading away with the in-laws for the weekend. Fun times ahead. You know those films where you see families gathered together and all hell breaks loose. I fear this may be one of those occasions. I get on well with them and all that, its just the thought of spending a weekend with
them gets me a little ansty. I shall hang in the background, talk to the childers and take pics. Its what I do best :) Although I refrain from baby talk to the kids, perhaps that's why I get on well with them. 5 chimps under the age of 6. And they are all roughly the same height as me. I kid you not.
Its still pissing. I swear I just saw someone canoe past the window. When you consider I work on the 2nd floor, one thinks I should perhaps stop taking those pills. Or start, whichever way you look at it.
Christmas lights are up on Henry Street, they looks fab. I danced when I saw them. Then stopped because tourists started throwing money at me , thinking I was a leprechaun and asking me where my shillelagh was. Rude feckers. Time to load the christmas songs onto the work PC and drive everyone insane with the joy of the festive season. 39 days! Wahooooooooooooo
The kid is back in school and its hell apparently. They are all facists, nothing new there. They are all talk about her being the alco of the school. I suspect she may be slightly paranoid but I do feel for her. Its been tough getting her up on Monday and yesterday but she seems to be facing it.
Well, that and she wants to drop out. Oh, and she wants to go to art college. We've been looking at the requirements for Dun Laoghaire, she's NOT going to NCAD, its full of knobs. To quote the great woman herself
Her art project is nearing completion , a week after it was due. See my head where the hair should be? Yip, stressed? Me? No. She had a head to head with the art teacher yesterday. Yesterday, when it got very dark and you could hear the rumbling of thunder and there was a couple of flashes of lightning, that was them 'talking'. I'm not sure how the art teacher fared but the kid was a bit bruised and battered. I am counting the days until she finishes school. So is she I'm sure! Still, in another few weeks she's be on christmas holidays and hopefully, then we will be into the final few months of the madness.
I was at a firefox party last night, don't ask. Yes, it is completly nerdy and yes I did enjoy it. Managed not to win anything though. They gave away loads of merchandise, I am convinced myself and the mate C were the only ones not to win one thing. But I got stickers! There was about 100 or more people there and I got chatting to some woman about accessibility. My new favourite subject. For now. This may change.
We are heading away with the in-laws for the weekend. Fun times ahead. You know those films where you see families gathered together and all hell breaks loose. I fear this may be one of those occasions. I get on well with them and all that, its just the thought of spending a weekend with
them gets me a little ansty. I shall hang in the background, talk to the childers and take pics. Its what I do best :) Although I refrain from baby talk to the kids, perhaps that's why I get on well with them. 5 chimps under the age of 6. And they are all roughly the same height as me. I kid you not.
Its still pissing. I swear I just saw someone canoe past the window. When you consider I work on the 2nd floor, one thinks I should perhaps stop taking those pills. Or start, whichever way you look at it.
Christmas lights are up on Henry Street, they looks fab. I danced when I saw them. Then stopped because tourists started throwing money at me , thinking I was a leprechaun and asking me where my shillelagh was. Rude feckers. Time to load the christmas songs onto the work PC and drive everyone insane with the joy of the festive season. 39 days! Wahooooooooooooo
Friday, November 10, 2006
Training and that Friday feeling
I was in training all day yesterday and will be today. It is interesting, although my attention span is quite short these days, much like myself! Oh , I crack me up. Its webtrends and I get to see what sort of information is gathered about us when we browser the interweb.
The kid had therapy again yesterday, this time without us. She did okay. I was supposed to go grcoery shopping as there was NOTHING to eat in the house but I didn't have the energy. We skipped grocery shopping for dinner out and she was all delighted. She was all questions about this rape in the city which I had told her about. I was warning her because often times when she's out and about , she's very careless about which short cuts she takes and what not. I mean, the woman was assaulted on Parnell Street? She called for help and people passed her by. I don't get that. I would at least try and see what was going on and call for help. I couldn't just walk past. She appears to have listened to what I said. Well whilst I was talking , she was listening. That could be the fact that she had a coke and chips in front of her. We were having sisters night so we stopped off at Spar on the way to buy munchies.
I was filling the basket with food, whilst she was removing most of the choccy stand and putting it in the basket. Then I heard a "Shelly" and lots of winking, nudging and general twitching. I thought she was having some sort of fit. As it turns out there were not 1 but 2 female guards getting coffee. 2. She was trying to get her phone to work to take a picture once we got outside. Through the window. She's a very thoughtful young one. What started out as a looking like a nice shot of 2 lovely female guards turned into a lovely shot of a shoulder and the vegetable stand. It was the thought that counts I suppose.
I've been entertaining notions of learning to drive. I have tried driving on 2 occasions. Once with a tractor. Calm down, stop rubbing thighs, it wasn't the new sexy New Hollands. It was this old thing that looked like it had been driven directly off the pages of Farmers Old Tractor Collectibles. Of course being told where everything was might have helped. I was put into the tractor and that
was it. Luckily there was a large rock in front of me and I glided into that. Not too much damage to the tractor, you know what the old ones are like, but the boulder was a write off. Second time, in a car. I drove into a haystack. Let me just ass I was in a hay field at the time. This wasn't a case of me on the road and crashing into a field. Again, no-one pointed out the obvious parts I'd need to know, you know, general things like BRAKES? And gears and what not. Feckers. Never get a family member try and teach you to drive. So of course now anytime I mention it , there's lots of giggle and general chat about haystacks. Hilarious. So I continue to entertain notions.
This weekend is a big rugby weekend, Leinster play tonight, Mammy2 is heading out there with the sister. Tomorrow we take on South Africa, should be a great match. R tells me she'll be cheering for Ireland, see, she already knows who's going to win.
I've started to get the christmassy feel. I was downloading christmas wallpapers yesterday! And the little cafe I always pass on the way to work, C2K or something its called have their lights up. It looks so cosy. I want to go in and have a coffee every morning. Except then I'd be late for work. And stressed. Well more stressed then usual. Speaking of christmas, I have no idea what to get the kid. We're busy concentrating on her 18th which is 6 months away. This for us will be much bigger then
her 21st. The fact that she made it this far is a testament to her strength. As such, we shall have to do something very special. We are thinking of bring her away somewhere for a long weekend. Some city she hasn't been to. Although it would be exhausting for us, it would be worth it. We have a few months to plan it anyway.
In the meantime, I have already got Mammy2's bday pressie sorted. We're going to Rome for 4 days the week after her birthday. The 2 places she's always wanted to visit, Paris, where we went last year and Rome next year, hopefully. Apparently, I'm the best wife ever. :) She's a tad excited about it , it has to be said.
44 days to christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The kid had therapy again yesterday, this time without us. She did okay. I was supposed to go grcoery shopping as there was NOTHING to eat in the house but I didn't have the energy. We skipped grocery shopping for dinner out and she was all delighted. She was all questions about this rape in the city which I had told her about. I was warning her because often times when she's out and about , she's very careless about which short cuts she takes and what not. I mean, the woman was assaulted on Parnell Street? She called for help and people passed her by. I don't get that. I would at least try and see what was going on and call for help. I couldn't just walk past. She appears to have listened to what I said. Well whilst I was talking , she was listening. That could be the fact that she had a coke and chips in front of her. We were having sisters night so we stopped off at Spar on the way to buy munchies.
I was filling the basket with food, whilst she was removing most of the choccy stand and putting it in the basket. Then I heard a "Shelly" and lots of winking, nudging and general twitching. I thought she was having some sort of fit. As it turns out there were not 1 but 2 female guards getting coffee. 2. She was trying to get her phone to work to take a picture once we got outside. Through the window. She's a very thoughtful young one. What started out as a looking like a nice shot of 2 lovely female guards turned into a lovely shot of a shoulder and the vegetable stand. It was the thought that counts I suppose.
I've been entertaining notions of learning to drive. I have tried driving on 2 occasions. Once with a tractor. Calm down, stop rubbing thighs, it wasn't the new sexy New Hollands. It was this old thing that looked like it had been driven directly off the pages of Farmers Old Tractor Collectibles. Of course being told where everything was might have helped. I was put into the tractor and that
was it. Luckily there was a large rock in front of me and I glided into that. Not too much damage to the tractor, you know what the old ones are like, but the boulder was a write off. Second time, in a car. I drove into a haystack. Let me just ass I was in a hay field at the time. This wasn't a case of me on the road and crashing into a field. Again, no-one pointed out the obvious parts I'd need to know, you know, general things like BRAKES? And gears and what not. Feckers. Never get a family member try and teach you to drive. So of course now anytime I mention it , there's lots of giggle and general chat about haystacks. Hilarious. So I continue to entertain notions.
This weekend is a big rugby weekend, Leinster play tonight, Mammy2 is heading out there with the sister. Tomorrow we take on South Africa, should be a great match. R tells me she'll be cheering for Ireland, see, she already knows who's going to win.
I've started to get the christmassy feel. I was downloading christmas wallpapers yesterday! And the little cafe I always pass on the way to work, C2K or something its called have their lights up. It looks so cosy. I want to go in and have a coffee every morning. Except then I'd be late for work. And stressed. Well more stressed then usual. Speaking of christmas, I have no idea what to get the kid. We're busy concentrating on her 18th which is 6 months away. This for us will be much bigger then
her 21st. The fact that she made it this far is a testament to her strength. As such, we shall have to do something very special. We are thinking of bring her away somewhere for a long weekend. Some city she hasn't been to. Although it would be exhausting for us, it would be worth it. We have a few months to plan it anyway.
In the meantime, I have already got Mammy2's bday pressie sorted. We're going to Rome for 4 days the week after her birthday. The 2 places she's always wanted to visit, Paris, where we went last year and Rome next year, hopefully. Apparently, I'm the best wife ever. :) She's a tad excited about it , it has to be said.
44 days to christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Therapy and pasta.
Being all things to all people. Its a difficult one. Because lets face it, its not possible. You just cant.
You have to prioritise with people. Anyone who knows me well knows my family come first, second and third. Close friends I consider family. So I guess the fact that the kid is doing much better is a testament to myself and Mammy2's perserverance with her. We are exhausted. But she's doing great! Which is the main thing.
Yesterday's session was heavy going. Straight from a mad day in work, onto a bus into town , then a taxi to Solas and then an hour long chat about feelings and what not. After Monday morning in the school, the long chat I had with the kid on Monday evening and now this, I am all talked out about what happened on that Friday. I'm tired of analsying things to death. I just want us to get on. Therapy is fairly tough going and I wouldn't be a fan. That silence where you know she's waiting for a response from you. The kid chatted loads, about memories she had and stuff about SF*. As C , the counseller put it " So you associate alcoholism with your dad who smelled of wee and drink" We cracked up laughing, but it was an apt description of him. She remembered one scene in particular. Christmas funnily enough, we're all christmas fans!
She was about 3 or 4 and we said she could stay up late as she was all excited about the presents and whatnot. But then she remembers someone falling in the door, she doesn't remember his face at all, just this shadow and he roared at her to go to bed. So I brought her into the room while Mam
I presumed walloped him around the place. Once he had falled into bed, the drunken lout that he was, we came back out and she was allowed sit up and watch the christmas lights. I never thought she'd remember back that far. I'm amazed how any of us still love christmas, with the amount of times SF* ruined it for us. It was down to Mam.
There was lots of chats about family and memories, at one stage I thought C was going to ask me my feelings about SF*. I wasn't going to answer them as I have no feelings. I'd identify more with a stranger on the LUAS then I would with that alcholic leprechaun. I used to hate him, which meant I obviously still cared enough. Now there's nothing. The sooner he pops his clogs and does us all a favour the better. Not that I worry about him getting near us. He wouldn't even recognise us.
But I will protect the kid. He will never get his drunken paws near her. Knowing him, he'd want to pimp her out for the sake of a few pints.
The session was tough as always, we'd talked things through so much, myself and Mammy2 were just flopped in the chairs. Afterwards, we treated the kid to dinner out. She was delighted. We were starving as well, so we headed to Bottacellis for a nice meal and a chat. She was full of the joys of life. She's pretty pissed off with the school though. And this I have to agree with her on. She rang the school to ask if she could get notes and stuff from the classes she was missing and was told that she might not be allowed because she was suspened? What a pile of shite? Like, she's suspended, yes. But she's working away on her studies and now she can't have the notes. Feic sake, I've a good mind to go up to the school and wallop that year head. Only for that wouldn't be setting an example to the kid. On one hand I tell her, violence is not the answer as I pummel someone who's annoying her. Such a role model I am.
*SF = Shitface, 'affectionate' term for the sperm involved in our creation.
You have to prioritise with people. Anyone who knows me well knows my family come first, second and third. Close friends I consider family. So I guess the fact that the kid is doing much better is a testament to myself and Mammy2's perserverance with her. We are exhausted. But she's doing great! Which is the main thing.
Yesterday's session was heavy going. Straight from a mad day in work, onto a bus into town , then a taxi to Solas and then an hour long chat about feelings and what not. After Monday morning in the school, the long chat I had with the kid on Monday evening and now this, I am all talked out about what happened on that Friday. I'm tired of analsying things to death. I just want us to get on. Therapy is fairly tough going and I wouldn't be a fan. That silence where you know she's waiting for a response from you. The kid chatted loads, about memories she had and stuff about SF*. As C , the counseller put it " So you associate alcoholism with your dad who smelled of wee and drink" We cracked up laughing, but it was an apt description of him. She remembered one scene in particular. Christmas funnily enough, we're all christmas fans!
She was about 3 or 4 and we said she could stay up late as she was all excited about the presents and whatnot. But then she remembers someone falling in the door, she doesn't remember his face at all, just this shadow and he roared at her to go to bed. So I brought her into the room while Mam
I presumed walloped him around the place. Once he had falled into bed, the drunken lout that he was, we came back out and she was allowed sit up and watch the christmas lights. I never thought she'd remember back that far. I'm amazed how any of us still love christmas, with the amount of times SF* ruined it for us. It was down to Mam.
There was lots of chats about family and memories, at one stage I thought C was going to ask me my feelings about SF*. I wasn't going to answer them as I have no feelings. I'd identify more with a stranger on the LUAS then I would with that alcholic leprechaun. I used to hate him, which meant I obviously still cared enough. Now there's nothing. The sooner he pops his clogs and does us all a favour the better. Not that I worry about him getting near us. He wouldn't even recognise us.
But I will protect the kid. He will never get his drunken paws near her. Knowing him, he'd want to pimp her out for the sake of a few pints.
The session was tough as always, we'd talked things through so much, myself and Mammy2 were just flopped in the chairs. Afterwards, we treated the kid to dinner out. She was delighted. We were starving as well, so we headed to Bottacellis for a nice meal and a chat. She was full of the joys of life. She's pretty pissed off with the school though. And this I have to agree with her on. She rang the school to ask if she could get notes and stuff from the classes she was missing and was told that she might not be allowed because she was suspened? What a pile of shite? Like, she's suspended, yes. But she's working away on her studies and now she can't have the notes. Feic sake, I've a good mind to go up to the school and wallop that year head. Only for that wouldn't be setting an example to the kid. On one hand I tell her, violence is not the answer as I pummel someone who's annoying her. Such a role model I am.
*SF = Shitface, 'affectionate' term for the sperm involved in our creation.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
47 Days to christmas!
Yes, the countdown has begone. Well, it had already begun, I just chose not to share my madness with you guys. See I'm good like that. Arrived home yesterday to the kid chatting on the computer. Myspace or msn or some other application she uses to talk to numerous people she hardly knows. Apparently, she's a legend because she threw an item of underwear at Jeff something or other. When I gave her the look, she responded with "They were old ones, Shelly" I'm sure Jeff is delighted with an old pair of knickers. I was going to question why we left a fortune in Pennies for underwear that was going to hang off some fellas guitar. Yes, I know I sound far too sensible. That's because I am.
I had a long chat with her about improving her behaviour in school and showing us more respect. She took some of it in, I think. She was funny, the minute I said, we need to talk, she was nervous. I don't know why she assumes that every time we have to talk to her, its going to be bad. Perhaps because any time we have to 'talk' it usually is to be reprimanded. I guess I just needed to stress how serious the suspension was and it was not something that she would be joking about. Ever.
She had pizza as there was 'nothing' to eat in the house. She studied her chemistry and biology and had a rest. I had a meeting to I left her burning, I mean cooking her pizza and told her to get the place in order. As in wash up and sort out the laundry. I arrived home from the meeting and was barrelled to one side as she shot past me to do the washing up. I did some work but was too tired to stay online for long. More nightmares last night, very disconcerting. I checked in on her this morning, the angelic face of her as she lay curled up under the duvet. I looked and then looked again. Sure enough, the guitar was tucked in next to her. I gave her a hug before leaving and asked what was with her sleeping with the guitar. She shrugged and said why not. I suppose its a smaller instrument then say a drum kit. I'd say sleeping with your drum kit would be a bitch.
She left myself and Mammy2 a letter telling us how much she apprecaiated all we have done for her and continue to do and how she's going to do better. Perhaps she has learned from this and perhaps we can all move forward. Right now, I want bed. For about a week. With fluffy pillows, none of that toast marlarky. We have a meeting with the counseller tonight. At this stage, I am sick of talking about how we feel about the whole Friday thing. But I know we're going to be talking about it for a while. The counseller is very good though and the kid gets on with her really well. I have no problem with meeting the counseller its just when she turns on me to answer questions or discuss how I feel, I wouldn't be a fan. Damn counsellers and their caring attitude.
I had a long chat with her about improving her behaviour in school and showing us more respect. She took some of it in, I think. She was funny, the minute I said, we need to talk, she was nervous. I don't know why she assumes that every time we have to talk to her, its going to be bad. Perhaps because any time we have to 'talk' it usually is to be reprimanded. I guess I just needed to stress how serious the suspension was and it was not something that she would be joking about. Ever.
She had pizza as there was 'nothing' to eat in the house. She studied her chemistry and biology and had a rest. I had a meeting to I left her burning, I mean cooking her pizza and told her to get the place in order. As in wash up and sort out the laundry. I arrived home from the meeting and was barrelled to one side as she shot past me to do the washing up. I did some work but was too tired to stay online for long. More nightmares last night, very disconcerting. I checked in on her this morning, the angelic face of her as she lay curled up under the duvet. I looked and then looked again. Sure enough, the guitar was tucked in next to her. I gave her a hug before leaving and asked what was with her sleeping with the guitar. She shrugged and said why not. I suppose its a smaller instrument then say a drum kit. I'd say sleeping with your drum kit would be a bitch.
She left myself and Mammy2 a letter telling us how much she apprecaiated all we have done for her and continue to do and how she's going to do better. Perhaps she has learned from this and perhaps we can all move forward. Right now, I want bed. For about a week. With fluffy pillows, none of that toast marlarky. We have a meeting with the counseller tonight. At this stage, I am sick of talking about how we feel about the whole Friday thing. But I know we're going to be talking about it for a while. The counseller is very good though and the kid gets on with her really well. I have no problem with meeting the counseller its just when she turns on me to answer questions or discuss how I feel, I wouldn't be a fan. Damn counsellers and their caring attitude.
Monday, November 06, 2006
meh.........
We travelled up to the school this morning ready to face whatever was thrown at us and her. She had gone from giddy with excitement yesterday with regards Slayer to head down and a pout on her. Sometimes I don't know what to do with her. She was talking about dropping out, about stress about this and that. I didn't have the energy for her this morning. When do I have the energy for her. She had a good time at the concert, had to be pulled out of the mosh pit a couple of times due to being stamped on and was treated by the paramedics. Before you get alarmed, basically a gig is only a good one if she has to be treated by the paramedics. She claims to have a foot print on her chest where she got stamped on. She says this proudly. I'll never understand teenagers, never.
We arrived in to talk to the principal and the vice. We had to relive the day as they went through their thoughts on it. I thought they were quite fair bacause whilst they know they have to discipline her , they are also concerned about her well being and what not. The school has always been extremely understanding of the kids's situation and so I guess they were just shocked by what she did on the Friday. As were we. They brought her in, went through the same questions and discussions. We now have to ask the kid's counseller to talk to the school and to organise a meeting so that everyone know's what's going on. The kid is suspended for a week. I always think suspension is a bit of an easy punishment? Its like a week off school? She has to work for the week though and not just on Art. In the meantime, when she returns, she's going to have to be on best behaviour. She has to meet up with the school counseller once a week. We are also going to try and organise a meeting with someone from AA as apparently they don't do meetings for teenagers. We will be getting onto that this week.
In the meantime, we're feeling all over the place. She is exhausting. Just when you think you're on top of things and everything is going fine, something happens and we feel like we're back to square one. I see kids walking to school, laughing and joking and I wish so much that she was like that. Then again she was always difficult. I blame the mother ;) Only kidding. In case I get a nice visit from the mother.
The sister was home from Holland, herself and her lovely man. Twas good to see her and catch up, she hadn't been home in 6 months. We booked the kid's flight over there for a week. I think the break will do us all good, provided we've not all killed each other by that time. She's talking about dropping out again. Then she goes on about her art assigment and how she's worried about not getting it up on time because she's suspended. We asked why should she care if she's dropping out. Which is why I think the talk about dropping out is just that. Talk. Thank god. If I do nothing else right with regards her parenting, she is getting her Leaving Cert, if we have to sit in school with her.
That would be a fine sight wouldn't it?!
A nice way to start the week. Meeting with the school and a suspension. I forgot to tell her if I hear one joke about her suspension,she's grounded for life. Sometimes I wonder if she's related to me at all. Myself and my sister at school barely said 2 words to any other student , let alone give hassle to our year head. Instead, she's in , wearing the tie everywhich way but the way she's supposed to, nail varnish and an attitude. Such a rebel. Or so she thinks.
We arrived in to talk to the principal and the vice. We had to relive the day as they went through their thoughts on it. I thought they were quite fair bacause whilst they know they have to discipline her , they are also concerned about her well being and what not. The school has always been extremely understanding of the kids's situation and so I guess they were just shocked by what she did on the Friday. As were we. They brought her in, went through the same questions and discussions. We now have to ask the kid's counseller to talk to the school and to organise a meeting so that everyone know's what's going on. The kid is suspended for a week. I always think suspension is a bit of an easy punishment? Its like a week off school? She has to work for the week though and not just on Art. In the meantime, when she returns, she's going to have to be on best behaviour. She has to meet up with the school counseller once a week. We are also going to try and organise a meeting with someone from AA as apparently they don't do meetings for teenagers. We will be getting onto that this week.
In the meantime, we're feeling all over the place. She is exhausting. Just when you think you're on top of things and everything is going fine, something happens and we feel like we're back to square one. I see kids walking to school, laughing and joking and I wish so much that she was like that. Then again she was always difficult. I blame the mother ;) Only kidding. In case I get a nice visit from the mother.
The sister was home from Holland, herself and her lovely man. Twas good to see her and catch up, she hadn't been home in 6 months. We booked the kid's flight over there for a week. I think the break will do us all good, provided we've not all killed each other by that time. She's talking about dropping out again. Then she goes on about her art assigment and how she's worried about not getting it up on time because she's suspended. We asked why should she care if she's dropping out. Which is why I think the talk about dropping out is just that. Talk. Thank god. If I do nothing else right with regards her parenting, she is getting her Leaving Cert, if we have to sit in school with her.
That would be a fine sight wouldn't it?!
A nice way to start the week. Meeting with the school and a suspension. I forgot to tell her if I hear one joke about her suspension,she's grounded for life. Sometimes I wonder if she's related to me at all. Myself and my sister at school barely said 2 words to any other student , let alone give hassle to our year head. Instead, she's in , wearing the tie everywhich way but the way she's supposed to, nail varnish and an attitude. Such a rebel. Or so she thinks.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Lets do an insemination, lets make a baaaaaaaaaaaby.
If you're a fan of the L word and have see the extras on the dvd, the title of this would have made sense. Sometimes I feel like that. Its like lets make a baaaaaaby, Mammy2. Of course when I say that, she usually throws a pillow at me. So the first attempt in a long time. I could just picture things inside. The ovaries, reformed characters that they are. Wandering around the fallopions, praying, adjusting their habits and listening to Enigma and chanting. Suddenly the alarm bells sounds. Word from the rest of the body is there's something afoot. Its not the second Tuesday of the month and yet they are sensing something is going down. So to speak. More checks.
They sense a hint of testerone. They send someone up to the eyes to check. Direct phone call back down. One yoghurt pot sighted. Not Petiti Filou though, so could be a false alarm. Hold it, there's a syringe. Either they fancy a challenge whilst eating or we're under attack people. Repeat, under attack. Incoming sperm. Assume emgency positions. One ovary starts applying lip gloss and adjusts her tights. The rest start praying. In latin. Half way through the first Rosary, they can hear someone speaking french through the large wooden door. Lip Gloss ovary throws open the door to greet Pepe Le Sperm, complete with slicked back tail and a bunch of flowers. Je T'aime he mutters. Lip Gloss Ovary swoons whilst the others bless themselves.
Okay, I need to get out more. We wait and see if they are at all intererested in partaking in the swimmers. Our man said he did his fertility dance. We didn't ask for details. He also showed us his tea towel. This is not a euphism for anything ye dirtee feckers. Of course the kid was muttering something about being traumatised for ever and ever as a result of us having an attempt. I muttered something back about us being tramatised as parents to a teenager. She had a good halloween and seems to be suitably contrite about the whole Friday incident.
Needless to say, none of us are looking forward to Monday morning and facing the school with her in tow. She spent most of yesterday in bed, obviously having been up all hours the night previously celebrating Halloween.
Work has been between 2 extremes, yesterday, nada. Our connection to the servers was down so fan fic beckoned. Not that I needed any assistence in that area. Today, I barely had my jacket off and there were servers to be configured and new connections to be set up. Things have calmed down for the moment whilst I wait for someone to sign off on the work I've done so far. There's a firefox launch party coming up and I think myself and the best mate C managed to wangle an invite to it. Don't ask how. I'd say it will be the biggest collection of nerds, in a while. So far, I have made out one other girl's name. I don't mind as long as I get a t-shirt or something. Its a party to launch version 2.0 of the browser . Yes, I assume you have fallen asleep and probably don't give a damn about firefox. But I like it.
Got a letter and not one but 2 postcards from R in South africa. She sends me a postcard of Peig Sayers from Africa? Mad lady, she's on a road trip at the moment. I've been looking up the places she's been and South Africa is a really beautiful country. She was driving through the wine region a few days ago, Stellenbosch and Franschook and all the rest. She sounds like she's enjoying herself. She hasn't killed her travelling companion. Yet. Another week and a half to go. Its still possible.
I am still halfway through writing a letter to her. My handwriting is so bad and it takes AGES for me to write anything. But I like the idea of writing an actual letter. So old fashioned I am.
They sense a hint of testerone. They send someone up to the eyes to check. Direct phone call back down. One yoghurt pot sighted. Not Petiti Filou though, so could be a false alarm. Hold it, there's a syringe. Either they fancy a challenge whilst eating or we're under attack people. Repeat, under attack. Incoming sperm. Assume emgency positions. One ovary starts applying lip gloss and adjusts her tights. The rest start praying. In latin. Half way through the first Rosary, they can hear someone speaking french through the large wooden door. Lip Gloss ovary throws open the door to greet Pepe Le Sperm, complete with slicked back tail and a bunch of flowers. Je T'aime he mutters. Lip Gloss Ovary swoons whilst the others bless themselves.
Okay, I need to get out more. We wait and see if they are at all intererested in partaking in the swimmers. Our man said he did his fertility dance. We didn't ask for details. He also showed us his tea towel. This is not a euphism for anything ye dirtee feckers. Of course the kid was muttering something about being traumatised for ever and ever as a result of us having an attempt. I muttered something back about us being tramatised as parents to a teenager. She had a good halloween and seems to be suitably contrite about the whole Friday incident.
Needless to say, none of us are looking forward to Monday morning and facing the school with her in tow. She spent most of yesterday in bed, obviously having been up all hours the night previously celebrating Halloween.
Work has been between 2 extremes, yesterday, nada. Our connection to the servers was down so fan fic beckoned. Not that I needed any assistence in that area. Today, I barely had my jacket off and there were servers to be configured and new connections to be set up. Things have calmed down for the moment whilst I wait for someone to sign off on the work I've done so far. There's a firefox launch party coming up and I think myself and the best mate C managed to wangle an invite to it. Don't ask how. I'd say it will be the biggest collection of nerds, in a while. So far, I have made out one other girl's name. I don't mind as long as I get a t-shirt or something. Its a party to launch version 2.0 of the browser . Yes, I assume you have fallen asleep and probably don't give a damn about firefox. But I like it.
Got a letter and not one but 2 postcards from R in South africa. She sends me a postcard of Peig Sayers from Africa? Mad lady, she's on a road trip at the moment. I've been looking up the places she's been and South Africa is a really beautiful country. She was driving through the wine region a few days ago, Stellenbosch and Franschook and all the rest. She sounds like she's enjoying herself. She hasn't killed her travelling companion. Yet. Another week and a half to go. Its still possible.
I am still halfway through writing a letter to her. My handwriting is so bad and it takes AGES for me to write anything. But I like the idea of writing an actual letter. So old fashioned I am.
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