Been in the desert with just internet

Been in the desert with - just internet

Strange to say, that being without the close knit family members around, seems I am not really shallowly missing them, as/but I have the Been in the desert with just internet for nearly four weeks to keep in touch with them all.

Missing a person permanently gone for ever is different, but the kids and others- I Vill Be Bach! You guys are still in  my heart and on my mind. A little messaging very few days, a quick email if I remember to, they are close that way.

Been in the desert with just internet and while I am away; The #2Son is supposedly doing all the household chores, washing, yard chores, mail and childminding chores on top of studying like mad for his last year at school exams in the hope of being a driver of an ambulance- if not a paramedic... [Pretty sure it was the fast thing about the career- not the blood and guts... Ve Vill See...] But my "leedle shpiez" tell me that the actual quality of the house work done at home is enough that you can see     -   the doors and walls and ceilings..... and he gets his friends staying over to do some of it for him! how to win friends and influence people... Oh dear me, if I get home to a-------!

Now the #1Son, what a good one that is, not in comparison or anything to #2Son, but I reckon he will be a good catch the way he has stepped in as chaperon for the Gels this last weekend- they went to an aunts he's Night luncheon(I know- luncheon?), and then maybe (window!) shopping back in The Big Smoke with Big Brother (I can see his face now- get used to it...). He aint well this week, tonsillitis the doc reckons, so I wish him better health soon, as well as good luck with last semester uni stuff.

The gels now, I think they may miss me, but early teens- probably say they do just to shut me up! I hear that they are being good, from their aunt, I hope so, she has been kind enough to take them on for initially a few weeks, but as this old desert job carries on longer, she or I may have to pack them off to boarding school! JOKE! But looks they are growing up, sensible and all. Did I mention under a little duress and help that the braces are on their teeth now, so in the end all I am is the money cow after I look after That! 

Been in the desert with just internet and no TV is a shocker- but that has been changed- we now have satellite- 999 channels and only the ABC shows to amuse me... Like missing beer and the kids, "Hmm, Am I Really?" (I say only the ABC- I meant to try to catch Craig Ferguson the other night, but I missed the Late Late Show by That Much, I went for dinner in disgust).

Been in the desert with just internet and no household chores, no dishes, no cooking, no cleaning, no bed making even, no taxi rides around town for overnights or band outings. Been okay for a leedle break from raising kids for a change, as long as the work done(?) is paid for.

Been in the desert with just internet, heat, crows, dust... Hope it will be worth it, xmas is coming...

Three Milestones This Year

getting three in one year

Alone almost, well, people do say I have managed it, so as usual, it's either water off the ducks back or breathe it in Princess- Anyway- my four prodigies have made it to an interesting time of our lives, where, if I may be self aggrandizing, we can celebrate three no four, milestones.

The gels have made it to the TEEN years. With phones and keys and purses...
The second boy will be VOTING on his EIGHTEENTH birthday. And driving that week too.
The eldest is TWENTY ONE- I just gave him the usual birthday present- a watch.
I am a full deck of spider solitaire cards old. And Tarn would be too.

[So then- Five years to go, to sell the mansion, and move to a warm windy lake place... Unless grandchildren start falling from the sky! Need a yard to corral them little ankle biters I suppose!]

So much more could be said- I have not written up much lately, think I am still coming down from the high of working for a good coin and recovering from the stress of it all- not- haha- not quite.

We do seem to have attracted a few new people to the family home- #2Son has friends living in the shed with him a few days a week- Mr C needs to be closer to work- a 15 minute commute interferes with the apprenticeship wage threshold of fuel or food or drink- something like that- and the same with the other blow-in that has landed like a drowned kitten at the door, Mr Z, although I think he makes more coin for socialising purposes only mind you, than Mr C! I should also note that the final year of high school also includes a fair bit of weekend boozing- not like when I was a kid [hmm?]- think I may have lost parental control there- but I can stop his phone use... Just wish he would jump in to do the usual kiddie chore without been repeatedly asked. I am hoping he knuckles down the rest of the school year so as to pass high-school and get into a paramedical course! Life...

What to tell the gels when their friends start to behave like... girls? As above- "live with it", it is only one phase you have put up with- at a time- should be okay within a week or so- like the common cold- and Who Knows...

About #1Son and the milestone- he made it down from the Big Smoke for a NIGHT to celebrate with us and cousins and grandad and the carers that are lifelong friends. Was a good night out- everybody well behaved. The cousins, my brothers twin girls, who also be 21 next year, brought along a hard-drive chockers with their overseas trip to Europe- we saw about ten percent... another time BunnieTwins!

[PS #4 achieved another milestone 20 July, congratulations!]

Slacking a bit

parenting and slackness

Yep, back as a rigpig.

Since I was pointed to/at a job notice in September, I have had a lucrative three months. As far as strict parenting goes as a single parent goes, I have let it go, shouting and ranting only when there is a mess, and keeping to myself and my hobbies* and letting the kids free rein on the family TV.

Seems a bit rough, but the gels have their aunt around, a few days or more a week for Female Company/ Role Model. As a pool is involved at her place, I think she is like me, 'let em go for it' with their young cousin.

The second child is a little tougher to handle,  he could be out on his own this time next year, and his freedom and phone are pretty important to him at the moment. Well.. To both of us. But I am not paying for vices for him, his phone bill is too much almost to bear. Even if I could afford it, his cap is over nearly every time the bill comes round. I mean, five or six pages of text messages on the bill each month- who has time to spend on text messaging? I reckon he will have it hard enough with this last year of high school anyway and only a few bucks a week to pay the bill. However, his friends and GF manage not to sponge too much off their folks, or even save money! We did have a dinner out together the other night, nice meal, then a few games of eight-ball later. Nice night out.


Eldest child is happy enough I think. At the moment he is happy to help out with stuff around the house here while on vacation from uni, baby sitting the kid, shopping for the house, a bit of cooking and lots of [free] downloading, and doing my delivery job while I am away during the day on a rig earning some real money!

And the newest problem or addition to my menagerie is this little hand me down [below] from #2Son's friend Jonnie... About 3 months old, male, and so is onto EVERYTHING. A firm grip on the nape when an attack occurs seems to have intimidated him that I am IN CHARGE, bit the gels are letting him give them war scars.... He loves chasing the red spot from a little laser pointer- it is FUNNY. So here is the little squirt, resting from a hard days labour entertaining the troops..

Andre....

My father in law had a birthday the other week, the big 80. I think. And is over his Whopping Cough illness a bit more too. Imagine a doctor [GP] or hospital staff not recognising that- UNBELIEVABLE  any way, anti-biotics, and feeling better is how it's going.

My father is in Tassy, at a wooden boat Show with my brother and a cousin's hubby. is that not nice or waht. So far they are eating well. I think. And the weather has been nice for them too.

Other local buzz is a huge bush fire out of control for three weeks now or more- north west of us by 40km, covering a huge 75000 hectares- that is 750Km2 or 289 square miles or 185330 acres. I just wish that officials or the media would say 20 miles by 14 miles, with the active perimeter as say 200km long? And another fire out of control is greater than 10000 hectares in the Alpine region 130km NNE. What a great Country!





















*My TV, Solitaire, The Portable Vineyard watering program, work paperwork and some beers.

Star Gazing

Really? Another Galaxy?

I don't know. I do know when I was my gels age, I had consumed my Dad's Time Life Library before I left elementary/primary school. The next volume in the series was eagerly awaited. When I got into secondary and tertiary schools, I thought I was well rounded thanks to my Dad and Mum and the shelves full of reference books. . There was no politics / religious fervours in the hoose- what I knew or believed, I found out by myself.

I don't know. We have my Dad's books here on a shelf, with all my college books too. I have not pushed science or logic on the kids- but maybe I have- Gel#1 has worn a tee-shirt with a dinosaur face and back plates to a christian fellowship youth meeting- but maybe it was nothing to do with the other- just another shirt to slip on?

I do know the other night after a dinner out with friends, that the gels need some extra-curricular education, and a same with #2 child- he really needs to just page through all the stuff on these loaded, bending, groaning shelves before the trash man is asked to carry away the hoarded knowledge of the ages.

We know now. Or do we? We came back late, one of the hottest nights here for awhile. One of the group at the dinner displayed a small grasp of the antivaccers or antiGMOers "knowledge" disturbed me a little. I like the odd conspiracy theories myself, as a story, but being as cynical as I am, like I said, the lack of any depth of knowing things other than the 'one liner'/'ten second air grab' was a little off putting. Maybe the drinks we were on and the heat allowed a relaxation of sorts.

I feel or hope that maybe an element of doubt into that "knowledge" may have crept in to some ones views, and that is a good thing. I think, cos I don't like taking sides without hearing out the story at least.

Stars A-Plenty!

Now the kids know. We got home, 'twas dark, no moon or clouds. Another beer in the garden and coolness that was slightly better than inside the old hoose. I pointed out to the gels- there is another little galaxy next to the Milky Way- they could see at midnight the Magellanic Cloud. They did not know about it! #1Son said he surprised his classmates a few years ago with that little gem.  No sign of the Lesser I think, the street lights did not help out in the backyard. I did not really look for it either.

They tracked down A Belt and A Cross, a planet and watched the Moon rise. Jupiter was bright that night. My Google Sky worked out fine too, but I think the MicroSoft sky atlas would have been 'funner', more info I mean.

Eldest Son spotted a few streaking meteors, the gels kept missing them as they were not looking that way. For a little while at least, streaking light from the NNE and then I saw one streaking to the NE.

Even a few satellites lit up by the waning Moon orbited through our sights. Then the twins caught some shooting stars, and they wanted to know if Son#1 had at least made a wish!!

Then, there was-"what about taking a picture"?

Really? Why not.

The not so cheap but not a DSLR was set up by midnight on the Xmas pressie tripod.

Myself and Son#1 tried a few ways, but a few beers and having specs on tired me out, and so #1 showed the gels what could be done with all the setups on the camera.

After an hour or so (less?!), there were images. Orion's belt, and the Southern cross have been captured once again by humans to look at and think about. I was so proud of the three of them and was sorry #2 Son was partying at a friends.

Zackandander's Moon Shots

Chazza's Orion. Take your time, it's there.

Emm's Southern Cross and Pointers, the Corss has its head lying down to the left a bit, th ePointers pointing up between the shed and the tree top

And that was crissy

Crissy- done and dusted

Pre Christmas

This time with my Mum and Dad- at the beach- windy and chilly- not summery at all. The folks appear to be coping on the outside, but not 100% well: Mum in the electric wheel chair and Dad and his 'oh-ow' shoulder... but he was planning an around the bay voyage with my brother  Mum says he lights up when Irene is involved

Christmas 

Dee's Pete gave her a new car to go with the hoose...

Quiet enough Chrissy Day with my wife's family sans her dad- ill. Turned out a late long night, nice company. The gels loved their pool. Of course. [Poppy is still not well either.]

There was my family's big do other side of the Big Smoke- sort of missed that atmosphere- twenty odd family- or more- wait- 5 sibs, plus pardners, plus ankle biters and YA- yeah- more than that. Anyway- we missed filling up over there- but definitely not missing out back here with Dee.

Thursday night out too, with Steve and Fran, the gels disappeared down the other end of the house.

New Year

Funny old night out at the nu hoose wif a pool- gels again disappeared down other end of hoose, but so not really invisible- "do not enter hoose wif wet feet" again and again! Anyway- another nice nite with taco mix and soft tortia and their friends. And nice Rockfords Black Shiraz '04 that no one else wanted to try- to early? It was sweetish too, very nice, lasted the whole evening- no guzzling on my part! There was some loud bangs at - oh- about midnight? And a swim for me too. next day not bad at all- read a book.

Rest of the Year?

Hopefully more work through Skye or as a consultant geo on a rig, as the government is pulling out of family support for single dads, the utility company bills and local shire taxes going up are gunna drown me... I think the four kids are going to survive with or without me, they can sort of cook and clean and get to school themselves...

Yeah, better be  better year all round, looking for that sunshine is getting harder.

While I remember

For those with Loved ones not at home

This week I found out that some of my kid's friends are at home with only one parent.

To be sure, maybe I should have been more informed, but these days, I an pretty busy in my own way. Selfish I suppose, but.

"A" has her mum recovering from really bad problems in a 'old peoples' place.

"D"'s mum is also recovering, from brain surgery, there for a about a year now at the same place as "A's" mum.

I did not know.

Now I do. Tonight. Xmas Eve aboot. To boot!

So I am not alone, in my town, raising tweens and teens.

Worst thing, I only know now-  communications are fuzzy.

As I thought about it just now, is it in my what-would-you-say? to visit them, and reach out to my friends dads and mix?

Not many in twelve years in this town offered to get to know me and mine or help out about my loss.

I have not reached out too- to me, looks like these kids dads have not so much either.

Is our community that selfish or withdrawn or so full of it self?

Now- I want to visit these ladies and gents but not sure how?

Rush in saying I remember you from back then or not, or what ever?

As usual, Nah? is not right.

With my baggage already?

Mu immediate feelings were shock, and wow, I did not know, and now guilt. My kid's friends families need something, what can I do?
But I do 'want to do', but I want some direction, I am asking for some positive feedback on how to help these dads and mums.

Help me out or not, flowers are on the way.

Changes

Eras ending- Achanges come to town

This week, two significant changes in the DaggyDad household

I have just pulled apart a swing set that has been in the family since the mid seventies- a handme-down set from my folk's friends- the Lawlers in Mornington. And then handed down to me for my kids in the Nineties

time to fly again

to and fro

Looks like I have been attempting to sort the house, car and finances out. For a reason.

[late addition- prescience]

So as to start real work and to leave the kids in part time care of their aunts and uncles and grands.
And their Big Brother.
Yes I said, with butterflies in the pit of the tummy, I said yes to a job offer.
On the understanding that a certain aunt will be around to care for the "new orphans".

The certain Aunt actually found the job offer online, which I dutifully and manfully forgot to follow up for a few days until I was casually reminded again. Back home, a quick look over the offer- looked simple and plain enough, but rather than go through hoops and forms, just sent a quick few lines after lunch, saying maybe [me] not what they wanted, but click my CV link anyway and get back to me one way or the other.

Less than three hours later, a Positive Reply!

A call and email before dinner even, about a long distance phone interview the next day! An ambit day rate claim was taken at the low end, and was the main motive of the offer I found out, but, foot in the door of the oilpatch(?!) After all the ups and downs the last few months, fixing and scrimping, a real job in the field I like to be in; exploration and getting my hands dirty doin' it.

So far, it is just pie in the sky until the company calls again, that the drilling rig is ready to core and that my services, rusty as they are after ten years of childcare, are to be utilised. On Deck as it were.

The kids are excited that Dad has a new job. [but NOT YET! they are spending money in their heads already] A trial, that could be continued far far away, over a certain holiday period. For a small fee. A fee larger of course than the present stop gap courier job that just tides us over a week at a time.

But as stated, the rub is Away Job. I should not worry.

The gels are probably fine, in company of Aunt and Cuz if I am away, but will it be too much for either?

I don't stress and worry at home with them, too much, just sometimes yell about what has not been kept up to a clean standard, feed them and taxi them and find dollars for them. Sounds cruisey.

And #2Son is nearly voting and keeping his room and nose clean for now and can cook up for himself too. Also cruisey, but the party life style as well as school requirements on top of the job he needs just to pay for his phone bill worries me a little. Maybe he can live at his GFs hoose, I sure her Ma will keep him in line!

So I am maybe going to be a working part time dad to teens.

Will I get another anxiety attack about them and fall in a heap?
Will I have to then keep the little job forever?
Will I make enough to get a new roof?
Will Aunts' family handle it all?
Can #1Son be a fill in for me too?
Will the kids be good for them all?
Will separation be good or bad?

Will they be the same afterwards?

Just another day

Another cake on the table

Number one son 

aka Son#1, returned home the other week after a wee trip.

His travels included some live p.jam, rubbish, small falls near buffaloe and a venice beach visit!

Lucky lucky lucky....

Anyway, he also brought back some little things for us all, what a good guy! I also got some parts for a portable weather station and a thingo for my home weather monitor!

The gels had a cake ready for dinner to celebrate his latest birthday now that he was back. Yummo- the usual mud cake!

The Visitor

Ensconced in his favourite place... The gels do not want me to hand this deaf lil ol critter back to the rightful owner! I 'd love to, he needs TLC, from auntie! Oh the poos and wee is funny... once a month maybe...

Salt and water and Eisteddfod Winner

Salt and water and
Eisteddfod Winner

The last few weeks have been a little slow...
The kids have been up to different things, and getting sick in turns.
I have enjoyed playing CivIV and keeping out of the way at home, and getting annoyed at the weather reports where I am missing a good sailing session again...

The other day I followed one of the twins down the hall.
And? They are young ladies now... nearly as tall as me...
Last week after I dropped one child somewhere, I pondered, wow, will I get to be a grandparent in the not too distant future? I mean, I welcomed fatherhood.

Ach vell, the veeks dat vas:

Last fortnight, Son#2 came down with a head cold, as you do when out with friends partying. Oh dear. Against my better judgement, but at least I know what is going on. Or Do I? And he has had to sleep in, well past lunchtime the last two weegens. And he's reducing my hangover cure pills by a smallish but noticeable margin... I hope the crap on the telly about fining and or actually jailing parents for letting kids drink at home is not true. But, avid risk avoider as I am, I am not letting the partying go on around here if it ever it comes up, I mean, the nanny state is going too far! And then I find out he said NO to a small job coming up, I do not think he has any other commitments except PAYING HIS MOBILE PHONE BILL ON TIME.

Speaking of bloody mobile phones- we tried to sort out the gels pre-paid accounts, what a rort! Cheaper this way or the same that way, but far too many plans... At least we can call each other for free. Oh wow, 21st century has arrived, pack the string and cans away. I really hope they appreciate they get to talk or message while I miss out on going speedsailing! Then I tried to get a new broadband plan... See my other posts... maybe I should get rid of ALL the phones and rely on the land line. HAHAHAHAhahaha, nope. Don't fink so...

The Eldest twin, Gel#1a, by a minute or so... was in a few Eisteddfod items locally last week, with the school band and the sale city band. Cos I wanted her to do something (a test) at a school rehearsal time without knowing How Important It Was to Attend the Final Rehearsal, she missed one performance out of three on the Thursday. Some teachers really piss me off. Anyway. At least they all did really well. And then the city band won its section, and they won another section the following Sunday, so all in all, she has fitted in really well with two great groups. And she accomplished it all with a cold she probably picked up from Son#2... Now all she should be keeping up is practise.

Now Gel#1b, the younger twin, has decided that the music scene as far as piano or brass is not up her street, is not doing any so maybe will miss out, at least she can read music! Also, she has not picked up a cold as such, but does have a funny eye, and a funny heel bone... So she missed out on a cross country run where her twin came fourth, ah well. Salt and warm water eye rinses and dry eye drops, all I can do, as so far, have not got a GOTTA TAKE ME TO THE DOCTOR NOW DAD.

nanny reads to the gels

Just an old pic on the wall board

But poppy liked it, Tarn's Mum and her gels

Get It? Her girls- Who's gels? Hers! Who? Well, Tarn's and Bev's gels then.

Nanny Bev and my twins- gel#1b &  gel#1a, eldest gel got pink for evermore....

I was asked a while ago to print off a pic of my gels by Tarns's dad when he was around for a meal, oh, about the time of  Mother's Day here in Oz.

"Yep, no worries" I said.

With trepidation. Several thousand pics to go through on the hard drive....

At least I had roughly a time in their growth

1. they were on Nanny's knee.
2. there was no lamp table next to the chair.
3. Nanny did not have a wig on.
4. they were walking.
5. it was well before we lost Nanny to cancer.
6. they loved being read to.
7. pics were not labelled, but all pics were foldered year, month and day.

Today, before lunch, I sat down here and did that calculation above.

Easy peasy. Five minutes or so.
Next was to process the pic, cropping and so on.
Then print off. First print on matt paper trying out the bottom one
Nah, the print was too grey to me, so fancied it up and printed the next one off on Kodak glossy. Shit, nearly late for work! Not really five minutes at all, haha.

Later. "Noice".

original

no tick?

tick?

Next installment tbalance the books, their paternal nanny!

An intro to the world

In an olde fashioned way

Second boy has a turn

In Oz, maybe like in other places, we have a growing up celebration called a debutante ball. Where the nearly adult among us are presented to society or local community [as nearly ready to find partners? Or to present their current partners?]

Involved is:
Presentation.
Money.
Worry.
Time.
Poor bloody parents.
Relatives and friends.

Preparation

First, the parents have to be persuaded to part with money. For dancing lessons. This takes over a month, and the couples have to get it right, and the worry wears them down if they are perfectionists. I am told.

Next is finding the committee to look after the Kids' Big Night Out. As it was not not done properly before the practice sessions, and the few involved at first really needed to spread the load. Or get the nod on the decicions already made?
Yep, another committee, and yours truly put his hand up. And stayed quiet as the arrangements could only be nodded at from my point of view. Maybe a female partner would have enjoyed using the almost wedding like organisational skills required to implement committments to this procedure, like food, table arrangements and clothes and props, photographers, video people, stage trees and props, DJ for afterwards....etc etc,

So I was on the committee. Unfortunately, the male partners choices on the costumes were over-ridden. No, jeans and tees were not on the list, but suit/vest/tie colours were and their choices weren't. In the purple mode only, thank you boys.

The outfitting- apparently costly to the girls family, a sacrificial goat or jeep is sold off and a new mortgage negotiated, just like a wedding. The guys, just rent a tux and shoes... and do as they are told.

The Night

We were allowed five tickets to the ball. Which for me meant a grandparent and a sister and the twins. And me. Better than alone like last time as a partner piked out on #1Sons deb. Or refused- very unsettling at the time.

My sister travelled through the Big Smoke to come to a very special night, very appreciative of that. And his Poppy came along too and the twins. Also at the table was #2Son's girlfriend's Mum and partner and sister and partner. A jolly little group, first time together.

The deb kids were not at the table though, they were The Entertainment. And the table talk was a bit minimal, as we were there to see our kids.

They were presented to the Deputy Premier of the state, the Mayor of the shire, their partners and other school dignitaries a pair at a time. 

 Then there was the dancing.

The end was a loud din of families lining up for more photographs and a disco starting up. 

To me it was a little emotional at the start of the night, accompanied by poppy and the girls and my sister, was seeing this young man, a gentleman almost [hand reared] stepping out onto the world stage with a beautiful friend.

Another week down..

Am I over the parenting.
This week? Or Overparenting?

After nearly twelve years, my twins are pretty much on their way to a brave new world... I gave them the responsibilities of looking after a prepaid mobile phone contract. On their own phones... Each... But I still won't let them have a FazeBuk or Hortmael accounts as yet- unlike the boys where they just did it without authorisation from me- I still have some sway over the twins. So far. And I find myself lecturing and hectoring them all more than ever too. After all, it does cost too much when they have the face-time thingo on ipods as well! The phones are for me and them to be in touch, not for socialising. I hope.

The second son is still doing the ballroom dancing lessons for the debutante ball, coming up soon. His partner is working, at critical lesson stages, so there is tension in the air... The poor bugger not only has to learn to cope with that, but also to live and phone on a reduced budget- his restaurant job has come to an end due to the economy... I think he really does want to work in that line too, maybe he will be out and about from school at the end of the year, against my better judgement. But he will be driving and voting within only two years.

This week was a primary school garden party, one that I thought I would not have to go to anymore after being to it each year since 1998, but... As Gel#1A is staying on in the town brass band, they wanted her to play for the annual Maypole Dance at the school they left last year. Oh well. Gel#1B was dragooned into doing face painting too.

My ability to live on the smell of an old oily rag is being sorely tested. I was going over some budget stuff from a few years ago, and it looks like we will have to tighten the belts more, unless a new job just pops up out of nowhere. This month being birthdays, water bills, regos*, holidays and deb balls and all, it's frightening. Spending more on communications than insurances! Time on the job is up, but the rates are the same... Productivity can only go up if there is more work available, and the contacts say, nah, sorry. Argh.

The plus side is shampoo. It looks like using Head & Shoulders® brand has done more than fix the family scalps. I really think that other brands tend to put something like a fertilizer in the air for the moulds on the wall and weed and tree roots in the drains! Since Xmas, the bathroom walls are definitely better than they were. And, indeed, I have not had to do the plumbing- touch wood- the cleaning of the drains for a while either- or... What is in that brand of shampoo that mould and roots do not like....? Whatever! Hope it is bad for that and good for us! Have to add on that using 1/4 teaspoon of Oil Of Cloves/liter sprayed on the walls is also helping. Now I will have to get a paint suitable for the littlest room in the house. Actually, it really ain't that small! Onto the bottom of the list, I realise, as I still have some other renovations to do first- soft wood on the weather side...



*vehicle registration, etc

The mice were away

Not really Away
And the cat did sweet...?


One month into the new school year, and the New High School Students and #2Son had things to be paid for! A camp in the mountains and a school dance.

The gels were sort of excited about going to a school camp this week, just two nights away to bond with the new class mates I suppose. A giant swing etcetera. Some kayaks and hiking activities, an obstacle course. Rain...

The older boys had been there in their earlier high school years too, and the main thing to tell me on their return was how bad the food was. Not this time!

So I sent them off, or did they take off themselves? Advice, be nice, do not do anything you know you should not. What else can I say- no drugs or sex or drinks or music or fun? Trust- I have have so much and I respect my kids' teachers. And the system. Cos they live in the same small town and so far there are no secrets tween the gels and I. Yet.

Now I do not know whether that is true with me and the #2Son. I have him driving the family car on the freeway with us all in there, and he says he don't do that or this when he goes out, so...

With this kid, all it is this time is throwing money at Potential. This debutante dance thing needs money for dance training, the partner's flowers, the Suit, and more- seats at the table for family/friends... I did get the #1Son to do it at the other school, and he missed the after party... I will have to do the same thing with #2 too! Already his partner is tired of the dance training- and I say, "download" a waltz and Practise! - "yeah, nah, dunno"! And another thing- maybe you know- he has an ingrown toenail, an dthe doc said "try not to skate for a week or so...". Yeah right. There was a follow up visit- and he admits that he did not finish the antibiotics cos he had a few drinks last night. to the doc. In front of me. gRREAT! Not. Of course. Even if I did say he could go out, I did not mean to have a few. His foot. His trial and error. Good luck with that. "Daad?" Hmmph

A Showery

Blurb to the Masses About
Hairy Plugholes...

Deserving some pat on the back, or cash, for a hair washing cure! YouHaveToLaugh at this one, or commiserate!

Having some complaints from some of my immediate family descendants growing up around me the past year, ie my kids, we have swapped to a well known brand of shampoo and conditioner, as some of us keep getting "rashes" from nearly every kind of shampoo and conditioner I contrive to either luxuriate in or save money on.

I kept saying- "Water too hot", "Too long in there", and "Really? Show me, nah, can't see it".

Well, actually, I think after using a well known brand or the Aldi sort-looka-like, the complaints from the bleachers have all but disappeared!

And even the plug hole has been clear of all detritus! Hair I mean. No long ones, grey ones, or short ones. Since start of the year anyway, that I recall. I used to pick the junk out and slap it in a corner and forget about it, and do it again, and manage to collect a fair amount each week. The WeirdOrWhat dirty left behinds are gone, hooray.

Being the sole cleaner stay at home dad, I used to get tired of the ankle deep tepid water gathering at my feet, thanks to the collecting "human hair balls" in the shower.. Laziness and necessity and money, cures all ills?

Figured after a year I could maybe call a hair saloon that creates wigs.

Not any more. Cured and Clean and Happy all round. Some trivial but absolutely riveting and amazing facts of our life.

One bad call for the week was, also to do with the bathroom, that there must be a leak under the handbasinsink, cos all the spare bars of new soap, including the expensive pandering ones were in a container, that collected the leak... Fifteen bucks worth of soapy waste... argh.

Year in Review-2011

All growed up
Changes

Hitting the half century this year and getting a balloon flight from the Family, rather than a weekend at a famous [within the Family] campground grog fest, has had me try to be profound about flying not drinking. Did not work. Which reminds me- I have to organise That Weekend away soonish before the ticket runs out... I try not to read the part of the paper with the "HatchesMatchesDespatches"- some people write too well for me to complete their memorials to their passed on relatives- makes me wince that I could not get it together to honour Tarnia that way- but the circumstances at the time were hard to handle. It may have been nearly eleven and half years ago now, still hurts to be reminded, but maybe I am so full of myself I was/am insulated from the grief now. The kids are nearly all grown up now or half way, but still they need some finishing touches, like acting on hints "dishes", "lawns" "room!".

But they are the nicest people I know.

Also this year-

My eldest boy hit university running rather than take a daggy trip around the world or buy a car. Successfully completed the first year away in the Big Smoke with his mates and only a few musical festivals, bar cruising and the associated hangovers... Cannot believe he will be twenty this year.

Second or Middle child started his eleventh year of schooling and two jobs after school. These jobs are to only be up with the Joneses- ie skateboard, "skatebike", clothes and shoes, girlfriend and an iPhone... A few hangovers, too early for my liking, and ignoring the 7:30pm curfew has me a little annoyed lately. We saw the Foo Fighters together so I suppose we have spent quality time together, at least once? As I have to let him drive my car or van for a mandatory 120 hours behind the wheel before you can take a car licence test... that must count too? We are still awaiting an invitation from the MCC for his junior membership- waiting for 16 years! A trip to Tassie and some surfing weegens were had during the year. Who says the government run schools are shite? Ejits would. He has been less of a handfull this year at home and school, so I think he is going to be a gentleman after all, indeed, his mum would be proud too, like me. I suppose he might miss his mum, but there is a GF and her mum, and his aunts of course. He is spoken highly of when his name comes up, I expect it was hand rearing and the denial of services goodies bike the phone works, and if no lawns are done, then no driving around on his delivery job!

The Twins have done their seven years of primary school now, and expect to get mobiles [or cell] phones and Facebook and Hotmail accounts this year as they approach the Teen Age. [Expect...] I think I will hold it off as long as possible- what can they do? They cannot leave home. Teen peer group pressure may crumble my resolution though. A mistake may have been made granting their siblings those privileges or RIGHTS[?] too early, ie in the first or second year of high school... Their teachers loved having them all year, and they had a good musical year too- brass band, choir and Taiko drumming. With little or no practice too. Means a quiet house... [Other growing stages are yet to hit them, praying to myself- just another year please.] My mum wanted to pay for piano lessons, but apparently the teacher was hard to get on with... All their friends keep them very busy, sleepovers and all that jazz. Putting up with six screaming preteens in the house is a little trying. Yelling out of my cave "ITS NOT THE SCHOOL YARD!" does not seem to work either. Youtube has a lot to answer to as well! It may be a hard start to the new school year as many of their friends are going off to different schools, but I hope that the friendships made this year will last for life.

The folks are still holidaying at the ocean, well, maybe the wrong word, Living by then, but, they are doing as best they can. The fishing, the river, the dog, the cat, the golf club, the shed, the boat, the kayak, the grandchildrens' visits, all close to their hearts. My little worry is that I am too far away to care for them more if needed- has it been worthwhile staying on in Tarn's house, and not moving closer? My visits are not often enough- which also goes for my visiting my siblings- they are all a long drive to go see from here. Or, I am finally living within my budget! But they are all well, and it looks like most of the grandchildren that have finished secondary school are moving on through to the universities. Six of them so far. And one to start primary school soon!

My sister-in-law has moved into their new house, the one I was looking after. They have had a successful year too, their girl growing up on two continents and appears to be taking it all in her stride. Her dad and partner are still going, popping in for a cuppa or dinner now and then.

Currently A New Year

Doh!
Oh der Fred Marvin! Catch up!

The kids have started a new school year- #2Son his second last year of Secondary School, and the twins, #1gel and #2Gel have just started their first day at Secondary School. #1Son will soon start second year at the Big Smoke Uni, and in the meantime, has got himself a new single bedroom apartment. For the same price. With a kitchenette and ensuite. One glass and two plates, a set of cutlery for one. I think. Yesterday I dropped off some stuff for his place, but he did not want too much. Mugs, plates. BTW, next week he has jury selection!

The gels had a big summer holiday. Lots of sleepovers with mates here and away, heaps of swimming pool stuff. We did not get to the ocean beach even once. But we had fun I suppose. Sometimes- they had Six gels running around here, [which means I run to my man-cave and bunker in with some HM rum and coke and the teev ...] Movies. Xmas with their aunts and uncles and granparents here and there. But it was a cool xmas day. And filling.  Both times! Ta Dee and bro.

#2Son had fun- FooFighters, Big Day Out, lotsa skaten an' biken' an' time with his little cutey 'L'.

I took my lil yacht out. Once. I went to the pics once, to see A Few Best Men. (not that great, okay tho. Too Aussie).

Last week, me and the gels went around getting the new uniform stuff and school stuff. The dresses and jackets cost a small fortune, got two of each, a size 10 and a size 12 in case there is a growth spurt some time this year. Gotta be prepared! But the smaller size was tailored (for another small fortune) and they looks just fine. The downer was that some one suggested I really should have bought four size 8 instead. Pessimists. Whatever bonuses I received (ta everyone) for getting all this school stuff (for three of them) was not quite enough, och well, and still gotta get some clogs for the #2Son! I mean Skate-shoes suitable enough for school...

Yesterday [at 8am! After a 2 hour drive..] I got to see a specialist about whether I had MS or not. I have a mild case. There. And will see him again. Next year. And drove home from the Big Smoke after seeing Son#1. Back to a crazy work schedule, and then after that, More damn school supplies shopping! At least they had practically everything to start the new year off.

Bearded. After the Big day Out Weegen

Another one-on-one thing we have between #2Son and me is the learning to drive a vehicle... As he has a little delivery job around town, I have started to let him drive me around in order to get some hours up on his logbook. He needs 120 hours worth before he can do his driving test for a licence, and that is a lot of petrol man- work it out. Och well. There is the definite one-on-one time, even if I am trying to stop the car with my mental powers at times... So I thought that with two years, just an hour a week should be fine. Nah, give in a little, and it is two hours a week. Dang. Quarter of the way there already! And we are still alive too. Hmm.

Last weegen, he and his mate Max went to the Big Smoke all by themselves on the train to the Big Day Out, a series of Concerts by big bands and the lesser known newbies. I think he had a good time.  I bought him his ticket months ago and he only just paid it back to me just in time. He had worked his butt off for it too, or else! They stayed at my niece's place nearby, so it was all good- just a hop skip and jump- or 15 minute walk away. Really growing up noo!

I have been left alone in the house a few times the last few months. Strange. Getting close to the empty nest stage. Maybe get to have the house the way I want it. Clean, neat, tidy. Hmm. And just me?

Hmm. Tight. Good. The Foos

And OMG

Sucked into a FooFighters Concert.

So I was thinking I did the right thing a few months ago, buying some concert tickets for the 16yr old and his mate, seats at the December 2 FooFighters concert in the Big Smoke at the Aami Stadium
But boy was I wrong. They wanted the mosh pit, so the mate bailed out.

Pissed me right off.

So for the next few months I was on #2's back- get me my money! $120 is not a sneeze- it is about three slabs of beer man!

By the 1st december, no takers....

Talking about it to a mutual friend- A Father and Son Outing!

Riigghhhtt. Me and the boy going together to a Foos concert.

Suggested by SMS to #2.

No answer.

After school- "Yeah, good idea", cos I did say he could drive us...

!!!!

Okkaay then. Organise the gels so the boys could take off.

Tight

So then I had to finish work early, grab #2 from school early, and get to the city by 6pm...

Worked dragged on and on...

Left home to pick #2 up, but had to return for the reading glasses... Off to pick Him up. And returned home yet again so he could FINISH packing things he did not pack in the car before school...

Arrived a little later than imagined, the Learner driver being booted out of the driver's seat at Springvale Rd,  then after panic attack about parking the car, as dropped idea of staying with #1 at the campus flat, set off around the MCG, over the railroad, and could hear the warm up bands from a mile off.

Walked all around the concert stadium - 359° - to get to our assigned row and was ready for Tenacious D. Who ever. But the Screens- Man, they were BIG!

"Jack Black?" I asked the expert, with shock.

OMG, am I out of the loop!

So that was enjoyable.

Then the show started in earnest.

OMG II- Out of the loop or what. Really this time.
I only knew a few radio hits, but tapped along anyway.
As far as it went, I would rate it loud.
Like Pink Floyd 1989 Adelaide, Springsteen 86 Melbourne and U2 in 84 Perth.
And Tommy the Movie, mid 70's...

The drummer did a Wall song, something I vaguely knew in the first bar, and then, OH YEAH, somethin' to Tap Along To!

Well, I reckon #2 enjoyed it anyway.

We have just arrived home, getting through the 11:30pm traffic jam and home by 2.30am, and here I am, looking at the $45 dollar concert tee-shirts at 3am and wondering, sometimes life is worth it.

NuHoose Inhabitated

They're Back
And the heater is on

As is the usual seasonal happenings occur, some close relatives flew back to the new coop the other day, as mentioned before.

If this is a family blog spot, then I better get on with it.
So far we have shared a few meals and drinks, and cousins are enjoying each others company.
The weather has been a typical free for all- wet, dry, bright, dull, windy, warm, cold, beautiful.
Dee has used her new expensive heater- and kitchen- and The Decking.
I think she has enjoyed it so far- but the moving out of the old place to the new is tiring.
As PD puts it- just one trip per day...
And they will be off again in the new year, like swallows following the summer.
Which means lots of laughs, meals and good wine, heaps of iced confectionary and sweets between now and then! A bbq or two.
 Good wine. Oh yeah. That moderately, after last weekend- but welcome home times are like that.

I received a compliment too, via Dee, that the kids are so good, amazed[?] that I have done it.
Thank you. I will leave it at that. Nearly.

It has not been that hard- to me. I set my standards on what/how I have grown up with, and what others' expectations of how participants in a social and democratic and secular society are expected to behave so we can all live well, happily and together, supportive of each other.

You can tell I am a bloke, because "love" has not come up.

Cos it has to be there for the other stuff to happen I suppose.

In other news, #2 has been on a surfing camp at the Prom, and now we are after a wetty and board. Great. The lawns not been done and expects a handout like that? Hmm. And driving time?

The gels are nearly out of primary school, last few concerts... Hard to believe how the time is passing.

Son#1 should be "home" again soon, after completing his first year away at uni.

Should be fun, watching the four of them, verbally dueling- I mean- FOUR teenagers under the one roof!

Well, not quite, 19, 16 and two  @ 11 yrs.
There is a shared love of music too, they all have done Taiko drumming and City brass band time, and the iPods get a Workout...

Still growing...

Show time
Dress ups

Looks like the boys and the gels are catching me up.

I mentioned to the twins in recent times that their mums' handbags are still in the wardrobe.
Like their mother, and elephants, the fact was regurgitated TO/AT me because it looks like the, or a, Point Of No Return has been reached.

"Dad? Dadda? Daddy! Can you get Mummy's old handbags out- so could we use them when we go to the local show/fair ground on the weegen...?"

In the MIDDLE of me cooking up steaks and vegetables for their dinner...

Okay Okay Okay. Not like the house is going to disappear!

The steaks were not rare but not medium or dry either, by the time I got back from the depths of the wardrobe.

There was one bag missing, like a little backpack type, all the rage when I was overseas on a job. Honkers I think, 1999.

I spilled the treasure out and they were both like rabbits or seagulls or cats and food, the prizes Disappeared.

Then they had to [prepare?] dress up, and paraded around with the new [shared!] belongings.

The little fashionistas were getting Ready for their first fairground outing with their friends without me.

I am not sure they want me to tag along or hang around at all! But their friends mum will be there. Haha! Should be no trouble... I will eventually return to the show grounds for the fireworks I said.

So now the little misses are getting kitted out. Even their mums' shoes fit them... However, the shoes were not worn to the showground.

LATER

We went for a walk around the show, the art gallery, the rides and showbags stalls and sideshows, and spent a relatively large amount of money on a small pack of hot chips and two cans of coke... I went straight past a small RC helicopter and leather-belt salesmen, and dragged the gels through the rides and to a gate to meet their friend. Thanks Trish.

And left them to spend a wonderful time there. Their grandfather, Poppy, had given them some money to spend. I had joked to him that that was a cheap way of getting out of walking around with them. Small mercies in fact, thanks Poppy. The money I gave them sort of was spent first, they actually came back with some. "Poppy's money". Obviously the sideshows were not that great after all, and the rides not what was expected! And no showbags?! Shock! When the boys had come back in the past- there was lolly/sweets bags and paper and crappy cheap plastic toys left over from showbags around the house for weeks after.

And Aftermath.

One ride left a memory for eldest gel- she banged her knee getting off it. Bugger!
The gossip was: one of their friends now had a boyfriend!
And and and   [in one ear and out the other, sorry gels]
The fireworks were nice. In the rain.
A beautiful warm day, evening and nightfall.
With a light rain to top it off after the sun went down.
And then a storm as the sky show was finishing.
Thunderbolts and lightning, very very exciting!