Schools's Back

A catchup on the month [February 2012!]

gone past- phst!

[a catchup on the drafts folder, whether it is worth it.. yep]

From a note to my sister who wanted some gossip from over here:

Not much news here either. Al’s back for maybe jury duty later this week.

Gels like school, gets lots of boring news about that- she said, she did, he did etc

Fraser has deb ball training, i was sposed to go to a meeting to form a committee or it will be cancelled and arrived as it was closing as I forgot,,,,,,

Got photos school pics this week.

Made a subwoofer and got aspecial amplifier for it, sounds good!

Her reply

I read your subwoofer adventure. You are Terry Ford's son that's for sure. Good on you!

I love you have to hear the who said what Stories. That's so funny. I bet you tune out and get glazed eyes. HA

Lucky bugger that Alexander. I have been called up twice in the past few years but didn't go any further than the letter and the voice mail saying I wasn't need this time. How is he going in his new place?

Awe Debs, what fun times. I went to 8. I stared in none. Our school didn't do debs so they were organised in by ballet schools, Starlight foundation etc. Plus I wouldn't have had anyone to ask being at an all girls college. No great loss really. Waste of money for the girls.

Stories from school, yep, who has been smokin etc

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

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

Moving on up...cell phones

So I succumbed

The gels get a phone

For their birthday last month. Thus keeping up with all the other little Jones'. Hard to believe the little tomboys are now on the verge of actual teen-hood. Mind you, they better grow a waist, the new school pants are the right colour and length. Only. Alterations were more than the original cost!

Phones

Severe restrictions of course. Fatherhood allows that. Does it not?

one- do not use them...

two- I do not want to subsidise over-use thank you very much

three- do not drop them

four- I cannot remember

five- use facetime?

six- use the landline?

Anyway, so far, no recharge yet until the next few weeks...

Maybe they are being sensible? 

[But one cent texts... #2Son can fill five sheets of his phone bill with itemised sms calls...]

They did lose the privledge of use because they could not keep a tidy room. In one case, nearly a fortnight. 

"Have you finished your room?" 

"Almost" 

"Well, do you want your phone AND iPod back or what?"

"Yeah..?"

"WELL?"

I dunno how the human race arrived at this point.

Did Julius Caesar give his folks grief like that?

The Boys

Eldest son was suitably Outraged that the gels got a phone in the first year of high school, whereas he had to wait until I had a spare when he was in his second  or third year, long after friends had them. Even so, he was good with it.

The second son managed to scrounge a second hand one off a richer friend when he was in his first or second year at high school. And managed to sell "his bmx bike spares" to maintain the SIM card and plan that had to be gotten under my name anyway.

I think they are outraged as I really did go out and buy the twins a phone each, even though I probably will bleed financially as soon as they get the hang of them.

But... As the gels already have Apple Touches with wifi video- do they really need a cell phone? I thought no. With the Facetime, it was fine really, the broadband plan was upgraded enough to cover the five technophiles that lived under my roof anyway. 

Tarn

Tarn would have been mortified, being the sort of technophobe that had to be gently persuaded over many months that a new bra would be better than the one with the loose under wire[s?] prodding her conciousness over whether I would be unamused at such an extravagance: 

"A new bra? What!" which I never said by the way because I could not understand it. But maybe I with some affluence and consumeristic ideas I had devolved into a toddler- 

"GIMME IT. NOW!" 

I do not think that a new vacuum cleaner would be allowed either- I love my dyson...

So the boys were a little nose out of joint- was it favouritism?

Me

No.

I need the gels to feel safe in these times, for example that they do not have to scramble for a coin AND a public telephone if they need help. Being the single parent/single dad, I need to be re-assured that they can be safe, all the time. Do you know that the number of public telephone in our town can be counted on one hand...? Well, google earth won't let me find them, but I am sure there is a lot less around these days than when I was a kid. But I can find a video store...

The Birthday celebrations

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

Another dust biting

and E&A visit,
thanks, but I try...

Now some people might think that with children it is poor form to expect frequent flier points for every visit to see a GP or for attending the Accidents & Emergency clinic at the local hospital for every nick/cut/temperature/broken-bone , or that I am not performing as a properly strict and helicoptering single parent preventing any sickness or accidents from occurring to the beloved immediate descendants, [take a breath], but...

This time:

It was after dinner, and the sun not yet set.
"See ya, I'm off to the skate  park!"
"Be careful and be back before dark!"
"Yeah, sure"

Watching the teev, later, with a wine in hand, playing solitaire, sun had set and no child...

"I'm back, and fell off at the quarterpipe" he intones, holding his wrists out...
"Uh oh- does it hurt? Much? Move your hands? Painful, clicking? Hmm."
"Yep, I think it's broken here and this one is bad too"

Hmm, again. "Nah, you don't look that hurt to me, let's just strap it up, cool it down, wait for morning and take a tablet or two, and sit down for a while and," I paused, " leave the bloody phone alone!"

He was not white from shock or puffing, he had not called for a ride to the A&E clinic, had walked home, so what else really could I do?

Later:
"Still painfull"
"Did you take a tablet? Did you not get the hint? Just go to bed!"
"Can you strap it?"
"Sorry, yes, of course. And leave the phone alone!!!"

After breakfast and extensive questioning of the suspect victim bloody teenager patient child, my #2Son, I called the GP clinic this morning for a visit and X-ray referral- "Nah, go to A&E"!!!!

Bloody heck, okay, off we go.

The wait was not that long this time, half an hour, some time for one on one [not really, still had the morning grumps myself!] and the result was:

 "JustOnly soft tissue damage towards the outside of the wrists, maybe a week or so of no extreme sports, or/and until he can rotate the wrists quickly without any pain..."

Like I thought, a trivial injury with no time off school.

Who said parents know nuthin about parenting and kids?

When it is ready

And the weather suitable
or not... won't matter.
It is solar heated.
With a view- stuff the sea side mate!


I may have to beg borrow steal or Buy this place.
For the kids of course.
Once it is ready and the bar is pre-stocked too...

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.

seemed odd afterwards

A family run around
Busy or what?

Last week, we had fish n chips n ChikoRolls midweek at my inlaws D and PD at the NuHoose

Friday, she picked the gels up from school for the weekend because I was off to see my mum, so did not catch her Friday arvo.

At 6 pm. dropped into see my eldest son in The Big Smoke for a coffee and to drop off of xrissy prezi.

At 8pm (late cos had to pick up some flowers!), arrived at Mum and Dad's place, by the sea and  river, not far from a 13 hole golf club!

Saturday, saw Dad off for his trip to help my sister boy and my broinlaw for the Garmin 24 at Redesdale, where the little guy got a third in his division. By the way, it bucketed down and the nobby tyres caused the portable showers a problemo, if you know what I mean...

For the weekend, sat around with Mum, fixed this up and that, installed a new weather station, formatted a slow laptop that they had given up on and hey presto, it just ZINGS along Now! Cos everyone wanted to put something on it for Nana to use, it was very cluttered, and glacially slow that they got another one... Should have taken it home to fix- for meself- but thought the better of it, it would be something the grand-kids can fight over when it rains...

Sunday: Did the leaves in the gutter thing, took dog for a walk once- cos it rained and rained and...Dad gets back and I take off home, with a washing machine for my brothers girl that has moved into a share house in the Big Smoke with mates and three dead laundry machines... cannot believe she has finished study and ready to work in the real world of Nursing. Their place was not too far out of the way, and a simple [NOT] drive home to pick the gels up. And catch up with D and PD again, and collect my gels.

No radar flashes or hidden traffic cops the whole weegen, cos I was Very Watchful of my poor empty wallet... And collected two nice hand knitted jumpers made by Mum for my gels!

The point: face to face time with family. Just doing it.

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!

Knitting lessons

With Country Women
Of The CWA and The Gels

One night after school is usually Band Night- Gel#1a [or child #3] has an hour of School Band, then the three of us usually have another hour in the town's brass band hall training with the Bandmaster and others.

But this week the gels have joined in with some other young'uns to be taught some new skills.
Such Knitting and the fine art of a women's [conversation?] group- with mums and grandmothers. Only once a month, a small conflict, but what else can I do?

I think this will be a great experience for them in my opinion, and I am indebted to Gwen who lives around the corner, a grandmother to a gel that my gels go to school with.

[Gwen is a character too. She has a cockatoo, and the bird escaped from their yard once years ago, and it flew into our backyard. I was at once a little concerned about our cat and the bird having gladiatorial combat in front of the kids and tried to shoo the apparently tame bugger away. As I got up close to it, it SHRIEKED so LOUD that I JUMPED backwards in fright!
Anyway- the bird has never graced us with its presence again.]

A week or two later. Well, fortnight practically.

They have done as much practice knitting as they have with their brass instruments. Close to Zilch. As seen at right... The even got a DVD to help them out. So far I have not seen it being used, but they do have a busy schedule, see.

The next thing you will see me wearing I hope is a new pullover in the near future...

However, or But.. They have got the hang of it after a few goes. I hope it will be something that will last. Like my Mum, still churning out beautiful pullovers/gernseys/jerseys/jumpers for family members since I was a baby.

Coastal Visit

A quick Weegen parental Visitation
Or Dragging Bad Weather to the Beach

I am remiss in a promise to try to see my folks more than a few times a year.
Once my mother was struck down with a paraplegic condition I was going to travel to see them more often.
It is far too far for me to expect them to travel my direction for a day's probably very uncomfortable ride, and that is fine by me- I get to travel out of my own hell hole [not!] for a day or two, and share the travails of parenthood with them, hoping that the gold mines of experience we now share have any common ground...

Of course there is, and now that the gels are tearing into the pre-teen stage, I need a bit of sage advice. The boys are... well, #2 is nearly out in the wild with the eldest, but both are pretty well prime conversation subjects anyway using a crystal ball to see what they will end up doing etc... ...

This last weegen, it was only three of us travelling away to The Beach, the other side of the Big Smoke, near Bells Beach. The gels and I.  #2son was "working" Fri and Sat nite, &  #1son was travelling down our way for a music festival held around the towns' pubs here- not really to see us... But it would have been nice, the girls have not seen him for a few months. So they both missed a weegen with their grandparents. But they had to look after the house- NO PARTIES, and #2 strictly to be home- no pubs or lose the phone/skateboard/bmx or all of them...

Travelling takes about four hours over 290 km, mostly freeway too. Maccas attack on the road, mainly to keep the peanut gallery QUIET.

My folks were well, and no big-bad-great-deary'me news, just usual catch up stuff.

My head hit the pillow later, and after some AngryBirds I drifted off, a dim sound of crashing waves in the background.

The next day- busy sort of.  Me an me gels took a seven kilometer walk along the ocean beach and river with me dad's doggy [Lockie, Lachie, Loki?]. Such a nice rambling walk that wore us all out in a nice way.

My lil sis took the gels away the next day for more proper photos than my phone camera snapshots, and hoping I am not breaking the law- here is a sample.

I did think 'what the?'
Etcetera forever?
Dumb daggy dad!

E+C 4 EVA!

So thanks dad, Mum and KT for a great weegen away. And specially for the pics KT. 

Tony's Tiny Diggers

School Camp and the Gang
What they got up to
Bendigo
Ballarat
First night
quiz

to be continued as time goes on...

Quiz Night.
The kids in my group were called- Tony's Tiny Diggers. That was the decision after a  five minute Round Table discussion between themselves.

After all I am a geologist. They were my team. And we were after gold in Bendigo, or at least a gold medal in the quiz! Some of the other teams names were obvious suckups to their leader, or highly fun, or just plain.

The adults were sitting around the room, [wishing for various substances banned for a few days. I think. I was.]

Reintroduce Family Custom

The Old Sunday Ritual
Sock Sorting


Saturday is alright for washing, eh?
And trying to be organised- the "Do As I Say Not Do What I Do" class.


This particular weegen, for some 'weird' reason, a realisation.


Arising from the dead slumber of a sleep-in,
getting out of the system the usual Satdee morning ritual of
screaming
"dirty clothes! dirty clothes!"
at the TV zombies and at the
teen that had had a late night, and
before a cold coffee
[filled but forgot to Boil the kettle before sitting down for brekky After Hanging Out some washing], and
while hanging out the washing...


I realised I may have overlooked a key element in the accruing of millstones around my neck...


There was TOO MANY SOCKS TO HANG OUT. Why?


Three kids and me, say, a pair of socks each per day- 28 pairs- say nearly 60 actual socks? Okay 56... 5x3=30 white school socks, plus me and weegen stuff... should be less than 56!


As the socks came out of the laundry basket to be hung up, I realised that there was MORE than usual...
So I started counting- [shut UP Muttley] and got to about 50 with still more to come out of the Magical Basket....And more smalls than you can poke a long long pole at!
And this was just the first load, the whites...


ARHGHGRG!#$%%^


What have I done?


Time to delegate? Why should I spend time sorting whites, coloureds and goth* clothing out, but really? Can't they do it all now? And then watch out that it doesn't rain on the dang drying clothes as well.
although does seem to actually make sense to have the Internet and the Rain Radar. Worthwhile? Oh yeah!

Thinking- a friend of the kids stayed over, so there was a quick bedroom clean up before the spare mattresses were laid out, and the lounge had a few socks in the armchair creases [Muttley, Shut Up]. And under them too...?

So then I was thinking too, if there are all these socks, should they be tested before washing that the things were actually worn? A [uhg] smell test... I just throw things in the machine if they are are in the laundry hamper... And today there was stuff about to be rewashed that were definitely not seen in the fashion parade this week that were done last weegen...

Which was followed by the [groan] idea that when the dry stuff comes off the drying line and back into the house, there should be a ritual- Sock Pairing, like we used to do after dinner on a Sunday night many years ago. I am not sure why or how I let it go, but necessity and inventiveness and better things to to do are inevitably and indubitably overcome by laziness and laizes affaire*, I guess.

So. More discipline on the parents hands... on the other hand, less screaming? On a Satdee morning? Nah, that shows we are communicating, does it not?

Sunday night for sorting sox.
And putting Away, sox.



Goth- All the black clothes, but not Gothic style.
Sox- many pairs of socks, like in a Murder of Crows, a Mob of Cattle, you know?
* no idea right context

Refabricated Tales

Inordinate amount of truthfulness
...or not? And a two door too

Looks like I can continue my view of family history without any interruptions from participants of the peanut gallery, without recriminations from angry protestants, and those with more/less catholic tastes so to speak!

I think. Well, so far.

I mean, no comments or rabid phone calls or angry messages from any relatives must mean that what I know is my own, something no one knows about, or they are saying- "He's Dreaming" or "Whatever".

Onwards Macbeth... hole digging continued...

I have not been able to find Monaro pictures of my dad's dad's car. Which was of a bronze metallic colour with black double go-fast stripes from front bumper to back.Coo's Monaro - 1st generation.


I have one or two pictures of  my mum's dad's old Monaro  [2nd generation two door].
He bought it after selling the purple XU1 Torana he had for a little while, after his second wife Tweet died in the early 70's. Was it type a or b? I am not too sure of the story, but I think, being a horse trainer, he should have been able to control the horsepower under the bonnet! Buutt... Maybe it was too small and too fast compared to the Humber he used to have [I cannot remember which type!]. Or, he wanted a bigger two door fast car? Maybe bigger is safer, cos they were both pretty fast for the times, getting up towards 150mph for production cars. Well. Again, I say that as it runs in my mind as the Ozzie Super cars of the Seventies were produced by the local GM, Chrysler [Charger]and Ford (GTHO Phase III  XA XB) factories as alternatives to imported 'Slower Cars' from the same manufacturers. The Ford two door Xa and XB were my favourite until I saw the Datsun 260Z... By legislation I remember, they were limited to less than 150mph... And look up as well as Leyland's P76. Dad's bro had one of those- the boot was Sooooo big, a 44 gallon [Ozzie gallon!] could be put in it!


'The Yella Terra'
After Poppy Des passed on they gave me his yella track suit, the one thing that would sorta go with a bogan bright coloured..... fast car..... My uncle got the yella Monara' in the end, my mum and aunt really would not look as cool as he does with it.





In any case, Unca Dez has a beautiful old car. It is not allowed out of the hidey hole unless it is a dustless very sunny day!

As my cousin Tania is into GM HSV vehicles, I don't think I will be inheriting this fine machine, she will.

Bugger.

Another one

Shared Birthday

Spent a night chaperoning at my eldest son's birthday last month.  A joint 19th celebration with his good friend "Anna" and a crowd of old BF and "blow-ins" from the last year and the new year's new friends.

Not bad as far as not being "allowed" to be "too happy", watching all these new adults gadding about in costumes and Not {Costumes- ie, in  plain old this is wot Oi Am so jus FO ya bstds!"}- [guess who's progeny was in the latter camp...]

Managed to extract almost nil information as to his friends real plans- who the hell wants to talk to some one's dad anyway.

Slow sips of the home-made par excellence Shiraz anyway....

The Charge-De-Affaire- "J"- shared a cigarette or two with me (ah, ta ver mooch J) near the backyard fire and [I hope] complimented on the HM wine. There was , among other, a not quite stilted short conversation on the lines of 'Yep. To be young again' as we watched the slightly inebriated  happy souls go about the evening.

greenday

So sad again tonight


Another green stucked frac


Another birthday party out of town outing for Gel#1b for her BF at a rollerskating rink.


There was a warning, tongue in cheek on the invite obviously, "no accident trips to ER" !!


But... Guess what. First one to fall and Schnick... Just not a lot of pain. Then. But...


Another greenstick fractured right wing chickidee!


Gel#1b was very brave until hometime! 


Tears and moans, and after 45 minutes... painkiller? 


Nah- car trip...


Tell Son#2 to get dinner for himself and sister, chicken and mashed spud, carrots, whatever, I  will be back. Later.


Book into emergency about 6:15pm with Gel#1b. 


Watch the rest of the news.


See the nurse- tears on my shoulder.


Looked at briefly- oh, only one of six with fractures this evening...


Waiting waiting waiting


Some neurofen shoved in, 'doctor not far away'.


Xray- see a bump above the wrist- positively bent, but not obviously broken. Thank you very much.


So. Only 3 hours in ER, and for just a half a cast...


Home to find, Son#2 had made them some mash and some carrot for dinner...


Slow cooked chicken breast been sitting in front of him....


What? You only said mash!


ARGHHARHGH ()%(*(*()_*%#$++   !!!!





BTW he wants a new mattress-  one now on laybuy- & he wants some jeans- ordering from the states for birfdee




Save me from tomorrow