1. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. (An everyday thing)
2. Don’t make me come back there. (Especially important in a long car drive)
3. I don’t care who started it, I will finish it. (Ditto for the long car drive but also important for everyday life)
4. Wear clean underwear in case you get run over by a bus. (Or… in case I throw you under the bus because now I’m cranky)
5. Don’t chew with food in your mouth (Oh! Sorry, I meant ‘talk with food in your mouth’ and yes, I’ve actually said that)
6. Talk with your mother, not at her. (She’s your safety rope, are you hers?)
7. If she’s not a current part of your life, honour her memory because without her, you would not be here.
8. If she is still a part of your life, call her or give her plenty of hugs. (She seriously deserves them.)
9. Compassion is everything.
10.So is dignity.
I have 2 mothers, one dead and one living – I love them both. (And no, they never met -sadly)
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Massive Knots
Well, Foal has finally progressed to shoelaces! I know, he’s 8 (nearly 9) and really should have passed that milestone years ago but (and I stress the but) he’s very stubborn. We’re talking about a child who is an angel at school and then has the massive possibility of turning into a demon at home.
He’s the same child who takes most of winter to convince to wear a jumper and the same child who takes the most of summer to get out of it.
Anyway, he finally decided that he did not want to be the last one in his class still wearing velcro-tab shoes! (Bonus!!! Especially since his shoes were already falling apart and we haven’t even reached the end of the first term yet)
So, we bought him shoes with shoelaces. Then he had to learn how to tie them. I’m a girl, so I was taught to make a cross, tie, then make butterfly wings and then cross and tie them. I showed him the same way. He almost fell over he was laughing so hard!
Him: I can’t make butterfly wings.
Me: Yes. You can, it’s not that hard.
Him: No, I’m not calling them that. What about bunny ears?
Me: I guess that works too...
So we did. He’s pretty much got the hang of tying shoelace. Now he just needs to work on undoing them. Guess what massive knots I’m off to undo…
He’s the same child who takes most of winter to convince to wear a jumper and the same child who takes the most of summer to get out of it.
Anyway, he finally decided that he did not want to be the last one in his class still wearing velcro-tab shoes! (Bonus!!! Especially since his shoes were already falling apart and we haven’t even reached the end of the first term yet)
So, we bought him shoes with shoelaces. Then he had to learn how to tie them. I’m a girl, so I was taught to make a cross, tie, then make butterfly wings and then cross and tie them. I showed him the same way. He almost fell over he was laughing so hard!
Him: I can’t make butterfly wings.
Me: Yes. You can, it’s not that hard.
Him: No, I’m not calling them that. What about bunny ears?
Me: I guess that works too...
So we did. He’s pretty much got the hang of tying shoelace. Now he just needs to work on undoing them. Guess what massive knots I’m off to undo…
Sunday, 10 April 2011
10 things I want a bored scientist to research
Scientists get paid ridiculous amounts of money to research “stuff”. Some projects are worthwhile, some are fantastic and the rest? Well, they’re just a waste of money. Just in case, those scientists run out of potentially stupid projects, Here’s my list of suggestions:
What is the exact purpose of head lice exist? See my previous post.
Why do mosquitos exist? Again, I’d like to know their exact purpose and how they benefit the planet.
Why do mosquitos make that sound? You know, when they’re about to launch an attack. They'd be more successful if they were quiet.
How can one cicada sit outside my window and make so much noise? If it is to drive me crazy, it’s working.
Why does a 2 cm wide spider think it can take me on and win? Especially when I am actually trying to relocate it and it starts jumping at me. I have a shoe and will use it.
Why do spiders spin their web in a walkway? After the 10th person has walked through the web, doing the spider web dance, the spider should work out that maybe it should move.
Why do ants think they are welcome to set up home in my bathroom? There is no food in there, just water and cleaning stuff.
Why do flies appear as soon as human food appears? There aren’t any here yet but as soon as I start dinner, they’ll turn up, begging to come in.
Why don’t flies get the hint until the fly spray shows up? I just have to put the can on the counter and they disappear.
Why am I pre-occupied with bugs? Again, see my previous post…
What is the exact purpose of head lice exist? See my previous post.
Why do mosquitos exist? Again, I’d like to know their exact purpose and how they benefit the planet.
Why do mosquitos make that sound? You know, when they’re about to launch an attack. They'd be more successful if they were quiet.
How can one cicada sit outside my window and make so much noise? If it is to drive me crazy, it’s working.
Why does a 2 cm wide spider think it can take me on and win? Especially when I am actually trying to relocate it and it starts jumping at me. I have a shoe and will use it.
Why do spiders spin their web in a walkway? After the 10th person has walked through the web, doing the spider web dance, the spider should work out that maybe it should move.
Why do ants think they are welcome to set up home in my bathroom? There is no food in there, just water and cleaning stuff.
Why do flies appear as soon as human food appears? There aren’t any here yet but as soon as I start dinner, they’ll turn up, begging to come in.
Why don’t flies get the hint until the fly spray shows up? I just have to put the can on the counter and they disappear.
Why am I pre-occupied with bugs? Again, see my previous post…
Saturday, 9 April 2011
War on Bugs!
So… What did you do today? Even if it was watching paint dry, or the grass grow, I bet it was more fun than what I did. I had the wonderful maternal task of delousing the boys. (Why is it the mum’s job? Because it’s the dad’s job to polish the car.)
It always starts with the note sent home from school. You know, the one that starts, “Dear Parent / Caregiver, The presence of head lice has been detected in your child’s class…” I’m normally pretty diligent but with the weather cooling down, I figured I could take a break. And in my defence, I hadn’t seen any for quite a few months.
According to the information, there’s no need to rush around vacuuming and washing bedding because they don’t live for long but nobody seemed to know exactly how long. Do you know how long lice can survive away from the warmth of its host? I do because I did an experiment a few years back. I managed to ‘rescue a pair’ who were too busy playing with each other to notice that they had been relocated to a plastic cup. They survived for at least 24 hours. I reckon that’s more than enough time to hide and wait on pillows, chairs, hairbrushes and hats!
With the eldest being in school and day-care for over a decade, I am not a stranger to these bugs. And naturally, I’ve tried nearly every product that is available. Countless shampoos (both natural and chemical), that really cool zapper comb that promises to zap any bug it comes into contact with (until it choked on Pup’s hair and promptly quit its day job), and of course the conditioner and comb method. The conditioner and comb method are my preferred method of declaring war on those things. (Why do they even exist? They don’t seem to serve any purpose at all.)
I have often been tempted to just shave their heads, but, for some reason, they aren't to keen on that idea. (Something to do with image and how silly they would look.) So, for what it’s worth, here are my tips.
It always starts with the note sent home from school. You know, the one that starts, “Dear Parent / Caregiver, The presence of head lice has been detected in your child’s class…” I’m normally pretty diligent but with the weather cooling down, I figured I could take a break. And in my defence, I hadn’t seen any for quite a few months.
According to the information, there’s no need to rush around vacuuming and washing bedding because they don’t live for long but nobody seemed to know exactly how long. Do you know how long lice can survive away from the warmth of its host? I do because I did an experiment a few years back. I managed to ‘rescue a pair’ who were too busy playing with each other to notice that they had been relocated to a plastic cup. They survived for at least 24 hours. I reckon that’s more than enough time to hide and wait on pillows, chairs, hairbrushes and hats!
With the eldest being in school and day-care for over a decade, I am not a stranger to these bugs. And naturally, I’ve tried nearly every product that is available. Countless shampoos (both natural and chemical), that really cool zapper comb that promises to zap any bug it comes into contact with (until it choked on Pup’s hair and promptly quit its day job), and of course the conditioner and comb method. The conditioner and comb method are my preferred method of declaring war on those things. (Why do they even exist? They don’t seem to serve any purpose at all.)
I have often been tempted to just shave their heads, but, for some reason, they aren't to keen on that idea. (Something to do with image and how silly they would look.) So, for what it’s worth, here are my tips.
- Use a really good quality comb.
- Any conditioner will do, and make sure to cover all the hair. It slows the bugs down so you can actually catch them.
- Get rid of all the nits you find. If you don’t they will hatch and you will have wasted the day.
- Make sure you have a really strong light source. The sun cannot be relied on to stay shining bright. Just as soon as you spot something, the sun will disappear behind a cloud.
- Even if you think that speck is dirt, remove it. Rather safe than sorry because if you think those nits are small, wait until you see baby lice.
- Add some tea tree oil to shampoo and wash out the conditioner. Then comb the hair again thoroughly.
- Add some tea tree oil to a spray bottle of water and douse the child’s head with it before and after school. I also recommend combing the hair when the child gets back from school. Early detection never hurt anyone, except the bugs.
- Keep checking their heads and don’t make plans for rest of the week or guess what you’ll be doing in about two weeks time.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
The Stray
I have a confession to make. I am generally a good-hearted person but sometimes I get a 'little bit cranky’. (Dad would disagree that it's a little bit cranky but this is still my blog)
Yes I can get a 'little bit cranky' and this is one of those times so let’s just go back a bit…
Down our street are quite a few houses but one in particular is my own personal nightmare. About four years ago, there was a knock on the door, and, as you do, I wandered over to see who it was. (I was also desperately hoping it was not yet another salesperson because I really don’t like dealing with them either) It was a woman and basically our conversation went like this:
Her: Hello, you don’t know me but you are obviously a soft touch. My husband needs our car so that he can get to work to pick strawberries, I need you to take our son to school and then bring him home in the afternoons.
Me: How do you know what school we go to?
Her: I was parked behind you at the school and followed you home. It would be so nice of you to relieve me of my parental duties of playing taxi for the snot-nosed brat. Besides I have other more important things to do, like sleep all day and recover from Thursday night bowling.
Me: Ok. (Fantastic! Now I have a stalker who lives down the road!)
Obviously that conversation was not 100% accurate but it was a while ago. I assumed that it would be a short term thing because they were trying to save money for another car (she actually did say so). I also stupidly assumed there’d be some sort of reciprocation. Sadly, there was no offer for petrol money, or the remote suggestion of she’ll pick up my boys because she’s got the car. Instead, there was just the lazy, sulking woman who had dragged herself from wherever she’d been lying to walk her son home. There was never ever a thank-you.
After a while I noticed that their car was often in the driveway and I got a 'little bit cranky’. I suggested to her that maybe her kid could catch the bus. She replied that there wasn’t one. Because I’m obsessive (I prefer the word persistent –thank-you very much) I decided to look into it and would you believe that there were actually TWO bus services they could use?! She only needed to walk him a little bit further. Oh! And actually pay someone for the service! I printed out the information and gave it to her. She only got the hint when I set Dad on her and he told her no more. Interestingly enough, the kid then caught the bus and I didn’t have to deal with them. They moved a few months later and sometimes I think, was it just me? (Then I get over it)
About two years ago, Dad and I had just come home from shopping. A woman’s voice called out. Again, as you do, I went to investigate. She was holding a dog’s collar and wanted to know if we knew where it lived. I told her no. She asked me to take responsibility because she needed to get back to work and the stupid mutt was running all over the busy road. I agreed, mainly because the dog was very friendly, needed a bath and the lady needed to go back to work. I phoned the local council and gave them the information on the dog’s collar and they managed to find the owner. He lives in THAT HOUSE!!! Anyway, to keep this story short, the dog owner wandered over and took the dog back home again. The mongrel had escaped when his wife went shopping!
Back to The Stray… About a year ago, there was a knock on the door (and by now you know what I did) There was a young boy (4) standing there. That conversation went a bit like this…
Him: Can I come and play?
Me: No, where’s your mum?
Him: She’s not here.
Me: Where do you live?
Him: Not here.
Then I noticed a man down the street, calling for him to come home.
Me: I think your dad wants you to go home.
Him: That’s not my dad.
Yes, it was his dad but what was even worse was it was the HOUSE!!! Again!!!
Apparently the dad had split up with the mum and they had shared custody. Shame and he gets so bored… No one else to play with…
So yes, I said he could come and play… The kid turned into a Houdini. He’d escape from his home and turn up here. I’d march him back if he was on his own. Most of the time, his dad or grandparents didn’t even know he was missing. The worst was when Granddad (that dog owner) turned up and asked if I knew where the kid was. I guess they found him but they never told me…
I told the dad the kid could play but only if he turned up with an adult. If the kid was flying solo, I’d walk him back home.
The last time he came to play, his dad said it was just for an hour. Two hours later, I walked him home.
His dad was a bit annoyed because he was “just going to finish his coffee”. I got a little bit cranky. (It’s a 2 minute walk – I doubt the coffee will go anywhere!!!)
We hadn’t seen The Stray for a while, so I thought they’d got the hint. But No! He was back last Saturday (alone), yesterday (alone) and both times I sent him home. (Yes, I watched him until I could see one of his family members watching him – I’m not totally heartless)
Today, he turned up WITH HIS DAD!!! At 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon!!! He asked if he could come and play. I said no.
Time for The Stray to go but why do I feel so bad? I don't like that house!
Yes I can get a 'little bit cranky' and this is one of those times so let’s just go back a bit…
Down our street are quite a few houses but one in particular is my own personal nightmare. About four years ago, there was a knock on the door, and, as you do, I wandered over to see who it was. (I was also desperately hoping it was not yet another salesperson because I really don’t like dealing with them either) It was a woman and basically our conversation went like this:
Her: Hello, you don’t know me but you are obviously a soft touch. My husband needs our car so that he can get to work to pick strawberries, I need you to take our son to school and then bring him home in the afternoons.
Me: How do you know what school we go to?
Her: I was parked behind you at the school and followed you home. It would be so nice of you to relieve me of my parental duties of playing taxi for the snot-nosed brat. Besides I have other more important things to do, like sleep all day and recover from Thursday night bowling.
Me: Ok. (Fantastic! Now I have a stalker who lives down the road!)
Obviously that conversation was not 100% accurate but it was a while ago. I assumed that it would be a short term thing because they were trying to save money for another car (she actually did say so). I also stupidly assumed there’d be some sort of reciprocation. Sadly, there was no offer for petrol money, or the remote suggestion of she’ll pick up my boys because she’s got the car. Instead, there was just the lazy, sulking woman who had dragged herself from wherever she’d been lying to walk her son home. There was never ever a thank-you.
After a while I noticed that their car was often in the driveway and I got a 'little bit cranky’. I suggested to her that maybe her kid could catch the bus. She replied that there wasn’t one. Because I’m obsessive (I prefer the word persistent –thank-you very much) I decided to look into it and would you believe that there were actually TWO bus services they could use?! She only needed to walk him a little bit further. Oh! And actually pay someone for the service! I printed out the information and gave it to her. She only got the hint when I set Dad on her and he told her no more. Interestingly enough, the kid then caught the bus and I didn’t have to deal with them. They moved a few months later and sometimes I think, was it just me? (Then I get over it)
About two years ago, Dad and I had just come home from shopping. A woman’s voice called out. Again, as you do, I went to investigate. She was holding a dog’s collar and wanted to know if we knew where it lived. I told her no. She asked me to take responsibility because she needed to get back to work and the stupid mutt was running all over the busy road. I agreed, mainly because the dog was very friendly, needed a bath and the lady needed to go back to work. I phoned the local council and gave them the information on the dog’s collar and they managed to find the owner. He lives in THAT HOUSE!!! Anyway, to keep this story short, the dog owner wandered over and took the dog back home again. The mongrel had escaped when his wife went shopping!
Back to The Stray… About a year ago, there was a knock on the door (and by now you know what I did) There was a young boy (4) standing there. That conversation went a bit like this…
Him: Can I come and play?
Me: No, where’s your mum?
Him: She’s not here.
Me: Where do you live?
Him: Not here.
Then I noticed a man down the street, calling for him to come home.
Me: I think your dad wants you to go home.
Him: That’s not my dad.
Yes, it was his dad but what was even worse was it was the HOUSE!!! Again!!!
Apparently the dad had split up with the mum and they had shared custody. Shame and he gets so bored… No one else to play with…
So yes, I said he could come and play… The kid turned into a Houdini. He’d escape from his home and turn up here. I’d march him back if he was on his own. Most of the time, his dad or grandparents didn’t even know he was missing. The worst was when Granddad (that dog owner) turned up and asked if I knew where the kid was. I guess they found him but they never told me…
I told the dad the kid could play but only if he turned up with an adult. If the kid was flying solo, I’d walk him back home.
The last time he came to play, his dad said it was just for an hour. Two hours later, I walked him home.
His dad was a bit annoyed because he was “just going to finish his coffee”. I got a little bit cranky. (It’s a 2 minute walk – I doubt the coffee will go anywhere!!!)
We hadn’t seen The Stray for a while, so I thought they’d got the hint. But No! He was back last Saturday (alone), yesterday (alone) and both times I sent him home. (Yes, I watched him until I could see one of his family members watching him – I’m not totally heartless)
Today, he turned up WITH HIS DAD!!! At 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon!!! He asked if he could come and play. I said no.
Time for The Stray to go but why do I feel so bad? I don't like that house!
Saturday, 2 April 2011
A Quick Update - Student Leader
Ready for another post about Cub?
He has been made a "Student Leader" for the year! He has a certificate AND a badge! How awesome is that?! Guess who the proud parents are!!!
I only wish the school had told us so we could have had the opportunity to see him get his badge. And no, he didn't know about it either. It was a surprise for him too... He reckons he didn't bother to apply but obviously his teachers and peers did! Yes! I'm massively proud of him!!!
On a side note - When he showed Pup his badge, Pup said, "I had one of them too." Sadly, I had to correct him and tell him that no, he did not actually have one of them and neither did any of his friends... (Lesson learnt Pup - don't take away someone else's glory)
He has been made a "Student Leader" for the year! He has a certificate AND a badge! How awesome is that?! Guess who the proud parents are!!!
I only wish the school had told us so we could have had the opportunity to see him get his badge. And no, he didn't know about it either. It was a surprise for him too... He reckons he didn't bother to apply but obviously his teachers and peers did! Yes! I'm massively proud of him!!!
On a side note - When he showed Pup his badge, Pup said, "I had one of them too." Sadly, I had to correct him and tell him that no, he did not actually have one of them and neither did any of his friends... (Lesson learnt Pup - don't take away someone else's glory)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)