Ok, I'm trying here. I really am. I spent 2 hours earlier today and I'm trying again now. I can NOT get this page to do what I want. UGHHHHHH!!!! Flippin web developers who love to make things complicated. See THIS is why people love Apple and iPods. I don't have to know the ins and outs of computer principles, the crap just works. That's all I care about.
I know my loving, caring geek husband will gently explain in his "deal with stupid user" voice that it does work just fine, I just have to learn how to tell it what to do.
Bite me.
Put picture here. Type text here. Use this color pallette. Done, the end. That's all I want. Grrr.
Alright I'll keep plugging away. Be patient. Maybe I'll get this sorted by the end of term.
An American family living in Australia. While we all speak English here, I wouldn't say we all speak the same language.
Monday, January 30, 2012
And Then There was One
January 30, 2012. The first day of school. Australia is on a year round schedule and it starts in January. And to that I say THANK GOD! I know so many people in the US love their 9 months of school and 3 months off but I can honestly say YOU ARE WRONG! Yes, I'm judging!
WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!
This is the best way to do it. Hands down, no contest. 4 terms, 2 weeks off in between each term and 6 weeks off at the end of the year. Sheer brilliance. My mom was a teacher and she always said she had to spend the month of September doing a review. An entire month. So 8 months of school. Ugh. No thanks.
All jokes aside about me being giddy to be on my own again, it's really better for the kids. I know at least my kids need the structure of routine. It's their security blanket. More so with Connor and Tessi than with Teddy, obviously. Being on the Spectrum they do need that rigidity. They just think better with choices reduced. Christ Connor gets flummoxed by having more than 3 things to chose to have for breakfast. An entire day trying to figure out what to do? Please, it's a flippin nightmare. Teddy is better about handling free time but even he in the end needs the security of having someone else tell him what to do. Making all your own choices can be scary. They also need the interaction with other kids, especially those who aren't their friends. I believe that they need to be around kids they don't like. After all, some day they are going to have to work with people they don't like, time to learn now how to play nice and not plot the death of a co-worker. At least not where people can hear you.
I'm not one of those maudlin moms. I'm not a mushy, gushy person. Sometimes I wish I was, it would certainly make me fit in better and be part of the MOM crowd but I'm not. I don't live for my kids. I don't even want to. My mom used to tell me how much she lived for me and without me she had no life and let me tell you that didn't make me feel loved. I felt responsible for her very happiness and smothered. So I cringe when I hear parents talk about how their kids are their lives and how they hate to send them to school because they can't stand to be away from them for even a few hours. Trust me you are not doing your kids any favors with that attitude. I swore when Teddy was born that none of my kids would be responsible for my happiness. If I end up living and doing just for them it's my damn fault, not theirs.
So what did the evil troll mom do this morning with her poor children? I dropped them off. I forced them to stand for the obigatory picture and then I said, "Ok, shove off' Teddy ran like Hell to get to the top quad and be SAFE. Connor ran to see if her new BFF had arrived and Tessi has ambushed by her besties. I *think* they noticed I was still there. Nahhh, actually I don't think they gave a rats ass. Tessi found me when the bell rang and gave me a quick hug but I think that's because she saw one little girl crying and felt like that's what she should do. Otherwise she was fine.
I said I loved them and to have fun but I made no secret about being happy that they were off. I waited until the bell rang and then I left. I skipped and sang the whole way to the car. Ted can be happy about being off work but for some reason I'm not allowed to be. Bollocks. Of course I am. We've had 6 weeks of being in each others faces, Connor and Tessi taking turns attaching themselves to my hips, Teddy being a pre-teen and my equal. Damn Dog being, well Damn Dog. Hell, we all need a change. So rather than 3 months off and month spent trying to get back into the swing of things we all get a break in the routine but then are right back in.
Today I'm doing nothing of consequence save a trip to the post office. Tomorrow I'll be a bit more productive. Today...I'm on holiday.
WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!
This is the best way to do it. Hands down, no contest. 4 terms, 2 weeks off in between each term and 6 weeks off at the end of the year. Sheer brilliance. My mom was a teacher and she always said she had to spend the month of September doing a review. An entire month. So 8 months of school. Ugh. No thanks.
All jokes aside about me being giddy to be on my own again, it's really better for the kids. I know at least my kids need the structure of routine. It's their security blanket. More so with Connor and Tessi than with Teddy, obviously. Being on the Spectrum they do need that rigidity. They just think better with choices reduced. Christ Connor gets flummoxed by having more than 3 things to chose to have for breakfast. An entire day trying to figure out what to do? Please, it's a flippin nightmare. Teddy is better about handling free time but even he in the end needs the security of having someone else tell him what to do. Making all your own choices can be scary. They also need the interaction with other kids, especially those who aren't their friends. I believe that they need to be around kids they don't like. After all, some day they are going to have to work with people they don't like, time to learn now how to play nice and not plot the death of a co-worker. At least not where people can hear you.
I'm not one of those maudlin moms. I'm not a mushy, gushy person. Sometimes I wish I was, it would certainly make me fit in better and be part of the MOM crowd but I'm not. I don't live for my kids. I don't even want to. My mom used to tell me how much she lived for me and without me she had no life and let me tell you that didn't make me feel loved. I felt responsible for her very happiness and smothered. So I cringe when I hear parents talk about how their kids are their lives and how they hate to send them to school because they can't stand to be away from them for even a few hours. Trust me you are not doing your kids any favors with that attitude. I swore when Teddy was born that none of my kids would be responsible for my happiness. If I end up living and doing just for them it's my damn fault, not theirs.
So what did the evil troll mom do this morning with her poor children? I dropped them off. I forced them to stand for the obigatory picture and then I said, "Ok, shove off' Teddy ran like Hell to get to the top quad and be SAFE. Connor ran to see if her new BFF had arrived and Tessi has ambushed by her besties. I *think* they noticed I was still there. Nahhh, actually I don't think they gave a rats ass. Tessi found me when the bell rang and gave me a quick hug but I think that's because she saw one little girl crying and felt like that's what she should do. Otherwise she was fine.
I said I loved them and to have fun but I made no secret about being happy that they were off. I waited until the bell rang and then I left. I skipped and sang the whole way to the car. Ted can be happy about being off work but for some reason I'm not allowed to be. Bollocks. Of course I am. We've had 6 weeks of being in each others faces, Connor and Tessi taking turns attaching themselves to my hips, Teddy being a pre-teen and my equal. Damn Dog being, well Damn Dog. Hell, we all need a change. So rather than 3 months off and month spent trying to get back into the swing of things we all get a break in the routine but then are right back in.
Today I'm doing nothing of consequence save a trip to the post office. Tomorrow I'll be a bit more productive. Today...I'm on holiday.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
High Stupidity Level is Probable
Yep, I'm doing it again. Adding another factor into the fray and seeing what happens. I'm buying a fish tank. It's small. It's pre-owned and cheap. In fact, here's a link to it.
http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Pets-pet-supplies-pet-products-Aquarium-Starter-Set-Fish-Tank-W0QQAdIdZ346801218
All I will need to do is get water, fish and some fish food and we should be good. Now the real reason...why. No real easy answer. I'm not in love with fish, but I do find it soothing to watch them. That's about all for my interest. The kids will like buying the fish and fighting over which fish to get and which cool tank accessory to get. They will argue over you gets to feed the fish for about 3 days and then I will be yelling at them to feed the fish. Ted couldn't care less if he actively tried.
Probably it will be Monty the cat who likes the fish the most. I figure it will be his new big screen tv since the pot-bellied stove broke. He's not one for water so I'm hoping he doesn't take up diving for his lunch.
So maybe the real reason is that I'm looking for something new. School is starting, everyone will be back off into their own schedules and I can't do all the big changes I want. No money for new couches or university classes I want to take, the diamonds for my wedding ring, an iPad, holiday in Melbourne or to buy a new house but fish...yeah, I can do a couple fish. Especially as cheap as this. But I do have to watch because I don't want to turn this into another money drainer. That's where the stupidity factor comes in. A couple fish to watch putter around and listen to the pump make noise. That's it. Well, maybe a cool ship wreck statue for the fish to swim around. That's definitely it. A light. A small one so I can watch it at night. Absolutely the end. Nothing else.
I was wrong, I'm willing to bet that Ted does care right now. A lot.
http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Pets-pet-supplies-pet-products-Aquarium-Starter-Set-Fish-Tank-W0QQAdIdZ346801218
All I will need to do is get water, fish and some fish food and we should be good. Now the real reason...why. No real easy answer. I'm not in love with fish, but I do find it soothing to watch them. That's about all for my interest. The kids will like buying the fish and fighting over which fish to get and which cool tank accessory to get. They will argue over you gets to feed the fish for about 3 days and then I will be yelling at them to feed the fish. Ted couldn't care less if he actively tried.
Probably it will be Monty the cat who likes the fish the most. I figure it will be his new big screen tv since the pot-bellied stove broke. He's not one for water so I'm hoping he doesn't take up diving for his lunch.
So maybe the real reason is that I'm looking for something new. School is starting, everyone will be back off into their own schedules and I can't do all the big changes I want. No money for new couches or university classes I want to take, the diamonds for my wedding ring, an iPad, holiday in Melbourne or to buy a new house but fish...yeah, I can do a couple fish. Especially as cheap as this. But I do have to watch because I don't want to turn this into another money drainer. That's where the stupidity factor comes in. A couple fish to watch putter around and listen to the pump make noise. That's it. Well, maybe a cool ship wreck statue for the fish to swim around. That's definitely it. A light. A small one so I can watch it at night. Absolutely the end. Nothing else.
I was wrong, I'm willing to bet that Ted does care right now. A lot.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Changes
Well, here goes. I'm playing with the new design template. It's easier than it used to be. I like the templates that make me feel knowledgeable. It helps wash that "stupid user" taste out of my mouth. Not sure I like what I'm putting up, but it's different. Right now different has to be better simply 'cause its' different.
Not much of a philosophy but it'll do. When I think of a really cool name for it I'll put it on a t-shirt.
Back to working with computers. That seems to me my next goal. I've snowed a lot of my friends into thinking I'm computer saavy. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. There I laughed for you. Enough. That being said I'm always helping some one out it seems with either downloading music (legally of course) or setting up a Facebook page or just teaching someone how to send email. But I like doing it. I never feel like the person I'm talking to is the dreaded STUPID USER, the one that plagues help desks around the world. I understand why they are confused by the keyboard and the monitor and why they are afraid to ask for help.
No one wants to look stupid. Isn't that why we end up doing most of the things we do? A way to avoid looking stupid or cleaning up the mess made by out stupidity? Well, that seems to be a driving force in my life anyway. I see people looking at the computer and I can see it in their faces, "I don't know what to do, this thing was too damn expensive to play and learn. I'd better just leave it" Which is a good idea, many times. However with computers....there is this tricky middle ground. Sure, you don't want to in swinging and reformat the hard drive (which erases everything by the way) and launch missles - I haven't done that but sometimes I do look out the window to make sure and then the opposite, just sit and stare at the keyboard and wait for it to talk to you.
I'm hoping I can work with some of my friends and help them feel more comfortable. Maybe helping them will help me get my nerve to do something I'm intrigued by, maybe teaching people how to do some tasks on the computer.
My kids are in school, I'm 8000 miles away from the nearest Wal-Mart, Half Priced Books and 9000 miles from from Steelers. So, time to think of something I can do.
So I guess I'd better figure out how to make this blog designer work or else no one is going to listen to me. It'll be like teaching a class to my kids.
Not much of a philosophy but it'll do. When I think of a really cool name for it I'll put it on a t-shirt.
Back to working with computers. That seems to me my next goal. I've snowed a lot of my friends into thinking I'm computer saavy. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. There I laughed for you. Enough. That being said I'm always helping some one out it seems with either downloading music (legally of course) or setting up a Facebook page or just teaching someone how to send email. But I like doing it. I never feel like the person I'm talking to is the dreaded STUPID USER, the one that plagues help desks around the world. I understand why they are confused by the keyboard and the monitor and why they are afraid to ask for help.
No one wants to look stupid. Isn't that why we end up doing most of the things we do? A way to avoid looking stupid or cleaning up the mess made by out stupidity? Well, that seems to be a driving force in my life anyway. I see people looking at the computer and I can see it in their faces, "I don't know what to do, this thing was too damn expensive to play and learn. I'd better just leave it" Which is a good idea, many times. However with computers....there is this tricky middle ground. Sure, you don't want to in swinging and reformat the hard drive (which erases everything by the way) and launch missles - I haven't done that but sometimes I do look out the window to make sure and then the opposite, just sit and stare at the keyboard and wait for it to talk to you.
I'm hoping I can work with some of my friends and help them feel more comfortable. Maybe helping them will help me get my nerve to do something I'm intrigued by, maybe teaching people how to do some tasks on the computer.
My kids are in school, I'm 8000 miles away from the nearest Wal-Mart, Half Priced Books and 9000 miles from from Steelers. So, time to think of something I can do.
So I guess I'd better figure out how to make this blog designer work or else no one is going to listen to me. It'll be like teaching a class to my kids.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Back to Reality
Friday Night brings us back to normal. Only normal a little better, I hope. Ted and went on our holiday and were actually able to leave Sydney. It was good to see more of Australia- even the tiny bit it was. We have yet to see any terrain of Australia that doesn't at least in some way, remind me of parts of the US. The flowers, bugs, spiders snakes and trees, sure those are really different. However the small hills and rolling pastures are combinations of Texas and Central Pennsylvania to me. Since I am an non-beach person all beaches look alike to me. I'm still picking sand out of bits I'd rather not think about, doesn't matter if I'm in Australia or New Jersey. Heresy I know. You beach people...well we're different, let's just say that. I think Ted and I will have to build our dream house down south of Sydney some day. Around the Kiama or abouts. There we can build a house with 2 solid walls of windows. One overlooking the beach and water and directly on the other side windows facing hills and trees. I think we'll put the tv in the middle so we can see each other sometimes.
Today is one of those days it feels good to have some of the normal normal going. Most days I'm utterly bogged down in the details and just getting through the next 15 minutes. Today the girls came home after their sleepover adventure and now Ted is cooking them dinner. If nothing else, this short jaunt away has helped me feel better about my day-day grind. Or I should say, it helps me see some of the better parts.
When you are a SAHM mother it's different than a paying job. You personalize everything and therefore what isn't done or done right isn't something that slips to tomorrow's do list. It is because you are A BAD MOTHER/WIFE. Too many of those days and you really start to hate what you do. Getting a break- even just for 2 nights let me ignore my work for a bit. Everyone needs to do that. Here in Australia the workin' folks "chuck a sickie". Back in US, it's Mental Health day or just call in. It's hard for moms to do that. I think though I can work on planning more short holidays. Maybe set up some babysitting trades and see where the kids can go off to just so Ted and I can get out. Then maybe when I get my resolve back up I can start planning on bigger family trips. Someplace outside the state and someplace where we've all never been.
My son Teddy has been to New Zealand and I haven't. That hardly seems fair. I think we'll need to make some changes to that and get Mommy back up in the ranks.
Today is one of those days it feels good to have some of the normal normal going. Most days I'm utterly bogged down in the details and just getting through the next 15 minutes. Today the girls came home after their sleepover adventure and now Ted is cooking them dinner. If nothing else, this short jaunt away has helped me feel better about my day-day grind. Or I should say, it helps me see some of the better parts.
When you are a SAHM mother it's different than a paying job. You personalize everything and therefore what isn't done or done right isn't something that slips to tomorrow's do list. It is because you are A BAD MOTHER/WIFE. Too many of those days and you really start to hate what you do. Getting a break- even just for 2 nights let me ignore my work for a bit. Everyone needs to do that. Here in Australia the workin' folks "chuck a sickie". Back in US, it's Mental Health day or just call in. It's hard for moms to do that. I think though I can work on planning more short holidays. Maybe set up some babysitting trades and see where the kids can go off to just so Ted and I can get out. Then maybe when I get my resolve back up I can start planning on bigger family trips. Someplace outside the state and someplace where we've all never been.
My son Teddy has been to New Zealand and I haven't. That hardly seems fair. I think we'll need to make some changes to that and get Mommy back up in the ranks.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Time to Speak
8 months or so since my last blog. Not a new league record, but it'll do. I communicate mainly by FB and IM and TXT (SMS) now. However lately several people have been trying to encourage me to blog again. Maybe because I need something kind of big, just for myself. I love my sewing and my woodworking but there never seems to be enough time. I'm at the computer a lot anyway, maybe 5 minutes here and there would help me get my voice back.
You see, I'm funny. Everyone tells me so. I'm a master of one liners, particularly smart ass ones. But it's all a front. I come up with my funny quips so most people won't think to or care to ask about what's really going on. I think if I tell people the truth well...I'm pretty sure they will go running off into the street screaming. Run away screaming from shock of what I really think or disgust. At least that's what I think will happen. Too gutless really to actually talk to anyone. My friend Penny knows some of my truths. She's the one who really wants me to write more. I wonder though if she would be able to handle all of my thoughts. Ted knows the most but even he is sheltered. We will see.
I'm off today for a 1 night night trip to Mudgee with Ted. We haven't been alone together away since we were in Texas a year and 4 months ago. I have to say I'm really nervous. I hope we come back still liking each other.
Teddy is off on a camping trip - one which he does NOT want to go to. Homo Novis is too evolved to rough it. At least he'll be out with friends and away from the computer. A bug for him but a feature for me. Connor and Tessi will be staying with Penny. I hope Penny will be speaking to me when we get back.
My next go with this blog is to redesign the site. I want to incorporate American and Australian pictures and thoughts. I'm been working on becoming more tech saavy. Hopefully I can figure out something!
I'm still a mom. I'm still an American living in Australia. I'm hoping that will be enough fodder to write something intelligent and entertaining. If you've met my 3 kids you'd know that they certainly give me enough material!
You see, I'm funny. Everyone tells me so. I'm a master of one liners, particularly smart ass ones. But it's all a front. I come up with my funny quips so most people won't think to or care to ask about what's really going on. I think if I tell people the truth well...I'm pretty sure they will go running off into the street screaming. Run away screaming from shock of what I really think or disgust. At least that's what I think will happen. Too gutless really to actually talk to anyone. My friend Penny knows some of my truths. She's the one who really wants me to write more. I wonder though if she would be able to handle all of my thoughts. Ted knows the most but even he is sheltered. We will see.
I'm off today for a 1 night night trip to Mudgee with Ted. We haven't been alone together away since we were in Texas a year and 4 months ago. I have to say I'm really nervous. I hope we come back still liking each other.
Teddy is off on a camping trip - one which he does NOT want to go to. Homo Novis is too evolved to rough it. At least he'll be out with friends and away from the computer. A bug for him but a feature for me. Connor and Tessi will be staying with Penny. I hope Penny will be speaking to me when we get back.
My next go with this blog is to redesign the site. I want to incorporate American and Australian pictures and thoughts. I'm been working on becoming more tech saavy. Hopefully I can figure out something!
I'm still a mom. I'm still an American living in Australia. I'm hoping that will be enough fodder to write something intelligent and entertaining. If you've met my 3 kids you'd know that they certainly give me enough material!
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