Hubbies gone to bed, the children are asleep, my world is peaceful and quiet.  Truely a wonderful start to what I hope is a fabulous (or at least better) new year.

Just came home, with the realisation that I have three whole days of work.  The phone is going off the hook, the "do not disturb - on threat of death" sign is going up on the front door.  WOO HOO.

I'm going to clean my fridge, play runescape, surf minti, play runescape.   Clean out my kitchen cupboards, play runescape, surf minti.  I'm going to sleep easy without having to worry about missing the alarm in the morning (because I'm hearing impaired, if I'm lying on my better ear, I sleep right through it). 

Oh Joy Oh Rapture.

I am soooo tired. My house is a pigsty. I have not folded the clothes. Sitting here typing I can see a spiderweb, but dont have the energy to grab a duster and get rid of it. I've worked 10 hours a day for ever (well maybe a week). My scoliosis is not coping with being upright for that long, so I come home from work, take bulk painkillers and burst into tears. I've just been told I have to work on Christmas eve, GRRRR.

Positives - hmmm tough one

I'm alive (I'm sure that must be a positive).  Working has given me the money to pay the bills and buy the presents. It rained today - I think we got maybe 10 drops. I had some quiet time with my youngest today, when he fell asleep against my shoulder (its been a long time since that happened)

I'm tired, I'm grumpy and I'm going to bed.

Nighties All

Just found jenelmens advice on this - and thought WOW what time to I really spend connecting with my teenagers. I mean we all play Runescape (an internet computer game) and discussions about this are daily, usually referring back to friends and lifeskills. I try to talk about how their life is going, but I tend to be a little overbearing (OK maybe a lot overbearing)   How much time do my boys actually get my full attention nowdays. 16 and 14 year olds are not easy to talk to, secretive, sullen little beasties that they are.

I'm going to take the total attention challenge, and spend 15 minutes twice a day, reconnecting with my boys. Might even include hubby in the attention challenge, it would make a change for him to have my undivided attention.

What a week.

Tuesday was Michaels graduation and formal. Yeehah he graduated, believe me - its been doubtful he would make it. "Needs to socialise less and work more in class" is a statement I have learned by rote. The graduation was ummmmm enlightening. Gorgeous young men and women in formal attire (except for the kid in suit coat, tie, 3/4 shorts and sneakers) all ready to start the next phase of their lives. Totally unable to follow a simple command, teachers had to resort to grabbing a few of the kids by the hand and leading them to where they were supposed to sit. Made many parents reassured that their little boy (or girl) was not really grown up!.

Wednesday we were invited to award presentation night at the High School. Ben had been given an award again this year. It was maths last year. Finished work raced home, threw on some good clothes and took of for the school. Sat through the usual deadly speeches then got the wonderful news that Ben had received the Maths award again this year WOO HOO. Dont know where he gets his maths skills from - certainly not me.

Thursday Friday and Saturday - Worked, Worked, Worked. Retail at Christmastime - EWWW

Saturday night Michael went to a party. He was excited because it was the first party he had been to that was not a Birthday Party. Just a lets get together and socialise time. Picked him up at 11pm. He whinged and groaned a bit, but was thankful when his father woke him up at 6am to get ready for work.

Sunday - Its amazing just how disgusting a house can get in one week. Washed, mopped, swept and dusted my little heart out.  Fitted a years worth of Christmas shopping in as well. Was going to make the Christmas puddings but they can wait till tomorrow.

Oh my. I'm used to seeing my eldest with legs you couldnt run a whippersnipper through.

But my youngest growing a moustache is just beyond a joke !!!!!

Mick is going to his Year 10 graduation and formal tomorrow night.  There is no way my baby is ready for college.  Where have the last 16 years gone! Took him to get his outfit - not doing the usual thing and wearing a suit, its black pants, black shirt and a black, dragon embroidered vest - Roy Orbison eat ya heart out!. Gotta admit it - my son is growing up into a bit of a chick magnet - little hottie that he is.

Ben is taking out an award at school again.  He got science last year, wonder what it will be this one.

Apparently, from what I have read - a blog is an online journal - so here goes

What a horrible day *sigh*. I've managed to shake the bug that has had a hold of me for the past two weeks. Unfortunately, I managed to give it to my husband. As a result, he is DYING - and managing to do it loudly, making sure everyone in the family is aware of how badly he is suffering. Why the man can't go to bed and suffer in silence is beyond me. 

My son called me from work today and told me I had to pick him up an hour early.  OH NO. The last time I had a call like that was when he was fired from his previous trial employment. He was given a trial by a restaurant, whose manager gave him absolutely no training, then brow beat him and belittled him for over a week. Then abused my son, told him he was useless and should just go home. Ummm I think I should just censor my opinion of this company!        Luckily after 4 months of trying to improve Micks self esteem after this disaster, he was employed by Woolies. He has been given full training, and just had his first feedback report where he was given full marks - the only thing they could fault him on, was wearing the wrong coloured shoes.    Anyway the only reason he had to come home early was that he had read his roster wrong .

To top the day off, hubby came in and told me that the car rego runs out tonight, and no money to register it till payday.  Mick was so proud of himself when he was able to say - "Dont worry mum, I'll pay for the rego and you can give me the money back on payday".  He grew 4 inches after being able to make that statement.