Two weeks of blog posts

It's been a couple of weeks since my last post. I'm a bit random like that. I'll blame it on my studies, for good reason! I'm studying for an MBA and as the end of term approaches things get pretty hectic. I have to keep going to work (to pay the mortgage) and I need to sleep (occasionally) so my house, my partner, my kids and my blog get neglected...

Lucky my kids are grown ups who know how to drive, cook (sort of), and supervise themselves. Wish they were more adept at cleaning, washing dishes, gardening and putting things back where they found them. I think I failed in teaching them that stuff!

So just to catch up, this is what I would have written about during the past few weeks, if I'd had time...

After months of waiting, the day finally arrived! Mum, her friend Joan and I went to see Mary Poppins. It was awesome! If you've wanted to go, but haven't yet... Just do it! Before it closes mid next month. It is worth every cent, and every minute.

I'm godmother to an adorable little girl with the biggest brown eyes you have ever seen. She turned five early this month. She lives less than 10 mins from my house, and I haven't been around to visit. I didn't even call to wish her a happy birthday. Epic fail!

I finally met my baby son's new girlfriend... about two weeks ago. I don't think she's been back to our house since. I think she's still on the scene, but I haven't thought to ask. Another epic fail!

Last Saturday I took time out from studying to meet two friends for coffee at the local shopping mall. One thing is certain in life, you can never have too much coffee. A second thing, always make time for your friends. Anyway, after driving around the carpark for 15 mins I contemplated driving back home, only then did I find a spot to park. Why so many people at the shops? Surely the entire population are not out Christmas shopping already... It's only November people! Then and there I made the decision not to return to the shops until after C-day. I've decided to do all my Christmas shopping online. (Naturally, I haven't started yet)

That's pretty much my life in the past two weeks, besides assignments and exam study. My house looks like noone lives here, again. Gardens are a mess, grass full of weeds, and a half-renovated family room... Now full of the contents of one adult child's bedroom after he decided to clean his room out, but didn't have anywhere to put the junk... Did someone say council clean up?

Yesterday marked the end of my studying for this year. I celebrated with an exam. Fun. Not.  The exam was tough and I'm not confident of my results. All I can do is cross my fingers and hope the lecturer gets my paper mixed up with one completed by someone smarter than me. Wish me luck.

Didn't I teach them anything?

With two young adult males in my house, I occasionally see sights that make me laugh, cringe, fume or even cry.

I could not resist sharing this one... Keep in mind that the perp is almost 22!

Not a very effective way to hang a wet towel, but at least it wasn't on the floor! (one day I might learn how to rotate my pics when loading via mobile blogger... I'm open to instruction!)

The non-event

Last week I wrote a post (inc. pics) about number 2 son cleaning his room. His new girl friend was coming to our house for the first time. What other good reason would there be for him to pick up, chuck out, vacuum and even clean the windowsill?
My (20 yr old) baby boy hasn't brought a new girl home since leaving high school 3 yrs ago. This was a big deal, for me.
Anyway, it was Thursday evening & I had a uni lecture so I wasn't home to greet her. I finally arrived home, at 10:45pm, to find that having consumed most of a takeaway pizza (leaving the remnants in the cold oven) they were in his room watching a movie. I could hear the delightful audio that accompanies the equally appealing visuals in The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Nice. Not... Yep, he's 20.
I deliberated for a minute or two... Do I knock on the door, and give myself permission to enter? Or just go to bed?
I chose the latter. My weariness overruled my curiosity, and I figured I would get to meet her in the morning... Would that be awkward?
Well, that didn't happen either. I left for work before they emerged out of the 'love nest'.
When I mentioned to Ben that I didn't get to meet his new squeeze (totally unnecessarily, he already knew that!) he said, "you could come in, we were just watching a movie".
I know. I was just playing it cool. I didn't want to appear to be a neurotic, nosey, meddling mum... I'm not. Really. Not. I'll just do that next time.
Oh, and he also told me the movie scared them so much they were awake until 3am. Of course they were.

My camera doesn't have legs... and other truths

Source

After months of research and deliberations, last October I bought myself a new camera. I'd spent ages looking at different makes, models, features and prices, and asking advice from others about what was 'good'.  I finally decided on a Nikon Coolpix P100 with a 26x optical zoom and continuous shooting. My camera takes fantastic photos. I love loved it.

However, about two weeks ago my beloved camera went missing. I can't say exactly when it went AWOL, but these are the things I know...

• I took it on a work trip to New Zealand
• I brought it home
• I showed my partner the few photos I actually took on said work trip to New Zealand
• I haven't seen my camera since
• I've turned the house upside down looking for it (not literally)
• My man-boys both say they didn't touch it
• The last time I saw my camera, it didn't have legs

Conclusion:
My camera didn't disappear by itself, it had help. I didn't take it anywhere, I don't have it and I don't know where it is. If I didn't remove it, then someone else must have. That someone was trusted enough to be in my home, and that is what disappoints me the most.

Did I mention my eldest son is a piercer?

My eldest son is a body piercer. Yep, he puts holes in people for a living, and he likes it. He works in a salon, in a large shopping centre in Sydney's north.

A few months ago he pierced an eyebrow belonging to one of my best friends' sons. He told me he was very nervous, something that never usually happens. The customer is 18, so legal, but josh has known the kid (and his mum) his whole life. All was well of course. He did a fine job.

Anyway, another nerve-wracking customer came along... ME!

That's right. I've been wanting to get a piercing at the top of right ear for at least 10 years. Today I finally had it done, by guess who?!... And I'm sure he relished jabbing that needle through my ear & making me bleed!

He said he wasn't nervous, I can't say the same... Truthfully

He did a great job, I'm very happy with it, although it stings a bit.

Boys & Girls - Part two

Last night number two son was found to be cleaning his room. Yes, cleaning his room. My immediate thought was, "Are you ill?"...  Typical 20 year old male, he almost never cleans his room.  
No, he's not ill. Thanks for asking. The urge to clean his room was derived from something far more important than that. His new girly friend is coming to visit!  (read part one of Boys & Girls) If the prospect of a girl in their room doesn't prompt a boy to clean up a little, nothing will!

Yes, this is clean!

The dust on his window sill and desk was so thick I'm surprised he didn't need a chisel to get it off! I'd almost forgotten he had carpet underneath all those clothes, and I've now got my washing basket back (it was buried under a mountain of debris!)

One large garbage bag full of unwanted clothing (for Vinnie's), one large bag of rubbish and one bag of paper & plastic for recycling... plus 20 mins of vacuuming.  Hey presto!  There's a bed under there!  I guess it's too much to expect him to make it...

So yes, tomorrow night I get to meet my baby son's new girlfriend for the first time. This is an event that hasn't happened in years. It's been a bit of a drought. New GF lives on the other side of the city, so I think she's staying over. He didn't elaborate on that, but if so, this will be the first time he's had a girl stay, at least to my knowledge. Should I feel awkward?  He is after all, my baby. I can be cool.  Yes, I can be cool. He's 20, she's 21. They're adults. Right?

Will I be able to hold myself back from peppering her with questions? So far I know her age, the suburb she lives and where she works.  Boys aren't forthcoming with information.  So many more questions!

Secretly, I'm a little bit anxious to meet her. Ben obviously thinks she's worth cleaning his room for. She must be something special. I guess I'll soon find out.

What does it take for your kids (or you) to spruce things up a bit?