After an evening out in Brighton with friends, my 21 yr old Gorgeous Son arrived home at about 1am this morning. Quietly giggling & gently bouncing off walls he then sat on the sofa and proclaimed, as only rather drunk people can, 'Grounds for Divorce is the beshtestest drink ever!'. And no, it's not a spelling error, moi?...that was how it came out.
Apparently it's a cocktail that consists of a shot of vodka, sambucca, whiskey, gin, southern comfort, amaretto with a squeeze of lime & lemon. I've not checked or googled it, but I've never heard of it before. And do you think they actually missed any spirit out of that list...I personally think it sounds revolting. YUK..
Do you think the Bar/Club they went to were having a giggle? Or a clear out maybe?
And at £9 a drink, they were having the last laugh too...He had 3, yes, 3 of them!
Oh boy, I bet he had a hangover this morning.....
21 October 2009
19 October 2009
Teenagers & Midnight Snacks - Part 2..The Scotch Egg
As a follow on to my earlier post about my 18 yr old and his 'Midnight Snack', I thought I'd post this, just to show that..Erm..well...yes, my Teenagers do also eat all nature of food, healthy & unhealthy, basically anything that isn't nailed down.
Last night, after hearing the tell-tale signs of rummaging in the kitchen, cupboards opening/closing, the rustling of packets, I ventured off the sofa to find him with a Scotch egg in hand.
After just one bite, he announced 'I always think these are a bit dry, it needs something??' He then started opening cupboard doors, obviously searching for some inspiration, while I looked on, intrigued.
'Oooh, yeah, that'll work' and produced a bottle of HP brown sauce, which he then proceeded to squeeze into the hole he'd made in the scotch egg. I kid you not, he filled it with brown sauce!?!
I'm not quite sure if this is inspired or a just little gross.....But it made me laugh!
And yes, I made him let me take a photo before he ate it, you know, just as proof of my obvious failing in the parenting department to instill the merits of 'Healthy' eating! But what the hell, he said it was 'Delicious!!'
Last night, after hearing the tell-tale signs of rummaging in the kitchen, cupboards opening/closing, the rustling of packets, I ventured off the sofa to find him with a Scotch egg in hand.
After just one bite, he announced 'I always think these are a bit dry, it needs something??' He then started opening cupboard doors, obviously searching for some inspiration, while I looked on, intrigued.
'Oooh, yeah, that'll work' and produced a bottle of HP brown sauce, which he then proceeded to squeeze into the hole he'd made in the scotch egg. I kid you not, he filled it with brown sauce!?!
I'm not quite sure if this is inspired or a just little gross.....But it made me laugh!
And yes, I made him let me take a photo before he ate it, you know, just as proof of my obvious failing in the parenting department to instill the merits of 'Healthy' eating! But what the hell, he said it was 'Delicious!!'
14 October 2009
First contact sheet...And I'm a little proud & relieved!
TD came home today with a contact sheet from her Photography AS level course.
Last week, one of her Tutors took all the students down to Brighton seafront, cameras at the ready....
Very brave tutor. Imagine if you can, 20 to 30, 16 yr olds, running amok with cameras! I think I'd have been hiding in the nearest cafe with a stiff cup of tea...11am being a little too early for anything stronger..
According to TD it was a fun morning, and she managed to get her photos taken just before the skies opened up, and the rain came heaving down, sending everyone running for cover. She was so endearingly enthusiastic about the whole thing she could hardly 'talk' in a straight line when she came home.
Telling us how she had even laid down along a sea wall to try and get more interesting angles, and the fact she had managed to get a couple of shots of the 'carousel' horses & poles being moved and cleaned.
All the students developed their negatives on Monday this week, apparently amid much hysterical laughter & probably some very ripe, Teenage language, as they all fought to remove the film from the canisters inside a developing bag, and into a developing tank, in theory, blind-folded.
Today they got to play with the 'Dark Room' stuff, and print off their photos. TD says she finds it a little claustrophobic in there, with big developing trays down the centre, and enlargers/workstations down both sides. When we looked at it before her course started, I did think it looked a little like a morgue..all those stainless steel tables.....Ugh..shudder...
So, this is TD's first ever contact sheet....
And she was right, the '3 carousel horses' is a good shot. But my favourite is of the 'poles'.
I think she needs to work on the technical stuff, but then that's why she's there, that side of it will come with time and practice, but the girl has a 'good eye'.
Given the ups & downs of the last few weeks, with her wanting to drop courses, drop out of everything etc, I'm so, so happy & a little relieved that she's now enjoying her time in college.
Last week, one of her Tutors took all the students down to Brighton seafront, cameras at the ready....
Very brave tutor. Imagine if you can, 20 to 30, 16 yr olds, running amok with cameras! I think I'd have been hiding in the nearest cafe with a stiff cup of tea...11am being a little too early for anything stronger..
According to TD it was a fun morning, and she managed to get her photos taken just before the skies opened up, and the rain came heaving down, sending everyone running for cover. She was so endearingly enthusiastic about the whole thing she could hardly 'talk' in a straight line when she came home.
Telling us how she had even laid down along a sea wall to try and get more interesting angles, and the fact she had managed to get a couple of shots of the 'carousel' horses & poles being moved and cleaned.
All the students developed their negatives on Monday this week, apparently amid much hysterical laughter & probably some very ripe, Teenage language, as they all fought to remove the film from the canisters inside a developing bag, and into a developing tank, in theory, blind-folded.
Today they got to play with the 'Dark Room' stuff, and print off their photos. TD says she finds it a little claustrophobic in there, with big developing trays down the centre, and enlargers/workstations down both sides. When we looked at it before her course started, I did think it looked a little like a morgue..all those stainless steel tables.....Ugh..shudder...
So, this is TD's first ever contact sheet....
And she was right, the '3 carousel horses' is a good shot. But my favourite is of the 'poles'.
I think she needs to work on the technical stuff, but then that's why she's there, that side of it will come with time and practice, but the girl has a 'good eye'.
Given the ups & downs of the last few weeks, with her wanting to drop courses, drop out of everything etc, I'm so, so happy & a little relieved that she's now enjoying her time in college.
12 October 2009
Teenagers and Midnight Snacks....
All teenagers are infamous for their ability to clear fridges & cupboards of food at 20 paces, of all the good stuff anyway! And I'm convinced, even sometimes in their sleep.
Around Midnight last night, my 18 yr old Gorgeous Son decided a little snack was in order.
Just hours after eating a 'Huge' bowl of pasta and sauce.
Now let me guess what you're thinking? 'Beans on toast', a classic, or maybe mountains of 'Toast & Peanut Butter', or the favourite 'sausage rolls or scotch eggs'* combo which of course require no preparation or heating/cooking, also no plate, you know, get in & out fast, commando style....
Oh, but as a bit of a give away, don't forget to leave the empty packaging in the fridge....
Well, you would be wrong.....
This is what my Gorgeous Son chose as his Midnight snack......
.....
Honestly! SALAD....
This made me smile......
Please, don't be fooled into thinking it's a cereal bowl, ooohh no, it is a large, dinner plate size bowl!
It consists of the left over penne pasta, drenched in extra virgin olive oil, a tin of tuna, shredded lettuce & sliced baby plum tomatoes, all sprinkled with oregano & black pepper. Topped with half a container of coleslaw. I know this because he proudly told me!
He works in the Music industry, but I think he may have missed his calling.....should I send him Jamies (Oliver) way??..He-he
I suppose it could be seen as the 'Healthy Option' of midnight snacking....
*Scotch Egg: For people who may have no idea of what this rather strange, old fashioned English Picnic food is - It's a hard boiled egg, surrounded in pork sausage meat, dipped in breadcrumbs, deep-fried then eaten cold.
Around Midnight last night, my 18 yr old Gorgeous Son decided a little snack was in order.
Just hours after eating a 'Huge' bowl of pasta and sauce.
Now let me guess what you're thinking? 'Beans on toast', a classic, or maybe mountains of 'Toast & Peanut Butter', or the favourite 'sausage rolls or scotch eggs'* combo which of course require no preparation or heating/cooking, also no plate, you know, get in & out fast, commando style....
Oh, but as a bit of a give away, don't forget to leave the empty packaging in the fridge....
Well, you would be wrong.....
This is what my Gorgeous Son chose as his Midnight snack......
.....
Honestly! SALAD....
This made me smile......
Please, don't be fooled into thinking it's a cereal bowl, ooohh no, it is a large, dinner plate size bowl!
It consists of the left over penne pasta, drenched in extra virgin olive oil, a tin of tuna, shredded lettuce & sliced baby plum tomatoes, all sprinkled with oregano & black pepper. Topped with half a container of coleslaw. I know this because he proudly told me!
He works in the Music industry, but I think he may have missed his calling.....should I send him Jamies (Oliver) way??..He-he
I suppose it could be seen as the 'Healthy Option' of midnight snacking....
*Scotch Egg: For people who may have no idea of what this rather strange, old fashioned English Picnic food is - It's a hard boiled egg, surrounded in pork sausage meat, dipped in breadcrumbs, deep-fried then eaten cold.
28 September 2009
Hands off Parenting?...Or not? And a little bit of EMA
I'm having a little dilemma at the moment.
When DO you let your Teenagers take responsibility for themselves? To leave them to make decisions and choices on their own?
TD has been at college for 3 weeks now. Her timetable is varied, time wise. For 3 days she starts at 8.40am, which means she leaves the house at about 8am, and 2 of these finish at about 1pm. The other 2 she has 11.10 starts, and these finish a little later, 3.15pm.
Almost every single day so far, she's not come back home until 9-10pm. I do get phone calls or texts, telling me she's going to a friends/meeting up with friends in town etc..
OK I thought, she's 16, I realise a strong social network IS important at this age, my addled brain does allow me to remember that much!
Also, it's good she's letting me know where she is. I ask if she wants a meal here or is she eating with friends & when will she be home? Just standard questions. Nothing interfering in those. So far almost all her meals have been eaten at about 11pm in the kitchen, whilst still 'texting' the friends she has just spent 7-8 hours with!
There's been little evidence of any coursework being done, and 2 of her courses are 'very heavy' on the coursework* front. I'm sure they must have given her some by now?? Although of course, when would she have time to do any coursework, what with all the socialising??
TD also complains at the moment about how unfair it is that a lot of her friends get EMA and she doesn't, so she has 'no' money. Erm...apart from all that money we hand out on a very regular basis.
If you're not aware of what EMA is, it's a Government initiative to get school leavers to attend Further Education in the form of a bribe to keep unemployment figures down. I'm sorry if I offend anyone by saying that, it's just my personal view. I know that's not what it's supposed to be about, its about helping families with lower incomes continue with Further Education, when possibly they would not have done so, due to financial constraints. But it seems to have changed into the very reason a lot of Teenagers actually go to college.
Basically, if a household income is under £30,000 a year, the student gets up to £30 a week (means tested) to attend college, and is based on attendance. The student has to have (not sure of the exact number) 90% attendance to claim it. This is tough for families getting just over the £30,000, as the student doesn't qualify for EMA, but they still have all the expense of College life.
So, as you can imagine, my suggestion of a part-time job for TD did not go down too well. Why should she go and get a job when lots of her friends get £30 a week for going to college, when she goes for nothing! Don't you just love the logic in that.....this is the opinion of one teenager, but I think it's the feeling of many who don't receive EMA. Gee.... thanks Government, for the encouraging 'Work Ethic' message you're promoting.
On the part-time job front, TD says her 'College recommends not getting a job in the 1st year'....presumably this is to do with the amount of coursework given..Hmm (*see above).
Or, of course, stupid me, it's to allow their students to fit in 8hrs of socialising a day!
Sorry, I've digressed a little.
Back to the dilemma.
I'd hoped that over the years, I'd given TD some guidance, enough to help her make informed choices for herself. And I do understand there is a transition stage, for us mere parents, of 'letting go' and allowing Teenagers to make their own mistakes. But how far should we let them go before saying something? Because at the moment, if I say anything I get accused of 'not giving her any responsibility'.
When your children are small, you wouldn't dream of letting them walk out in front of a car. You teach them about road safety, and watch them to make sure they've learnt. And you jump in bloody quick if they haven't. Eventually they learn, I know.
So for now I'm trying a little hands off parenting.
Trying not to put my twopence worth in. I did the 'its about balance, a bit of socializing, a bit of college work, maybe a part time job...balance' talk....that went down as well as you might expect!.....I seem to remember the words 'always telling me what to do and how to do it' were in there somewhere...
TD is not walking out in front of cars, not literally anyway, she's not a toddler. So I am trying to stand back, hands off, well to be honest, it's more like holding them clamped over my mouth, while she makes her own mistakes, and hopefully learns from them. But it is very hard.
This is definitely one of those times when you question your parenting skills.
Am I doing this right?...Wrong?
Who knows? Only time will tell...
When DO you let your Teenagers take responsibility for themselves? To leave them to make decisions and choices on their own?
TD has been at college for 3 weeks now. Her timetable is varied, time wise. For 3 days she starts at 8.40am, which means she leaves the house at about 8am, and 2 of these finish at about 1pm. The other 2 she has 11.10 starts, and these finish a little later, 3.15pm.
Almost every single day so far, she's not come back home until 9-10pm. I do get phone calls or texts, telling me she's going to a friends/meeting up with friends in town etc..
OK I thought, she's 16, I realise a strong social network IS important at this age, my addled brain does allow me to remember that much!
Also, it's good she's letting me know where she is. I ask if she wants a meal here or is she eating with friends & when will she be home? Just standard questions. Nothing interfering in those. So far almost all her meals have been eaten at about 11pm in the kitchen, whilst still 'texting' the friends she has just spent 7-8 hours with!
There's been little evidence of any coursework being done, and 2 of her courses are 'very heavy' on the coursework* front. I'm sure they must have given her some by now?? Although of course, when would she have time to do any coursework, what with all the socialising??
TD also complains at the moment about how unfair it is that a lot of her friends get EMA and she doesn't, so she has 'no' money. Erm...apart from all that money we hand out on a very regular basis.
If you're not aware of what EMA is, it's a Government initiative to get school leavers to attend Further Education in the form of a bribe to keep unemployment figures down. I'm sorry if I offend anyone by saying that, it's just my personal view. I know that's not what it's supposed to be about, its about helping families with lower incomes continue with Further Education, when possibly they would not have done so, due to financial constraints. But it seems to have changed into the very reason a lot of Teenagers actually go to college.
Basically, if a household income is under £30,000 a year, the student gets up to £30 a week (means tested) to attend college, and is based on attendance. The student has to have (not sure of the exact number) 90% attendance to claim it. This is tough for families getting just over the £30,000, as the student doesn't qualify for EMA, but they still have all the expense of College life.
So, as you can imagine, my suggestion of a part-time job for TD did not go down too well. Why should she go and get a job when lots of her friends get £30 a week for going to college, when she goes for nothing! Don't you just love the logic in that.....this is the opinion of one teenager, but I think it's the feeling of many who don't receive EMA. Gee.... thanks Government, for the encouraging 'Work Ethic' message you're promoting.
On the part-time job front, TD says her 'College recommends not getting a job in the 1st year'....presumably this is to do with the amount of coursework given..Hmm (*see above).
Or, of course, stupid me, it's to allow their students to fit in 8hrs of socialising a day!
Sorry, I've digressed a little.
Back to the dilemma.
I'd hoped that over the years, I'd given TD some guidance, enough to help her make informed choices for herself. And I do understand there is a transition stage, for us mere parents, of 'letting go' and allowing Teenagers to make their own mistakes. But how far should we let them go before saying something? Because at the moment, if I say anything I get accused of 'not giving her any responsibility'.
When your children are small, you wouldn't dream of letting them walk out in front of a car. You teach them about road safety, and watch them to make sure they've learnt. And you jump in bloody quick if they haven't. Eventually they learn, I know.
So for now I'm trying a little hands off parenting.
Trying not to put my twopence worth in. I did the 'its about balance, a bit of socializing, a bit of college work, maybe a part time job...balance' talk....that went down as well as you might expect!.....I seem to remember the words 'always telling me what to do and how to do it' were in there somewhere...
TD is not walking out in front of cars, not literally anyway, she's not a toddler. So I am trying to stand back, hands off, well to be honest, it's more like holding them clamped over my mouth, while she makes her own mistakes, and hopefully learns from them. But it is very hard.
This is definitely one of those times when you question your parenting skills.
Am I doing this right?...Wrong?
Who knows? Only time will tell...
18 September 2009
Woo-hoo! I got sent my 1st award...
I'M SO HAPPY, WOO-HOOOOO!!! Thank you, thank you....OK...Sorry, I'll calm down now, but I am surprisingly chuffed by this!! So love & huge thanks to the lovely Maternal Tales from the South for sending me my first ever award. I will place it proudly on my blog, where I can sit & stare lovingly at it...it really is quite a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Now I think I have to send it on to blogs I love too...YAY...this is fun...
As a source of many a giggle at my computer, for her insightful and amusingly written observations of Teenage Daughters, I'd like to pass it on to amomonspin
Also to selinakingstonisforty for her incredibly honest, from the heart sharing.
Next I'm sending it to menopausaloldbag for her beautiful writing, which always captures the imagination and makes me wish I could write this well!
To maialarasaid for her ability to remind me that my Teenagers were once this sweet & adorable.
And finally to 3bedroombungalow for her amusing, down to earth stories of life in the UK with her family...
To all the above, many thanks for making me laugh & cry, often at the same time, and please pass it on to your faves too....
15 September 2009
Everyone has a junk drawer in the kitchen..What's in yours?
My ex-hubby posted an interesting 'status' on Facebook this morning.
So I thought it might be time to take a peek in mine. Let the listing begin....
Erm...er...I do have a small confession to make.....
I don't actually have a junk drawer.
Now, don't you think that makes me sound like the most amazingly tidy, organised, uncluttered owner of a kitchen ever???
Oh no, no, if only it were that simple. I don't have a 'Junk' drawer in my kitchen...
...because I have a full height, floor to ceiling, double doored 'junk' CUPBOARD in my kitchen.
Admittedly, it does contain some little wooden drawers (maybe that counts), sitting on one shelf holding;
Pens, pencils, staples. fuses, batteries, birthday candles. All the tiny bits & bobs that would roll away forever if put on shelves.
The remaining cupboard space is filled with;
Printer paper
Spare birthday cards
Light bulbs
Old candles
Bags of hamster bedding & hamster ball (Yes, we do have a hamster, before you ask)
Takeaway menus
3 out of date passports
3 old instruction manuals for things I don't think I own anymore
Bottles of brush cleaner (how many???)
9 (yes, 9) old paint brushes, in a container, still covered in rock hard paint (I obviously haven't figured out I need to use the above item)
5 (!) all but empty school geometry sets
3 nearly empty tubes of wrapping paper
A box full of odd IKEA fittings
1 tube of multi-vitamins
1 small tube of extra volume hair conditioner! Huh?..no one in this house needs bigger hair
A dust buster
A blow torch
1 hot water bottle..Ha-ha, that's where it is!
There is much, much more....But I feel the need to go and have a little lie down now.
So, the question is 'What's in your junk drawer?'
'Everyone of us has a junk drawer in the kitchen. I have a hot water bottle and 3 amp fuse. What do you have in yours?'
The 'hot water bottle' made me laugh, but then, well, where do you keep a hot water bottle?So I thought it might be time to take a peek in mine. Let the listing begin....
Erm...er...I do have a small confession to make.....
I don't actually have a junk drawer.
Now, don't you think that makes me sound like the most amazingly tidy, organised, uncluttered owner of a kitchen ever???
Oh no, no, if only it were that simple. I don't have a 'Junk' drawer in my kitchen...
...because I have a full height, floor to ceiling, double doored 'junk' CUPBOARD in my kitchen.
Admittedly, it does contain some little wooden drawers (maybe that counts), sitting on one shelf holding;
Pens, pencils, staples. fuses, batteries, birthday candles. All the tiny bits & bobs that would roll away forever if put on shelves.
The remaining cupboard space is filled with;
Printer paper
Spare birthday cards
Light bulbs
Old candles
Bags of hamster bedding & hamster ball (Yes, we do have a hamster, before you ask)
Takeaway menus
3 out of date passports
3 old instruction manuals for things I don't think I own anymore
Bottles of brush cleaner (how many???)
9 (yes, 9) old paint brushes, in a container, still covered in rock hard paint (I obviously haven't figured out I need to use the above item)
5 (!) all but empty school geometry sets
3 nearly empty tubes of wrapping paper
A box full of odd IKEA fittings
1 tube of multi-vitamins
1 small tube of extra volume hair conditioner! Huh?..no one in this house needs bigger hair
A dust buster
A blow torch
1 hot water bottle..Ha-ha, that's where it is!
There is much, much more....But I feel the need to go and have a little lie down now.
So, the question is 'What's in your junk drawer?'
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