spilling the beans

it's done..

....I'm gone.

After many tears, many sleepless nights, and many farewells, we are gone. Zoe and I are at dad's house where we will be until Sunday.

I know I made the decision to leave, but man this sucks. In leaving behind Stu, and our relationship I've also left my friends, the school and so much more. It was bloody awful let me tell ya. I cried when Zoe got her gold award, I cried when I got mine:)<---The only parent to ever get one by the way! I cried when I left behind my friends. And the kids. The kids I think were the worst to say goodbye too. I hope they'll forgive me one day....

Right now i'm exhausted, so i'm heading to bed....this won't be posted until I hook it up to the net again, by which time I'll have probably written another few entries. Hope you are all well.

Okay, it's two days later and i'm online for about 5 mins...using dialup at my beaustiful sister's house.

It's been hard, really hard, but shit happens. We will be fine. This time tomorrow night i'll be in Townsville and probably an emotional wreck!! Will try to get an update to you all once i'm settled a bit.

To my girls, you know who you are, i'll call when i'm there ok? Love ya....

see you soon..

Today is the day.

In 4 hours Zoe and I will be leaving.

I won't be able to blog for a few days, probably not until late next week.

I'm about to pack up the laptop so until then, stay safe, keep us in your thoughts and know that I love you all.

tidying up

I'm tidying up the house. I've given away things. They can be replaced after all and my friends have some momentos now to make them as miserable as I am cos it'll be a constant reminder that i'm gone...hey if i'm gonna be sad, they can be too!! Love ya guys, you know that...

Anyway while I was in the tidying up mode, I tidied up the sidebar a bit on my coffee break. Everything is still there, you just gotta click the lines that end in +/- to see it is all! This way my need to have shit there is filled, and you can choose which bits you want to see...aren't I a nice girl?? Don't be too quick to thank me, it's called distraction therapy....

in two days...

...I'll walk out this door with my daughter, some suitcases, and memories.

I'll be leaving behind so much more.

The end of any relationship is hard. But what's especially hard about my decision to leave this one is that leaving isn't what I want to do. It's what I need to do. They are very different things. So why leave then right? There are many answers to that, with the biggest one being this: My needs are not being heard, and therefore not being met. And unless both parties needs are being met, no relationship is going to work. No matter how hard you both want it to. It's not that Stu doesn't want to meet my needs, or those of this relationship. It's just that he isn't capable of it right now. And won't be for months, possibly years.

As most of you know, Stu has bipolar. He has had since well and truly before our life together started. It's an extremely selfish mental illness in that initially it requires all of someones energies and efforts to manage, and bring it under control. In the meantime, the rest of life just gets left behind. Including loved ones and their needs. I don't want to hate Stu, but if I stay here that's what will happen. The resentment for the selfish nature of bipolar will build to the point of no return. No matter how much I understand bipolar, no matter how much my head knows the reasons for thought patterns and behaviours, my heart doesn't get it. Just one example of how that affects this relationship on a regular basis is the fact that my heart cannot fathom that life seems so bad that he has suicidal thoughts. And I know that it's not even that he thinks life is bad, it's the thought processes brought about by chemical imbalances. A physical reaction to stress or his triggers. But try explaining to that my heart. Each and every time he's on a downward spiral into the darkest of moments, my heart bleeds, it dies a little, and I wonder why are Zoe and myself here then? Why are we a part of your life when it obviously sucks so bad? Why are you telling me when you know that there is nothing I can say or do to help, or stop those thought patterns? I KNOW that that isn't how it really is. But try telling my heart that...

You know I could sit here for hours and talk about the reasons this must end. But I won't right now. I can't. The hurt is still too raw. And the love is still there. I wish it wasn't. It would make this much easier if the love had been eroded over time....

wtf??

I'm all for winning battles over at BOTB, but fairly please people!!

sadness

I should be packing. But what am I doing instead? I'm doing a new theme to reflect my current state of mind is what I'm doin! Well not doin, have done. You can click under the theme heading over there where it says 'sadness'.

I'll be here, and online intermittently for the next few days. Then there will be no bloggin for a few days as I'm not going to be using families bandwidth or setting up the connection for 2 days use. Seeing as how the ONLY way I can post is from this machine, NOT a website. Once I'm settled in my new home we'll see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

To brighten the mood a little, just wanted to share that Zoe's going to be getting her Gold award on Friday at assembly. Following assembly will be a farewell party for her with her class and the other kindie class. Oh wait, thats going to be very sad..so much for brightening the mood hey? Sorry.

Take care.

it's over..

and done. I can't do it anymore.

I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to blog again. It might be tomorrow, it might not be for 2 months.

I've just made the hardest decision of my life and watched my heart walk out the door in little pieces.

I'll be here when I can.

When my life feels like a life again instead of this heartbreaking numbness.

I love you all, I really do.

Bye for now.

Caption Competition - part 2

Well I must admit that whilst I was disappointed with the number of responses, from you, my VERY funny readers, what I did receive ALL deserve a mention. So here they are, in the order in which they arrived cos I can't decide on a 'winner':

Mrs A: "Where? Where is it? YOU TOLD ME that if I stick my finger any further up my nose I'll pull my brain out so WHERE IS IT?"

Vancouver Voyeur: "That has got to be the tiniest booger I've ever seen!"

Writer Chick: "Boogers, anyone? "

Michael: "Arrrrgggg...I got it! Mum, I think I got really got it! Look!"

You ALL made me spit my coffee (let me know if you want a graphic!!), you ALL made me laugh, and I can imagine Zoe saying ALL of them...maybe I'll get her to say them, record it and post them...if I can be bothered. I'm guessing you all had fun coming up with these. But honestly, who wouldn't with the bloody hilarious photo??!!

This was so much fun I might make it a regular feature.....not like I don't have enough funny photo's now is it?

I just knew it....

I always suspected myspace of harboring the crazies of this world amidst it users.

Then I read this news story.

too tired to think...

....so I aint posting today. Oh wait, yes I am. This is a post isn't it?

Bugger.

p.s Jodie, I didn't have yahoo on tonight and i'm heading to bed. Email me the bling bling pics.

p.s.s Looks like the site I host all my images at is down at the moment...so this place looks like crap at the moment..BUGGER

Caption Competition

Thats my girl....this is the child who has an iq two points shy of being moderately being gifted in some areas.

Prizes may/may not include the following:

• A bit of fun

• Making me laugh

• A pimp post

• The coveted "You made me spit my coffee" award

So fill the comment page up with your captions people!

p.s Mum, no point in calling welfare, I already did, making fun of the funny faces your child pulls is NOT considered child abuse :)

Top Ten things your waiter/waitress is just dying to say to you.

Having spent the majority of my working life in hospitality, there were many a time I had to bite my bloody tongue when serving customers who are such wankers as to hardly qualify as human. Anyone who has the pleasure of waiting upon others whilst they eat can relate I'm sure. So here they are. The top ten things I would have LOVED to have said at one time or another...

10) You can get your own water. See it's right THERE.

9) Yes that is a fly in your dessert, the chef spit on your steak too. Oh and there was snot in your soup.

8) You can just bloody well wait!

7) Actually the special tastes like shit, don't order it.

6) No, I wouldn't like to bring you the dessert menu, I want you to leave already. I got a party to go to.

5) I'm being nice to you because I'm paid to be nice, not because I think you're cute. Dork.

4) Are you sure you can afford this? Those shoes look like they cost you 50c.

3) You could have left a bigger tip you tight ass

2) Oh shit, I forgot to give your order to the kitchen!

1) Would you like a bib?

p.s If you haven't already, be sure to check out Gina. She's this week's renter and I've neglected her rather badly with the whole 9/11 thing. Sorry Gina...i'm usually a better landlord than this :)

Grandad's missing fingers

Ok, you voted. I listened. You wanted to hear about Grandad's missing fingers. I'll bet you think i'm going to explain why my father is missing the index finger and half of the middle finger on his left hand and is left with little round stumps that cause him to make up new swear words whenever I have no intentions of doing so, but I will offer you this piece of advice:

• Don't let your younguns sit on the back of the tractor poking the shit out of the cutty thingy with a stick when going round a bumpy corner of a paddock.

Ok, enough said. Onto the story you wanted.

We had been for a visit down to see the rellies, being christmas time and all, so Zoe got to spend time with Grandad and was fascinated with, and almost frightened of, his missing fingers. I guess for a kid it could be that way. Mum said he used to draw little faces on them and give us kids puppet shows over the back of the couch with them. But for some it can be a little freaky. Zoe had seen them before, but this time round she kinda shied away from them but at the same time couldn't stop looking at them.

Zoe went through a stage (still coming out the other side actually) of forever picking her nose. I mean it was an obsession. If she didn't have a finger up her nose then I was looking for needle marks because obviously someone had sedated her. Anyway we had been home for a few days after the visit and I was sick and tired of telling Zoe to get her damn fingers out of her nose. In total exasperation I finally told her "You know what happened to grandad's missing fingers? Well he was picking his nose and he shoved them so far up there they got STUCK and came right off and stayed up there!"

She looked at me in total horror, giving me visions of humungous future therapy bills.

Then she replied.

"Is that why his nose is so big?"

This is why you have children people. For comments like that one right there. And for the looks on their faces when you embarass them in front of 100 of their closest friends at their 21st birthday party retelling the stories.

I remember JOHN GIORDANO

John Giordano

Firefighter John J. Giordano was part of Haz Mat Company 1, designated as New York City’s sole dedicated hazardous materials unit. It was quite an honor for an exceptional man. Little did he know that when he headed to work on September 11, 2001 that he would give his life doing what he did best. Helping others. The squad rushed to the aid of those in the WTC towers and suffered heavy losses. Lt Philip McArdle said that those lost, John among them, would be 'impossible to replace.' He was right, in more ways than one.

For his wife Roxann, and his three children -Jonathon, Jordan and Jessica, life must have been terribly difficult for the first few hours, days, weeks after the attacks. Their beloved father and husband was missing. It was not until October 22, 2001 that his body was recovered. The not knowing must have been terrible and I can only imagine the anguish they felt.

There is an amazing article about John and his all too short 47 year life that can be found on this page here. The title is "A strong presence in his community." What an understatement! Please take a moment to read it through. I dare you to NOT be inspired by his passion for everything he did. I have no idea where he found the hours in the day, nor the energy to do the many things he did. He must have been one of the happiest men alive. Doing all those things that he loved doing. What's that saying? Do something you'll love and you'll never work a day in your life. I'm hoping that is just how John saw it. I get the feeling it would have been.

Reading through it myself, two things stood out more than anything. He loved life. And he loved his family. He wanted to share with them in a very real way the things that were important to him. And he did just that. He passed on his love of music to his children. He was a classically trained guitarist who taught the local children from the neighborhood. He loved Bob Dylan. He also loved the environment, with the Hudson River being the topic of his thesis. He planned on becoming a teacher once he finished his Masters Degree and retired from firefighting. I mourn for the generation that will not have this man's influence in their life. I think he would have had a lot to teach today's youth about LIFE.

I'm so proud to learn about, and remember John today. He was such a compassionate, inspirational, and quite simply amazing man who left this world far too soon leaving behind a legacy that i'm sure will live on forever. To John's family, I offer my deepest sympathies and two simple words.

I remember.

I wish I had the words to do John's life justice, but it would take a lifetime to do that. He lived life to the fullest.

Click here for a full list of the tributes that are part of the 2996 project.

I remember Jose Manuel Contreras Fernandez

Little is known about Jose except that he was from El Aguacate, Jalisco Mexico and he worked as a janitor in the World Trade Center where he was tragically lost alongside those that he worked for.

We can only guess at the life led by Jose. Was he working in the land of the free to support a family back home in Mexico? Or were they with him perhaps? How many passed him each day as he went about his daily duties never knowing his story? Perhaps he shared silent and polite nods in the hallways as he did a most important job. Maybe he even wondered about the people he passed as they most likely wondered about him.

I wonder what his dreams were. An education for his children? Or maybe something simpler. Food on their table, or even a house to call home. Or was he younger, and wanting to make his way in life before starting a family? At the very least it is almost certain that Jose was chasing those dreams. How many of us have the courage to do that? Want something, and then go after it. Jose, for that I admire you. How brave you must have been to leave your home town and try to make a better life for yourself.

Jose, I remember you and I only wish that I could have learned more about you and your life. I can't help but think how sad it is that 5 years on, those that loved you will still miss you yet the world doesn't know what must have been your interesting story.

Click here for a full list of tributes as part of the 2996 project.

I remember MARISA DI NARDO SCHORPP

Please scroll down for newer posts. I'm leaving this one at the top for a few days..

As I sat and watched the events of 911 unfold, I held my not quite 12 month old Zoe's hand and cried for the world that I had bought her into. I wept for the innocence destroyed. I was devastated for humanity as a whole. But until I started on the road to writing this tribute, it wasn't a personal experience. Perhaps that was why I signed up. To make it personal. Because to the loved ones of all 2996 victims, it can be nothing but can it?

Marisa Di Nardo Schorpp

31 Dec 1962 - 11 Sep 2001

Dear Marisa,

I have the extreme honor of remembering you this September 11, 2006, 5 years after you were so tragically torn from this world along with so many other innocent victims. But you were much more than just a victim weren't you? Nobody who died in that horrible moment in time, was just a victim.

Throughout my searching, trying to find out about you and your life, I've learned many things. I've learned you had worked as a trader for Cantor Fitzgerald for around a year as one of only a few women who had to fight harder and be better, in what was traditionally a man's world. I learned that you were successful, determined, aggressive and passionate about your work. Even though you had been celebrating your mother's birthday till the wee hours of the morning the night before, you still went to work because you had a meeting, and had to be there. I learned that you were born on New Year's Eve, 1962, and were taken from us too early from the 105th floor of Tower 1 at the World Trade Center. Your birthday was the day after my daughters. You grew up in West Harrison, NY and attended Harrison High School.

These fragments of information are just part of who you were, and can be found on any of half a dozen websites through a simple web search. There were a few comments, and interesting facts that hit home to me as I tried to give you the tribute you deserve. They also raised more questions than answers as I endeavored to find out more than just statistics. You donated to charities, specifically those that helped poor children and abandoned animals. Did you know some friends of yours set up a children's charity in your name? I wish I could have found out more about them, I would love to donate. You had two cats, Gizmo, and Misha Why did you choose these names? Was their any special significance? THESE are the things I tried in vain to find out about you Marisa! What was on your desk at work? Was it a photo of your husband, Jeff? Perhaps some photos of your family. Marisa you so clearly loved both of your parents, Ester and Pio. Your younger brother Harley was obviously very proud of his big sister as evidenced by his many quotes in various news articles. Nella Baresse, who knew you since you were 8, said you were devoutly religious and your faith was strong. Perhaps there was a favorite verse or picture on a wall where you could see it throughout the day. Perhaps there were a few of the angels that I heard you collected. I hope these things were close by as you spoke to your loving husband to let him know your were ok and were leaving the building. It was the last anyone heard from you Marisa.

I never knew, you Marisa, nor was I likely to. But I think that even though we were from two different worlds, having a coffee with your would have been an interesting experience. I think you would have been an inspiration. I'm so sorry that we will never have that chance. I'm sorry for the memories that you and your loved ones will not be able to create. I'm sorry for their loss. I'm sorry for the good that you will not be able to do in this world. I think your heart was pure and strong and the world is a lesser place now that your not here.

You were so many things to so many people Marisa.

A daughter.

A wife.

A sister.

A friend.

An esteemed colleague.

So much to so many people, and there aren't the words to convey what you must have meant to them all or the loss they feel.

I wish that I could do you, and your life, more justice in this, my tribute to you. For now, all I can do is remember, and hope that others do to. I'm going to leave the final words of this to your mother. She spoke of you at a memorial service and can be seen in this video. It bought tears to my eyes.

I remember you, Marisa.

Yours Sincerely,

Kelly.

Technorati tags: Marisa DiNardo Schorpp WTC 911 2996 Project

emotionally exhausted...

....for all that's going on in my life right now, but mainly because of the 2996 tribute project I've been a part of.

I signed up thinking 'what a great idea, it's the least I could do, and hey it's only one post right?' WRONG.

It's been so much more than that. As anyone who has tried to write a fitting tribute will tell you, it's probably been one of the hardest things they've ever done. How do you write a tribute to someone you've never met? How do you do justice to their life in one blog post? What if a family member or friend reads it? Will they like it? Does it truly tell the story of this individuals life?

These are just some of the questions that run through your mind. Then there is the personal connection you make to this person as you research. As you read quotes from family and friends. One of the ones that hit home to me was a message on a message board dated September 11, 2001 looking for news of Marisa. I just cried for the hope and desperation. I tried to contact the friend but the email address was no longer valid.

I also spoke to Marisa's mother. She had no idea who I was, what I was doing, or what I was calling for. Either did I really. I felt like I was intruding, and apologised if I was. I gave her my name, my website address and my phone number. Mrs DiNardo, if you read this, please accept this as my apology if I upset, or confused you. I really just wanted you to know that Marisa will be remembered. I wanted to be sure that someone who knew her, knew that.

Aside from the emotions that were evoked when writing her tribute, reading others had a similar impact. It's so easy to remember images, numbers, facts and statistics. Maybe thats why history records events like this in this way. It's easier on those of us left behind. But the hard part is to listen to, or read, the personal stories. It makes it REAL. It makes it HURT. It makes it PERSONAL. Some of the tributes are just terrifyingly heartbreaking.

I'll never be sorry I was part of this. I WILL read EVERY SINGLE TRIBUTE if it takes me months. And I will forever be changed for each one I read.

Regular programming will return to normal in a few days here at Spilling the beans I'm sure, but for now, I'm on an emotional journey that is far from over.....

Take care.

thank you..

..all for the wonderful thoughts in the comments of the last post. And for the private emails. They really do mean a lot.

Just to clarify for you all though, I wasn't talking about blogging.

Some of you know what has been happening in my life over the last few months, I mean the not so rosey stuff, the stuff I DON'T write about here cos I like warm and fuzzy feelings. Some of you don't. For those that don't this won't make much sense, and for that I do apologise. For those that do, thanks for you awesome support during this time.

Anyway, it's all getting a little too hard. Now I'm not one to run away from anything thats difficult, and there are times when I can still see the light at the end of the tunnel. My problem is, I don't know if I have the energy and emotional stamina to crawl that far. And yes, it's crawling. I need to figure out WHY I'm still crawling towards that light and decide whether or not it's for the right reasons. Is it guilt? Is it simply "I won't give in?" Is it "I'll prove you all wrong?" Is it loyalty? Is it easier than the alternative? Is it for my little girl? Is it because I KNOW we can get through this? Is it because I don't want to be alone? Is it just easier to not make a decision? Is it because ultimately I really do want what I know is at the end?

There are so many possible reasons for me being here still. I didn't mention love in all of those questions. Of that there is no doubt. But sometimes it's just not enough you know? I guess I need to figure out two things when it comes down to it:

• What do I want and need?
• Am I getting enough of what I want and need?

No matter the circumstances, if the second answer is too different to the first one ,for anyone, then it's time to think long and hard isn't it? That's where I'm at right now. I'm thinking long and hard.

To totally change the subject on you now, here is a pic of me with the son and daughter in law mentioned two posts down. I think this is the first RECENT pic -and you can't get much more recent than yesterday - I've EVER posted on this blog. I'm sure it will shatter any illusions you may have about me :)

can i keep doing this?

I don't think I can anymore.

I'm tired.

I'm numb.

I'm exhausted.

Some days I wonder why I bother.

Like today.

Maybe tomorrow i'll remember.

Maybe I won't.

just stuff!

Well it's only 11am and I'm exhausted already. Brekky club was a special occasion this morning with the son and daughter in law of the women who left the bequest to Red Cross that is funding the program, coming along to see how it all works. They let Red Cross know a while back that they would be in town so it was a good opportunity for them to see where their mum's money went, and what it is achieving We had the local paper come along and they spent a bit of time talking with us all and taking pics. Should be a story within the next few days! I'll keep you posted. It was wonderful to be able to say 'thankyou' to someone for helping get this program running. Last week I got the kids to all write thankyous on a whopping big card and we presented that to them this morning as well. Of course because the kids knew they were coming we had a larger number than usual turn up, but it was good. Unfortunately those extras included one who will be BANNED from the program for two weeks for an inappropriate comment written on the card. He writes with a very distinctive K, and his name has one in their so it was easy to figure out who it was. He doesn't come usually anyway, but the principal will be following up, and if he does come back in the next fortnight he'll be asked to please leave. Little turd. There is always one isn't there? Oh well, it didn't stop the morning being a successful one with many thanks on both our part and theirs! The son assures me that his mum will be smiling down from above extremely pleased with what the money is being used for. It was great to hear.

On another note, I simply CANNOT get that zazzle thing where you can link to a pic from the blog and have it automatically inserted into a product working. Doesn't really matter, not likely that anyone will ever buy anything anyway! I'll still keep doing them though, it's great fun. Lets my creative side out a bit :)

Last, but certainly not least, take a peek at this weeks guest. Her name is Bianca, she's 29 and hails from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The site is called 'Stir Fry Kitty' and she has her fingers in a few pots. On her site you'll notice there are a few 'Stir Fry Kitty' links, all well worth a look. There are web designs, reviews, recipes, and opinions across all these sites. Once again I've made it easy for you. Just click the pic below. Tell her I sent ya and enjoy yourself! With such variety i'm sure there will something for all of you.

Thats it from me at the moment. I'll be closing the poll of the week (which has been running for 2 weeks now!) tomorrow morning, so if you haven't already, be sure to vote. It's in the sidebar. There are two clear favorites at the moment, and if it stays that close I may just write a post about both of them!!

zazzle!

Starmama is naughty. She recently did a post on a site called zazzle. Being the good reader that I am, I took a peek on her recommendation. Bad move. I spent a bit of time last week checking it all out. I've spent a bit of time today setting up shop. You can now purchase your very own debambam designed mugs and assorted t-shirts and apparel. So far I've only got 4 designs up, with Zoe and myself working on some more at the moment....it's so much fun!!! Anyway, take a peek here, and down the bottom of the sidebar there is now a panel showcasing 3 products which I'm assuming will update as I add more. Biggest problem with it is, it's US based which means anything that I might like to buy - either my own or someone else's -would cost a fortune between postage and the exchange rate!!! But feel free to add to the debambam holiday fund by making your purchases...yes there is commission involved! Otherwise no-one would bother right? Or if your feeling generous, you could buy something and send it to me :) JK, I can actually get stuff personalised here if I want...

Of course you don't have to buy just my products, but should you wish to make ANY purchases from other contributors, please click here, or go via the link in the sidebar (in the about me section) This will also help my holiday fund :)

Oh man, this is like begging or something. I feel so dirty......oh well, better be off to have more fun coming up with crap to put on mugs and t-shirts no-one wants to pay money for! Have a good one y'all.

***UPDATE***

Now if i've figured this place out correctly, if you click the pic below, it SHOULD take you to a page at zazzle that will insert this pic into a template of a mug i've just done up. One side of the cup should have this pic, and the other side the quote "if this mug is empty i will not be held responsible for my actions" The plan is to link appropriate pics in future posts to do the same thing, this one is just a test run...

that's MISS KELLY to you thanks!

Well today I spent THE whole day at the school. Here's the short version:

• 8.20am-9.25am -->Breakfast Program
• 9.30am-11am-->Class helper
• 11am-11.30am-->Canteen
• 11.30am-12.30pm-->Assembly
• 12.45pm-1.30pm-->Canteen
• 1.35pm-2.10pm-->Class teacher
• 2.10pm-3.05pm-->Father's day picture laminator

You read that second last one right. Zoe's teacher went home REALLY sick at morning recess which left one teacher with 3 classes (one teacher on release time and the other one at the 'first steps' preschool class) after lunch. So I took Zoe's class while they finished off their father's day class and send them when they'd finished back to the poor bloke who had the other two grades....me...in charge of a whole class. For about 20 mins anyway! They slowly but surely all headed of to the congregation two classes down. It was awesome. The principal popped in to check on us and was cool, the other teacher was cool with it, the kids were cool with, and I was more than cool with it! Kinda scary though. But the kids all know me, I've spent enough time in the class for them to be comfortable with me, to know all their names and for a certain level of authority to be there. When all else fails, I just threaten the kids with the idea that if they muck up I get into trouble and amazingly they come good! I joke around and have a lot of fun with them being silly and stuff so when I get serious, they tend to take me seriously. For some reason, one of the kids responds really well to me, and he usually gets into the worst trouble. I think he's ADHD - I know that he went of with the principal at one stage to have some medication. But we seem to have some kind of connection and all it takes is for me to ask him to do something and he smiles and happily obliges. Not that he's not like that at all with other people, but I've not once had the problems with him that I've seen him dish out to others. Feels good. Then again it could just be because I give him food in the mornings and he may think that if he upsets me I won't :) I prefer to think we just click.

Remember that bribing little chat I was going to have with Zoe's teacher? Well I did. And it worked. Zoe got a merit award today for "Completing the reading challenge and excellent reading" Which means she is now only 3 points from gold. So far only 4 have been awarded in the whole school. At the very very latest she'll get it in week 10 once she receives the 5 point one for good behaviour. There is no way on god's green earth will she EVER receive an incident slip while she thinks rules are more important than food!! She's almost anally retentive about them. Gets upset when someone else breaks the rules. But anyway, I'm still very very proud of her, and will continue to brag for each and every one of these little achievements Get used to it!

All in all I had a pleasant day. More than pleasant in fact. I think I should take Evan's suggestion and go start talking to some uni's about courses....lock your kids up people, Miss Kelly may just be on the way to a school near you!

bits and pieces

I'm still alive, not dead or MIA. Just waiting. Waiting for something that should have happened earlier and it's driving me NUTS!! Nothing worse than waiting, but if it happens, you'll all know about it. Trust me.!

So i've been spending time at the school, playing that damn x-box and totally forgetting about blogday yesterday...you could have reminded me you know! I'll do that post up tonight, and backdate it and no-one will ever be the wiser...oh wait, I just told you about it. Bugger!

Glad you all liked Zoe's pic. If my bribe was successful then there will be another one this evening for you to gawk at...so keep an eye out.

I've also been very slack in reading your blogs. To be honest I just can't seem to focus on anything right now anyway so I probably wouldn't take much in or be able to comment properly. I'll try tomorrow. I promise! Also promise to reply to all the comments you've all left. I have been reading them, and they still make me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Till my brain is functioning again, have fun!