Out with the old

year that is, not throwing out anything, who knows I might need it one day. 

So another year has passed, another prediction of doom for the world has passed, what will the new year bring. Surely there's a doom and gloom prediction somewhere for a year that has the number 13 in it. Maybe I'll start my own cult, The World Will End Because This Year Has A 13 In It cult. Not very catchy I know but none of the others have really had catchy titles either. Can't even make an interesting word out of the letters TWWEBTYHA13II, makes no sense, oh but wait a minute neither have any of the others. So my logic has survived the passing of another year, woohoo go logic. 

So what happened in 2012, I remember voting sometime, maybe twice. It's a blur I hate voting so I try to forget it. I was presented with 3 new wonderful granddaughters, yep 3 in one year, awesome stuff, thank you to my beautiful girls. Of course there's always the chance there was another grandchild born but my son isn't talking LOL. 

I got another year older, funny how that seems to happen every year. I gained weight again not a real surprise, I discovered more hair where no hair grew before, I lost more brain cells, I lost my train of thought and ...... sorry lost my train of thought for a minute there, I'm positive more socks were again lost and I lost more of my youth (not that there was much left there). I remember when I was a kid and thinking that the year 2000 was something a long time in the future, here we are 2013 and 2000 is a long time in the past. There has been a lot of good years in between being a kid and turning 53 (note I didn't say becoming an adult, that's what my parents are not me) and there's been a lot of bad years (miss you everyday babe). But every single one of those years has gotten me to where I am today. I think less and less about what I could of changed, and what I should of changed. Sure there will always be regrets, but that's a part of what life is all about. If we didn't regret certain actions or the paths our lives took, we wouldn't be human. Hey just had a thought, maybe 2013 will be the year the aliens land and we won't turn out to be human after all, maybe we are all really aliens and the mother ship will come to take us home. 

Sorry thoughts wandering around yet again, there's something that hasn't changed. Something else that won't change is except for the occasional mention of politics or religion, I won't be telling you how to vote, or airing my political views, nor will I preach to you or try to turn you onto my views (something I wish a lot of people on Facebook would stop doing). Your politics are your business, but if you think one party or politician is telling the truth then your insane. If you are religious or have a certain religion that may be different to the norm, fine, I hope your happy with it, but please don't clutter up my life with your views or try to change mine. I'm quite happy in my little world and don't need your opinions thrown at me as you try to turn me. I'm 53 I will not be turned LOL. 

I still won't believe the movie critics when they tell me not to watch certain movies because they are rubbish, instead I will watch them and form my own opinions, if I'm entertained and don't fall asleep then it's a good movie and I'll recommend it to anyone who likes the same sort of movies as me. Same with TV shows, I've made recommendations to others, but only those who I seriously think would enjoy it. I do not like romance, never have, doesn't mean I can't sit and watch a romantic comedy and be entertained. I love car chases and violence, doesn't have to have a script that makes sense, doesn't even have to have brilliant actors, I just want to be entertained. And after I've watched it, I'm not going to go out and get into a car chase or get violent, it's just a movie or TV show, I know it's not reality. I'm not going to believe that playing a video game or watching violent movies or listening to heavy music can make someone get a gun and commit murder, because I've done all those things and I haven't killed anyone yet. I still watch the violence and still listen to the music, and neither one of them motivate me to go out and shoot innocent people. I'm entertained and then I get on with something else.

I will never get over the ease with which people sue for millions of dollars. I can understand it in certain cases, such as someone needing life long medical care for someone elses carelessness. But if I see a puddle on a floor, I avoid it. I don't dive off rock ledges without checking the water beforehand for logs rocks or depth, it's just logical. I'm not going to blame the makers of video games, music or movies for any of my problems, or for the actions of others. I could say these are New Years resolutions but they are just the same beliefs I've always had. Sorry, again my thoughts wandered after typing something LOL. 

I better sign off before I start ranting and waving some protest signs around. 

Happy New Year to you all, and my your new year be a happy and safe one for you and yours. 

Catch yas
Cathy

It's the end of the World as we know it, oh wait a minute no it's not.

Is anyone out there really surprised? Why anyone would believe that a dead race could predict the future, but couldn't save themselves is beyond me. It really was just a big joke and a lot of fun. 

You have the questions, is it the Mayan time zone? Does it take into account daylight savings? What should I pack for the end of the world? Should I pay those bills? Should I get milk and bread? Did I turn the gas off? Should I go to work? All these questions and more fire out at us in the last few minutes before the end of the world. Then it doesn't happen, and back to normal, with a little bit of disappointment. 

I heard that there was people who were actually packing up and heading out of the city, ummmm what part of End of the World don't you morons get. It won't matter where you are, the world ends all over not just in certain areas. To most of us it was all a bit of fun. End of the world parties, the end of the world didn't happen parties, we are still alive parties, screw you Mayans parties, any excuse for us all to get together and have a few. I reckon the poor Mayan doing the calendar probably got writers cramp and had to stop to rest, then he went off to the pub for a few and forgot were he left the rock tablet. They probably all had a good laugh over it at the time thinking about how some idiots were going to predict the end of the world cause they ended their calendar LOL. 

Lets face it, if the end of the world happens, it happens, nothing we can do about it, it would be over in seconds and there'd be no one to bear witness, so instead of trying to predict it, we should all just concentrate on enjoying it while it's still here. I remember watching a special on Nostradamus and all his predictions, predicting war in the Middle East, there is always a war in the Middle East so that wasn't anything exciting. The interpretations of his predictions were such that another interpretation could be made depending on who was reading his writings. Then again it could all of just been a bunch of random words from a senile old man. He could also of been a comedian and just done it all so that in the future everyone would be talking about him and he would be laughing in the after life. 

So as one more prediction of the End of the World fades away, we can all start preparing for the next. Of course we'll need to get over our hangovers from all those parties we just had, but hey once that happens we can start preparing. I personally will be attending the next round of parties that will no doubt pre and post date the next End of the World. I might even write another blog about it. 

In the meantime I should start on my list of what to pack
Catch yas
Cathy

The Know it all

You all know one or maybe your related to one, that annoying person who is always there to criticise any purchase made or any decision you may make about your life. They are the one that is standing there telling you that you should of consulted them before purchasing your new TV or your new car. They even tell you what your kids are going to be like when they are older. Or they are telling your relatives and friends behind your back, while to your face they are all nice and positive.  

Nope they aren't psychic, just bloody annoying. You'll invite them over to see your new purchase, and instantly it's "Oh, these TVs always do this," or "You should of taken me with you to purchase your car." They are not electronic experts, they don't know shit about cars, and yet they seem to think they must be consulted before every purchase. You come to dread telling them anything about your life or recent purchases, you avoid them like the plague, but they always seem to find out and deflate your happy mood. 

And it's not just the know it all, it's the negative nellies too. Constantly looking at the bad side of life, ummmm hello we know there are bad things that happen, but for once just be happy for me.  I love to deflate the negative nellie, they will start talking about all the bad things that will happen when so and so does something, or talk about the recent purchase that can't be good for them. I jump in with, "Really, I don't agree. If this is what they want then I'm happy for them. There is enough tragedy in the world to waste time being negative." They then change their tact and start agreeing with me LOL. Honestly don't they have anything better to do that bitch about everything or tell you what your doing wrong. I'm happy so just fuck off. 

Of course when I am deflating them, I'm not mean about it, I am just enforcing the positives and taking pleasure in deflating them LOL. Too many people in this world are like that. They will take any good thing that has happened and turn it around to doom and gloom. Unfortunately when your related to them, it's hard to get away from them, if you are just friends with them you can avoid them, something I take great pleasure in doing:)

They also seem to always be down about something, getting a smile out of them seems to take forever, and even if you do manage it, they spoil it all by making some sarcastic comment in the attempt to bring you down. They seem to have had the hardest lives, but when you question them, their lives have been no harder than your own. It's the choice they have made to be always looking at the negative. Hey look at the bright side, you woke up breathing this morning didn't ya, life doesn't get any better than that LOL. 

So while I do know some people like this, I don't care. They can be downers all they want, I'm not taking it and I'm not letting them draw me into it. I actually feel sorry for them. While I have days that I don't want to get our of bed, or days that I'm so depressed I barely function. I don't pass it on. When one of the kids tells me something that has happened, I enthuse with them, I don't pick it apart and tell them what they should of bought or done. And my kids will enthuse with me, cause I don't. They will share things with me and it's all because of the attitude. No one is sharing with the know it all or negative nellie, and they only have themselves to blame. 

Catch yas
Cathy

Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 glorious week off work. 2 weeks to do whatever the hell I want without somebody telling me I'm doing it wrong. Or maybe I am doing it wrong, the holiday that is. 

See my idea of a holiday is not packing up and going somewhere, or planning day trips all over the place. My idea of a holiday, is turning off the work pc and just doing whatever the hell I want. I can do as much as I want or as little as I want. And it's not costing me a dime, which is just as well since I don't have any money to go anywhere anyway. 

Whenever I say I'm going on leave, I get asked constantly 'where are you going?', ummmm nowhere, the response is usually cries of shock and gasps of horror. Apparently I'm not doing it right. I should be jumping on a cruise (I work for the company last thing I want to do is anything associated with work), I should be meeting up and going out with people, why? I don't lock myself up and refuse to go out when I'm working, I just go out around my shift. And why should I spend a fortune doing something I really don't want to do, just cause everyone else does it?

I put my money towards paying off bills and buying stuff for the house, I really really really need a new bed. I don't have extra to squander on a cruise or shopping. Don't get me wrong, cruising is a great holiday, unpack once and someone else runs around doing everything for you, perfect. But to be honest I'd rather sleep in my own bed, and watch whatever I want on telly, or sit down and read. Hmmmm, I guess you could say I'm not a great mixer. The thing is by the time I finally have some leave, I'm usually so tense and fed up with having to deal with morons that the first person who I hear whine just a little bit would die LOL.

Ahhhh I hear you wondering why I am on my pc when I work on one all day. Well that's easy this one is for fun, I enjoy being on my pc, I'm not wearing a headset and I'm not wondering when my next break is. The whole damn day is a break, yahhhhh. 

So for the first official day of my holidays, I've done the laundry, vaccummed the floors, made the beds and tidied up the house, heaven. Yep it sounds crazy and yeh these are things I do all the time, but I don't have to rush to finish before I start work, if I want to stop halfway through the vacuuming I do. No pressure = no tension, perfect. I do have one plan and that's to pick up my cutie pie grand daughter from day care tomorrow. I can handle that easy peasy, sure hope I don't nod off on the couch and sleep through it. I'm sure her mum would wake me up in a panic though LOL. 

So I'm going to grab an orange and my book and do some reading. Have a wonderful day peeps. 

Catch yas
Cathy

21!!!!!!!!!!!! No way

Well here we are on the eve of the birth of another one of my children, the last one this time folks so you only have to put up with ramblings about how wonderful they are one more time, at least for this year LOL. 

21 years ago, I was in the hospital, trying to get some sleep while having  incredible back pains, the labour pains were nothing compared to the back pain. I knew my husband was in the waiting room, in the uncomfortable chairs, despite being told I wouldn't give birth tonight and to go on home. Cause that's the sort of person he was. 2 other women were in there with me. One had been admitted but her pains had stopped, she'd end up going home in the morning, the other was being monitored for problems. All I wanted to do was sleep but I couldn't. I wanted to go back home and sleep in my nice warm waterbed, but the hospital wanted me to stay in. 

A nurse finally took pity on me and got me a hot water bottle which she put under my back, the pain eased immediately and I went to sleep. I found out in the morning she replaced it twice during the night to give me a chance to sleep, thank you whoever you were. Don came in first thing in the morning, looking worse than me, obviously those chairs were not for sleeping. We must of walked everywhere in the hospital, I'm pretty sure we even went into several storage areas. I couldn't eat or drink anything without wanting to throw it back up. And despite the fact my husband had a heart condition, he walked alongside me all day, never asking to rest for a bit, only stopping to grab himself some water. 

The day dragged on and I watched women in labour going inside all day, we even saw one go in early in the morning and come back out that night, with a baby. I was so jealous. They all said that the more babies you have the shorter the labour, ha, my third was the longest. About 9pm I was finally taken down to the labour ward. Propped up with a bean bag, I kept telling them to take away, and gas they kept shoving over my face till finally I threw it at someone and said, stop it's making me sick and get this fucking bean bag out of here. Why is there always some idiot that says, now there's no need to swear dear. I tell you she's lucky she still had all her teeth. 

About 10.30 Dale was finally born, one of the poor midwifes had bruising up her arm where I'd squeezed to hard. He was in his fathers arms, and I was lying there with tears streaming down my face. Don had a cold and he was holding his cough in as he cradled his son, the pressure turning his face red, but my heart was filled with love at the sight of him struggling. It would of been easy for him to hand him to me or one of the nurses so he could cough, but no he wouldn't give him up. 

I was moved to a bed and Dale was whisked away to the nursery, so I could get some sleep. Don went home to make all the calls. The next day the girls arrived with their nana, and they too were rapt in him. Of course that wouldn't last cause we all know babies have a habit of growing up LOL. The next day we were home and surrounded by bloody Indians. The kind from India not the other ones. They were living with us while settling in after immigrating. I didn't need to do anything but feed Dale, they did everything for me, which was lovely but so damn boring I had to fake doctors appointments to get out of the house with him. We moved into our own home 2 weeks later with the Indians in a caravan out the back. 

When Dale was 20 mths old his father died. He loved our son and my girls ferociously, but the one thing he wanted to do, see them grow up, he couldn't. We moved around a lot and the kids all grew up. As the youngest Dale was a bit spoiled, but his sisters also did the strangest things with him. They'd dress him up like a girl, paint his nails and make him play all the girly games. But he loved it. That was until he had to go to school and found out they'd been torturing him for years. 

Dale hated school, used to make himself sick so he didn't have to go, or he'd spend the day in sick bay. Finally one teacher refused to let him go to sick bay, and we colluded against him so he had to stay at school. He finally gave up the fake sicknesses and found he actually had fun. Of course that all changes in high school, your not there to have fun your there to pick up girls and do all the things we hope they won't do, but deep in our hearts know they'll try. Our house was no longer filled with friends of the girls, now it was filled with friends of Dale. I felt like I actually had 10 children not 3 with the amount that would sleep over on the weekend. I'm pretty sure some of his mates slept over to catch a glimpse of his sisters, cause well they had boobs LOL. 

Finally out into the working world and growing up at 16. That's 5 yrs ago now, and so much has changed and so much has stayed the same. Dale works out every week, watches what he eats, but he still knows how to party hard. He didn't want a big 21st, so it was just dinner with the family on Saturday night. He picked the place and didn't have to pay. His sisters and their families gave him a voucher for sky diving, something he has been wanting to do since his brother in law did it. I gave him his special photo album that they all got when they turned 21, and a concert ticket that he wanted badly. And me I got the pleasure of being with the family at the same time, sharing memories with photos and just thinking back over the years. It's amazing to me how memories resurface with the telling of a story or looking at a picture, looking at the girls holding him in hospital, or putting their hats on him and telling him to pose, I remember all the joy, all the love and all the sorrow. 

No matter where Dales life takes him, no matter where mine takes me, we are family. I am proud of him and love him with all my heart. Happy Birthday Dale. 

And now to embarrass him with a pic he hates, but I love. 

And okay a couple he would approve of. 

Catch ya's
Cathy

My Neighbours Kids are Mutants

Well I'm thinking they are anyway. They are lovely kids, don't get me wrong, but I'm thinking they are too lovely. They play happily together, fights are over before they have begun and they actually listen to their parents. It creeps me out to be honest. 

If one of them is upset they will calmly speak up and say "Jemima, you hurt my feelings" to which Jemima will reply "I'm very sorry I hurt your feelings, I will try very hard not to hurt you anymore". I'm like wtf, a normal brat, or maybe it would just be me, would of pounded on Jemima with a big stick while shouting abuse at her and they wouldn't of admitted it was because of hurt feelings. Once apologies are accepted they skip off into the sunset to play happily together for hours on end. There are 4 kids all together, and apart from the youngest who is just a toddler, they are super polite and super nice. The toddler is nice, but whinges a fair bit as toddlers are wont to do. 

I feel like I'm living next to mutants or cyborgs, programmed to suck us all in with their super niceness, until one day they snap and turn on us all with sub machine guns. 

Even the parents are super nice and polite, no raised voices from that house, unless it's the raised voice in laughter of the kids having a great time. Mum and Dad quietly explain to the kids why something is not acceptable. The grandmother tells the oldest that shouting across the road to her friends is not ladylike, and the kid actually listens and doesn't do it again, even going so far as to tell her friends to please not shout across the road. 

Dad comes home from work, and the kids all rush outside, vying to be the first to wrap their arms around him, as if he's returning from a 10 yr absence. Ummm hello it's just Dad, no one exciting, not like he's bringing home Johnny Depp for dinner or anything. I'm cynical, aren't I, yep I am, but I'm creeped out. I was such a rebel, sure I agreed with what the olds said, but did I do it, bet your arse I didn't LOL. 

I seriously can't remember any hurt feelings in my childhood, I'm sure there were just can't remember them. I remember chinese burns, nipple cripples and pushing and shoving. Oh and lots of shouting and swearing, no not from Mum and Dad LOL, My own kids were probably not as bad as me and my 2 brothers, but they didn't elicit creepy feelings from too much niceness like the neighbour kids. 

Schools out over here for 2 weeks, so for a week and half, I've been listening to them compliment each other, play nicely, help their mum, and be kind to each other. I'm telling you I am a nervous wreck, just waiting for one of them to pop up at my window with their little smiley face and whipping up the uzi and blasting me to hell and back. Until they are back at school my house is going to be a fortress, locked doors and windows, I'll keep the lights off so they don't know I'm home and they can't get me, only another 4 days to get through and I'm safe till the next holidays. 

Catch yas

Cathy

Magpie Madness

Yep tis the season, for all you Aussies at least. Time to don the ice cream tub hat, walk around carrying sticks, stick springy things on your bike helmet, and generally duck!!!!!.

For those of you who don't know what a magpie is here's a pic.

As you can see it is a vicious man eating, flying beast that strikes fear in the heart of every man and woman in Australia. Every spring they emerge from hibernation and begin breeding. They then defend their nests from such nasties as the inappropriately dressed jogger (lets face it he's asking to be attacked).

Or they'll swoop on the unsuspecting cyclist.

She never saw danger coming, shaking head in grief.

I remember as a kid walking home from the bus stop, and hearing the familiar thump thump thump and someone shouting DUCK!!! Of course it wasn't a duck, it was a magpie swooping down on an unprotected head. For years we'd either run down the road, or carry a stick to wave above our heads. Now I've got my license I just drive down the road, they can't get me now LOL. At this time of year you see lots of sticks being waved in the air, don't think they are threatening you, they are just trying to ward off an attack. Of course if your some pervert peeping in a window and it's nightime, then yeh the person waving the stick may be threatening you, but face it, your a perv you deserve it. 

The threat of magpies, and they have hurt people before, has led to crazy inventions such as below. 

This one is actually my favourite cause apparently if your looking at the magpie they won't attack. If you don't have this helmet then the tree you walk into while looking up at the magpie will probably do more damage than the magpie. If you don't want to go to any expense, then grab a stick or an ice cream tub (make sure you consume the ice cream first), draw eyes on the back and top of the tub and fool those crazy magpies. 

I usually know the season has started not by getting attacked myself but by noticing a walkers misfortune as I drive past well protected. Regardless of how horrible it is to be swooped on I always find myself smiling at their misfortune. Sure hope karma doesn't get me for that. 

Remember the magpie is only protecting its nest, they don't really hate you, so don't get all paranoid and think the world is out to get you. Although come to think of it maybe the world is out to get you, but the magpies of this world aren't. 

Catch yas 

Cathy

And then there was 2

As I sit and ponder whether or not to pluck or shave this errant hair in my chin, I flash back to when I was a hell of a lot younger and had no chin hairs to the birth of my second daughter Caryn.

Caryn was born on the 19th August 1986, 6 days late grrrrrr. Unlike her older sister Caryn liked to ride out the pregnancy low, kicking or resting on my bladder the whole 9 mths. As I got bigger I couldn't manage stairs she was so low, which meant someone else had to do all my running around upstairs for me at work, it was a real hardship not being able to do it LOL. I left work a month before she was born to spend some time with Tara and get everything ready. Didn't take much to get ready as I had everything I needed already, but I did find myself cleaning mold off walls and ceilings, maybe out of boredom, maybe in the hope of bringing on labour.

My husband of the day, lets just refer to him as sperm donor which is much more polite than what we normally call him, had asked his brother to come and stay with us so he could look after Tara while I was in hospital. Scott was a gem, he was a chef, and boy did we eat good in that time. The morning of the 19th I was having my usual check up and while waiting could feel an annoying back pain. Nothing really surprising since I was 9 mths pregnant. My doctor told me that if she wasn't born over the weekend they'd induce me on Monday, but that I couldn't have her that day as it was his sons birthday and he had a party to attend. I laughed with him, but before I left I turned back as another back pain hit me and said, sorry but it is going to be today. I drove up to where the sperm donor worked and told him to make sure to come straight home, do not go to the pub for a beer or two, come straight home as I was having the baby today. He told me I couldn't possible know but sure he'd come straight home, HAH.

As the day wore on my back pain spread, but still not enough to go to the hospital. At about 4 pm and still no sign of the errant sperm donor (due back at 3), I asked Scott to drive me to the hospital. Now as much as I always loved his cooking, let me tell you, don't ever ask him to drive you to the hospital while your in labour, even if it is just up the road. He has a habit of talking to you while driving which is fine, but he also looks at you. Tara is bouncing away in the back seat having a great old time, while her mother is in the front in agony watching as Scott drives us straight towards a garbage truck, swerving at the last minute as his eyes find the road once more.

Luckily we all arrived in one piece, I asked him to go over to the pub and find his brother and marched on in. Got checked out and started the labour walk, up and down the corridor with other soon to be mums all in various stages of labour, but one thing stood out, I was the only one without a partner. By 5.30 pm I knew that I couldn't keep walking, so I staggered up to the nurses and was taken to the labour ward, much nicer than the one I was in with Tara, and I was alone, although able to hear the cries of other woman. The sperm donor finally arrived and was ushered in at the same time as the doctor who was supposed to give me an epidural arrived. The sperm donor reeked of beer and the nurses all looked at him with disgust, I grabbed his thumb and rebroke it for him LOL. It had only just healed, he did try and pull it away but I held on for dear life and snap. The doctor said I was too far along for an epidural, I told him yeh I know I told them not to call you. As the clock ticked over the urge to push was strong, when I could hear a voice from the corridor, 'Wait wait, don't let her push yet'. My doctor had arrived. He scooted onto the stool just in time to catch Caryn. It was actually a really good labour, pretty painless till the end and she was delivered so easily.

One look at her little face and I knew I couldn't call her Aleisha or Simone, she wasn't either of them, so it was Caryn Aleisha, and yes that's how the Aleisha is supposed to be spelt LOL.

Two completely different labours and two completely different looking but oh so beautiful baby girls. With Tara I was the lone patient in the hospital, with Caryn it was packed, I couldn't wait to get out of there and sleep in my own bed, even if the sperm donor was there too.

Caryn, you didn't feed well as you know cause I've told you countless times :), and the nurse just kept telling me to have patience. I finally had had enough and walked up to the clinic and told the nurse on duty, she's been fed and changed, you get her to shut up, before taking Tara to the park across the road. I went back 15 mins later to the sounds of Caryn still crying and the nurse on the phone to her boss almost crying as she struggled to get you to settle. Grabbing you I told her that I would never take another one of my children to their clinic, marched home and called my doctor who recommended a part soy formula. We never looked back. You loved that stuff, and started sleeping normally and putting on weight for the first time in 6 weeks.

You were advanced at sitting up and attempting to crawl, but at 4 mths we discovered you had a dislocated hip and had probably had it from birth. So it was into a plaster for you and then a brace. Don't worry I won't post the embarrassing brace pic LOL. Finally you were free and able to walk, and then before I knew it you were running. You never slowed down always on the go doing something or other. It was during this time that I finally left the sperm donor, having had enough of his constant drinking and mental abuse. We were 3 girls on our own and we loved it.

I am so proud of you and all you have achieved and are continuing to achieve. Many people would doubt your will to succeed when you got pregnant at 16, but you continued to go to school till it got to much, the did school at home before and after the birth of your son. You worked at crap jobs to get some money for the two of you, and I watched you with pride. You are now married and have had 2 other children, and then you took on a foster child. 3 children under the age of 3 with 2 of them babys and you have Jayden to take to school when you have him. And there is Jacob, your stepson, who is not with you guys full time but when he's down for holidays your house is overflowing. And still you study, continuing your dream.

I seriously don't know how you do it, but do it everyday you do. I do know that you are a strong woman and if anyone can deal with it all it's you. Despite your complaints about the mounds of washing littering your lounge room, you still manage to have a laugh, usually at yourself.

So to my beautiful second daughter, breaking of small appliances, mother full and part time to 5, student, wife, and friend, I say Happy Birthday. I love you despite the many breakages LOL, and I'm proud of you every single day.


Catch ya
Cathy

The Church of.....

non believers maybe. First let me say I have no intention of upsetting anyone or their beliefs. This is simply my own thoughts and beliefs, if you are upset by reading it, then you have my apologies. But please do not leave comments that are nasty at all towards me cause I might just send my ninja delivery dude around to sort you out.

The boy comes home from work. He got into a heated discussion with a guy from his work over religion. The guy is Catholic, went to Catholic school and knows everything. The boy also knows everything, according to him anyway, so it would of been a very interesting convo. It all started when he showed the guy a news piece on the internet about a new species discovered, and the guy scoffed saying it was all bullshit and that the media made it up. The boy is fascinated with scientific stuff so asked why he thought that. He goes because God didn't create it. Okay, 1. how the hell would he know and 2. so what, it's there it existed.

I'm a believer in what I can see. I see the tree, but to be honest I don't care where the hell it came from so long as it doesn't fall on my house, car or me. If the tree stands in the middle of the road then I'll wonder where it came from, but until then, the tree goes it's way and I go mine. I can see my oven cooking my frozen pie that I got out of my freezer, and was packaged by a machine. Machines that are all built by scientists, not created by God. Too many wars have been fought in the name of God, or Allah, to count. So why would I want to believe in a God that lets people die in his name? Why would I believe in a God that lets murderers and rapists into heaven if they repent their sins? Wars are fought because some stupid idiot decided he didn't like the fact that the other guy had more oil or land than him. Of course that idiot is usually a politician or a king, and usually male.

The guys also said that animals evolved which confused my son, until he further explained that they had no souls so they could evolve. Has that dude ever looked into a puppys eyes for goodness sake. So if animals evolved why couldn't humans? After all we are animals, the only thing that differentiates us is opposable thumbs and a bigger brain (although the brain part can be disputed).

The guy then started to spout off what he did believe, he doesn't believe in Noahs Ark, or Moses, he believes in a Higher Power, and some evolution. There is the problem. You cannot pick and choose what to believe, unless you let me do the same. I don't believe, I could be wrong. But if I am wrong you can laugh at me from heaven as I live that eternal life that will get so freaking boring after about a month (and yes I will be in heaven, cause God forgives us all). And if I'm right, I'm not going to laugh at you for being wrong, I won't make fun of you, because simply when I'm dead I'm dead, there is nothing more than that.

I love the idea of a place where our loved ones watch us from above, but I don't believe it's real. I'm all for religious freedom, and in my religion of believing in nothing I have the freedom to do just that. I don't need to swear on a bible, cause that would not stop me from lying if I was a psychopath, if I say I will tell the truth and nothing but the truth then I will, I don't need to fight for God and country, because frankly if God wants a fight, let him do it himself.

So like the tree, anyone who wants to believe in God, can go their way, and I'll go mine. We'll live quite happily, unless they fall on my house of course, so long as neither one of us tries to interfere in the lives of the other. I promise to respect your beliefs and your freedom to choose, but you must also respect mine.

Catch ya
Cathy

Who's there?

I'm pretty sure my parcel delivery dude is a ninja. Or maybe he's a samurai or just plain sneaky. I'm sitting here at my pc, which is just a few steps away from the front door, my son messaged me to ask if his parcel had a arrived, I had to get up to get the phone, and there under the door is a card. Just about to tell him, no, when I saw it, picked it up and apparently my parcel had been left on the front verandah. WTF when the hell did he come, I'm home, the only time I wasn't nothing had arrived. The logical conclusion is ninja.

Who else had the prowess to sneak up without a sound, to place a package gently enough that it doesn't even rustle. And who else could dig a pen out of a pocket and slip a note under the door without even arousing a meow from the cat? Had to be a ninja, no other answer.

Unless of course it was samurai. These dudes could jump up onto buildings wearing wooden thongs and not have a hair out of place. They wore ridiculous outfits that despite the fact part of it was a skirt, never flapped in the breeze, or appeared creased.

And both of them had weapons, that never jingled or jangled when they moved. I can hear my knees creaking every time I move slightly so how the hell they do it I don't know. The only other option other than the ninja or samurai is the fact my delivery dude is just plan sneaky.

Somehow the thought of someone like this getting that close to getting into my house is just plain scary! Especially if he looked like the above, geez that's one nasty looking dude. Don't want anyone like that in my neighbourhood thanks.

I'm going to stick with the ninja I think, they are cool, and at least they wear pants even if they easily sneak up on you to leave packages they are better than a dress wearing weirdo or a creepazoid!


Catch ya
Cathy

There comes a time...

to start thinking about an old folks home for the parents. Dad has got to be pushing 100 now (well it sure feels like it) and Mum must be not far behind. Okay so maybe they aren't really that old, but my blog I'll say what I want.

So I'm thinking it's time to start looking for that luxurious accommodation that will take them through the rest of their lives. Something by the water maybe, somewhere warm I'm thinking. So I've started shopping around. Found this perfect rustic little place by a river.

And there's no fences, just a mine field to protect the residents. They have a wonderful medical centre attached.

And it's filled with the latest equipment such as this contraption that I'm told helps with back pain and arthritis.

And this one which is the latest in acupuncture therapy.

The staff were wonderful Mum and Dad, such friendly faces and so caring of their old folk as they call them. 

Don't be put off by the uniform, they are all home made, these staff members do not care for frivolous things such as fashion they expend all their efforts and time on you, their wonderful residents. Here's a picture of the manager, he used to run a Motel but he has had dealings with old people and he seems to do an excellent job. 

They also understand that not all retirees enjoy just sitting around and relaxing while chatting with friends, so you'll have the opportunity to earn a bit of spending money. 

So I think this is the place for you both. I can just see you there now, sitting and chatting, playing tag in the minefield, sitting down and relaxing after a session on the rack or in the acupuncture therapy chair. I just know you'll love it. And don't worry we will pop out to visit you whenever we get the chance. Just sign this bit of paper and I'll look after everything this end for you, you won't need to worry about a thing, I'll pack up all your belongings and send them on to you. 

"What's that Dad? Oh that's the ambulance come to take you to your new home. Well yes they usually do put bars on the windows so that no one can break them throwing rocks. Of course Mum and Dad I'm always thinking of you. Now just let these nice gentleman strap you in, yes it's a new sort of seat belt, yeh it is a bit like a jacket Mum. Okay off you go, bye see you soon."

Catch ya

Cathy

Defining moments

Here I sit on the eve of my eldest childs 28th birthday, flashing back 28 yrs to one of the many defining moments of my life. 28 yrs ago my friend called me to tell me I better not go into labour on Friday as it was Black Friday and no way was she driving me to hospital. We laughed about it, but both of us knew with her families luck it might not be a good thing if she did have to take me. 1 am Friday the 13th found me sitting on the loo (toilet) with gastric, okay maybe tmi, but too damn bad this is my blog :). It didn't take me long to realise what I thought were cramps were actually coming at pretty regular intervals and were actually labour pains. When I could finally get up off the loo I went and woke up my husband to take me to the hospital.

My doctor worked out of Katoomba hospital which was about a half hrs drive, well when I drive anyway, from where we were living at the time. Did my husband put petrol in the car as I requested earlier in the day, of course he didn't. So we had to stop on the way to get fuel. I'm sitting in the car in agony while he's in chatting to the attendant about how he's taking his pregnant wife to hospital to have a baby. The guy was congratulating him and chatting away while I sat and waited and waited. I finally got the shits and got out and waddled around to the drivers door, it was only when he saw me getting into the car that he came running out shouting, wait wait. Pissed of with husband number 1. I totally tuned out any apologies I didn't give a damn what the bastard said. Get to the hospital and he's told he might as well go home and go to work as I'll be there for hours, naturally he does, pissed off number 2. Stuck inside a labour ward with no company just me and my yet to be born daughter, I grew more and more pissed, so that will make pissed off number 3 as I was pissed I had to get pissed at him.

Pretty much a blur for a while, until she was finally ready to be born, and the nurse announced my husband was outside all gowned up and ready to come in. Revenge time, tell him no, I don't want him in here he can fuck off, god revenge is good I felt alot better after that. The medical students were allowed to come in, didn't give a damn about them, and it was even better revenge knowing I'd let strangers in but not him. Tara turned in the birth canal, and the cord was around her neck, wasn't causing her any stress at that stage but she'd managed to get herself stuck, so they called for forceps, damn barbaric instruments of torture. At that stage though all I'm thinking is get this baby out however you damn well want. My doctor wasn't there as it turned out he was away skiing for the weekend, his doctor wife was in attendance and she couldn't operate the forceps safely so call in a specialist. When I looked up and saw him I thought he looked familiar, couldn't figure out why over the haze of pain, but it came to me later, I'd actually helped him sort out a problem with his rates before I went on maternity leave, such a small world.

Much swearing and pain later, she's born. The most beautiful baby in the world. She was covered in muck but  I didn't even notice, I'm pretty sure no mother ever does. I made a vow to myself then and there, if anyone ever did anything to hurt her I would defend her with my life and they would have to deal with me. There I was, Friday the 13th July 1984 holding this gorgeous baby that I had made, okay his sperm went into the mix too, but she was all me, which as it turned out later was a very good thing.

He was finally allowed in and began the whining about not being allowed in earlier, I shoved his daughter at him and told him, shut the fuck up hold our gorgeous baby and get over it (probably shouldn't of started the swearing in front of her then, but hey she had years to get used to it LOL). I have to admit, although it pains me greatly to say so, he was always wonderful with her, at least for the first couple of years. I could say if I knew then what I know now blah blah, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Without him I wouldn't have 2 gorgeous girls, would never of met my wonderful second husband through my ex in laws and then had my son. So despite how he turned out, it was all worth it.

Having Tara was not my first defining moment, but it is the first memorable one. We all make decisions, say yes or no to something that ends up changing our lives, but without that first yes our lives would have been completely different. We can say if I knew now till the cows come home, but we have to step back and look at our lives and would we seriously change anything. Could we honestly live without the children we have now, cause lets face it, if we were with someone else, maybe we wouldn't have children, maybe we would of had a life not worth living. Of course we might of had a better life, but despite all the crap I've been through the only thing I would change if I could is that my loved husband had not died when he did. He was always going to die, such was his illness, but I would of loved it if me and the kids could of had more time with him. If our son had of had the chance to get to know him, and if I had of had him to love for a bit longer. But again, that would of steered the course of our lives to a different place, I might not have the grandchildren I have now. Who knows how the kids would of turned out, and I don't want to change what I have now, I might be sad to have missed out on so much, and I might regret that my children missed so much, but we are happy and we have each other as well as so much more and why would anyone in their right mind want to change that.

So to my eldest child, my beautiful daughter Tara, on this the eve of your 28th birthday, I say I love you and I give thanks everyday for the joy you have given me and continue to give me as I've watched you grow and learn and begin your own journey with your husband and family. I wish for you many more defining moments of your own and a life full of as much love and joy as mine has been.

Delusion vs Reality

Delusion - I am in my late 20's, am beautiful with a gorgeous athletic body, perfect white teeth, long shiny hair.
Reality - I'm 52, average, overweight, horrible teeth and greying hair filled with split ends that only shines when it's dirty and that's from the oil.

Delusion - I live in a gorgeous home, furnished and designed by a leading designer, in ground heated pool, on 20 acres.
Reality - I'm in a government owned house that I rent, there is a bare patch on the lounge room wall where some fake mantle was taken out and the wall never painted, under the couch is a patch of carpet that doesn't match the rest, the front door is coming off it's hinges and the kitchen is a design from the 1920"s.

Delusion - I drive a classic mustang, and have a stable of cars to call on depending on my mood.
Reality - Mum and I share a Toyata Corolla that's seen better days.

Delusion - My garden is full of prize winning roses, I've received awards for the most beautiful garden in the mountains, people drive for miles just to tour my garden and I grow all my own fruit and vegetables.
Reality - I hate gardening and would rather concrete the lot of it, got a few azaleas that do alright, and the wishbone fern and uncontrollable jasmine seem to thrive, the only fruit and veg I've got is some potatoes that are growing their own vines and some wrinkled carrots in the bottom of the fridge.

Delusion - I'm a master carpenter and can fix any problems big and small in my home, I've built and designed my own walk in wardrobes and kitchen cabinets.
Reality - I can use a hammer and I know the difference between a philips head and flat screwdrivers.

Delusion - I've travelled the world as a world renowned photographer.
Reality - I've got a camera phone, and a digital somewhere. And no I haven't travelled the world, haven't even been out of Australia.

Delusion - My children all attended private schools and went on to become a leading neuro surgeon, a cardiac specialist and a racing car driver (not sure why that one but I like it LOL)
Reality - I've got 3 kids who went to public school.

Delusion - I get invited to all the openings for the newest and hottest clubs in Australia and the world.
Reality - I last went to a club for my daughters hens weekend we had chinese for lunch at the Penrith Leagues Club.

Delusion - All my clothes are designer.
Reality - I wear clothes bought at Kmart, Big W or Best and Less, I'd go Target but it's just too expensive for me.

Delusion - I take friends out sailing every weekend.
Reality - I've got a blow up model of a ship that's gathering dust in my bath.

Delusion - My maid takes care of cleaning my house and clothes, my team of gardeners looks after the grounds, my personal chef caters for me and my friends.
Reality - I'm thinking about scraping off the inch of dust that has settled on my furniture, I've got washing hanging on the line, I just looked at the yard got depressed and came back inside, whatever I eat tonight will probably be crap and cooked by me.

Delusion - I've dated the likes of Johnny Depp and Vin Diesel
Reality - I've seen their movies.

Delusion - People hang on my every word
Reality - They can't wait for me to shut up

I'm thinking the world of delusion is a lot better than my reality, bring on senility so I can live there permanently LOL.


Catch ya
Cathy

Where did I come from ?

That's the title of a cool book about reproduction for kids, but it's perfect for todays topic LOL.

A couple of days ago, my son had a message on his FB from someone he didn't know. He called me and asked who the hell she was cause she had the same surname as us. She is actually his dads ex, makes my skin crawl just thinking about her LOL. Anyway, she claimed to be looking up people with the same surname as her, she didn't send me any message so obviously bullshit, but not a biggie. She then goes on to tell him that his brothers have been looking for him, they want to see him, they care about him, blah blah. Now his brothers aren't babies, one turns 40 next year and the other is about to turn 30 or 31, I get the year mixed up lol, and my son is 20. Their father died before my son turned 2, snf he hasn't seen them since not long after his dad died. I'm not pointing the finger of blame here that's not what this is about, but to say they have been looking for him, when so many people knew where we were is a load of crap LOL. Personally I believe there was some interference going on by my in laws who I don't speak to and have no desire to speak to, as well as the fact that the boys were obviously grieving and no doubt their lives weren't all fun and games. I'm not going to dwell on any of it, because I think it will be good for him to get to know them, and he's not a little kid he can see through bullshit, he sure as hell speaks enough of it LOL. They also have to have a lot of stories about their dad that they can tell him, they did know him for a longer time than he did and he has only had me and his sisters as well as his late uncle to rely on for tales of derring-do. I can see that it will be good for them as well, so I'm happy.

Anyway all that led to all these other questions from him, about others saying they are related to him. Now it gets complicated. I was married before, and so was his dad. My daughters father, or rather sperm donor, is not the wonderful man they grew up calling dad, thank god for that. Dales brothers have a different mother, a fact he doesn't have a problem with as he says I'm the better of the choices (still thinking about whether to be insulted or not). So of course the 2 of us had different inlaws who had children of their own, which means there are a bunch of cousins by marriage, blood cousins and just cause we said they are your cousins cousins.

Lets add in another complication, just for fun. My ex husbands sister had a child to my late husbands ex brother in law before they broke up. She actually knew my husband before I did, I got the better deal out of them LOL. So technically any kids that the brother in law had had before or after his marriage are not related to my son, as there is no blood between us. But they call themselves his cousins. Doesn't worry me, they can call themselves whatever they want, it just all gives me a headache trying to explain it to my son. This is all stuff he would of grown up knowing if he'd had that vital contact with his brothers. He had a message from a girl saying long time no see, he replied, ummm yeh, considering I don't even know you LOL. Cause he's right he doesn't know her, she is the daughter of my ex sister in law and his dad's ex brother in law. They have met several times, the most memorable was at our wedding, they made a cute couple LOL.

So there you have it son, the answer to your question is, your a mutt. Your family line branches all over the damn place, it's tangled, and messy. The trail runs all over the world, if you want to track it all go ahead, as for me, I'm going to take something for my headache and go to bed!

Catch ya
Cathy

Get out get out of my head..........

A couple of days ago, I was driving and listening the radio, when American Pie came on. Do you think I can get the damn song out of my head? arrrrggghhhh. I've listened to a hell of a lot of other music since then. I've watched TV, played on the pc, read and sung other songs. But it always creeps back in. Went to sleep last night with it playing along in my head, woke up this morning with it still playing. The longest playing song in the damn world.

I've even tried to sing some Wiggles songs, Mashed Potato mashed potato bye bye .... see it comes back. I have no clue why and what the significance could possible be. I mean I know what the song is about, I quite like it, but it's not a fave, and I want it out out out.

I decided to try and get some of the dirt out of this mat I'm using to cover up a hole in my lino covered kitchen floor. Oh should expand on that. My pc for home and work are both set up in the dining nook part of my kitchen. So I slide across from one to the other while I'm working. So a call drops in and I spun and went to scoot over to the work pc, but nope the wheels wouldn't move. I figured it was probably just stuck on something, so took the call in a very uncomfortable position which I'm sure is not in the occupational health and safety regs, then looked down at the wheels. I almost fell off my chair with laughter, when I was discovered there was a huge hole ripped in the lino tile stuff and my wheel was wedged. I basically had to dig it out LOL. So I then had a huge hole that the wheel would get stuck in everytime. So on my break I looked around for something big enough to cover it and still let me slide between the pc's. Found an old mat from the boot of the old car (and they all laughed at me when I insisted on keeping it), and figured that would do for a bit. Mum was getting rid of 2 rugs, so I grabbed one of those when I had a chance and since it's been rolled up and outside ready to get thrown out, it's pretty grotty. She'd vacuumed it, but of course, it's been in her house for years so isn't in prime condition, so I decided I'd spray some dirt releasing shampoo on it last night. Needless to say, I was humming away to American Pie and the rug is still filthy. Guess I'll just have to put up with the dirt, not that I care really and it does seem to make the room warmer, so I'll keep it and just ignore the dirt. So that was me last night, spraying foaming carpet shampoo, humming American Pie. Hours later after vegging in front of the idiot box, I was back vaccumming up the little dirt that had been lifted and still humming American Pie. I tell you want when that damn Chevy gets to a levee that isn't dry I'll be very happy.

Why this song, what's the meaning, why the hell is it stuck on repeat? Maybe it's cause of those good ol boys boozing up, hmmm a trip to the bottle shop could be needed, get me some of that whisky in rye (what the hell is that anyway, bourbon is my drink). I suppose it's a nice enough day to die, but who the hell wants to die? I've never worn a pink carnation, and never dated anyone who has, I don't own nor have I ever owned a pick up truck (I'm thinking that's kind of like an aussie ute), I have driven a few though. I've been to a lot of stores, but none of them are sacred, but apparently in my head that's where I'm going.

Seems like it's finally time for that couch, naaaaaaaaa who the hell cares, it will go eventually in the meantime I can share it with you all so that we all have the song stuck. Hmmmm maybe that's a way to take over the world, or start a new cult, all my followers will be singing along in a trance unable to get the day the music died out of their heads. They will be mine bwhahahahahaha.

Lets go everyone,

Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey in Rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die




You are now all mine to command, turn over your riches, sign over all your property, it's all mine mine mine bwhahahahahahahaha.






Catch ya
Cathy bye bye Miss American Pie

Alone at last

So the boy tells me the other day that it's getting closer to him moving out, do I want the chairs in the spare room. He says they don't have any, not sure who they is, I was between calls for work, then he went out before I could ask. I did say yes to the chairs, what the hell do I want them for, there's a reason they are in the spare room LOL. Mixed feelings going on here. When he moves out, that will be the last of them and I'll be all alone. At first I was sad, then I looked at the spare room, okay with the snake tank gone, the chairs out, his chest of drawers and bookshelf moved on and the desk gone, I'd actually have a room I could use. Yep me use a spare room for something I want to put in there.

I moved onto his room, hmmmm could get the treadmill up here, there's a connection for cable, and I've got 2 spare TV's. Also there's a built wardrobe I could use. Then there's the shed, doesn't have as much of his stuff in it, but if he takes the dining table and chairs that are in there, I could actually put gardening stuff inside. As the girls moved out, it seems that he spread out and used up more and more space in the house. It's not a big house by any means, hence so much crap in the spare room, but I can spread out and it would be less cluttered.

I opened up a cupboard, oh he can have that, and that, those are his, he won't get those as much as I know he wants them, hmmm with all that gone, maybe I won't need this spare cupboard in here, it can go in the shed to store all my gardening stuff. Opened the linen cupboard, so there's my sheets jammed in hanging precariously off a shelf, and his nicely placed, his out mine not shoved it and squashed up. Take out his towels and spare blankets and quilts, and I'm sure I'd have at least 2 spare shelves, ahhh bliss. He doesn't have much of his own stuff in the bathroom, except for the normal shaving accruments and his own soap and toothbrush, but that's ok I'm sure I can get rid of shitload of stuff anyway by foisting it off on him.

Back in the kitchen, I'm thinking the dresser could go in the spare room too, it's only here for storage of pc stuff, but I do like the shelves that hold my plates, so maybe not. Oh forgot about the chip fryer, it's not even ours he borrowed it off a mate and it's been here stagnating and fermenting ever since, that will definitely go. I'll put it in the first load.

Then there's the food, I will actually be able to go shopping and come home with maybe just 2 bags full of groceries rather than 10. One for the cat and one for me. The electricity and gas bills will be heading on a downward spiral, the phone bill will be non existent. I won't be driving him to work, so petrol will not be an issue. No more buying a million and one different soakers and sprays to try and get the crap out of his work clothes. I have $ signs in my eyes and can here the kaching of savings, or spendings but all on me and for me.

It seems as if I've been sitting in idle for years as I raised the kids and waited for my chance. My chance to save and travel, my chance to actually go out shopping without thinking about buying something for someone other than myself. Although there is all the grandkids to buy for and spoil, no stop it, think self self self. I have never been alone, gone from home to a defacto then marriage, then kids, and alone with kids, then marriage and then alone with kids. I'm not sure if I like the idea of alone, but it sounds almost like a holiday for now, so I'll bask in it for awhile before I start harrassing the girls and dropping in unannounced to see the grands LOL. (don't panic girls I won't really hehehe).

Being alone used to scare me, I didn't want to grow old alone, I still don't really, but it doesn't send me into panic mode like it used to. I actually have a chance to be selfish, and fuck it, I think I will. Oh, with all my spare time, I will be able to plan to take over the world hehehehe.

Catch ya
Cathy

Sleep - The Final Frontier

As I was tossing and turning in bed last night, trying to grab hold of that elusive dreamworld, my brain kicked in and I started thinking about how hard it is to get to sleep in bed, yet I can fall asleep sitting in my chair working or on the couch at the drop of a hat. Of course once the brain started thinking sleep got further and further away. So I sit up with the shits grab my book and start reading again. By now I'm wide awake and it takes another hr before my eyes start to get heavy and I think woohoo, lights out. I lie down, ah bliss, drifting drifting, must remember to get some milk tomorrow, oh and some of those anzac biscuits, better not forget to clean out ...... and there it is I'm awake again.

I do remember the days or rather the nights when I could go into bed, drop down fully clothed and sleep till noon. But that was when I was a teenager and my only thoughts were usually about me doing something fun but illegal LOL. I've tried to remember what it was I thought of way back then, but I just can't capture it. Now I'm an adult (allegedly) I have too many responsibilities and too many worries to actually capture those days again. I had no idea, at the time, that one day I would wish I could sleep so easily. Instead I wanted to grow up and be all responsible. Fuck that! Of course now I can't turn off my brain I wish I was back in that teenage oblivion again.

Even as kids we could go to bed at 6 and sleep 12 hrs, and we wouldn't wake up feeling like shit. That would come later as a hungover teen LOL. Now if I sleep over 6 hrs I wake up feeling like I've been binge drinking while running a marathon. My head hurts, my back hurts and my hips have forgotten how to move. My hand is asleep because I was lying on it, and my hair is just indescribable. I could of course take something to help me sleep, but I've done that before, and woke up feeling exactly the same after exactly the same amount of sleep. The only difference was the dreams that I had, the dreams of some drug fueled junkie riding high before the crash into paranoia, so I wake up with all the same aches and pains, but my heart is pounding as I remember running from the vampire monkeys.

Old people seem to be able to sleep easily, at least in a chair. My nana was always asleep whenever we visited her, okay so she was 100 but still she slept easy. I'm thinking maybe I should just sell my bed, it's not working for me, and set up a couch and TV in there. I know I'd be able to nod off and sleep right through if I only have the right equipment. I won't have to wash any sheets, and hey I'll already be dressed in the morning.  If I can put my work and home pc's in there as well, then I'm at work and play, all I'll need is a bar fridge for my food and water and I'll be set. Won't have to leave my brand new sleep chamber except for bathroom breaks. No one will care if my hair is a mess, cause I won't be out of my room to see them. I could maybe arrange for some sort of buzzer to let work know I've nodded off so not to put through any calls, maybe some of those fancy electrodes that can be attached. As soon as I'm awake they will be alerted and can send through some calls, when I drop off they can stop then. Sounds perfect to me.

And why is it that the minute I lie down my brain turns on? I have tried and tried to shut it down, but it will just suddenly start thinking about strange random things that make absolutely no sense which of course makes me start wondering what the fuck I'm thinking about and why the hell am I thinking about it, which makes the brain even more active, causing me to wake up once more. I need a switch that shuts it down enough to allow me to sleep, I don't care if I don't dream, I just want to go to bed and sleep. The random thoughts I have come way out of left field. They aren't simple things like, damn forgot to mix the cordial, or forgot to add bread to the shopping list, they are crazy imaginings like a plot to take over the world. Or I might be thinking about some idiot I had to deal with at work, when I'll start wondering what if that person ran the world, and off the mind goes. I suppose it means I have a good imagination, but geez I want to turn it off at bed time.

So I've been up for an hr and a half now, typed this out, sitting up, and I'm ready to fall asleep, excuse me while I drift off while I can........................................................................................

Catch ya
Cathy

Still like that old time...... TV show

I hopped on my treadmill after work and turned on the TV to 111 which is greatest hits on cable. I get to catch up on some series that have now ended or to watch episodes I might of missed or loved. At that time of the day we get to watch some real oldies, Gilligans Island and Batman. Flashback city LOL.

I used to love watching Gilligan and his crazy antics while trapped on that little island, it never once occurred to me to wonder why they never got off, where the batteries came from for the radio, and why the hell no one hooked up. With the cynicism of adulthood it's not just the same. There's Gilligan running around bald, while the girls faint at the site of his gleaming skull, and I'm thinking of for shits sake, he's bald you stupid bitches, not flashing himself at you. They must of thought that they were living in the 1700's or something, although they were stuck on that damn island for so long they could of started there back then.

Then comes Batman. I swear the cartoon characters are more believable. It is a lot funnier now than when I was young. Watching them climb a building with their capes pulled up by fishing line always makes me laugh. Watching the fake punching is hilarious, and trying to imagine this chubby figure is actually able to save the world with his Bat gadgets and jocks over his tights is just impossible. Even the way they speak is insane, Robin always sounds like his high on something with his diction, and when Batman rebukes him he actually looks downfallen. Can just imagine a kid of these days acting a bit different.

Then there's the classic Japanese shows. Samurai and Phantom Agents. As kids we spent a lot time running around in our thongs (flipflops) with socks on, and rolled up newspapers shoved down the back of our t shirts. They were amazing, could jump up onto buildings (ignore the fact that it was obviously a jump down reversed), sneak up on anyone, and always defeated the bad guys. And the dubbing was terrible, but we didn't care. My brother actually gave me a DVD with Samurai on it, I watched it laughing all the way through. It was an awesome flashback, even if I did view it differently.

But does that mean that the shows we watch today are actually better or is it just that they can use special effects and the cameras are much better. Thinking back to when I was a kid, Gilligan and Batman were excellent quality and we eagerly awaited the new episodes. Now I'm eagerly awaiting new seasons of shows like Sons of Anarchy, Justified and Walking Dead just to name a few. They are so wonderfully made and acted, yet like the old shows they are just fiction and they take us away from reality for a little while. Which is of course the whole idea behind the entertainment industry. This could be why I hate reality shows, I don't care who is the best on Big Brother, or Survivor. All the contestants are a bunch of whiners who all act surprised when they have to do challenges, as if that has never happened before. Or it's omg did they actually catch that on camera! Get over it moron, you must of watched the show before and seen that yep those cameras are bloody well everywhere and they catch everything!

If I have to watch a reality show it would be something like American or Australian Idol, at least you get to listen to some good music, and I just tune out the judges. My Kitchen Rules, well good for you, mine doesn't and I don't care. Next Top Model, give me a break ladies, your so damn bitchy none of you should be allowed out without a leash. Reality blah, get enough of that everyday don't need it when I'm vegging on the couch.

When I hear people bemoaning modern television shows and blaming it for all the problems their kids are having, I have to wonder how stupid they are. Turn it off, don't let them watch it your the adult not them. Teach them the difference between absolute bullshit and reality, make them watch the news. Sit down and watch a show with them you could even actually discuss it with them (good grief what is she saying? talk to my children) LOL. Speaking about old shows, I can hear Prisoner on in the background, that was rubbish when it came out and still is today.

I'm glad, now I'm older, that actors are sexier and can actually have muscles and kiss for real and even curse. That is what happens in real life, although they aren't always vampires or zombies LOL.

Catch ya

What shows did you love growing up?  Or now?