Just when I think I've got it sorted....

I was out of bed earlier than usual today. I usually lie in till about 7am when I get up and check to make sure Niece is running to schedule. She's usually a little behind but the last couple of days she's been a little ahead. I just need her to be ready for school by 7:20am when she can put her shoes and socks on and head out to wait for the bus.

And she's been doing pretty well. I have noticed though that since I am not there to supervise, she's been sneaking things. Instead of her usual half a glass of milk *it's a tall glass* she's been pouring 3/4. Some mornings she's been mentioning no chocolate for breakfast which could mean that she's been sneaking a freddo. They're hers, but I've been trying to monitor the food intake. When making her lunch the night before I was actually watching and she's spreading a vegemite substitute *ozzymite, so not as salty* really, really thickly on the corn thin. This morning, she's trying to sneak TWO extra cracker/dip packs into her lunch.

Just when I think she's doing all right, she does this. It really is frustrating. MOTH isn't coping really well at present and is really looking forward to her leaving. I've still not sorted what will happen when she finishes school. That's only about six months away. I know that if I can't get her into somewhere she is going to be sitting around watching television all day. She used to spend all day in her room drawing, writing, listening to music but lately has been gravitating to the TV regardless of what we are watching. Or even if we are watching. It's on providing background noise for me but MOTH watches quite a few shows during the day. Most definitely something I am going to have to work at curbing. Again.

Jerome has been pretty good in the tummy department. Until two days ago. Right about when Elder arrived. Hmmm. Is that a coincidence? Heh. But it didn't last as long this time. And I just can't seem to pin the cause down. Might have to mention it next time he goes for a check up. I thought they would have called him in for his 6 month but they haven't. I shall have to keep an eye out for when he's due his annual checkup, just in case they've lost the address. Speaking of which, that postal redirect might run out soon. Hopefully I have notified everyone I need to!

Teen has bought herself a new car. I hope it goes well for her. It was a private sale, no nothing is really guaranteed. We went to pick it up for her yesterday. MOTH drove it home and I think he fell in love with it. He's always poo pooed them as a small car but I've travelled in one as a passenger. It reminded me of the Mazda 121 bubble I used to own. Looks really small on the outside but is very room and a good drive. So it is with this one. It's a Nissan Micra. It looks like the bluebird will be coming back here until MOTH decides what to do with it. Maybe he can sell it. I really don't know. He always did like it more than the BMW.

I'm still slogging away *slowly. very slowly* at my assignments. Nothing new there.

I'm not sure if I mentioned I had an appointment with the school in a previous post. I may not. The appointment was actually a job interview. And while I was really thrilled that I managed to get an interview, I was very disappointed that I didn't get the position. It was for a part time receptionist and the hours were perfect. I can do that job, and had the advantage of having worked with that employer and most of the systems before. I am worried about when I am no longer caring and will have to go back to work. The Newstart *unemployment* rate of pay is so small that I cannot envision being able to survive on it. MOTH would still get his pension but my portion of income would drop to less than half what I am receiving now and there would be no third income to supplement it. I've got plenty of experience but I'm reaching an "undesirable" age *i'm 50* for employers. They can say all they like about discrimination against age but it exists. I'd try selling MOTH but I'd have to pay them...

There is a card game. It's called Cards Against Humanity. It involves black cards with questions and white cards with answers. The aim is to ask the question then provide the funniest answer you can with the white cards you hold. Not sure how the winner is judged. I didn't get to that bit. BUT! Elder and I were looking at the cards last night, she holding the black, and I the white. And even without playing properly *you need more than 2 peeps* we were laughing so hard. I couldn't breathe and might have even wet myself a little... This game has promise.

And on another "up" note, Cadbury have released a new flavour. I think it's limited but it's salted caramel. It's dairy milk with little crunch pieces of caramel throughout. I like to let it melt in my mouth until the chocolate is gone and all that's left is little salty caramel flavoured crunchy bits. Love it. Shouldn't eat too much of it in case I get tired of it, right? ... nah ...