What’s top of my mind: Writing a speech for the wedding.

The wedding is in 2 days and I’ve yet to write my speech. David29 hasn’t had any contact with his father for years, so I’m going to be speechifying for his side of the family. I’m looking forward to it, though I truly have no idea (yet) of what I’m going to say.

It’ll all come together though! It always does. Bleeding-edge speech writing… that’s how I work.

Where I’ve been: to Long Play to meet Katie!

Remember how Evan26 was accosted in the street by a guy asking if he was the guy from Long Play? His Mum reads my blogs and wanted to come and see his show. He (Evan26) was so blown away that he gave the guy free tickets. I asked him to let me know when they were coming, so I nipped in to see the show for the third time, so I could say hi to Katie.

She, her son and husband sat right behind me – I was wearing a mask but she recognised me by my eyebrows. First time anyone’s said that to me! We had a lovely chat after the show.

Tell you what – you know a comedy show is good when you see it three times in a week and you STILL laugh out loud. It’s playing for 2 more nights… I highly recommend.

Where I’m going: The wedding rehearsal.

Tonight I’ll be battling peak-hour traffic to get to the church on time. None of his brothers will be there – Evan26 has his show, Tom31 bought his ticket to it before we were told about the rehearsal and Ryan28 is working. Still, all they have to do is stand at the front and look supportive and interested.

I want to walk David29 down the aisle – I’ve put in a lot of time and effort into bringing up that boy on my own, so I think having a little stroll together on his Big Day isn’t too much to ask. We’ll have to work out how to do it so he doesn’t see Izzy before she walks down the aisle – the last thing we need is any bad luck!

What I’m reading: Lots of books.

I’ve finished my contract for the term, so to decompress I’m doing what I normally do in the first part of the holidays – I’m reading almost a book a day.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth. Gee, she’s a good writer, isn’t she? This one is another winner.

Holding by Graham Norton. Yes, THAT Graham Norton. I enjoyed this. It’s a gentle tale about a small village in the UK. It’s been filmed, but I thought I’d rather read the book.

The other 3 books I’ve read haven’t been much chop, so that’s enough about them!

What I’m watching: Nothing.

Though Ryan28 is keen to watch The Last of Us and season 3 of Ted Lasso with me, so no doubt we’ll be getting onto that pretty quickly.

What I’m listening to: Magpies singing in the rain.

I’m sitting on the couch with 3 sleeping dogs. I’ve had my coffee but we haven’t had breakfast yet. The house is almost silent, with just the clicking of my laptop keys and Jeffrey’s gentle snores able to be heard.

Rain is falling steadily outside. I’ve moved the pot plants outside so they can have a wash and get a dose of nitrogen. Every now and then I hear the warbling cry of a magpie.

I love my lazy mornings.

What I’m eating: Malteasers for breakfast.

Well, I’ve got to get rid of them somehow, don’t I?

What I’m planning: How, when and where I’m going o put my makeup on.

Haven’t worn makeup for years! But we all make sacrifices for our children, so I’ll be slapping on the warpaint for the wedding.

I’ve watched every episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, so I should be ok. Anyway, it’s like riding a bike, surely?

Who needs a good slap: The Easter Bunny.

The Easter bunny struck gold this year – the Aldi cheap Easter bunnies were in early this year and she snapped up 6 of them for my 4 boys and the 2 girlfriends.

Unfortunately, the bunny has very weak follow-through. We were on our way to Easter brunch with Izzy’s family when I realised I’d left the bunnies for David29 and Izzy behind. It was baaaad – they got us Easter eggs. Yikes!

You’d think the embarrassment would be enough to remind me to take Evan26 and Jenna’s bunnies when I saw his show on Sunday night.

Oh no, no, no. Turned up empty-handed again.

The only child who still lives with me got his bunny at 10 PM after we arrived home. The Easter Bunny deserves a sound smack for dereliction of duty.

What has made me smile: My new boots.

Ryan28 and I went to DFO on the weekend to get wedding things. I needed a bag and he needed some dress shows. We both came away with something extra. He bought a coat and I bought these incredibly funky and comfortable boots. Look! They have yarn on them – and they have lambswool inside.

Fortunate Frogdancer strikes again – I have very small feet and these were the last in my size.

They are perfect for my England and Ireland trip in September. I’m only taking carry-on so they will be my only shoes. PLUS…

… they look really great with my dress for the wedding. Talk about style, speed and comfort! I’ll be dancing all night in these babies!

Between the two of us, Izzy’s Mum and I will ensure that no one will feel under or overdressed. She’s got a dress and shoes with bling, whereas I’m going to be wearing linen and boots.

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: Something has left a bad taste in my mouth.

I was teaching my year 9s today and a couple of boys suddenly let out a cry, as if they were watching sport on their chromebooks instead of working. I went over and told them off, when suddenly another teacher came into the room and started yelling at them.

Turns out that one of the boys had his phone held up where I couldn’t see it and it appeared that he was filming me. This other teacher had poked their head into the room, looking for an extra chair for their class, and from that angle they could see everything. I confiscated the kid’s phone and the Student Managers and Principal were called in.

At the end of the day, he’ll be unlocking his phone to show the Student Managers and the Principal that he wasn’t filming. If he wasn’t… happy days. Though he was still doing absolutely the wrong thing by having his phone on him in the first place, so he’s still in trouble.

If he WAS filming his teacher, then things won’t be so great for him.

To be honest, it’s left a nasty taste in my mouth. You can trust the vast majority of kids at the school, but this is one kid who could absolutely be doing the wrong thing. I don’t need this sort of thing in my life. I’m retired, after all.

Though even if he put the video up on TikTok, I’m wearing a mask. As Blogless Helen said at lunch, no one would be able to recognise me anyway…

Where I’ve been: Out in the park beside the school.

Just as I was debriefing with the Student Managers at lunchtime, a fire alarm sounded. It wasn’t a drill. The whole school had to go to the park next door, line up in form groups and be accounted for while the fire brigade went through the building to make sure it was safe.

It’s turning into a very exciting day!

Where I’m going: a wedding rehearsal.

David29 let me know that we have to go to Rowville for a wedding rehearsal a couple of days before the Big Day. Evan26 won’t be there – he’ll be performing his show at the Comedy Festival.

What I’m reading: Our Woman in Moscow – Beatriz Williams

How I love my little corner of the internet! On Twitter, I follow a few authors and every now and then they post book recommendations. On Facebook, I have a couple of blogging buddies from the early days of craft blogging who are massive readers, called The Festival Mavens. I’ve read some cracking books from them.

I’ve just started this one. It’s living on my desk at work, where I have 10 minutes at the start of every English class where we do Wide Reading, as well as any spare time I have without corrections or lesson prep.

I’m enjoying it. Can’t wait to see what’s going to happen!

What I’m watching: My life slowly ebbing away.

I’m watching the clock. It’s ten minutes to go until Day 43 is over.

What I’m listening to: A Great Hope – Jessica Stanley

I’m really enjoying this book. I’m not totally sure why, as a lot of the characters aren’t all that likeable, especially Sophie. But every time I hop in the car and start listening, I’m engrossed.

What I’m eating: my home-grown stewed apples.

Well, my breakfasts this week are epic! I stripped my meagre apple crop from my trees a week or so ago and then let them sit in the fruit bowl until the weekend when I stewed up a storm.

They’re now sitting in the fridge, still in the saucepan I cooked them in, and I’m having 3 or 4 heaped dessertspoonsful with my morning oats.

It’s like starting off the day with a party in my mouth.

What I’m planning: when I’m going to see Evan26’s shows at the Comedy Festival.

Evan26 has two shows at the Comedy Festival.

Long Play is the solo show that he wrote himself. It’s the second year he’s performed in the festival. Last year he had a sketch show with a mate from Uni that was an absolute hoot. I can’t wait to see him in this show – he’s such a funny guy. He’s so damned quick with the puns and word play. (I have no idea where he gets it from.)

Underwire is the (almost) solo show by Evan26’s partner. She performed it in Melbourne last year and I can confidently tell you that it’s absolutely worth seeing. I laughed, I cried, I loved it. Evan26 supports her on stage, playing music etc.

I still haven’t organised when we’re all going to see them. I’m a bad mother. But we’ll definitely be there multiple nights – with bells on!

Who needs a good slap: kids with phones in class and mothers who don’t book tickets to their kid’s shows.

Yeah, both these types of people are so annoying … especially the mothers. The mothers deserve a hearty slap.

What has made me smile: my mandarin tree.

A couple of days ago I realised that my plucky little tree has increased its crop by a full 100% since last year.

Yes, it’s growing not one, but TWO mandarins.

Dad joke of the day:

People said I’d never get over my obsession with Phil Collins.

But take a look at me now.

What’s top of my mind: I’m getting tired.

People sling off at teachers, especially about the long holidays we have. But I’m telling you – we need them.

Teaching isn’t a job where you can coast… if you try it, you’ll rue the day because the kids will simply start walking all over you. Every day you have to be switched on. High energy and with your game face on. It’s fun, but it certainly takes it out of you. There’s a reason why teachers find that we tend to get sick as soon as holidays come; we’re running on empty by that stage.

I’ve reached the point in the term where there are less than 3 weeks to go. I’ve noticed that it’s far more tempting to get takeaway. The dinners I’m now making are far more likely to be frozen schnitzels or fish fillets with some veggies all thrown in the oven, rather than the salads I was making earlier in the year, which are lovely but require a lot more prep time.

Coincidentally, this morning as I was leaving for work, I opened the gates and my neighbour, who is a Drama and English teacher at another school, was just about to get into her car. We had a quick chat, and she asked, “Are you trired?” When I nodded, she said, “I’m absolutely knackered!” So it isn’t just me.

I’m looking forward to getting the more sedate retirement pace back.

Where I’ve been: dress shopping.

Yes, the shop that Mum mentioned turned out to be a winner.

I walked into Southland, turned where the escalator is and strode straight to it. There was an outfit in the window that looked great. I went in, looked at the different colour options, tried one on and BAM! It was done.

I was in and out in less than 10 minutes.

(I may need to buy shoes and possibly a bag, but that’s Future Frogdancer’s problem.)

Where I’m going: to David29 and Izzy’s first home!

Can you believe that these two people, who are getting married in 4 weeks, have never lived in a house that hasn’t been run by parents?

I’m over the moon that they’ve finally been able to find a place to call their own. I was getting worried that they’d come back from their honeymoon and go home to Izzy’s parents’ place. The rental market in Melbourne is impossibly tight – it was only that one of Izzy’s cousins was finding that affording the mortgage on the apartment he bought was too hard. He’s moving back home and David29 and Izzy are moving in.

It’s a win/win – he gets to keep up the mortgage payments, while the kids will get to have a reference for their next place.

It’s not what you know, but who you know!

What I’m reading: Our Missing Hearts – Celeste Ng.

What a lovely writer Celeste Ng is. This is her third novel and I’m a third of the way in. I’m loving it.

It’s reading books like this that make me so glad that each English lesson at my school starts with 10 minutes of silent reading. 5 X 10 minutes X 2 classes = 100 minutes of reading that I’m getting paid for!!!!

What I’m watching: The school’s General Assembly.

One very good thing that’s come out of all the lockdowns we went through is that the General Assemblies are now live-streamed, so if you’re not a form teacher, you can watch from anywhere.

I’m at my desk, listening through headphones and switching to the visual if something is interesting enough.

What I’m eating: easy stuff.

See above.

What I’m planning: What to do with the veggie garden for winter.

I really need to get out there and start putting more beds to sleep for the winter. Many beds have plants at the end of their runs that need to be chopped and dropped, then snuggled up with fertiliser, mushroom compost, autumn leaves and pea straw.

I still haven’t dragged out the mini greenhouse from the shed and so I still haven’t started any seeds for winter crops. I need to get my arse into gear.

Who needs a good slap: my next-door neighbours.

Would it kill them to train their staffy to shut up?

What has made me smile: Mum and Dad’s shopping trip.

Yesterday I went to see Mum and Dad after work, but no one was home. Later, we were talking on the phone and it seems that they were out shopping for a brand-new lounge suite.

They’re going to have all the bells and whistles. Electric reclining armchairs, all leather… they won’t know themselves.

I said to her, “Considering all the time you’re spending at home now, you might as well get it all set up the way you want.”

“Yes, this will see us out in the last 10 years of our lives,” Mum said. “It’ll certainly get more use than any other lounge suite we’ve ever had!”

This couple has been frugal all their lives. It’s good to see them replace the ugly fake leather lounge that they got from Marketplace a couple of years ago. This new lounge sounds like they’ll absolutely enjoy it – especially the recliners for those pesky afternoon naps that just seem to sneak up on you.

Dad joke of the day:

My grief counselor died.

He was so good I didn’t even care.

What’s top of my mind: My doggie visitors.

The photo above shows Jeffrey sleeping on the couch next to his Mum, with Silver at the back.

Where I’ve been: On yard duty.

I have yard duty twice a week. Wednesday’s is in a section of the school called ‘South’, a thin strip of concrete totally in shadow all the time from the 4-story building that is the actual school. It’s cold and a breeze is usually blowing through it, though the garden along the back boundary cheers it up a bit.

Last year it wasn’t a very popular place for the kids to go – only the loners and weird kids would hang there, which actually made it quite a good place to do the slow-paced ‘yard duty walk’ up and down. These sorts of kids are the quirky and interesting ones. This year it’s far more popular.

Where I’m going: Phillip Island.

My friend Blogless Helen, who I went to North Korea with back in 2018, reads my blogs. When I said that I was planning nothing last week, she was outraged. So a few of us are going down to her holiday house on Phillip Island at the end of April.

When I was a kid, we used to go to Inverloch, a little further up the road, every school holidays to visit my grandparents, who retired up there. So it’s a little like revisiting the past.

🙂

What I’m reading: ‘Die With Zero’ by Bill Perkins

Last year, I was driving to work, listening to Aussie Firebugs pod with the author of ‘Die With Zero. I’d vaguely heard of the book before, but never really taken much notice. However, I really enjoyed the interview and it was very lucky for Tom30 that I listened to it – Perkins advocates giving $$ to adult kids when they need it; not simply leaving it all to them when you die. Tom30 was in the throes of house-hunting and I ended up giving him 15K towards his deposit. (5K of that was the amount I’ve earmarked towards helping each boy with a wedding, while 10K was my emergency fund at the time. Of course, I’ll be doing this for the other kids too.)

I finally got around to ordering this book from the library after it came up in conversations with Charlie from Antarctica and another guy from work.

I’m about a third of the way in and I’m thinking that there’s nothing new here – I got it all from the podcast. Still, I’m pushing on. There may be a pearl of wisdom or two still to be discovered.

What I’m watching: OUTLANDER season 6!!!!!!!!!!

It’s finally on Netflix. I’m so happy.

What I’m listening to: ‘The Party Crasher’ by Sophie Kinsella.

I’m listening to this on 1.5 speed just to get through it.

The protagonist is the most immature 26-year-old I’ve ever read and she’s very annoying. It’s a chick-lit ‘madcap’ light read, but just when I start getting sucked in to what’s going on, something unbelievable is done or said and I’m annoyed again.

What I’m eating: Hard-boiled eggs and a salad for lunch.

Quickly thrown together this morning. I prefer a light lunch, especially with my home-grown cucumber and tomatoes.

What I’m planning: Nothing.

Haha! That was just for Blogless Helen’s benefit.

Who needs a good slap: Kids who are away during a Learning Task.

Argh! So annoying!

Yesterday I gave a history learning task (a piece of work that is marked and goes on the kids’ reports) to my year 9 class. SIX of them were absent. That’s a lot of kids to chase up. I really want to have all of these marked before Friday, when my other 3 classes submit their first learning tasks. The correcting has begun in earnest.

What has made me smile: The Mother/Son song at the wedding.

David29 popped in on Sunday and stayed for over an hour, so we had a lovely chat up and chinwag. He brought up the topic of an appropriate song for a mother/son dancer at the wedding.

I said, “What about The Angels, “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?” and he instantly replied with, “No way, get fucked, fuck off!!” and we both laughed.

“Imagine Izzy’s family’s faces if we did?” I said.

(For overseas readers, this is a fantastic song, but it’s an Aussie tradition to yell the “get fucked’ thing every time the question is asked in the song. It’s asked a lot, so it’s kind of fun.)

This morning I woke up with the PERFECT song in my head. Paul Simon’s “Loves Me Like a Rock.” I used to use this as a lullaby for the boys when they were babies.

Dad joke of the day:

What do you call a man who gets botox in his face?

Phillip.