Sinful Saturday

Well, so much for a quiet weekend so far. This morning I was flicking through a catalogue and noticed that they were having an incredible sale of sports shoes like Nike and FILA and other stuff 50-80% off, at the Melbourne showgrounds. Lill wanted a pair of new runners, and had always wanted to corrupt me by actually getting me to buy my first pair of runners...ever! (why should I, if my dad owns a shoe shop!).

So we bundled the whole family into the CR-V and off we went to the Melbourne Showgrounds. It was packed! People everywhere! And not only was there a building for sales on sports shoes, but there was a building with sales on clothes, another building for sales on toys, another for sales on wallets, suitcases, etc.. and one for rugs, too. We went to them all! And walked away with quite a few things, too. I'm glad we decided that I'd carry Emma in the kapoochi, rather than in the pram! Hectic 3 hours or what!?

So here I am, typing my blog, in my nice new white FILAs, and admiring my new wallet.

How do I explain this to Dad...!!!

ODD SPOT: The white part of your fingernail is called the lunula.

P.S: I thought they were called "little boomerangs"!!!...

Top 10 For Friday

Hopefully we'll have a quiet weekend, but I won't hold my breath...!

No Five for Friday anymore, but how about...

TOP 10 THINGS YOU'LL NEVER HEAR ME SAY TO MY GIRLS....

10. Can I go shopping with you guys!? PLEASE!!??
9. You know Pumpkin, now that you're thirteen, you'll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won't that be fun?
8. I noticed that all your friends have a certain "up yours" attitude. ...I like that.
7. Here's a credit card and the keys to my new car -- GO CRAZY!
6. If you're going to go clubbin, do it right! I don't want to see you back here until at least after sunrise!!!
5. Your Mother and I are going to Rye for the weekend...you might want to consider throwing a party.
4. Of course you can use my computer to talk to your sleazy chatroom buddies!
3. You want a nipple ring AND a tattoo? Okay then, I'll take you to Northlands myself!
2. Why do you want to get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend.

And The Number One Thing You'll Never Hear Me Say...

1. Of course I want socks for Father's Day!

ODD SPOT: 23% of all photocopier faults worldwide are caused by people sitting on them and photocopying their buttocks.

P.S: Heh heh heh......

Antics...

Sometimes I don't know where the girls get it from. Last night Lill was telling Sarah off for being cheeky when Jessica turned around and said, "Calm down, Mum. Don't scream in my ear." Lill wasn't yelling. Trust me, I know when Lill is yelling! But I was standing there hiding my face with tears streaming down because I was laughing so much. It's just the way Jessica said it, in such an adult way and the expression on her face, it was sooooooo funny! On a more exasberating note, I have to go to Bunnings today to purchase more masking tape, because the twins found my roll and proceeded to decorate the whole kitchen with it. Sigh....

Looks like Emma is putting her foot down with the twins. Yesterday, Sarah "invaded" Emma's space, getting so close to her as to be nose to nose, when Emma, who's just learning to grasp things, reached out and took hold of a chunkful of her sister's hair and would not let go! Sarah is now screaming at this stage, but it didn't affect Emma's deathgrip. It took two adults to pry Emma loose from her prey. Emma didn't seem perturbed by the whole thing, but the look on her face was obvious: the line in the sand has been drawn! Sisters of mine beware!!!

ODD SPOT: Men can read smaller print than women; women can hear better

P.S: Um, isn't this the other way around!!??

Flabbergasted!

Woah!

Lill blogged yesterday with a vengeance!!! I always encouraged her to blog, and for a while there it turned into a running joke, but now... And to think, there's more to come! She won't tell me, of course, secretive little minx that she is! But it does remind me that there is an aspect of the blog I have been neglecting, and that is stories about myself or Lill which the girls in general may like to hear about. I'd like to think we're not THAT boring, and certainly it won't be like the stories our parents told, you know, the ones like, "Back in my day, I wore a racoon on my head on the way to school because I couldn't afford a hat!" type of story; at least I hope not!

Quick story then. Do you know what Lill's first words were to me when we kissed for the first time outside the hall near St. Lukes church in Lalor? Answer: "Go home!"

I think I'll let Lill expand on that one, if and when she blogs again!
(but will I live to see it!!!...)

ODD SPOT: A snail can sleep for three years.

P.S: This has become my favourite animal of all time!!!

Bend it like Bendham

More and more Emma is trying to grasp things and it's so funny watching her trying to will her arms to do anything other than flail around with a toy in each hand. She even uses her feet to kick stuff around, like a little socceroo..yeah, bend it like Bendham, little Em!

Oh, and the twins have a nickname for Emma...little pooch! What the heck is up with that! Where do they get it from!?

ODD SPOT: If the government has no knowledge of aliens, then why does Title 14, Section 1211 of the Code of Federal Regulations, implemented on July 16, 1969, make it illegal for U.S. citizens to have any contact with extraterrestrials or their vehicles?

P.S: Only in America...!!!

Life, The Universe, And Sunday...

Emma is on my lap as I'm typing this, and she's ooooh-ing and ahhhhhhh-ing, and looking around to her heart's content. She's 10 weeks now and it's a pure delight just to watch her grow and develop. Although it can be hard and tiring sometimes, especially now with all the girls having colds, but on days like today, when you can appreciate a little one on one time with them, you really realise what it's all about. Life can sometimes be difficult, mean, and unfair...but it can also be rewarding, fulfilling and worthwhile. All it takes is a little effort, understanding...and some luck! Goddam, I sound like a song or something! Ah, Sundays.....

ODD SPOT: Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

P.S: I'm sure there's an arguement in this somewhere...

Mobile Bouncer

When we put Emma in the bouncer she doesn't mind because we put her in front of the TV and she loves watching it...couch potato in the making or what!? Anyway, a couple of nights ago, Lill was cooking, and I was setting the table, while Emma was in the bouncer and the twins were helping me set the table too. Lill and I were also engrossed in a discussion when I glanced over to where Emma was supposed to be and she was gone! I looked around frantically while saying to Lill where had Emma disappeared when I spotted her again...at the dinner table! Emma had been moved all the way from in front of the TV to the dinner table by the twins!!! It's amazing what Sarah and Jessica can do when they cooperate! They wanted to make sure Emma was not going to be forgotten at dinner time...don't worry girls, when Emma wants to eat, she sure lets everyone know about it!!!

ODD SPOT: The record number of male (human) orgasms in an hour is 16.

P.S: How do you know he didn't fake them!!??

Five For Friday

Oooops, almost forgot (These will be the last ones, though!):

Q: Since I became pregnant, my breasts, rear end, and even my feet have grown. Is there anything that gets smaller during pregnancy

A: Your bladder.

Q: Under what circumstances should a baby not be circumcised?

A: When it's a girl, for starters.

Q: Does labour cause hemorrhoids?

A: Labour causes anything you want to blame it for.

Q: What does it mean when a baby is born with teeth?

A: It means that the baby's mother may want to rethink her plans
to breastfeed.

Q: Nannies aren't cheap are they?

A: No, and they aren’t easy, either!

Moody Blues

Emma was very unsettled last night and it took over an hour for me to put her to sleep. Then when Lill came home from the hairdressers Emma woke up again and continued to remain unsettled, grizzly and wouldn't feed. Lill gave her some Panadol, waited a little bit, and then was able to feed her, and then she settled to sleep again. And this morning, Sarah is so super-clingy with me; I have to hold her even if I go to the loo!!! Ah, the joys of colds and flus!

Lill has this new hip chick look with her new hairstyle...I like it! You wouldn't think to look at her she is a mother of three. But now that she has this hot little cutie thing happening, should I be worried about dragging her image down if she's seen with me!!?? Mmmm, maybe I should do a Melanie Griffith and get all sorts of unnecessary surgery done on myself to keep my girl! No use, you say!? Too far gone, you say!!?? Not even a "renovation to the rescue" segment will help me, you say!!!??? Who asked you, anyway!!

Go away now; I'm in a bad mood....!!!!!

ODD SPOT: When the moon is directly over you, you weigh less.

P.S: Who cares, I'm still in a bad mood...!!!!!!!!!

Hair

Gave all 3 girls a bath last night...Emma's hair, of course, was its usual write-off! The twins hair...it takes forever to dry, even with the hair dryer on full turbo!!! And Lill has this stuff I have to put in their hair so it doesn't tangle, and when you blow wave their hair...listen to me, I should start up my own salon!

I can tell this is the start of what happens when you have 4 women in the house. I knew I should've done something about it long ago. Eat more oysters, wear bigger and daggier boxer shorts, I don't know! Now...it's too late! It can only get worse! I know I'll lose my study, my library, they'll take over both bathrooms and I'll be regulated to the garden hose out the back, and they'll gang up on me....like now! Oh no! It's that re-programming thingie again, isn't it! Stay away from me! Don't put that thing....

We apologise for yet another inturruption. Please bear with us while we re-program Mim with more aggressive methods. Not necessarily because they're better, just because they're more fun!!!
signed, The Iannello Girls.

ODD SPOT: The average woman uses up approximately her height in lipstick every five years.

P.S: Emma licked me last night, but I don't have time to telll this one, as I'm too busy being re-programmed....again!

Bedtime Stories

[proud parent mode on] I'm amazed by the level of intelligence and maturity the twins can express. Socially they can handle a decent level of conversation, they even ask me how my day was, what I did, etc... At night, when I read them a bedtime story, they insist on taking the book from my hands, and then recite word for word the entire book! They can't read, but they just turn the page, look at the picture, and it triggers what they remember about that page. And even when they can't remember the words, they make it up, based on the picture they see!!! [proud parent mode off]

Emma's starting to dribble a bit, but this is normal, because as babies grow they produce more saliva. Eventually, she will put her hands in her mouth, or anything else for that matter, as a way of teaching herself to swallow the excessive saliva with something in her mouth.

ODD FACT: Some odors that increase blood flow to the penis: lavender, licorice, chocolate, doughnuts, pumpkin pie.

P.S: Umm, anyone care to comment on this one!!??

Colds Part 2

At 5 o' clock this morning Sarah is awake coughing and spluttering, so again with the medicine, but this time she wants to sleep in our bed. I can't convince her otherwise so in she hops. I don't mind her sleeping with us, it's just that instead of sleeping in the middle, she sleeps on my side..which regulates me to the edge of the bed! The next quarter of an hour she coughs and sneezes in the back of my head, like I need hair product or something, until she finally falls into a loud and snooring slumber. Lill has no problems sleeping through it. Me....oh well, I've gotta be up in a couple of hours anyway.

ODD SPOT: It is impossible to lick your elbow.

P.S: I bet you're trying it right now...!

Colds

Oh, the joys of being a parent! Here I am, I can't sleep because Sarah is sick. She has a bad cold, so we've given her some medicine and rubbed Vapour-Rub on her chest and under her nose. Hopefully she'll be able to sleep comfortably soon, and hopefully I'll feel tired soon!

As each day goes by, Emma becomes a little more active. Now having the chance to see it unfold, Emma is kicking and standing up against me a little more often, her vocalisation is improving with longer "ooooooooh" sounds, she follows voices and people with her head and eyes, and she pokes her tongue out for no particular reason other than "it's cute"!!! All in all, Emma is gearing up for some milestones soon, and I'm glad I'm in a better position to appreciate it.

Also, I must remind myself that Emma is not the only one developing, and growing up. I have two beautiful twin girls who at the age of three have these amazing little personalities...and the mouths on them...where do they get that ability to argue and reason with conviction from? Lill surely!? Lord knows I'm way too amiable, so it looks like that part of my genes are a little watered in their blood. Oh well. Do feel tired now. I think I'll check in on all my girls before I retire...

ODD SPOT: The Bible has been translated into Klingon.

P.S: I can't wait for Lill to read this one...!!!

Monday-itis

I heard a thump in the middle of the night so I went and investigated. It came from the twin's bedroom and I found Jessica on the floor - she had fallen out of bed! I asked if she was alright but there was no answer - she was fast asleep! So I put her back to bed, tucked her in, and made sure Sarah was tucked in too. Lill was already up feeding Emma. I had trouble falling back to sleep so I waited for Lill, read for a bit, then chatted with Lill when she came back to bed, but afterwards I still took a while to fall back to sleep. So Monday-itis is in full swing today!
 
ODD SPOT:  The first known contraceptive was crocodile dung, used by Egyptians in 2000 B.C.
 
P.S: Because, let's face it, who'd come near you after you smeared that stuff all over yourself!

Is Brylcreem Alright For Babies?

I know you can have a bad hair day, but can you have a bad hair YEAR!!?? Emma's hair just cannot be coaxed into any shape or form. It sticks up, it curls, it goes in all different directions! If you wanted to see what Medusa looked like when she was a baby, just look at Emma and her amazing slithering hair! No matter how many washes you give it, you just can't do anything for it. And I refuse to put product in it, I mean, she has this Elvis thing happening with it already. Last thing I want to do is encourage anything to do with the King! And yet....that Brylcreem may be my only hope!!!

ODD SPOT: The Main Library at Indiana University sinks over an inch every year because when it was built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building.


P.S: I think my house is sinking...

Blame It On The Boogie!

We went out to dinner Saturday night, with good food and so-so music. I mean, let's face it, the band were doing Perry Como covers! I was waiting for "Jeremiah was a bullfrog", but much to my dismay, it never happened!

Anyway, the twins had a ball. They were dancing and singing, happy and so carefree, and I got to thinking, "When do we lose this?" When do we lose this innocence, this ability to enjoy life just for the sake of it, and become so serious. I believe that having children in our lives is essential, and not just because we need to propagate the species. Any animal can do that. Our kids help keep us young and alive, and teach us that life is also about living, and not just surviving.

Ah, I'm in a philosophical mood tonight...!

ODD SPOT: The first episode of "Joanie Loves Chachi" was
the highest rated American program in the history of Korean
television, "Chachi" is Korean for "penis."

P.S: Yeah, I always thought Chachi was one...!

Five For Fridays

Normally I welcome Fridays except it's not my RDO AND I'm working tomorrow (on the rare occasions that I do!), so without further ado, bah humbug and bring on the Five For Fridays...

Q: My blood type is O-positive and my husband's is A-negative. What if my baby is born, say, type AB-positive?

A: Then the jig is up.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.

A: So what's your question, dipshit?

Q: Will I love my dog less when the baby is born?

A: No, but your husband might get on your nerves.

Q: My maternity nurse says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?

A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?

A: When the kids leave home.

ODD SPOT: Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of their unwanted people without killing them use to burn their houses down - hence the expression "to get fired."

P.S: I knew Real Estate Agents were vicious, but...!!!

Managing Up

Lill has taken Emma and the twins to her work for a visit today. Yesterday she took them to the Preston Library for storytime and activities. I'm always in awe of the amount of organisational skill my wife can employ to take 3 kids anywhere. I think mothers should be put in managerial and leadership responsibilites, because anybody who can organise children to do anything at all will find managing adults a breeze!

And on an even brighter note, earlier this week Lill surprised me with tickets to see Andrea Bocelli in concert later this year. So after a few years dry spell I'm going to two concerts this year! Wow! This may make up for being forced to go see that virtual Elvis concert all those years ago. I'm still scarred by the experience...!!!

ODD SPOT: Astronauts are not allowed to eat beans before they go into space because passing wind in a spacesuit damages them.

PS: I tell Drew this all the time....!!!

Personality

I've noticed Emma staring at me for minutes on end...It's a bit disconcerting to know what a newly-evolving mind thinks of me. These will literally be her first impressions of me. As she grows, she will build an initial picture of me that will determine how she will act and speak with me or when she's around me. I definitely notice this with the twins, as they act much differently in front of me than they do in front of Lill. Mmmmm. Interesting. I look forward to seeing her little personality develop. But knowing my luck, it'll be iron-clad and willful like her mother's!!!

ODD SPOT: Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.

P.S: This one's gonna get me into a lot of trouble!!!

Come Fly With Me

Lill's got a new nickname for Emma...Smiley! Emma's practising her smiling quite a bit lately, as well as a little flirting, to boot! Such a cheeky little thing! Anyway, while on the one hand we're happy she sleeps longer through the night, the side effect is she's not gaining as much weight as she could. It's not a bad thing, just..well, you know parents. Christine's baby Michael has gained 900 grams in one week! He's going to be a big boy! And, he and Emma are going to be on the plane together to Jerusalem in a few months time. You know, these overseas romances never last...

ODD SPOT: In Lebanon, men are legally allowed to have sex with animals, but the animals must be female. Having sexual relations with a male animal is punishable by death.

P.S: I don't know which disturbs me more...that such a law exists, or that I found it in the first place...!!!

Impressions

Seeing the Impressionist masterpieces at the gallery yesterday was an interesting experience. The twins ended up going out with their Aunt all day, so we just had Emma to take care of.

When we got there, I carried Emma in a kapoochi, which is a baby pouch. It looks like an open ended backpack, which sits in front of you, and the baby slips into it and stays there so you don't have to hold the baby in your arms, you can carry him/her instead. Needless to say, it got me a lot of attention as we floated from painting to painting. People always comment on the amount of hair Emma has. And how beautiful she is. I mean, we always think Emma is beautiful, because let's face it, we're biased, but it's always nice to hear other people say it too. The one thing I will always remember about yesterday is one woman coming up to me and saying, "There is no greater work of art here than the one you're holding in your arms." Whoever she is, I thank you for your kind and profound words, and I will treasure it always and make sure I will tell this story at Emma's 21st.

ODD SPOT: A barnacle has the largest penis of any other animal in relation to its size.

P.S: Who the heck measures these things!!??

Nice Sunday

No chance to blog Saturday, as it was one of those types of days that just got away from you! Emma had another long stint last night, but doesn't seem the worse for wear for it. We're off to see the Impressionists at the National Gallery of Victoria today, and have a nice relaxing lunch afterwards. Looks like it's going to be one of those Sundays, too...!!!

ODD SPOT: On average, a 4-year-old child asks 437 questions a day.

P.S:Mmmmmm, and I have twins...next year is going to be fun!!

Five For Friday

Ahhhh. all the Iannello Girls (including Lill) are asleep for their afternoon nap, and now I'm in the process of having some "me" time. I like the way that rolls of my tongue.

Me.

ME! ME! ME!

Trust me, when you're outnumbered in your household by 4 to 1, you too will become a little obssessive. If I had those kind of odds on Tatslotto, I'd be playing two dozen tickets right now, and planning to build that Batcave underneath the shed!!!

Anyway, it's time for the Five for Friday:

Q: Ever since I've been pregnant, I haven't been able to go to bed at night without onion rings. Is this a normal craving?

A: Depends on what you're doing with them.


Q: Should I have a baby after 35?

A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?

A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: How does one sanitize nipples?

A: Bathe daily and wear a clean bra. It beats boiling them in a saucepan.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the labour room while my wife is in labour?

A: Not unless the word "divorce" means anything to you!



ODD SPOT: Ants don’t sleep.

P.S: Hey, neither do we, at the moment!

Sick

Today I gave all three girls a bath while Lill went out to do some shopping. Not the wisest thing I've done, considering I've been home all week with a bad case of gastro. The interesting side effect is that I've lost a little more weight, and now look a lot thinner than before, which only adds to the hype generated about my so-called "mid-life crisis". Trust me, peoples; when I have my mid-life crisis, I'll send out invitations!!!

I was a little worried when Emma threw up this morning, she never does that! But it seems to be a one-off and not related to contact from me, and I'm extremely careful to wash my hands and face thoroughly before I pick her up or eat. "Sigh!" Should be right by Monday...

ODD SPOT: Most toilets flush in E flat.

P.S: Is this why my girls sing when they're on the toilet!!??...

Kindergarden

Well good news for us, we received acceptances for both twins to the kindergarden around the corner from us for next year. This kindergarden has an excellent reputation and is quite popular so we were worried that they wouldn't get in. The girls are becoming so active and dynamic they really do need the stimulus of other children to fulfil it. Sure they go to play group and have relatives and friends they play with, but they'll also get the educational aspect on a daily basis, which will be....listen to me, I sound like a parent! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!!!

Last night I bathed Emma in the laundry sink. All that's left to try is the sink and Emma would've been bathed in everything that has a tap attached to it!

ODD SPOT: The tongue of a blue whale is as long as an elephant.

P.S: Let's not go there, okay!!

Oh The Pain..!

Emma smacked herself today. Let me explain. We put a rattle in one of her hands, and a soft toy in the other. We're teaching her to grip things and get that hand-eye coordination thing happening. She seemed quite excited about these things in her hand, and you can tell she wants a closer look at them. And she knows that if she can will her arms towards herself, then she can make it happen. But....BONK! She smacked herself in the head. Luckily it was the soft toy. But you should've seen her face change from one of determination to one of shock and then finally on to crying. Poor thing! Ah, the growing pains!

ODD SPOT: The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.

P.S: You should see the "rule" Lill uses to beat me...!

Laugh Part 2

Missed out on blogging on Sunday because I was busy getting 3 computers up and running!

As I mentioned earlier, Emma is starting to smile and even laugh. It's fun to watch people's faces when she demonstrates. The other thing I'm mindful is that second time round, with one baby this time, I am seeing a lot more of how Emma is growing up. I'm sorry I missed some of that with the twins, but I realise it was my first time, and two babies, and it was very hectic, and the first 3 months were just a blur! But there were lots of photos and video taken, and when I get the chance I look at them and "jog" my memory of those hectic but happy times and look forward to more from all 3 of my daughters.

ODD SPOT: Virgina Woolf wrote all her books standing.

P.S: Hey, I do a few things standing but you don't see me writing a book about it!!!

It's A Laugh

Heard Emma laugh for the first time today. It was a cheeky little cackle that took me totally unawares. It's amazing how much joy a child's laughter can bring! Mind you, she filled her nappy straight after that chuckle of hers. I guess she's developing a sense of humour early!!!

Emma's starting to burst out of her Triple 0 outfits...Looks like half her wardrobe is about to become obsolete! Ah, they grow up so fast!!!

ODD SPOT: In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

P.S: And in my house, guess who's not allowed to speak...!!!

The Punisher

Emma shed her first tear yesterday. This is unusual because while babies will cry, they generally shed no tears because the tear ducts haven't opened yet. And somehow, I am not surprised. It proves an evolutionary theory I've been cultivating about my girls. When any of them (Lill included!) want something, they know how to turn on the waterworks to get it! Obviously, Emma's inherited the ability to start crying early, and I'm sure will learn from the others how "wet crying" will get better results! Not that I think there's a conspiracy theory, oh no, I wouldn't think that! Nope, you won't catch me spouting that stuff again, no no. I remember what happened the last time. Just because they re-programmed me to be more "docile", but little do they know that it didn't take [insert evil laugh here]. But I am back! And I will triumph over...oh blast, I gave myself away. Oh oh! Here come the girls. Look, let's talk this over! What are you doing with that...

We apologise for another interruption. This time Mim will go through an "extreme makeover", to make sure he is more "aimable" in his blogs. Signed, the Iannello Girls.

ODD SPOT: A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.

P.S: So do I, after this last treatment!!!

Five For Friday

Okay, new segment each Friday for the blog. After my bold statement about parenting in the last blog, I've decided to challenge myself with five quick questions posed to me which test my knowledge on parenting. So here we go, the Five For Friday:

Q: Am I more likely to get pregnant if my husband wears boxers rather than briefs?

A: Yes, but you'll have an even better chance if he doesn't wear anything at all.

Q: What is the easiest way to figure out exactly when I got pregnant?

A: Have sex once a year.

Q: What is the most common pregnancy craving?

A: For men to be the ones who get pregnant.

Q: My brother tells me that since my wife has a big nose, and genes for big noses are dominant, my baby will have a big nose as well. Is this true?

A: The odds are greater that your brother will have a fat lip.

Q: My husband and I are very attractive. I'm sure our baby will be beautiful enough for commercials. Whom should I contact about this?

A: Your therapist.

I Wonder

I still get bemused when people refer to me as a daddy. For the longest time dad was my father, and even though I've been one for 3 years now, it's still very hard to get used to. Don't get me wrong, I do parenting now as easily as I'm doing this blog, but I'm still in awe that I have the responsibility and privilege of taking care and bringing up these children who love and adore me. It's such an unconditional love that I see in their wide-eyed gaze that sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and wonder if I'm dreaming of being so lucky. I guess it's my time to be happy!

ODD SPOT: The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

P.S: Christ, for his wife's sake I hope that's all it melted!!!

Fun Times

My neices are visitng for the day, which means that Lill has 5 girls on her hands!!! They are: Sarah, Jessica, Emma, Natalie and Monica. I just got off the phone with Lill and our conversation was often punctuated by screaming and yelling (from the girls, not from Lill – at least not yet!) that I almost wanted to call the fire brigade! But Lill assured me it was just all “fun”, although how girls define fun is beyond me!

ODD SPOT: Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intravenously.

P.S: So is pretty much everything else, if you think about it!