Well, I looked for it but try as I might I couldn't see the bad vibe cloud hanging doggedly over the Hall household today, but it was definitely there somewhere.
Not the most pleasant of days with the boys bickering and arguing most of the morning.
It seemed to stem from Angus' determination to wind Sam up at all costs and Sam retaliating with bad language. So no X box for either of them for the rest of weekend - every cloud has a silver lining!
Having discovered something to bond over (their mutual hatred of me following the x box ban,) they were in cahoots for the rest of the day. Typical.
Then Graham was most disgruntled to discover that I have shrunk the wool gloves that he likes to wear for working in when it is cold and wet outside. He kind of pretended it was OK, in a 'I will see if I can buy any more when I go to the farm supplies shop' kind of way - no chance, as we both knew, but a good line for maxxing out on the 'make Jan feel bad' points. Think I have found something similar on e bay, and even considered getting my knitting needles out for one guilt-laden moment, but quickly thought better of it.
We also ended up having 'words' - for that read being a bit shouty over another mundane matter.
The newly best-friended, previously mutually loathing brothers joined forces to ask why it is OK for us to argue, but they get into trouble when they do it..........
In some ways it is getting harder this parenting lark. Gone are the days when 'because it is' or 'because I said so' are sufficient to shut them up. These days I find myself getting tangled up in my own words and verbally manipulated away from 'the point' by my increasingly articulate and logical offspring.
Even so, 'because I said so' still gets thrown into play far more often than I am proud of.
Anyway, enough of that. Last weekend we hosted an afternoon or rugby watching, eating and drinking for a group of people from the village. Today one of our friends did the same for the England v Wales six nations rugby tournament decider. A potentially thrilling match that England were widely predicted to walk and so walk off with not only the title, but the 'Grand Slam.' In true England fashion, we managed (not without more than a little help from the ref, in my extremely amateur opinion) to cock it up spectacularly, losing 30-3. Our Welsh host was more than a little chuffed!
Rugby score aside, much fun was had by all, much wine was drunk and old tunes listened to.
There was quite a bit of chat about the pheasant-window-breaking goings on yesterday. Have to say I haven't seen 'my' pheasant since then. Hopefully he is just nursing a bit of a sore head and will be back soon, though I fear the worst.
Sounds stressful... glad I only have one teenager to contend with! Currently on his playstation but coming downstairs to make us veggie lasagne for tea in preparation for his forthcoming home economics exam. I am going to make chocolate brownies to save us from starvation.... Love your abstract shot, the feathers look great!
Beautiful focus, color and textures! What you are going through is normal. I have two grown boys. One of my lines was this is not a debate. End of discussion. One day you will laugh about these days and you will miss them.
Photographer and writer. Have you considered writing about the exploits of raising boys. I have a sign that says "There is a special place in heaven for the mothers of boys." I believe that to be true. It is hard - and yours are intelligent - that makes it harder. During the teen years they are not human. I know this to be true - so watch out. But then, they turn in to these incredibly special adults. I look at them now, my architect and my writer and I pat myself on the back for raising these individuals. Have fun with it, scream sometimes and shed a few tears - most of them for joy.
Oh dear you are going through it!! the days of the naughty step and no tv were so easy!! Slog on, you will win through! and, well the Welsh did play exeedingly well!! oh yes the feathers..love them to bits!!
Ahhh...your boys have learned the art of the red herring! Good luck with them!! I have one teenage boy...I can't imagine having two!! Cool shot! I love chooks!
Oh...so glad to be past those days! My kids are now old enough that I've actually got some knowledge and wisdom! (see my post for the 16th) Sounds like a stressful day.
Chris Evans is waxing lyrical today in the magazine supplement about a book called Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph, just thought of it when I read your funny account....might include grown up boys too!!!
Sounds a typical family day Jan & very entertaining!
Love your abstract hen feathers, beautiful light , shade & pattern!
Oh I feel your pain.I raised 4 kids 3 boys 1 girl...At one point the fighting was getting bad and feelings were getting hurt.All I wanted was some quite.Told the kids I had been watching TV and seen this thing they called a time out chair and how wimpy I thought it was.But I was going to give it a try.Then as the fighting kept on I put each one on a chair told them to stop and took the one I thougt was starting all the problems to the bath room and pointed to the throne told him to sit there.Them I went back and told the other kids who were still mad at each other.What I had done with their brother.How it could be them sitting in there right after I got done with it.Oh I said it all realy mean sounding and stomped out of the room. In only a few minutes I could here the laughter start. The time out chair worked well and when the one was let out of the bathroom They all laugh at him and with him knowing how bad it could been if dad had just got done in there.My kids are all grown up now and talk about dad's time out chair and they still laugh about it.They don't remember the fight. Just what my time out chair was....
@wildernesswillie Oh William thank you so much, you have really made me smile. Some of the other lovely comments on here have made me a bit emotional, but your story really cheered me up. Love the idea, but how I would manage to make my 15 year old who is eight inches taller than me sit on the throne when he didn't want to I really don't know! I know these times will pass, and I take great comfort from the fact that my boys are so lovely to other adults, and I hear compliments about them all the time.
Your story made me laugh - because it sounds all too familiar. Lovely textures in the pic. I would never have thought of using chickens for an abstract image.
I can assure you that your boys will rise and call you blessed, if not today, one day soon enough; for the depth and breadth of the love you have shown them during the years bringing them to maturity. I suspect you already know that, though. And regarding a timeout chair, little difference in x-box removal or chair-sitting, seems to me you have enforcement well in hand. And the photo is a fave for me. Simple and beautiful.
Love this shot, nice tight crop, beautiful colours! Hang in there, they'll be grown up soon and you'll look back on days like this with fondness. Mine are in their 30's now and I still use the old "because I'm the Mommy" rule.
@jantan Easy give him the choice lose the Xbox for a week or sit on the time out chair for a minute each year they are old.....When it is the Xbox for a week he and or they make your life hell for a week.....He will take the chair and you can give him this choice a few times a day as needed.And you get to say thing like that restroom was just used do you want to go in there.Anyway it would be better than a week of hell because no Xbox.At least make their punishment fun for you.
It's infuriating when they gang up on you isn't it! Rest assured they'll turn into human beings eventually ;o) Love the soft textures in this shot. really pretty colours xx
I really like this. We were a bit gutted over the rugby too. Gutted that England lost so badly, then decided now we live here we should support Scotland, then they lost too. Felt a bit jinxed!
Very cool! Kids eh? I liked the days when I used to lock myself in the bedroom, lie on the bed and read a book while they whined and ultimately panicked about the lack of mum out on the landing. If I did that now they wouldn't notice...
Lady, that is NOT a ridiculous photo! It shows just how beautiful their feathers are when viewed close up. I don't suppose chickens like to be petted, but that's what this shot makes me want to do. LOL
I'm afraid I can offer nothing but sympathy with the not-quite-human-boys thing, since I don't have kids, but I'm sure they will revert back to human someday...yes, I'm sure of it.
It's been said by others before me, but you really do have a way with words. You might think about writing a book...with all that spare time you have. ;-)
April 2nd, 2013
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Sounds a typical family day Jan & very entertaining!
Love your abstract hen feathers, beautiful light , shade & pattern!
love it
My bro and I fought like cat and dog when we were younger, right up to our late teens. We're really close now.
I'm afraid I can offer nothing but sympathy with the not-quite-human-boys thing, since I don't have kids, but I'm sure they will revert back to human someday...yes, I'm sure of it.
It's been said by others before me, but you really do have a way with words. You might think about writing a book...with all that spare time you have. ;-)