Life on the Edge

...of the sofa that is! I did find myself saying to the video store owner today, as we were having our post Saturday afternoon run chatter, that I DO have a life, honestly. I won't see him for the next two weeks, that'll show him!

However, while the pies are cooking (sublimation comfort food) and I'm watching tv during that process, there has been a commercial break.

Is it just me?... or?...... but Para has a foam and rubber sale on. Doesn't that sound a bit rude?

Last Update

I promise!

They are testing their wings getting ready to fly off. I did try to get an image of that exercise but the little shits stood totally still while I had the camera, then mayhem at the coalface prevented a second attempt. They no longer have fluff and are all covered in feathers.

Still way too cute. Time to book in the counselling I think.

Go Figure

As the child turned 18 on the weekend I have had several phone calls with the IRD trying to find out how this affects the WFF tax credit I receive. I call it a tax credit, but really it is more long winded than that. Other countries seem to manage parental tax relief quite simply by taxing at a separate rate. New Zealand however taxes you at the full rate then refunds a portion back to you each week. I guess one could look at it as a form a job creation.

My first phone call at the end of last year gave me answer A, my second phone call two weeks ago gave me answer B. As you can imagine I was a bit confused so I tried again last week and this time got answer C. I very politely, though through gritted teeth, explained that this was the third different answer I'd been given, and before I lost my rag completely could I please speak with a supervisor, or someone who at least has some working knowledge of the policies. I was then transferred to a supervisor.

The supervisor gave me answer A, so I then questioned why I had been given answers B and C. The supervisor then decided she needed to call me back after she had READ THE ACT. Is it just me but surely the people answering these calls should have some knowledge of the acts they are giving information on?

I duly got the call back and answer B was confirmed, which means no more WFF tax credit as the child is not at school or University. I then questioned what was available for a single parent fully supporting an 18 year old who was not in formal education. I was directed to WINZ.

I have now just looked at the WINZ website and see that the child does qualify and probably could get a benefit as she works less than 12 hours a week. The benefit is three times the amount of the WFF tax credit I previously received.

I don't think I really need to say anymore.

R.I.P Jarvis

I am officially over the seagulls. I appear to have been made seagull monitor without consultation.

Last Thursday my swipe card had barely finished going bing on the reader, when I was summoned from two directions. Jarvis was lying on his side and couldn't get up, the entire family was gathered, fretting and unable to help. Seemed it was my role to fix. [memo to self; include in JD] Fortunately by the time I had managed to get the day kicked off, then focus on bird and get rescue number from kind friend, it had disappeared. Today I got an email from the stockbrokers saying the SPCA had called to inform them of the demise of Jarvis due to excessive wing damage. Must have been the first fall. Bugger. They are quite un-co though.

Today I had another seagull rescue email, this time from the librarian. An adult was trapped in the access area to the helipad. I went up to investigate and found a large dumfuk sitting on the window ledge looking out and making futile attempts to fly though the glass. The entire area is open and had it turned round it could have seen and gone up and out, but it wouldn't move from the shelf. I figured it was a male, so went inside and told the librarian that it was exhibiting the basic male identifier of "more balls than brains"  thus it was his seagull to take care of. I only do Mothers.

I'm sure there's more to my life than seagulls. It really can't be this sad.

Advanced Subtle Child Abuse

One evening last week the teenager came home very early from her job. Following this unexpected return home was a flurry of activity, including bathroom activity, as she readied herself to go and stay at the boyfriends for the night.

When I went to the bathroom after she had departed, I saw there was a layer of freshly shaved hair on the bottom of the bath, and no need to say she hadn't been shaving her legs.

Tomorrow I'm off to Auckland for the night and she is having one her friends to stay, a last girly night before her pal goes away again. I have just done my own personal grooming routine, and yes, there is a layer of hair left all over the bottom of the bath.

I'm loving this new level of child abuse.

They Survived

I had to go in to work for a few hours today and was greeted with the news that the babies survived the holidays. The deck however is completely white with seagull poo, but the babies are alive and well.



Aren't they just sooooo cute? And yes I am aware we may need counselling in the future to deal with empty nest syndrome.