It's a strange world we live in

The public high school here requires school uniforms. They are, of course, not cheap, but the uniforms (one skirt for Missy and shorts for Otterboy and 2 polo shirts each) that are obtained in year 9 usually last (barring any cataclysmic accidents) through year 11. At that point, the 'seniors' wear a different uniform for year 12 and (optional) year 13.

As a matter of responsibility and following directions, Missy and Otterboy rinse out their shirts and socks every day and, when the weather is nice, hang them on the clothesline. They do this each day without question.

I glanced out the kitchen window on Friday and noticed Missy's shirt on the line  and thought, 'Hmm, I guess Otterboy will do his after he's finished talking to Hubby.' No biggy.

I took the kids out on Saturday and when we came back, just Missy's shirt was hanging on the line. After a questioning look, Otterboy said he had done his clothes and hung them out and Missy chimed in that she had washed her skirt and tights and 'where were they?'

Apparently, shortly after Otterboy had hung his uniform out, someone stole nicked everything off the line except Missy's shirt. I couldn't believe it. Granted, the clothes line isn't inside the fenced area of the yard garden, but it's not exactly close to the street, either.

So, we get the shirt and skirt replaced--$98.00. And the skirt wasn't even hemmed!!

I hope whoever took them really needed them.

The harder a wife works, the cuter she looks

is the title of a fun book by Kate Parker and the Advertising Archives, here are a few favorites. My, how life has changed!

A few more random thoughts....

Ford Falcons look like older Ford Torinos.

Some of the companies that have just one product line in the US have a myriad of products here: Electrolux vacuums and  Bosch spark plugs, for example.

There is a scene in a tv ad advert where a lady says two words--and one of them is grammatically incorrect! So much for setting an example for the kids.

I still wear sterling silver jewelry every day that is over 12 years old and still looks great. We bought sterling wedding bands for the ceremony and they took a matter of months before they were worn through to the crappy brass (I assume) inside. What is up with that?

The school system still has no respect for parents/guardians. They regularly give out notices on Friday of trips or tests or something that costs money and expect us to miraculously cough up with whatever is necessary by Monday. How rude.

It's no secret that NZ is anti-American most of the time. You can read it in the news and blogs most every day. But, I don't see people flocking to NZ for freedom or asylum. And, I guess it's not worth the trouble to try to sneak into the country illegally for all the 'wonderful benefits' one can find here. Kinda makes you want to go, 'Hmmmm....'.

As I recall, I have yet to see any advertisement on the telly to get us to use bleach on our white clothes to get them clean.  And there are very few fabric softener adverts, either.

There is an influx of products that have demonic names and brands here, like the pizza company that I discussed in an earlier post and sports drinks. I wonder if they would survive in the US.

I guess it's a matter of the US breaking away from English ties that makes the figures of speech so different. I find it strangely interesting that people are 'in hospital' instead of 'in the hospital' or that' High' Street here is 'Main' Street in the US.

'Full stop' is the period at the end of a sentence and also an expression of total completeness.

In Stratford, and in most places, the only shops open on Sundays are take-out take-away shops. And bars, of course.

I still am not used to the NZ pronunciation of 'teen' numbers. Here 'thirteen' is pronounced 'third-een'. The others leave off the 't' sound, too, but are not as obvious.

I have given up on trying to figure out when flowers and shrubs should be in bloom. Hubby says they know that the shortest day has passed and that's why they start to grow and bloom. To me, it's still winter, so they should still be hibernating! Alas, I will simply enjoy the pretty blooms and not worry about whether they are on time or not.

Need suggestions

We will be having a holiday in the Nelson/Picton area of the South Island in January and I was wondering if any of my bloggy readers can suggest anything for a family to do. We will have 2 teens with us.

Any suggestions you can give will be greatly appreciated!