Brain Bubbles

2006-04-30T11:30:00.000+02:00

2006-04-29T16:26:00.000+02:00

2006-04-28T13:37:00.000+02:00

2006-04-27T17:24:00.000+02:00

2006-04-25T07:19:00.000+02:00

2006-04-21T15:15:00.000+02:00

2006-04-18T16:35:00.000+02:00

The Winds of Change

2006-04-14T18:56:00.000+02:00

Michele at Wind Spirit talked of updated websites - and Spring (our Autumn) causing people to make radical changes! Such is my 'Fall (Spring)-cleaning' fever that I finally made the decision to permanently move my blog. So although I won't be deleting Brainbubbles for awhile. I will no longer be updating it. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR SEATS ARE IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND YOUR TRAY TABLES STOWED. PLEASE HAVE YOUR COFFEE MUGS ARE IN THE DRINKABLE POSITION. Would y'all please point your links, blog-rolls and other pointable items to: (drum roll................................)

LENS QUEEN!!

For those of you who will miss all my widgets etc on the side bar etc - I will be putting them up at Lens Queen as soon as I can figure out how!! Well, what are ya waitin' for!!? Come on over and we'll have tea!

2006-04-12T19:35:00.000+02:00

Let me tell you one thing that really annoys me...I post an entry, and it takes more than 48hrs to show up? I sure as hell didn't hit 'draft' instead of 'publish' why the frig does it take so long!? I can 'refresh' until I'm blue in the face - even delete all my temp. internet files and still no post...? Another thing...spyware, and ad-ware...how the hell does it get onto your computer - I swear I haven't been at any dodgy sites - unless you're referring to all of your blogs ;) I run google's ad-aware every five minutes it finds malicious stuff, deletes it and like 5 minutes later its finding more stuff...any suggestions on how to get rid of this evil scurge? Lastly - can anyone update me on how Hannah is doing? I know she went into labour yesterday but her hubby hasn't updated her blog yet...? I'm dying to know if they're both ok!!

She went mad, so we shot her...

2006-04-07T09:05:00.000+02:00

Y'all must be wondering if Ol' Valkyrie is off her rocker with yesterday's post...? Most, actually all of you too bewildered to comment? Well she aint nuts folks! I was inspired by something and the writing just flowed out of me. I'm trying to figure out if it has the beginnings of a book written all over it. Pun completely intended. Does it sound like something you've read before? Do you want to know more? If this was on the back cover of a book would be interested in reading more?

The Ball

2006-04-06T08:14:00.000+02:00

His carelessly tousled hair did not move as he turned his head to survey the room with an opaque stare, his brown eyes revealing little, and yet not quite able to conceal a look of polite indifference to his surroundings. He stood to one side so as not to appear at odds with his present company, a friend to his left chatted with a smile to some satin-clad socialite. When his eyes settled on me, a woman of lesser courage might have been afronted and looked away. I held his gaze just long enough as was considered polite. His expression was one that to some may have been described as smouldering, but one, which dared me, a woman of more outspoken mettle to cross a room. Something of course which neither common sense nor propriety would allow me to do. Who was this insufferable upper class man who refused to dance with anyone? Keeping to his own company and leaving legions of women magnetized to his wake. I wanted to take his impeccably starched, crisp white knot under his devastatingly handsome chin and shake him angrily for making even me, feel such emotional turmoil. He murmured an aside to his friend and they both laughed. I would stand it no longer, a joke at my expense? I turned and made my departure from the group of ladies in whose company I now was and walked with purpose through the door and out onto the terrace. Sounds of music and dancing from the ballroom filtered unchecked through to me, and wanting some peace, and a place to collect myself, I walked out further and to the steps leading down to a lavender glade, and leaning against an obliging pillar placed one of my flushed cheeks onto it’s cool marble and felt some relief. Why had I been so jolted by him? We were without introduction and therefore no chance to even speak, and yet I felt as though I knew beyond a doubt that he was some landed gentry spending all his time on idle pursuits such as fishing or God forbid, shooting! Since he was clad in breeches for the evening having ridden to the ball, I realized I could not fault him for being a horseman, for I too, carried some renown as one of the best horsewomen in the county – at least giving my parents cause for pride, owing to my lack of skill at the piano, I reflected with a rueful smile. “Are you quite well?” His clipped tones eminent of an expensive education purred out behind me, and I gave a start, my heart already rising as I knew it would into my throat and I placed my hand on it as if to halt it’s progress. His well-shod feet had not alerted me to his footsteps, and now that he had appeared instantly beside me I realized just how tall and imposing a figure he cut. He stood with hands behind his back, light from the ballroom illuminating his dashing profile, his impeccably tailored black evening tail coat suited him most pleasingly and with some resignation I realized that I was completely and hopelessly - taken with him. How easy it would be for me to run, at this instant, to have him not comprehend the effect he was having on me, to try and stem the flow of wild thoughts coursing through my mind.

Motherhood

2006-03-31T17:57:00.002+02:00

Did you know that when motherhood hits, there are several changes that will occur, for example here are somethings I would NEVER have done before becoming a mom - and which I appear to have done in the last week. 1. Sang "OldMacDonald" at the top of my voice in the supermarket to stop the Bubby from crying (he was tired). 2. Had a discussion with grown women friends about the consistency of baby poop. 3. Had a serious discussion with grown women friends about the particular smell of baby poop. 4. Danced around my house singing tunes from West Side Story to keep the Bubby entertained. (Picture Valkyrie hopping on and off the couch with intermittend arm opening throws..."So happy to be in America, happy to be in America") 5. Attempted to sing "High on a hill stood a lonely goat herd, leyhi hoo da leyi hoo da ley Hee Hoo" (yodelling) to elicit big belly laughs from the bubby over and over again. 6. Baked chocolate chip cookies and actually got around to baking them, before I would always eat all the dough...(I was feeling all 'super mom-ish') 7. Bought clothes and shoes for myself and the hubby at PEP stores. Pep is like, this seriously budget store, which honestly has suddenly gotten a lot of good stuff in - and I rationalize to myself that since I'm in there for the Bubby's clothes anyway (why spend a lot when it only fits him for 5 minutes) that I may as well pick stuff up for myself aswell. Speaking of bargains...I bought a pair of boots which look like Timberland ones..., which at Timberland cost R2200.00 (around $370.00 - they don't even cost that much in the States, but we have HUGE import duties), but only cost me R99.00 (around $17!!) They have real suede leather uppers too! I just love them and they're great for bashing about with in my neck of the woods! 8. Umm, totally lose my train of thought right as I was about to say something...

2006-03-31T17:48:00.000+02:00

Mommy 's little Angel! Having a quiet moment on the "Jolly Jumper". Note to new moms: These things are great because a) they fun AND safe and b) you get to go make a cup of tea for yourself and bubby can't get out... Can anyone see the effect I've gone for on this picture, it's a classic soap opera effect. Just think of John Black and Dr Marlena from Days and you'll realis ALL their shots have this soft whispy fuzz around them. Anyway I think it works for babies when they're SO FRIGGIN CUTE man. Today I had Nachos for breakfast, for no other reason than I really didn't want cornflakes. No I am NOT pregnant, I'm just into Nachos right now.

2006-03-29T13:48:00.000+02:00

Well I 'm feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed again. My medication is definitely working which is always a plus! So where the heck have I been for the last week (actually two and a half...) After a large altercation with the phone company over my phone bill (which includes our ADSL) - they had completely overbilled me, charging me for two lines, as well as the installation of a second mystery line, then proceeded to tell me that I, (ME) ordered it - when the entire bill is actually in my husbands name. Anyway, I insisted they reverse the extra charges before I pay them - which led to them CUTTING our line. Yesterday, after MUCH foot stomping, they reconnected us - at which point I paid what we actually owed on the bill - and not a minute sooner! Yesterday I also took the new pup for her second round of shots - she was SO good - and it probably helped that the vet picked her up afterwards and gave her such a nice cuddle! While we were there - someone brought a cat in that they said their neighbors had abandoned when they had moved away...of course you know what happened...the cat is coming home with me this afternoon! The vet just wanted to keep her in overnight, make sure she is spade and give her shots - and then she's comin' home!! I can't think of a name for her yet, but I'm going to post pictures of her - and then you can all help name her ok? she's predominantly white, with a black head, green eyes and a few black spots a bit like a few spotted dalmation. It remains to be seen if my other cats will make friends or not!! We'll see!?

2006-03-16T07:56:00.000+02:00

I've been lying low lately -I have been diagnosed with Graves disease and the medication is making me SO tired. That coupled with looking after the Bubby, the Puppy -and all the poop that comes with both of them. Plus dealing with the Hubby, when he gets home from work tired, and even though I've been running myself RAGGED, there's even more poop on the floor, the hubby is like, "Geez babe the place is a disaster, where have you been all day? You haven't cooked yet?!" If I open my mouth at all it would be to start screaming at the top of my lungs, but knowing that I would be unable to stop and probably end up in a straight jacket. So instead I calmly get up plod along wearily and keep myself sane, by planning a list in my head of things I would need to pack if I ever left the insensitive arsehole.

Then the hubby chips in and whips round the kitchen and it's effortlessly spotless - and I remember that actually I'm the luckiest person in the world. He might be an arsehole, but he's my arsehole. FEEL (Robbie Williams)

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Starring...

2006-03-08T14:15:00.000+02:00

Here she is folks, sorry for the photo quality, it was taken with a cellphone! (I'm still waiting in anticipation for my new camera...). Yesterday, the hubby and I went to our local rescue centre. I sent him inside to choose a dog, I struggle to keep my eyes dry in those places, but after a little while, the hubby came out with a big smile on his face, and told me to go with the volunteer to see the one he'd picked out. Trying desperately not to look at all the doggies needing homes, we eventually get to the puppy section and I fell in LOVE with little "Chanel" (as in Chanel No. 5 the perfume) so pronounced, Shan-elle. We decided on a puppy, so that we can raise her with the bubby, she already loves him to bits in the 24 short hourse she's been with us. Roxy our lab is thrilled to have a pal again and is either licking her till all her hair stands up, or being a little too rough with her. I give it a week before they are inseperable. I am really impressed with this particular centre, they LOVE the dogs to bits that they have, and they refuse to put any of them down, but keep every single one until they find good homes. They even conduct visits to the home where they'll be going, so that they know they're not going to some dodgy place. They were really sad to see little Chanel go, saying, "Um, she will be allowed inside the house right?" and the hubby burst out laughing and said, "Um, well, my labrador sleeps on the bed, so I don't thing you need to worry. " They chuckled and bid us farewell. They will see her again in 6 months time when she needs to be spade. In case you are wondering, she is of no particular breed, but has the colouring of a rottweiler, with a small white striped vertically on her chest, I think there may be a pinch of border collie in her. The important thing is that she is a very loving, sweet and cuddly pet, that will give us many happy memories! Although my heart was aching for another Alaskan Malamute, I thought it would be so much better to give an abandoned animal a good life.

Moisturiser! Moisturizer!

2006-03-06T18:51:00.000+02:00

Well it hit 40 degrees centigrade today - I escaped to the mall into lovely air-conditioned shops, and then in the afternoon to a friends house and into the pool. The Bubby was non too impressed with the cool temperature of the water, which curbed my time in the blissful blue sanctuary, the poor thing burst out crying as soon as his toes hit the water. This is a complete turnabout to his last stint in the pool where he was in up to his shoulders and lovin' it! Anyway, however brief my time in the water it saved my sanity completely...

2006-03-02T17:39:00.000+02:00

Wouldn't it be great relaxing after a good day in the saddle training your prize friesian x warmblood dressage horses, kicking back in the hot tub, watching the horses relax, enjoying a good slightly chilled sauvignon blanc (South African of course), the live-in chef comes in to let you know that your gourmet dinner is ready once you've had your massage by hunky Swedish masseuse (Sven), your hubby gets home, letting you know that he's just made another 100 million by seeing your stock broker just at the right time, and that he's so glad you've been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Kindness to Abused Animals in the SAME year that you've already collected the Pulitzer for your saucy but gripping novel about life in a ritzy and glamorous horsey community, loosely based on fact? By the way, this is an actual horsey farm somewhere South of Austin (TX), on the market for a measely $3 900 000. Anyone want to lend me that? I'm good for it you know...

2006-03-01T18:22:00.000+02:00

I don't have long, since our power is going off again tonight!!! ARRGG!! I am SO incredibly pissed off!! They should never have fired all the technicians for having the wrong skin colour 10 years ago, dammit! Our nuclear power station is on the fritz and aside from the imminent danger we're all in, it's friggin annoying! I am washing and sterilizing bottles like lightning every time the bubby has finished so that I have at least 5 filled with boiled cooled water in case we are in for the long haul. Nothing more interesting than that I'm afraid...life is sad at the moment.

A new day...

2006-02-27T07:14:00.000+02:00

Well. Our hearts are still in smithereens, but we are functioning. After the hubby and I have spent nearly a week intermittently in tears we are feeling a bit better now. My first instinct was to rush out and get a puppy, to heal my heart and take my mind off the pain of losing Navarre, but common sense has prevailed - a baby and a puppy at the same time...er...not yet. Our Lab who came out of this episode unscathed - is handling it all ok. She has stopped rushing round to the back of the car to see if Navarre is in it. I think she understands. We will get her a friend again, and probably in the next 2-3 months, but we're not going to rush into it. Hubby wants another labby, and I want another Malamute. Above all else, I WANT A NEW HOUSE! I cannot continue to live here, completely paranoid. I am in the beginnning stages of convincing the hubby we should sell...

Go Well my Boy

2006-02-23T15:50:00.000+02:00

Today, my angel, walks with his friend Digby on that great beach in the sky. Navarre, I can still feel you with me. Your bravery in killing that snake is unmatched. Navarre, I know you'll be at the front of the welcoming line one day, when I go, I know you will all be waiting for me with All the animals I've loved and lost, my whole life... Shelah: The Skipper who was my first dog, when I was two. I remember your cute brown spot on your side! Buddy & Perky: My beautiful ginger cats who lived with me for 17 years - you heard all my teenage angst poured into your sympathetic ears. Mickey: My third ginger kitty. We loved you so much - so did Buddy & Perky. Bess: We inherited you with the house we bought when I was ten. You were such a great introduction to rottweiler/bloodhounds - you were incredibly sweet, I see your eyes in Roxy my labrador now. Bozo: Although you didn't stay with us long, we enjoyed looking after you while your mom was away. It was wonderful how you would dance for treats! Sylvester: My first pet with the hubby. You were SUCH a gorgeous kitten, but we knew you were sick from the start - we always hoped we could nurse you better. Now I know you're playing with Perky - she is such a good mom. Snowy: To think I used to chase you away -because I thought you belonged to the neighbors, until I discovered you were abandoned. It took awhile to coax you inside but you came. Digby: We got you via the grapevine! You'd been taken away from a tramp - and given to us for safekeeping. You found a space in 'daddy's' heart - which is still empty. I'm sorry that I didn't have a chance to say goodbye. I know you came to fetch your friend Navarre: You were a dream come true for me. I always wanted an Alaskan Malamute. Your gorgeous face and chewbacca voice are burned into my memory forever! You were the gentlest giant that I hoped would teach our son to walk -by pulling himself up on your ears. I hope you were happy to see Digby with his wings and that you wanted to go with him. You have the heaviest place in all our hearts boy. To simply say we love you is hopelessly insuficient. Please be the one to fetch me one day.

Please pray for him, to whomever you pray to

2006-02-21T18:46:00.000+02:00

Our beautiful Angel, the Fluffus Maximus, today was bitten by a Cobra, and lies fighting for his life on a ventilator in an emergency clinic. 3 hours ago... I looked outside to see with horror how this snake with a flattend hood was sitting up trying to strike at my laborador, both dogs circling this seemingly innocent toy in their garden. I screamed for them to come inside and leave the MOFO of a snake alone. His hood was as wide as my hand with fingers spread from thumb to pinkie. What dogs will listen when there is such fun to be had? I start to run around the house shutting all the windows (first making sure the cats are all inside) incase the snake tries to come into the house - they can climb walls these bastards. Anyway, suddenly my Malamute is at the door begging to come in... Unbeknownst to me, he had killed the snake and obviously caught it too low and it swung around to strike him on the nose. During this time I had frantically tried to call our local 'snake man' to come and get rid of it, and also my husband to ask what to do - he had let me know his dad was coming to help me get rid of the snake. We get the harnesses on the dogs and both into the car, once the bubby is also in the car and race off to the vet to check for bites on the dogs - they both seem fine, goofy with excitement to have their harnesses on - thinking they're being rewarded with a walk! We get to the vet and the first sign that he's been bitten is that he can't get out of the car, as the venom has started to work on his muscles. I race inside, not caring how I look (a crazed, sweating, wild and terrified Valkyrie, shaking and screaming) yelling that we have an emergency snake bite, and the dog needs help getting inside. There were no vets in the practice at this stage, but as they got my puppy onto the table in their op room, his heart stopped and the veterinary nurse managed to 'bring' him back (she had the main vet on the phone talking her through the procedure on his cell phone - he himself rushing the distance between his house and the vets place - thank god he lived close! - I can't help thinking that Navarre saw our other angel Digby who died almost a year ago from biliary. Digby must have told him it's not his time yet, because we had to transport him to another bigger clinic closer to the city the only one with a proper ventilator, in the back of my husbands bakkie (Pick up) with a canopy on. My hubby was driving, me in the passenger seat and one vet, and a vet's nurse in the back, pumping air into his lungs with one of those bags that you see on ER. It was so dramatic if George CLooney had been there, I would have thought I was watching ER! For nearly and hour while we drove through just before rush hour traffic - the lights just seemed to go green for us, they kept him 'breathing' EVERY FIVE SECONDS and thanks to their efforts - luckily his strong heart never faltered. At one point, the bag developed a tear and the vet and nurse had to take turns giving him MOUTH TO MOUTH! The vet (she) jokingly said that at least she didn't have to ask him about his sexual history! We actually managed to laugh. While she's busy saving his life (by the way he is such a big dog, he took six vials of anti-venom), she is telling us about all the other dogs that have survived the same type of bites and at least he was a big dog. They managed to bring him round from his anaesthesia (he was kept under by the vet out all the time while we were driving) having put him onto the ventilator as soon as we arrived at the big clinic - so we got to hug him and tell him what a brave boy he was and give him kisses on his head around all those awful tubes coming out of him. His eyes were open while I stroked him calling him my fluffy prince, my fluffus maximus, my fuffalufalus, my fuffups, my furry angel, my boyboy. They wanted to put him under again, because dogs get very stressed if they are conscious on a ventilator. Our local vet told us that he was now in the best hands in the country for snake bites. Ironically there was a small dog there as well who had also suffered a snake bite yesterday. We just got home just now at 18h30 - my in laws were wonderful, having looked after the bubby the whole time we were away. The bubby has just fallen asleep - so i am drinking the BIGGEST whiskey you have EVER seen! The super vet in whose care he now was, just rang to say that he is very stable and his blood oxygen level is perfect - better than if he was breathing by himself. Pray, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray. I used to be a religious person (now disillusioned and a little more new age) but I swear I'm praying tonight, to God, Jaweh, Allah (may I say his name?), Buddha, Hari Krishna, Haile Selassie, Idi Amin Dada, Zeus, Apollo, Isis, Horus, Hathor, the Ancestors, and any other God who will listen that they must save my BOY, he protected me, the bubby, the lab, all our cats AND our neighbor who was watching with horror over the fence. Incidently, our neighbor flew in with her chariot (pick up) and offered to drive our boy to the clinic - but the hubby was minutes away, having run EVERY red light from his office to the vet. All we can do now, is wait...and pray, oh God pray

2006-02-19T21:09:00.000+02:00

Um, can one say anything other than enjoy this spectre of wonder?

2006-02-18T07:11:00.000+02:00

Crop In Style have released some new ranges of their "Store in Style" modular scrap-friendly furniture. I pinched this picture of their website. You might remember I bought a tote from them awhile back - which they happily shipped to me for a low cost. Anyway, they have also released a new range of totes (See far right in picture) in a dusty pink. Proceeds from the profits go to the breast cancer awareness foundation so it would be well worth looking into if you're planning on splurging on a tote in the future. This last weekend, when I was on my scrapping break, mine was so valuable to me and handy, that everyone else was asking where I got it from. Don't you love that cubby on the left for your paper? Imagine putting two of those one atop the other - I might be close to storing all my paper! I also like the standing thing on the desk - handy to put tools within arms reach without using all your countertop space, i.e. trimmers, punches, adhesive. I'd move it back though and have it against a wall so stuff doesn't fall off the edge. I'm sure it's just like this for display purposes though. I am dreaming of a scrapping room like this, but with the addition of a six seater table for workshops and things this would be perfect!

2006-02-16T06:58:00.000+02:00

My two new movies arrived from Amazon yesterday - how exciting! I am a sucker for online shopping! My two new movies were "Hammers Over the Anvil" starrring Mr Crowe and several horses - and, "The Silver Brumby" starring Caroline Goodall, Mr Crowe and several horses as well. Needless to say, these are my two most favourite things in movies of course... For die hard RC fans - the opening scene in Hammers is NOT TO BE MISSED. You can just search those titles in Amazon and they'll pop up right away. I'm pretty impressed by the amount of stunts that Mr C (hah - look Michele I have my own Mr C!) did in these movies - granted probably not all of them, but a good enough amount to ensure us of genuinely great horsemanship skills. I went trawling for sites about the place where it was filmed - because there were enough sweeping vistas of unmistakable mountainous beauty, to assure me that a holiday there, with a horse trek thrown in would suit me just fine. The hubby and I were hoping that our next trip overseas was to Australia anyway, but now I just need to convince him that a side trip to The High Country of Victoria, Australia, would be a GREAT idea. He can ride just as well (ok not quite) as me so hopefully not too much convincing...oh and grandma would just love to have the bubby anyway...although I'm not sure if I could actually leave him and FLY overseas...hmm.

All Scrapped Out

2006-02-14T16:45:00.000+02:00

I didn't even have a chance to swim in the ocean or pool! It was just scrappin' all day long! 14h00: Friday - Arrived Told conference room was only available from 15h30...although the other guests had already departed... 14h15: 16 Creative Memories consultants politely demand the room to be made available. 14h16: Scrapping begins! 19h00: Go through to dinner 20h00: go back to scrapping room because dinner isn't ready yet 20h05: Eat positively GOURMET dinner. Feel bad for having complained about the wait. 20h20 - 0h30 scrap up a storm - then fall into bed o5h47: Saturday morning begin scrapping (some people had only gone to bed at 03h00... 07h00: yummy breakfast 07h05: scrapping 12h00: skip lunch to keep scrapping... 19h00: have dinner 19h20: finish whole bottle of wine by myself 19h21 - 01h45: scrapping then sleep. 06h47: Sunday, Stagger down to breakfast... 07h30 - 13h00 Scrap scrap scrap 13h30 - Lunch...depart Attempt to stay awake on the 2hr journey home.... 1.25 Albums completed!

2006-02-10T06:42:00.000+02:00

Packing packing packing....what to take...hmm I'll definitely need this...and this...leave this....this is a duplicate...don't forget wipes for sweaty hands...snacks...must get gas before setting out...don't forget toothbrush....oh yes...and swimming costume....yikes, nearly forgot that...better hurry up and tidy the house....must get to mom's by nine-thirty am...geez must pack for the bubby...bottles, formula, the microsterilizer, clothes, nappies, bum cream...toys...back to me...make-up...moisterizer...sun screen...extra pool towel...don't forget the photographs!!!! See you Sunday evening!

2006-02-08T09:39:00.000+02:00

Apologies for having been away for awhile - I'm over at my mom's and not on her computer as much as I am on mine at home! She lives near some really nice shopping centres so I should be able to walk the shops with the Bubby while we're here. I'm also bringing the Bubby here again on Friday, so that he can spend the night with my mom while I drive up the coast for my scrapping weekend. The hubby will fetch him saturday after his golf (the hubby's not the bubby's) and take him home again. I'm SO excited about this weekend away, in a swish coastal resort, with walking distance to the beach and stunning swimming pool - I'm not entirely sure tha I'll get any scrapping done at all!! I will definitely miss the HELL out of the bubby, and the hubby of course. But I SOOOO need this break!

Memory Lane

2006-02-03T13:51:00.000+02:00

I ran into an old friend yesterday(her in the picture), from my riding life, I haven't seen her since 2002! My horse retired to a farm and I stopped riding all together around that time. That is the same time my work in travel got so busy and I've not so much as talked to this friend (even though she lives only 2km away) or anyone else in the riding community since then either. I found it was easier to deal with not riding, by not being 'in the scene' as it were. Anyway, I was taking a drive down memory lane (literally) by driving around the horsey area of my suburb and lo and behold there she was! She is quite a bit older than me, and married to someone with oodles of money, so they have one of the larney horsey properties - with about 7 of their own horses. I envy her the horsey property, but not her life, as her husband 'appears' to be an unfaithful sh*t. Anyway, we saw one another and she was like "come over! Come to the house! Come for a coffee!" So I followed her back to her place where we got to chatting. It was hard to believe how her child was growing! From someone who had just started riding (her daughter) in fact I taught her her first lesson in 2001, she is now a Children's Junior Dressage & Showing Champion! Anyway, I offered her some of my equipment that I still have around the house and can't use since if I ever have another horse one day - who knows if the stuff will fit. Anyway, and she offered me a horse to ride in return, that she wants help with. Now it's a very tempting offer, but somehow I find myself at a bit of a loss. I would LOVE to get on a horse again. But when you are riding someone elses, it is not the same as having your own at all. I know that I will LONG for my own horse again, and I'm not sure that I could handle the longing. (Let alone afford it!) Now that I have the bubby, I can't bring myself to do get into that world again (shows every weekend - with copious drinking), because then he will miss out on me too much and that's not fair to him. Anyway if I do have a horse again it will be when my kids (hope to have another one) are at school, then at least I won't feel guilty of not spending time with them because horsey stuff can be done in the mornings before they're home from school. What do I do??!

Stuff arrived!

2006-02-01T15:46:00.000+02:00

Hey there, my scrapbooking order arrived today, and was quickly assimilated into my other supplies ready for ne- ext weekend - also so as to not appear obvious in the house. It is SO FUGGING HOT today, I feel like I want to smash things in anger at this hot weather. It must be close to 37 centigrade and not one single breath of wind. FUG IT! I have my photography course tonight - about a 25 km drive to get there at 6 and it's on till 8. I am SO not in the mood for the long drive because I feel so tired - from the heat. DAMN HEAT!! Mind you I'd better go, because each time we take such great photos to build up our portfolios, so I shouldn't really miss it. I dont have a scanner, so I can't show you. Anyway, I'm off to go and mix bottles and prepare for my FIL to come around and look after the bubby. We have this set thing that he comes around so as to watch the bubby until the hubby comes home from work. Because my course is so far away I have to leave too early for the hubby to get here in time. Anyway, I'm boring MYSELF now with this post and the DOD GAM HEAT!!!! AAAAAACCCCKKKKKKK!!!!(Throws glass vase against wall)!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-31T12:20:00.000+02:00

There was some kind of emergency rescue - or drill happening on the Atlantic coast yesterday. My mom actually took this picture - pretty sharp for a little 4mp camera. Speaking of which, the hubby has said I can get the Canon 20D Digital SLR camera 8.2 megapixels! Hopefully I should be able to get it in a months time! (I he's wants to get it shipped out from somewhere). This will really get me going on my new path. I will probably be getting a better lens with it though, for my children's portrait shots that I'm going to be doing. Mind you, I'll bet I have to wait and see...like the adsl, it may take longer than expected...

2006-01-30T18:10:00.000+02:00

I was a little naughty today and ordered some more cm scrapbooking stuff. I spent way more than I should have, but how can I resist when there is a whole new range of tools and papers available?? Now if I could actually find the time to get some albums done that would be great. As it is, I'm going on a scrapbooking weekend! A 48 hour crop! From 14h00 on Friday 10th Feb till 14h00 Sunday the 12th Feb, I really can't wait. As the invitation said, no kids (although I will really miss the bubby big time!), no dishes, no stress! Hooray!!
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Chronicles

2006-01-29T19:18:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I went to see "The Chronicles of Narnia" and loved it so much, that today, I organised the bubby's grandparents to watch him for us over at there place and the hubby and I went off to see it. (Second time for me). The acting of the kids is really fantastic, I was really impressed with the little girl who plays the part of "Lucy Pevensie" she was SO amazing - and yet still so young. Even her laughter was natural - something which I know even I struggle to reproduce on command. They must have had SO much fun making this movie. It took my back to my childhood when stories were read to me, and I would fall asleep imagining myself a knight, swordfighting the evil monsters. Come to think of it I was a bit of a tom boy - I never wanted to be one of the sissy girls, because it looked like the boys had far more fun. I would be roaring across the Narnian landscape on the beautiful white unicorn. I cant wait till the score is available on CD so that I can add it to my collection of scores. I have quite a few which I like to listen to in my car. My favourites include: Gladiator (but of course), The Mask of Zorro, LOTR, Titanic, Conquest of Paradise 1492, The Mission, City of Angels, Armageddon, and a couple of others I can't remember at the moment...

2006-01-28T16:27:00.000+02:00

Today at lunchtime I went to see TCO "Narnia" at our local mall, while the hubby stayed home with the bubby. I was about to tell you what an amazing movie it was - but got distracted when the hubby decided to entice me with some 'married adult fun'. In the middle of our play-time, I smell fire... Now because of our dry windy weather this makes me leap up and throw something on...and head outside to check for the source of the smoke. I can see a huge column rising west of us about 700 metres away. We live next to a huge reed bed, which during the summer is very dry and likely to go up like kindling. So the hubby says he's going to check it out and not to worry, because there is the sound of sirens in the air. So off he goes. I stay on our porch watching the column of smoke. It appears to be getting darker and much thicker and of course starts blowing towards the start of the reed bed... My adrenaline kicks in... Strap bubby into car seat. Click car seat into pram wheel base. Wheel bubby into garage to be near car. (Can't put him in because car has been standing in sunlight and car is hot - enough time to throw more things in without having to load him and drive). He is fine in shade next to car. Push rear seats forward to make space for dogs in back cargo area (they normally go in the hubby's car - hence the reason for having to move the seats). Check column of smoke - still big and ugly. Grab baby bath. Throw diapers into bath. Throw baby clothes into bath. Throw cream and bottles into bath along with formula and boiled water in container. Check down street for hubby, no sign of him. Decide that if hubby is in trouble or decided to play the hero, would be best for me to keep packing. Jump to reach top shelf of garage storgage to get cat travel basket. Stuff two very bewildered cats into basket. Put cats in car - decide to leave car doors open for air so cats don't get too hot. Run back into house from car and run to porch, check smoke, still bad. Call dogs to car. Dogs wonder why being asked to get into mommy's car and not daddy's. Dogs run around driveway area behind our closed gate. Decide will persuade dogs with nice frozen bones from freezer if the fire gets any nearer and we actually need to go. Run back into house, grab photo albums and box of photos and stuff into car. Grab cropinstyle tote and stuff in car. Grab hubby's golf clubs and stuff into car. Check smoke column...bit lighter, but still blowing towards us. Go and get cell phone and hand bag. Try to phone hubby. Hubby's cell phone rings inside house. Swear outloud at thought of hubby going off to be a hero without taking his cell phone. Wondered about what my house would look like burnt out. Dash back inside for box of photo's which I'd forgotten. Dash back to driveway to put dogs and bubby in car. See nonchalant bloody hubby coming down our street. Yell "AND???" at hubby coming down street. Hubby yells back somethign completely incoherent. Wonder if hubby was yelling "Pack and GO!" or "It's all OK!" Decide from hubby's relaxed demeaner everything is ok. He finally gets to the gate and says, "It's ok babe, they've got it contained. Hey, why are my golfclubs in your car?"

New Button

2006-01-28T09:11:00.000+02:00

Hey did anyone notice my new button on the right...I made a little discovery the other day. I'd always heard that brilliant actor Russell Crowe "had a band", so to speak, but the other day I got hold of some of their music, and was pleased surprised to find out that they're actually good. Not just OK, but really really good. Now I know I have spoken of Mr Crowe before, but I don't want you all to think that I'm just saying they're good because I think their lead vocalist is easy on the eyes. I'm VERY critical when it comes to music, but in the words of Randy from the US version of pop idols, "Man you can really blow". My favourite track so far is "The Photograph Kills." The band's music has that bit of rock, bit of country feel to it, which happens to be one of my favourite genres. Their website is linked to that button, so feel free to have a mosey - they have video clips of some of their music videos. I'm pleased to report that not only can Mr Crowe act unlike any other, but also write songs, compose them, and sing 'em. Now if 30 Odd Foot of Grunts would just tour South Africa I'd could check them out live. By the way you can get their CD's on Amazon.

Suspect Arrested

2006-01-27T07:05:00.000+02:00

As reported by www.news24.com see pictures below.. Man arrested for CT blaze Cape Town - A 36-year-old British man is being held in connection with the wildfires which swept Table Mountain on Thursday afternoon and raged unabated into the night. Police spokesperson Tummi Godling said that, in addition to being charged with arson, he faces a culpable homicide charge after the death of an elderly British woman in the fire. Another spokesperson, André Traut, said the 65-year-old woman was killed while she walked with her daughter on the mountain. Godling said information provided by the daughter led to the arrest of the suspected arsonist. The dead woman was not identified pending notification of her family. Rescue workers found three German tourists on the mountain unharmed. Cleeve Robertson, the head of Metro Rescue Services, said two British tourists were admitted to hospital with injuries that were not life threatening. He also said two people were stranded on a rock below the cablecar on Table Mountain, but were not in immediate danger. Police said fewer people than usual may have been on the mountain because high winds forced the closure of the cablecar before the fires broke out. As reported by www.news24.com...

2006-01-27T07:00:00.000+02:00

Scale in comparison to the buildings, that is a shopping mall in the foreground at the base of the mountain...courtesy of www.news24.com
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2006-01-27T06:59:00.002+02:00

Here you can see the sheer scale of the smoke in comparison to the helicopter...courtesty of www.news24.com
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2006-01-27T06:59:00.001+02:00

Here are some shots of the fire which broke out yesterday.
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2006-01-27T06:59:00.000+02:00

Fresh flames on the side of the mountain..courtesy of www.news24.com
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Raging Fire

2006-01-26T18:47:00.000+02:00

There is a fire raging within metres of homes on Table Mountain. Hannah, this was more or less your view from the Mount Nelson. Oh wait, you weren't there but in the Waterfront itself. This might sound really trite, but I'm thankful that this fire at this stage is not near us. It would have to rage down a mountain range to get to us, but thankfully our fire fighters and helicopter squads are amazingly good. The thing that breaks my heart most about 'veld' (bush) fires is all the animals that don't make it out in time. Another thing that scares me is the fact that the wind has not stopped galing for 24hrs now. The fire was started at about 15h00 today -and so far they can't stop the blaze, one woman has already died. You have to ask yourself, what the hell is going on? There are floods, in Bangladesh and India, Tsunamis in the far east, lowest recorded temperatures in Europe this season, my brother tells me of record highs in Australia in the last few days, apparently the oceans will rise about 28cm by the time 2100 is here. Now that I have kids - and I'm sure they will have kids - this stuff is going to affect them, and that really worries me! We cannot afford to keep doing what we are doing to the earth anymore. Explain to me why that whale swam up the Thames in London the other day - what the hell are we doing to the oceans that a whale has to swim up one of the most polluted rivers in the world?!! By the way, I read an article that Norway are building a secure seed bank - where they put examples of all crops and flowers on earth deep into the mountain and then seal it if ever there is nuclear war, or an ice-age or something, tell me -what the hell do they know that we don't??!

2006-01-25T19:44:00.000+02:00

Hey sorry I missed y'all yesterday. I was at my mum's during the day and stayed the night as well. She lives kind of far away (about 50km) and so when we visit one another, it's always overnight. I thought the hubby would really enjoy being able to sleep like a starfish - but apparently he didn't sleep well. I imagine this is because my svelte and elfin self was missing from his near proximity. I myself didn't do too well on the the old sleeper couch, but it was great to say "here" to my mum and hand over the bubby, which allowed me to faff around doing stuff I felt like. Even though she has adsl as well (persuaded to obtain it by me and the thought of free phone calls to one another) I was so busy rushing around doing stuff - including getting my drivers license renewed in just days to spare too. Ap-parently it takes 5 weeks to process (welcome to Africa) during which time if I get pulled over by a traffic cop, I will have to either flash my cleavage (ample), or wave my renewal receipt in his face. I have yet to decide on which course of action is more fun :)

Days of Yonder

2006-01-23T15:43:00.000+02:00

I discovered that I have a little knack for computerized restoration. I was trying to weedle all of my dad's photographs from Holland out of him (all his grandparents pictures etc) and in the midst of trying to persuade him that I must have them we came across this particular picture which was very dear to my dad. Turns out his mother is standing at the back in a white shirt, and his grandparents are the ones seated in front. Wow. So that's my great grandma & pa. The photo's were taken way back in 1919. My dad being 78 this year, doesn't have much computer skill, but his jaw dropped when he saw how it took me about 10 seconds to adjust the contrast brighten it slightly and redo the grayscale. He's now convinced that I should be doing photo restoration as a money making hobby. Honestly I dismissed the thought right away, but when he insisted that I think about it. I did. Just because there are people out there who do know how to restore photographs, means that there must be people out there who don't - and are willing to page money to preserve their heritage. This will be the third link in my scrapbooking, photography hobby chain... So, whaddya think. I know that I think that by the age of thirty I should know what the hell I want to do? Well I DO know that goal number is to be a SAHM, and if I can make a little grocery money doing it, why not?

30 Years Old Today...

2006-01-22T08:20:00.000+02:00

Well, it's here, my birthday! The hubby took me out to dinner at Simons last night. It is this beatiful place in the local winelands at a farm called 'Groot Constantia' . The restaurant has recently been completely re-done. It used to be this wine-served-in-glass-mugs-sit-on-benches-under-the-vines-outside-stamp-your-feet-to-the-raucous-Dutch-German-accordian-music kind of place, but is now a bit more, Zshoosh. Y'know a little (lot) more sophisticated. I heard it was downright snobby, and was heart broken that this place I practically grew up in (we ate Sunday lunch there nearly every weekend, for YEARS) had changed to resemble so many restaurants in Constantia. But from the moment we sat down, it was a great experience, and not overpriced at all, in short, I had a wonderful time with my hubby, great wine, fantastic food and in all a great way to celebrate my birthday, albeit the evening before my actual birthday. I spent most of the evening driving the hubby nuts with my flashbacks to childhood. I used to ride in the area as well, so I sat and looked at some of the mountain trails that I used to take on horseback and would sit with a little smile on my face, remembering the wind in my hair going at full pelt. I think we'll probably go back soon for another meal.

2006-01-21T10:32:00.000+02:00

Here's pullin' a silly face to the weekend! The Bubby discovered he has a tongue and this is the result. I can't walk past him at the moment without him sticking the darn thing out. Oh yeah and the girl in the picture with the 'chorine green' blonde hair is me, with my bad attempt at home-made hair colouring.

Out of the Blue

2006-01-19T17:05:00.000+02:00

I love my husband, I love my son, life is stable at the moment, and yet today I got a fist of depression in my stomach unlike I have ever known and out of nowhere! I was just coming back from Babies R Us with more formula and stuff, and in the car on the way home and BOOM it just hit me. I wanted to cry out loud with the pain of it. Once I was home and the bubby was having a nap, I started to try and fathom why it would have hit me the way it did. I came up with the following conclusion. I'm turning 30 on Sunday (thanks for the card Mary lou! - you rock!) Usually turning a year older wouldn't faze me, but this is an age where you're really finally an adult and upon reflection, I'm not entirely sure that my life has turned out the way I wanted it to when I was a kid and had awesome great dreams. Like I said earlier, I love my husband, I love my son (with all the love I possess) and yet, something in my brain is unsatisfied. It was probably just a little spurt of PND, because by the time I was home it had passed, but holy cow I hope that was the end of it!

Swoon...

2006-01-18T12:31:00.000+02:00

I'm still suffering the after effects of watching yesterday's Golden Globe Awards...I hope I will have recovered by tommorrow...

Boom Boom Boom

2006-01-17T15:33:00.000+02:00

I was just watching the 'live from the red carpet' segment on E! where all the stars are arriving at the Golden Globes. I gotta tell ya, I saw Russell Crowe arrive and there is just a leettle (HUGE) somethin' somethin' about that man that stops my heart in it's tracks and then makes it pound furiously. Yes I know that he has allegedly been badly behaved on a few occasions, but honestly that just adds to his 'grrr-ness' for me. When he threw that phone at the concierge - I bet he wasn't even aiming at him - but just passionately trying to get hold of his wife. I dunno about you - but a man with THAT much passion and love for his wife is a very attractive thing to me - as long as he's not throwing the phones at his wife - which of course he isn't. LOOK at that picture and tell me that you won't let him wrinkle YOUR sheets given the opportunity. We have a saying in Afrikaans (Dutch derivative) which goes "Skeur my kleure, kreukel my lakens en maak my joune!" which I won't translate - but is a really nice descriptive phrase when you have a big crush on someone. I know Leslie has a Mel Gibson thing going on - who else out there has a little (giant) crush on someone famous and good-looking? (Ok ask Michele to translate for you if you really want the direct meaning).

2006-01-16T06:55:00.000+02:00

I spent ages yesterday on a great post- nice picture and everything, then I accidently hit 'discard' instead of publish... I know, I'm an idiot sometimes. The other humdinger I did today was lose my husbands remote control for our gate, and garage door. Which wouldn't really be a trainsmash if I hadn't already lost MY remote control for the same thing but a scant two days ago! Luckily, of course my husband left for work cursing and pulling really awful faces at me and using the word 'pathetic' over and over again - immediately after which of course I found the damn thing. So in revenge today instead of doing housework - at least this morning, I'm going to rebel - and go and spend the day in my friends pool, which on days like today (hot as hell would like to be) is the only place to stay sane.

2006-01-14T07:03:00.000+02:00

Nobody tagged me, but I''m filling it in anyway so there!

2006-01-13T17:05:00.000+02:00

Four or more jobs you’ve had in your life: Running Shoe salesperson Optometric Assistant Summer Camp Counselor Travel Agent IT Network Administrator Four movies you could watch over and over: Contact Star Wars (all of them) LOTR (all of them) Centre Stage (and dance around the room everytime) Four places you’ve lived: Cape Town Stellenbosch Upstate New York (does 8 months in two years count as 'lived?') Hey do different suburbs in the same city count? Four TV shows you love to watch: The 4400 (why did they take it off, why WHY?) Alias Ah, yes...Smallville CSI Miami (the Horatio one) Four places you’ve been on vacation: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Holland, England, Mauritius, Germany, Hong Kong, Namibia, Botswana Four websites you visit daily: News24.com Google (geez I'm reaching here) All of your blogs! Amazon (I load that wish list baby!) Four of your favorite foods: Bacon-banana-garlic pizza (homemade) Roast Lamp with potatoes and mint sauce Chinese take out from our favourite place called "mainland" Chicken cordon bleu Four places you’d rather be: Actually nowhere, although maybe on holiday in Mauritius Four albums you can’t live without: Bon Jovi - best of (ooh, and some tracks from Aerosmith) Centre Stage Soundtrack Anything by Enya Anything by Hans Zimmer, John Williams, James Horner or Ennio Morriccone Four to pass this meme along to: Um anyone who wants to cut and paste and fill in this sucker.

2006-01-13T15:01:00.000+02:00

About 5 years ago, I was still riding socially and competitively, and concurrently, I was running a little online horse equipment supply business which I sold when my horse retired. One of my favourite activities would be to find other online suppliers from all over the world, especially those with cool and funky merchandise. So this morning there I was taking a stroll down memory lane, and I found this really fun site called Best Turned Out which supplies stuff in the funkiest of fabrics, my favourite of which is the camoflage range pictured here. Also one of my favourites, is the "camel check" which looks just like the well known Burberry plaid. There's also stuff for other pets people!

Beautiful View

2006-01-12T08:56:00.000+02:00

This was taken during my hubby's golf trip back in October, the hubby is driving the front golf cart. It's just a few hours drive up the coast from us - and my hubby said it's unlike any other golf course he's played. Anyway, I thought the views were pretty awesome never mind the golf which bores me to death. The golf estate has a website, Pezula if you want to check out yet another reason to see our beautiful country! Aside from looking at my husbands golf pictures again (I promised him a scrapbook album dedicated to just that), I've been 'shopping' up a storm with my Amazon wish list, I know I'll never get around to buying everything on it, but it's just fun to beef it up anyway. Now if it will just appear on my friggin side bar. What annoys me is that the 'preview' button shows you one thing and when you actually save your changes and publish it - it's another and you've buggered up your whole blog!

More Bubby Swimming Pictures!

2006-01-11T07:27:00.000+02:00

The hubby and bubby enjoying their first swim together. It won't belong until their trying to dunk one another whilst playing water polo and I'm sitting on the side wondering who this dashing young man is - and why the hell he grew up so damn fast.

Dreams are what we are made of!

2006-01-09T08:03:00.000+02:00

Remember when I used to blog about winning the huge UK lottery? Well, there is a major jackpot on the Euro lottery this week for about (converted to US $) 122 000 000, or 70 000 000 pounds sterling. I mention the pounds because I tend to think of that currency a lot, owing to the fact that my husband is Scottish. Who doesn't start to daydream about what you could do with that kind of money? You wouldn't even be able to spend the monthly interest quick enough! Anyway a combination of daydreams led me to a website that discretely sells Scottish Barony Titles, being sold by gentry who need to profit from the sale of their own title. Most likely those who have in some way or another lost their lands and fortune. These titles are available to anyone who has the cash and the desire to own one. There are of course scams on the net which charge you money and then provide you with perfectly legal papers allowing you to merely change your name to Lord or whatever. However this particular one was the real deal, doing as as the gentry have done for over a thousand years - brokering the sale of a real title. If you decide to purchase one, you are entered into the registry of Scottish Landed Gentry and receive a deed of your 'nobility' along with the right to call yourself Baron or Baroness - and as it's a real title your children inherit it as well. Isn't that a great way to leave your kids an investment? A real tangible tie to their 'homeland'. You don't really have to call yourself Baron, (ok who secretly wants to call themselves 'baroness' me me me), but at least it's an investment that will grow over time and one day your kids can either make use of it - or sell it if they need the finance. Personally I'd like to use it just to get attention! Imagine the following: Credit card company: you need to make a payment on your card Mrs X You: actually that's Baroness X and the peasants haven't paid their taxes yet. Traffic Officer: License and registration please?....pause.... Forgive me Ma'm (as in Marm) I didn't recognise you. You may continue on your journey. I humbly apologise for detaining you from official business. Maitre D: Our best table in the house M'am and by the way, dinner is on the house, you may order whatever you wish. Champagne? Valentino: Please were my dress to the oscars. You: Hmmm maybe. Prince William: Are you free for dinner Saturday? You: Only if you bring your gran along ok? The Queen: X! Been dying to meet you! You: Ok, enough about that, when are you giving Scotland their indepence back? Ok, I'm seriously exaggerating here, but I did say that dreams were fun eh? Anyway I must dash darlings, I'm off to check out some castles - you can pick them up for nothing these days you know - only about a million pounds, peanuts I say!

2006-01-06T12:58:00.000+02:00

Joy and rapture - logging on whenever I want to has brought a new frosty glow to my life I must say! (Hey Mary Lou - tell your phone company that "hey buddies - there are places in Africa that have adsl before Whidbey - can't you guys hurry up and upgrade the lines?" - By the way - love the new look of your blog. (thanks for the Christmas card too!) By the way I did a google search for "Valkyrie" and found this picture, I also got pictures of a more adult nature which I will NOT post here for obvious reasons. Now if I could just figure out how to design my template around this, my blog woul be a 'rockin'. I am just in awe of Leslie's current look - as well as Mary lou's new lavender look. Anyone have advice for me?

Ready OK! Go Valkyrie Go!

2006-01-05T19:59:00.000+02:00

This is the level of joy and jubilation that I experienced today? Why, pray tell? Because beyond all my expectations, and beyond all preconceived opinions, I got a phone call from the telephone company to say, "Are you home? We'd like to come and install your ADSL now." (Are you shi**ing me?) Get your butts over here right now!!

By the way i just pulled that image off google. We don't have real cheerleaders here in the RS of A. But one thing we do have is drummajorettes - heck I used to be one! When I finally get this computer station properly set up I'll be able to scan in old pictures and also download pics from my phone so then I can REALLY bore you with daily details :)

So hot it's Africa hot (bad sarcasm intended)

2006-01-02T19:40:00.000+02:00

Oh my god, if ever there was a time to either put in a swimming pool, or at least get one of those cheap porta-pools, then it has been this week. It is close to 30 deg celcius DAILY. I open every single door this house has in an attempt to coax in even a slight breeze - and I live a mere 2km from where the waves are crashing on the atlantic coast you'd think a nice cold mist once in a while would be good right? BAH!

Bubby had first swim

2005-12-30T05:57:00.000+02:00

We visited friends yesterday for a greek lamb braai - they're not greek, but like the food (as do I) and they have a pool so aside from myself thoroughly enjoying being weightless, the bubby had his first swim!! I'll post pictures of him in his Barney swimming costume as soon as I can get them off my hubby's camera.

Very Merry Christmas everbody!

2005-12-24T20:50:00.000+02:00

Hey everyone, I can hardly believe that Christmas is already here! We just had dinner with the ILs and it was nice to get together where no-one is allowed to argue about anything! Tommorrow the hubby, bubby and I are off to my mom's and she is making my favourite non-traditional meal of roast lamb with oven potatoes and mint sauce. Since it's Summer here, the salads include sweetmelon and water melon which is my all time favourite and is super refreshing. Dessert is usually chocolate ice cream can't wait. Since I had the bubby, I have lost 27kg, which is around 50 pounds, but judging by tonights dinner and what's in store for tommorows lunch, I may just gain it all back again. Anyway, here's to a fabulous Xmas to ya' all!

2005-12-18T16:52:00.000+02:00

UN EFFING BELIEVEABLE

2005-12-14T10:51:00.000+02:00

So I get a letter in the post yesterday..."Telkom regrets to inform you that we are currently unavailable to provide the ADSL service in your area until approximately the 19th of March, owing to lack of ports in your area. Every effort will be made to install your adsl before this date." So, I'm off to the mall to buy a modem...sigh...I'm going to have to survive on dialup until then. We've just recently had laws past to allow a second national telephone operator to start up, here, but it will be atleast a year whilst they put up infrastructure. So until then we are stuck for choice and i'm going to have to wait until friggin March. GAAAH!!!

howdy...just under a month to go!

2005-11-27T09:34:00.000+02:00

"Life sucks when you don't have adsl." We are at my grans house, and my mom is using her dialup, so I won't be able to take too long on my mom's blog. I'm a really happy baby normally, but my mom did manage to snap this picture of me with a frown. Anyway, I'll say hi again when we get our internet connection at home, and I'm going to ask my mom if I can get my own blog, cos it's cool!

Hey

2005-11-10T10:26:00.000+02:00

Am SOOOOO longing for this damn adsl to be installed talk about serious withdrawal symptoms! The only really exciting thing is that tommorrow, I am doing a Creative Memories class for a company as a team building event. It's my biggest class so far, with 11 people. I hope that I can keep it together. The idea of doing it as a teambuilding event, is kinda cool. In my minds eye, I can picture myself doing bigger and bigger classes until I'm in this huge arena with one of those (Madonna) head microphones, talking to like 500 people who are all making pages (and spending copious amounts of money on buying products) and spreading the message of photo preservation the CM way! Kind of like a scrap-evangelist....? Har. Har. Anyway, will see y'all soon, hopefully sooner than d-day of 19 December!!

Still around...

2005-11-07T13:00:00.000+02:00

Hey there Just poppin in to say hello again...only a month and a bit until our adsl is in...19 December...and counting...

I'm still here...

2005-11-02T12:43:00.000+02:00

Man, I have been so busy, it's just crazy! Plus I've lost my voice...quite annoying considering I have a class for 10 people coming up next Friday! Anyway, the installation date for our ADSL is finally set for 19 December. Which means that until then my blogging will be seriously sporadic. The MIL & FIL have moved a little further away, so they are no longer walking distance from my house, thus to visit until my adsl is installed will take a bit more effort!

911!!!

2005-10-13T14:00:00.000+02:00

Poor little tyke with his little red eyes! (still a cool enough bubkins to smile through his flu)! Ack!! The bubby developed a bit of a cold on Tuesday night, and I had my first parental heart attack! I can just imagine if we had gone so far as to take him to the emergency room, the staff would have thought that I'm completely paranoid since it really was only a blocked nose, but hey, if you're 8 weeks old, and not sure how to breathe through your nose you'd also be upset right? Needless to say I took him straight to the paediatrician the next morning and once he was checked out we were off the pharmacy to get the prescribed nose drops. I'm happy to report that he's much better - thank god! Amazing how as a new mother, you completely panic (initially), and it suddenly sinks in, that you would sacrifice yourself UTTERLY just to make sure they're ok! Your paediatrician becomes your new best friend whom you would throw copious amounts of money at (that we don't actually have) just to make sure that your little genetic legacy stays happy and healthy! Since I'm blogging about the bubby mostly lately, I figure it's time to be a little blogelfish (selfish) and blog about me for a bit...on the CM front, I have a class booked for November for 10 people! I'm quite excited, and I really hope it goes well and that I have a lot of sales!

Good Food, Good Friends, Good Fun

2005-10-11T12:17:00.000+02:00

The Hubby, Bubby and I went to visit some good friends this past Sunday for lunch, this is a picture of them - taken over a year ago, because their bubby is nearly 18mths old already! How great to finally be on the same page as them and finally understanding what it feels like to be utterly sleep deprived. Anyway, it was super fun spending time with them again. They stay up the West Coast about an hours drive from us, so we don't get to see them that often. In chatting to them it really sank in just how lucky I am that I get to stay home with the bubby. The wife we visited went back to work after 4 months of maternity leave, and sank into a bit of depression, and who the heck could blame her! I would NOT be coping if I knew I had this deadline looming. As it is I do plan to work again, but it will definitely be from home and only when I am good and ready. Her hubby was chatting to mine about switching jobs, and gave my hubby his CV and asked him to forward to the HR dep at his new job. The cool thing is that both hubby's used to work at the same company a few years back, so my hubby knows this guys great work ethic and can really put a good word for him. I'll be really glad for my pal, if her hubby manages to switch jobs so that she can get to stay home with their little munchkin.

Phew

2005-10-04T13:08:00.000+02:00

Grandfathers are a super thing. The little snookums just slugged down his bottle and his happily fast asleep in my FIL's arms. Yay! So I get to continue energizing my mind with cool internet things. (Instead of being a sleepy eyed zombie from lack of sleep and general boredom at home). Ok, don't get me wrong, I love being at home and getting to be with my baby all the time. I realise that I am in a very privileged position by not having to return to work, I just think that my time at home would be that much better with (everyone together now...) ADSL. Sigh. Anyway, here's picture, my brain is too mushy right now to think of quippy cool things to talk about :) Incidnetly, this pic was taken yesterday when I was at the mall with my mom & the bubby, so those are my arms he is in, not my FILs in this particular picture (in case you were wondering why my fil has such great boobs). The look on the bubby's face makes me think that he was looking at someone walking past, thinking that their shoes were all wrong for their outfit.

Ack

2005-10-04T12:46:00.000+02:00

Ack. Just got here to blog and the bubby has woken up and having a good scream. Hmmm. He's not supposed to have a feed for another two hours, and yet the little snookums is giving me the "FEED ME NOW OR SACRIFICE YOUR EARDRUMS" cry that I would recognize anywhere, anytime. Sorry guys - will chat soon!

Scary Days

2005-09-28T15:23:00.000+02:00

Oh, my heart nearly stopped today -we had to go and get the Bubby his first set of vaccinations - how unbelieveably heart breaking to see your first child get his first set of shots. The really crummy part is that the paediatrician makes you hold his little legs straight while he gives the shots, so you just KNOW that your little one is totally blaming you for the pain! This is I'm sure why kids turn on you when they're teenagers...something about subconscious angst and residual anger! I had a little chuckle when it was all over, because as I pushed his pram out into the waiting room, there was a couple there, with their six week old infant, and their eyes were just huge at having heard the Bubby's indignant cries, and now it was their turn! The Bubby was such a brave little chap, once we were back out into the waiting room, I gave him a bottle to calm him down and by the time we were back in the car he was fast asleep. Come to think of it he is still fast asleep, poor thing! I must admit, as much as I absolutely love our paediatrician, and have done since he was there when he was born and took care of him during his first precious minutes of life, I was SO ready to clock him one for inflicting pain on my little precious bundle of gold.

Still have a life!

2005-09-26T12:19:00.000+02:00

Hey there It's nearly the end of the month, which means we are that much closer to pay day, which is when the hubby is at his happiest, and co-incidently the very same time that I will be handing in our application for adsl... The hubby, bubby and I went out to visit friends on Saturday evening for a winetasting. We were three couples, and thankfully the other two couples also had kids, so there we were sipping wines from South Africa (but of course..ours is the best...) as well as Chile (very second favourite), France (smelled like manure, but I'm told it's supposed to) and Australia (smelled ok but had very little taste), anyway it was great to have some adult company again (aside from just the hubby). The Bubby was awesome, slept the whole time, and when he woke up for a bottle, drank it, burped loud enough to elicit applause from all the dads and promptly fell asleep again. Once home he slept so well, it won't be long before he's making it through the night :) Yesterday we came up to the in laws for lunch and the SIL and her husband were also there. I had a moment where I nearly snorted scalding hot tea through my nose, when the SIL told me of her plans to send her child to private school. Now I have no problem with that concept, considering that I was lucky enough to have a private school education myself, but the fact that she plans on sending him to THE most expensive school in the country (where she is the school secretary), again I have no problem with her choice of school, my problem with this concept, probably has something to do with the fact that she owes us (the hubby & I) a considerable amount of money - somewhere in the region of R100 000. A fact which she conveniently tends forget apparently. This amount which we had to take out of our mortgage mind you, would come in considerably handy, especially when it comes to sending our little one to school and LET ME TELL YOU that if I am forced to downscale on ANYTHING for my child because of decisions in her life that SHE has made and her lack of ability to succeed at anything in life or pay back anyone that she has ever loaned money from...I will NOT be a VERY NICE RELATIVE. But then enought about that and about time I was sweetness and light again don't you think?

Schools In

2005-09-20T13:29:00.000+02:00

I love watching the hubby with Navarre and Roxy, doing a bit of training, more like 'treats for tricks' really. Both our pooches are really well behaved and just LOVE to please us. I personally like to park off on the veranda with a glass of wine (Bubby asleep in his room), baby monitor on the hip. Well we discovered that the bubby was getting a bit of reflux, because he was getting a bit moany nearly an hour after his feeds. Anyway, the paediatrician recommended some baby Gaviscon and it's worked a charm! He now wakes up, has his nappy changed by yours truly (aka baby slave) has some Snooky Pooky talk time with mummy and then has a feed and nods off for about 2 hours. All this equates to a four hour routine...and a wee bit of exhaustion for mummy ! :)

My Other Children...the furry ones...

2005-09-19T11:43:00.000+02:00

I am really missing spending as much time as I used to with my menagerie. Of course I love spending the time with the bubby as well, but I really miss the cats being on my lap all the time, the Alaskan Malamute at my feet, and of course the labrador trying to sit on my lap all the time. Thankfully the hubby is making them feel extra special, and they all seem to love the bubby, so I'm sure things will even out once the bubby starts to interact with the world more! Looking at this picture here of Roxy the lab, and Scooch the cat, can you believe how Roxy has grown? She is now already 8.5 months old, and can you also believe that Scooch is putting up with her attention like this? It's really cute because Roxy often does a 'fly-by' and licks the Scooch all over before jumping out the way, as Scooch finally gets fed up and takes a swipe at Roxy. I just love the family dynamics between the two dogs, and of course between the two dogs & three cats. It's going to get really interesting when the Bubby is starting to toddle around and interact with them too :)

Thanks a million internet buddy!

2005-09-16T10:51:00.000+02:00

Lisanne from BathtubJunkie totally ROCKS! I owe to her html brilliance - the new permanent place for my Bubby's ticker. She very kindly did all the work in putting it where it is now - and I think it looks fab, so if you haven't been over to read her yet, feel free to follow my link and tell her how great she is! Thanks Lisanne!

Sleep deprivation....

2005-09-16T10:38:00.000+02:00

It is amazing, how much you love this little person who's arrived in your life. It is also more amazing just exactly how tired you get looking after them 24/7!!! Somewhere deep inside, you find the strength to keep getting up regardless how braindead and zombie-like you feel. Really strong coffee also works great! The Bubby woke up at 3am this morning and decided he was done sleeping...I wasn't, so this caused a bit of a hiccup but nevertheless at 7h30am I got his next feed down, got a nice comfy clean nappy on and he feel asleep immediately, I got bathed and dressed at like, the speed of light, and picked him up blankets and all, lobbed him straight into his car seat (which fits into his pram) and by 9am got my butt up here to the in laws in record time to check email, blog, and regain some sanity. It has helped so much having somewhere nice to walk to with the pram, which is not too far. After his next feed I may try and do a bit of a longer walk down to the mall to pick up the ADSL forms from our local telecoms shop...I keep wanting to go, and never seem to quite get around to actually getting there. Walking there with the pram would a)give me more much needed exercise b)ensure that the bubby gets more sleep c) get the forms to bring home so we can finally get the wheels rolling on me having more of a life...at home.

Html help...

2005-09-07T12:33:00.000+02:00

Ok, can anyone tell me how the heck to post this thing to my blogger template so that it doesn't bollocks up the whole page? I want my ticker to stay on the page...i.e. I'd like to post it to the title bar area (i.e. where it says brainbubbles - and the caffiene blurb...) Help...anyone....help?

Here again!

2005-09-07T11:52:00.000+02:00

Hey everyone - I've been waiting for good weather to come up to the in laws to do the 'net' walk. Plus it helps that I'm pushing a pram and getting some exercise at the same time. I have to tell you i feel like a million bucks! I've lost 12 kilograms, that's roughly about 24 pounds...and that's without dieting...ok a good chunk of that was like a baby and all the gook that comes along with it, but hey I'm lighter now, than I was when I fell pregnant...GO ME!!! (hey, where'd I put that chocolate?...) It really is great feeling so light and sprightly, especially since Spring started officially last thursday - yay ! I may just get into shape by the time Summer rolls around! Here are some pics of the bubby in one of his cool outfits! Ok, for crying out loud, some moron has installed a popup blocker on this computer that can't be disabled so I can't post pictures from this webpage at the moment!! Gah!!! Let me see if I can post some through hello.....

Can't believe it...

2005-08-11T11:13:00.000+02:00

Worlds Greatest Husband

2005-08-10T09:27:00.000+02:00

Yesterday was a public holiday, and my hubby spent the morning a) putting up shelves in the baby's room and b) baking bread, real bread, from scratch... I tell you, where did I find this guy? Talk about being married to the male Martha Stewart...without the insider trading or whatever she was arrested for! He has been absolutely amazing the last few weeks that I've been at home with my feet up waiting for my due date. This is a photo of him with Roxy the labrador when we first got her - needless to say she's now far too big to be picked up like this - but I think it sums him up perfectly - a gorgeous, caring & handsome guy. He would die of embarrassment if he new that I was posting this picture of him, because he thinks it makes him look fat...awww. Today he's off at a job interview for a contract position with an amazing company, for a really good salary. I am hoping, praying and beseeching the universe that they like him and hire him. We won't know today of course if he's got it or not, but I'm sending every good vibe I can muster! Without wanting to go down any political roads or anything, it is SO hard for white guys to get decent jobs these days. Affirmative action is not only addressing the inequalities of the past, but creating the inequalities of today. At times like this I am ready to pack my bags and head of to a country where people are hired on merit (of which my hubby has loads) where hard work is rewarded, regardless of the colour of your skin. Sigh. I love my man to bits, and hope that all goes super well today.

9 days and counting...

2005-08-08T12:56:00.000+02:00

Sorry for my long absence everyone, but I got hit with the worst case of bronchitus known to man, or at least pregnant woman. Coughing up half a lung, while trying to hold in a 3.5kg baby is not pleasant! Thankfully I'm on the mend now, and able to drag myself to an internet PC and blog! One great thing happened last week though...I had my latest doc appointment and she said that I can finally put my sugar problem behind me and relax now for the last 9 days of my pregnancy. Which means...that.... YES! I finally got to indulge in my favourite chocolates which Hannah from Teatopia sent me- ok, I didn't act silly and scoff all five packs in one go, I sensibly had 1 cup a day over a 10 day period. Even with my bronchitus, I had like a 10am window where my sinuses were open enough to be able to taste -and I'd get all comfy on the couch and prepare myself for the ultimate pleasure....the reeces peanut butter cup. Unfortunately, now they're all finished, and I'm in despair again....there is no local alternative....sigh....Hannah, sincerely from the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU for having sent them to me, they definitely gave me the strength to soldier on through my illness!!! Oh yes, and congratulations on your pregnancy!!!!! I'm going to go shopping for you as soon as I can to send you something 'Africanesque' and 'baby'. I may not be able to ship it off to you before I go in for my caesar, but keep an eye out for it sometime in October.

oops forgot to post

2005-07-29T11:47:00.000+02:00

I spent about 3 hours at the IL's yesterday copying my wedding pictures onto a removable flash drive to take home to my NON-internet PC. Sneakernet! I.e. put pictures onto disk, put on sneakers, go to other pc and load. Anyway, in all of the busyness with that, I totally forgot to post. I'm still working on the hubby about the adsl, and today I finally said, "well at the very least I must have dial-up because I need to do my internet banking etc etc" and he was like, "no, if we do it, we'll do it properly with adsl...just hang on and we'll think about it." Hee hee. We should know by the end of next week which job he's going to be starting and exactly how much he'll be earning - and then I'll move in for the kill :) I've told him so much about how wonderful all my blogging buddies are, and how cut off I feel not having access to everyone everday, and I don't want to go into a depression when the baby comes, by being stuck at home...I know I know, I'm being manipulative...but really, when a gal wants the internet...nothing else will do. My next move will probably be to tell him just how valuable the internet is in case I need to research what to do when the baby gets sick etc. (very evil grin)

Bliss time

2005-07-26T12:29:00.000+02:00

I'm really starting to enjoy slowing down and being at home...it's so awesome being able to chill, with a cat on my lap, dog at my feet...sigh. I went to the movies by myself yesterday - and saw Madagascar - it was really cute, but I didn't think it was as good as some other animated flicks like Shrek etc. I guess I'd better get used to watching kiddie movies! Especially things like Barney and Telly Tubbies etc. I'm so upset to see what has happened to poor Hannah and her hubby - who came to SA to visit from the USA, and got stuck here longer because of the stupid idiot workers at South African Airways who are striking for higher pay. What the stupid ass workers don't realise is that the national carrier is in an already VERY precarious financial position - so they stand just about as much of a chance of getting an increase as they do of actually losing their jobs because the airline may go bankrupt. (well they'll go bankrupt with any luck). We have enough other airlines to support our domestic market, SAA can bugger off for all I care. Anyway, I just sincerely hope that Hannah & hubby managed to get back to Atlanta safe and sound.

I'm Ba-ack

2005-07-24T12:08:00.000+02:00

Hey there folks - talk about withdrawal symptoms from lack of net access - and lack of access to all you cool people out there!! I finished working last Tuesday - thankfully I didn't have to stay any longer, because my colleague who walked into the tree, decided that her injuries shouldn't keep her away any longer...anyway, so I spent the rest of the week at home trying to find something to do...this wouldn't be a problem if we had net access at home. I've been trying to convince the hubby that if we did have adsl at home, then I could at least think about working from home - and making some money whilst being home with the baby...I think he might go for it. Keep your fingers crossed people - my future depends on it!!! Seriously though, I mean who in this day and age doesn't at least have dial up...? It looks like when the hubby finally starts his new job (we're waiting to hear about the outcome of 3 different interviews) that he will need to be able to log in from home anyway - so then problem solved! Yay!! I did my first creative memories class as well last week, it was great fun, I only knew two of the 7 people present, but I had a blast and decided that this really is something that I CAN do. The pages that everyone made were really stunning,and I took some pictures, so when I get around to getting them off the camera I will definitely post some! Anyway, apologies for the long absense from blogworld- for the moment I'm popping up to the FIL and MIL's house to check email and blog - since they only live like 2 minutes walk away, and even THEY have ADSL at home...

2005-07-18T09:44:00.000+02:00

Another name for lollipop in South Africa, is, well, a 'sucker'. Which folks, is exactly what I am. A sucker.

Why? Because one of my colleagues who was due back from annual leave today - incidently, my first day of maternity leave...decided this weekend to WALK INTO A TREE. I know, and you're asking why exactly it is that I am the sucker? Well that's because the boss just asked if I could help them out this week while this person recovers...of course, I said...yes. Sometimes I am just too stupid/nice for my own damn good...

T-minus....and counting

2005-07-14T14:36:00.000+02:00

Ok, it won't be long now...in almost 24 hrs give or take an hour or two, I'll be done working. Done, so that I can sit with my feet up, spoilt for choice as to which cat gets to sit on my lap an relax with me. Never in my life has the thought of relaxation been SO attractive. Not even when I was a student, and the long vacations stretched ahead of me do I think that I fully appreciated the value of a chance to sit on the porch and watch the bird life, watch my cats, watching the birdlife, watch my dogs watching the catlife, watching the birdlife etc you get the picture! With a nice cup of tea, or if warmer weather a tall glass of something cool. To sit there and ponder just exactly how much life is going to change in the next 4 weeks. My mind boggles at the thought of it. Yesterday when arriving at the Doc for my check up, (she is based at the hospital where i'll be having the kiddi winkle), I tried to imagine what it would feel like to be arriving... on the day of my elective caesarian. To know that in less than 90 minutes, I'd be on some operating table numb from chest down, having my baby taken out. I had a little panic attack. OH my god. I am SO NOT READY for this. SURE I'm totally ready to be on the other side of the surgical procedure...to be a mom, to see my son. I just don't want to have to go through all that SURGERY!!!! AAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHKKKKKK!!! Don't get me wrong though, the surgery is still favourable over the whole 'pushing' it out scenario - but I'm still scared SHITLESS.

Tissues

2005-07-13T12:41:00.000+02:00

Well I'm back at my desk, surrounded by very attractive snotty tissues and 2 different types of non baby-harming, rather ineffectual medication. At least I don't feel feverish anymore, I think there is nothing worse than feeling cold, but actually being feverishly warm. Anyway, I went for my obgyn check up today, got to see little bubkins on the monitor again - he now already weighs 2.8kg!! Doc says everything still looks a-ok, but my blood pressure was a little elevated. Nothing to freak out about - and she's sure it's because of my throat infection. She has told me that under no circumstances am I to continue working beyond Friday though. She said that from Saturday I am to sit on my but with my feet up and be served by all and sundry. Of course I told her that this would be an extremely difficult thing for me to do, but that I would give it my best shot. I'm really glad the hubby came with to this appointment and heard that from the Doc's own mouth! Although I must admit that I think I married the most awesome man on the planet. He is SO concerned about me, and hardly let's me do ANYTHING. I'll say "babes, would you like some tea?" and he'll be like, "yes, but wait, I'll get it!" So much so that I really actually start to feel guilty at how much he is doing for me. I feel like I should be doing as much as possible for him now, because when I am recovering from the birth, he'll be having to help me too and there will be a baby in the picture as well...and I am WELL aware that neither of us knows just exactly what we are in for...BIG changes...this is what everyone says, but until we get there we just won't fully comprehend how big...

ugh

2005-07-12T11:06:00.000+02:00

Cough...sneeze, splutter. (Pulls duvet over head)... Being sick with flu and 8.5 mths pregnant, is no laughing matter.... especially since you can't really dose yourself with medication and say good bye to the world for several days...

2005-07-08T13:48:00.000+02:00

There is one thing that REALLY pisses me off. Ok, so maybe there are several things. But one thing that really annoys me is when people's cars give off noxious gases. It's not just the rusty jalopy's that you see on the road, but sometimes it's some rich asshole driving some ridiculously huge 4x4. I can never get my airvents shut quickly enough, and it just bugs the hell out of me that someone a) cant see to it that his car has enough oil, or is serviced regularly, and my lungs - and of course my unborn child have to suffer the consequences of these assholes actions...honestly, WHAT is WRONG with some people!!!!???

Busy busy

2005-07-07T14:28:00.000+02:00

Just when I think I should be winding down, I start getting busier at work, busier at home... This morning we had an open house at home, which means that our estate agent currently working on selling our house for us, had a bunch of other agents around to comment on the property and also to see if they had any clients looking for something such as our house. We still have that one offer in the pipeline, but it is still subject to the purchaser selling her house, and so far she's not had much movement...hmmm. Anyway, the feedback I got from these other agents was good - and since there were ten of them, at least if each of them only know of one buyer who may be interested, then that's ten more than what we had. I'm really impressed with our agent so far though - she's really going above and beyond the call of duty in selling our house. The funny thing was that at one point Navarre was attracting more attention from the agents than the house, "oooh your dog is just SO BEAUTIFUL!", I was like a proud strutting mom, "oh yes, he's our pretty boy yadda yadda etc" Of course then Roxy the labrador had to try and get everyone's attention by leaping onto Navarre in 'play-attack' mode - eliciting some "ooh cute puppy" remarks for her too. She just has the most beautiful personality - and BOY does she know it! Every morning now, if I wake up in the wee hours (quite literally) and if I lean over to hug the hubby, on his other side, I detect this soft furry belly and if I listen really carefully I can hear her snoring - she has managed to manipulate 'daddy' into letting her onto the bed, and she literally has her head with his on the pillow and has the covers drawn up to her chest with her two front paws sticking out the top. I mean really!!

Patrotism Defined

2005-07-06T13:24:00.000+02:00

Patriotism Defined You must all go and check out Pixy's post today - it's brilliant, and echos the sentiments of hundreds of proud South Africans. We're sick to death of being portrayed the same as the rest of Africa - we're not, and we're proud of it. South Africa is the new melting pot, the new land of opportunity and damnit that's not the way we're portrayed on CNN!! (or any other major international network...

Gaah!

2005-07-05T16:33:00.000+02:00

Man, oh man, I've been trying to post all damn day, but our ISP that serves all the agencies in our group has been up to sh*t all day. It's made email and net access ridiculously slow all day! I'm getting read receipts for emails which I sent out last night. Ech...annoying. Anyway, the hubby went for that great job interview today - we don't know how it's gone, as the guy is interviewing people all week - but we should know by the end of next week. Co-incidently the end of next week is also when I stop working...so timing is everything! Oh and by the way, I did go past that house we're after on Saturday morning and Hurray! It's still available!! I had the greatest time chatting with our friends who live in the same estate, and they were saying just how much they loved living there - and that they would let us know if anyone else looks interested in the place. Tonight we have someone else coming to see our house, with a view to making an offer - so everything looks up at the moment! Let's hope it stays that way!

My Kingdom for some comfort...and sleep

2005-07-04T15:37:00.000+02:00

Oh my, I think that I may just be the most uncomfortable person on the planet right now...sitting, standing, lying down, standing on my head etc etc. I still have 6 weeks to go until bubkins arrives, and yet, I doubt if I will ever sleep again! Never mind that, but just sitting in my chair at work I feel like the side of a house...apparently going onto all fours is the most comfortable thing for me right now (according to countless pregnancy websites and books) but how the hell do you consult with clients with your hiney in the air? Let alone get any work done with your pc on the floor like that ;) The upside is that with my stomach squashed as flat as a pancake (although sadly not containing any) my appetite has shrunk and I've lost some more weight. I eat like 3 bites of something, and I'm full! Woo-hoo!!

Tommorrow

2005-07-01T14:28:00.000+02:00

Tommorrow morning I'm going to visit some friends of mine, who live in that estate where the hubby and I are wanting to stay. I know that I'm going to take a drive past that house that we want just to make sure it's still available, and also to have a little vision as to what it would be like living there, how I would paint the living room, etc etc. Considering that we have a firm offer on our house it doesn't seem like that much of an emotional risk, but until our buyer has actually sold their house, I suppose our offer isn't as firm as we'd like. Anyway, I'm still going to allow myself to dream a little dream and think positively about our future. I can just see it...the house is perfect, big enough for us plus not just 1 but 2 kids - and plenty of space for a nice size dining room table (perfect for hosting Creative Memories home classes!!), a gorgeous garden that has ample rooms for Navarre and Roxy to run around in. A stunning front garden that the cats can use without the dogs bothering them. A big double garage so both our cars have somewhere to sleep at night. Enough space in the garage that the hubby can have all his woodworking tools out and a decent size workstation. Wall to wall built in cupboards in the master bedroom - so no more arguing over hanging space! A master bathroom en-suite separate from the 'kids' bathroom.....sigh....

2005-06-29T13:23:00.000+02:00

For those of you who've been around my blog for awhile you may remember me posting about this resort near my home (a distant dot in this picture). Anyway, I mentioned it before because I thought about hosting a scrapbooking retreat - which I'm still really keen to do, but of course it will only be able to be early next year. I was quite pleased today, because I did a quote for a client - for a one night stay of similar length and number of people - and the rates were really very reasonable - including all meals & accommodation. So there's a project for me to organise for my creative memories people and a thought to keep me going through all the long nights of being awake both before and after bubkins arrives.

I also had another Doc appointment yesterday, and got to see the bubkins again on the scan - the doc is really pleased with his growth and says that all is going well - he's a good size (thank god I'm having a caesarian) and she says that everything looks 100%. Plus there is no trace of any sugar problems anymore (go me!) because I've been so good with my diet since my 'scare'. There are several reasons to feel good today. I'm going to put all our financial stresses aside today, and just hug myself and say, "all is well with my world today".

2005-06-28T11:58:00.000+02:00

He seems to be on the mend...he's still very unenthusiastic about his food though. It turns out he has some wierd parasite which is a type of biliary, but can be easily cured with a shot (which he had as soon as we found out yesterday) and a course of tablets - which we are dutifully getting down his throat on schedule.

It just breaks my heart to see him feeling so yucky...thankfully he's getting plenty of rest and fluids. I just hope that we don't have a repeat of what happened to my poor Digby - who was on the mend and then took a turn for the worse. Anyway, I'm not going to allow myself to think negatively, not when he's looking a bit better already. I can't wait to get home at 14h00 and give him a good cuddle.

Get well soon boy.

2005-06-27T12:17:00.000+02:00

My beautiful Navarre had to go to the vet this morning. He's been lethargic all weekend - and wouldn't even eat his favourite marmite covered provita biscuits. They've ruled out billiary (THANK GOD), but can't find anything else wrong with him - they check everything obvious, i.e. heart, lungs - and even his prostate (poor boy!!) and the only thing they could find was a slightly raised temperature. They've taken a blood sample and we'll have the results later today. I'm praying that it's not serious, I don't think that I could handle losing another pet, hell, pet, I mean CHILD. Honestly, I don't think that it's anything more than a nasty tummy bug which has left him feeling nauseous, which would explain why he's not eating, but drinking a lot of water instead. The funny thing was that as soon as we were home he wolfed down a whole bowl of food and stood there like some goofy idiot wagging his tail and looking very pleased with himself. The bizarre thing with thim as well - is that when he's not feeling well, it's like he has 'bed head' all over his body - it's like even his fur doesn't lie properly. I just hope that some simple pills or a quick jab will take care of this that I can have my beauooo wooo tiful boy back to normal.

Counting the minutes...

2005-06-24T12:15:00.000+02:00

Everytime I get kicked, I must confess to feeling thoroughly excited. But in a strange way, I can't yet make a connection that this thing kicking inside me is my son! It's like my brain can't fathom what that means - like I'm going to hospital to 'fetch' the baby, as opposed to letting him out! Almost every evening, the hubby and I are sitting on the couch, and he can see my stomach moving - he's just as blown away by the unbelieveable feeling. He'll reach out and put his hand palm down on my belly, and just go "wow" or "that's my son in there...wow..." in a very awe-filled way. I just can't imagine have that caesarian, and having them hand me the baby - and seeing him for the first time. I know it's going to happen, for sure...but I still somehow can't believe it's real....sigh...

2005-06-22T11:31:00.000+02:00

How unbelieveably amazing is this picture? When in the proverbial jaws of danger, my advice is to....CAMOUFLAGE. One has to wonder if this poor Tiger mom was wringing her paws in despair at her seemingly ugly children? Or was she fully aware that they weren't hers and she was feeling kinda motherly anyway?

Well it looks like the hubby might have 2 good job prospects in the pipeline, please cross all flexible body parts on this one...we'll know more about one of them today...it would mean a bit of a career shift for the hubby (the one prospect) but I think that may be exactly what his agile mind needs right now.

Too Cute

2005-06-21T13:56:00.000+02:00

I found this picture via a picture on Mary Lou's blog, and the kitty pictured looks SO much like my Tigger that I just had to post it. Those of you who've been around my blog for awhile will know that Tigger is the cat who I coaxed in when she was abandoned by our former neighbors who moved away without her (actually they were languishing in jail for growing weed...but I digress). Anyway, the way I felt about it if they were cruel enought to not at least organise someone to look after the poor thing i.e fetch her and re-home her, then they can rot in jail with her welfare on their conscience. Basically I think Tigger saw the hubby and I moving in, and thought, " Hah! Suckers!! Let me go and look all pathetic and skinny and maybe I can move in with them." To date, Tigger has become the MOST attention seeking, ass-kissing (hers - not ours) cat who ever lived. She converts dog lovers far and wide with her feline wiles and charms - and has even been known to show her extreme love and posession of my hubby by peeing on his leg when he's had the worst day of his past year! It was just hilarious, there we were sitting out in the garden having thrown down an old picnic blanket, playing with the dogs, having a glass of chilled white wine (before I was pregnant) when she sashays over rubs her cheek against my hubby's shin, turns around, and HEY PRESTO! Gives him a little squirt of her 'love' juice and I spend the next 5 solid minutes rolling on the grass laughing my ass off - while my husband wonders why his leg is wet.