Christmas Greetings

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and very special time with your loved ones.

Preserving Innocence...

I have my work cut out for me....Lulu requested an *ipod* for Christmas which means an mp3 player in my language. The tricky part is she is expecting it to come along with my playlist ie Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta; Mad-Oona and Robbie Williams....to mention a few.

I have yet to break the news to her that her playlists will be somewhat different. I will spare her he soundtracks to Cinderella and Mary Poppins but I am hoping some 60's stuff will light her fire - a bit of the Troggs and Beatles would do the trick eh?

Most of my stuff is wrapped; I cant find a gammon and frankly dont care. When I asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas Eve dinner the unanimous decision was PIZZAAAA! Clearly they are my children - I aint going to argue with that.

I do feel my man may go scour the malls further afield as he is a Christmas fare and trimmings dude. He does not skrik for the crowds unlike his phobic wife so more power to him.

In other utterly unrelated news....I watched the final episode of OC last night. Boo hoo. I feel a bit like more friends of mine have upped and left me! So what series to start now ? Do tell what works for you....rule out Dexter though. I have heard many love it but conceptually it revolts me!
Am thinking One Tree Hill? Maybe Weeds? Ugly Betty? Kom nou....help me decide!

Time for Goodbyes

I am doing the photo post thing because I dont really have the words to express how
I feel right now.

dinner at the Spur (ek se) at the airport.

the stretch arm shot...

paul and I at their farewell on Sunday

jislaaik, but we could laugh jong!

the kids horsing around with aunty jo

these guys were always so gracious in having us crash their pad,
day or night, kids and all!

We have just returned from the airport about an hour ago. And I miss them already. :-(

Sibs Dinner In Review

I am hosting Jo's farewell this evening. So I should be cleaning house and trying to get organised but I thought I would post a few pics of our sibling christmas dinner....it was sooo fun.


My sister sourced the tackiest gift hands-down. I have seldom seen anything so icky in my life; for my sins I got her gift...a gold plastic table-overlay/couch-back throw

and matching plastic clip-on curtain tie-backs.

For a year this is what my red couch will look like....and the note the curtains in the background.


Second place had to go to my younger brother for purchasing this delightful dwarf (my older boet got this gem). There were many *interesting* conversations around this piece!


I made the mistake of buying a plastic kitchen clock from PEP but my man and kids decided it really wasnt that bad...so at the last minute Jo rescued me by hauling out a ceramic dinosaur painted by one of her kids....so my younger brother managed to scoop that treasure.

My sister got off relatively lightly receiving a clock...from far it doesnt look tooo bad but upon closer inspection it is decidedly naaaasty!

Must dash and begin clearing decks for tonight. Just realised I really dont have enough glasses for 16 people! Or dessert plates for that matter.....argh....to the mall I must go!

Shopping with a Conscience?

For a while now I have been on the look-out for a bag for my netbook. I dont want a regular bag - I have been looking for something extraordinary....

Trust Brazen to lead me here; not only are these bags made from 50-100% recycled materials (my man would be so proud!) but for every one purchased a bookbag and secondhand book is donated to an underprivilege child right here in SA!

Take a look at their site - they also have some fun vintage styled clothing items....and each time you purchase one of these a little girl here will also receive a dress.

Happy browsing!

Super Kitsch

WARNING:

IF YOU ARE MY SIBLING YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO READ THIS POST!

My faithful friends, please help me.

On Saturday night I will be attending a Christmas dinner with my siblings. We will also be playing the Kitsch Gift Game which I learnt about from Angel and have been meaning to do for years!

I need ideas .... the aim is for each sibling to find the cheesiest, most tasteless or kitsch item. We will then draw names to see who gets whose gift..The rules state that whatever gift you receive you have to display it prominently in your home for the year.

What would you really NOT like to get? A crochet loo seat cover? A lovely fur dashboard cover? What about a gorj fruit and veg print for above the stove? hehehheh

Hit me with your most unwanted gift ideas.

Life circa 1988...

If you hang out with me on facebook you will know that yesterday I uncovered my Std 8 (Grade 10) diary. I read every entry, granted entries, shattered nerves - I really dont remember this crazy, hormonal girl who apparently fell in love every second week.

It is absolutely hysterical to me, now, as a 37 yr old woman. Pragmatic. Independent. Unromantic. Far to practical. And not nearly as spontaneous as I would like to think I am!

It gave me a window into my life in the next 5-8 years. My girls could turn into me at 16...... I lied to my mom. (sorry). I despised my poor stepdad. (sorry) I cheated on every boy I dated. (blush) I watched movies without parental consent. (Lethal Weapon) I said I was going to the school disco but instead hitch-hiked with friends to a nearby pub and thought my parents were sent to destroy my social life as I was grounded regularly!

Although I did all these things, I must add that I never got into any real trouble. No drugs, sex or porn movies in my past OKAY??!!

I thought it would be fun to post some excerpts of my diary...but am still mulling it over as some of the players read this blog so I need to chat to them first!

Unusual Monday

My man unexpectedly decided to take a few days leave (today/tomorrow) which is a real bonus! I was especially pleased as the kids had all been invited to a party at the aquarium and it didnt thrill me to have to do that on my own!

They had a fabulous time at the party; well 2 out of the 3 anyway. Mam Lulu is a sucky party guest.She is always full of verve and vigour until about an hour before the party whereupon she becomes a whiney, tearful, clingy mess! I really have to remember to NOT rsvp Yes for her anymore....

(Hooli really enjoyed himself - puppet show.)

(refusing to be in the party pic!)

It is an absolutely stunning, windless day in Cape Town. These are incredibly rare so we decided to take a harbour cruise with the kids. It was a very s l o w little steam driven vessel which failed to get any adrenalin going but was very pleasant. The biggest thrill was when a large luxury boat flew past us and we bobbed on its wake for a while!

(on the boat, she has just calmed down from an almighty tantrum cos
Hooli had stood to close to her. Oi vey.)

Hope you other Capetonians get to do something special on this awesome day.

Sunday in the House

I havent left the house today. Good hey? NOT only because I am somewhat less than 100's but also because I am exercising wisdom....I have a busy week ahead and am pacing myself.

I am waaaay better today. My throat is not as sore, my voice is back in a Kermit type of way, the cough isnt painful and my energy levels are normal.

I have been up and about sorting my scrap room out and even finished my Glimpses 2008 album. That is not a typo - 2008...... Now I am free to start my 2009 one !

This post is mainly to tell my mom I am *fine*. Hope you enjoying Malta parentals! The pics are making us grrrrreen. :-)

Say it isnt So

I have had nagging sore throat for a few days now. I have completely ignored it; carried on with life and gym and everything else. I have a very strong immunity and nothing really floors me.

This morning I woke up to find my voice has gone. My throat feels bruised and closed. It's the most bizarre thing. I also now have a stupid annoying cough that hurts like hell.

My man immediately told me to go to the doctor and I am like : are you mad? I am NOT sick. I dont have a fever and I am starving~ as was evidenced by the 3 pieces of pizza I ate at brekky!

Clearly I dont need a doctor.

I got up, showered and planned to get dressed but was floored to find myself quite exhausted!

So then the man made me go to the doctor (a Saturday locum). Ugh.I arrived on time and after 35mins I went home. Without seeing the locum. Because he was running r e a l l y late.

I still maintain I am *not* sick. Just temporarily on -pause- . Lets hope I am right. :-0

I won!

I feel like a kid! Look what I won over at fabulous Being Brazen!

This is a limited edition necklace. The 'bird in vintage frame' is handmade in sterling silver with cultured pearl on 45cm silver chain. This necklace is from the Adore collection which will be launches today! Go check out the range at Collect Jewellery.

How cool is that? Thanks for yet another fab give away Brazen.(and guys...she has another beaut giveaway starting today - pop over and take a look-see)

Scenes from a Playdate

* excuse the size and spacing of pics...all courtesy of blogger

************************

Today I had a couple of kids over from Honey's class. It was the first - 2 girls 2 boys- playdate and there was much anticipation in the ranks....

The kids arrived armed with their cozzies, wheels of choice (jayboards / rollerblades) and full of the joy that summer vac brings!

I learnt that as long as you feed and water them regularly they will pretty much sort themselves out. I was also very impressed with the way they included Hooli in their games. (Lulu is still in school)

Herewith a quick show n tell - shocking pics care of my cellphone but better than niks!

Below you will see that

a) black plastic motorbikes make great pool toys

b) pools solar blankets covered in bubbles make an awesome slip n slide

c) rollerblading and jayboarding is best done indoors....

News on Mr OMS

I have stuff to say. I always do but 2 / 3 of my offspring are now on holiday. I am avoiding spending too much time online for obvious reasons.

I can tell you this quickly cos its blown my mind...

For 7 wks I gymed religiously and lost not one gram...but after 2 sessions (over 8 days) with **Mr OMS I have lost 1.5kg!!!! And I am not dieting at all although I am a naturally healthy consumer ;-).

Seriously, if any of you are on a mission to shape up I would highly recommend beseeching Father Christmas for a trainer for one month!


** Mr OMS = Personal Trainer aka Mr One More Set. OH, and Mr OMS has agreed to write a guest blog post for me next year on the life and times of being a personal trainer. I will be asking for questions from you guys too so watch out for this early next year. And make the questions good cos I want him to feel some pain too!! ;-)

New Blogger on the Block

Well, thats not strictly true. He has been blogging for a while but I only recently discovered him through Kirsty's blog. As one would expect of Kirsty's friends...Ryan is a complete whacko; I reguarly snort out loud on my tea.

He is a Saffer living in the UK with his wife, young son and a bastard called Bill. Ryan's blog (i think) started as cathartic therapy in his pursuit of dealing with Bill the brain tumour.

I would suggest you read this post first as it will sketch the background of what Ryan is dealing with in his life, after that click through to his lastest post.

I know I do have the best followers....among you are powerful intercessors, women of great faith and compassion. It is you guys I told Ryan about - he needs us to do war for him so please go over and give him a good old Souff Efrican Hoesit Bru!

Thanks guys!