Ramblings of a lunatic mom and lampworker

Very sad news!!

2010-02-17T16:29:00.000+02:00

Today I found out that my best GF's mom was murdered. This happened Sunday sometime during the night. It was a gruesome murder. She was strangled/choked with a telephone cord and her head repeated bashed against a wall.

I'm in shock...numb and extremely sad that this happened to such a beautiful, kind hearted and wonderful woman.

My thoughts are with her and her family.

Welcome 2010 and goodbye 2009

2010-01-01T00:56:00.001+02:00

2010 is at the door…Remember life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile.

Gone Camping.....

2009-12-23T12:23:00.003+02:00

Have a super Christmas everyone......

Back soon.....

Hugs and loves

Michelle

Spring Day!!

2009-09-01T21:16:00.003+02:00

Just popping in to say 'hi'. Spring has arrived in full force although I won't be packing the winter woolies away just yet. LOL

Don't forget to check what is happening over at my other blog. Me, Myself and I. Link is on the left hand side.

Love and hugs

Michelle

Yummy Ice-cream!!

2009-07-26T16:42:00.001+02:00

A rare thing - A family photo

2009-06-19T14:31:00.001+02:00

A relaxing afternoon waiting for the Super 14 Final to start

2009-06-01T10:21:00.003+02:00

My rugby team WON!!! Woohooooo!!

2009-05-24T11:45:00.003+02:00

Go and read about it.....my first spinning class

2009-05-19T10:52:00.000+02:00

http://mmai-shellyd.blogspot.com/2009/05/its-going-to-be-addictive.html

Clearly I'm not A-MAIZED!!!

2009-05-11T12:30:00.002+02:00

After a very disappointing time at the Honeydew Mazes, with a rude and crass staff member - I will not return to this venue or recommend this venue.

I have for years looked forward to trying this venue out and we finally got the chance only to have one rude woman ruin it all. We will not return!!

I appreciate the fact they have rules and regulations but the manner in which she dealt with us left a sour taste in my mouth.

A night at the cricket

2009-05-08T09:08:00.007+02:00

The fireworks display after the game.

Joshua and Bradley having some fun!!

Matthew Hayden (Australian Cricket player) playing for the (will have to check up on how it is spelt....LOL)

Kurt Darren - Local singer

Gareth and Lindsey (Gareth is a friend and colleague of Ant's)

Me in my 'skinnier' jeans...........LOL

After the first cloud burst....

Last night we took the boys to their first cricket game and in a way Ant's first too. That man has led a way too sheltered life. LOL

The day started off a bit gloomy but it cleared up and the sun brightened up the sky. By 15:30 a bank of dark angry clouds started looming. "Oh No!!!" I packed the picnic and hubby walked in the door, we did not hold out much hope. Off we headed to the stadium, and found a parking spot albeit a very EXPENSIVE parking spot - R40.00, little did we realise that from that moment on everything was going to cost a fortune. LOL As we walked into the stadium, the heavens above opened up and the rain came down. We found a spot in the passage and huddled together while those who had been there for most of the day were going on loudly around us. Something the boys were not used too. For me it was a flood of memories rushing back from years gone by. LOL Some moments were tense at the stadium due to racial slurs (yes, it is still very real) and one young guy, who had one to many beers in him could have done with having his mouth clamped for him - thankfully we all managed to ignore him as best we could. A sharp look from police officers helped as well. And then of course there were the ones with one to many beers but who were just plain silly and provided some entertainment. I couldn't wait for the rain to stop so we could head to the grass embankment where our tickets were allocated.

The rain stopped and what was left of the sun for the day came out - casting beautiful colours over the stadium. The people who look after the pitch and field then came out to start frantically clearing what water they could, putting sand/sawdust down and getting the field ready for the game. And just as we all held our breathes that the game would start shortly - the heavens above opened up again, covers were frantically returned over the pitch and it was a waiting game again. At this stage the stadium emptied somewhat with lots of people giving up hope that the game would be able to take place. A lovely group of people under a gazebo offered us some shelter as the 4 of us were just not fitting under our tiny unbrella. Not to long after that - the rain stopped. The same process all over again. The cricketers warming up, the staff trying to sort out the field and all of us hoping that this rain would finally stay away.

The game started but was reduced to 18 overs a side. I think we were going into the second over and the heavens opened up - thankfully the players and umpires stayed. Thankfully it did not last long and the game went on. Huge **sighs** of relief. It was magic, and about the only time you would see me supporting an Australian cricket player - Matthew Hayden was 'klapping' that ball. He hit quite a few 6's, much to the delight of all us. Before we knew it the 18 overs were over and it was time to switch sides. The other team did well to chase the runs, but didn't quite get there.

After the game was over, there was an amazing fireworks display and then a Kurt Darren song was being played. I was in 7th Heaven - next thing, hubby says look on the big screen, it was Kurt singing live I was jumping around like a teenager much to the amazement of Ant's work colleagues who clearly did not know this about me.....LOL You see I'm very English - no hint of Afrikaans in me. LOL No way were we leaving just yet. He only sang two songs but that was great!!

With two tired boys in hand we left the stadium and headed home. We had loads of fun and cannot wait to do it again.

Having the Indian Premier League here has been fun....seeing the teams mixed has added to the excitement. Australians and South African team members playing on the same team amongst the Indian teams.

What can I say - we love our sport. Especially cricket and rugby. My Aussie and New Zealand buds will clearly understand.

Have a super weekend. Don't forget to check out my new blog - Me, Myself and I

Hugs

Michelle

Knowledge is Power!!

2009-04-29T08:10:00.002+02:00

With reports of Swine Flu all over the news, I thought I should read up on it. Besides giving us symptons our Government hasn't done much else. As of this morning according to news reports they hadn't even issued a Travel Advisory notice for Mexico. Duh!!

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

Keep safe everyone.

Hugs

Mich

A new blog focusing on ME, Me, me

2009-04-25T14:21:00.001+02:00

It's a crazy idea...but I want to give it a try.

http://mmai-shellyd.blogspot.com/

Weight Watchers : Week 12 - only .2kg's down

2009-04-22T10:50:00.003+02:00

Eeeeek, I didn't get to blog about Week 12.

Considering we had the long weekend and that we were away, the fact that I was .2 kg's down, I considered a miracle.

The struggle has been on this week. Lots of moments of self doubt, all the questions and the moments of 'I just want this gone' and not later, NOW!! Now I know picking up all this weight did not happen overnight although realising it was there did feel like 'overnight'. I woke up one morning and enough was enough. Now 12 weeks into WW and approx. 6-8 weeks of gym and I'm getting FRUSTRATED. I cannot look at lasagne, pizza, a packet of chips, biscuits/cookies without my body charging me a 1kg for trying and sometimes even looking. LOL

This morning I dragged my body out of bed just before 7:30, all the time motivating myself to attend a body conditioning class at 8am. Now, I usually attend the 1pm class but because today being a public holiday due to elections the only classes were this morning. The good news is I made the class but I had my moments. The ladies in reception were all cheerful and brought a smile to my day. I informed them that I had just dragged my 'sorry butt' out of bed, had not even had a cup of coffee yet and that the class had better be worth it. I get upstairs and the class is filled with I call the 'g-string parade'. The girls who hardly work up a sweat and are co-ordinated to a tee. Here is me - baggy t-shirt, a bra that just does the job as no sports bra fits yet and my comfy workout pants that I live in between washes. I uhmmmm, I ahhhhhh, about turn and head back down stairs. No way!! I'll grab my MP3 player and hit the treadmill and circuit.....I can zone out. The girls in reception want to know what is up.....I tell them that as I seem to be the only fat girl in the class that maybe this is not for me. I get the lecture...are you losing weight for them or for yourself. I sheepishly admit that I am doing it for me, smile, about turn and head back upstairs. I find the back corner of the class....get all my equipment and 'Just do it'....I did the class and I had fun while dreaming of the day I will be in a g-string, tight pants, tight top, perkier boobs (maybe they will hang less south) and remember to smile encouragement at the heavier girl while remembering that I was once in the same shoes.

I've been looking into Personal Trainers. Now considering I told DH (darling hubby) that I could do this without direction I am coming to the realisation that some direction, encouragement and a bunch of other stuff is needed. Hubby is behind this 100%, and I'll admit that I am surprised by his attitude on this because of 'well him being him' LOL. Now they don't come cheap - eeeeekkk!! - and I'm going to have to figure this out.

At the end of the day...I realise this has been a hard week for me. I broke the rules, I ate the lasagne and had some pizza but I resisted the packet of chips although God help me, that packet of Lays Basalmic Vinegar were calling to me each time I walked past them in the shop. I have not drunk near enough water each day. It has cooled down and I find drinking water harder...but my body feels it and I just have to work harder getting it into this body of mine. But I'll figure this out, I'll get through this crappy week, and work harder at it.

How has your week been?

Now I'm going to cast my vote.

...when we thought our parents had it 'oh so wrong', did they actually have it RIGHT!!

2009-04-17T08:12:00.004+02:00

Ten Ways To Be A More Light-Hearted ParentBy Gretchen Rubin

One of my Twelve Commandments is "Lighten up," and I have a lot of resolutions aimed at trying to be a more light-hearted parent: less nagging, more laughing. We all want a peaceful, cheerful, even joyous, atmosphere at home -- but we can't nag and yell our way to get there.

Here are some strategies that help me:

1. At least once a day, make each child helpless with laughter.

2. Sing in the morning. It's hard both to sing and to maintain a grouchy mood, and it sets a happy tone for everyone--particularly in my case, because I'm tone deaf and my audience finds my singing a source of great hilarity.

3. Get enough sleep yourself. It's so tempting to stay up late, to enjoy the peace and quiet. But morning comes fast. Along the same lines...

4. Wake up before your kids. We were so rushed in the morning that I started getting up half an hour earlier than my children. That means I can get myself organized, check my email, post to Slate, and get my bag packed before they get up. It's tough to wake up earlier, but it has made a huge difference in the quality of our mornings.

5. I've been researching the hedonic treadmill: people quickly adapt to new pleasures or luxuries, so it takes a new pleasure to give them a jolt of gratification. As a result, I've cut back on treats and impulse buys for my kids. The ice-cream sandwich or the Polly Pockets set won't be an exciting treat if it isn't rare.

6. Most messages to kids are negative: "stop," "don't," "no." So I try to cast my answers as "yes." "Yes, we'll go as soon as you've finished eating," not "We're not leaving until you've finished eating." It's not easy to remember to do this, but I'm trying.

7. Look for little ways to celebrate. I haven't been doing holiday breakfasts long, but they're a huge source of happiness. They're quick, fun, and everyone gets a big kick out of them.

8. Repetition works. A friend told me he was yelling at his kids too much, so he distilled all rules of behavior into four key phrases: "keep your hands to yourself"; "answer the first time you're asked"; "ask first"; and "stay with us" (his kids tended to bolt). You can also use the school mantras: "Sit square in your chair;" "accidents will happen," "you get what you get, and you don't get upset" (i.e., when cupcakes are handed out, you don't keep trying to switch).

9. Say "no" only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure. Put water in the toy tea set? Okay. Sleep with your head at the foot of the bed? Fine. Samuel Johnson said, "All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle."

10. When I find myself thinking, "Yippee, soon we won't have to deal with a stroller," I remind myself how fleeting this is. All too soon the age of Cheerios and the Tooth Fairy will be over. The days are long, but the years are short.

Thanks go to a fellow lampworker who posted this on one of the lampworking forums I visit. This article seems to have come at a time when I seem to be at my wits end at what to do. Josh and I are clashing at every corner and I constantly feel like I am in 'yell' mode!! He definitely seems to go through these stages where he feels the need to test the boundaries and to see just how far he can push me. Last night it felt like he was clearly winning the battle of wits as I lost my temper which resulted in me yelling and screaming like a banchee....which is never good.

I got to thinking and this also got me frustrated as I realised that with 99% of his antics, if I had tried the same with my parents my lil' ol' bottom would have been in a permanent red state. We the clearly knew the boundaries and knew what would happen should we push them. There was 'NO, I won't eat this or that', there was 'NO, I don't like that' and there was definitely 'NO - yuck'!! Clearly I knew what the consequences were if I did not sit down and eat my dinner that had been graciously cooked for me. We live in times where disciplining our children, gets us parents being judged, we try to negotiate with our kids - apparently my parents did not believe in negotiation. I sometimes feel that my kids have me on my knees and I've lost control as a parent. When I end up yelling and screaming I am no longer the parent but the child throwing the tantrum.

Trying to get Josh home from nursery school has me wary and worried about the tantrum he is going to throw when I collect him. Trying not to go in to throttle mode around all the other moms who seem to be in control of everything or the teacher frowning at you and now you're thinking about what she is thinking and driving yourself nutz!!!

The moments at gym. After enjoying a great workout the fear of walking into the kid zone and facing yet another tantrum because he feels he hasn't been there long enough!! Then everyone staring at you in the reception area as you have this 4 yo throwing himself on the floor.

I get the feeling I would make a great NEGOTIATIOR one day because my kids are giving me all the training I need. I feel myself saying 'but when I was your age.......my mother.....blah, blah, blah'. My mother never ever NEGOTIATED and I love her for it!!

I crumble in shops. I'd rather get the wants and demands than face the tantrum that will follow. There is no one to blame but ME, ME, ME!! I have aided and abetted this behavior....I have allowed them to control me when I should be controlling them....I cannot follow this path of giving into his every whim - he will learn nothing from it.

Why does parenting seem so much harder in todays world than when we were kids and I have to wonder when we thought our parents had it 'oh so wrong', did they actually have it RIGHT!!

Our Easter weekend away

2009-04-15T09:15:00.003+02:00

This is what it is all about. Out and about and exploring. No layed on entertainment but heading out and discovering. Each morning we would wake up, make breakfast, pack a lunch and head out. I'm pretty sure we haven't covered every nook here yet which is not a bad thing. The photo above was taken at the rapids. Nothing major but fun to play in and explore. I've course there was a shriek from me as a little or not so little crab went crawling over my foot much to the amusement of my little guys.

We were very lucky this time around with the animals we spotted. We got to see a baboon, a 50/50 chance of having seeing a boomslang (a very poisinous green snake) but as we could not 100% confirm the identity chances are that it was possibly a harmless water snake but then who wants to take a chance and we made a wide birth around it while heading to the cave. We were lucky to have spotted this pair of Klipspringers, aren't they beautiful!! We spotted them on our way from the cave to the slide pools. Naturally, I was the scaredy cat who was perpetually living in fear of coming across another 'bad' green snake. There is no trail as such, the river is used as a guide to make your way to the slide pools. Alternatively, we could have head back on the trail and then taken the trail to the slide pools but what fun would that have been. We spotted squirrels at our camp - they would dart through the trees on our campsite. I also discovered a nest in the washing up area, which I think is a swallow's nest. Let's not forget the warthogs - we saw them again but they were not around as much as they were last time.

Can you tell that these guys had fun!! Josh constantly clowning around.

Aah, this picture is courtesy of Josh. I turned 36 rather uneventfully. LOL Yes, the boys did wish we Happy Birthday first before dashing off in search of their Easter Eggs. That bunny and I need to talk. He left way too many behind!! At least we had some long walks to work off the sugar rush. Josh seems rather sensitive lately and turns into Taz...spinning in circles and I cannot keep up.

Excuse the grubby hair but the bright spark in me left my shampoo and conditioner at home. Not very clever right!!

On our first night, Ant and I woke up in the morning thinking our blowup mattress was losing air but just thought a good pump would help it. Next night we wake up. Bums on the floor, feet and heads raised. Not comfortable at all. Here is the sweet darling man pumping up the mattress at 4 in the morning and while trying to fall asleep again the realisation that we had a puncture was most definitely certain!! At the little shop at the camp I thought I had seen puncture kits, but just my luck that they had sold out the day before. Off Ant went in search of a puncture kit and finally found one in Buffelspoort, more of a resort area than anything else. Come Sunday night and we're expecting a blissful night of sleep, it was just not meant to be. This time at 2am (here's me - you got to be kidding right..lol) bums on the floor, feet and head in the air - not a comfortable situation at all. Up we get....pump the mattress and find puncture no. 2. The puncture kit is slowly becoming our best friend. We fix the puncture the best we can as there is no lengthy times to allow proper drying to this or that. We take our chances and fall back to sleep. Thankfully no more bums on the floor and feet and heads in the air. Woooohooooo!!!

On Monday I was really sad - the relaxation and peace had just started setting in and the last thing I felt like doing was heading back home. But home it was and after packing up, another quick walk and it was time to head home. We stopped off at our favourite farmstall called Jasmyn to break the trip and before we knew it we were back in city living.

I live in the comfort that we have booked a lengthy stay in December over Christmas and as soon as Spring knocks on our door we'll head out there for a quick mini break.

Weight Watchers : Week 11 - Never Ever Give Up!! Down 1.4kg's

2009-04-09T13:45:00.002+02:00

With a lot of hard work, strict control of my WW points and a few changes at gym and Voila!! I am down 1.4kg's. I added some weights to my exercise routine which has turned out not to be a bad thing at all and I am enjoying the circuit more than I thought I would. When I walk on the treadmill I carry my 1kg weights that fit snuggly into each hand to help get that heart rate up....and YES, I am still having fun. {{big smiles}}

Those hiking boots are there for a reason. It is Easter Weekend and we're off on our 3 night, 4 day camping trip. Woooohoooooo!! The weather has cooled down a bit, but thankfully no rain is forecast and we're not in the dead of winter so it is 'just right' so to say. So I'll be packing in ernest sometime today.

For those of you travelling, travel safe and no matter where you are I hope you have a super long weekend and enjoy spending it just the way you want to.

Hugs to you all.

Mich

News Headline : Bathroom Scale SAVED by pool safety net!!

2009-04-03T14:11:00.002+02:00

Week 10: Weight Watchers......don't look

2009-04-02T13:25:00.002+02:00

Yeah, the scale hates me. I'm up .6kg's which ='s 1kg up over the past two weeks.

I got to the meeting earlier today as traffic was not as chaotic due to school holidays. None of us were looking to happy and got chatting and I'm glad I did as lots of ideas and thoughts were thrown my way.

* I am going to investigate changes to my treadmill routine and I got myself some 1.5kg weights to go with me on the treadmill.

* Change my routines - not eating the same things for breakfast and lunch. Change and variety. Hmmmm

* Doing more weight training and trying out the toning circuit.

* To stop being so hard on myself!! Yeah right.

* Drink more water.

* Persistance, Persistance, Persistance and NOT GIVING UP!! My fellow lampworkers - PPP

I just want to thank you all for stopping by and commenting. Your support means so much to me. My brain hears what you're saying BUT it is amazing what the # on the scale can do to one mentally. Yes, I can feel it in my clothes, I know it when I can buy a size smaller BUT I am amazed at how much that no. on the scale does to me mentally. This morning I had visions of the scale sinking to the bottom pool.

I am exhausted most of the time and I guess the late nights are not helping. A longing for being with my friends in the USA, it's been 2 years and I miss you all. Time flies.....one day!!

The bathroom scale HATES me....yes, it DOES!!

2009-04-01T08:03:00.007+02:00

Don't you just love that website : http://icanhascheezburger.com/

I'm getting panicky and frustrated!! The bathroom scale HATES me, I swear it does!! My clothes feel better and I've dropped a cup size as well as a bra size. Does that make sense?? But, the bathroom scale HATES me. The other day I bought a more comfy pair of pants to exercise in - dropped a size. Why doesn't the bathroom scale agree??

I'm almost living at the gym now in this desperation to lose weight. How long I can keep this up - who knows? Yesterday I upped my game on the treadmill and cycling machines. Then after that sweaty session, I bumped into Sanele, our water aerobics instructor who felt some abdominal exercises would be a good idea. I HATE Sanele, okay, I don't - but when I was doing the exercises, I did. LOL I think we have an appointment on Thursday to do some more. I love the exercise for the 'love handles' - had fun with those. LOL

Tonight is Tai Chi and I have done no research. I really must try and squeeze some time in and google it. I need to find a decent pair of slippers that do not have a 'Winnie the Pooh' character on (wouldn't that do down well in class) for class. A nice black pair. And no not slipper slippers, but slippers. {{grin}}

I might try and squeeze in some cardio and maybe some body conditioning as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving gym but I'm worried about how much time I end up spending there. I love the smell of pools, I find it refreshing and I also made a new discovery yesterday as well, I seem to do better with cardio when I'm listening to local artists who sing Afrikaans songs. I found that it was easier to zone out and do what needed to be done vs. struggling.

What has not helped either is a busy social calendar, it was hubby's birthday last weekend, our anniversary yesterday and my birthday coming up soon, and it happens to be over Easter weekend too. I've taken to smelling Hot Cross Buns....don't worry, I buy them and don't eat them. Pure torture....!!

Best to face the day. Stay strong and true and remember YOU CAN DO IT!! and so CAN I!!

Earth Hour

2009-03-28T22:49:00.003+02:00

Did you or are you taking part. You still got time. :))

We did!!

http://www.earthhour.org

Week 9 : Weight Watchers - up (point) 4

2009-03-26T10:34:00.002+02:00

Sadly, no gold stars this week!!

It went up, for the first time since I started WW. Thankfully there are no thoughts of giving up but only a determination to lose the .4 plus more quickly!!

Going to gym has resulted in me trying some new classes - water aerobics, pilates orientation and Tai Chi. All of which I have enjoyed!! The only hiccup is that cardio takes a back seat on these days but I will figure it out eventually.

This journey I am on is amazing. I love learning new things daily and discovering things about myself that I never ever thought I'd ever try or even like.

I have a crazy day ahead, ending with bookclub this evening. I haven't seen the girls in over 2 months so I'm looking forward to catching up.

Enjoy!!!

Mich

Don't wanna get on!!

2009-03-25T22:36:00.004+02:00

If life goes according to my bathroom scale, I don't wanna get on. Tomorrow is weigh-in and I'd love not to get on the scale tomorrow. For once I strongly believe that it will go up instead of down. Bummer!!

I joined a local gym last weekend and have been going practically everyday except for yesterday. I've done cardio, various classes and had fun!! But eeeeek - that number just doesn't want to budge this week. I think I could turn my scale upside down - nothing will help.

I am definitely enjoying the gym experience. Most of the time we (the boys and me) are there in the afternoons when it is at it's quietest, which is heaven. My sister has been keen to do more group activities which means going to gym in the evenings. Tonight we tried Tai Chi and I LOVED it...., tomorrow we'll be doing water aerobics but at some stage I need to squeeeeeeze in some more cardio. The boys are a great motivator - they just want to go and naturally trying to get them to come home is a challenge but a promise to return the next day seems to work.

I am also looking into a pedometer - the one I am looking at can actually be connected to your PC and the info downloaded and I guess you track it. It connects to the same page that has all my gym info and tracking my progress online is turning out to be fun.

We have also joined another programme through our medical aid. We earn discount on healthy food options at our one retailer. When we make our purchases we hand over our card, it tracks what we purchase and once a month we receive 25% back on certain food items - thinking we can use that as a special treat and it is a motivator to buy fresh fruit and veg, fat free milk/yoghurt and many other healthy options. In this economy getting anything back is a bonus!!

Anyway, time to hit the sack. I'm going to try and build up some courage for that scale tomorrow. Wish me luck................!!

Mich

The Bird and The Cat...

2009-03-24T09:24:00.004+02:00

It was one of those moments when I could have kicked myself for not thinking of the camera sooner. Purr-dy cat kept us all entertained with her hunting antics. At one stage there were two of the Grey Loeries staring down at Purr-dy while Purr-dy was staring up at them.

More reason NOT to purchase any products made in China!!

2009-03-23T11:16:00.003+02:00

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_2489758,00.html

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2490023,00.html

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_2489791,00.html

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2489768,00.html

and this has to be the 'good laugh' of the day and 'no surprise really' news of the day.

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2489998,00.html

I find it shocking that South Africa will not grant the Dalai Lama a Visa to come to South Africa. This past weekend we celebrated 'Human Rights Day'!! Just what are we saying to China when we give in to pressure and do what they demand. They are a country who have no problems with abusing human rights. It just goes to show how money talks. I will now make more of an effort NOT to buy any products made in China and be more vigilant about what ends up in my shopping basket. If the item comes with a ridiculously cheap price - good chances are that it would have been made in China.

And the laugh for the day. No suprise that the money went missing...really....what did everyone expect!!

An absolutely FANTABULOUS Saturday......

2009-03-21T21:52:00.002+02:00

Anthony and Pierre - long time friends......

It started when an early start. Yep, another gym session. This time I met my sister and we delivered the kidlets to their section at the gym and off we went to what we thought would be an easy session of water aerobics. Boy, were we sadly mistaken but we had FUN!!! I think my muscles are going to be telling me tomorrow morning just how much fun we had.
Before our morning exercise we chatted to a hunk of a swimming instructor. Guess who came home telling hubby that I think I need some stroke correction lessons - yeah, yeah!! I'll wait until I'm skinny - right now I'd just be a whale floundering around in the pool. But on a serious note we're thinking that Josh should learn to swim and now that we are at the gym it's easier because it's an inside pool so seasons do not matter. Now to convince Josh about what a good idea it is.

Mez and I then had a quick breakfast at the gym before dashing off shopping and putting everything together for the braai. More pics tomorrow..........

I had so much fun today...a day filled with laughter, friendship, family and good times!!!

Hope you're having a super Saturday and weekend.

Week 8 : Weight Watchers - Down 1kg and total loss to date of 7.2kg's

2009-03-19T10:06:00.002+02:00

What a feeling!! Another 1kg down. I'm thinking that all the gym this past week has payed off. My only concern is that I might become obsessive about it, that is how much I am determined to get rid of this excess weight. I am really proud of what I have accomplished to date.

A reminder of some of the changes I have made:

* Smaller portions

* Healthier choices (more fruit and veg, and red meat is way down)

* Drinking 1.5l - 2l of water everyday.

* Gym (plenty exercise in the cardio section of the gym)

* Not depiving myself. (I still have the odd piece of chocolate, but it is the organic expensive kind, so I want it too last as long as it can {{smile}}. If at a social event I will treat myself to something special but not go overboard.

* Friday nights have been my pizza and chill night!

* Getting the family involved.

This is just a summary of the last 8 weeks equating to a 7.2 kg loss, which is 15.84 pounds. I am hoping to achieve my 10% loss by the end of the 12 weeks. I will then continue on with a new goal of another 10%. By taking it in smaller chunks, my goal is never far away and is achievable.

To my supporters and you all know who you are, a HUGE big Thank You!! I love you ladies.....

Adding to that healthy lifestyle mix....

2009-03-16T19:20:00.006+02:00

NO...definitely not another baby!! This cutie pie is my cousin Nadine's little one and his name is Luke.

So what is the addition to the healthy living mix? The answer would be exercise. This past weekend saw me getting the boys and myself sorted out with our gym contracts etc. etc. The verdict is still out on hubby joining in but I'm sure it won't be too long and he'll see just how much fun we're having that he'll join too. I have promised him that the odd game or 2 of squash when I'm fit enough.

Even though I am losing weight, I am losing it very slowly which can be frustrating. Some days I just want it gone. After swearing that I would not put a foot in a gym - I did. Now remember, a girl is allowed to change her mind.

The equipment seems to get smarter and smarter. The treadmills now have their own lil' tv screen but my favourite new addition, well new for me, is the fan!! To have that cool air blowing on me was heaven! It was also nice to be exercising knowing that the boys were getting a dose of some exercise as well, and best part was that they were having fun. Once they had done their session they were then allowed to play with the PS2 or WII and just chill. When I went to pick them up, I got the 'do we have to goooooo.....' I foresee lotz of time being spent at the gym.

There are some amazing classes and I look forward to trying some of them out. They have water aerobics, zenpilates, pilates, yoga, aerobics, step, ab attack and a whole bunch more. I'm not saying either way on the spinning classes just yet but maybe one day.

I've got a crazy week ahead of me. Homeschooling, housecleaning, getting ready for a big braai this weekend, gym and planning our healthy meals. Thanks to Gina's WW recipes - life is made easier some days.

Hope you have a fabulous week. Keep it positive!!

Hugs............

Kitty with attitude!!

2009-03-14T20:18:00.001+02:00

I just had to check my Hotmail!

2009-03-13T20:56:00.002+02:00

New Private Message at Torch Bugs: A Forum for Lampwork Glass Beads and Jewelry‏
From:
Torch Bugs: A Forum for Lampwork Glass Beads and Jewelry (admin@torchbugs.com)
Sent:
12 March 2009 10:56:11 AM
To:
im2glassy4u@hotmail.com
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL!*************************** Dear 2Glassy4U,

Dear 2Glassy4U, You have received a new private message at Torch Bugs: A Forum for Lampwork Glass Beads and Jewelry from Frogsongstudio, entitled "Fair notice". To read the original version, respond to, or delete this message, you must log in here:http://www.torchbugs.com/forums/private.php This is the message that was sent:

***************I have banned both of your other ID's and I'm giving you fair notice that if I find you registering with another ID I'll ban every one of them, including this one. Multiple registrations are not allowed and anyone caught doing it will be permanently banned. This includes logging in under a friends ID which will get you both banned. I like ****** and I would like to continue doing so. Deb***************

Again, please do not reply to this email. You must go to the following page to reply to this private message:http://www.torchbugs.com/forums/private.php All the best,Torch Bugs: A Forum for Lampwork Glass Beads and Jewelry

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

Just so we are clear I have never had to use anybody else's ID to get any information from your forum or any forum for that matter. An innocent fellow local lampworker is now being accused of conspiring with me. Your battle is with me and no one else. Got it!!

I sincerely hope that Deb contacts this lampworker and apologises for jumping to conclusions. But I doubt that is your style!!

My final words on this matter....okay!!

2009-03-13T18:29:00.008+02:00

Watch out I've lost that self control again!!!

In all honesty I've had enough!! I am aware that some of you might not be aware of the history but there is history!!

I watched a good friend get torn to shreds by the pitbull behavior of some high ranking TB members and mods over at LE. I have seen how they treat others with little regard of how it would effect others. I am very aware of a fellow lampworker being stalked through the internet by some of these very highly regarded members!! They love to stir up trouble over at LE but keep their lil' sandpit spit polished clean!!

I am sick to death of them shouting how magnificent they are when they enjoy treating others with absolute disrespect!!

So yes, Torchbugs may appear to be a positive environment. But in the early days many things happened - it resulted in posts being deleted very quickly, threads disappearing all in the name of the forum being the 'positive' environment that they boasted of.

A recent incident over in the LE Bathroom resulted in the Campfire changes.

Unless you know the history, I beg you please don't bother to comment on what you actually do not know. OK!!

Yes, I have been able to log on with my original name - no surprise really!! Neither party can prove either way what actually was going on. Will I go back?- SERIOUSLEY!! - no I won't. I'm sure it shows when the person last logged in or something like that. I have no need to suck up to those woman, to share with them, or do anything else with them for that matter. Some of them do fabulous work, doesn't mean I like the human behind the work and I'm sure the feelings are pretty much mutual.

LE has become home with a great community of people. The vendors and major vendors are there. A lot of information is there. To be honest going to an almost replica forum holds no value to me. I got sucked in out of curiousity and it grew from there. I joined an exchange. I have been friends with this lampworker for many years and my integrity was challenged in a PM from a mod. When they found out I was there, they came with guns blazing. Admittedly my relationship with most of these woman was non-existant but no where did they state that they would be selective in who they welcomed and who they would not. The fact that another lampworker and I caught them in situations that contradicted what they stated and we voiced our opinions made us 'persona non grata'. So why should I think a hiccup/glitch was anything but that??

Just the other night/morning I watched how a bunch of them twist words to make it suite them. Accusing others of doing things that they hadn't. Why do they do this? Because they know it will be flushed.

You want to put these woman on a pedestal and say how great they are, then good for you. Your experience with them has only been positive. As for mine - quite simply I doubt we will ever see eye to eye!! Why??? It's an issue of TRUST and I for one will never trust them. To put it midly, if I were to go into battle I would never trust one of those woman to watch my back!!

In all honesty I am happy with the handful of people who come to my blog to read it for what it is, for those of you who have no time for me. Just why are you here!! Surely my opinion is of no concern to you!! So in all honesty - buzz off!!

...and seriousley if you cannot stand by what you say by leaving your name - PLEEEESE don't bother to comment. I have very little respect for those who cannot stand by what they have to say!!

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

2009-03-13T17:53:00.002+02:00

Don't you just love Katy Perry's song - Hot n Cold

My favourite bit:

"'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up"

Today on my mind is gym memberships and how FRUSTRATING they can be. Either way I don't win. No surprise there!! The bonus of going to one is the potential health benefits as well as this weight of mine shifting sooner than later. {{grin}}

The hiccup which really isn't a hiccup but it will cost us either way. The boys!! No babysitter, housekeeper to back me up. They have to go with. I'm restricted with time etc. and the potential of having to pay an extra R225.00 p/month to keep the boys occupied at the gym. Negative = Cost
Positive = They get to exercise and work out. Way cool!!!

So I'm hot and then cold, in and then out, and up and then down.....LOL Decision making should be easier - right??

Weight Watchers : Week 7 - Down 1.6kg's

2009-03-12T11:02:00.003+02:00

That was a huge relief!! By this morning I was positive that the scale would not be in my favour at all. I have not been paying full attention to my points. My compass this past week was to make the right choices where I could. Back to watching those points, the stress is not worth it.

Other changes made during the week was that I try and eat my last meal before 6pm or just after. I carry my 1.5L bottle of water with me everywhere. These have been BIG contributors to the weight loss.

Excercise is another biggie. To shift this weight sooner rather than later it has come to my attention that the more exercise I do, the better!! My intention was not to step into a gym until I had lost a good amount of weight but thankfuly we can change our minds. We will also try and get the botanical gardens on a regular basis. The best part about that is that it is something we can do as a family!!

I am also really enjoying cooking. We eat a variety of meals and our red meat is way down on the menu plan. More vegetarian dishes, chicken and fish.

How was your week?

At the end of the day...

2009-03-11T22:22:00.002+02:00

In a short while I will be making my blog private.

It has a been a tough day. My only reason right now for wanting to log into Torchbugs was to take part in an exchange I joined or ultimately withdraw from it.

I will defend myself no further!!

I am already ashamed with my behavior this evening - there is no excuse except for a lack of self control.

Night all

You want to see what spiteful looks like....

2009-03-11T21:19:00.003+02:00

Go take a look in the mirror if you have issues. May I remind you of a pesky rule I would hope you would respect and that is if you don't like what I blog about then don't freaking read it.

I am a person who is real, who blogs about everything in my life. It is not just about lampworking, it is about my life and what is happening in at the time. I blog about a bunch of high school girls who have nothing better to do than play silly games and scream INNOCENT!!

Call it a glitch, call it paranoia, I really couldn't care!!

Same computer, same everything. I can log into Torchbugs under my new make believe life...NO PROBLEM!! Log in as 2Glassy4U and yes I am there for all you wonderful people to see but guess what I CAN'T!! Reminder - same computer, same ISP - so tell me why??? Must be one of those internet things. Yeah....deep paranoia!!

You want to be so squeeeeky clean that you don't have the BALLS to ban those you don't tolerate, you stoop to childish behavior and scream NOT US, NEVER US!!

Jy weet wat, julle maak my maal. Dit is nou tyd dat ek my goed vat en trek ferreira!! Jou forum is nie die moeite werd nie!! Put that through your freaking translator!!

The JCI Geological Trail

2009-03-09T11:31:00.003+02:00

Yesterday we joined my sister for her bithday at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens for a picnic with family and friends.

After everyone had enjoyed their picnic's we decided to hit the trail. I think I was partly brave and really stupid. We headed to the waterfall to start our hike. Here was me all eager and taking off like there was no tomorrow. First mistake!! I should have taken it slow. We were barely at the top of the falls and the nausea set in - it was most certainley time to take a breather but here was Josh - demanding we carry on. LOL I caught my breath and prayed to the heavens above that I wouldn't throw up, although part me thought that losing lunch was not entirely a bad idea (probably ate more than I should have, hmmmm, definitely more than I should have). We got to the top of the falls and it was beautiful, luckily the trail flattened out a bit and I could gather myself together. Needless to say that by now I had wanted to turn back a good couple of times - thinking I couldn't do it. Ant was good - he never insisted either way but followed my lead. Off we were again. The trail continued up and up - I guess this was the Roodekrans Ridge. I found a few good rocks to sit on along that trail. When we finally got to the top it really felt good!! I had done it. Now there was the matter of getting back down. Although not back-breaking, my legs took strain and my right ankle decided to kick up a protest but I took it in my stride. Finally back on even ground my legs were clearly not talking to me but I felt good. Now all I want to do is go back and do other walks as well as this one. A good way to get fit, don't you think.

That was my Sunday!!

Steps

2009-03-08T21:36:00.002+02:00

Cannot wait to tell you about our 3.5km hike!! Yeah!!!

It's about that 'other place'

2009-03-08T08:46:00.003+02:00

Well, you try and be honest and what does it get you? It gets you interesting!!

I could have signed on at Torchbugs and never been honest in my profile or avatar, I could have lied, I could have been everything these woman say they don't like but what does that get you. It gets you messed with. Quite simply why the hell don't you just ban me, remove me or something. But I guess your childish games are far more FUN!!

Keep your forum. In all honesty you did your best to make yourself as similar to LE as you could. Corri is more woman than any of you will ever be!!

So guys and girls don't be fooled if you see 2Glassy4U over at Torchbugs because I may be able to sign in as long as I have no cookies on my end but once I hit log in everything goes haywire this side. I'm there, but I'm not. I cannot see diddly and get weird errors - I can't even partake in a good friends exchange that I had joined. Oh well!! I may not be able to get on but I'll still do my part and send my pieces.

What people do not realise is that I can connect via hubby's laptop and it didn't take long to figure out that it was only the 2Glassy4U that was effected. I guess banning me was just not simple enough for you!!

Grow up girls and get a back bone!!!

My Gran is at peace...

2009-03-06T09:59:00.002+02:00

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.

I am comforted to know that my gran has finally found peace!!

Hugs...

Weight Watchers : Week 6 - Down .2kg's

2009-03-05T11:27:00.002+02:00

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!! Definitely not what I had hoped for.

Not being properly organised for the camp trip and not drinking as much water was probably my downfall this past week and sneaking in the hot cross bun was probably not a good idea - eeeek

BUT a loss is a loss and I should be grateful that I have not gone up in the past 6 weeks but that I been moving slowly downwards towards goal weight.

Just a quick thanks to all of you who provided ideas for the next trip. Thankfully, I have about 5 weeks to experiment and plan. {{grin}}

And an update on Gran. Gran was discharged from hospital yesterday and returned to the nursing home she has been staying at. The Dr could no longer justify keeping her in hospital to the Medical Aid - got to love those Medical Aids, but sadly stated that he feels that she will be back in hospital soon as she is refusing food and water. This means her protein levels are low and will most likely end up dehydrated again.

Forgiveness

2009-03-04T16:09:00.005+02:00

It has been 'one of those days' where everything will not go as planned and where I am at eternal war with myself over certain family issues, so this could not have arrived at a better time...

Young @ Heart by Pam Young

The Potato Report

Last week I wrote to you all about my challenge of forgiving a couple of people I've had ill feelings toward. If you read my essay you know I cut a potato in half to represent each person and carved their names in the halves to keep on my desk until I could forgive them. Here is my Potato Report.

February 24, sent Young @ Heart to Kelly February 25, Halves are still on my desk. They are very scary looking, and are starting to smell like dirty feet or dirty laundry that's been in the hamper too long.

February 26, Halves are getting soft and dark. I have an Aha Moment: It is AS ridiculous to be mad at the potato on my desk, as it is to be mad at the people it represents. There is NO difference. Is it the potato's fault that my office smells like dirty feet and there are Nats circling? No, the potato is just being what it is. If I allow the potato to stay on my desk it's my fault. Is it the people's fault (who the potato represents) that I've been upset and angry? No, they are just being who they are. If I allow the people the potato represents to pull me from my joy, it's my fault. The potato on my desk has done nothing to me that I need to forgive, any more than the people the potato represents have done anything to me that I need to forgive. There is nothing or no one to forgive, but me for having bad feelings about the potato and the people the potato represents. In fact the potato that represents the people has been taking up way more energy in my mind than the people the potato represents. That tickles me! It shows me how silly this whole thing was in the first place and is now. Every bit of this has been in my mind! Who can I blame? Me. Who can I forgive? ME! Who loves me? ME.

February 27, The potato halves are still on my desk only because it is very interesting to observe. It is still teaching me some stuff in a very humorous albeit smelly way. Right now I am actually enjoying looking at them! They are funny!

February 28, I received this email through FlyLady. Dear FlyLady and Pam, The essay on forgiveness couldn't have come at a better time. An employee of mine is having trouble forgiving the former management staff of some pretty horrible things they said and did to her. It has been over a year now and she has been feeling as though it is time to forgive and has seen how holding on to this is affecting her health. However, even with this knowledge she is having trouble letting go. Moments before the essay reached my inbox, she came to me talking about how her and her husband might be getting divorced. After reading my email, I printed the forgiveness essay for her to read. Later that night she sent a text message thanking me for sharing the article with her. She said she was beginning to see things in a different light

March 3, I had my baked potato (my reward for letting these two people free) but I have to report the potato halves are still on my desk! They have dried up! They don't stink and there are no longer any Nats flying around my office. I think they are in the process of petrifying! Maybe when we get our petty grievances out in the open (as I did with my essay and cutting open the potato) those grievances get a chance to just dry up! It's when we keep things secret and pretend we're fine that things fester and decay. One of my princesses sent me this: "Forgiveness is giving up all hope of having had a better past."— Anne Lamott

This has really been fun and you know my saying; If it isn't fun, it won't get done.

And a prior email (which I missed - eeeeek!!)

Young at Heart - Learning to Forgive will Lighten the Load

Young @ Heart by Pam Young

Is there anything ickier than a rotten potato? There's that saying,"one rotten apple spoils the barrel," well give me a rotten apple anyday! One rotten potato affects all the potatoes that are next to it in a sack and if left, that one potato would affect the whole bag. That usually doesn't happen because of the smell. I don't think Icould let a whole bag "go" because just the stench of one rotten potato is enough for a call to action.

I got an email from a woman who said her teacher (spiritual) asked thestudents to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to class. They were told to write the name of every person they had not forgiven on each potato. Some of the bags were quite heavy. They had to carry their bag with them everywhere, putting it beside their bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at work until they could forgive the people the potatoes represented. "The hassle of lugging it around made it clear, what a weight I was carrying spiritually, and how I had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget, and keep leaving it in embarrassing places," she wrote. Naturally, the condition of the potatoes would deteriorate to a disgusting gunk if you didn't let go and forgive. This is a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our grievances.

So after reading the email I thought of myself as a potato who has some forgiving to do. There are two potatoes I can think of without any effort. Now if I don't forgive these potatoes I myself as a potato am rotting on the inside and I affect those who live in the sack with me because I'm not as totally loving as I could be. Terry's the only one in the sack with me, (ahemm) and I know he is affected by my blame of these two potatoes I haven't forgiven or seen in five years!

I decided to cut a russet in half and put it on my desk with the namesof the "unforgiven" on the halves. They are going to sit on my desk until I have completely forgiven them. The halves will show me what's happening on the inside of me. They will also illustrate what I'm doing to the potato I love and share my life with not to mention my potato friends and family who have had to listen to the tales of thesetwo "evil" potatoes who have "seemingly" wronged me. I also know I can't afford to let this metaphor rot before my eyes AND nose.

I will report back, what's happening on my desk (and in me), but I challenge you to join me in this experiment. I intend to have fun with this. I have even come up with a reward for the forgiving. A baked potato is one of my favorite foods, so I am going to bake thebiggest potato I can find and load it (butter, sour cream, bacon and chives) in celebration of the forgiving; until then, no baked potatoes. I know that forgiving is a natural attitude we were born with and getting in touch with that attitude can happen in a blink or a lifetime, it's up to us how long it takes. I have faith in myself that as the russet deteriorates and the carrot of a baked potato hangs before me it will be closer to a blink than a lifetime.

It must be a 'glitch' or 'gremlin' or heaven forbid a 'bug'

2009-03-04T14:19:00.005+02:00

Well that will teach me for opening my BIG mouth and supporting somebody who was on the receiving end of a severe trashing. Will I ever learn?? Apparently, NO would be the answer. LOL Nor is it a lesson I want to learn!! You (and you know just exactly who you all are) trash somebody just because you can and say they're 'this' and they're 'that', but I see through your CRAP as I am sure many others do. I wonder, did your membership drive achieve what you wanted it too.

I know that a couple of hours earlier after reading that someone could not see the campfire area on a certain forum, I popped over and had a quick check - yeah, I could still read what was posted but then I opened my big mouth and then *poof* someone waved their ever so powerful mod wand and now I can't. Can you tell how heart broken I am. I just don't think I'll ever recover from this. I get this sweet little message that I need to have 10 posts. Now I won't say either way if I will ever achieve those 10 posts but for now I'm in NO particular hurry but you never know I might just change my mind. Now did I cover all the bases?? Hopefully!! Cause shit, I don't want to be caught in another one of those 'but you posted on your blog....blah, blah, blah!!!

Girls you really should learn that it is not nice to run to one sandpit and spew and then run to your own forum and cry foul. Or post things on one forum but then on another say that that is not what you are saying at all and cry foul and call someone names when you're caught??

Nor will I be renewing my membership with an organisation where I honestly believe that in spats like these, the President of the organisation should in all honesty not get involved. But then that is my opinion. And NO, I will not be renewing it any time soon after what I saw happening this morning.

Yes, I know. Stop poking a stick in the rattlers.

edited to add that it would appear that all members under 10 posts seem to have been affected by this. Geesh, I'm not special. LOL But I still guess that this mornings or rather late evenings little spat had something to do with it.

Living healthy and camping : Do they go together??

2009-03-03T11:18:00.003+02:00

Oh boy!! Wanna see the most well intentioned plans go wrong. Try planning your eating routine around camping. It proved to be very challenging. Skipping breakfast on Saturday was probably not the best of starts, but hey, we were frantically trying to pack the car and praying I had packed everything we would need, which I had not!! Next time or rather now I should be making a list with tick boxes. {{grin}}

Lunch which I had planned was forgotten in the brink of starvation and got to the point of 'just hand me that tuna roll now'.

Uhhmmmmm, dinner. Mother nature had her plans too, it rained at the same time we thought it best to try and get dinner cooked. Only having fire as our best option - it turned out to be quite an exercise to get the chicken cooked. Now most convenience packaged foods do not make for healthy eating - so next camping trip which is 3 nights and almost 4 days is going to prove to be far more challenging and put my organisational skills to the test. LOL

I keep telling myself that April is cooler so it should be easier. Our camp site does not have electricity so we will be dependant on gas and fire for cooking. As for keeping things cold. Let's just say the little shop has ice.

But Easter weekend poses other challenges. Chocolate eggs and hot cross buns are my weakness around Easter. Do you know what a challenge it is to pass up on those hot cross buns?? I feel my self-control waning everytime I pass them in the bakery. Nor can I tell my boys that the Easter bunny won't be bringing eggs but carrots instead. Hmmmm, that will not make for a fun weekend!! I just got to stick to my guns and say NO, No, no, thank-you!! I can do this right?

Anybody got any ideas for an Eating Plan while out camping? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Some R & R at Mountain Sanctuary Park

2009-03-02T07:43:00.003+02:00

We got home fairly late yesterday but it was, oh so worth it. Can you see the boys exploring?? While they were off exploring I was taking photos and eventually found a cool spot to sit and read.

Here is a link to quite a few of the photos. Let's just say I took a zillion or so and wittled it down to +-53. LOL

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=92394&id=741238012&l=31aba

On Saturday we did not get away as early as we had hoped, but got to the camp site just before lunch. The weather was overcast and cool. Thankfully we managed to setup camp with only bits of light drizzle which didn't cause too much mayhem. After lunch the sun peeked out for a bit and we headed to the man-made pools. There were beautiful views from the deck and Josh loved the shallow end of the pool. I sat on the edge and dipped my feet in. Bbbrrrrr, was it cold or what. LOL

A mommy warthog and her baby seem to have made the rest camp their feeding ground and came past a few times much to the delight of the kidlets and me of course.

Getting dinner ready proved to be a challenge. The skies opened at around 3ish or so and as soon as it stopped everyone rushed to get their fires going. We barely got the coals lit when down it came again. Oh well, I could see us trying to cook our meat in the teeny pot I had brought with to cook the kidlets noodles. This was going to be fun!! The rain stopped again, wet coals were removed and the fire was started once again. The chicken sosaties and sausage I had brought got cooked eventually even if it did prove to be a challenging task. Reminder next time to take the skottel bit for the gas bottle. It will save lots of time and energy!! LOL

The blow-up mattress was not as bad as I thought it would be and we got a good nights sleep. This is never a bad thing.

Sunday morning and the skies were full of hope. It definitely turned out to be a wonderful day. We had breakfast and then headed out on one of the paths to the natural sliding pools. Camera and book packed but oops we forgot a towel as we had thought the water would be way to cold to do much in. Boy, were we proved wrong on that one. The boys had fun in the water and enjoyed exploring the stream with their dad - up and down and over rocks. I ventured into the stream as the water was actually quite pleasant and refreshing and eventually found a cosy spot to sit and read while the boys went up and down the stream exploring. Lots of families arrived and hikers kept passing by. It was fun!! Brad's had fun making new friends and Josh had a hard time keeping up with his brother but Ant was there to help him keep up. Shooooo!!

With sad hearts we packed up and told ourselves that before we know it Easter would be along and we'll be off exploring once again!!

Just a little note to say .......

2009-02-28T07:29:00.001+02:00

Gone Camping....

C U Sunday

Weight Watchers : Week 5 - down 1.4kg's

2009-02-26T10:22:00.004+02:00

I can do it!! Quite simply that, I can do it!!

We're into Week 5 and another loss of 1.4kg's has been recorded. I'm over the moon about it.

This past week has thrown many challenges my way and I bravely continued on the path I have envisioned for myself. I have now lost a total of 4.4kg's, which equates to 9.7lbs.

I can only thank Tiffany http://skinnydontfixugly.blogspot.com/ who found her way to my blog. Through Tiffany I have found many other blogs related to WW's and the recipe ones have been a HUGE help!! I started to wonder if I would end up looking like stirfry because that is all I'd eat. LOL So let me tell you a little secret and you absolutely cannot tell anyone else this : You can still eat yummy food and lose weight!! Not that stirfry's aren't yummy, they most definitely are, but night after night and your taste buds start screaming for some variety!!

Yesterday while browsing through one of the recipe links, I found a fantastic Chicken curry http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com/2008/11/chicken-curry-with-coconut-milk-43-pts.html Yum, yum, yummy!! Now don't forget those portion sizes - with this one you'll be tempted for seconds. But hold back - you know you can because those leftovers are going to make for another FANTASTIC meal!!

Should family only be about...

2009-02-25T21:36:00.003+02:00

* Christmas Day

* Birthdays

* Other special functions

and notably funerals!!

I'm a hypocrite, that is all I can say!! I am in no position to take my gran in right now but nor am I happy about her being returned to a place that resulted in her hospitalisation in the first place. Nursing homes are notorius for not caring for the elderly placed in their care!! I'm torn, I'm angry but mostly I'm really angry at myself!! For not having the guts to do what should be done.

I am the outsider looking in. The desire to be needed, wanted, apart of is just not happening. I had come to accept this towards the end of last year but then invite after invite and voila, I have hope even though it was false!! My family is finally being included until *BANG*, it all explodes a few days before Christmas day. Firstly, my lil' family gets told what we don't want and that is you don't want to go camping, you cannot afford it etc. etc. Secondly, I'm not sure anyone gave one iota that our family was the only one not included in the Big Family Get-a-way and just how much it hurt!! Thirdly, I'm the bitch who wanted clarity on exactly what was happening on Christmas day, I'm the bitch that was ruining everyone's restful holiday - excuse me for not wanting to look like an A$$ on Christmas day. You hear 3 different stories about just what is happening, naturally some clarity was needed. But excuse me for wanting to know - just get-a-life Michelle!!

Yes, we are in a mess. Yes, we have made mistakes, Yes, we have asked for help. Yes, I bought a 'f*&^&' tent so that my boys could experience camping again. Yes, we sold our tent +- 8 months ago when it was just sitting gathering dust. Yes, I have contributed to making a mess of our financial situation - but dare anyone who thinks they are squeaky clean cast the first stone!!

I may not be the squeakiest clean of family members but I am a member of this family and I am resigning from it. I am me and if you don't like me, quite honestly, you can shove it where the sun don't shine!! Quite frankly I will never be the person you want me to be and while we are at it I have made BIG mistakes in my life, I am learning to forgive myself, I only wish you could too!!

Gran is determind to hang around for a bit

2009-02-25T19:58:00.004+02:00

I took the chance today while Anthony was home sick with some bug to go and visit my Gran. This time I took some flowers and framed photo's of the boys and me, if anything to brighten up her hospital room.

When I got there it finally tinged in my brain that the drip was no longer in and panic set in. Why was it gone?? Took a quick stroll over to the nurses station - not too far as it is right outside Gran's room to enquire what was on or not on. Hmmmm. Apparently the Dr had said to remove it and that he was even considering discharging her tomorrow. WTF!! I hope he rethinks his decision tomorrow. She ate a teeny bit of mash and mince and has had a few sips of tea. Not the greatest recovery, if any recovery at all. She is very, very frail and has no idea what is going on around her or who is even visiting her.

But Gran is hanging in there. It breaks my heart to see her suffering like this. I only hope and pray that Gran is treated with some dignity in her final moments.

I pray for my Gran to find peace!!

2009-02-24T21:17:00.004+02:00

We have just returned from our journey to visit my Gran, otherwise known as GG to her Great-Grandkids. It is so hard to see someone you love so dearly so frail and broken. Dementia has taken it's hold. My heart is aching...

I love you Gran, you will always hold a special place in my heart.

My gran is very ill...

2009-02-24T08:06:00.002+02:00

What an evening last night was!! I got an sms that my Gran was admitted to ICU and might not make the night. I was heartbroken!! Gran has been at a frail care centre and I fail to understand how they let her get so dehydrated - it's shocking and I hope someone gets to the bottom of what happened or how they allowed it to get so bad.

I phoned the hospital that Gran is at and the nurse/sister told me that Gran is still very, very ill. I am going through to see her today, I'm just waiting to hear from hubby when he will be able to help out as the kiddies cannot go in to the ICU at all.

Trial run

2009-02-21T11:45:00.006+02:00

Just to make sure everything was there, we had a practise run of putting up our tent this morning, much to the delight of Bradley and Josh. We also needed to make sure that we would all fit in. LOL And why is the blow-up queen bed just not the same size as a real queen bed?

Not much longer to go. We're all excited and I'm not quite sure how Josh is going to make it through the week. If he had his way we'd be camping today!! I suppose when you're 4 yo it is not easy trying to grasp the concept of time. ((smile))

Well it is Saturday!! Yes, I am happy and it's almost 12pm and I am still in my pj's. No, we will not get into the why, but yes, it has something to do with something that I feel passionate about. LOL

Woohooooo!! We can see the Baracuda (Pool cleaner thinger mabob)

Three weeks ago we moved into our new place with a pool that looked like a green, green forest!! The pump motor was missing and it had not been looked after for weeks, could even have been a couple of months. Nobody really knows!! This is where we are at 3 weeks later. We have hope that we will get to our goal of sparkly. We have found a product called Dazzle and it seems to be helping. ((grin))

I better hit the showers, get comfy and attempt to bake some flourless peanut butter cookies which equate to 1 point in Weight Watchers. They are made with what I call 'fake' sugar and sugar free peanut butter. I will definitely let you know how it goes.

Have a super weekend!!

I woke up and it wasn't . . .

2009-02-20T11:22:00.004+02:00

. . . saturday but friday. For a split second I was truly disappointed. For some reason I wanted it to be Saturday. **sigh** I'm really looking forward to the weekend, I just want it here or maybe I am wishing the days away because next weekend we are going camping. I know, I know...you guys are going to get bored hearing about this little camping trip but you can't blame me for being excited, can you!!

After coming across a new blog this morning. You'll find it in my list of blogs on your right. It gave me cause for some thought. Why am I so determined to get it right this time? Why do I see it as a lifetime thing and not a short term thing? Why did something finally go click in this head of mine? Why is 2009 or rather 2000 + shine, the year of the Skinny Me??

The answers to all those questions are: I am tired of not having enough energy to keep up with my kidlets. I want to be able to run, play and swim with them without lugging an extra me around. I want my feet to stop hurting - yeah, they complain alot about this extra person I am carrying. I want to be able to ride a bike, to do things I want to do...and ultimately I want to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with pride, knowing I'm in a condition to do it.

I have tried many, many diets including Weight Watchers. You lose some and you put it all back on and more. I'm not sure if it comes with age, or it's a maturity thing or what it is, but there comes a point when realising that to be fit and healthy and naturally skinny means whatever I do has to become a way of life and that is what I finally seem to have accepted and why saying NO 99% of the time to the wrong choices seems easier.

I chose Weight Watchers because I believe it will teach and guide me to a lifelong solution. I like the points system for than I like the idea of weighing my food. It is also a plan that doesn't disrupt the whole family or give cause to cooking different meals for family members. Although hubby has noticed that I don't touch bread anymore and asked why he is still buying the Low GI kind. My answer was quite simply that it was better for him, so there. LOL

My bit of wisdom for you this morning is just this, dieting is no short term solution.

Weight Watchers : Week 4 : Down .6kg.s

2009-02-19T10:23:00.004+02:00

Not as much as I had hoped but down thankfully!!

Thankfully I am still determined as ever and will be working steadily to another loss next week.

I found a good pair of hiking books. Hi-tec's with ankle support. The boys and I are going to go for walks in the afternoon, spend some time at the local park just around the corner and work towards getting fit for 'little hikes'. And why 'little hikes'? Cause we have found a cool place to go camping at.

We're all pretty much excited around here at the moment. Next weekend is our first weekend away as a family in over 2 years. So even one night away has us jumping like jellybeans!! This is where we are going and this is where we will also be spending Easter weekend (3 nights) which also happens to fall on my Birthday. It's going to be a real treat!!

http://www.mountain-sanctuary.co.za/index.html

Next on my wishlist is a mountain bike. I think I discussed briefly last year sometime that Brad and I are keen to take up mountain biking but first some weight has to be shifted.

About that 'french kiss'....LOL

2009-02-17T17:46:00.003+02:00

I know I was meant to get back here sooner and blog about that kiss. Now don't be mad at me if you don't have a good little chuckle about it.

The story goes...

On Saturday I made some new acqaintances as well as new friends. It was a mixture of peeps for sure. The singles, the couples and those married with kidlets. Always makes for interesting conversations. The braai was a huge success, well I think so at least. The food was yummy and there was an endless supply of snacks. Naturally I behaved myself as much as I could.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89031&id=741238012&l=b780b

That is a link to the photo's from Saturday. Amongst the group of people was a Frenchman, now this guy made us the most AMAZING cheese puffs. I behaved on the first batch and politely said 'no thank you', I behaved on the second batch and once again said 'no thank you' and darn it by the third batch when there were only a few left I crumbled and had to try one!! I'm waiting for the recipe.

When everyone one was leaving and we were all saying our goodbyes, I got my first real 'French Kiss' - eeeeek, I can sense I'm in trouble here..... but no seriousley, I made a comment that it was my first real 'french kiss' and we were all giggling like a bunch of school girls. Okay, it was funny at the time. You know the one - the kiss in the air on either side of your cheeks.....I know! What one glass of wine can do to ones senses. Astonishing!!!

As for the whole forum issue - yes, it has been mulling around in my head. Some days I wonder, some days I think I should blog some more, and well, some days I think it's just not worth it. Hmmmm, what was that about rattlesnakes. Eeek, sensing trouble here too....

My first French Kiss and oh, Happy Valentines Day...

2009-02-14T21:00:00.002+02:00

but . . . I'm really tired after a fun, long day. So can I tell you all about it tomorrow!!

p.s. Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Weight Watchers : Week 3

2009-02-12T09:58:00.003+02:00

Very, Very Good News!!!

I am down 2.4kg's. I am jumping for joy!!! The mantra of 'Nothing tastes as good as thin feels' is clearly working. Heck, I don't think hubby has bought me a 2L Coke in a while. Woohoooo!! Big things this week. No breads, no coke, plenty water and choosing healthy snacks...

A friendly reminder : Those pesky blog rules and a new rule

2009-02-11T21:19:00.003+02:00

This is MY blog.

If you are not reading it for FUN... please go away.

If you don't like me.... why waste your time here?????

If it bothers you that I used a delete button.... please go away. (revised)

If you don't like my personal opinions and thoughts about DOT DOT DOT... please go away.

If you don't like my photo's... please go away.

If you don't like my music.... please go away.

If you don't like the teams I support.... please go away.

If you are reading this PURELY to criticize me for my life decisions... please go away.

If you're reading this from your place of employment and might get fired for doing non-work-related internet surfing.... please go away (that's just me looking out for you... you can always read from home)

If you hate kittens, rainbows, chocolate (neg) or beads... you should probably go away too because those things seem pretty non-hateble and if you do hate them.... you're probably not real nice.

If you are one of the OTHER 20 people who read this on a daily basis... please stay.
(and if you know anyone in Hawaii or Alaska or any of the countries not blotted on my map... you can invite them to read (as long as they are agreeable to the rules above)... but only because I'm still lacking those states/countries in my quest for world domination)

SO... for everyone that's left here, after I've kicked out all the undesirables...It's unfortunate that some of the readers have not been here for the entertainment value that you are.

Just in case you are wondering...

2009-02-11T19:02:00.004+02:00

For all of you who are supporting my attempts at losing weight I just wanted to let you that I have not let you down or myself for that matter - LOL. Traffic was gridlocked yesterday due to a thunderstorm during peak hour traffic which meant I did not make my Tuesday weigh-in. I'll be going tomorrow morning, so cross some fingers for some good news. I've really tried to be good.

Comment Moderation is now on in full force!!

2009-02-11T18:55:00.003+02:00

Hi fellow readers...

Well after another scathing attack, I have decided to put on comment moderation. This is so that I don't get any surprises and well, I'd like to be the first to know if anyone is going to be nasty and snarky!!

Anonymous posting is still allowed, but I might consider changing this as well. I know it will affect a few friends who have not signed up with google and the likes. That is the only reason why I have not changed that aspect yet!!

Hope it is not too much of an inconvenience.

Love and hugs

Mich

Diana (Canada) this is for you ...

2009-02-11T18:04:00.003+02:00

Hope you can see it - one very strong pool net!! Still no sparkly yet!!

Forgot to add, you're still welcome to come and visit.......I somehow think we'd have loads to talk about. Hugs!!

Our new place...

2009-02-09T18:27:00.002+02:00

Yes, I did sign up...

2009-02-09T14:57:00.005+02:00

Okay...considering that my internet has been up and down and basically driving me loco, I have not kept up to date with my comments. What I like about Kevan...well you didn't hide behind an Anonymous posting. Kudu's to you. And yes I meant kudu's. I wish I could say that it was accidental but no it wasn't. Was it a lie - well not really because at the time I had no intention to sign-up, but then I swear that 'curiosity got the cat' because I went and signed up. I had all these intentions to blog about it but basically have had no time. But I am sure there is a bunch of super sleuths with a bunch of assumptions who have there own ideas in their teeny little heads.

After reading the odd threads and especially a huge 'pager' at the moment I'm not quite sure you girls can do it. It appears that Torchbugs is there to rip into people no matter what the cost. To slander and to have people pat you on the backs and cheer you on with your super sleuthing. You couldn't care what is does to someone else as long as you are right!!

And you know what - you girls just cannot let it go. The whole 'delete' thing. Did it effect your lives so much??

Now for the Anonymous Post:

Anonymous said...

How kind of you to post about Torchbugs on your blog Shelly. I find it ironic that you joined Torchbugs the very same day that you blogged that you wouldn't.

My response : I know pretty stupid!! What was I thinking??

So does that make you stupid enough to climb out of a vehicle next to a pride of hungry lions, or does it just make you a liar?

Probably makes me stupid enough to climb out of a vehicle next to a pride of hungry lions. As for the character. As you don't know me - I'll ignore your 'liar' comment and move on with life. But then you girls are good at making assumptions and knowing all.

I'm also curious as to what South Africa has to do with our forum. First of all, the forum is based in California. That's in the US in case you didn't know.

Is that a bridge you really want to cross!! I actually have a friend who lives in California, I spent time with her in Las Vegas as well as with another friend from Washington State and not Washington D.C. I have friends dotted all over the USA - genuine friends who are real.

Two of your members had no problems trying to bring South Africa into a mix of child labour etc etc. Who knows more history about South Africa, ignorant others who go off on a tangent or some who grew up in the Apartheid era, whose first vote at the tender age of 18 was 'YES' for change and who now lives in the new South Africa but everyday wishes to get the hell out. I was just pointing out to some of your members that Apartheid was about race and not child labour and that embargo's/ sanctions were not the only reason for Apartheid to end. Yes, exporting hurt our farmers, of that I can be sure. But like my hubby said we survived pretty well without a MacDonalds and were healthier for it and darn it all our good fruit stayed mostly here in those days. Now we have to pay a fortune to eat good fruit and pay the export price.

I've visited America, have you ever been to South Africa. We're not talking Africa here, but South Africa. I'm sure you know where it is on a map!! Are you saying that your forum is exclusively for Americans. In all honesty if I didn't post that one single post none of you would ever have known who 2Glassy4U ever was?? I just get major peeved when people who think they know so much about South Africa start spewing crap.

Will you be posting hateful posts and then deleting them on Torchbugs as well as on LE?

I hope you have some factual information to go with that. Just exactly what hateful comments did I make then delete. I have fully disclosed why I deleted my posts and the funny thing is, is that it is getting your knickers more in a knot than it is mine. I stuck up for a friend who you girls had no problem in tearing apart!! I stand by Trish and always will? I think that makes me a better human being than you. Just my opinion of course.

As for threads about fellow lampworkers? When those are found they are deleted immediately. Are you insinuating that doesn't happen on LE? Are you saying the new forum hasn't been talked about on LE?

Immediately are you sure about that. Are you 100% certain about that?

I mean, here you are, not only talking about people behind their backs, but making false statements about them.

Maybe you need some help here?? Me talking behind whose back?? My blog is open for the whole wide world, geesh it even allows you to post anonymously!! It's no blooming secret. What false statements - I think some people were being very nasty about a fellow LE'er.

Here you are, talking about Torchbugs and its den of hungry lions.

Uhhhm no....but if you're thinking you're a hungry lion then by all means.......I was just trying to be local. {{grin}}. Maybe I insulted the lions, I think they are better natured than some of you. Your post proves my point though. I doubt I would have gotten all those sweet overtures of Welcome = oops, I didn't. Guess I was right about not being welcome over at that forum.

And you're right, maybe you don't understand what it means to be positive. Because if you think your blog entry here is positive, maybe you should re-read it. Your entry is no better than what you are accusing others of doing. In fact, I'd say it's pretty spiteful and hateful. It's people like you we are all trying to get away from. And we're the den of lions? Please!But hey, welcome to Torchbugs.

If being positive means tearing somebody apart, trying to ruin a business, hopping from forum to forum stirring shit then by all means carry on being positive. I am just one person - not sure I could stop the lot of you anyway. But as much as I 'love' this country right now I will stand up for it's history, I will stand up for my friends when they are being bashed and I will voice my opinion and you know what?? If you don't like it....stop reading my blog. Heck, I have a hard time believing you came across this post accidentally - so just who has been talking behind my back???

You know what DO ME A FAVOUR AND SAVE ME FROM MYSELF and ban me from your forum!!!

edited to add: the more I think about it the more I am certain that Ms. Anonymous is not American.

No more, no less

2009-02-04T11:33:00.002+02:00

Just a quick update.

Through all this stress, I still managed to go and weigh-in. Although I was not very positive. Most of the time I tried to make the right choices but I'm sure there were a few cracks in those choices. {{grin}}

The weight stayed just where it was 104.4 kg's

Update on the move:

Stress, stress and let's add more stress!!

It did not go as planned. I swear there was a goblin around adding to the mix of chaos, mayhem and distruction.

Fortunately we were able to stay over at my sister's place on Saturday night as there was no power here. Sunday was a day of slogging back and forth, back and forth.......and back and forth!!

I am taking it one box at a time and one problem/issue at a time.

The pool is far from sparkling blue.

The house looks like a war of boxes exploded in it.

The garden is thankfully getting to a state of less shoddy. Thanks to one gardener.

Back to the slogging!! and ironing. LOL

Got to rescue the washing - looks like another storm or more rain is on it's way. Hey, who said I don't need any more challenges.

Back soon.....

On the move again....

2009-01-30T15:07:00.004+02:00

** Update at 5pm**

We have been told that the electricity will be restored this evening or first thing tomorrow. Sadley, the HO had to pay his tenants debt to get this fixed. We can only open an account with the municipality on Monday.

The sun is shining and the curtains are back on the line catching the last few rays of sunshine and blowing in the breeze. {{grin}}

After some investigating it looks like the pool pump/motor can be fixed this weekend. Looks like I'll be shopping for pool chemicals this weekend. Fun!! I love the pool section.

I'm still exhausted but I'm sticking to my diet and not letting my emotions get the better of me!! How long will I last?? I can do this...right!!

Oh and the cherry on top!! I've been bitten by a tick. I've marked my calendar as a reminder in case I start feeling out of sorts in the next 10 days or so.

We will be positive and say WE'RE HAVING FUN!!! Right!!!

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

It's wet and thankfully not cold. I have been at it since early this morning. Got most of the curtains washed and ready. But could not get them entirely dry before this soft constant rain hit us again.

I've wiped and conditioned the leather couch, cleaned the wingbacks as much as I can and tackled the lounge area.

I'm discovering muscles in my body which I completely forgot existed. LOL

What is 'right' right now is the fact that we are moving. What can go wrong?? Well practically everything that can.

1. The weather.....it had to do this, this week apparently.

2. The previous tenants left an electricity and water bill of R7000.00 ($1000) They had not paid since they moved in. The owner and hubby have just discovered that the electricity has been cut as well and will take 72 hours to reconnect. I need that like I need a hole in my head. This happened after we viewed the property it would seem. What else is broken - I don't know. I only pray the geyser and all that will still be functioning.

3. The garden here is only half sorted. Can't cut grass in rain. Bummer!!!

4. The other garden is a disaster and the house needs a clean from top to bottom. Going to be fun without being able to use the vacuum cleaner.

5. The pump for the pool at the house we're moving too is broken as well.

Somewhere I need to remind myself that I said I could COPE with all of this.

I'm sure there will be a trillion things to add to the list. These we will only discover tomorrow when we get access to the property.

A big one will be making sure we change ALL the locks giving access to the house.

Back to work I go.......sorry peeps - no glass at all in the equation right now.

Did you know there was a new forum.....??

2009-01-28T20:39:00.002+02:00

Well it was bound to happen!! No, I will not be signing up. LOL That would be as stupid as climbing out of your vehicle next to a pride of hungry lions. ((grin))

I'm all for it. If you think you can do a better job then go for it!! Heck, I think a South African forum would be fab idea - a shortage of members would be a problem though!! Firstly, not many South African lampworkers and secondly not many with internet connections. {{poses a problem when you want to be a mod and rule the world}} One thing is for sure I'd be good at deleting. OMG - remember that. Doubt I'll be allowed to forget it. ROTFL!!!

Have you seen it?? Did you visit?? Did you like what you read?? Ironically the first thread I opened was about a fellow lampwork artist being trashed for her beliefs and the cost of her tut. Yeh, very positive!! Maybe I don't understand what it means to be 'positive' or did I get that all wrong. Who knows??

Here is the link...

http://www.torchbugs.com

The Yummy Mummy!!

2009-01-28T17:34:00.004+02:00

We've had a lot of rain today, so much so, that it actually flooded in and around the Johannesburg area!! Not major floods, although I am sure the squatters living on the banks of the Jukskei would not agree but floods that cause traffic jams and leave some of us wondering why these people continue to build their homes below the flood line when it happens every year!! But that is not the reason I am blogging today.

Back to what's been on my mind alot since Josh headed back to school and with that as some of you know came a zillion challanges. I do not for one minute think that I am the only one hit with challenges but mine sure are interesting. Well!! In my world they are.

My personal challenge. That of the Yummy Mummy!! Are you one? Do you know them? Do you admire them or just plain hate them?

My version of the Yummy Mummy!! Drives the latest 4 X 4, Volvo, BMW or otherwise fancy yuppie car. Dresses to the 9's even though she has nowhere to go but maybe pick up her little Angel!! Has time for mani's, pedi's, facials and the likes and most importantly doesn't blink at the latest levy the school has invented!! Yes, you can smell it, see it and it goes by the name of jealousy!! But who really cares.....this is my moan and I'm enjoying it. {{super evil grin}}

So in the first week of back to school, which was 2 weeks ago, I try and head out to fetch Josh at 1pm. 20 Zillion Yummy Mummy's abound (okay, not quite 20 zillion but more than 5)...this will not work. I am certainley not dressing up just to fetch Josh and trying to fake my Ford Fiesta as something zooty. Change our routine to get there at 12:30. Shoooooo, and frumpy mum, which is me, has arrived before the fake booby brigade!! Those fake smiles and those who think they have given birth to the latest brainiac. I'm stubborn!! I don't get why parents don't want their kids to be kids. To play, to have fun, to get dirty, to live..............We live in a world where my 2 year old is more brilliant than your 2 year old and Zack is reading 3 letter words and he's not even 3. My mistake was thinking that I chosen a down to earth sort of school. Well lo and behold - what the Yummy Mummy demands, she gets. I'm too scared to ask if playtime is less and if sitting at the new shiny desks is taking control. What happened to learn while we play and stuff like that??? Geesh, there is even the kid who speaks his mind but what happened to R*E*S*P*E*C*T!!

This new influx of the Ultimate Yummy Mummy has me running for the hills. If I thought the fight for the front row of the concert was interesting last year, it certainley is going to offer some entertainment this year. LOL...........................................

Weigh-in : Wk 1 - Weight Watchers

2009-01-27T19:36:00.005+02:00

To say today was anything but challenging would be a lie. Have you ever had one of those days where you constantly make excuses why NOT to do something. i.e. I need cash and I'm not near an ATM, I'll have the boys with me and do I really want to go, I can do it next week, I can do it tomorrow, I can do it any other day just not today.......and on and on and well on......

I gritted my teeth and just did it. Is it Nike who says: "Just do it" . I find that 9 out of 10 times it is generally the best option. LOL

Okay so I weighed in at 104.4 Kg's - for all my overseas buds that would be a whopping 230.162 LB otherwise known as pounds.

Now what had me puzzled is that I have been hanging around this figure for months now, yet between December and now I feel like I've put on a whole bunch more. One thing is for certain is that I feel puffier. My wedding ring is making itself known and my face to say that I feel like a blow fish is an understatement of note. {{grin}}.

Thanks to all of you for your support. Elaine, you're my voice of reason. How many times can I say that those same results have happened to me - countless. Every diet I have tried. It was nice to hear the honesty. Did I hear the negativity - no way!! I just heard a friend being very truthful. I could even see it in hubby's lift of the eyebrows - you know that puzzled look that says haven't you done this before but is trying to tread very carefully into unchartered waters. Well not quite unchartered because every man I am sure has tried every path he can think of when it comes to 'those' waters. Mine certainley has!! LOL But still everytime he has to face the 'D' word the waters become very unchartered.

I have a pile of information to get through tonight. Meals to plan etc etc. One thing I can say is that it is going to be fun trying to fit in everything I have to eat. I looked at the 18 point person for a day and that was quite a lot - how I'm going to sqeeze in an extra 5 points is going to be very intersting!! I have 23 points for each day. Let's just say I will NOT starve!! If I do then I have doing something wrong.

This is the plan. Each Tuesday after weigh-in I'll post a blog about my week and my achievements or non-achievements!!

Let the journey begin.........

About that New Year's Resolution...

2009-01-25T20:38:00.003+02:00

Friday came and went with the realisation that I am heading in the totally opposite direction of 'My Year of the Skinny Me - 2009'.

No matter which way I look at it I have actually gained weight instead of losing it. It was time for some serious reflection and all that sort of stuff.

Problem :

I don't have the time to do this myself.

Ideas, menus, shopping lists.

I just cannot focus on that by my lonesome.

Solution :

and start using said Gym membership that I am bound to pay for every month that I am just not using. One of those scenarios where you sign up for something with great intentions and then you're stuck with a contract for the next 24 months. Okay, means finding time. But hey, if we add on an extra couple of hours everyday then this can be done. Right? Right!!

I am not giving up on this one and only resolution that I have made this year. This is the year of 2000 and S*H*I*N*E!! No giving up!! Right!!

So this is the week. Tomorrow is a new day!!

Local Kilt supplier comes through for lunatic mom!!!

2009-01-23T19:59:00.001+02:00

What is a mom to do but buy a kilt??

2009-01-22T22:15:00.003+02:00

http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/

As if life was not challenging enough along comes Josh (4 yo) with our newest challenge. He hasn't been back at nursery school very long and he's become obsessed with wearing skirts and being like his best friend Meg!! Oh boy!!! I'm in a spin. My Josh is turning anything into a skirt and the favourite is a t-shirt. His shirts are slowly being destroyed one by one and I'm at a loss.

So I've been franctically searching the net trying to find children's kilts (proper boy 'skirt' attire) at a wee fortune, no less. I think I have found the most unaffordable fordable option. The best of a 'not many options' financially speaking. But before just jumping in an ordering and begging any soul out there to buy a bead/s when I actually have one or more up for sale, I'm going to check with a fellow LE'er who has connections on these things and check with a local supplier as well, but gut says they might not be any cheaper.

Why are we searching?? Because mommy and her big mouth says : 'Angel, let's get you a proper boy's skirt, well because you're a boy'. So everyday I get this 'mommy, have you found me a boy's skirt yet??' Oh boy!!

I'm at my wits end, poor dad is confused as hell. We never had this with Brad. He was content just to be a boy. Is it a phase? Is it for life? The questions, the possibilities, the fear!!!! The biggie : Do not label your kid!!! I am trying to take this in my stride and just go with the flow and let be what must be....

I got an award....

2009-01-22T14:22:00.005+02:00

Rita, a fellow blogger and lampworker has graciously awarded me with this award. Her blog is listed amongst my favourites that I follow. Please pop by there if you haven't already.

I'm usually not very good at these. LOL I must admit these girls have more faith in me than I do because I tend to avoid these. LOL I'm guessing persistence pays off.

Proximidade is described as follows:

'This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes for self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!'

The rules are: This blog award should be sent to your favorite eight bloggers and they, in turn should forward to eight of their favorites. You should include the text for Proximidade (above) in your announcement blog.So, now I've got to pass this award to 8 wonderful people, and I choose:
Davina-Marie
Jennifer
Angelina
Diana
Sam aka Samma
Diana aka Deesigned Beads
Deb aka Dabatt
Kare

and everyone else if I could have but I think you girls were all taken.

New Blog on the block!!

2009-01-22T11:45:00.004+02:00

Hi my fellow followers...

I'd like to introduce to another fellow lampworkers blog.

http://beadication.com/blog/

Davina-Marie (not BBB as I always call Davina - eeek sorry about that) has more children than me which makes her a hero in my book. She lives on a farm and that makes me jealous!! Not that I am sure I am cut out for living on a farm as much as I would love too. She is also a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) . Woohooo!!

So pop on over and have a read and don't forget to tell Davina that I sent you.

Have a super day everyone!!

I found a house to live in so naturally I'm on a natural high!!!!

It made me realise something ...

2009-01-20T20:55:00.004+02:00

I received permission from Loco who posted this in the Bathroom over at LE. If you are offended by very bad language please do not read, if you kiddies or teens are looking over your shoulder send them away..........YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!! Oh!! and some insight to all the drama over at LE in the past few weeks and even more recently would be helpful. {{grin}}

And my reasoning for posting this is because it made me realise something...it made me laugh at myself at a time when I am taking myself way too seriousley and I mean way too seriousley. It reminded me that I LOVE to melt glass - I don't melt glass to make money, I do it because I love it. Okay, a few extra pennies would come in handy. Okay, more than a few but that is not why I melt glass, why I like to think of myself as a lampworker and even on some days a Glass Artist.
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My Vagina is always drama FREE wish LE was

Shall we continue......... The discussion: After a bitch, that you can find below, it turned to my taking bubble baths with Dawn dish soap........ I, and my vagina have no problems with it. I have promised to try the "hand friendly" version of Dawn when it's time to restock.

For those who missed my original post's here they are. Add, comment, flame, do what ever the hell you want:

Post#1:"There's no point in hanging in places like that...Ummm.... Sad..."

Post #2:"Just after my DH said that I posted... I sat there and refreshed the bathroom and called out the viewer numbers. He was shocked to say the least.

I am SO DONE with the crap, the attitudes. I think it deals with Corri being the only moderator. (Hi Corri!)

I just don't know..When the economy turned to shit and people were still expecting the "normal" high prices for their beads and it didn't happen, they were frustrated. The holidays came and they couldn't buy what they wanted to overly lavish those in their lives. That frustration found an outlet in a basically unmoderated LE. Crap breads crap and crap breads more crap. So here we sit in shit and it STINKS!

Well tell ya what: BLEEP your bead prices! Don't tell me that YOU NEED 70 flipping dollars for that bead! Come on I have diddled out what it costs to make a bead thats 13 ounces! Yes, 13 ounces of farking glass in one piece and trust me 70 bucks would have been a farking PROFIT!

Get the hell over it people. It's glass and while it used to be worth 70 bucks it's worth 25 NOW! And 25 is still a profit. Don't like it? Put some BLEEPIN nylons on and get a job! The you'll see that 25 is a damn fine deal!

Shit my house last year was worth 200 BLEEPIN THOUSAND DOLLARS MORE than it is now! And you know what I have to say to that?

Damn how fortunate that I am to have a house!

Thank you so VERY MUCH!

May your life be sweet with a touch of hardship to help you appreciate all that IS GOOD in your life! Screw all the shit that rough. Screw those that are pissing you off. BLEEP UM! YOU don't need that drama in your life!

Find that inner peace and revel in it. If it is a bubble bath and all you have is dish soap be grateful for every bubble and every second there is hot water to soak in. I've not seen real bubble bath in ages, but I am so ever thankful for Dawn dish soap, that I buy at Big Lots!"

loco

Hey, I'm only the hands of the voices in my head...

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Side note:

Sorry, took a break to enjoy an Orange Popsickle and catch-up on my facebook and LE. Now I'm taking my frustrations out on my popsickle stick....LOL while contemplating my grateful list.

Even though times are VERY tough here, I have a few things to be grateful for:

* A roof over my head, well, at least for the next week and a half.

* Grateful that I am able to melt glass even though I don't sell too many of my little 'art' works.

* That I am married to a fabulous wonderful guy.

* That I am a mom to two super lil guys. Even though somedays they can be challenging.

* That I am able to homeschool my oldest. We learn together and grow together!!

another side note:

Hubby did have a looksie at another promising home. We'll just have to wait and see!!

Good News in one area of our lives...

2009-01-19T19:49:00.002+02:00

Remember that house we sold long, long, long, long, long time ago!! Well it feels like forever. LOL

The Good News!!!

The transfer finally went through today.

One less thing to worry about but sadly they still have not paid for any rent they owe us.

Sir Sweet Love

2009-01-19T09:38:00.003+02:00

Can you believe it!! I got to melting glass yesterday. I didn't realise how much I had missed it until I got going again. These are for custom orders. Unfortunately the other one I made ended up with a thermal crack. Sad!!

I also worked on my Finding Your Voice in Glassbead Making Assignment. Not sure I like that bead but something different from me. Either way I'm working in soft glass and with that comes the realisation that I ADORE boro. It is just so much more to work with and I L*O*V*E the results that I get with the boro colours.

My life is currently lesson plans, finding a new home (not very successful) and squeezing in some 'me time' for Lampworking and also trying to keep this house in a livable state. I think I need more hours in the day.

I am discovering that Estate Agents on this continent still drive me insane!!

I'm happy to report that the supplement I am taking is helping me somewhat. It is a Solal product called Naturally High.

Back soon...

It's a SIN

2009-01-10T17:25:00.002+02:00

A bunch of orders for Froggies on hearts necessitated in a purchase of some soft glass. This is a mix of Moretti, Vetrofond and CIM. There is +-95 rods. I'm not even going to tell you what it cost. It was sinful!! Thank goodness for some pendant sales (stuff on consignment that had been sold) and discount that by the time the total came through it was luckily half of the original cost. Shoooooooooooooooo!!!

Find Joy in the Journey

2009-01-08T21:35:00.000+02:00

Change is in the air!!

2009-01-08T21:08:00.003+02:00

And we all know how much I just love change. Right!!

We could be packing up and moving in a weeks time. Some of you might remember what the last move did to me. Apparently I'm brave/crazy/stupid enough to try it again 6 months later after swearing blind that we were going to stay put - not realising that even the best made plans will and do change - LOL.

Deb you were a lifesaver today!! Hugs and thank you!!

It's time to. . .

2009-01-07T08:04:00.004+02:00

It's time to Plan, well as much as I want too!!

After some considerable thought it might not be an entirely bad thing because I can then schedule some 'ME' time to melt glass!!

The idea is to start HS (homeschooling) on Monday and start getting into the swing of things. The only hiccup here is the thought of moving again which would disrupt everything for a short bit anyway. Not that we are having any luck finding anything at the moment. All I know is that this Landlord and me are not going to last much longer together.

So, if it is not a bad thing then why am I finding it so hard to sit down and P*L*A*N!! Some stupid irrational F*E*A*R, I guess.

We're heading for another scorcher here today!! Better get started on the day.

Changes

2009-01-06T09:34:00.005+02:00

If you keep following the same path, you'll keep ending up in the same place. If you don't make changes, then nothing will change. Right!! Now we know where I am at. {{grin}}

Hubby is back at work and I fell into the same rut of 'woe me' and more excuses about why I can't do what I want to do rather than the reasons why I should do what I want to do.

All those fears of "I'm going to fail..." hit me like a ton bricks. Too scared to melt glass because I might not be original enough and feeling that if I put one foot wrong in that department - well!!! Scared I'll fail my sons - yeah!! only schools can teach right.

I spent a fortune on a product made by a very reputable company - a sort of natural anti-depressant. Okay, when is this bugger going to kick in. LOL

Also not having a 2009 calendar in the house. Shocking I know - or a relatively decent sized diary - not got one. Could this possibly be why I am feeling so direction-less or do I need a map or do I need both. LOL Guess I'm looking for a calendar and a diary today!!

Forgive me for rambling . . .

Songs I've listened to today :

Human by The Killers

This is the Life by Amy MacDonald

Some Education and Fun !!!

2009-01-04T19:54:00.006+02:00

The Education !!

The Fun !!

And my 'In Awe!!' moment. . .

We had some fun this afternoon as well as some fun learning. There was a gentleman from an educational zoo who had parents and kiddies enthralled.

Pictured first is Gizmo the Bushbaby - who can jump up to 8m in length. She weighed about the same as 1/2 tsp of sugar when she was born. I think it was under 7grams.

There was also the Meerkat, I have unfortunately forgotten his name but do recall that is was something very South African - hmmmm, let me check with the boys....brb....they concur that it was Solly. Solly had a peak in everyone's mouth, okay, except mine. LOL No, he didn't stick his head right in but I could tell the dude was quite willing to clean some teeth given half the chance. We were told about how the 'mommy' Meerkat is the boss. Of course I am going to remember that and don't think I'll let the boys forget either. LOL As for the rest - oops!! I do remember this - the families can be as big as 40 members. Heck!! no way I would survive that. {{grin}}

As for the lil' croc, well now that is a very sad story. Can you believe that the croc is already 5 years old. When he was a baby he was captured and kept in a fish tank for almost 5 months. His growth has now been stunted because of this and sadly he can never be returned to the wild. It's like this : He thinks he is big enough to hunt unfortunately due to human interference he is not as big as he thinks he is.

The Burmese Python!! Well, we all know how I feel about snakes but 'WOW' was I proud of Brad. Looking at him braving that!! I was sorry that I had chickend out. It could have been cool. This was more about our fears and the fears we are taught.

It was then Ant's turn with his Funprix. It wasn't very busy but the kiddies and parents who played had fun!! While dad was doing that the kids had fun on the 'Magic Ice Rink' and as you can see they had a whale of a time. Ant then joined them in some fun!! Nope, until there is a skinny me, no way was I getting on the rink. LOL

But my 'WOW' moment was the Albino Burmese Python!! Isn't she gorgeous!!

I hope your Sunday was fun as mine!!

I have yet to melt glass but I'll get there!!

The Circus comes to Town!!

2009-01-04T09:35:00.004+02:00

On friday night off we trotted to the Circus, the Brian Boswell Circus to be exact.

The boys were very excited and I couldn't help myself from sneaking a few glances at them through the whole performance. Their faces, the expression and the utter joy!! It was definitely something to smile about. Couldn't get any snap shots as NO photography was allowed during the performance but those expressions I will hold deep in my memory!!

Tomorrow is back to normal for this household. Ant is going back to work after 2 weeks of leave. It's going to be sad not having him around all the time and the boys are definitely going to miss bossing him around and fighting over him.

Today I'm contemplating joining them at the Casino where Ant is doing his Funprix thing. Good photo ops I think. Let me think about it . . .

I'm so excited . . .

2009-01-01T16:48:00.002+02:00

After spending the day in my PJ's - yes! moms get to do that once a year. LOL

- An idea that I have had in my head for the past couple of days has finally made it into a sketch. Now for the biggie!! Transferring this idea to glass. I feel like I'm one step closer - I'm so excited.

With the New Year comes. . .

2009-01-01T08:54:00.006+02:00

Blog rules ! ! !

With kind permission from Sylvie http://sylviebeads.blogspot.com/ the same rules that apply to her blog now apply to mine: (Slightly edited to fit me. . .LOL)

This is MY blog. If you are not reading it for FUN... please go away.

If you don't like me.... why waste your time here?????

If it bothers you that I use a delete button.... please go away.

If you don't like my photo's... please go away.

If you don't like my music.... please go away.

If you don't like the teams I support.... please go away.

If you are reading this PURELY to criticize me for my life decisions... please go away.

If you're reading this from your place of employment and might get fired for doing non-work-related internet surfing.... please go away (that's just me looking out for you... you can always read from home)

If you hate kittens, rainbows, chocolate (neg) or beads... you should probably go away too because those things seem pretty non-hateble and if you do hate them.... you're probably not real nice.

If you are one of the OTHER 20 people who read this on a daily basis... please stay.
(and if you know anyone in Hawaii or Alaska or any of the countries not blotted on my map... you can invite them to read (as long as they are agreeable to the rules above)... but only because I'm still lacking those states/countries in my quest for world domination)

SO... for everyone that's left here, after I've kicked out all the undesirables...It's unfortunate that some of the readers have not been here for the entertainment value that you are.

Happy New Year - It's gonna be our year ! ! !

2009-01-01T08:02:00.004+02:00

May 2009 be your 2000 & S*H*I*N*E ! ! !

Mother Nature took over last night and gave us her very own fireworks display!! It bucketed down. The power flickered on and off - I eventually gave up trying to reboot the computer.

My family who is camping had it a bit rough. Sleeping in cars and all. I'll check in with them later but it seems like the storm found them too.

I have one resolution this year and if I achieve that one a lot of other good stuff should follow in it's step!

2009 : The year of the skinny me ! ! !

Before the storm and while we could still sit outside the boys brought out some old photo's. Have you ever looked back at pics and thought 'Hey, I was actually thin' in the days that you thought you might have been fat!! I was geesh!! I looked good way back then. What I'd give to be that fat again. ((grin)) This is my year to find that inner screaming thin woman who wants to be set free! ! ! And with that the rest should follow.

What are your New Year Resolutions? ? ?

Reflections of 2008

2008-12-31T11:37:00.005+02:00

Looking back I wondered what we did on this day in 2007. Now this is where the value of a blog comes in as I could at the click of a button look back and see that we had spent it at the Pretoria Zoo. We had fun that day!!

By February I know we had made the decision to sell our home and we put it on the market. We had realised we were in financial doo-doo. This situation has not got any better but we're digging our way out. Shortly after my birthday in April we sold our home and the biggest struggle of our lives would begin. When we should have been breathing a sigh of relief our buyers have given us grief at every turn. To date the Transfer has still not gone through - and for the festive month of December they hit us with another blow by not paying occupational rent. Off they were to Namibia to get married and visit family. I was struck with the 'how do we get through this month' and had my worst Christmas ever. We also had to live with their nastiness a few days before Christmas when they told us to basically go to hell.

We moved to a new home. It has it's problems and our landlord is not the kind of guy to fix things - so sadly we are looking for a new place. We have earmarked a few but we are not rushing into anything as we don't want to make another mistake. We also miss our pool - so that is at the top of the list. The next house has to have a pool!!

There was Bailey- Bless his soul!! I miss him dearly. I think I am warming up to Charlie and he is proving to be a beautiful, loving family dog!!

We decided to homeschool Bradley. It was a very hard decision to make. We are confident moving into 2009 with a fantastic curriculum.

Sadly, in the past 6 months my lampworking career took a backseat to everything happening in my life. I will not try and gloss it over but it has been one of the most stressful and trying times of my life. I am grateful to have had my family and marriage survive this - we are still licking our wounds but we are healing. That is what is important.

To all my Divas, my friends old and new who were there for me even when I was quiet, to my family who had to put up with the worst of me and to Elaine who managed to pull me through my darkest hours, I will be forever eternally grateful!! Those small things you did for me meant so much to me...I can only hope and pray we will meet in person one day!!

To all you secret and not so secret Santas - thank you for reminding me that there is something I am good at and to stick to it.

To Diana in Canada - who kept true and stood by me as well as Trish. It would be a pleasure to march into any battle with you!!

To Trish - right or wrong, nobody had the right to do what they did to you. May 2009 be your year!!

To those of you who find joy in tearing other people apart!! Who find the need to be vicious and hurtful. I can only hope and pray that you will one day find the value in true friendship.

and remember :

Courage

standing strong for your own beliefs and doing what's right even when others disagree.

Acceptance

understanding and appreciating unique qualities in others.

Cooperation

willingly working with others towards a common goal.

Respect

showing others consideration, admiration, and honor.

and most importantly

Friendship

accepting, giving, sharing, feeling, and enjoying companionship with others . . .

taken from the Character Education Resource Guide, written by Regina G. Burch and published by Creative Teaching Press

Approaching storm. . .

2008-12-30T21:41:00.000+02:00

but it was not to be. . .

Laughter at someone's expense....

2008-12-30T15:53:00.007+02:00

edited to add that I think some are just jealous cause they don't have a blog . . . (LOL) and also added another safer place to hangout at - see below!! Now that should surprise some!!

So the thread is now derailed!! Where is the respect now?? Could of sworn there was some hoo-haa over thread derailment recently as much as there was about deleting ones post/s but once again we need to look at the partakers to understand I guess!! Now laughter at someone else's expense is just fine - hmmm, boils down to that 'respect' word and who is slinging it around for it to have any meaning.

My final opinion on this matter:

No side won!! There are more questions than there are answers. Where does that leave us?? Well, the next poor soul who steps over that sacred line will be made an example of and the flaming will begin again. We can only hope that some realise that RESPECT is a two way street!!

And another thought:

Just because you're a big name artist doesn't mean that you automatically deserve respect or that it makes you a better human being. If anything there are too many questions surrounding this whole situation, it's timing and it's ending make me wonder about certain artists and their integrity!!

So for those of you who need to giggle over a vagina - good on you, whatever blows your horn - really!! To be honest I prefer the Kilt porn as a derailment myself.

My advise to newbies - tread carefully, stay in safe waters and watch-out for those Sharks!! They'll eat you alive!! or hang out at WC - much, much safer. And had to add that hanging out at TAM is probably a safe bet too!!

p.s. I thought I sensed trouble coming from a post in the bathroom regarding blogs....................clearly I did not have to worry. Shooooooooo!! This blogs stays the same - as is.

More pic porn on it's way.

Love you all, stay safe!!! and most importantly............celebrate tomorrow. I know I'm going into 2009 with a spring in my step!!!

For about 5 minutes. . .

2008-12-29T22:38:00.003+02:00

I was tempted to for about, oh, 5 minutes this evening to make my blog private, just for tonight mind you.

Then I thought about it, and then I thought, well I could always put comment moderation on. But that's not me . . . so back to where I am. Bugger!!

This is my blog and in all honesty I can discuss what I want when I want (dot, dot, dot)

. . . and maybe I'll wake up in the morning and this post would have meant nothing and that is fine too.

about that character assissination.....(Part 2)

2008-12-29T17:38:00.004+02:00

Well the hair has been trimmed and I'm happy with it. I then came home and my personal colourist, we'll call him Antoine, duly coloured my hair a nice rich brown.

Firstly, I want to say thanks again for all the words of encouragement and support. In this climate standing up for a friend is not an easy task, especially when there is a lot of risk.

About the deletion of my posts. Apparently that speaks volumes about who I am more than the fact that I stood by a friend when in need. Like hubby says 'take it from where it comes'. That thread has nothing positive to offer anyone. If anything that thread is enough to scare anyone from trying anything and then even showing it. Before I sat down and deleted my posts, I did think about it. I didn't need to research it as I am aware of other cases and the feelings that follow it. I knew I was taking a big step. This thread had and has nothing but hate and anger to share with the lampworking world and everything that is wrong with it. Everytime I typed my words a few things would happen. I'd be ignored, treated like an idiot who is not allowed an opinion or I felt personally attacked. It got to a stage where I felt that even in defending myself or Trish it was going to go no where and fast. Further entrenching why I felt so strongly about Trish not coming into that thread and trying to defend herself. Realising that deleted posts do cause hiccups in the reading I went with the: oh well, those who thought what I said was important enough, stupid enough or brilliant enough to warrant flaming or even acknowledgement have quoted me and hence began the deletion.

Did this change how I felt about Trish : NO!!
Did this mean I didn't want my words to stick : NO!! (some are still very stuck) and just so we are clear there are other threads where touchy topics are being discussed without the need to be snide, sarcastic, belittle or or or...............my posts are still there!!
Am I surprised that it took a while to realise this : Yes
Am I surprised that it came from someone who has no time for me and was reading my blog : Yes (you just can't tell who is reading....LOL)

Yes, I was very vocal in that thread. There comes a time in ones life when enough is enough!! I've sat back and watched flamings and turned my back when I should have said something. These bullies enjoy ripping into someone big time and they don't let go!! They push and push until the person being pushed has nothing left in them. The choices being slink back into the shadows and pray like hell you're not seen, give up entirely or move to safer ground.

The forum states that it is a friendly...... well as long as the bullies or as I stated months prior in the same forum 'The Country Club' don't notice you - you're fine!! Don't post a pic that is not yours, don't post a pic of a bead that is a hint of a copy to someone dear to them, don't look at them side ways, don't say anything out of line, don't have an opinion before you've got a zillion posts under you and yes, it is a friendly place to be. Just so we are clear - using other's photo's etc. without their permission is wrong and replicating beads to make a quick buck is not nice either. So please, don't go questioning my integrity here!! I just think these situations can be handled a tad bit better than making an example of someone.

Basically if my posts were so important to you - treating me with some respect might have been helpful!!

To all of you who have been friends to me, once again I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

about that character assissination......

2008-12-29T11:07:00.002+02:00

To all of you who have commented here. Thank you!! from the bottom of my heart!!

I'm still wrapping my head around everything - the assissination on LE. Stuff happening on home ground.

Right now I'm hitting the shower and having my second haircut since the Shavathon. I'll be back later.

Bronkhorstspruit dam, 26 December : A day with family

2008-12-27T12:53:00.000+02:00

Closing a door...

2008-12-27T11:27:00.004+02:00

Edited to add:

I have deleted all my posts from the Bead on Beads thread over at LE. Why?? Because in all honestly did it matter what I had to say. I was there to stand up for a friend - I still stand by her but I am tired of the games, of words being twisted, of the subtle threats of reputations being ruined because you don't agree with the bullies, the by the way insults.........So no I did not delete my posts cause I have changed my mind about Trish - I still think those who started this should have tried to deal with it Privately before slamming/flaming Trish in her thread!! But what better way to make an example of someone.

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I really wasn't going to bring this to my blog but for closure for me I think I need to.

It is time for me to close a door on LE (Lampwork Etc). I am tired of all the negativity, I am tired of my words being twisted and the last straw for me was that I was making excuses. The arrogance of 'just take a class' makes me want to slap some people silly. The attitude of just go to your library. Well, this is not America. The cost of importing a book, the R/$ exchange - the arrogance of here is a list of books - just import them!! The attacks, right or wrong - have me gobsmacked for words. Is everyone just looking for a fight.

"No one is going hand you the information is a neat little package" -Libby

If many writers had taken that attitude where would we be today.

I saw a need for what could be a brilliant book and got this snide remark - yes, I felt it was snide!!

You get patted on the head and told to go and spend hours, even days researching the net. Spend fortunes on books BUT asking for 'neat little package' gets you flamed.

You explain that due to financial and time restraints this is not possible and get slammed with snide remarks. No wonder others don't voice their opinions. Because someone out their just knows better than you do and how dare you make a suggestion.

Ask for clarity over words like technique and design - Oh boy!!! I'm pretty sure no one has answered that conclusively either.

You know what - I had to listen to my grandparents tell me how they had to walk to school for miles on end, suffering the heat of the day. No shoes, barefoot over tough veld grass etc. etc.
I loved listening to their stories from the days they were younger. But I don't think they ever begrudged me the fact that I could be taken to school in a car. I now tell my kiddies my stories of when I was kid...............................

Carys and her elusive smile.....

2008-12-27T10:33:00.002+02:00

My niece is very sneaky!! Carys knows exactly when you have your camera ready and when you're not paying attention. She is full of smiles BUT when she sees that camera it disappears - cheeky monster!! The moment the camera is put down - Voila!! She smiles again.

I was pretty 'chuffed' with myself to capture these three.

Keep smiling Noo-Noo!!

A smile can say a thousand words...........

2008-12-26T22:09:00.000+02:00

Just for now.......

2008-12-26T21:55:00.002+02:00

I have a ton of pictures for you but I've just had two extrememly busy social and very emotionally trying days. (grin). These were taken today at Bronkhorstspruit Dam where we spent the day with my family. I now have a head which I could quite happily hand to someone else right now. LOL

I'm hoping all my readers have had a super Christmas and that you all got spoilt rotten. I was blessed with an amazing cook book, 'Harvest - Recipes from an Organic Farm' by Christine Stevens with Russel Wasserfall. I cannot wait to try some of those. I also got the movie 'Mamma Mia'- I think I love that and the latest Il Divo CD.

Till tomorrow. Have fun!!

Merry Christmas to all those Supermom's out there!!

2008-12-24T19:34:00.001+02:00

Hi there, just click on the picture for a fun read filled with laughter!!! This is dedicated to all those supermom's out there. You know who you are - HUGS from SA!!!

Waiting for Christmas....

2008-12-24T15:36:00.003+02:00

The advent calendar says it all.

Woohoooooo!! This mom yells, and proudly plonks Father Christmas in the no. 24 slot. There were moments when I thought I would not make it in one piece but I have survived the build-up!! My bank account is empty and the retailers have my moolah- LOL

The boys are quiet - strange!! and Josh keeps telling me that it's getting darker. We're in full daylight here (grin). The one time they are wishing it for it to be night time. LOL

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Tree decorating last week....

2008-12-24T15:29:00.000+02:00

And thanks Deb - this just had to be shared :))

2008-12-24T14:58:00.003+02:00

"The Grinch"

He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming, it came!

Somehow or other it came just the same.

And the grinch, with his grinch feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling & puzzling

"How could it be so,

It came without ribbons,

It came without tags,

It came withoutpackages, boxes or bags!

"He puzzled & puzzed 'til his puzzler was sore,

Then the grinch thought of something he hadn't before

"Maybe Christmas", he thought "doesn't come from a store."

"Maybe Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more...."

Ramblings of a lunatic mom and lampworker

Very sad news!!

Welcome 2010 and goodbye 2009

Gone Camping.....

Spring Day!!

Yummy Ice-cream!!

A rare thing - A family photo

A relaxing afternoon waiting for the Super 14 Final to start

My rugby team WON!!! Woohooooo!!

Go and read about it.....my first spinning class

Clearly I'm not A-MAIZED!!!

A night at the cricket

Knowledge is Power!!

A new blog focusing on ME, Me, me

Weight Watchers : Week 12 - only .2kg's down

...when we thought our parents had it 'oh so wrong', did they actually have it RIGHT!!

Our Easter weekend away

Weight Watchers : Week 11 - Never Ever Give Up!! Down 1.4kg's

News Headline : Bathroom Scale SAVED by pool safety net!!

Week 10: Weight Watchers......don't look

The bathroom scale HATES me....yes, it DOES!!

Earth Hour

Week 9 : Weight Watchers - up (point) 4

Don't wanna get on!!

The Bird and The Cat...

More reason NOT to purchase any products made in China!!

An absolutely FANTABULOUS Saturday......

Week 8 : Weight Watchers - Down 1kg and total loss to date of 7.2kg's

Adding to that healthy lifestyle mix....

Kitty with attitude!!

I just had to check my Hotmail!

My final words on this matter....okay!!

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Weight Watchers : Week 7 - Down 1.6kg's

At the end of the day...

You want to see what spiteful looks like....

The JCI Geological Trail

Steps

It's about that 'other place'

My Gran is at peace...

Weight Watchers : Week 6 - Down .2kg's

Forgiveness

It must be a 'glitch' or 'gremlin' or heaven forbid a 'bug'

Living healthy and camping : Do they go together??

Some R & R at Mountain Sanctuary Park

Just a little note to say .......

Weight Watchers : Week 5 - down 1.4kg's

Should family only be about...

Gran is determind to hang around for a bit

I pray for my Gran to find peace!!

My gran is very ill...

Trial run

I woke up and it wasn't . . .

Weight Watchers : Week 4 : Down .6kg.s

About that 'french kiss'....LOL

My first French Kiss and oh, Happy Valentines Day...

Weight Watchers : Week 3

A friendly reminder : Those pesky blog rules and a new rule

Just in case you are wondering...

Comment Moderation is now on in full force!!

Diana (Canada) this is for you ...

Our new place...

Yes, I did sign up...

No more, no less

On the move again....

Did you know there was a new forum.....??

The Yummy Mummy!!

Weigh-in : Wk 1 - Weight Watchers

About that New Year's Resolution...

Local Kilt supplier comes through for lunatic mom!!!

What is a mom to do but buy a kilt??

I got an award....

New Blog on the block!!

It made me realise something ...

Good News in one area of our lives...

Sir Sweet Love

It's a S*I*N

Find Joy in the Journey

Change is in the air!!

It's time to. . .

It's a SIN