Monday morning thoughts..

This will be quick. And just a few thoughts. I have things to do, places to go, on this my "off" day. No work means more work sometimes!

Some of the things I bought at the market yesterday is just too pretty not to share.

It is Afrikaans. So sorry for those who do not understand it.

One was for your child. My kind. A book for me to fill for each of them with recipes, photos and thought...

Ek skryf vir jou hierdie klein stukkies
onthou.. resepte van jou gunsteling eetgoed,
maar ook n paar goed wat ek graag met jou wil deel.
...Liefhê-goed, lag-goed, eina-goed, onthou goed..
omdat jy vir my kosbaar is.
Vul dit aan met jou eie treffers, en onthou daar sal dalk dae wees
wat net die hond
opgewonde sal wees oor jou nuwe dis!
(Freda Schoeman)

DANKBAAR, thankful
KOSBAAR, prescious
VREUGDE, happiness
GENADE, grace
LIEFDE, love
LAG, laughter

All of the above is what I want for them. What I want for me.

Sunday surely is a fun day..

Sunday deserves a lazy start. This is my opinion. So since that is the ideal, of course, in my life that means a early start with 1-3 little people on my bed. Before 6. Best response to that? A smile. And a swing of my legs of the bed. A new day needs 2 coffees, 1 normal tea, one rooibos tea and 4 rusks. And make it snappy mom. In my princess cup comes the yell.

Yes I'm well and whipped. But this is our routine. And I love it.

Garden days. Market days.

In the spirit of always trying something new, today we went (on a whim) to the open gardens of the Rotary Club of SA. Same as the steam trains, what a unexpected surprise.

Of course the gardens were perfect. Every corner a little gem and surprise. I couldn't fool the people there, so I went for honesty. No I do not have a clue what any flower is called. But I love pretty. And I can appreciate beauty. And I'm open to learn.

So with a full schedule already, I could fit in today.

Start. Ready.. Steady.

 

 And go!

 

October on repeat in Blue.

I think I've repeated this a few times on all social media and to the people who happen to speak to me. But I've been stuck on the band Blue October this month (among others). Yes, I match my music to the month of the year. I'm organised like that.

I know the whole context of some of their songs are not entirely connected to my situation. But I just love some of their lyrics.

I've said it before (I'm on a repeat cycle music and words wise it seems). But I need the few people in my life who still act like my divorce, being alone with three kids etc etc is a reason to worry and pity me. That makes me want to stomp my foot and ask if I give anyone any reason for all this "worry".I should point out that these people are people who do not really feature in my life. But I still hate it that people even feel that they should say that.

So back to the band. Their lyrics in "The Worry List". After the break..

The art part of life..

Last week I went to a art auction for charity. I loved the whole concept. The feel of the evening.

Everyone could donate art - in any form. Pictures you printed, something you drew, old art, new art. All the art was then displayed. You could browse while Dans Dans Lisa played some nice tunes. On the side of the room there was a bucket filled with beer and ciders, free (but if you could just donate anything).

Everything went for R100. And at 20:00 they said "GO" and you had to run to be the first at the work you wanted to buy. If more than one person wanted the same thing, people then had to barter and or fight. Or pay more. Fun night out with just a touch of art.

The crowd was wonderfully young and hipster, with the oddest couples that just made sense in the picture. Wish I took photos of them all..

Just add awesome steam..

Discovering new places, new adventures and having fun is always a priority for me with my girls. I might not have given them the "perfect" life. But I will make damn sure that they have a life to look back on that is filled with love, caring, smiles, and fun. So in the spirit of trying everything once, and then going back the next Sunday for more.. Our last weekend.

We discovered this little gem in Centurion. Centurion Society Of Model Engineers. And what a wonderful little place on earth this is. I grew up driving the little steam train around Fountains. But lately all the "trains" we find just didn't compare.

To quote the one "oom": "I can not imagine anyone retiring without a model train or boat".

Social, Dancing and Life

 I often get told that I have the prettiest, sweetest, beautiful, clever, gorgeous three girls. And I more than agree. They also get confused for triplets almost daily.

I provide enough photo evidence of this fact (and see below for more). Nothing the world can ever throw at me can ever even make me winch. Because I have three people that not only make it all worth it, but they remind me that I am a great person. Sticks and stones eh! It takes one of their smiles or hugs to erase any bad day (and I get three).

Life.

Music saves the day..

Music saves most days and moods.

It really does feel like some songs were custom written just for me. And I know most people feel like this. That’s what I love about music.

I do not claim to be a music expert. I am also not one of those people who are uppity about their music selection. So don’t even dare lift an eyebrow at anything I say music wise. I am old enough to know what I like. I do not defend my choices. Because they are mine. Plus I have no need to fit in with someone else’s idea of cool. So without further ado. Music on repeat this week:

Looking back and moving forward. The checklist.

Review time. A while ago, I made an attempt to “be the best 30 year old” I can be. So now I am 3 months in on my journey. I had a list of things I wanted to do and be. Some need revision. Some need a tick. Some I will ignore today.

Three good reasons to be happy..

I can look at everything in my life (and by any stretch things have not gone according to the book).. and then I look down (yes and up), but down at the three people that fill every part of my life. And I have no reason to be sad. (Side note: I do live a balanced life, so I do normally look sideways at the  friends and family and books and wine and coffee and work and movies etc that fill my life, but I said three reasons). So as always, without further ado, a photo post of the last three odd weeks. Highlights only. Facebook , Instagram and Twitter will fill the gap :)

Crash, boom, bang..

It's been a while. My one rule in life is to try and keep off social media when you have a bad day or moment. Something about saying things you will regret. Don't ask me, I'm not a expert.

One thing I now know is that I should have done this more. Just write. Just think. Because when life happens, boy does it happen. I'm talking about the stuff movies are made of. Or in this case, my life these last two weeks. Popcorn ready?