Re-Tagged
Damn! I feel like a piece of clothing that's been tagged, bought, returned, and RE-tagged! Robert, you evil one.... but will take up the challenge. This could quickly spiral out of control into endless repeat-tagging.
OK, the letter S.
1. Sunshine: Love it! Can't live without it. Even if it does come through my office window so strongly that I sometimes can't see what I'm doing. For Darkest Africa we have an awful lot of this particular occurrance...
2. Sex: Lots to say on this subject, but you'll have to email me privately to hear it! :) Sorry...
3. Serious: or rather "Seee-ree-yAAAS!" Another very well-known South Africanism, most recently thanks to TV ads for polka.co.za (love the way that sounds if you say it!). Just as Klipdrift brandy gave new meaning to the phrase "met Eish!", us South Africans do tend to grab on to catch-words and use them thoroughly.
4. Sand: OK, so I live about 8km from the sea. I can see it whenever I look out my door, window, office, whatever. But I really, really hate sand. Not because it's sand, but because it gets in everything. It grinds between your teeth and collects in your costume, it gets into your lotion and grits up the pages of the book you brought along. To say nothing of what happens when you bring SANDwiches to the beach.... So although I reside a mere few minutes from the sea, I'm sorry to say I haven't been to the beach since last year!
5. Surf: Goes with the Sand, unfortunately. My brothers are keen surfers. Me, I prefer "surfer-ing" - lying back and watching those gorgeous bodies hit the waves.
6. Shopping: Every girl's dream? Not always. I've found the quickest way to depression is to go shopping for clothes. Trying them on brings no joy, and I can never find what I like. We all know what those changing room mirrors do to one's self-worth too! I can happily browse for hours, but serious shopping? No thanks. Not unless you've given me an unlimited-credit card and sent me to the jeweller... which leads me to...
7. Sapphire: I love stones like sapphire. The only really expensive ring I have (and designed) has a centrepiece of square sapphire. I drool over crystals and well-cut gems every time I'm near a place that sells them. Though my fave stone is still Moonstone.
8. Skinny-dipping: Done it? In the sea? Near midnight? Where the next day you saw a group of gigantic sharks swimming just past the breakers? Yeah, me too.
9. Selective breeding: What I wish some folk had employed before they had kids... But that's just me.
10. Sucks: No coffee in the house. A bad day at work. Intolerable noise levels. Pollution and stress. Dead-end jobs. Oppression, injustice and cruelty. A lack of chocolate. No blogging inspiration. Things that keep breaking. No-one to snog. That seriously sucks.
Done! :) Now... should I try rouse some more tagging goodness?
Let's try:
Gracie - you got W
Kelly - you got K
Kyknoord - you got O
eKapa - you got H
OK, the letter S.
1. Sunshine: Love it! Can't live without it. Even if it does come through my office window so strongly that I sometimes can't see what I'm doing. For Darkest Africa we have an awful lot of this particular occurrance...
2. Sex: Lots to say on this subject, but you'll have to email me privately to hear it! :) Sorry...
3. Serious: or rather "Seee-ree-yAAAS!" Another very well-known South Africanism, most recently thanks to TV ads for polka.co.za (love the way that sounds if you say it!). Just as Klipdrift brandy gave new meaning to the phrase "met Eish!", us South Africans do tend to grab on to catch-words and use them thoroughly.
4. Sand: OK, so I live about 8km from the sea. I can see it whenever I look out my door, window, office, whatever. But I really, really hate sand. Not because it's sand, but because it gets in everything. It grinds between your teeth and collects in your costume, it gets into your lotion and grits up the pages of the book you brought along. To say nothing of what happens when you bring SANDwiches to the beach.... So although I reside a mere few minutes from the sea, I'm sorry to say I haven't been to the beach since last year!
5. Surf: Goes with the Sand, unfortunately. My brothers are keen surfers. Me, I prefer "surfer-ing" - lying back and watching those gorgeous bodies hit the waves.
6. Shopping: Every girl's dream? Not always. I've found the quickest way to depression is to go shopping for clothes. Trying them on brings no joy, and I can never find what I like. We all know what those changing room mirrors do to one's self-worth too! I can happily browse for hours, but serious shopping? No thanks. Not unless you've given me an unlimited-credit card and sent me to the jeweller... which leads me to...
7. Sapphire: I love stones like sapphire. The only really expensive ring I have (and designed) has a centrepiece of square sapphire. I drool over crystals and well-cut gems every time I'm near a place that sells them. Though my fave stone is still Moonstone.
8. Skinny-dipping: Done it? In the sea? Near midnight? Where the next day you saw a group of gigantic sharks swimming just past the breakers? Yeah, me too.
9. Selective breeding: What I wish some folk had employed before they had kids... But that's just me.
10. Sucks: No coffee in the house. A bad day at work. Intolerable noise levels. Pollution and stress. Dead-end jobs. Oppression, injustice and cruelty. A lack of chocolate. No blogging inspiration. Things that keep breaking. No-one to snog. That seriously sucks.
Done! :) Now... should I try rouse some more tagging goodness?
Let's try:
Gracie - you got W
Kelly - you got K
Kyknoord - you got O
eKapa - you got H
Being Edie
I have a confession to make - and then a pile of you can hit me repeatedly over the head. I've never watched "Desperate Housewives". Or rather, I had never watched it until I thought I'd better find out who Edie was, after taking two different surveys sent by friends and ending up as her repeatedly.
So we watched the first episode last night. And my son has decided we need to watch the rest. I guess we will.
One website says:
Perhaps I'm the part they didn't mention - the girl always outside the "group" - not really included in the little teas and get-togethers, not a good fit. Maybe even seen as a threat in some ways, because I'm different and don't conform (the free-spirited thing, which scares people if they don't understand my intentions). I even suspect that, if I were allowed to and had the "means" to pull it off, I'd be dressing up in those push-up, pull-in outfits.
Another website described her as a "man-eater". Does random serial monogomy fall under that category? :) No, I'm not really - but my refusal to consider getting into serious relationships or being "committed" may make others think I am. I'm not one to use and leave, but am simply not after heavy-duty relationship stuff. I like my freedom and independence too much.
After seeing episode 1, I'm not sure if I like Edie or not. And I'm also starting to think about how others see me. Do I look like a man-eating bitch to them? :) Does what I say, or what I do, form an opinion that I may not like if I were to see me through their eyes? Or.... What if I really am like that, and am trying to ignore it?
Or - what if I'm talking complete rot about a fictional TV character, and should instead go find something useful to do with my day? Yup, you're probably right. It's this one. :)
So we watched the first episode last night. And my son has decided we need to watch the rest. I guess we will.
One website says:
Edie Britt is a serial divorcee and a free-spirited real estate maven who turns up the temperature on Wisteria Lane. Her style is always provocative in push-up bustiers and tight, sexy dresses. Just don’t steal her man—or she’ll burn your house down! If you're a temptress who's looking to heat up your wardrobe, Edie leads the way with her hot, hot, hot looks.OK... so I'm Edie? Woah...
Perhaps I'm the part they didn't mention - the girl always outside the "group" - not really included in the little teas and get-togethers, not a good fit. Maybe even seen as a threat in some ways, because I'm different and don't conform (the free-spirited thing, which scares people if they don't understand my intentions). I even suspect that, if I were allowed to and had the "means" to pull it off, I'd be dressing up in those push-up, pull-in outfits.
Another website described her as a "man-eater". Does random serial monogomy fall under that category? :) No, I'm not really - but my refusal to consider getting into serious relationships or being "committed" may make others think I am. I'm not one to use and leave, but am simply not after heavy-duty relationship stuff. I like my freedom and independence too much.
After seeing episode 1, I'm not sure if I like Edie or not. And I'm also starting to think about how others see me. Do I look like a man-eating bitch to them? :) Does what I say, or what I do, form an opinion that I may not like if I were to see me through their eyes? Or.... What if I really am like that, and am trying to ignore it?
Or - what if I'm talking complete rot about a fictional TV character, and should instead go find something useful to do with my day? Yup, you're probably right. It's this one. :)
The Chitty Alphabet Tag
As I seem to be able to get no form of confirmation that the "Michelle" tagged by Chitty is actually me, I'm going to assume it was.
"The rules are simple: Write 10 words beginning with that letter in your journal, including an explanation what the word means to you and why, and then pass out letters to those who want to play along."
So much for instructions, and he's kindly passed the letter J on to me.
J is for:
1. Jason: My son, the one thing that turned my entire life around. What can one say about your kid? Too much to fill this short paragraph. But he's my life, and everything I do is in some way connected with him, his future, and our lives together. (Jason is also the name of my very first boyfriend in primary school. That lasted 2 weeks - his parents were about to move back to the USA when he asked me out! :) )
2. Jelly: When I was a kid it was all the rage to have a packet of jelly powder in your lunchbox at school, and eat it dry. My mom used to make "angel fluff" by mixing whipped-up Ideal milk with jelly and letting it set. And there's nothing like slurp-eating a big spoonful on a hot day. But I'm a traditionalist - don't give me these newfangled varieties (bubblegum, banana etc.). I'm fine with greengage, or lemon, or rasberry thanks.
3. Jump: Call me weird, but Van Halen's "Jump" has been one of my favourite songs for years and years and years. Yes, it's on the "worst songs" list of many, but I love it.
4. Jealous: I hated it when boyfriends were. I can be when I see overland vehicles in traffic. I feel twinges of it now and then when I see creativity, or cash thrown around like water, or a happy-ever-after movie. But it doesn't feature that much in my life. I simply don't let it.
5. July: The mid-year month - or perhaps a uniquely Cape South African phrase - "Ju Laai!" (you lie!) - expressing astonishment or disbelief.
6. Jiggly: What I wish my thighs would stop being. And that little bit on my tummy that refuses to be Anastacia-flat. But I'm getting there.
7. Jaded: The older you get, the more likely you are to be jaded. No, not turned into a stone and carved into ornaments. Just disillusioned with life. It's my aim not to be, but rather to see the world with fresh eyes regularly, adjust my compass and sally forth on new adventures befitting where I'm at.
8. Journal: What I once thought a blog was. However, it's more like a community, a conversation, a record-of-days. I once had a journal - a real paper and ink one. But it's become a medium I can't keep at. Blogging, however, I'm addicted to!
9. Jacaranda: Always associated with pink-eye for me - not that I've had it, but as kids we were always warned against getting the sap from these wonderful purple-flowered trees in our eyes. We used to avoid looking up while riding our bikes along avenues of them, just in case. I can't remember anyone ever actually contracting it though.
10. Jungle Gym: Who ever decided the Jim needed a Jungle in the first place? Yeah, I know - GYM, as in exercise. But still... I used to hang upside down by my knees from bars on these, and from tree branches, and from anything that would support my weight. Funny that my kid also loved being upside down... Nowadays Jungle Gyms are made so safe that there's no way you can break a bone, scrape a knee or sue the playground for injury. Poor kids.
And so to the tags!
1. A is for Aquila Online
2. B is for BigRic
3. C is for CerebralYoga
4. D is for DurbzBlog
5. E is for Ewan's Corner
6. G is for GomotoDiaries (done)
7. I is for I Like Being There (done)
8. N is for Natural Design
9. P is for Patchouli
10. T is for The Moment (done)
Take your letter and go forth to make lists! :) (Especially those of you who haven't said a word in quite some time - you know who you are...)
::update::
Robert felt all left out, rejected and neglected, so I've handed over the letter R to him before he calls down lighting and thunder on my head. (done)
"The rules are simple: Write 10 words beginning with that letter in your journal, including an explanation what the word means to you and why, and then pass out letters to those who want to play along."
So much for instructions, and he's kindly passed the letter J on to me.
J is for:
1. Jason: My son, the one thing that turned my entire life around. What can one say about your kid? Too much to fill this short paragraph. But he's my life, and everything I do is in some way connected with him, his future, and our lives together. (Jason is also the name of my very first boyfriend in primary school. That lasted 2 weeks - his parents were about to move back to the USA when he asked me out! :) )
2. Jelly: When I was a kid it was all the rage to have a packet of jelly powder in your lunchbox at school, and eat it dry. My mom used to make "angel fluff" by mixing whipped-up Ideal milk with jelly and letting it set. And there's nothing like slurp-eating a big spoonful on a hot day. But I'm a traditionalist - don't give me these newfangled varieties (bubblegum, banana etc.). I'm fine with greengage, or lemon, or rasberry thanks.
3. Jump: Call me weird, but Van Halen's "Jump" has been one of my favourite songs for years and years and years. Yes, it's on the "worst songs" list of many, but I love it.
4. Jealous: I hated it when boyfriends were. I can be when I see overland vehicles in traffic. I feel twinges of it now and then when I see creativity, or cash thrown around like water, or a happy-ever-after movie. But it doesn't feature that much in my life. I simply don't let it.
5. July: The mid-year month - or perhaps a uniquely Cape South African phrase - "Ju Laai!" (you lie!) - expressing astonishment or disbelief.
6. Jiggly: What I wish my thighs would stop being. And that little bit on my tummy that refuses to be Anastacia-flat. But I'm getting there.
7. Jaded: The older you get, the more likely you are to be jaded. No, not turned into a stone and carved into ornaments. Just disillusioned with life. It's my aim not to be, but rather to see the world with fresh eyes regularly, adjust my compass and sally forth on new adventures befitting where I'm at.
8. Journal: What I once thought a blog was. However, it's more like a community, a conversation, a record-of-days. I once had a journal - a real paper and ink one. But it's become a medium I can't keep at. Blogging, however, I'm addicted to!
9. Jacaranda: Always associated with pink-eye for me - not that I've had it, but as kids we were always warned against getting the sap from these wonderful purple-flowered trees in our eyes. We used to avoid looking up while riding our bikes along avenues of them, just in case. I can't remember anyone ever actually contracting it though.
10. Jungle Gym: Who ever decided the Jim needed a Jungle in the first place? Yeah, I know - GYM, as in exercise. But still... I used to hang upside down by my knees from bars on these, and from tree branches, and from anything that would support my weight. Funny that my kid also loved being upside down... Nowadays Jungle Gyms are made so safe that there's no way you can break a bone, scrape a knee or sue the playground for injury. Poor kids.
And so to the tags!
1. A is for Aquila Online
2. B is for BigRic
3. C is for CerebralYoga
4. D is for DurbzBlog
5. E is for Ewan's Corner
6. G is for GomotoDiaries (done)
7. I is for I Like Being There (done)
8. N is for Natural Design
9. P is for Patchouli
10. T is for The Moment (done)
Take your letter and go forth to make lists! :) (Especially those of you who haven't said a word in quite some time - you know who you are...)
::update::
Robert felt all left out, rejected and neglected, so I've handed over the letter R to him before he calls down lighting and thunder on my head. (done)
A Busy Mind
Where's the off-button for my head? Anyone know? I've been tossing and turning again at night as my mind goes off on random tangents. Perhaps blogging some of the stuff will get it out, clear the space, and give room for other things.
* I heard from the Landy guy last night. The offer is being considered, and although lower than he would have liked, is "not unreasonable". I should know either way in the next week or so. In the meantime dreams of the darn vehicle persist, with her popping up randomly in unexpected places. I wonder if it was a "premonition" that I dreamt 2 nights ago that she was delivered to my house...
* I'm not really a believer in a general "Force of the Universe", prefering to call that God - but "The Universe" seems to have decided I'll make my money off food. I made a batch of fudge this weekend, gave out a few pieces to random friends, and it's proved so popular that I've started selling it! Add to this regular orders for brownies, focaccia, pizza base mix and cakes - and I'm pulling in up to half my salary in food sales some months! Which is pretty fine by me.
* Still pondering the babycare thing. I'm doing some enquiries to see what the minimum age for normal daycare is (I suspect 2) and will then look at filling the less-than-that gap. I hope to get some indication of how many parents need this specialized care locally before I go off and actually do it.
* There's a name and telephone number sitting on my desk staring at me. An opthalmologist, who has lazered a friend's eyes into sight perfection. I need to make an appointment to find out whether it's an option for me too - but as these things go, I have yet to get up the courage. Silly me.
* My dad turns 60 this weekend! And we still don't know what he wants to be when he grows up.. :) I wish we could be there for the Big Bash they're having (at church - his Aussie family). But all we can do is send off a parcel with all sorts of goodies in, and give him a call. I'd love to have a stash of cash that lets me travel at will. Heck, I'd love to have a stash of cash - period! :)
* The Department of Maintenance has once again turned into the Department of Destruction (or at least the Department of Big Holes) here. They started making a doorway or something through one of our thick, ancient mud-brick building walls downstairs yesterday. They're back at it this morning. The joke going around, based on our mission statement, is that we believe in "hole-istic" education, and in training the "hole" person... But in the meantime we have dust and noise to contend with. That's the first image below. The second one is another doorway they did on my floor 2 months ago. The third one is a hole they made last week. If they carry on this way, the building is going to fall down pretty soon!
* I heard from the Landy guy last night. The offer is being considered, and although lower than he would have liked, is "not unreasonable". I should know either way in the next week or so. In the meantime dreams of the darn vehicle persist, with her popping up randomly in unexpected places. I wonder if it was a "premonition" that I dreamt 2 nights ago that she was delivered to my house...
* I'm not really a believer in a general "Force of the Universe", prefering to call that God - but "The Universe" seems to have decided I'll make my money off food. I made a batch of fudge this weekend, gave out a few pieces to random friends, and it's proved so popular that I've started selling it! Add to this regular orders for brownies, focaccia, pizza base mix and cakes - and I'm pulling in up to half my salary in food sales some months! Which is pretty fine by me.
* Still pondering the babycare thing. I'm doing some enquiries to see what the minimum age for normal daycare is (I suspect 2) and will then look at filling the less-than-that gap. I hope to get some indication of how many parents need this specialized care locally before I go off and actually do it.
* There's a name and telephone number sitting on my desk staring at me. An opthalmologist, who has lazered a friend's eyes into sight perfection. I need to make an appointment to find out whether it's an option for me too - but as these things go, I have yet to get up the courage. Silly me.
* My dad turns 60 this weekend! And we still don't know what he wants to be when he grows up.. :) I wish we could be there for the Big Bash they're having (at church - his Aussie family). But all we can do is send off a parcel with all sorts of goodies in, and give him a call. I'd love to have a stash of cash that lets me travel at will. Heck, I'd love to have a stash of cash - period! :)
* The Department of Maintenance has once again turned into the Department of Destruction (or at least the Department of Big Holes) here. They started making a doorway or something through one of our thick, ancient mud-brick building walls downstairs yesterday. They're back at it this morning. The joke going around, based on our mission statement, is that we believe in "hole-istic" education, and in training the "hole" person... But in the meantime we have dust and noise to contend with. That's the first image below. The second one is another doorway they did on my floor 2 months ago. The third one is a hole they made last week. If they carry on this way, the building is going to fall down pretty soon!
Dreams
Sometimes I have to wonder what thought processes have been bubbling along unnoticed below the surface of my brain. I've heard it said that dreams are your mind's way of sorting through all your worries of the day, while the rest of you sleeps. But if that's true, then I have some very strange worries!
Last night I seem to have gone from one extreme to the other in dreamland. I dreamt of the Landy (an obvious worry - still to hear back), I dreamt they'd cut down a row of huge pine trees near hear (what?), I dreamt I married my brother for the second time (hello??) and I seem to have dreamt a rather long journey, entertwined with all sorts of strange situations.
Sometimes I wish I had a recorder of some sort in the head that I could call up in daylight hours, project all those weird images from my dreams on a wall - and sit aghast in wonder at what's been going on.
Today is one of those days. I'd love to see the things from start to finish, and try find out just what the heck I've been thinking! :)
Last night I seem to have gone from one extreme to the other in dreamland. I dreamt of the Landy (an obvious worry - still to hear back), I dreamt they'd cut down a row of huge pine trees near hear (what?), I dreamt I married my brother for the second time (hello??) and I seem to have dreamt a rather long journey, entertwined with all sorts of strange situations.
Sometimes I wish I had a recorder of some sort in the head that I could call up in daylight hours, project all those weird images from my dreams on a wall - and sit aghast in wonder at what's been going on.
Today is one of those days. I'd love to see the things from start to finish, and try find out just what the heck I've been thinking! :)
Adventures in Babysitting
I got to test-drive my baby-care idea this weekend, as I looked after a 2 month old child for a few hours on Saturday night.
Yes, I have the touch. Yes, I can make kids really comfy and happy in no time at all. But I also need to learn how to hand them back to their parents without worrying too much.
Little Mouse slept the entire time he was with me, other than gulping down a half-bottle of milk at one stage. It was only when I gave him back to his mom that I found out it was the ONLY bottle he'd had since Friday! I mentioned that the nappies I'd changed looked like he wasn't digesting his feed properly either. Then I started to worry... kids that little dehydrate very fast, and his sleeping solidly suddenly looked like illness more than a need for rest. I would have forced a whole lot more liquid into him if I'd known. I urged his mom to get some liquids into him as quickly as possible, even if it was just water with a bit of glucose in to keep him going. Better if it was his usual feed.
I carried on worrying all night - disturbed by half-dreams until I woke up.
Well, by early Sunday the kid was not well at all, and ended up being taken to hospital. They stuck him on a drip to rehydrate him and he's there for the next day or so to make sure. Testing him for a variety of infections is part of the process. Little Mouse ended up seriously ill!
Fortunately, it wasn't as a result of my caring for him. Nor did I make it worse.. :)
My son was totally against the day-care idea last week - but this episode made him realize that babies are not all that bad, that he also has a "touch" with kids (like his cousins), that it could actually work. (And my active mind has been mulling plans, equipment, options all weekend)
So we'll see. In the meantime though, we're holding thumbs that Mouse gets better really really soon.
Yes, I have the touch. Yes, I can make kids really comfy and happy in no time at all. But I also need to learn how to hand them back to their parents without worrying too much.
Little Mouse slept the entire time he was with me, other than gulping down a half-bottle of milk at one stage. It was only when I gave him back to his mom that I found out it was the ONLY bottle he'd had since Friday! I mentioned that the nappies I'd changed looked like he wasn't digesting his feed properly either. Then I started to worry... kids that little dehydrate very fast, and his sleeping solidly suddenly looked like illness more than a need for rest. I would have forced a whole lot more liquid into him if I'd known. I urged his mom to get some liquids into him as quickly as possible, even if it was just water with a bit of glucose in to keep him going. Better if it was his usual feed.
I carried on worrying all night - disturbed by half-dreams until I woke up.
Well, by early Sunday the kid was not well at all, and ended up being taken to hospital. They stuck him on a drip to rehydrate him and he's there for the next day or so to make sure. Testing him for a variety of infections is part of the process. Little Mouse ended up seriously ill!
Fortunately, it wasn't as a result of my caring for him. Nor did I make it worse.. :)
My son was totally against the day-care idea last week - but this episode made him realize that babies are not all that bad, that he also has a "touch" with kids (like his cousins), that it could actually work. (And my active mind has been mulling plans, equipment, options all weekend)
So we'll see. In the meantime though, we're holding thumbs that Mouse gets better really really soon.
Leap of Faith... ?
I had a flash of inspiration yesterday while getting dressed (and no, it wasn't the need for a gym contract thanks to catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror).
I've been thinking hard for a while now about how we're going to make it financially next year, with my son going to high school and his fees taking a huge jump (and a huge chunk out of current earnings). Ideally, I want my own business - but it has to be profitable enough to support a much bigger rent, school fee increase, and perhaps a turn-around in our finances so that we can stop living on the edge of debt (and many times in it). That's something almost impossible to achieve in the few months I have left of the year. Granted, one month off work will give me time to get a few things going, to make a bit of cash and organize my life. But not to build up business to that level.
I don't want to be an employee (a bottom-feeder or minion). I would love to work from home (I know I have what it takes). I want to make a difference to others, but also to me.
So I've been thinking about passions, and things I enjoy, and what I'm good at in an attempt to find direction. And the flash of inspiration might have been exactly what I needed!
Yes, I still dream of travel (through Africa and beyond). Yes, I still want my own sustainable business. Yes, there are goals and ambitions that are always in the back of my head.
But...
Here's something that could just work! That will be a step in the right direction and fulfil many (or most) of my requirments (self-employed, work from home, make a difference...).
You see, I realized that there is a dire shortage of newborn-baby daycare. And I'm very, very good with babies. With older kids too - which is really weird as I'd never held a baby until my son arrived, nor did I think I liked kids. I get handed the nephews on arrival, I have kids like me with no apparent effort, and I have a "magic touch" that both calms babies and puts them off into dreamland in no time at all. I'm a mom - I've been through the ages and stages up to 13. I've been through them with a whole lot of others too by proxy. And although I'm none too good with throw-up, I don't mind changing nappies.
So why not use all that and actually offer a service, in my home, to fill the birth-to-two-years (gigantic) gap in the childcare market?
I've spoken to a few folk about rules and regulations. If you have 6 kids or more, you're required to register with the government. Less, and you're not. I've gotten the range of costs for care out there - from full-day, all-meal ones to half-day (and you provide the meals) ones. I've spoken to a friend who ran a creche next door to me, and to my sis-in-law who has a 2-year old (and who is all excited now about the idea! :) ). And I've done some pretty hard thinking too.
This. Could. Actually. WORK.
Even though it will require a large leap of faith to get the ball rolling in the right direction.
I've been thinking hard for a while now about how we're going to make it financially next year, with my son going to high school and his fees taking a huge jump (and a huge chunk out of current earnings). Ideally, I want my own business - but it has to be profitable enough to support a much bigger rent, school fee increase, and perhaps a turn-around in our finances so that we can stop living on the edge of debt (and many times in it). That's something almost impossible to achieve in the few months I have left of the year. Granted, one month off work will give me time to get a few things going, to make a bit of cash and organize my life. But not to build up business to that level.
I don't want to be an employee (a bottom-feeder or minion). I would love to work from home (I know I have what it takes). I want to make a difference to others, but also to me.
So I've been thinking about passions, and things I enjoy, and what I'm good at in an attempt to find direction. And the flash of inspiration might have been exactly what I needed!
Yes, I still dream of travel (through Africa and beyond). Yes, I still want my own sustainable business. Yes, there are goals and ambitions that are always in the back of my head.
But...
Here's something that could just work! That will be a step in the right direction and fulfil many (or most) of my requirments (self-employed, work from home, make a difference...).
You see, I realized that there is a dire shortage of newborn-baby daycare. And I'm very, very good with babies. With older kids too - which is really weird as I'd never held a baby until my son arrived, nor did I think I liked kids. I get handed the nephews on arrival, I have kids like me with no apparent effort, and I have a "magic touch" that both calms babies and puts them off into dreamland in no time at all. I'm a mom - I've been through the ages and stages up to 13. I've been through them with a whole lot of others too by proxy. And although I'm none too good with throw-up, I don't mind changing nappies.So why not use all that and actually offer a service, in my home, to fill the birth-to-two-years (gigantic) gap in the childcare market?
I've spoken to a few folk about rules and regulations. If you have 6 kids or more, you're required to register with the government. Less, and you're not. I've gotten the range of costs for care out there - from full-day, all-meal ones to half-day (and you provide the meals) ones. I've spoken to a friend who ran a creche next door to me, and to my sis-in-law who has a 2-year old (and who is all excited now about the idea! :) ). And I've done some pretty hard thinking too.
This. Could. Actually. WORK.
Even though it will require a large leap of faith to get the ball rolling in the right direction.
Homemaker
When you hear the word "Homemaker", does an image like this one spring to mind? It's such an old-fashioned word, one that seems rather outdated and restricting. And if you do an image search for it, this is the kind of thing you'll find.And yet it's a word that's still very relevant.
If you are the adult presence in a house, or one of the adults, it's likely that part of your life revolves around creating a home. Or at least it should. All too often we end up with just a house, a place to drop our stuff, to sleep, and then to leave from every day. It becomes simply a shelter from the elements and a lock-up for the valuables.
But creating a home - that takes a bit more effort.
Think about the word "home". What comes to mind? A specific place? A special environment? A room? A smell? A feeling? A decorating style? All of these?
A year or so back I realized that where I lived no longer felt like home. It was just a pausing place in the day, but not one I wanted to be in. It wasn't welcoming, comfortable, embracing, or organized. And I do need all of that in order to feel like I'm at home.
Bit by bit I've been sorting out the clutter and chucking away things that shouldn't be there. I've added paint or stripped it away. I've cleaned carpets and arranged furniture. I've indulged in little things that make me smile when I look at them - photos we've taken, a gorgeous red glass vase, real wood flooring in the passage.
I've started to notice what makes me feel good, and enhanced that in my home. Having a clean kitchen in which to potter around is one thing. Knowing my bed is made up with crisp, fresh, smelling-like-sunshine bedding is another. Bubble bath and good books on hand for a bit of me-time adds to the feeling that this is home. As do certain smells - vanilla, coffee, freshly-baked goodies, sharp fruity scents.
Granted, there's still a long way to go. I get frustrated at a lack of space, a lack of time and money to do the things I want to.
And yet no-one ever said you need a lot of money or time or space to create a home.
There's that old saying "home is where the heart is". For some, their heart is elsewhere - not at the place where they lay their heads each night. For others, home is wherever they are at that time (the eternal happy nomads of life). For me, well - I need a grounded space right now, a place to come "home" to after a hard working day. I may not always require that - who knows, home may one day be a Landy on the long road! :)
But while I find myself with a day job and a child to raise, a yard, two dogs, a fish and a couple of rooms, I'm working on being a Homemaker. One who makes home the safe place to be for all its occupants.
image credit
Happy Solstice Day!
Winter or Summer, take your pick - but it marks a turn of the seasons, so celebrate it!
New Day
Every so often I sit down at my desk and feel enthused about all the possibilities the day will bring. Most times it's not an immediate feeling, but one that grows as I start on some project, and let my mind expand into forgotten corners of what-if.
This mornings feel-goodness came after a quick website browse through my "Random Cool Stuff" folder, picking up ideas and inspirations from those who see an angle I would never have. There's things out there that make me just get all goose-bumpy, images that are so "right" that you just smile and feel a glow looking at them. And although they're someone else's brainchild, there's suddenly a sense that indeed, you can do great things.
Perhaps I was preset to feel warm and fuzzy today - I had a sudden flash of weirdness this morning while dressing, when I realized I could offer a service that is severely lacking in this area, and enjoy it too. Something I hadn't even considered doing before, but which would come as naturally as breathing. And which would make the world of difference for quite a few families.
What I've felt once at work is merely an expansion of brain ticking over that began hours ago!
Wouldn't it be wonderful to wake up with this feeling every day? I wonder why I don't....
This mornings feel-goodness came after a quick website browse through my "Random Cool Stuff" folder, picking up ideas and inspirations from those who see an angle I would never have. There's things out there that make me just get all goose-bumpy, images that are so "right" that you just smile and feel a glow looking at them. And although they're someone else's brainchild, there's suddenly a sense that indeed, you can do great things.
Perhaps I was preset to feel warm and fuzzy today - I had a sudden flash of weirdness this morning while dressing, when I realized I could offer a service that is severely lacking in this area, and enjoy it too. Something I hadn't even considered doing before, but which would come as naturally as breathing. And which would make the world of difference for quite a few families.
What I've felt once at work is merely an expansion of brain ticking over that began hours ago!
Wouldn't it be wonderful to wake up with this feeling every day? I wonder why I don't....
Random
Not many cohesive thoughts today, so here's what's drifted to the surface:
* I love this guy's perspective on work, life, passion and pleasure. The archives are more than worth the trawl - you may come away changed.
* This weekend it was 6 months since my mom died. Dad is doing OK generally, but was very sad when I gave him a quick call on Friday. The death of one's life partner is not someone you get over within months, and perhaps one never will.
* Putting in an offer on a car one has yet to see is a very scary business. Knowing exactly what to offer for it, is nearly as scary.
* There's much to be said for 2 litres of Coke and a bar of chocolate. There's more to be said for a group of friends who will club together and do a "Spar run" in cold wet weather (on a motorbike) to get it if they suspect you're feeling down.
* I think I've found employment/work/money-making direction for the future.... watch this space.
* Amazing how a kid can appear to grow up within a week - how a 13th birthay changes perspective and maturity. I am blessed with a very cool kid. Extremely blessed.
* I think I've done some growing up myself recently. ("About blerry time" I hear some of you say... :) )
* I'm gobsmacked by those who support "religious freedom, the right to choose" then turn around and require you to conform to their idea of spirituality - or else. Trouble is, I have not the courage to oppose it. And am beating myself up inside because of it. There is still much for me to learn when it comes to standing up for who I really am. And many aspects left to stand up for that I've hidden away from public view.
* I've been exploring the concept of "Goddess" as womanly empowerment. Still much to learn, but some interesting concepts already under the belt. It may sound silly, but too many woman give away their power, have lost their strength, have forgotten who they are. I'm one of them, but not for long.
* I don't care a fig for the World Cup. (And I can handle the hate mail)
* There's nothing quite like the smell of fresh-baked bread, the aroma of newly-brewed coffee, nor the taste of dark chocolate melting slowly in the mouth. And so saying, I think I need a bit...
::update::
* And one more point. I finally got my courage up, took a deep breath - and sent off an offer for Olivia the Land Rover a few minutes ago. Eish...
* I love this guy's perspective on work, life, passion and pleasure. The archives are more than worth the trawl - you may come away changed.
* This weekend it was 6 months since my mom died. Dad is doing OK generally, but was very sad when I gave him a quick call on Friday. The death of one's life partner is not someone you get over within months, and perhaps one never will.
* Putting in an offer on a car one has yet to see is a very scary business. Knowing exactly what to offer for it, is nearly as scary.
* There's much to be said for 2 litres of Coke and a bar of chocolate. There's more to be said for a group of friends who will club together and do a "Spar run" in cold wet weather (on a motorbike) to get it if they suspect you're feeling down.
* I think I've found employment/work/money-making direction for the future.... watch this space.
* Amazing how a kid can appear to grow up within a week - how a 13th birthay changes perspective and maturity. I am blessed with a very cool kid. Extremely blessed.
* I think I've done some growing up myself recently. ("About blerry time" I hear some of you say... :) )
* I'm gobsmacked by those who support "religious freedom, the right to choose" then turn around and require you to conform to their idea of spirituality - or else. Trouble is, I have not the courage to oppose it. And am beating myself up inside because of it. There is still much for me to learn when it comes to standing up for who I really am. And many aspects left to stand up for that I've hidden away from public view.
* I've been exploring the concept of "Goddess" as womanly empowerment. Still much to learn, but some interesting concepts already under the belt. It may sound silly, but too many woman give away their power, have lost their strength, have forgotten who they are. I'm one of them, but not for long.
* I don't care a fig for the World Cup. (And I can handle the hate mail)
* There's nothing quite like the smell of fresh-baked bread, the aroma of newly-brewed coffee, nor the taste of dark chocolate melting slowly in the mouth. And so saying, I think I need a bit...
::update::
* And one more point. I finally got my courage up, took a deep breath - and sent off an offer for Olivia the Land Rover a few minutes ago. Eish...
Photoblog: Misty Sunday
Yup, there was something missing this weekend - my usual "Shabbat Shalom" picture! :) So allow me to start Monday off with something pictorial:
After a day of frantically doing washing yesterday (sunshine at last!), I settled down to watch a bit of "Vicar of Dibley". At one point I noticed the curtains had an odd glow - turned around and saw the mist had COMPLETELY moved in, taking me (and my washing) by surprise. We did a scramble to get things indoors and hang them on every spare door or cupboard to dry.
As the last bit was brought in, the mist cleared just briefly around the mountain. I rushed out and snapped away, and this is one of the pics I took.
Today there's a layer of mist over the sea that may or may not come up the hill toward us. For now the sun has risen, and the day is fine. Later - well, it's anyone's guess.
After a day of frantically doing washing yesterday (sunshine at last!), I settled down to watch a bit of "Vicar of Dibley". At one point I noticed the curtains had an odd glow - turned around and saw the mist had COMPLETELY moved in, taking me (and my washing) by surprise. We did a scramble to get things indoors and hang them on every spare door or cupboard to dry.
As the last bit was brought in, the mist cleared just briefly around the mountain. I rushed out and snapped away, and this is one of the pics I took.
Today there's a layer of mist over the sea that may or may not come up the hill toward us. For now the sun has risen, and the day is fine. Later - well, it's anyone's guess.
Lightbulb Moments
I've got a special folder on my computer called "Ideas". Every time I come across something really cool that I think I can make, or at least gain inspiration from, I save the graphic in that folder.
I had a look at it earlier this morning, while adding an image of an amazing dining table to the collection. Funny how I can see definite trends in what I like... Seeing all those little thumbnails reminded me once again of the brilliant stuff I've been hoping to do. As winter dropped in, I've left off extended hours in my rather distant garage, messing around with wood. I don't think I've touched my sewing machine or overlocker in months either. And I have a mere 10cm left of a project my mom started years ago, which needs completion.
Suddenly I've remembered all the reasons I'm going to enjoy my extra month off (in August, the ENTIRE August) this year, my just desserts after 10 years behind one desk. I've had a re-awakening to the fun I planned, the experimentation, the cool product development, and the push toward that business of mine going sustainable.
I've been so focused on other things lately, that I almost forgot. Silly me.
I think I'll sit and gaze at my Ideas folder a little while longer and see if any other lightbulbs go off in the head.
I had a look at it earlier this morning, while adding an image of an amazing dining table to the collection. Funny how I can see definite trends in what I like... Seeing all those little thumbnails reminded me once again of the brilliant stuff I've been hoping to do. As winter dropped in, I've left off extended hours in my rather distant garage, messing around with wood. I don't think I've touched my sewing machine or overlocker in months either. And I have a mere 10cm left of a project my mom started years ago, which needs completion.
Suddenly I've remembered all the reasons I'm going to enjoy my extra month off (in August, the ENTIRE August) this year, my just desserts after 10 years behind one desk. I've had a re-awakening to the fun I planned, the experimentation, the cool product development, and the push toward that business of mine going sustainable.
I've been so focused on other things lately, that I almost forgot. Silly me.
I think I'll sit and gaze at my Ideas folder a little while longer and see if any other lightbulbs go off in the head.
Books for Boys
Hurrah! and Hurrah! again. Someone has finally seen the light.
Robert pointed me in the direction of a book that is apparently quite the best-seller, The Dangerous Book for Boys. It's all about restoring the lost arts of breaking your bones and getting your knees scraped in interesting ways. Which, quite simply, doesn't seem to happen anymore.
I think I still have a couple of knee scars thanks to my own adventures as a (tom)boy, and my hand has one that resulted from the slip of a rather impressive pocket knife I always carried.
I think I should go forth and get my lazybones electronic-entertainment son one immediately!
More here and here.
PS: Robert also designed this nifty little blog badge for me. Too cool! Still deciding where on the wall it will be best to display it.
Robert pointed me in the direction of a book that is apparently quite the best-seller, The Dangerous Book for Boys. It's all about restoring the lost arts of breaking your bones and getting your knees scraped in interesting ways. Which, quite simply, doesn't seem to happen anymore.
I think I still have a couple of knee scars thanks to my own adventures as a (tom)boy, and my hand has one that resulted from the slip of a rather impressive pocket knife I always carried.
I think I should go forth and get my lazybones electronic-entertainment son one immediately!
More here and here.
PS: Robert also designed this nifty little blog badge for me. Too cool! Still deciding where on the wall it will be best to display it.
Chocolate
It's a good day for chocolate.
It's winter. The weather service can say what they wish, but they didn't get it right today. No clearing skies. The typical Cape rain is drifting down from a uniformly grey sky. It's cold, it's wet, there's a chill to the toes that no amount of aircon or heater will get rid of. The kind of chill that only a long hot bath cures.
It's "lunar cycle" time too. When every woman needs a lot of chocolate. Or beware, world!
It's Wednesday, and the week is wearing on. Some tough jobs gone, some still to come before the long weekend. A half-bar of dark choc would definitely give a push in the right direction.
It's starting to go quiet at work - exams finishing up, the campus emptying, phone not ringing off the hook. A good time to indulge in the treasure chest that is my top drawer.
Which is precisely what I'm doing right now.
It's winter. The weather service can say what they wish, but they didn't get it right today. No clearing skies. The typical Cape rain is drifting down from a uniformly grey sky. It's cold, it's wet, there's a chill to the toes that no amount of aircon or heater will get rid of. The kind of chill that only a long hot bath cures.
It's "lunar cycle" time too. When every woman needs a lot of chocolate. Or beware, world!
It's Wednesday, and the week is wearing on. Some tough jobs gone, some still to come before the long weekend. A half-bar of dark choc would definitely give a push in the right direction.
It's starting to go quiet at work - exams finishing up, the campus emptying, phone not ringing off the hook. A good time to indulge in the treasure chest that is my top drawer.
Which is precisely what I'm doing right now.
Feed the Birds
Meet Jackie Hanger, our local begger.Being not exactly hungry for lunch, I decided on a cheese sandwich and sat down to munch it on my bed. I've got a marvellous view out the window, and was watching the clouds swirl by.
This little beast flew right up and landed on the windowsill, a mere half-metre away, begging for bread!
My own fault I guess. I chuck it crusts every now and then. Except this time there was a heap of bread outside - but the fowl decided the bulbulls could have that, it wanted what I was having.
It's gotten really cheeky lately though. Every time I appear outdoors with bread in my hand, it flies up to within a metre and begs. Stares at me with its beady little eye, head cocked to the side, waiting for a crust. Geez! Can't even enjoy the great outdoors in peace anymore.. :)
Well, being the kindhearted individual I am, I snipped off a bit of bread and stuck it just outside the glass. Within seconds, without even waiting for me to retreat, he was there (yes, it's a he - a she would have reddish patches under the wings. His grandma was the first of a long line of unafraid bird beggers..). Snatched up his treat and off he went.
Crazy bird.
..And Moving Right Along...
As prepared as you think you may be, there are some things that just arrive unexpectedly and slap you upside the head.
Like coming home to discover your son's friend (and indirectly your son) has been Googling nude images of Avril Lavigne (watch my Google stats shoot through the roof! :) ) and sexual terms that even you don't know, and thus have to go Google yourself to find out about.
This at age 12 (the friend) and 13 (the kid). Eish!
Now, I've been keeping up with what I thought was appropriate sex education. We talked Masturbation and Oral Sex during a two-hour power failure on Thursday night - the kid had heard the terms, but didn't know what it was. He's seen my nude art sites (beautiful photography that I find inspiring, done in a classy way) and such. But he didn't know a thing about what else is out there.
And now he does.
This morning I got up my courage and went to talk to his friend's very conservative mother, just to let her know what was going on, not to condemn the action or get the kid in trouble. Amazingly, it went better than expected. The friend has already been through the text-message chatroom stage (lying to 18 year old girls about his age and having rather explicit conversations), so this was not unexpected. He hangs out with a few older boys and seems more hormonally advanced than some kids older than him (like my son). It's obvious his curiosity is piqued and he's fascinated by what's out there. And after our conversation, it's also obvious he may need a bit more of a chat with his parents - or, even better, with a non-family member older male who he can look up to as a role model.
I'm trying to ensure my son has a few of those. But in this day and age it's not easy. Society is very disconnected, there's no extended family or close community where young boys learn from their elders how to be and move in the world. That's why books such as Steve Biddulph's "Manhood" have had such an impact. I've got his "Raising Boys" book, which has been a profound help in dealing with ages and stages, and explaining how boys are so very different from girls (and not just at equipment level). There seems to be a great hunger out there for male community and male company, not the beer-and-rugy type but the lasting and deep connections where men don't have to put on their strong, silent face.
My son doesn't yet know it, but he's going camping with his uncles next weekend. Spending time alone with men he respects is essential right now - and I think it will do the uncles good too (their sons will be that age before they know it).
I'm also glad to see my son interacting with my male friends in this community. Getting to just hang out around the occasional meal or mid-afternoon tea. Talking, seeing how they relate to others, learning how men handle themselves in relation to women and wives and kids. These things I cannot always teach him.
But back to the subject at hand. What to do about the internet issue?
My initial reaction was to put on the safest Google search setting I could find, and install some parental control programme. But I slept on the idea last night and came up with another way. One that will not provide a guilty curiosity about "banned" things, nor force my son to go behind my back to find things to look at that he hopes I won't know about.
I'm acutally going to show him those sites. I'm going to sit him down and show him what's out there, and then explain that many give a very skewed view of sex. I would prefer him not to go browsing some of the weirder sites, but rather to first learn the healthy and beautiful thing that sex is. Sure, he may develop the odd fetish later in life (as many do). I'm not going to encourage or discourage that now though. Information first. An openness about all things sex. I'm going to do my best to ensure he can talk to me about anything and everything, to be honest and transparent in what's in his head, to ask when he's confused.
It's not likely to be an easy journey. I'm going about this in a very non-conventional way, completely different from what my parents did. I'm hoping that it will have a positive impact on his future, and equip him to one day have a safe, easy and enjoyable sex life.
So sue me! :)
Like coming home to discover your son's friend (and indirectly your son) has been Googling nude images of Avril Lavigne (watch my Google stats shoot through the roof! :) ) and sexual terms that even you don't know, and thus have to go Google yourself to find out about.
This at age 12 (the friend) and 13 (the kid). Eish!
Now, I've been keeping up with what I thought was appropriate sex education. We talked Masturbation and Oral Sex during a two-hour power failure on Thursday night - the kid had heard the terms, but didn't know what it was. He's seen my nude art sites (beautiful photography that I find inspiring, done in a classy way) and such. But he didn't know a thing about what else is out there.
And now he does.
This morning I got up my courage and went to talk to his friend's very conservative mother, just to let her know what was going on, not to condemn the action or get the kid in trouble. Amazingly, it went better than expected. The friend has already been through the text-message chatroom stage (lying to 18 year old girls about his age and having rather explicit conversations), so this was not unexpected. He hangs out with a few older boys and seems more hormonally advanced than some kids older than him (like my son). It's obvious his curiosity is piqued and he's fascinated by what's out there. And after our conversation, it's also obvious he may need a bit more of a chat with his parents - or, even better, with a non-family member older male who he can look up to as a role model.
I'm trying to ensure my son has a few of those. But in this day and age it's not easy. Society is very disconnected, there's no extended family or close community where young boys learn from their elders how to be and move in the world. That's why books such as Steve Biddulph's "Manhood" have had such an impact. I've got his "Raising Boys" book, which has been a profound help in dealing with ages and stages, and explaining how boys are so very different from girls (and not just at equipment level). There seems to be a great hunger out there for male community and male company, not the beer-and-rugy type but the lasting and deep connections where men don't have to put on their strong, silent face.
My son doesn't yet know it, but he's going camping with his uncles next weekend. Spending time alone with men he respects is essential right now - and I think it will do the uncles good too (their sons will be that age before they know it).
I'm also glad to see my son interacting with my male friends in this community. Getting to just hang out around the occasional meal or mid-afternoon tea. Talking, seeing how they relate to others, learning how men handle themselves in relation to women and wives and kids. These things I cannot always teach him.
But back to the subject at hand. What to do about the internet issue?
My initial reaction was to put on the safest Google search setting I could find, and install some parental control programme. But I slept on the idea last night and came up with another way. One that will not provide a guilty curiosity about "banned" things, nor force my son to go behind my back to find things to look at that he hopes I won't know about.
I'm acutally going to show him those sites. I'm going to sit him down and show him what's out there, and then explain that many give a very skewed view of sex. I would prefer him not to go browsing some of the weirder sites, but rather to first learn the healthy and beautiful thing that sex is. Sure, he may develop the odd fetish later in life (as many do). I'm not going to encourage or discourage that now though. Information first. An openness about all things sex. I'm going to do my best to ensure he can talk to me about anything and everything, to be honest and transparent in what's in his head, to ask when he's confused.
It's not likely to be an easy journey. I'm going about this in a very non-conventional way, completely different from what my parents did. I'm hoping that it will have a positive impact on his future, and equip him to one day have a safe, easy and enjoyable sex life.
So sue me! :)
Blog.Interrupted
My, but this corner of the net has been quiet lately, hasn't it! :) And it's all my fault.
I've come up short on inspiration, and have a bit of a one-track mind right now. I really don't want to bore you with mutterings on 1976 Landys, or the joys of trying to acquire one, or the reasearch that's going into all things Landy-related. I'd lose more of you that way than if I just left off blogging for a month entirely!
But that's what my life revolves around at the moment. It's the first time I'm taking such a huge decision without parental involvement, and frankly it's a little scary. I'm being both cautious and optimistic, but still sometimes lie awake at night wondering if I've gone off my rocker. I know I haven't, but I do wonder.
I haven't taken photos - so no photoblogging.
I haven't done anything interesting - so no tall tales of my adventures.
However it appears I may have been tagged... Watch this space! ;)
I've come up short on inspiration, and have a bit of a one-track mind right now. I really don't want to bore you with mutterings on 1976 Landys, or the joys of trying to acquire one, or the reasearch that's going into all things Landy-related. I'd lose more of you that way than if I just left off blogging for a month entirely!
But that's what my life revolves around at the moment. It's the first time I'm taking such a huge decision without parental involvement, and frankly it's a little scary. I'm being both cautious and optimistic, but still sometimes lie awake at night wondering if I've gone off my rocker. I know I haven't, but I do wonder.
I haven't taken photos - so no photoblogging.
I haven't done anything interesting - so no tall tales of my adventures.
However it appears I may have been tagged... Watch this space! ;)
It Takes Two
The thing about any Big Dream or plan is that it often isn't just you in it. In my case, the son's in it too.
And as much as we both want to do this with a "seer hart" (Afrikaans for something like passion), he also has a right to say that it's not his dream, but mine.
Last night, out of the blue, he says he may want to stay in high school a bit longer. That he's realized the fun of dorms and high school age activities is coming up. He hasn't realized the fun of Girls and Hormones and all that stuff yet - but it's coming.
He has every right to choose that over a nomadic existence somewhere. And it's not like we can't take holiday trips instead of one huge one for a while. He does still want to go through Africa, but may want to wait until he's out of high school for that.
Yes, I have a timeline for the trip we want to do. But it's not just me in this life. Our plans remain flexible, and will need to change as life does. It doesn't mean that I won't get going on things like Landy-acquiring, knowledge gathering, eye ops (not going through Africa with contact lenses or glasses, thank you!) and court orders for proof of sole custody. Those are all part of the bigger plan and will happen as soon as possible, just in case. I just may have more time to accomplish the other things.
Of course I could always dump him in the dorm for 5 years and go off on my own.. :)
And as much as we both want to do this with a "seer hart" (Afrikaans for something like passion), he also has a right to say that it's not his dream, but mine.
Last night, out of the blue, he says he may want to stay in high school a bit longer. That he's realized the fun of dorms and high school age activities is coming up. He hasn't realized the fun of Girls and Hormones and all that stuff yet - but it's coming.
He has every right to choose that over a nomadic existence somewhere. And it's not like we can't take holiday trips instead of one huge one for a while. He does still want to go through Africa, but may want to wait until he's out of high school for that.
Yes, I have a timeline for the trip we want to do. But it's not just me in this life. Our plans remain flexible, and will need to change as life does. It doesn't mean that I won't get going on things like Landy-acquiring, knowledge gathering, eye ops (not going through Africa with contact lenses or glasses, thank you!) and court orders for proof of sole custody. Those are all part of the bigger plan and will happen as soon as possible, just in case. I just may have more time to accomplish the other things.
Of course I could always dump him in the dorm for 5 years and go off on my own.. :)
To-do's
As I work toward fulfilling a few dreams for the future, I too often find myself lying awake at night, mentally listing everything that needs attention, and drawing up a time-line.
Last night was one of them. I decided to get a REALLY early night (8:45), seeing as the neighbours were unusually quiet. Wouldn't you know, as soon as I got into bed and put off the light, the kid in the bedroom next door to mine started throwing a helluva tantrum that lasted an entire hour! Murphy's Law of something-or-other, I'm sure.
Well, that had already thrown me out of kilter, and I found myself lying in the dark, eyes refusing to close, thinking. Bad news, this busy brain thing. I realized that there's so much I have to accomplish, plan and do in the next few months. I started making to-do lists like crazy, and with the brain making notes simply couldn't fall asleep.
Until I got up, retrieved my "dreams/plans" notebook, wrote the darn list down, and turned out the light again.
Within 10 minutes I was fast asleep... :)
Looking at my list today has given me a bit of direction. It's funny how a Big Dream influences every choice you make once you decide to make it happen. From buying a chocolate bar or Coke (or not - rather save the cash) to working through procrastinated tasks (need to get these done, just in case - and sort out the office to make it easier for me, and for whomever takes my place eventually). It's like a shot of the Enthusiasm drug, and as long as you keep your goal before you it's a drug that doesn't wear off.
Not to say I'm supremely confident, 100% of the time. Sometimes my Big Dream scares the heck out of me. I know it would be easier, safer, more expected to just sit here and plod/struggle on through life. The fear of the unknown occasionally causes mini panick attacks... But I have a determination to make it happen that overrides those moments, that keeps me pushing onward through my to-do list.
Last night was one of them. I decided to get a REALLY early night (8:45), seeing as the neighbours were unusually quiet. Wouldn't you know, as soon as I got into bed and put off the light, the kid in the bedroom next door to mine started throwing a helluva tantrum that lasted an entire hour! Murphy's Law of something-or-other, I'm sure.
Well, that had already thrown me out of kilter, and I found myself lying in the dark, eyes refusing to close, thinking. Bad news, this busy brain thing. I realized that there's so much I have to accomplish, plan and do in the next few months. I started making to-do lists like crazy, and with the brain making notes simply couldn't fall asleep.
Until I got up, retrieved my "dreams/plans" notebook, wrote the darn list down, and turned out the light again.
Within 10 minutes I was fast asleep... :)
Looking at my list today has given me a bit of direction. It's funny how a Big Dream influences every choice you make once you decide to make it happen. From buying a chocolate bar or Coke (or not - rather save the cash) to working through procrastinated tasks (need to get these done, just in case - and sort out the office to make it easier for me, and for whomever takes my place eventually). It's like a shot of the Enthusiasm drug, and as long as you keep your goal before you it's a drug that doesn't wear off.
Not to say I'm supremely confident, 100% of the time. Sometimes my Big Dream scares the heck out of me. I know it would be easier, safer, more expected to just sit here and plod/struggle on through life. The fear of the unknown occasionally causes mini panick attacks... But I have a determination to make it happen that overrides those moments, that keeps me pushing onward through my to-do list.
13
It's my son's 13th birthday today, and I've spent a little time this morning thinking back over his life thus far. I've blogged a letter to him here, and options for our future here.
Looking back, it's been quite a ride - these first 13 years. A lot of up's, less down's, and some regular growth curves, both literal and figurative.
The teen years begin today, although the hormones are already shuffling their feet and getting restless. He's grown as tall as me, and is becoming quite a wonderful young man. I have no idea what kind of a teen he'll be - but I don't think he'll be a terrible one.
This afternoon we're off to the Spur restaurant to celebrate his birthday. A couple of friends in our little community have invited themselves to join in. Any excuse for a party among us! :)
Happy birthday Jason!
(pre-haircut, post highly-coloured chips...)
Looking back, it's been quite a ride - these first 13 years. A lot of up's, less down's, and some regular growth curves, both literal and figurative.
The teen years begin today, although the hormones are already shuffling their feet and getting restless. He's grown as tall as me, and is becoming quite a wonderful young man. I have no idea what kind of a teen he'll be - but I don't think he'll be a terrible one.
This afternoon we're off to the Spur restaurant to celebrate his birthday. A couple of friends in our little community have invited themselves to join in. Any excuse for a party among us! :)
Happy birthday Jason!
(pre-haircut, post highly-coloured chips...)
A Life Extraordinary
Why am I putting in an offer on a 1976 Land Rover named Olivia? Why am I thinking of chucking in life and going wherever, for as long as it takes?
I think I've finally figured it out. It's because I don't want an ordinary life. I want an EXTRAordiary one.
You see, I know a couple of folk who live it.
Bill is a guy my dad's age who has never done what's expected of him. He has had adventures that would make your toes curl, lives barefoot and happy, and has sons who have gone just as "off track" as he has. He's not restricted by anything, just lives. He's recently stuck his very tall (and true!) stories into a couple of books that will have you both rolling on the floor laughing, and in tears.
Then there's Brett and Scott. The Ghost Rowers. Another couple of Zimbabwe throwbacks (as is Bill), who refuse to follow covention. Go ahead - click that link and read just one of their great adventures. (here's a follow-up interview with them)
All over the world, people are living extraordinary lives. They're not following the herd, nor treading the rut of learn-work-stress-retire-die. Yeah, sometimes it's dangerous, and sometimes it's uncertain, and very often it's hard. Sometimes you have no cash, and other times you do. But you live with open hands - accepting life as it comes by, and valuing experience over possessions.
That is exactly the kind of life I want. I'm not content to be, do or appear what my soul has cried out against. I don't want my son to be bound by an iron lock of societal expectations. I want him to go deep, go far, and truly live.
It's as simple as that.
I think I've finally figured it out. It's because I don't want an ordinary life. I want an EXTRAordiary one.
You see, I know a couple of folk who live it.
Bill is a guy my dad's age who has never done what's expected of him. He has had adventures that would make your toes curl, lives barefoot and happy, and has sons who have gone just as "off track" as he has. He's not restricted by anything, just lives. He's recently stuck his very tall (and true!) stories into a couple of books that will have you both rolling on the floor laughing, and in tears.
Then there's Brett and Scott. The Ghost Rowers. Another couple of Zimbabwe throwbacks (as is Bill), who refuse to follow covention. Go ahead - click that link and read just one of their great adventures. (here's a follow-up interview with them)
All over the world, people are living extraordinary lives. They're not following the herd, nor treading the rut of learn-work-stress-retire-die. Yeah, sometimes it's dangerous, and sometimes it's uncertain, and very often it's hard. Sometimes you have no cash, and other times you do. But you live with open hands - accepting life as it comes by, and valuing experience over possessions.
That is exactly the kind of life I want. I'm not content to be, do or appear what my soul has cried out against. I don't want my son to be bound by an iron lock of societal expectations. I want him to go deep, go far, and truly live.
It's as simple as that.
Happy 666!!!
According to Doomsday pessimists, the world is supposed to end today. OR the Anti-Christ will arise. OR be born. OR something like that.
Simply because it's the 6th day of the 6th month of 2006. But nevertheless...
So, in case the world does end today (we've already passed 06h06.06, so perhaps just after 6 tonight?) - here's wishing you a very good last day on the planet!
Simply because it's the 6th day of the 6th month of 2006. But nevertheless...
So, in case the world does end today (we've already passed 06h06.06, so perhaps just after 6 tonight?) - here's wishing you a very good last day on the planet!
Wild Partying!
My son turns 13 this week. We had his birthday party yesterday - an invitation to 18 pre/teen boys to invade our space and party like there's no tomorrow.
Believe me, we did!
We decided that with all those hormones flowing and that particular age group, the best idea would be a big fat water-gun fight. So the invites said "dress in camo, bring your water gun and a towel", and we went from there.
To start with I had them run around an obstacle course in the forest to win a bar of choc. That tired them out a bit, but didn't prevent them from getting at each other with their water guns. So back at the house, I set up 2 teams and let them at it.
It was a battle to the death! Not one came back dry, and at least one came back downcast after some violent water behaviour. By that time my brothers, their wives and one nephew had arrived. After the kids had had their ration packs (brown bags with carefully-doled-out snacks, to prevent the usual snatch & grab), they were off again, this time with uncles involved.
And then the uncles got a brilliant idea. My kid had the most awful mop of hair, which I've been trying to cut for weeks. They hauled out the clippers, sat him down and gave him a mohawk. Then let his friends spray him soaking wet! Poor kid. Wasn't happy at that part.
They finally took off the mohawk, leaving him with the same style they have (all gone), minus the receding hairlines. So at least that's done!
In the meantime, I was multitasking - cooking lunch for the relatives, over and above party food.
By the time the last boys left and the relatives were done, I was completely exhausted, footsore, voice going. But it was a roaring success. Parents today and yesterday said their boys totally loved it.
Yay! :)
(pics later)
Believe me, we did!
We decided that with all those hormones flowing and that particular age group, the best idea would be a big fat water-gun fight. So the invites said "dress in camo, bring your water gun and a towel", and we went from there.
To start with I had them run around an obstacle course in the forest to win a bar of choc. That tired them out a bit, but didn't prevent them from getting at each other with their water guns. So back at the house, I set up 2 teams and let them at it.
It was a battle to the death! Not one came back dry, and at least one came back downcast after some violent water behaviour. By that time my brothers, their wives and one nephew had arrived. After the kids had had their ration packs (brown bags with carefully-doled-out snacks, to prevent the usual snatch & grab), they were off again, this time with uncles involved.
And then the uncles got a brilliant idea. My kid had the most awful mop of hair, which I've been trying to cut for weeks. They hauled out the clippers, sat him down and gave him a mohawk. Then let his friends spray him soaking wet! Poor kid. Wasn't happy at that part.
They finally took off the mohawk, leaving him with the same style they have (all gone), minus the receding hairlines. So at least that's done!
In the meantime, I was multitasking - cooking lunch for the relatives, over and above party food.
By the time the last boys left and the relatives were done, I was completely exhausted, footsore, voice going. But it was a roaring success. Parents today and yesterday said their boys totally loved it.
Yay! :)
(pics later)
Shabbat Shalom
A colleague took this pic recently. Just the kind of weather for cocooning! If you're in for a rushed weekend (as I am - kid's birthday party!), take time out specificallly to do nothing. Relax, breathe, look around you - just be for a while.
Eco-African Dream
I was chatting online to a friend yesterday, who is off to the Zambezi valley in June. No jolly fair... Between that and running into those overland vehicles in traffic recently, I've restarted my wild daydreams. Yup, that "take off through Africa" thing. Again.
Unfortunately, this time round my kid is totally non-enthusiastic. But I'm hoping to "cure" him with a camping trip or adventure holiday near the end of the year, once it's safe to sleep outdoors without freezing.
Then this morning's e-news says petrol's going up again. Like WAY up. And, being who I am, I got thinking...
I've been going on about using traditional means to cross the continent - a petrol or diesel Landy, which requires long-range tanks and regular juice-ups.
BUT...
What if I could combine my itchy feet with my treehugger tendancies? What if I could find a way to convert an offroad vehicle into one that runs mostly on solar or electric power? Granted, there may not be many places to plug into a baobab to recharge.. but what if it used a combination of various fuel sources, and could switch between them when necessary?
Like this New Zealand bloke who runs a vehicle on water and a splash of petrol? Or any one of the myriad other options? Sure, solar cars are no speedsters, but which offroad vehicles actually speed along?
You know, I'll bet that if I got some strange hybrid vehicle going for an extra-long trip through Africa, I'd garner a bit of sponsorship to cover the costs.
Thinking. Brain steaming... :) It could actually work!
(cross-posted to the much-neglected Africa Trek blog)
::update::
I may have found my Landy...
Unfortunately, this time round my kid is totally non-enthusiastic. But I'm hoping to "cure" him with a camping trip or adventure holiday near the end of the year, once it's safe to sleep outdoors without freezing.
Then this morning's e-news says petrol's going up again. Like WAY up. And, being who I am, I got thinking...
I've been going on about using traditional means to cross the continent - a petrol or diesel Landy, which requires long-range tanks and regular juice-ups.
BUT...
What if I could combine my itchy feet with my treehugger tendancies? What if I could find a way to convert an offroad vehicle into one that runs mostly on solar or electric power? Granted, there may not be many places to plug into a baobab to recharge.. but what if it used a combination of various fuel sources, and could switch between them when necessary?
Like this New Zealand bloke who runs a vehicle on water and a splash of petrol? Or any one of the myriad other options? Sure, solar cars are no speedsters, but which offroad vehicles actually speed along?
You know, I'll bet that if I got some strange hybrid vehicle going for an extra-long trip through Africa, I'd garner a bit of sponsorship to cover the costs.
Thinking. Brain steaming... :) It could actually work!
(cross-posted to the much-neglected Africa Trek blog)
::update::
I may have found my Landy...
Treehugger post
Here's one for both the Treehugger and the conspiracy theorist in you. Spotted recently, it's got me wondering if any large corporations are really worried about our future on this planet, of if they're simply going to milk us (and it) dry for everything they can, while they can.
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