One year ago...

One year ago today I had my life changing and body changing experience. Can’t believe how time has flown.

I have had my one year check up and all is good. I'm back to normal life, nice pink colour in the eyes not that pale white anymore, no pain and no excessive tiredness. Doc was so happy at my check-up!

I have a keloid scar, there is a bit tissue scaring too and I’m still a tiny bit sensitive in the tummy area but other than that there are no complains, just glad it is over and that I can have a normal life now.

I don’t jump, skip and dance when I walk pass that special isle in the store (everyone said I would do that) BUT that is because I never go there; I avoid that area completely and besides I can’t dance too well, it would just look really weird. Yeah! 

Strange thing is that I just had another ‘old’ birthday, have no uterus and despite all this I still want a baby girl. I still get broody, shame, I feel so sorry for myself.

So if you know anyone out there that has a baby girl lying around that they don’t want or need....send me a message I’ll be glad to fetch her.

-- this post is all pink in dedication to the baby girl  :D 

History of 31 May

On 31 May 1902 was the end of The Boer War.

It was on this day in 1910 that South Africa became a Union. Because of the war the country was quite separated and Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Transvaal and Orange Free State were not always united .... so on 31 May 1910 Cape of Good Hope become part of the Union of South Africa.

On this day in 1928 a new look South African flag was flown for the first time.

On 31 May 1961 South Africa went from being a ‘Union’ to a ‘Republic’ and we left the Commonwealth! Yeah!
And every year after that there would be big parties out on the street, people would celebrate the anniversary of the Republic of South Africa in street parties, with marching bands etc. braais were a big part of the celebration too.

Famous person born on 31 May...there are lots but the only one I like is Clint Eastwood.
31 May was a public holiday until 1994 and now it’s just a normal day...and my birthday. Sometimes it comes with a bit of sadness as it was on this day that my father in law passed away (I never got to meet him) and my brother in laws’ father also passed away on this day ...

But let’s not ponder on the sadness for too long or the history … And just say Happy Birthday to me

ME - Two months old

I was such a cute baby ...  

Bird photographers

In April when we enjoyed all those long weekends I ventured out with my photographer on my first trip to Marievale (Awake with the birds). Soon after that early morning he convinced me, or twisted my arm, and I got my basket and my flask one more time. On this trip two of the other photo buddies were coming too...they were on a mission. It was a misty morning so most people stayed away from photography that day and we had the hide all to ourselves. Every trip they try something different to perfect their 'strategy' on the kingfisher :) These boys are determined and just a tad crazy!
I had a camera and lens again and did a better job this time - here are my pics 

Redknobbed Coot

This is what we came for the Malachite Kingfisher - a tiny little bird (about 13 cm long) that only stops long enough to swallow a little fish and off he darts again. Gorgeous little thing painted in brightest colors, he was and always is the highlight of the day.

and that was another beautiful morning with the birds and the photographers....

Secrets

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” 
Roald Dahl

My oldest son keeps secret things in secret places, he has hiding places for everything. His money, old collections of value to him, his external hard drive (his most prized possession) everything has a secret hiding place in his room. But he doesn’t really keep secrets from me J

The younger one has no secrets in his room it’s all over the place like a hurricane of mess. But the rest is all bottled in and if I want information I have to drag it out of him.

How different they are.

*sigh* It’s not their secrets that keep me awake though, something else on my mind lately...

Two friends - two stories so similar and so sad. You have kept me awake at night and during the day I think of you all the time. I can see it in your eyes when no one else can.
My sincere wish for both of you is love and happiness for ever and ever....


When secrets keep you awake....

My boys in comic strips

I love comics, really really love them. They were invented for people like me. And I found my kids in some of my favorite comic strips

Calvin is the twin of Tigs

Tigs has used this excuse before, Calvin copied him 

Garfield = Moo

They have the same attitude to life. Soul mates

That's my boys!

Sweet nothing

What does "I did sweet nothing" mean?
I'm sure the explanation is found somewhere in my weekend.

Friday - Freedom Day
Slept late, started making lasagna for Sabbath lunch it took the whole day to put it together, my energy levels were just not cooperating no amount of sugar would help. It was Freedom Day and I didn't want to be a prisoner in the kitchen so we got take-aways for lunch. The rest of the day was spent resting...

Saturday
Early morning drive to Marievale for some quiet time in nature listening to the birds, and the rest of the day was spent resting....

Sunday

I made pasta for lunch that's as much effort as I could gather up, hey, at least it wasn't take-aways again.

Monday
As most people took this opportunity of the long weekend and went away somewhere the roads were quiet. I was home alone, Tigs off on a school camp so I visited crazy Inga (wax lady) and then my favorite bakery and health shop for some veggie stuff and the rest of the day was just grand. I rested some more...

Tuesday - Workers Day
Oh yes, it's a holiday for a reason, so we can rest from work life and I did just that. The weather was so perfect you could almost jump in the pool. Braai! 
We have not braaied in ages and it felt and tasted good, just wish my boys were home for it too...they use to love braais.

So that must be the explanation of sweet nothing. The work stuff will go back and be done at work, the cupboards are still a mess, the home bills and accounts will have to pile up some more...cause this weekend was for sweet nothings. It was perfect.

Rain now?

It's the end of April, the TV blankets are starting to come out and although we have a small quick autumn it is officially autumn - red, yellow, brown trees are proof of that. Some people are starting to wear gloves, scarves, boots and coats.  Calm down it's not that cold yet....and then we are having rain...this is today's rainbow.

Not just rain but thunder in our area; like a proper summer thunder storm. So weird for this time of the year.
And then this - our beautiful gold koi looks ready to spawn!! Just that it's too cold already, it's a bit too late for that and that beautiful koi might die.

Raining in autumn and in already freezing water beautiful koi struggles to swim. Strange weather and strange things happening all around us.

I have nothing to wear ?!

I have nothing to wear reminds me of a t-shirt I owned when I was in my late teens. Yes another one of those funny t-shirts. These ones I remember very clearly, my mother hated them and we loved them. My sis had one that said: "I can't believe I forgot to have children" this was so typical of her, she was the forgetful one who always lost things especially keys...and she did have kids late in life as if she only remembered she could do that when she was like 50 oops, I mean turning 40.

My t-shirt said: "I can't believe I'm 21 & still have nothing to wear" that also suited me I was not too good at buying anything half decent for myself although I was already working and buying my own clothes. Things have not changed too much, I'm still 21, LOL, and I still have nothing to wear. I am always envious of people that can put an outfit or look together by just mix-matching anything in their cupboards. You know those girls that put on a brown paper bag, high heels, jewelry and look glamorous! Yeah that effortless look, everyone around me seems to have, I am envious of that.

Anyway, I have a crisis now. I am going to my friends wedding and I really-honestly-truely have nothing to wear. I have spent hours going into all the shops you can imagine. Except ackermans (nothing against them) but I was in every store from the most expensive to the normal places and I bought nothing.

Today's fashion? Well yes, I see that the creased look is in, the doilies are back - I think they mean to add lace but it ends up looking like my grans whole cupboard exploded in one dress. Leopard print and sequins are also back and every store had them. I hate all of that.
Anything that looked half decent was a t-shirt or a dress in t-shirt material and expensive. Now I am quite happy to spend good money on something pretty for my friends wedding. I don't want to embarrass her but I am not going to pay R700 for a Jo Borkett t-shirt with no funny sayings on it!! Sorry Jo I draw the line here.

I got so desperate I started taking photos of the options out there....Help! I really have nothing to wear! 


CREASED PLASTIC LOOK
love the gold - yeah!







RED INDIAN APACHE LOOK
who ever though that blankets could be worn?







TARTY PROM QUEEN LOOK
ugh, say no more




MY PJ's
my favorite most comfortable piece of clothing



BLUE BANK T-SHIRT 
at least the other guests will know I'm a friend of the bride. David will be relieved he doesn't know me!

So my friend - "I know you don't care what I wear, you already have a dress, which you thoughtlessly bought without asking me if I also wanted one in a bigger size, but just so you know I have not given up and I'm still looking for something unique"

This weekend we are going out again, this time hubby is coming with.

Oh brother, total melt down in the mall I can see it already!!

Morning Drive in Joburg

My morning starts early, we need to be at school before the bell goes off (promptly at 07h40), I don't like arriving at the school when the bell is going off or they are closing the gate. We live 26k's away from school. Some days are really hectic. It's actually crazy every day, sometimes I'm in the car hooting to speed up my child that is always running a bit late, every minute counts. And then we hit the road. It's bumper to bumper traffic most of the way, we have small pleasant gaps of open road near home and then we turn into Glenanda and we sit...
Taxis, trucks, out-of-order robots, slow drivers, more annoying taxis and pedestrians. We have it all.
I lose my patience quickly and use the hooter freely and sometimes sign language too.


I am working on that - the sign language piece. That is why I try to keep myself busy admiring what's around me, watching people. We have some great views in the city and real South African people and things to look at along the way...
It's hard work staying away from negativity and I really hate it when people can't see the beauty of where we live, it's a bit of a jungle sometimes (well lots of times) but there is beauty all around us. Just stop a while and look you will see it too.


First let me explain, I say that I have a photography crazy husband, and I do, but these are not his photos they are mine. He and the boys have cameras and lenses and fancy gadgets to support their hobby. My equipment is a tiny quick snap camera (which is actually very slow) and my cell phone. Really, that is all I have. 
I then load them on my iPad and put it through instagram & colorsplash and make some changes (fuzzy them up etc) I am not even trying to compete with the photographers out there, my pics would never meet the expectations of the camera club. 
And yes I did take these photos while sitting in traffic, robots and making some very very quick stops (every minute counts) I can't afford to waste time in traffic some were even taken through my dirty windscreen. So now that you know my secret here is my story - 


This is my morning drive to school and then to work and this is Johannesburg.

Joburg seen through my eyes

It starts somewhere here...

The Saddened & Hungry 

Sun is not completely out yet - on most mornings anyway 

Love staring at the sky 

I love this road, the maple trees are starting to turn dark brown red, they form the most awesome canopy

This is the 'truck' road, they like to break down at the top of the hill or under the bridge. I enjoy the view of the buildings and I try to ignore the trucks and soak in the sunshine

What's in the buckets? I know one has vetkoek others have meat...that's all I'm saying
I never make fun of someone else's food :O)

Ahh! Washing day! 

Other side of the fence is the Jeppestown railway line
Washing is out on Tuesday afternoon

...and Wednesday and Friday mornings

I'm amazed at how it hangs here every week and no one takes clothes

I wonder if she uses sta-soft?

Sweets, Lion matches, colour popcorn, bananas & apples 

Bread, vetkoek, rock cakes, boiled eggs, chips

Marshall Street brings memories of when my dad drove us to church, if you speed here just a little you go over these bumps that make the butterflies in your tummy somersault. I still love the feeling and now I can do it myself 

I also love the arch that the trees form, it's so beautiful.
Can you see the 'waves' on the left hand side of the road? Just a little speed over these and it's such a nice feeling in the tummy

We are close to the school and this Jacaranda tree is breathtaking in October when it's painted in purple

I like this house, very different from the one in Rome, but I'm glad we also have our own Colosseum in SA!

Caledonia Hill - the cross is a memorial from the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902); it commemorates the Scottish officers that died during that time. When we were kids we used to come up here on Sabbath afternoon (church was just down the road) it's a beautiful view of the city from the top

Unaware of anything around him, he wakes up just before I stop the car, he knows when we have arrived

Inside the school - in front of Sable House

Sable House - I know the boys might not agree but I think the school is beautiful

Famous or not this is 'Commissioner Street' - 
taxis & pedestrians drive me insane here but the street sellers keep me amused 

Chips, sweets, boiled egg, etc

One of those shops that sells EVERYTHING you can imagine. The window front is open - no glass! 
You can really see the products properly :) 
Shop front changes about once a week

The Forgotten & Lonely

Sweets and I'm almost in the office

That's 35k's and I'm about to drive into the parking lot, will be facing a different jungle in the building. This is my morning drive

I didn't know when I staretd preparing for this blog and taking photos of my morning drive, but The Star newspaper is running a photographic competition The Glory of Our City  celebrating the 125th year of Joburg!

Readers are invited to submit photos of Joburg, (historical or funny, anything) one of the prizes is a Nikon D7000 (sounds impressive enough to me) and it is so easy just email your pic to star@nikon.co.za

I might just enter one of my photos for the amazing I Am Jo'Burg competition.

I have been doing this drive for the past five years, every morning, it's never boring but I am soooo glad this is the last year (year six!) of mom's taxi.
I love this city ... xoxo