Not so weekend Bliss .....

And here I am, not a week later, about to complain about the unperk's of my job :)

So, once a year, each employee has to take a turn to do a Duty Managers weekend at the hotel. You are here from 15h00 on a Friday till 15h00 on a Sunday. You eat, barely sleep and walk yourself into a coma for 48 hours .. I almost escaped this tiresome task this year but only almost .. I had been excused of my DM weekend on Thursday, only to be told on Thursday evening that I needed to do it because the person that was going to do it became ill. GREAT ! Now, how to arrange a house sitter, and more importantly - a safe, happy invironment for my child whilst im 'away'. Now most of you dont know that the target market of this hotel is very corporate and business orientated - we VERY rarely have children in the hotel ... we're not geared for it at all .... (Can you picture it ??)

Thankfully, when they called me on Thursday evening, I was visiting with a friend, who was only to happy to come and spend Friday night here at the hotel with me and to bring Natalia and her friend Gabbi with. The hotel allows your 'family' to spend the weekend with you and all foods etc are covered by the hotel .... The girls will thoroughly enjoy it we thought, so the plan was set ...

I arrived at work 15h00 yesterday and they arrived shortly after 17h00. The girls were obviously in VERY high spirits and almost uncontrolable :) ... They found a totally new use for the porters trolley ~ as a means of transport for little people, not luggage ... They stripped down to their bare little bottoms and launched themselves into the jacuzzi at 18h00 in the evening and ordered hot chocolate to their hearts content ... (all the while I am hiding in the background watching this circus hoping nobody will ask whose kids they were !) :) My friend Charmaine was just watching gleefully as they explored the services available to them in a 4 star property. Dinner was a challenge :) ... Two little people in their gowns in a fancy restaurant playing ponies .....under the tables, in the kitchen, galloping and neighing at full tilt :) The chef was less than amused at having to whip up Vienna's and Chips in his fancy "pay a fortune get a decoration not a meal" restaurant ... but he took it like a man ... This was followed by a room service order for ice cream & chocolate sauce and hot chocolate at 21h00 ... At about 21h10 I received a page to call reception because a guest had complained about the noise coming from room 2003 ... who's room do you think that was ?? MINE ... when I got there, the kids (and my friend Charmaine) were jumping on the king size bed shrieking with pure delight ... after all, its not their beds at home so why not ?? Thankfully, when I popped in to check on them at 22h00 they were all ordered & jumped out.

I eventually got in and to bed at 01h30 only to be up again at 05h00 to be back on the floor at 05h30 .... (my feet are killing me and its only 16h30 on Saturday, still 24 hours to go) .. Anyway, they joined me for breakfast, which was yet another experience. Faced with a full buffet breakfast with choices from fruit, yoghurt, cereal, meats, cheeses, biscuits, hot items, eggs on order etc etc you can imagine their indicision ... so a little bit of everything it was ~ with more hot chocolate ... :) They eventually left at 11h00 this morning, Natalia is spending tonight with another friend of hers (I dont think I could cope with repeat of yesterday ...) and will join me again for yet another big buffet lunch before I finish up tomorrow afternoon and head home ...

Although the mere thought of taking your children to a establishment such as this probably makes most of your hair stand on end, I am very glad that Natalia had the opportunity .. I remember as a child, my dad took us to a hotel where we had a very similar experience .. I remember the rest of the family finishing up at breakfast and moving back to the room while me and my dad sat in the restaurant and ordered hot chocolate ... I remember being SO full, but just enjoyed so much having the variety and choice available to me that I HAD to try absolutely everything ... and my dad just sat with me, until I was done and ready to leave this restaurant of heavenly choice :) I dont remember the room, I actually dont remember ANYTHING else about that hotel, just that, just the breakfast .....

Anyway ...I have to go, they're paging me ....We a huge set up for 500 people going on this evening and tomorrow, so I dont expect the rest of the weekend will be quiet ... I guess only 4 hours sleep tonight so that'll total a whole 8 hours this weekend ... im looking forward to bed time tomorrow ..

Must dash ...

Weekend Bliss ......

I must admit, doing the job I do has its perks .... I was spoilt by one of our suppliers on Friday and treated to a Side Car trip over Sir Lowry's Pass ... it was such an incredible opportunity, there were a team of 10 of us plus 5 drivers and we did the whole trip in convoy, which is impressive to see ... For some reason im having a problem posting pictures on here so i'll have to ask Shirl to help with that ..

On Saturday another friend of mine took me to watch the SA vs Aus game at Newlands - its always good fun to watch a game live - the atmosphere is electric. Natalia was MOST upset that she couldnt come with me .. she kept saying "mommy, I also want to go see the bokkies in real life !!" .... I had to promise to take her to a game (eeeek ....)

Sunday was a lovely day :) - We live in a small complex which is largly occupied by the older generation ... I have noticed that there is a single mother down the road with her two kids as well, but we have not made the effort to actually go and introduce ourselves ... Well Sunday was the day :) I am so totally over being the only entertainment at home for Natalia - I love my child to the ends of the earth and back, but there is only so much imaginery play, story reading, marble throwing that a mother can do in one day when all the other friends are away and you have no funding to take them out !! I took Tal by the hand, down the road and knocked on her door (brave for me ... i dont like that kind of thing :) ) ... We had a lovely cup of coffee and a chat and I then went back home without Natalia :) She decided that David (6yrs old) and Chloe (10 yrs old) were much better company than mom (ya think ??) ...

So on Sunday and the whole day yesterday David and Natalia were marching between our home and his home ... I actually spent a lot of time pacing around at home not knowing what to do with myself because she wasnt there and all the cleaning up had been done :) I eventually managed to drag her off their computer and take the roller skates off her feet at 18h00 last night - shoo ! Kids are funny - Natalia has TV games and David has Computer educational programs, at one point, David said to Natalia - "im staying at your house with your mom to play TV games and you go to my house and play computer games with my mom OK " hee hee

So all in all a good weekend .....

The funny things they say .......

Dont you just love those 'out of the blue' things that your children say .... Sometimes at just the time when you need a laugh the most ..... Well, my little gem has contributed a whole heap of laughs to my world, which I have documented in a little black book I call 'our book of laughs' .

I remember begging my mom to read the 'funnies', which we often did at the sunday lunch table .. Although my family is 'slightly' smaller, I hope that we will do the same thing one day :)

I just wanted to share one or two with you and hopefully put a smile on your face today ...

It was my mom's birthday in June, and we had called to wish her a very happy birthday ... of course, that was the intention at least ... When Natalia got the phone, she said to my mom "Oumie, are you as old as the dinosaurs ?" I was silently chuckling in the kitchen imagining my mom's response .. Natalia then looked very blankly at me, handed me the phone and said "i think you need to talk to her mom, she's just squeeking" ... Mom of course, was in hysterics and couldnt talk :)

While on our way to a friend, we happened to be stuck behind a taxi, who's base was obviously set to its max and it made my whole little car vibrate .. Natalia says "oh mommy, you need to get the car fixed, its fizzing under my bum !"

After having the kitty spayed, it obviously took some explaining as to what she was having done .. I explained that her bits that let her have babies needs to come out, which she was not happy about because kittens would have been fun (not) .. Anyway, a few days later she came storming into the kitchen, obviously having been deep in thought about our previous conversation, and exclaimed (with hands on hips) .. "Mommy, we are NOT having Pepper's tonsils taken out" .. (Pepper is our doggie) I was obviously confused and she saw this and said "you know mom, so she can have puppies !"

Last one ......

Natalia has a little coloured girl in her class called Domico, whom she is very fond of. With all the hype of finding the right primary school for the girls, there had obviously been much talk about it. Apparently the kids had discussed it at school too ... When I fetched Natalia from school she said "Mommy, Domico is not going to go to De Hoop Primary School because she's black and she said she cant go there !" To which I said "Tal, Domico is not black, she's coloured and she can go to any school that she wants, even De Hoop" she puts her hands on her hips, sigh's and says "Mom, Domico is ONE colour, and that is Brown, she is NOT a rainbow !!" :)

Now I really have to get back to work .... hope you had a laugh ..

Little Girls and Pink Pony's

It's a day looked forward to with anticipation by each little child and a day that each mother re-lives - the day she brought her precious child into the world.

Natalia has turned six and we had a whole Lotta pink pony fun to celebrate! Here are some pictures of the fun had by all. Big and little girls alike ;)

Rolling hills and lots of colourful little pony's. Isn't this cake lovely?

Natalia has, and has been having for quite some time now ;) a complete love affair with horses. So there really was no two ways about it. A 'My Little Pony' party it had to be!

A table full of little girls - and one little man :)

The weather was wonderful so we decided to set up outside - much to N's total delight. "ooh, I've never had an outside party before" She enthused. (Poor kid, being born in winter has it's hazards - lol)

Coyly, she gazed deeply into the eyes of .......... hundreds of "My Little Pony's"

My little girl can be camera shy, she unfortunately chose today to have one of 'those' days.

She huffed and she puffed .....

As you can see, there ain't no shyness here as she wields her stick to beat the pinata. I was thrilled to see that she was the one who made the first hole that began to release the sweeties. She was thrilled. Her cousin finished it off.

So here is celebrating you Natalia, my baby girl, what joy you have brought into my life. Happy Birthday.

Update : Finding Nemo

Hi All

I Know, its been forever since I last updated my Blog Spot - much to my families disgust :) Too much has been happening ...... But none of the bad stuff for now, just the good :)

Sometimes, as a single parent, you often wonder what kind of a parent you are ... are you any good, or are you a terrible parent, did you make the right decision, or not, did you discipline correctly, or where you a bit harsh ....... There isnt enough time to do all the things that probably would happen naturally in a 'normal' home ... eg : I havent had a chance to teach Natalia to ride her bike without the training wheels ...... or to swim properly .... etc etc. I suppose, in a two parent home, you have your husband to bounce things off ..... and his opinion to rest on / count on / consider. Well, family and friends, it is not so in the single parent home. Yes, we can ask someone, but their opinion will be based on what they hear or see and their own experiences .... So I suppose its not the best judge / measuring tool. Im blabbing here .... but you get my drift

Anyway, we were blessed enough to be taken away with friends of ours this weekend. The kids had an absolute ball - there was an indoor warm swimming pool ... I put myself 'out' and actually climbed in the pool with Natalia (mandatory swimming cap on and all - very glamerous) expecting just to play .... well, she was so excited ..... and begged " Oh mommy, now YOU can teach me to swim !" ... (guilt gremlin raises his head) ... and im thinking "yeah, sure baby, like you ever listen to me" .... haha ... Well, I gave her one simple instruction, one I didnt think she would do ... I said "baby, if you want to stay on top of the water, you have to put your face in the water and kick like crazy" ..... Guess what .... A SWIMMER !!! I HAVE A SWIMMER !!!! She was swimming like a little fish the entire time we were there ... She was so proud of herself, and I was so proud of her and more so, I was proud of me :) I taught her ... I taught her to swim !!! WOO HOO ..... All of a sudden, I didnt need anyone's approval or advice .. I had done it and it was very empowering !! Now, I need to dedicate some time to teaching her to ride her bike - when the weather gets better and I actually get her a bike I suppose :)

I will make a concerted effort to update again later this week !!!!!!!!!

Contentment .....

A man was walking along the the beach one day, and happened apon fisherman contently lying in his hammock with his rod in the sand, watching his children play.

"What are you doing ?" Asked the stranger,

"Just lying here in my hammock, watching my children play in the sand" said the fisherman

"And what do you do for living that you are here in the middle of the week fishing and playing with your children" ? Asked the stranger

"Well", said the fisherman, "I go out in my little boat once a day, catch one or two fish to feed my family and that's how I live" said the fisherman

"But why dont you work a little harder, catch more fish, sell more fish, have a bigger income, you know, make a business out of your fishing" said the stranger

"Sounds good", said the fisherman, " but what is the end result of this business ... what is it that I hope to achieve with it ?" asked the fisherman .

"Well" Said the stranger, "so that one day you can sit in a hammock on the beach and watch your children play in the sand !"

Aha ....

Perhaps we should all find the contentment with what we have, instead of robbing yourself of precious moments with those you love .....

Strong Woman - Weak Man

Hmmm, I found this article and just really wanted to share it, because it has become the reality of my world ........ Lisa. I'm going to file this one under the ASHES .... Now I just need to trade it :)

The all-too-normal South African woman lives in a world of boys—men with a pathological immaturity that has emasculated them and shriveled them into moral and spiritual wimps. The home of the average South African woman is unmanned.

My Dilemma

The problem for Christian women is that in many cases their scenarios are no different than those of their unbelieving sisters. The men in their lives are also weak, and often these women also find themselves in the position of being stronger than their male counterparts—spiritually, socially, economically, intellectually, and morally. The Christian woman in this situation faces a conundrum that is not resolved by the woman-empowerment agenda of the feminists. Masculine weakness is not an option that is acceptable to her, but unless she is strong, she will not survive.
She also realizes that in the church of Jesus Christ, God has called her to follow male leadership. And if married she must submit and respect male headship in the home. Compounding her difficulty is the reality that she may have grown up in a Christian culture that frowns upon women taking advanced degrees, working outside the home, or studying any field besides the approved “female occupations” tradition permits for her sex. While society preaches a message of empowerment, she is confused and wonders if the message for her is “Be weak.”
She rejects the feminists’ rebellion against biblical authority and embraces the Christian woman’s role of submission, wifehood, and motherhood. She is willing to respect the men in her life, only she silently cries out for a respectable man. Little by little the average Christian woman is coming to the conclusion that the men in her life are, in the main, boys in grownup bodies. And boys cannot be trusted with grownup matters.
The Contribution of Feminism
This reluctance to grow up is epidemic in the West, but more importantly to our focus in these articles it is essential to realize that this delayed maturity is endemic to societies that have bowed the knee to radical feminism. And, ironically, it is women—feminists—who are most disgruntled with the product of their philosophy. Women who sought so long to be freed from men are now finding that there are no men from whom to be liberated!

Domesticity may have always been a feminine realm, but marriage and children were once defined as integral to the traditional gender roles of both men and women. Today it’s the woman who is cast in the role of caveman, eager to club some unsuspecting, reluctant male on his head and drag him to the altar.

About six months after my son was born, he and I were sitting on a blanket at the park with a close friend and her daughter. It was a sunny summer weekend, and other parents and their kids picnicked nearby—mothers munching berries and lounging on the grass, fathers tossing balls with their giddy toddlers. My friend and I, who, in fits of self-empowerment, had conceived our babies with donor sperm because we hadn’t met Mr. Right yet, surveyed the idyllic scene.
“Ah, this is the dream,” I said, and we nodded in silence for a minute, then burst out laughing. In some ways, I meant it: we’d both dreamed of motherhood, and here we were, picnicking in the park with our children. But it was also decidedly not the dream. The dream, like that of our mothers and their mothers from time immemorial, was to fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after. Of course, we’d be loath to admit it in this day and age, but ask any soul-baring 40-year-old single heterosexual woman what she most longs for in life, and she probably won’t tell you it’s a better career or a smaller waistline or a bigger apartment. Most likely, she’ll say that what she really wants is a husband (and, by extension, a child).
To the outside world, of course, we still call ourselves feminists and insist—vehemently, even—that we’re independent and self-sufficient and don’t believe in any of that damsel-in-distress stuff, but in reality, we aren’t fish who can do without a bicycle, we’re women who want a traditional family.
And there’s more:
Before I got pregnant, though, I also read single-mom books such as Choosing Single Motherhood: The Thinking Woman’s Guide, whose chapter titles “Can I Afford It?” and “Dealing With the Stress” seemed like realistic antidotes to the faux-empowering man-hunting manual headings like “A Little Lingerie Can Go a Long Way.” But the book’s author, Mikki Morrissette, held out a tantalizing carrot. In her introduction, she describes having a daughter on her own; then, she writes, a few years later and five months pregnant with her son, “I met a guy I fell in love with. He and my daughter were in the delivery room when my son was born in January 2004.” Each time I read about single women having babies on their own and thriving instead of settling for Mr. Wrong and hiring a divorce lawyer, I felt all jazzed and ready to go. At the time, I truly believed, “I can have it all—a baby now, my soul mate later!”
Well . . . ha! Hahahaha. And ha.
Just as the relationship books fail to mention what happens after you triumphantly land a husband (you actually have to live with each other), these single-mom books fail to mention that once you have a baby alone, not only do you age about 10 years in the first 10 months, but if you don’t have time to shower, eat, urinate in a timely manner, or even leave the house except for work, where you spend every waking moment that your child is at day care, there’s very little chance that a man—much less The One—is going to knock on your door and join that party. So what is a Christian woman—a strong woman—supposed to do in this culture of weak men? Our concerns are not merely sociological, but spiritual. Our warfare is not merely cultural, but cosmic. Our battles are not merely culturally consequential, but Christologically consequential. The gospel of Jesus Christ is radically affected if women get it wrong and usurp roles God did not grant to them. The gospel is also radically affected if they are not strong.