Why do you read (or keep reading) this blog?

I keep forgetting to ask you!

I want to submit a post to the creme da la creme blog carnival.

It's supposed to be my best post of 2011 but I don't know how to judge that.

I could look at popular posts in my Dashboard to get an idea but sometimes those are just rant-y ones.

The washi tape ones also get TONS of views (because it's such a popular thing these days) and of course, that darn milk tart one always features in my popular posts :)

So... why do you like reading this blog? What keeps you reading?


What sort of posts? 


Can you think of a favourite one this year?

How do you define a friend?

 Nat

 Don't feel bad if you're a friend and you don't see your pic - I have very few pics of friends who read the blog!!!


With the whole Facebook/ Twitter/ blog thing, my definition of friends has broadened a lot.

Except for Twitter because I still hate it.

Moving on.

I said to my boss the other day about a girl who used to work at our company, "we're Facebook friends and lunch friends" meaning we chat on Facebook a bit and now and again, like once every 9 months or so (sadly, because we were good work friends before she left), we have lunch.

I have friends I used to go to school with, friends from university, friends from each place I worked at, friends from church, a friend from the NICU, friends from the infertility group and of course, you, my blog friends.

I'm not unobservant so I noticed how people's eyes narrowed in suspicion when I first mentioned the phrase blog friends so now I say, "my friend in Kentucky" or "my friend in Cape Town".

My definition of friends has widened and yet, in some ways it has stayed the same.

I have always been about reciprocity, connection and about quality of relationship.

There's not much of a difference (for me) whether I see you in person or whether we email, but rather in how we connect.

There are some real life friends that I know squat about because they don't share anything with me but the stuff everybody can see on Facebook and then there are some blog friends who I really get because I know you so well, either through your blogs or... my favourite, through the back and forth emails after the comment is posted, either by me or by you. Love it!

I think this may be because I value connection.

I say things like "oh, I know her through __________" or "we have a friend in common" or "I used to work with her at X-company" or "we used to be close like this but now we just chat on Facebook".

What do you think?

Do you see all your friends as the same, or do you make subtle distinctions and what are those distinctions based on?

PS Remember my preferred way of engaging is ALWAYS face to face over a coffee/ lunch. But since we can't do that here, let's just pretend we're talking heart to heart.

Just as I was about to click publish, I had a funny feeling so I checked back and see I wrote a post like this 18 months ago. It's here if you feel like reading it.

Sunday frustrations

I really think we underestimate just how comforting routine is for our children.

D's mother slept over on Saturday night and so got up with the kids at the crack of dawn on Sunday morning.

They told her they're "very very hungry" and "want to eat Weetbix" so she fed them at 7 am.

Which, of course threw out the whole thing. They were ready for their snack at 10 instead of 11 at church.

The kids have a new thing - I'm now wondering whether the photo shoot last week was just the start of it and it just happened to be coincidence that it happened last week.

They want nothing to do with me when D's there but are normal when he's not. Hmmm.

I'm used to Kendra spurning me for her father but not Connor. But now, from Connor, "no Mummy, Daddy do _______" 

Of course it's fine when I want to get other things done (cooking, cleaning, organising) but when we need to get them ready for church, they don't want me to change their nappies, dress them, etc.

Very frustrating and of course, sad!

Thank GOODNESS for Jess's post because her little Mellow also wants no-one but Daddy so that made me feel better about Connor.

Anyway, Kendra is still wetting herself regularly. I go in every night at 11 - 12 to change her nappy so all the bedding doesn't have to be laundered but in the mornings sometimes she still needs another bath.

isn't she gorgeous?!

And on Sunday, she was not having me do the bath!

There was a LOT of crying and me not budging and D stepping in and me screaming at him.

Just lovely.

Am I the only one or do Sundays before church go like this at your place too?

Church was fine, the kids were okay but D was not. Got sicker and sicker so I drove home and then he went to sleep for about 3 hours while the kids drove me nuts. On the bright side, we were able to have some reading time together on the couch.

I tried to cook (my usual Sunday afternoon thing) and it was a disaster.

It is impossible with children underfoot.

It also didn't help that the recipe didn't turn out great - I had to jazz it up with a nice creamy sauce. We are having it tonight so I'll let you know how that goes but it's not a keeper.

I have to remain in the kitchen while I cook otherwise the food burns :) so this is my opportunity to make shopping lists, menus, organise cupboards, etc.

And I about freaked!

It seems no-one in the house but me is able to:

1. put things away (my biggie!)
2. write things on the shopping list (like toilet paper - obvious things)
3. throw things away (I mean really, if a pen is broken, throw it in the bin - don't leave non-writing things lying around decorating my kitchen counters)
4. take out clean tea towels or hand towels

So tomorrow I am giving both V and Nester a good talking-to. It's not like I chop and change things in the house all the time so they can't remember. My systems have been in place forever.

Fixing all this in the house means I can't get on with things and do the things I really have to do, like cook!

Very frustrating.

Do you also have things in the house that seemingly only you can do?
Anybody else's kids "off" them?

PS Shame, my MIL did some dishes for us but she thinks she can see and she can't so I end up throwing all her "clean" dishes back in the sink (that's right, we don't have a dishwasher) to be re-washed.

That was scary... and a quick Saturday recap

First, apologies to my friends in the computer. I have computer issues. My home page is set to Google Reader - that page opens fine and if the computer is being kind to me, one other click will work from GR. Beyond that, I click, it opens a new tab, says "done" and it is done without actually opening the page..


Therefore, I haven't commented on most of your blogs in 3 days or so...I'll try do some commenting tomorrow at work, after work.


I am up to date on the happenings though :)

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The kids went to bed late tonight (about 7:10) - more on that later - and about 15 minutes later, Connor starts SCREAMING.

D goes to see to him since I was getting food for us and he comes into the kitche and says to me, "he's clawing at his face".

I had a moment of clarity (God!) and rushed into the bedroom, picked him up and took him to the bathroom.

I washed his face with cold water (him screaming all the time) and wiped all the cream off his face.

Eventually after D took him to the sunroom to calm him down (they just hug and look out at the stars - it's very sweet) he stopped crying and told us he wants to go sleep.

Do you know what?

I think it's the Johnson and Johnson bedtime aqueous cream. The purple one. Have any of you had similar reactions from your kids?

I opened a new tub tonight - I can't remember but it may be the first time I use this one.

Kendra was fine because I finished the old tub of the normal pink one when I dressed her.

We went to my a twin birthday party yesterday afternoon and it was so lovely. Caren's garden is safe and was FULL of new toys so all the kids were in playdate heaven.

They were filthy which is just as it should be - the bath had a brown ring around it last night after they were done. LOL

By the way, our fertility babies group is TWO - the text came through announcing S & S's arrival at our first meeting :)

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Then the frustration - D arranged for his mother to come babysit (and sleep over) and to be here at 6 pm.

We had a Bat Mitzvah to go to at 7:30 so had to leave just after 7.

Well, she told him she still wanted him to phone when we left Caren's place. Why? I don't know.

So we tried and there was no network coverage (CELL C!) all the way home.

I mistakenly assumed she'd come anyway (it's not like we'd have changed our minds about going out) but noooo. When D phoned from our home just before 6, she was still waiting at home for this darn phone call.

Yes, people, I flipped.

I do have issues in that I hate when rules are created for the minority. E.g. Only 1 in 10 people take chances at work (well, roughly) so I personally like to give lots of freedom and deal with the 1 in 10. And 1 in 10 are actually thieves and out to steal things but retailers, don't treat every customer like we're trying to con you! *ahem*

Same thing here - let's assume things are going to run as normal and we will phone IF there is a problem.

Anyway, it's not my family so not my thing to deal with.

He was also very frustrated but didn't have energy for the resultant tension.

Am I being unreasonable? We've never flaked... EVER. Also she should know her son... and me!

So she arrived at about 6:45 and then it was a crazy rush. Thankfully, we were only 10 minutes late.

I broke one of my self-imposed rules of not buying clothes just for an occasion. When I went to get my new black sandals the other day, I went to a different store and saw TWO pairs I liked. One was clearly for work but one was a little more formal (at least for me). I got them both - what are bonuses and free money for, right?

Anyway, I wore those sandals last night and they were SOOOO comfortable. I love them. I'll be wearing them to a wedding this coming weekend too.

So the BM was for the daughter of one of my work colleagues. He invited the whole team, husbands, wives, kids (if they were big enough) and it was FABULOUS.

The actual function was great... speeches, dancing, food (oh! the food), company, being with D without the kids (it sounds terrible but I loved it - just getting time to be with him without us both chasing after kids) and most of all, seeing the work people with their spouses. 6 of the 8 of us were there so it was a good turn-out.

We all talk about our spouses, some of us more than others (and no, I'm not the one who talks about their spouse the most - that would have to be someone who has a very lazy husband who literally does nothing. She said when her boy turned 4, if he's changed 5 nappies in his life, that would have been a lot!), but it's so nice to SEE them and (for me!) check out the interactions and people-watch. I love it - am in my element :)


Do you like to people watch too?

We got home at 11 - I like to leave just at the right time. Not one of the first to leave but also not those people who have to be kicked out. Although Caren, sorry... yesterday we were Those People - I just had such a fun relaxing time in your lovely garden :)


So how was your Saturday?

Are you knee-deep in Thanksgiving or Christmas prep?


PS you know what? this post is already verrrrry long and I'm only on Sat night so let's continue it all tomorrow, okay?

PPS just like last year, you're going to get inundated with pics from our photo shoot :) they look even better printed out - I am SO in love!

PPPS I have still not started my gratitude journal for Nov and it's the 13th. I had it printed out and ready on my bedside table but still nothing makes me pick up a pen and write. On the other hand, I am rocking my photo goals :) How are you doing with your goals?

My other passion...

You know how you have your main passion? 

For me, it's inspiring people to take action so they can live their lives to the full. 

What's your passion? 

And then you have some other smaller passions. Or at least I do.

At work, I am passionate about customer service, always doing business with integrity and of course, communicating effectively (in writing, on the web, etc, etc). 

Then at home there are the other passions. 

Like washi tape, binder rings and so on. 

I'm joking. (only a little bit) 

Okay seriously, I have another little passion - I have started to get seriously passionate about thinking and talking about the dynamics of friendship. 

Remember this post? 

Right... And then I landed upon a blog that totally feeds into this latest little passion of mine. 

I can't WAIT for her book to come out early next year. 

She moved to Chicago, didn't have any friends in the city, and so began a quest to have 52 friend dates in a year. 

I started reading the blog after the year was over and it's fascinating.

3 out of 5 days I want to write my own post and link to hers because all the stuff she talks about ring so true for me. Kind of like Seinfeld :) 

(as an aside, Seinfeld is a criterion for me - I know I'm going to LOVE people if they like Seinfeld, and rainy days :))

Expect me to blog a lot more about this stuff in the weeks to come but for now... 

Do you ever think about the dynamics of your friends, what makes a friend a friend, why someone is a better friend than another, etc? As in, who are your true friends, the differences between work friends and other friends, blog friends and IRL friends, Facebook friends, Twitter friends, etc.

Best of times, worst of times aka Five on Friday

Yesterday was an ...interesting day.

1. Politically in SA, something happened which is just fabulous. And hopefully I will never hear that specific person spouting off nonsense ever again :)
2. Something happened at work that I can't talk about because I'm not allowed to but it is terrible news. I was crying (here) while blinking at my desk and then thank goodness, I had outside meetings so could leave the office and cry properly in the car. The terrible news is not going away but it should all become clear in the next 3 weeks and then I can talk about it. I also hate when people are vague but I really take what I say/ promise seriously. Sorry to keep you in the dark.
3. After my outside meetings, I had to go to a focus group (which I LOVE!) and it was fabulous. I love hearing what real people say about our company and industry ... and intended product. The feedback from all 7 groups so far is just fantastic.
4. I hate it when things happen that I have to blog (time-dependent events) because I have all these things on my mind and I really want to talk about them. Like friendship. Oy - I have about 5 posts in my mental drafts :) And my Google Reader is bulging with 107 items after I cleared about 50 last night.
5. I actually can't believe I'm the only one that scared to upset the children's evening routine by not taking them out in the evenings. Am I really the only one? I'm going to look at it that I'm "special" instead of "bad different" because

Source: cookingwiths.blogspot.com via Marcia on Pinterest

and quite frankly, I've had enough joy stolen yesterday :) But enough about me, how was your week?

We did it!

We went to Mimmos last night, the kids were fine (largely because the place was mostly empty) and they slept like a log.

They were ridiculously cute, out in their pyjamas, and to be honest, it felt like a dream.

This is what I dreamt of through those long years of waiting for babies.

As for the nutritionist, K is fine but she would still like to see another 500 g on Connor so we're back on a formula (Infacare 3) for another 3 months.

Personally I think he's just too active and is going to be thinner than the average child because he eats a LOT but I'm willing to go along with this experiment.

I made her agree that if he's still below that line that it is just who he is and we will leave it at that.

How was your Wednesday?

It is going to be 33 here today - I'm already wilting and I have to DRIVE outside in the lunchtime heat today. I do love airconned offices....


Also, new post here.

A first for us

And I just realised I didn't ever blog about it!

this set of pics at this wall was D's idea

My kids see a paediatric nutritionist and she's been tracking their progress every 3 months.

We had an appointment on the first Wed in August, which was the 3rd.

Around that time, in fact I think it was a day or two earlier, Lynette wrote on her blog about taking her grandkids to the Spur for a kids eat free special.

We both take time off for these doctors' appointments (D is very involved and wants to hear everything first hand) so I thought that it was the ideal time to try to go out for a very early supper.

Remember my kids go to bed at 6:30 so this is me letting go...

Well, we fed them supper, bathed and put them in their babygrows and then put tracksuits over the babygrows. It was the heart of winter so perfectly acceptable attire :)

We'd just got them bundled and strapped into their car seats and D started reversing the car out the driveway.

I turned around in my seat because I'm a control freak and pretend I'm also driving and happened to catch sight of Connor.

He was yawning away... not a good sign.

I looked at Kendra and her eyes were glazing over from tiredness too.


This was at 6:10.

I said to D (with quite a bit of panic - you'd panic too if you've ever been with my overtired kids), "I don't think this is a good idea".

He was all, "oh it will be fine".

Well, we RACED to the Spur and had all decided what we were going to eat only to find that the Spur had closed down.

The next nearest place with fast service (!) was Ocean Basket so off we drove.

I grabbed a child, quickly went in and ordered two portions of fish, one with rice and one with chips.

The place was actually about 3/4 full (probably because it was winter and everyone wanted to get home to their lovely warm beds) but the service is always fast.

The bread basket arrived (I love the fact that they still do a bread basket) and the kids tucked in. They'd had supper so weren't hungry.

D and I ate quickly, I got half of mine to take home, and we got them home.


We drove back into our driveway at 7.05.

55 minutes from start to finish.

Amazing.

Our first time out to supper WITH the kids. At 2 years 1 month.

And it was a success.

They were well behaved and sat in the normal chairs eating bread and playing with whatever they could find on the tables.

We haven't repeated it yet but I'm thinking of trying it tonight as my friend date with Hayley has been postponed and we have another appointment with the nutritionist this afternoon.

Are you impressed? 

When did your babies first go out to eat with you at night? 

(I know some of you will say 2 weeks and such - that's fine :)) 

PS oh, last time she was 100% happy with K's progress but about 90% happy with C. The action arising (oh gosh, I hate when I talk corporate) was to keep the babies on Nutren Jr for another 3 months. I've cheated and only kept them on for 2 months. I just got tired of all those darn cans cluttering up my kitchen. Hope this doesn't come back to bite me in the bum.

Bulbs and budgets

This gorgeous flower is one of the lovely get well soon gifts I received. This was from my friend, Nat. Isn't it beautiful?


The best part of the gift was the note I got on how not to stuff it up and kill it too soon :) I love that Nat knows I am USELESS with plants and gave me the most detailed note to keep it alive. Yes, it's going in my "things I love" mini book.

This is my study - in the background can you see my goals (I highlight as I get through them), inspirational printables, photos, etc.

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I did the (long overdue) budget last night and found out the following things:

1. I procrastinate with this task almost like I do with the photos. The only thing that forced me to do it was my wallet bulging with receipts.
2. It's very, very satisfying to scrunch up receipts and TOSS!
3. I really do hate spreadsheets but once it's all done, I do love analysing the data.
4. I justify spending money on books for the kids because books are educational. However, we spend far too much money at CUM books and I will have to put myself on a spending fast from now until that week between Christmas and New Year when prices are slashed. 
5.  
6. I'm also not applying my organising and decluttering rules in this area of our lives. I asked Kendra to go get all the books she doesn't read any more and she brought me one. Poor Polly Cat has been banished to the donate pile!
7. We have spent just under R46 917 on the babies' expenses from Jan - Oct. This is wonderful - last year this time we'd spent R51753. We won't talk about 2009 - I'm still in denial about that spending... I'm looking forward to spending even less next year (our last year of minimal expenses due to no pre-school and only seeing the doc again when they're 3).
8. We spent R5846 on Nutren Jr since Feb, more than we spent on formula the whole of last year... and I haven't even been giving them the full recommended dose per day. We see the paediatric nutritionist tomorrow for (hopefully) our last appt - let's hope the kids have grown enough to satisfy her.
9. R5300 for nappies is scary! That's more than half the price of a holiday for one adult to Thailand (around R8000 - just over $1000)! Speaking of which, we've been discussing the accommodation for the Jan beach holiday and I said to D that we should stay for 7 - 10 days and HE said, "that's a holiday to Thailand" and suddenly I really want to go to Thailand. Why is travelling in South Africa so expensive?! (and it's really not but when you think that you can fly off into the sunset, then suddenly things look different...)
10. On the very bright side, the amount for medical for the whole year is only R1065. That's the lowest category. Just to clarify, this is for medical expenses not paid for by our medical aid - either the doctor charges above medical aid rates or we have now exhausted our savings for the year. Again on the bright side, this year we made it until Sept. (In 2009 we made it until Feb before running out of savings because of all those appointments and scans, in 2010 we made it until Aug and this year a month longer)

I think I'm going to have to stop keeping track of the babies' expenses next year just so I stop obsessing ... but it's so much fun to look back and see how far we've come.


Do you track your spending? Yes/ no? Why? Why not?

Tell me one thing you've learnt about managing your money.
PS if you have any questions, ask away in the comments and I'll answer.

PPS I decided to return those sandals. I just don't love them and for that price, there needs to be some love :)

My beloved Kindle cover

Remember way back when I had that giveaway for the beach bag?

Well, dear sweet Mandy who sponsored the giveaway decided to make me a Kindle cover at the same time.

She posted it mid-July and after a month of nothing arriving here, we both decided it had to be lost. Mandy was quite upset since the button she used is from her grandmother's stash - I feel very privileged to have been the recipient of it.

She then made ANOTHER one and, of course, then the parcel arrived.

When I got to my desk (and I'e said before there is NOTHING quite like walking to your desk and finding lovely parcels there) and saw a box from Maryland, I thought it was the second one.

So imagine my surprise when it was the original box just verrrrry late.

And since that arrived I've been using my lovely Kindle cover daily.

When Kendra saw it, she pronounced it "pretty!" and I totally agree.

It's very pretty but still understated and simple, just my style.

Long story but Rachel who won the giveaway decided to gift her prize to me too and so I ended up with a beach bag too! I am so blessed.

The beach bag is ginormous and if we ever get that holiday booked (actually D did lots of research last night so we're getting there), I'll be putting it to good use. It's also very well made and totally twin-proof. As in, my two decided to play with it and thankfully, it is still intact.

 

Yes, I took a lot of pics of this thing. I do like the way my close-up pics turn out, even on a point-and-shoot camera :)

If you want Mandy to make you one for Christmas, contact her through her blog and I'm sure she'll be able to help you. I'm not sure what she's decided to charge for them though.

What do you think? Do you love it? 

Much better than the boring black thing I had before, don't you think? I even tried to jazz that one up with some hot pink fabric tape :)

They redeemed themselves

Today we did our usual thing which is to rush around like maniacs getting ready for church.

The kids are usually ready with bags first as they can't wait to go see Thembie and Lizzy. They say "ThembieLizzy" like it's one person.

I've said before that exactly the 7th time we left them at children's church there was no crying, nothing.

And they've been happy ever since.

I love watching growth in people generally but seeing it in my own kids is just so special.

My children now go up to other kids (!) (there's another set of girl twins in the same class and the one girl HOWLS every week) and say, "don't cry" and similar words of comfort.

Confession - we have a family room where you can go with your kids if you don't want to leave them at children's church.

D and I have been dropping the kids and then going to the family room ourselves. At first it was because I really couldn't walk very well after the gall bladder op but lately it's because we don't feel like walking ALL the way to the main auditorium and we feel like we can walk in and out more easily.

And every week we say, "we really need to go back to the proper service" but we don't.

Teehee.

Of course, people are watching us because who would voluntarily go sit with kids if they didn't have their own kids there?

There was the cutest baby there today doing that rocking back and forth thing they do before they start crawling, and then they sort of do a little gallop on the knees. Actually both MY kids did it so I'm just assuming.

I got all soppy - thank goodness I have this pic on canvas to remind me of the crawling stage, which is still my most favourite stage ever.

I think it's the controlled mobility...:)

We decided to go to Ocean Basket afterwards and the kids were AMAZING.

D and I said this was one of the most successful times we've had eating out yet. I agree.

Mugg and Bean was the first one.

They ate everything (fish bites, chips and rice), had some of our food, drank tons of water and were well-behaved and even cute with people at neighbouring tables and the waiter.

Kendra eats slower so after Connor was done, I took him for a lovely walk in the shopping centre after playing peek a boo around a pillar and he was just delightful.

And then when we got home Kendra and I had some 1:1 time reading (me on my Kindle, K with a magazine - she LOVES the gift insert in the Clicks magazine) while Connor slept and D went to buy nappies.

Anyway, our day was nothing out of the ordinary but was just so lovely - it's how I imagined family for all those horrible infertile years and I finally have it.

Tonight we had my version of Jayme's enchilada casserole (without the enchiladas and on toasted garlic rolls - double yum!)

Source: tatertwins.com via Marcia on Pinterest

and of course for dessert I had an apple bar. I made another batch yesterday morning and there are 3 pieces left!

D told me tonight that I need to try another fruit in there so I told him I'd do it with peaches or apricots (I think this would work with any fruit) as he also doesn't like pineapple (my other love!).

And on the to-do list, I've finished book 2 for the month and October photos are DONE!


What did you do this weekend?

This week I'm looking forward to supper with Hayley, signing off some stuff at work, seeing friends at two socials on Sat and finishing my year in review pages for Sept and October. And both dreading and looking forward to seeing a sneak peek of yesterday's shoot.

What are you looking forward to this week?

I am absolutely shattered

We had a photo shoot this afternoon.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that because in my mind it seems excessive (3 shoots in one year) but give me a minute to justify it :)

Birthday..... Newtown shoot.... this one I bought through a group buying deal for R400 (this lady's usual price was R1200) and then sent on the details to all the girls in the office and so from one office of 10 people, we bought 5 of these deals. Not bad.

Anyway, I extended it at the time to the latest date I could (it technically had to be used up by end August I think) because the birthday shoot was already booked. The Newtown one was the one I sandwiched in because I was tired of waiting until I lost ALL my excess weight.

And so this date comes along and the only prep I'd done was rush off to the hairdresser yesterday. Oh, and book the venue.

I didn't even think about what we'd wear, nothing.

Of course then today the children decided not to have afternoon naps.

My children are HORRIBLE when they don't sleep.

We'd booked V to come in during the afternoon and then to help us with the shoot (it's money well worth spending for my stress relief running after those two) and of course she was 40 minutes late.

The kids went to time out a couple of times and then D went to have a talk with them and they eventually fell asleep at 2 pm.

They woke at 3:30 and we dressed them (but they were already grumpy so that was a drama in and of itself), threw them in the car and all raced to my work (the venue).

these pics were taken about two weeks ago, not today - it is absolutely glorious walking these grounds

D and V were also both stressing me out because I don't know why I need to remember everything and boss everyone around just to get out the house on time. My bag and the props bag (yes, I'm very sad...) had been packed the night before and ready at the door an hour earlier.

Anyway, I drove and you know how I drive when I'm late so we left home at 4:05, got there at 4:23 and had a few minutes to let the kids run a bit wild before the shoot started.

Very nice lady and she didn't seem stressed by all the craziness.

The kids both refused to sit with me (mortified doesn't begin to describe how bad I felt... plus sadness!) so I have practically no pics with either of them and there are tons of D with the two limpets clinging to him. And me on the side, like the one that doesn't belong.

*sigh*

At least we got some time to get pics of just D and me (while the kids had some ProVitas).

But this is why I love D.

I just gave him one look (of desperation/ frustration) and he leaned over and said, "it's okay. it'll all be fine" and then I could see he tried really hard to get those two to be nicer to me.

Kids are so merciless.

We dropped V off on the way home and then D said to me, "I bet you can't wait to get home to blog about all this" LOL

Of course!

So bottom line, I way be warned off photo shoots for a Long Time and if that woman gets even 20 good pics, it'll be a miracle. MIRACLE I tell you!

She worked really hard trying to get those two to co-operate. There was always one running off or crying or tantruming.

D says this whole "spurning me" business is just because they were so crabby but I was very, very hurt.

Okay, enough about me. Onto you.

Please tell me anything to cheer me up. What are you reading? What are you listening to? What are you doing?

On the bright side, BOTH our TVs are on the blink (they've gone in for repairs today) and even though I rented a DVD for last night, I'm thrilled because D can finally book our Jan holiday :)

PS D and I wore purple, and the kids wore white.

Five (foodie things) on Friday

I saw some pictures in my files that I hadn't blogged yet so this week I'm doing a food focus.

I pin a LOT of things to bake and you all know the goal is to try two recipes a month. By the way, I thought those expectations were low and then I was scrambling at the end of the month.

My new thing where I try a recipe or two weekly is working much better. 

Anyway.

1. I made these peanut butter chocolate & oats cookies at the end of August. They are SUPER easy to make and taste great. The key is to have your baking paper-lined cookie sheets ready because once it's all mixed, you have to drop them quickly to set. I'm done apologising for bad photos - the fact of the matter is that anything out of the ordinary gets done when the kids are in bed and if I waited for good light, I'd get nothing done.

 

2. Then a couple of weeks later I made pumpkin bread. Oh my gosh, it was heaven. Nice and moist and pumpkinny. I keep buying pumpkin to make it again and somehow we end up eating it. And I buy a 500g bag because the last time I used the entire bag. I can't tell you how yum this was - you will DROOOOOOOL.

3. On Monday I felt like eating something "apple". My favourite fruit on God's entire earth is the humble apple. He really, really knew what He was doing with the apple. And so I love anything apple. If you invite me over and make me apple something I'll love you forever. Seriously. I am fickle! And if you add cinnamon, oh, then we're best friends for life.

So I made Sarah's apple bars. All I can say is..... thank goodness D doesn't eat cooked apple and I don't allow the children to eat sugar :) The only complaint I have is that the recipe only makes a very small pan (literally 8 pieces). This was heavenly. Heavenly. And I'm making another batch tomorrow :)

4. In 2009 I gave our family friends oatmeal cookies for Christmas (they are the easiest thing in the world, delicious and you can eat 4 before you even blink). Last year I gave Bakerella's Cowgirl Cookies. So next up for me is to try a couple of other recipes to decide on this year's recipe.

I'm thinking I need to try these lemon crinkle cookies and these apple raisin oatmeal cookies (this one sounds good for the kids too)

5. I've also tried about 3 - 4 new main course recipes in the last 3 months. All of them except a pan pizza recipe I won't do again. Nothing wrong just it felt like the recipe was trying too hard :) Do you want the details on those too?

So do you have an easy, not too unhealthy (I don't mind sugar but I don't like cooking with a lot of oil or butter (about a 1/2 cup of anything is as much as I like to go) cookie/ biscuit recipe with apple?

Or maybe not apple but something super-easy that makes a lot (I'm still lazy; I just enjoy food)?

17 minutes

This morning I drove to work in 17 minutes (my norm is 25) so just imagine how fast I was going. You see, I had an 8:30 and V only arrived at 8:07. I am at a loss...

The best thing happened though - as I turned into the street my work's on, I saw a driver in the line of cars waiting to turn into the street I came from holding his head in his hands in frustration at how long it was taking for him to turn.

His expression was priceless (maybe he also had a 8:30?) and I laughed out loud and of course then I chuckled at the thought of it throughout the day.

Thank you, man (when I say to the kids, "say thank you to the man/ lady", they say, "thank you, man" or "thank you, lady" - CUTENESS).

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Last night literally straight after I published that post, I went to lie down as I had a splitting headache. D forced me to take 2 Panado and I was out like a light.

For 10 glorious hours.

Still, my eyes are red today like I didn't sleep.

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I've been meaning to go get some new work sandals for weeks and everything conspired against me because all three of my pairs broke within 2 days.

I noticed the sole of the last pair coming loose in a long client (outside) meeting today so I skived off when that ended (2.50), drove home, had lunch (yes, the clients didn't feed us - I was nearly dizzy with hunger) and off I went to Woolworths.

Got a pair of sandals - I'm not wild about them but they will do - and figured while I'm at it, to get new black pants (I'm now a proper 34/ 10 again - thank heavens) and a gorgeous bag.

I also got a few summer babygrow-type things for the babies to sleep in and when I got home, even though they were bathed and dressed already, they wanted to wear their "new 'jamas NOW".

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This set of pics is inspired by Claudia.

She posted a video on her blog yesterday and her twins were sitting on the kitchen counter. Well, first thing that came to mind (after the cuteness) was, "oh I wish I could be so laidback" and then when I got home, I thought, "why not?!" so I plonked them on the counter, praying all the while that they wouldn't fall while I RAN to the bedroom to get my camera.

 

I took 10 pics to get these 3 - the rest are a BLUR because they moved all the time. Yes, and they nearly gave me several heart attacks.

So Claudia, I decided I'm just not laid back because my nerves couldn't stand it.

Although the counter contained them well enough for me to cook! So maybe we'll try again :)

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I don't know what the babies were doing this morning but D said something like, "you're little frogs".

Connor Not little frogs, little cats

D & M *laugh like crazy people*

Kendra Kenna... little cat, Connor ...little dog

Crazy kids!

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And last but by no means least, I can't tell you how absolutely THRILLED I was when I started going through my Google Reader to see that Julia, Heather and Mandy all posted their November goals.

I am super stoked!

Let's do this thing - it's not ever too late to set goals.

Grab a page, write 3 things and get them done.

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I am behind on my blog commenting because I'm trying to get some of those October goals done... but I have finished a book for November already. Yay!

I really, really, REALLY want to post some stuff on friendship and I want to post an update to my 37 things list - oy!

What did you see recently that made you laugh out loud?

Update on Nanny V

 this was the only pic I took at the photo shoot and it is lovely! Miracle!



Yes, I've been promising to do this post for awhile.


Do you also feel like there's about 3 times the things to post on any given day?

Anyway, D and I had a lovely discussion and he wanted us to give her notice and get the agency to get us another nanny.

My D is patient as anything but when he's pushed one too many times he turns hard-core.

I was all "but V is PERFECT for our kids and is that not the main thing?".

I managed to persuade him that 5 minutes here or there is not going to make this into a big deal - long-term we want V for our kids - and we should be patient with her while she sorts herself out.

As an aside, everyone tells me I'm being too soft. Me - too soft!!!! I know.


So she tried taking her son directly to school first and then coming here. This actually made matters worse. Yes, she was saving the money paying for his school bus but she was pitching up at 8 and 8:05 regularly, and of course, in the process, driving D dilly.

I had another little chat with her and finally agreed with her that maybe Zimbabwe is the best place for her son to go to school.

Inside this kills me. I hate the thought of a mother having to send her son away so that she can take care of my kids.

Monday she pitched up at 8:10 (I know I'm being pedantic but in Jhb, in the mornings, every minute counts in the traffic), Tuesday at 8:07 and so yesterday I had a chat with her again.

She confirmed that she now could pay for the bus again (1st of the month) so it should be better from today.

Today she arrived at 7:42 so yes, it was much better.

I noticed something today - I'm much, MUCH nicer and calmer when she's early. I don't feel like I'm as tense and we start off the day on the right foot (the kids and I talking lots of nonsense and laughing a lot).

I must confess something though - I'm a bit worried inside.

I don't want to be messed around next year.

What if her son's in Zim and she is still late?

I said to D last night (after V left) that it should be better from now onwards but I'm going to keep track of her timekeeping (I hate this!) and have a letter ready (a warning letter, if you like) on Monday.

Basically, my feeling is to say that if she's not punctual for two weeks we're going to have to start interviewing other nannies again.

Strange, we interviewed her at this very same time of year. She started working for us on 30 Nov 09.

And if worse comes to worse, we'll give notice on 1 Dec and start with "new nanny" (kills me to even write this) on 1 Jan.

On another note, I'm also wondering if V is the right nanny for the kids AT THIS AGE. No question in my mind she is outstanding with little kids but even ONE of mine can walk all over her at their current age; she is that soft.

Sometimes I hear things going on and I have to step in to tell her to put them in time out.

I told you how I feel about the kids going to school (not happening) so I'd rather have a nanny than put them in pre-school.

It will have to be someone firm but loving (like me - hahahha).

What do you think of this whole situation?

Update on Oct goals & November goals

Woohoo - I'm sure you can't wait to see what I did, right?

No?

Personal

1. Go to gym/ exercise 10 times The gall bladder stopped this one in its tracks. I went 5 times but worked out once; the other 4 times I just swiped my card to keep my gym membership active.
   
2. Read 5 books  Read 7!
   
3. Get photo shoot done Here is the link
   
4. Finish off my 30 days of lists book, take pics and blog
5. Do 8 random acts of kindness  I did 16 this month. Yes, you read that right. This is the easiest thing in the world for me every month.
6. Book December holiday. Still not done and yes, I'm stressing. The holiday is now tentatively moved out to Jan. Are you going on holiday over Christmas? Where? What are you doing?
   
7. Finish August photos YES!
8. Finish September photos and double YES! I'm actually on a roll with these so I'm going to go with it and get stuck into October later this week.
   
9. Make at least two washi tape crafts Notebooks and binder rings
10. Two date nights with D...My brother was up here last week - one day we dashed out after supper for a quick coffee and the next night we went out properly :)
11. Did my first photo book - I didn't have this on but this was a HUGE achievement

Business

1. Blog every day for October (I only managed 25 - you can read my story of being okay with imperfection) 
2. Write back and front matter not done
   
3. Chase up on getting book proof-read not done - D's doing this and he has been super stressed at work with tons of extra work, etc.
4. Book and pay deposit for my book's design. (can only do this once 2 and 3 are done)
   
5. Write yet another piece for a book (hmm, always the deadline-driven things get done)
6. Write article on effective delegating. Still not done
   
7. Send in next 6 guest blogs. I did the next 9 blogs so good stuff.
   
8. Do church talk - how to make every second count not done as I was booked off sick
   
9. Finish tidying up organising blog's sidebars

I must be honest, I'm really weighing up against doing a rush job on the book just to get it out versus maybe even delaying it into the new year but getting it done properly.


What do you think?

So I think I did better this month overall even though the health and fitness was a priority for me.

Here's what I'm going to do for November.

Personal

1. Book holiday 
2. Go to gym/ exercise 4 times
3. Start praying about what I want to do about ministry next year - Lynette, please pray for me too. Do I want to continue with the Get Organised group? Do I need to change the format, the frequency, etc?
   
4. Read 5 books - also, I must finish I know it isn't me
5. Keep a gratitude journal for a month
6. Do 8 random acts of kindness  
7. Socials - Hayley, S&S's party, R's batmitzvah, R's wedding, work panto, J&P - lunch, infertility group Christmas function (typing it all out makes me verrrry scared)
8. Do October photos
   
9. Do year in review page for Sept and Oct
10. Make at least two crafts with my cupcake punch - any ideas????
11. Two date nights with D...
    

Business

1. Post 12 organising blogs in November
2. Have an AWESOME Christmas Organising workshop at church (I'm very excited about this one)
3. Write back and front matter
   
4. Chase up on getting book proof-read 
5. Book and pay deposit for my book's design. (can only do this once 2 and 3 are done)
   
6. Write article on effective delegating.
   
7. Finish tidying up organising blog's sidebars

 What are your goals for November? How did you do in October?