Go Large

So, it's the end of another year, I swear we only had five months this year, it's just flown by. My dream New Years Eve, a night at a five star hotel, book in early, cocktails on the terrace and then on to the dinner dance. Is there still such a thing? Perhaps. Dressed beautifully we'll eat a superb meal and dance the night away (to work off the superb meal). When we wake on 1 Jan we'll feel refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated.
Realistically we'll stay home, watch a movie and no doubt be asleep before the magic hour of midnight. Is that an hour?
We were to have had four of the grandchildren to sleep over tonight but sadly that fell through and I have no inclination to make a fancy dinner so it's just another Friday night and hey ho! we wake up in 2011.
Tomorrow we plan to take a drive along the coast road to Simon's Town. My mothers second favourite, Sea Point being number one. Rowland's mom will be with us and we'll pack a small picnic. I'll make a quiche this afternoon, cut some fruit and see what else comes to mind. I bought a delicious Aubergine Cream Cheese so I'll put in some of that with crackers and perhaps a little hummus and tzatsiki. Hmm, it's sounding better already.
Timothy and his ladies may meet us en route so we'll be sure to have a big enough picnic blanket for all.
Perhaps we'll find an ice cream parlour, one hopes!
So, to you and yours and everyone else's may 2011 be your best year yet and whatever your dreams are, may they come true.
Chat soon xxx

News Flash

I hope the important people read this, courtesy of Sky News
Millions of children around the world will be able to track Santa Claus as he travels around the world delivering presents.Using Santa Cams in cities along his journey the tracker allows youngsters to track his progress on the internet or mobile phones.
As soon as he takes off from his base in the North Pole, he can be located through updates on Google Maps and Google Earth.
The tracker is organised by NORAD, the people normally responsible for defending North America from incoming nuclear missiles.
The organisation can follow Santa with its radar and satellite technology, as well as detecting the infra-red signature left by Rudolph's red nose.
On behalf of children everywhere -"Thank-you NORAD".
They say that although they can locate where Santa is at any given time they can't predict his route or when he'll arrive at your house.

"We do, however, know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep, if they're still awake when he arrives, he moves on to other houses. He returns later, but only when the children are asleep".

One more sleep

On the way to work I went to renew my drivers license. Goodwood Traffic Dept. are so efficient, I arrived at five past eight and I was out of there at twenty-five past. And, it's so cool. Okay, perhaps it doesn't take much to impress me but it's very CSI and I loved the fingerprint machine and other cool stuff. It must be because I'm only twelve at heart when I go into such a place.
The queue at Woolies yesterday evening was about half a kilometre (perhaps I exaggerate) but moved rather well. As I listened to people complaining I wanted to tell them how it used to be.
On Christmas Eve some of the stores would open at 8 a.m. If you wanted a carton of cream for the Christmas Pudding you had to be there well in advance so that when the doors opened and the "ladies" stampeded to the dairy section you were well in the fore. Ah, sweet memories. Now, if you run out the shops are open on Christmas Day. I have no quibble with this as after all, it's not a religious holiday for the whole nation and I think we must respect that.
I took the gammon out of the freezer last night and when I get home I'll cook it, let it cool a little and then glaze it in anticipation of tomorrows feast. We are so spoilt! We'll be 18 to lunch this year I believe and I'm sure a good time will be had by all.In the evening we'll watch our (now) traditional Christmas Day movie - Love Actually, can't wait.
Boxing Day (or whatever it's called these days) will be spent at The Stanton Spa, chilling in the garden (if the rain lets up) and having some holistic massage, foot soaks and all things relaxing.
Monday, perhaps a coffee at Giovanni's with one of those powdery croissant, we'll just play it by ear.
All in all, a good long weekend to look forward to.
To you and yours I wish the Merriest of Christmases and Peace and Goodwill to All Men.
It's not a lot to ask is it?

Manners

On Saturday, the loml and I went to Woolworths for breakfast. It was delicious.
At the table next to us were three ladies aged between 45 and 55 and a teenage girl. Through most of the meal two of the terribly rude women were texting on their cellphones.
The teenage girl behaved impeccably.

Tuesday Tip

Don't buy jeans in the morning.
Mother Nature has arranged it that during the course of the day, even if you only eat one almond washed down with a teaspoon of water, you will be fatter by mid-afternoon.
How does this work, who knows? (someone probably).
So unless you want a lifetime of lying on the bed to zip up your jeans and then waiting for someone to haul you up off the bed,
don't buy jeans in the morning.

Tuesday Tip

For those of you who didn't hear Bob Skinstat (a sportsman I believe) on the wireless on Saturday he made a plea for water for Beaufort West.
The water situation there is quite desperate and he asked each family to drop off two 5litre bottles of water at the designated service station when they pass through the town. Let's face it, even with 2000 cars a day, that's 20,000 litres, it's only a drop in the ocean. Just read your water bill and see how much you use in a month. However, it's better than no water at all.
Some years back, during the time of petrol restrictions, we were traveling to Bloemfontein. A grubby little van pulled to the side of the road ahead of us and about 12 passengers unfolded themselves from the back of the vehicle. Each person had a cola bottle of petrol, part of the fare no doubt, it was handed over to the driver to put into the tank and after squashing back in they were on their way.
Imagine if every taxi passenger (I believe that's around 30 per taxi) dropped of an unopened bottle of water when passing through any water starved town. It may just help.
Or how about all the fizzy drink companies leaving a space at the back of the truck for a few litres. Veggie deliveries, fruit, leather lounge suits. Just maybe there would be enough water to help.
If you're not traveling, how about 'phoning your local supermarket to find out if they have a drop off point. If they don't, ask them why.
So, well done to whoever came up with this idea and may it spread to all the needy areas where they haven't seen a drop of rain for soooo long.

It's Friday - Yaay

In 1947, the best year of the twentieth century - Toys for Tots organised their first Christmas toy drive for needy kids. Vintage!
Alongside a newsletter I receive is an advert
"Find true love in 27 days" an on line course. Now, this presumes a lot. What if you don't get out much (probably covered in the course) What if you have really bad skin or a disease? What if your Soul Mate, the one who should be the love of your life, is out of town for a month?
I have also been reading a lot about "green stores" not to be confused with "green grocers" who may in fact not be green. Well, I'm sure I'm not the only (vintage) 1947er who remembers when ALL stores were "green", there was no aircon, the open doors offered a good through draft. Most of the produce was local as were the shop assistants. No nasty emissions and probably very little electricity being used. I could really go into detail about "the co-op" but I shan't.
We older folk were discussing the strange phenomenon of "the gap year". It's a total mystery to me why any school leaver would want to wait yet another year before embarking on the adventure of life. Talking of school leavers, one of our chain stores is selling a T shirt with the words "I'D DO ME" in very big letters down the front. Hmm. If Ashton Coucher was wearing it I'd see the humour but if my 14 year old's date pitched up wearing it I may well shut the door in his face.
Samantha sent me a wonderful Thought for the Day.
"I don't want to brag or make anyone jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school"
This post number 250, it has been fun, thanks for logging on.
Have a splendid weekend and remember on this countdown to Christmas, Santa DOES know who's been naughty or nice.

Imagine

John Lennon died 30 years ago today. What a shock it was to the world. I find it mind boggling to think that it was thirty years ago, it has gone in almost the blink of an eye. What would he have achieved? lots? nothing further? we'll never know but I'm pretty certain he would have had sad reservations about modern life. The things he was striving for haven't materialised, the world is still unbalanced, there's still war and poverty. However, he may have taken the up side and seen the world grew more compassionate, more people living a gentler life and quietly trying to practice some of what he "preached".
Rest in Peace Mr Lennon.

"You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one."

Tuesday Tip

How the weeks do fly. It seems like about four months ago that Rowland drove friends to the airport for their Christmas holiday!!
I had such a good Sunday. We invited the grandchildren over to help decorate the Christmas tree. When Sara-Jane, Danielle and I went to see Harry Potter, (awesome movie) Danielle mentioned that it was a long time since we'd made "do-it-yourself pizzas" so I decided that would be lunch on Sunday for the tree dressing. The parents came too - most welcome, so we were 14 and Timothy did a really good job at the pizza oven as head chef. What fun.
It did however set me to thinking how fortunate we all are to be able to celebrate such things. What do you do if you're a dustbin person or a shack dweller? No job, but still, it would be nice to show some festive spirit.
This year, instead of putting out the old decorations after Christmas, along with the dead tree, how about sorting through what you have and leaving the rest out on bin collection day, before Christmas, perhaps someone will find cheer when they take them home? You might even be inclined to put a small gift or some fruit or biscuits along with your "stuff". What about the old tablecloth, you've been meaning to get rid of it anyway? Ooh and how about a few stuffed toys or books for the kids?
Let's just do it.