That's life

When I was young my mother would recite
"There was a little girl, she had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good, she was very, very good
But, when she was bad she was horrid"
I think that about sums up life in general.
We have so many friends and acquaintances who are going through rough times. Be it health, finance, family ties, work or whatever I'm sure that some days they wonder when it's all going to end.
I also see the resilience of some of these folk, the "get on regardless" attitude, it's good.
This morning, skimming through "snips & snails" I came across a blog on her list - julieliveshere. I read the most amazing open letter to the person who has her wallet, give yourself a treat and read it. I will certainly be checking in on her  posts when I can.
So if it's been  a rough start to the year, just heed the words of the great Mr Sinatra
"Each time I find myself, flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race."
That's Life, I hope it's a good one.

How the weekend flies

Never mind the fact that we're heading for Feb. at an alarming rate, the weekends go by in the flash of an eye.
We spent most of this one rearranging the furniture in our house. First though we went to a few places to find a low cupboard - I expect there's a fancy name for it - to hold the new TV (so kindly donated by Timothy and Marleze).
We saw 3 really stunning ones at a sort of Indonesian import place, all to our liking and not overpriced.
On Saturday, once "he who works the occasional Saturday" arrived home we went to Green Point. First stop Giovanni's to buy some parmesan, cold meats and bread.
Then on to a store I shan't name because their prices are so over the top that I get the giggles when I look at the tags. The only table/cupboard we vaguely like was on the wrong side of R7000, too steep for us.
What a contrast seeing the  men lining up outside the homeless shelter close by.
Final stop, Tafelburg, they sell a nice range of middle of the road home furnishing and usually come in cheaper than most on their appliances. Hawk-eye spotted the ideal unit, a simple, low counter, 1400cms wide and with just one shelf, simple and really nice. Still, I wouldn't mind something from Ikea.
But you see, this is how we make work for ourselves.All that moving, emptying and the repacking of cupboards. Fortunately Danielle and Kelly dove in and packed my knick-knacks into the cupboard, a huge time-saver.
Talking of time savers, Sara-Jane finished the Meccano clock she and Grandpa were building. I mention the two of them but in truth Sara-Jane did most of the work, Grandpa admitted defeat and left her to finish the job. I may put it away as her wedding present - ho ho ho.
Best of all was having enough space elsewhere to put the record player back on top of the sound system.
It's abour 30 years old I suppose, but it still works like a dream. I don't think the term "built in obsolescence" had been invented back then.
What a treat, going through the LPs (ask your mum).
The grandchildren all came to see how it worked, the first LP was Michael Jackson, 1971, he looked to be about 14. They were suitably impressed.
But Granny had much more fun after they left, music brings back so many memories and let me tell you, vinyl sounds just great.
I put on one of my old favourites, a compilation disc called "All this and World War 2" and sifted through the rest.
What appeared to be the complete Bob Marley and Peter Tosh collection, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Niel Diamond, Francois Hardy (remember her?).
The list is endless, from the Beatles and Queen to the 1812 Overture. So much more to listen to.
I sent the dust bunnies off to find a new home and hopefully by the end of the week order will be restored in our house.

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Free Range Friday

Many of us are well and truly into Meat Free Monday, it just seems part of our normal lifestyle by now.
However, let's face it, we're not all ready to become vegetarians. Some would say Never, others, like myself, are sort of working towards it.
I see the day when I won't eat meat at all, I don't imagine I'll go vegan but certainly meat free. I do count chicken as meat.
As you no doubt know, none of the takeaways, restaurants etc. use free range chicken, this means that I don't buy chicken sandwiches and sadly have to have a Thai Chicken Sandwich on wholewheat with no chicken. Still yummy.
So here it is. On a Friday, if you're eating meat, make sure it's free range. I do have a chuckle picturing battery sheep, a la Glen Larson,  but apparently it's not all "free range" who knows? Some places already sell free range egg sandwiches so just check up. If you think the beef in your burger is suspect, order something else, likewise the rack of lamb at the fancy restaurant.
My theory is that if we don't buy none-free range every Friday it may lead to the production of less non-free range and the promotion of free range. Quite a mouthful I know and not quite what PETA have in mind.
Baby steps.

Mensa Invitational

Apparently The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational invites readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting or changing one letter and, supplying a new definition.
The list is long and extremely funny, here are a few of my favourites
Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole (see this weeks blog)
Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
Arachnoleptic Fit : The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
The Washington Post also has a contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words, e.g.
Coffee : The person upon whom one coughs
Flabbergasted : Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained
Flatulence : Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller
Rectitude : The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
Pokemon : A Rastafarian proctologist.
Have a laughter filled weekend xx

just a few words

"It is amazing how much people can get done if they do not worry about who gets the credit" -
Sandra Swinney

Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

I was in my fave store yesterday buying a rather nice tshirt. Standing at the counter, waiting to pay I and the lady next to me, heard a loud voice coming from our right. You know how it is, you all pretend that you can't hear the commotion but this guy was something else.
"I'm the nation wide manager for Pigs Bottom Clothing, you don't speak to me like that!!!"
We have no idea what "she" said but each time she tried to speak he said
"don't talk" and then for good measure he repeated it in what I think was supposed to be Xhosa. What would I know, I'm not a nationwide manager.
"I want to talk to Betty Bulemia" "Now! I know she's in the store tell her I'm here"
"Don't talk"
and so it went on, stupid man, he's probably had the job since 02 Jan 2011.
My young assistant took my card and said
"cheque or savings?"
"savings" I replied,
she swiped the card and said
"cheque or savings?" to which I replied
"you have to multitask, listen to him with your left ear and listen to me with your right"
That was when the lady standing next to me snorted in amusement.
I could complain to big mouth's boss but lets face it, he won't be working for Pig's Bum for much longer with that attitude. He reminded me of the tea advert where the man in a suit says to the airline lady
"Do you know who I am?" so she broadcasts an appeal "Does anyone one know this lost man?"
What an ass.

The best laid plans..........

Finally, the weekend arrived for the PiratesoftheCaribbeanathon. Three movies and lots of fun with the six grandchildren. However, once they arrived we realised that the PG ratings of 10, 10 and 13 should be observed. I know they're only guidlines but still. So, by democratic vote (it's not really democratic when the big ones have a louder say) they decided to start with "The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy" not a bad choice, enjoyed by all but Jeremy (7) who thought it was silly.
Dinner was chicken drumsticks, potato wedges and corn on the cob. I was in disgrace for not providing chocolate mousse for dessert, even though I'd made REAL popcorn with a choice of buuter or salt! I did, however, serve Shirley Temples which I think I enjoy more than they do.
Grandpa was a star, bravely staying up to the end. In the lounge (room) we had Kelly's two man tent (for her and Olivia) and Jeremy's one man tent so they slept there, Sara-Jane and Danielle slept in the guest room and Jessica had to go home just after ten in order to be up at 4.30 am to go to ice skating practice.
Movie number two was Toy Story 3. We thoroughly enjoyed it, I cried at the end and look forward to seeing it again. No wonder it was the highest grossing movie in the world for 2010! Jeremy and I shared a seat so I had someone to cuddle during the scary bits.
The fact that we were all in bed by 11pm doesn't mean all was quiet. At around midnight Sara-Jane sent an SMS to Olivia  to tell them to be quiet. You've gotta love modern technology.
Sunday am was coffee in bed (Grandpa is so good) for Granny and once the troops were organised we had a cereal, juice, bacon, egg and toast breakfast. Jessica was dropped off from skating to join us and they all
watched The Princess Bride. It's such a fun movie, I love it!
Timothy and Marleze invited us to lucnch so we squashed the eight of us into the Honda (thank goodness for spacy cars) and headed south. Timothy cooks a mean steak (I don't eat it, sorry) and Marleze a superb mushroom sauce. As they said, they don't need to visit a steakhouse any more.
Granny and Grandpa were home by 4.30, all children safely fetched or delivered. What a good time.
Sion had directed us to UTube for some Big Bang Theory interviews at Comic.Com 2010. Will Wheeton was the interviewer and it was so good for the fans. Really my favourite comedy.
All in all a very good weekend, it's  a pity we didn't get to watch Captain Jack Sparrow but, there's always next time.

What about the workers!!

Every January I'm amazed by the usual nonsense. Children not enrolled in school, teachers forgetting to go to work and supplies not ordered. Does nothing change?
Actually, yes, no news of GM this season. even though some of the minstrels played up as ever.
The thing that's really getting to me though is this " poor me" attitude shown by kids who can't go to 'varsity.
In my opinion it's about time the whole world realised that you're not an idiot if you only have a secondary education. Not everyone needs a degree. Especially one of those no name brands that just says you're a bachelor.
There's no shame in having a regular job. Not everyone can be a nutty professor, aviation designer, brain surgeon or bank teller. Yes, bank teller! I'm told the banks are only hiring people with degrees. I hope that's not true.
There's no shame in working as a shop assistant.
There's no shame in being the best nurse aide in the whole world, showing compassion to all you meet.
There's no shame in being a radio announcer.
There's no shame in being a brick layer, mechanic, petrol attendant, ballet dancer, violinist, bus driver, tour guide, waiter, hotel room cleaner, desk clerk.
Need I go on?
We already have a world with too many chiefs and not enough indians, how would we cope without those who provide what are considered by some to be menial services.
Instead of bankrupting parents, get out into the (very tough) job market and sample what life has to offer. Earn some money and be the first of your friends to buy a car, a house if you're lucky and travel.

O M G

What is happening in this beautiful world. The floods in Queensland are horrific and ongoing. The fires outside Perth, the alleged work of arsonists, have shattered the lives of so many.
There's talk of strikes in the UK to disrupt the latest Royal Wedding, such petty nastiness.
Where is the love?
So please, say a little prayer, send some Reiki healing or whatever is your thing.
I believe our fragile world and her people need some tender, loving care.

The lame, the halt and the blind

My route too and from work is usually the same. The way home at the end of the day is uphill. If I was a man I'd no doubt be able to tell the incline, they seem to know such things, suffice to say, it's steep.
On the first section, as I drive up the road, coming toward me on the left is a gentleman, probably around my age. He has only one leg and walks with crutches. I've seen him, rain or shine, for about the last twenty years and presumably he's had the same job in all that time. It must be tough going up-hill to work in the morning. I often wonder if he's going to catch a train or if he lives in the home around the corner, peopled by mostly paraplegics who I believe, go out to work and care for themselves.
I see one of the resident ladies late afternoon, on her way home from work in her speedy wheelchair, racy and low slung.
Continuing up the street, heading for home on the righthand side of the road are the blind man and his (presumably) work mate. He's a big man and the two of them march down the road at a pretty hectic pace, all the while looking happy to be on their way.
On up to the main road, a left turn and then at the right turn, the really, really steep hill.
A few years back a group of young boys (I promise, only boys would do this) would leap on to their skateboards at the top of the hill, careen the 500 or so metres to the main road, a quick glance to each side and another 700 or so metres to the next big intersection. I'm guessing they're the reason the council put in two huge speed bumps - sleeping policemen.
The ladies who walk down this hill on their way home from work come in all shapes and sizes. Most of them appear to have had a busy day and from work to public transport is probably around 3 kms, no joke when it's your daily commute.
Yesterday in the scorching heat (38c) a rather plump lady was speeding down the pavement. You know how it is on an incline, you sort of pick up speed the further you go. She had a piece of kitchen paper that she was holding to her forehead. I think it was wet when she left work but by now it was bone dry and crumpled but still she held it tightly.
I do admire these folk. I don't suppose they view their lives as anything special but they seem to cope rather well, on the outside, with adversity and what life has thrown their way. I hope each of them has at least one person waiting to welcome them when they walk in the door after a busy day, they deserve it.

All things considered

It was a good festive season. Christmas Day with the family was so superb. The Home Spa weekend was total relaxation with just one blip on the screen.
We settled down Christmas Day at around 8.30 pm to watch the traditional movie, I opened the cupboard and horror of horrors, Love Actually was actually not there. Oh No! I searched the house and couldn't find the DVD. Clearly someone borrowed the disc and didn't return it, beast!
Instead we watched The Soloist. Fate just has a way of speaking to us. In the midst of our good fortune we're reminded of the misfortune of others. It's a darned good movie, highly recommended.
We worked the days between Christmas and New Year but in that time I was lucky enough to speak to my mum, sister, brother, niece and my cousin in the U.K. Bonus time for me.
I was shopping in Woolies and I heard a tiny voice call my name, I must be imagining it. Again a tiny "Louise", I turned and there stood the famous blogger Purple Ronnie who I hadn't seen since her first pregnancy. What a lovely surprise and how good to catch up, no matter how briefly.
On New Year's day we took a drive. It was raining but that didn't deter us, I packed a picnic as promised and we set off for Simon's Town. I was so nice to see the Peninsula wearing a soft coat of rain, We bought some calamari and chips and parked outside the Scratch Patch to eat. I enjoyed snoek pate, the much anticipated aubergine cheese spread and my favourite Wheatsworth crackers. We had strawberries, fruit cake etc. Nice.
I went into the Scratch Patch to buy some Red Jasper for the workshop and of course came out with more than that, one stone being Peacock Chrystopyrite, for me. I don't take my purse when I enter that den of temptation, just a couple of notes in my pocket.
We drove along Chapman's Peak road, through Hout Bay and finally into Sea Point. It's always like a visit to another time, families walking along the promenade and a general sense of wellbeing. Through the Waterfront and finally on to the highway to head for home. My old gripe once again, we could have bought any number of new or used cars that day but had to park on the roof of Canal Walk to go and buy Marcelle's frozen joghurt in the shopping centre. Sad!
I had been mumbleing on about the cad who had our movie so I had one last search and there it was, behind my belly dance DVDs alongside five other titles I'd forgotten about (really, how could I forget Chocolat?). The end to a perfect day!
Finally, Kelly's duvet cover is finished, we were embroidering fairies on the front but (no complaints) were so busy with other people's embroidery that we kept putting hers to one side. I'll reattach Danielle's unicorns eye this week and we'll be slightly ahead with our many home tasks.
I'm listening to Cat Stevens in the car, music is so evocative. I always picture Sumayah who I met when we were taking our Reiki 1 classes, she was so surprised that I knew Yusuf Islam. She's such a good soul. My favourite is Father & Son, I think that track is worn out on the CD. Whenever I listen to Eric Clapton Unplugged I immediately picture our old friend Steve who died far too soon, I can see him strolling into the room, playing guitar along with the CD.
Frank Sinatra, well, I think of my mum of course, his biggest fan, I refer to him as my godfather. It's not just trumpet music that reminds me of my dad, Rowland and I often listen to something on the radio and agree that he would have like it and how excited he would have been about modern music. I can't hear the name Kim Wilde without reliving the nightmare of Sion and Timothy playing Checkered Love on their tape decks at the same time but with a slight time lag between the two. Aagh.
Finally, the New Years Honours List. When will Richard Curtis get the nod, his movies are like watching a little piece of British history.
Happy New Year to each and every one of you. I feel it's going to be a good one.