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meggle did a post today about how she hasn’t had a cigarette in a week.  That is amazing.  She rocks.

I used to be a smoker.  Not a social smoker, but a pack-a-day-girl.  I used to looove smoking, it was the very first thing I used to do in the morning and the very last thing I used to do at night.  I read Alan Carr’s book, I did the cold Turkey thing, I did the Zyban thing, I even tried acupuncture.  The longest I ever didn’t smoke was almost 8 months.  I knew all the reasons why I shouldn’t smoke.  It’s a waste of time, it’s bad for you and the people around you, it’s disgusting, you smell etc etc etc

I used to wish I could be a social smoker.  You know, one of those people that only smoke when they are having a drink and don’t crave one again for weeks.  I’m just not one of those smokers.  My hubby is though.

I smoked through a pregnancy and through the first year of Daniel’s life – a lot less than I used to before I fell pregnant, but still.  We never smoked in our house, but I know now how much we stank when we came in from outside.  And that’s not cool for children.

I finally knew that enough was enough when I realised that we were going to have twins.  And now it’s been almost 2 years.  I still think about cigarettes every now and again at the weirdest times, but I have the thought and feel the feeling and then I let it go.

I’m really glad that I don’t smoke anymore.  I live a lot more “in the moment”, not looking forward to the next smoke.  I try not to be a rabid anti-smoker, but I dodge the smell as far as I can and keep my family as far away from it as possible.

meggle said something so true about not smoking (I refuse to use the words “quitting” or “giving up”, because they imply that you have lost something, when nothing is further from the truth).

She said she “just kinda did it”.  And THAT is at the root of not smoking.  Just.  Do.  It

Now I just have to stop eating…  Any suggestions? 

I don’t normally post emails, but thought this was cute 🙂

Recently, in a French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said:
THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?

A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern:

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans). They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Barren Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don’t exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to mention how could they have sex? Therefore they don’t have kids either. Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me; I want to be a whale.

P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a coffee with my friends. With time we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, good gosh, look how smart I am……..

First off, confession time. Deblet did a post about whether you are a hoarder or not. 

I have been trying to sort out a room full of crap this weekend as well as several containers of toys from the beginning of children.  OMG, what to keep “for incase” for them and other kids to play with and what to give away?  I also have bags and bags of clothing, nogals separated into “foster home”, “pass on to friends” and “keep” bags.  I’m really not that sentimental, I think, but I’m a lot better at getting rid of my own shit than that of my kids.  So, there you have it.

My intent is to have this blog be my way of “hoarding” all the memories, so that my children will have something to refer to when they grow up.  At least it’s not taking up too much space!

Took this pic of the girls lying on the kitchen floor over the weekend:

(let’s see if you can get this one right Minki :-))

Daniel also started in the pre-primary school today, which entails a move to another classroom, on a farm, with kids that are aged between 3-6.  (thank goodness, 3 of his classmates also moved)
He turned 3 in May, so my little boy is going to big school. 

So, after a weekend of bad tummy thanks to antibiotics (I’m sparing you the puddle of poo story, you can thank me later) and MANY Reuteri chew tablets, he was declared ok to go to school.

We arrived at the school this morning with all the scary big kids running amok and he of course headed straight for the puzzles.  The first words out of my mouth was, of course, to recite the allergies.  I spent some time with him and he then wouldn’t let me leave.  He is not generally a clingy child, but this could have gotten ugly.  I then realised that he didn’t have his Reuteri chew tablet this morning so I said: “how about a sweetie my boy”, which was met with great enthusiasm.  I then suggested that if I gave him the sweetie he might want to let me leave (without sounding desperate of course).  This was met with some enthusiasm.  So, I flung the “sweetie” at him, kissed him, and ran for the hills.  Hiehiehie

When I arrived this avie he didn’t want to leave, so I’m going to leave him for longer tomorrow and see how that goes.  I might actually get some work done…

In the next few weeks and months there will be a lot of moving kids around in the house whilst we paint and tidy up (and throw away!!) and I’m really looking forward to having a clean AND tidy house.  And a home office.  And a playroom.  And the girls in their own beds.

OK, have to dash, hubby is on some animal welfare website and is threatening to adopt a horse.  For Daniel of course.  He reckons it can stay in the backyard, but Daniel has to pick up the poo.  I said the poo would be bigger than Daniel.  🙂

Just to let everyone know that the tests came back clear, so we are all breathing a sigh of relief!

Yesterday was chaos, we went to see Lollos at the Cape Garden Centre.  What fun!

Hope everyone has a great weekend, catch up soon!

All around not a fab day.

Why does it feel like the more attention Daniel gets from me the more he needs?  I’m feeling absolutely drained, he drove me a little insane today.  I feel like I’m not getting to spend any time with the girls as he is all-consuming.  Maybe just 2 weeks of holidays that’s getting to him

On a funnier note, if he could sit on my lap whilst I was in the loo he could.  Instead we had an extended conversation about what Mommy was trying to do and why it was taking so long. 

At which point he decided to flush the toilet.  Whilst I was sitting.  At least I had a nicely rinsed backside.  🙂

I got The Call today.

My Mom called and I could hear it in her voice the minute she said hello.  She went for a sonar and they picked something up.  Now she is going for a CT tomorrow.

She called me after she called her best friend, before she called my Dad.  It’s a burden I don’t enjoy, but she’s gone home to talk to him now.

What pisses me off though is that she’s already decided that she has cancer.  She’s having this whole thought process that makes everything that’s possibly been wrong with her the last few months fit into this mold.  The cancer mold.

She’s already given herself this sentence without having all the facts.

BUT, it’s also quite a normal reaction, so we’ll wait and see until tomorrow.

Yes, he is sitting on Isabel.  Words fail me.  🙂

Tonight he pinned Mignon on the floor and was doing giddyup. 

 

With Mignon, in the park

We had a lovely afternoon, I’m so glad I decided to take the girls with.  Even though I didn’t have an actual conversation with anyone as the nanny and myself (yes, I took her with as people always offer to help, but I just get too wound up asking for help) were running after the little blighters.  The pool cover was on.  Mostly.  Grrr.

On the way home we had our clapping and singing fest and they all stayed awake until we got home.  A mean feat for the 3 of them to spend an hour in the car and not sleep!

Daniel got these fun glasses at the party.  This pic definitely is a keeper!

why I wanted to not work a conventional full day anymore?

I had to take Daniel to the GP this morning with a really bad chest and then off to ToysRUs to buy a birthday pressie for his cousin and then off to the chemist for his medicine.

All this just so I could rush to get to my Mom’s house where I can work in peace and quiet for a few hours before I rush to take the 3 kids to said cousin’s birthday party where I will be running after them for 2 hours, fling them in the car and race the 40 kms home whilst begging them not to fall asleep (read: Carike Keuzenkamp on full blast with me screaming along like a banshee)

Then we will fling them in their feeding chairs, shovel food into them, fight with Daniel over supper, chuck all of them in the bath, give them lots of hugs and kisses and tell them to go to sleep.

And for anyone who was at Willowbridge at 10h00 this morning: Yes, I am the Mommy of the screaming 3 year old and Yes, he did get a hiding because he was impossible. His Oscar is waiting at home.

And Mom, I love you, but I come to your house for peace and quiet so I can work, not a tea party 🙂