Happy Easter......

Let this Easter egg remind

you that nothing can destroy

your dreams & love.

Have a very joyful Easter.

Good morning.....

Blessings or lessons.......

And so it is....... which one are you????

Living in Africa

Over the last couple of weeks it has come to my attention how much negative publicity about our beautiful South Africa, Facebook friends are 'sharing' and 'liking' and commenting on.  So obviously I live in a dream world, or am I the only one that really loves my country enough to have some kind of hope for our future.  I often wonder why I was born on this continent and why I do not have the compulsion to leave in the hope of finding greener pastures.  I have finally accepted that this is where I was born and this is where I will be buried.  Yes, we do not live in ideal circumstances, but we know how to control the world around us.  Yes, we have the highest crime statistics, but we teach our children how to protect themselves.  Yes, there is negative publicity all around us, but we do not have to spread the negativeness, instead we should be sharing the positive achievements in our daily lives.  Now these are my personal thoughts and only my humble opinion.  But once again, I point out that those same people never fail to post a picture of South Africa, their birth land, every single week. The longing never seems to leave the hearts of true Africans.

So I leave you with these words from Helen Keller.... after all we live in the Jungle, the Jungle of life......

Interesting facts about Thailand...

THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND, we will be visiting this crazy land in 75 days :)

I'll bet you never knew this!!!

In the original native culture of Thailand , when males reached the age of 18 they had to participate in the following community ceremony.

They lay themselves stark naked in a large circle, feet facing inward. A beautiful young naked girl kneels over the ankles of each the men.

She places a blob of honey and various crushed sweet fruits around his navel to attract flies and insects.

(This keeps them off his face during the ceremony.)

A specially chosen nubile and very beautiful naked girl then does a sexy and sensuous dance in the center of the circle.

As soon as all the men become fully aroused and develop erections, the kneeling girls then reach over the knees, pull the fully erected penises downwards as much as they can and then on a given signal from the center dancer release them.

The men's penises would then spring back up and go "WHAP!" against their belly.

This exercise was a measurement of the strength of their masculinity . . .the man who killed the most flies was elected to the court of the King.

And that folk's, is why the current capital of Thailand came to be named Bangkok .

 

 

Happy birthday little sister.....

(Sharon - back left, me, brother Kevin - the arty photographer and my first born niece, Miss Teagy-popz)

Sharon, today is your birthday, and my one and only wish is that I could be there to wish you in person.  The miles have separated us for many years now, and more and more I feel it is time we spend more time together.  My family means the world to me and not to be able to celebrate with you today is taking it's toll.  But, hey, it is a happy day today, so enough of the doom and gloom and more of the good stuff.

I was all of 10 years old when you came into my life.  And, I guess that was the day a star was born.  I am so proud to be your sister, you have achieved so very much in your life, sometimes beyond all of our expectations.... you are now a successful business woman with your own family including my 2 little nieces which when looking at them portray you and your values.  

Happy birthday my sister, may your day be filled with happiness and love.  

SENIOR DATING…

Dorothy and Edna, two "senior" widows, are talking. Dorothy: "That nice George Johnson asked me out for a date. I know you went out with him last week, and I wanted to talk with you about him before I give him my answer."  Edna: "Well, I'll tell you. He shows up at my apartment punctually at 7 P.M., dressed like such a  gentleman in a fine suit, and he brings me such beautiful flowers! Then he takes me  downstairs, and what's there but a luxury car... a limousine, uniformed chauffeur and  all. Then he takes me out for dinner... a marvelous dinner... lobster, champagne, dessert, and after-dinner drinks. Then we go see a show. Let me tell you, Dorothy, I enjoyed it so much I could have just died from pleasure! So then we are coming back to my apartment and he turns into an ANIMAL. Completely crazy, he tears off my expensive new dress and has his way with me two times!"  Dorothy: "Goodness gracious!... so you are telling me I shouldn't go out with him?"  Edna: "No, no, no... I'm just saying, wear an old dress."

Going walkabout in my backyard....

Sometimes one forgets how lucky I am, .... taking the puppies for a walk  yesterday I decided to take my camera along and let you all see where I live and the beauty that surrounds me everyday.... 

So as I set off, this is the first thing I see, the magnificent Table Mountain,  and I might add, I take a peek at  our mountain daily, let's just say, it keeps me grounded......

As we amble along, me and my mighty protectors, Logan and Izzabella, we come across some beautiful wildlife.... well when we eventually get there, as Logan tends to get agitated when I walk so slowly enjoying the view....

Come along guys, lots to see and do.........

The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) is a large, distinctive, pale-coloured waterbird which is easily recognised by the conspicuous dark chocolate-brown patch around its eye.

The view on the way back, Helderberg mountain range in the background... on the one side,

 and Tygerberg Hill on the other side.....

What a magnificent place I live in...... I am truly blessed to have been born in Cape Town.....

Out and about in Cape Town - Hout Bay

Affectionately called ‘the republic of Hout Bay’ by its residents, due mainly to the limited means of access into this attractive suburb - there are only three - Hout Bay lies just 20 minutes’ from the centre of Cape Town yet has a unique and timeless beauty that makes it so popular with locals and visitors.
Hout Bay was formerly a fishing village and has managed to maintain its unique combination of fishing harbour and country atmosphere, despite development. Its long, sandy beach faces a bay framed by mountains and is quite simply exceptionally beautiful. Capetonians throng here over weekends to partake of the local fish & chips and to catch a glimpse of the resident Cape seals that make the harbour their home.

 

Photos - copyright - courtesy of Kevin Wells - Artist, photographer and my brother :)

Moving boxes - by Victoria Toms

At the end of the month we will be moving our lives to a new house and a new start… a new adventure of sorts.

I don’t really mind the moving part so much because for the first month or so it really feels as if I am on holiday, new surroundings, new sights and smells all so very exciting.  But thereafter, reality kicks in and it feels like you have lived there forever, but what I don’t like is the packing and then the unpacking of all the boxes.

 

It is the thought of actually packing my possessions into boxes, sealing them with tape and then have them hang around until the move takes place that really irks me.  You pack things and then forget and start swearing when you can’t find the mug that your friend uses when they visit and then it results in reopening of the already sealed boxes that drives me nuts!

But the part that puts a tiny smile on my face is that on the other side of this torture, you get to unpack your things  and place them in their shiny new homes.  The new place we are moving to has little shelves I have already envisioned by photo frames standing on, and I have already picked the spot for my printers tray, and have made plans to buy a new carpet for the lounge, so it is not so bad and this has a silver lining after all.

Another big thing is that this new place has 2 bedrooms, which in due time will be filled with a tiny body and the pitter patter of little feet will echo through the corridor… But I suppose I should hold my horses and tap on the brakes slightly with that idea because I have a ton of unpacking to still do!

Happy Friday

And so it is, once again Friday.  The time flies by when you counting down to a big event.  81 days to go....... in 81 days I will be stepping onto an Emirates flight to Phuket.... 

For me this will be a life-changing holiday.  It will be the first time in my 49 years I will be winging my way to a luxurious 17 day holiday of hotels, flights, beaches, fine dining, great company... oh boy the list is endless.  Now, I am not ungrateful for all the holiday's preceding this one, but there is a huge difference in holidaying doing self-catering and with family to the actual luxury of hotels and being catered for.  So everybody, including CB, hang in there, only 81 days of countdown remaining....

 

 

Out and about in Cape Town

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them"

Desmond Tutu

 

 

 

These photos were taken at Kirstenbosch Gardens on the 3rd January 2013 by my brother Kevin... The photos portray for me a day of serenity and family time, not forgetting our 2 mighty warriors in pic no 1.....

 ( My brother Kevin is an avid photographer with a keen eye for the arts.  All these photos have copyright, but should you wish to utilise his services please feel free to contact me via the email link.)

IMPIGNORATE

 

 

IMPIGNORATE (vb.)

One could jump to the conclusion that by calling someone an impignorate, one implied that the individual was a brainless barnyard beast with a superlative snout and a voracious appetite, but one might be just a tad off the mark, considering the word is not a noun but a verb!

Actually impignorate is an obsolete term meaning to pawn or mortgage something.

Out and about in Cape Town

Over the last couple of  days my bowls has taken me to some really gorgeous places in Cape Town.  As I stood waiting my turn to bowl,  I had a look around me, and realised how lucky I was to live in the most beautiful city in the world.  So, I decided that everyday, other than my crazy word, I would like to bring to you a photo taken in Cape Town on my travels.  I am not the world's best photographer and I am just getting to grips with our new camera, so today you have the very first pic's from amateur photographer - Cindy Louise.....

These photos were taken in Stellenbosch while out looking for a perfect wedding venue for my 'other' daughter..... and she found it, nestled in the valley in what seems to be a bit of paradise......

WINKLEPICKER

 

WINKLEPICKER (n.)

If you were to ask the average person on the street what a winklepicker was, there's no telling what the person might say.

On the other hand, there is something slightly suggestive about those four syllables that might lead one to think it might be slang for something sexy. All of which leads to the next question, just what sort of "winkle" requires a "picker"?

A "winkle" is an English-term meaning a water snail (usually cooked in the shell and sold in pints along with some vinegar by a street vendors). "Winkles" are eaten with a pin or pointed object to get the winkle out of the shell (hence the term "to winkle something out").

However winklepicker usually refers to a style of shoe or boot worn in the 1950s onward by both male and female British rock and roll fans. Reminiscent of medieval footwear worn by jesters and today by pop stars, the feature which gives both the boot and shoe their name is the very sharp and quite long pointed toe.

ZOUCH

 

 

Zouch (n.)
A most interesting and unusual surname of Old French origin.
It is also a topographical name for a dweller by the tree stump, which is why soldier, scholar and champion drinker, Francis Grose, gave it the last spot in his dictionary, entitled "The Vulgar Tongue - Buckish Slang and Pickpocket Eloquence" (first published in 1785).
To avoid any bashful blushing from born-again babes in the woods and hot-to-trot holy rollers, politically-correct pundits who peruse publications for a living today, have redacted this entry to read: "Zound (n.): a differently-abled, experientially-enhanced, non-traditionally ordered Don Juan with temporarily unmet objectives."

Monday.... 85 days to go!

Glabella

Which arrow is pointing to Ryan’s GLABELLA? 

Get the answer below.

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The space between the eyebrows is called the GLABELLA.

Feeling the butterflies....

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” 

So the day has begun, happy Sunday to you all.  My thoughts are in turmoil this morning as I play my first really big game of my bowls career.  I am not sure many people understand my thought pattern today, as personally I don't quite understand it myself.  I know I am capable of winning my game and moving on in the tournament, but then the self-doubt and all the losses I have suffered come creeping in to cloud my judgement.  I am trying to take all the positive energy and leave the negative at home, but before I know it, there it comes bubbling up my tummy in the form of thousands of butterflies.  

I have so many people wishing me well and the one thing I don't want to do is disappoint them, but most of all I don't want to disappoint myself.  So, I am trying to tell myself, do your best, play your best game and may the best man win..... that is the best I can do at this stage to overcome the creeping nerves and the shaking hands.....  

This is what I have decided, let the nerves surface, let the shakes abate, stand on the mat, check my bias, find my mark and bowl the hell out of the game!!!!!!

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” - See more at: http://addicted2success.com/motivation/23-rare-motivational-quotes-that-will-knock-your-block-off/#sthash.aqmDYNQA.dpuf

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” - See more at: http://addicted2success.com/motivation/23-rare-motivational-quotes-that-will-knock-your-block-off/#sthash.aqmDYNQA.dpuf

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” - See more at: http://addicted2success.com/motivation/23-rare-motivational-quotes-that-will-knock-your-block-off/#sthash.aqmDYNQA.dpuf

“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the power of our words, we would prefer silence to anything negative. In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and strengths. Our limitations begin in our hearts where we can always replace negative with positive.” - See more at: http://addicted2success.com/motivation/23-rare-motivational-quotes-that-will-knock-your-block-off/#sthash.aqmDYNQA.dpuf

Flibber tigibbet

Flibber tigibbet: a frivolous, flighty person. A little while ago somebody called me this and it went right over my head.  So, this morning while I was looking for a perfect word for a Saturday, this word popped into my head... to me its a fun word and I really don't think it's me, being a Capricorn, I am anything but frivolous.... but the word stuck and here is the explanation.

Traditional
Capricorn Traits

Practical and prudent
Ambitious and disciplined
Patient and careful
Humorous and reserved,
Ok, so now reading what a typical Capricorn traits are, mmmmmmm, is that me???? Yikes, maybe the humorous and ambitious maybe, but some people might add that disciplined and patient are not on my agenda!!!!  
Flibbertigibbet is sounding more in line..... anyhoo, being me is fun, and I guess I am not able to fit into any moulds cast by  the experts.  What you see is what you get, I am me and proud of it !!!!

Happy Friday....

Friday is here, I cannot believe the week has flown by so fast.  I had so much on my to-do list but can honestly say, half of that was not achieved.  So, no rest for the wicked this weekend, time to get stuck in and do some more work.  And while I was at it, I decided to check my calendar and the countdown is at 88..... wow, how quickly has that gone as well, started counting at 182 days.......... This Thailand trip is coming closer and closer.  So, looking at the situation for the weekend now, not feeling so bad and not going to fret that I need to work, all going to be worth it!!!!!!

Have a great day everybody and stay safe over the weekend....

OXTER

 

OXTER (n.)

Oxter may sound like a uncomplimentary term for a bumbling buffoon or a blessedly big beast who should stay away from china shops but, that's not even close to the meaning.

Oxter is an oudated word meaning "armpit".

Note: So next time you encounter a putrid perfume or a tumacious town along your jocular journey of life, you can exclaim with glee and certainty, "That's one oxter I'll never forget!"