Make Love not War ❤️☮️

I'm sitting and talking to my husband about the whole War going on between Ukraine and Russia.

My husband is quite the history, current events in the world (aka little bit obsessed) boff. 

But I love him, so hey, you got to love all of him, right?

And that's why we work so well, because I'm the exact opposite (loskop) 

Anyway. 

I was thinking about what that mothers must be going through? 

I can't imagine marching my ass down the street. With my husband, elderly mother with a problematic back (needs assistance) my 5 year old son, a pram, my 1 and a half year old daughter, our 6 dogs, 1 cat, macaw and 2 budgies. (Because if they're not going, we are not going) . 

And whatever clothes we could pack into 2 suitcases, in a minimum amount of time.

Not knowing what or where you are going to eat or sleep for the next, (no one knows) month, months? 

Where you can't even properly/comfortably change your baby's diaper (they don't lie still anymore) or brush your teeth. 

And it's snowing there now. Can you imagine sitting outside in freezing weather, trying to sleep, with a whole lot of "baggage". 

Having to keep an eye on your kids all they time, not to get lost between all those thousands of other "lost" people. 

My heart breaks in a way that it leaves a physical type of pain, for all those people and the animals (left behind, dead, starving) 

I speak to Jesus alot about all these things (future post) and pray for miracles for each and everyone being affected by the war, how ever small it might seem. 

Sometimes I think Mother Earth  should do a "Ctrl+Alt+Del". 

I know where I'm going 😉

Love doing stuff with you. Even the "crap" things 🤎

This is me. Sitting in my "husband's" office, also know as the study in other houses.😉

As everything is online/work from home now. (Thank you Covid) .

My husband is in IT (so that helps) and for people who don't know, that is one mother of a huge field. 

So assuming a guy in IT can solve any "computer problem" especially if it's coming from his Mom, is more infuriatingly frustrating than an insult. But coming from them (parents) it's a compliment. 

I would like to believe haha. 

The point that I'm trying to make, (while running through the sentences 10 times, while forgetting what I wanted to say) because my remedy for anxiety is Cannabis) is, even if I must sit here quietly (which for me is very difficult) if you know me. 

And number 2 is, I'm listening to all my favourite tunes. And with me being a bit of a performer, to not sing along to every third word at a medium volume, is very difficult. 

But I love him. 

I love all of him.

 Even the OCD parts in a couple of fields. 

So if that means that I have to sit here and be quiet like a good little girl. I'll do that. 

Cause we do it together. 

But I'll get him, maybe today? Maybe tomorrow? 

Love you Babe 

When you breathe and look around

It's been almost a year since I last made a post on my Blog.

We have since moved to a new house 6 months ago.Feels like 2 years. Because it's exactly where we have always been meant to be, so we feel at home. 

You think life will be more relaxed and laid back, but it's NOT haha.

The people are awesome, everyone greets everyone. (so just automatically I fit right in)

Being a Mom never changes. No matter where you live or what you do.

Had about 23 falls, 'n "bloed bek" just from the 1 and a half year old, a sulking 5 year old, an Alzheimers + Dementia patient (my Mom) 

(I want to say victim, because that is what any person with a disease, actually is.) 

So needles to say. My day was fun filled and packed to the brim.

But then I get home, and this makes it all OK... 

Tomorrow is a new day. 

Another Chance to be better than today. 🤎🙏

True friendship can withstand the test of time, every time.

 So I was in Pick a Pay yesterday, and my phone rang. (Normally when my phone rings and it is Sanchia (Sanna, Sunshine) calling, she is somewhere in the Cape Town vicinity (which doesn't happen very often), all the way from Hermanus/Gansbaai. To pop in for a quick coffee.

So needless to say, I was doing the KTV toy run and get my stuff, to get out and get home, to catch up for an hour or two before she has to drive home and I wait another, almost 2 years to see her, because you know, LIFE.

She is just one of those few people, that you only see in 3 years time and it doesn't feel like any time has passed. The last time I saw her, was when my son ( now 5 ) just started walking and saying words.
Now my almost 1 year old baby girl, (that she hasn't met yet), is almost walking and she missed most of it, because of covid and lockdown etc.

The reason for the importance of the friendship/sisterhood is that she was my maid of honour at my wedding, she was one of my best friends in a time where I needed a friend the most and also saved my life from an abusive ex-boyfriend. Literally. Jumped on his back and pulled his hair, to give me time to get away. But this was all a long time ago.

So she popped in, made us a fresh little "spliffie, joint, roley" (because it's not illegal anymore and we don't drink alcohol) and a nice cup of coffee.

We had so many laughs and "do you remember that time(s)?" from out-door trance parties' memories all the way through to the here and now. 

We practically ate everything in our kitchen, fridge and snack cupboard. 

After a couple of laughs we convinced her to sleep over. What's pajamas between sisters?

I just have to add. I haven't smoked a spliff/joint in the last 5+ years. I make myself a MUCH weaker tea, to drink, but haven't had a puff in quite a while.

So the bang/high was much bigger than it is with the edibles, haha.

Now remember, my duties as a Mother doesn't just dissapear, and I would like to think I am a reasonably "hands on", responsible Mother. 

So to complete my everyday (evening) tasks, completely stoned, was a challenge in itself.

Atleast I have a great husband who is an ever better braaier, so dinner was sorted. And we have no issues with eating out of the "braaibak" while listening to Oasis.

The baby is running around in her walking ring, hands covered in pink and blue marshmallow leftovers, with something weird stuck in her hair.

 Her brother is jumping around and wrestling our Jack Russell, falling at every turn and corner, "what is that in your mouth, stop taking that from your sister, stop saying poop all the time".

I just have to add, I feel so very very blessed in this stage of my life. How everything is just perfectly falling into place at the perfect time. God's timing is the best!!!

We are moving to a new house, we can't wait, our kids are happy, my Mom's health has improved so much, my husband is in the position to work from home, we are moving to a very quiet place, with not a lot of people or traffic. Where you can still ride your bycicle in the street and play in the garden.

In that sense, we are so very fortunate and blessed.

Thank you Jesus!!!

But I wouldn't change what I have now, for anything. 

The chaos, the craziness, the frustration, but the endless love and hugs and kisses makes up for everything.  

The once in 2 years , having a blunt/spliff with your sister is so much fun and a great laugh. and its not just anyone, she is pretty special.

But this crazy thing called motherhood, and being married as well ( if you are in that lucky position) trumps it all for me. 

For me,(not for everyone) some people prefer the career, the fancy car and the big house.

I'm ok with the bit of a torn, old jersey, with some dried yogurt and sticking finger marks on it, but the love in our house is palatable, and electrifies the air.

Indirect, my new "high" every day.....

How privileged am I?

 Keep the special people close, keep the memories in your heart, and try to be better, every day.

After all, just a number....

 

So I became a number.

A Covid number.

 It is astonishing how quickly this virus goes to work in your body.

Where a normal cold, flu or Bronchitis takes a good couple of days to develop, this just happens overnight, so no time to really prepare yourself.

 

I’m on Day 5 and the last 2 days were the worst, in terms of feeling like crap.

My husband has it more in the form of a headache and sinus pressure, but we are both evenly short of breath and in getting tired very quickly.

For me, it the terrible body aches and sore chest.

 

The Kids doesn’t have it as bad as we do. They just have a slight runny nose and the baby is a little less tolerant, (meaning not at all), than usual. But I can see it on her face, when she just feels bad. Must be a mother and child bond thing, wink wink.

 

The last couple of days I really would have appreciated self sufficient children (not wearing nappies, able to feed themselves do minor things), because getting up about 3 times at night for the baby and the Jack Russell (that sleeps on our bed) is quite a challenge when you feel very near to death. I felt really really bad. Almost as bad as I felt through 7 months of my last pregnancy. And that was pretty bad.

 

My mother lives on the same premisses, in her own house. She is a very high risk Covid patient, with 2 auto immune diseases, Lymphoma, High blood pressure, Dementia, hypothyroidism, asthma, think that covers it. So a very, very high risk I would reckon.

This is the tablets for a week.

 Before breakfast, after breakfast and before bed.

 

We eat the same meals, and have morning and afternoon coffee routines.

So now for us to social distance is a challenge in itself too.

We almost look like Monica in Friends, in terms of cleanliness , ok maybe we are more concerned about contamination because our house looks like a toyshop threw up here. (our domestic has covid as well)

 

All jokes aside, because this is no joke and so many people, people we love and held dear to our hearts has passed away and suffered a lot because of this virus.

 

When this whole Covid thing started about a year and a half ago. My prayer was that I would take the virus on myself and bad if I had to, if it could just be spared my Family.

Because I’m no doom profit but I am very realistic. I fear if my Mom gets this virus she wount be so lucky. And I would never, ever want that on my conscience.

 

Since I was little girl, or even since I can remember, I was the one looking after my Mom (she had kidney failure in her pregnancy with the baby after me and had a miscarriage, leaving her with a lot of health issues, needless to say, I’m an only child.

 

 My Dad was in Construction. (The real kind, that you had to study 5 years for and get a degree, not the kind that you go into when your rugby career doesn’t quite take off, or comes to and end)

 So he wasn’t home a lot during the week.

Making me the “big” girl in the house, to help and care for Mom, as instructed by my Dad.

And I have been doing that ever since.

 

Myself and my Mom have been friends (sometimes best, sometimes worst) all my life.

We do everything together.

 Especially an outing to a coffee shop. She loves a cappuccino and after her first stir, always sees a picture in the foam.

 Probably the same as people who reads tea leaves, or maybe more like people who see/look for figures in the clouds.

I am just so very thankful that she did not get infected with this virus.

And our isolation (contagious) time is almost over.

 

Then we can go have a coffee again, and maybe share a slice of cheese/chocolate cake, because we had Covid you know, and we deserve it ….

 

 

 

What are we really missing?!!!!!

 This morning my son came to me with 2 of his Monster trucks, asking me if we can play a.k.a crash into each other with the cars. 

Something most 5 year old boys do, and also truly believing they are real life Dinosaurs and Transformers.

I hear those constant sounds in my dreams at night. I could be a very affortable sound editor on the Jurrasic Park movies, or any sound effects in Action movies.

So like most times I wanted to say, "Mommy still needs to do this and that". Actually meaning I want to sit on the couch and brows Instagram, Facebook and all the other unimportant crap we do every day.

And for a moment I thought , in the blink of an eye, he will be grown up, not remotely interested in doing anything with his Mother. So get your shit together (meaning realize what is actually important in life) and do something with him/play one of the games he loves.

I remembered about a box in our bedroom from a delivery I got in the week (my wedding dress for my vows renewal ceremony, 10 year anniversary with my husband) marrying the same guy twice, what the hell am I thinking right? Just joking, I got one of the last good ones 😁💕

And a Bossa Pizza box in the kitchen. So I got some masking tape, as there is always tape lying around in our house, I spray painted our hall carpet the other day haha.

Anyway, we built a ramp. 

Got some cushions from the TV room, to sit on, because the old wives tale is, you get piles from sitting on a cold floor for long. And even after 2 pregnancies I was lucky enough to not get that, so I will rather be cautious.

And we played and laughed and was all silly. All while the 10 month old baby girl is making such a noise, sometimes I can't distinguish between her singing, screaming and talking (so it was one of the 3)

Then we all played together on the carpet, which was mainly the baby pulling on our ears and hair. And while trying to take a picture or two, this was the best we could do, under the circumstances.

I wouldn't trade moments like this for anything in the world....

The point I'm trying to make is.

That social media, magazine, whatsapp, game, series, show,can wait.

Play with your kids, do silly things with them, build forts, ramps, puzzles, anything.

Let them be little, cause they're only that way for a little while.

Autumn and a nice coffee in Riebeek Valley

Winter is an etching,

spring a water colour,

summer an oil painting

and Autumn a mosaic

of them all

      - Stanley Horowitz-

Everyone must take time

to sit and watch

the leaves turn

      - Elizabeth Lawrence -

Designers want me to dress 

like Spring, in billowing things. 

I don't feel like Spring. 

I feel like a warm red autumn. 

                    - Marilyn Monroe - 

A Cowboy and his Son

 Those of you that know us, knows my husband doesn't go anywhere without his (cowboy) hat he has 3, for now. And I absolutely love him for that.

 We live near a little dam, close to our house. We don't go there quite as often as we want to (with work and life interfering) but when we do we take some bird feed and treat the Egyptian Geese and Ducks.

The bond between a Father and Son is so precious. Especially when they are as special as mine 😉

A son is a promise that a Father will always have a friend

Blessed times TWO

 I have never felt like I have a real purpose in life, in terms of  a huge successful career or an extravagant traveling lifestyle.

I have been through my fair share of accidents and troubling times in my life.

But the day I became a Mom, everything and I mean everything fell into place. Everything made sense and life just seemed so much better. I think that is how every Mom (or most at least) feels when they become a Mom.

 Don't get me wrong, there are time I feel like selling them, for a nice Fillet steak meal and a Craft Beer, haha, but then the fury and irritation passes and you want to kiss and hug them non-stop.

Nothing can break that perfect, unseen bond between a Mother and her child, no matter how many she has.....💓

Being a Mother can be tough but remember, in the eyes of your child, no one can do it better than you...

Cold and Sunny day in Cape Town

 For some or other reasons , mornings are the time when my anxiety levels reach their all time high in the day. Maybe because I'm not one of those hands-on, top achiever, social-climber Moms.

You get what looks acceptable, healthy and edible in the fridge, in your lunchbox and juice with some added water, because SUGAR ⛔

My Mom lives with us ( 2 adjoined houses actually)and she suffers from quite developed Dementia, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Epilepsy, non-aggressive Lymphoma, High blood pressure, hypothyroidism (think that about covers it) So I get her morning (before breakfast) tablets and iron supplement drink ready. 

This all while our almost 10 month old baby girl, does stunts and tricks in her walking ring, al over the house while doing a duet with our Macaw Jupiter (named after Fireman Sam's firetruck)

So eventually when I get a chance to sit down and really just enjoy the 5 minutes of peace and quiet. And see how the sun comes in through window and play with the steam from my coffee. A dance in itself.

 Strategic, gracious and stuctured. All the things that I am not haha.

Point is, even through the chaos, that is our daily lives. There is always something little in your day to appreciate and admire.

Enjoy your cup of whatever. You deserve it!! 🍵