If you were here, you are AWESOME! (40th Birthday Weekend Celebrations)

Last week Friday I turned 40.  A good excuse to have an AWESOME party, at an AMAZING venue.

I fell in love with the 'Kalahari Oasis Pub' from the moment we discovered it in December and in the back of mind, I knew this was where I wanted to celebrate my 40th.  I 'uhhmed' and 'aaahed' and finally my sister took control and booked everything.  A general 'this is what I am doing and would you like to join' invite was passed along to family and friends.

The pub can be found at Mabalingwe Nature Reserve and it's a really nifty place.  It is a photographer haven with so many opportunities to get some really cool shots.  I'm probably going to kick myself for missing more than a few.

We stayed in the Kalahari Bush Tented Camp and Dome Camp, and both of these are not too far from the pub, but crawling back to camp could be painful and I wouldn't recommend it.  LOL

On Saturday, the fires were lit and the Potjies started.  Potjie is basically a stew cooked in a 3 legged Cast Iron Pot.  This was the Oxtail Potjie - Gareth outdid himself and it was really yummy!!  The meat was tender and fell off the bones.

Hubby and I loaned Craig's Jeep and went on a self-drive game drive which on Saturday afternoon turned out to be a dud.  Not many animals to be seen at all.  Sad face!!  We then asked Craig if we could hang onto the keys and give it another bash in the morning.  This time around me had more success.  Our first major siting being Girafffe and then 2 Rhino - I was in heaven.  When we found the rhino I was squealing like a girl - wait - I am a girl.

It was a weekend of family, friends, divine red wine and good food.  We laughed and laughed some more and really enjoyed ourselves.  It was a great way to celebrate my 40th.  Josh my 8 (yo) whispered to me on Monday morning - "mom, I wish we were still at Mabalingwe".  I had to agree.  It was hard to leave and come home.  I love spending time in the bush.  I relish it and it's always hard to leave, but I guess we are fortunate that we have these places not to far from home.  Mabalingwe is only 2h30min drive.

Winning but at what cost?

"It doesn't matter if you win or lose, but how you played the game."

These days I find myself exhausted, not only physically but mentally as well.  The boys extra-murals which consist of two sports, swimming and cricket, keep us on our toes.  I discovered long ago with swimming not to even bother with school swimming - so we go to private coaching.   I am starting to wonder about school cricket as well but the boys love it.  I find myself hating it and it all boils down to something I heard often while I was at school - "It doesn't matter if you win or lose, but how you played the game".  Well, things have certainly changed and it would appear winning at all costs is the story of the day.  I am at the point of throwing in the towel, short of a miracle, I'm not sure in what direction to go.

Where has sportsmanship and being a team player gone?  When did it all become about an individual?  I find the schools/coaches/parent have their little stars and as for the rest of you - SCREW YOU!!  Without private coaching - you're screwed.  Your star will never be considered 'star' enough.  Yeah, I'm feeling cranky and tired.   Finding extra coaching for the boys has proven to be nearly 'Mission Impossible' (finding private swimming lessons has been far easier, much less competitive and less expensive) - short of going down on my knees begging, actually I might have and harassing our local coaches I might have achieved the impossible.   But, the weather is messing us about - storms messing with our private coaching sessions and me having to deal with heart broken kids when they are not selected to play - we're talking 'B' team here people.  All I want is for my boys to know enough and be able to at least make the 'B' team - maybe we need to aim higher to be taken more seriously - who knows.  Clearly my telling the coaches is that all I want for the boys is the ability to play and play well, not necessarily league/A team/Provincial level is falling on dumbfounded ears.

And I get even more mad when a coach/teacher can turn around and tell a bunch of kids that he is picking winners to play in a match and he wants to win a few games.  So the kids not selected feel like losers.  I am surprised I did not go ballistic when I found this out.

My youngest star - at least in my eyes

I had another mother boast proudly how her son plays for the U9's and U10's - well what about the kids who turn up to practice religiously and get left out.  I made my feelings known on that one.  The response I got - the school wants to win.  

I'm not entirely sure about the world our kids are growing up in.  Why did it seem easier when we were at school?  There was none of this Private Coaching and it costing you an arm and a leg.  Adults showed genuine interest and if a kid was keen he/she was taught the skills to play the game.  Now, as parents you're lucky if it costs you less than R400 per child per 1 hour lesson.

Josh : is having more luck than his older brother and is getting some match time.
Brad :  struggling on the side lines and hanging in there

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Progress

Today I ventured to the gym again, I needed to swipe my card, a rather important task when you're trying to keep your gym membership active and then, stepping on the scale to see if I have made any progress in the weight loss department, since I last stepped on the scale.

Yes, doing the happy dance here.  I've lost about 2.5 kg's.  So happy!!  I am really trying to avoid the Diet industry and rather opting to make lifestyle changes.   I'm not feeling pressure - I like this.  I recall a time when I was stepping on a scale everyday and getting frustrated and angry.  Some days are better than others and I'm really happy.

Last weekend we went fishing again.  Our family group was much larger and keeps growing as other family members decide to join in the fun.

Not much fishing was done but my cousin, Gayle, did manage to catch one teeny weeny one which was released back.

The Family

The only catch for the day

My oldest and his cousin enjoy some time fishing.  They really had fun this time around.

Tomorrow I am off to watch a little bit of cricket.  Josh, my youngest has been chosen to play at a mini cricket festival taking place during lunch of the 1st Test between South Africa and Pakistan.  He is so excited.  I wonder if we will meet a cricketer or two.

I have so much more to tell you.  Homework wars, teachers and busy schedules...we're never bored here.   LOL

Weekends

With the boys back at school and extra-murals in full swing, I find that on weekends I just want to put my feet up and not think.  This does not bode well for a photography business.  As it is - nearly all our weekends are booked into early March and none of them with clients.  Sigh!!

Last Sunday found us exploring Modderfontein and Pop's Soda Fountain.  The gentleman who owns the store is quite an interesting guy.  I'll say this - his Cherry Coke, Apple Pie Milkshake and everything else is pretty much, very YUMMY!!  He makes all his own syrups.

The boys found the Juke Box fascinating and really had fun with the Pin Ball machine - went through a few coins there.  LOL

This weekend it has been overcast and raining on and off.  We've pretty much been home bodies, not venturing to far.  Hubby spent Saturday trying something else with the car - hopefully we have fixed it or fixed it close enough.  I'm ready to put a match to her - I LOVE my car, but hate the stress.  Bring on the Lotto.  It would help if we played it more regularly.  LOL

Today has been a bit of tidying up, cooking Koeksisters (pure evil) and not good at all for any diet.  Now it's time for the lasagne to cook and snuggle under a blanket.  Cannot believe we were in the middle of a heat wave a week or so ago.

Hope you had a fab weekend and a GREAT week ahead.

Back to school

It's day 2 of being back to school.

I've cried, I've laughed and I've wanted to SCREAM!!

The school part has actually been the easiest.  Josh is happy with his Gr 3 teacher - GOOD NEWS for me.  Hopefully less yelling at teachers and the school in general.  Brad is Gr 6 and so far things are looking good, we're just trying to track down his Academic Bar and Scroll for his blazer - he worked hard for them.

We're currently suffering from a bit of a heat wave here.  Not as bad as Australia's but bad enough that it has me uncomfortable and finding more reason to lose this weight.  We won't talk about the photo that was taken of me in Swaziland that has me wanting to run for the hills.

And the cherry of top of all that could go wrong.  My car is giving me grief again and yep, once again leaving my mechanic clueless and me stressing.  We need to get out of this hole.  

I'm also at a loss as to what direction my photography should go in and it is always a constant nag at the back of my brain.  I'm guessing the heat is not helping.

But right now the only solution  is to give the universe the finger and shout 'SCREW YOU'.

Welcoming 2013

The plan was to get an early night on the 31st but the neighborhood turned into a 'Fireworks' war zone as we neared midnight and until way after.  Needless to say but I lost my cool with a few neighbors and the transition into the New Year at midnight was not a happy one.  Our poor dogs were beside themselves.

We were up early on the 1st, as we had a picnic to pack for.  The plan - to take the boys fishing.  It was so much fun and the best part - relaxing.  Well, when I wasn't worrying about getting fishing hooks in ears, toes and fingers.  By the end of the day, I was even baiting hooks.

Josh, Matt (my nephew) and Brad keen to get fishing.

Ant (clueless dad when it comes to fishing) helping Josh.

My nephew

My niece - proving girls can do it too!!

The boys caught fish.

Brad caught a trout which we had to keep.  It cost us R30 (not too bad).  They cleaned it for us and Brad then cooked it on the braai (barbecue) the next evening.  Yummy!!

Josh caught a teeny lil' fish which was returned to the dam.

It was a beautiful day out.  It was cooking (we have had some really hot weather) and we were all quite grateful for the clouds that were about.  A storm threatened but gave the area a miss.

Our dessert.  I've discovered I love making Pavlova - so yummy!!  These were fist sized.

We got to sit under trees, chill, read books and spend time with the kids fishing.  My sister and I have decided we like the idea of fishing as well and we're keen to get some rods for ourselves.  I would love a fly fishing rod but got the feeling that they don't come cheap.  I shall be investigating.  

My sister trying her hand at this fishing thing.

It is so beautiful, this spot we found for fishing - Brookwood Trout Farm - that we have promised ourselves that we will try to go once a month.  I hope we can get it right.  I'd love to go early one morning to see what shots I can get with the camera.

It is back to school tomorrow.  The boys are enjoying the last day chilling at home.  I'm dreading the homework wars - OUCH!!  Hoping this year will be easier.

Has it been a year and a half.....

Actually I think it's been longer.

Time does fly.  Can it slow down now.  It is scary to think how I can already be planning events way into 2013.  Eish!!  Can we just get through 2012. Ssshhhh, don't tell anyone, but I hit those 40's next year.

Remember all that weight I lost - it found me (sad face)!!

Hubby's remark after I bravely weighed myself at gym yesterday and I'm paraphrasing or whatever it is, but the good news is, he is still alive.  'At least you have a 2kg head start.'  Hmmmm, can I smack him.  Note, I was only visiting the gym to keep my membership active (naughty, naughty).  I cannot seem to put it in black and white what the scale said, needless to say it was 2 kg's less than the last time I decided I needed to lose this weight.  So I start again...

I had big dreams, very big dreams.  I was going to do a Duathlon (seeing as my swimming, is well, non existent...hehehehe).  I wanted to do Triathlons, well, if I could learn to swim properly that is.

So, I declare here and now that it is time to dust off those takkies (running shoes) and hit the tar.  I can do this, I have done it before and I can do it again.  My road bike is also feeling dusty and I'll need to dust her off as well.  The family did partake in a 40km ride race... (majority of the other people on bikes thought they were in a race and not a ride) it was mayhem and chaotic due to a circular route.  I quit after two 5km laps, Brad after 4 laps and Ant & Josh after 3.  Not too bad.  None of us got hurt - that was a bonus, considering all the mishaps that happened on the ride race itself.

As you can see it all back and this time it found my boobs breasts.  I suppose I should be grateful that the fat didn't find my waist, okay, some of it did, but I swear this time my 'you know whats' seem larger.  Urggggg!!

Once again coke (coca-cola) has found it's way onto the 'banned from the house' list.  It has been done before and can be done again.  So far we are doing good.  Peroni (some Italian beer), however, has made itself at home and in all honesty, I'm not quite ready to ban that one.

As for the 3 VIP guys in my life - thanking for putting up with me.  It's been a tough year, one I can happily say I am glad to see the back end of.  May homework be a breeze in 2013, may extra-murals keep us busy and may weekends be filled with family and fun.

Some of the family - love you all.  (just so we are clear, they are the pic above)

Some of my favorites from a recent trip to Mabalingwe.  That Chameleon thought I was nuts.  He did slow down for a second or two for me but then put foot.  He was having none of this paparazzi business.

Here's to adventure and 2013

Loving my SA

Yesterday we had our local elections.  Hubby and I set off just after 7am in the morning and took a stroll to our voting station.  Our thinking was that the early bird catches the worm and that we'd be in and out in no time at all, well, we ended up queuing for about 1h40min. 

It was in this queue that I was reminded about one of the many reasons I love our Country, our ability to chat to complete strangers, end up sharing a cup of coffee and walking away friends.

Hubby and I had just joined the back of the queue having a good chuckle about how we thought that nobody else would be up at 7am on a public holiday to vote (boy were we wrong), when another couple joined in behind us.  They had also walked to the polling station and from there it began, a chuckle, a comment about the queue and before you know it you're in a full on conversation discussing everything from politics, to what your plans are for the rest of the day, to what you do for a living etc, etc.  Next thing Marise's hubby is taking a quick jog back home to make us all coffee and bringing it back in a thermos.  Which reminds me - I must sms Marise to find out which coffee that was - it was deeeeee-vine!!  Yummy!! 

It was through chatting to Marise who happens to be a Biokinetisist that I found out about a Dietician they are seeing.  I got Theresa's number and made an appointment to see her next week.  What I like about Theresa is that I didn't get an 'off' feeling while chatting to her on the phone and she does not charge overly exhorbitant rates either.  I'm really looking forward to meeting her and seeing what she comes up with.  I also liked the fact that she runs a diabetic clinic and for me this always bodes well as I can see Low GI being a strong feature of this diet plan.  Marise and her hubby raved about her eating plan and how they didn't feel deprived and are even allowed the odd rusk.  This is good. 

I have been a bit of a sloth lately and being eating way too many carbs.  The bathroom gym scale is no longer my friend and it is time to get back on track.  I need to get back into running and I need to up my gym visits - NO more EXCUSES!!  It's time. 

D.I.E.T.

I had better get this post done today because I don't think my arms are going to be able to do much tomorrow.  Ouch!!  This morning I worked out with a friend, who happens to be the Group Exercise Manager at the gym.  We did upper body and right now I can practically guarantee that these arms aren't going to be functioning too well very soon.  LOL

So what does the word DIET mean for you/us/people/women/everyone.  Well, basically it means we are following some eating plan to lose weight / live healthily / yadda yadda.  For me at the moment D.I.E.T. stands for...

DID I EAT THAT!!

I suppose I should be grateful that I am not putting on weight  okay, maybe just a little bit but for the most part I'm maintaining BUT I don't want to maintain.  **Sob**

So I am totally to blame for my tears of frustration but part of me does not want to go back to Weigh Less or any other DIET out there.  Not getting on the scale, taking the pressure off seems to have helped my mood drastically.  Don't get me wrong - I love my group leader - she is a super inspiring woman but it's just not happening for me right now.  At the end of the day, I know what to do.  I know what to eat and when to eat.  I know how to put my body through pain at the gym and come out the other end ENJOYING it!!  Yes, enjoying it.  Won't be saying that tomorrow though when I wake up and my arms are screaming at me.  We'll just take it one step keystroke at a time for now.  LOL

I'll leave you with this family portrait which was taken this past weekend by a very good friend of mine. 

VA Sunninghill 5km Fun Run - Sunday, 27 March 2011

When we woke up on Sunday morning it was pouring outside.  It was truly one of those mornings when you could just snuggle back under the duvet with a good book and hot chocolate but thankfully the motivation and determination were there.  I got up and started getting ready - not that there was much to get ready as this was just a fun run. 

By the time we got to the start it was just a light drizzle, nothing to bad.  At least our morning out would be cool.   Hubby once again made a last minute decision to join me.  His natural 'fitness' annoys me.  LOL  I have to work so blooming hard at it.  We quickly registered and I was impressed with the amount of people who had turned out considering the weather.

We first headed over to the gym and placed the boys in Club V (the kids section of the gym).  The boys had determined that it would be more fun there than being out in the rain...no sense of adventure...LOL

Just before 9am we headed to the start which was taking place just outside the shopping complex.  I made sure we were somewhere in the middle of the bunch - considering we would be walking at the start I didn't want us ending up right at the back, right at the start.  Needless to say the gun goes off and hubby is off like a rocket...'hey', I shout 'what happened to our POA (plan of action".  The man reigns it in... 

Even with our walking start we didn't end up right at the back and we even managed to catch up with those who had sprinted past us earlier.  I had to giggle at one guy - he is like me and working on his fitness but his shirt stated that he was 'Joburg's Toughest Fireman', I even told hubby at one stage that we weren't doing too bad as we could keep up with 'Joburg's Toughest Fireman'.  He just laughed at me.  Silly man.  There were times of course where I wanted to clobber him.  Remember, poor me slogging at the Couch to 5km programme for 6 weeks and hubby = diddly squat training and making it look way too easy. 

There was also the girl I dubbed 'Miss Short Pant' who didn't quite like us going past her, so on this downhill she comes sprinting past us only to come to a walking halt at the bottom of the hill where we eventually caught up and passed her again.  We finished 10 minutes ahead of her.  I kept telling hubby that I better keep my ass moving as no way was 'Miss Short Pant' passing us again.  LOL

We finished the 5km in 45 minutes.  I'll take it, as the last 5km I did took me over an hour if I recall. 

I'm really falling in love with running.  Sadly, my road bike is being a bit neglected - poor thing.  But she knows I still love her - it's just logistics at the moment.  I have entered both hubby and me into a road race in April.  The Wilro Cycle Challenge - one of my favourites from last year.  It is 41 km's and I've secure my BIL to babysit the boys.  It is hubby's first official race - no borrowed numbers. 

Bad carbs/junk in equates to horrid performance

This morning I really struggled with my run...well...run walk session as demanded by W6D2 (translated - week 6 day 2), which got me to thinking - why am I feeling like crap hell??

 Upon reflection I came to the conclusion that it is all the junk, aka crap  junk that I have been eating or at moments shovelling into my mouth.   There has been chocolate cake from Hubby's birthday, the Woolworths Chocolate Mousse to ease the PMS (any excuse - right), the nibbles from the boys crisp packets and let's not forget the pie bought for the boys which I ate - it has been never ending the past few days.  Hai bo!! 

And I felt it on this morning's session.  I just felt blehhhh!!  My body doesn't want the bad carbs, the junk the aka crap food - it's wants fruits and vegetables and all the GOOD stuff.  So why, oh why do I persist with eating all the wrong stuff....who knows.  When life gets busy it just seems easier to put in all the wrong stuff.  Today I have also made more effort with water - and I'm doing my damndest to avoid the Pepsi Max .  See how easy it was to replace one evil (Coca Cola) with another evil, so no more Pepsi Max in the house anymore either.
But the part I like is that I'm learning to listen to my body.  I don't to feel blehhh - I want to fee GREAT!!  Today I have been mostly back on track except for that piece of birthday cake - will it ever end.  Evil, divine chocolate cake - thankfully you are nearly gone.   I'm thinking the best solution and the only solution is not to bring the EVIL stuff into the house in the first place.  If it is not here then it cannot be eaten.  As for birthday cakes - I don't know what the solution is...LOL

On Sunday I am doing a 5km fun run (i.e. a 5km run / walk for me).  The gym I go to is hosting it and I'm thinking it will be fun.  We're getting caps and water bottles - good goodie bags are always a bonus and I could always do with another cap and I love adding water bottles to my collection.  Hubby thinks I have way too many ------ water bottles, I think he doesn't know what he is talking about.  (Big Grin here)  Just the other day one of the boys could not find their school juice bottle and hubby was contemplating using one of my water bottles - my reply - you cannot use my cow one, or my PVM one or one of those new ones from the 94.7 race and and and - he just rolled his eyes at me.  LOL

You're doing a what....?

I'm doing a Duathlon...can you hear a whoop-whoop

I needed a challenge.  At the beginning of the year I had already made a decision to do / try a Triathlon and while investigating the world of multisports I discovered Duathlons and thought 'why the hell not'.  I have already entered my first one, call me eager but it gives me plenty of time to train.  The first one I have entered takes place mid-June which is also in winter but thankfully our winters are mild.  I am looking forward to it.

It is a 5km run, 30 / 40 km cycle and then another 2.5 km run.  I am currently using the Couch to 5k running programme to get me running.  I have until October to get my swimming sorted out for Triathlons - currently I am working hard at not drowning myself.  LOL

I have not being doing much cycling.  I did a 20km event a few weekends ago - rather embarrasing.  I should have done the longer route but the GOOD NEWS is that I really enjoyed myself on the shorter route even if I did feel guilty about not doing the longer route.  Doing the shorter route enabled me to catch a movie with my boys while we waited for a friend of ours to finish doing the much, much longer route.

Hubby will be doing a 41km with me in April.  I better remind him so that he can get some training in. Time to hit the race track again to get some 'safe' training in.  The evenings are getting cooler - only problem being is that it is getting darker sooner which does not leave us much time to train but for now I will take what I can get.  :-)

On a completely different note.  Little did I realise how in love I would fall with running.  I look forward to my running days and dread being inside the gym.  Hmmmmm!!  What's with that?? 

Another thing I have started doing is Katabox - what a workout that is.  I really have loads of fun and I'm proud to say that I think I am getting the hang of the bouncing thing.  LOL  The one reason I avoided the Katabox class since joining the gym 2 years ago was because I could not bounce - well, all of a sardine - now I can. 

As for the weight loss - I'm back at hovering.  I really need a kick up the patootie.  It will move soon enough.  Would help if I stopped eating copious amounts of crap though.  Oh boy!!

What are you up to?

Homework

That is what my 10 year old solemly declared to me!!

I think he was trying to convince me that....

It's been nearly a month now since he declared this with such utter passion.  I nearly lost my mind.  Well, buddy - you have many, many, many years of homework ahead of you so you had better darn well get used to it.

Not only do I have Grade 4 homework to deal with or not deal with as much anymore - more about that soon, but I have Grade 1 homework too.  It's tough for moms - I'm not only repeating grades but I'm repeating 2 at a time.  Eish!! 

So, it happens that we finally get a call from the school where we were literally on our knees at the beginning of the year begging them to let our children in.  Parents who know us stood open jawed as they watched us desperately try and move our kids from a Private/Independant school into a Government 'Model C' school.  The main question being asked :   'Why the HELL do you want to do that...?'  Good question - we pay less, it's a good school, there is more for the kidlets to do and the SPORT is out of this world, need I say more.  They still question my sanity.  Only one wee lil' problem, they only had space for the 10 year old and not the 6 year old.  This is when life becomes interesting - I have no more holidays.  Their holidays are completely different and the schools are km's apart.  I live in my car in the afternoons.  What we don't do for our kids.  No more sleep-in's for me as when the one is on term break, the other is still at school.  The GOOD NEWS is that because of this it is harder for me to take a break from gym.

As the days go by - I ask the standard dreaded question :  'How much homework do we have today?'  and get told there is not much.  Huh!!  What???  We're usually bogged down with HW - something must be wrong.  Mad, frantic calls to the school, only to find out that no, my 10 year old is not lying to me - there is not much HW.  Now I declare - there is something wrong with the world when the Grade 1 is bogged down with HW and the Grade 4 has barely any.

Forgive me

Wow, we're nearly a month and a half into the year and I have not blogged, nor have I cycled in any races but that doesn't mean I've given up.  Far from it - I persevere on for the ultimate goal in 2011.  Will I reach goal weight this year - that is a mystery in itself but I can only hope that I do.

Life should never be that busy that one does not have time to blog.  I will definitely make more of an effort.  It's not like I don't have a zillion things to tell you because in fact I do.

Coming soon to a computer screen near you - the mosted hated word in our household at the moment.......