WW # 6

Please scroll down for Wordless Wednesday

11 April 2007 Current Total Loss Goal Starting weight: 107.7 kg 104.2kg 3.5kg 65kg
(237.4pd) (7.7 Pounds)

Starting waist: 118cm 114cm 4cm

I feel like my clothes are starting fit me more comfortable. I am relieved that being ill for the past 2 weeks has not reversed my gains in weight.
I am still not well enough to start my exercise program again.

I will lose 39.2 kg in during the next 11 months, increase my fitness and health levels.

WW 13 - Blast from the Past

The faces of Simone's metamorphis

South African Day: Child Protection Week

"my child is your child;
your child is my child"

Celebration of Child Protection Week

"Through Child Protection Week, which was instituted in 1997, the Department of Social Development and government as a whole seek to mobilise families, stakeholders and communities to work together to address the complex socio-economic needs of children.

“Since 1994, Government has introduced a host of programmes to protect children from vulnerability. A total of 7 233 989 children have been registered for the Child Support Grant while more than 330 000 receive the Foster Care Grant. New laws, including the Children’s Bill and Sexual Offences Bill, mark significant progress in arming our society to end the abuse of children and to promote their rights and development.”

He added: “It takes a village to raise a child, and the achievements we have scored so far result from the co-operation of all sectors and communities. However, despite all our achievements, a lot still need to be done by all to promote children’s rights – the non-governmental and community based organisations, labour, faith-based sector, the private sector, traditional leaders, the media and many other interest groups”.

The CPW theme is “Caring Communities Protect Children”, with the green ribbon as the symbol of child protection. The concept of “my child is your child; your child is my child” remains the cornerstone of child protection in the country.

The observance of Child Protection Week is linked to the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN Convention), and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child." from SA Government Information

Therapy

There's a 53% Chance That You Need Therapy

If you think you need therapy, you probably do. But there's a good chance you don't. Like everyone else, you have your fair share of problems. And unlike most people, you're fairly good at solving them yourself.

Do You Need Therapy?

I think therapy can be a good thing. Finding the right one for you is very important. My best therapy has been Biblio-therapy - therapy through books. Martha Beck's book - Finding your North Star gives a good outline on how to find the right therapist for you.

People of Importance

I've been tagged by Whenn from Opinion Minions .

Here are the questions asked:

1. Name 1 person who has changed the course of your life for the better
2. Name 2 teachers who has contributed to your learning
3. Name 2 colleagues who make your job worthwhile
4. Name 3 friends who have helped you in your hours of need
5. Name 4 people who make you feel special
6. Name 5 people you need in your life & why?

Sjoe!

1. My mom - Elizabeth Mary Le Fleur.
2. Mrs Francis my grade 6 (std. 4) teacher. She told each one of us the reason we were in her class - mine was because I would keep the balance. She also has a classroom library and challenged us to read.
Mr Ash - my Afrikaans High School teacher. Even after he left our school - we wanted to do well so that he could be proud of us. I hope that I can be a teacher just like him.
3. Mr van Horsten
4. Ruth, Claudelle, Claire and Denise
5. Jeandre', Debbie (my sister), and my 4 friends above.
6.
My daughter Jeandre' my reason not to give up, to continue becoming the person I want to be so that I can be a good example to her and support her in her journey.
My husband Weiers the love of my life.
My mom - she is my anchor and my inspiration.
My 2 sisters and brother - my support and I am theirs'.

mmmmm....... I tag ????????? YOU.
If you read this and want to play - join.
Leave a comment so I can read yours.

Concerned

I am very concerned about myself. I have been moving from one illness to another since February. I am wondering if this may be part of a cleansing process in my life or just the fact that I have come out of a very stressful year - my body is finally caving in.

On the one hand I know that the beginning of my health and happiness starts in my mind. I wonder if by typing the above paragraph I am empowering the negative energy around me. At the same time I just cannot seem to break the cycle my body is in - I am trying to understand it. Last week I had a chest infection - this week I have Pharyngitis. My nausea, dizziness, vomiting, shoulder & neck pain and 2 month menstrual cycle was brought on by a bacterial infection and low iron levels. The end result has been that I have not been functioning at optimal levels and now I am feeling very stressed at work.

Plan of Action - up my fluid intake again, long relaxing salt baths, Annique ginger detox tea, prayer, yoga and positive thinking. Less procrastination and keeping focused on the plan to keeping working on tasks as I broken them into small manageable pieces. I have always enjoyed making list and then ticking it off as I complete each item.

WW 12

Visit Jarid & Caydon's Wishlist
Vote for Mom's picture on: https://www.crestock.com/blog/photography/contest2007/entry.aspx?

Swapping Hearts

SWAP BOT

HEARTS:

If someone sends you an extra special swap package that far exceeds the swap requirements, you can give that person a heart. The option to give someone a heart only appears when you give them the highest rating ("I got my stuff and it met posted swap requirements"). Under this rating option a check box will appear that you can mark if you want to give a heart. You do not have to give anyone a heart just because you gave them the highest rating. We suggest that you reserve giving hearts to those swappers who you think deserve even more than the highest rating (more than 5 points). The number of hearts a person has collected will be shown on their profile page next to their average rating. Lots of hearts indicates a very special swapper!

Here the hearts I have received !

Windchimes on May 19, 2007 in Coffee/Espresso ATC swap gave a rating of: 5 +
Comment: What an absolutely adorable card! It is fantastic - You did a great job and I have your first one :) I am so pleased. :) And thank you for the coffee sample - I will definitely be trying that - it smells incredible!!

Poggy123 on May 13, 2007 in Coffee/Espresso ATC swap gave a rating of: 5 +
Comment: She also sent extra papers & great smelling coffee beans.

glolinde on May 11, 2007 in I Love Movies gave a rating of: 5 +
Comment: Love it! Thanks a bunch!

Smiley on Mar 13, 2007 in Diet Support International swap gave a rating of: 5 +
Comment: Really extra special package.. thanks for all the extra effort and valuable comments you added to the diary. cheers

Reflections

Last year I made the decision to see a counselor. I had been to a psychologist and psychiatrist. I was anti-depression medication. These two people and my doctor had helped me through a critical time in my life. But I had a feeling that needed something else, something different in order to connect with myself and realize my potential. I wanted to not just be

surviving and I wanted to live.

What manifested in my first session was very surprising to me. Deep down I had always felt as if I was rebelling against the messages I received from the people I loved and from my Church family. I always knew that it formed a significant part of who I was and how I handled situations. I had been feeling religiously drained and spiritually unfilled for sometime – I just did not realize how much that had an affect on my relationship with myself and the people around me.

Letting go of the unconscious guilt and fear that I felt, allowing myself to be free to search for a new path has brought me so much peace. Knowing that I can still give stability to my child and husband without sacrifices myself at the same time.

The images that came up in this session and subsequent sessions have really been significant to me. I have been able to hold on to the positive imagery I created to help me not lose hope. I am also no longer scared to allow myself to feel. I know that I will not just collapse into puddle of murky water. The feelings will actually help me find my way not block it. This was particular helpful this when together with my doctor, we decided that my body was no longer benefiting from the anti-depressant. Despite the fact that we could not find a significant difference in my hormonal levels, my body was acting up hormonally. During this difficult physically period I felt myself almost slipping back into a depression. The skills I learnt from the psychologist and my counselor helped me to stop, listen to my body and choose to healing and life.

I have been exploring my spirituality on my own and with my husband. In the process we are both growing and able to support each other.

I feel that I gained a lot of insight into myself. It has cleared of things in my mind, emotions and helped me to know that I am okay and that I will be okay.

SWAP

Coffee ATC Swap











I got these sweets with some really interesting movie list.

Now I will hunting to see if I can find the DVD/Videos of a few. In the meantime I am enjoying the music from the CD and eating a few sweets a day!

My Sister's Keeper

I have just completed reading My Sister’s Keeper. My friend Claudelle has become my library this year. She has bought about 3/4 of Jodi Picoults books. I have read The Plain Truth and Vanishing Acts.

Keeping the Faith is next book of hers that I would like to read.

Initially was not really interested in reading any of the books. The Plain Truth was the only one she passed onto me that I immediately started reading. I find that I have to get into a specific mood, then once I start reading I wonder why I took so long to get to the book. I am surprised that I find it interesting. It might have something to do with my aversion to reading popular authors.
From a young age I would rather choose self-help, religious and unknown authors to read (except for the book series Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew - very few of my friends read them).

You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer

Your ideas are very strange, and people often wonder what planet you're from. And while you may have some problems being "normal," you'll have no problems writing sci-fi. Whether it's epic films, important novels, or vivid comics... Your own little universe could leave an important mark on the world!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

A cold anybody?

I wish I could just disappear for a while and when I come back everything that needs to be done is done.

Yesterday I did not go work because I was feeling too ill. Have a wheezing in my chest and general cold" symptoms. Doctor gave me an injection that is still sore despite the local anaesthetic.
I have not caught up with my work from last few months of illness.........arrggghhhhh.

Well I got 4 swap packages yesterday - at least that was a mini-break.

Will post pictures and thoughts on that later.

COLD FACTS

"Modern medical science can cure the common cold in seven days. Left untreated, it may last as long as a week.....There may be as many cold remedies as there are cold viruses, but nothing seems to work really well. The old saying above is "more truth than poetry." COLDS

Healing Daily

"Colds are more easily transmitted through contact with the nose and eyes more frequently than through the mouth.

People seem very concerned with kissing someone or sharing drinks with someone who has a cold, but they don't really think shaking hands with someone who has a cold is important, and in fact that is very important.

The most common means of infection is not from sneezing or coughing, or walking barefoot in the rain, but from hand-to-hand contact. That is why washing your hands frequently when you have a cold is so important. If you are physically exhausted or overtired, also, the chances of you becoming a victim of the cold virus increase.

Children under 2 years of age generally get 10 to 12 colds per year, especially if they are in daycare. Older children and young adults get about 6 colds per year. After the age of 30, the number starts to decrease to about 3 colds per year on the average.

Natural treatments for the common cold

- As long as your temperature remains below 102 F there is no need to lower it. Cold viruses do not reproduce at higher body temperatures and so this is your body's way of defending itself. A slight fever should help you get rid of the virus faster and feel better much sooner.

- A study showed that people who take aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen) suppress their body's ability to produce antibodies to destroy the cold virus (2). You should only use these drugs if you have a temperature higher than 105 F, severe muscle aches or weakness.

- Rest. Get all the rest your body needs to help fight off the cold. Also, if you exercise regularly, you don't need to stop. You should however definitely cut back on the intensity until you feel better.

- Wash your hands frequently and try to keep them away from your eyes and nose. Use disposable tissues instead of cloth handkerchiefs. If you are caring for a child who has a cold, wash your hands every time you have to wipe their nose. This will protect you from being infected. Try to use a mild soap which does not contain harmful chemicals. My favorite place on the internet for health-conscious soaps and hygiene products is here. Antibacterial soap won't help here as cold viruses don't respond to antibacterial products.

- Drink plenty of fluids. Water is best. Try to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses per day. This will ease the stuffiness and help the secretions loosen.

- Eating refined sugar weakens your immune system and promotes yeast overgrowth. This includes all non-diet soda pops which contain 8 teaspoons of sugar per can. Diet sodas are even worse for you as they contain the poison Aspartame.

- Researchers have shown zinc lozenges reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms, particularly a sore throat. Researchers believe the zinc is directly toxic to the cold virus and stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies to destroy the virus.

- When using zinc lozenges, it is important to remember that they need to be sucked on, NOT swallowed, and having smaller doses more frequently seems to work better. I would suggest taking 1/4 (one quarter) tablet every half-hour (you can cut it with a sharp razor blade). If the zinc makes you nauseous then stop taking it as this is a sign of zinc toxicity. This works nearly 50% of the time. The best price I know of on the internet for zinc lozenges is here.

- Extra vitamin C is also helpful with cold symptoms. You can take 500-2,000 mg every 1 to 2 hours.

- Garlic is an excellent natural antibiotic. You might use 6 capsules 4 times a day for several days, or eat a few fresh gloves if you - and those around you - don't mind the odor. Echinacea is the most widely used herbal medication in Europe for colds and infections.

- Essential fatty acids like flaxseed oil should also be taken regularly. This will help your immune system build the proper antibodies."

WW 11

WORDLESS WEDNESDAYS

Exercising for Comments

You Are Liz Phair!

Sexy tough indie girl... Who's not afraid to be a little girly "I am extraordinary, I am just your ordinary Average every day sane psycho Supergoddess"

Who's Your Inner Rock Chick?

South Africa Day # 3

Living Treasure

"Actor, cabaret artist, writer, playwright, director, producer-creator of South Africa's
"most famous White Woman", Evita Bezuidenhout - there are a myriad of faces and facets to Pieter-Dirk Uys. It seems an almost impossible task to do justice to all his achievements in a concise review about a career which is quite extraordinary in its scope and vision." from Cultural Observatory.

Secrets Revealed

A few post ago I referred to to the game of Truth or Dare. Well here some truths revealed about me or are they? As some of you know one of my hobbies is doing personality quizzes and test. Your Love Life Secrets Are

Looking back on your life, you will only have one true love. You've been deeply wounded in the past, and you're still recovering from that hurt. You expect a lot from your lover - you want the full package. You tend to be very picky. In fights, you are able to walk away and calm down. You are able to weather the storm. Getting over a break-up doesn't take long. Easy come, easy go.

Your Love Life Secrets, Revealed

You Are 56% Pure

You're usually the typical girl or guy next door... But you also have a secret naughty side!

Your Famous Movie Kiss is from Cruel Intentions

"I'm the only girl you can't have, and it kills you."

What Famous Movie Kiss Are You?

Mother's Day in South Africa

My daughter has made lovely gifts from school. I am looking forward to my breakfast in bed. My daughter feels that she and her dad should be doing the cooking for the whole weekend. Hope she still has the same enthusiasm when she gets older.

" In South Africa, Mothers Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May......

The most commonly used flowers on Mothers Day is the traditional carnation. People wear red or pink carnation for the mothers who are living while white carnation is used as a symbol of mothers who are dead. In South Africa, Mother's Day is taken as an opportunity to thank not just mothers but also grand mothers and women who are like mothers.

Mothers are pampered by caring children on the day. Many children treat their mother with a delicious breakfast in bed but owing to the changing lifestyles, a large number of people take their mother out for dinners. Young children present their mothers with homemade gifts while the elder ones buy gifts for their mothers." (from Mothers Day)

WW 10

Please scroll down for Weight Loss WednesdaysMy nieces

Did a family photo shoot last week with Claudelle from Digital Memories.
Loads of fun. Went to Monkey Jungle, kids played, the adults had "tea" and the shoot happened.

WW # 5

YAY

I have lost 1,5kg - a total of 2,5kg in two weeks
Starting weight 107.7 kg
Current weight 105.2kg

Waist
Start 118cm
Current 115cm

Saw the dietician - I have gained water% , muscle and bone mass.
My fat and visceral fat have both decreased.

Truth or Dare?

Ever played the game truth or dare?

I always choice truth!

Well now I have decided to live a little on the wild side. I have done 2 and 3. Later on this week I will do number 1.

1. What’s in YOUR wallet? Show us your purse if you dare. see This Electic Life 's wallet

2. Tea Time Ramblings May weight loss Challenge or Tales from the Scale

3. Fancy a few tips for the perfect blow job? Dare you read more?
Go to A little piece of me :Blow job

South Africa Day # 2

One of my favourite stories that I tell about being South African.

I have always used the words robots and traffic lights interchangeably. Robots more often than traffic lights. My host parents in USA had no idea what I was talking about when I told them I rode through red robot because I did not realise that it was hang up high in the middle of the road.
By the end of the year they were also calling traffic lights - robots.

So why do we call them robots?........I had no idea until I looked it up on Wikipedia:
Robot, robots - besides the standard meaning, in South Africa this is also used for traffic lights. The etymology of the word derives from a description of early traffic lights as robot policemen, which then got truncated with time.

Tag - You're IT

I got tagged by Whenn from Opinion Minions for this fun and interesting thingie: Basically you have to type in the day and month of your birthday in Wikipedia and then list 3 events that happened on that day, 2 other birthdays on that day and 1 death. And then you have to tag 5 other bloggers. :)

Mine is 17 October

3 Events
1797 - Treaty of Campo Formio is signed between France and Austria.
1979 - Mother Teresa awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1992 - The United Nations General Assembly declares October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to be observed beginning in 1993. Resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992. (Now this is something really interesting - I am honoured to share this day with this ideal)

2 Other Birthdays
1969 - Ernie Els, South African golfer1979 -
Kimi Räikkönen, Finnish race car driver (My favourite F1 driver at the moment)

1 Death
René Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur, French scientist (b. 1683) and 532 - Pope Boniface II

Now....... tag..........

Claudelle: Brothers Wishlist
Weiers: Gomoto Diaries
Suzanne: http://authenticwoman.blogspot.com/
Heidi: Two Moms in a blog
and
Dianne: And In My Spare Time ......

You are IT and if you want to be tagged just send me a message and you to can join the fun

Ramblings

I have been so busy this week. I feel like I have not been able to stop and just think about stuff.
In the process I ended up have one sleepless night - I can't afford to let my insomnia ruin the progress I making.

As soon as I think about all I have to catch up (the stuff I did do in the last 2 months while I was feeling ill) I just feel overwhelmed. I have taken two good steps to prevent procrastination from setting in. - I have listed all I have to do and I am working through each task in small chunks according to what needs to be completed first.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my friend Ruth (from Australia) and Gigi (from China), we went wool and craft shopping. We first went to the one shop we knew, then got directions to another wool shop - where we found a really great Scrap-booking shop and Bra Shop.Got some really cool wool for my daughter to knit with and got her another pair of knitting needles. Also got some cool self-striping sock wool made in Turkey for International Coffee Swap Partner - now I can post her package on Monday.


On the way out we decided to just look out for a coffee shop. We just happened to find a Craft Coffee Shop in Bellville that was open till 8pm! (most coffee shops close at 5pm except for the Mugg & Bean franchise).

Scavenger Hunt !

I have been so busy that I almost forgot that I signed up for a Scavenger Hunt organised by . And its day 4 already!

1) Find 2 blogs that are participating in the hunt that have something in common. This could technically have hundreds of answers and you can be as creative as you want. Make sure you post on both of them. Tell us what you found and what they have in common.

Mama K NJ and Young Mommy are both participating in the Mother's Day Giveaway (so am I)organised by 5 minutes for mom

2) State a fact about me, Amy. There are many on this blog. No duplicate answers can be allowed. This should be pretty easy!

One of your favourite movie's is Steel Magnolias.

Scavenger Hunt Catch up

Day 1 of 21 of the Blogging Scavenger Hunt! The first day will be a bit rocky, but we will get this started and have some fun!!!

here are 3 questions or things to find today!! Todays questions do not have to come from the blogging participants, just any blog in general. These are actually kind of easy, but we are just getting started.

Todays questions can be answered directly on this post!!!! Don't forget to ask your readers to help you.


1) Find a blog that has a YouTube video that makes you laugh! Post the link here!
Funny - Exploring The Shift http://www.blueflash.cc/blog/index.php/main?cat=24

2)Find a blog with photos from a Family Vacation (i had disney on here, but I couldnt find 3)!!!!!
http://www.pkmeco.com/familyblog/2007/03/ultimate-family-vacation.html - A family runs through it.

3)Locate a blogger who is passionate about their job.
Primary Colours - Stay at Home Mom and Freelance Artist (from 3 Beautiful Girls )

Just for today, visit a blog on my blogroll whom you dont know and tell them we said hello!!!! Let us know who you picked and what they are talking about today.. OOPS - I went to Organising Junkie - then I realised I have been there before. OKAY - VISITED 3 Beautiful Girls
and GREEN TUNA NEWS

Want an early extra point, go send some encouragement to valtool's box!!!! - DID THAT

Also, there has been an anonymous gift donated to the hunt, valued at 50$. Details to be given!!!!

Day 2
1.) Find a blog that has a video of someone playing a sport. Can be a home video, professional video or such. Let me know if you link it on your blog. I had a hard time finding peoples links yesterday.
J. Shirley :: Blog Sample game of indoor Soccer
http://jshirley.vox.com/library/video/6a00c2252c33588fdb00d09e5495d7be2b.html

2)American Idol. No, you dont have to like it but a lot of Americans do. Find someone who has Sanjaya on their blog. Ask your blogrollers. Ask people who have commented on your blog. This is doable.

Idol Based Informational Nonsense

http://www.idolme.com/blog/224-this-competition-was-never-about-the-talent.html:

3)Give us the name of a blog that needs encouragment. Tomorrow I hope we can share some sunshine!.

Where Secrets Lie:

Depression

Day 3

1) I visited Eye of the Rainbow : Found her religious background quite interesting.


2)Find another participant that you have not read that participates in a daily meme. This is something like Monday Memories, Ten on Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Thursday Thirteen, Fridays Feast or Saturdays Scavenger Hunt. Find one that you find the most creative and tell us why.
Visited Lynn's Blog : http://avocado-express.blogspot.com/ - meme is Photo Hunters
Photograph's that she has taken are not easy to take - I think she had to get creative. The subject is also interesting. Its amazing how "old" we are already.

3)There are a lot of contests out there in blogger world. Please list one that sounds interesting to you.
Book Adventure is a FREE reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Children create their own book lists from over 7,000 recommended titles, take multiple choice quizzes on the books they've read, and earn points and prizes for their literary successes. Book Adventure was created by and is maintained by Sylvan Learning.

WW 9 & WW #4

Please scroll down for Weighing in Wednesdays

WW #4

Starting weight: 107.7 kg
Current weight: 106.7 kg

Starting Waist measurement: 118cm
Current Waist measurement: 116cm

Exercise: Power Plate (twice a week for 30min) and Yoga Aerobics (twice a week - DVD for 30min)

Drinking 10 glasses of water a day.Eating 2 fruit servings and 3 veg servings.

New goal for this week: add in 2 free weight 20min sessions and cut starch servings down from 7-10 servings to 5-6 servings.

I am reading the 4 Day Win book by Martha Beck. I am on chapter 9. The plan is to read the whole and when I re-read it I will choose which concepts make sense to me and apply them to my weight-loss program.

I will be seeing the dietician next week Tuesday the 8 May 2007.

Cricket

Created by Darpan

I was hoping to put this picture up in honour of a winning team - now it is in sympathy. Cricket will still burn brightly in our South African hearts. We will continue to hold up burning torches in hope that one day will win the Cricket World Cup.