My Gran (Died Saturday, 29 Sept. 2007)

I was lucky enough to know and experience her pleasant side. When I au paired in the USA my granny and I corresponded every month. We got to know each other better. She was what I expected of a Granny. She loved me.

This poem summarises my grandmother.


My Grandma
by Pamela deLeon- Lewis
Friday, January 26, 2007
Even to me, as a child, my grandma was petite.
I remember how she baked me lots of tasty treats:
Home-made cakes, candies, and exotic drinks,
My precious grandma really loved me, I think.
I smile when I remember her,
A fiesty woman with lots of vim and vigor.
She worked hard and she did so everyday
In the still of the night I’d hear her pray.
She was always praying for someone else
I often wonder why she didn’t pray for herself.
God knows she needed lots of things.
I just knew one day I’d give her everything.
But fate stepped in and took her away from me
to that palace in the skies where she now lives happily.
And though I miss her presence every single day
I know that my grandma IDA is never far away.

Jeandre's Prize Giving

Children's World Montersorri Pre-school

Kindermusiek Demsonstration

Very excited about their book prizes.

Holiday Photos

Just a few pictures from the Titsiebaai camp. Very busy at the moment (refer to previous post).

CAT 3

Very busy with the CAT 3 (computer Application Technology) course at CPUT. Some of the work is not too difficult, it is just a lot. So far I managing to keep and help others.

The Course started on Sunday and ends on Saturday. Starts at 8:30am, lecturers end at 5pm and then we are required to work on our assignments until 9pm. I will be exempt from Saturday and will write my 3 hr examine on Monday instead.

By the end of the week we will have completed a number of Portfolio activities and 4 test. We are covering FrontPage, Access, Excel,Word and Theory.

Going Camping

CAPE COLUMBINE NATURE RESERVE : TIETIESBAAI

Only cold water showers, flushing toilets and water taps are provided. No electricity

We have decided to skip the matric banquet and go camping instead.

Why?

I have been nominated to do CAT 3 (Computer Application Technology) course that will during our September school holidays from 8am to 9pm. Its an intensive course that I would otherwise do correspondence over 2 years. Its also being paid for by the government.

It is also of 8 year wedding anniversary on 24 September. We normally celebrate this by going camping.

Most camping places are booked out. So we are going up the West Coast to the same nature reserve but to a different camp site. This time we will be setting camp ourselves.

Hoping to see flowers, read books and relax. We might even see more whales. Taking a friend (Bobo) along for my daughter. Taking their fishing rods and bicycles.
Maybe this time we will be able to go up the light house.

Possibilities

Dream, think, visualise and believe.

Two things on my list of wants is to have one year off work and to travel Europe. I wondered how I could visualise these two goals without having any specifics.

Well wonder of wonder. My sister-in-law's family is moving to England. Things are becoming more vivid and a number of possibilities are becoming clearer.

So I guess patience in even getting a picture of what you want is needed.

Its great to think and know that various possibilities are available and in the end which ever road i choose to take will be the the right one for me and my family.

Decisions

Decisions. Life is full of them. Every morning you wake up you make a decision on how you plan to face the day, on how you are going to face life. We are told that even our indecision or choice to not make a decision is a decision. So whether you are going to put your head in the sand like an ostrich or wish that the cocoon does not open or spread your wings and fly is all up to you.

A few weeks back decided to start dreaming again, to start looking at what I really wanted out of life. I made a mind-map, added some ideas in an excel file, looked for pictures on-line and even spent some time cutting pictures out of a magazine. I made one electronic vision board, which I posted. It is still incomplete. But I find myself in a position where I needed to make decisions that will affect my family, my career and myself. I have been swaying like a leaf in a strong wind. Somewhere in the Bible is a quote about "where there is no vision people will perish". Well at least I am not completely without vision - it is just not very clear.

So I am just going to hold onto another saying: All things work out in the end.

"Believe That It Will Work Out.

Trust is believing that it will work out before you see the evidence that it will. Sometimes you have to have faith first before you can see the rewards. This might involve doing things at first that you don't want to, or make you uncomfortable. But trust that you are on the right path, and things will work out in the end.

Trust is about being afraid and moving forward anyway. It's about not knowing how it will turn out, and going for it nevertheless. So, how about bringing some more trust into your life today? You will be surprised as to how much power and freedom it brings. And, isn't this a much better way to live?"

One of the Top 7 Tips To Trust That Things Will Work Out by Deborah Brown

PS
I will be going for a hearing test.

Sinusitis or Ear infection?

I have had an ear infection in my life. Sinus on the other hand is another story. Chronic sore throat and post nasal drip is the story of my life. Some seasons and years are better than others.

Recently I have had increase problems with pressure and blockages in my ears - you that feeling you normally get when you change altitude. Also my hearing has gotten worse. I have been concerned for a few years that my hearing has been getting worse but never did anything about it. Now I think its time to see an ENT but my husband is insisting I see our GP first and get a referral. Guess that can't cause to much harm just more expenses.

All I know is that i feel off-balance. Dizzy, nausea, sore throat, stomach is a bit upset, cannot concentrate.

So I am off to the doctor in a little while.

Digital Scrapbooking swap

Click here to sign up: Digital Scrapbooking "Life" Swap

Last day to signup/drop:	September 20, 2007
Date items must be sent by:	October 5, 2007
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
Theme: Create one page on the theme LIFE - something uplifting. Be creative. Send your creation as an attachment via e-mail or email your partner the address of your blog, or any other on-line photo hosting area. What is Digital Scrapbooking? The creative art of digitally creating an image, adding photos, memorabilia, journaling, and embellishments. The primary purpose of scrapbooking is to preserve memories for future generations, but a secondary purpose often is to exercise your creativity as you display your memories in a scrapbook. Digital scrapbooking, also known as computer or electronic scrapbooking, is a way of presenting your photographs and memories in a digital file. A digital scrapbook page is created by arranging digital or scanned photographs, journaling (text) and images in a software program that can manipulate text and graphics. While most digital scrapbookers use a photo editing and graphics package such as Microsoft Digital Image Pro, JASC Paint Shop Pro or Adobe Photoshop, there are also specific software packages available produced by Hallmark and Ulead, among others. However, computer scrapbooking is possible even in the simplest of programs such as Microsoft Word.

Chakra Test

There is a lot talk going around about focusing on the positives in life. About like attracting like etc. etc. So I thought it was interesting to find a test that checked for your open chakra instead of your blocked chakra.

Not quite sure how this knowledge helps me. I like the idea of energy psychology and I want to believe in it.......my journey continues......

If you are interested in taking it go to Tickle: The Chakra Test

Your most positive energy is flowing from your Second Chakra

This chakra is located just below your navel and is sometimes called the sacral chakra. The second chakra represents honor. In your case, this chakra appears to be clear and unblocked so that positive energy can flow from it freely. Radiating positive energy from your second chakra indicates that you've cultivated higher wisdom concerning the important life lessons associated with this energy center. You're likely to have a deep understanding of the importance of valuing others. You're also apt to feel secure in your relationships, tacitly knowing where you stand in relation to those closest to you.

Whether they're allowing positive energy to flow or preventing it from doing so, all seven of your body's chakras contribute to how you are feeling on a day-to-day basis. When they're balanced, you feel energized and at the top of your game. When they're unbalanced, you may feel tired or 'off'.

WW 24

Scroll down for Weightloss Wednesday

Photo taken by my husband. Watching whales on the West Coast.

WW # 15

Its been a while since I posted.
Good news is that despite a very bad period of eating, my exercise program balance it out.

I gained 0.2kg. Weighing 103.4kg.

But according to the dieticians scale there have been some health gains

water content has increased by 1%
fat content decreased by 1%
Muscle increased by 1%
Bone mass gone up by 1 point.

This is the lifeline I needed. "Its been 2 steps forward and one step back"
Now I can get on track without beating myself up.
POSITIVE STEPS FORWARD.

Knitting

I have completed a few knitting projects this year. That felt really good. Its a really great feeling of accomplishment to see things through to the end. Last year I knitted 2 socks, one blue and one red. The blue one was my first and it took me forever - had to frog it a number of times - then when I completed I misplaced the pattern and began knitting other things. The red one I will have to redo at some stage. A problem with the toe area.

I have now decided to knit their partners.

Dreaming

For the last two weeks I have been trying to figure out what I really want to create for my future. What do I want in my vision boards? I have been discussing it with my husband. We spent an evening collecting pictures off the internet. That went very slowly and in the end we did not have much. Now whenever an idea or thought comes to mind, I add it to my 'spider web'. I have a spider diagram for my husband and one for me.
I think part of the reason the process has been slow, is because we are too scared to dream big, to hope for more and then face disappointment.

Here are a few thing on my list:

1. Experience Europe
2. Write a book
3. Take a year off work.
4. Eco-adventure: Camping, hiking and photography
5. Learn knew skills.
6. Get a doctorate in Education/Educational Psychology.
7. Own a house.
8. Be healthy - fit, slim and active.
9. Take my daughter on fun, educational vacations.
10. Financially secure: debt free, comfortable and able to help others.
11. Spiritually, mentally, physically balanced and fulfilled.

Just to mention a few. Now I know I still need to be more specific and state them in positive language. As soon as it stops been fun and starts feeling like work - I take a break. So it might take a while to get vision board up. Journey of creation is important. There is no need to rush or to strive for perfection.

Luck

WOW. I seem to be lucky this year. I won a prize from a scavenger hunt, now I won 2 tickets through Freebies Marketing to:

BIEN DONNE, FRANSCHHOEK, CAPE TOWN
28th - 30th SEPTEMBER 2007
EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE!

TIMES

Friday:	10h30 - 19h00 (Winelands Bash 19h30 till late)
Saturday:	09h00 - 19h00
Sunday:	09h00 - 17h30
Friday 28th & Saturday 29th	Camp Out - Nite under the Stars

Please email Shirley@outdoorepxo.co.za for details.

Find out what the weather is doing in the Heart of the Winelands.
Weather line for 28th, 29th and 30th September - call 082 443 2277

ENTRANCE FEES

Adults 17 years +:	R40
Children 8 - 16 years:	R10
Pensioners:	R20 (Must show valid pensioner's card or ID)
Students:	R20 (Must show valid student card)
Children under 7 years:	FREE

WW 23

West Coast Flower (3) Series continued.

Fear

This past weekend my husband and I had a talk about where I am it. What seems to be holding me back. It came down to one word: FEAR.

I was actually considering writing a post about a Pity Party - I have had a long day, with a headache and I just feel sorry for myself. Feel like pigging out, watching a movie and just not thinking for a while. I wondered if that is Okay. Will I feel revived and be able to pick myself up to being positive and getting on with work, exercise and being happy?

Then I opened my e-mail and I got this message from TUT's Adventurers Club :

There is no choice you've ever made, Simone, nor any you will ever make, that will limit you as much as you may fear.

Nor even limit you at all.

How cool is that?
The Universe

Supposedly there is a time and place for everything. Right now I need to work through feeling sorry for myself and then choose to put it aside and face my fears.

West Coat Flowers (2)

Prizes

Thank you to Amy from Amy's Random Thoughts
For running the Scavenger Hunt, for fun and for the prizes.

My daughter thinks her outfit is very COOLLLLLLLLLLLL.