My husband in Ireland

Pastor's house just outside of Limerick

Weiers On Moher

View from Moher

Quote for the Week

“Learning how to learn is life's most important skill.”
Tony Buzan

Broken Car Window

Today a guy was mowing and a stone probably flew and broke the passengar window of my car.

The college is going to carry the full cost of replacement of the window - but a pain to have sort out especially with my husband not here.

My daughter was really disappointed because I could not take her to the movies as promised.

The window has to be ordered, so I can only get it repaired tomorrow. I just pray that the car will be safe. We don't have a garage.

insomnia

My husband has arrived in Ireland safely. I struggles to sleep Sunday. Monday by sleep was disturbed and now I struggling to back to sleep.

I have so much to do but I cannot concentrate on any of it. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I prefer insomnia to anaesthesia.
Antonio Tabucchi

In its early stages, insomnia is almost an oasis in which those who have to think or suffer darkly take refuge.
Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

Hot

It is currently

34 or 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit

To think that in that 48 hrs or less my husband will in Ireland and in his very own "air conditioning" as well as "liquid sun"

Hearing and CMV

Well I saw the ENT today. Good news is I have not major illness and my MRI scan was clear except around my nasal passages. I have allergies - no surprise. I am allergic to grass and a number of other inhalants. Now for the surprise I am also allergic to nuts.

In general I am not a big fan of nuts. In last month I have been craving salted cashew nuts. I have eating at least 50-100g per week. I have also been choosing museli with nuts (which is the past I would avoid or not really care). He says I should avoid eating nuts but I don't need to avoid all products that contain nuts or trace elements of nuts.

So, having removed all other possibilities one thing came up. A virus I probably got from parents, its something that we all have in us almost like Candida, Cytomegalovirus (CMV). It dormant now, but might flare again. The damage caused is also irreparable.

For now there are only two thing I can do. Improve my health, build up my immune system that is the best protection against the virus. Treat my allergies immediately.
I also need to get hearing aids.

I remember when I got my glasses it was amazing to realise what I was not seeing clearly. As much as I look forward to hearing people better and not feeling embarrassed in conversation I am also not looking forward to hearing all the noises in dormitory. The noises already irritates me.

Its funny, when I realised at age 10 that I needed to get glasses I thought that would pretty cool despite the fact that I didn't really know any other children my age who wore glasses.
I don't feel upset or afraid of the fact that I need to get hearing aids. I am not sure if there is going to be a delayed reaction. I am just happy that i know what is going on with me and that i have a plan to deal with it.

Here are some interesting facts I found:

Top 10 Top Causes of Hearing Loss in Children

The third most common pregnancy-related cause was Cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is very similar to rubella in how it can affect a fetus.

CMV, or cytomegalovirus (sī-to-MEG-a-lo-vī-rus), is a common virus that infects people of all ages. Once CMV is in a person’s body, it stays there for life. Most infections with CMV are “silent,” meaning most people who are infected with CMV have no signs or symptoms. However, CMV can cause disease in unborn babies and in people with a weakened immune system.

Wordless Wednesday

Health Update

Today I am having a 3rd hearing test by the audiologist, requested by the ENT.

My menstrual cycle has gone haywire again. It started more or else of Christmas. I would have two days of spotting every week. And then about 9 nine days ago I started bleeding every day. I feel okay at the moment. But I am remembering last year- I waited still it had been going for 5 weeks before going to the doctor when I started to feel weak etc. Then his medication only made it worse. It stopped 2 weeks later and he said my other symptoms were possible caused by a bug.

Think I might just make an appointment with him. I want to know the results from the blood work the ENT did. Hopefully I can pre-empt getting worse.

I am exercising and drinking water. I have started to lose weight. I am slowly cutting down calories. Recording my journey here: http://4daywin.blogspot.com/.
I have joined the Healthy You Challenge and the I must say that the group of ladies there are very supportive. I am enjoying reading their blogs and comments.

Free Association # 10

Luna Nina

I say ... and you think ... ?

Unconscious Mutterings

1. President ::King, Ruler
   
2. Stare :: gazing, memorized
   
3. Embrace ::love, acceptance, forgiveness
   
4. Movie ::theater, biscope
   
5. Everything ::all (otherwise completely blank)
   
6. Profile ::serial killer, limited view of a person, brief description
   
7. Satire ::comedy, dry humour
   
8. Erratic ::strange
9. Costume ::masked ball, swimming
   
10. Secretary ::Bird

Synthasite Website

Hi

Just note a note to let you know that I have updated my synthasite website. So check it out at
http://simonesbutterfly.synthasite.com/

I have also come across this very interesting business Ling Wei La They offer massages at various functions, such as weddings, corporate functions or in the comfort of your own home.

Interesting business concept and I like their website design is very professional.

To try Synthasite out click here.

Crazy Eight Meme

Teach has tagged me for this meme.
Here we go:

1. 8 things I'm passionate about:
1. Education & learning
2. Helping Others
3. Personal Growth
4. My friends and Family
5. Reading
6. Blogging
7. Swapping
8. Spirituality

2. 8 things I say often.
1. Love........
2. Can you please repeat that?
3. Its your choice
4. My mother always said........ or my mother always told me
5. Thanks
6. Thank you Love
7. Hi
8. Love you lots

3. 8 books I've read recently.
1. I don' Know How she does it by Allison Pearson
2. The Heroine's Journey by Maureen Murdock
3. The White Cockade by Janis Dawson
4. One Day, Someday by Lynne Barrett-Lee 5. The Falconer by EC McCarthy
6. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
7. The Armchair Diplomat on Europe
8. Deal With it! by Paula White

4. 8 things to do before I die.
1. Visit Europe
2. Buy a house
3. Lose weight
4. Complete a 10km walking race ( I have done many 5k's)
5. Get my Doctorate in Education
6. Write a book
7. Publish a poem
8. can't think of another thing at the moment

5. Eight songs I could listen to over and over again.
1. Soak up the sun by Cheryl Crow
2. Two beds and a coffee machine by Savage Garden
3. Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden
4. I don't want to Wait by Paula Cole
5. The Right Kind of Wrong by LeeAnn Rimes
6. Manic Mondays by Bangles
7. I want you to want me by Letters to Cleo
8. Heaven is a place on earth by Belinda Carlisle

6. Eight things that attract me to my friends.
1. Open-mindedness
2. Sense of humor
3. Intelligence
4. Kindness
5. Curiosity
6. Passionate
7. Faithful
8. Honest and trustworthy

7. Eight things I learned in the last year.
1. I am resilient.
2. Its okay to say no.
3. It really is more logical to look after me first. Despite dealing with a variety of health problems I was able to still work and manage by home.
4. Online friends are a true blessing and support network.
5. I learned to balance things better.
6. I learned the computer programs Access and Ms FrontPage
7. I learned to make ATC and digital scrapbooking
8. I learned a bit more about photography and website design.

8. Eight people I appreciate enough to tag:
1.Wakela
2. Opinion Minions
3. Not Much More than This
4. Wanna Bslim
5. Gills Jottings
6.MARIPOSA'S TALES
7. Questions for Dessert
8. Cedrene

If you don't have the time/inclination to complete the tag - don't worry about it. It's a very long meme!

if anyone else wants to play just let me know and I will add you link to this page and I would to read your answers

Simone

Linky Love

This link loving in 2008 came from Not Much More Than This.

I have randomly selected 5 of you below to be tagged and I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog. You will have to tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list. (Do not replace, just keep on adding! Yes we hope it will be a long list!)

It’s real easy! Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially!

The benefits of Viral Linking:

• - One of the fastest ways to see your technorati authority explode!
  
• - Increase your Google PageRank fast
  
• - Attract large volume of new traffic to your site
  
• - Build your community
• - Make new friends!
  

Add your blog url here...

The Strategist Notebook | Link Addiction | Ardour of the Heart | When Life Becomes a Book | The Malaysian Life | Yogatta.com | What goes under the sun | Roshidan’s Cyber Station | Sasha says | Arts of Physics | And the legend lives | My View, My Life | A Simple Life | What Women REALLY Think | Not Much More Than This | Jayedee | Jenn | Beth | Christie | Marla | Cailin | Simone | FlipFlopMom | Katrina | Gill's Jottings| Work of a Poet| Wakela|Modern Day Goddess|Livin With Me| You are next...

Now, add/tag 5 of your friends blogs…




End Copy and Paste Here.

100 Things I’m Grateful For SWAP

100 Things I’m Grateful For (List 1of 100)

Put this image on your site!

Copy the code below and paste it on your site:

I swap with Swap-bot!

Swap Homepage:
Swap-bot URL:	http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/10393
Swap Coordinator:	Simone (contact)
Swap categories:	Challenges Letters & Writing Miscellaneous
Number of people in swap:	56
Last day to signup/drop:	January 31, 2008
Date items must be sent by:	February 7, 2008
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
"The List of 100 is a powerful technique you can use to generate ideas, clarify your thoughts, uncover hidden problems or get solutions to any specific questions you’re interested in........... “One hundred entries? Isn’t that way too many?” Bear with me: it’s exactly this exaggeration that makes the technique powerful. " Luciano Passuello Please Read http://litemind.com/tackle-any-issue-with-a-list-of-100/ I read this and immediately thought that this would be a great idea, so with Luciano Passuello's permission I will be hosting 100 list swaps using his 100 list. You do not have to join all of them. Going to make this a snail-mail swap. But if you would like to share your list electronically with me. I would love to read them. List One: 100 Things I'm Grateful for I'm going to give this swap sometime. After that look for the next one every two weeks.

Hectic

Hi

I will do my meme's and answer my e-mails over the weekend. Started work this week and things are hectic.

This affirmation was given to me two days ago:

Nothing can hinder, nothing can delay the manifestation of the Divine Plan of my life.

First Day at School

WW Tuesday Edition

Presents

Stefania and daughter
(taken by Claudelle Bender)

Lovely presents from Italy. My friend Stefania went home for 5 weeks holiday. Sounds like they did more work there and now they are back in South Africa for a holiday. She is from Italy and her husband is originally from Switzerland (his a minister).

I start work tomorrow. Here is my hairdo. My new wardrobe for the year will be appearing soon. Took in the two pants to be taken in - I am so short - 157cm.

I can't believe that I actually came out as one of my favourite desserts.

You Are Cheesecake

Rich, sweet, and simply perfect. You're not boring - you're just the best!

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

Free Association

Luna Nina - Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Dream big :: always
   
2. Competition ::Life is not a competition - no need to rush through things
   
3. Torn :: between a white lie and the truth
   
4. Modeling :: example
   
5. Coaster :: roller, coffee
   
6. Slut ::nut, says who?
   
7. Spread :: bed, bread
   
8. Amanda :: Panda
   
9. Romance :: under the stars, close to water, warm and fuzzy
   
10. Paradise :: whatever you decide it is
    

100 Lists

The List of 100 is a powerful technique you can use to generate ideas, clarify your thoughts, uncover hidden problems or get solutions to any specific questions you’re interested in...........

“One hundred entries? Isn’t that way too many?”

Bear with me: it’s exactly this exaggeration that makes the technique powerful. " Luciano Passuello

Please Read http://litemind.com/tackle-any-issue-with-a-list-of-100/

I read this and immediately thought that this would be a great idea, so with Luciano Passuello's permission I will be hosting 100 list swaps using his 100 list.

You do not have to join all of them.

Going to make this a snail-mail swap. But if you would like to share your list electronically with me. I would love to read them.

List One: 100 Things I'm Grateful for

I'm going to give this swap sometime. After that look for the next one every two weeks.

Swap-bot URL:	http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/10393
Number of people in swap:	32
Last day to signup/drop:	January 31, 2008
Date items must be sent by:	February 7, 2008
Number of swap partners:	1

Proudly South African

I have always had this theory that the older people get the more they cling to their beliefs, if they grew up with(or converted to) a specific religious background they tend to cling to it even more when they get older.

I think the same is true for people that travel out of their own country. When I went to USA I learnt more things about my country and tried to make things that reminded me of home (I made milk tart for the first time, I remember calling my mom and my sister for directions on various recipes). I became more aware of my roots and appreciated it more.

Being involved with swap-bot has also been motivating me to find out what is truly South African, especially as far as certain products are concerned. I realise that I grew up when sanctions were pretty heavy on South Africa and remember a lot company and product names changing as we got more isolated. Now that things are open again you get overseas products coming in through or under South African Brand names. I am glad that the Proudly South African campaign exists.

"The great thing about sharing is that it reveals more of the beauty within" Simone Coetser.

Progress

I have been busy improving my website. The front page loads easy and faster. I have completed my 100 ideas swap including the 100 uses for tins.

Most of my work schedules for the new year are complete.

I have booked for my daughter and I to go to the hairdresser on Monday. Last day of the holidays.

Clowning around

Free Association

Hosted by luna

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Mist ::spray, fog, its going to be hot
   
2. Eating ::wish I could stop
   
3. Beacon ::light, hope, rescue
   
4. Speaker ::of parliament, noise
   
5. Episodes ::just one more then I will go to sleep
   
6. Conference ::interesting, fun, travel
   
7. Sneak attack ::surprise
   
8. Medic ::bracelet, ambulance,
   
9. Web ::of lies and deception, world wide web, spider, strong,
   
10. 2008 ::change, is here, exciting and scary
    

Strawberry Picking

Not sure when I will see my nieces again - they are moving to England - have I mentioned that before? We had lots of fun together. This was the second time we went strawberry picking. In 2006 it was at the Mooiberg Farm. This time we went just next door to the Helderberg Farm. Lovely imaginative play area (though some of the stuff did not look too safe), they also have some farm animals. The kids had a ball while ouma and oupa relaxed under the tree with their tea and strawberry waffles.

Quote of the Week

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
~Nelson Mandela

Now is the time

I read the following article Now Is The Time Bloom where you are planted and thought WOW.

At the moment my life feels like its in limbo. And it will probably be there for a while but in the meantime I need to ensure that the life I have right now, right here does not pass me by.

Projects I am busy with:
1. Completing my daughter's knitted poncho.
2. Started knitting her a bag
3. Re-reading Martha Beck's book The 4-Day Win
4. Swapping - posting letters, postcards, replying to messages etc......
5. Clearing the clutter in my home office.
6. Starting to plan for work (year plans, lesson plans etc.) - 1 more week then its back to school
7. Do all the necessary health checks before work starts; Eyes test, MRI scan and the other test the ENT said I needed to do.

I have a busy week ahead of me. But today say goodbye to my sister-in-law and family. They have been here for a week and a half visiting and getting their visas for their move to England.

Walking in the Forest

My daughter took the photograph of me. This was a 3km circular route in the Roberston's area, Western Cape. Considered a good birding walk.

Card Making

I made the first 4 card by Ruth's house.

Got home and decided to make cards with Jeandre' and her cousins. They are visiting us for the holidays.

100 Uses for Tins ??

PLEASE HELP. DO HAVE A USE I CAN ADD TO THIS LIST?

I am participating in a swap where we have to use 5 things to do on Keri Smith list 100 ideas.

Now i wondered if I could think of a 100 uses.

Here we go:

1. container for jam
2. Pot plant
3. Candle holder
4. Toy - Telephone (I made this when I was a child - googled for a pattern click here)
5. Money box
6. Pencil holder
7. Glass to drink water
8. Bin
9. Tie them at the back of wedding cars
10. Recycle it
11.From the DIY network

Tin Can Border

Edge out your garden with recycled cans.

12. Use as a lunch box
13. Gift box.
14 Store Biscuits etc...
15. Soap container
16. Use as skittles
17. Use food cans as free weights f0r exercise
18. Small stilts
19. Make a utility belt.
20. Christmas tree ornaments
21. Trick or Treat cup: batman treat cup, cat cup
22. Wishing well
23.Gift Bag (Christmas Snowman Recycled Tin Can Gift Bag Containers)
24. Tin Can People (instructions)
25. Lantern (instructions) (How to Make a Tin Can Luminary )
26. Picture frame

Follow ideas from (Clever Tin Can Uses)
27. Tomato juice cans covered in pretty fabric or ribbon make great wine holders for gifts
28. Make a picnic holder from two coffee cans and four soup cans. Spray paint them in fun colors and hot glue them together. Place paper plates and napkins in the large cans and flatware in the small ones. The wind won't blow them away.
29. Make a decorative umbrella holder from four coffee cans. Open both ends, hot glue them together end-to-end, and cover them with adhesive-backed paper. Leave the end on the bottom can for a base.
30. Use a large coffee can to make "round" bread. Remove both ends and lay on the side while baking.
31. Olive can electric lamp.
32. Use as sand pit toys.
33. Nuttoes - cook-in-a-can.
34. Make a musical instrument - shakers
35. Make a musical instrument- drums
36. Fill them with little rocks and use them as maracas.

Form a pyramid like figure with a bunch of cans to throw balls at them and win teddy bears
37. Target practice for BB guns or sling shots.
38. Body of a rocket.
39. Hot Air Balloon
40. Body of a toy car
41. Fill with sand and use as a door stopper.
42. Use to make christmas pudding or bake bread.
43. Time capsule
44. Incense Stick holder.
45.

Any more ideas???????
HELP
Thanks