Swap Internet Links for Thanksgiving

Just something you're thankful for that you find on the net. Swap-bot Swap.

I am thankful for the following things in no particular order:

1. Facebook : Allowing me to meet with old friends and colleagues, stay in contact with family and past pupils. Play games like Word Twist and send of cards and virtual gifts and thoughts.

2. SynthaSite: Allowed me to explore website building and presenting my swaps for FREE and its easy.

3. Slide.com: Its a fun way to present photographs, sometimes add music and gives different codes to put on facebook, blogger or websites. Example.

4. Scale Junkie's Healthy You Challenge: This year will be the first time in the last 7 years that I am ending the year 5kgs lighter instead of heavier. the support and advise from these ladies have been great.

5. I love the fact that whenever I am looking information I can just google it - but Google Docs has also been a useful tool.

6. List's of 100 : “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. ” Luciano Passuello - This has helped me in so many ways...... Thank you Jennifer for taking the idea one step further.

7. 3 South African Bloggers that I have met over the internet - they inspire and encourage me. I really appreciate their friendship and enjoy reading their blogs. Addie, Gill and Hanlie.

Addie’s Random Ramblings

GILL's JOTTINGS

Fertilehealthy

8. My favourite memes - keeping thinking, growing, experimenting etc..... I love that I get comments from other participants and love to see what they come up with.

Wordless Wednesday - photography
Heads or Tails - sometimes reflective, creative, funny, challenging etc.........
Free Association- self-discovery

9. I love that I can find pattern and get advise on knitting and other crafts. Two Needle Sleepers,

10. i love that I can find detailed recipes and sometimes even step by step instructions on how to make something. Apple Crumble, Other recipes including Roti

Mutterings for this week

Hosted by Luna Nina.

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

1. Sleepy :: Hollow ( a movie I have never watched)
   
2. Thanksgiving :: Sunday
   
3. Fifteen :: candles
   
4. Authority :: Cartman (I am not a fan but that particular episode was funny my husband played as an illustration in his sermon in church!!)
   
5. Bangs :: curls, hair
   
6. Curled :: caterpillar
   
7. Young man :: YMCA - great song
   
8. Surprised :: in a good way I hope
   
9. Mistake :: the stepping stones to success....... as long as we keep trying and learning
   
10. Handle it :: because you can - no matter what - YOU CAN
    

My perspective

The first photograph may not be very clear. My husband and I were amazed at the frozen spider webs we saw. They looked so beautiful. A little later i braved the cold and went to take a photo. Afraid the lighting was much brighter. It was apparently -1 degrees. Not the type of weather I am used to at all.



This is the view of the from our front door. Looks like its going to be a beautiful clear day with a crispness in the air. Looking forward to a good walk.


I really wanted to try and identify the berries in this tree but I still have no clue. My husband is a keen birder but don't ask me the name of this one. I have slowly picked up some knowledge from him. He is amazed that birding becomes more serious in Winter here - in South Africa it would be spring/summer time.


I am very fascinated by different doors, gates and locks. Coming from South Africa we are always given the impression that we have grown up in a very anxiety ridden need to protect our homes, businesses and ourselves , more so than people in First World countries.



After a day of lecturers at eh CAB regional office in Belfast I returned to Banbridge. This is 5pm in the afternoon at the River Bann after I got off the bus. I can't believe how dark it gets so early.
I busy listening to a book on an ipod from the library - The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman. its so interesting I decided to take some photos on the way home and continue listening to it. Sometimes I call my husband he picks me up.




Banbridge High Street


Christmas decorations on the bridge

This decor reminds me whey people why Somerset West in Cape Town attracts tourist attraction.
You don't appreciate what you got until you are able to measure it against something else.




This is one of the many little trees - this one in particular is hanging outside the the Banbridge CAB where I volunteer as a receptionist - I am in the process of being trained to become an advisor.

Did this for a swap.

Interesting Quote

Cleanliness becomes more important when godliness is unlikely.
P. J. O'Rourke

I heard this quote when watching Criminal Minds. It really struck me so I looked it up.
Going to share it with mother on Sunday when I call her hehehehehe All the times I didn't make up my bed or want to clean room is justified.

No seriously. The quote makes me think of all the times we expect perfection from each even though we know that it is impossible for us to be perfect especially in Religious circles.

Love’s Philosophy

Love’s Philosophy
by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1803-1882) one of the major contributors to English Romantic poetry wrote “Ozymandias”
One of my favourite poems’. I read it a book given to me by my uncle and just fell in love with it. It is one of the poems that I have probably recited the most. It also brings back fond memories (I actually quoted to a boy and then asked him if he would like to kiss. His reply was.........of course yes):

The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean;
The winds of heaven mix forever,
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one another's being mingle;--
Why not I with thine?

See! the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower would be forgiven,
If it disdained it's brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;--
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?

Reviews:

This is Shelley in a rare, whimsical mood. It's fairly unusual to find the poet speaking in this voice. Shelley can be difficult to appreciate, especially when he's being thrust down one's throat in high school, but I've since discovered he can be quite bearable.
Divya

I love Shelley, especially Ozymandias, but this poem doesn't do it for me. It's too soppy. Though I am sure one day I will find it fabulous. Probably when I fall in love. For now, fluff with too much sugar.
Celine

Rob Pattinson ... Bite Me ... Please!

Mutterings for this week

Hosted by LunaNina
say ... and you think ... ?
Spit it out :: right now!
Shadow :: Carl Jung
Database :: Quickbooks
Expression :: what does that really mean?
Boss :: Who's the the Boss? (old TV show)
Baby :: sister
Mystic :: things you cannot explain
Kate :: Kite
Boobies :: tities
Raid :: Air-raid, police, war

Bean Peace

Bean Peace
A poem by Drew K.

A mystery wrapped in brown,
A fragile enigma,
Enveloping the senses,
With the earthy steam
Of a bean.

The mind wrapped in warmth,
The essence of dark roast,
Heating from within,
The senses thrill,
With every lingering
Sniff of the aroma
In the mug

MORE GREAT COFFEE POEMS at COFEEJAVA

Butterfly dreaming

Am I a Butterfly dreaming about being human, or a human dreaming about being a butterfly? - chinese proverb

Christmas

Christmas means different things to different people depending on their cultural, geograpgical and spiritual backgrounds.

I was brought to believe that Christmas is a pagan day that Christians christianized (if that is even a word). For this reason we as a family would not go to church unless christmas fell on the day we normally go to church. We would however celebrate it as a cultural holiday.

Which normally meant decorating a Christmas tree, sending out Christmas cards, waiting for the my cousins to come from church so we could have a great lunch, open up presents and play games. Oh yes and we would normally get one new set of clothes for church and one new set of casual clothes (if it was a good year) to wear on Christmas Day.

After I got married, we dropped the Christmas tree (in our home until our daughter turned 2) and decided only to get presents for our young nephews and nieces and spent Christmas Day with alternate families (one year mine and one year is if possible).

I personal don't really like Christmas music - my favourite Christmas song is "Last Christmas I gave you my heart and the very next day you gave it away" by Wham.

This year is one of the very few times I can say that I am looking forward to Christmas Holiday (I have thought this only twice before). Why? Cause I am really looking forward to being with family this year. And if I think back on the other two occasions it was also cause I really, really was looking forward to being with family.

WW - Autumn is drawing to a close

Autumn Memory

Head or Tails host by Skittles
Tails: Share an autumn memory

Its hard to believe that the season is almost over. This was I first Autumn in Northern Ireland.
Two things stand out for me - the thanksgiving or Harvest Festivals are really important in the churches and making my first apple pie successfully!!! (Link to recipe I used).
My daughter experiencing her first sleet/snow.

Manic monday

http://www.sendspace.com/file/g2damk

I saw this today - it looks like a great idea - a whole year ! Sjoe I wonder........

Think I will sign up and once a month I can blog the five the ideas i send and I can share ideas I receive. Just the fact that is e-mail is already saving on paper - hehehehe

Going Green - What Can I Do?

Swap Coordinator:	LadyT (contact)
Swap categories:	Email
Number of people in swap:	1
Location:	International
Last day to signup/drop:	December 31, 2008
Date items must be sent by:	December 31, 2009
Number of swap partners:	5
Description:
This is an ELECTRONIC and INTERNATIONAL and YEAR-LONG Swap. Global warming is one of the most serious challenges facing us today and many of us are overwhelmed by the enormity of the issues. Some don’t understand at all. However, its clear that most of us want to do something but we just don’t know where to start. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Meade Starting January 1, 2009 and each subsequent month of the year, you will EMAIL and share with five (5) partners an idea about going green. Either something you do, a website you love, information on an organization you support, etc. RULES (even though I hate them) Rating of 4.5 or better, with NO no sends in the past six months. Go ahead and message me if you’ve been rated unfairly at any point or have a good reason for your lower rating or the no sends, and we’ll talk. I’m certainly open to listening - as I understand LIFE HAPPENS! Newbies allowed, but with filled out profiles please by the time you are signing up. Communication is key. If you’re going to be late with the swap, let your partner know. If your partner tells you he/she is going to be late, and keeps up the communication, give him/her a break. Sometimes things come up that just can’t be helped. Life happens! I reserve the right to ban anyone that I think might be a problem. This means people that I've noticed have a history of rating unfairly, nastiness, etc. I believe in playing nice & fairly. ENJOY, Have FUN - after-all, this is a HOBBY . . hobbies are supposed to bring you joy & happiness!!!!!!!!

Mutterings Week 303

Hosted by LunaNina

1. Please stop :: you are killing me


2. Move over :: sugar


3. Sweet as :: pie


4. Bet :: ya


5. Mad about :: you


6. It’s over :: move on


7. Intend to :: just do it!


8. Blame :: yourself - take responisbilty


9. Jefferson :: Thomas


10. Heartless :: uncaring, unfeeling

Dneero Conversations

Somehow We Survive

The title of this poem grabbed me - i know its about our country but I also like to think of it as symbolic of life in general. Its a hope that no matter what tenderness will win.

Many times I think that I am tired of just surviving , I want to live - really live. I wonder if Surviving and Living is sometimes the same thing - maybe if one does not look at surviving in a negative way one can truly to see the essence of living.

This is just me muttering nonsense today (grin).

A south African poet:

Somehow We Survive by Dennis Brutus

Somehow we survive
and tenderness, frustrated, does not wither.

Investigating searchlights rake
our naked unprotected contours;

over our heads the monolithic decalogue
of fascist prohibition glowers
and teeters for a catastrophic fall;

boots club the peeling door.

But somehow we survive
severance, deprivation, loss.

Patrols uncoil along the asphalt dark
hissing their menace to our lives,

most cruel, all our land is scarred with terror,
rendered unlovely and unlovable;
sundered are we and all our passionate surrender

but somehow tenderness survive

Melkkos

Melkkos (Milk Food) is a staple in South Africa -
rich and hot, best enjoyed on a cold winter's night
as a dessert or light meal.

SERVES 3 -4

Change to: Servings US Metric

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

clear stars

Write a Review! (optional)

Ingredients

• 2 liters milk
• 300 ml cake flour
• 5 ml salt
• 15 ml margarine or butterr
• cinnamon sugar

Directions

1. Sift the flour and salt together and rub in margarine/butter.
2. Bring milk to the boil.
3. Add flour mixture to milk and beat.
4. Lumps will form but keep stirring well!
5. When lumpy, cover with lid and simmer for 5- 8 minutes, until cooked.
6. Serve hot with cinnamon sugar

If the T-shirt fits wear it!

Got this in a e-mail this morning - thought it fitted the heads and tails theme for this week: Wear.

Dragons?

Mutterings on Sunday

Hosted by LunaNina

1. Coverage :: media


2. Cynical :: most people


3. Gust :: wind


4. Improvised :: acting


5. V :: swallowing lizards (a program in the 80's that I did not like)


6. Guests :: are great when they are not uninvited ones


7. Brutal :: honesty


8. Grant :: Hugh, money


9. Pull :: push


10. Streaming :: tears, river

Wordless Saturday

Looking forward to the Christmas Holidays

Got great news - my sister-in-law and her family are going to be with us over Christmas and New Years.
Jeandre gets on well with her cousins.
I am now looking forward to the holidays.

Banbridge

In banbridge town in the county down
One morning last july,
From a boreen green came a sweet colleen
And she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so sweet fronn her two bare feet
To the sheen of her nut brown hair.
Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself
For to see I was really there.

Chorus:
From bantry bay up to derry quay and
From galway to dublin town,
No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the county down.

As she onward sped, sure I scratched my head,
And I looked with a feelin' rare,
And I say's, say's i, to a passer-by,
"whose the maid with the nut brown hair"?
He smiled at me and he says's, say's he,
"that's the gem of ireland's crown.
It's rosie mccann from the banks of the bann,
She's the star of the county down".

Chorus:
From bantry bay up to derry ouay and
From galway to dublin town,
No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
That I met in the county down.

At the harvest fair she'll be surely there
And I'll dress in my sunday clothes,
With my shoes shone bright and my hat cocked
Right for a smile from my nut brown rose.
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Till my plough turns rust coloured brown.
Till a smiling bride, by my own fireside
Sits the star of the county down.

Chorus / repeat

Guard your Heart

Head or Tails

When I saw this weeks prompt the fist that popped into my head was Steve Greens song Guard Your Heart. Coming from a broken home, my mom's second marriage - this was theme of life and in some ways it still is.

I don't think my methods of guarding my heart have always healthy or effective - sometimes I think we risk guarding it so well that it collapse dies on the inside because nothing can get in or out.



Guard Your Heart

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see

What appears to be a harmless glance
Can turn to romance
And homes are divided
Feelings that should never have been
Awaken within
Tearing the heart in two
Listen, I beg of you!

Chorus:
Guard your heart, Guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure
Don't give it away
Guard your heart, Guard your heart
As a payment for pleasure
It's a high price to pay
For a soul that remains sincere
With a conscience clear
Guard your heart

The human heart is easily swayed
And often betrayed
At the hands of emotion
We dare not leave the outcome to chance
We must choose in advance
Or live with the agony
Such needless tragedy

Chorus

You listen to it here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0k8TEGidlGA

Changing seasons

Growing up I really loved spring - I loved the colour, the weather and the freshness in the air. I also thought it in a hopeful, romantic sense.
Over the last few years I have found that i am more attract to Autumn - its colours, the crisp air and warmth. I think of it as a restful, grateful time. Hope revealed, hope fulilled.

You Are Fall!

Thoughtful Expressive Creative Poetic Smart

What Season Woman Are You?

Week 301 of Unconscious Mutterings

Hosted by LunaNina

1. In love :: or in lust?


2. Be my guest :: whatever!


3. Number one :: sugar


4. Swallowed whole :: ace


5. 50 percent :: 100% or nothing


6. Made in :: Taiwan, China


7. Supplement :: vitamins


8. Right for :: who?


9. Endless :: love (the song)


10. Ceramic :: tiles