Friday 26 February 2010

This is why the sun shines...

Here are the reasons I live through the tragedy and heartache of yesterdays post...
They make it possible to live with the pain
To smile through the tears
To open my heart to love again

I love you both more than I thought was possible to love another person.. you are the reason the sun shines on my rainy days..

My love for you is as endless as time itself..

Thank you...








Thursday 25 February 2010

5 Years have gone by and it still feels like yesterday...

Today would have been your 5th birthday (or this was your EDD).

I miss you everyday..
time has made the wound less raw...
it is there but it is no longer an opening to my personal hell..
I miss you every day...
I still weep for our lost time...
for the candles you will never see on a birthday cake
for the ribbons I will never tie in your hair
for the joy of baking cookies with you on a rainy Sunday afternoon...
my tears are not as desperate as they were 5 years ago
and yet they still come freely from time to time
my love for you is as endless as time itself...

I am your mother..you are my daughter...
This will never change...

Happy Birthday Jorga
Mommy loves you...

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Better the devil you know?

For the benefit of my international readers, this is Julius Malema - he is the President of the ANC Youth League in South Africa. The blog you are about to read is highly controversial and will not be appreciated by all - you have been warned!

The ANC Youth League is exactly what it sounds like, it is the coming together of the young and upcoming members of our ruling party, the ANC. Julius Malema has been a thorn in the side of many South Africans for some time. He is prone to outrages statements and public displays of anger.

When South Africa's president, President Jacob Zuma , was accused of rape, Julius Malema had this to say, "When a woman didn't enjoy it she leaves early in the morning. Those who had a nice time will wait until the sun comes out, request breakfast and ask for taxi money. In the morning that lady requested breakfast and taxi money. You can't ask for money from someone who raped you."

I will not get into the insanity of this statement in this blog, that is a story for another day. I will say this, anyone who understands the absolute destitution of the poor in Africa would see the necessity behind the lady in question requesting a meal and money to return home. Anyone who has ever been taken advantage of by someone in power will see this situation for exactly what is was... but I digress...

Julius Malema is in the news again at the moment for a controversial issue. It is alleged that his companies have been awarded tenders from our government to the total of R140million. And if this is not bad enough, the work on these projects has never been completed, even though his companies have been paid in full. The ANC has jumped to Malema's defence (and of course their own) stating that because Malema is not a member of Parliament, nor a Cabinet minister, there has been no breach of the law! Ummmm... back up a second... am I the only one who sees this for what it is?

Further to that, Julius has disclosed that he earns R20 ooo per month. However, in the past year he has purchased two mansions for cash - they total about R5million in worth. He sports a Breitling watch worth around R250 000 and often wears Gucci suits. He owns a number of luxury cars and recently purchased a brand new Range Rover for cash.

What I am trying to get at, is that this is the man who shouts about representing the poor.. the man on the street... the suppressed who are still suffering due to Apartheid (I am sure they are)! How can he make statements about being poor... being down-trodden, when he lives in luxury that 95% of South Africans cannot even imagine, let alone achieve one day?

The man is a time -bomb! I do not doubt for one second that he is intelligent; I believe he is a master of manipulation. Due to him coming up from a very humble beginning, I believe it gives him unique insight into exactly what must be said to gain the backing of the masses. But he is no longer in touch with his people. He no longer feels the pain of going to bed on an empty stomach. His time of suffering the cold in winter is done. He never worries about how to put clothes on his back, let alone how he will pay for his children to attend school.

He says he has done nothing wrong? Tell that to the starving masses, explain to them how much he is worth and where he gets his money from - Let them decide. Or better yet, nationalise his assets and distribute it to those who really need it. Set up charities for the poor, feed the hungry, give the street children a bed and a warm meal in the evenings.

Shame on you Julius.. shame on you!

The man disgusts me! He is as transparent and shallow as a fish-bowl. I pray we never see the day this man gains real power in our society - he is the epitome of corruption and evil in South African politics. I have never really considered leaving my country, but the thought of the likes of him gaining control over my land frightens me enough to begin thinking of flight.

What a sad future that would be!

Thursday 18 February 2010

Sunday in the Park...








Went to the park and had a picnic... what a lovely way to spend a Sunday! Except for the smell of duck poop that is... could not seem to get away from it.. and it is not the most pleasant smell on the planet..


Wednesday 17 February 2010

The problem with writing is...

There are so many things I want to blog about - so many stories going round and round in my head. Unfortunately they are things I am not allowed to blog about - how frustrating!!!

Loyalty is not always a good thing! Loyalty to family, friends and even colleagues - it is because of these loyalties that I have nothing to write and it is annoying me no end. I have a couple of truly fabulous stories that I wish to get out - thinking about them and how to word them is literally making me crazy... but I cannot.. So I keep them locked inside.. what a waste of a good piece of writing - or at least a good topic...

So I apologise for the delay... but for now I must hold my tongue.. I pray a new "non loyalty" driven topic comes my way soon...

Waiting.. waiting.. waiting..

Monday 15 February 2010

The Foot!!!

This picture was taken about 2 hours after I fell - you can't really see how swollen it is here, but if you think that I have thin ankles normally it gives you an idea.

The much hated moon boot!

This picture was taken 2 weeks after the fall - still very swollen - you can't see all the bruising as it is on the sides.



Before I tell you the story, let me just say that yes, you are allowed to laugh...

5 Weeks ago I decided it would be a good idea to start walking Caleb to school - fresh air for Daniel, exercise for me and fun for Caleb.

On the very first morning we decided to walk - tragedy struck! After I dropped Caleb at his classroom, I was walking back to where I had left the stroller - Daniel was in my arms. As I turned the corner I came into full view of all the high school children. I started to walk down a cement hill, put one foot out of place, went down hard on my left ankle, rolled a few times and came to a halt at the bottom of the hill - yes, with all the teenagers looking at me..lol..

Daniel did not even have a scratch on him - as any mother would have done, I used my body to protect him as we fell and rolled. I on the other hand tore the ligament that runs along the outside of the ankle as well as stretched all the ligaments that run on the inside of the ankle. I also gave myself a nasty injury on my right elbow.

I have been having regular physiotherapy, and am already feeling much better.. although I know it will still be a few months until the ankle is healed.
Do you know how difficult it was trying to take care of two wee boys while on crutches? It was impossible to do anything for them as I couldn't carry anything.. both hands were occupied trying to manouver myself on crutches - very frustrating!












Thursday 11 February 2010

Stuff my 4-year-old says..

Caleb: " I feel crazy as a woman today!"

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Natural vs "You are going to do what???"

I am a firm believer in all things Mother Natureish... Natural Mothering... One-to-One Mothering.. flexible routines... Organic homemade baby food etc etc etc..

I am becoming increasingly concerned at the modern woman's eagerness to raise children in the "fast food" mentality.. let me explain..

Both my boys were brought into this world naturally. From start to finish - Caleb took 20 hours and Daniel made me work for 34 hours. These were the toughest but most rewarding 54 hours of my life. Anyone who knows me knows I am a complete drama queen, especially when it comes to pain - and yet there was not even a question for me about whether to deliver naturally or elect to have a Doctor cut my baby from my tummy! Now now, before everyone gets all huffy, I have no problem with C-sections when they are medically necessary. But therein lies the key, "medically necessary" is the important concept in that sentence.

So many women are electing to have their baby cut from their womb (am I the only one who hears how wrong that is?). So many say things like, "it is convenient", "it is safer", "the doctor says...", or my personal favourite, "I don't think I could handle labour". Ummm... is that not what you were designed for? Especially given the fact that you can now have an epidural?

Moving on...

When did feeding your children healthy food become such a chore? Now don't get me wrong, both my boys love take-aways and fast food, but it is our responsibility as parents to ensure that this is a treat and not the norm. Fizzy drinks, sweets, chips and instant food are all items that set our children up for health failure in the future.

It is really not that difficult to pack healthy lunches for your children. And the sooner you start this practice the more likely you are to achieve your goal! Caleb has never known anything about junk food for school...Once a week he gets a treat and is allowed to order a snack from the tuck-shop at school. Every other meal/snack-time is made up of fruits, nuts, raw vegetables, different types of cheese, yoghurt etc.. I send only water to school for him, and thus this has become the norm for him.

Daniel is 16 months old, and prefers tomatoes, beans, carrots and cheese to junk food (he hates yoghurt though lol).

I know how some of this may sound, and please believe me, I in no way think I am "Mom of the Year". I make my share of mistakes, and take the easy road far more often than I would like, but I believe that we, as mothers (parents) need to decide what is worth compromising on, and what is not. Caleb does not wear designer gear, he does not have the latest toys or the biggest home to live in - but he does eat a healthy diet, his tv is limited every day and he loves reading books - I think a pat on the back now and then for mom and dad is well deserved.

Come on moms.. step up to the plate... the easy road is not always the best road!

(okay.. climbing down off my soap-box now)

Monday 8 February 2010

It has been so long...

I know I know, it has been so long since I have written... I have no excuse, except for the fact that the past six months have been challenging to say the least - on top of that I have had no inspiration... but the time has come for me to begin writing again.

For the past few weeks I have been hearing "The Writer" voices in my head again. There are topics I wish to discuss and stories that need to be told!

Watch this space!