JUST NONSENSE...

I just love this song from Dumbo, my sister and I had some Disney stories on records when we were kids. On one side was the song from the movie and on the other side was the story. We just loved this song and played it stukkend!! Check it out…
It's the song the Crow's sing before giving Dumbo a "magic" feather to help him fly. We would mime to the song and act it out and pee ourselves laughing!!


Crow 1: “Did you ever see an elephant fly?”

Crow 2: “Hee – well I seen a horse-fly….”

Crow 3: “I seen a dragon-fly…”

Crow 2: “I seen a house-fly….”

Crow 1: “Yea I seen all ‘at too. I saw a peanut stand, heard a rubber band, I saw a needle that winked it's eye. But I think I will have seen everything when I see an elephant fly. “

Crow 3: “What you say boy?”

Crow 1: “I said when I see an elephant fly!!”

Crow 3: “I saw a front porch swing, heard a diamond ring, I saw a polka-dot railroad tie. But I think I will have seen everything when I see an elephant fly."

Crow 2: “I seen a clothes horse, he r'ar up and buck, and they tell me that a man made a vegetable truck”

Crow 1: “I didn't see that, I only heard. But just to be sociable I'll take your word “

Crow 3: “I heard a fireside chat”

Crow 1: “I saw a baseball bat”

Crow 2: “And I just laughed till I thought I'd die!!”

All Crows: “But I'd be done see'n about everything when I see an elephant flyyyyyyyy. When I see an elephant FLY!!!!!"







Oh, brings back such memories!!!

WEEKEND TITBITS AND OTHER BITS TOO…

Not a bad weekend – aside from a difficult teenager who I was tempted to shove into a box and ship off the North-pole!!! I had a pleasant weekend - regardless.
I went and did a bit of shopping and bought a new duvet cover set – beautiful oranges and reds and of course – new curtains to match!! It looks stunning!!! – I will try to put pictures up to show you. I also got a new kettle, toaster and snack-which (spelling??) machine. What a bargain – all in one box for a really good price, and yes we did save cause we first checked the prices of the single items to see if we were being suckered.
Last night my sister came over for some pizza and some girly bonding – guys, if you are reading, this is where you should close off now. We did pedicures and manicures and hair!! It was really good fun too. Thanks for a lovely evening sis!! Love you.
I also went to church and spent a bit of time having tea with my folks and we giggled about old movies.
My hubby went fishing and promptly buggered off with my wallet!! So the boys and I had no cash available. I wanted to get us some KFC and a movie on Saturday night – but alas, no money!! We ended up eating popcorn and chips and other nibblies while watching a movie on TV – blegh!!


My parents have bought themselves a motorbike.


It’s to go traveling on – I swear there was some kind of mental telepathy there between Terri and them. Anyway I don’t know yet what kind of bike it is but as soon as I can I will put pictures up for you all to see. I know it is something my dad has always wanted to do.

And then this morning on *Morning Live – anyone watch that this morning?? They interviewed a guy named Tom Eaton (I think, if memory serves me well) and he has apparently written a very funny book called “The De Villiers Code” I think he is very clever and from what they discussed it sounds really good. I think I would like to read this one. It contains murder, mystery, and all that, but laced with all the South African lingo and humour too. This is his first book to be published and I think he will do very well.

Oh and on Friday I took these pictures form my office window, it was cold on Friday, today is warmer - and we are promised 3 days of warmer temperatures.





















So, that’s about all from my weekend, Hope you all had a god weekend too.
Have a good Monday!!

* Morning Live - a morning breakfast show containing news, weather and various interveiws or coverage of other events in South Africa.

SOME SHOTS FOR THE WEEKEND...

This is my guitar....

I can't play yet - I haven't been practicing much lately, but it makes for a good subject to photograph don't you think?

I will learn to play - I want to learn to play, and play well!! I just need to get some lessons is all.

Ok last one.....

Anyhoo - you all have a super weekend!! I will be back on Monday!!!

BYE...

TELEPHOPS

I used to do reception and switchboard here at work - when I started here 8 years ago. And because of this I am often asked to help out on the switchboard. Sometimes if the receptionist just needs to go to the bathroom quickly, or make coffee she diverts all calls to me and I can answer the switchboard from my office.
Now most of you know that I find it very funny when someone says something and you hear something completely different, and it doesn't make any sense. Like if I say "Red Means?" and you hear "Red Beans?" - it can be quite puzzling hey?

Ok, so here's what happened:

The receptionist, Sonika (thats her name), put the switchboard on divert to my office so she could go and make coffee quickly. Another man who is a manager here phoned reception and naturally came through to me, realising the switchboard was diverted he said:
"It sounds like your in the toilet or something"
I giggled and said "Pardon?"
So he repeated his statement, and I giggled again - trying very hard not to laugh out loud, and said "no?". He then said, "Ok..... well ask her to phone me when she gets back." And suddenly I clicked! He had been asking "Is Sonika in the toilet or something?" and there I am laughing at him and making no sense what so ever. When he hung up the phone I really laughed! I felt so silly, later I went to him and explained what I had heard and he said that he also then understood why I was laughing when he asked me something so simple. We both laughed about it and then there was an awkward silence - so I went back to my office.

Maybe it will teach him to speak clearly and not mumble so much....

STOLEN MEME…..

I stole this off Myutopia - I actually started one like this quite a while ago, but (LOL) never finished it, but now I have.

I AM: Cold and bored with work

I SAID: Would you like a cookie

I WANT: To book myself into a 5 star hotel and order room service.

I WISH: I still had my kitty

I HATE: When people sniff and sniff and sniff

I MISS: My mind. (sigh)

I FEAR: Being a failure

I HEAR: My radio

I WONDER: Where I will be next year this time.

I REGRET: Never learning toplay a musical instrument

I AM NOT: Good with numbers (mathematics)

I DANCE: all the time, anywhere

I SING: All the time

I CRY: At the drop of a hat.

I AM NOT ALWAYS: Right – HA! Yea right!!!

I MADE: A yummy chocolate cake last night

I WRITE: poetry & songs

I CONFUSE: Huh???

I NEED: I need a holiday with massages, facials, cocktails and room service.

I SHOULD: Be finishing my work

I START: All kinds of things – Diets, projects, hobbies

I FINISH: None of them…- Except this Meme. :)

DON’T BE AFRAID…..... BE VERY AFRAID!

I was listening to John C Maxwell yesterday on the radio and he was talking about fears. He mentioned a survey that was taken of the top 10 fears. I thought this was interesting, they are in this order:

1) Public Speaking








2) Heights







3) Insects









4) Financial problems









5) Deep Water







6) Sickness







7) Death








8) Flying










9) Loneliness






10) Dogs









I would say that my fears are numbers 3 & 4. What would yours be?

I know some people will probably look at this list and not see any of their fears here or will see all of them and be able to add some too. But these are just the top 10 Wosrt Fears, or Most Common, that is why some are not mentioned here. Cause they are not often heard of.

If you have a fear that is not mentioned here let me know what it is - like an Irrational Fear of Bananas or something - don't laugh, I heard of someone before with this kind of fear!!

ABC’s MEME

I have been tagged by Peach from Just Peachy to do the ABC’s meme! I really had fun doing this one. And I enjoyed reading Peach’s too. I wont keep you any longer, here it is……

Accent: I have great a South African (Souf Efriken) accent, but when I think about things to myself I use my very own accent. Kind of a mix between French and German. And sometimes I use an American accent too. You all think in funny accents too hey, don’t you?

Bible Book that I like: Oooh, at the moment I love Esther (Hadassah), she is such an inspiration. But it changes regularly depending on which book I am studying.

Chore I don't care for: It used to be washing the dishes, but now I have a dishwasher, so I can’t complain about that anymore.

Dog or Cat: A kitty of course. And I have to agree with Peach on their low maintenance qualities. They are superior to dogs in most ways and are so easy to keep.

Essential Electronics: CD player , DVD player and my Computer. I gotsta have me some music and some movies, and of cousre I have to, have to Blog!

Fragrance (Cologne): I wear an old favourite all the time, I never buy anything different, and I am often told I smell good – it’s the “Body Mist - Serene” deodorant, my cologne/perfume is my hubby’s favourite Passioné, it is divine! But this I save for special occasions.

Gold or Silver: Gold. I wear gold most of the time, all my rings (only 3) my hubby bought for me, my chain with the cross on too, and my charm bracelet. My watch my grandmother bought for me for my 21st and had it engraved, I treasure it. I wear silver now and then, but I don’t have much silver.

Handbag I carry most often: I only have one, a black leather one which I love but I just realised how absolutely wrong wrong wrong that is!!! I think I really need to get some more bags into my wardrobe and accesorise a bit more.

Insomnia: No, not insomnia, but when I have a lot on my mind, then I do battle to sleep sometimes. I do know how it feels to watch the clock all night, knowing that you have not had any sleep, dreading the day ahead.

Job Title: Mamma, Loving Wife, Documentation controller (the last one sounds so boring compared to the others!)

Kids: Three – Marké 13; Sean 9 and Donovan 6.

Living Arrangements: A South African suburb. In a beautiful 3 bedroom townhouse with a garden and a pool. And no we do not have wild animals roaming around and we do have tarred roads and shopping malls and cars.

Most Admirable Trait: Compassion and love for people I know and don’t know, even for people I have not even met yet.

Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: My mom got perfume samples from her sister’s trip to Paris and my sister and I decided to play Doctor Doctor or something with them and emptied them all – poor mom.

Overnight hospital stays: When I was in school I was hospitalised for about 2 weeks with pneumonia, and one time when I broke my arm I had to stay overnight. And when I had Donovan I was in for 5 days.

Phobias: Flying Bugs, I cannot like those. I am afraid they will get tangled in my hair – shudder!! And confrontations, this is very hard for me, my mouth gets dry, my heart beats faster, I get cold sweats – really, all jokes aside.

Quote: I have learned that the Holy Spirit is our Prayer Warrior, because when we are so afraid or worried that we don’t know what to pray the Holy Spirit speaks for us and intercedes on our behalf before God. – Yours Truly

Religion: I am a Christian. A Born Again Spirit Filled Christian

Siblings: One brother, seven years younger than me who lives around the corrner from me and I have a sister, five years younger than me, she lives about an hours drive away from me, and an older sister, 14 months older, she lives about 10 minutes away from me, but just up the road from my parents home.

Time I wake up: I wake up at 6:00, then lie in until 6:15, but this morning I told my hubby that we must not do that anymore, those 15 minutes really make a difference on the children’s morning routine.

Unusual Talent or Skill: I can remember names and faces really well. I can remember the names of the people I was in grade one with. I can even remember the school songs for primary school and high school. I can learn a new song very quickly and can pick a harmony easily too.

Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: Cauli fluaer and Brussel Sprouts – YUCK!!!! Oh and cooked carrots, ugh!!!

Worst Habit: Leaving my shoes on the floor instead of just putting them in the cupboard

X-rays: I've had everything exrayed.

Yummy Stuff I Cook: I make a yummy chocolate cake; apple pie; lasagne; macaroni & cheese; shepherds pie and crumpets.

Zoo Animal I Like Most: I don’t like wild animals in the zoo. I love the farm section, specially for the children – they get to pet the animals and feed them etc. I just get sad to see elephants and lions etc in cages.

Now I am supposed to tag someone, but seeing as I just tagged a few days ago – I will not tag this time. If you think this one is fun to do – then go for it!!

FAITH CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS
I know, cause yesterday I moved a mountain!
Ok, for those who don’t know, my husband has never – except on two occassions, attended church with me and my boys. And as the kids get older it is becoming more and more difficult to get them to keep going, cause the whole "do what I say don't do what I do" thing doesn't work with kids. And boys want to be with and do what Dad does. It has been on my heart and mind so much lately that I had come to the point where I had to do something about it. So I decided I would wait for an opportunity to talk to him about it, cause you see I don’t believe in nagging. I wait until the opportunity presents itself then I try to take it from there, cause this means confronting him – and I am not good with confronting people, about anything!
Anyway, yesterday at work I sat and made notes (yes I make notes, I can't remember what I want to say if I don't) about what I was going to say to him and how I would approach the subject without making him feel like I was attacking him or make him feel like a bad parent when I got a chance to do so. You see I feel that setting a solid foundation for children in a family and church life is one that, if they should stray one day – and we pray that they will not – they will return to. The bible says – Train up a child in the way that he should go and he will not depart from it. And in today’s world with the pressures our children face, they will need this kind of foundation.
And in the past when I have spoken to my husband about church he would get all uptight and irritated about it and not want to talk about and he would point out that he doesn't want to go and so on and so on, but what I wanted him to understand that this was about our children. It was not about him. As parents we will be held accountable before God oneday for our children, my husband will be accountable for himself, for what he has done and decided. I am not accountable for him - but i am for my children. I wanted to tell him that I would not stop him from fishing, but I felt that a few hours on a Sunday was a very small price to pay for your childrens lives.
And when we got home yesterday afternoon there was a letter from the school informing us that Marké has been misbehaving a bit and has skipped on some homework. My hubby dealt with him – and very well I might add, and then later said to me that there must be something we can do to prevent this happening again or getting worse.
All of a sudden (and I have learned that we must be prepared for the "suddenlies " - if there is such a word - of God) I was faced with an opportunity to speak to him! I was scared – terrified, that I would make a mess of it. So I sent out a prayer request and spent some of my own time in prayer and when I did speak to him he agreed with me and agreed that he would start coming with us to church, apart from maybe one Sunday a month when he would be fishing!!!
It was so much easier than I imagined it would be, and I really feel like I moved a mountain – maybe a small one, but still a mountain.
God is faithful and when we wait on Him we grow in faith – and we can move mountains!!!!









I am so happy!! I just want to squeez him tight and tell him how happy he has made me!!! Which I did btw - he knows I am happy, I just don't think he realises how happy I am!!!!

SPRING CLEANING IN WINTER.....

Have you ever had to type something on someone else’s keyboard? Have you ever noticed how absolutely disgustingly dirty they are? I always feel I must wash my hands after working on someone else’s keyboard.
Have you ever taken your own keyboard and tipped it upside down and tapped it on the back? Try it and take a look at what falls out of there….
Are you disgusted now?
I was.
(Last week I spent the afternoon cleaning my keyboard and I can tell you – it was truly an eye-opener. I was quite disgusted with myself. And now I wish I had one of those plastic covers to put over it to keep it clean because now it looks new again and I don’t want to have to clean it again – it really is a mission to get in between all the keys. )

The next time you visit a colleague at their desk check out their keyboard, then grimace at the person and ask them if they noticed how dirty their keyboard is, make sure though, that before you do this you have cleaned your own keyboard, so that when they ask you snidely if you have – you can beam at them and happily say yes.

The problem is now I have started something that I must finish. Now I will have to sort out and clean the rest of my office, I hate half jobs - and to me, this would be a half job if I just leave it. So I will be packing out cupboards and drawers etc etc. It is truly amazing how much junk you can collect in your office!

Oh me!!!

WHAT IS A MOTHER?

A mother is a doormat and a dishwasher,
She is a washing machine and button sewer onner.
She is the cook, the baker and the carpenter.
She is the doctor, the mediator and the referee.
She is the constant, the run too, the always there.
She can never get sick,
She can never take leave.
She is always a wife,
She is a mother for life.
She never gets a holiday
And doesn’t get to break away.
She just wants to be loved
The way she loves her own.
“Thank you mom” or “I love you”
Is all she wants to hear
These words would mean the world to her.
When whispered in her ear.
She wants to be remembered,
To know that she is loved.
There are no gifts throughout the world
To replace the gift of love.
A handmade card, a tender word,
A hug from Dad sometimes.
A simple “yes, I understand”
When unexplained tears come to her eyes.
A gentle touch, a quiet word
Can always make her day.
If you have a mother, remember her today.
Don’t wait for mothersday
To say what you want to say
She needs to hear it often,
Or she will think that she has failed.
She has a heart big and tender
Even though she looks tough as nails

Guys, go and love your mom's this mothersday - and every other day! There is nothing worse than a mom who feels unappreciated and unloved. She needs to know that even though you don't say it all the time - you do feel it and you do think it. Remember your mom's, they are a precious gift from God.

I LOVE YOU MOM!! You are the reason I strive to be a good mom to my boys. You are the reason I can be proud of who I am. I hope you know how much you mean to me, there is no gift or words to show you how precious you are to me. God bless you. Love you!

BRRRRRRRR – I FORGOT MY SLEEVES…..

I have this really cool winter jacket that I scored from Hubby’s work and it has sleeves that can zip on or off, so it can be worn as a sleeveless jacket too. It is black, so it is of course a vital item in my wardrobe for winter.
Now you see this morning I put on my black polar-neck top and grabbed my black jacket on my way out the door forgetting that on Saturday night I had taken off the sleeves while we were out watching a movie (me and some girl friends), now I am sitting at work getting cold cause I forgot my sleeves at home!
The jacket looks good with or without the sleeves, but I am cold without them at the moment.
Oh me….

And I have come to the realization that I am seriously lacking in the clothing and shoes department for winter that it is not actually funny. I have one pair of boots that I need to have re-soled because they are leather and I am not going to go out and buy new ones when all these need are new soles. But then that is the only pair of winter shoes I have. So, guess who’s going shopping at the end of May – that’s right – ME!!!
I am going to get me a pair of black boots, and tops etc. I have got loads of jerseys and jackets and plenty sneakers, but I need some trousers, hhhmmmm, my list is growing already. And I will need something a bit dressier for work. I do wear denims to work, but when we have important guests around, it is important to look important, heh.

So let’s see, that’s one white, pink, blue, and black top, preferably a polar neck type, and maybe something green, never really tried a nice green before, two pairs of black pants, one black jacket and one pair of boots. YAY! I love shopping, but I have to make a list before I do or I end up with all sorts of impulsively bought items that don’t fit right, or look right.

So, what are you all thinking of getting for the new season – I know that most of you bloggerflies are not in S.A, so things are warming up in your parts of the world, got any must have items you want to get for the summer? I mean what’s a new season without a new item of clothing or 2, or 10, and some new sandals of course, a really cute pair or 3 or 6 – hee!

Now I am cold from typing – my fingers are frozen and stiff with cold.
I am going to have some tea to warm up.

I GOT THEM SUPERMODEL BLOOOZ.......

So I went and had my hair cut and coloured a few days ago, and granted I do look like a Super Model now and my hubby can't seem to get enough of me - I realised last night why I have not cut my hair into a shortish style.It is too much effort!!! I cut it into a sporty shoulder length bob style - and it looks Fabulous - but it is a mission now to have to style it in the mornings.

I have to blowdry it and use my straightner to get it sleek and neat etc, etc - which I am used to doing, but the thing is I have this new Ultra Larny Hairdryer. It is a salon type - one of those really big ones with the looooonnnnnge nozzle and handle. And it blows so powerfully that it blows everything on my dressing table around!! I literally have to sneak up on my hair with it so that the part I have already styled doesn't get blown all over the show again! And because it is so big - it feels as if my arms are too short.

I worked up quite a sweat doing my hair last night - it's like a work out, and of course hubby will lie on the bed and tell me what I am doing wrong, and that it's my own fault for choosing such a big powerful hairdryer and so on and so on, but I got it right in the end and the result is - of cousre - perfection. But I cant help wondering how long my hair will take to grow out again so that I dont have to worry about styling it everyday - only now and then. Then again, maybe I will get so good at styling it that I will keep it this length.

Oh the woes of being a Super Model.... ;*

I'M IT!!!

I been tagged by Angel, a Six Things list - so here goes:

1. I totally *"gril" for ice. When someone removes anything frozen from the freezer and it makes that sound - you know the two frozen surfaces scraping on each other - ugh, I get hairs on my teeth, goosebumps and my toes curl!! Same with taking ice out of the ice tray or chewing on it - just writing this gives me chills. Anything to do with ice - even if it is in a movie and even the sound of ice-skates on ice...I can't bare it!! Ice. Yup - weird, I know.

2. I have a thing/phobia for other peoples bodily fluids – spit, snot, sweat, blood, and any other you can think of – I want to just die if I come into contact with it at any time – vomiting has occurred at such encounters. I hate having to blow my childs nose for him - I want to disinfect my hands when I am done - it totally grosses me out.

3. I am allergic to all animals – yes including cats. And even though I suffered permanently when I had my cat I loved her too much to do anything drastic, until we moved that is. I really want another cat one day, and I will probably get one regardless of my allergies.

4. I am lazy when it comes to work, my filing piles up and I spend too much time doing other things (like blogging...). I can work really fast and I can catch up within half a day – so it doesn’t really worry me. But I am good with housework, that doesn’t really bug me to much at all, I have no problem doing that when I need to. I don't have a maid or anything so I do everything myself - and quite frankly, I don't think I want a maid either.

5. I am useless at anything mathematical. My math teacher wrote on my report card at the end of 9th Grade that he felt I would be a much happier student once I had dropped math. He was right – I was much happier.

6. Now this is a shocker - I don't have my drivers license yet - YIKES!!!! I know, I know - it is shocking, I think life just got in the way... you know baby's, children, no time - I don't know. When I looked again time had flown and I still hadn't done it. I am working on it - mainly cause hubby said when I get it I get a car!!! - maybe, I am holding thumbs though!! But trust me there will be huge celebrations when I do get it!!!

Now it's my turn to do some tagging, and I tag:

Beads - from Mississippi Mud Pie
Terri - from Terri's Web Stuff
Debra - From Soul Reflections
Peach - From Just Peachy

Have fun gals !!

* A South African term that originated from the Afrikaans word to explain something that gives you chills, makes your toes curl etc, like nails on a blackboard...

DNA MAPPING

I saw this on Angel's blog, for those of you who haven't been there here is a link angel, and I decided it could be interesting to try out and see what they say about me. Well it turns out I am a Benevolent Director - yea, I said the same thing...

Any hoo, here are a few descriptions of me and a picture of my DNA MAP:

· As a DIRECTOR, you combine an unusual openness and passion for beauty and style with confidence and a down-to-earth sensibility that allow you to realize your vision.

· By focusing on what is real and concrete, you achieve more than those who always have their heads in the clouds.

· Having beautiful things in your life gives you pleasure and satisfaction - you have a keen eye for style.

· When routines get too familiar, you become bored and start looking for ways to spice things up.
· You are a great person to interact with—understanding, giving, and trusting—in a word, BENEVOLENT

· Your caring nature goes beyond a basic concern: you take the time to understand the nuances of people's situations before passing any sort of judgment.

· You're concerned with others at both an individual and societal level—you sympathize with the plights of troubled groups, and you can care about people you've never met.

· Considering many different perspectives is something at which you excel, and you appreciate that quality in others.

· Other people's feelings are important to you, and you're good at mediating disputes.

· Because of your understanding and patience, you tend to bring out the best in people.

Benevolent Director

You can move your mouse over each colour and it will tell you what it is. Most of the things I have to say I agree with, it is quite a good personality test dontcha think?
See ya all tomorrow - at least, chat to ya all tomorrow...

MY INTERVEIW

Well, I asked Terri to interview me and in my honest opinion she did a very good job of it. (And thanks for writing such neat stuff about me Terri!) Before I started blogging hers was one of the blogs I would visit daily. I became very fond of her and I love the way she writes. She writes a killer short story too, here is a link to her site if you haven't been there yet: http://www.terriweb.blogspot.com
Terri's blog has become a daily fix for me and I feel honored to be interviewed by her. So with out any further ado - here it is:

Question 1:
It's proving quite difficult to come up with questions for you, because you're so open about yourself on your blog. You have a husband who makes you happy, children you adore and parents and siblings you obviously love dearly. You seem to be happy in yourself. In fact, you seem to have the perfect life - one you are completely content with. Is this an accurate reflection or do you have regrets, or things you would change if you could?

1) In a nutshell, yes I am happy – now. It has not always been this way, but I believe that God can take any unhappy situation and turn into something positive. Regrets I have are that I know I have caused pain in peoples lives and that things said and done cannot ever be unsaid or undone. But as I said before – I think I said it before - regret is something you need to learn to leave behind. And that is what I try very hard to do. I am happy in myself, now. And I am confident in my husbands love for me too. We are good together.

Question 2:

This sort of relates to question 1, but not quite... How did you picture your life as a grown-up when you were young? Is it very different now to what you wanted for yourself when you were a kid?

2) When I was young I pictured myself as a rock star!! Up on stage with an audience of thousands – no millions!! All singing along to my music and cheering etc!! So, I guess you could say it is very different to where I am now. I still dream of being on stage – I guess I always will.

Question 3:

OK we've had one on the present and one on the past, so let's have one for the future. Do you envisage any big changes in your future? For want of a better phrase - where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

3) You know, I would love to be touring the world with my husband and family taking God's Word to people everywhere! I love to share about God and what He has done in my life and I can see myself “preaching” His word in many different countries. And if it is in His plan for my life, then that is what I will probably be doing.

Question 4:

You live in Centurion which is in Jo'burg if my geography doesn't deceive me. From my point of view - having lived out of the country for almost 5 years now - South Africa has changed enormously in recent years and is continuing to change rapidly. How do you feel about South Africa? Have the changes made a big impact on your life, and if so, in what way? Do you think circumstances will ever prompt you do make any major life changes like moving away from Gauteng, or even away from South Africa?

4) Just a correction there Terri – Centurion is right behind the Boerewors* Curtain. We are in Pretoria, the last city you hit before Midrand. I love S.A! I am positive about the changes that are occuring, but the unemployment and the crime rate is still extremely high and that is disheartening. Afrimative Action is also still strong and as a result young white males cannot find work here – it is a worry having 3 sons, but I trust that they will be blessed with work, maybe they will live abroad and work in other countries too. I am happy in Centurion, but if, for whatever reason, we find we need to make a move I will move – I am not afraid of change. If it comes to leaving S.A, I am not closed to that option either – I just don’t think I will ever leave S.A permanently, maybe for a few years and then return again. Home is, afterall, where your heart is.

* This is an Afrikaans term used to describe Centurion and Pretoria by people in Jo'burg.

Question 5:

Ah, you thought you'd got away with it, didn't you? Yes, Spookie, it's The One You Don't Really Know If You Want To Answer. After lulling you into a false sense of security, I'm going to get personal. Because really, there's only one personal question I have to ask you: Will you tell us the story about how you met your husband? I know he was married when you met him and I know this causes you to feel guilty sometimes. You have also mentioned in one of your posts that your early relationship with your stepchildren was a bit difficult. How did they come to live with you? OK I know this is a multi-part question but it's all the same theme so I'm hoping you'll humour me.

5) Sneaky hey. Ok, here goes – you comfy? Good.

We met at work. I was working at a 1 hour photo lab and he came to work there too. We hit it off immediately – there was definitely a spark, an electricity right from day one. But I knew he was married and so we became very good friends – sharing everything with each other. His marriage was in turmoil and they were both very unhappy. He did not even speak to his wife anymore. They had been married for 3 years and had a son – Marke, and she was pregnant again, with Sean. One day without even thinking about what I was saying I just blurted out that if he was so miserable why not get a divorce? Anyway, our friendship grew and I fell in love with him, I think he fell in love with me then too – I am not sure. I found another job in randburg at the same time and moved there. I was there for nine months and he would come out and see me every weekend, his wife had moved to Nelspruit. I couldn’t believe I was having an affair with a marrried man – I even sent him away once and told him I couldn’t do it. The guilt and shame was just eating me up inside. I even told my mother about him so that she wouldn’t hear it from someone else, like the people I had worked with before. She knew, right from the start that he was the one. It was a very difficult relationship, I cried alot cause I was so torn between love and guilt. And then when Sean was born and My husband went to go and see him I was prepared – I thought – for the fact that he might decide to stay with his wife and children. He didn’t though and their divorce came through a wile later. And about 4 or 5 months later I moved back to Centurion.
I still live with the regret and guilt of the pain I cause in her life. I cannot imagine what she was going through being pregnant and all. My husband and all of his family have told me that I was not the reason they got divorced and have told me that their marriage would never have lasted anyway cause they didn't love each other. He married her cause she was pregnant. I do believe them, but a part of me will always bear the guilt.
For reasons that I will not go into Hubby got custody of the boys. Their mom just isn’t stable or strong enough emotionally or otherwise to raise two boys on her own. She visits often and they visit her and she and I get along well.

I guess I never told this before cause I know of so many men who left their wives for other women – and even if people say my situation was different, it doesn’t make the fact that I was “the other woman” any less painful a label to wear.
What I did was SO not like me, but my mom says that if it was not meant to be and if we were not intended for each other, things would not be going as well as they are now – and we would never have been as happy as we are.
My early relationship with my stepchildren was very rocky and I made many screwups, but I think it was because I was very young – 22, and I had no idea what being a full time mom was all about. Suddenly I had two small children in my home – 18 months and 4 years old and my lifestyle took a HUGE change. I had no more late nights partying away cause I had to be up early and make sure the boys got breakfast and changed nappies and watch them – you can’t leave two small children to their own devices. Sometimes I felt like a hired nanny and I resented my husband for working weekends and leaving us alone all weekend and my temper would flare and the boys would be the ones to bare the brunt of it. When I had Donovan, all that changed, slowly – something changes inside you when you have a child and I was suddenly aware of what mothering was all about. It is not just making food and washing dishes and clothes etc – it is so much more. And if I could go back – I would go back and redo those years and spend more time loving and less time worrying and working at loving.


Phew! thanks for that Terri – it has helped to get that all out in the open. I just hope other women out there who have experinced the pain of divorce wont judge me too harshly.

These were great questions – I hope I did them justice.

And thank you for being so special Terri.

Ok, here are the "Interview Game" rules:

If you want to participate, leave a comment below saying, "interview me".

I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's questions will be different.

You will update your own journal/blog with the answers to the questions.

You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.

When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will then ask them their own five questions.

And so on and so on.