A meme? Why not?

Found this on Angel’s {blog} who found it on Tanya’s {blog} 🙂

1. Been pulled over?   Once but I wasn’t driving

2. Plucked your eyebrows?   All the time, between waxing

3. Pulled an all-nighter?   Yup

4. Baked a cake?  Many, I love baking

5. Fallen down in public?   That would be affirmative, I’m a bit of a klutz

6. Been caught making out?   Oh yes, on the roof parking of a mall, in the back seat of my car o_O

7. Taken a pregnancy test?   Many

8. Broken a bone?   My nose and my toes

9. Had braces?   yes, I had horrible teeth as a kid

10. Gone skinny dipping?   yes

11. Made a prank call?   yes, when I was a kid.  Is your refrigerator running?

12. Screamed during a scary movie?   Nope.

13. Gone out without underwear?   No, I dont see the appeal

(Angel, Im falling over laughing) Heeeyyy!! What happened to #14…?

15. Opened Christmas presents early?   Dont celebrate Christmas but if I did I would open early, I have no patience

16. Been in the hospital?  yup, mostly as a kid, teeth out, nose fixed, adanoids, holes in my eardrums fixed, birth of my kids

17. Had food come out your nose?   No

18. Toilet papered someone’s house?   Nope.

19. Laughed so hard you cried?   yes

20. Burned yourself with a curling iron?   many many times. Klutz remember?

(Tee hee) No #21…?

22. Eaten food that fell on the floor?   I have kids, so yes…

(Snort) And no #23!??!

24. Shared a sucker with your dog?   No, but my kids have…

25. Been in an accident?   Klutz!!!!

26. Spied on your neighbours?   No, my neighbours are so loud we don’t need to spy on them

27. Lied about your age?   Nope.

28. Fired a gun?   Yes

29. Been drunk?   Yes.

30. Gotten a tattoo?   4!

2012 – It was good!

This has fast become my year end meme 🙂 Thank you Wenchy for starting me off on it.

Running a smidgen late for 2012 but here it is!

You can take a look at {2009}, {2010} and {2011} if you like.

IMG_2409

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

Petted baby {lions}!

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I have stopped making resolutions, that way I cant disappoint myself when I break them 🙂

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope, although a lot of Twitter friends had babies.

IMG_2514

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Uncle and my moms best friend and 1st cousin.

5. What countries did you visit?

I didnt leave South Africa.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

More me time.

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory?

December 21st, the day I survived the Apocalypse 😉

IMG_2541

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Taking the time and making the effort to be closer to Paul!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I cant really think of any ‘failures’.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Besides having THE WORST winter of colds and flues in the history of, ever? Nope, no major illness or injury.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Flowers for my garden.

IMG_2822

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My kids. They have been stars this last year. They are maturing, are polite, play together so nicely. Im very very proud of them.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

No one I can think of.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Petrol. 2012 was a killer!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My brother Matt finally got engaged!

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2012?

{Goodluck}. A fantastic local band.  I have their album on repeat in my car.

IMG_2974

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

  • Happier or sadder? Happier
  • Thinner or fatter? Fatter
  • Richer or poorer? About the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Cooking.  I did a lot of baking but not that much cooking.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Wasted time. I want to be more efficient.

20. How will you be spending Christmas

We spent the day with family having a braai.

IMG_4297

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

Paul and my mom.

22. Did you fall in love in 2012?

No.  Im still in love with my husband and my children though.

23. How many one night stands in this last year?

None.

24. What was your favourite TV program?

Grimm, Supernatural, Hawaii Five-0, Arrow

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No.

26. What was the best book(s) you read?

I read so much that I honestly cant tell you what was my best.

IMG_4504

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

{Mumford and Sons}.

28. What did you want and get?

A new Kindle Touch.

29. What did you want and not get?

Nothing I can think of.

30. What were your favourite films of this year?

Sjoe! I cannot actually remember any of the films we saw last year o_O

IMG_5664

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Good grief! I have absolutely no idea. That is either a very very bad or a very very good thing!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not having any family grief.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Casual.

IMG_5712

34. What kept you sane?

Cipralex! And my amazing husband. Always!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Prince Harry.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

None, I am so not into politics.

IMG_6449

37. Who did you miss?

My brother Cliffy.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Gosh, so many wonderful people have come into my life.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

Kids will make a mess, leave it until they go to sleep, then, clean up. You will drive yourself crazy trying to clean up while they are still making a mess playing.

Photo by Jeanette Verster Photography
Photo by Jeanette Verster Photography

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

{ If you’re happy and you know it…} – I have sung this song till my face turned blue and every time, no matter what, I was so much happier after singing it 🙂

2012 – It was good!

This has fast become my year end meme 🙂 Thank you Wenchy for starting me off on it.

Running a smidgen late for 2012 but here it is!

You can take a look at {2009}, {2010} and {2011} if you like.

IMG_2409

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

Petted baby {lions}!

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I have stopped making resolutions, that way I cant disappoint myself when I break them 🙂

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope, although a lot of Twitter friends had babies.

IMG_2514

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Uncle and my moms best friend and 1st cousin.

5. What countries did you visit?

I didnt leave South Africa.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

More me time.

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory?

December 21st, the day I survived the Apocalypse 😉

IMG_2541

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Taking the time and making the effort to be closer to Paul!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I cant really think of any ‘failures’.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Besides having THE WORST winter of colds and flues in the history of, ever? Nope, no major illness or injury.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Flowers for my garden.

IMG_2822

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My kids. They have been stars this last year. They are maturing, are polite, play together so nicely. Im very very proud of them.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

No one I can think of.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Petrol. 2012 was a killer!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My brother Matt finally got engaged!

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2012?

{Goodluck}. A fantastic local band.  I have their album on repeat in my car.

IMG_2974

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

  • Happier or sadder? Happier
  • Thinner or fatter? Fatter
  • Richer or poorer? About the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Cooking.  I did a lot of baking but not that much cooking.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Wasted time. I want to be more efficient.

20. How will you be spending Christmas

We spent the day with family having a braai.

IMG_4297

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

Paul and my mom.

22. Did you fall in love in 2012?

No.  Im still in love with my husband and my children though.

23. How many one night stands in this last year?

None.

24. What was your favourite TV program?

Grimm, Supernatural, Hawaii Five-0, Arrow

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No.

26. What was the best book(s) you read?

I read so much that I honestly cant tell you what was my best.

IMG_4504

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

{Mumford and Sons}.

28. What did you want and get?

A new Kindle Touch.

29. What did you want and not get?

Nothing I can think of.

30. What were your favourite films of this year?

Sjoe! I cannot actually remember any of the films we saw last year o_O

IMG_5664

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Good grief! I have absolutely no idea. That is either a very very bad or a very very good thing!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not having any family grief.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Casual.

IMG_5712

34. What kept you sane?

Cipralex! And my amazing husband. Always!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Prince Harry.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

None, I am so not into politics.

IMG_6449

37. Who did you miss?

My brother Cliffy.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Gosh, so many wonderful people have come into my life.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

Kids will make a mess, leave it until they go to sleep, then, clean up. You will drive yourself crazy trying to clean up while they are still making a mess playing.

Photo by Jeanette Verster Photography
Photo by Jeanette Verster Photography

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

{ If you’re happy and you know it…} – I have sung this song till my face turned blue and every time, no matter what, I was so much happier after singing it 🙂

How do you read?

Julia over at Unwritten posted this meme and I thought I would give it a bash 🙂

How do you organise your books?

Oh hell, seriously? I try and keep fiction and non-fiction apart, I try keep books by the same author together and books in a series together, I also have an issue getting rid of books so at the moment my books are an utter mess because there just isnt enough space for all of them.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?

Both, I just love to read 🙂

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?

Whenever and wherever I can.  I love my new Kindle that I got for my birthday, its small enough to pop in my hand bag so I can read wherever I am.

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can
you read more than one at a time?

I would love to be able to read more than one book at a time but I just cant, I tend to loose myself in a book and I just cant concentrate on more than one at a time.

What is the last book you bought?

Hmmmmmm, the last book I bought was a fairytale book as a birthday present for one of the kids friends.  For myself, I bought The Dragon Who Loved Me by G.A. Aiken, book 5 in a series of books about, you guessed it, dragons.

What are you currently reading?

Witches Under Way (Book 2 in the Witchlight series) by Debora Geary.  Its a spin off series from her A Modern Witch series which I have read.  These are also the first books that have been shared via Kindle with me.  You have a few days to accept the loaned book and once you accept it you have 2 weeks to read them in.  I heart Kindle!

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?

If I am near my computer then yes, if not I try to remember to check when I have access to my computer.

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?

I pretty much snack all the time, so yes, I snack when I read.  Its usually whatever is handy.

Me me me me meeeeeeeeeme….

I saw this meme on Jenty’s blog and then on Alida’s, Laura-Kim’s and Angel’s…

My turn!

  • Right now, I am lying on my bed, trying to get warm.
  • I’m currently obsessed with the Merry Gentry novels by Laurell K. Hamilton.
  • Cannot live without hugs.
  • I’m reading Seduced by Midnight – Book 3 of the Merry Gentry series.
  • I’m listening to my dogs eating what was their breakfast.
  • Favourite place in Joburg dont really have one exactly. I love discovering new places though.
  • Favourite place in SA is Jozi.  I love everything about my city.
  • Favourite place in the world the Kotel in Jerusalem.
  • I’ve lived in Jozi and Israel.
  • Next up on my bucket list perhaps I should actually make a bucket list…
  • The last thing I crossed of my bucket list see above
  • I realized I was an adult when I looked into Aaron’s eyes for the very first time.
  • I realized I’d never be an adult when I accepted that I love animated films!
  • In the movie of my life, I want to be played by Julianne Moore.
  • Best invention since the wheel: PVR.
  • A house is not a home without dogs.
  • This week I’m crushing on my very warm feather duvet!
  • I’m currently working on not much.
  • I’m really proud of Aaron, for being the politest little boy I know!
  • You’d be amazed if I showed you my teeth before I had braces.  The stuff of nightmares.  No really!
  • I cannot survive winter without hot chocolate.
  • Signature dish Sjoe… No idea.  I love testing new recipes and very seldom make the same thing twice unless it was very very good.  But after a few times I move onto something new.
  • Guilty pleasure soppy romance novels.
  • When no-one’s looking I sing. Loudly.  And badly 🙂
  • In my next life I want to be a dog in my house.  Spoilt brats.
  • Every morning I am late.  I hate waking up.
  • I believe that anything is possible and that things, good or bad,  happen for a reason.  Also that Karma is a bitch and you will get back what you dish out.
  • I’ve really got to work on building my immune system.  At this point it feels like I dont have one at all.
  • Best advice I was ever given Do the right thing, even if it hurts.

A meme

I havent done one of these for a while so when I saw this on Wenchy’s blog I jumped right in!

Shot a gun
Gone on a blind date X
Skipped school X
Saw someone die X
Visited America
Visited Mauritius
Visited Europe
Visited Australia
Visited Sun City  X
Visited Cape Town. X
Been to  Victoria Falls
Been to court.  X
Been lost  X
Travelled to the opposite side of the country (by car!)
Visited Pretoria X
Swam in the Ocean X
Cried yourself to sleep X
Played cops and robbers X
Played cowboys and Indians X
Recently coloured with crayons X
Travelled by train  X
Sang Karaoke X
Sang a solo or duet in church
Paid for a meal with coins only
Made prank phone calls X
Laughed until some beverage came out of your nose X
Caught a snowflake on your tongue
Had children  X
Had a pet   X
Been skinny-dipping outdoors  X
Been fishing X
Been boating  X
Been downhill skiing & made it down the hill without falling
Been water skiing
Been camping in a trailer
Been camping in a tent
Flown in a small 4-seater airplane
Flown in a helicopter
Flown in a hot air balloon.
Walked on a glacier
Driven a motorcycle/been a passenger
Been bungee-jumping
Gone to a drive-in movie X
Done something that could have killed you-but didn’t
Done something that you will regret for the rest of your life  X
Met Nelson Mandela
Visited Asia
Rode an elephant
Eaten biscuits or cake for dinner: X
and ice cream for breakfast. X
Stolen any traffic signs
Stolen any traffic cones
Been in a car accident X
Donated blood
Played bowls (old man’s marbles)

Play along with us. Mark all the things you HAVE done with an X 🙂

2011 – Where the hell did it go?

This has fast become my year end meme 🙂 Thank you Wenchy for starting me off on it.

You can take a look at 2009 and 2010 if you like.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

I donated my hair to CANSA

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Im not entirely sure I actually made any resolutions last year…

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My friend Sam gave birth to her 2nd little boy as well as a bunch of Twitter moms that I was pregnant with (and who all went to full term ;))

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My brother.

5. What countries did you visit?

Again, I didnt leave sunny South Africa.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

More date nights, more movie nights!

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory?

24 Jan, the day I lost my brother.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I dont think I did anything so spectacular that it can be deemed an achievement.  I suppose I can say I survived each day and Im grateful for that.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Losing my temper, I really dont like losing my temper and I wish I had better control over it.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I slipped on the bathroom floor and partially dislocated my knee cap.  Took ages to come right.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Paul’s birthday present, a new camera.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Again, Aaron has been a champ this year, despite having to learn to share his mommy, daddy, nanny, grandparents, toys, dogs, house and everything else with his baby sister, he has been a star!

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

A family member.  Instead of drawing together she has pushed us away and made us ashamed to share blood with her.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Food, nappies, food, bum cream, food. (P.s. this has not changed since last year, oh except I can add petrol to the list!)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My brother in law and his girlfriend getting engaged!

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2011?

Anything Lady Gaga.  Im not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing o_O

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

  • Happier or sadder? Happier
  • Thinner or fatter? Thinner
  • Richer or poorer? About the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Slept. Spent more time with friends.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worried about what other people would think.

20. How will you be spending Christmas

Not sure.  We are spending Christmas day with family 🙂

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

Paul and my mom.

22. Did you fall in love in 2011?

No.  Im still in love with my husband and my children though.

23. How many one night stands in this last year?

None.

24. What was your favourite TV program?

Grimm, Supernatural, Hawaii Five-0, HIMYM

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No.

26. What was the best book(s) you read?

I didnt really read that much this year.  I am reading A Game of Thrones though and am loving it 🙂

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Nothing really new.

28. What did you want and get?

A new computer.

29. What did you want and not get?

Nothing springs to mind.

30. What were your favourite films of this year?

I loved Green Lantern and we just saw Real Steel which was great.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 32 and we went to play B.I.N.G.O. Was great fun and all for a good cause!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Having my brother Matt here for something happy not sad.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Casual.

34. What kept you sane?

Cipralex! And my amazing husband.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

None… boring 🙁

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

None, I am so not into politics.

37. Who did you miss?

Those that have passed, my brother Cliff and my dad in particular.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Gosh, so many wonderful people have come into my life.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Take each day as it comes.  This is from last year and it definitely still applies.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you

– Words by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons and music by Charlie Chaplin, sung by Nat King Cole

Gratitude: Days 24 to 30

Im taking part in a photo challenge.

You can see the first 6 days here and days 7 to 14 here.

You can see days 15 to 23 here.

Day 24: gratitude - I'm so grateful that I'm able to make even this small contribution. #CutForCANSA

 

Day 25: artwork - the print we bought at the iPhonography exhibit. @Jenty sold it to benefit #teamjp

 

Day 26: transportation - my baby 🙂

 

Day 27: daily routine - tea! Can't start my day without it. Even if it's just one sip 🙂

 

Day 28: nighttime - the street light outside my house

 

Day 29: light - through the clouds. The sun will shine

 

Day 30: self portrait - mwa!

 

Im a little bit sorry I wont have anymore daily photos to take.  This was fun!

Random facts are me :)

I was given an award by Tanya over at Dear Max (check out their spiffy new home on the web!)

So I have to tell you 7 random facts about me and then tag 15 bloggers to do the same.

Here goes!

  1. I hate painting my finger nails but love having my toe nails painted.
  2. I could speak in full sentences (no baby talk) by the time I was 1 year old.
  3. I have a very short temper but a very short memory too, once its over its over, I move on.
  4. I cant sleep with my feet out the blankets, they have to be tucked in.
  5. I always wanted to own a book store with a fire place reading nook, just so I could curl up with any book I liked and read all day.
  6. I wish I was tall.
  7. If I could have a 2 hour nap every single day I would be the happiest person ever.

And the 15 bloggers are:

  1. acidicice
  2. Because I Can
  3. Cinderella Trippin’
  4. Everything In Between
  5. Getting By
  6. Her Royal Cuteness
  7. I am Tamiya
  8. Jessica Giggles
  9. Keeping up with the Walkers
  10. Kambabe’s Thoughts
  11. Love.Cybelle
  12. Lovely Light
  13. Mandi Made It
  14. Mom’s Meanderings
  15. Roro’s Rantings

 

Gratitude: Days 15 to 23

Im taking part in a photo challenge.

You can see the first 6 days here and days 7 to 14 here.

Day 15: technology - no one said it had to be modern tech. My grans original electric sewing machine

 

Day 16: - animals - this is my mothers dog Bones. I'm grateful that I get to live with her 3 pups 🙂

 

Day 17: memories - thanks mom for taking the photos 🙂

 

Day 18: something new - fresh summer fruit 🙂

 

Day 19: best friend - @wendilk. She had to send me the pic cause she doesnt work with me anymore 🙁

 

Day 20: seasonal - or unseasonal since its supposed to be hot and sunny. I love this weather though 🙂 #nofilter

 

Day 21: where you sleep - Im so so so grateful for our king size extra length bed. @pauljacobson is slightly more grateful though #talldude

 

Day 22: clothing - my outfit today. Dress from my moms cupboard. Jeans from Truworths. Shoes from local artist at the Bryanston Organic Market.

 

Day 23: in your closet - Ummm ja. Not gonna happen. It's a mess. Sorry 😉