A long time.......

Shew...this feels so weird...to be back i mean....can't believe that as I logged into my blog a few minutes ago, it asked me for my email, username and password...ouch! - that hurt, and has it been that long? I'm kidding....me of all people knows EXACTLY how long it's been since I've shared some "blog love". You see, I'm the kind of person who stresses about things like that - about whether or not I'm getting to everything, and whether or not I'm giving it my all. So my absence from my blog has been VERY MUCH FELT by me. Because I always ask what the lesson is behind just about every situation (you have no idea) in my life, I decided to make this lesson about taking the time I needed, and not beat myself up about it - trying hard not to see it as an(other) unfinished project:-/, but rather as a safe space that is a constant in my life, just like old friends who you may not see for ages, and then when you do, you just pick up where you left off, whenever you need to......

2010 - so far, every month has brought sad news about SOMEONE'S health - people close to us. It's devastating to say the least, but through it all giving thanks every day that our family are healthy and able to give of our love, time and any other way we can, to those who need us - that is a gift in itself:-)...so keeping the faith....keeping the faith..

In addition to the challenges, our Sabrina and Dominic are now both in senior primary, which has increased their workload and need for Mom's support significantly = less time to blog!!! Life truly is full of seasons, in so many different facets of our day to day living. I really do try and remind myself of that lovely saying "there are no endings, only new beginnings" as it makes seasonal changes so much less daunting.

On a happy note, today I finally managed to make my own cleaning detergents for the house!!! So exciting!!! I't's been on my green "to do list" forever, so although days are busy and filled with what needs to be done, daily inspirations and golden moments are never far away or out of reach..speaking of which, below are some pics of some of those golden moments going back over the last few months and some of the significant memories or events.

5 of us from "Coffee Love" club, getting together for the first of what will be our annual "It's a wrap" party - we had SO much fun wrapping our pressies together. Ant's, Trace, Bee, Can, and Vee.


Sabrina's 11th birthday party - a total SUPRISE - according to her, her best birthday EVER (she says that EVERY YEAR), - she just loooved the "mocktails" and girly girly stuff that went with it... truth be told - I had the MOST fun setting it all up!


And then it was Christmas...sigh....i REVELLED in the Christmas spirit - a girl can NEVER listen to too much Boney M, and have too much FAIRY TWINKLE at Christmastime......

My wonderful brother and his sweetheart - 2 very special people in our lives..

Despite having to rush off to the emergency unit on Christmas Eve when my Mom's finger got squashed in the garage door, her and I managed to pull off a great evening...I am learning to appreciate the AMAZING women in my family more, with each passing day! Despite having stitches in her finger, which was REALLY badly injured, my mother still managed to loosen the cutlery drawer with a hammer, lying flat on her back on the floor (mechanic style) - i think it was then when I realised where I got my fierce determination from:-)

Our first big trip in our QE2 took us all the way to Limpopo - some of our clan at UMOYA - Bela Bela on New Years eve

The girls in camping gear - Linds, Sand's Kira, and Bee
Our trip to Limpopo was another reminder of the vast beauty we have in this country - The Doornwagt Dam was PRISTINE and beautiful to say the least.

In 2009 I was prompted to start a group, and I am forever grateful that I did. Our group of 8 (sometimes 10 if we have visitors) ladies who meet once a week just for coffee - STRICTLY NO AGENDA, have become such an important part of my life. We have become close friends as well as support to one another's families - we share our love, knowledge and skills, to improve one another's lives and businesses. Our children have also become close, and support each other at school too! AT our first weekend away (sadly not all could make it) one of the children summed up our group perfectly in two words - "Coffee love" - couldn't have said it better!

Just a "teensy" bit apprehensive.....

The Moms, Ke(Kerry), Vee(Venessa) and Bee, navigating the crocodile...it got very "interesting" to say the least
We hadn't had this much fun in a long time....Bee and Can
Smelling the roses...