Giggles #169 and #170 and goodbye....

You know how you get up one day and suddenly you say, "Enough is enough!"

That's how I feel about this blog!

As this is my 300th post, I have decided to finish it off with the last 2 giggles. (I know I promised you one a day for a year, but have had enough!)

I am taking a break from FY and her shenanigans. Bless you all and keep you safe in this crazy world we live in.

Giggles #169

"Marriage changes passion. Suddenly you're in bed with a relative."

Giggles #170

"Which do you prefer, exercising for one hour a day or being dead for 24 hours a day?"

I know a lot of you have enjoyed reading these 'giggles' as much as I have enjoyed concocting them.

Remember, 'A giggle a day keeps the doctor away.'

So, keep giggling!

Art Class

I am so excited!

I bumped into the lady who had given me 'beginner' lessons about 4 years ago, and who I had lost contact with. Her name is Pauline and she is fantastic: chirpy, enthused with energy, complimentary, encouraging and a jolly good teacher.

(What a difference to the 'weasel' whose class I attended for only 3 weeks and then ran away with my tail between my legs, believing that my stuff was shit!)

Pauline was very happy to set up a weekly art lesson in her kitchen, and yesterday was my first lesson. (There will be 2 other ladies joining me after the Summer holidays).
She is imbued with so many novel ideas, including collage, making paper, experimenting with different textures etc. How exciting!

Today we used charcoal and observed a bowl of lilies. She stressed that I concentrate on only one part of the arrangement, and not try to tackle the whole thing. She also showed me how to shade around the part I was looking at in order to make it more evident and bring it to the foreground. Of curse, a putty rubber does amazing things to charcoal too. What fun!

Now, at last, I feel I will 'grow' in my art, as a lot of my stuff is stale and monotonous and not quite 'there'.

Of course you will all see my weekly attempts at self-improvement.

But, most importantly, I will have a 2 hour 'outlet' from the 52 Nursery kids that will take over my every moment from September. So, a 'win-win' situation all round!

Giggles #168

"Inside every fat woman there's a thin woman waiting to get out, so shut her up with another packet of biscuits!"

just plain fun to read

I found this on a random site I was reading this morning and as we were invited to copy it and use it ourselves, I did. I have just finished reading two great books. 'Sotah' by Naomi Ragan ( intense and compelling), and 'Tell it to the Skies' by Erica James (lighter, but equally compelling).

Feel free to indulge yourself in copying this too, and most importantly, have fun reading a book, it takes your mind off all your problems!

Giggles #167

One Word Spark

I found a new site a few weeks ago and have been writing on it.
One word appears and you click the 'go' button and then you have 60 seconds to write whatever comes into your head, don't think, just write.
From today I will also post them here, and try to match them with a piece of art (as I like to do).
Anyone like to join in? Debs? Fern? Teri? Marianne? Human Being? Suki? Lolo? Lynn?

Today's word: Spark

one spark

is all it took

and now my grandbaby

is growing inside you.

thankyou.

Cats, cats, cats

An attempt at drawing some cats-
a tribute to all the cat owners and lovers out there
and for Sjimmie, the cutest little kitten of all time.
Happy Animal Wednesday everybody.
(ps. we're all much better and Steve's doing fine, thanks again for all your caring!)

Giggles #166

"Do we have to conquer it? Can't we just sit here and admire it?"

Steve Update

Steve's lower lip is black and blue and the right side of his jaw is swollen and he can't bring his top and bottom jaws together properly yet.
He has had a very rough few days; mainly emotionally and psychologically. Today it was very hard being back at work. He felt shaken and on edge watching everyone around him with deep suspicion.

He IS back at work.
He IS more chirpy.
He IS talking about it each day.
He IS determined to maintain vigilance on the streets at all times.
He IS full of praise and regard for the ordinary 'man/woman in the street' going about their daily lives.

Thanks for all your very kind thoughts and loving words.

You are a wonderful bunch of (blogging) friends.

Cactus Monday and Giggles #165

"Oh, I didn't notice you there, Charlie!"

Happy Cactus Monday fellow cactuteers!

Canned (IF)

" GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD!" (IF)

(See my last post, they do seem to go together!)

Mugging, Violence and Ugliness

Last night, our son, Steve, was mugged on the way home (at 1.30am) one block away from home.
Three young men (about 18 years old) were walking behind him and jumped on him punching him in the mouth, head and jaw, shouting 'empty your pockets'.....and other less choice words.
He was beaten to the ground whereupon they grabbed his rucksack and demanded his security number for his credit cards, or they would 'kill him'!
Without resistance he handed over the bag; they ran off, leaving him shaken and scared and bleeding from the mouth.
He ran home and banged on the door shouting 'Ma, open the door, I've been mugged!"

The stolen money, mp3 player, credit cards, mobile phone, camera, train tickets, bag, front door keys etc were all of no consequence whatsoever compared to the fact that Steve was NOT stabbed or put into hospital, or even worse.

My question is '"What is happening to our world? What is happening to the human race? Where will all this violence end?"

May you all stay safe this coming week, and be vigilant, always vigilant, and if you do pray, then pray for our world! We all love you Steve!

(Somehow I don't feel like posting a 'Giggle' today! Know you all understand!)

Giggles #164

"I'm a specialist in my field!"

Beach (Inspire me Thursday)

Steve drew this many years ago.
He called it 'Life's a beach!'
It's one of my favourites.
Beach: IMT

Grandie

I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDIE!

DUE DATE 31/01/09 (just 4 days before my birthday, a little Aquarian).

MUM AND BABY (now nearly 13 weeks) BOTH FINE, DAD STILL IN SHOCK!

GRANDIE AND GRAMPS OVER THE MOON!

Giggles #162

Henry is having a catnap!

What the hell is this?

This is another one of my 'what the hell is this?' painting.... and have no idea why I stuck the cheetah in as well!

Happy Animal Wednesday everyone!

At Last!

School's out!
once were kids
now turned to monsters
gone!

Gone for the summer!
on to the next class
gone and forgotten

New ones will appear
weep in the door
try..me.. again..

But Not For
FIVE
WHOLE
GLORIOUS
WEEKS!

Giggle #160

"Maybe we should start recycling our newspapers!"

Perfect Cactus

Happy Cactus Monday fellow cactuteers!

and a BIG thankyou Teri (see below).

Last Friday I received this amazingly beautiful painting from Teri, as a 'thankyou' for sending her some 'giggles'.

The Saguero cactus lives in their park in Tucson Arizona. The hole in it is one built by and for the birds. The smaller round ones are barrel cactuses. In the background is the Catalina Mountain Range.

It is so perfect and will join my original collection in my little art corner, so that I can look at it every day for inspiration.

Teri and I connected through IF about a year ago; then I discovered she was drawing cactuses on a Monday. I got 'Senita' soon afterwards and joined her in this weekly adventure.
She always compliments me on my (very amateurly done, often just fun or silly) Monday drawings, whereas hers are fantabulous (as you can see).

Thanks again Teri. I love it!

Giggles #159

"Don't drink! It shortens your life!"

Itsy Bitsy

She was afraid to come out of the locker

She was as nervous as she could be

She was afraid to come out of the locker

She was afraid that somebody would see

Two three four tell the people what she wore

It was an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

That she wore for the first time today

An Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

So in the locker, she wanted to stay

Two three four stick around we'll tell you more.........

IMT: polka dots

Giggles #158

"Just let him cry. I can't stand your singing!"

Tribute

deep
sensitive
warm
caring
bright
real
worthy
you are everything to me!
for Steve.

Enough is enough!

Enough is enough.
Time to declutter.
Time to re-assess.
Time to decide.
Time for change!
IF: enough

Giggles #157

"Because you're the 'sugar plum' fairies, doesn't mean you have to eat sugar plums all day!"

Giggles #156

"Turn the sound down...I'm trying to finish your homework!"

Yipppeeee, another award!

Isn't this gorgeous?

Marianne gave me with this today.

I do so love getting awards.

I really love the vibrant colours and (mandala) look about it.

Thank you so much.
The 'love' is flowing between here and Zierikzee this week.

I would like to spread the love around, to all of you in my 'I like' list.

Consider yourselves all awarded!

.

Baie dankie my liewe vriendin Marianne.

en ek stuur jou nogmals duisende liefs en wfs.

Giggles #155

"Yes, I am alone!"

HAW and Giggles #154

"I'd like a family car that seats four!" Happy Animal Wednesday everyone.

Giggles #153

"When I was young we used to go 'skinny dipping'. Now I just 'chunky dunk'"

Snuffles' new friend

My friend's grandson came over to meet Snuffles a few weeks ago and it was love at first sight!

This is the drawing he did of her last weekend.

Isn't it adorable?

She's not being tied to a blue balloon, that's her lead.

How do you like the tongue? It obviously impressed him. Tee Hee.

Thanks to a very special boy.

Healing

Healing Hands for Inspire me Thursday....

Flowering Senita

I WISH!

Happy Cactus Monday fellow cactuteers!

Giggles #152

"After extensive x-rays and blood tests, we've confirmed what we already suspected.........you're not big-boned, you're fat!

Giggles #151

The nice thing about egotists; they don't talk about other people!

My own Mandala

What a wonderful surprise arriving home from school on Friday to find my very own mandala waiting for me! I had ordered it from Marianne a while ago and knew it was on its way.

WOW, what an amazing sight greeted me when I (gently) tore off the wrapping.

The colours, the brightness, the excitement, the fullness, the vibrancy struck me immediately.

I took it all in at one gulp, missing lots of details that later became apparent when reading the intricate explanation Marianne had included.

Here is the explanantion (translated from Dutch), based entirely on my birth date: starting from the inside going outwards:

4 (green) South African doves: to help me to remember to let go and forgive. Theyare a symbol of home and hearth, safety and fertility, messengers from Mother Earth.

2 (orange) Pin cushion Proteas (also South African), amongst the oldest flowers on earth, symbolizing diversity and courage.

1 (red) Snake, it's bite symbolic of death and rebirth; the transformations process, also infinitive.

9 (rainbow colours) Lotus leaves, symbolising the entrance to the universe, their leaves depict fertility and their flower is the symbol of a mother's lap. The lotus emerges from the mud, through the water, until the flower lies above the water basking in the sunlight.This signifies the soul progressing from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.

4 (green) Prickly pear cactus. This cactus is the symbol of protection and chastity.

8 (violet) Prickly pears, whose fruit is edible. It helps strengthen the immune system.

10 (red) Chain with ten hearts, symbolic of unbreakable love that I deserve and have earned because I give it so freely.

There was lots more, which I won't write here, it's too personal.

Gosh Marianne, it was like you put me in front of a mirror and 'read' me completely and perfectly. Thanks so much, I will look at this each and every day and surround myself with it's symbolisms. Along with these other two, I now have three marvellous original pieces of art work which individaully and toegther exactly depict ME.

This is the wonderful, emotionally packed collage that Steve did for my 60th birthday. He drew 60 little (prozac) pictures depicting my early life, from all the discussions and chats and anecdotes I had related to him over the years. I will treasure it always, and hope he will keep it long after I'm gone. It is magnificent.


And this is the incredibly beautiful (and also emotionally packed) quilt that I ordered from Lynn after seeing her exquisite work, so personally connected with the people she made them for.
I have never met this lady, and yet she sifted through my blogs and chose exactly the right things to show in this quilt. I left it totally up to her (as I did with all three pieces) and what an amazing result. I know that my brother is going to just love it when he sees it in 2 weeks time.

All three works of art will surround me and cheer me and encourage me to remain truly and completely who I am.

This is how I see myself...... Can't always do this, but often want to.....

"If a man doesn't keep pace with his companions,
Perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
let him step to the music he hears,
However measured or far away."
Thoreau

Foggy (IF)

Most of us spend our lives in a fog:
Of tricky relationships;
Of disappointed friendships;
Of stressful working days;
Of worrisome health problems.

Hope your life is not too foggy right now!
(IF: Foggy)

Giggles #150

"You must be feeling better, you're not looking so 'grim' Mr Reaper!"

Giggles #149

If you cross a telephone and a pair of scissors, you get 'snippy' answers!

Yippee and Award

I have just been nominated by Sukipoet for this lovely award. Please go and look at her wonderful blog if you haven't already. I think Suki is a gentle and genteel lady, and I do so enjoy reading her bits and pieces. Thanks so much, I feel honoured!

Here are the "rules" of accepting the award. (Please note: you can copy and paste these rules from my blog to yours. )

1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on yours.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

There are so many great blogs out there, hard to choose now. But here are my nominations:

1.) teric: The founder of 'Cactus Monday', which has now become a weekly special and one I throughly enjoy participating in. Her art is intricate, delicate and a great inspiration to me.
2.) beammeupscotty: Debra has an unusual and much envied (by me) view on life. She hears a 'different drummer' and is definitely not a 'sheep'! Love the way she thinks and what she thinks about.
3.) mandalasandmore: Marianne and I made friends instantly through our blogs and I can sort of communicate with her in Dutch. I adore her mandalas (very artistic), and her empathy and love that shines through her posts and comments.
4.) auntiemim: I met this wonderful lady when she was on business in London earlier this year. We both wore pink (snap) and it was such a terrific hour of non-stop chatter, like we'd known each other forever. Mim is a warm and personable 'gal' with a great sense of humour.
5.) humanbeing: This is a fantastically good person, a lady who always has something good to say about everything and everyone; whose writing is touching, reflective and emotional.
6.) elizt: Her drawings are simple, well thought out, and very arty.She is a lady of very few words, and I don't know much about her at all, but what she says always makes sense/or is full of fun/or both.
7.)studiololo: Last but definitely not least. Long before we got to know each other, I felt a close kinship with Lolo. She is one humane animal-loving human being, a true example to all of us.

Please pass this one ladies and add a few extra on too.

To everyone who pops in for a daily giggle, I hope your day is not too shabby and the sun is shining wherever you are!

Giggles #148

"No, it's actually a clown costume I want!"

Animal Wednesday

Don't know whyI painted this.
Don't know what it means.
Happy Animal Wednesday anyway to all of you!