Forever Young

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

2008-07-31T12:23:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-31T00:57:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-31T00:51:00.000-07:00

"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

2008-07-30T01:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-30T01:07:00.001-07:00

One Word Spark

2008-07-30T00:58:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-30T00:31:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-29T10:55:00.001-07:00

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

Steve Update

2008-07-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

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

Happy Cactus Monday fellow cactuteers!

Canned (IF)

2008-07-27T12:35:00.001-07:00

" GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD!" (IF)

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

Mugging, Violence and Ugliness

2008-07-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-26T08:46:00.000-07:00

"I'm a specialist in my field!"

Beach (Inspire me Thursday)

2008-07-25T07:41:00.001-07:00

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

Grandie

2008-07-24T03:30:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

Henry is having a catnap!

What the hell is this?

2008-07-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-22T08:24:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-22T08:21:00.001-07:00

"Maybe we should start recycling our newspapers!"

Perfect Cactus

2008-07-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-21T08:44:00.001-07:00

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

Itsy Bitsy

2008-07-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

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

Tribute

2008-07-19T05:46:00.001-07:00

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

Enough is enough!

2008-07-19T05:25:00.000-07:00

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

Giggles #157

2008-07-19T02:41:00.001-07:00

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

Giggles #156

2008-07-18T13:42:00.001-07:00

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

Yipppeeee, another award!

2008-07-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

"Yes, I am alone!"

HAW and Giggles #154

2008-07-16T09:14:00.001-07:00

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

Giggles #153

2008-07-15T08:24:00.001-07:00

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

Snuffles' new friend

2008-07-14T12:27:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-14T12:20:00.001-07:00

Healing Hands for Inspire me Thursday....

Flowering Senita

2008-07-14T11:46:00.001-07:00

I WISH!

Happy Cactus Monday fellow cactuteers!

Giggles #152

2008-07-14T11:43:00.001-07:00

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

Giggles #151

2008-07-13T04:40:00.001-07:00

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

My own Mandala

2008-07-13T02:28:00.001-07:00

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)

2008-07-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-12T05:06:00.001-07:00

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

Giggles #149

2008-07-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

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

Yippee and Award

2008-07-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-10T09:21:00.001-07:00

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

Animal Wednesday

2008-07-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

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

Giggles #147

2008-07-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

"You better not be downloading porn on that thing!"

Giggles #146

2008-07-08T10:29:00.001-07:00

Mexican Senita

2008-07-07T09:46:00.001-07:00

I did this with silver ink and I really like the result.
Happy Cactus Monday fellow cactuteers!

Giggles #145

2008-07-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

"What do you mean, I'm as healthy as a 34 year old?

I am only 19 Doc!"

I've been tagged!

2008-07-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

I do so like being tagged, it's fun and a challenge.

A new blogging friend of mine, Connie, tagged me, after being tagged by Lolo.

The topic......

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF......

We have 30 minutes for a quick lunch and then repeat the whole process again with the afternoon Nursery bunch.

Exhausting? You bet! No day is the same as the last one, or the next one.

Hell, no hour is the same!

Haven't drawn what I do when I get home, it pales into comparison.

I am tagging Marianne to do a day in her life, with photos, words or art. I feel a huge affinity with Marianne as she speaks Dutch, which I can understand (sort of) and she has two adorable shih tsus, Koekie and Droppie, and she has such an interesting job. Go Marianne!

Suki's Suggestion

2008-07-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday Suki wrote a very interestig post and a suggestion:

Take a family photo and study it. "What do you see in it that is...similar to your life today, to the person you've become? What is vaguely similar? What bears no resemblance or suggests nothing memorable? What ended up the opposite of what you see? " The idea is to look at the photo of your young self and connect with it in terms of who you are today.

I had recently posted a few photos of my brother and I when we were young, showing our close relationship; here is a family one for 'Suki's Suggestion'.

In every photo I have of myself I am always with my dad. My mother never held me or cuddled me or told me she loved me. She has been dead for 27 years and I do not miss her. My dad died the year after her and was sadly missed.

I have had to be my own 'mother' all my life and also have spent a great deal of time 'mothering' others.

What ended up the opposite is that my sons and I are very close and they know I love them unconditionally.

But sometimes, just sometimes, I wish someone would 'mother me'!

Thanks Suki, this gave me lots to think about!

Sour (IF) and Giggles #144

2008-07-06T01:49:00.000-07:00

"Not only has my marriage gone bad, now the milk is sour too!"

Giggles #143

2008-07-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

"The love has been buried under piles of dirty washing!"

Giggles #142

2008-07-04T08:43:00.001-07:00

"If you mix a shih tsu and a bulldog, do you get bullshit?"

HAPPY JULY 4TH EVERYONE!!

Giggles #141

2008-07-03T09:58:00.001-07:00

Animal Wednesday

2008-07-02T08:26:00.001-07:00

This is for Debs, Glo and Ethel!

HAW everyone.
(Wednesdays are becoming as important to me as Cactus Mondays and Illustration Fridays!) Thanks Mim!

Giggles #140

2008-07-02T08:24:00.001-07:00

"I'll take the suit.... and the mirror too!"

Giggles #139

2008-07-01T11:14:00.001-07:00

"I hate it when people go right on talking while I'm interrupting!"

Summer Senita

2008-06-30T08:17:00.001-07:00

"Yippee, yippee, Summer's here," laughed Senita.

Happy Cactus Monday to all you cactuteers.

Hope that Summer has arrived in all your lives too.

Giggles #138

2008-06-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

"Actually, we were looking for a bit more of a water view....."

Giggles Giveaway

2008-06-29T06:35:00.001-07:00

A BIG THANKS to the 13 'girls' who have chosen one or more 'giggles' to have and own.

These are your choices and I am so thrilled that you want them.

They will be winging their way to you all as soon as possible.
If you haven't given me your address yet, write to me: jossross@yahoo.com
If you'd still like to choose one, do it with pleasure!

Thanks again!

Fierce #2 (IF)

2008-06-29T01:43:00.001-07:00

A baby crying,

Who knows this sound?

Fierce?

OH YES!

Giggles #137

2008-06-28T13:11:00.001-07:00

That wasn't what I meant when I said 'bring a bat!'.

Fierce (IF)

2008-06-28T11:26:00.001-07:00

There is nothing more fierce than a mother's love.
Don't deny it....
Don't question it....
And don't ever try to fight it!

Happy Birthday Madiba

2008-06-28T01:18:00.001-07:00

I was in Hyde Park in London last night at the 46664 (his cell number on Robbin Island) concert to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday.

After another exhausting, frazzled and exasperating week at work, I didn't stay till the end, but only long enough to see this great man; looking frail and bewildered, being assisted by his wonderful wife, Graca Michel, on to the stage, for what I fear will be his last public appearance.

Although he seemed (to me) perhaps drugged on pills, struggling to walk and manage, his powerful words were unforgettable. He was definitely saying 'goodbye' and leaving all his work in OUR hands. What a majestic man.
I love you Madiba, you are my hero.Whenever I am asked who I most admire in this world, it is YOU.
Happy Birthday!

Giggles #136

2008-06-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

"Women eat nothing and put on too much!
Men eat too much and put on nothing!"

Junk Modelling

2008-06-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had fun at school making 'junk' models, from recycled boxes, cartons, containers, lids, yogurt pots etc.

The topic was buildings/London buildings, and the kids had a great time.

Today we carried them out to the field and I sprayed them all, while the kids stood well back and watched with awe as they changed before their very eyes.

The London 'Eye' was voted the best one.....

or is it Wembley Stadium?

Giggles #135

2008-06-26T10:09:00.001-07:00

"This chip contains 'Ginkgo Biloba' to help improve the computer's memory and mental focus!"

Animal Wednesday and Giggles #134

2008-06-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

"The Yellow Brick Road? Never heard of it!"

Happy Animal Wednesday everyone! Giggle.....

Cactus Tuesday and Giggle #133

2008-06-24T08:51:00.001-07:00

"Oops, I think I'm in the wrong 'giggle' !"

Happy Cactus Monday on a Tuesday fellow cactuteers.......

Giggles #132

2008-06-23T12:54:00.001-07:00

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"

Giggles #131

2008-06-22T02:54:00.001-07:00

My 'Giggles Giveaway' will continue throughout this week.'

Happy Giggling you all!

Inspire Me Thursday - Friendship

2008-06-22T02:27:00.001-07:00

The topic this week is centred around the work of Yeondoo Jung (Wonderland), and it made me think of these two lovely little girls in my morning Nursery class. They have 'found' one another recently and are the now the best of friends. They do everything together and are inseparable. This has been so good for both of them as it has helped one immensely with her written work because she wants to emulate the other, and it has also helped the other with her social and emotional skills as she was a loner.

Here is a drawing one of them did showing the two of them together (always). I have put them into the same class next year in order to treasure and relish this wonderful bond between them. How I wish we could all love each other like these two do!

Hoard (IF)

2008-06-21T06:28:00.001-07:00

"A giggle a day keeps the doctor away!"
I have painted over 130 'giggles' and promised to post one a day on my blog for a year.
But I don't want to hoard them, so I am giving them away.
If you'd like one, let me know.

Giggles #130 and Original Giveaway

2008-06-20T08:59:00.001-07:00

"When you say I mean the world to you, which part of the world are you talking about?"

As it's the '130th Giggle' day, I would love to send you an original Giggle!

If you'd like to have one of these finely crafted, handpainted magnificent pieces of art (NOT) look at all of them and choose one (or more) of your favourites.

Let me know in the comments section and I will give you my e mail address and you can send me your details.

Giggle giggle, I dare you to own one!!!!

Giggles #129

2008-06-19T09:13:00.001-07:00

"Of course I know what it is, I'm in love!"

Animal Wednesday

2008-06-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

Don't know what it is or why I painted it, but I like it! It's half a dog and half a kangaroo!

So, let's call it a 'manimal' and say 'Happy Manimal Wednesday ' everyone.

Giggles #128

2008-06-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

"My mother-in-law's not fat, she's just gravitationally challenged!"

Giggles #127

2008-06-17T08:31:00.001-07:00

"It seems you've picked up a bug Mr Jones!"

Cactus Monday

2008-06-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hilary gave me a sweet little cactus pair, which I introduced to Senita as the 'Fuzzy twins', her long lost cousins!

She is very happy to have some relatives in the house with her now. She says "Thanks Hills!"

Happy Cactus Monday fellow cactuteers! (and NO rude comments about what it looks like!)

Giggles #126

2008-06-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

"You're fluent in twelve programming languages, but you can't even talk to me about the weather!"

Punchline (IF)

2008-06-15T11:33:00.001-07:00

Here I am with my friends - Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda.

"Sixty, sexy and in the City!"

Giggles #125

2008-06-15T00:33:00.000-07:00

"He must like you, or he would've charged by now!"

Happy Father's Day to all the great Dads out there! And to the great Dad in my house too!

Giggles #124

2008-06-14T03:28:00.001-07:00

"People who dress their dogs are so wierd!"

Me and my Bro

2008-06-14T02:32:00.000-07:00

Bro and I are only 17 and 1/2 months apart in age and have always been very close. (Although I tried to throw him out of his pram after he was born.)

We have lived apart in different countries for 22 years and we hate being away from each other. He is the only person left on the planet who shares all my history! He has visited me in London every Summer for the past few years, and we always have a marvellous time. We hardly stop talking for 2 weeks!

In 5 weeks time he will be here again. Can't wait, bro!

These photos are for you!

Love you lots and lots and miss you more and more as we get older.

Giggles #123

2008-06-13T09:37:00.001-07:00

" Tell me Doctor, is it serious?"

Giggles #122

2008-06-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it!"

(Groucho Marx)

Animal Wednesday

2008-06-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

I got a book out of the Library and tried to copy some animals. Ha Ha!

HAW everyone.

Giggles #121

2008-06-11T09:04:00.001-07:00

"Go away, I'm busy!"

Giggles #120

2008-06-10T11:58:00.001-07:00

"Jack, when you fell down, you broke your crown!"

Senita's dream

2008-06-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

Last night Senita dreamed that she went to school with FY to visit all the little Nursery children. And she had such a good time there!

Happy Cactus Monday cactuteers.

Giggles #119

2008-06-09T11:54:00.001-07:00

"The prozac must be working. You don't look so grim Mr Reaper!"

'Just passing through'

2008-06-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

After (another) stressful week at work, I was on my knees by Friday.

Exhausted, sapped of energy and wondering why the hell I am still working so hard at sixty, I had a chat with Steve who is my counsellor (and I am his).

After quite a while spent discussing the exact problems, he said to me:
"Ma, why are you letting it all get you down? You are just passing through at school, you cannot change the system or the people, you cannot do more than you are physically able to, try to relax and don't take it all to heart so much!"

Suddenly, the constricting band across my chest lifted, and I could breathe again. The magic words were 'you are just passing through'.
Of course I am, aren't we all? Through work, parenthood,adulthood, life ....and, after all, none of this will matter in 100 years!!!

So, I 'picked myself up, dusted myself off', and am ready to start a new week with this mantra running through my head....

you are just passing through
you are just passing through
you are just passing through......

Thanks Steve, for listening....you are very special.

Hummingbird Giggle (Inspire me Thursday)

2008-06-08T07:15:00.001-07:00

"I hum because I forgot the words!"

Giggles #118

2008-06-08T01:55:00.001-07:00

"There are no icons, it's a chalkboard."

Giggles #117

2008-06-07T04:18:00.001-07:00

'A meeting is a gathering of important individuals who individually can't do anything, but together can decide that nothing can be done.'

Forgotten (IF)

2008-06-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

Have we all forgotten

how to give a 'helping hand'?

in the workplace,

in the home,

in the street,

in the community,

in the city,

in the country,

in the world?

Why?

2008-06-06T12:19:00.001-07:00

another tough week
no time to paint
no space to relax
feel cocooned
yet surrounded
vulnerable
working long hours
becoming a bitch
why?
forced to work
can't retire yet
feeling fretful
acting nasty
some happy days too
in the work that i do
is it enough?
no answers yet....

Giggles #116

2008-06-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

"If you don't behave you'll have to go and sit on the 'naughty step' with dad!"

Giggles #115

2008-06-05T09:12:00.001-07:00

"You wanted a web expert!"

Animal Wednesday and Giggles #114

2008-06-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

"So...you've got a corn problem!"

Happy Animal Wednesday everyone!

Giggles #113

2008-06-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

"In order to own a laptop, you need to have a lap!"