tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34994042439680143472024-03-13T15:17:01.147+00:00WeezaFishA chilled and gentle place to come swim with the fishies.WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-22083682196731473362020-11-12T12:46:00.002+00:002020-11-12T13:37:13.249+00:00The Witch is Dead (and Other Good News)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWg7LrrdGSlYfBINodL7Cac4piIHuUKPJPZzj8wG-0O5lALkt3KQYgbgfIT_tl4iPkPhaEDW3U6TL4rjwth-185W8LFsrQCxnm6y0Jc9uLSbRgy4Bxw8E_J6iSmWmF8HOBsnWzB6Fp99Q/s1057/Trump+Explosion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="1057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWg7LrrdGSlYfBINodL7Cac4piIHuUKPJPZzj8wG-0O5lALkt3KQYgbgfIT_tl4iPkPhaEDW3U6TL4rjwth-185W8LFsrQCxnm6y0Jc9uLSbRgy4Bxw8E_J6iSmWmF8HOBsnWzB6Fp99Q/s320/Trump+Explosion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Ding dong, the witch is dead. Which old witch? The wicked old witch.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">No more Trump guys! Okay, he's not a witch but the feeling's the same. From a satire piece I read the other day, I like to imagine that come January, he will disappear in a cloud of cheeto dust. And it feels so good. As a Brit, I can only be pleased that our own right wing leaning Prime Minister has lost his mate. Let us hope our next election garners us a similar result.<br /></span><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Just a few other things going on ... worldwide pandemic ... climate change ... the Conservative UK Government still brexit-ing and everywhere it seems the right wing and intolerant (not to mention Qanon scary conspiracy nuts) are rearing their ugly heads against global calls for tolerance and equality.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">One of those moments in life when you definitely want the world to stop so you can jump off for a bit. Hit pause; have a moment to catch your breath. Or catch up on some sleep in my case.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">How's lock down going for you? We've just entered our second one in the U.K., due to end at the beginning of next month so we can all go Christmas shopping and help the economy. Have you got used to restrictions yet? Isn't it ... so different, so odd? All generations who came after the World Wars and have the pleasure of living within a democratic society; it's such a new and unprecedented thing just to be instructed by your Government, to not have free will.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Good news about the vaccine though, hoorah. We had a headline here this week; "Vaccine Means Life Could Return to Normal by Spring" according to one of our Scientific Government Advisors. Uplifting stuff huh? Most definitely one of my favorite headlines of 2020. The possibility of life being back to normal next Spring, my gosh. Yes please.</font></div></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Just to be able to get out and do things, see friends and family. The inkling of a possibility that we may be able to visit outside our bubbles over Christmas? We'll see.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">For now, we're in a second wave. Rising cases every day and just yesterday the highest daily number of deaths since June. Kids and I have got this though, staying at home as much as possible, masks and handwashing .. all habit for now. We're hanging on in there. Stay safe, Spring and all the optimism, joy and new life it stands for is coming. Woop de fucking do!</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">My life this year has dramatically changed. I've felt stuck and unable to change anything for a long time and am absolutely frikkin definitely looking forward to 2021 being all about going out and running free. In my head I'll be all "you better get this party started" but in reality it will probably look more like ...</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeMPBX8Lcp41pqVcbkfuBZxpxxjSmYoztaObIWEgzteyPlMHxL2g_QHV-JF6k7eUolN3-QVUPTgcl-isjZmgH0DyloMSo5xIjy4p-ca3B_0tPwx6QzRdVh1WKSj_SPkKALlisSmepAxY/s564/Phoebe+Running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeMPBX8Lcp41pqVcbkfuBZxpxxjSmYoztaObIWEgzteyPlMHxL2g_QHV-JF6k7eUolN3-QVUPTgcl-isjZmgH0DyloMSo5xIjy4p-ca3B_0tPwx6QzRdVh1WKSj_SPkKALlisSmepAxY/s320/Phoebe+Running.jpg" /></a></div><br /><font face="verdana"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back soon.</span></div><div><font face="verdana">Much love</font></div><div><font face="verdana">Wx</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-91498492570606071152019-11-12T15:45:00.001+00:002019-11-12T15:45:25.359+00:00I Painted a Pebble and I Liked It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did, rather a lot actually. So here's a short and lighthearted (non-political, easy reading) post about my new found love of painting stones. I'm guessing some of you may have heard of the painting and hiding pebbles thing huh? I'm not exactly sure if it's popular further afield but certainly here in the U.K. it's become so in many parts of the country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Find your local painted pebbles group on Facebook and then paint pebbles and hide them for others to find. Hopefully those found are posted to the page and then re-hidden or kept.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You hope your hidden pebbles make someone smile; you rather overly optimistically imagine them travelling around the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sounds rather banal? Bit middle aged, frumpy even? Possibly! That being said, the boys and I found our first hidden rock in a park a couple of Summers ago and I've loved, no, adored painting them ever since... even if I can't quite explain why.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I like to attempt creativity, but usually with my words as I've never considered myself a person who can draw, certainly you'd struggle with me on your team playing Pictionary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I looked at my first pebble, like a blank page, for a while deciding what to draw. I remembered a couple of cartoon characters I 'learnt' to draw as a kid and started with those! Pencil first, as corrections happen often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I got passed the teething stage of figuring out which materials work best and invested a few quid in good quality paint pens and varnish. Waaayyyy passed the point that the boys grew bored of it and stopped asking to join in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's now one of "Mummy's things". I paint pebbles and I hide them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Much love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">WF xx</span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-32048279883397912072019-10-17T19:58:00.001+01:002019-11-10T10:14:14.515+00:00How Did We End Up Here?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlXbh_b2g_i9biuMLsnolm5lBIjeo2cM94xQiFVrKmVsscLTtFc-U5TSxTRh7GnxIPBgirQq3FYmDPuVFio_uh_8tpTlxHYPiqleU3JdAaDjmQ44Lml1oYH1ewBXJV7JqsKDWV-zgHn0/s1600/20191013_174237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlXbh_b2g_i9biuMLsnolm5lBIjeo2cM94xQiFVrKmVsscLTtFc-U5TSxTRh7GnxIPBgirQq3FYmDPuVFio_uh_8tpTlxHYPiqleU3JdAaDjmQ44Lml1oYH1ewBXJV7JqsKDWV-zgHn0/s400/20191013_174237.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Would help I guess if you knew where 'here' was huh, not least find out why I'm so surprised at where we are and how we managed to arrive? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just read that back and managed to confuse myself; let's start again shall we.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For those who may not know, or those who've forgotten during the massive break I took from blogging, my family is Hubs, myself and our two boys now 12 and 9.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A half South African and half English family, we moved to the U.K. in 2015 for <i>lots</i> of reasons but our plan was to start our second business, having sold our playground business in Johannesburg, and we got the boys in school and set about making our plans a reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Best laid plans and all that so now we fast forward to just a few months ago and Hubs and I are at our wits end.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Those that live here in the U.K. are fully aware of the ongoing effects of 'Austerity' in the country not least of all being the stagnant wage growth for ten years whilst the costs of living keep going up and up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Successful though our little shop was, it was never going to create the income we needed to cover our increasing shopping bills and rent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Four years after arriving and we had moved a total of four times with some temporary stops in between.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The area we live in currently is home to Europe's biggest construction site (at Hinkley Nuclear Power Station), one of the results of which being an influx of workforce looking for homes in our rather small town in Somerset which both increased quite dramatically the average rent as well as giving all the private landlords a chance to cash in by changing their family homes in to multi occupancy properties. Three bedroom homes have become so sought after, it's very hard for a couple of self employed <strike>dreamers</strike> entrepreneurs without a regular monthly income to be at the top of the long list of applicants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hubs and I knew that in order to achieve the kind of freedom from daily financial woes we craved, we had to think outside the box.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We couldn't handle moving any more, especially to increasingly smaller properties - the last with no garden!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having received notice on our home for the third time in as many years, we struggled to even find the motivation to start looking at properties we could afford. Knowing damn well that the prices had all gone up again. And that's accepting, in our forties, that we were still no closer to owning our own home one day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know, makes for quite depressing and self pitying reading I'm sure but stick with me. It gets a whole lot better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Two weeks until moving date; we'd cleared out and packed boxes ... as if we had somewhere to go haha! Panic setting in and an impending visit to local council Housing Officers on the cards we decided to take a drive out of town.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our dream has always been to live in one of the many beautiful little villages that surround the town and live a rural life so Hubs and I dropped the boys at school and headed out in the general direction of the villages on the West side, that being the side of town where the boys schools are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We took with us some pre-printed cards explaining our plight which we began distributing to notice boards in village shops whilst curiously checking out any properties that had To Let signs as well as some empty and part derelict properties we found.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And then it happened. The stroke of luck on which we still currently ride began with a message from a lady who had seen one of our cards and thought she could help. At the same time, a lady we met walking her dog suggested that we talk to 'the main landowner' in the area only to find out that he already knew about us and our quest ... as the lady who'd messaged was his cousin!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Skip forward a couple of days and we are being shown around a Country Estate of some 2,000 acres (!!) that needs live in Caretakers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Live in caretakers for ONE of the many amazing properties that are part of the estate. A stunning wedding and conference venue, no overnight guests, hubs will manage the grounds and I the house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know, sounds like a fairy tale doesn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Currently I sit in my flat, above the stables in the Courtyard of the 'main' house, finding I have time to blog as I listen to the geese and many tweety birds outside. We're due to take over at the other house (3 miles away on the other side of the estate) after Christmas so we didn't even bother to unpack fully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From being under 'duty of care' of our local council's Housing Department to working at and living on a country estate. Nope, still not sinking in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can imagine the children's response. Already they've named the cheekiest of the chickens (Nosey; she won't hang with the other chickens, she spends most of her time following grounds staff and trying to get into the buildings) and the scruffiest of the peacocks (Scruffy. Who has overcome his initial shyness and is now to be found outside our front door most mornings hoping the boys will drop him some cracker crumbs). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kH8BCHLOoHmLBZ2uw_dcHiR-aJ13wzW1c9LuHiGtYmXdCuixhW7WJ3Q8fc-DgXE3-UZdqd47bPcQWZUMoZjmxiRm1dJQn4en27RcTSNOWukVY193W5giKZyYgC2HOBGnwlULH-Jzr-8/s1600/20191014_161020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="955" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kH8BCHLOoHmLBZ2uw_dcHiR-aJ13wzW1c9LuHiGtYmXdCuixhW7WJ3Q8fc-DgXE3-UZdqd47bPcQWZUMoZjmxiRm1dJQn4en27RcTSNOWukVY193W5giKZyYgC2HOBGnwlULH-Jzr-8/s200/20191014_161020.jpg" width="119" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They've checked out the grounds in their wellies finding nature galore along with swings in trees, fishing lakes, woodlands, meadows, orchards and nut trees and so much more. And they've wandered, open mouthed in awe, around the houses themselves. Steeped in centuries of history and crammed full of antiques and possible ghosts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've never felt so thankful in my entire life. So blessed, so amazed at the kindness of others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So here's to our new adventure. If anyone fancies booking a wedding at a beautiful venue in Somerset, U.K. do give me a shout. I'll be helping the boys with their new daily task, bringing 40+ chickens in for the night, or if the sun's shining you may find me on the swing.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nosey *</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">WF xxx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">* Since found out her name is Henrietta :)</span><br />
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WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-31346348847582310962019-10-11T13:54:00.001+01:002019-10-11T13:54:54.894+01:00Guess Who's Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhsyL2QMiH5A8B2RxuTgIfj3pHioSGHpKb8lxpuqeRN1FlY5e18Zgtyt7QRM31fvPctsDaHdZLhNzjXIp5v96xLdnijXqsnnkKNjm3GeQFqBK1ht5rmBsyBQB5vz5JLG7-eZAov0CuNQ/s1600/Guess+who%2527s+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhsyL2QMiH5A8B2RxuTgIfj3pHioSGHpKb8lxpuqeRN1FlY5e18Zgtyt7QRM31fvPctsDaHdZLhNzjXIp5v96xLdnijXqsnnkKNjm3GeQFqBK1ht5rmBsyBQB5vz5JLG7-eZAov0CuNQ/s200/Guess+who%2527s+back.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well I'll be. Not sure what I'll be, not a monkey's uncle that's for sure albeit the correct idiom to express my shock and surprise at the fact that ... I am blogging again! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bit like riding a bike, I'll wobble and bump my way back in - bear with me as I find my voice. Possibly a new one hey, as we have all grown and changed since I was last here. So much so, I find some of my earlier posts make me cringe! Although I do manage to resist the urge to edit them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am actually as keen to pop along to some old blogging friends sites and have a read of what they've been up to as I am to write a post so let this first post in a while be a light one before I dash off for a catch up; I'll try imagine now what upcoming posts I have been itching to get back on here to write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Personal Update; I still love to journal our lives somewhat on my blog so there will definitely be an update amongst the flurry of new posts. Highlights to include the continuation of our small business ventures, continuing growth (shock news) of our children and the <i>EXCRUCIATINGLY</i> exciting and imminent move to a country estate. Yes, a country estate oh la di da.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <a href="https://weezafish.blogspot.com/2016/05/positive-parenting-saying-yes.html" target="_blank">Positive Parenting</a>; my current part time study project as Hubs and I find we have grown all the more determined to be the best parents we can possibly be as our boys get older and er, start copying in earnest all our good and bad examples. I've learnt so much and feel an urge quite often to try and pass on what successes we've enjoyed as well as our failings of course, so more tips and articles coming soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Current Affairs; I can't help it. I care what's going on in our world a great deal, it always interests me so it will be popping up in my upcoming posts I am sure. Trump and the organised Far Right, darling Greta and the Extinction Rebellion, Brexit (bleaurgh) etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Photography; long a passion of mine and soon I am moving to a simply stunning spot with ample opportunity for some truly beautiful work. I am walking around constantly with my view finder eyes on so expect some photo posts soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Writing; blogging about writing? Why yes of course. Since we last were together, I've had a stab at freelance content editing and discovered that I ADORE correcting other people mistakes. Who knew that eye twitch I get when reading a piece that *needs* editing could be put to good use!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Last but not least, I plan to resurrect my "<a href="https://weezafish.blogspot.com/2014/10/interesting-facts-well-i-never-no-9.html" target="_blank">Interesting Facts</a>" post series. I keep learning new things! And some of them are interesting :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that is all ... for now. She is most definitely back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WF xxx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0Bridgwater, UK51.127889 -3.003632000000038751.0481655 -3.1649935000000387 51.2076125 -2.8422705000000388tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-76979868780484172362016-11-26T11:39:00.001+00:002016-11-26T11:39:26.773+00:00Sporadic Blogging Causes Mixed Posts<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'llllllll just casually drift right back into my blog shall I? Sneak in by the back door and start writing a post, hoping nobody noticed I've been gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do you know, there's so damn much going on in the world right now; choosing what to write about when I do find the time very quickly uses that time .... so we end up with mixed posts like this one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But that's okay, it can be kinda cool. Just look at all the topics we can cover in one post if we try.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiA48IZ8_MXESxAQF2qiAcJdtd3tReSYhbEu4_QkYYqWH26kYUPty3gi5rzawZ4WC2o6WMMY3pucZw7l1tXTlvlMYPoMw2kpL2PAqejdZhh_CAYx97lFQeTY3o1bzgO16WyP7AQG4IHs/s1600/trump-money-proof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiA48IZ8_MXESxAQF2qiAcJdtd3tReSYhbEu4_QkYYqWH26kYUPty3gi5rzawZ4WC2o6WMMY3pucZw7l1tXTlvlMYPoMw2kpL2PAqejdZhh_CAYx97lFQeTY3o1bzgO16WyP7AQG4IHs/s200/trump-money-proof.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. Trump and WTF did you just do America?!! Get up to your room IMMEDIATELY and think about the consequences of your actions. Much like us Brits must ourselves now, post Brexit referendum. I felt the need to write a post about the rise of the far right and how we intelligent gentle folk who've learned from the mistakes of history need to make sure we fight it and shout it out every time we recognise it. Never let it be normalised or accepted in any way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. Fake news, being 'sorted' by the internet big boys of Facebook,Google and Twitter. It's a bit blimmin' late guys but, okay. At least you're <i>trying</i> to rectify things. I was stunned to find out the extent of fake news that's intentionally used in political campaigns to sling mud at people and even more stunned by the amount of folk that swallow it, hook, line and sinker. If like me, you're feeling more mistrusting of the press than ever before but still want to keep up with current affairs, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fake_news_websites" target="_blank">here's a handy list of fake news sites</a> (and any sites that have been found to report fake news) for future reference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. Fake Facebook helping. Sharing posts that upset or concern us just makes US feel better, does it not? War torn countries too far away to look familiar. I feel more and more disheartened and helpless each day, adding my Facebook angry or sad face to yet another picture or clip of people suffering. Can I actually friggin do something to help please? Awareness is out there, I find folk in the comment sections asking the same question. I'm pretty sure I could get quite a team together, can we DO something to help?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. Parenting, of course. The boys are at 9 and 6 so parenting as a whole still takes up a lot of my time and effort. I'm definitely a developing parent, a working project if you will, so I often find I want to write about my experiences and share my thoughts as I realise my mistakes or figure out new things. Mainly the former, it has to be said, mainly the former. More Positive Parenting posts soon, covering my tries, fails and successes. Yay! I succeed sometimes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. Work? Remember last time I wrote about work I was looking for jobs here in the U.K.? Yeah, that was never going to work out. Once you've worked for yourself, it's so hard to go back to being employed. For the last 11 months, hubs and I set up and started running an online preloved furniture store. I know. That wasn't one of my business plans was it? Opportunity is key I feel. It all started when my folks gave us furniture for the house when we arrived. They had two furnished holiday lets which were being changed to unfurnished long lets, so there was much more furniture than we needed. We decided to sell the excess as it were and were amazed at the potential to make money in secondhand or preloved household goods. I can't believe come January, we will have been trading for a whole year!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6. CHRISTMAS! Oh yes. You know you can't avoid it any longer. It's nearly December and you are no longer allowed to be annoyed at those friends on Facebook and shops in your local town that insist on starting the excitement in October. I am getting the decorations out of the attic this weekend, oh yes I am. Enough putting it off already. It's Christmas time and I for one am ready. BRING IT ON!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtj08qT0gWVPZvxmQ6LejO-HTf_Rsejadze7Gj7o-z6OtrIxd2fmP-jBhyphenhyphenYy6BhwxxB-6tOej9aOdaW91mkhQgP8ZRvXS9qB5wemW6xSJFn1MtD6Pkacj3JB5sLr0QTdsohiUOQqeTkQ/s1600/get-excited-because-christmas-is-coming.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtj08qT0gWVPZvxmQ6LejO-HTf_Rsejadze7Gj7o-z6OtrIxd2fmP-jBhyphenhyphenYy6BhwxxB-6tOej9aOdaW91mkhQgP8ZRvXS9qB5wemW6xSJFn1MtD6Pkacj3JB5sLr0QTdsohiUOQqeTkQ/s320/get-excited-because-christmas-is-coming.png" width="274" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Much love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">WF xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-15759887708561722762016-05-23T13:35:00.001+01:002016-05-23T13:35:16.127+01:00Positive Parenting: Saying Yes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bVb03OEYN811LMPGbxnVr9aGWvGnJGkpZTlMp2rp1eWiM6HY66dtr0CS7aNE0T_JTCw4yNbL5O_yUm4CmzlUb0ROdJ8DZMiHj4BmScif2ny29L_Ny9zNxyBTjch5T0z-tG0JpUiwfJ8/s1600/SAY-YES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bVb03OEYN811LMPGbxnVr9aGWvGnJGkpZTlMp2rp1eWiM6HY66dtr0CS7aNE0T_JTCw4yNbL5O_yUm4CmzlUb0ROdJ8DZMiHj4BmScif2ny29L_Ny9zNxyBTjch5T0z-tG0JpUiwfJ8/s400/SAY-YES.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since having my two boys, I have found myself becoming an advocate (in my own home and Social Media pages at least) of 'Positive Parenting'. Being that style of parenting that tries to focus on gentle guidance rather than punishment and critique.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Easy it certainly is not, but then no parenting - whatever your style, is. I've decided that my blog is another place, aside from my own home, that I can increase my advocacy so here's a light little starter post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although not necessarily part of Positive Parenting, I found myself wondering last week why I was so quick to say "no" to my children's requests. Often, if I'm honest, before they've even finished asking the question.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The reason for my 'no' always seems to be the same. Because I'm too busy. I don't have time. There's something that I feel I need to do first that is more important than what my children are asking for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over the last few days, just as a little experiment, I tried saying 'Yes' as often as possible instead ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, can you make some more of those chocolate rice krispie cakes that you made for my Birthday party? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, will you play with me? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, can you play the '7 years old' song on your phone again? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, can you come and look at my Pirate Ship Castle's new roller coaster? (Minecraft) YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, can you walk us through all the shops down town so we can spend our pocket money? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, it's nice and sunny. Can we just go fishing? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, if I take my Lego dragon to school to show my friends will you carry it home again for me? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, can I get my own breakfast? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, will you push me on the swing again? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, will you play Monopoly with me? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, can I wear my best party shirt today? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, can I have my torch in bed? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mummy, will you read this book to me? YES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of my experiment I can report that my house possibly looks a little untidier than it did last week but also that my children spent a lot more time smiling and laughing than they usually do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From this day forth, I am definitely putting more emphasis on the latter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Positive Parenting. Because it's not all about your parenting, it's all about their childhood.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48lyjLcijqcye4MjHgKxycnsp6Cee6RiK995D76SV_dBSSKRkfG-s5Lt2uU4PgtZP8rzUa5yZHPnFXTisGN0nRLDvW14Q9Cm2uLZKhvbBqdCgscBoJrR-jNdWJuNBRMwcZJUeK5fTXd4/s1600/Joy-of-Childhood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48lyjLcijqcye4MjHgKxycnsp6Cee6RiK995D76SV_dBSSKRkfG-s5Lt2uU4PgtZP8rzUa5yZHPnFXTisGN0nRLDvW14Q9Cm2uLZKhvbBqdCgscBoJrR-jNdWJuNBRMwcZJUeK5fTXd4/s320/Joy-of-Childhood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Much Love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">WF xxx</span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-28812925213088739252016-03-12T14:48:00.000+00:002016-03-12T14:48:44.146+00:00South African Ways: Things That Will Never Leave Me<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I lived in South Africa for almost seven years and it probably wouldn't surprise you to know that it has kind of rubbed off on me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Which makes it sound like a hairy dog that just brushed passed my leg and coated me with dog hairs, but the 'rub off' is actually a whole lot more pleasant than that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here, in no particular order, are a list of things that South Africa has given me that I will never lose. No matter where I am or what I am doing, I cannot see any of these not being a part of my life forever more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Language</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now that I am settled back in jolly old England, chatting to family and friends, I find myself having to stop and think ... "what is the ENGLISH way of saying that?".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">South Africa, as you may or may not know, has a staggering ELEVEN (yes, eleven) official languages and most South Africans I have met over the years speak an interesting mix or at least three or four different ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That mix makes it easier for people to relate, because somewhere in their conversations they can find words that both sides understand. And some of those words are definitely stuck with me for life. Especially as this is the language my two boys have begun their lives speaking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. Lekker (pronounced 'lakker') means awesome, cool, very nice. As in "thank you for dinner, it was lekker" or "I like your new jacket, lekker man". You should roll the R at the end of the word as you say it and for me, it is way more expressive than 'cool'. The word just goes on for as long as you want to roll your R! Lekkerrrrrrrrrrrr.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. Ja (pronounced 'ya') means yes, or yeah or any affirmative response. EVERY South African I have ever met says Ja. Nobody says 'yes' or 'yeah', like, EVER. Anyone who responds 'ya' in the U.K. however is considered a bit posh. Folk will think I am pretending to be something I'm not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. Cellphone. I know, my American readers will be looking puzzled but you see in ENGLAND it's called a Mobile phone. Mobile, or even Mobi for short. Like with many of my language adjustments, I adjusted to saying Cellphone or Cell because if I said anything else when in South Africa, I'd get puzzled looks followed by perpetual "Oooo, are you from England?" conversations. And the same goes for Movies, called films in the U.K. or Pants, which in the U.K. are called Trousers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. Yebo, which means Yes but in a really excited and affirmative way. e.g. "I just won the lottery, YEBO!!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. Malhala, which means free, but as in costing no money as opposed to <i>being</i> free in the literal sense. It's used in advertising often, i.e.: "Buy one, get one MALHALA!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6. Also. I know, 'also' is an English word but it's just not used as often here as it is in South African English. In the U.K. if you want to express that something is more, you say 'too'. As in, "I want a coffee, and a piece of cake too". Here in South Africa, the same sentence would be said "I want a coffee, and a piece of cake also". Similarly, "I want a piece of cake too" could become "I also want a piece of cake". Subtle difference, but one some folks here in ol' Blighty have commented on when they speak to me. Apparently, I say 'also' an awful lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laundry</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laundry?! I know, who'd have thought that my laundry practices would have changed huh? But they have I tell you, they have. Firstly, I'm not scared of hand washing anymore. I can't believe that when I lived in the U.K. I would actually shop for clothes avoiding like the plague ANY that had a wash care label that said 'Hand Wash Only'. But get me now, a few lessons from African neighbours and hand washing became a non issue to me and I can't believe the idea used to stress me so. I actually lived in Africa for the first two years with no washing machine. I did all of our laundry, yes I said ALL, in the bath using my feet to work it. That's right, you put the clothes and the soap powder in the bath and you dance your clothes clean. I'm even making it sound fun huh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the way I dry my clothes on the line has changed also, as an African lady once pointed out to me - if you hang your coloured laundry on the line inside out, then the colours remain good for much longer. That might not be such a problem in England, where the sun is not often as strong as it is in Africa but it's such a habit now to turn the clothes inside out before I hang them that I don't think I could break it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fearless (well, almost)</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To most English people, the very idea of going to South Africa, let alone settling there, is in itself - downright scary. I have family members who, despite the cheap flights and free accommodation, never took the chance to visit us out there and experience the country. I think they were probably too scared to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But guess what? It's not as bad, anywhere near in fact, as they think it is. Whilst there is a lot of poverty and the opportunistic type of crime that this tends to breed, you really TRULY are no less safe there on a daily basis than in most civilised countries. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You just need to know the Safety Rules and if you remain aware and alert and follow them, there's little chance you'll be in any danger as you go about your daily life. My family and friends may think I'm fearless and brave, but little do they know that I just learnt the correct way to behave. Which incidentally, is the same kind of rules you would follow if you were heading to any large City pretty much anywhere in the world. Yes my nervous Brits, even in England.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ubuntu</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ubuntu is an African word that roughly translates to mean 'Human Kindness' but is often used to describe a type of life philosophy that upholds the belief in a universal bond of sharing and caring that connects all humanity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To demonstrate the difference that has made to my life, it's the change from feeling annoyed,nervous or put out when someone asks for your help to actually empathising and wanting to help someone when they are obviously in need of some. Realising the difference and the good you can do in someone else's life if you take your head out of your own arse (or problems, if you will) and put your attention to someone else, your fellow human. In short, I have lost my fear of 'strangers'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whatever you need help with in South Africa, you will find it fast and there's a lot of people in need of help, right on your doorstep, in your neighbourhood and in your community and you feel moved and obliged often to get involved. Without wanting to diss my own country folk, or anyone else for that matter, the more Western way, shall we say, is to hide the folk that are in need from those that are doing okay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is normal in South Africa to see a fellow human suffering or in need and want to help. Whether that's a craftsman at your door who's trying to make ends meet and sell you something, a car with it's hazards flashing on the side of the road, your local school in need of fundraising or someone sat on the street begging for money to buy food. Do we walk passed and do our best to pretend we didn't notice them? I find a lot less so since I lived in S.A.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The SUN!!</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe just outdoors in general? I have always been a lover of nature, a lover of the outdoors. But gee whiz (another South African phrase I realise I'm struggling to stop saying) JUST LET ME GET OUT THERE!! I quite literally, crave the outdoors, SPACE and the sunshine these days. As do my kids, who from birth probably spent around 80-90% of their awake time outside. In places like this;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">England's weather is obviously not quite as temperate, shall we say, as South Africa's but sod it man. We go out. We wrap up warm or in waterproofs and we just frikkin get out there. I can't not. I get that around the country most folk are probably indoors, with the heating on but I just can't any more. I cannot stay IN. I am a creature of nature, and I want out into the bush/wilderness/countryside as often as I can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And geez do I need the sun. I'm like a flower, turning to follow it. I feel depressed when I haven't seen it for a few days. I'm pale, I feel physically slower, tired more often and I've put on a fair amount of weight. Bleurgh!! Give me sun and outdoors now please. I need my nature fix man!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beloved Africa. It truly is the Mother, and living there has made me realise that I am just another one of her children. I definitely left a piece of me there when we left that will never be anywhere else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As another writer (who's name I cannot remember) so perfectly put it, "Africa found a place in my heart. And she's quite happy there"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-16613955701059827352016-02-16T22:57:00.001+00:002016-02-16T23:27:01.395+00:00Falling in Love Again: Happy Valentines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’ve just fallen in love. Really hard and so deeply and truly, it takes my breath away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was just watching him play with his kids. So gently teasing and tickling them, making them giggle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I found myself not just watching, but blatantly staring. Forgetting myself for a few minutes as I lustily drank him all in. That man I know so well. His strong physicality, his smile, his eyes. His fathering, his kindness, his strength.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I felt a warmth and a stupid grin spread all over me. I tingled, caught my breath and even felt butterflies in my stomach. Here I am, a married woman of nearly ten years, giddy as a teenager and flushing with feelings of love, need and want.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Falling is the right word to use when describing that heady feeling. I was lightheaded, high on my feelings and rushing with an urge to kiss him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He looked up at me and smiled, like he knew. I took my chance and leant in for a kiss. He returned it, warm and loving and as the kiss ended, I laughed at myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Falling in love with my Husband again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">xxx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-90534103633291487102015-04-13T16:43:00.000+01:002015-04-13T16:44:21.873+01:00Settling In<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Howzit all! (Like I have so many readers ...).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another quick post done on my phone, to let you know that we are settling in nicely in the U.K. Actually been here one month today, which has flown by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, it's a bit colder than Africa but you know what? We've had blue sky and sun for over a week now so I have high hopes for Summer. Even unpacked my flip-flops, oh yes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After Easter hols, boys are starting school soon and then it's work hunting time for Weeza. Having looked around a bit these last few weeks, I'm not toooo worried about finding work - only that I find something with hours that fit around school. I shall keep you posted of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whilst we replenish our savings to move into our own spot, we're house sharing. Yes, house sharing - as in that thing you do when you're young and studenty. It's going well for us as a temporary measure, we only hope it's going as well for the quiet lady who suddenly has an entire family with two small but RATHER LOUD young boys on her top floor *nervous laugh*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've hooked up with lots of old friends and family, a joy to see and spend time with them all as you can imagine, and the boys have been spoilt rotten. As only a grandparent who hasn't seen you for years can spoil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Proper, meaningful blog post soon ... or just drivel, whichever takes my fancy at the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While you wait, I shall attempt once again to catch up on my reading</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More soon! W x</span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-1472189584679902552015-03-18T11:13:00.000+00:002015-03-18T11:13:02.169+00:00We Made It!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess what, guess what? We have made it to the U.K. guys! And yes, It's frikkin freezing. Which I've written and told people so often, my phone now pre-empts 'frikkin freezing' when I type.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have lots to organise, not least schools, jobs and home, but once we're settled properly I shall be blogging properly again. Woo hoo!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back soon! xx</span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-16702798427396188202014-10-03T10:35:00.001+01:002014-10-03T10:35:25.981+01:00Interesting Facts: Well I Never No. 9<h3>
<b><u><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Three Cool, Useful or Otherwise Interesting Things I Didn't Know a Month (or so ...) Ago.</span></u></b></u></b></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look what I learnt recently!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1. We Go Wrinkly When We're Wet for a Reason</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyH7biV79cqBO-FRwnltRSUCHfGMzMEW7YQFLhXMp_apnHit3VRw-ytrQlvMf0gF65Or-zJO_cDpDgKRJgRCHGze5D9VdMxgzKeNDCVmgztOeJI1miqOKQEa6kQusg05KI4uXmbnfEIw/s1600/gty_wrinkled_hands_fingers_water_thg_130109_wblog.jpg" height="180" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Via: <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/">www.gettyimages.com</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know you've been in the bath too long when your fingers start pruning, but it's not just a sign that it's time to get out. Back in our more hunter gatherer days, we were barefoot and we had many a terrain and weather condition to contend with in our nearly 100% outdoor lives. Now imagine it's peeing it down and you're trying to scale a rock face to get a clearer view of that wildebeest you intend on having for dinner. Or you're walking through wetlands, foraging and trying to pick up wet things. As we get wetter, our wrinkly fingers and feet work like tyre tread to give us better grip in wet conditions. Why haven't we evolved this away? Because we're generally a quite clean species, and we like like to get wet on a regular basis. Our bodies don't know that we're just having a shower, and not trying to scale a waterfall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2. Ants Change Colour, Depending What They Drink</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xwdMfQdBgMyAVfag-KO2g6wO2O4TemnUOOw-USh9DOUsUB9eu8H2aiS0wnP5xOk8eKcVzICH9XBBGJLfyN9iMEJORsq6vjh8Cih6UY_cZuvMIX7H3Dia56RckEaSY-an7ZYrGoMDKKA/s1600/ants_colored_water_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="ants change colour" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xwdMfQdBgMyAVfag-KO2g6wO2O4TemnUOOw-USh9DOUsUB9eu8H2aiS0wnP5xOk8eKcVzICH9XBBGJLfyN9iMEJORsq6vjh8Cih6UY_cZuvMIX7H3Dia56RckEaSY-an7ZYrGoMDKKA/s1600/ants_colored_water_01.jpg" height="146" title="ants change colour" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hee hee! This just makes me smile. That we KNOW this makes me smile. And I think I did share the story on my Facebook page, so apologies if you've already seen it there. Dr. Mohamed Babu, from Mysore, India noticed that ants in his kitchen were changing white as they drank some spilt milk. A few experiments with food colouring later and we have, coloured ants! That's it really, coloured ants. You can read the full story <a href="http://www.viralnova.com/ants-colored-liquid/" target="_blank">here</a> but ... COLOURED ANTS PEOPLE!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. Goldfish are Better at Memory Games than we Thought</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many times have you wowed a dinner crowd with the knowledge that 'Goldfish only have 3 second memories'? No? Just me then.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiO2AwseLOMXrejB2RDYX2PVv9Zejqt9wwX9V516J-2LHdzrhEVl49Juh2cIkaRxptuxd0IbRM_nOC9rnGUGeCDg00GHeJHt-hMCrQdLuwXoM_USJn1KwuSR4ajLv6NE2RDW4gG8V6pA/s1600/Goldfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiO2AwseLOMXrejB2RDYX2PVv9Zejqt9wwX9V516J-2LHdzrhEVl49Juh2cIkaRxptuxd0IbRM_nOC9rnGUGeCDg00GHeJHt-hMCrQdLuwXoM_USJn1KwuSR4ajLv6NE2RDW4gG8V6pA/s1600/Goldfish.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Never fear, my 'Interesting Facts' posts are here to save you (okay, just me) from embarrassing yourself in company by keeping you up to date with the latest development in Goldfish memory research. Because it turns out that they can actually recall things for <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/10937888/Memory-of-a-goldfish-Actually-fish-can-recall-events-12-days-ago.html" target="_blank">nearly two weeks</a>. Test were done where fish were fed in the same spot every day, then after a 12 day break in different surroundings they were brought back and guess what? They waited in the same feeding spot for their food. I'm not going to let it spoil the character of Dory in Nemo for me though ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who knew? Not me clearly.</span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-83623759615629950012014-09-01T14:33:00.000+01:002014-09-01T14:33:28.454+01:00Spring is Coming!<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYFrHVsbkKl9yPP6reDaa04JoUE1aX0RefzoC3AyZAS8Bu7AsAK9bujWFS7Y5KrT1GzQhP0KPwWRkxlIRtOZyesn_lSh9Ttu6ExNfZDB3aox0vT20AOYCB5BIeKAe9I6V2WFqev8FBy0/s1600/2014-08-26+13.56.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYFrHVsbkKl9yPP6reDaa04JoUE1aX0RefzoC3AyZAS8Bu7AsAK9bujWFS7Y5KrT1GzQhP0KPwWRkxlIRtOZyesn_lSh9Ttu6ExNfZDB3aox0vT20AOYCB5BIeKAe9I6V2WFqev8FBy0/s1600/2014-08-26+13.56.56.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
favourite time of year, my favourite time of year … doo doo doo,
tra la la, Spring is coming guys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WARNING: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fully expect now a cheesy post about Spring. Those of you about to enter Autumn, I apologise in advance because ... SPRING IS COMING!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
coming of Spring in South Africa is so frikkin tangible, I can feel
it with all of my senses. And today is September the 1st, considered here the first day of Spring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winter
is dry, dry, dry. Everywhere you look outside, you can see</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">yellow and
brown. Even the trees with some green left on them have a yellowed
tinge to them and the ground is dusty and cracking.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd2GD1Dm_JSUehNYvaqZrd-xsoOx5NOEcAnMIkhuD0jkIhIfvb52xxfaGJW_V_ue2B4nqs-OS3DTI_HidxOYBmPOkhZbnm-9vcDQTJGsCiE-boMjR7s5bsrJuDSsOlCXNU7jkIfI999o/s1600/2014-08-26+15.30.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd2GD1Dm_JSUehNYvaqZrd-xsoOx5NOEcAnMIkhuD0jkIhIfvb52xxfaGJW_V_ue2B4nqs-OS3DTI_HidxOYBmPOkhZbnm-9vcDQTJGsCiE-boMjR7s5bsrJuDSsOlCXNU7jkIfI999o/s1600/2014-08-26+15.30.05.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Green in the ashes.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's
been almost five months since it rained and in rural areas, like
where we live in the North West, all the Bush (long grasses) have
been burnt in controlled bush fires - otherwise someone's discarded
cigarette could very easily cause an uncontrolled one - and just the
smell and sight of bushfire smoke in the air, signals the end of the
dry season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And
blackened as it all may look immediately after, it helps the soil
also. The only places we have new green grass growing on the property
right now are places where we've had bush fires.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so
we wait for the rain …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's
many other signs that it's coming too, Hubs and I point them out to
the kids when we spot them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We saw a flock of migrating birds return to our yard last week and
start feeding and nesting. The garden is filled with bird
calls at the moment. The one's you usually hear, but also the rarer
one's that you miss in Winter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
insects are coming back!!! AAAAHH! About the same time of year that the start of Spring is officially declared here in S.A., I start moaning about the insects. Can truly be the <i>only </i>thing
I dislike about Spring and Summer in Africa, but their recent
increase in numbers doesn't overshadow the fact that SPRING'S
DEFINITELY COMING GUYS!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Swats
a mosquito*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
night time temperatures have gone up. Contrary to popular belief (by
anyone who's not been here) Africa does have a Winter. Having said
that, our daytime temperatures never really drop down that far that
you'd mind or notice that much, but after dark man it sure gets
chilly. Just the fact that we are all sleeping with one less blanket
over us these last few weeks, oh yeah baby – SPRING IS COMING!!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peas :)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aaaand
… Hubs has dug over a veggie patch. A sure sign that Spring is
coming. He's even sowed some seeds, and they've started to shoot
look!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
swear, you can almost smell the rain in the air. Talking of smells, I
can't wait to smell the wet earth. The '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrichor" target="_blank">Petrichor</a>'. That's a new word I learnt, and I just
got to use it in a sentence (yay). Petrichor means, specifically, "the distinctive scent which accompanies the first rain after a long warm dry spell". Don't you j</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ust love that
smell?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a
Brit, I could never imagine that I'd become a girl who's excited at
the coming of rain. After all, I'm from a country where if there's a
<i>chance </i>that the sun might pop
out, we all put on short pants, sandals and sunscreen, so glad are we
that it's not raining for once.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But
having now lived in Africa for nearly seven years, I so welcome the
rain when it comes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It
only rains in Spring and Summer, and often it's great, big
thunderstorms or hailstorms that soak the country for an hour a day
and then disappear again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And it
truly brings in the SPRING, the warmer weather that comes with it,
new life and frikkin vibrant GREEN everywhere. Ten minutes
after the first rain shower has stopped, everything seems fresher and
greener already.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrk4QWchL0mpsNHBj00WjjCQao7ZaPl-C01QfFHtZZaT2VXKR6L7DDjp1P2fEZzoC-juZBR0aj8OhtlCtOsfRIKuSuoNppOdtZ4VNLBNy9L7j8FVIe6Z_P0DTSg59KG-8tybcs6hOh1w/s1600/Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrk4QWchL0mpsNHBj00WjjCQao7ZaPl-C01QfFHtZZaT2VXKR6L7DDjp1P2fEZzoC-juZBR0aj8OhtlCtOsfRIKuSuoNppOdtZ4VNLBNy9L7j8FVIe6Z_P0DTSg59KG-8tybcs6hOh1w/s1600/Rain.jpg" height="400" width="277" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's
not to enjoy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And
yes, for those that are wondering, when the first rain of Spring
comes, my family and I do go outside to welcome it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After
months without, we natural creatures feel a need for that rain as
much as the earth does. So we smile and laugh. We hold our hands up
to the sky and dance around in our bare feet. We catch a few drops in
our mouths, get soaking wet and thoroughly enjoy ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
friends, I cannot wait.</span></div>
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WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-79282645535239963172014-07-27T13:46:00.001+01:002014-07-27T13:46:19.586+01:00Dear Readers (dramatic pause) I AM BACK!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello! *waves frantically* Anyone there? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gee, there's cobwebs everywhere and look at the dust...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not as Excited as Me. *</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been without a computer (other than my teeny, but awesome phone) since February and you won't believe how excited I am to be sitting in front of my (secondhand) new one now, typing with all of my fingers on an actual real keyboard!! Which makes me sound a bit archaic, I know - I should be blogging from my tab, no? But then I don't have one of those either so you can see why ANYTHING other than typing with my thumbs while squinting at a teeny tiny screen would be welcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who knew I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> would miss the blogging world so much? Oh ... okay, I knew. Anyone that knows me could have figured it out too but yoh, it feels good to be back!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And after months away, you'd think I'd be bursting with post ideas, have notebooks full of notes and drafts huh? But it surprised me how much it effected me, knowing that I couldn't actually POST anything. I stopped wanting to write anything, went into a writing lull if you will. In fact, when I first sat down this morning I couldn't think what to say at all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An hour in the sunshine in my garden and the words are flowing again, I'm glad to say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've done a lot of reading in the last six months or so, possibly to compensate for the lack of writing, and I've read many really awesome and inspiring articles, stories and blog posts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My little phone doesn't allow me to comment on blogs and sites though, I'm not sure why but the fact that I couldn't say "Hi" or "Awesome" or "That's so funny" after reading anyone else's posts made me stop reading other blogs for a bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sorry, I've missed you guys and I will be stalking you again soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For now, I will post this quick 'I'm Back' post to bring us all up to speed (because it helps me keep track of where I am too, I tell you) and then, THEN I shall write a proper post. Or two or three? Who knows? I can post whenever I like, haha!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are still in South Africa for those that don't know. Why is a very long story so I think I must save that for another post one day. We are fine, we are healthy and happy and still working towards our now longer-term plans to get over to the UK for a spell. We've moved to the North West Province, about 80k North of Joburg but I have to be honest, I do miss the big city.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My three men (Hubs and boys) are as awesome and joy bringing as always. We sold our business in January and Hubs is still working in playgrounds here in the North West but I've now taken a break from being his business partner to focus on some of my ideas. I still do all his admin of course, but that's just part of being a wife to a man who runs his own business but can't type awfully well :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting this PC set up was the first step of many for me though so you'll have to wait awhile for news on my next thing I think, I still have to decide which of my ideas to try out. Never fear though, I'll soon be plugging and asking for Facebook likes I'm sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until then, SHE IS WRITING.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">XXX</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* I do so hate to use a photo without credit, but darned if I can find out who took this awesome pic. I have very learned readers, so please tell me if you know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-11708394677642317292014-01-03T13:23:00.002+00:002014-01-03T13:23:40.003+00:00WeezaFish 2013: A Photo Review<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Guys, I swear to you I have been sat here for the last hour deliberating over this post. Okay, to be fair I 'killed time' in between deliberating by catching up on some blog reading and Twittering a bit also. BUT STILL!</div>
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Isn't it the done thing? Doesn't EVERY SINGLE BLOGGER IN THE WORLD write a end of year review post? No?</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm such a stubborn so-and-so. As soon as I felt I really </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">should </i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">write a '2013 in Review' blog post, I of course didn't want to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I convinced myself that I hadn't done enough post writing to MAKE a year review. Can you imagine? "So january we, er ... didn't seem to do that much ... MARCH there was a Birthday! April, May ...no, June the dog got sick"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But guess what? I almost managed to post once every month last year so that excuse wasn't going to work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I sat down and <strike>imagined</strike> pretended that by saying 'NO!' to the Review Post I would be released instead to write other posts. Of great interest, importance and OMG-this-girl's-so-funny humour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then I chastised myself for acting like a kid with three hours Maths homework to do and came up with this brilliant (and very lazy) idea to use photo's. Please understand, the time I have just saved myself (and you dear readers) will allow us ALL to do much, much, MUCH more exciting and valid things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">January</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was preparing myself for the big '<a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/01/back-to-school-ready-or-not.html" target="_blank">Back to School</a>' and finding myself swinging wildly between missing my little baby boys (not really babies at all) and feeling like I'd been freed, if only for a few hours each day ...</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiviSQ8Pb_9FJg0VDD5QTML2LU4otLtS9FP3YOERm0y7tmOTO1PCUnSYjKCrJvQm5UeggKZVAokNcQ0XnoOtV6nA2tH2NlPWlSlLGV3JyoZEaTcfe8HhdrEsFlickGWotKmTFRBfDVQ3g/s1600/2013-01-09+07.20.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiviSQ8Pb_9FJg0VDD5QTML2LU4otLtS9FP3YOERm0y7tmOTO1PCUnSYjKCrJvQm5UeggKZVAokNcQ0XnoOtV6nA2tH2NlPWlSlLGV3JyoZEaTcfe8HhdrEsFlickGWotKmTFRBfDVQ3g/s400/2013-01-09+07.20.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Woohoo! No more of Mummy's 'baking' attempts"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We had a lovely visit from my parents and I pondered <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/01/if-men-and-women-are-equal-let-young.html" target="_blank">modern day equality</a> and judging by my photo albums for the month, we went swimming at the river an AWFUL lot. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFNDqWbzDxjT4uOELQN62KgoeK1XITQbd-dJrLmjntg6yHzH7StZGW190M67QqC__riBtk7POtbRv7_p0MEB6NBgbO30Vg3RQfxW6EdThgIE_VsRJvocZuTW4RZJY0eM8hwVj7zxdync/s1600/2013-01-08+15.49.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFNDqWbzDxjT4uOELQN62KgoeK1XITQbd-dJrLmjntg6yHzH7StZGW190M67QqC__riBtk7POtbRv7_p0MEB6NBgbO30Vg3RQfxW6EdThgIE_VsRJvocZuTW4RZJY0eM8hwVj7zxdync/s320/2013-01-08+15.49.10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
February and March AND April</h3>
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These were quiet months on the blog, I didn't post properly either month so I was either very busy doing very exciting and interesting things, or I had no internet access. Clue: it's the latter. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedQG1MMp8HQ5AYcfKuvMDSJOyQyoFMIDbfHuOv5KRbWeE7qN9FCm_DGRN_zKhiCCm-hmMNz6tvT1MQeQeBiOwtcfMIbm0BG7c5Nrcz_Jk_qxlKAuzkHbF0Rm0XrV0ns3C-wrJ-o4w_Bg/s1600/2013-03-05+18.20.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedQG1MMp8HQ5AYcfKuvMDSJOyQyoFMIDbfHuOv5KRbWeE7qN9FCm_DGRN_zKhiCCm-hmMNz6tvT1MQeQeBiOwtcfMIbm0BG7c5Nrcz_Jk_qxlKAuzkHbF0Rm0XrV0ns3C-wrJ-o4w_Bg/s320/2013-03-05+18.20.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We moved house (again), celebrated Nate's fourth Birthday and I did manage to make a <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/04/photo-diary-time-where-tf-have-i-been.html" target="_blank">Photo Diary</a> entry, enquiring quite where the f*@k I'd been.</div>
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<h3 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
May</h3>
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In May I won an <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/05/an-interesting-blog-award-from.html" target="_blank">Interesting blog award</a> from the Reluctant Mom and just HAD to post about it (like, literally. It was in the rules).</div>
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June</h3>
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In June we visited one of my favourite reclaim yards, <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-favourite-places-in-joburg.html" target="_blank">Independant Traders</a> where I happily spend many hours rooting through things that smell old.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumTucN2sMkecoQ29qoy6XX2qyMuhNNI5H0BoyzBTtGEWxkOU04aXXDk3jHO_JAsq-6k3s-h1HXO8eyvTn3PcdaziSAbR1t9NNPSS4uibeckWke-LCa_4ckBHKlw-JS_CyKoLf9lEFtVA/s1600/2013-05-21+09.37.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumTucN2sMkecoQ29qoy6XX2qyMuhNNI5H0BoyzBTtGEWxkOU04aXXDk3jHO_JAsq-6k3s-h1HXO8eyvTn3PcdaziSAbR1t9NNPSS4uibeckWke-LCa_4ckBHKlw-JS_CyKoLf9lEFtVA/s400/2013-05-21+09.37.37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had a staff Braai and also visited the Wondercaves, part of a small and private animal reserve near us called the <a href="http://www.rhinolion.co.za/" target="_blank">Rhino and Lion Park</a> which WE LOVE, you should all go if you're ever this way. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWreD8uHOhmFbZvqAEJdH1pIjZDUDcKJdfmHAuh1U06peq6VO02E5ni-cwOjZYUksV_lDQSGvIgG5prC_vfb_OxUZKq2VHO1bKtJI5biu0C5m5dsJP5UqXEBzU1ay2I0eNJKBOJxbODQ/s1600/2013-06-23+14.22.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWreD8uHOhmFbZvqAEJdH1pIjZDUDcKJdfmHAuh1U06peq6VO02E5ni-cwOjZYUksV_lDQSGvIgG5prC_vfb_OxUZKq2VHO1bKtJI5biu0C5m5dsJP5UqXEBzU1ay2I0eNJKBOJxbODQ/s400/2013-06-23+14.22.06.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We love it, because it feels unspoilt. No cages, like at Joburg Zoo. No Tourists, like at the other, bigger Lion Park.<br />
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AND it has a WONDERCAVE!!! Need I say more? I think not.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNvT8vP4q6Hmh8_LMtGZXSB6kQh7C2MChnJZs0hdGrkQKTfvM2HlQzuuVzCcHewff6f4kUFtZOlXPMDuRfPpPHqeED7G_Q57pRA6HDz9ecM-tm8JHUKN4h553gbZpPPyjiUOWisvImq8/s1600/2013-06-23+15.26.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNvT8vP4q6Hmh8_LMtGZXSB6kQh7C2MChnJZs0hdGrkQKTfvM2HlQzuuVzCcHewff6f4kUFtZOlXPMDuRfPpPHqeED7G_Q57pRA6HDz9ecM-tm8JHUKN4h553gbZpPPyjiUOWisvImq8/s400/2013-06-23+15.26.17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave of WONDER ... oooo.</td></tr>
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<h3 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
July</h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I managed two posts!!</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was obviously feeling fat</span>,<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> because I tried to get healthy with my <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/07/Easy-Healthy-Eating.html" target="_blank">5 Easy Tips</a> post and I'm struggling again after my Christmas overeating, so it's quite timely for me to be reminded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And I managed to finish a new page, <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/p/bloggers-who-read-my-blog.html" target="_blank">Bloggers Who Read my Blog</a>, this month also which pleased me because I'd been meaning to do this shout out for aaaages. </span><br />
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<h3 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
August</h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ah August. A busy month at work and a busy (for me) month on my blog with THREE (yes, I said THREE) posts in August I must have had internet for sure :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was listing <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/08/facebooks-still-cool-right.html" target="_blank">Cool facebook pages</a> and <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/08/just-writing.html" target="_blank">Just Writing</a> because I felt like it. This was the month <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/08/were-having-smashing-time.html" target="_blank">Hubs crashed his bakkie</a> also, which seems like a year ago now.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxtpQae_QD8TowI5gTJF9h3ECzd8pj2iFvguF5lqUdopZTCEURWXmhJ1WyyDmYSMwVo66EeA7-Ghv3Jo2eijBDxYEiiICLlsv25RZoCtn0BAA5X7WpDjb-yMQDjcilf06AiLeVswjNQM/s1600/2013-07-28+13.44.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxtpQae_QD8TowI5gTJF9h3ECzd8pj2iFvguF5lqUdopZTCEURWXmhJ1WyyDmYSMwVo66EeA7-Ghv3Jo2eijBDxYEiiICLlsv25RZoCtn0BAA5X7WpDjb-yMQDjcilf06AiLeVswjNQM/s400/2013-07-28+13.44.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">September</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">No posts to WeezaFish in September, we were clearly busy spending more time at the river and attending the boys school Fun Day. Worth it alone for the awesome Jumping Castle.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmRJuAWzF-jf_iU4zp2YyLj0wNY8mxqE1kbhhsWHueytIauK8DtrVXI6ugp3YbpHX-fQuJ1fccpIumnSVxHyOtFPVCIELOCZMxlFzWNML8VSfnZMdwFhVutByg0enTmhWxJgICeVeKEQ/s1600/2013-09-01+10.37.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmRJuAWzF-jf_iU4zp2YyLj0wNY8mxqE1kbhhsWHueytIauK8DtrVXI6ugp3YbpHX-fQuJ1fccpIumnSVxHyOtFPVCIELOCZMxlFzWNML8VSfnZMdwFhVutByg0enTmhWxJgICeVeKEQ/s400/2013-09-01+10.37.55.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're right, it's not a Castle at all.</td></tr>
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And as if that wasn't enough fun, Tallen's 6th Birthday Pirate Party (which I always intended posting about separately and clearly am never going to get around to) was a blast. We had family and friends visiting that month also, I think September was one of my favourite months last year.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUAsp9lWIL8BttAxm1P5bMG6xS_LX13qmRRGAloLONo675TtWQmwLV7xHTIcC2ycZHUI3__-r8sm0lhlLsrepLNUg7h7XQNG6juSkt2SMeOeOJheKoKLLnuMd-_1cF4X_wuXQ1eiPz9o/s1600/2013-09-21+11.50.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUAsp9lWIL8BttAxm1P5bMG6xS_LX13qmRRGAloLONo675TtWQmwLV7xHTIcC2ycZHUI3__-r8sm0lhlLsrepLNUg7h7XQNG6juSkt2SMeOeOJheKoKLLnuMd-_1cF4X_wuXQ1eiPz9o/s400/2013-09-21+11.50.25.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The pirate ship tree (the Black Pearl, aaAHHH Jim Lad!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aTNPhJEbS7vAXoEPLzMfAjvBr9YmjAmZqSXP60fJriOiI4rJUwJeD8IKqTQtSlDyN7p6SdpNrwsyZndml7-ahqwm4OwNdR0zEYkMqpFUtjvxmJhb_TrGFkoQ_iQh1klM-_inOPQNgfg/s1600/2013-09-21+15.00.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aTNPhJEbS7vAXoEPLzMfAjvBr9YmjAmZqSXP60fJriOiI4rJUwJeD8IKqTQtSlDyN7p6SdpNrwsyZndml7-ahqwm4OwNdR0zEYkMqpFUtjvxmJhb_TrGFkoQ_iQh1klM-_inOPQNgfg/s400/2013-09-21+15.00.46.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Face Paints for the kids. For the KIDS Weeza!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQz3cufG3mAEJC5pa83o_bVcbnTOoaqqK21NUm-hjdAdU4K99NhRP70qKc6g_Ofp0pch4ocl97eQWR4KEYIACdEjK3djw4Fi14ivASC_WjhVpw6jRCdCroK3FIXe01V63zPKB8WhafEM/s1600/DSCN7083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQz3cufG3mAEJC5pa83o_bVcbnTOoaqqK21NUm-hjdAdU4K99NhRP70qKc6g_Ofp0pch4ocl97eQWR4KEYIACdEjK3djw4Fi14ivASC_WjhVpw6jRCdCroK3FIXe01V63zPKB8WhafEM/s400/DSCN7083.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Feeding the little pirates with Pirate food.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAiq3MYM4QG_746avUJSoLnOAUYQRPdeCPiqUeU3gWOcS_Srj-FohfAZcFri9HkValAl1k3U-AEJWZq2T6uRFvwEHi0AUPvbVZIyewvIQAoc_X8Aa_l3C3KnhKmZff4qKN1zo2VFqTLM/s1600/2013-09-21+16.33.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAiq3MYM4QG_746avUJSoLnOAUYQRPdeCPiqUeU3gWOcS_Srj-FohfAZcFri9HkValAl1k3U-AEJWZq2T6uRFvwEHi0AUPvbVZIyewvIQAoc_X8Aa_l3C3KnhKmZff4qKN1zo2VFqTLM/s400/2013-09-21+16.33.03.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a happy little Pirate at the end of his day, hiding his new treasure chest.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">October</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">October I came back with a bit of a BANG and posted my piece on <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/10/online-porn-monitoring-our-kids.html" target="_blank">Online Pornography </a>and how we should all be protecting our children from it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At home, Hubs built more Yippy Playgrounds ... </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lUyLCsH17RhWpIfdT1hu0AMWhXuHHgyi0t0U-kv-fKfwN_RcQ2L6DTY15Prc9wE7v62POKnt3LWm3Cg-T574wqqT31CzpcDMmMwc-yX2lsQ8CsBznU9gz73RIHNguOldzn2dZ80xt8s/s1600/2013-10-16+13.48.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lUyLCsH17RhWpIfdT1hu0AMWhXuHHgyi0t0U-kv-fKfwN_RcQ2L6DTY15Prc9wE7v62POKnt3LWm3Cg-T574wqqT31CzpcDMmMwc-yX2lsQ8CsBznU9gz73RIHNguOldzn2dZ80xt8s/s400/2013-10-16+13.48.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We fell in love with our new dog, Sunny ...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LU0A1r_dDB0kSQmRnkx0xtxFh8JCCCRf1C4Ed6k9RXjnh3sEblyo_6JyUoT-RqZzOoofSvwyN91MInEYCzOXkELec7eK4xKBdK_FWLRN7hg-R5_6QGVngNEFBANzuPxLTqgJ_3iTlt0/s1600/DSCN7030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LU0A1r_dDB0kSQmRnkx0xtxFh8JCCCRf1C4Ed6k9RXjnh3sEblyo_6JyUoT-RqZzOoofSvwyN91MInEYCzOXkELec7eK4xKBdK_FWLRN7hg-R5_6QGVngNEFBANzuPxLTqgJ_3iTlt0/s400/DSCN7030.JPG" width="225" /></a></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And in our search for new Distributors, visited many a lovely Garden Centre.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtSWNP97gCWQCIJfPQ3Wi7xSyr4xb6Dovvt80QWeVDSdMhnTCXqH9tZDqu_RY567qUMqcoGmM_immD-fzhHTtbicndBB-v_89ahGuvHHySDmQ0zSAKTFxcUgSTQY-BHSUAt4DlyAUKRc/s1600/2013-10-16+10.52.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtSWNP97gCWQCIJfPQ3Wi7xSyr4xb6Dovvt80QWeVDSdMhnTCXqH9tZDqu_RY567qUMqcoGmM_immD-fzhHTtbicndBB-v_89ahGuvHHySDmQ0zSAKTFxcUgSTQY-BHSUAt4DlyAUKRc/s320/2013-10-16+10.52.25.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">November</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In November, the bubbling thoughts that had been eating away at me for months and months burst out in my <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/11/time-to-leave-south-africa-for-this.html" target="_blank">Time to Leave South Africa</a> post. And we're still struggling with our goodbyes, but looking forward to all the hello's next month.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLKZvjUqkJMzBA9gVi63NLiSHzULsZAeNJPcbeaiDnyBvIGuhyjPDeL560d8Z-gcCozujcajoRZsA4kCOjK_nT_WH23W2LF6xauwie68J_UnlwqvDkYl4DixDGjjGl0T6jcIUAsa4A30/s1600/2013-11-21+18.23.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLKZvjUqkJMzBA9gVi63NLiSHzULsZAeNJPcbeaiDnyBvIGuhyjPDeL560d8Z-gcCozujcajoRZsA4kCOjK_nT_WH23W2LF6xauwie68J_UnlwqvDkYl4DixDGjjGl0T6jcIUAsa4A30/s400/2013-11-21+18.23.32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At home it seems we were reflective, enjoying our home and surroundings.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocOSNauUdddPL6H59IBEQUOmIFa4VCST8VdotGkXqzrvDUTmsram6yEw8rAqodilMOD4BcdhFZA4bOhp_XHE8q3k4qFCwZDA1cIHxg01xnvOBsJFnn5hO2Ptj_yQaSTg6AnSAVkWsHi4/s1600/2013-11-30+14.52.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocOSNauUdddPL6H59IBEQUOmIFa4VCST8VdotGkXqzrvDUTmsram6yEw8rAqodilMOD4BcdhFZA4bOhp_XHE8q3k4qFCwZDA1cIHxg01xnvOBsJFnn5hO2Ptj_yQaSTg6AnSAVkWsHi4/s400/2013-11-30+14.52.21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Going to the river and any nice spots we could find when we had spare time, and attending Nephews/Cousins party, that left us all feeling like Natey here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And Tallen lost his first tooth!! Which led me to totally set myself up for future years by ensuring the Tooth Fairy left him this;</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6HckE4xr8zW8BKROwqmFiAROBJybG__IR8jQiZWUOxo34IbJ1nywGrTGN6oxWhlGwMo57EXFz0vS3JMAeoDP0-4YtRm0Am7TbzjT49pcBEyGMuFMmhJEq4WI2P-cTLM0BI458P9IHM4/s1600/2013-12-01+22.27.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6HckE4xr8zW8BKROwqmFiAROBJybG__IR8jQiZWUOxo34IbJ1nywGrTGN6oxWhlGwMo57EXFz0vS3JMAeoDP0-4YtRm0Am7TbzjT49pcBEyGMuFMmhJEq4WI2P-cTLM0BI458P9IHM4/s400/2013-12-01+22.27.06.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Check the little Fairy footprints!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Which unbelievably (to someone who thought she had no year review to post) brings us to ...</span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">December</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A month in South Africa that was almost totally overshadowed by the death of Nelson Mandela. No surprise then that my only post was <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/12/ta-ta-tata-mandela.html" target="_blank">Ta-Ta to Tata Mandela</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And at home, as we get closer to saying goodbye to this fair country we simply try to spend as much time as possible enjoying the things that we love.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXgLKV1S3kWV1cuxK2XZDCCwlMNU9qdYNav9LNLbN2uRfRVIYiuuMQ-zaGmUCavt5U_4RkMgnW2Nv4hsAhgdesM8bGGr1_vYQ-ni6VTXY-438iJT3HpQ7qZhp_6HkavapvCD0wXM21CU/s1600/2013-12-04+09.56.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXgLKV1S3kWV1cuxK2XZDCCwlMNU9qdYNav9LNLbN2uRfRVIYiuuMQ-zaGmUCavt5U_4RkMgnW2Nv4hsAhgdesM8bGGr1_vYQ-ni6VTXY-438iJT3HpQ7qZhp_6HkavapvCD0wXM21CU/s400/2013-12-04+09.56.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tallen's hailstone collection, from the stormy Spring days in December.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dressing up in the garden (he's a Genie in case its not obvious) and check out my spring lawn, I need a lawnmower STAT!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Xm5Or9yOf5SPj7InYAgNc4QQMq9kvm-rzzsNtQpZRI6dQeuHD2OcYCLFPQ6AWIZ9JGTiq6Vt2hznTSEagWbwqWyizkIMdIwnuI6sQAyKJGPYGjrY5OChIPCnQflvpsyxlyAUiwoBt5A/s1600/2013-12-14+16.58.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Xm5Or9yOf5SPj7InYAgNc4QQMq9kvm-rzzsNtQpZRI6dQeuHD2OcYCLFPQ6AWIZ9JGTiq6Vt2hznTSEagWbwqWyizkIMdIwnuI6sQAyKJGPYGjrY5OChIPCnQflvpsyxlyAUiwoBt5A/s400/2013-12-14+16.58.33.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmkTyE75Ac72mwLE5Mg6qCP3kLGxub99fPOpWSHtbb0TmecsC-udhW2JsRCnv7rUNHhihW5MYGQklJr_8PNt0ngkipWKcUBZu9Jw1fUdWNJi3FPmuUYJzQz4JwWZ_F3r670XSBkcwBbQ/s1600/2013-12-21+14.15.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmkTyE75Ac72mwLE5Mg6qCP3kLGxub99fPOpWSHtbb0TmecsC-udhW2JsRCnv7rUNHhihW5MYGQklJr_8PNt0ngkipWKcUBZu9Jw1fUdWNJi3FPmuUYJzQz4JwWZ_F3r670XSBkcwBbQ/s400/2013-12-21+14.15.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cooling down in my lovely Sister-in-Law's pool.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As we make the most of our last African Summer for a while, December's been lots of sunshine, friends and family and the great outdoors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh, and Christmas of course.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYygv0azayflohcFEw7YQtvOCSnq080FtR45UdhXCjoUv9iO16KNWKDEsh-OO-VaRa0XRzRnbk_Lkc_MshwCNOasT72rTpU7yBwd-1oKvbxvuHp8Joex9_v_a-vMhaFTCCdvmusHzi0NE/s1600/2013-12-24+17.09.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYygv0azayflohcFEw7YQtvOCSnq080FtR45UdhXCjoUv9iO16KNWKDEsh-OO-VaRa0XRzRnbk_Lkc_MshwCNOasT72rTpU7yBwd-1oKvbxvuHp8Joex9_v_a-vMhaFTCCdvmusHzi0NE/s400/2013-12-24+17.09.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Natey in his 'snow hat'. If he had his way, he'd wear it every day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So there goes my year, and here's to another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In South Africa, the media's very keen to come up with a nickname for 2014 that we all latch on to, but we're apparently not settled yet on either 'Twenty Fortune' or 'Twenty For Me' so whatever YOU want to call it, I truly hope 2014 is an awesome year for us all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Happy Happy xxx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-16365458497500515652013-12-14T09:44:00.004+00:002013-12-15T09:09:19.867+00:00Ta-ta, Tata Mandela<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhFbRCOrLa1nT3ulsEiWyDkfKZNbjbOO_rD9WvbQzZF9vJVj8Id6gTEIhPAbAgaqBX8mYqusNeko6_U7Ppq07cMgNKbcgx1NWWLVSJx9Tz3iS84nzBqSQ6QnhOUjGGCXj4-rCWQa8vyA/s1600/Mandela's+Smile+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhFbRCOrLa1nT3ulsEiWyDkfKZNbjbOO_rD9WvbQzZF9vJVj8Id6gTEIhPAbAgaqBX8mYqusNeko6_U7Ppq07cMgNKbcgx1NWWLVSJx9Tz3iS84nzBqSQ6QnhOUjGGCXj4-rCWQa8vyA/s400/Mandela's+Smile+BW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">('Ta-ta' in some dialects of English is an informal and friendly 'Goodbye'. 'Tata' is the </span><span class="st"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">isiXhosa word for 'Father'</span>)</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
You've heard, right?</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
One of my heroes passed away just recently. He was, of course, many MANY people's hero so at least I need never feel alone in my sadness.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">South Africa, for the last week or so has been an understandably emotional place to be. There's been moments of great celebration and moments of great sadness. And the warmth and love of all the other people around the world who are sharing South Africa's sense of loss is tangible and comforting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And for the most part, South Africans are united in their sadness at Madibas passing and keen to continue in his stead and with his example as their guide. The Head of opposition party the Democratic Alliance put it so simply: </span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="st">“He has handed the baton to us and <i>we dare not drop it</i>" </span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="st">Yesterday morning, as his three days of Lying in State ended and his body was transported from Waterkloof airbase to Qunu, where he lived as a boy and will be laid to rest today (Sunday) - Hubs and I sat up in bed and watched the live TV coverage of the ANC organised farewell. A large marquee filled with rows of chairs that soon filled up with family and dignitaries and friends. It was smaller, more personal than the big scale memorial at FNB stadium last week and as Hubs and I listened to voices singing, heard one of Mandela's Grandsons, Mandla, talk. The tears were falling again. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ00s1cy-BX8iBhCsK9gJt5KnoqBLdr-du03UtZzHxdBibk-YTZgPvigRSlL_ON1qxV57COia_2Yooi-lSS0hyNvShAc_oJC6tW_XXtkuNMirUi_E1ME33OnfDDLt75Ar608vO1PF0fQ/s1600/Mandela-funeral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ00s1cy-BX8iBhCsK9gJt5KnoqBLdr-du03UtZzHxdBibk-YTZgPvigRSlL_ON1qxV57COia_2Yooi-lSS0hyNvShAc_oJC6tW_XXtkuNMirUi_E1ME33OnfDDLt75Ar608vO1PF0fQ/s400/Mandela-funeral.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mornings funeral service in Qunu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="st">And this morning, in the rural village of Qunu, Mandela's family and friends are joined by some 5,000 or so guests in a specially constructed Arena to make the final farewells a</span>nd whilst I find myself really wanting to write this, my 'Mandela Post', it's not an easy one to write. Not just because it's so darned sad but because there has been SO MUCH said and done in celebrating his life and in his memory this last ten days, where do I start in telling you lovely folk how this last week's been here with us?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
I've decided (just now this second as I write) to give you some of my highlights, if that's the right word. The things that have moved me most, some sad some funny, in this week of an entire country in mourning.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Traditions </h3>
From the moment the news spread from Madiba's Houghton home that he had passed, wheels went into motion. And I'm not talking about the Political wheels which were also quick to move, I'm talking about the wheels of tradition that come from his family, his people.<br />
<br />
There is simply a way things should be done in African culture, and I've loved hearing about some of the traditions involved. Here's some examples.<br />
<br />
1. The singing and dancing. When Africans are sad, they sing and dance. In large numbers. It's kinda awesome to watch. And join in!<br />
<br />
2. In Xhosa culture, when someone dies away from their birthplace their family visit the body to fetch the spirit and take it back. When the family arrived in Houghton, they spoke to Mandela's spirit and explained that they were there to bring him home.<br />
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<![endif]-->3. Back at Mandela's home in Qunu, the villagers come together to help the family prepare for the funeral. In their attempts to alleviate as much stress and worry for the family as possible, this can involve anything from repairing, cleaning and readying the house so it looks it's best for visitors to cooking and day to day chores, sometimes cooking for many family members and visitors and preparing formal and traditional meals. I saw a local lady being interviewed, she was dressed in traditional black dress, draped with some of the Mandela family colours and with a deep yellow/orange sash, which represents the soil. She said she arrived at the house to help with her mat and blanket (she'll nap where and when she can) and with some Crackers and water, because she won't eat any of the food she so lovingly prepares for the family and visitors.<br />
<br />
4. Mandela will be buried at noon (an hour from now), "when the sun is at its highest and the shadow at its shortest". <br />
<br />
5. Graca Machel, Mandela's widow, is expected to remain in mourning for a year and during this time she will wear black every day. At the end of the mourning period, family visit to celebrate and bring gifts for the Widow and any children. Interestingly, I read somewhere that the purpose of the gifts is to replace items that were used or shared with the deceased, to help the family move on. Such as beds, chairs, bedding etc. Some time after the end of the grieving, a joyous celebration will take place as Mandela's spirit is called to look down upon his family as one of the Ancestors.</div>
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<h3>
The Soweto Gospel Choir Flashmob</h3>
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This movie clip has viralled somewhat since it was first shown to us here in SA on the news last weekend but whether you've seen it already or not, a bit more inside information will I think help you understand quite how special it was.</div>
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Imagine this, you've just heard about Madiba's passing. You're in Woolies Greengrocers in (v. posh) Parkhurst sadly squeezing Avo's and trying to get yourself in the mood for dinner plans. Suddenly, a lone voice rings out. Singing a well know Mandela tribute song by well know SA artist <a href="http://www.johnnyclegg.com/" target="_blank">Johnny Clegg</a>. Another voice joins it, then another and you realise you're in the middle of a flash mob. And the Woolies staff are not just Woolies staff. There's some members of the Soweto Gospel Choir with them.<br />
<br />
It was something so warm, so comforting, so generous in spirit. It said "we all loved him, let's grieve together" and I had those weird laughing tears when the lady with her shopping basket thrust her fist in the air and sang "HEY WENA!" along with the choir and other shoppers and Woolies staff.<br />
<br />
Here's the meaning of the lyrics you might not recognise, now you too can sing along :)</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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"Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina (we have not seen our brother)</div>
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Laph'ekhona (in the place where he is)</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Laph'wafela khona (in the place where he died)</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Hey wena (hey you!)</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Hey wena nawe (hey you and you as well)</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Siyofika nini la' siyakhona (when will we arrive at our destination)"</div>
</blockquote>
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<br /></div>
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Watch it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHHjP7XrBq0" target="_blank">here</a>, and PLEASE do. I tried really hard to embed the videos in this post, but still doesn't work for me, sorry. *shakes fist at Blogger*<br />
<br />
<h3>
If Young Mandela Had Social Media</h3>
This little video was first uploaded to YouTube in July 2012 but I can't find out who's behind it. Let me know if you do, and I'll edit this post.<br />
<br />
I first saw it on t.v. last week and I thought it was wonderful. And it'll make you smile too, even at it's darkest moments ("Nelson Mandela checks in at Robben Island"). <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXvuRFby8cc%20" target="_blank">Here's the link</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
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<h3>
The Fake Signer</h3>
Ah me. This one had us laughing so much in our house and I KNOW you've all heard about it by now too. Just priceless.<br />
<br />
<span class="st">Thamsanqa Jantjie was the man hired (by the SA Government) to stand on stage at the FNB Stadium Mandela Memorial in front of ... well, the friggin whole WORLD and sign for deaf viewers and crowd members as many World Leaders, friends and family of Mandela and other church leaders and dignitaries spoke.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">Unfortunately, Thamsanqa (let's call him Thammy) doesn't <i>actually know</i> any sign language so he just flailed his hands around and hoped for the best.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84mz9y9taVALOL3-l2Dp-o09w9eHDXoLlnsp51lcTJ1Na3l7bVa5RKlwPbspwi0EzD1M1UmOk6v38zWpvSZ6mto9U3Pv4KdVnm1zzhcrEDJyoWyCLraR8ZH9EyZcEjgKygSq4cLzb330/s1600/Fake+Signer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84mz9y9taVALOL3-l2Dp-o09w9eHDXoLlnsp51lcTJ1Na3l7bVa5RKlwPbspwi0EzD1M1UmOk6v38zWpvSZ6mto9U3Pv4KdVnm1zzhcrEDJyoWyCLraR8ZH9EyZcEjgKygSq4cLzb330/s400/Fake+Signer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">First, there was understandably an outcry Worldwide. The ANC Government initially responded by saying that they didn't know who Thammy was or how he got there. Er ... excuse me? One of the biggest events in the history of the world ever - security issues much?</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">Then some research showed that this wasn't the first time Thammy's signing skills had been complained about. Er ... WTF?</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">THEN Thammy comes out of hiding and claims he had a Schizophrenic attack and was hallucinating the whole time. Oookaaay. So first we have a strange man on stage next to Obama and Desmund Tutu and the like, now it's an Hallucinating man?</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">Oh, it gets better. Government are still investigating meanwhile the press are doing it for them.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">Thammy has a rather extensive criminal record folks! Oh yes, from house burglary to murder (yes, murder), our Thammy's been a busy chap in the criminal world, despite his alledged mental condition and his ability to get suited and security passed up and stand next to some of the worlds most famous and powerful people, signing complete gibberish.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">To a family who are definitely anti the current ANC Government, any cock up they make (and there's many to choose from) brings smiles and laughter and this story certainly did.</span><br />
<br />
<h3>
The T.V.</h3>
<br />
It kind of sounds odd to say that one of the hightlights has been watching documentaries about Apartheid, so call me odd :)<br />
<br />
Most of the local television channels for over a week now have been almost soley showing news stories, live footage and documentaries about Mandela. Seriously. I've had a hard time explaining to the kids where Dora and Peppa have been, they just returned to our screens a few days ago.<br />
<br />
If you know me, you know I love to learn and the many, many Mandela documentaries and talking head shows I've seen this last week has opened my eyes to many things I didn't know. And I thought I knew the man's story. He was one of my heroes after all. Here's my favourite of new facts I've learned.<br />
<br />
1. Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in the rural village of Mvezo. A small village on the banks of the Mbashe River, not far from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. He was named Rolihlahla Mandela. That's his name, not Nelson - ROLIHLAHLA! I've now learnt to pronounce it and in some kind of perfect synergy Rolihlahla literally means someone who's ‘pulling the
branch of a tree’, or colloquially, a ‘troublemaker’. He was given the
name Nelson by his White missionary school teacher. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-alEEt1GnLsgjIaV3JyvB0Hqcz1hwYEpANDt-Luw88Hgun8rZpbqM79IvJhNO9_Px9tGgnzfCsMieYv2hL-1PgSn1Q83B9zKkTqJdemVKIpksd-1lXM-2tOb9YGXyiqHMj1eZN-tAsc/s1600/Mvezo+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-alEEt1GnLsgjIaV3JyvB0Hqcz1hwYEpANDt-Luw88Hgun8rZpbqM79IvJhNO9_Px9tGgnzfCsMieYv2hL-1PgSn1Q83B9zKkTqJdemVKIpksd-1lXM-2tOb9YGXyiqHMj1eZN-tAsc/s400/Mvezo+lady.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mvezo Village lady getting her shopping home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. His father died when he was nine and he was raised by his father's cousin, the then King of the Themba people. The King enrolled him in school and encouraged Mandela to learn. He also bought him his first suit.<br />
<br />
3. He went on to study law and met his lifelong friend Oliver Tambo but when he was a young man, the King arranged a wife for him and his son, Justice. Neither man wanted to marry so they stole cattle to raise funds and ran away together to Joburg. They approached a Mine owner there for work but he refused them saying he'd received a letter from the King that simply said "SEND THE BOYS HOME NOW! SEND THE BOYS HOME!". Mandela stayed on in Joburg, but he contacted the King and apologised for defying and him and obtained the Kings consent to continue his studies there.<br />
<br />
4. He continued his law studies and managed to persuade a white firm of Attorneys to employ him. During his time at university, he met many like minded souls who would go on to become friends and ANC supporters.<br />
<br />
5. He was arrested, on a return to South Africa, on the (possibly, maybe, no one's admitted it yet) tip off of the C.I.A.<br />
<br />
6. He delivered a THREE HOUR speech at his Rivonia trial, to an enraptured court and as the trial ended he arrived at court dressed like this ... :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcjPz-HSk1rSaOPShDHBJV2XVSvXFV8VM6-J609qtiMTvLUDVWdo3kV0t8ST1qJxIgloV3la_-ecmHE0lVADWlD8NQNGB6hofzm20GxsCqMG4DdfjsQOCxyZoSmJp75Vg_OZgbjHBEbs/s1600/1960sMandela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcjPz-HSk1rSaOPShDHBJV2XVSvXFV8VM6-J609qtiMTvLUDVWdo3kV0t8ST1qJxIgloV3la_-ecmHE0lVADWlD8NQNGB6hofzm20GxsCqMG4DdfjsQOCxyZoSmJp75Vg_OZgbjHBEbs/s320/1960sMandela.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<br />
7. Whilst in prison he learnt Afrikaans, which is the language the first Dutch and German settlers invented, so he could talk to his mainly white afrikaaner guards in their own tongue. One of his famous quotes <span class="st">"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart."</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3PtLe0egAMOz9H0N9Uyi5RSAvYO7dSgimEQYS8aii3TXnak1qvzhyphenhyphenum1BbAZrSmb4AWdgL6xWZlU6-E67hozyVQk979-4YptQtwzHADzobOkZlMukG77dXZf0nCYsxgbFxuMGbfxGow/s1600/Mandela+prison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3PtLe0egAMOz9H0N9Uyi5RSAvYO7dSgimEQYS8aii3TXnak1qvzhyphenhyphenum1BbAZrSmb4AWdgL6xWZlU6-E67hozyVQk979-4YptQtwzHADzobOkZlMukG77dXZf0nCYsxgbFxuMGbfxGow/s400/Mandela+prison.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And finally ...<br />
<br />
<h3>
Maya Angelou</h3>
Another one of my heroes, imagine my joy when her face came on the screen one day last week and I heard her read her poem in tribute to Mandela.<br />
<br />
Just magical. That woman does not waste a single word. Here's the text:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"His day is done.</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Is done.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The news came on the wings of a wind, reluctant to carry its burden.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Nelson Mandela’s day is done.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The news, expected and still unwelcome, reached us in the United States, and suddenly our world became somber.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Our skies were leadened.
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
His day is done.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
We see you, South African people standing speechless at the slamming of that final door through which no traveler returns.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Our spirits reach out to you Bantu, Zulu, Xhosa, Boer.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
We think of you and your son of Africa, your father, your one more wonder of the world.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
We send our souls to you as you reflect upon your David armed with a mere stone, facing down the mighty Goliath.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Your man of strength, Gideon, emerging triumphant.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Although born into the brutal embrace of Apartheid, scarred by the
savage atmosphere of racism, unjustly imprisoned in the bloody maws of
South African dungeons.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Would the man survive? Could the man survive?</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
His answer strengthened men and women around the world.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
In the Alamo, in San Antonio, Texas, on the Golden Gate Bridge in San
Francisco, in Chicago’s Loop, in New Orleans Mardi Gras, in New York
City’s Times Square, we watched as the hope of Africa sprang through the
prison’s doors.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
His stupendous heart intact, his gargantuan will hale and hearty.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
He had not been crippled by brutes, nor was his passion for the rights
of human beings diminished by twenty-seven years of imprisonment.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Even here in America, we felt the cool, refreshing breeze of freedom.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
When Nelson Mandela took the seat of Presidency in his country where
formerly he was not even allowed to vote we were enlarged by tears of
pride, as we saw Nelson Mandela’s former prison guards invited,
courteously, by him to watch from the front rows his inauguration.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
We saw him accept the world’s award in Norway with the grace and
gratitude of the Solon in Ancient Roman Courts, and the confidence of
African Chiefs from ancient royal stools.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
No sun outlasts its sunset, but it will rise again and bring the dawn.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Yes, Mandela’s day is done, yet we, his inheritors, will open the gates
wider for reconciliation, and we will respond generously to the cries
of Blacks and Whites, Asians, Hispanics, the poor who live piteously on
the floor of our planet.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
He has offered us understanding.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
We will not withhold forgiveness even from those who do not ask.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Nelson Mandela’s day is done, we confess it in tearful voices, yet we lift our own to say thank you.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Thank you our Gideon, thank you our David, our great courageous man.</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<blockquote>
We will not forget you, we will not dishonor you, we will remember and
be glad that you lived among us, that you taught us, and that you loved
us all."</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Here's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Z2wiRoyNs" target="_blank">the link</a> if you want to hear the lady say it herself.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Ta-Ta Tata Madiba. Rest in peace Rolihlahla Mandela. We'll make sure your dreams are fulfilled.<br />
<br />
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika </div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">xxx</span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-66296725684779166442013-11-02T08:17:00.000+00:002013-12-11T11:30:02.175+00:00Time to Leave South Africa?: For This Family, The Answer's a Mixed YES!!<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am guessing this will come as much as a shock to you *taps glass* lovely peeps out there as it did to the family and friends back home but .. have you heard? We're moving back to the UK at the end of January!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know man :)</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KON6dWQe0sHw_MOPV2vNhBcQCBA1SpPwZNW0ochYutLHYwHrBB2JJZudoQs4hmraYuQSbJw8fGLCF97rFOKlWNqVC5XIKbzSzq68Q87yn7S-S_JY_PBw35UJy9P6XNjp8JDIARHx8UM/s1600/Wave+Ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KON6dWQe0sHw_MOPV2vNhBcQCBA1SpPwZNW0ochYutLHYwHrBB2JJZudoQs4hmraYuQSbJw8fGLCF97rFOKlWNqVC5XIKbzSzq68Q87yn7S-S_JY_PBw35UJy9P6XNjp8JDIARHx8UM/s320/Wave+Ship.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Er ... yeah, we'll be on a plane but go with me.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It wasn't quite as shocking to us (obviously). We had in fact discussed the very same plan for many months, even off and on throughout our years out here but it's not the kind of discussion we felt we could share with the folks back home. My darling Mum would have heard, and got excited about, the <i>possibility </i>of us coming back many, many times over the last six years. So we felt it best to say nothing until a definite plan had been made.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Which it now has. Woo hoo!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Actually ... emotions are very mixed. I'll be honest, I'm writing this post today in a partly cathartic fashion to help with some of my recent emotional ups and downs.</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You must know, I go from over excited elation to tearful sorrow and "are we doing the right thing?" several times a week. But it was several times a day, so it's getting better - no?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The excited elation comes from thoughts of seeing friends and family, meeting nieces I've yet to meet yet and introducing our two boys to Aunts and Uncles they don't remember.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From thoughts of growing their relationships with their grandparents there and for Hubs too, who 'took me away' to South Africa not long after my parents met him, so he's keen to address the balance and get to know them better.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Being honest there are a lot of personal reasons behind our move, mainly to do with my family. Simply, it's their turn to have us now. And us them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All those simple pleasures I've missed, time sat around kitchen tables at my best mates house or in my Mums kitchen. Family Christmas. Weddings. Seeing my younger sisters grown and doing so well, marriages being planned and careers being mapped. My younger brother and his wife, now parents - I can't wait to see them as parents and meet my nieces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And friggin UNCAPPED INTERNET!! Yes, that I am definitely looking forward to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But you see how, aside from the internet, it is all family and friends I look forward to going back for? That's all I miss, family, friends and internet? Where's my patriotic urges I wonder?</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixJxUWgSJW9fLBcho3wzNyzC506jtvp12p7kUNmDCTvyuQQXkaVr7k02F6q4in3WAtX-8ys3zO8BxjHSIKc6NAMmBT7ZYn74_GN21LSJZga54GRYotm0ELLZhpd8Gm0043S_BvdvjQHs/s1600/UK+Patriot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixJxUWgSJW9fLBcho3wzNyzC506jtvp12p7kUNmDCTvyuQQXkaVr7k02F6q4in3WAtX-8ys3zO8BxjHSIKc6NAMmBT7ZYn74_GN21LSJZga54GRYotm0ELLZhpd8Gm0043S_BvdvjQHs/s320/UK+Patriot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I should be more like this guy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hmmm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thing is, I don't actually .... <span style="font-size: xx-small;">like living in the U.K.</span> I know! Don't hate me, especially you fellow Brits. It's no accident that I married an SA man. When I was dating I was only interested in men who had or would travel, so certain was I that the U.K. was not to be my final resting place. And I was actually (kind of) born in Cyprus, so I can be forgiven methinks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hubs didn't have to persuade me much when, just over a year after we met, he told me he wanted us to live here in South Africa. And I've always said the same to anyone who asks me if it's difficult, living overseas.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I say "I miss my friends and family terribly, I wish they could all live here with me".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know, not likely, but that's how I've always felt. Never homesick, just wished all my favourite people could share this awesome country with me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And I'm not saying the U.K. is a bad place to live, I do love the country and the Brits themselves (see, there's some patrioism) but life there ... it's just not for me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let me tell you now what brings on the tearful sorrows and see if that helps you understand more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When we leave South Africa, I will miss SO much;</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvPWNQE3Ip40a4A0s9BpHYyu9RJM3R0jRZt0CHHJIHRr0ZmCQKDDnyT1qiApJD3iP0Hgkm26syaZvoVkdD8pO9G2bvXWj6t50A3WxL8sm_RQYFW5ORejBhAiN3XS9hQO20N_nu6t6nu8/s1600/2013-09-17+22.50.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvPWNQE3Ip40a4A0s9BpHYyu9RJM3R0jRZt0CHHJIHRr0ZmCQKDDnyT1qiApJD3iP0Hgkm26syaZvoVkdD8pO9G2bvXWj6t50A3WxL8sm_RQYFW5ORejBhAiN3XS9hQO20N_nu6t6nu8/s320/2013-09-17+22.50.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">MUST stay together.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our dogs. Oh don't,
you're going to make me cry. We are, as you'll know, the kind of folk
who fall totally and recklessly in love with our dogs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But
we can't afford (... 90% certain, thinking of starting a Kickstarter
...) to take them with us. If you have dogs, then you know how hard that
is for us and I don't need to say anything else. Know one thing that
brightens the pain slightly, we are hoping to re-home them together and
with family or a friend, so we'll always have contact and even a
possibility of sending for them later, or having them back if we ever
come back to SA (let me dream). Doesn't stop me dreading the part where we have to say
goodbye to them though, has to be said.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And while we're dealing with the really sad stuff, Hubs' family. Goes without saying that we'll all miss them but they really are an awesome bunch of folk who have totally welcomed us into their lives since day one and deserve a special mention. They are warm, caring, upfront, outgoing, no-nonsense and very inspiring folk for this shy Brit girl to be around. I shall miss that inspiration and I imagine I will seek it out in people in the U.K.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Living here has really grown me, the experience and the people, and I don't plan on stopping the growth when I get back! It's cool, because not only am I returning home with a sense of the old familiar homecoming, I'm also MASSIVELY looking forward to living my NEW way of life there and with new confidence.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Both Hubs and I plan to find a way of having the life we love there, for the next five or six years at least, and ignoring the worriers that worry (as worriers do). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And as we don't have the internet properly, that really covers the things that I missed from the UK when I moved out here - my family and friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But get this, there's a whole heap of OTHER things that South Africa has that I'll miss when I get home and that bring on the tears these days, as we ready ourselves for the next part of our lives adventure.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The space. South Africa's HUGE. Ridiculously so. And that's good for the soul. It's good to be able to step outside at any given time and see SPACE. BIG horizons and BIG sky. ROAD TRIP!!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXA-duyCVgYfBMVnlBVnzTeJktOTU15Sbe6hLKmROE1nci1I-5USAMSamMGwaM_4XYjdweIctcm8nSLqIZ3UKy8MxqtyI8M0q5XJ2swVXkr-u9Z2pvp36XsEfk0LDfZOAReczLSqQ4tk/s1600/big-sky-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXA-duyCVgYfBMVnlBVnzTeJktOTU15Sbe6hLKmROE1nci1I-5USAMSamMGwaM_4XYjdweIctcm8nSLqIZ3UKy8MxqtyI8M0q5XJ2swVXkr-u9Z2pvp36XsEfk0LDfZOAReczLSqQ4tk/s400/big-sky-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ya, Joburg's just the other side of that big mountain, our house is in the middle. See it?!? *</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And it doesn't, as you may think, make people move apart from each other, in fact the opposite. South Africans as a rule love their country's space, scenery and nature and they love to share it with others. The SA gathering, a national insitution really, the braai - every weekend, shared with friends and family all over the country. And Ubuntu, the spirit of the Village, human kindness, neighbourly friendships and community.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />We have a big house and yard and when we first arrived, I felt greedy to have all that space. Now, I can't imagine not having it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The WEATHER. OMFG the weather. *big sigh*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My laundry dries in five
minutes. I have a permanent all year tan. I don't own socks or cardigans
or anything with long sleeves *sign, sigh, sigh* </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I wake up every day, open every window and door in the house and slip on a sundress. Or a vest or t-shirt, a floaty skirt or a pair of short pants .. and that's me. Barefoot unless we happen to be going out somewhere that REALLY requires shoes. And not many trips out do really. You know when you go somewhere hot on holiday and find yourself wearing bikinis and sarongs to the shops and going barefoot everywhere? Yup. That's my life. Pretty much EVERY FRIGGIN' DAY!!! *more big sighs*</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If space is good for the soul, sunshine definitely is. And for lives too. We never have to worry about planning anything and everything can always happen outdoors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The PEOPLE. Gee friggin whiz, I'll miss the South African people. Oppressed? Persecuted? Held back and treated badly (still) by their own friggin governments? Yes.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CBmBIXprWIaeH4T_FPENWUHRZRGIO_B_Rak3ff2Gv5aYy1-sz3S6b6kKy-tL5Sjget72C7HQoIZVk9BvAORHxrLd4KTJtJNoWwVVgSzaUaOGJrgf0EjoQXtE1WlfR8hTM_QStUmPARY/s1600/SA+World+Cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CBmBIXprWIaeH4T_FPENWUHRZRGIO_B_Rak3ff2Gv5aYy1-sz3S6b6kKy-tL5Sjget72C7HQoIZVk9BvAORHxrLd4KTJtJNoWwVVgSzaUaOGJrgf0EjoQXtE1WlfR8hTM_QStUmPARY/s320/SA+World+Cup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">South Africans, at their best when watching sport!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But optimistic, change-making, hardworking, open and friendly, humble, welcoming, resourceful and positive? You bet your bum. LOVE. THEM. And I want to help them. I want to see and be a part of South Africa becoming the jewel it should be, for the people who deserve it so. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">FREEDOM!! I know, South Africa's NOT free surely? But .. it is. In as far as you can live your life here, in a free-er fashion. Small business and entrepeneurship is considered SO important, that it is taught in preschool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the U.K., I felt driven to just 'get a job'. Preferably at 16. To get stuck in a routine, a rut if you will of monthly salaries, monthly bills and monthly tax payments to keep that enviable British economy going. Never did I feel encouraged to find my own path, do my own thing or succeed for myself. Nor did it seem easy or even possible for me to do so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The laws here encourage self-earning and small business and they also assume a certain level of intelligence and common sense whereas the U.K., to me, has gone a little too far in governing it's people and how they live their lives. Having lived elsewhere for six years, I understand why it has the nickname of the 'Nanny State'.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know, I feel ashamed almost. Talking so disloyally about my own country, and I DO miss it and I DO look forward to going back ... <span style="font-size: xx-small;">but not forever</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hubs and I already talk about our next adventure and where we'd like to live later in life, after the boys first stage of schooling. Back to South Africa for sure (we're dreaming of Summers in SA, British Summers in the UK) but we also want to travel, we want to see the world and explore different ways of life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">America maybe? Not sure about the gun laws and war friendly presidents, but I've always yearned a little for the "life I see in the movies". Australia! Now there's a place. The same space and weather, similar people and past issues but they've handled it better and come out .. cleaner than South Africa somehow. Southern Europe? New Zealand? Far East?! Ooo, that would be different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It helps too if we can think of other reasons to leave the country ...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Because South Africa's also not feeling entirely stable just now. Politically it's on the verge of a complete explosion (again) as the nation <i>finally </i>catches on to the scale of political corruption and begins to vye, angrily and impatiently, for change.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDWn4W3PceoTSpbWZd6lCT0mr3Zt2Nr4EKlslSdL7OCs_0uIR9Ki1l0gENWGUwy0T2JP4woQQMZFmgVLlqwAuCQd0XhfdNzdAqbSt936oK1195LGL7DbiDryll0iFx3LQJ5VX8WUtyk4/s1600/eff2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDWn4W3PceoTSpbWZd6lCT0mr3Zt2Nr4EKlslSdL7OCs_0uIR9Ki1l0gENWGUwy0T2JP4woQQMZFmgVLlqwAuCQd0XhfdNzdAqbSt936oK1195LGL7DbiDryll0iFx3LQJ5VX8WUtyk4/s320/eff2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Which means opposition parties with Berets who </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">slaughter cattle to celebrate the launch of their Political Party</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> and clearly want to fight but whilst their opposition should be the current ANC Government, their supporters turn up to rallys with banners like this one here and another which read "A Revolutionary must become a cold killing machine, motivated by pure hate" which apparently, the supporters made themselves because the PARTY claim it had nothing to do with them. Er ... o-k-a-y then *nervous laugh*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm not saying that these messages are anything close to being the way the majority of South Africans feel, far from it. But it did cause a ripple amongst worried white farming folk to run the Red October Protest against 'White Oppression' soon after. I know, WHITE oppression in South Africa?? WTF!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But that band of folk are scared. They live in rural areas, on large plots (farms) with low security. They watch news reports about <a href="http://www.enca.com/south-africa/under-seige-muldersdrift-remembers-another-victim-violence" target="_blank">Muldersdrift</a> and think the same thing's going to happen to them. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELEL64Q-gN5rwjaPyS-GX4RuDpKuykA85Z1lMpGMf0GM3NrOejgwYMRXZ1J287GMYTZ2smEk73hA0Ia7qV2gClUKNxQjdBLMEZchtfiETWqlzsrXun-1bUsoIaWNVVVTjgYvtvM_Kihk/s1600/Red+October.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELEL64Q-gN5rwjaPyS-GX4RuDpKuykA85Z1lMpGMf0GM3NrOejgwYMRXZ1J287GMYTZ2smEk73hA0Ia7qV2gClUKNxQjdBLMEZchtfiETWqlzsrXun-1bUsoIaWNVVVTjgYvtvM_Kihk/s320/Red+October.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How's their argument; don't kill us, WE GROW FOOD!?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Crime IS high in South Africa and house burglaries, often involving over the top violence and murder, are not uncommon. But it's not about race. It's not about historic oppression. It's all about *KERCHING* money.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And the EFF are not a large opposition party. The supporters who made those banners and stood behind them are in even smaller numbers and maybe a beret or two is exactly what's needed. If only to cause unrest. Discussion. Change.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And while unrest and change is something South Africans are very used to, it can even be exciting, Hubs in particular doesn't enjoy watching. He's tired of getting angry at the news. This is HIS country, he voted with all optimism for Mandela in 1994 as many, many other South Africans did and I see him, twenty years later sadly <i>still</i> wishing his country would overcome it's ills and rise to the dizzy heights it really should be at and was promised. I feel for him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tallen, our eldest, is just starting primary school and we've realised that he's a little behind. The kind of school we'd like to send him to here would cost us a small fortune and while we touch on the subject of education, ALL state run systems here are dire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They have Free education, but you <i>really</i> wouldn't want your kids to go to the state schools. They have free healthcare, but you <i>really</i> wouldn't want to be taken to a state hospital or clinic if you found yourself ill. They have a Police Force, who you <i>really </i>wouldn't want to call if you found yourself in trouble. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There's many systems in place and good laws that protect their people ... but the people who run just about everything here, from President to Civil Servants, are corrupt and put as much money in their pockets and as little to the cause it should go to as possible.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So the systems don't work and fall apart, the people employed in them lose heart and the laws are not upheld.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And they lie to us. On a scary level. Anyone seen Nelson Mandela recently or heard how he's doing? *shudder*</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ5iECSDNJhYp1MPSzFWahe0QTUXt9kY-6I74ALtMjnXNRLM5kd_t4X-gmhkSk_s9uzd9S9an55PfyN14HZA1e_SE8-2pZR83erfuBTYupsLNt3TeE_CZzhh0gdr-JW7JD_FAkGafKq0/s1600/keep+calm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ5iECSDNJhYp1MPSzFWahe0QTUXt9kY-6I74ALtMjnXNRLM5kd_t4X-gmhkSk_s9uzd9S9an55PfyN14HZA1e_SE8-2pZR83erfuBTYupsLNt3TeE_CZzhh0gdr-JW7JD_FAkGafKq0/s1600/keep+calm.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So back to ol' Blighty we go! I've learnt to talk a whole new kind of English in my time here, it just kind of happens as you try and fit in avoid the repetitive "Are you from the U.K.?" conversations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So I must practice now, in readiness for my return. No more U.K. for a start, it's called England. No more rands and bucks, now it's pounds and 'quid'. No more Braai, now it's 'Barbeque'. No more pants, now it's 'Trousers'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And no more sundress, sunscreen, shades - out the door! Now it's "is it going to rain? Does it look like it might rain later? Better take a coat just in case. Will I need tights? Maybe wear my boots ... but if it gets hot later? I'll pop sandals in my bag"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hmmm, I have a feeling** that there will be many posts over the next few months (and in years to come) about what I'll miss or am missing from this beautiful country.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">England will always be my home. But South Africa? You blinkin' well snuck up on me and stole my heart.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">* Actually, that beautiful photograph above was taken at the Karoo National Park, by a chap called Peter Corbett. See his site <a href="http://petercorbett.com/tankwa-karoo/" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">** .. that tonight's gonna be a good night :) </span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-43152179013768069972013-10-08T11:21:00.001+01:002013-11-02T06:16:35.258+00:00Online Porn: Monitoring Our Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO-KuDtG-L5hLUJssvAxGd2tRUYMb1x03S8HhoCHX1VM2V-poCBh6-kJdzvpHTMpFZ-k4vQG2nlwjzkcZkI49b3IFnhlEUaiETT-yX-hootVznCptSuyOfuWE9eBtlO6-xk9ISA0Jz_Q/s1600/Online+Porn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO-KuDtG-L5hLUJssvAxGd2tRUYMb1x03S8HhoCHX1VM2V-poCBh6-kJdzvpHTMpFZ-k4vQG2nlwjzkcZkI49b3IFnhlEUaiETT-yX-hootVznCptSuyOfuWE9eBtlO6-xk9ISA0Jz_Q/s400/Online+Porn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Well ... here I am. Over a month since my last post and I find myself inspired greatly to tackle a rather heavy subject this morning.</div>
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Over a month since my <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/08/facebooks-still-cool-right.html" target="_blank">last post</a> ... hang on, shouldn't I be posting pics of the kids and telling you all why I haven't posted in over a month? Isn't that the norm on WeezaFish??</div>
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It is, but then that doesn't help all the meatier posts I like to write that are backed up in my drafts folder right now.</div>
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THIS one here (which I will eventually get to, promise) has been lingering there for a while but then a story I read yesterday brought it bubbling and frothing right up to the forefront again, demanding to be finished. </div>
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In my head at least :)</div>
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<a name='more'></a><h3 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Online Porn: Monitoring Our Kids</h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I know, apologies to my more sensitive (or terribly British) readers who are maybe now shifting uncomfortably in their seats. Wondering nervously what I'm about to write about, already blushing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Never fear, I'm not about to post images or links to anything that you wouldn't want to see. Promise.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Also apologies to my non-parent readers. This may involve you slightly less but I do implore that you read and <span style="font-size: xx-small;">pretty please</span> share it anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">DO take a deep breath and prepare yourself. 'Pull up your big girl (or boy) britches' as my beloved sister-in-law would say, because if you have kids then this is just one of those conversations that you simply MUST have. With your partner and also with your older children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Parents? What exactly do you know about the quantity, quality and subject of online Porn?</span></div>
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Big Industry. HUGE!</h3>
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Do you know how ridiculously MASSIVE online porn is? Here's <a href="http://dailyinfographic.com/the-stats-on-internet-pornography-infographic" target="_blank">the facts for you</a>. It's an Infographic (meaning a poster style image rather than a written article) so <i>please</i> take the time to follow the link. There's no heavy reading involved and lots of eye catching graphics. No, not rude ones. I'll wait for you *slurps tea*. </div>
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
1. Until very recently, when Social Media finally took over, Porn was by far the largest use of the internet and had been since it's first inception.</div>
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2. Currently around 12% of websites (that's over 24 and a half MILLION) are Porn sites.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR-yYAppZU0al8iYQbpV7hrUjSAcfah603qCTGiG2iNH-RlGPX7JqF1sD8mBLw-tHd8qA-CAX6CBP5bziRa5ueEW_EXQizA-8LLejON6a0G_hXMrLlLq_Irft59-Bs2nhw3lztdGr6Ug/s1600/90%25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR-yYAppZU0al8iYQbpV7hrUjSAcfah603qCTGiG2iNH-RlGPX7JqF1sD8mBLw-tHd8qA-CAX6CBP5bziRa5ueEW_EXQizA-8LLejON6a0G_hXMrLlLq_Irft59-Bs2nhw3lztdGr6Ug/s1600/90%25.jpg" /></a>3. Every SECOND, some 28,258 internet users are viewing porn and spending over $3,000, around R30,000 or <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">£</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span>1,900, EACH SECOND. The industry Worldwide is worth a staggering $4.9 BILLION a year. </div>
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4. Utah has the highest rate of online porn subscriptions (!?!).</div>
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5. Okay - scary now - and the reason I sit here writing this. The AVERAGE age, not 'unusually, or occasionally' but AVERAGE age a person first sees online porn images or movies is 11. Yes, 11.</div>
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ELEVEN? WTF!</h3>
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Got an eleven year old? If you do then you must know that it is, therefore, highly likely that they've already seen some online porn. Possibly lots and, here's the worst part - a lot of what's out there is not what most of us would view as the kind of love life we would wish for our children in their adult lives and relationships.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHfJFW1eLnPZPpSLXm6Stg9xYxycMjoBv0UWlTKETJCDdObYOPFhK-7Ff0hwpnl69KaRZ2dPi46kioSH8dtnoYS2eMPB410axQRshVKXUlNOzwJwL6WclzubISmN4e5uJuCoKxQx_8oo/s1600/Boy+smartphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHfJFW1eLnPZPpSLXm6Stg9xYxycMjoBv0UWlTKETJCDdObYOPFhK-7Ff0hwpnl69KaRZ2dPi46kioSH8dtnoYS2eMPB410axQRshVKXUlNOzwJwL6WclzubISmN4e5uJuCoKxQx_8oo/s1600/Boy+smartphone.jpg" /></a></div>
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Okay. Now prepare yourself a bit, and then <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2135203/Jamie-13-kissed-girl-But-hes-Sex-Offender-Register-online-porn-warped-mind-.html" target="_blank">read this</a>. This IS a bit of a lengthy article, but you'll skip through it in five minutes. Make yourself read it please. It is shocking if you've not already seen it and again, I promise nothing graphic or too nasty. Simply the tale itself will shock you.</div>
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Come back to me when you're done. I'm not writing anything else until you have! :)</div>
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Are you back? WTF huh? We humans need to tackle this no?<br />
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Gone are the days of our tweens learning about sex from discovering someone's dog eared 'Playboy' collection or from reading their Mums Jackie Collins.</div>
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Be A Goddamn Parent!!</h3>
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Getting straight to the point, I really feel that there's a very dangerous style of parenting that has the concentration to our children and their activities lessen greatly, just at the point in their lives when they really need us to be involved and guiding them.</div>
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I'll be honest, I have a six and a three year old and even I enjoy those times when they can entertain themselves, leaving me to get on with something I need or want to do in peace.</div>
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As our children grow older and more independent, we tend to leave them to their own devices more and more so skip forward five years or so and my boys will, most probably, have screens of all types with internet access whenever they want. Shut away in their rooms. Doing homework, right?</div>
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"ah-ah" as they would say here in South Africa, with a shake of the head and a wag of the finger. I learnt from South African parents that as your child hits adolescence is exactly when you UP the attention, make sure that you're MORE involved in their lives, know their friends, their interests and exactly what they're doing, when, with whom and for how long. As an older family friend, and Mum to a 19 year old told me "as they become teenagers is exactly when you must hold them the tightest". </div>
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Talk 'The' Talk </h3>
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Our kids need our guidance so much at this age and we have to stop being shy about talking to them about love and *gulps nervously* sex at exactly this point in their lives. They must know that there is a healthy, loving and fun sex life to be had in their futures AND ... we need to tell them what that might entail. </div>
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Sex Ed at school teaches them at this age about what goes where and how to avoid pregnancy and STD's but they don't speak about love and relationships, which is surely just as important. </div>
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I know, you really don't want to tell them about that stuff do you? But if YOU don't give them a good grounding, a sounding board of what is healthy and good and loving - do you want it to come from a Porn Site?<br />
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I have years to prepare for the Talk but prepare I feel I must because talking to your kids about this stuff early means you have to think
about what's appropriate for their age to hear. Less gory details, more
humanity. I'm thinking of a child friendly general chat about loving, equality. Self respect and mutual respect of others. Nothing should be harmful or hurtful or against anothers will.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jrPQ8i_iv8sRxtH4WZqNF8sphBYjaWBwH559f6pDX4B5ghcZRWvahxHf4PsUzaCfHEm4O3orKJH426xALhE5g6SdKg6A7kwJ2CUMQEJrntIojSJTmf33xDWpMjB1ElFhyphenhyphendbBqgQ5YWA/s1600/Watch+with.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jrPQ8i_iv8sRxtH4WZqNF8sphBYjaWBwH559f6pDX4B5ghcZRWvahxHf4PsUzaCfHEm4O3orKJH426xALhE5g6SdKg6A7kwJ2CUMQEJrntIojSJTmf33xDWpMjB1ElFhyphenhyphendbBqgQ5YWA/s1600/Watch+with.jpg" /></a>And BE involved. Limit their screen time and keep the internet out of their bedrooms whenever possible. The Home PC should be used for homework and put it in a central room, even the kitchen, so they get used to seeing you and your partner using the internet as well. Learn how to use the sites that they do. How to monitor their internet use (or just read my next point if you don't know how).</div>
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Porn WILL get through to them, no matter how hard you try and stop it. A friend at school who's parents don't monitor will forward a pic that works it way around the whole school in minutes.</div>
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Could be of rough and aggressive sexual practices, beastiality, S&M (and not the silk scarf on the bedposts, fifty-shades-of-you-know-what kind). Child Porn, imagine how confusing THAT is to an eleven year old. And much, much worse things that I don't even like to imagine. They need YOU to tell them what's good and healthy BEFORE they start seeing these images, so they know to be shocked and react in the way you would hope they would when they do (and they will) see them. </div>
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How to Monitor the Internet</h3>
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Ah me, you are going to LOVE this. If you didn't know already of course. In which case, why didn't you tell ME?? :)</div>
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There is an awesome piece of software called <a href="http://www.webwatcher.com/ww/where/where-you-see.html?gclid=CPvMlf3xhroCFRPItAodd1kA-Q" target="_blank">WebWatcher</a> that is winning 5 star reviews and awards all over the place. Why? Because it has one unique advantage over other similar web monitoring softwares.</div>
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IT CAN SEE THEIR PHONES TOO!!</div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*snicker* I'm feeling a rush of 'Parental Power' ™</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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What makes WebCatcher so unique (and all kinds of awesome) is that it uses a website to monitor any tablet or phone as well as being able to monitor and control all home PC and laptop use. Which is awesome because ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vP2vmU57ipfRdhsXOTse7B0QYpFLIwJZDrI4Qi86glpEz0ZbjDXAbQdQccwwin-G3RIFXAA6dN5-DfqlfU_6nQD08aHXlyl9AsxjnJRfBqXvCHZyJ9Vl9JZQn039IGULh0sc2C9G_xw/s1600/CoxInternetSafety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vP2vmU57ipfRdhsXOTse7B0QYpFLIwJZDrI4Qi86glpEz0ZbjDXAbQdQccwwin-G3RIFXAA6dN5-DfqlfU_6nQD08aHXlyl9AsxjnJRfBqXvCHZyJ9Vl9JZQn039IGULh0sc2C9G_xw/s1600/CoxInternetSafety.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is what it will do for you (and your kids):</div>
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• Record all email and webmail (both sent and received)</div>
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• Record all Instant Messages/Chats</div>
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• Monitor all websites visited</div>
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• Block any and all undesired websites</div>
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• Track all keystrokes typed on the computer</div>
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• Take screenshot pictures of the monitored computer so you can see graphics, etc.</div>
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• Record all social networking activity including Facebook and Twitter</div>
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• Record and/or block Peer 2 Peer activity</div>
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Cool huh? No reason to wait, there's a PC or Smartphone version. Get monitoring. What's that about your childs privacy? Before the age of 16? With all that accessible porn AND predatory paeodophiles out there?! *pfft* Get good parenting.</div>
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<h3 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
What You Can Do Elsewhere</h3>
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PLEASE. I implore you. It's an old method but, write to your local MP or Senator. The internet COULD be monitored more. The Porn Industry would fight it but - fuck them frankly. If enough people, parents campaign for tighter security for Online Porn Sites and images then it CAN be achieved.<br />
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I'm not remotely against Porn, when it's made and shown without harming or taking advantage of anyone, but Porn should only be accessible to GROWN UPS surely?</div>
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Please talk about it to your friends and family with children and anyone else who you think may be concerned or may have some clout to get something done. Facebook it. Tweet about it. If you blog, blog about it. Please share this lil' old post of mine anywhere you can think of too and let's get a conversation going in the Worlds Parliaments that, like, <i>really fucking needs to be had</i>.</div>
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Thank you :) xx</div>
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<br />WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-27207266400481908142013-08-21T15:04:00.001+01:002013-08-25T06:53:38.832+01:008 Cool Facebook Pages: Facebook's Still Cool, Right?<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
If you use <a href="https://twitter.com/weezafish" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or have any friends or family members under the age of 25 then you'll have probably heard the theory that Facebook is just, well ... not cool anymore.</div>
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I'm 42, which means I no longer get a say on what's cool of course.</div>
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Ha ha ha yeah right.</div>
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But I beg to differ and give you the following Facebook pages that <i>are</i> all cool to Like. Well, I think so anyway.</div>
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Note: A lot of them come from websites originally and I'm not including my Blogging friends in this list, mainly because there's so many good ones out there that they deserve a shout out of their own some day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQz5RC8lc8uXKTK3G2juVoTuL_SIhtoP-8FFF_nPQmI4-MKZDF3FtOI4xIdij6L8B35i5qeljetCX1e2GSQLltVhTDki5uGTCUO6Uwgevhu8w1fe5Ozi7CxrVTqcz-LDCOp0AoHyrZ-U/s1600/Flove+science.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQz5RC8lc8uXKTK3G2juVoTuL_SIhtoP-8FFF_nPQmI4-MKZDF3FtOI4xIdij6L8B35i5qeljetCX1e2GSQLltVhTDki5uGTCUO6Uwgevhu8w1fe5Ozi7CxrVTqcz-LDCOp0AoHyrZ-U/s200/Flove+science.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/IFeakingLoveScience" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" target="_blank">I Fucking Love Science</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">: A page started by people who just, well ... fucking love science!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And not just science, they clearly love nature and the whole damn wonderful world we live in too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you're not sure if you love Science or not, like this page for a bit and you might find you change your mind.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW3eUcusG0YcJF5OwU2PMa9GmYvl_Cm82z7I7FTDXbAGEF2gVtVYR9IG5xG4uB393yfbNPHuNF2VRC9G4n7nLp3SyBMwei5T2KuuXuQ2iGKmeS2RgSXxTFuFVHnzGye2nrPApTaz-Vyg/s1600/Amazing+World.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW3eUcusG0YcJF5OwU2PMa9GmYvl_Cm82z7I7FTDXbAGEF2gVtVYR9IG5xG4uB393yfbNPHuNF2VRC9G4n7nLp3SyBMwei5T2KuuXuQ2iGKmeS2RgSXxTFuFVHnzGye2nrPApTaz-Vyg/s200/Amazing+World.jpg" width="200" /></a>And while I'm recommending pages who love the world, have you checked out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThisAmazingWorldOfOurs" target="_blank">This Amazing World of Ours</a>? It is just such a positive place to be!</div>
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Nature and humanitarianism but not in a cheesy, OMG-is-that-another-cute-cat-picture-with-an-inspirational-quote-on-it kind of way.</div>
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Trust me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixL5OyvR6P05OhGfKxUS6nKaIdTrzLYjT7CqGnco4IBkxFr2mR8aZWFgEcPv7ujPCQ5z-wg0VNerXNlcDUpkmkjUZjwJnkbeJgI-yIo2cTt4C157wzZYk7j3m1ZVBYS39B5UimxYozp_A/s1600/Random.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixL5OyvR6P05OhGfKxUS6nKaIdTrzLYjT7CqGnco4IBkxFr2mR8aZWFgEcPv7ujPCQ5z-wg0VNerXNlcDUpkmkjUZjwJnkbeJgI-yIo2cTt4C157wzZYk7j3m1ZVBYS39B5UimxYozp_A/s200/Random.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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If you want a constant flow of posts on your Facebook that make you go "OMFG, look at THIS!" before you thrust your phone screen in front of anybody who's with you, then <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RandomShitIFindFunnyInterestingandorInspiring" target="_blank">Random Shit I Find Funny, Interesting and/or Inspiring</a> is the place for you. At least a dozen times a day I'm liking, sharing and thrusting into the face of others posts from this page. They are definitely one of my favourites.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEmxy7VQ553-IO07hLkLtDmzXEWZrzpXl2GSZ0LQsSGndxyKeAo4cT9TEdGrJfypf_oYys-XaUAqGe4pmFOEJ5xU5exC8dD6OZjS1J2QPgxqTPw20YNYMtgMnOH-w1iywXUAXQ1tvyIA/s1600/Bat+Crazy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEmxy7VQ553-IO07hLkLtDmzXEWZrzpXl2GSZ0LQsSGndxyKeAo4cT9TEdGrJfypf_oYys-XaUAqGe4pmFOEJ5xU5exC8dD6OZjS1J2QPgxqTPw20YNYMtgMnOH-w1iywXUAXQ1tvyIA/s1600/Bat+Crazy.jpg" /></a>One of my new favourites is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BatShitCrazyExes" target="_blank">Batshit Crazy Exes</a> (I Know, who comes up with these names?) and fear not, Batshit may <i>sound</i> crazy and about exes, but they are in fact just a very humourous and inspirational type of Facebook page.</div>
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More for the girls than the boys though ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoHuo9o4ZEvuZbRaKDvd87RoGgQB-k5kqvs31pLzZyQ-8RbguYXD0R3_Z1wATKVZ7khbtaehxFwTiX-YZkthTab1GruNufvzDSK4pR2vZ5W2UVFJP43s8KE3P_B0aD-kJNUCy3-v75tE/s1600/Not+Right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoHuo9o4ZEvuZbRaKDvd87RoGgQB-k5kqvs31pLzZyQ-8RbguYXD0R3_Z1wATKVZ7khbtaehxFwTiX-YZkthTab1GruNufvzDSK4pR2vZ5W2UVFJP43s8KE3P_B0aD-kJNUCy3-v75tE/s200/Not+Right.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Need more laughs? I would recommend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/imnotrightinthehead" target="_blank">I'm Not Right in The Head</a> for a few good ones. </div>
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They specialise in finding the people/actions/things that are not quite ... right in the head.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XsMzyA1fbzc86poZwfamSQg_HtF4Ll-v-BAZIyY0svs2kNOt2hhCYgSM_7ua1x2KJCWNb2lvTVAMqwtei-7Po8vksGm-quflOxcFFRiX3KJ2m94KNzQJ80tjUTdiKrtvy71gOCX5R5s/s1600/Creative+Ideas.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XsMzyA1fbzc86poZwfamSQg_HtF4Ll-v-BAZIyY0svs2kNOt2hhCYgSM_7ua1x2KJCWNb2lvTVAMqwtei-7Po8vksGm-quflOxcFFRiX3KJ2m94KNzQJ80tjUTdiKrtvy71gOCX5R5s/s200/Creative+Ideas.png" width="200" /></a></div>
If, like me, you love design and invention then you'll love the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lovedesigncreatecom" target="_blank">I Love Creative Designs and Unusual Ideas</a> Facebook page.<br />
Creative designs in all kinds of fields; products, buildings as well as cool ideas and new inventions and findings. And this morning they posted a photo of a dog leading a line of orphaned ducklings. I mean, how can you live another day without seeing stuff like that on your page?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpEX2gqlZNnff-q-XxdNOJvoGSX3-mzVg-dIDhaq4h75wABw3qGcqUk6AMTaBRt0sjxqJgFpLZfQWKiQr9tI29fEsMALTbzo56DFUif5VUvfqKcypF3HxZ_ulyqQc-sHZhyA7UzUTIO8/s1600/DIY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpEX2gqlZNnff-q-XxdNOJvoGSX3-mzVg-dIDhaq4h75wABw3qGcqUk6AMTaBRt0sjxqJgFpLZfQWKiQr9tI29fEsMALTbzo56DFUif5VUvfqKcypF3HxZ_ulyqQc-sHZhyA7UzUTIO8/s200/DIY.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
Like making things? Crafting? Saving money by making it yourself because someone showed you how? Here's the page that will show you how. And don't get put off by the page title; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sbsdiy" target="_blank">DIY - It's Easier than you Think</a>. Because I have liked this page for some time now and I'm yet to find a single post that relates to plastering or wallpapering. Oh no. THIS page would rather show you how to; make your own non-toxic kids paint, turn boring flip flops into beautiful sandals, clean silver with baking powder, turn old cutelry into coat hooks, fill a bucket from a small sink, fold a fitted sheet and make a lovely frock out of one of your mans old T-shirts. And that's just today!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkJIwcbBehBuCfXGmQ5lrpSsAawMcT9O63t4T9GwWHUcTMSM2RV8vieS4aUqOpiKc17n7N9dyBAc8tkOqDXlcc-_BSebj58656U1Wz3ouCyL494Jbdnjd9RdwBGTvR71SbY9kuL2LpiI/s1600/Minions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkJIwcbBehBuCfXGmQ5lrpSsAawMcT9O63t4T9GwWHUcTMSM2RV8vieS4aUqOpiKc17n7N9dyBAc8tkOqDXlcc-_BSebj58656U1Wz3ouCyL494Jbdnjd9RdwBGTvR71SbY9kuL2LpiI/s200/Minions.jpg" width="200" /></a>And failing to entice you with any of the above? Just Like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Minions-Fans/416004081845560" target="_blank">Minions Fans</a> page for a daily dose of Minions.</div>
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What more do you need on your Facebook?</div>
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I'm always keen to like a new page that'll add something cool or funny to my Newsfeed, so let me know in the comments if I'm missing any good ones. Please?</div>
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xx</div>
WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-74214718489955929162013-08-07T14:02:00.000+01:002013-08-07T14:02:42.060+01:00Just Writing<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
I've got three posts (yes, three) in my drafts and today I don't find myself wanting to finish any of them.</div>
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But I do want to write, so this <i>could</i> be interesting. I wonder what I'll write about? At this point ... I have no plan! Blogging by the seat of my pants.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznqN7T7XAj8mmk6hwyawFX47pSrAoMkJhGe9Vs-SrZRsc0JS-uTQbX5_wnLG1T2l7FVAzudOxZiQNmJvmXx_Q9VZ6yVS4Z45CNEzpJJC0ONZmWzSf_HRtaWPShImRM1uDPLP3mfsz0h0/s1600/Write-because-you-have-to.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznqN7T7XAj8mmk6hwyawFX47pSrAoMkJhGe9Vs-SrZRsc0JS-uTQbX5_wnLG1T2l7FVAzudOxZiQNmJvmXx_Q9VZ6yVS4Z45CNEzpJJC0ONZmWzSf_HRtaWPShImRM1uDPLP3mfsz0h0/s320/Write-because-you-have-to.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.writeathome.com/index.php/2012/08/dont-write-just-because-you-have-to/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Photo Credit</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It reminds me of a post I read on Mistys Laws this week, </span><a href="http://mistyslaws.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/the-neverending-nothingness/" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" target="_blank">'The Neverending Nothingness'</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, in which Misty ... simply writes.</span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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And another post I read recently by Becca on 25toFly called <a href="http://25tofly.com/2013/07/26/blogging-bureaucracy-2/" target="_blank">'Blogging Bureaucracy'</a>, in which Becca questions why and when the love for blogging and writing themselves, get overtaken by the want for a larger audience?</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They both hit home with me. I too have fallen prey to being so busy trying to gain followers, please who I thought was reading (sooo ... my best friend and my Dad?) and SEO the hell out of my posts, that I forget sometimes just to write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And so today, I just write ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write about the kids, think I. Because this IS a Mummy's blog after all? But they're both doing fine, what's new to tell today?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write about the weather, because I'm British and that's what we do when lost for words? But the weather here </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">in Africa </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">is fine and sunny so there's really no news to say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write about how I feel today? A little tired, a little run down, a little flat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write about the hottest news in the country today? But, being honest, it's kind of depressing so I'd rather not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write about my darling Hubs who's at work, in a playground far from us and a good few hours away from being home?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write about my achievements here? The work I've done, the kids needs I've met, the messes I've tidied and MY OWN hair I've yet to wash or comb?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write about my parenting woes? *shrugs* But I have none today to share.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write from the heart and express ALL my stresses? Knowing that somebody out there will care?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBGYlvFS20-GEhyphenhyphenNUmlCCGI0sO2qi2qzK6aAK6SZmm-UXMN-4hyphenhyphenVBFFBzv2Ji1BfborADd9qvQ1MQAfx5KB5LUEO6Xww_NquGfLkPt7nBXHIxp5Wawso483B750-VAygE6UXFopVsLBc/s1600/Snoopy+Types.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBGYlvFS20-GEhyphenhyphenNUmlCCGI0sO2qi2qzK6aAK6SZmm-UXMN-4hyphenhyphenVBFFBzv2Ji1BfborADd9qvQ1MQAfx5KB5LUEO6Xww_NquGfLkPt7nBXHIxp5Wawso483B750-VAygE6UXFopVsLBc/s320/Snoopy+Types.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.peanuts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">How I imagine myself at times ...</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write Advice or Tips on anything I can think of? Because I have an urge to be helpful and wise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shall I write fiction? A thing I find hard and admire so much. Even though I can never be as good as the books I love, in my eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Or shall I just shut up? Because I'm quite crap at poetry as you can tell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And you have, I'm sure, many other blog posts that are vying for your attention as well!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">P.S. Don't worry, normal service will resume soon :)</span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-61646055175124336422013-08-06T11:37:00.000+01:002013-08-06T11:37:19.421+01:00We're Having a Smashing Time<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
That's a terrible pun, that title. Which you'll realise fully if you read on.</div>
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This is one of those 'OMG you won't believe what happened to us!' type posts. Although to be fair, it happened to Hubs and he gave me his blessing to make a post of it. "It would make a good post" says he.</div>
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It also fits perfectly with a want I had to try out my newly downloaded Blogger App. I often have better internet on my phone, so if I can master and make use of this app, we might just have a more frequent blogger here. Hooray!</div>
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So onto our smashing tale. One thing to confirm, bar some nasty cuts, bruises and a bit of whiplash - Hubs is thankfully okay. </div>
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He was working hard, in a school playground about forty minutes from home last Sunday and the kids were home with me. Which was unusual, and that's kinda odd. If he's working weekends or in the school holidays he'll usually take one of the boys with him. </div>
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He works in playgrounds. When they're closed. You can imagine why cries of "Pleeeeeeease can I come to work with you Daddy?" are often heard in our house.</div>
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But for some reason, when he left for work that morning neither of the boys pleaded to come and he left them - still in their PJ's, watching a movie under their duvets - with me.</div>
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I can't begin to express how relieved we are now that he made that decision because later that day, when Hubs popped off site for some materials and lunch, he crashed his bakkie!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP797LaT8pgfgyWXOH5izUBG3xUw29_Tpa693bxRbKEBOKeFQz2DiThbzimHiVRfFfIfIBt2g6JIhi5opUpH4FP0Jp6-BnA4_RWwG9HfBYprZmjr7RlRt8tg2Vf54l_VfwMTlM3n1fhc/s1600/2013-07-28+13.43.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="crashed bakkie" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwP797LaT8pgfgyWXOH5izUBG3xUw29_Tpa693bxRbKEBOKeFQz2DiThbzimHiVRfFfIfIBt2g6JIhi5opUpH4FP0Jp6-BnA4_RWwG9HfBYprZmjr7RlRt8tg2Vf54l_VfwMTlM3n1fhc/s320/2013-07-28+13.43.49.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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It was the decision of a driver two cars ahead of Hubs to change his mind about a turn and slam on his brakes, leaving Hubs with a split second to make <i>his</i> decision from two possible and unattractive options; turn sharp left, and roll the Bakkie into a ditch ... or slam the brakes on and hit the car in front. The latter was, thankfully, the one he went for.</div>
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But this post isn't to dwell on our misfortunes. Or Hubby's near-death experience.</div>
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I'll be honest, it's a downright brazen and no holds barred big up and shout out to my amazing Hubs.</div>
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I won't tell you the details of how shocked and upset he was when he rang me from the crash site to tell me what had happened. He's a 'manly' type of guy and he might be embarrassed :)</div>
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No police report was taken (this is South Africa remember), so no blame found and Hubs came home after
dizzily agreeing with the driver of the Bakkie he'd rear-ended that
they would sort their own damaged vehicles out and our insurance towed the vehicle back home.</div>
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But I <i>can</i> tell you how he sat down that evening and surfed the net until he had found the parts he needed to replace on his Bakkie. And that he left on foot (with injured knees) early the next morning to pay for those parts and arrange help to collect them. And after borrowing some tools and walking back to the local shops to get groceries, he and his employee set about putting the Bakkie back together again.</div>
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Less than five days later, they had achieved this.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL0wq9KL8hOtvVwRiVjSAJ5LdfnmPkhcp3I0gxlL8nscaLwibtOjfpEDRZtx7kVE1kB4SvXb-7i-YUitFSRKbSEpFUCTWNnjErefGNV7flp6ceRcMdfdSQ3PRGJ41Jo2gtZ5ZDc6ChT4/s1600/2013-08-01+13.59.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="repaired bakkie" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL0wq9KL8hOtvVwRiVjSAJ5LdfnmPkhcp3I0gxlL8nscaLwibtOjfpEDRZtx7kVE1kB4SvXb-7i-YUitFSRKbSEpFUCTWNnjErefGNV7flp6ceRcMdfdSQ3PRGJ41Jo2gtZ5ZDc6ChT4/s320/2013-08-01+13.59.33.jpg" title="" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
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As of today, just over a week later, Hubs is well and truly back on the road and working hard to catch up after his 'week off'.</div>
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He deserves a shout out, does he not? </div>
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Love you Hubs. You keep us (and your Bakkie) moving forward all the time and you constantly amaze and inspire me xxxx</div>
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P.S. Blogger App update: Soooo ... I did write the whole body of this post on my phone and it wasn't <i>too </i>painful. But bugger me, I couldn't find a way to insert pics. 'Attach' pics, no prob. But actually putting them where you want them within the text of your post, nope. Not figured that out yet. Nor could I choose fonts or add a page break. What you <i>can</i> do with the App is label your post and save it to drafts (or publish it) so I may still use it when I have to urge to get something down, but I'm away from home or out of internet.</div>
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And talking about that urge to blog, it's still with me now so watch this space. I feel a flurry of posts coming on!!</div>
WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-77684624724921191112013-07-24T16:29:00.000+01:002013-07-24T16:29:00.050+01:005 Easy Tips for Healthy Eating<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oeHxdyoCPR7QE7PiJWrl-BbV50RFhvlVl0m8WHgzU_c7YUnMPTha0Z9oxcWXQWs6w8GuD-_ykn7uMcYjdMrQs1_18zUWKkajnSrku4TKxYkoPNVPvRRzTBHTvpoWVllNeaZ12O4pVMM/s1600/Healthy+Eating+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Easy Healthy Eating" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oeHxdyoCPR7QE7PiJWrl-BbV50RFhvlVl0m8WHgzU_c7YUnMPTha0Z9oxcWXQWs6w8GuD-_ykn7uMcYjdMrQs1_18zUWKkajnSrku4TKxYkoPNVPvRRzTBHTvpoWVllNeaZ12O4pVMM/s400/Healthy+Eating+Header.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.vegetarianlovetoknow.com/" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a> I just added the purple :)</span></td></tr>
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Can there possibly be only 5 Easy Tips for Healthy Eating?? Read on if you're interested dear friend, read on.</div>
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Have you read my page, <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/p/how-to-lose-weight-for-keeps-for-real.html" target="_blank">How To Lose Weight For Keeps For Real</a>? It's okay, if you haven't don't feel remotely obliged (no, really) to go rush there now but if you <i>have</i> read it then you know already that I was once a rather LARGE lady who managed over time to become a much SMALLER lady, and you'll know how I did it.</div>
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But guess what? Some weight's crept back on in the last 9 months or so as my **NEW** eating habits slip and some of my old and bad eating habits sneak back in. Sneaky buggers those bad old eating habits. I don't remember telling them they could come back.</div>
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INTERVENTION!! (I shout to myself). It's time to get back on track and while I think about losing weight, I also find myself thinking more about my health this time. I'm getting older. Now at the 'too-scared-to-go-for-check-ups' stage of my life and fully aware of the fact that like it or not, our health only gets worse as we age. Depressing no?</div>
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But let us cheer ourselves up with my **EVEN NEWER** eating plan. It does encompass all the good stuff of my <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/p/how-to-lose-weight-for-keeps-for-real.html" target="_blank">last plan</a> but ... behold! It's now even healthier and in an attempt to stop myself from slipping again I've made it as SIMPLE as I possibly can. Just 5 Easy Tips for Healthy Eating. I CAN REMEMBER THAT! Woohoo!</div>
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1. Drink Water</h3>
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I know it's an obvious one, but much as I share this information with you lovely folk, this is MY kick-up-the-butt-WTF-you-know-you-should-do-this-stuff-why-don't-you?? reminder plan and I need the obvious stating.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXC5h1jQfCLRJjyCV3ZqMCpR9fh6W5O0KuqiLs-JrhIqcQOPBFktvdDTBu8xYKn0vwvhYpP8LpNoKuRKStgmUNL6Jfa6w9GTA7gA6zPULtrIxu2Mo7Ln0StWzCSZW1dDN-42zJMzsGjA/s1600/drink+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXC5h1jQfCLRJjyCV3ZqMCpR9fh6W5O0KuqiLs-JrhIqcQOPBFktvdDTBu8xYKn0vwvhYpP8LpNoKuRKStgmUNL6Jfa6w9GTA7gA6zPULtrIxu2Mo7Ln0StWzCSZW1dDN-42zJMzsGjA/s320/drink+water.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.empowernetwork.com/kjw/blog/drink-water/" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
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7-8
glasses a day and NO, tea and other drinks DO NOT COUNT but by all means drink them, just get the water in as well! 7-8 glasses a
day of <i>just</i> water is good for so<i> </i>many reasons I have to send you off for a read <a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4287/10-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Drink-More-Water.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you need convincing.</div>
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And not on the list, although Dr Oz says so - so it should be, water adds to the make up of all your bodily fluids so not only is it essential, drinking lots of it makes a BIG difference when you have coughs and colds. Believe me. I am she of bad sinuses.</div>
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2. Don't Overeat</h3>
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You know dinner plates have a shallow bowl and then an outside edge that usually contains a pattern? That outside edge with the pretty pattern is supposed to FRAME your meal, not be OBSCURED by it. Who knew? Ahem. Smaller plates work but knowing <a href="http://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/Healthy-Living/Weight-Management/Article-Viewer/Article/348/Correct-Portion-Sizes-How-to-Keep-Portion-Distortion-in-Check.aspx?Referer=mealsmatter" target="_blank">how much you're <i>supposed</i> to be eating</a> really helps as well. As does plate division; half veg/salad, quarter protein and quarter starch/grain/carbohydrate. As a rough guide.</div>
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3. Avoid Bad Stuff / As Much Good Stuff as You Can Handle</h3>
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Surprise surprise, Mother Nature does kind of know what she's doing when it comes to healthy eating and if you lean as much as possible towards natural foods ... and as far away as possible from refined, coloured, preservative laden etc etc. You can't go far wrong.</div>
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And we all know what's bad for us huh? *sigh* Avoid it as much as possible, and stuff in as much of the good stuff as you can bear.</div>
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4. Chuck in Some Superfoods</h3>
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Diets, as many of you may know, do not impress me. I'm not one for fads or attempts to make me spend my money on things I don't really need on a weak promise that it will transform me somehow. So hear me then when I say that I am very impressed by the emerging knowledge of (dan dan daaaar) <b>Superfoods</b>. Of <i>course </i>our food affects our bodies in different ways, how pleasing it is now to have the knowledge of what our food actually does for us in more detail. Superfoods are foods that contain a very high level of nutrients and usually antioxidants, which are the things that fight those nasty cell destroying and disease causing free radicals.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX2e75QgcgmB4Wh09n7gd3klK4PqR_9IMv7bE30LcVO1-F3duzVvdIgKXoUhYvPx3Dl1QZN4qsA0GraQ1cJNAJu1P701_5W9j1pSdM0-mGIaW81FZ46R41x6w2bIGHLLlOceOqO9Yz3Y/s1600/Superfoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX2e75QgcgmB4Wh09n7gd3klK4PqR_9IMv7bE30LcVO1-F3duzVvdIgKXoUhYvPx3Dl1QZN4qsA0GraQ1cJNAJu1P701_5W9j1pSdM0-mGIaW81FZ46R41x6w2bIGHLLlOceOqO9Yz3Y/s320/Superfoods.jpg" width="320" /></a>Google 'oh no not more kale why the fuck should I eat superfoods?' and you'll find plenty of hits to tell you why you should. </div>
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And believe me, Superfoods is <i>not </i>a scam to get you to spend all of your meek shopping budget on expensive and hard to find items such as Macqui berries or Chia (WTF??).</div>
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I bet you there's Superfoods in your fridge and cupboards right NOW. Oh yes there is. There's superfoods you can grow yourself at home and not all Superfoods are expensive or hard to find. And you know what? DARK CHOCOLATE'S A SUPERFOOD!! It's good for your heart, your brain, it helps control blood sugar, full of antioxidants, good for your teeth enamel (!!) and it's high in potassium, copper, magnesium and iron. Interested now huh?</div>
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Check <a href="http://greatist.com/health/25-greatist-superfoods-and-why-theyre-super%20" target="_blank">this list,</a> they do mention Chia (WTF??) but that's the only poncy one I promise and you'll be surprised at how many Superfoods you already have in your diet and how many more you could easily add. </div>
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And it get's better! They've recently discovered that some foods work in very specific ways in our bodies when combined with another. Here's some examples;</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcYzOg70W4Ca_TwjC2mH5q_CEaO2bYXG8twce8N2gqPBu49D__GhX5euol_7YTKcO9Ic36LWwzUItI6hyHGMFP0GJ5FfMkqX-p1txNRs6UZww05xq_z0GrWqFQS9KdvVBUUracjQHCIg/s1600/super+cheap+super+foods.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcYzOg70W4Ca_TwjC2mH5q_CEaO2bYXG8twce8N2gqPBu49D__GhX5euol_7YTKcO9Ic36LWwzUItI6hyHGMFP0GJ5FfMkqX-p1txNRs6UZww05xq_z0GrWqFQS9KdvVBUUracjQHCIg/s400/super+cheap+super+foods.jpeg" width="318" /></a><b>Fish and Broccoli:</b> Cancer prevention.</div>
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<b>Yoghurt and Bananas:</b> Digestion booster.</div>
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<b>Black pepper and Turmeric:</b> Super anti-inflammatory.</div>
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<b>Apples and Grapes:</b> Heart helper.</div>
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<b>Tomato and Avocado:</b> Free radical fighter, cancer prevention.</div>
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<b>Peanut Butter and Milk:</b> Super Vitamin D Asorption, stronger bones.</div>
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<b>Melon and Yoghurt:</b> Immunity Boost.</div>
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<b>Green Tea with Lemon:</b> Good for your heart. </div>
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How cool is that?! Chemistry in my kitchen I tell you. Do your own research and combinations because more than ever before we have the knowledge to tailor our diets to suit our own bodies and even to help any ailments or illnesses we may suffer from.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5. Move a Bit More</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Last but not least, I must MOVE a bit more. I can't go to the gym, I just can't. Staring blankly into space (or at other sweaty bodies) whilst trying my hardest to look sexy and cool in my bulging yoga pants? I'm both exhausted and slightly depressed at just the thought of it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ZTa3IWIk-19hemKItCZR2iAPHMds_k1wm70oesLgr0Nt6suyWK-3MO7aZsG6vLMzkBwxKdKm-TTAmMbEwOhCtDp3s9VAPex2E_srxsWDkUilwkSEpQzBuAm4yUHMJrz6iVwojLd7S0/s1600/2013-06-27+12.05.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ZTa3IWIk-19hemKItCZR2iAPHMds_k1wm70oesLgr0Nt6suyWK-3MO7aZsG6vLMzkBwxKdKm-TTAmMbEwOhCtDp3s9VAPex2E_srxsWDkUilwkSEpQzBuAm4yUHMJrz6iVwojLd7S0/s320/2013-06-27+12.05.05.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But I <i>can </i>jump like crazy on the kids trampoline or play a game or chase them around the garden </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">for half an hour </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">after school. And I can take the stairs instead of the lift. And I CAN walk sometimes when it's only 15mins away and the sun's shining. Move! Just a bit more ... </span></div>
WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-24702909267324562782013-07-03T13:09:00.000+01:002013-07-03T13:18:03.504+01:00Caring and Sharing Social Media: And a Brand New Page<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZyxve4AaUIY1Qrmg5S7sTjH4T8Bf7clxy4qKOvPu7abNHBLaBI-qSveRDTIsgo3tE8Ev2rf8sGDGaxcQ_8kq8hPRqlso47rHBgeZPxXT9Z8MGbBVbPL7I6acd-V-uE6Y5uIBQKFR4cw/s466/choc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZyxve4AaUIY1Qrmg5S7sTjH4T8Bf7clxy4qKOvPu7abNHBLaBI-qSveRDTIsgo3tE8Ev2rf8sGDGaxcQ_8kq8hPRqlso47rHBgeZPxXT9Z8MGbBVbPL7I6acd-V-uE6Y5uIBQKFR4cw/s320/choc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totally unnecessary pic</td></tr>
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Do you know (leaping right in) as I sit here at my desk at home, ignoring the chores that should really be done all around me, you'll find me in a jovial mood.<br />
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<i>Possibly </i>has something to do with the six squares of <a href="http://www.cadbury.co.za/products/slabs/dairy-milk/cadbury-dairy-milk/" target="_blank">Dairy Milk</a> I just found in my desk drawer and devoured. Who knows?<br />
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Either way I find myself with both time and internet (you don't know how rare that is) to bang a little post out, so to speak and I've been meaning to do just that for quite a while. </div>
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<a name='more'></a>Firstly, you may or may not have noticed this but my Intense Debate comment template thingie keeps buggering up and deleting comments from my posts. And I only get like about six comments man!<br />
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Aaaand ... I do hate to diss someone or their service but, Intense Debate have not even bothered to reply to any messages I send them let alone sort the problem out.<br />
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It's the Comment Luv aspect I enjoy, so if the problem persists I shall get rid and try another one. Any suggestions, fellow bloggers? I even went back on <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/06/freecycle-encouraging-would-be-crafter.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, and re-pasted the comments that were deleted. No honest, those are real comments. I didn't make them up!<br />
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Are you a Twitterer? A Tweep? A Tweeter? What's the correct term? Who cares, if you ARE or you are thinking of starting ... please won't you follow me?<br />
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Direct huh? I'm just so brazen, it's like I HAVE no self esteem (inserts link <a href="http://favstar.fm/users/weezafish" target="_blank">HERE</a> to her Favstar 'Best Tweets').<br />
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I can't remember when I started Twitter, but I am definitely enjoying it. As those that do will know, there's some very funny people out there and other than promoting posts and keeping up to date with the news, I mostly use my WeezaFish account for having a laugh. And I LOVE how many Twitter friends I have from all kinds of different lives and places.<br />
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The news aspect of Twitter is awesome also. I love how instant the news is and how connected you feel with <i>billions </i>of other folk just because they like or share the same things you do. Sorry Twitter, 'Star' and 'Retweet' :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMeFAs7lafyRqmcb-hMWXxESMoWhZwi-6tsIwYm3_BGFrVPEYt5-Kj33ksO1EKJZFfVvlTc0bH9osZsxUCVlpn9vjtqi7bP7q7cz8KLIIzCxfgGjVQPnbVbduHZf03Y4WGJXrhSn0bfk/s600/alec+cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMeFAs7lafyRqmcb-hMWXxESMoWhZwi-6tsIwYm3_BGFrVPEYt5-Kj33ksO1EKJZFfVvlTc0bH9osZsxUCVlpn9vjtqi7bP7q7cz8KLIIzCxfgGjVQPnbVbduHZf03Y4WGJXrhSn0bfk/s320/alec+cross.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Where else would I have discovered <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/jun/28/alec-baldwin-twitter-meltdown-gandolfini-funeral" target="_blank">the 'real' Alec Baldwin</a> this week? <br />
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So go on, whether your a shy newbie (I'll help) or a seasoned Tweeter <a href="https://twitter.com/weezafish" target="_blank">come say hello</a>. LOVE to see you. This is all about sharing and I do love to share on Twitter too, so let's get our posts all over the world baby! Ahem. I've got a few followers in Canada? India??<br />
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Here's another thing that's making me smile, A PAGE! A brand spanking new and shiny page on this very blog has appeared. And it's one that has finally arisen from my dusty drafts having sat there for the last ... several months.</div>
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It does explain itself so at the risk of sending you off on a trail of links that you may never return from, PLEASE do check out my new page up there back at the top look or just follow the link to it here: <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/p/bloggers-who-read-my-blog.html" target="_blank">Bloggers Who Read My Blog</a>.<br />
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Oh go on, you can go. I actually have no more news. Run along with you, as my Granma used to say.</div>
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<br />WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-71917208349851054072013-06-20T09:42:00.001+01:002013-06-20T09:42:50.230+01:00Freecycle: Encouraging a Would-Be Crafter<br />
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You know, if you read <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-favourite-places-in-joburg.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, that I'm a fan of secondhand. Thrift Stores, recycling and upcycling. Has occurred to me that I also enjoy going through peoples old stuff but that sounds odd and a bit grimy so let's not dwell on <i>that</i> aspect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92OWaB0AsWPp6_2v-ytlbWQhXf_-HjcQ62dFcjGxw7siLTXzahglxrWGVx3FN1F7iHS0inb3hD3WAyMiVyc7HJXoOXVIKyc-O-RAXurC377CeOoYbLd1S_r2VYbWjXrP_KUgY5SlpPVA/s1600/want+not,+waste+not.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92OWaB0AsWPp6_2v-ytlbWQhXf_-HjcQ62dFcjGxw7siLTXzahglxrWGVx3FN1F7iHS0inb3hD3WAyMiVyc7HJXoOXVIKyc-O-RAXurC377CeOoYbLd1S_r2VYbWjXrP_KUgY5SlpPVA/s1600/want+not,+waste+not.jpg" /></a></div>
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Recently, Hubby and I drove to the South of Joburg (we live in the North) to collect a wardrobe that had been advertised on <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/" target="_blank">Freecycle</a>. During the collection we met a man, in his late forties, who's parents had sadly both passed recently.</div>
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He has no siblings and is single; he told us he was Freecycling all his parents furniture and odds and sods as well as a lot of his own as he was selling his house and off to start a new life in Australia. How exciting, thought we, as we loaded our wardrobe and chatted. Not easy, as Hubs and he manoeurvered a solid and very large wardrobe down a flight of windy stone stairs and onto the back of our bakkie.</div>
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As we were preparing to leave, the chap asks us if we won't take a few bags of "Mum's crafty bits" because he didn't think they were of real use to anyone.</div>
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<a name='more'></a>My ears pricked up, "Crafty Bits???" and I must have shot Hubs a look because he immediately follows our friend back up the stairs while I sit and wait, excitedly wondering what's in the bags.</div>
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I know. It's me *waves*.<br />
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It's not like you ever see posts on WeezaFish of my crafting, do you? Hadn't realised I was such a keen crafter huh?</div>
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I WISH sometimes I was a crafter. I'm a wannabe/would be crafter with possibly one or maybe two very small artistic bones in my body. I like reading blogs of people who craft and make things, as long as they're not too 'perfect' and make me feel inferior. I do have a box, called 'Mummy's Fixing and Making Things Box'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-4FjGGm2P6BeZjgJnFrIWERzThVT3Ix555TVeIbqUE8Jo3tuUeBoS8UFYkmKozJe1KhLSD4-LSQvoGG1SMKA7em_3VhuOuh7jsT400-_ghT6DlQijTWuZklFl6eZhKSSlil03cMG72k/s1600/CAM00291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="craft box" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-4FjGGm2P6BeZjgJnFrIWERzThVT3Ix555TVeIbqUE8Jo3tuUeBoS8UFYkmKozJe1KhLSD4-LSQvoGG1SMKA7em_3VhuOuh7jsT400-_ghT6DlQijTWuZklFl6eZhKSSlil03cMG72k/s400/CAM00291.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's full of things I find and think "one day I'll make that into something" and in the box it goes.</div>
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Occasionally they see the light. No, honest look ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj370PnRZevVgThE_lkwLaFPBbhrATbZFAKAdmsqTy1bSqOaiwu5hSKSq1rW4VtqasqRf0wHlAiRKizdankd0GxdnIqg2W9mJPI6N0QJGXWWd8i8eMYn-GSZ44xfQUpoFmdDR9YLc2uTTY/s1600/CAM00294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tree craft" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj370PnRZevVgThE_lkwLaFPBbhrATbZFAKAdmsqTy1bSqOaiwu5hSKSq1rW4VtqasqRf0wHlAiRKizdankd0GxdnIqg2W9mJPI6N0QJGXWWd8i8eMYn-GSZ44xfQUpoFmdDR9YLc2uTTY/s400/CAM00294.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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See? Crafty huh?</div>
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WE JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT WAS IN THE FRIGGIN' BAGS WEEZA!! Okay, okay.</div>
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Our lady had two specific hobbies, and they were ... QUILTING! And CHOCOLATE MAKING!!!</div>
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I know, the chocolate making excites me more too but I was taught to save best to last so ....</div>
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One bag, nay SACK was STUFFED I tell you to bursting with material scraps and yet another was jammed full with wadding. Everything I needed to make a Quilt the size <i>of</i> Australia.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeJGJH53bfhAVzzQNwLB0t3_OPMUP8-Eq3VK8_J-PkrqiD2tKphv8ee4hshGk2SXRjssT4VoB1E8sAIjT4FV4zgiMxF-duvY4ELekTXIhPKL2LmvwnEaQnQhJxHbLoFK0RhGB0VkSVZI/s1600/CAM00309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeJGJH53bfhAVzzQNwLB0t3_OPMUP8-Eq3VK8_J-PkrqiD2tKphv8ee4hshGk2SXRjssT4VoB1E8sAIjT4FV4zgiMxF-duvY4ELekTXIhPKL2LmvwnEaQnQhJxHbLoFK0RhGB0VkSVZI/s400/CAM00309.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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Honest with myself though, that's <i>never</i> going to happen.</div>
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But having said that, I do love quilting. No, not the act of quilting, the finished product. Ha, you see? I'm just a lazy Crafter. Anyhoo, I decided that I would attempt ... something. Some cushion covers maybe or a small throw. Don't laugh. I only said I'd attempt.</div>
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Then I imagined this lady quilting. There were a few patches made up in the bag and I wondered if they'd been her last project. It felt like the right thing to do would be to start MY project with these.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBKL88w3FNo5Ozy71-zdAW0FVEpEx0ePwmhbNAP8tTKHrxGmTH3RoqS-CfaeYDWYTpvDcRF2VjIexCCpS5n0iOHdydrfyokmdBHZlsWSSDsvvNtyeacstl70Es9BWhTD3VQgU3_tpQig/s1600/CAM00310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBKL88w3FNo5Ozy71-zdAW0FVEpEx0ePwmhbNAP8tTKHrxGmTH3RoqS-CfaeYDWYTpvDcRF2VjIexCCpS5n0iOHdydrfyokmdBHZlsWSSDsvvNtyeacstl70Es9BWhTD3VQgU3_tpQig/s400/CAM00310.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>
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And onto the chocolate making stuff ...</div>
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THREE SACKS of moulds for chocolate along with 'Homemade Chocolate' stickers and little cellophane bags and ties. She must have had a little Cottage Industry, thought I.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-VxxSm1_4fsaRC1w4EQPtPwLXhlsWvipG2PbeL8-c8K6e99JM0X9RrzWuYo64HHRC-W3q06FKd6JVyFF6SGRiBem1dmpRFhpKj6OS7URnuDMeELTvfmYtPfAUEjhqIcZLBo7e1Xj5qg/s1600/CAM00312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-VxxSm1_4fsaRC1w4EQPtPwLXhlsWvipG2PbeL8-c8K6e99JM0X9RrzWuYo64HHRC-W3q06FKd6JVyFF6SGRiBem1dmpRFhpKj6OS7URnuDMeELTvfmYtPfAUEjhqIcZLBo7e1Xj5qg/s400/CAM00312.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
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Easter Eggs, Solid shapes in ALL kinds of designs. Some random (Star Wars was our fav), lots of Animals and kids orientated ones, like toys and vehicles. Christmas ones. Lollipop moulds with sticks and books of recipes and How To's that I poured over with great interest. I've always wanted to learn how to make chocolate.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OyONQOnSuMrHKzZHVFDcfdAHRll4w9AXZvvhEWjYfQxLcfqta5GERJYper3nGqIrKM-9AN9QBhAUD_bjCR7p26J47YkoSaq64Fx9CTaa2ML8tMnr4Szl8QQwimoPeYZF38jegfCs1uM/s1600/CAM00313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OyONQOnSuMrHKzZHVFDcfdAHRll4w9AXZvvhEWjYfQxLcfqta5GERJYper3nGqIrKM-9AN9QBhAUD_bjCR7p26J47YkoSaq64Fx9CTaa2ML8tMnr4Szl8QQwimoPeYZF38jegfCs1uM/s400/CAM00313.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Wars and Superman!!</td></tr>
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Sod that for now though, this is the lazy crafter speaking so next time I was at the shops I bought a massive slab of Cadburys Dairy Milk (I know, I know - not even the proper melting chocolate) and I made the kids some fun shapes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-COKRSVIa9s9g5U4C678WRz-zXTJqzDUbiQ8Lb5HLunlT0WvywY2kLMXfP0G9iRbPPiWco_YXADKwoQxRTdq2Bj2RiwpsDd0z_eHKueb8Dggk6-llIimWQvlD_jSvbOMC0bMFJqby8Qs/s1600/choc+star+wars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-COKRSVIa9s9g5U4C678WRz-zXTJqzDUbiQ8Lb5HLunlT0WvywY2kLMXfP0G9iRbPPiWco_YXADKwoQxRTdq2Bj2RiwpsDd0z_eHKueb8Dggk6-llIimWQvlD_jSvbOMC0bMFJqby8Qs/s400/choc+star+wars.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/star-wars-chocolates" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
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Those aren't mine. We scoffed mine WAY too quickly for any pics to be taken. They were very similar though, promise.</div>
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My mind wandered again and I imagined, an elderly lady with no grandchildren to spoil. Making chocolates and lollipops to sell in her local shop. Or at Craft Fairs and the like.<br />
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I wondered if the local kids called her 'The Chocolate Lady'.</div>
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But I have decided. I will go through the hundreds and hundreds of different moulds and keep a few that I am most likely to use. Easter and Christmas ones.</div>
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And the rest? Back on Freecycle of course!</div>
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Because I am certain that there's someone out there who wants hundreds of chocolate moulds. And enough material scraps and wadding to make a quilt the size of Australia. Once I've finished my <strike>temporary fad</strike> quilting project, that is.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you DON'T have <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/" target="_blank">Freecycle</a> in your area and like the sound of it, why not start one? Check their site, they are always keen to spread to new areas and looking for site monitors too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Right, I'm off to melt some more chocolate. </span>WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-91125866817315725642013-06-04T14:28:00.003+01:002013-06-08T10:06:23.927+01:00My Favourite Places in Joburg: Independent Traders Unlimited, Northriding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsyJP5uuHbms5lyqCNdvfzXULXkfC76GoifcjvG2ZDS1skOBnlcfSrSG9OFH26RSJ84GI_VGchJkr7f_F9iLK0buOi7PloXQHki4qLy6EhL1TFBgYhOPk8TK2U7BPL_an47tIX5JC29c/s1600/2013-05-21+09.37.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsyJP5uuHbms5lyqCNdvfzXULXkfC76GoifcjvG2ZDS1skOBnlcfSrSG9OFH26RSJ84GI_VGchJkr7f_F9iLK0buOi7PloXQHki4qLy6EhL1TFBgYhOPk8TK2U7BPL_an47tIX5JC29c/s400/2013-05-21+09.37.37.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ah me, do you remember <a href="http://weezafish.blogspot.com/2012/03/stones-r-us.html" target="_blank">my post</a> about one of my favourite places to go with the kids in Joburg, <a href="http://www.geckojewellers.co.za/" target="_blank">Gecko Jewellers</a> in Crowthorne? Doesn't really matter if you don't, or if you have no idea where Crowthorne is. The point being (I am getting to it, honest) is that when I wrote it blinking yonks ago, it occurred to me that it would make a good regular posting, places that I like to visit.</div>
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You see, not only do I always take loads of photos, which we all like to look at no? The places I like, for some reason, tend not to be the same places <i>other </i>people like. But I know that out there - *prods glass of screen* - amongst you guys, there are those who will love these odd little places I seem to find, as much as I do.</div>
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So here's number two in hopefully a series of posts;</div>
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If you wanted to find it yourself, <a href="http://www.independent-traders.co.za/" target="_blank">Independent Traders Unlimited</a> is on the corner of Boundary and Malibongwe Roads in Northriding. Which is in the Northern Suburbs of Joburg.</div>
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For those that can't, sit back and feast your eyes.</div>
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Well, okay look I only had my phone on me so if some of the poor quality pics actually HURT your eyes, I'm so sorry. Really.</div>
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And I only walked around about one third of the place in my recent visit, so I'll take my camera next time. Promise.</div>
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Independent Traders is an Antique Warehouse, a Reclaim Yard. It's a House Clearance Shop, a Thrift Store of immense size.</div>
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Clearly, I'm not quite sure what it is but MAN I love going there.</div>
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Outside the front of the shop you'll be stopped in your tracks as your eye catches sight of <i>just a hint </i>of what lies in store for you inside.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H8G71ntjT6eOgF1HAtmgdjq3wcZHKOx00U5O3K4Lkt7bBaVsFwmGHbqRuRwGbE62sYr2H3vBFmV3VsPzfJqiuJMx6xDqg_v0IU9SzJzhtg8M3zZULkBo1I0cUG9vx7fHT7uSYJkzRJM/s1600/2013-05-21+09.49.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H8G71ntjT6eOgF1HAtmgdjq3wcZHKOx00U5O3K4Lkt7bBaVsFwmGHbqRuRwGbE62sYr2H3vBFmV3VsPzfJqiuJMx6xDqg_v0IU9SzJzhtg8M3zZULkBo1I0cUG9vx7fHT7uSYJkzRJM/s400/2013-05-21+09.49.22.jpg" title="" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Piles of Boxes and Chests</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKSdJ1HYshLLoifzysOBgWt1NE6dQm86ke9_3nI1bqhEZdcXOXKOzCzUS2ydgLs7gOvdCb8pHGJqI0wak1FhlpqJIOdWX02nX36Ohv11vSALqGCHfwwd9bqqGl857eYhh7erxGkb7BJw/s1600/2013-05-21+09.37.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKSdJ1HYshLLoifzysOBgWt1NE6dQm86ke9_3nI1bqhEZdcXOXKOzCzUS2ydgLs7gOvdCb8pHGJqI0wak1FhlpqJIOdWX02nX36Ohv11vSALqGCHfwwd9bqqGl857eYhh7erxGkb7BJw/s400/2013-05-21+09.37.19.jpg" title="" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Beautiful old house fittings, like this window I fell for (but didn't buy, in case you wonder)</span></td></tr>
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And then you're inside and I always find I have to stop. To let my eyes adjust from the bright sunlight outside, and to take in all I see and decide where I want to browse first.</div>
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Looking straight ahead of me, I see this:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5by96u2BsOj295cJ6QBJRfxESBGlxgqc-OlNVw_XNKC8asYeZxxhPdp8PlKYpZ9MdFrnqTWPkXYcxwu4VNG5zhvUBBzTR_Rxw6D5Uy5XODXSDOEF4UaKK_lqW-6kYTYLZX4px8JVVt4/s1600/2013-05-21+09.38.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5by96u2BsOj295cJ6QBJRfxESBGlxgqc-OlNVw_XNKC8asYeZxxhPdp8PlKYpZ9MdFrnqTWPkXYcxwu4VNG5zhvUBBzTR_Rxw6D5Uy5XODXSDOEF4UaKK_lqW-6kYTYLZX4px8JVVt4/s400/2013-05-21+09.38.21.jpg" title="" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Note the stairs, I'll have to do a Part 2 about what's up there</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8FNdygI0QV2IW5RrcQ_NwPUY5SfxGf-8bZ00jGNzKzhmPilE0TwhnGBBl5nioVsah9-MA_bh-1Jr1UmP3nSdiwU3yxc2Ym0oZ9-dtnWNDT0sVyd9bwsBHLnhklqQOl50rnh6Q3hPN5s/s1600/2013-05-21+09.38.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8FNdygI0QV2IW5RrcQ_NwPUY5SfxGf-8bZ00jGNzKzhmPilE0TwhnGBBl5nioVsah9-MA_bh-1Jr1UmP3nSdiwU3yxc2Ym0oZ9-dtnWNDT0sVyd9bwsBHLnhklqQOl50rnh6Q3hPN5s/s400/2013-05-21+09.38.16.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To my left, this ..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5lREjQis2QCAHSbJQBbH8veYl39d37eCUZrbZdOIrqD94I_9aGcwK9_ICloiQiK0AK06GZduzRvMoeN7RKzEEo66dw_Xo7d3heXalJeSbDLsdUlEiu0jXDW8zMyvl7P_9wB-N_eLu4I/s1600/2013-05-21+09.38.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5lREjQis2QCAHSbJQBbH8veYl39d37eCUZrbZdOIrqD94I_9aGcwK9_ICloiQiK0AK06GZduzRvMoeN7RKzEEo66dw_Xo7d3heXalJeSbDLsdUlEiu0jXDW8zMyvl7P_9wB-N_eLu4I/s400/2013-05-21+09.38.29.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">and to my right, this.</span></td></tr>
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Soon, as you'd imagine, I'm darting about all over the place and getting lost but happily so in all the little rooms, nooks and crannys.</div>
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Whoever lays out the stock (and I really should find out one day and get to know them) does so with such an art for interiors and display, it's awesome.</div>
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And everything's so clean. I swear, down to the tiniest little ornaments EVERYTHING in the shop is always dust free, shiny and clean. How do they do it? It's a mystery I tell you. Take a look why dontcha :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9hXDh7Z1LIWVl1adWl7I-ZwvoJh7s02kpXpkc0n8bYI3XPIkJnG_G0RyiWgXwiKhYw4Uz1O9STMw4jNtroKbE49JHWSgdJGKjpkCVuiJ8ewBnTWbfNcmsmxpA_rVMmTXOijR8QsAEXg/s1600/2013-05-21+09.40.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9hXDh7Z1LIWVl1adWl7I-ZwvoJh7s02kpXpkc0n8bYI3XPIkJnG_G0RyiWgXwiKhYw4Uz1O9STMw4jNtroKbE49JHWSgdJGKjpkCVuiJ8ewBnTWbfNcmsmxpA_rVMmTXOijR8QsAEXg/s400/2013-05-21+09.40.44.jpg" title="" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Wish my kids were still small enough, how cool is the retro pushchair?</span></td></tr>
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The staff are awesome and there's plenty of them. Hiding silently amongst the shelves and displays. Used to browsers they wait until they hear a cry of "I wonder how much that is?' or "where's a staff member?" to pop out and help.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43SueU_cQckX2ClYN3LWh2SMOq-zQPkUV4xKYRqXPpgLwZ558XqvFvBAjGaxX4AgP3fIN1GJ-iXLoP3KsJpsy47SY1Ezm359DFjYNhKPfS4aETBmx0ZsN4SE0hIsZaAPue-BotnlGcOI/s1600/2013-05-21+09.42.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43SueU_cQckX2ClYN3LWh2SMOq-zQPkUV4xKYRqXPpgLwZ558XqvFvBAjGaxX4AgP3fIN1GJ-iXLoP3KsJpsy47SY1Ezm359DFjYNhKPfS4aETBmx0ZsN4SE0hIsZaAPue-BotnlGcOI/s400/2013-05-21+09.42.14.jpg" title="" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The boys favourite display and I swear, every time we go it's CHANGED!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHxJkXC7mjZeRSRDv-WwGTHz5jlCa2KDTKiP9giMwilIRCIu-tTyEw0-QYrFeUOoTT4uuDFINOGcdyHr7RllNz6B-9N2RJa6KEDAoIc4zv6BmM209ESdw1GZ_ztykV8pA-BJvPwfhS-E/s1600/2013-05-21+09.42.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHxJkXC7mjZeRSRDv-WwGTHz5jlCa2KDTKiP9giMwilIRCIu-tTyEw0-QYrFeUOoTT4uuDFINOGcdyHr7RllNz6B-9N2RJa6KEDAoIc4zv6BmM209ESdw1GZ_ztykV8pA-BJvPwfhS-E/s400/2013-05-21+09.42.30.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Amongst the stuff inside this week ...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsOWRGn8Nnj2kYySsmY0CEZBiCsqGAPe3Y-EaCfgXpFCiTz3bMZRaarCwBo6KP-jfKV6Shwgc1znzymOMGS7nhjAkluNXW2GJBgt2yvv4oZJpSlzkNNaWiBrGJOej6ouJ7h8KnXz0wOQ/s1600/2013-05-21+09.42.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsOWRGn8Nnj2kYySsmY0CEZBiCsqGAPe3Y-EaCfgXpFCiTz3bMZRaarCwBo6KP-jfKV6Shwgc1znzymOMGS7nhjAkluNXW2GJBgt2yvv4oZJpSlzkNNaWiBrGJOej6ouJ7h8KnXz0wOQ/s400/2013-05-21+09.42.39.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The care that goes into each display is AWESOME</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqobcnzPjWwCf6PDZ5B1hTIqkSEH9Nteh1oONMWZv59QQ-ZxILALCEj-nusdf3cRgz5y-YELhOSTGb-aW2qc5EjzJ_EUpfL5o7suV0b3r21UWR2kHKjh5_ZoUssNJStoRac2ESf2e2w8/s1600/2013-05-21+09.43.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqobcnzPjWwCf6PDZ5B1hTIqkSEH9Nteh1oONMWZv59QQ-ZxILALCEj-nusdf3cRgz5y-YELhOSTGb-aW2qc5EjzJ_EUpfL5o7suV0b3r21UWR2kHKjh5_ZoUssNJStoRac2ESf2e2w8/s400/2013-05-21+09.43.02.jpg" title="" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FpwGzkRYe0zAiALNLFnUWH4ACD_HPez3HjC7eZJ9QBGKDN3aSRJaXIuQVOQe3ZRx0KjiRpnHu8zAYdi5Sisxra2CDe-8NDJm1fD6rehx3cLmKFLea8AADjQXv8KZ53QfQL7ipQpfygU/s1600/2013-05-21+09.43.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FpwGzkRYe0zAiALNLFnUWH4ACD_HPez3HjC7eZJ9QBGKDN3aSRJaXIuQVOQe3ZRx0KjiRpnHu8zAYdi5Sisxra2CDe-8NDJm1fD6rehx3cLmKFLea8AADjQXv8KZ53QfQL7ipQpfygU/s400/2013-05-21+09.43.54.jpg" title="" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ooo I wanna go on holiday with this!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pkO97XB49bcIHvagioPYz4E_wwuIhG5NceT9IeYkHIQXMh4kG7mAeJ5p4fZqCmlYIky-g7dnlmZpkkE_9D21aUdHvHLukawENT7_hr91FX51AoDwbJ4muBizKnvIn3P-mPwcqLkjoa8/s1600/2013-05-21+09.45.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pkO97XB49bcIHvagioPYz4E_wwuIhG5NceT9IeYkHIQXMh4kG7mAeJ5p4fZqCmlYIky-g7dnlmZpkkE_9D21aUdHvHLukawENT7_hr91FX51AoDwbJ4muBizKnvIn3P-mPwcqLkjoa8/s400/2013-05-21+09.45.22.jpg" title="" width="400" /> </a></div>
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And finally, the old books. Carefully arranged into a library setting using furniture that's for sale also. A lovely place to sit and flick through old pages that smell of pure nostalgia. When the kids aren't with me that is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJWMBx-AQR7sOVdcNcXuViiNExHweMH5e633Bn2EB7pGd7BE8LmDtFkWYqcgMggZMY_A1VqcBR819jkfKYPGJrmLFGGSsHBxwCwYnpl3852pXj7UBvuG_DcAYS0iChbsWSKhogpdU2rY/s1600/2013-05-21+09.47.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="antiques collectibles" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJWMBx-AQR7sOVdcNcXuViiNExHweMH5e633Bn2EB7pGd7BE8LmDtFkWYqcgMggZMY_A1VqcBR819jkfKYPGJrmLFGGSsHBxwCwYnpl3852pXj7UBvuG_DcAYS0iChbsWSKhogpdU2rY/s400/2013-05-21+09.47.22.jpg" title="" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
I'm loving visiting my favourite places with my camera (okay, okay or my phone) and with a renewed eye. One that's thinking of a post. And thinking about you guys and what you'd like to see.</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
So I hope you enjoyed, if you did and you're local - GO VISIT!</div>
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<br /></div>
WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499404243968014347.post-87974257437458997232013-05-30T07:02:00.000+01:002013-05-30T07:02:24.169+01:00An Interesting Blog Award from The Reluctant Mom<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guess what? <a href="https://reluctantmom.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/interesting-blog-award-from-the-blurred-line/" target="_blank">I won an Interesting Blog Award!!</a>
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Did I 'win'? I’m not
sure, it’s one of those very lovely awards bestowed from a fellow blogger and
personally, I like those types of awards more than most prizes. So as far as
<i>I’m</i> concerned, I won … yay!!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It’s come from one of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">those</i> bloggers too. You know the really good
ones? The ones who win proper awards like “Best Blimmin’ Blog in South Africa
EVERRR” (can’t be sure of the wording). The bloggers that bloggers like me look
up to. One of THOSE.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The <a href="http://reluctantmom.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Reluctant Mom</a>’s
blog was (not fibbing, I promise) the very first blog I started to read.
Because what do we all do when we first start blogging? We realise we need/want
to read others blogs too and we Google search “best blogs everrr”. <a href="http://reluctantmom.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Reluctant Mom</a> came up and I’ve read her avidly ever since. She is a bit special and
awesomely ‘real’, so go check her out if you haven’t already. Really, don’t
delay. Her recent post of pics of Celebs, as they'd look if they were ordinary people. Man. You will need to empty your bladder first. Don't say I didn't warn you.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My heart actually
skipped a beat when I saw she had commented on one of my posts, so you can
imagine my excitement when I realised she’d actually bestowed me something. Okay,
okay .. I know I’m getting over excited about this but let me. Please.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here’s my new badge;</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://reluctantmom.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/interesting-blog-award-from-the-blurred-line/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oZpNLA_bRGMmiuPKPiuPGx54bNsEC2EbpqtfvY8KDiW6ujid7mytkqZubbIseyEGCGjig-LW6DETn7SXYbwYli0H8Z7XGi6uSn_k2_DcQvBsVJHWwTtGrtMK76KyCo2GFe_6K5n9L4I/s400/1304_interestingblog.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nice eh? I like being
interesting. Doesn’t mean she thinks I’m weird, does it? No, no. Interesting.
Interesting’s good.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_962465570"></span>Reluctant Mom<span id="goog_962465571"></span></a> made the
badge, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">And they are ‘new’ because for some reason, every time these type of
awards get forwarded the Blogger feels an urge to tweak them a little. Add
their own personal stamp so to speak. Me included.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are some rules,
in accepting the ‘Badge of Interest’ as I have decided we shall now refer to it, I accept the
conditions of the badge (I really am milking this now) and agree to push it
forward to bring joy (I hope) to another THREE BLOGGERS OF MY CHOICE!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I know, this is fun
huh?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So pay attention now,
I’ve stopped talking about me, this bit’s for YOU!!</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Choosing was hard. I very quickly realised that all my favourite blogs are interesting. Then it occurred to me that this is my first chance to bestow, and it feels right to me to use it as a way to say thank you, for the support I get here at WeezaFish. So I checked back on all my comments and picked the three fellow bloggers who comment the most. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It worked out perfectly, because I also feel all three of these Bloggers deserve a shout out.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, without further ado.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I, WeezaFish. Badge of
Interest award winning blog writer (too much?? I don’t win things often, go with
it) HEREBY BEQUEATH and forward and award and stuff … a further three Badge of
Interest Awards to … (yup, do the drumroll):</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://donotbreakthedog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">DO NOT BREAK THE DOG</a>: </span><span>An insight into the life of a 40something, dog owning, mum to 3, creative, under-achieving, WW2 obsessive.</span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://justshyofperfection.com/" target="_blank">JUST SHY OF PERFECTION</a>: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">Then it all turns to shit.</span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <a href="http://monica-adayinthelife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A DAY IN THE LIFE:</a> Welcome to my mind.</span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">YAYY!! You three lucksters may now scroll back up, and claim that badge
as rightfully yours!</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Okay, there’s rules now.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thank the person who nominated you</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">List 5 random facts about yourself</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nominate a MAXIMUM of 3 blogs for the award </span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Ask the nominees 5 questions of your choice</span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let them know you have nominated them</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Promise to never listen to Justin Bieber again (that was Reluctant Mom’s
personal touch) OR (my add on) FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER. So there.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It should
be fun, you don’t have to forward but … go on, bestow on others.</span><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Here’s my 5
questions for my three bloggers:</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1. When did you start Blogging and why?<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
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2. What treat or pamper could you just not do without?</div>
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3. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Which tune would, without question, have you leaping to your feet and strutting to the dancefloor?</span></div>
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4.Imagine; You have an entire weekend free, nothing on your To Do List, millions in the bank and only yourself to please. What do you do?</div>
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5. Where did you put your keys?!</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So, back to
ME and following the rules;</span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THANK YOU</span>
Reluctant Mom, for awarding me this beautiful badge and for making me feel all
warm inside. And interesting. Just to clarify, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>weird. Right?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Here’s FIVE
random facts about myself:</span></b></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1. My morning ‘wake up’ is two cups of Earl Grey tea, milk, no sugar. And a faaagg. Before I do anything else in my day, this I must do.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2. I met my Hubby, who's South African, on a UK dating site.</span></span></div>
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3. I'm a real Gadget Girl. If I had the money I'd probably be one of the first to buy <a href="http://www.google.com/glass" target="_blank">Google Glass</a> (ooo).</div>
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4. I was born in Cyprus.</div>
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5. Sunsets draw me. If there's one nearby, I have to go and watch. And insist that anyone with me take a moment to look. So much so, it's the first thing I check when viewing a house. Where does the sun set?</div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">And lastly,
here’s the Questions Reluctant Mom asked, and my answers:</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1. <u>What
would you buy with five rand?</u></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have to
resist the temptation to buy something for my boys … and I’ll pretend we’re not
talking about my LAST five rand here, or else my answer honestly would be some
loose cigarettes from the Spaza shop. I know. So, okay I have a random five
rand to spend on myself … I’m saying chocolate. Was I supposed to donate it to
charity?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When was the last time you told a lie? And what was it?</span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Err .. this
morning. When I told my five year old Tallen that no, I didn’t know where the
two leftover iced buns from yesterday had gone. I told him maybe he should ask
his Daddy.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When was the last time you went for a mammogram? Was it as bad as
you thought it was going to be?</span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I don’t
think they’re ever that bad, but for me it ALL depends on the person doing the
examination. Warm, friendly and preferably female then it’s a piece of cake. My
last one was about … *thinks hard* three years ago. And that’s why Reluctant
Mom’s so awesome. See what she did there? Reminded me I should go have a
mammogram. Smarty pants.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">What was the worst baby/child name you have ever heard?</span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Hmmm … ha
ha. I’m having trouble thinking of one to be honest. I mean, kids are cute when
they’re small and they kind of make any name cute, because you associate it
with them. Even ‘Eggbert’ could be cute when applied to a two year old. While I
can’t think of a specific, I can think of a general annoyance with regard to
kids names, those lengthy, mouthy kind of names that just cannot be shortened.
As a kid, I was lucky enough to mix with a few ‘posh’ kids but man, yelling
their names across the playground “HERMIONE!! PORSHA!!”. Ahem.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">What is the phrase
you swore you would never use, and now you are sounding just like your mother
and screaming it down the passage?</span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Definitely “Because I said so”. I was all
“I would never say that, I’d EXPLAIN for my child”. A ha ha ha ha ha *sigh*
Motherhood eh?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Okay GO you three nominees. Relish in your
badge and throw it on forward.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Much love xx</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">P.S. Ooo, nearly forgot. I HEREBY PROMISE
NEVER TO LISTEN TO JUSTIN BIEBER AGAIN OR FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER. </span></div>
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WeezaFishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907835152209132641noreply@blogger.com0