So I live a typical bachelor's life. I am very fortunate I have a family member in the catering business and all it takes is an e-mail and my meals are arrange for the month. Otherwise everything else is so bachelor like.
The fridge is not that full. Enough food for lunches and breakfasts and then a few beers. In saying that, I have really cut back on my beer in take, so that my kitchen. Then comes the bedroom- always neat and tidy. I cannot stand closes lying all over the place and everything must be put away. My mother would be shocked to see how I have changed.
My biggest problem is I have 2 bedrooms and all the cupboards full of my clothes and yes ladies I use them to the fullest. I am in a dilemma as my brother arrives in 2 weeks and I need to give him space. It is amazing how in routine a person gets.
My study is a nightmare, I need to get the filing done- I think my brother would be shocked to see how everything is in what I call an organised mess. I need to sit down this weekend and get that sorted.
So I guess this weekend is spring cleaning time- I cannot continue been so spread out, even though I live alone. But the funny part is that once I am complete I will be glad it is done.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
5 Km Fun Run
So yesterday we sat in a weekly Wednesday morning management meeting, and the final point our MD brings up is that there is a 5km fun run in the evening and we are all invited to join him and his daughter. Having nothing planned for the evening I thought why not.
So I popped home at lunch time for a t-shirt and shorts and was ready to join the fun. We all gathered at the office and I lead the worm of cars to Benoni Northerns. We did the registration thing and grabbed a quick wors roll and were ready. I was told to dress for a Christmas theme. This was not hard as all I needed was my bright red t-shirt. We complemented our outfits with Christmas hats that even had flashing lights.
We were just heading down to the start when the heavens opened. The cars were much closer than 5km's. After much joking we decided to proceed. By now we were wet through, so we thought we cannot get any wetter.
I am quite proud of myself as we did the walk in just under an hour. We were wet from head to toe and I think a canoe would have been easier in parts. But I think we all had fun, I certainly did. I cannot say we ran very much- a kilometre at the most, however we did not mess around.
Benoni Northerns did a great job in organising the race and I think without the rain, it would have been a great vibe as a lot of the route was supposed to be lit with candles and the whole Christmas theme. I was impressed that we got a medal at the end even for the fun run.
My boss ad I walked together all the way, so we had a good chat regarding work and personal things. The race is an annual event and it looks like it is going to be on hour companies social calender. I may even be ready for the 15 km race next year.
So I popped home at lunch time for a t-shirt and shorts and was ready to join the fun. We all gathered at the office and I lead the worm of cars to Benoni Northerns. We did the registration thing and grabbed a quick wors roll and were ready. I was told to dress for a Christmas theme. This was not hard as all I needed was my bright red t-shirt. We complemented our outfits with Christmas hats that even had flashing lights.
We were just heading down to the start when the heavens opened. The cars were much closer than 5km's. After much joking we decided to proceed. By now we were wet through, so we thought we cannot get any wetter.
I am quite proud of myself as we did the walk in just under an hour. We were wet from head to toe and I think a canoe would have been easier in parts. But I think we all had fun, I certainly did. I cannot say we ran very much- a kilometre at the most, however we did not mess around.
Benoni Northerns did a great job in organising the race and I think without the rain, it would have been a great vibe as a lot of the route was supposed to be lit with candles and the whole Christmas theme. I was impressed that we got a medal at the end even for the fun run.
My boss ad I walked together all the way, so we had a good chat regarding work and personal things. The race is an annual event and it looks like it is going to be on hour companies social calender. I may even be ready for the 15 km race next year.
Monday, November 17, 2008
If Dogs could speak
As you are aware, I have a fox terrier named Jody. She is my companion and best friend. Anyway I did the fatal mistake of buying a different brand of pellets when I purchased the last packet, we did she let me know about my mistake. It was like a child having to eat his vegetables and does not like them- it did not go down well at all.
Anyway I was rewarded tonight as when I feed her, the food was eaten as if she had been starved for month's. This brings me down to the question what would dog's be like if they could speak? Although there actions and expressions, give us an idea of what they are thinking, I often wonder what is going through there minds or what they would say at any moment. Then comes the fact, what would they say about us?
I am greeted daily when I get home from work with either a rawhide bone in her mouth or a hoof, and the one that brings great pleasure a empty 2 litre cold drink bottle.
You can be sitting quietly having a forty winks or watching tv and then suddenly the bottle is attached and Jody literally runs around with a bottle and has a great time. I often think to myself how something so simple makes her so happy.
My Big Brother
As you may have gathered in my previous posts, I have an older brother living in the UK. Allan is 4 and a half years older than me and lives in a lovely town called Hungerford. He is married to a special lady by the name of Rosalind, better known as Ros.
He has always been a big brother and has always been caring and supportive toward me. During our teenage years we were typical brothers, we had fun fun together, we also had our differences and often our opinions caused conflict. Anyway there was always brotherly love. However in recent years, we have become so close- Allan is one person I can call day and night and ask for a chat, advice or support.
I respect him tremendously and take his advice seriously- not because he is an accountant, just because is head is screwed in the right direction. The nice thing about Allan is he has never been bossy and respects my feelings and opinions.
I cannot wait for the 14th of December, when he arrives from the UK for a 3 week holiday. I have actually seen him 3 times already this year, but yet it feels like an eternity since we saw each other. The first 2 times were short and not under great circumstances- but we spent quality time together. The last was my holiday to the UK where I was spoilt from head to toe. Anyway I will be the first at the airport to welcome Allan and Ros home.
We have have 2 trips planned while he is here, the first is a day trip to Durban to say our finally farewells to our mom when we scatter her ashes on the 16th December. We want to do this before Christmas. The second is a weekend in Cape Town, this is just to do something different and spend time with friends. I am honoured to be invited on that trip as in fact his friends organised it, but never once forgot to invite me. A funny part about that trip is that I got a e-mail saying a ticket had been purchased for me to get to Cape Town, but they forgot to book my return flight. I go down a day after they do as I have Jody to sort out. Now to show how close we are, all Allan said is that they are flying back to JHB on the 29th, he mentioned no times and no airlines. I gathered they were flying 1 Time, because that's how we are getting to Cape Town.
I then booked my return flight and e-mailed Allan the times, it turns out that we are ALL flying back on the same flight. As I always maintain- great minds think a like.
There is no Christmas present in the world that I can give Allan as he means so much to me. Respect and love are one way I can say thank you. I am so looking forward to spending some more quality time with my BIG brother- he is the best.
He has always been a big brother and has always been caring and supportive toward me. During our teenage years we were typical brothers, we had fun fun together, we also had our differences and often our opinions caused conflict. Anyway there was always brotherly love. However in recent years, we have become so close- Allan is one person I can call day and night and ask for a chat, advice or support.
I respect him tremendously and take his advice seriously- not because he is an accountant, just because is head is screwed in the right direction. The nice thing about Allan is he has never been bossy and respects my feelings and opinions.
I cannot wait for the 14th of December, when he arrives from the UK for a 3 week holiday. I have actually seen him 3 times already this year, but yet it feels like an eternity since we saw each other. The first 2 times were short and not under great circumstances- but we spent quality time together. The last was my holiday to the UK where I was spoilt from head to toe. Anyway I will be the first at the airport to welcome Allan and Ros home.
We have have 2 trips planned while he is here, the first is a day trip to Durban to say our finally farewells to our mom when we scatter her ashes on the 16th December. We want to do this before Christmas. The second is a weekend in Cape Town, this is just to do something different and spend time with friends. I am honoured to be invited on that trip as in fact his friends organised it, but never once forgot to invite me. A funny part about that trip is that I got a e-mail saying a ticket had been purchased for me to get to Cape Town, but they forgot to book my return flight. I go down a day after they do as I have Jody to sort out. Now to show how close we are, all Allan said is that they are flying back to JHB on the 29th, he mentioned no times and no airlines. I gathered they were flying 1 Time, because that's how we are getting to Cape Town.
I then booked my return flight and e-mailed Allan the times, it turns out that we are ALL flying back on the same flight. As I always maintain- great minds think a like.
There is no Christmas present in the world that I can give Allan as he means so much to me. Respect and love are one way I can say thank you. I am so looking forward to spending some more quality time with my BIG brother- he is the best.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Health and Fitness
Well I am officially on a health and fitness drive. I went to my local GP about a month ago and had a full once over due to me complaining of extreme tiredness. Anyway after a marathon of blood tests, it was established I had low iron levels. Anyway I was put on an iron drip there and then. This has now been repeated for a further 2 weeks. This been the 4th week I am having my iron retested today, so I hope I see an improvement.
Anyway I sat myself down and said why have I got these problems, and it just came down to my lifestyle. I immediately changed my eating habits which included a lot of coffee, a chocolate or 2 a day, not watching how much beer I was drink and so the list goes on. I immediately stopped the coffee and replaced that with rooiboos tea- and cut my intake by half. I have only had 3 cups of coffee in 2 weeks. Chocolates, well I thought I was going to go made- this was a vice. I have only had to 2 chocolate covered nuts in 3 weeks and I actually only had that to be polite. With regards to beer- I am down to 2 beers a week, I think this can be cut down soon.
Then comes my really problem- breakfast, I really do not enjoy breakfast because most cereals need milk and that is one thing that I cannot take, even in my coffee. Well I took the bull by the horns and no have eaten breakfast every morning for the last 3 weeks. I have got myself so disciplined that I must eat my Weetbix every morning including weekends.
I have taken lunch to work every day now and a couple of banana's to get me through the day. For supper it is a healthy meal- maybe 2 take aways a week, if I have worked really late, but I am trying to avoid that to. My weekends consisted of take aways from Friday to Sunday and I am proud to say that this has improved already.
Then comes the fitness, I have actually been to gym 3 times this week. Wow- that is a record, my previous record was twice in a month. Today was especially good work- I mowed the lawn, 3 hours of physical labour and this was followed by 40 minutes in the gym. I have been slack on gym due to a knee injury, but my physio instructed me to get back on the bicycle and tread mill. I have got myself so focused that I am watching my heart rate and weight like a hawk. So I am sure I will see an improvement soon.
This I am sure is the start of a healthy lifestyle. My aim now is to do the Argus in 2010 and work from there.
Anyway I sat myself down and said why have I got these problems, and it just came down to my lifestyle. I immediately changed my eating habits which included a lot of coffee, a chocolate or 2 a day, not watching how much beer I was drink and so the list goes on. I immediately stopped the coffee and replaced that with rooiboos tea- and cut my intake by half. I have only had 3 cups of coffee in 2 weeks. Chocolates, well I thought I was going to go made- this was a vice. I have only had to 2 chocolate covered nuts in 3 weeks and I actually only had that to be polite. With regards to beer- I am down to 2 beers a week, I think this can be cut down soon.
Then comes my really problem- breakfast, I really do not enjoy breakfast because most cereals need milk and that is one thing that I cannot take, even in my coffee. Well I took the bull by the horns and no have eaten breakfast every morning for the last 3 weeks. I have got myself so disciplined that I must eat my Weetbix every morning including weekends.
I have taken lunch to work every day now and a couple of banana's to get me through the day. For supper it is a healthy meal- maybe 2 take aways a week, if I have worked really late, but I am trying to avoid that to. My weekends consisted of take aways from Friday to Sunday and I am proud to say that this has improved already.
Then comes the fitness, I have actually been to gym 3 times this week. Wow- that is a record, my previous record was twice in a month. Today was especially good work- I mowed the lawn, 3 hours of physical labour and this was followed by 40 minutes in the gym. I have been slack on gym due to a knee injury, but my physio instructed me to get back on the bicycle and tread mill. I have got myself so focused that I am watching my heart rate and weight like a hawk. So I am sure I will see an improvement soon.
This I am sure is the start of a healthy lifestyle. My aim now is to do the Argus in 2010 and work from there.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
I've Been Tagged
As I mentioned in my last post- I have been tagged by Hayley. Well I have been thinking what 6 points about me can and am I prepared to share with my blog readers. I have wanted to make it interesting, special and most importantly honest, so here goes:
1.) I have started to collect coffee mugs of places I have been to, especially sports stadiums.
2.) I enjoy cooking, but cannot stand working with flour on my hands.
3.) I have been in the cockpit of and Airbus A300 whilst taking off from Durban- I was probably 7 years old.
4.) I got my first kitchen appliance when I was 15 years old.
5.) I still want to get a degree- probably HR Management
6.) I own at least 5 Bonnie Tyler compact discs.
Well it is probably not the most exciting list, but all 6 points are honest and true to me.
1.) I have started to collect coffee mugs of places I have been to, especially sports stadiums.
2.) I enjoy cooking, but cannot stand working with flour on my hands.
3.) I have been in the cockpit of and Airbus A300 whilst taking off from Durban- I was probably 7 years old.
4.) I got my first kitchen appliance when I was 15 years old.
5.) I still want to get a degree- probably HR Management
6.) I own at least 5 Bonnie Tyler compact discs.
Well it is probably not the most exciting list, but all 6 points are honest and true to me.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Christmas Decorations
I arrived home this evening and found our complex news letter stapled to my fence. Anyway it has the usual reminder about people obeying the complex rules and regulations and then it had what is been happening in and around the complex as well as the ever important security reminders.
However the last part was some positive news, they want all the units to put up Christmas lights outside there units. A few of us have done this for the past 2 years, but can you image if all 31 units participate, what our complex will look like- A Christmas wonderland- Yippee!!!!! The main gate will also be decorated.
There is planned switch on at 6pm on the 30th November, which will be followed by a Christmas Party in the pool area with snacks and drinks as well as Father Christmas will be doing a visit to give all the kids a small gift, I must send an e-mail to the the organisers to see if a 33 years old qualifies as a children's.
Now my unit is right by the gate, so I have decided that I am going BIG, my double garage has a nice piece of wall above it, so that will be decorated, I always have something around my front window so I plan to make the most of it. The only thing that will wait till the 16th December is my Christmas tree.
It has been a family tradition that the tree goes up on the 16th December and that's the way it will stay. Even though it is now my house I will not break the tradition. In saying that even with my Christmas lights, I will put them on for the big switch on, but then they will be turned off till the 16th December.
It is rather strange how certain family's have certain traditions, and how the latter generations often stick to those traditions going forward. I actually was not going to put my tree up this year as without my mom it did not seem needed, but when I was in the UK a few weeks back, my brother basically said that the tree has to go up. After thinking about it, I agreed- mom loved the tree every year and this year is going to be no different. The Christmas tree will go up and she can look down on it and be proud!
I have changed a few things around in the house, but the traditions and family values will remain forever and should I have children one day, those values and traditions will continue.
I will do a blog entry once the Christmas lights are completed with some pictures to show you the San Bernadino Christmas wonderland. I will also share with you in a future blog entry my feeling toward Christmas 2008.
Lasty, I see I have been tagged- Thanks Hayley! I will think about which 6 secrets I am going to make public and put them on my blog this weekend. That should be interesting.
However the last part was some positive news, they want all the units to put up Christmas lights outside there units. A few of us have done this for the past 2 years, but can you image if all 31 units participate, what our complex will look like- A Christmas wonderland- Yippee!!!!! The main gate will also be decorated.
There is planned switch on at 6pm on the 30th November, which will be followed by a Christmas Party in the pool area with snacks and drinks as well as Father Christmas will be doing a visit to give all the kids a small gift, I must send an e-mail to the the organisers to see if a 33 years old qualifies as a children's.
Now my unit is right by the gate, so I have decided that I am going BIG, my double garage has a nice piece of wall above it, so that will be decorated, I always have something around my front window so I plan to make the most of it. The only thing that will wait till the 16th December is my Christmas tree.
It has been a family tradition that the tree goes up on the 16th December and that's the way it will stay. Even though it is now my house I will not break the tradition. In saying that even with my Christmas lights, I will put them on for the big switch on, but then they will be turned off till the 16th December.
It is rather strange how certain family's have certain traditions, and how the latter generations often stick to those traditions going forward. I actually was not going to put my tree up this year as without my mom it did not seem needed, but when I was in the UK a few weeks back, my brother basically said that the tree has to go up. After thinking about it, I agreed- mom loved the tree every year and this year is going to be no different. The Christmas tree will go up and she can look down on it and be proud!
I have changed a few things around in the house, but the traditions and family values will remain forever and should I have children one day, those values and traditions will continue.
I will do a blog entry once the Christmas lights are completed with some pictures to show you the San Bernadino Christmas wonderland. I will also share with you in a future blog entry my feeling toward Christmas 2008.
Lasty, I see I have been tagged- Thanks Hayley! I will think about which 6 secrets I am going to make public and put them on my blog this weekend. That should be interesting.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Guy Fawkes
There is one evening of the year, I dread and that is 5 November- Guy Fawkes. I realise there is a lot of history behind Guy Fawkes, but my problem is that as they years have past, the crackers been lit are getting louder and louder.
As I kid I hated fire work displays because of the noise. However as I have grown up, I have learnt to enjoy them and realise with the bright colours, comes some noise. A controlled fireworks display in a open public area is always a great sight.
I am sitting at home baby sitting Jody my foxy, and she is really on edge with the noise. I appreciate people are trying to have fun, but we do not need these big bangs and loud noisy crackers that can be heard 10 miles away.
My understanding of a celebration or a commemoration is a token reminder of an event, however in to days world it seems who can be bigger and better or in the case of fireworks, who can be bigger and louder.
I am at least at home and with my doggy, what about those people who are at work or who are out that cannot be with there animals, those poor dogs and cats. There is one thing I hate reading in the papers is how animals have been lost because they ran away from the noise. My other real hate is the way people have been cruel to animals with crackers- that gets my goat in a knot so quickly.
Over the past few years, the 5th of November has always been rainy, my wish is that it rained so hard all night so that crackers cannot be set of in the suburbs.
I am sorry that this has not been a happy or friendly post, but I have just needed to air my frustrations on fire crackers been let off in a suburb area.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Christmas Bettles
I do not know the scientific or correct name for our brown friends that come and visit us at this time of the year. I have always known them as Christmas beetles.
Now I just want to let you all know, that I actually adore animals, nature and any thing like that. However me and Christmas beetles do not see eye to eye. I think the reason been is that one Christmas Eve at around 4pm, one of these characters decided that it was going to get a close up view of my ear!
So close that it decided to fly in at full pace and down the ear canal. I have a high pain thresh hold, but that was painful. This guy decided it was going to head butt my ear drum, a pain I would not wish on anyone. My parents did and assessment, my gran added her suggestion, but nothing worked. All that there attempts to get this chap out either killed it or scared it stiff.
Now by 4pm on Christmas Eve a Doctor is a rather scares commodity and we only had 1 private hospital in Benoni at the time. Eventually my dad found a doctor who was prepared to help. After much frustration he got the offender out. Unfortunately the beetle did not see Christmas, but my discomfort was sorted.
Anyway back to present times. I now sit with a situation that these beetles come and haunt me. They are welcome in my house, but they make themselves so welcome that they must fly past my face and land on me. I am paranoid that one will fly into my ear.
I walk around the house constantly making sure that a Christmas beetle is not flying near my face. I have come to the conclusion that they can stay in my house, but should one become to bold, it will be forcibly removed!!
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