The little things that count...

It's actually quite sad when you look at your past and realise that your track record with regards to relationships has never been good.  And yes, it has been suggested to me that I may be the problem. That's perhaps not entirely untrue... But not in the sense that you're thinking. Or maybe it is...

Just a simple observation, I'm sure we'll all experienced. Why is it that when driving on a quiet, narrow road, the only other car, heading in the opposite direction, will be immediately next to you when you're about to reach the only person riding a bicycle on that road. If you don't slow down, you just know you'll all end up in a row (or, in the case of a narrow road, somebody won't has space to be there). Is there a "law" for that too? (It's not Murphy's law. It's not sod's law either).

Hypochondriacs. We've all known one... Hell, I've dated one.  I also discovered where he learnt it from when we had to take his mother to the doctor... The same person used to google his "symptoms" daily.  As you can imagine, he was convinced he was dying.  He "had" everything from gall stones, to heart attack, to cancer. I became immune to his woes.  He accused me of being very unsympathetic because he needed me to rush him to hospital one day while he was "having a heart attack", and I needed to fetch my kids.  I rolled my eyes at him and told him he probably has indigestion or acid reflux.  I eventually made a deal - I'll take him to the closest clinic and leave him there while I fetch the kids.  He was not impressed (apparently he was supposed to come first in my life).  As I predicted... He had acid reflux.

Lately I've been surprised at how people "mommy shame" other mommies, just because they do something a little different. These days I find that people are far too protective (if that's the correct word to use) over their little ones. They follow the "rules" to the T.  I don't claim to be the best mommy in the world, but I do know I've always done my best.  I've been a single mom for the last 11 years.

With my uncle's impending funeral this week, I've remembered a few things from my childhood regarding funerals.  You have a very different angle of perspective when you were a child who never experienced much death. My earliest memory was hearing my parents talk about a funeral my dad was attending.  I remember begging to go with.  This was a work colleague of his. Somebody I'd never met.  My reasoning: I've never been to a funeral. I really want to go.  I didn't go.

It's that time of year again... Winter is upon us. One thing is for sure. I don't like the cold that comes with winter.  But I love my winter wardrobe! For the past few weeks, I have got a compliment a day in my winter garb. Maybe it's because I can cover up more (all those bulges don't look so bad with all the layers I'm wearing)... I find that winter clothing can be so much more stylish.  A simple scarf can do wonders to an otherwise plain outfit. Boots!! No other shoes can compare to a good pair of boots. They're comfortable and warm... Fingerless Gloves. They're cute and keep my hands warm. My fingers are still functional - I can still drive, type and do other things that you can't do with full gloves. Long socks. Nobody sees them under all the layers, but I know they're there.  I like to get bright stripey ones - they're so much more fun!! Before I know it the cold will be on its way out and we'll be welcoming the summer

I cannot believe I haven't written a blog post in months.  Yea, sure, I realized it had been quite some time, but logging in here I saw my last post was February!!! 3 months!!! I guess that just goes to show how life carries on... I've pretty much been on auto-pilot the past few months, which explains why I haven't had the time... or the inclination... to write. Things are looking up. A lot has changed. Hopefully along with the changes I'll feel compelled to write again. A short and sweet/ to the point post.  Just a reminder to myself not to lose myself...

As a mom this is a very real dilemma.  And after a few years, and a few more... you find you're repeating the same old same old.  Then the kids get sick of eating the same things to the point that they don't want to eat those meals. Ever. Again. My kids once pointed out to me I was making the same meal every week, even to the day.  Monday Spag Bol, Tuesday fish fingers and chips.... I've made sure I try to avoid doing that again.

Have you ever wondered how 2 people can cook the same meal, follow the same directions and come out with different tasting dishes... One example from a page in my life... I make a mean Spaghetti Bolognese. Well, I like to think so.  The kids always enjoy it too.  I had an ex who asked me to teach him how to make it. I showed him step by step. And more than once. Yet every time his came out tasting really different. Sweet. I struggled to eat it. It didn't make sense. Mine always has a heavy tomato taste. So again we'd go through the steps. And again it would come out sweet.  So I started questioning... "Did you add anything? Sugar? Chutney? Tomato Paste" Nope, was always the answer... So again I mentioned, but you should be adding sugar after the tomato paste... "Oh I don't add tomato paste"... Ok, but do you still add sugar then? "Nope".

I'm sure we've all had some funny experiences while driving... I guess some not very funny ones too.  It amazes me how some days we can drive around and not encounter much, and other days you wonder if it's just you, or everyone else...

So following my "pity post" a few days ago (which it really was not), I will confirm that not only had I had a bad day, but a bad week.We all have them. I will again remind anyone (or inform new readers), I suffer from depression/ Adrenal Fatigue. It takes everything out of me, and reduces me a ridiculous mess.  I currently do want to socialize at all and will find any excuse not to mingle. I'm constantly tired. Life has very little meaning. I know it will pass, but for now this is how I feel.  I know how to deal with it, even though I get thoroughly overwhelmed with everything.

In general I'm much happier these days.  Busier. Hectic, in fact. Life waits for no-one. This week I'm having a particular bad week.  I'm feeling terribly down. Everything is getting me down. Artist unknown. If you know of the artist, please let me know so I can rightfully credit them

I think my hair has been every colour for the past week. I love experimenting with my hair. Luckily I'm that person who knows that it's only hair - it grows back. A few weeks ago I cut it very short. Along with that, I coloured it bright purple.  I loved it. It suited me.  Then everywhere I went I saw people with purple hair.  I got sick of it very quickly (never mind the fact that it's extremely high maintenance).

Beautiful words... usually. Except this time my son was saying them while shaking his head at me. I had just told him how I had bought something after having an argument with myself. I had just got a fantastic deal, but when inquiring with the seller, I had told her I don't have a husband to argue with about buying, so I'm just arguing with myself to convince myself to buy. My son had said "How do you argue with yourself". Like this: Me: Oh that looks like a really good deal. Also Me: No, Mel, you don't have extra money at the moment, and I'm not sure you really need more beads. Me: But they're all brand new. Worth over R5500 for just R1000. It looks like a really good deal. And my other account isn't looking that bad... Also me: Fine. You win. (Pays over the money). My son's response being the shaking head (perhaps rolling his eyes - he is 12 after all), and the comment "Mom (sigh)... You're one in a million" Thank you

Well... more like in our house. You know when things go missing, but you know you put that item in that particular spot, and now it's gone. Then 10 minutes later (or sometimes even the next day) that item is back in that spot. Regular occurrence in our house. I find this kind of thing happens when I really need a break (often when I've been working on something for a few hours).  I can't find something - usually a needed tool for whatever I'm working on.  After searching for a few minutes, I might make a cup of coffee and sit for a few minutes, or go out for a walk. When I'm feeling a little clear headed I usually find the tool/ item exactly where I'd just be looking. "Oooooh those fairies!!.  Those fairies get blamed for more than what they're usually responsible for, I'm sure. I'm not making this up.  And it's not that I'm not looking properly.  All of us have had a similar experience.  And often we've all looked for said ite