The little things that count...

You're stuck behind that awfully slow driver on your way to work (needing to drop of the child along the way)... "Grrr, why are you driving so slow!?!" Then they turn up the next road and turn back along the slip. "you could've taken the previous road - it would've got you there faster, and I'd be further ahead".  You can now drive at your normal speed again.  A few blocks up ahead, coming up to the harsh bend in the road (turning right), a car misjudges the bend and comes around the bend - ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD - your side.  "Wrong side of the road!" your 11 year old "backseat driver" shouts at them. "And that's why we got stuck behind that slow car a few minutes ago". I often thank the Universe when an inconvenience turns out to be a saving grace.  It's the reason why I don't revel in the rage, but have my say, and stay calm. Last weekend, I got a call from my ex who needed to renew the car lic...

If you know my son, or have seen other posts about him, you'll know he's quite a character.  From young, he's loved putting on my shoes. Not just any shoes - the high heeled / blinged ones.  I had a photo of him  (HAD - lost it when I dropped my phone) - probably a year or so ago wearing a glitter cowboy hat, blue boa and putting on my high heeled boots.  I don't discourage it - he enjoys dressing up, and he has very strong feelings about his sexuality (he's 11 and he strongly insists he likes girls).  I always tell him, no matter what I love him. We think he may just be destined to one day be on stage.  My daughter has commented that if he becomes "Lola, the Show Girl" she'll go watch every single performance. One of his favourite movies of all time is Kinky Boots . It ends with the song Yes Sir I can Boogie by Baccara Oh, yes sir, I can boogie But a I need a certain song I can boogie, boogie-boogie All night long Yea you know the song... ...

We often take for granted what we have.  We all have our problems and we all complain about things in our lives we (mostly) feel are beyond our control. On our way to my dad's 70th birthday party on Saturday night I stopped outside the bottle store and asked my daughter to run in for me (to this day she has not been asked for her ID - I wonder if it's that they just believe her, or they're happy for the sales). She is 18 by the way... While waiting outside in the car, I had a "common visitor" to my car window.  A lady holding a range of socks, dish cloths and a few other items.  Having read something recently about how these ladies are often treated, I wound down my window and greeted her and asked for how much for the socks. It's winter.  My feet get cold in winter. Well... everything gets cold in winter, but I like my feet well covered. "R30 each ma'am" she replied. "I'll take a pair of blue and one black".  They're ...

There was a time, not so long ago when Koda was half the size of Bella.  Bella is our 10 year old Sharpei x pit bull girl. Not officially rescued from a rescue centre, but on her way to the shelter when I took her and her brother Odie (Odie went missing last year August and despite hectic searched, we never found him - presumed stolen from our property).  Koda is our newest rescue in the household.  We adopted him from Pet Rescue in December when he was a bout 14 weeks old.  Not sure how Bella would react to him, we slowly introduced them and she seemed quite chuffed to have a new friend after being alone for 4 months.  Odie was always the Alpha, but Bella decided it was her turn, and has always shown him "who's the boss".  At the age of 8-9 months old, Koda is now twice the size of Bella, but neither of them takes note of that fact. We're still not sure what Koda is mixed with.  We have a few suggestions: Labrador / Great Dane / Weimaraner... Bein...

Some mornings seem worse than others.  It almost seems like people forget how to drive. This mornings alone I encountered 2 strange episodes.  I had just dropped my son off at the bus.  It's around 6:35am. Not too many people on the roads, but enough... This does not mean you do not need to stop at a stop sign or ignore road rules and signals.  I was driving back home on a straight road with no stops.  The stop signs are all from the side roads.  I signalled that I would be turning  right at the next street (you know with that little orange blinky light called an indicator).  A car screamed up to the stop where I was about to turn, obviously planning on continuing through (even though there were 2 cars directly behind me).  He stopped at an angle over the entire road - blocking my entry into the road.  Ever-stubborn me was not about to let this road hog get his way, and even as I turned, he pulled forward, then realized I was not abo...

I have a really bad habit of biting my nails. I bite my nails every day.  Not like I used to when I was younger (but mostly because biting nails beyond the tip becomes extremely painful). My nails never look pretty. I used to get them done, but I'm a very hands on person so they never last long.  And the second I get a break or lift, that's it - in my mouth and they're off. I've had a few funny experiences... Sitting in my car one day, biting my nails. Minding my own business. I hear a "toot" from the car next to me.  I look at the driver.  He wags his finger at me, then proceeds to show me what I look like.  I laughed and waved. Another time, somebody just leaned towards me and said, "you know, when you reach the elbow it's too late".  My OCD cousin couldn't bear watching me for another second one day and said, "do you know how much dirt is underneath your nails".  My reply left him shocked (and probably repulsed): ...

You hear the saying your whole life, and you know exactly what it means, but you don't always fully appreciate the accuracy until you realize that you keep getting told something, but it never happens. If you make a promise, stick to it.  If you tell somebody you're going to do something - Do it! That's it.  Don't make excuses. If you haven't met your end of the "deal", then don't say it in the first place.  If you can not carry through with every little promise you make, the best thing to do is be honest and rather say "I don't want to do it", or even if you do want to but not sure if you'll be able to... "I'd love to be able to promise that I can do it, but I just don't think I can". I've had promises made on my behalf... Yes, seriously.  I've had phone calls and been told "I was told you'd be able to help me this week with xyz ".  I usually stand there with my mouth hanging open wonderi...