Will Standard Bank pay for my petrol?

On the way home last night I had to make a deposit at the ATM but my husband and I were deep in conversation so I forgot to indicate the turn-off. Unfortunately I only realized when I was at home that I did not make the deposit yet. So off we go, back in the car and off to the bank. We get to Kenilworth Centre and I run inside to make the deposit but to my surprise there are no deposit envelopes. I go back to the car and inform my husband that our expedition is not over...

So we drive to an Autobank in Lansdowne where I find a fully stocked envelope compartment. I place my cash in the envelope and proceed as prompted by the machine.... Ok, now I'm waiting for the machine to print the actual slip that you place in the envelope but it's taking really long... Then I get the message that my transaction has been cancelled because..... There is no paper in the machine.... Ridiculous! Anyway, so I take the envelopes and we head back to KC where I finally get to make the deposit!

I have to ask... Has this happened to anyone else or was this just my luck?

Christmas is around the Corner

It's the end of October and two months left before year end. Have you been to the shops lately? Yes, I've seen it too! The Christmas trimmings are up and the shops are advertising Christmas gifts already. I suppose it's a good idea to start your gift shopping early. Some people start doing this during the year which means that you might actually get those items at much less because as we are all aware of the price increases as Christmas draws nearer.

Every year I promise myself that "I'll spend less this year", but every year I'm back where I was the year before... Spending more and not less! Gift buying has become something that people can't really afford and some people have agreed to buy gifts for the children and cancel the adult gifting. I enjoy watching the faces of the children when opening their gifts. Unfortunately for some children it isn't a matter of receiving a gift but what the gift is. We have unfortunately spoilt the idea of receiving gifts for many children - todays' children expect expensive gifts and gone are the days when they were happy receiving a doll or a car as they expect you to give them a mp3 player or a cellular phone. 

Over the next two months I will be discussing possible gift ideas and recipes for Christmas and summer - my favourite season! My family have celebrated with a Christmas Eve dinner for years now and I have come to appreciate this as it conveniently allows me to have Christmas lunch with my in-laws. Our dinner consists of an array of different dishes which we all contribute to. We may have different dishes during the course of the year however none compares to the Christmas eve spread!

The thing about Christmas is the fact that although there is a big hype leading up to the one  day, it is over in a flash - but if I look back and can remember sitting, eating and talking to my family - it's all worth it!  

Another Break-In

It's been nearly 2 weeks since the break-in at my Mom's place and we are still unsettled. Who gives these people the right to enter someone else’s house as if it's their right? The feeling of uncertainty and insecurity in your own house and outside; remains with you for a long time afterwards. Luckily the intruder did not hurt my mother and fortunately for us he did not use the big knife he brought into her house (oh yes, he left that behind - the police have it now). There have been a few break-ins in the area and it has left the victims uneasy and restless in the one place that should be where they are totally at ease and relaxed.

It has been discovered that the intruder is a 17 year old youth with a mother who is adamant that her son would never do that. Unfortunately for the victims he cannot be charged because he is still a minor so obviously he will do it again. The residents in the area will have to sleep with one eye open. People talk and in a community where everybody knows everything it has leaked that this boy is the guilty one but what can you do?

Should the residents take the law into their own hands and deal with this youth as a warning to others who are aware and may be thinking that they too can follow in his footsteps? Parents today are too lenient with their kids - there is nothing in this world that a good beating won't cure - I'm just saying... 

International Nelson Mandela Day - 18 July 2011

So what are you doing on Monday, July 18 2011? Madiba will be 93 on Monday and what a blessing that is in it's own right. To have lived a life such as his and still be inspired to do good; always considerate and thinking of ways to help others because - that is what our Tata illustrates. Offer only 67 minutes of your time in honor of the 67 years that Madiba spent fighting for a rainbow nation. 

If you are unsure as to what you will be doing here are 24 of the 67 ideas as per Madiba which can be found by clicking the following link 67 Ways to Change Our World 

24 Ways to make a difference

1. Make a new friend. Get to know someone from a different cultural background. Only through mutual understanding can we rid our communities of intolerance and xenophobia.
2. Read to someone who can’t. Visit a local home for the blind and open up a new world for someone else.
3. Help out at the local animal shelter. Dogs without homes still need a walk and a bit of love.
4. Find out from your local library if it has a story hour and offer to read during it.
5. Offer to take an elderly neighbour who can’t drive to do their shopping/chores.
6. Organise a litter cleanup day in your area.
7. Get a group of people to each knit a square and make a blanket for someone in need.
8. Volunteer at your police station or local faith-based organisation.
9. Donate your skills!
10. If you’re a builder, help build or improve someone’s home.
11. If you’re a lawyer, do some pro bono work for a worthwhile cause or person.
12. Help out at your local hospice, as staff members often need as much support as the  patients.
13. Many terminally ill people have no one to speak to. Take a little time to have a chat and bring some sunshine into their lives.
14. Talk to your friends and family about HIV.
15. Create a food parcel and give it to someone in need.
16. Donate your old computer.
17. Teach an adult literacy class.
18. Buy a few blankets, or grab the ones you no longer need from home and give them to someone in need.
19. Clean out your cupboard and donate the clothes you no longer wear to someone who needs them.
20. To the poorest of the poor, shoes can be a luxury. Don’t hoard them if you don’t wear them. Pass them on!
21. Organise a friendly game of soccer, or sponsor the kids to watch a game at the local stadium.
22. If you play an instrument, visit your local old-age home and spend an hour playing for the residents and staff.
23. Learn the story of someone older than you. Too often people forget that the elderly have a wealth of experience and wisdom and, more often than not, an interesting story to tell.
24. Take an elderly person grocery shopping; they will appreciate your company and assistance. 

Let's all do something special for our brothers and sisters this Madiba Day!!

Victoria Hospital - Cape Town

I've had the unfortunate opportunity to spend some time at the Victoria Hospital in Wynberg, Cape Town over the past week-end and all I can say is...

I don't really visit public hospitals and therefore I have to thank God for medical-aid! The first thing that caught my attention was the sign that read that there was a waiting period of six (6) hours. Really? Yes really, that part is actually true although it depends on the severity of the incident / wound. I witnessed a woman who came in with an open wound above her left eye, she was off-balance, swaying and being held up by another woman go straight through and emerge about 10 to 15 minutes later with the wound bandaged (or her head bandaged for that matter).

The staff were helpful and friendly which was quite welcome on a Friday evening at a hospital - starting with the administrator at sign-in, the nurses and even the security officers. There was a Doctor with an attitude but I discovered later that it was his way of being nice, you know the kind who have a weird sense of humor... like me. They had wall-mounted heaters that were switched on and no, there's nothing wrong with that especially in the middle of Winter but it was so stuffy in there that I eventually pulled the string attached to the fan mounted on the wall. It was amazing when that air hit me in the face - it was good, real good.

The smell in there was terrible and I found it quite refreshing to get some fresh air outside every 10 to 15 minutes. It was a bit difficult to understand how people could eat in an area that was obviously very unhygienic but they ate and drank and I wondered if it was only my sisters' and I who could smell the stench in that waiting area. The hospital had a lady cleaning i.e. mopping the floor but I was still concerned that I was going to leave with some or other germ. We were out of there after about three hours, so no luckily there was no six hour wait for us. 

I have to thank the medical staff because I don't think that they receive the appreciation that they deserve - it takes a strong person to work at a public hospital and not many people are able to do that - so here's to those special few, thank you ladies and gentlemen for your outstanding work! 

About the back-up plan

Since I've seen this movie I've wanted to blog about it! Yes, you're right, I loved it! It's the perfect girlie movie.... Yeah, not really me but this one just got me! Jennifer Lopez was great but the ''back-up plan'' itself is one that I've considered before and I'm sure that there's many ladies out there who's had that idea at some stage. 

I started dating my husband when I was twenty nine which was later than the norm... I wanted to do some travelling and experience some other cultures before settling down so I left Cape Town and headed for London. I returned about two years later and a few months down the line, I started a relationship with my husband. 

I've had relationships but nothing was really serious i.e. it didn't feel like the the real thing was going to come along. So being the Capricorn that I am, I thought of what I would do if I didn't meet Mr. Right... we girls have to plan - that's what we do, right? My problem though was where the sperm would come from - the idea of a sperm bank does not bode well with me. Imagine the re-action if you asked a guy for a donation? Anyway, would they donate if you explained what you wanted it for? Would it be the actual act though or do you hand them a little cup? The cup will have to accompanied by some magazines and movies... too technical? 

Looking back now, I'm glad that I never followed through with that idea. Imagine meeting Mr. Right after you've followed through and you're pregnant! 

I know that in the movie Mr. Right decides to stay and become the loving father - reality check, that only happens in the movies! In real life the men will run like the wind and you'll never see or hear from them again.

You've got to love the movies and their happy endings! 

The King of Pop Lives on

It's been two years since the departure of the biggest pop icon in the world and we still re-live his music everyday. Michael Jackson has left such an impression and large footprint behind that he will live on forever in his music and that from the oldest to the young and impressionable will be unable to let go of. I have seen many a toddler still dancing to those unforgettable beats and songs and believe that this will continue way past we have left this earth.

MJ we love you and thank you for the music that you've left us!

Another Father's Day Gone

So, we bid farewell to another Father's Day and I hope that you've all spoilt your Dads or at least made them aware of how important they are to you. I've spent the day with my Father-in-law while silently thinking of my own Dad who unfortunately is no longer with us anymore.

I remind myself as I often do my siblings, to live each day as though it were your last because we never know if it is our last or whether the person standing opposite you will be there tomorrow.

So High... & then Splat!

Have you ever been so high, just a great buzz? Feeling that nothing could go wrong, just to be plucked from the sky and flung to the ground in one stupid second?

It's amazing how people can rock your boat or burst the bubble in an instant without even thinking of the consequences. You've had a bad day, fine I understand that... I've had a few myself but does that give you the right to take it out on someone else? We all have our on and off days but we learn to cope and deal with issues without the need to direct pain on the next person. 

I've seen this happen many times and yes it's happened to me too, so I'd like to say to those guys & gals out there - we all have issues and can do without yours being dumped on top of us as well, if you need to talk say so, but otherwise don't burst my bubble if you don't have one! 

The Dalai Lama on Meditation

I have the greatest respect for the Dalai Lama and am always looking for his holinesses quotes and comments. Today I discovered the following on viewonbuddhism.org :-

The Dalia Lama was asked:

Why is it better to meditate in the morning?

Dalai Lama:- "There are two main reasons. Physically, in the early morning - once you are used to it - all the nerve centres are fresh and this is beneficial. Also there is a difference just in terms of the time. Further, if you have slept well, you are more fresh and alert in the morning; this we can see in our own experience. At night I reach a point where I cannot think properly; however after sleeping and the waking in the early morning, that thing, which yesterday I could not properly think through, automatically appears more clearly. This shows that mental power is much sharper in the morning."

Grandparents

Yesterday I went to visit my Mom and ran into my nephew's grandparents who were visiting him. I noticed that my nephew looked a bit awkward sitting with his grandmother - my sister and his father are not an item anymore so he only sees his Dad and his family when he visits which normally lasts for about an hour on the week-end and sometimes that doesn't even happen. I was taken aback when I realized that they had not seen him for six months! Looking back, I'm sure that I saw my grandparents every week-end and in the week sometimes - is it normal for grandparents not to see their grandchild for so long?

So that explained why he wasn't his usual bubbly self - I tried coaxing him into giving me a smile but there was just no way he was going to oblige. His Grandfather then indicated that they wanted time alone with Skye - indicating that my sister's family is always around so that he is not able to become comfortable with them. Seriously guys - how can he be comfortable and at ease with you if he doesn't even know you or his Dad for that matter?  

I think that they need to spend much more time with him before he'll ever be comfortable with them, so diarize folks, make those all important entries!

Steers Fast Foods

What is up with Steers?

I've been to Steers earlier to get a large chips... everyone knows that they've got the best but I was a bit shocked when I took it out of the bag! Large chips - half full is this a new trend? The same thing happened last month when I got a large chips from Steers in Plumstead, I thought they made a mistake but tonight I got the chips from Steers in Rosmead Avenue, Kenilworth. Has Steers decided that they're giving us too much for too little? Come on guys, it's R21,95 for a large chips, your chips are one of the best so please don't cheat me! If you think your prices are too cheap then change them but don't advertise a large chips for R21,95 and only give me half a bag!

Moving on Out

I've got to say that I am so proud of my sister who's finally moved out on her own - well technically with her 9yr old son, but she's done it and ready to face the world. There are so many of us who find it so comfortable living at home and when I say home I mean still at home with your parents. When is the right time to actually move out of the comfort zone?

Parents should stop holding their children back; by letting them go they learn early in life how to deal with life's hurdles. I was 22yrs old when I moved out of my Mom's house and got my own flat. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying kick your children out but once there is an income it is good training when they have to start paying rent, electricity, telephone accounts and other day to day bills. You start training your children from the very first day you bring them home from the hospital, through school days, friends, heart-aches with boyfriends/girlfriends, studies and everything else so why can't you guide them when moving out on their own?

I loved the fact that my Mother was just as excited as I was and anything I did not have for my new place she tried to give me from her cupboards. It was funny actually because she wanted to make sure that I had everything and I was comfortable. It was great to have someone so close giving advice and referring to experiences that she'd gone through already and ways to avoid certain situations. I also think that girls should experience living on their own before getting married to experience the sheer delight of independence before settling down with someone forever. 

So I say go and experience life, you'll love it!

My visit to the Dentist earlier today

So, I've been having these little disturbances at the back of my mouth, it's been about a month now but I've been ignoring it. I haven't seen my dentist for about 3years now (yes, I know that's not good!) because there was no urgent need to see him but because of these little disturbances I've had to take the necessary steps...

Yesterday I decided to start looking for a new dentist and because we've moved it's a bit difficult getting to my old doctor. Now I'm a bit of a snob and going to look for a new dentist is not as easy as it might sound to others because I have to get one that meets my requirements. I narrowed my search down to three doctors' and now had to decide which one was going to be the lucky one to observe the inside of my mouth! The reason for the first exclusion was obviously because the road did not look kosher, sorry Doc! Number two just didn't say welcome, step into my parlour!

My final choice seemed fine but it's a bit tricky at this stage because you don't know what the hands will be like once he starts processing you. It was a bit overwhelming when all the ladies of his practice walked into the room as he was starting his inspection and I cannot explain why taht happened. It's crumbling, falling apart... he gives me a choice, "I can re-build it if you like", of course I'd like that. I cannot afford to be retrenching teeth at my age, I need them all! Unfortunately you require more time when re-building a tooth and the surgery was filling up with patients with actual appointments so he asks me if I can come in the next day, hence the appointment earlier today.  

All seemed fine, I got there and sat for about two minutes when I was taken to the "chair". The Dentist came in, asked to have another look at my tooth and then injected my gum. This is ultimately the third part of my requirements - how well does he/she inject? The second requirement is obviously sterilization of instruments. He passed with flying colors because there was a slight tug and it was over! I hate it when you receive that injection and you still experiencing pain a week later - these guys obviously didn't go to "How to give an Injection Class"! So, it's back to the waiting room for a few minutes before I'm called in for the next stage.

The Doctor starts working and I close my eyes, I love doing that, it just relaxes me. He says there's an infection so he would prefer to do a temporary filling giving it time to heal before doing the permanent filling in six weeks time, so that's what we're doing. Everything is going well, he says that I came in at the right time otherwise he wouldn't be able to save the all important tooth! The chair starts moving to its upright position, Doctor says rinse and we'll see you in six weeks!

Excellent - that's how you visit the Dentist!