A hand full of rice

Have you ever met a person you spent 5 minutes talking to and years later their name escapes you, but you remember the lesson life taught you in those 5 minutes?

About 13 years ago I briefly met a
Iady (let's call her Mrs B) at a church gathering we had once a week.  I was complaining about my bad cooking skills and joked that I would not find a husband.  Mrs B was very supportive and said that she needed me to go home and cook a pot of rice every day until I got the texture right because the more you do something the more perfection will set in.

She mentioned that she had 3 children and whenever she cooked rice she would add a handful of rice for each person in the household.

Today I am hapily married and our family has grown to 5 over the last 12 years.  Every time I add a handful of rice to to a pot I still think of Mrs B.  She taught me that practice makes perfect.  She taught me about moderation. 

Life is full of lessons.

All settled in

So we are all settled in in our new house. The Cat I had to keep inside for a week but he has been out and about so I am not too worried that he will run away. He could not be happier - he found his happy place in my new big kitchen in the afternoon sun. We bought two dogs - a Jack Russell and a German Shepperd. Both are still babies, my babies, and I have to teach the children to handle with care. I can't say thank you enough. I already have the Christmas spirit and can't wait to do the preparation for Christmas time this year. We will skip the tree. I might buy a small one where my 2 year old and the 2 dogs can't reach so we can put presents around it on the 24th when the man from the South Pole visits. Life is one big adventure and I am busy embracing every moment that I get. Blessed is the word.

The big Move...

After nine years in our current home – we have to say goodbye this week. I have all these emotions – imagine being sad and excited all at the same time. When we moved in here my daughter started walking. A Cat, two brothers and nine gold fish later we have to move because we have outgrown this place. What a lovely home – I would gladly stay another 8 years. We were looking at bigger houses for the last 2 years or so. As a parent you are always weary of the area that you move to and so many questions boggle your mind like will it be safe. I must say we found the perfect little (big) place. At long last the boys can get a dog - they have been nagging my husband and I for the last year. We will be able to entertain a bit and hold all the children’s parties at home. Claudia just turned 10 and we had to do the venue thing. It was the big ten and I did not want it to go unnoticed, and it didn’t. I have so many plans for our new house – but first we have to get packing for the big move. Not in the mood but somebody has to do it, right...

The dream house

It’s been a hectic year, but not bad at all. I followed my dreams a little, changed jobs and dreamed a little more. I made friends for life, and like every year, there were those people whom I looked up to for a while who disappointed me in the end. Lucky for them I value myself and know who I am, so their opinion of who I am does not matter in the end. It is just an opinion. At the moment I am hoping that we will be in our dream house this time next year. I have accomplished so much in my life it is hard to believe that it will not be possible. Everything seems impossible until it is possible. Being positive has helped a great deal in my life. So I think it is safe to say that next year this time we will own our dream house with a big kitchen and 4 bedrooms and enough space for my family. I have a 20 month old running around the house learning a new word every day. I don’t know what I did with my time before I had children. As a parent you want the best for your children. You cry because things do not happen as fast as you would like it to happen. Then you realize that everything will eventually fall in place, you just have to wait a little bit longer until the time is right. When I look back now at my life so far everything had its time and place. The house is in our near future, waiting for us to move in. Time is on our side.

Schoolbag in hand...

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
And without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what's in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table
Barely awake, I let precious time go by
Then when she's gone there's that odd melancholy feeling
And a sense of guilt I can't deny

What happened to the wonderful adventures
The places I had planned for us to go
Well, some of that we did but most we didn't
And why I just don't know

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time
Slipping through my fingers...

Schoolbag in hand she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile...

Once upon a Spa

The best Spa getaway ever was the day my sister and I took my Aunt to Bayete Spa on the way to Hennopsmeer somewhere west of Pretoria.



First we kind of kidnapped her. She did not know where we were taking her. My sister and I were gigling away while my aunt guessed where we could be off to, but to no avail. But that is not where the surprised ended. The Spa was also hidden from the main road. You had to drive into a gate and then into a ditch with lots of trees and then only you would stop in front of the main building.

She was so surprised. This is my favourate picture of her. A picture does tell a thousand words. It looks like she is in thought.



It was a magical day. We wanted to say thank you. She let us in under her wing when Mom died and helped to ease the pain of the 2nd big shock when our Stepmom was introduced shortly after. She has never been judgemental. We on the other hand have been.



On the left is my aunt with my sister in the middle. My head is cut off. LOL.
We look happy in the pictures.

Christmas 2010

Every year we (my sister and I) try to make this a special time for the family. I miss my Mom who died 7 years ago a month before Christmas, we celebrate her life and hold on to the good memories. And then there is my Dad who I still have a chance to reconcile with but as always the timing sucks.

I remember every single Christmas since I was 3. Today I realized that I am truely blessed.

Every Christmas in my life was special, including this one.

Blogging again...for now

Has it been 6 months? Life got a little busy I guess. I am still trying to settle in to the new job that I started over 6 months ago. It has been the most stressful time in my life. I have lost weight, lots of it, for all the wrong reasons.

The support from my hubby has been great. The last 6 months was good for my marriage, I think we passed the 7 year gl(itch) that was there from year 2. I must admit ny husband is not the easiest person to live with. You just have to learn when to keep your mouth shut and wheb to let it all out. I wish somebody told me that before I got married. I had to grow up first.

I am not a person who gives up. I am also not a person who stays in stressful situations for too long.

Life will get better and only I can make that happen.

Saturday blog

My favourate author Dana Snyman says that when it comes to love advise he will rather ask a barlady than a pshycologist, because unlike pschycologists some barladies have experienced the dark side of life. They have been through it all.

No I don't have troubles with l-u-r-v-e. I just thought that was the truest thing I have ever red. People need practical advice - no good on going by the theory of it all. The good news is I went on Kalahari the other day and saw that 2 of his new books has been put on. What is different about him is that I find the time to read, its not a book that you can really leave on your bedside table for long.

Work is stressful. But I will find a way to cope. Nobody said it was going to be easy. The good thing about it all is that I amaze myself every day, and that is how I know that I am growing. This is about stepping out of your comfort zone every day.

Where there is a will there is a way.

Another blog, another week

Eish peeps, I wish I could blog more. I hardly have time to read. Work has been busy. Every day is different. I don't think it can ever be the same, every day you deal with different people, and get yourself into different situations.

Tonight I have put the kids in bed early, poured myself half a glass of Old Brown Sherry and rushed to the computer. We do have internet at work but we use it for research reasons only and I have so much paperwork and writing every day I hardly get time to do anything. I do print emails and type quotes, but that is it. There are 3 A4 diaries on my desk on which I record information that are given through on the phone. 3 Diaries? You might ask. Exactly what I thought the first day I walked into my new office. There are good reasons for all of them. Trust me.

*Yawn* *Yawn*

I need to check my facebook updates before I crawl in to bed. Is it summertime yet? This winter is so p**ing me off.

A new week, a new job

It’s been a busy week at my new job. I learnt so much. Everybody is so kind, all my fears are out the window, for now. We have 2 deadlines every day, so it keeps you on your toes. The lady that is showing me around is so patient. It is hundreds of little things that you need to remember every day, and she said I can relax it is only my first week.

I got 2 compliments though.

I miss my friends at my old company, but we keep in touch via email. I was supposed to go out with the girls to watch Eclipse next week on the 30th but that did not work out quite well. So I guess I will stay at home and snooze in and catch the movie at a later stage.

This first week at the new job was a little bit overwhelming. I am going to visit my best friend tomorrow and we will have some baby talk to take my mind off things. I hope the wind is not too cold, I don’t take the kids out if the wind is too cold.

Well one week down, many more to go. I am happy here. This is what I wanted.

I am hoping to blog more regularly as the time goes on.

One nervous blogger...

I must be on my 4th blog for today…yip. Can you tell that I am nervous about next week? It’s kind of exciting and nerve wrecking at the same time.

I got my exam results last week – 83%. I knew I passed I was curious to see the final mark. My poor study buddy, she said she will wait for it in the post. Maybe she wants to delay the bad news a bit longer. Or maybe it is better for if her if she does not find out right away. The moment they sent me the sms that the results were in, I was there.

Well at least I am starting next week on a happy note.

I have to make a list of 5 going away presents that I would like. They will choose one. I don’t know, I am on such a high at the moment anything would do.

GPRS
Blue Ray DVD
Dishwasher
Hello Kitty Laptop bag
Katy Perry CD

That’s the problem. I don’t know the budget.

Ask? No I am not that straight forward.

Just the idea that they are getting me something is nice.

The Office Cleaner

I feel sorry for her, I really do. It’s not that I don’t care because I am moving on.

I am talking about Rebecca, the office cleaner. She used to have lots of work at our old premises where there were seven separate offices and a big kitchen to clean. When we moved to this open plan office last May everybody complained that she had nothing to do and were under their feet the whole day. I’m getting my desk cleaned 3 times a day because I’m the only one that doesn’t mind that she is around. Hope the next person will be as understanding as I am.

We only need her about 3 times a week if it is that much. It must be hard to be used to lots of work and all of a sudden you don’t have many options available. Worst part is she can’t even hide somewhere in an office because it is open plan.

I brought her some clothes this week, and some old toys. I guess I empty the cupboards when I get nervous, because my time here is running out quickly. I haven’t even met half of my new colleagues at the new job, I don’t know why that is making me nervous.

My boss said the other day that she can’t guarantee anyone work for the rest of their lives. It is true. That is why am so sad. Not for me. For Rebecca, who hasn’t had all the opportunities life had to offer. She must have lived 40 years in the old South Africa. This is all she knows. This is all she will ever know.

I made a promise that I will come and visit.

I will miss her the most.

Riding with pets in cars

Why would you drive with a dog on your lap? Or even better - why would you drive with a dog on your lap with its hair in your face? Or maybe you are scared that someone will put a gun to your face at any moment, and then the dog will scare them away. Are you going somewhere? If you do get out do you take the dog with or do you leave him in the heat?

I am not a dog person. Maybe there will be fewer accidents if people will just leave their dogs at home.

The other day we were in the supermarket and a lady in front of us had a little monkey on her shoulder. People will try all kinds of things to get attention. With all do respect lady, take off your clothes and I will guarantee you lots of attention, don't use a monkey that might jump on my child and bite it. I will be more worried about the thing peeing and who-knows-what-else on my shoulder. That for me is just a no go. Pets belong at home unless you are taking them for a real walk in the park where no one is in need of attention, just some excercise.

Our cat seems to think that 25% of the bed belongs to him. It is winter now and all he wants to do is snuggle under the duvet. He has come to terms with the idea that the baby comes first. It was hard for him and he sulked like only a cat can do. When winter arrived he knew where to find my lap.





Maybe that old lady with the Pom-pom on her lap was on her way to the Vet.

I don’t know.

A storage box full of memories

I emptied out my drawers at work today.

Ten years ago I started here as a shy receptionist. The lady that came and did the switchboard training had to show me how to put staples in the stapler. She was a Godsend that day. I haven’t told anyone up until this day. Heaven knows why I am writing it in my blog.

As the days moved on I became more confident. The one thing I could do well at the time when I knew nothing was to show up for work. 50% of success is showing up they say. I was hungry to learn and absorb information. It was the one chance that I had to take and make the most of.

Does confidence come with time? I don’t know. I do know that you grow through experience. Things, good or bad, happen for a reason.

The storage box is on my desk. Between most of the things are photos of my children and one wedding photo. Isn’t it amazing how everyone always seems to glow on their Wedding photos? I thought I could conquer the world that day. I was ready for anything. My one friend and I always agree on one thing (and we were married a week apart at the same venue): the first day of the 1st anniversary there was trouble in paradise.

Well we had to live through that I suppose. Seven years later I still love my husband. I know what irritates him and what doesn’t and vice versa.

My storage box is packed. My drawers are empty. 40kms from here a brand new office is waiting for me to build new memories.

I am leaving a portion of my life behind. All I can say is thank you.

Life has treated me well. I am so fortunate.

For a reason, a season and a lifetime

Ann is here from the Eastern Cape. Ann is the lady that I stayed with when I started at this company. It is while staying with her when my life did a 180. Sometimes I wonder what was so magical about staying with her. She was always surrounded by good and inspirational people. She taught me lessons in life without saying a word.

If I think back today, then she was part of the bigger picture for that part of my life. She was the person who carried me through the tough times. I can remember the discussions that we had until late at night. Allot of things that she said only made sense later.

She was the one that encouraged me almost 8 years ago to invite my now husband for dinner. I wasn’t brought up that way, I mean, to ask a guy out. But she grew up in the City and here in the City things were done different. I was so convinced that he would say NO, and I did not want to feel like an idiot if the answer was no. With lots of encouragement from Ann I picked I eventually picked up the phone and asked, and to my astonishment he said YES. I guess the rest is history. The feeling was mutual.

The last time I saw Ann was 3 years ago in Bryanston. She was older, but still the happy person that I met all those years ago.

I’m looking forward to see her.

She was there for a reason, for a season and hopefully a lifetime.

On my way up..

I had to go and sign my new employment contract today. It was 2nd nature, because I studied H.R and knew straight away what the guy was talking about. They do everything by the book. It is a company that is outsourced by the new company that I will be working for, so they will be handling all the payroll and H.R.

At the moment my current company is compensating me with petrol, but it is one amount that has not gone up when the petrol did. That means I have to dig into my back pocket every month. My boss has been so good with everything, I did not want to hassle her about more petrol money. So at the new company I will have a little extra every month. There is so much I want to do around the house.

I don’t think I will ever look at my Milage or Petrol gage again. It’s not like it is going to give me a few extra kilos so I might as well stop looking at it now. It is just sad to see the kilos melt away everyday. And my poor car, getting a service every 3 or 4 months is not funny. She will have a nice rest. Instead of 100kms a day she might do 40km at the most.

So the new job waits. New mountains need to be climbed.

I am so excited!

A portion of my life...in jobs

My very first job…mmmm…
I was a cashier at a co-op in the East Rand, it was back in 1996. I don’t remember much of my time spent there - besides counting the float every night. The owner took us to Holiday on Ice in 1997, and every year we went to this fancy restaurant for our end of year celebrations. I only worked there for 3 years.

My 2nd, 3rd and 4th job…
I moved to the North Rand in 1999. I had to find a job so I printed 30 CV’s and went to the Mall to dish them out to the shop owners. 4 People came back to me - The House of Coffees, Ocean Basket, Reggies and Miladys… I worked at Miladys on Saturdays and at Ocean Basket during the week, but I only lasted for 2 days at Ocean basket. That’s why I have respect for waiters up until this day. My feet were killing me. How do they do it? Then I started at Reggies for a couple of months… That was all in 1999…

My 5th job was at the Gym as a receptionist. I met weird people. It was in the heart of Sandton. I stayed with a German family who prepared German meals and rode German cars. It is true about their dry sense of humour. This was in 2000…

My 6th job changed my life. I started out as the receptionist. I left the German family and moved in with this older lady Ann. My whole life changed from their on. I earned enough money to go for lessons and get my drivers licence. One day I met a guy who came into my office with nice shoes and forearms – he became my husband 2 years later.
In 2007 I was promoted as Sales Assistant and enjoyed every moment.

I believe I will be starting my 7th job on the 21st of June as a Personal Assistant. I just completed my 4th qualification at Damelin. Oh yes I know *boast* *boast*.

The other day I walked past the Reggies store in the Mall where I worked. I looked at the owner and he kind of recognized me. I thought of how much I have grown in the last 11 years. I never thought I would thank him one day for letting me go.

He was still there in his cubicle. I was outside of his cubicle.

Free.

Rent, exams, and the bottom of my laundry basket

We went and had a chat with our landlord – and thank goodness he reduced the rent. Increasing the rent at 10% a year for the last 5 years can get a bit costly. And when I move I want to move into a house that we will buy. He is a good landlord, we are good tenants, and we are a match made in heaven LOL.

I have been studying for the exam tomorrow. Yes I am worried but worrying is good, right? It is better than not to care at all. I am currently revising the last 5 chapters.

I have been e-mailing my study-buddy but she is off for the whole week on study leave. I know I felt bad taking study leave because I have already given notice. My morals and values kicking in I guess. There would be a million other things to do at home anyway. When you are at home you are 100% a mom dreaming about seeing the bottom of your laundry basket.

The notice letter..

Oh my, oh my, oh my. Did I knock them over with my presentation! I am so proud of myself. Then again, I had 2 hours in the traffic every morning to practice! Yes I was nervous, but the words came out and it was almost like I was a natural.(Almost)

I went for the 2nd interview on Friday and they offered me the job on the spot. This morning the new Company e-mailed the letter to confirm everything in black and white that we have discussed. I typed a notice letter and went to my boss’ office.

We both sat there and sobbed for a good 5 minutes.

The contents red:

24 May 2010


Dear Mady,

Well the time has come for me to move on, I knew this day was coming but I did not expect for it to be so soon. I want you to know this is an exciting time for me as well as a sad time.

I would also like to thank (Company) for all the opportunities in the last 9 years. I have grown so much within myself. It is indeed sad to leave such a wonderful company where you feel like part of the family. I will always look up to you as my mentor and will have the greatest respect for you and (Company) as a Company.

I have had wonderful times and have met wonderful people while working here. It has been a great honour working for (Company).

So today I would like to give notice for the period of one month from 24/05/2010 to 21/06/2010.

Once again thank you for everything.

Rentia Kruger

What a joy to leave a company in such a good spirit.

That is how it supposed to be.