Thursday 28th January 2010

To my wonderful parents HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY :0)

End Week 2
Loss: 5oz (200g)
Total Lost: 3.8lbs (1.7kgs)
To goal: 13.5lbs (6.1kgs)

Have to be honest I am gutted as apart from Simon's birthday lunch on Tuesday I felt like I had a pretty good week and even started to up my exercise.....but I didn't put the kgs on overnight so guess I can't expect to lose them that way either :0) Onward and upward (well hopefully downward lol) and roll on a better week.

Sunday 24th January 2010

Dieting is not for the faint hearted on cold lazy Sundays when normally I would do nothing but graze all day.....man I hope it pays off on Thursday :0)

Great weekend but very very quiet in preparation for Scotland next week.

Friday 22nd January 2010

This time next Friday we will be in Scotland for Simon's 40th Birthday.........am SO EXCITED!

Phillip 2010

Tonight was Philly's turn.....

Food : Macaroni and Cheese (takes after his sister)

Drink : The English version of Fanta Orange

Reading: "Blart the boy who didn't want to save the world"

Mags : Don't read mags (must be a family trait lol)

Hobbies : Ballroom dancing

Actors : Eddie Murphy (mommy makes sure he only sees him when he isn't swearing)

Actress : Don't know any actresses

Band / Music : JLS

TV : Di-Gata Defenders

Guilty pleasure : lying watching telly with a big chocolate bar (now where have I heard that before)

Movies: St Trinians

Peeve : a girl called Millie at my school - she is soooooooo irritating (I think she likes him lol)

Sport : Football, Tennis, Table Tennis and Athletics

Loving : waiting for all our holidays

Hoping : a mobile phone for my 10th birthday

Thinking : what is going to happen next in Di-Gata Defenders (mom is irritating him)

Needing : to finish my book

Grateful : for all my blessings

Planning : to get my Bronze award at school this year.

Thursday 21st January 2010

End Week 1
Loss: 3.3lbs (1.5kgs)
Total Lost: 3.3lbs (1.5kgs)
To goal: 14lbs (6.5kgs)

Now that I have made myself accountable to the whole world I am going to have to stick to it lol, and I intend to get there without Aspartame Marcelle, your story has been a real eye opener :0)

Megan 2010

I thought I would ask Meggie to do the "survey" today - wonder how her answers will change over the years......

Food : Macaroni and Cheese (somethings never change)

Drink : Dr Pepper

Reading: Inkspell (Second book in the Inkheart series)

Mags : Don't read mags (like her mother lol)

Hobbies : Art, cooking and singing

Actors : Brendan Fraser

Actress : The girl who plays Hamoine Granger (spelling is really shocking)

Band / Music : Mylie Cyrus

TV : Code Lyoke

Guilty pleasure : eating freezing cold oranges smothered in sugar

Movies: 17 Again

Peeve : mummy telling me off

Sport : Hockey (like her mum I tell ya)

Loving : our holidays planned to Scotland, Dorset and Spain

Hoping : it won't rain in Spain

Thinking : that Scotland is going to be awesome even though I don't LOVE the snow

Needing : the computer

Grateful : for mummy, for my 12 merits at school and for the lord giving me such a beautiful family and awesome friends.

Planning : to get more merits


Oh how I LOVE the simplicity of children :0)

Current Fav's - Andrea 2010

I picked this up off my blog buddy Mel's blog and thought it would be fun to find out each family members fav's for 2010 - always good for a laugh when you go back in years to come and read your answers....so in the interest of posterity here goes:

Food : Crumbed pork chops and chips (very fattening, but ultra delicious)

Drink : Bulmers (which is cider for those outside the UK)

Reading: Anything by Lesley Pierce....I ADORE the way she writes

Mags : Don't really do mags, seem a bit pointless to me

Hobbies : Blogging and Photography

Actors : Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Jude Law, George Clooney, Matthew Maconaughy (spelling?????)...yes I am completely shallow and it is all about looks, don't have time for deep involved movies anymore ;0)

Actress : Meryl Streep

Band / Music : I don't get the chance for much music anymore....man that is sad :0(

TV : The Biggest Loser, Weeds, Judging Amy and Gossip Girl

Guilty pleasure : Chocolate in any form at all, with a glass of icy cold milk to wash it down mmmm

Movie : I am a romantic comedy kinda girl at the moment as anything more is too taxing on the brain - LOVED Mama Mia

Peeve : People who take other's for granted

Sport : Yuk

Loving : having the chance to live a completely different life at 36

Hoping : my husband will find the peace he is searching for

Thinking : how lucky I am - been counting those blessings

Needing : to find a way to bring in more income

Grateful : that all my family are healthy and happy.

Planning : our trip to Spain later in the year (yipppeeee am sooooooo excited)

Sunday 17th January 2010

After a fairly chilled weekend spent predominantly at home due to the cold rainy conditions which have now set in, the children and I went down to the Brighton Center with the Cuckfield Brownies to watch this year's Holiday on Ice (thanks to my friend Catherine who is their Brown Owl) - what a spectacular and something I am so glad I have been able to experience....the children were absolutely enthralled and the 2 hour show literally flew by in an extravaganza of daring skating and breathtaking costumes....WOW WOW WOW!

Wednesday 13th January 2010

Is it possible to have too much of a good thing?

Definitely, or at least that is my opinion after another heavy snowfall last night crippled West Sussex and left my family snowed in once more. I think if you live in a country which is prepared for this much snow and each home is equip with the right tools for digging out cars and tyres are fitted with snow chains then it is okay, but little England simply isn't ready for this, and totally understandably too as it was in 1963 that this much snow was last seen on our beautiful island.

The schools are totally unprepared and the staff are simply unable to keep the campus's clear and safe for the pupils let alone warm the classrooms to a livable temperature, the train are running, but only to major centers and the shops are really battling to keep up with the demand for essential such as bread and milk.

We have built our snowmen, raced our "Lindaboards" and had about as many snowball fights as one family can have and now we are finding the weather cold and miserable and the grey skies with their foreboding of yet more snow are no longer a magical sight.....all that said however I have LOVED every minute up until now, but it is time for it to all go away for another year at least.

Random Ice photos

While digging the car out on Saturday morning I was struck but the number of wonderful ice formations all over the garden - didn't take me long to ditch my broom and grab my camera :0)

It would seem that the central heating causes the snow to melt but the air temp is so low it literally freezes while it drips causing these amazing icicles.

Monday 11th January 2010

There is nothing like the sound of children screaming in pure delight and that is exactly what mine where doing this afternoon in Victoria Park. Phillip returned to school this morning and was very put out that Megan's school was to remain closed....the deal if he went quietly was that I would take him out "lindaboarding" after school.

The speed on these slopes is amazing - the children ADORED it

The loooooong climb back up the hill

Victoria Park is in Haywards Heath and with it's wonderful hills it is def the hot spot in the snow - we haven't been able to get there till now due to the bad driving conditions, but after today I see myself spending a lot more afternoons there before the snow thaws.

Nicholas and I had a couple of runs on Catherines childhood sledge - Catherine took this clip without realising it, hence the dodgy ending lol

Megs also enjoyed riding the slopes with her baby brother....Phil was much too busy off being a stuntman

Phillip found this homemade contraption discarded in the park and couldn't resist a ride - my shattered nerves :0) (Sorry it is the wrong way, pesky zoom again lol)

Catherine and her children joined us for the afternoon and our 1 hour quickly became 2.5 hours - such fun fun fun....am really LOVING this weather.

Thursday 7th January 2010

I don't think I would be exaggerating if I said that today was honestly one of the happiest I can remember. Si and the children were still all home due to the snow, and while talking to Linda bemoaning the fact that I still hadn't managed to find a toboggan and that my kids were really sad she mentioned that in February they had used boogie boards to go down the slopes and I suddenly remembered the children's skimmer boards which have been in storage since the end of summer.

I raced downstairs to pull them out of my boot (no we don't have much storage space lol) and it didn't take long for Megan, Phillip, Lewis and I to pull on our snow suits and hit the small slope in our back garden, it was some of the best fun I can ever remember having and the boards literally flew across the snow even carrying my weight and we spent literally hours racing and seeing who could get the furthest. I don't get a lot of opportunities to play with my children in the true childlike way of shrieking and running and falling but today was one of those days and I will hold it in my heart forever.

Playing with our "Linda Boards" - me in our garden, Megs on the big slope out in the meadow

In the afternoon once Si had done some work we again dressed up snugly and took a walk through the wood to a meadow near our home which has a wonderful steep slope - we ALL took turns flying down the hill and as there were at least another 10 children there playing it was lovely and festive and the laughter could be heard for miles I am sure.

Please excuse the poor quality of the shots but the light was very low by this point

Ever the daredevil Phillip just had to give me 50 fits by going down the slope on his feet

Megs and Phil where very proud of their skimmer boards (now christened Linda boards in honour of Aunty Lin and her BRILLIANT suggestion) as they outraced every toboggan on the slope and we have all decided that they are by far the best device for tearing down the hills at breakneck speeds. Little Nicholas even got a chance to go down the slope with his dad on Lewie's toboggan, he loved it and said MORE for the first time when they got to the bottom of the slope.

Phillip having a turn on Lewie's toboggan....not nearly as fast as the "Linda boards"

Such an amazing, wonderful, special special day - thank you my beautiful children for sharing it with me!

As the sunset - such a perfect moment

Ice crystals hanging off the roof of our home

Showing off Mr Frosty...who is very solid btw, know cos I "Linda boarded into him a couple of times lol

Wednesday 6th January 2010

The forecasts appear to have been right and by this morning the snow was as deep as the bumper of my car. Schools were closed and the train system came to a standstill so the family were all home together again to enjoy the magical weather. While Simon logged on remotely to work and Nick Nick had his morning nap Megs, Phil and I decided to take a stroll into Lindfield to see what the weather had done to the village.

Sunte Avenue round the corner from our home - pavements no longer distinguishable from the road

Megan couldn't resist licking the fresh snow - watch the holly leaves Megs!

After eating snow :0)

Playing in the snow - note how deep it comes up Megan's arm

The Local allotments totally covered in snow

Across the frozen pond in the centre of the village

The Witch Inn - a local landmark

There is such a festive feeling in the air when it snows and neighbours were all out chatting and walking and everywhere you turned there was another child shouting with glee as their parent ran along pulling a toboggan behind them (admit to being rather please at this point that I hadn't been able to purchase one lol). We had a stunning stunning time and it was so lovely to see our picturesque little village looking even more like it belonged on a postcard.....the children even insisted on the tv interview clip below so that they would remember this day forever...enjoy!

A little piece of useless information

I never realised that when the first snow starts to fall all the churches ring their bells to herald in the weather and warn the community - this evening as I walked down the road to fill my grit bucket in the gently falling snow watching my world turn white and enjoying the special kind of silence snow brings I suddenly heard the bells and it brought me to tears it was simply so beautiful.

Magical moments that I am so so so grateful for!!!!

Tuesday 5th January 2009

If the weather reports are to be believed we are in for a freeeeeeezing next couple of days and the supermarkets are almost empty of many items as people stock up in anticipation of the forcast 25cm of snow over the next two days....to say I am annoyed I didn't buy a toboggan the other day when I saw them in stock is an understatement as of course today there isn't one to be had in the whole South West of England......watch this space as I will def be documenting the coldest winter in 100 years with loads of photos.

To my blog buddies in the UK I hope you stay warm, that your gas and electricity last and that you have FUN FUN FUN - see you on the other side ;0)

Saturday 2nd January 2010

After all the grey rainy weather we had before Christmas the perfect blue skies of 2010 are a welcome change and a wonderful excuse for a long walk up at Devil's Dyke. Unfortunately it turned out to be too cold for most of the party and only Lin, Meg and I managed the full 2km round trip while the others snuggled by the fire in the pub drinking hot chocolate and coffee.

It was about -4 in the wind on top of the hill

It didn't dampen our spirits though and it was stunning to wander along and chat amongst ourselves and as no walk with Linda and I would be without it's nonsense it wasn't long before we were having a laugh out loud photoshoot at the bottom of the hill while the British quietly made their way down the track....South African's are very noisy ;0)

Britian's Next Top Models lol

A warming and very much needed hot chocolate with the others was followed by a very quick picnic lunch in the fort before scurrying home to marvelous central heating and defrosting. Philly had a birthday party in the evening so the girls got themselves dressed out and went off to movies in Burgess Hill whilst the grownups enjoyed a visit with Kerry and Rob - it was lovely to see two of my dearest families in the world all merged together and it is such a source of joy to me that we all get along so well. A very very late evening chatting before bed, but such therapy for the soul that it was worth the groggy body the following morning.

All that coffee drinking was clearly to energetic for them ;0)

New Years Day 2010

Our lovely start to the new year continued through New Years day when old friends from Hillcrest, Dave and Sarah Van Heerde and their 3 children came down from their home in Ascot (+-1.5 hours North of us) to join us for lunch.

I think there are a lot of people back in SA who would have had a giggle to see Lin with the vacume cleaner and me with the dusters as we shot round the house getting it perfect for the Van Heerde's visit, but to Linnie and I it has become such old hat that within 30 mins the house was sparkling and the Mexican themed lunch was gently simmering on the stove....we really are becomming domestic godesses lol.


Stunning is not a descriptive enough word to describe our day together and the house was filled with good old South Africaniss (if there is such a word) as we shared our joys and frustrations, and spent a great time being together - all 8 children got along so well and Nick was often off playing upstairs with the big kids where they all took their responsibility to watch over him so seriously and he was loved and adored much to his delight.




Again such a lovely way to see in the new decade and I can only pray that the rest of the year is as happy as the start.

New Years Eve 2009

Such a very very special day and evening, the Andrew family arrived lovely and early in the day giving us time to chill and chat and catch up before Lin and I head out to stock up on supplies for their visit. It was such fun to be out sharing my "daily life and routine" with Lin and having her oooh and aaaah over scatter cushions with me and plan our meals together.

A wonderful roast dinner with all the trimmings followed by singstar shared with our children made for a relaxed and happy New Year celebration, it was lovely to be able to see in the new decade with friends who have become family and to discuss our blessings (and frustrations) from 2009 and our hope and dreams for 2010....one I will always remember and cherish.

Blessings in 2009

I firmly believe in taking stock at the close of each year, giving thanks for the highs and trying to learn from the lows - for me personally I think 2009, while not nearly as eventful as 2008 was a very good year and I find myself counting my blessings far more than I am having to coming to terms with hardship.

So with that said, these are some of the things I am most grateful for.....

• For our continued health of our precious family both here and in South Africa and while I sadly lost my grandfather during 2009, I still feel that we have generally speaking all been well and are entering 2010 strong and healthy
• For the fact that my husband is coming round to England and while still incredibly frustrated in some areas he is starting to love the life that we lead and appreciate the advantages this move has given us. He even surprised me on New Years Eve when I asked him if knowing all he knows now would he have moved here and his answer was ABSOLUTELY NOT followed by the statement that as a result he was glad he didn't know coz he would have missed out on an adventure and opportunity for growth....to say you could have knocked me over with a feather is the understatement of the decade ;0)
• For my beautiful courageous older children....they have come so so so so far in 2009 and I am the proudest mother when I look at what they have overcome and how they have continued to be cheerful, kind, friendly, responsible, compassionate, non judgemental, hard working, independent, low maintenance (and the list just goes on and on)
• For my perfect little Nick Nick who has to be the easiest most content baby alive and who brings us joy every minute of the day.
  
• For my AMAZING husband who has died to self so often in 2009 so that the children and I can live a dream and it is not a sacrifice all men would make and I acknowledge that and so appreciate it.
• For my parents support and the fact that my mother has been out to visit us...without these trips our reality here would be so different and I am counting the sleeps till I hear their next trip is booked.
• For my cousin and Pedal Studio without whom financially 2009 would have been a far more difficult year and for the fact that through working together our relationship has grown even closer.
• For my beautiful, wonderful sisterhood....friends both old and new, near and far....without this group of woman my world would be a much quieter, lonelier and sadder place and I give thanks daily for their involvement in my life.
• For the sale of our house in South Africa and the financial relief it has given us including the ability to bring Simon's mom over to visit for a month
• That Simon was able to remain employed when literally million's of others have been made redundant. Redundancy means immediate return to South Africa for us and it is not something we want to even contemplate at this stage.
  
• and I am sure there are a million more that have escaped me in this moment.
  

2009 according to Megan.....Good enough year

Highs: Passing SATS; Going to Oathall which is the best school in the world; Spending time with my family at wonderful parks and museums; Both my grannies came to visit.
Lows: Not many lows at all, can't think of any really important ones.

2009 according to Phillip......Good and happy year

Highs: Lots of highs like going to Thorpe park; Meeting my best friend Kelby at Lindfield; Moving into our new house; Spending time with both my grans
Lows: Only being able to go on two of the really big rides at Thorpe Park; That Boompa died and I couldn't go to his funeral.

2009 according to Si.....A Good year for family
Highs: My mom's, sister's and Jill's visits; a lovely warm summer and 18cms of snow in the winter....good for a snow fight at least :0)
Lows: Recession and all it's impacts