Thinking out loud

Is it just me or have the Mosquitos suddenly returned from their long holiday. That holiday where they spent hours sharing their stories of how skilfully they had ensured we wouldn't sleep easy. The same holiday where the little critters boasted about mammoth mosquito bites. Not pleased! Not just because I'm jealous (that I haven't been on holiday for a while!) but because I now spend precious sleep hours slapping myself in the face and trying to sound proof my ears with the pillows. Why do we actually need Mosquitos? What do they contribute to our existence? Why didn't Noah forget to carry a pair of them when he went into the ark?? Those are all going on my 'questions for God list'! Welcome back mosies, not happy to have you back BUT I can do nothing about you.

No one on earth has green fingers like my mummy. Ok maybe Alan Titchmarsh. But he doesn't count because he probably went to school for his gardening and has loads of little minions running around doing stuff for him! I digress! Anyway, my eldest sister and I inherited my mum's love for all things gardening. Living in our apartment in London was hilarious. Our poor tiny kitchen window sills always had some herbs struggling away. I even had a sweet potato project that died a sad death. Then we moved back home where there's loads of space and I'm sad to say I didn't grow a thing. It's like you think you want something and then when you get it you realise you can't be bothered! And almost everyone has a gardener here and anytime you venture out they look at you like errrr can I help you??! I know, excuses. Anyway we've now moved into our own place (no garden, just a balcony) and I have some hanging baskets that my mum made up for me. It's just stra...

Only my mum's chickens have this much chutzpah Good day y'all xx

(Adapted from yet another letter I wrote to my niece!) The new year comes with loads of challenges, new things we want to achieve. I'm taking my own advice. 1) please do not fall into the trap of being complacent and forget the enormity of the task before you. After going through the trauma of getting poor results, it's oddly easy to forget that initial disappointment and fall back into the same old way of doing things. Keep the momentum going and keep the energy up and stay focused. 2) there is no time to feel sorry for yourself. Spending time imagining what life could have been is a total waste. We all make mistakes, we all have made a blunder once in a while. Don't waste time, focus on the things you can change. 3) dont let life fool you! There's lots of time later to do all the fun things that life has to offer. When you have something important needing your attention it just seems like everything else is fun and exciting. It's a total lie! Parties, tv, ...

I sent this letter to my niece on the day she left for university. Ever read something you wrote to someone and days later felt like you needed the advice yourself? Here it is... Do not be fooled into thinking that by leaving home you are now mature. Maturity is about incorporating all you have learnt from your parents, greater family and church into your daily life and decision making. It is immature to rebel against such obvious wisdom in a bid to be 'yourself'. Rebelling against truth is immature, standing on the truth in difficult circumstances is true maturity. Stay in God's word and do not be afraid to stay there alone when worldly wisdom behaves otherwise. There is shame in following crowds blindly knowing full well what the right way is. Do not strive to get the approval of people. Approval is fleeting. One day you're in and the next you're out. Live a life that is committed and pleasing to God, He made you and therefore knows your worth. Guard your ...

It's a few minutes to Christmas and I'm deflated! I'm watching a little video clip of my niece and nephew looking dizzyingly cute and my eyes are filled with tears. I'm the sentimental type. The type that looks back and tries to remember exactly what I was doing at this time last year. I miss that life, I miss them. So it's Christmas in our own little flat this year. Had no time or the wherewithal to prepare something special. All I have is my tree. And I LOOOOOVE it! What a year it's been and I'm grateful for all the lessons, trials and triumphs. I just wish I could do Christmas with those crazies. The gadget obsessed one, the sofa sleeping one who is crazy about shopping, the busy body who couldn't care less about Christmas food, the one who talks too much and thinks she's American, the 12 year old with the mind of a middle-aged woman, the one who laughs till he drools and watches too much Top Gear, the sadza eating one who is also a formidable...

Whilst pondering the fact that the world would end, I was really rather irritated. I got myself looking decent enough for the bridesmaid dress and spent weeks practicing our dances for the wedding, only for the world to end? On the day before no less! As our existence drew to a close, I wished I'd had answers to life's big philosophical questions like.... who let the dogs out? who shot the deputy? Why does the food ordered on the next table always look better than your own? How do the neighbors know exactly when to make noise? Where is Johnny Walker going? When will my family be altogether again... I guess I now have time to figure it all out xx