Parallel Parking

Parallel Parking - I must admit... I struggle with it!

Today the wifey asked me to drive in to work with the car (after quite a while).

All this to get the weekend started - it is Friday - and to ensure we probably

get into the shops on time... paying off our debts! Eish!

But, as fate should have it, parking in Cape Town is scarce... and the one

I found today opted minimal (confined) space. And the it hit me...

The only way I'll get my car in there... is to do PARALLEL PARKING!

And I must admit and concede - I HATE IT!

I struggle with it.

I don't like doing it!

I ended up so deep most of the car was probably on the PAVEMENT!

I just left it as such! I'm in right? And I didn't bump anything but that pavement!

Maybe if I'd take a big breath... I might have made it...

But who has the time? Am I right?

Bosman's Wedding

Better late than never: Pictures I took on Mark's Wedding Day!

Jodie Sparkling!

Check the detail at the back Daddy! LOL!

Signing off on the "Contract with no expiry date."

First Group Photo outside church!

First Group Photo with Jodie posing

Family and Friends awaiting their turn in front of the camera!

New family pic

Couple... Plus 1 (Marquise)

The two brothers GRIM! LOL!

Smile Bosman's!

The bride, all sparkling

Jordan, Wife (René) & I

Justice and Glynis

John & René McKay

My butterfly and princess - Jodie

Smile aunty Glynis!

Jojo - Jodie and Jordan

Jodie posing with her flowers

I love this pic! Jodie at her happiest!

Mervyn and Elmarie

The wedding (cup)CAKE(s)!

Work Team Building Session

Hey there all! I trust everyone had a great weekend - even though today we're feeling quite blue again. LOL! I must say, my last few days went by so quickly, I thought it was Sunday morning today!

Friday I was lucky enough that the work had a team building session - we started real late (from 09h00) and the idea was 6 teams (with six team members each) make a fresh brew of potjiekos, to be judged after three (3) hours. My team made a normal beef pot with some breadsticks (roosterbrood) on the side... got us a mention and 3rd place.

Welcoming: Everyone just waiting on the rules.

Lenie & I checking on our "breadsticks" and roosterbrood

One of the teams had a very interesting theme - like a "homeless" theme, which everyone thought was quite original. There were cardboxes and zink mugs & plates for everyone, with a hearty vegetable stew / pot.

Brandon "begging" for a few coins to make their potjiekos

But all in all - everyone had serious fun... But what do you expect with an "open bar?" LOL!

What a beautiful morning

When was the last time you experienced a sunrise, or sunset?

I was lucky enough to catch the first rays of the sun over the Helderberg Mountain range on my way to Kuils River station this morning. It took my breath away and made me realise how great my God is. That no matter what happens in life, He will make a way for me and you.

Then, it got me thinking. If He will make a way for us, why are we in a constant rush? Where are we going? Are we truly needed there? As I'm always earlier these days (thanks to Public Transport) I decided to take some time out BEFORE I get to work (in Cape Town) - to settle my mood - try and break some routine.

So I opted for a nice cuppa coffee and muffin (not that I can afford it) - got me a lovely seat in St. George's Mall Street - and watched the people go by. A really nice "time out."

A view down St Georges Mall Street

I must say: I was relaxed, happy and full of energy when I got to work. I had the notion that "nothing will get me down today." All because of a little break, catching some rays, all before work!

Here's hoping that you will find time for yourself as the year winds down, that you'll try to get a sunrise or sunset in - and if you do - if you could share it with a loved one. God bless, JoJo-RSA

New Mandela Bank Notes

Are you aware that South Africa launched new bank notes this week? On Tuesday, 06 November 2012 the new Mandela Bank Notes were released (Okay - its probably NOT called the Mandela Bank Note).

Crip new Mandela Bank Notes

I was quite surprised when I spotted it the first time - one customer used it in front of me on Tuesday, and immediately I thought of a counterfeit note - the note in question was a R100 note. I asked the shopkeeper if I could have a look at it - I think its the VIVID COLOURS used in the new notes. The old(er) notes were more subtle on the eyes (I think).

Previous SA Banknotes

This morning I spoke to another shopkeeper - who informed me that the notes are quite similar to Zimbabwe's... He actually showed me a 100-note... colouring was quite similar... Let's hope with a World renowned Icon on the notes our's will have a better run (for the money)... LOL!

Zimbabwe's Bank Notes

For more on the release, refer:
New Bank Notes (Reserve Bank)

Article: New Mandela Bank Notes in Circulation

What a weekend!

Have you ever just had a wonderful weekend that just seemed to "fall into place?" I'm here to tell you that this past weekend, I experienced one of life's miracles... a weekend of note, that just seemed to flow into the next moment.

It all started Friday afternoon... wifey and I got home, ran a few errands and with our lovely daughters we were off to a kiddies party - for Kiara Leigh LeKay (my cousin's daughter). It turned into quite a conversational party - and eventually it flowed into a lovely potjie on the fire for a late, very late night snack! LOL!

When we eventually left I was dumbstruck to find people at my place - also enjoying themselves! It turned out that my brother in law - Mark Bosman - later shifted his bachelor's party over to our place, quite late in the night! Needless to say, I joined in on the merry wagon to salute him on a wonderful life ahead with his bride to be.

So it came Saturday morning - and I had to rush with my son, Revano, to get to our Church - the Uniting Reformed Church - Bazaar. We spent some time visiting all the various stalls available, from icecreams, to pies, to savouries and sweets, cakes, drinks, various foods and even some plants! Thus, a great breakfast was had to all who attended.

Then it was a quick rush to get to school - turned out that the Secondary School only had one day registration, on Saturday - and I only found out the day before (will have to look at the school's year planner more often in future! LOL!). The teachers were very happy to meet me, as Revano tagged along... heard some interesting facts though...

Saturday was also the day Markie planned to get married... so we had to get everyone ready for that - Jodie had to rush and leave early as she was part of the entourage. She looked so good in her mini-wedding gown... a real princess. I should upload some photo's. We had some fun at the Reception afterwards - and heard that an after party was even planned, but me and the wifey had to call it a night!

Yesterday we just tried to recuperate... but still managed a visit to my mother - who actually moved the weekend I was so busy! Would you believe that?

Its a CAPE TOWN Summer!

IT'S A CAPE TOWN SUMMER!

Can you believe it?

Already November and the days are getting much

warmer and our clothes are more vibrant, colourful

and a lot less... nothing more...

But as always, people are already starting to complain

about how hot it is... and speculating how hot its going

to get... "Fresh" from how cold it was a few weeks ago.

NEVER HAPPY WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING, are we?

Now one thing you must understand about Capetonians

and our way of live - our "culture" - especially in the Coloured

Communities. We complain about how HOT it is... then we

pack up everything on our way to the beach (Monwabezi /

Macassar / Strand / Gordon's Bay)... but the best part...

WE DON'T GO INTO THE WATER!

Not at all!

We're either too dressed up for the occasion...

We cannot afford for our Levi's / Nike's / Puma's or whatever

to get wet... Or better yet: We can't swim! LOL!

Yet we will always throw the Mountain (Table Mountain) and

the beaches in the faces of holiday makers (Gautengers, etc).

But whatever happens, and even if the temperature climbs towards

the 35 degree celsius, lets try and make this summer one to

remember...   all because its going to be a

CAPE TOWN SUMMER!

November 1st

Can you believe it? Today is officially November the first! It means that most of the year has passed us by - and only a few away from Christmas and the holidays. I cannot wrap my head around it.

Since my last post there have been many things happening in my life. There's been some parties, some braai's - even a bit of potjie - all times I'll treasure as its quality time spend with friends and family. Time that cannot be wasted - so even if I didn't blog away or post online what I did - I (and the people around me) know that the time we spend together was precious and we will remember it in days to come.

I've had some cousins birthdays, as well as my father's and one of my daughter's - Jodie Leigh, who turned two (2).

All I can say is that we should all count our blessings... there are more than you know.
Have a super November into December ya'll.
;-)

Routine: Kick in why don't you?

I never thought that I'd utter these words so soon... I mean, only last week I was still enjoying my leave cycle... but now that I'm back at work I just blurted it out this morning:

When is my routine kicking in again?

This  morning it was just one too many for me... I struggled to get out of bed, almost missed my train (as I use public transport). Its like there is not enough time in my day - the weekend just flew passed and I was unprepared for the Monday morning rush to get things done. Hopefully it will all just fall into place again... I just wanna play it safe and not bore myself in an old routine again... I should try and leave some space for a bit more family time, going out, exploring, etc.

But we know not all routines are flexible, right? So, what can you suggest?

I survived my holiday!

WOW! Its been a while since I put anything up in here.. .that's bad. I love this space so much - but at times once must ensure you upload other places as well. My annual leave eventually came to an abrupt end - and I was forced to go back to work yesterday, 17 October... Hey, I need that monthly salary! And it only comes in if you put in a few hours at work, hey? If someone out there can find me another way to make an income that not so time consuming I'll be all ears! LOL!

Now I can finally say: I survived my holiday. Pity that the wifey and kids only had one week to spare with me. But I quite enjoyed the time we had together - quality time is better, right? We decided to focus on the younger girls that week... took Jojo (Jodie 'n Jordan) to Bugs World.

Its quite a fun place for a child - I'd say its better if the child is a bit older like Jodie (5-10 yrs) needing not too much assistance from the parents... we spend the better part of the day there (arrived before 10 am and left almost closing time!). Haven't seen the kids that tired since last summer with all the swimming! Even Revano got in on the act and shot a few paint balls towards some targets!

As it was leave time I thought about visiting an old friend. I always thought he lived in Piketberg, on the N7 - but found him in Citrusdal of all places! PJ - Thanks for the opportunity to visit you and your family. We surely enjoyed ourselves... especially when we opted to sleep over and hastily had to arrange for accommodation... but thanks to a fast internet search (thanks SA-Venues.com) we came across a gem of a place called Olifantsrus. We took the Self-Catering Package where we stayd by ourselves in a lovely seperate entrance of some sort.

I still enjoyed a few days rest at home after the fun times we had... But I must say... It was an unforgettable experience... something the family will remember for quite a while... Roll on December - another break away will do us some good!

Countdown to Annual Leave

Wish you could join me....

Weekend Madness

Well, its been a while since I've put something new on the pages... seems I'm not one of those daily bloggers, but I like it like that. To my friends and family that does pop in once in a while, you know me... LOL!

Anyways: We were blessed in sunny South Africa with yet another long weekend (with Monday, 24 September being Heritage Day). But: Before we get there weirdly enough the month of September my birthday list is BOMBARDED by friends, family and "How did that get there?"

Of importance is: 1 - Wifey's birthday, followed by: Sister in laws 1,2,3... True!

René, Elmarie, Glynis and Joylene.

This year I wanted to spoil Elmarie a tad - even though it was after the fact, we took her and our kids to Wimpy Zevenwacht Mall for a quick breakfast and shopping spree!

Strike a pose!

Aunt Elmarie: Can I have anything on the Menu? LOL!

Aunt & Jojo

The Wimpy Kids

Wimpy Mega Coffee - Nothing more!

Hello Kitty Ride afterwards for JoJo!

Arent they too cute for words?

Quality family time

With the days getting warmer and the weather definately

playing along... Its family time!

Brother in law (Justice) pad (in Panoramic View)

 While we prepare for a lovely feast with a lovely Curried Chicken Potjie,

my daughters jumped into the bath after their swim!

JoJo enjoying bathtime