Market Day

Today has been a busy day. Our CRM project at work went Live, and at about the same time a memory resident virus rendered my laptop pretty much unusable. Our Network Engineer was too busy to help and our work AV software is pathetically useless, so I downloaded my own fixes and solved it myself *bow*. Still it took ages.

Then I FINALLY got around to applying for this year's Uncle Paul's Christmas Party. I had kind of intended to skip it this year, but I mentioned it to the boys and they both said they REALLY want to go, and since it is the last year they are eligible (age wise) I can't really say no. It is quite a magical evening for the kids and they really enjoy it. The only complication is the Rotary Club INSISTS you pay by cheque. WTF!? Who even has a cheque book anymore?? Why we can't pay by eft I will never know... So while the AV software was scanning my machine (all 250GB), I dashed off to the bank to get a bank cheque to pay with. This 5 min task took about an hour - grrr. They insisted that my signature needed to be verified, even though I pointed out that it was right there on both my bank card AND drivers license...Banks - HATE them! On the way out I got donuts for the team at work, to congratulate/reward them for the successful launch. So no one minded I'd been gone so long ;)

When I got home, Tiny told me the vacuum cleaner is now FUBAR. Yay another thing to replace!! Whatever :/ So when the boys went over the wall to go play at the neighbour's house, I snapped up the opportunity to go for a run to dis/re-charge. I ran to the gym and snuck a 20 minute session on the Power Plate. Love that thing! =)

Then ran home, started getting dinner sorted out, and then had to get started on Griffin's task for this week. His school is having a 'Market Day' later in the week, and he has to make something to take along to sell there. They said it could be anything, as long as the kids were involved in making it. I was a bit short on creative ideas, but was thinking at least something edible is likely to be popular. I was still a bit stumped until Griffin reminded me we could make our 'Christmas Cookies'. Of course! Every year in December we make a big batch of decorated cookies. Some of them go on our Christmas Tree, and a special one is saved to put out for 'Father Christmas', and the rest we snack on throughout December.

So this evening we got down to it, mixing up 4 different colours/flavours of cookie dough and making teddies and hearts. Apart from our stupid bloody oven - which always burns stuff on one side while it stays undercooked on the other - they turned out quite well.
Griffin had fun, and told me that he had the "Best Time" tonight. :)

Our week-end... a story in pictures.

Wow what a fun-filled, busy and amazing week-end. It was fantastic on so many levels!

After the festivities of Halloween on Friday evening, we woke up early on Saturday morning to attend my end of year yoga function. It is now a tradition for the teacher to host a mass class in a school hall (where she used to teach), followed by brunch at her house.

I had to take the boys with me this year. They started off outside playing in the school playground, and half-way through the class they snuck in quietly and did the rest of the class along side me. Which was really nice. Griffin was quite earnest about it, but bit flailing. Quinn is more capable but more of a clown. But they stayed totally quiet and quite focused, and they were complimented afterwards for their good behaviour. *beame* I thoroughly enjoyed the class, and had a really good stretch and work-out, and found it very relaxing and invigorating. I just LOVE yoga!

We went of to the brunch which as usual was absolutely delicious. Fresh fruit, yoghurt, nuts, cheeses, croissants and freshly brewed teas & coffee etc. And of course her now legendary baked cheesecake. We all anticipate that all year!

After that we had to hop in the car and dash off to a party at the Phillippi Adventure Farm. It is a lovely place and the weather was absolutely perfect. Not to hot, not too cold, not windy (for a change) just right! The animals were all happy and strutting their stuff and the party was relaxed and lovely.

This is us just after we arrived at the party...

Being the ape descendant I am I wasted no time climbing ropes and trees and generally being a twit... something I am sure will become embarrassing to my children sooner or later, but for now they seem to kind of enjoy it. Me up in the trees... on a tyre swing (and then I gave myself a misplaced rope burn!) ;)

Griffin and I then went off for a walk around the farm on our own. It was nice to have some one-on-one bonding time chatting to him. He is such a sensitive soul. He thought all the baby animals were 'so keeewt!!!'. This is some of what we saw on our walk...

Quinn totally fell in love with this duckling. He rescued it when it got separated from it's mom & siblings... He so wanted to keep it....I eventually convinced him we should go look for its family so we could reunite them, which we did. Awww!

The Adventure Farm also had some beautiful peacocks strutting their stuff. Wow they looked spectacular. I managed to get this close up of a fully open tail on display. Isn't he lovely??

I also got a very special and surprise phone call while at the party. It meant a huge amount to me!

Then we had to hop in the car again, dash home to get some dress up clothes for Griff and then speed him to his next party. I went home to clean the pool and do general stuff around the house and then it was time to go collect him again. We were all exhausted by that time and snuggled up to eat Pizza and watch 'Finding Nemo' before heading off to beds which were calling loudly.

On Sunday I had a wonderful run, and then we met up with the BabyNet gang for breakfast at the Millstone Cafe at Oude Moulen. I did some more tree climbing and tyre swinging before settling down to behave a bit more adult-like with the other moms ;)

After that the boys got taken for a walk in the forest with the respective dogs, by our neighbours. I briefly considered dashing out to the gym, but then decided I'd much rather have my bum firmly planted on the couch. I then promptly fell asleep. I have not had an afternoon nap in ages... probably about a year now. I woke up when the doorbell rang signalling the boy's return and I got such a fright and was so disoriented. I thought I had slept through the night!

Once I recovered we got ready to go off to meet some of my work friends for drinks and then Go-Karting (which I have posted about already), we got back at about 9pm.

As I said a fun and busy week-end. I loved it!

Adrenalin-Junkie Alert

Man just got back from a work Go Karting Social and man it ROCKED! Big time. =)

I have only done it once before, about 4 years ago, with about 8 guys that I worked with at the time. They pretty much kicked my ass, and I was a bit intimidated, as they were a bit aggressive with the over taking.

This time I am older, and a bit more hard-core and daring. They teamed me up with the other 2 girls. Well, I whipped their little asses. I won by 2 & 4 laps respectively, and my fastest lap time was 24.7sec to their 30 something seconds... *rolls eyes* Girls! I actually hate being teamed with the girls especially in game like 30-seconds I get all frustrated when they are so bad at it (AND don't even care!) LOL.

Anyway then the guys raced afterwards, and while they were all faster than me (I bet I could get there if I tried! ), their lap times were 23.xx seconds) so not THAT much faster than me. I am so getting them back there, so I can challenge them.
What a rush!

My boys had such a blast too we found an empty parking lot close by and I did some circles/donuts in the car for them (NO drifting thanks I am not insane) and they though it was pretty rad. ;)

What a fun evening!
Jane Schumacher

I'm Easy To Please

Coldplay - Easy To Please

Love, I hope we get old
I hope we can find a way
Of seeing it all
Love, I hope we can be
I hope I can find a way
Of letting you see
That I'm so easy to please
So easy

Love, I hope we grow old
I hope we can find a way
Of seeing it all
Love, I hope we can be
I hope I can find a way
Of letting you see
That I'm so easy to please
So easy

Insane in the Membrane

My boys being their crazy selves at home one night...


Thanks to Louis for the filming and editing.

Colour Quiz

Holy f'ing crap... how can selecting a few colours be this revealing?? I am floored!

I usually take these things with a large pinch of salt, but Laura posted this, and said her results were accurate, so I decided to give it a try... here are my results.

Jane took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Longs for tenderness and for a sensitivity of feel..." Click here to read the rest of the results.

Your Existing Situation

Persistent. Demands what she feels to be her due and endeavors to maintain her position intact.

Your Stress Sources

The existing situation is disagreeable. Feels lonely and uncertain as she has an unsatisfied need to ally herself with others whose standards are as high as her own, and wants to stand out from the rank and file. This sense of isolation magnifies the need into a compelling urge, all the more upsetting to her self-sufficiency because of the restraint she normally imposes on herself. Since she wants to demonstrate the unique quality of her own character, she tries to suppress this need for others and affects an attitude of unconcerned self-reliance to conceal her fear of inadequacy, treating those who criticize her behavior with contempt. However, beneath this assumption of indifference she really longs for the approval and esteem of others.

Your Restrained Characteristics

Feels trapped in a distressing or uncomfortable situation and seeking some way of gaining relief. Able to achieve satisfaction from sexual activity.

Circumstances are such that she feels forced to compromise for the time being if she is to avoid being cut off from affection or from full participation.

Your Desired Objective

Longs for tenderness and for a sensitivity of feeling into which she can blend. Responsive to anything aesthetic and tasteful.

Your Actual Problem

Disappointment at the non-fulfillment of her hopes and the fear that to formulate fresh goals will only lead to further setbacks have resulted in considerable anxiety. She is trying to escape from this into a peaceful and harmonious relationship, protecting her from dissatisfaction and lack of appreciation.

Your Actual Problem #2

Wants to be valued and respected, and seeks this from a close and peaceful association of mutual esteem.
I really can't argue with the results at all... This is eerie!

See if you get an accurate result!

Wicked Witch of the West

I am so tired I can hardly think straight... but here are pics of our Halloween.

About 30 cubs descended on my house... and they were manic! They had a 'Monster Bus' tour and I was stop 7 of 10 houses they visited. They only got back at 9:15pm and my 2 have JUST gone to bed now... Yoh!

Another group of kids arrived before that and I climbed up and peered over the wall and roared 'What do you want!!!?' I think they (and their moms) nearly pee'd their pants! Heehee. When they said 'Trick or treat, give us something nice to eat' I said 'I eat little children!' and their eyes went wide... Then I threw them a bunch of sweets and they were happy (Remember we live like 2-3 houses away from a huge old house called 'The Ghost House'.)

Me just before they arrived:

The boys and I this year:

Us and the loot:

The cubs arrive!


There are loads more incredible photos of the entire Monster Bus tour HERE.

Including this awesome one of 'The Ghost House' which is right near our house.

No more keeping my feet on the ground.

Coldplay - No More Keeping My Feet on The Ground

Sometimes I wake up, and I'm falling asleep,
And I think that maybe the curtains are closing on me,
But I wake up,
Yes I wake up,
Smiling.
Sometimes I feel that the chance is surprising,
Surprisingly good to be moving around,
So I wake up,
Yes I wake up,
Smiling.
So what? I feel fine,
I'm ok, I've seen the lighter side of life,
I'm alright, I feel good,
So Ill do, Ill try to stop moving,
Sometimes I wake up, and Im falling asleep,
And I've got to get going so much that I wanted to do,
Yes I wake up,
Smiling.
And this could be my last chance,
This may be my only chance,
Yeah this could be my last chance,
No more keeping my feet on the ground.
Sometimes I feel that the chance is surprising,
Surprisingly good to be moving around,
And I move,
And I wake up,
Smiling.
So what? I feel fine,
I'm ok, Ive seen the lighter side of life,
I'm alright, I feel good,
So I'll do, well its time to stop moving.
And this could be my last chance,
This may be my only chance,
Yeah this could be my last chance,
No more keeping my feet on the ground.
There's nothing to keep me,
Nothing to keep me.