Spirited Mama

Living a SPIRITED life filled with wanderlust, emotions and everything in between

52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 4 – Treasure people NOT possessions

By

On January 25, 2018

In About me, Goals

If you are following my series, I thank you. If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:

Week 1  – Living with intent

Week 2 – Be an example

Week 3 – Be YOU

Week 4 – Treasure people NOT possessions

This week’s lesson is as old as time but how many of us actually live by it? I was raised in the same house as my brother but we are in fact almost a decade apart, and definitely raised differently and in different times/worlds. Growing up we always had what we needed and/or wanted. We were blessed and fortunate. BUT where we lack is that emphasis was placed on possessions rather than people. Many would describe us as “being well off” but I didn’t see or think of it that way. As an adult, I see where these perceptions stem from. Now that I am a parent, my husband, aka Dude, and I have very different parenting styles to that of our parents. We are trying to place the emphasis on PEOPLE rather than possessions. And I sincerely hope that my boys, aka Dudie and Troll, will learn that valuable lesson.

People vs Possessions

People come and go in our lives. It’s is the circle of life. Possessions on the other hand is merely a bunch of materialistic goods that you have acquired in your life, whether you have worked for it,  earned it or perhaps inherited it. How do you place so much value on material things that exist in a temporary world? Your focus should be on the people in your life. Those people who share your life’s journey. Those very same people who encourage you to be the best version of you. Most of us have encountered a saying “some people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime”. #truth Some people teach us for an entire lifetime, some teach us for a short while and others…well some we need to let go of… My wish is that we find the reason or purpose and enjoy the person who is part of YOUR life. This is easier said than done but at least enjoy the friendship no matter what the lifespan may be.

Choose the “right” people for you

Not all people in your life is on your side, or in your corner. You will encounter people that are out to get you, that don’t wish anything good for you, and some are just plain mean and jealous of you. Don’t let that cramp your style. Move on and move forward. Some people are only there for a short period but can have the most profound effect on your life. Appreciate the people. Appreciate the lesson you gain from dealing with people. You may not always know why certain people cross your path but in due time all will be revealed.

What do you treasure? People vs Possessions? Be honest with yourself…

Spirited Mama

52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 3 – Be YOU

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On January 18, 2018

In About me, Goals

Hopefully by now you are aware of my series, 52 lessons for 52 weeks. If not, for Week 1 click here and Week 2 click here

Week 3: Thursday 18 January

Today as we celebrated the fact that we were blessed to open our eyes to a beautiful day, we also celebrated the Dudie starting Gr 3. How even did we get to this point in our lives SO quickly. It feels like yesterday that I looked a pregnancy test with two pink lines on it! We stood at line up watching the excitement, anxiety, joy, laughter and some tears being shared. I suspect the tears were all from newbie scholars. Then my eye caught Dudie, who happily walked right up to the front of the line and patiently waited for his name to be called. The lesson for week 3: Be YOU! The confidence Dudie exuded was beyond me. From the first day at school, he has always just been himself and found “his” space. This is a character trait that I would like to think he gets from his Mom 🙂 *pats myself on the back*

Be YOU

This week lesson is not only for myself but also for my kids. Be YOU! you can only be YOU. Don’t try to be like others. Don’t compromise yourself or your happiness. Once you know how to be you, you will in turn be good to others. If you are happy, you will spread your happy.

All around us we see too many people wanting to be like others. Compromising their lives, livelihood and happiness. Here’s a quote to live by:

You were born to STAND OUT!

I get that there are times where sacrifices are made for the greater good. Let’s not be stubborn or hard arsed. But believe me when I say, trust your gut. If you truly feel unhappy, unsure of something make sure YOU are happy with YOUR decision first. You will never please everyone, neither will you ever keep everyone happy. Ensure that YOU live your life. YOU make YOUR decisions. And be happy with YOUR decisions. Remember that every decision will have a consequence and sometimes repercussions. Make sure that YOU are happy with it!

Now let us get on our merry way and go sprinkle some happy!

Follow my journey in my 52 lessons for 52 weeks and discover with me, uncover with me, and grow with me. I’m petrified as to what I am opening myself up to BUT how else will I learn and grow if I don’t challenge myself to do greater things.

Are you YOU?

Spirited Mama

52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 2 – Be an example…

By

On January 15, 2018

In About me, Goals

This post is a little late but I’ve been having some technical difficulties and we were away from home for a few days. We squeezed in a quick trip to Cape Town just before Dudie starts school again. More about that in another post on another day.

Week 2: Be an Example

You may know about my journey of 52 lessons for 52 weeks. If not click here for week 1, which is also my introductory post. Week 2: Be an example focused on what example I am setting for my boys. The type of person I am, my character traits. The way I react to situations. The way I handle a melt down. As a parent it is not easy to ALWAYS keep your “cool” BUT you know those little eyes and ears are watching and listening to your every move. Parenting my boys is way more intense than any pressured job I’ve ever done! Be an example…how many times have you heard that? We all know it but do we really live it? I certainly don’t. I try but I falter an fall along the way side often. Here’s an example, Dudie is 8 years old and knows NOT to swear or cuss. As his parents we swear/cuss but we try not to especially in front of the kids. Dudie knows which words NOT to repeat. *High five to us* Now steps in Troll, aka the baby, who will be 1 year old in less than 10 days! Troll is at the mimicking and copying stage and we’ve noticed that he hangs on every word we say, and watches every move we make. He wants to copy us. Now we have picked up that Troll is mouthing the “F” sound…yes that’s right the “F” sound. Not to repeat words like “food, fruit, fun, face, etc” BUT the word he wants to copy is FUCK! Holy moly, we need to watch ourselves!!! We tend to let loose when Dudie is not around but forget we have a baby who is watching and listening.

Learning lessons the hard way

For me to teach myself some lessons, I’m digging into emotions buried way below my inner core…It’s hard, it’s scary but I know I need to do it to better myself. I’m doing it so that my boys will grow up to be brave enough to face their emotions instead of burying things and moving on and rather face whatever situation head on and deal with it right then and there. Case in point, my parents. We don’t get along. We are civil but we don’t get along. We are just way to different. We can be in the same company and not speak for the entire time and I would be fine with that. I don’t know how they feel about it but they are certainly not doing anything about it. I have moved on. Some hard decisions were made for me to be able to live my life. Yes they are the boys’ grandparents and we visit with them when we are in Cape Town but I’m sure as hell not going to break my neck trying to just fit them in to our lives. Some people just don’t work for you, so what would make your parents any different? I know I am raising kids and they might turn around and tell me that I don’t work for them but that is the chance I’m willing to take. A chance to give my boys an unconditional love, a life filled with family – because hey we have lots of other family who loves us and wants to spend time with us. A sincere upbringing to see what love actually is – it’s a feeling, an emotion that overpowers all other emotions!

Putting my lessons out in the universe for 2018

Some might say it’s karma or murphy’s law but since I put out my 52 lessons for 52 weeks I’m really being tested on these lessons. These lessons are not unique to me, I’m sure of it! Neither are they “NEW” lessons. I’m sure most people will find some, most or maybe all lessons something they can relate to. This series is suppose to be a learning experiment for me and hopefully I can find some humor in them and not always be so serious…I find that being an example is huge. I’m raising kids who I hope will someday grow into beautiful, respectful, humble young men. Men who will know how to treat others but not let others take advantage of them. I see them watching their Dad, aka Dude, all the time. I see them watching how he treats me and by golly if they take with them only a quarter of what their Dad is indirectly teaching them, they WILL know how to treat a woman like a queen!

I am not a confrontational person but I have been facing confrontation so often I feel like it may very well be part of my routine. So I’m pulling up my socks and showing my boys how to handle confrontation. Stand your ground. Don’t be a dumb ass. Listen and decipher the information but ultimately deal with the situation right then and there!

Let me continue to Be an example….we are having a pj day 🙂

Spirited Mama

Why I need routine…

By

On January 10, 2018

In About me

My free spirit needs routine?

I love to read. I always have. I can read anything that keeps my imagination and concentration in high gear. Being a mom has left me reading the ingredients on food labels or airfreshner cans or baby products because frankly I just don’t have the luxury of reading as much as I used to. Reading is part of MY routine. It calms my inner rebel. It allows me to escape to a wonderful world of truths and non-truths.

Being a student most of my time was spent reading prescribed books for modules…what a way to kill my creative spark! I’ve never liked the idea of conforming to societal norms. Think of me as a free spirit, also why I decided on the blog name Spirited Mama. Some might say I’m rebellious but this is ME. I can only do ME.

Even parents need ROUTINE

I love making lists. Do I get to everything on my to do list? Uhm, NO. I’m a parent, wife, employee, student, etc…oh and of course you know life happens in between.

I function best when I have routine. Even my kids thrive on their routines. There are days when my routine is out the window and then I get all anxious and just become overwhelmed until I decide to breathe, calm down and just do one thing at a time, albeit small and insignificant. Believe me it makes a huge difference to getting myself back on track.

I CAN perform very well under pressure But I prefer NOT to work under pressure ALL the time. Deadlines, deadlines and more deadlines.

As far as family life is concerned, we have a routine. ALL of us. We know what needs to happen and when. Even Troll gets out of sorts when the routine is not kept to. We are not a rigid family but I try and keep to routine as far as possible. With Dudie being 8 years old it is somewhat easier to “break” his routine from time to time, Troll not so much. But that being said as long as I have food and milk on hand the baby is as happy as a pig in mud.

A routine in draft mode

As we were nearing the end of 2017, things got a bit manic with deadlines and the last of the to do lists…you know the wind down period. So here is when I pat myself on the back for getting myself and my family ready for a new year and new adventures. The new year brings about a senior in Foundation Phase, Dudie is going to Grade 3! How even? It literally feels like I became a parent the other day but now I have a 8 year old who is very independent and opinionated. Troll will be a senior in his class at nursery school. Me – no longer a student! I’m taking a break from studying and will most likely enrol for postgraduate studies in 2019. What will I do with my “free” time? I’m going to sleep at a normal time like most people do. Why? Because as a mom/wife/employee/student etc I studied when everyone was in bed already – you know that life doesn’t stop just because you are studying…Life has to go on and you still need to fulfil your other commitments. Dude might be studying in 2018….

A major shift in my routine

On the work front, there is a major shift. I am moving to a different department! Cost saving and what not were all the reasons I was given by HR. At first I was extremely apprehensive about this shift. I mean I am NOT unhappy where I currently find myself so why would I want to leave? Let’s just say that the situation could have been handled in a different and better manner. I have prayed and thought about it, weighed up the pro’s and con’s but I can say that I am calm and at peace with what is to come. I’m choosing to look at this as an opportunity to grow. Finding my silver lining here, remember I’m doing 52 lessons for 52 weeks this year. If you haven’t seen it, click here With that said, I knew that we do not control what happens in life but we can choose how we react to what happens. No matter how much you plan…

It’s YOUR choice….

For now I need to get Dudie’s and Troll’s school things sorted. And we may sneak in a quick trip to Cape Town before the school year commences 🙂

How’s 2018 treating you thus far?

Spirited Mama

52 lessons

52 lessons for 52 weeks

By

On January 4, 2018

In About me, Goals

So we made it to the year 2018! Aren’t we blessed to see it? A new year, new opportunities, to new beginnings and to taking with us all the good/positives from 2017.

There are NO resolutions here

I am not one for new years resolutions. I know not to bull shit myself. I would much rather spend my time and energy on doing something positive for myself and my family without having to fret about a promise I made at the beginning of the year, which I know might only last for the month of January, if even that long. Kudos to those people out there who can stick to their respective resolutions BUT it just doesn’t work for me. I have tried it and failed dismally. Maybe the resolutions I made were not of purest intent. Maybe it wasn’t “MY” resolutions to begin with. Maybe I was jumping on a bandwagon of what I thought would be great resolutions to have…Whatever it was, it just wasn’t working for me.

2018 Intentions

Personally, I prefer to see myself living with “intent” this year. Not that I haven’t been doing it before but I want to be mindful of my choices and be consciously aware of what I am doing/what I am about to do, weighing up the “pros and cons”. I am challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone and dig deep into emotions buried so deep that it makes me breath a little faster just thinking about what I am about to do. Life is never “easy” but when we work at it we are nurturing our souls and strengthening relationships, creating lasting bonds and giving ourselves and others the “best” we can be. I am no easy feat when it comes to showing emotions. I struggle with this. ALOT. Starting of this new year had me thinking… we hear about “living your best life” or live each day like it’s your last” but what am I doing about it to live my best life. What if I wasn’t here tomorrow? God help me, as I long to see my boys grow up and find that special person to share their lives with, perhaps even have a few kids of their own. I decided to challenge myself with 52 lessons for 52 weeks for 2018.

Why 52 lessons for 52 weeks

Well, each and every week for the rest of this year I will challenge myself head on to deal with an emotion/problem that has hindered me in the past. I am not going to delve into my past but I will need to make some tough choices as I hold onto 2018 to live my best life. The weekly post may be filled with raw emotions, snot and ugly cries or perhaps some unicorns and rainbows. I know that it is necessary and I know that I need to voice it. I know that this may be the only way to be better.

Week 1 – Thursday 4 January 2018

None of that new year, new me bullshit. Week 1 – I am focusing on living with intent. I am not perfect but I am trying to be the best that I can be. This week I am focusing my energy on really living and by living I mean trying to find something good/positive in every moment, albeit hard the challenge is to find a positive to create a good memory. It is way too easy to just get pissed/upset if things don’t work out the way we want it to. The challenge is to analyse what is about to/or has happened and choose how to react to it. Choosing a positive reaction that is. Learning a lesson, so to speak!

I cringe every time I hear someone say “new year, clean slate”. I am still me and you have still done xyz to offend me etc etc, so what it’s a new year and we must now just all move on and start afresh? Not in Spiritville. I’m not holding grudges but I do think that it is way too easy for people to just get away with things that may have hurt/offended someone. SO instead of me trying to “fix” what others did, I am starting with me. Fixing MY wrongs, living with intent, consciously being aware of how my actions and reactions may affect ME, and those around me.

Join me in my 52 lessons for 52 weeks and discover with me, uncover with me, and grow with me. I’m petrified as to what I am opening myself up to BUT how else will I learn and grow if I don’t challenge myself to do greater things.

 

 

I would love to hear some of your lessons, if you have any to share. If you don’t want to comment below, feel free to drop me an email spiritedmamablog@gmail.com

 

Spirited Mama

 

Just keep swimming with Spurt_SA *win*

By

On December 4, 2017

In Competitions, Reviews

Spurt is the leading suppliers of swimming apparel in South Africa. The brand is loved for its innovative patterns and colours and comfortable fit. With an extensive range of accessories and swimming aids for beginners and athletes.  Shop today www.spurt.co.za

Why Swimming lessons ARE important

Dudie has been swimming with an instructor for almost 6 years of his life. This child is literally like a fish in water. He can take one deep breath and swim with only THAT one breath underwater for 25metres… I mean he is 8 years old. How is that even possible? He swims freestyle/breaststroke and backstroke with ease. He says “butterfly” is a little hard. Believe me if you must see my strokes (I don’t even know if I can call it strokes) you might feel the need to dive in and save me. In the featured image Dudie is sporting a silicone swimming cap and goggles from Spurt_SA. Even though the cap looked small, it fitted his head like a glove. I mean really who doesn’t want a shark fin, as Dudie calls it, on your head. Those goggles, man alive if your kid(s) uses goggles You will know what a pain it is to find good fitting goggles. I don’t use goggles but according to Dudie these goggles don’t go “fuzzy” like the others. What he is referring to is the anti fog feature on the Spurt_SA goggles. No need to remove and rinse your goggles. They stay clear. Dudie gave both products a thumbs up!

SHARK! Shark approaching

Swimming lessons is probably one of the most important lessons/gifts that you can possibly teach/give your child(ren).
 I have heard of way too many accidents around water and what freaks me out even more is that it happens within a split second. I would rather pay for swimming lessons than have a child that is not water safe (babies) or able to swim.
We have a pool at home so I’m ALWAYS on high alert when we are around water. Have you ever noticed how often you or your kid(s) come into contact with water? Maybe not at your home but when on holiday/visiting family or friends that have a swimming pool/perhaps there is a pool at school? Dudie swims in his school team. Not only does he do the compulsory class swimming applicable to every student at that school but also trains for the school team 3 times per week and then has 1 private lesson per week. This sounds insanely hectic but when you do what you LOVE then it doesn’t feel like work… (Side note – I wish my school had forced us to participate in class swimming.)

Where to get swimming lessons

I see the financial stress on families of trying to make ends meet and yes a swimming lesson might be out of budget now BUT what is stopping you or a fmaily member from teaching your kid(s) to swim? Unless you yourself can’t swim. Did you know that some public swimming pools offer swimming lessons sometimes free of charge and if not free it is a small fraction of the costs of a private swimming school?
I am a nervous wreck around kids and adults who CANNOT swim! Enough of my lessons, here is the FUN part!

WIN some swimming accessories for your child

Spurt wants to spoil a child with some swimming accessories which includes a funky silicone swimming cap, goggles and a nose clip. Dudie doesn’t use a nose clip but this Mom will be practising with it 🙂

Spurt_SA products

 To ENTER:

  1. Subscribe to my blog
  2. Comment on this blog post with the gender and age of your child
  3. Like my Facebook page, click here and tag a friend
  4. Like Spurt_SA on Facebook, click here

Earn additional entries:

  1. Follow me on Twitter @spirited_mama1 and tweet about this giveaway, remember to add a link to this blog post
  2. Follow @Spurt_SA on Twitter
  3. Follow me on Instagram, Spirited Mama, and tag a friend
  4. Follow Spurt_SA on Instagram

T’s & C’s

**Competition closes Friday 15 December 2017 .
Open to South African residents only.
Winner will be randomly selected. 
No correspondence will be entered into once a winner is selected.
Winner will be announced on my social media accounts and notified via email.
I reserve the right to disqualify invalid entries.
**

Ready! Set! Go!

Spirited Mama

***Prize may vary from the picture above.

 

Disclaimer: Spurt_SA sent us some swimming accessories to review. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

 P.S. Be safe around water this Summer!!!

*WIN* Power Rangers Ninja Steel

By

On November 27, 2017

In Competitions, Kids stuff

Power Rangers go way back

Go go Power Rangers….That song has been playing in my mind every time I see or hear anything Power Ranger related. I am 34 years old and I can remember watching the Power Rangers on TV2, remember it wasn’t always SABC 2 🙂 after school on week days. Every kid wanted to be a Power Ranger. Prior to the programme, my brother and sometimes when the cousins were around, and I would choose who we would be for the duration of the programme.

Today’s Power Rangers are wayyy cooler than what we used to watch…They have evolved. To be honest, I can’t remember what Power Ranger toys were available back then. Nevertheless, you need to check out the recent range. I’m sure your kids know it by now. Dudie ALWAYS knows what toys are available! I don’t know how but when we walk into a toy store he can describe what he is looking for to the T.

So when we got a surprise delivery from Prima Toys, Dudie thought it MUST be a late birthday gift for him. Low and behold when he opened that box, he found Power Rangers Ninja Steel toys! He shrieked “It’s for ME!” This child completely ignores the note with the recipients details. He checks the contents first and then checks who it is for. Needless to say, he gave me permission to be on my phone because he knows that being on my phone is also “work”…and he gets to benefit from blog drops 🙂

Power Rangers Ninja Steel in toy stores now!

Calling all Power Rangers! Gear up to battle monsters from across the galaxy with the latest selection of toys.  The new Power Rangers Ninja Steel product range is in toy stores now! Based on the brand new TV series featured on Cartoon Network this Spring, the new toys will please both old and new fans of the action series.

Collect your action figurines and accessories and assemble your very own bad guy fighting team. The Power Rangers Ninja Steel range includes an assortment of 12cm and 13cm basic and deluxe figures, the Ninja Steel deluxe battle gear, Steel Mega Morph vehicles and plenty more.

Why you should let your kids play with action figures

Chiquita Patrizi, spokesperson for Prima Toys says that playing with action figures is a great way for children to use their imagination and built their imaginative skills. “Figures such as Power Rangers Ninja Steel provide the opportunity for children to create stories and situations. By doing this, they are honing their communications skills, developing speech and building a vocabulary. This type of play is also a lot of fun!” explains Patrizi.

Playing with action figures can also help kids learn the difference between good and bad, as there are usually heroes and villains involved.  This provides the opportunity to develop skills that can help in real life social scenarios.

Visit your nearest toy store or retailer to check out the mighty Power Rangers Ninja Steel range of toys, or go to www.primatoys.co.za for more information. The new range is ideal for boys aged five and up.

BUT as girls can play with action figures too!

Here’s your chance to WIN something for your kid or yourself 🙂

POWER RANGERS NINJA STEEL MEGA MORPH

1 x Power Rangers Ninja Steel Morph Vehicle, valued at R399.99

These vehicles can transform into Ninja Power Stars and are able to combine with the Ninja Steel Megazord. Rev up the action with all new Power Rangers Mega Morph Vehicles. Each Mega Morph Vehicle is a heroic Ninja Star that can instantly morph into a powerful vehicle for endless adventure. Each Vehicle comes with an articulated 5‑inch Figure.

To ENTER:

  1. Subscribe to my blog
  2. Comment on this blog post
  3. Like my Facebook page, click here and tag a friend

Earn additional entries:

  1. Follow me on Twitter @spirited_mama1 and tweet about this giveaway, remember to add a link to this blog post
  2. Follow me on Instagram, Spirited Mama, and tag a friend

T’s & C’s

**Competition closes Friday 8 December 2017 at 10am.
Open to South African residents only.
Winner will be randomly selected. 
No correspondence will be entered into once a winner is selected.
Winner will be announced on my social media accounts and notified via email.
I reserve the right to disqualify invalid entries.
**

Ready! Set! Go!

Spirited Mama

**Prize may vary from the picture above.

 

 

 

Uncommon goods you never knew you needed…

By

On September 6, 2017

In Birthdays, Gifts, Shopping

***Sponsored***

Are you looking for uncommon goods?

Did you know Christmas is only 110 days away?

There are only 16 Mondays left for 2017.

Last year, granted I was pregnant and in and out of the hospital. I was not prepared for Christmas at all. I dragged my pregnant self through Menlyn Mall right up to 24 December to get the last gifts…

Well, this year I’m working smarter. I am doing most of my shopping online. And I’m getting a head start. I like buying 2/3 gifts per person in my household. If you are lucky enough to make it to my gift list, I’m very selective 😂, you will get 1 gift. Gifts are expensive yoh. And right now I think it would be wiser to invest in buying diapers😳 rather.

This is where Uncommongoods come and make your gift buying easier and simpler. You will find LOADS of goods from generic to personalized gifts, suited for any occasion. Right now, I’m focusing on these three categories:

Check out some Birthday Gifts for Her

Of course, I would be trawling this page as my birthday is only 42 days away and I need to get my wish list ready… There is SO much to choose from but I think these are my favourites right now:

Sign of the Zodiac necklace

Trinity Wooden cuff

Links of Love necklace

Find Cool Gadgets here

I can.not get enough of this link…Thinking of getting that Bioluminescent Dino Pet for Dudie’s big boy room makeover…This makeover is LONGGGGG overdue.

Left Brain Right Brain Bookends

F bomb paperweight

 

Bioluminescent Dino Pet

LED Lightbulb

Some Personalized Gifts to suit any person

Birth announcement pillows

 

Momma Bird Cuff

 

 

 

 

 

Mother nestling birds

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT UNCOMMONGOODS.COM

Our Uncommon Mission

At UncommonGoods, we’re working to change the way business is done by making sustainability a part of every decision we make. We’re steadily working to make UncommonGoods more environmentally friendly, socially responsible and an ever-more rewarding place to work.

Handmade, Recycled and Organic Products

We’re committed to offering you a creative and exciting merchandise assortment and are working with our suppliers – from artists to small manufacturers – to make their products in a more socially and environmentally responsible manner. Since our founding, we’ve featured products that contain recycled components and have not sold products containing leather, feathers or fur – we’re committed to selling products that do no harm to people or animals.

We make it easy to shop from South Africa with:
  • All prices in South African Rand
  • Duties and taxes calculated at checkout
  • Low international shipping rates
  • Guaranteed landed costs (no additional charges at delivery)

If you do nothing else today go visit uncommongoods.com I bet you WILL find something you like 🙂 One other thing, they actually give you the story behind the product. Once you view an item, you will find a blurb about the author/creator on the right-hand side. Giving credit where it is due…

Happy shopping! I can’t believe I’m counting down the days until Christmas already!

Spirited Mama

Disclaimer

This is a sponsored post. The words and opinions expressed are my own except the part “About Uncommongoods” 🙂

It’s been 1 year…

By

On August 28, 2017

In Cancer, Mamma, Reflections

Can I just rewind for 1 year?

This photo was taken the day after Mamma passed on. Credit goes out to my Dude for capturing the grey skies, which is exactly what we felt in our hearts…an uncertainty of how to move on from here….

It’s been 1 year since I said goodbye to Mamma. I whole year without her yet it only feels like it was yesterday…the heartache is still there but it’s not as raw as it used to be. I can look at her photo without feeling an emotional storm brewing inside of me.

This morning I was extremely restless, granted we only got home at 1am from ER but that is a post for another day….I only went to bed after 2am and by then I was too exhausted to sleep. Do you also experience this? I get to a point where I’ve missed my cues to sleep.

I woke up just after 4am, and realised last year this time was my “calm” period. I felt something, it was in fact euphoria. And in that moment I realised it was in fact my last time with Mamma. On 28 August 2016 @ 04:22 (I know the exact time as I just checked my phone and used the torch app to look at Mamma) , she breathed her last breath out over my hand. It was bittersweet but I am extremely grateful and honored that I got to share her last moments with her. If you missed my list you can read it here Cancer Won…

When I got out of my bed I stepped on something. There was nothing before when I walked the same space just an hour ago. I grabbed my torch, my Troll was sleeping in his bed and I didn’t want to wake him, I found a rubber fish on the mat. That fish was on my keys. How on earth did it get there when my keys were hanging inside? I knew, Mamma was there.

Life after death

Perhaps she came to say hi/goodbye. Perhaps she just came to check in. I am not superstitious but I do believe in signs and life after death. I forgot to check a specific orchid plant that Mamma bought Dude a few years ago. Last year that orchid had the most beautiful flowers. It also lasted the longest. I have checked it last week and there were many buds already. Now we just wait for the buds to open.

Moving forward

Although, I felt emotional this morning that very emotional state has now become a happy emotional state. Remembering the fond memories I have of her, the time we spent together, even the arguments we had. We loved each other fiercely. I miss her so. She was a beautiful person, but very straight forward. If she didn’t like something she would tell you in no uncertain terms, and there’d NO sugar coating. Some may have taken offense but that is just who she was. She was a happy person, always saying if you are feeling down/sad/depressed/angry/etc just go work off that energy in the garden. Mamma passed away  on a Sunday, we came home for a quick check on things the Monday evening. Tuesday And Wednesday I was broken. I remembered her words and got my pregnant, I was pregnant with Troll at the time, self out of the house and raked up leaves…I spent the entire morning in the garden, working and crying and after that I had a renewed sense of being.

Grief

Grief is difficult but even more so when we see how our kid(s) grieve. Dudie was extremely emotional and even now still misses Mamma terribly. But we allowed  him to grieve her. We even just sat and cried with him at times. We allowed him as much time and space to deal with his emotions. It has definitely become easier to talk about her and see photos of her. For ALL of us.

Spirited Mama

P.S. I still need to plan that Namibian boat cruise that we wanted to do together…I wish Mamma was still around as I can only imagine the excitement as we would have planned this trip…

It’s Play Day..so “Let them play”

By

On August 24, 2017

In Christmas, Dudie, Family, Games, Gifts, Kids, Kids stuff

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Let them play…Those words still hover in my mind since the #PrimaTopToys event where the top toys were revealed for the Festive Season 2017! What a fun time the adults had playing with the toys. We got to let loose our inner child without worrying about what others would think of us oohing and aahing over kids’ toys. Let’s be honest, as a parent if you are not convinced will you really buy your child a particular toy?

“Prima Toys is one of Southern Africa’s leading importers and distributor of toys and games; bringing the world’s most famous toy brands and characters to children across various African countries“

I remember one of my first dolls was a Prima Toys doll, a gift from my father’s friend who I think at the time worked for Prima Toys….I wish I had a picture of her.
I’m not a typical girl who played with dolls but I do remember that doll…
Being at the event evoked an emotion, at the time I couldn’t put my finger on it. Whilst playing with the toys in the goodie bag, I remembered the doll and how that doll was a Prima Toys product.

Funny how destiny or fate works…who knew that many many years later I will cross paths with Prima Toys again.

I’m definitely a boy mom and I love the toys as much as Dudie. Troll at this stage is too little to comprehend what is happening. But, he is besotted with his Teletubbie, PO. He giggles and even has a soundbyte of the actual Teletubbies music.

Dudie, obviously, raided the goodie bag I received. He loved the toys BUT that Ben10 Omnitrix was his favourite….until I showed him the hamper that I won…Gracious, that child’s eyes were ready to pop out his head. Why? Because there was a Ben10 Omnitrix Deluxe in there. He wears an Omnitrix on each arm…

And he had just seen the TV ad a few days prior to teh event and really really wanted one. Well, that was me getting the Mom of the Year award from Dudie. Granted, my status might not last long, as any parent knows you can go from hero to zero in 2 seconds flat, but I’ll revel in it for now.

The phrase, “Let them play” has constantly been on my mind. As parents, we are so busy with life/work/kids/etc/etc and sometimes we forget to stop and just be present. Similarly, we forget to just let our kids play. And to play with our kids. Dude and I have had the discussion that it seems lately we have been in “survival mode”. We have consciously made a decision to stop and have at least one “play” session per week night. Weekends are more chilled and we all get to have down time. It’s the weekdays with school/work/extra murals that consume our time.

So Thursdays are reserved for “play” in the evening. Tonight we will play 🙂

Happy Play day!

Mom’s favourite, even though I have NEVER managed to get all the colours in the right order! But I will keep trying 🙂

Spirited Mama

Disclaimer

This is not a sponsored post. Opinions and views shared my own.

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