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

Tag: happiness Page 5 of 8

Easter 2013… It’s really over… Already…

And now we wait for … Christmas!!!!! Seriously, where has the year gone?

So after our Roadtrip, we wished for the Easter long weekend. Not that I want to wish time away, we just wanted the time-off from work…

(As soon as I got to work on Monday, Dude bbm’s me that we need to find a place to book for the weekend. The long weekend. Easter weekend!!! I don’t think that my Dude realises that other folks book “peak” holiday periods almost a year, if not longer in advance!!!!! I really tried for a day. Google/I called/I researched… But then reality hit me – This is task is putting me under duress!!! And I’m not having it. And I relayed that message as is to Dude. And that was the end of it. I also said that he can find a place if he wants to go away. I’m done. See no more stressing. Me counting down the working hours until the long weekend!!!! Happiness)

The Spirited Household loves loves loves chocolate!!!!! We are obsessed. I kid you not! I had been “Easter” shopping since January :-). Generally, chocolate lasts a week tops in our house. And it usually ends up with someone being pissed off/ crying/whining/moaning that “their” chocolate is gone!!!! We are ALL guilty of this. We take turns. We do not share chocolate easily. Not even with each other…Dude has mastered a technique – he grabs, runs off, rips the wrapping in the getaway process and gobbles it down. Me – I wait until after dark 🙂 when they’re asleep. Or I sneak it whilst cooking or supposedly going to put on more comfy clothes/shoes in the bedroom – ALONE! Dude – just tells us straight “I’m NOT sharing” and that’s that… See why Dudie perfected his routine. Genius child of mine.

So I bought some chocolate. I tried to restrain myself. It was tough but I kinda managed. But I also sent Dude with instructions on what to buy as we really needed more.  Needless to say  when he saw the stash, he freaked a bit “But why did you ask me to buy more?” Oh, 3 bunnies were omitted in the pic as I forgot about them…. The Dude stashed them without my knowledge. He only told me on Sunday that there were three other bunnies too.

Behold: (seeing this made me feel like a kid again)

stash 2

I did a mad dash through the garden to hide the Easter treats(Not all of the above though) as a very patient yet excited little boy was getting ready for his Hunt on Saturday… I did bribe him with the Hunt so he could have an afternoon nap so technically we had chocolate late afternoon…

We do not go to church on Good Friday. (generally, I really can’t imaging sitting through an extended service with Dudie.) But do go to the “Service of Light” on Easter Sunday at 5:30am. Yes, all 3 of us!!!! It’s as special as the midnight mas s on Christmas Eve. A tradition that I hope we can continue ever and ever, as Dudie would say. This year, I thought the service starts at 5am. So I mentally psyched myself as well as the boys for the early rise on Sunday. And I bribed Dudie to be good and go to bed early so that we can watch them light the Easter candle in “The Garden of remembrance”  at Church and then light our candles and sit inside church, we sit in the mother’s room on Sundays – less drama and no one even notices any disruptions, then have breakfast and score a free easter egg at church. Win-win all round.

I rally the boys thinking that the service starts at 5am. We arrive at Church 5:15am… Then I say to Dude – maybe you were right. Maybe the service starts at 5:30… “cos it highly unlikely that its only these few cars at church… Well we were very early. We got a good spot in the garden and a great seat in church. A lovely hearty breakfast and a few easter eggS!!!! Happiness all round.

Oh, Dudie asked if we could please do another hunt. In our house it’s all about compromise. So I said sure but only if we hide the eggs you got yesterday. He agreed. So we had our 2nd Easter hunt on Sunday. The dogs caught onto the chocolate hunt and ate stole some bunnies wrappers and all… Thankfully, Dudie lost count of how many he was supposed to have.

Hope you had a wonderful Easter and that you actually remember the “true” meaning of celebrating Easter. Dudie told and retold us the story about Jesus dying on the cross and how God was sad, the people were naughty and all sorts of things but it always ended with the question “Does God and Jesus have lots of Easter eggs in Heaven?” I downloaded some stories on my Ipad. Great! But one of them really became my favourite – the one that had the Narrator with a Chinese accent. Funny peculiar…

So we stayed home and over indulged in chocolate. Dude gave Dudie strict instruction that he’s only allowed two Easter eggs per day. Of course the genius child chose the bigger bunnies first… Smart kid that one.

Spirited Mama

Getting my Sudwala on…

We arrived in good health and ready for adventures…

on Tuesday, we left home j 5am, and of course i had to stop at McDonalds for my Cafe Latte, a large coffee for Dude and a hot chocolate for Dudie. Topped up with diesel and then we officially hit the road. What a drive….Dudie asked that his dad sits with him so I was the designated driver. It was  all good until just before Witbank. The mist was BAD!!!!!  And we had mist for most of the drive. In some instances it was so bad that i had zero visibility. In kid you not. The rear lights ob the cars ahead were not even visible.

but we made it by the grace of God. I kinda ignored the GPS and drove towards Nelspruit. I was starving and decided i need to find breakfast. And knowing Dude, if we got to the resort first, we wold unpack, settle, or make breakfast andbi really wasnt in the mood. I just wanted someone to serve me some breakfast. i pulled into the Ultra city but instead of a Wimpy breakfast, we opted for the Farmhouse coffee shop. Excellent choice. Yummy omlettes and full english breakfast. Slushpuppies and Cafe Mochas….Delicious

I must admit that i do love it when people announce your arrival but they have absolutely no idea who you are, they assume that you are the family booked in at Chalet 109 🙂 the lodge staff announced, welcome Spirited. family, as we walked in….we unpacked in record time, i unpack everything-food, clothes, shoes, toiletries…and set off to explore.

we visited the Sudwala Dinosaur park, had more slushpuppies(did I mention it’s scorching hot here), had a sneak peak of the caves but decided to do the caves another day.

This morning, i baked savoury muffins, we had a morning walk(all dressed up in our Mr Price Maxed apparel-lol), Dude and I had a 45 min squash game, played foosball, etc,etc,etc

Tonight, we’re tired but hoping to recharge for tomorrow. Adventure awaits. We’re off to Pilgrim’s Rest, Graskop, and the Panorama route. O yeah, we’re going to see if we can find out exactly where Jock of the Bushveld lived.

cheers for now,

Spirited Mama

Playlists

I’m up to my eyeballs in work but I’m mellow and chilled in the office as the only thing that I can think of right now is working on a playlist for our Road trip…

Dudie has told me what he wants and thank goodness it’s not anything nursery rhyme related/the wheels on the bus (my wheels might come off if that’s on my playlist…) instead my child has a very open mind to all genres of music. JUST like ME 🙂 And I love that he loves music so much.

He wakes to blaring (yes, sometimes we are blasting the music early in the morning) and it really get us me into the mood for the day ahead. I put the music on just before I get into the shower so by the time I get out, he’s rolling around on his bed or dancing in front of the mirror in my room. Sneaky sneaky but it gets him out of bed without me having to moan about it constantly.

<On Sunday – Dude turned the music down in the room as he was still sleeping when I put it on. LOL But I just went to put it back on in the living room 🙂 LOUD!!!>

Right now some favourites for both Dudie & I (in no particular order except maybe Maroon 5, are:

Maroon 5

Bruno Mars

Cee Lo Gree

Usher

Lighthouse Family(Classic)

Deseree – Life – I have forgotten how much I like it until it played on Trace the other day and Dudie, who is way too young to know it, pipes up “Mommy, I like that music”

Justin Timberlake – Suit & Tie

Daughtry – No surprise (classic)

Alicia Keys – Girl is on Fire

Lira

These are just a few that I can think of off the cuff but I can assure you our list is endless. Just for teh record I will pack 1 sing along nursery rhyme book. But that’s where I draw the line.

What are your favourite road trip songs?

Spirited Mama

P.S. I’ve been extremely bloated teh last few days and the other day I let a fart slide…. Dudie says “Mama your peop says hello” LOL – where did I ever get this precious child.

 

 

1 Year Blog-aversary….

Sooooooooo, it’s been 1 year to the day that I wrote my first blogpost. I’m sort of in disbelief that I’ve been blogging for a year. Where did the time go?

Although it’s Saturday and believe me I would’ve  loved to lie in…(Thanks Murphy – just today the Dudie decided to sleep past his normal waking time(6-6:30am…) he was actually still asleep when I left at 7:25am. I am at WORK!!!! I have to work today. And next Saturday too! We work from 8am – 1pm. As I left home, I made a U-TURN back to KFC for a “Eggs Benedict and cappuccino” breakfast, the drive through cost me an extra 15 minutes, so  I was late for work. BooHoo. I enjoyed my breakfast. I enjoyed the morning drive. Open highway, I could really drive. Fast. And I did. And I loved it. (I am a speed junkie. I have to constantly remind myself that I need to obey the speed limit. I do, when I have my family or fellow passengers BUT when I am alone… My music is blaring, and I’m exhilarated by the thrill of the open roads…)

Within 30minutes of getting to work, we got Latte’s and croissants…And 10minutes later more coffee and muffins… Let me just say that I’ve overdosed on coffee, half of the muffin s still staring at me and my croissant well I think I’ll give it to Dudie… Way to much food for my liking! Even though I love food, it just too much right now.

So on that note, I’m patting myself on the back for my official 1st Anniversary! My blog started off with a very negative spin but with some humour, I hope… And it has transformed into my happy, ok sometimes not so happy but it’s filled with life and real emotions blog an I’m loving it…

Cheers

I’m off to go get some water!

Happy weekend folks

Spirited Mama

Coffee

P.S. We are going out with our Quadbikes tomorrow. This will be Dudie’s first “Official” quadbike outing. My nerves are shot. But I cross my fingers and my toes that all will be well and safe tomorrow….

P.P.S This will be the first time I get on my quad in almost 4years…. I hope I still remember how to ride. I have a manual bike…. Why is it so difficult to find tracks in Gauteng. Any riders out there please do tell about “happening spots”. The place we used to frequent closed down…

The case of the missing Oxtail Potjie left overs…

So you may have read about how I ended up at Wilgers ER but don’t fret I’m ‘A’ for away. No rest for the wicked….

So in between all the fine dining, drinking, partying, just living in true spirited style my Dude made us some delicious Oxtail Potjiekos. (For those who do not know what I’m referring to – You cook your food in a cast iron black pot over coals(firewood/coal fire). It is mouthwateringly tasty. I generally feel that left over Potjiekos(about a day old) tastes way better…

potjies have to be so expensive? We bought a flat based pot to make “Potbread” but is yet to try it out…>

Back to the point. So one day last week, I decided we are cleaning out the fridge, eating all edible left overs and chucking the rest. The spirited family (Dude, Dudie & I) gather in the kitchen and we take on the Fridge! We ate watermelon, cheese, desserts, yoghurts, mango, peaches and then we find the ‘Oxtail”….Ta da da dam! So Dudue decides we’re gona warm it up and go sit down at the table like civilised people who are about to share the most delicious food ever….(As most men, my Dude suffers from “I-Do-NOT-KNoW-WHAT/WHEre- ANYTHING-I’M-Looking-FOr-BUT-I-JUST-HAD-IT-A-Minute-AGO- SYNDROME!) I’m not kidding – he will stand infront of his closet stare at his shirts and continue to ask me where his white shirt is? WTF? It’s right there staring back at YOU! Or the infamous – WHere are my shoes? Really? Like you wore them so how the fck should I know where you put them.

Amidst the cleanup – he asks me “where’s the Oxtail?”  This is how it went down:

Me: How should |I know? You just had it…

Dude: But I put it down on the counter… Now it’s gone!

Me: You know how you misplace things…. Maybe you put it back in the fridge?

Dude: I’ll check. Fck, I just had it.

Then we realise Dudie is no longer there…. So we go searching. We find Dudie sitting infront of the security gate feeding the dogs… yes, the oxtail….Dude runs to rescue it but alas it’s too late. They have devoured 60% of the contents and Dudie is now screaming frantically that it’s for the dogs. We surrender the food and leave him to feed the dogs. We ate crackers with cream cheese… BLEH….

Note to self: Watch child around food. Dude will feed those dogs ANYTHING! As a baby, I was once caught him sharing his dried mago strips with the one dog. He would lick it then let her lick repeat process. True Story. I shudder to think what else they may have shared. Recently, i caught him trying to feed the cockatiels chicken and the drumstick bone…. I calmly said, baby They don’t eat themselves chicken. They will get very very sick. I’m sad to report that our one bird has passed on but we do not know the cause of death…

Spirited Mama

P.S. I’m very busy at work at the moment and hardly have time to pee nevermind lunch. I got to work an hour late this morning, due to delays with the GAUTRAIN!!! Thanks a mil!

P.P.S. My cousin had a baby girl yesterday!

2013???? Already!!!!

Phew, to say that this festive season flew by is an understatement. Where did the time go??? For part of my festive season I do wish I can “rewind” and just relive that moment. Some moments were priceless and they are etched in my soul so deep that no can remove them. Family time is important but nothing comes close to “Quality Family Time”.  The love, laughter, joy and happiness that comes along with it is truly magical.

This Christmas I truly had a magical Christmas! We just soaked up one another. It wasn’t all rosy but the good definitely out weighed the bad.

Yesterday, I started working again. It’s was horrible yet liberating at the same time. As much as I adore Dudie, we all need that “alone ” time form one another. So when I announced that it’s school time he wasn’t overjoyed but wasn’t exactly sad about it either. This morning he had a skip in his step as we walked to his class. He was happy, singing and bare feet ‘cos his Teacher said that he can leave his shoes off….

SO for now, I’m catching up to 400 emails. Trying to snack on healthy stuff and keep myself well hydrated ‘cos damn it’s HOT in Gauteng!!!!!

Happy 2013 All!!!!!

Spirited Mama

Be happy

The morning after Christmas

It is just after 1am and I’m vegging out on the couch waiting for my washing machine to finish its cycle… I washed 4table cloths.  I cleaned the kitchen, mopped the floors and packed away all the food, read squeezed everything into the fridge as I’m worried it gets too hot and the food will go off.

What an awesome Christmas we had. We started with midnight mass at 23:00, Church need at 12:30ish, on route home Dude stopped to pick up McDonalds for us.  We had McD’s and champagne at 1am. Dude, my gran, her sister, myself, and all whilst Dudie slept. We played Christmas music, laughed, ate,drank, face timed family, and eventually got to bed just before 3am. Dudie script into our bed in the wee hours of the morning, I was too tired to notice. We eventually got up after 7, did a “just wing it” breakfast and proceeded to Finish the food.

We had gammon, leg of lamb, beef roast, chicken, seafood, oxtail,veggies, salad, etc…. Oh and ice-cream, trifle and cake….cupcakes too. All for 6adults and 3 kids. What a feast we had. And how delicious it was. We laughed and had champagne, tequila coffee, beers, savannas, water, juice and sodas…. We played dominoes, shared memories created new new memories too. This was definitely a very special Christmas for all f us. One that we will talk about for a very very very long time to come.

im having a leftover cheese burger and a glass of milk. Going to hang out my table cloths and then I’m off dreamland as I know it won’t be long until Dudie wakes up. That child does not sleep later than 7:30am…..

i do hope that you all had a blessed merry Christmas.

Spiritedmama

xoxoxo

image

I got my Ipad 4!!!!!!

So Christmas came early, for me 🙂

I di some research, and by chance a gentleman mentioned yesterday that the stock of the Ipad 4 will be arriving next week as they only have two units left. So in a mad rush to get home, the boys and I were off to Menlyn to hunt down this Ipad 4.  And luck was on my side. They had received stock earlier and was ready to sell them.

So my Dude got me one. Isn’t she a beauty? I love it.

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To say that I am happy is an understatement. I am beside myself! ANd thank you to the lovely ladies for giving me their comments when I was still unsure…. This morning Dudie and I had a tussle over MY Ipad. I calmly reminded him that it was in fact MINE and that he is allowed to used it under my or Dude’s supervision.

Next stop, buy Leappad 2 for Dudie so that he can leave my Ipad alone. I have convinced Dude that Dudie NEEDS a Leappad 🙂

Happy Friday Folks.

Spirited Mama

I only got to work at 12:45 today. I’m not kidding. I will not tell you why but it was time well spent with Dudie, impromptu cake shopping, dashing into Woolworths food market amongst other adventures… Let me go spread out the cake on the tables as I am so ready to lick that chocolate frosting off the cake.

I will be on leave from today and I can’t promise that I will blog over this festive season as it is also holiday for me too. But if there is blogworthy material you will definitely read about it here.

If anyone knows where I can find accessories for the Ipad 4 please let me know. I couldn’t even find a case….

So we missed our flight

As in true Spirited Family style, we missed our flight… AGAIN! LMAO

Seriously, I’m so over stressing about the flight because somehow, even with all the bags being packed the night before, we still miss our flight. <Murphy?  maybe… But I think it’s in our plan 🙂 >

This WAS our plan:

5:30am                   Leave for OR Tambo (30mins)

6:00 – 6:30            Check in

7:00am                  Take off for Cape Town

This is how it actually went down:

6:15am                 Leave for OR Tambo

In between Dude driving as if we being chased by Devil himself and Dudie asking millions of questions, I shit you not this kid does not stop. <RECENTLY, we viisted the IRENE Christmas Mareket and a lady was watching us whilst we shopped. SHe mentioned that my kid ” does’t stop talking… My response – He’s only quiet when he’s sleeping. But sometimes he talks in his sleep too> I was trying to take pictures. And calmly remind my Dude that no matter how fast we drive, we WILL miss the flight. So let’s take it easy and we’ll get there when we get there…

Dude slowed down. Dudie asked less questions, ok slightly less or I may just have diverted it to Dude. I Do that when I’m mentally tired and Dude is around. I say – Ask Daddy, boy 🙂

So I got this

We arrive at the Airport. Dude dropped Dudie and I with our 3 suitcases, Carry on bag for me, carry on bag for Dudie, x2 stuffed toys, x3 Photo canvasses I made for the family, x3 books for Dudie, x1 Donald duck blankie for Dudie, etc etc

My trolley looked like a pack horse, with a Dudie on top of it all… Bags got weighed… *Ahem* let’s just say that they put them all on at once, Phew… Get into the check in queue and have a full on conversation with myself in my head * You’ve missed the flight best you go smile and be polite over at the standby counter*

I politely, and I may have bumped a few people out of the way, walked pass everyone and proceed to the standby counter. They’re busy with a shift change. I calmly wait and then a nice young man assists. He points out that we have missed our flight and where is the third passenger? I said that he  was parking the car and should be there in a few minutes. He proceeds to reserve seats on the very next flight and says you can go and chill in the lounge whilst you wait… *Ta Da* Cue Dude walking to wards us and I remember… Oh yes, Dude booked Business Class seats for us 🙂 Yes, Business Class.

So we make our way through the check in and take the lift to SAA’s Premium Lounge.  Sjoe, I just can’t get used to this life… Everyone is so relaxed. Your kid can run around but naked with snot everywhere and no one would give a rat’s a$$… Ok, I have NOT  tried that one and I don’t think I ever will. They have staff that will “babysit” whilst you relax/eat cake/have cuppacinos/whatever… And in true Dudie style, he made the Kiddie lounge “homely” aka unpacked toys, spread floor puzzles, messed with the muffin crumbs… within minutes.

When we finally boarded, Dudie was an excellent traveller. Everyone kept oohing and aahing over him. I’m telling you the air/mindset in Business class is very very different. Dudie really impressed us with his Good Behaviour. Reading and chatting like a “normal well behaved” toddler…We got to Cape Town and what a beautiful sight /day it was

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Shortly after arriving Dude’s Aunt collected us and we set off for our adventures…

Drop off Aunt, say hi to the other Aunt. Stop by the house in Hout Bay, as there was some issues with the alarm, drive through to my cousin in Fish Hoek via Chapman’s Peak, wow, what a sight and pricey I might add… Had a quick lunch, Drive to Soneike to my Aunt, drop bags, settle Dudie before we head off to our function party, shower change, get glammed up, and reorganise our room so that we don’t trip and break a leg when we get back… Might I add that the Dudie was so comfortable that he said goodbye to us whilst we were still getting ready. At the Party, Dude asked me to check on Dudie, message came back with he’s all good and happy and still very awake at 21:20… (Bed time in our house is 20:00) I replied with emoticons and said that it’s ok he’s on holiday too. We partied until 3am… I was still good to go but knowing my child who wakes us at 6/7am even if I only had an hour’s sleep I knew that it was time to call it a night.

And true’s bob, Dudie woke us at 6am. He eventually woke everyone in the house LOL. We had a family breakfast and then sadly had to pack and leave. Next step was lunch at Oupa Charlie’s house. (aka Dude’s dad, whom he only recently reconnected with…) What a lovely afternoon. We braaied, we laughed and I think some silent tears were shed over Dudie. And yet once again, our child was the poster child of well mannered children 🙂

Off to my Parents(if you’ve read older posts you’ll know this is a touchy subject) for a quick visit. Dudie got a bath and I got to spend time with my niece. Oh how I love that little princess. She greeted us with loud chuckles and arms outstretched. Big drooly smiles and baby sounds…. As soon as she is out of sight I long for her.

Off to my Gran, this was an adhoc visit. We literally popped in after 8pm… We eventually got to Hout Bay around 11pm. Dudie was passed out and Dude and I sat in the kitchen eating left over braai and chocolate cake…

Next morning we slept until 7am… Had breakfast whilst Aunt had a swim

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This is teh view they wake up to each and every morning… We had a light breakfast and got ready to be tourists. We went down to Mariner’s Wharf. Hopped on the Red Bus and headed out to the Waterfront. As we got there teh swing bridge opened, much to MY and Dudie’s delight! I took loads of photos. Dudie spotted Christmas and almost made a run for it.

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We had lunch at Mitchells Pub. That was awesome!!!! I’m so going back there.

mitchells-outside

We ended off our day with strolls around the Waterfront before heading back to Hout Bay, via Kirstenbosch etc… Dudie and I dosed off on route back to Hout Bay. You know the humming of the bus, the sun on you, the peaceful nature scenes.. I just couldn’t fight it. Sadly, we repacked our bags and had a stroll around the house in the garden. We headed out to the airport and very nearly almost missed our flight again… Luckily, it was slightly delayed and we checked right back into the Premium Lounge. On the flight back Dudie refused to part with his dinner. He loves seafood so when the steward came to collect the trays he said, that is my food. Leave it. 🙂

We were spoilt and loved in all our glory. We soaked up family and friends. We laughed, we danced, we ate, we played, we indulged…. We will be back soon.

Spirited Mama

P.S. Since we changed our focus of tripping to Cape Town, we made it about us, we’ve been having fantastic breakaways… Cheers to many more. I’m heading home. Wrapping gifts and having an Amarula or two 🙂

A gift is on the way…

Somewhere, out there…. a gift is on route to a lovely lady… Until I received the name, aka the lady who will be the recipient of Spirited Mama’s gift, I did not know that she existed. That she blogged. That she was a career woman. A wife. A mum…etc etc etc. Thank you Charlotte, for organising an awesome Secret Santa, and for introducing me to new peeps, even if just in the blogosphere….. And sorry for not complying with your rule of sending off the gift by 10 December.

Maybe, if I’m in your city again, I’ll ring you up. I do hope that it makes your heart happy…

This is on the way:

Secret santa wrapped

Ok, so at the Post Office they removed your little card, as they said it would be less enticing to unwrap borrow your gift. Your message was ” I do hope that the little items in this box makes your festive season a little brighter”

Spirited Mama

And in all of the festivities, I got two gifts for Dudie

Dudie gifts

I have 2 gifts for Dude and 1 other for Dudie at home that needs to be wrapped ASAP! I do love this time when I can shop and get gifts and wrap them and make things pretty…

Spirited Mama

P.S. If anyone is in need of someone needing to do their shopping with YOUR money, I’d be happy to take care of it for you. I can’t guarantee that you will get anything but I WILL spend YOUR money…

P.P.S ONly 4 working days left… I’m going to push my luck and ask for a day off on Friday. I wanna take Dudie on the Gautrain 🙂

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