Sunday, 28 September 2008

Carb-a-licious!!!


Thats Mande in the pic....the blashing bride, you looked very nice I am very proud of you kiddo!

Ok, Ok, Ok! I know I said I was only going to put a photo of me at least until I have lost a few stones but I just couldnt help it, I really like this photo of me...fat or not, I was so happy and it shows! My lil sis was getting married and if that is not a good reason to look yummy, radiant and fabulous then I dont know what..... enjoy!






Friday, 26 September 2008

SAT NAV

Yepeee!!! My darling husband bought me a sat nav so the countryside is my oyester! Can you imagine getting lost in the middle of nowhere on a dark rainy day with the children in the car...nightmare!!! So I am really looking fwd to enjoying this baby and he bought a top the range type but didnt cost too much. ( I hope not) says the lovwa. Oh plus I have this interview in York at 6pm so the sat nav will come in very handy and I guess you are thinking ah finally she should start work...no no no no my dear friends I have decided to go to school...imagine?! hitting the books again...as if I have ever done it before...lol! actually this time I am really serious and I have found something that I am really passionate about and before I can start braging about how wonderful my career will be after I finish studying, I will wait for that acceptance letter and hopefully I will be able to wow them at the interview...you know me, intelligent things do sometimes come out of this big mouth I have been blessed with....plus charm and enthusiasim. lol! ok, I am putting you off. I will go and finish my red wine and go to bed.

nitey nitey...and you say pyjam pyjam

Friday, 19 September 2008

Livin' la Vida Loca (George is back!)


Hello everyone, George came back yesterday . It was lovely having him back and he came home earlier than expected which was great, he helped with feeding times, feed them babies, bathed them and read them bed time stories and guess what I was doing?????? No, I was not running around like a crazy chick, I put my feet up and poped a bottle of wine and caught up with master chef professional and later we watched 'I am Sam' . OMG, I am have always been a Sean Penn fan he is absolutely my old time fav, in this movie his performance was brilliant and I cried buckets full and for those of you who havent seen this, I strongly recommend that you do, he acted the part of the autistic/mentally handicapped man who had a baby with a homeless chick and she ran off and he kept the baby and then there was this courtroom drama about where he was fighting to retain the custody of his daughter (Dakota fanning).

His lawyer Michele Pfeiffer who was a real witch from hell at first and then she softened up and really warmed up to Sam, he changed her life. This movie would change anyone's life and how we look at life and people with learning disabilities....brilliant performance from all three.

So yes, it was a lovely pleasent weepy evening....and I have gone soft! Which is good because I was begining to worry that I might have stopped crying completely. Eish tough life.

Shoka night at the Hotel Intercontinental Lusaka

I cant believe it is almost 4yrs since the last time I was in Zambia. Thats my wonderful Mother in law in the photo. This day was just lovely, we went to the intercon for a swim and later had massages.Friday night at the Intercon they have shoka night, after our lovely Zambian massages (uku china) we had some drinks and then later made our way to the pool side. Upon arrival those of us that drink 'munkoyo' (traditonal Zambian brew)It was just the best I have ever had. The last time it was drunk in our home back in Zambia some people got really ill and ever since then I never touched the staff. (Mum had gone to a kitchen party and brought some home...we vowed never to touch outside catering munkoyo again)

Oh, lemme tell you about Shoka night, there was so many different types of traditional Zambian foods as well as western but you know how it is, I had to keep it real and feast on the food that I have not eaten in ages...kalembula, kapenta, finkubala, lumanda, chibwabwa, impwa, dried fish, fresh fish, chicken, beef, game meat and even crocodile (tastes like fish/chicken) It was pleasent and I would eat it again. The entertainment was great, we were entertained by traditional dancers and lekker Zambian music...awe mwandi it was wonderful and a very good introduction to George and Mum of what was to come later while staying in Zambia.

Anyway, we went to Safari Lodge for two days, It was awesome, peace and tranquility (iye can I use these two words in one sentence??? anyway you get the picture right.

My Mother in law is very adventurous, she once went to Lusaka West with my Aunt. They traveled by mini bus, it was jam packed ! you can just imagine chickens, children crying etc...the mini bus was moving side to side trying to dodge the pot holes, she could not believe the speed the mini bus was travelling at, they got to their destination safely and on their way back they had lunch at Lusaka city centre, plate of chips and sprite, we were there for a short time and there was just so much happening, matebeto for George who got up and danced with the Makishi and I must say I was so proud of him and I was happy he was having a wonderful time.
We managed to squeeze Livingstone in our trip, was there for 4 days and I only have one word to say, AMAZING!!! It was a well deserved break from Lusaka, we swam everyday, bird watching, swimming in devils poo (oh my, what was I thinking???), elephant safari, eating and more eating.


I am now looking fwd to taking the boys home, when they are old enough to understand so they can enjoy themselves (air tickets are so pricey!) So if you are you planing a trip to Zambia one must really make it worth their while and that is exactly what I plan to do. Take my boys to rural Zambia, so they can have a taste rural life....Lusaka has become like a little JHB and kids are just not growing up the way we did, playing chidunune, climbing mango and guava trees (yum yum), playing with cars made of wire (motoka yama wire), touch oh and we used to go in the bush hunting (urban bushes having nothing in them) we were just so convinced that we would find some wild animal or something...but those were good times.......People want to bring up their children the western way of life, but to be honest with you, its not even something to admire, you really have to be here to appreciate what you have back home and the natural things children have access to...making cars, climbing tress, playing house and cooking (outside, maybe under a mango tree or something) you dont have to pay to play! children playing football and there is just lots of other children to play with...you know everyone in your community and everyone knows you, I am talking about Ubuntu way of living. We dont even know or talk to our niegbours, yes I would say hi when I see them but heaven forbid something happened to me while George was away...the kids would be alone and no one would notice (HOW SAD IS THAT????!)
while I am talking about unfriendliness and the western way of life, recently a 17yr old boy /man died in his flat and was only discovered 3mnths later (only because the mail had piled up and the post man got curious). May his soul rest peace..
Ok, gotta go! happy reading!

Children having fun

Likoji at Big Sheep Little Cow in Bedale

Zangi at a summer BBQ in Northallerton, an event that was organised by all the churches in the area, It was very nice, the sun was out,the BBQ was fantastic & the live music was great! everything was for free and the kids totally enjoyed themselves. Thanks for inviting me Jennifer, we had a blast.
xox



Get ready for 2010



We just love Grandma's garden

Likoji, Zangi and Iris in Grandmas garden...Ok this garden is just beautiful and tranquile I just love it! Ok next time I will post a better photo where you can see it nicely.