So this is how you do it.

If your blog is open and not private, you know that you run the risk of people copying your pictures, etc. es, I know I should put a logo on or such,but I have not gotten round to making one and am in general a bit lazy on the editing side. Yesterday in amongst the craziness of the day I notice a new comment on my post on Houtbaai earlier this year: "It's hard to be humble when you're from Hout Bay, and I love your photos. I run South Africa Travel Online and each week highlight a travel blog to our readers. This week I've chosen yours. We've linked to this post from the bottom of our BA newsletter."

Now people, if you want to use someone's photo - this is how you do it. Tell them about it, feature them in a newsletter or such and give them credit! Thank Karen for the compliments and good blogging etiquette. This is what she wrote and the picture she used.

Sometimes people take such high quality photos that it's impossible for me not to make a mention of them. Cat caught a flight from Lanseria to Cape Town where she spent time photographing Hout Bay.

Childhood cancer

This morning I attended our local Institute for Architecture's (the PIA) annual ladies breakfast. This is a much anticipated event by all the ladies involved in architecture - not just female architects, but also wives of architects, secretaries and other support staff in architectural practices and reps in the industry. It is the one event of the year that is about anything but architecture and is always well sponsored. We also support a charity with this event. This morning it was all about childhood cancer.

The function was held at the Royal Elephant Hotel & Conference centre - a stylish venue with great food. We were each asked to bring a teddy bear along with some sweets tied around it's neck - these were donated to Duncan's trust who distributes them to hospitals with Pediatric oncology units. After coffee and a welcome, we were asked to open our one goody bag, to find a mosaic kit for a cupcake potholder. We then did the glue part of the mosaics with an explanation as to how to complete the grouting at home. I know that most of the girls loved this as the venue was filled with giggles and laughs.I loved this - I am so going to do more mosaics.

My cupcake pot stand

After this we had a brief address by Veronica de Jager of CHOC - the Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa. This was followed by an hour long talk about childhood cancer by Derick Stedall, an architect and founder of the Duncan's Trust. Dercik lost his son Duncan at age 15 to cancer. Duncan's trust support and care for children and their families who are diagnosed with cancer. They also form part of the Just Footprints Foundation which takes kids with cancer and AIDS on camps, sisters, nurses, prosthesis, wheelchairs and all provided. Derick told their story as a family and the proceeded to show us some pictures of the kids they support and their stories.There are some amazing and touching stories of survival, hope and love. There are also stories of abandonment of sick children, brave battles lost and last moment joys. There was not a dry eye in the room. I sobbed like a baby only a mother with small children can by the mere thought that something like this can happen to one of my children. He also provided us with some shocking statistics: In the developed world your child has a 1 in 9 000 chance to get cancer before the age of 14. In South Africa it is 1 in 18 000, not because children are less likely to get cancer, but because it is often not detected in rural areas at all. If you are in the private health care system, the 1 in 9 000 is more realistic. In the developed world the survival rate is 70%, here it is 50% because it is often detected too late, once again in rural areas.  We were given a bookmark with theSaint Siluan warning signs to look out for, as set out below. And as we were warned, if fever persist and your doctor keeps prescribing anti-biotics, ask for the basic cancer screening - it is a simple test.

SAINT SILUAN* WARNING SIGNS FOR CANCER IN CHILDREN

S: Seek: Medical help early for persistent symptoms
I: Eye: White spot in the eye, new squint, blindness, bulging eyeball
L: Lump: Abdomen and pelvis, head and neck, limbs, testes, glands
U: Unexplained: Fever, loss of weight and appetite, pallor, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding
A: Aching: Bones, joints, back and easy fractures
N: Neurological signs: Change in behaviour, balance, gait and milestones, headache, enlarging head

*Saint Siluan was a Russian monk who died on Mount Athos in 1938. He prayed ceaselessly for all humanity.

The most common childhood cancers are Leukemia and brain tumors and it is suspected that some genetic link is possible in most cancers.

Just as important, what can we do to help in the fight against childhood cancer:

1. Volunteer at CHOC or Footprints
2. Donate platelets - this can be done at the SA blood transfusion service.
3. Register as a stem cell (bone marrow) donor - it is a simple blood test. More tests are only done if you are a potential match. Currently a child has a 1:100 000 chance to get a match in SA - the more of us on the register, the better the chances are of a match if your own child might need it some day.
4. Be aware of the signs of cancer, as above, and be on the lookout for it in your own children and those around you. Early detection is critical for survival.
5. Donate money to CHOC or Duncan's trust - all the proceeds this morning went to Duncan's trust.

Thanks to all involved for a great morning and to REVLON who donated a hamper for the raffle and a mascara and make-up bag in the goody bags, to the Clay Club for two raffle hampers and our cupcake mosaic we made and to Belmay for the perfume. I am not sure who sponsored the bath goodies (might be the PIA themselves), but ut was a great spoil. More importantly, this morning made me so aware of how vulnerable our children are and mine each got a huge extra hug and a spoil this afternoon.

Le goody bag and contents.

Such a mixed bag of emotions day.

Yesterday.

I had to be at a meeting in Sandton at 9:30 - not my favorite thing to do, to attack the morning traffic head-on. But I did arrive after an hour and 20 minutes about 20 minutes early for my meeting. Where everybody else was late and we only started 15 minutes late. The meeting did run a full three quarters of an hour over the scheduled time. But it does promise to be a highly exciting project. So mixed feelings.

The I met Jenty for a quick lunch. It was so super great to see her and have a good chat. You see, it's the "new" me, the more attention to myself one that allowed me to stay and do this. The "old" me would have rushed to the office immediately. It then took almost a full 2 hours to drive back to Pretoria - kid you not. I was almost out of my mind with frustration. Mixed emotions.

Then we had the Boys' 3 year check-up scheduled for 4:30 and on our way there the Princess started puking. Uncontrollably. By the time we came to the doc, sweet Hunter(whom we were meeting there) had a new outfit bought for her but she looked terrible. The good news is that the boys are both doing really well now that they are off all chronic medicine, including the asthma meds for C. Milestones look fine but we will evaluate L at 4 for muscle tone etc.We will also keep track of his speech development. They are both still on their growth curves and we are not going to do hormone or growth tests for L - he is not dipping on his curve and is steadily growing. The not so great news is that she has warned us to keep a lookout for attention and disruption issues with L ( she did not say the dreaded ADD or ADHD words but...)and to ask the school to be on the lookout for it next year. So mixed emotions.

Then she took a look at a very pale and listless Princess, although not dehydrated, already depleted of all glucose and the levels dangerously low. So she gave her some anti-nausea meds, booked her bed in hospital and instructed us that if she vomits once more or does not start drinking energade or such in half an hour, to take her immediately. I was so worried. But, she pepped up about 20 minutes later and started drinking shortly after that. Gosh, I was relieved. Of course, I was exhausted after the day and just fell asleep next to her.

Indeed a day of turmoil.

The weekend that was...

was a really good one.

On Friday from 11:00, I took some much needed me-time, and believe me, it was well worth it. In fact, it has really done wonders for my soul. Although I am now clearly a bit behind on work, I believe the optimism of the day will have a positive influence on my productivity. At 11:00 I went to my hairdresser for a cut, colour, highlights and blow wave. I really felt like a million dollars and Hunter really loved the look. After that I had a great lunch of brie, fig, strawberry and rocket salad at Isabella's with a book and my trusty phone for company. I ate, read, wrote a bit. I recharged the soul and the body by having some red velvet cake and coffee just before leaving at about 3:30. It was bliss. (For a photo post of the visit , have a look at  Captured by Cat)

On Saturday morning we attended the family fun day at the Princess' school - all 3 the kids had at least 3 glides on the water slide, with the Princess going again and again and again.

Little K spent the afternoon with us and while the Boys slept, the two girls had some dress-up fun.

Yesterday our planned zoo trip was once again postponed by less than ideal weather and a spot of rain, so we took the brood to Spur after which we had a blissful almost two hour nap - and by that I mean the whole family. Amazing I tell you! After that I went to gym and the rest of the family for a walk. It turned out that we really needed that nap with the Princess getting sick in the night with a very slight fever and some puking.Till not 100% tonight - but let's hope for the best.

So how was your weekend?

I met Deon Meyer.

 So today is more of a story than a great photo. Last night I met Deon Meyer! I attended the book release of his newest book, "Spoor". He is South Africa's top selling crime thriller writer and has been translated into 20 languages and he has won several international awards for his books. He is a rising international star - if you want to , think of him as South-Africa's Stieg Larsson.  I see his previous book, "13 Hours" has just been released in the USA - for a my review, read here.

After a discussion about the book with his publisher, we were given the chance to ask questions and then he went on to sign our books and have a chat with his fans. What a friendly, humble and charming man. I can not wait to read my book - just have to finish my current read first.

Just breathe...

At present my desk looks like a hurricane hit it, and at home, I am battling through cupboards to be tidied and clothes to be sorted. I just can not find the time. It seems that my mind is just as untidy as the rest of my life - not for the first time I am seeing the reflection of the one on the other.

I seem to be in a bit of a flat spin. Things are at present just moving on a  way too fast pace - work is hectic and as the end of the year approach, the usual silly season is getting into swing.On Tuesday I forgot about a meeting - I have NEVER before done that. NEVER. I am lucky that I have befriended the second in command at the client who gave me a little call when I was not there on time, and I was also lucky that the meeting was just 5 minutes from my office. Yesterday I left my car door open at a shopping center where I am busy with work. With my handbag in the car. Just my luck that their diligent security guards noticed it and looked after my car. Not a single thing was missing. Not a single rand, not my sunglasses, not my ipod. Everything there and safe. Yesterday afternoon I pitched up at school to fetch the Princess - on Wednesdays my mom picks her up for ballet early and takes her home after that.

So, tomorrow I am giving myself some time of work. I mean, if you carry the stress and responsibilities, you should be able to get some reward for that. I am going in to work, and then at 11 I am going for a much needed hairdressing appointment. After that, I am going to relax somewhere for lunch with a book as company. I might after that do some shopping, or go home to tidy some of those cupboards.

I am hoping that this time of just give me a gap to just breathe.To orientate my mind a bit.

Crafty kids

My Princess is a crafty kind of girl - she always wants to make something, wants to do something. Like mother like daughter I guess. And although I love doing crafts with her in the afternoons this can be quite hectic if added to two little boys and cooking dinner. So I am thrilled if I find something that will keep her happy for a while.

We first discovered Early learning Centre when my SIL and BIL lived in Dubai. She sent the kids some of their brilliant toys for birthdays ad Christmas. Some of the favorites are the felt ballerinas that the Princess has and the felt pirates and funnny faces that the boys have.The pirate island water play centre is still a firm favorite now that summer is around again.Just check out the fun they have with it in this blogpost . A few of our Woolworths stores have an ELC in the store - the range in limited and bloody expensive, but some little gems are to be found like this one - now my favorite gift for girls. A DIY faerie kit! Made of foam shapes you assemble your own faerie.There is even a frog prince! The Princess limits herself to one at a time and has made 3 of the 5, keeping the others for another day. As the price is really reasonable, I think we can make a plan for some more faeries as a reward.

Ballerina dreams.

On Saturday my mom and I took the Princess to her first full length ballet in the big State Theater. It was a production by the Youth Ballet theater with well known stars in the lead roles. Saturday morning was a special dress -up show with a little party during the first interval. She was so absorbed in the show and told me that she wants to be a ballerina just like the lilac faerie some day. And as you all know, I tell it better in pictures:

After the show they had the chance to meet the lead dancers. Here the Princess is waiting for Mr Hannah to sign her program.

Sharing a love for theater and knowing she can actually watch a whole show makes my Monday.

Friday 15 October 2010

I am sure I say it every week, but I am ever so happy it is Friday! Gosh, this week has been long and tiring.

So let's start de-fragging :

• I am taking the Princess to her very first full length ballet tomorrow morning, Sleeping Beauty, with granny and one of granny's buddies in tow. It is a special dress-up show for the girls and she is going to wear her evening dress and a little tiara. Pictures will follow.
• After that we are rushing to attend Miss E's birthday party.
• I have been going to the physiotherapist for the last few days for my sinus infection and sore shoulder from my fall. The sinus is definitely better (and I am getting used to acupuncture needles), the progress on the shoulder has been fantastic! I am a fan now, for sure.
• We have the most stunning staff in our office. Today is Bosses' day in South Africa and we each got a beautiful card and a hard hat with the company logo on the front and our names on the back. Brilliant stuff.
• Our silkworms have now started spinning and the kids are loving the process. We are once again spinning some shapes and I will show you more in a special silkworm post.
• If you Wiki silkworms they tell you that silkworms are only bred for recreation purposes by kids in China. My gosh, I grew up with it here in South Africa - are we the only people apart from the Chinese to do it? Please tell me it's not true.
• The Princess has a second loose tooth. I see we will have to start saving for this process.Or at least, the tooth faerie will have to.

• A certain little boy whose name starts with an "L" has decided that at all of just 3 years old he can pour his own milk and juice. We have lost about 2 liters of milk and one of juice this week to the kitchen floor. Now the fridge has a kiddie lock on.

• We might just have to pay on our promise for a visit to the zoo on Sunday as the trio of kids are behaving themselves rather well at present. Hold thumbs that the Komodo dragon is back. When we went last time it was a huge disappointment for the Princess when it was lent for a breeding program. It's apparently her favorite animal. Why does it surprise me? She has a serious dinosaur obsession.
• Since I am allowing annon comments (so that some of my buddies can comment without open ID ) I am getting up to 4 spam comments a day! Just stay away from me you foreign language adult websites! Luckily the same friends leave the greatest comments - not a bad price to pay.

Well, I think that is about it for today - have a great weekend.

Way back - October 2007

It's really been a while since I have played along with a  Way Back Wednesday.

So I had a look on the old back-up harddrive to this week, 3 years ago when the little boys were just tiny tots.

Date: 14 October 2007

Age of the boys: 19 days

Age of the Princess: 34 months.

We had a little outing to Jingle Jangle (then called Lalapanzi).

Little man L to the left and Little man C to the right.