Wordless Wednesday #282 - Watching Rugby

The time we needed a personal loan badly - some good advice

Don't we all consider a personal loan one time or another? Or maybe it's just us?
But this year has been one of those years...

We first tried to get a student loan, but were caught in the catch-22 of a student loan. You first have to show your registration form from university before the student loan can be approved. We wanted to get the loan to be able to afford that first hefty registration fee...

We also had the wonderful holiday in San Antonio earlier, and we were really worried that we would not be able to afford everything that goes with a holiday with our Rand/Dollar exchange rates! I also shared this scenario before we went on our trip, and that we were seriously considering taking a personal loan...

I am glad to say that both times we were able to get by without going the route of a personal loan!
Because it is still the best way to go! Not getting that personal loan!


But if there are no other options available, there are 5 ways to use personal loans wisely that is worth exploring!

Wordless Wednesday #281 - Dog's play

A weekend from hell that made us feel very grateful!

The lamp pole in question

We got a call near midnight on Thursday night. The Student was in an accident, and she was still sitting in the car waiting for the ambulance. They were driving on an unknown dark corner of Potch, and there was a turn in the road and the lamp pole jumped in front of them! The car went on it's side before it landed on the wheels again. Unfortunately it was on my daughter's side of the car!

She told us that she knew immediately her arm is broken when she saw it behind her and had to bring it forward...

It was hectic! As a parent you want to jump in the car and race to the scene. But she is a one and half hours away! Luckily we kept talking to her and the friend who was with her in the accident. They kept us in the loop while getting into an ambulance until they were admitted to hospital.

My default mode is going into scold mode before I am able to process it: "What are you doing out so late?" And "Why don't you use the maps on your phone when you know you are prone to get lost?" (She and the friend have lost their way before...)
But if is only for the first few seconds of processing this information...
We were worried and could not sleep!

We got in the car at 6 am on Friday because we thought she would be operated on already at 8 am! Little Miss had to tag along because we did not know if we would be able to fetch her the afternoon. Just as well, because we had to wait until 6 pm for the operation and she only came out of the operating theater after 8 pm on Friday night!

The bones and muscles in the elbow had to be reattached and she has 8 screws and 2 plates in her left elbow!

We could go and fetch her yesterday and she is recuperating at home for the week!

There is so much we are grateful for:

- Except for the arm, both the students are fine! The car is written off!

- The seat belts and airbags saved their lives! There are huge glass pieces sticking into the air bags. They have minimal scratches!

- Medical Aid made everything so much easier. The ambulance took her to a private hospital where she got great care! I did not have to worry about paying exorbitant fees! Everything was covered!

- Student friends allowed us to stay over in their flat for the Friday night! That helped immensely after we left the hospital at ten on Friday night. We stayed until we were sure she was ok.

- Student friends brought her clothes and gifts and visited The Student during the course of the weekend!

- A nice old lady in the same room in hospital who took care of The Student while we could not be around!

- The personnel and staff at Medi-Clinic in Potchefstroom did a great job! Dr Hattingh needs a special mention! It seems he knows what he is doing! He also came to talk to us and her on several occasions and kept us informed. He is also very happy with the operation and believes she will regain the use of her arm!

- It's the left arm that's affected!

- This week The Student also does not have classes and she can stay at home!


Now we have an Iron Woman in our midst!


Do anyone know where we can buy a cover for an arm in plaster?
Apparently Dischem does not stock it anymore and I have phoned one pharmacy at a hospital who also do not have it in stock.

Age and bad hair days increasing exponentially

Before

I do not want to complain about getting older...  (Its a pointless exercise!)

It is just a fact of life! Getting old presents itself exponentially in so many ways! I have just so much more compassion about all the times my grandmother used to complain about the age spots and lost teeth and...
At that stage I had an attitude: "Deal with it, Grandma! You ARE old! That's life!"
(It's coming back to haunt me! Every dog gets it's day! My Ouma must be smiling right now!)

I have battling the Grey since my twenties, and by now I cannot go through a whole month before I have to wear my favourite caps or scarves!
I HAVE to colour every month!

Bad hair days are definitely increasing with age!

That's why it was such a treat last weekend after I had won a cut and blow at Ultimate Hair by Judy through Wenchy's Facebook Page.
The whole family did not go to the hairdresser for a whole year before we went overseas this year. It was just one of the ways to save a bit. My hair was a bit lot neglected!

I made sure that I added colour before I went, and it was lovely to walk out and feeling that I have outsmarted age, if only for that day!

Ultimate Hair by Judy 

Judy has her own hair salon at her home, which keeps her overheads lower than those in the malls.

I think I have found my hairdresser!

Thank you Wenchy and Judy!

After!

The Titanic is coming to South Africa - win tickets for the whole family

Titanic – The Artifact Exhibition - will be opening at the Zone in Rosebank from 18th September until 8 November, before it moves to the Watershed at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town from 27th November until March 2016.

I would love to show Little Miss this exhibition and tell her the story. (Maybe it is a good idea to show her the movie before we go?)

“Although the ‘ship of dreams’ met its demise over a century ago, the spirit of the Titanic and its passengers live on through ‘Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition,’" says Nick Dreyer, COO of Expo RSA. The 1500-square-meter exhibit features numerous real artifacts from the Titanic and scale recreations of parts of the famous ship. The exhibit also features a re-creation of the freezing temperatures felt on that fateful April night complete with an interactive ice-berg. In addition, visitors can walk through authentically recreated first- and third-class rooms, with furnishings by the original manufacturers. Educational, emotional, and appropriate for all ages, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the life of Titanic, paying homage to the indomitable force of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. 

Tickets are available at www.webtickets.co.za
Titanic Dining Experiences are also available in Johannesburg and Cape Town.


I have received 10 tickets to give away. Please comment below with the number of people in your family?
(Because it is for the whole family, it will only be fair to take the children along as well!)

The first comments will get the prize, and depending on the availability of the tickets and numbers given, the remaining tickets would be dispensed.  And go!
(Unfortunately only open to South African readers)


More info here:

Facebook
Twitter: @TitanicExpo
www.titanicexpo.co.za

Win a Disney Descendants hamper

It is finally time for Disney Descendants to be aired on Friday, 18 September 205, on Disney Channel – DSTV Channel 303  at 17:00!

Our family loves it already. We were at the Disney Descendants launch viewing in August and we can’t wait for the series to start.

A little bit of background about the actors:

Mal

Dove Cameron stars as Mal, the clever, edgy and artistic teenage daughter of Maleficent. She began acting in community theatre at age eight and moved to Los Angeles at age 14 to pursue acting and singing professionally. She is best known for her roles as 16-year-old identical twins, in the Disney Channel Original series "Liv and Maddie."

Evie

Sofia Carson stars as Evie, the stylish teenage daughter of the Evil Queen and Mal's best friend. Evie is secretly excited to go to Auradon in hopes of finding a perfect prince. She soon realizes that she is much more than a pretty face. Carson has had a passion for performing since an early age, competing in national dance and vocal competitions, and musical theatre productions throughout her childhood. She has guest-starred in Disney Channel's hit series "Austin & Ally" and in MTV's "Faking It." In early 2016, Carson will star alongside Girl Meets World's Sabrina Carpenter in the Disney Channel Original Movie, "Adventures in Babysitting."

Jay

Booboo Stewart stars as Jay, the athletic teenage son of Jafar, in "Descendants" who has a penchant for stealing things in "Descendants”.  In 2011, Stewart landed the coveted role of Seth Clearwater in the popular "Twilight" franchise. Most recently, he can be seen as Warpath in "X-Men – Days of Future Past." Other big screen credits include "White Frog," "Smitty" and "American Cowslip." Additionally, Stewart has guest starred on numerous popular television shows such as "Good Luck Charlie," "CSI: Miami," "CSI: Cyber" and "GRIMM.

Carlos

Cameron Boyce stars as Carlos, the technologically-savvy teenage son of Cruella de Vil. Boyce is best known for his role as Luke Ross on Disney Channel's "Jessie." Boyce has also appeared on Disney Channel's "Shake It Up" and "Good Luck Charlie," as well as "General Hospital, Night Shift."

Ben

Mitchell Hope stars as Prince Ben, the benevolent teenage son of the King and Queen of Auradon (Beast and Belle from "Beauty and the Beast").  Hope landed his first onscreen role in an Australian short film "Down the Way." Shortly after, he appeared in the Australian television film "INXS: Never Tear Us Apart." Hope is from and currently resides in Melbourne, Australia. He likes to spend his spare time with his friends and family playing basketball, squash and surfing.


The Hamper that’s up for a win includes:

• Descendants CD
• Bag
• Key Holder
• Mal’s sketch book
• Stickers
• Pen

Please answer the following question in the comments section to be considered for the hamper win:

Who is the Villain that Prince Ben fall in love with?


The winner will be drawn next Monday at 9 am.
(Unfortunately only open to South African readers)


More details here: Disney


The winner is Cat! Congratulations!

A Teddy for the Teddy Bear Clinic

Tammy at Tiny Tumbles gymnastics had her yearly collection of teddy bears for the Teddy Bear Clinic. Teddy Bear Clinic works towards holistic child protection services, and a teddy bear helps in bringing comfort to a little one that has been through a traumatic experience!

Little Miss really struggles to part with her toys, and especially her bears. (Hoarder Deluxe!
We definitely blame the parents!)

Previous years we had to buy a bear to donate. But this year we said that she should make a choice...

It was difficult, but Little Miss finally decided on this lovely bear. He has been a gift from London, from her Aunt. (Thank you, Ronél!)

He is soft and cuddly, with a touch of Christmas cheer with the red and white scarf!

We love the idea that he has been called for higher duty!
I am proud of Little Miss for making a choice and parting with a dearly loved possession!

Why do we let them make us feel like bad mothers?

I am talking about all the instances in my life I have let doctors and nurses and health practitioners made me feel like an inferior mother.

- The time I took my first-born to the doctor and her ear-drum burst in the doctor’s waiting rooms. And there was puss overflowing, and he asked why we did not clean it up…
WTB! (What The Baby!)! It just happened, doctor, and we were trying to do it with the tissues that we had available!

- The time I was in the doctor’s waiting room and I had to change a poo nappy. When I came out, the doctor had already come to call our name, and she had an attitude!
WTB! What would she have done if I have left the nappy? (Why did I not tell her straight?)

- The time I went to the clinic to ask about nappy rash. Little Missy got a terrible nappy rash which burnt immediately! The nurse was telling me that I left the nappy on too long, with a bit of disgust in her voice….
WTB! Of course not! And I was there to get a solution to the problem!  (Which I did not get there, and we figured out it was the grapes I was eating at the time!)

- The time I went to the clinic and was told in a disparaging manner that I have already used up ten visits, and that I can’t get the services for free.
WTB! In the first place I was not aware that I was limited to 10 visits, and I was more than prepared to pay... (But that was the last that that clinic saw me!)

- The time I mentioned to the paediatrician that I was still breastfeeding at one year, and it was met with an indifferent “It’s not that important anymore!”
WTB!  I lost my trust in that doctor immediately!

- The time I tried to wean my four month old first-born from the breast to take a bottle during the day. I had to go back to work. Health-care professionals did not believe me, and to this day think they will be able to help when a baby does not want to take a bottle. They tried, and everybody tried! Nothing worked! Not different bottles, teats, people holding her… Nothing!
WTB! There is nothing you can do to force a baby to take a bottle when they prefer breastfeeding! (I had to go cold turkey with mine before she accepted a bottle! )


The other day I was talking to other moms, and I heard how they also felt inferior when they took a different colour nappy to the clinic or doctor!

We are taking our children to the doctor/clinic because we are good moms who are worried about our children, and we want to do the best for them. Making us feel inferior does not help. If we were not good moms, we would not have taken the effort or paid the exorbitant rates to see a health professional!

Next time I will not let them belittle me! (I wish I had the verbal proficiency to recognize and immediately shoot it off my cuff!)
Next time, definitely!


What have a doctor said to you that made you feel like a bad mom?

Wordless Wednesday #280 - Minions fan

SA Mom Blogs relaunched #SAMomBlogsRelaunch

Heather (One Step at at Time) and Laura (Harassed Mom) are doing an amazing job with SA Mom Blogs.

The Lot Restaurant

The relaunch happened this past Saturday on a cloudy and rainy day at the Free Range Lifestyle Centre in Fourways. The weather did not dampen any of the spirits and it was great to meet up with fellow bloggers.

Heather did a good write-up of the event: Celebrations at #SAMomBlogRelaunch

Here are some of my photos:

Fresh Culture Café at The Lot Restaurant

Inside The Lot Restaurant with bloggers and PR invitees 

SA Mom Blogs relaunch 

Cupcake made by Laura

The Beauty Stop representative

Goodie Bag from The Beauty Stop at Free Range Lifestyle Centre

The Beauty Stop

Aptly named cookies for the SA Mom Blogs Relaunch event

Luckily the sun came out for a while on Saturday and the children could enjoy themselves!
We will definitely be coming back as a family. The cappuccinos are great, and the play area with arts entertainment for the little ones makes the Free Range Lifestyle Centre a winner!

The play area at Free Range Lifestyle Centre

Thanks to these two lovely ladies for organising and managing SA Mom Blogs!

Laura and Heather

SA Mom Blogs can be found here:
Facebook
Twitter
Web: SAMomBlogs

Star Wars unboxing event - #ForceFriday happening already!

The whole family has been loving the Star Wars Pop-Up Channel on DStv Premium on M-Net Movies 109.
It's our go-to channel in the evenings, and it's building up to great excitement here. Unfortunately it's only on for two weeks until 13 September.

Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi and all the other iconic Star Wars characters are on, as well as other programming linked to the franchise.


In anticipation of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on 18 December, unboxing of Star Wars toys is happening around the world!

The unboxing can be watched live from 15 cities in 18 hours: 
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Global Toy Unboxing Live Stream Event. 

Schedule: The Force awakens around the world

Even Cape Town had an unboxing event while I was checking in!

The products can be found at the Disney Store worldwide.

Check it out!!