Help me name my new car!

Hyundai i20

I cried on Saturday when I exchanged my old car for a new one! I loved my Toyota Yaris and would have loved to drive her for 10 more years. But she got old, and unpredictable.
There was too much to fix!

Tell me I am not the only one crying about a car?

But the new one is beautiful, and she's got moves and gadgets!

I thought I would start my journeys with her by giving her a name!

I used Confused.com's car name generator, which came up with two names: Rose ("brainy"), and Dora ("adventurous"). I also like the name Hynie.

Confused.com Car Name Generator

Which name should I give her?

Added on 7 June: This was the result of the poll, but I think I like "Rose" more, the brilliant, but wacky stalker in Two and a Half Men!

The only balm that cares for lips, nose and the skin in between #Letibalm

Letibalm

I always make sure that I have some sort of lip balm in my little go-to bag in my handbag. My daughters and I have all very dry skin, and we tend to have dry lips. Little Miss also struggles with a runny nose, and it gets very dry with all the nose blowing. She even got a red itchy infection under her nose the previous winter...

I got the Letibalm blog drop a while back, and we all love the smell and the richness of the moisture in the balms. I hope we can prevent the dryness this winter!

Letibalm blog drop with tea pot and ginger tea sachet

"Letibalm promises to moisturise dry skin, helps to repair chaps and cracks and calms irritation. It also creates a protective layer to prevent further damage.  Made with natural decongestants menthol and camphor, Letibalm will help ease breathing."

Letibalm is available as:

• Letibalm Paediatric (10 ml jar) (suitable for children 0 to 8 years old);
• Regular Letibalm (10ml liquid tube or a 10ml jar) 

The recommended retail price is R70 at Dis-Chem, selected Pick n Pay stores and leading pharmacies.

Website: www.ivohealth.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivohealth

An Angel named Dawid helped me with a flat tire!

I got a flat tire yesterday while driving back from work!

I had to stop! When I pulled to the side of the road, this man came running up! He looked like he had fallen on hard times, but he said that he saw my tire was flat and asked if he could help me.

Of course all the thoughts run through one's head of being bashed on the head, and belongings being stolen.. But I was shaken, and had to graciously accept. While pulling my handbag closer, AND immediately phoning my husband to tell him about the car troubles, AND telling him that Dawid was helping me...

Dawid did a great job, assuring me all the time that he had a family as well and that he would be worried as well when his wife was stuck on the side of the road. His hands were bleeding after he had finished with the job!

I was so thankful for this Angel that appeared out of nowhere!

I would have been flabbergasted and totally useless trying to change my own car tire. It was the first time in ten years that we had to get the jack out from beneath my car seat. I just knew some of the stuff were there, and not all in the back...

Thank you, Dawid! Thank you!

You are an Angel!

Heia Safari - great for family outings!

The welcoming committee at Heia Safari - Zebras drinking water

We were on our way to a rural restaurant on the public holiday last month! They laughed at us for thinking that we would get a spot, so we had to get back in our car and drive around. We did not want to travel that far! We found Heia Safari Ranch, which apparently is now named Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge!
We attended the Peace Concert here about two years ago, and always wanted to come back.

It was once again one of those serendipitous adventures that ended in the most beautiful place!

The photos tell the story!
 

We had a lovely lunch here

Little Miss was a bit worried about a few bees

Lots of playground for little ones

Lake Heritage

Picture pretty!

Lookout point

We did not find the rhino!

I sprained my ankle while walking around here, and Hubby went to fetch the car. We had to wait because he had to arrange for  a ranger to come down.

Rescue on the way

They charge a conservancy fee of R30 for each person, but it is totally worth it!
It looks like the hiking and off-road biking is also big here, and I would love to come back for that!

The War Between - Humans and Superhumans fighting for survival in a post-apocalyptic South Africa #bookreview

I have read another book through Cupcake Mummy's brilliant plan to get books to readers, and reviewers for books: Available for Review on Charlie Foxtrot! (Check it out!)

I selected The War Between, by Jennifer Withers, as the concept of a post-apocalyptic South Africa fascinates me, especially since the two main cities are called Jozenburg (Johannesburg) and Toria (Pretoria). Unfortunately there are no touch-points with the cities of today. (Thinking about it, would there be any resemblance to the previous cities after a devastating war?)


The story-line is strange, but I caught myself not wanting to put down the book until I have finished reading it! The main characters are believable and strong! I could identify with most of them.
I found Syra's character a bit frustrating. She makes a few bad decisions, and I do not think it was believable responses. It feels as if it is forced on her (by the writer), to complicate the plot!
The book finishes with a rhetorical question, which is quite brilliant!
It leaves us with a feeling of wanting more, but also with the knowledge that there is a satisfactory ending to the story!
I love Jennifer Withers' writing and the strange world we are plunged into in this book.
I love the characters and the inherent conflict between two different types of humans that feeds the story-line!

I would love to read more of the ongoing story! I hope this story does not end here, Jennifer Withers?

If you love fantasy and escapism, this book ticks the boxes!

I copied most of this from my Amazon Book Review.

Humans AND superhumans in post apocalyptic SA! Strange, but had to read to end! @JenWAuthor TX! @cupcakemummy pic.twitter.com/rWSsTV8ry6

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) May 11, 2016

MamaMagic Baby Expo - a few Snaps

We were at the MamaMagic Baby Expo at the TicketPro Dome on the last day, on Sunday. It was packed! I'm sure that the expectant parents and mommies with small kids saw a lot of goodies that they NEEDED after the Expo. (And that they did not know of beforehand!)


We went in search of a bunk-bed contraption, with a bed on top and the desk below. We found a stall, and got the flyer! Little Miss would love to have it in her small bedroom! (Now we can start saving!)


We attended the Barney Show with Little Miss. It is probably our last time that we did something like this with her. She got a bit bored, but she still took a Barney ball along, and she was very impressed that Barney kicked her ball around at the meet-and-greet!


Here are a few of my Snaps (karentoittoit) from the Expo.

Waiting in line for the Barney Show at MamaMagic

A photo op with Barney!



Squeal! Barney's got her Barney ball



The SPCA sold dog balloons which was a big favourite

Little Miss got a gift pack with Snowflake's Barney cupcakes. She wanted to make it immediately when we got home.
Dad was a real STAR (he gets ALL my points!!!) and helped her making a batch!

Snowflake's Barney cupcakes

 

The cupcakes are flop proof and they are really Yummy!

My advice for attending one of these Expos: Decide before the time what you need to not get distracted by all the gadgets and goods!


What did you buy at MamaMagic?




Disclaimer: We got tickets to the Expo!




Related post:
- MamaMagic, The Baby Expo, is in Town - GiveAway

Note to self: Stop waiting for Friday #lifequotes

I should enjoy ALL the days of the week! I am always waiting for Friday, or counting off the days! Note to self: Stop it!!

I am doing an assignment on Pinterest this week, and this is one of my favourite boards!



Have a lovely weekend!

MamaMagic, The Baby Expo, is in Town again - Giveaway!

MamaMagic, The Baby Expo, will run for the 12th year at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg!
It will be on from 12 - 15 May.
If you are pregnant or a parent of little ones, this is always a place where you will get the latest advice and gadgets on all things baby and children! Your little ones will also be entertained, which make it a great outing for the whole family!

What to expect at this year's MamaMagic?

- Huggies are starting with a new feature: They will provide parents with free informative sessions at the Huggies Expert’s Lounge. Parents will also be able to walk away with fantastic goodie bags!

"Huggies has lined up notable specialists such as Sister Lynn Bluff, who will enlighten parents on the significance of skin-to-skin and the “golden hour,” dietician Linda Drummond will shed light on what optimal nutrition for babies and toddlers, entails giving parents tips on practical healthy nutrition implementation and Cozette Laubser from BabyGym Institute International, will demonstrate the importance of baby’s physical development, which in turn results in healthy brain development."

- The BeSafe Car Safety Centre will provide valuable insight into how to handle a carjacking with a child.

- Huggies Nappy Pants and Lego Duplo are providing two age-appropriate play areas to keep the kids entertained.

- The Pampers Baby on Board competition that will see one lucky winner walk away with a comprehensive birthing and parenting starter pack valued over R 147 000!

- There will be designated breast feeding rooms. (Thumbs up from me!) Pampers Premium Care will also provide two fully stocked and spacious nappy change rooms!

- Barney will be on stage four times daily! (Although the tickets to the Barney shows are included in the Expo sales, they should be booked through Computicket to secure a seat!)

- Heart to Heart Workshop tickets can also be bought where parents will get the value of over R1000 worth of expert advice and goodies when they purchase a ticket of R495 at the Expo!


Two readers of this blog can each win VIP tickets!


The giveaway is 2 x double tickets to MM and the Barney show:

• Each tickets admits one adult and two kids (please provide their ages).
• Tickets/Entrance to the Barney shows (which will be held at 10, 12, 2 and 4).
• Meet and Greet with Barney (these are held daily after the 4pm show).
• Barney goodie bag for the kids.

Please comment on this blog post and tell me the ages of your kids?
Only eligible for people able to get to the Expo on any day from 12 to 15 May at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg.
This competition will run for one day only, and I will announce the winners on Wednesday 12 May 2016 at 12pm tomorrow afternoon!

Good luck!

Updated:
Congratulations to Shaaista and Keshnie who have won the tickets!


Please send me your email addresses and what time-slot would suit you best for the meet and greet with Barney?


Thursday 12 May after the 4pm show
Friday 13 May after the 4pm show
Saturday 14 May after the 2pm show
Sunday 15 May after the 12pm show

How do you know you have a great mother?

How do you know you have a great mom?

When you become a Mom yourself and realize all she had done!

Without complaints!

Every day!

Thanks, Mom!!

Wordless Wednesday #302 - What we did tonight

A long anniversary weekend

We had a very quiet, but lovely weekend.
It was our anniversary as well, but we kept it low-key this year!
The budget had an impact, and it's 12 years! By now we have figured out we like each other, and we would like to stay... ;-)

No, each year I am reminded again of how lucky I am to be married to this guy! I would not want my life to be any different than being with him! Thanks, D!

We had a movie date on Sunday and went to see The Dressmaker! What a strange but delightful movie this is! But be warned! There are serious plots involved! I am still a bit dazed about all the twists in the movie!
Afterwards we had a light meal in Parkview, and that's all I want in life!
A dinner and a movie with my Hubby! It was a perfect anniversary!

We started the long weekend at our favourite Papachinos, and Little Miss told me to take this video! I don't know why or what, but when she says take a movie, I jump! I shared it on SnapChat (The chances of getting her on screen are few and far between!)


What did you do this past the long weekend?