The Cappuccino Challenge

The Cappuccino Challenge

"Please order your drink as a TAKE AWAY today, (or use one of those thermos flasks) and go for a 20 minute walk.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a gal in glam heels, a guy in smart work shoes, trainers, slops, barefoot or in cool "Converse's". This is about a quiet walk wherever you happen to be right now.

NO cell phone on your ear, no one to talk to, just YOU and your thoughts, feelings and body responses as you wander….

Give yourself permission to look with "beginner's eyes" and imagine this is the very first time you are seeing this environment. If it is your usual hangout, start looking for things you have never noticed before, noticing how you find yourself responding on the inside.

Notice your breath and your body as you move.

Keep asking yourself "What do I love about what I’m seeing and feeling right now?" BE PRESENT. "

I started doing Kate Emmerson's "THE CAPPUCCINO CHALLENGE" - Fall in love with your real self in 30 days - from the weekend. She gave it as a birthday present on her own birthday!


Today's challenge was DIFFICULT! It is not supposed to be that hard? To be able shut down/open up for 20 minutes?

My notes for today:

- I went and bought the take-away coffee, as it is really one of my favourite spoils. It's pay-day also, after all!
- I bought a packet of Lays potato crisps as well! (Why? I was not hungry! Another spoil! And judging myself for it!)
- I contemplated walking outside, but it is chilly today. I am not in a mood for looking over my shoulder or watching out for criminals, so I went to the internal court-yard at work.
- There was a bit of sun-shine, and clouds overhead.
- I thought of getting a picture of the buildings with the clouds. (Sorry for picking up the phone when I was not supposed to!) But my phone's battery went, and it bothered me for the rest of the 15 minutes outside.
- I was thinking about everything to be thankful for: The clouds, the sky, my job and the fact that I have a job, things looking up for my husband, my family that I enjoy going home to,...
- I was feeling the chill in the air, and thinking about winter approaching. I do not like winter! But told myself just now to change my mindset, as I do every year. To embrace winter! (Maybe this year I will enjoy winter more?)
- Seeing the buildings all around, the buzz of the air-cons, and people sitting around and smoking. I am not supposed to be judging any of it, but feeling stifled in that environment. I told myself to just be aware of it!
- BUT I could still leave there with a sense of gratefulness that I am able to take my lunch-time, and that my salary was paid in today.
- I am happy, healthy and this year is going to be one for the books!
- Also thinking: I should BE PRESENT!

This was difficult, thank you very much, Kate Emmerson!
BUT! It's supposed to be difficult!
I am looking forward to each day's challenge!

I AM going to shift something of myself this year!
I will keep you posted if this challenge is going to shift me!


Please tell me how you change something in your life? Do you purposefully work on it? Do you write it down?

Dog Heaven at Walkhaven

We found a Dog Heaven at Walkhaven on Sunday! We are always searching for places in the outdoors that does not cost an arm and a leg. Places that cater for the whole family. What a treat to be able to bring along your dogs as well!

The dogs roam free and they are all well-behaved. Except for our little "monster" that we had to keep on a leash... But she did leave a little bit more calm after all the running around!

Our pavement special "screamed" (there's no better word for it! as all our nerves are shot driving with her!) all the way to Walkhaven. (I think she thinks we are taking her to the vet! Or maybe she can't handle the excitement? Who knows!)

Our old boy, Benji, took it all in his stride, and while missing a few steps and strides, we think he had a lovely time. We even took him off his leash, and he could not be bothered by other dogs sniffing his behind. (The same can't be said for the other anxious one!)

We told Benji several times he can go to the light! (A family joke, because he is OLD, and the regular foul-smelling pees in the house is a huge irritation!) To die while walking in Walkhaven must also be like missing a step crossing over into Dog Heaven! He would carry on walking in the fields...!  But as long as he still catches the snacks with such ease, he must be okay!

Walkhaven is in the Muldersdrift area, right next to the Cradle of Humankind. There are braai and picnic facilities on the premises, as well as a great outdoor restaurant at The Dog Box Grill. We had the burgers as they were on special, but the pizzas look great as well!

Adults pay R35 and children and students R20 for entrance for the day. (Not bad!)

I was there as well! ;-)

Disney Junior giveaway in anticipation of Mickey and the Roadster Racers

MICKEY MOUSE AND THE GANG REV UP FOR
MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS, AN ACTION-PACKED RACING SERIES,
PREMIERING ON SATURDAY, 22 APRIL
ON DISNEY JUNIOR

It's finally here! Mickey and the Roadster Racers will premiere tomorrow (Saturday, 22 Apr) at 9:30 am on Disney Junior, DStv Channel 309.
Check out some fun roadster facts about Mickey and the Roadster Racers I shared earlier!

The series takes Mickey and the gang, along with their unique transforming vehicles, on humorous high-spirited races around the globe, as well as hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. Off the racetrack, Minnie and Daisy also run their own successful business as Happy Helpers, solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand. Geared towards kids 2-7, the stories are designed to impart social and emotional lessons about friendship, teamwork, optimism and good sportsmanship.

In anticipation of the release tomorrow, Disney Junior is giving away 5 Disney hampers of a sketch pad activity book and cup. (See photo below)

To win one of these hampers, please tell me the name of Goofy's Racer in the comments below? ( For the answer: Fun Roadster facts about Mickey and the Roadster Racers; or on Facebook: Disney Junior in Africa

The 5 winners will be notified at 12 pm next Wednesday 26 April.

The giveaway is only available to South African residents!



The Winners of the Mickey and the Roadster Racers' hampers are (via Random.org):

1. Carolyn
2. Elaine
3. Jackie
4. Candice
5. Aidan

Congratulations!

Roller skating at Roll Egoli - a great family outing!

The holiday period has gone by in a whizz. We were still working, and Little Miss had to go to vacation school. Which is not her favourite place to be during the holidays. (Sorry, Little Miss!)

We promised her an outing to to the roller skating rink at Roll Egoli to make up for the lack of holiday vibe and activities during her holiday.

This was our second time there, as we took her there for her birthday in December.

This is really a good outing for the whole family. It is amazing how fast they learn to skate.

Little Miss taught herself real quick to skate with her roller blades. They have frames at Roll Egoli to help you when you are still trying to stay upright!

At R65 for a 3 hour session it is really worth it! The skates are for hire at R30.

And they have lovely pizzas from a wood-fired oven!

We will be going again!
(Next time I am also going to skate! Watch this space! Why should I miss out on so much fun?)

Keeping all the Little Hoots in one place!

I do not post enough of the things she says! But I still love the Little Hoots app.
The app had a critical update in February. The previous design sets are not available anymore, but the new ones are just as nice.

The following have been changed and upgraded! I love it especially the edit function!

• Three new memory types: capture stories, upload photos or videos
• The ability to edit memories (created with LittleHoots 2.0 and later) after they’re saved
• A private network! Invite a spouse to contribute, or close family and friends to keep up with the kids
• An in-app community feed for memories too-good-not-to-share
• All new design packs with improved options for design customization
• Photo filters for pictures uploaded to quotes, conversations or stories

Luckily our previous hoots are still available!
And I still enjoy reading them again!

Previous Little Hoots posts

I hope you have a lovely Easter Weekend!

Wordless Wednesday #324 - Rainy Wednesday

Fun roadster facts about Mickey and the Roadster Racers

Mickey and the Roadster Racers logo

Mickey and the Roadster Racers is coming to Disney Junior, with the premiere on Saturday, 22 April at 9:30 am, DStv Channel 309.
It is a a madcap car-racing adventure series for pre-schoolers led by Disney's No. 1 star, Mickey Mouse, and his pals Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy and Donald.

The series takes Mickey and the gang, along with their unique transforming vehicles, on humorous high-spirited races around the globe, as well as hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. Off the racetrack, Minnie and Daisy also run their own successful business as Happy Helpers, solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand. Geared towards kids 2-7, the stories are designed to impart social and emotional lessons about friendship, teamwork, optimism and good sportsmanship.

We were invited to a special screening on Saturday of Mickey and the Roadster Racers. Little Miss is already 8 years, but she enjoyed the four episodes just as much as the rest. She was quite bummed when the last episode got stuck, and we were told to catch the last bit on Disney Junior. (It's too long to wait! ;-) )

Some fun facts about the vehicles in Mickey and the Roadster Racers

All of the transforming vehicles in Mickey and the Roadster Racers are inspired by the characters' personalities.

• Mickey, being a classic character, drives a classic American hot rod – the Hot Dog Hot Rod.
• Minnie's car, Pink Thunder, is a 1930s French inspired car – it looks like a bow and was inspired by Delahaye.
• Goofy - being Goofy - drives a car made out of a bathtub called the Turbo Tubster.
• As Donald Duck is a sailor, his vehicle is a cabin cruiser – the only vehicle that can go on both land and water.
• Since Daisy loves flowers, her car is a Snap Dragon dragster.

All of the numbers on the Mickey and the Roadster Racers cars have a significance to each driver.

• Mickey has the number 28 on his car for the year of his debut in Steamboat Willie.
•  Goofy's car has the number 8 which refers to the that Goofy is always behind the 8 ball.
• Daisy picked the number 4 in honor of her four friends – Minnie, Mickey, Donald and Goofy.
• Donald's car sports the number 3 - referring to the Three Caballeros, which Donald is proudly one of.
• The number 89 was picked for Minnie's car to represent that it has been 89 years since she was created.
• Pete's car is number 9 which is a reference to the nine lives of a cat.

For more info:

Facebook: @disneyjuniorafrica

Twitter: @DisneyJunior

Stunning spread at Mickey and the Roadster Racers screening

Minnie gets the photo op

Making her own Roadster Racer - this was a hit!

The sun still rises every day!

It's been hectic!

I had taken 5 days leave to go camping with the Little Miss! I am censoring myself so much, as I do not want to say too much! Suffice to say that it was our last time camping in this way, and that I won't let my daughter go on a trip like this again! I am so glad that Hubby and I went along. Being eight years is definitely too young to send your child on their own on a camp! I am SO disappointed!

The children made art works over the weekend camping. The marble art (rolling marbles in paint and letting it roll over paper) was part of their projects.

This past traumatic weekend was magnified by our own family financial crisis! As if not enough, the country's economy took a dive which does not bode well for a rosy future in finances (personal and investment related)!

This is life! I know we will survive!
On the personal and broader level!

I just need to dig deep, go inside (as introverts do), and carry on!

The sun rises every day!
Even on a bad camping weekend!

The school holidays are in full swing, but we are still working! (The traffic is definitely better!) Lucky you if you are able to go away for a while!

Where are you going or what are you doing for the holidays?