2017, you are finished!

2017 in review, it's stale already!

It feels like our house at the moment. There's been too much holiday, and not enough cleaning around here!

Tomorrow we will start afresh!

2017 in review

This year has been tough! But here we are! We made it through! I look at my 2016 Done and Dusted post, and I had a few expectations of 2017. Some came true, some not!  I'll  run through the list again, thanks to Tanya at Dear Max and Rebecca who reminds us each year of Nafisa's questions.

I look back, and think to myself; This was not so bad! Why did I think the sky was falling down and everything was bleak?

As an archivist I get to listen to many the-sky-is-falling speeches, and predictions of a future that is not painted as bright! And then it's a future that we have already surpassed, and we made it through much better than we thought!

2017 had it's moments, but it was also a tough one!

Cheers to us for making it through!

Meh... It's Spring again! Things that are going to change...

Spring is in the streets 

The title is one about dichotomy! Yay! It's Spring!
Meh... It's Spring again and nothing has changed!

As excited as one can be about Spring! It is time for regeneration and spring-cleaning! I love Spring AND Summer! It also seems that we have jumped straight into summer as the temperatures are high already!

We can't complain!

BUT...

It's a Cake Party with Play-Doh Kitchen Creation range

Play-Doh Kitchen Creation - Cake Party #PlayDohImagination

Hasbro has come up with another great range of creative play! Who would have thought that these little cans of Play-Doh clay can be used for so many things? The Kitchen Creation range is inspiring mini-chefs all over!

Little Miss was extremely excited when she got her box "Cake Party" last night. For once there was no whining (talking about the parents) and the homework was done in a flash! Before she started to play...

The new Kitchen Creation range consists of 13 playsets, such as Play-Doh Sizzlin’ Stovetop, Play-Doh Magical Oven, Play-Doh Frost ‘n Fun Cakes and Play-Doh Ice Cream Treats. 

Play-Doh Cake Party time is all about making imaginative cakes to celebrate any occasion, using stories, decorative cutters and tools to make the most fabulous cake creations. Little Miss loves helping out in the kitchen and this is a perfect way for her to sharpen her decorative skills. (Without leaving the kitchen in a mess! WIN-WIN)

Dads are equal partners in parenting

Warren Murray #equalparenting at Prima Toys 2017 Media Launch

Exhibition Director of MamaMagic Baby Expo, Warren Murray, is all about equal parenting! Dads want to be involved in the whole process of pregnancy, birth and they are 100% involved in the lives of their children. That's true for most men I know. Hubby is an excellent example! Dads are not babysitters, but parents. Full stop!

Warren Murray addressed us yesterday at Prima Toys Top Toys launch of the season. It was a Christmas in July celebration. I am so excited about all the cool toys, but will break it up in a few posts to come.

Warren did not say anything we do not know already, but it was a passionate plea to set the world's record straight, and to get rid of stereotypical notions about the role of dads. Even dictionaries have not been updated yet!

A search on Google reveals the dichotomy between the words "mother" and "father".

Google search 21-7-2017: Mother

Google search 21-7-2017: Father

Dads are involved equally, not only from inception, but throughout their children's lives. Warren and his wife are actively and consciously creating moments as a family! They have found play to be a wonderful catalyst of being present in the lives of their children. Play is in the simplicity of things. It's not about the toys, but about the presence! It's not about the mom or the dad, but the partnership!

Dads are equal partners!

Does your hubby fit the bill?


Prima Toys media launch was so much fun yesterday, but we also got inspiration for the roles we play as parents!

Wordless Wednesday #323 - Waiting for Earth Hour 2017

Wordless Wednesday #321 - I Love Jozi - Graffiti artists at Homemakers Expo

Wordless Wednesday #319 - Paper doll work mate

Rat Race 2017 - Here we go!

According to the Urban Dictionary:

Rat Race is a term used to describe a frustrating, hard-to-break financial lifestyle. It is a lifestyle that is lived by countless people, oblivious to the very nature of it, to a degree that even when called upon, vehemently deny it.
To summarize the Rat Race, It involves subjecting one's self to a time-consuming job, saddling one's self with heavy mortgages/rents, bills, children, and liabilities, forcing the individual to continue busting his or her ass at that same job. The illusion that working at the same job will be better bars off alternatives.

I have been back at work from last week already, but things are only kicking in this week. The schools starts on Wednesday. The school clothes are ready, the books and pencils are marked and Little Miss is getting excited for a new beginning at a new school!

I do not feel despondent on this Monday, but the rat race phenomenon makes me question the way we are living. From paycheck to paycheck...

Maybe I will find the answer in this earth-shattering (for me! ;-)) 50th year of my life? The older I get, the less answers I have! (sic! I know!)

Are you ready for the new year and the new school year?

Here we go!

KIND - Word of the year

Kindness

Kind. Kindness. 
This is going to be my focus of this year!

Kind to myself, but kind to everybody else as well!
Kind to the earth, animals and everything I touch!

I said last year already that the most important thing I want my children to be, is to be kind!
Kindness - what I want my kids to be!

I found this in my mail box today, and it fits perfectly for the new year!

Joy attracts more joy. Happiness attracts more happiness. Peace attracts more peace. Gratitude attracts more gratitude. Kindness attracts more kindness. Love attracts more love.
Your job is an inside one. To change your world, all you have to do is change the way you feel inside. How easy is that?"

—Rhonda Byrne (The Secret)

I am not going to make New Year's resolutions this year! I am just going to do it!
The things we all know we should be doing...
- Live more healthily!
- Follow your purpose!
- Get rid of negativity!

What is your word of the year?

2016 - You are done and dusted!

2016

There are years that are rather "meh" and "what happened?"
2016 has been such a year!
Not bad, but nothing to report as well!
(That's why I know 2017 is going to be much better! It has to be, right?)

This meme is doing the rounds, grabbed from Nafisa's blog. (Thanks Tanya (Dear Max and Rebecca) for reminding us!)

1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?
Nothing! I should definitely address this issue! (Note to self!)

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No, I do not do New Year's resolutions any more, but I got up on the 2nd of January this year and decided that I am a vegetarian. I still am!

3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
I do not like being at home this time of the year! I even tried unsuccessfully last night to book us two nights through Lekkeslaap and Airbnb. Of course it did not work because everything is fully booked. I am very disappointed that you can't search for places that are still available. You have to apply for each and every place on the sites! (Thumbs down from me!)
But Hubby organised a braai with friends at home and New Year's Eve does not seem so bleak any more! We also went to the Wonder Caves at Kromdraai today, and it was a great outing! (Definitely something to put on the to-do-list with the family!)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No! Thank you, Universe!

5. What countries did you visit?
None! (*crying*)

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
I do not have anything lacking in my life!

7. What date from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
No, can't think of anything! That's why I call it a "meh" year!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
? Meh!
I nearly forgot! I got a certificate for an Online Social Media short course through UCT.

9. What was your biggest failure?
? (That's not so bad!)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My car

12. Where did most of your money go?
Necessities and school! A new car! (Also a necessity!)

13. What song will always remind you of 2016?
The Kiffness: "Away from here"

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spend time with friends.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eat.

16. What was your favourite TV program?
This is us

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No

18. What was the best book you read?
The Red Fish Project, by Andrew Gillmore

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Kiffness - only noticed them this year

20. What was your favourite film of this year?
Rogue One - Stars Wars

21. What did you do on your birthday?
I only made a small mention on my blog about my birthday this year! It was very low key!
Next year I want to go to Mauritius and I want a Star Wars party! (Ha-ha-ha! But it's on my list for 2017!)

22. What kept you sane?
My family! Not taking everything too serious!

23. Who did you miss?
We miss the family who are overseas, especially with family get-togethers!

24. Who was the best new person you met?
Boyfriend of the Eldest! He makes her happy!

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016
Do not take life too seriously, and do not get overwhelmed by other people's negativity!


Happy New Year!
2017 is going to rock! For everybody!