WEIGHTY DAY YESTERDAY

Yesterday was a rather heavy day. Meetings were at the hotel in Kempton Park. Lots of progress and nice food. But a number of legal life issues were just hanging. Not saddening, not frightening... a bit overwhelming.

BODY BUTTER

Homemade Body Butter

I had an amazingly lazy day. Completely clean diary and my bed. I had a late start, woke up, took a shower, washed my hair, then back to my PJs. Those who know my hair know what I mean by washing my hair. Its a task... no a chore. Something more significant maybe is that I whipped my homemade body butter today. This is all I apply on my skin, from head to toe. Even on my hair. Amazing stuff.

FABRIC VINTAGE, CHAIRS ANTIQUE

Vintage look fabric for my antique chairs

Its happening! My chairs are at the upholsterer for new dresses. I chose vintage inspired fabric to take them as close as possible to their original state. I love red. Very much. All my Persian Rugs are a shade of red. Classic like that.
Today I took my chairs in for re-upholstering. I cant wait to get them back.

VALENTINE GRATEFULNESS

Valentine day's gift

I really love my husband. He is a keeper. Not only on valentines day but everyday since I met him 14 years ago. Thanks honey.

SLAUGHTERING DEBT

Slaughtering Debt

Its so sick I know but I keep telling people about how they should take care of their own money. You'd swear I am government or a parent or people are my responsibility. Fortunately, there are people who like me enough to boost my ego by inviting me to give some chats on this subject. This week I have a class with young couples on finances in their marriages. We started yesterday on "dealing with debt".

Today the debate was on "debt consolidation". I enjoy these classes so much. I like these couples a lot. I hope to be done by Friday.

THE RED VELVET CAKE

the red velvet cake

Yes I did. I craved the red velvet cake today and really ate it. Thanks to the Mr and the Geek and their love for me. Remember that I am trying to cut on wheat and sugar.

THE PHARMACY

the pharmacy

Feeling a bit unwell today. Passed by  the local pharmacy after work to get me some myprodol. Have to sleep on time.

RAIDING ANTIQUES AND A BRAAI

Imbuia ball and claw table #2

Braai/ barbeque with our siblings

Our most favourite table in this house is an imbuia ball and claw dwarf kind. Its very short and quite gorgeous. Well, today we went to collect a slightly taller and smaller version from the antique seller. Whilst at it we also grabbed a coat hanger and desk. We later browsed a few other antique stores along Soutspadsberg Road. And then back home to prepare for the family braai (barbeque). Our Gauteng based siblings were invited. We were so happy to have brother in law join us whilst my sister and brother didnt show up. The braai went very well.

Today I raided the antique stores and enjoyed the braai with my family.

RAIN, MALLS AND STEKINEKOR

Rain outside my window

My day started extremely slow. I was still exhausted after the Namibia trip. So, naturally I camped in my bedroom for what I thought would be the entire day. Suddenly I heard what seemed like heavy rain. I peeped through my window, quickly grabbed my phone and snapped a few photos to capture the moment.

I later had to quickly rush to in Irene villages Mall. Mr came back after work with a huge bunch of roses (he's a keeper) and we decided to go tire our bodies at Brooklyn Mall after dinner. It seems that everyone was actually at Brooklyn mall for dinner. People were waiting, sitting in queues, wine in hand, courtesy of the restaurant.

roses that were given

so many people at Brooklyn Mall

Wakaberry sounded like a great idea for dessert.

Wakaberry dessert at Brooklyn

Exclusive Books shopping was light

 From there it was Exclusive Books and finally the Movie which kept us until Saturday...LOL. Just after 12 midnight.

A movie was unexpected content

We watched The Wolf of Wall Street. Not what I expected at all and an over use of the *F*word. Today was an eventful day. I had to add more photos.  

GOODBYE WALVIS BAY

Walvis Bay Airport

The Walvis Bay Airport is being constructed. For now, this barn like structure was all we had. It didnt look different to a barn even inside. That's where I spent a few hours sipping on my can of drink and photographing with my phone. I was very grateful to be going home to my hubby and kids. Felt like a lifetime away from them.
Today I said my goodbyes to Walvis Bay. And I really liked it. I will always remember Walvis Bay for its sleepy character, no 2 cars at a time dusk to dawn. Neat and peaceful like a retirement village.

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT

Namibia Prawns at The Raft, Walvis Bay, Namibia

Yep, Today we had an amazing girls' night out with my lady colleagues at The Raft, Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Remember the restaurant I spoke about a few days ago? The food was.... a lot. Way too much. I couldn't eat half of that plate. It also cost a small fortune. That set me off R200 before coffee. Vegies were kebabs with some garlic sauce. I missed Ocean Basket right at the beginning of the meal until the end. I must be obsessed with South Africa.

GUESTS AND A CUPPA SOUP

Hotel Room, Namibia

The two word description of this hotel would be "bad taste". Nothing looks planned and well thought. This is no review but I just couldn't stop myself.

My colleagues came visit my room this evening just for a chat. A few hours and lots of giggles later, we said our goodnights with more giggles. 'The room above is the space we were in. I have amazing view towards the ocean/ lagoon. The place is not as miserable by the way. Stuff looks quite interesting around here.

Today some of my colleagues spent most of the evening in my room.

RESTAURANT OF SORTS

Waterfront Restaurant-The Raft, Walvis Bay, Namibia

As we had our lunch at the hotel restaurant today, we had this view. Heart warming right?  It is indeed. This is a restaurant (The Raft) built in the bay. It looks painfully ugly like it can fall anytime from the outside. Work of art if you are strange like me. My hotel room also faces this structure. I'll try to capture it at night. Looks far more interesting. Pity I cant capture flamingos that live near it because I forgot my camera. I am using my tablet with no proper zoom. Kicking myself really hard.

Today I had lunch at Protea Hotel Pelican Bay, Namibia facing this waterfront restaurant.

STUDENT OF EQUITIES

I am a student of equities

In 2012 I took serious interest in equities, the JSE, bonds, notes, dividends and everything that is related to passive investments. I am one of those people who think in numbers. I do calculations by hand. I hardly ever use my calculators. Oh well, excel spread sheets are a life saver. I have tens of formulas for my budget, savings plans, homeloan, and everything related to finances. I quickly run a spread sheet to take a lot of decisions. Geeky, I know.
Today, I laid in my bed calculating the returns on various International Exchange Traded Funds (Index Funds). 2013 returns on quite a few of them is very impressive.
I have an early morning with son going to new school and all that. Have to go to bed earlier today.

YESTERDAY EVENING IN MY GARDEN

rose from my garden

Well, a rose from my own garden. I actually missed on a wonderful post yesterday. I spent more than 1 hour in a moony evening listening to birds. I really am blessed with a huge garden filled with tall trees, and amazing birds wake me from my sleep. Last night they were competing with amazing music. I will always love waking up to this.
Yesterday evening I listened to beautiful bird music in my front garden.

GRAIN FREE BREAD

Grain Free Bread

I've been back on my mostly paleo diet. This food is the only medication for me. I feel light when I cut grains in my diet, I get healthier, my mood improves, etc. I have lost the weight I piled on in December too. I am praying that my travels don't spoil it. I ate a lot of salad this week. I never got tired of it. Since I am a bread addict, I have found ways of baking without grains.
Today I baked Almond and Flaxseed grain free bread and I loved how it turned out. Its perfect for tea time and breakfast.

LONG WALK AND A SUNSET

Sunset View from my Balcony

Today, hubby dearest dumped his own jogging routine to give me support in my first 2014 slow walk. I was very lazy at the beginning but so proud of myself I pushed for it. As we approached our home, we noticed an amazing dusty orange sunset. I ran up the stairs as quick as I could to photograph it on the balcony. Our neighbour's high house was actually blocking most of it. It was so gorgeous.

PRETORIA VIEW POINTS BY FORT KLAPPERKOP

Pretoria viewpoints by Fort Klapperkop

We now officially love to drive in the sloppy viewpoints by Waterkloof Golf  club. The houses there are just to die for. Cant stop clicking on my phone camera. I really need to buy me a new camera. Anyways this post is about nature.
Today we drove past this pair of zebras in those Pretoria viewpoints by Fort Klapperkop. I never passed any wild animal that close. They are as gorgeous as they are from the distance.

LEBANESE RESTAURANT IN HATFIELD

Lebanese restaurant in Hatfield, Pretoria

Uncle Faouzi, a Lebanese restaurant in Hatfield, Pretoria is where I had lunch with a hot date today. I know that plate looks very sorry but t sure tasted great. Rice mixed with lentils, grilled chicken breast, salad and some sauces on a bed of wrap. I couldnt eat the wrap because I avoid wheat, but the date said it was delicious. I also managed to buy 5 books including 3 for my son and "The Warren Buffett Stock Portfolio" plus "Your money or your life". Oh well, I'm a sucker for a good personal finance book. I couldnt find any other books I liked. I may be starting to read tomorrow or tonight, YAYYYYY!!!

RESCUING THE BABY BIRDS

rescuing baby birds

The tree felling exercise we had yesterday left 3 or 4 baby birds orphaned. My heart was too sore. After a lot of sadness I went to get a bucket and when I got back there were only 3 birds out of 4. After the hubby and son convinced me that they were only three, we worked on rescuing the baby birds Today. We are now nursing them until they are able to fly.



Black-Browed Barbet

Blak-collared Barbet

A bird watching guy I know told me that they are Black-collared Barbets. The cutest things I ever laid my eyes on. From there it was google. Its only after calling a bird sanctuary that I learn I was right about the fourth one and how to take care of them. Hot water bottle is a must before they even eat. Its like having a baby. they eat every 15 minutes because they are in intensive care. Their home was not a nest but a hole they bore on a tree trunk, poor things.

"Both sexes excavate the nest, which is a hole in the underside of a dead branch, preferably softwood trees like Ficus (wild fig). It often uses the same hole repeatedly, sometimes using the same nest site for ten years! Abandoned nest cavitis are often taken over by other birds, such as tits and sparrows." says biodiversityexplorer.org

Blak-collared Barbet

 

Thats how we missed on seeing them. The mother was crying around them for a while, before we took them. This is what wikipedia had to say:

"The Blak-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus) is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa through Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Readily recognised by its loud duet, commonly rendered as "too-puddly too-puddly too-puddly".... accompanied by wing-flicking. This bird produces a variety of calls including its snarling warning call and loud buzzing. It is a gregarious species, often acting in concert when driving off intruders and roosting together (up to 15 recorded) in nest holes. Their flight is direct with a loud whirring of wings."

The search for number 4 continues. I'm too sad to lose that one.

last three images from pinterest.com