It's fun to be ONE!

Our youngest grandson Bradley celebrated his first birthday on Saturday 26 November.  We had his party at our house with close family.  We had a lovely afternoon and Brad was thoroughly spoilt!

The delicious Birthday cake

The Birthday boy

Having fun with Uma

Brad and Grampa

A thought...

A beautiful poem...

Continuing my clean-out today, I came across a calendar I kept from 1985! It has 12 poems, one for each month, written by Helen Steiner Rice.  I know we have all heard this one before and it's one of my favorites...

Give Lavishly!

Live Abundantly!

The more you give,

the more you get-

The more you laugh,

the less you fret-

The more you do

unselfishly,

The more you live

abundantly...

The more of everything

you share,

The more you'll always

have to spare -

The more you love,

the more you'll find

That life is good

and friends are kind...

For only what

 we give away,

Enriches us

from day to day.

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~



Two of my many blessings - Gina & Bradley

Sisters Dinner - Thursday 10 November

Usually we have our monthly Sisters Dinner on the second Wednesday of every month.  Norma had been in London and only arrived home on Thursday morning so we had our dinner that night.

We tried a restaurant called George's Bistro.  We all enjoyed our meals, they were hot, very tasty and well priced.  The service was good as well so all in all we had a good evening!

Act on it

Even the best idea is only an idea. To give it value, act on it.

Even the most ambitious intention is only an intention until you begin to act on it. Once you take action and put some commitment behind it, then you begin to transform that intention into real value.

Most of the world doesn’t really care about what you think you’ll do or what you plan to do. To make the world take notice, take action.

Very few people care about what you think or how you feel. What will give you credibility and influence is what you actually do.

By all means, think and plan and dream. Then stand up, step forward, follow through and do.

Zero in on an intention that has real meaning for you. Then act on it, persistently and enthusiastically, and bring it fully to life.  — Ralph Marston

Resolutions - in November?!

On 1st November I made some resolutions - sounds strange but nevertheless I did.  One of the things I need to change are my eating habits!  I tend to starve myself the whole day then eat whatever is in sight as soon as I get home. Biscuits and sweets ~  I have been doing this for years!  Then I end up not eating supper and the circle begins again.  So in reality all I was eating was just junk!

Well, this is what my eating plan has changed to

• Eating breakfast EVERY morning
• Fruit  at around 10h00
• Something light for lunch like a sandwich
• Fruit when I get home around 15h00
• Dinner ~ but still a very small portion
• Lots of water

I set myself a challenge a while ago of doing "A page a Day" to get my scrapbooking upto date.  Sadly I didn't keep it up.  I started sorting things out and have completed 5 whole pages since the weekend.  Gordon made a comment on the weekend that I have so many photos that are already developed "Why don't you just do the ones you already have?!" This is exactly what I am doing so hopefully by the end of November I will have completed no less than 30 pages.

The paper clutter that I have is diminishing - everyday I am working at getting rid of the paper.

I love motivational quotes and have them written down all over.  I decided to get them all together and write them in a single notebook.

The next on my list is my cupboard - I am hoping to get started on it this afternoon.

Finally to catch up on the movies on the PVR.  I watch movies in stages so I completed The Green Mile this morning.


 

Love yourself

 "You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection."

- Buddha -   

Thought for the Day...

 "Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are -- chaff and grain together -- certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away...." Dinah Craik 

We cherish our best friends and our special communities because we feel safe to be vulnerable when we're in their embrace. And yet I have discovered that as long as I identify with my self-image, with my ego, there's no safety possible anywhere. When the ego is on watch, even a dear friend's truth may trigger reactions like anxiety, self-criticism and fear. The only true safety exists in living the truth of our soul, our essence. 

"Open your body and your mind to the subtler levels of experience, letting go of your attempt to control, to be right, not worrying about appearances, not trying to be safe."  Stephen Levine    

From : Higher  Awareness

I received this from my sister Norma yesterday - what an awesome message!

On my wish list...

With December approaching and only about 6 weeks before most of our customers close, it seems that all around us people are making plans for the holidays.

I would love a break to the 'country' - only a few hours/385km away from home at the Magoebaskloof Hotel.

The views are magnificent and the air is crisp and clean - just what I need!  All you need is a good book and you're set!

This picture, (taken last December)  is the breathtaking view we had from our room.