Jd’s birthday thank you!

I am only catching my breath now after my trip to Canada and have finally caught up with what my hubbie was up to during my absence (good wifely thing to do). And I am glad (sad) to report that he got on just fine without me!!

He managed to throw himself a mega party for his birthday inviting all that breath to come and commiserate with him. And they all turned up to support him. So this post is dedicated to everybody that “made his day” and cheered him up in my absence! Thank you all for sharing the special day with him! At our age every day and every new life year should be cherished and celebrated with zest… and what better way to spent it than with friends and family!

A special thanx to Elrieka and Amanda for doing salads, setting tables and generally doing the hostess thing! From what I hear you excelled yourself! Thanx Marietjie for the apple tart and all the presents- Jd has been doing some meaningful sipping and gift vouchering.,

Also thank you to Michael for documenting the occasion for me and I am putting his collection of photos here for your enjoyment!

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South Africa we are proud of you!

We are on our roadtrip this week to make sure that we take in some soccer worldcup ambiance and spirit and I have to say I am proud to be South African. At the two matches in Bloemfontein and Rustenburg, I have never experienced such goodwill, fun and communal spirit. I have come to the conclusion that it does not really matter who you support as long as you do it with a smile, some facepaint, some beer and of course, your vuvuzela handy.

And I am proud of Bafana! Well done guys! I will carry on wearing my Bafana shirt and adorn it with paraphernalia from my next team that I will support. Only problem is that I am a bit in the dark as to who to support…. My children are Italien (Romano, Michele, Roberto), I like Argentina (their colours resembles the duvet on my bed), and I have swapped my SA scarf for an authentic mexican mask…… Who to support????

And also please I ahve now received this slideshow umpteenth times!!! SO to prove that I have received it and yes yes yes it does not matter…….

I am just sorry that we are not going to more live matches, because that is were it is at…..I was impressed with the Park and Ride and the general organisation at matches.

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The Sounds of the Soccer World Cup

Our Office Vuvuzela-ingThis world cup will especially be remembered for the cacophony of sounds coming, not only from screaming fans, but from our national traditional weapon, the vuvuzela. Now fight as you might if it is good on the ears or not, it is the defining sound of the Soccer World Cup 2010. Not only is the Vuvu a trending topic on Twitter, it is THE  MUST HAVE accessory for everybody that is anybody from Sandton to Soweto, from Liverpool to Australia. So if you do not have one- you are definitely not soccerturally correct. Get with it bro! Viva.

What the vuvu-objectors actually are upset about, is that they either don’t have one or don’t know how to blow. Really. The good news is that there are still plenty available at your closest street corner along with a flag and, if you are really rich or an overseas visitor with dollars, you can also acquire a makarapa to adorn you soccer attire. I must confess, doing the vuvuzela thing comes with a slight down side. You might be hearing impaired for the rest of your life, and your cheeks will be in spasm for months to come, not to mention the blisters on your lip, but what the heck- it’s our time. Its time for Africa. Viva Bafana Viva!

Which brings me to the Waka Waka. I can cope with the Waka Waka as opposed to the diski dance. Who thought that one out? Eeash. My  body wants to waka waka- I do not want to slip a diski. So if you follow Shakira’s pelvic moves- it is a complete easy-kapeasie breeze. So to get you in the mood. Here it is. (Also note, I taught the blackhead singer from Freshlyground who sings with Shakira, Kyla, Maths in highschool. That is why she is famous today. See how important maths is?)

Then there is my absolute favourite which is the flag song. I get a tear in my eye and feel if we could really change the world. Viva.

So give me the sounds of Africa, let your vuvuzelas buzz ever so loudly! Move those hips! Put on your glasses  and your Makarapas, paint your flag on your face and let’s buzzz Bafana Bafana on to viva viva and ayoba on and into the net. Bring on the sounds and spirit of Africa!!! Viva! And sommer another Ayoba as well.

Some resources to keep you going…

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8 things woman should avoid during the world cup 2010

This is a very important instruction guide to survival for the next month….

  • Do not change the channel  to Generations – he is watching Soccer!
  • Don’t ask about  Beckham  (he is not there) and no-one cares.
  • Support the same team as him……..please  its for your own safety.
  • Avoid moving in front of the screen ……..right now he feels he is in the stadium and as a supporter he might throw missiles at you.
  • Don’t tell him  “it’s just a game”………to him it is bigger than  your  50th marriage anniversary put  together.
  • Focus on the issue at hand (soccer match)…..other minor things (paying bills, how your day was, the kids, and groceries) can be discussed in July……. (after the final).
  • In case of a loss…………….avoid eye contact and deviate your conversation to other things (not soccer)……as it may affect his temper.

Golden last rule

  • Never……. Ever…… touch the remote……..you might work up in hospital.

Happy world cup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Thanx Nompilo for sending me this one)

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The difference between ‘potentially’ and ‘realistically

A young boy went up to his father and asked him,’Dad, what is the difference between ‘potentially’ and ‘realistically’?’

The father thought for a moment, then answered, ‘Go ask your mother if she would sleep with Brad Pitt for a million dollars.

Then ask your sister if she would sleep with Brad Pitt for a million dollars, and then ask your brother if he’d sleep with Brad Pitt for a million dollars. Come back and tell me what you learn from that.’

So the boy went to his mother and asked, ‘Would you sleep with Brad Pitt for a million dollars?’

The mother replied, ‘Of course I would! We could really use that money to fix up the house and send you kids to a great University!’

The boy then went to his sister and asked, ‘Would you sleep with Brad Pitt for a million dollars?’

The girl replied, ‘Oh my Gawd! I LOVE Brad Pitt I would sleep with him in a heartbeat, are you nuts?’

The boy then went to his brother and asked, ‘Would you sleep with Brad Pitt for a million dollars?’

‘Of course,’ the brother replied. ‘Do you know what a million bucks would buy?’

The boy pondered the answers for a few days and then went back to his dad.

His father asked him, ‘Did you find out the difference between ‘potentially’ and ‘realistically’?’

The boy replied, ‘Yes, ‘Potentially’, you and I are sitting on three million dollars.

But ‘realistically’, we’re living with two hookers and a queer.’

(Thanx Lanie for this one- cheered me up no end!)

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Letter to telkom

After a nightmare month of struggling to get some service from Telkom, I wrote yet another e-mail to Wikus Kruger from Telkom:

Hi Wikus,

Thank you for the status update this morning that the data line will be sorted by 11 (it is now 11 and still nobody in sight). I appreaciate it that you phone so regularly to update me that nothing is going to happen. If, as you say, we will be fully operational by the weekend (a whole month after installation was supposed to have happened) I will indeed throw a rip roaring Telkom party. (A telkom party is a party where nobody arrives and nothing happens).

I just want to confirm that we still do not have hunting or maybe it is a case that due to the other lines into the switchboard not working, you cannot get a line. People phoning in report that it just rings, and we are here and not getting their calls.

So the status (after a whole month of struggle) is as follows:

* No hunting
* Still using the 0117917155 line seperate from the PABX in order to have Internet
* No data/fax line yet
* The additional line going into the PABX is still not functioning.
* We did not get a manual with our PABX and I am starting to think that we have been given a second hand one. The trainer did not have a spare manual and told me to follow it up with you.
* We are still operating on 1 phone line only.
* Our receptionist is still in the middle of the room as she cannot move her desk back till Telkom has finished. Very unprofessional.

This is very disheartening and everytime we get an update that something is going to happen, we just laugh, as nothing usually happens (hence Telkom party!). So apart form Besty moving our old existing line into the PABX, we are operating on sub standard levels here. We cannot run a business like this. This has been a whole month now- I have even stopped crying. Shocking service- what more is there to say? Maybe we should revert back to smoke signals- might prove more efficient than Telkom.

Kind regards
Maggie Verster
Ps can I have reference numbers from you for reporting all of the above?

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My baby turns 21

I guess he is not my baby anymore….

Bert the Bob celeberated his 21st birthday yesterday and it was quite a weepie day for me. While making his powerpoint of copius pictures (as all mothers do for their children’s 21st birthdays) I went through a lifetime of memories. Such happy ones. All the agonies and blissfull moments of raising 3 boys came flooding back.

As his siblings pointed out in their speeches, Bert is special. He cares about others, seldom moans and gives a mean neck rub when you are stressed. In general I can summarise him as a responsible young man with wisdom way beyond his years. I am proud to be his mother.

His 21st party was again a reflection of what he is about. Instead of the wild party that most 21 year olds demands, he insisted on a formal dignified italian affair with a few of his friends and family and the normal italian fare of endless sumptious courses. He forced us to dig into our cubboards for our finest wares and we had to suck in our tummies while stuffing our faces with enthusiasm.

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Lovely office furniture for sale

I am moving my hubbie home as part of my longterm plan to move him all the way to Hoggies! I am amazed that we will be able to fit in most of his office furniture in the newly renovated home office (very impressed with my builder from Pretoria). I have managed to find foster parents for most of his art work with family, but there are a few pieces of furniture that I now need to sell.

His executive desk with leather inlays. Beautiful and in great condition. (R1500)

An entrance table with gold trimmings (R2000) Really a great piece.

Then there is also another solid executive desk (R800)

A table with a leather inlay top (R650)

A wooden flat filing cabinet- good condition (R750)

A small wooden stationary emboya cubboard (R450)

I did talk to him about his files everywhere!!! Things will have to change when he is running his from home!!!!

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6 Management lessons you have to know!

This is a condensed management course with all you ever need to know!

Lesson 1:
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.

The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.

When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbour

Before she says a word, Bob says, ‘I’ll give you $800 to drop that towel.’

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, ‘Who was that?’

‘It was Bob the next door neighbour she replies.

‘Great,’ the husband says, ‘did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?’

Moral of the story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure

************************

Lesson 2:

A priest offered a Nun a lift.

She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.

The priest nearly had an accident.

After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, ‘Father, remember Psalm 129?’

The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.

The nun once again said, ‘Father, remember Psalm 129?’

The priest apologized ‘Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.’

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, ‘Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.’

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

***********************

Lesson 3:
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.

They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, ‘I’ll give each of you just one wish.’
‘Me first! Me first!’ says the admin clerk. ‘I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.’
Puff! She’s gone.

‘Me next! Me next!’ says the sales rep. ‘I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life…’

Puff! He’s gone.

‘OK, you’re up,’ the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, ‘I want those two back in the office after
lunch.’

Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.

****************

Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, ‘Can I also sit like you and do nothing?’

The eagle answered: ‘Sure, why not.’

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

******************

Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

‘I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree’ sighed the turkey, ‘but I haven’t got the energy.’
‘Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?’ replied the bull. They’re packed with nutrients.’

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
Bull S *# t might get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there..

***********************

Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.

The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who s *#* s on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of s *# t is your friend.

(3) And when you’re in deep s *# t, it’s best to keep your mouth shut!

<Thanx Myra for sharing these lessons with me!!>

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Why men shouldn’t write advice columns

Thanx Mark for this one….

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