A meat free week.

Yesterday I decided on a nice veggie curry if I may say so myself it was very yummy so imagine my surprise when I opened the fridge this morning to find that 5 of the kids decided not to eat it as it did not contain meat. So I have decided we will have a meat free week.

What breaks my heart to see good food wasted.

Why do they do it?

I am a fairly easy going person but there is one thing that gets my blood boiling very quickly.

Violence against women & children.

I was a victim of abuse for many years and one day I had a light bulb moment and finally saw that I deserved better than what I was living with.

This morning my housekeeper and her husband asked to speak to me about a urgent matter as she was not at work yesterday. What transpired was that they were drinking over the weekend he heard something & a fight transpired. The police were called out & she was advised to get a protection order against him.

The worst thing is that all of this happened in front of the children aged 12 & 4.

Now if this had happened in my area the police would have arrested him for assault common (dv) and then suggested she got a protection order.

I do not care what a women does she does not deserve to be assaulted.

I do not want this man on my property!!!!!

Wow what a weekend.

It has been a seriously busy weekend. With the house being rather old & so full we tend to fix up the common areas & so our bedroom has been neglected. We decided it was time to revamp our room this meant we had to get everything out first. Lets just say we found some very interesting things behind the wardrobes.

Anyway the room was painted on Saturday & we decided to have a few friends around for a braai as the kids we out first friends till curfew. The little ones had sleep overs at friends. This was bliss to have adult time with no kids around. DH could not remember when last we had the house to ourselves.

Sunday was the day for the carpets to come out & For DH to service my car . The previous idiot who owned our house decided to put sticky tiles over wooden floors so once the carpets came out we had to deal with scrapping the glue of the old tiles off the floor. I managed 1/2 the floor before my back reminded me I am not as young or flexible as I used to be so in true South African style I went on strike.

In came all the furniture and boy I love my new improved room it feels to spacious & peaceful.

The car still needs some work to take car of the serious rattle she has I will try get the motor mech here later today.

The maid sent an sms to say she was not feeling well so I have to clean the house Yuck. I honestly hate housework.

Time to clean cus its now or never.

3 March - What a day!!!!

Yesterday was one of the most wonderful days. My dad came & dropped of my car she is a true beast a Russian car Lada. I love her to bits she is Black & silver & like a true Durbanite I called her Sharkie after my team. Sharkie does have a few issues but we will get them sorted out one at a time.

I have found someone brave enough to teach me to drive. Those who know me will try warn this poor sucker to run for the hills as I have been know to write off cars while being towed. My sister will tell the world of the time she took me diving & I gave an old man who was crossing the street a code brown moment when I accelerated instead of braking part.

The haven was entered into a competition to win a Solar Geyser & yes you guessed it we won. The Geyser was installed yesterday & we now have a constant supply of hot water & hopefully a lower electricity bill.

To end my wonderful day so S (age 4) decided to see if a wicker basket fits on her head... I went on easily but dad had to help her out of it with side cutters & scissors. DH spent 10 minutes getting it off her head.

Eish never a dull moment in this house.

26 Feb 2011- eek month end

Woke up nice & early caught a train with DH & the 3 little ones to the local shopping center to do the monthly shop.

Rushed around the shop did what was needed & 3 FULL trolleys later they caught the train home & I got a lift home with all the shopping. ALL the non working kids helped unpack & sort out the cupboards. about 15 minutes of sorting out everything we get a call saying a lady was on her way with a donation of groceries hells bells I was not expecting so much. YAY we are set for a month & 1/2. am very happy right now.

Three of the girls are out tonight will be home by 11pm (curfew). D is off to bead early he has sunstroke as he was working today.

Had problems with A today she used her transport money for smokes. She nearly ended up walking home but in the end one of my friends saved her. I decided to discuss A with her mother just to put her into the picture as to what is going on as I know she has been telling long tales to anyone who who will listen. Anyway her mother now is in the picture & is fully supporting what we are doing. Wish A would see this is her last chance at sorting out her life. She has a good job for a girl who has not completed her high school education & she is messing it up.

Anyway am off to bath & wait up for the girls to come home.

25 Feb 2011 - Just another day

Wow woke up with one hell of a headache. Taken a Compral hopefully it will kill it.

Am worried about D2 her mother will be back here in Johannesburg, its time to think about stage 2 of her healing. Not sure what she wants to do. D2 came to us on her own & asked to be admitted to the house. She is a lovely 18 year old girl who has gone through a lot. Parents divorce, abuse in the household, very strict beliefs she is not sure of anymore as what she is living & what she is being taught are 2 very different things. She has been with us for 2 weeks and is calling us mom & dad. This is almost unheard of but also shows me that she is in need for a "normal" parental role model. Guess I need to let things play out & be here when she needs me for guidance.

Am expecting a problem with M, she left for school this morning then sent me a long sms asking to sleep over at a friends & then she will go with them to a party in a bad part of town & her cousin will pick her up & she will stay at another cousins house for the night & then cousin 1 will bring her home on Sunday afternoon. Just to add here she did take everything she needed for the weekend with her so she has thought this plan. Anyway I said no sleep over. So now I have to wait to see if she is going to come home.

Never a dull moment in this house.