Today is my daughter's first day at Grade 1. It's been a VERY LONG holiday and now that it's finally over I am extremely relieved. My daughter has had her shiny new school shoes, new socks and school uniform ready for about a month now and was beside herself with excitement today when she awoke. Mommy here woke up earlier than she did at 5.15am! It was a combination of being unable to sleep and excitement. What the HELL!? Anyway. Last night I had prepared the uniform which was laid out neatly next to her bed. I'd packed her school bag with lunch goodies etc and I had also pre-laid out the table for our four course breakfast. Yes, I am NOTHING if not obsessive and prepared – haha.

So the day dawned – well in fact it didn't, as I said I was up WAY before sunrise. It was quite beautiful actually to look out at the pre-dawn sky and be awake before the first bird chirped. I had a leisurely shower and when I came out was greeted by my tousle haired, half asleep princess. We went into the lounge and she exclaimed at the set table saying: "Mommy are you doing all this for me 'cos you're so excited!?" So we sat down to eat our cereal, toast, boiled eggs and juice. Yes I AM Super-Mom! Then it was time to get dressed in new school uniform. OH my God – she looked SO grown up, I got teary eyed.

We left the house at 7:05 (hysterical I know, especially seeing as the school is a mere 5 minute drive away from home!) Got to the school to find many more hysterical people – NO parking and a million parents and kids milling around taking photos and videos of their darlings. MAYHEM! Eventually walked her to her class and was met by her lovely teacher Miss Peddie. She was given a name tag and her little bag with stationery etc and told to sit at a desk and colour in a picture. I then had to wait for her dad who was on his way to do his well-wishing. Waited for days (ok about 15 minutes) till he eventually arrived. We went back into the classroom and took more happy snaps. She was sitting quite happily at her desk colouring and chattering away to two friends she knows from Grade R. I left a happy and proud mom. My baby is growing up so fast!

I’ve been unhappy for most of last year with regard to my daughter’s aftercare. She was in Grade R last year and the aftercare facility was run through the school. There was little or no structure up until about month 7 when some of the parents complained and they then implemented some kind of routine. Up until then the kids basically ran rife in the playground tiring themselves out. My poor little girl used to come home exhausted every night. She would basically pass out by about 6 or 7pm. The food was also not up to scratch at all.

So I’ve been procrastinating (I am a MASTER at procrastination!) about renewing the aftercare for this year. It’s run by the same people but at the Grade 1 school. Recently a friend of mine told me about another aftercare facility which sounded like heaven but was a little more expensive. I uhmed and aahed (in my head) and eventually bit the bullet on Friday afternoon and decided to go and have a look. OH MY WORD! I got a tour from “Aunty Pat”, a lovely lady in her late fifties who would be Rhiannon’s teacher. The facility is run like a school, has structure, routine, fully qualified teachers supervising homework, fully cooked lunches and snack times. They even serve the kids breakfast if they arrive before 8am. This place is HEAVEN compared to the old aftercare. So I registered her IMMEDIATELY! Rushed home and  babbled the good news to my mom and to dear daughter.

This morning my daughter awoke at 5.30am asking if she could get dressed now as she was ‘so excited!’ SO CUTE! She was dressed and ready and had made her bed before I’d even rubbed my eyes! So we arrived at 7.45 and she was escorted to the breakfast dining table by Aunty Pat and given a bowl of oats, toast and juice. She was a little shy but I think that’s normal and she’ll be ok once her friend arrives. Am SO happy I’ve found this place. Hurray!

Copied this fromCath's Blog

So, what’s going on in my life right now:

1. I am loving the fact that my mom is staying with us for a week while I still have to slave at work and she gets to look after my daughter.

2. I do not want to think about the fact that I will not be getting a Christmas bonus hence December may be a bit lean. LALALA hands over my ears, not listening, NOT caring.

3. Last night we watched ¾ of a movie called Across the Universe. Some of the music was very good. Other bits of it were just downright ridiculous.

4. I am still agonizing over buying a Playstation for my daughter for Christmas. Perhaps I should JUST DO IT as my dear sister advised. Yeah what the hell am gonna do it.

5. I had very weird dreams about an old school buddy and a work colleague last night. Strangeness in my head. I also awoke at 2, 3 and 4am. I was very tired at 6.30 when I actually had to get up.

6. I am wearing cute lil baby doll shoes today and a skirt! The downside: the damn shoes are hurting the back of my feet into blisters. Ugh.

7. I have four days left till holidays.

8. I am looking forward to cooking dinner for my man and my mom on Wednesday night. Yay.

9. I am happy that my sister is working out her stuff. I love her more than words can say.

10. I just had 2 chocolate biscuits and coffee for breakfast. Tis the season dammit!

Queen of Wands

The Queen of Wands card suggests that my power today lies in liberation. I radiate or communicate personal power, passion, and allure and am not dragged down by trends. I have a bold magical flair and a spirit of innovation and pride. I am secure in my identity or performance and thrive on creating, designing or fostering new or equal opportunities for aesthetic or personal growth, expression or awareness. I am empowered with gratitude, attention and reputation to go beyond the call and I transform through exploring or initiating change.

Yay - I ROCK today - here's to 2 weeks left till I go on holiday. Taking my daughter out of pancakes now. Cheers, peeps!

Feeling… squishy… is that even a word? Giggly, emotional, cry or laugh at the drop of a hat. School-girl flutterings in my tummy. Constantly replaying the song: ‘Touch my Inner Smile’ by Texas in my head… find myself humming at odd moments. Woke up and literally jumped up and down (in a horizontal position) at the sheer thrill of it all. Anticipation… secret grinning to myself… the urge to whoop for joy – yes I said WHOOP, dammit! An sms at 6:30 in the morning made me giggle… Oh, sigh… what is this feeling and where exactly am I going with this!?

Stole this from Wenchy's blog...

WRATH

1. Who did you last get angry with?

My daughter, after telling her for the 700^th time this morning to go and brush her teeth. Aaargh.

2. What is your weapon of choice?

Probably my sarcasm. If I had to pick an actual weapon, uhm I don’t own any really ‘cept maybe the kitchen knives

3. Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?

I have once – an ex: he deserved it. Ooh just remembered another ex – he was refusing to leave with me while some slut took her clothes off on stage. Lovely.

4. How about of the same sex?

Nope never have

5. Who was the last person who got really angry at you?

No one really that I can think of. I’m a sweet gal, people lurv me.

6. What is your pet peeve?

Crime in this country. Inefficiency. Stupidity. I could go on.

7. Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?

Nope don’t hold a grudge.

SLOTH

1. What is one thing you’re supposed to do daily that you don’t?

I guess go to gym but it’s more a should rather than an actual thought.

2. What is the latest you’ve ever woken up?

About 4pm after about 2 days non stop partying.

4. What is the last lame excuse that you made?

Hmm can’t think really – probably blaming the kid for being sick when in actual fact I just needed a day off.

5. Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through?

No. HATE them – put them off immediately

6. When was the last time you got in a good workout?

Friday night…

7. How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock today?

Don’t have an alarm – I wake up naturally at 6am – yes EVERYday!

GLUTTONY

1. What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice?

I don’t really do em but if pushed, I guess cappucino

2. Meat eaters: white meat or dark meat??

Lamb… or medium rare steak

3. What is the greatest amount of alcohol you’ve had in one sitting/outing/event?

1 bottle of tequila between 3 of us consumed in 1 hour when I was 19. Still can’t handle the smell of that stuff – cured me for life.

4. Have you ever used a professional diet company?

No – not caring

5. Do you have an issue with your weight?

No I am perfect dammit.

6. Do you prefer sweets, salty foods, or spicy?

Mixture – depends on the dish

7. Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought “lunch”?

Who writes these things!? NO!

LUST

1. How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies/family):

Many

2. How many people have seen YOU naked (not counting physicians/family)

Probably the same amount - duh

3. Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a member of the opposite gender during a normal conversation?

Well no

4. Have you ever kissed two people in one night?

Oh yes

5. What is your favorite body part on a person?

Depends on the person.

6. Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute?

Yes… nuff said

GREED

1. How many credit cards do you own?

None – seriously!

2. What’s your guilty pleasure store?

Uhm don’t really have 1 – no money Barbie. But if pushed, I s’pose Woolies / The Body Shop

3. Would you rather be rich, or famous?

Rich.

4. Would you accept a boring job if it meant you would make megabucks?

Probably not – I hate to be bored

5. Have you ever stolen anything?

Ja

6. How many MP3s are on your hard drive?

None – all converted to CD – so about 5000 there.

PRIDE

1. What’s one thing you have done that you’re most proud of?

Having and raising my gorgeous daughter

2. What one thing have you done that your parents are most proud of?

Not sure really – probably raising my lovely gal

3. What things would you like to accomplish in your life?

Write my damn book

4. Do you get annoyed by coming in second place?

No don’t care