Autumn camping !

It's always risky going away in April. Usually Easter weekend is sure to rain. Lately the weather has been on its own course, and even though camping over Easter was so hot DD's nose bled, it had no reflection on what to expect 2 weeks later......

We watched the weather all week, and sure enough each day a storm seemed more and more imminent. A few campers cancelled for various reasons and only the die-hards were left. Wednesday it seemed another family might cancel due to bad flu. Thursday night DH got ILL ! Hectic ill ! He was in pain and ended up in hospital. But he was home by 12am and ready to leave the next day !! I had hoped he would back out, I had earned my bad-weather-camping badge already - I didn't have to go through it again !

Rivierzicht was beautiful! The wooden cabins were like honeymoon suites ! The campsites were BIG and right on the river ! The ablutions were a bit of a walk, but clean. Once again complete bathrooms, so it was spacious. We set-up just before the rain came. Having people in the cabins made it easy to get shelter, but we were all tired and retired pretty early.
The next morning was wet - but a beautiful rainbow greeted us and encouraged me to get out of the tent. The kids were fed and dressed quickly as there wasn't much place to keep them locked in. They were thrilled that they were allowed to play outside! DS went all out - splashing every puddle he could find ! He even rolled in it and got terribly muddy! Since he had brought his car with, he took it on a 4x4 course, dragging it through the wet and muddy terrain!
After breakfast the rain poured a little harder and we took shelter under our canopy. Water would gather on top and then come splashing down - this was great for washing and rinsing the dishes ;-) , but then DS realised he could walk through it too !! Eventually we decided to load everyone in the cars and go to Robertson.
They have lots to offer. We went to the farmers market - which was really great for olive oil and olives ! Good fudge too ;-p We delayed the bird sanctuary for when the Harris boys joined us so went to the Toeka se skou (?) or something like that. It was a fair with people dressed like they were on their way in the ox-wagon in the Great Trek ! Bonnets and all! They dragged out any old machines and cars they had and it seems the guys had the best time! When we returned to the camp, the rest of the campers arrived and that was the start if the camp....
The weather cleared Algamdulillah, I was running out of clean clothes for the kids! We played games, sat around and ate, chatted, bird watched .... our usual lamming and at the end of the weekend we didn't go to the bird sanctuary! But the kids had a great time, there was a boat so they went out on the river. Those left behind started reshaping the coast and used the mud to build a village, with dams, bridges, waterways etc. Eventually it all collapsed !

A definte return, perhaps many more returns Insha'Allah. And of course going to the bird sanctuary.

Oh highlight : I literally crawled out of bed for Fajr salaah. It was pretty cold too ... Shakes called out and asked for a good torch. When I came out he pointed to the top of a tree - there sat a HUGE owl. "woo hoo woo hoo " - it didn't sound like a bird at all - I thought it was a human voice! As it got lighter, he turned and took flight - seeing his wings spread out - he was magnificent to watch! Mash'Allah!!! These moments, these signs of Allah's creation is what it's all about!

photos

Inspiration

Discover U

I subscribed to Discover U. Each week I get a an email and they are really great - short and sweet.
Here are a few of my favourites :


Qur'an:
Say: "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector": and in Allah must Believers place their trust.
Surat At-Tawbah 9:51
[Lessons from this Verse] Whatever tests you are going through today, Allah knows it. He is your protector. Turn to Allah in submission and worship, placing your trust in Him, and watch what happens!

Algamdulillah - I testify to this everyday. Sometimes I feel like the pieces don't quite make sense, but then it's as if the mosaic is coming together and I submit and take a step back and see the picture .... and it is WONDERFUL !


[Hadith]
Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari, radi Allahu 'anhu, reported that the Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "The example of a good companion and a bad one is the bearer of musk and the worker on the fires. A bearer of musk would give you some, you might buy some from him, or you might enjoy the fragrance of his musk. The worker on the fires, on the other hand, might spoil your clothes with sparks from his bellows, or you get a bad smell from him." Bukhari and Muslim
[Lessons from this Hadith]
Who are the top 5 people you hang out with? List them. Now look at their qualities and you'll notice that you are a product of the sum of them. Do they have the outstanding qualities that you seek? If not, then it's time to find some bearers of musk that you can truly smell great from.

Algamdulillah I can honestly say that I have chosen good company. I weed often - and I know it seems like a terrible trait, but if I find company not beneficial or emotionally draining or just negative, I walk away. Insha'Allah I have qualitites that others can benefit from .....


[Hadith]
Abu Hurayrah, radi Allahu 'anhu, narrates: I heard Allah's Messenger saying, "My example and the example of the people is that of a man who made a fire, and when it lighted what was around it, moths and other insects started diving into the fire.
The man tried to prevent them, (from diving in to the fire) but they overpowered him and rushed into the fire. The Prophet added: Now, similarly, I take hold of the knots at your (belts) to prevent you from falling into the Fire, but you insist on falling into it."
[Lessons from this Hadith]
There are so many things in the Qur'an and Sunnah to protect us from falling into sin. Let's stop making excuses and just do it: turn back to Allah and desist from the Haram in our lives now.
No excuses, only results.

Insha'ALLAH this is one I want to work on ..... DD feels so uncomfortable having to kiss males - like her uncles or aunts husbands and culturally it is the norm. May Allah make me strong enough to stand up and say no and not be concerned with what they might think or say about me. (Shukran for the reminder Zaida, maybe if more of us do it, IT will become the norm !)

REMINDER : Easy vs Difficult

Easy is to judge the mistakes of others - Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes
Easy is to talk without thinking - Difficult is to refrain the tongue
Easy is to hurt someone who loves us. - Difficult is to heal the wound...
Easy is to forgive others - Difficult is to ask for forgiveness
Easy is to set rules. - Difficult is to follow them...
Easy is to dream every night. - Difficult is to fight for a dream...
Easy is to show victory. - Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity...
Easy is to admire a full moon. - Difficult to see the other side...
Easy is to stumble with a stone. - Difficult is to get up...
Easy is to enjoy life every day. - Difficult to give its real value...
Easy is to promise something to someone. - Difficult is to fulfill that promise...
Easy is to say we love. - Difficult is to show it every day...
Easy is to criticize others. - Difficult is to improve oneself...
Easy is to make mistakes. - Difficult is to learn from them...
Easy is to weep for a lost love. - Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it.
Easy is to think about improving. - Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action...
Easy is to think bad of others - Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt...
Easy is to receive - Difficult is to give
Easy to read this - Difficult to follow

Proud mommy moment

Last night my DS made his first Magrib salaah!
We had all gotten ready and of course he didn't want to be left out, so I placed him next to DD.
Usually he performs some of the actions, pulls our musllahs, rolls around etc. But last night, he stood there and did each action properly Masha'Allah. He'd peep over at DD to see what to do next, and every now and then she'd instruct him verbally (yes, she's also still learning!). He even belted out an "Ameen".
We all made such a fuss when we were done - for him and DD !
Today he was destructive again, but the moment still shines in my heart to allow me to overlook it ;-)

Weekend in Tulbagh

We stayed at Wild Olive Farm. The camping area was not marked sites, but rather a big open lawn area. Shade was limited as there were only a few trees. Fortunately we had canopies with to keep us "cool". The farm has 3 dams, of which I saw 2 and unfortunately the water levels were too low to swim in. Ablution facilities were good - 3 bathrooms, 2 with showers and one with a bath.

It was VERY hot and when the wind blew it was a dry, hot wind.

The kids LOVED it - from running around on the lawn, to bike riding, rolling on the lawn (DS), going to the ponies, looking for crabs and frogs at the dam, bird watching, canoe ride on the dam, playing on the lawn.

We chilled. Played scrabble, prepared eats, ate, sat, chat - what we do best ;-) And it was wonderful. The break from chores or routine was welcomed. DH and I each selected a child to care for and I got DD of course, but when she woke at night she'd call for DH, so it was very easy for me.

Moments to remember :

Day 1 we took a walk to the ponies and I saw a bird's nest. Pointed it out to DS and made such a fuss about having seen it. A little while later, I was in the tent and DH calls me, tells me to come out. Asks me to step out of the canopy, turn around and look up - the tree under which we were camped was FILLED with nests !
DS choked on a piece of chocolate ! Since it was hot, the chocolate was in the fridge and was hard. It got lodged in his throat, but he was crying so we thought he was ok. I put my finger down his throat and could feel it, it wasn't soft enough. He managed to cough and then swallow poor baby!

Highlights : STUNNING sunsets, AMAZING moon rise !

Rating: I like the camping area, but not the lack of shade. I like the location, but not the heat and lack of cooling off options. There are cabins, but other than riding my bike down a 4x4 path (which was quite fun) I don't think I'd rush back.

scabs, roofies, scars

DD got her first knee scrape ! I was so excited and she was in horror ! "It's NOT nice!" she kept screaming at me ! Well, one day she'll think so and think back on how the scab fell off or bled or she pulled it and stare at her knees with all the scars ........

Well, here's my reminiscing - it's from an email, so I'll adjust it to my life .......


Do you remember ? The time of....
Hide and Seek in the park...or the dark...or anywhere. -remember aan-aan or on-on for the English ppl
The cafe down the road, Donkey, skipping and handstands, backyard cricket with a tomato box, Kennetjie Housie-housie, 5 stones, , building a swing from a piece of rope tied to a tree, tennis on the street or swing ball in the backyard.
Remember when there was a season for everything, before playstations and cartoon networks, computers...
The sound of the fish or fruit & veg vendor in his van. (I wish he'd still come around !)
Wicks bubble gum for a cent! Chappies, Rollerskates, BMX, go-carts (vaantjies)...
Wait, can you still remember...
Sitting at the back of a bakkie or cramming into uncle Goosain/ Hennies kombi ?
When you go to Cape Town you had to visit the gardens
Peeling skin in summer. Sticky fingers and sand in and on everything
Cowboys and Crooks, Rover, , Slides & climbing trees.
Bok-bok, marbles, yo-yo's, tops, lyntjie...10 Hocks (remember the Am I-No, Am I - No)
Running till you were out of breath. - the thought of that brings back memories
Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.
Jumping on the bed..... Pillow fights. - can u remember a bomalakiesie(lol)
Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down.
Being tired from playing... Remember that?
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
I'm not finished just yet......
Can you still taste and smell... eating jelly suckers, Surfjoy, Jillybillies... -don't forget Chocolina's, appel bompies (till u cough your lungs out)
Ice lollies made from cold drink in Tupperware holders in the freezer.
Licking the spoon when cakes were baked.......... (I always got the spoon)
Marshmallow fish and mice. - Naame lekkers
Remember when...
There were two types of takkies - North Star and the canvas ones, and the only time you wore them at school, was for "PT" in your white shorts & all.
Man from Atlantis, CHIPS, Oscar & Knersus, K-OO-S, Springbok Radio.
Shanana, Startrek, A team, Airwolf, Knight Rider... ZET,feather foot farm,MORF - hey what about Mcguyver
It wasn't odd to have two or three "best" friends.and you knew everyone in the road, even the next road.
Nobody owned a pedigree dog!- That's right (en almal se hond se naam was either Blackie, Chico , Spots, Killer (dan is killer so maar), Lassie, Fluffy, Brakenjan, Sheeba, Tiger.)

25 cents was decent pocket money. You'd help an aunty carry her shopping home and she'd give you a 10c!!
When you'd reach into a 'slootjie' for 5 cents and felt lucky. When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there, and you could get a hiding from any of them!
And you got another if you went crying to your mom!!!
When it was considered a great privilege and very unusual to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant or in a proper hotel.
When movies in the school hall !
Remember how we used to lie on the grass & eat vrietangs & sierangs?
The reason why they tasted so sour was because dogs use to pee on them...(that was what we were told)
Remember when any parent could discipline any kid, or feed him or use him to carry groceries and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.
Basically, we were in fear for our lives but it wasn't because of muggings, drugs, gangs, etc..
Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat....and some of us are still afraid of them!!!
Didn't that feel good.....just to go back and say, Yeah, I remember that!
Remember when.... Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo."
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "Nix!"
A "race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
Money was handled by whoever was the banker in "Monopoly"
Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a BIC pen pea shooter or a "kettie".
Taking drugs meant orange-flavoured chewable vitamin C, Milk of Magnesia or a spoonful of castor oil.
Ice cream was considered a basic food group.
Skills and courage were discovered because of a "dare".
Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.

If you can remember most or all of these, then....
YOU HAVE LIVED!!!!