FIVETRIBE

I havent sat down to write for some time. Probably because I felt like there was too much to say and I didnt have time to put it in meaningful sentences. The best way for me to handle this is to do bullet points because, once again, I only have 10 minutes and I do so want to check in with those who still bother to pop in here! ;-) Havent run in about 10 days. My last one was 10km trail and my ITB behaved and it went well. I am definitely lacking fitness though as I found the last km tough.  Am going to pilates weekly. I hate and loathe it but I do it to support my running and stay injury free. I went to a fortieth recently - Denim and Diamonds - it was such a blast and as usual I was the last one standing on the dancefloor. (probably cos I only drank lime n soda all night!) I am well into planning my fortieth with the kind help of one of my besties.  I have started painting again. It has been awhile....like 35yrs. The last time I painted was in kindergarten ...

There has been a flurry of creativity recently. We have decided to just throw caution to the wind and have fun with all the materials I have lying around the studio. For too long I have looked at them and prized them and felt I needed to *save* them for that one day when I did something *special* with them. Well, no more. Now it is a matter of grab, stick, cut, scribble, rub, paint, sand ---- and stand back and look at what you made. There is no required outcome. The only important part of this process is how it makes you *feel*. I have seen that doing this with my girls decreases their moodiness considerably. Be they tired, grumpy, quarrelsome, bored or simply imposssible I stick a paint brush in one hand - modge in the other and tell them to go mad. The results have been utterly remarkable. The girls instantly become happier, calmer, more thoughtful and considerate to one another. It is really that simple. Both girls love to get messy with me in the studio a few prime...

Since excising myself from facebook I have found I have more time to scrap again. Except for the fact that I seem to pfaff around a lot more than actually *do* anything. I did have a flurry of activity late last week where I made an album for a friend but nothing much since then. I think I have suffering for 'overwhelmedness' which is a common scrapper malady. I am overwhelmed not only by my stash but by my photos. Just the thought of looking, sorting, deciding on size and then printing is making me see double. In an effort to gain direction, focus and inspiration I have amble over to Big Picture Scrapbooking for help. The last time I logged in there was 2007!! *gasp* I have signed up for 2 online classes by my 2 favourite scrappers - Stacy Julian and Cathy Zielske. Cathy will be doing an online course on typography which is a lesser-known passion of mine - I so so wish I had studied design. Maybe when I get my mac I will tread this path! Stacy, queen of quick and s...

  I am a scrapbooker. I know what you're thinking and you are wrong. Just the word 'scrapbooker' also makes me all cringey inside. I do prefer the word 'life documenter' - that is what I do - I use words + photos = our daily lives. Since excising myself from facebook I have found I have more time to scrap again. Except for the fact that I seem to pfaff around a lot more than actually *do* anything. I did have a flurry of activity late last week where I made an album for a friend but nothing much since then. I think I have suffering for 'overwhelmedness' which is a common scrapper malady. I am overwhelmed not only by my stash but by my photos. Just the thought of looking, sorting, deciding on size and then printing is making me see double. In an effort to gain direction, focus and inspiration I have amble over to Big Picture Scrapbooking http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/ or help. The last time I logged in there was 2007!! *gasp* ...

This morning dawned bright and still. The mountain was calling! I havent been on the trails for over a month due to the ITB issues and really bad weather. FlowrsinherHair, a few of my other close mates and even my hounds joined me as we traipsed up the hills in Silvermine and headed toward the Hout Bay lookout point. Luke and Honey awed by the view! Takinga breather to appreciate the beauty. I felt so alive, exhilharated and grateful to be in a place of such beauty, doing something that brings me so much joy AND sharing it with people who mean so much to me. Not to mention the fact that I was able to run with abandon, even down the hills, with no pain! It is in the moments like these that I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this thing we casually call LIFE.

Apparently you are termed 'boring' if you like routine. Back in the day I used to be spontaneous. Actually, that is a total bloody lie. I dont really have a spontaneous bone in my body. I like to know there is structure and a plan. Otherwise I get antsy and a little bit spooked. School holidays (particularly winter ones) can spook me a little bit. While I do love the lie-ins and the pajama days the relentless lack of structure begins to wear on me somewhat. Fortunately 3 weeks is 'just enough' holiday - the kids went back to school yesterday and I have been hellishly productive the last two mornings. Today I faced my nemesis early - Pick n Pay was done and dusted in 20 minutes. I am currently trying to get all our pictures /  photographs and the like hung. It is a mission. A real mission for two reasons: 1. I should measure and I dont because I want it done quickly. So I get it wrong. 2. We have verrry high areas that I cant reach on our picture wall, ...

A Space to Call Mine. And Ours. I think every woman (and man!) can relate to that desire to have a space that belongs to them. Where one can have all your 'stuff'.  Stuff that others may deem clutter but to you these items feed  your soul and speak volumes about who you are. My space is somewhere I like to just sit and absorb the present. Think, dream and ponder while sipping my second cup of tea. A place where stillness settles and gratitude flows. Remarkably 'my space' is in a room which I share with my kids....this room houses my studio, their studio and our computer area. I use time in the mornings to indulge that part of me that craves solitude and quiet. In the afternoons, chaos ensues as three creatively enthusiastic youngsters invade and permeate the air with their youthful exuberance. I think I have found the happy medium.