Let it Be - The Beatles My word of the year for 2023 is BEING.  It's taken a while this year. Last year's joy is such a great word, and I could not think of  a better way to refocus my life.  I got this quote/song title from my daughter many year's back. She bought it from students on their market day. I love it! Let it be.  Be.  Being.  Being in the moment. Catching the joy of NOW! I am embracing the current moment of now. That is all I have.  A big gift! Being.  ..read more

Karen December 2022 A simple question, and I am sure the Internet is virtual sphere is full of advice.  Open AI ChatGPT gave me the perfect answer, and I am copying here. Try a few questions yourself. It's fun, and surprisingly very accurate!  How do we survive the festive season without getting stressed out? The festive season can be a stressful time for many people, especially with the added pressure of gift-giving, social obligations, and financial concerns. Here are a few tips that may help you navigate the season with less stress: Set realistic expectations: It ..read more

The Messages: A Memoir - Dawn Kohler. This is a jewel of a book. Especially for moms who have to deal with "monsters" from their past. To be able to be more fully present with their children. Dawn Kohler sent me a copy in exchange for an honest review.  The Messages: A Memoir by Dawn Kohler My rating: 5 of 5 stars Dawn Kholer sent me a complimentary pdf copy, in exchange for an honest review. I read her book within two days, which is a good indication of how much I wanted to get to the next page turner, and the interesting revelations. The spiritual messages is not new, as people around ..read more

Turning Red (The Walt Disney Company) Disney Pixar celebrate teens and their big feelings with new movie Turning Red - In theatres from Friday, 11 March 2022 Miss Fine and I watched Turning Red this previous weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed the awkwardness of the teen years being explored in the change of Mei Lee to a literal big red panda. We had such a smile at the mother Ming running around when she thought her daughter had her first period, and the total embarrassment of Mei Lee by all of this. Especially when Ming turned up at school. Another "smother" at work, big time! Read mo ..read more

You go, Girl! Pandemic Year 3: Even now, we regularly forget our masks when running out of the house. Most of the times we have a back-up in the car or a bag. I told my youngest today that she will be telling her children about the pandemic she lived though one day. She told me not to worry, she is not planning to have any children... Okay! ?  So, I have to put down some memories for future generations. ? The husband had Covid in December. Part of the fourth wave. He had his jabs, so it was very mild. The worst was the inconvenience, and having to cancel plans and isolate. I te ..read more

  Karen 2022 2022. The first month is gone, dusted already! I need to grab hold of the reigns for this year, or it will go by as quickly as last year.  I loved last year's word: Patience. I helped me so much to keep me grounded and sane. We were waiting and wanting for so many things to happen, but we had to adjust and wait. "Patience" kept me going.  It looks like things are going to start to happen this year. I was planning to choose "resilience" as my word of the year, but realized resilience comes with patience. I am resilient as can be! I can do this!  With p ..read more

What kind of day will it be? - book cover (screen print) Lisa Goines-Taylor, a mother to a beautiful girl called Ryland, has written the most uplifting book for little ones. What kind of day will it be? Her everyday experiences as a mother, watching her daughter grow and learn life lessons, have inspired her to write a book on life, growth, empowerment, and self-confidence for children: This book resonates so much with me. I know of a specific person who tends to unravel with anything that is not right each day. And regularly proclaiming that this is her worst day ever! ? This book ..read more

2021 Family photo (Patrick Pretorius) It has been interesting times. We have now been living through a pandemic for one year and seven months. Masks, temperature checks and sanitizing are still part of our daily routines. But, we are still forgetting our masks when going out of the gate. At this stage we don't hear about people getting sick and dying around us. There are talks about a fourth wave, but we are hopeful we are not going to see it... The pandemic put our plans on hold now for nearly two years. But, we have been lucky here in South Africa. After the previous lock-down of L ..read more

Lola the Buhund and the Empty Sky - Elbot Carman I am a very slow reader. Sorry, Booktasters. But luckily, when a book grabs me, I have to read it till the very end. It takes long, only a few passages each night, but we finally gets there. This book helped me immensely to escape the daily stress of living. Nothing like a great fantasy to start your journey into dreamland. I give Lola the Buhund and the Empty Sky, by Elbot Carman, 5/5.  Thank you for the opportunity! Lola the Buhund and the Empty Sky by Elbot Carman My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was given a copy of this book for fre ..read more

  Apples to Apples card game                                                                                                                Sponsored Mattel's APPLES to APPLES™ is the best game for family or friends game nights! It's fun! It's easy! And it is a laugh every time you put down your card. Ev ..read more