Blocked NO MORE !

womenfromvenus — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:59:12 +0000

Well … at least I’m taking a leap of faith and hope that the Great Firewall of China will NOT block my new website like they do blogger and wordpress at times

Head on over to Chaos And Chemistry …

Time to reflect …

womenfromvenus — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:58:41 +0000

Once upon a time, a woman moved to a cave in the mountains to study with a guru. She wanted, she said, to learn everything there was to know. The guru supplied her with stacks of books and left her alone so she could study. Every morning, the guru returned to the cave to monitor the woman’s progress. In his hand, he carried a heavy wooden cane.
Each morning, he asked her the same question: “Have you learned everything there is to know yet?” Each morning her answer was the same “No,” she said, “I haven’t”. The guru would then strike her over the head with his cane.
This scenario repeated itself for months. One day the guru entered the cave, asked the same question, heard the same answer, and raised his cane to hit her in the same way, but the woman grabbed the cane from the guru, stopping his assault in mid-air.
Relieved to end the daily batterings but fearing reprisal, the woman looked up at the guru. To her surprise, the guru smiled. “Congratulations,” he said, “you have graduated. You now know everything you need to know.”
“How is that?” the woman asked.
“You have learned that you will never learn everything there is to know,” he replied. “And you have learned to stop the pain.”

A little place to call home …

womenfromvenus — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:15:05 +0000

And so August turned out to be another one of those absolutely hectic months … here today and just about gone tomorrow. And I am sure glad to spend the few days that are left on holiday

My templates have once again found a little spot to call home … in fact more than one spot. In addition to posting my templates at Digitally Magic ( http://digitallymagic.com/blog/ ) , I was asked to join the team at Snap and Scrap ( http://snapandscrap.tv/blog/ ) where I will be hosting a Template Challenge every Thursday. Be sure to check those sites out !

Happy scrapping !

Oh Disaster !

womenfromvenus — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:22:39 +0000

I went away for the weekend and about 3 hours after arriving at my destination total disaster struck. I forgot to pack my laptop’s power cable ! 3 Days without my constant companion proofed to be rather difficult, although I did enjoy my time away … A more detailed post will follow soon …. or perhaps ‘soonish’ … al depending on when I can find a time to load my photos.

As you all know by now a decision was taken to close down the DSSA site and with that I will be posting my templates here on my blog for now. Thank you to all who have stopped by already and for your messages.

So, even though it is a few days late, (blame the forgotten power cable) here is last week’s template. Have Fun !

Download the template here

You can’t touch this

womenfromvenus — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:48:55 +0000

I believe in finding the perfect balance between enjoying whatever you are experiencing, and finding the time to capture your future memories on a photo or two … sometimes twenty.When I look at a single photo of something that happened 10 or 20 years ago, I can recall the whole experience, and therefore I will continuously be the one with the camera, wherever I go.

On Saturday I went on a horse riding safari through a game reserve … what an amazing experience … a memory that no-one can ever touch …

10 Years later …

womenfromvenus — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:41:12 +0000

And I have returned to my home town. Strange does not quite describe it. I’m trying to figure out when it hit me that I have returned.

It was not at Cape Town Airport, taking 2 screaming cats through security checks and sending them off to the cargo department.

It was not after take-off, taking in the breathtaking sight of Table Mountain towering over Cape Town and the harbour in all it majestic glory just after dawn.

It was not during the approach to the runway at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg.

It was not during the hour long drive from the airport to Vanderbijlpark.

And then it happened. The things that made me realize that I am back.

Having to wait for some cattle to cross the highway leading into town, it made me burst into uncontrollable laughter and I thought “This is it. I have returned home.”

A delicious lamb stew for lunch, like only mother can make it, with the oh-so-necessary nap after lunch to aid in the digestion of a heavy meal.

Afternoon tea with a slice of my favourite carrot cake (like mom makes it ) about 5 minutes after I woke up from my nap.

Yes. I am back. At least for now.

Sunset from Bloubergstrand

womenfromvenus — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:05:00 +0000

Words escape me … what more can one say after a sunset like this … I love living here !

Sunset from Bloubergstrand, South Africa, 31 May 2008

Letter to me

womenfromvenus — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:07:35 +0000

Just when I needed something uplifting I stumbled across a scrapbook layout created last year. Little did I know what is in store for me back when I wrote this letter … and tonight I am pleased to find inspiration in my own words.

Love yourself young girl.

You do not have to be like everyone else. It is ok not to fit in with people that do not share your dreams and passions. You are not different, you are unique, and all you ever have to be, is the best you that you can possibly be.

Being a dreamer is not a bad thing. Know that one day you’ll connect to your dreams once again and start living them.
Until then, learn the lessons that life is teaching you, make the most out of every situation. And no matter how terrible things might seem, you’ll get through it.You’ll make it and you’ll be stronger, wiser, happier than you were before. Know that you are on course.

One day you’ll look back and realize this, but until that day, don’t stop believing in your dreams, in yourself. It’s worth it, you’ll see.

You can not always choose what will happen in your life, but you can always choose how you will handle it. In the end, you are in control of your emotions. How I wish that I can fast forward the time so that you can be here right now, just for a moment, just to know that you have nothing to fear from the future.

Do not let other people project their fears onto you.One day you will not be afraid any more. But perhaps you learned to conquer your fears at the right time, when you were ready and strong enough to do it.
Do not mull over the regrets you have.
Realize that everything that will happen to you was meant to be and will make you the woman you will become one day.

Don’t be afraid, don’t hesitate, do not procrastinate.
This is what will keep you from reaching your full potential.
This is what will make you look back and regret the things you didn’t do.
But when you realize all this, know for sure that it is not too late to live your dreams

It is official

womenfromvenus — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:51:00 +0000

Living with Tequila and Titus is far worse than living with a man.

Following a tough workout on Monday with a squash game the next day left me lying in bed this morning, trying to be grateful that I can at least still feel the muscles in my body. Even if I am not able to move them. After dragging myself out of bed I realized that I need coffee to wake up and a hot bath to soak my aching muscles. In this household, and with my cats, this proved to be easier said than done….

Mitzie switches on the kettle for some much needed coffee and start running some bath water while waiting for the kettle to boil. The water looks so inviting, she decides to leave the coffee until later and make her way to the bathroom.
After wrestling Tequila off the side of the bath she can get in and feel the warm water heating up her aching muscles. Tequila is not impressed and decided to spite Mitzie by lying on her towel. Mitzie gets up and kick the cat off the towel.
She gets back into the bath, and shut her eyes as she lies back to really soak those muscles. She forget about the risk of doing so and before long it happens. Titus the great warrior attacks the innocent toes.
Another cat gets slapped.

Since Titus can not open the tequila bottle to drown his sorrows after being kicked off the side of the bath, he settles for binging on the rest of his food.
Mitzie is happy, she can lie back in peace. And then, Titus having eaten too much, gets sick.
In front of the bathroom door.
Mitzie decides to relax in the bath and deal with that later.

There is movement. Tequila is back. She does not go down without a fight
She is trying to get to the water in the bath and eventually looses her balance.
Mitzie receives a few scratches while Tequila scrambles to get out of the bath.

It was expected that Tequila will now jump on the bed with her wet fur and start to lick herself dry.
But she has a better plan and decides that it is a good time to use the litter box,
leaving a trail of cat litter that got stuck to her fur all over the apartment as she makes her way back to the bathroom.

She tries try to settle on the towel again.
Mitzie decides to give it all up and get out out of the bath as she is chasing the cat off her towel with brutal force.
She should have had the coffee before the bath.

Mitzie continues to dry herself and rub in all her lotions and potions all over her body … finding it rather soothing. She is calming down.
It is chilly and she runs for the bedroom to get dressed.

But she forgot about the regurgitated catfood …

In loving memory …

womenfromvenus — Sun, 18 May 2008 21:34:47 +0000

A friend so dear
for so long we were not near
Though time was not on our side
memories will forever be vast and wide

We are never truly apart
you have your special place in my heart
You are watching over me
and forever I know that is where you will be.

In loving memory of my dearest Cornè (May ’75 – Aug ’02)