Progress

Well, I seem to have gotten a few niggles ironed out today. User-pic: Fully present and correct (even if it is a nahsty photo taken in hospital, of all places. But at least it's recent). Also, profile side-bar is actually aligned with the rest of my blog now, no mean feat, believe me. I eventually gave up trying to intefere with the template's html, and just switched to a different template. I know, I know, the lazy way out. But then, I am lazy. Why should I deny it, lol?
Anyway, I kinda like the new template. As long as it's pink, I'm happy.
I'd like to figure out a way to make the dog a permanent fixture on the side-bar though, like the user-pic. See, I thought I'd make her my mascot. I always wanted a mascot. BLOG DOG! Yay! Stick with me and I'll make ya famous...

• We found out on Friday that my eldest sister is expecting a boy. They are over the moon, and have said they're going to ask Michael and I to be godparents. Yay. I love being a godparent. The more, the merrier. At least we can never say that we haven't had the joy of children in our lives.
• I got a great gift from my mom today. A coupla months ago I went through my The Sound of Music phase. It showed on tv, and even though I've seen it dozens of times before, it really struck a chord this time round. I can see why it's such a classic. Anyway, I was reading up on the net about the real von Trapps, and was quite fascinated by the story, which is rather different to the movie. When I got to my mom's house today, she had bought me two paperbacks from a church bazaar for R4. The one is called The Sound of Music, and was written by Maria von Trapp, the book on which the movie was based. The other is simply titled, Maria and is her autobiography. I can't wait to get reading. I just love it when people know me well enough to surprise me with something that I really want. I find it very touching.
• I finished reading Phantom the other day. I was at that stage without a blog, but I think it deserves a mention, even at this late date. Here is the entry that I wrote: I finished reading ‘Phantom’ today. And wept and wept. I couldn’t read the final paragraph, I was so blinded by tears.
  Of course, I loved every minute of it.
  Actually, there’s no feeling quite like it, crying from being touched by a beautiful story. I hate crying for my own self, but being lost in someone else’s fictional tale is different.
  I can’t remember the last time I was so immersed in a book. It is now my second favourite book ever, beaten only by my love affair with ‘Gone With the Wind’.
  What would life be without books?I’ve spent the whole day wishing my voice was operatically beautiful, like Christine Daae's. Not that it stopped me from singing my heart out. There are certain benefits to being alone at home all day.
• I had a great visit at my SIL, Melany's house this afternoon, on our way back from my parents. Previously, her and I would sit there bored while our husbands totally monopolised the conversation by talking (endlessly and mercilessly) about golf. But now, either I go sit next to her or she comes and sits next to me, and the husbands just have to gee pad (make way). Then we sit and chat and laugh ourselves silly, like we always do when we get together. It's a lot of fun.
• I love spending time with pregnant women. (And there is no shortage of them in my family at this stage). There's just such a special aura around them. Something almost tangible that you can tap into.
• My little sis is coming down next weekend for my dad's birthday. I'm looking forward to seeing her. This business of only seeing her once or twice a month is patently ridiculous!

Tomorrow being Monday, I feel inspired to put some fledgling resolutions into place (what is it that I find so irresistable about the first day of a new week?)

• According to the new firemarm legislation, licenses have to be renewed, or the firearm in question has to be handed in at a police station to be destroyed. I've been dragging my feet all year, but have to make work of it before end of December. I'm not renewing my licence, or going for the compulsory (and expensive) competency certificate that it would entail if I were to do so. So this week, I have to give it in at the station. Truth is, it's a bit of an ungainly weapon, and I don't think I'm up to handling it. I'd end up shooting myself in the foot, or letting the criminal get a hold of it. So I've got to take it to the cops to have it 'terminated'.
• I want to start eating better this week. Obviously. Par for the course of a new week. But I'm keeping my goals realistic this time. Chocolates and confectionary must go. But fat-free Black Cherry yoghurt and Provita bites in Oats and Brown Sugar stays! Also the lovely, frozen Hashbrowns that I discovered this week. They are lovely. Can't believe I've never crossed paths with them before. The mayonnaise, however, will have to go. It's absolutely laden with fat. The bad kind. Oh, and I'll have to try and make myself fresh carrot juice at least three times this week. And drink lots of water. I never drink enough water. Even as I sit here I feel half dehydrated.
• I also have to go to Pretoria next Friday for a Chelation session. That translates to me getting hooked up to a drip and being pumped full of EDTA to detox me from heavy metals. So that I can become like SASOL unleaded. As Michael puts it. This means that we will stop off at Menlyn Park Mall on our way back and go to my all time favourite restaurant, Kauai. I've come to share Mike's love of Pretoria, which is where he studied. Especially at this time of year, when the Jacarandas are in bloom (see photo).