THE 'FLIP PIN' MINESHAFT - Sunday, 29 October 2006 Don't know what's wrong with us. What happened to DOING LIFE instead of DREADING LIFE, when the alarm clock goes of with a deafening noise, officially announcing 'here's reality', and that at 4:00am on the rest day, Sunday! Dreading life happens when you had a serious bad night with hardly any sound sleep, having to wake up at this rude early hour of a Sunday morning, your body, feeling like a TUSH (trapped under something heavy) not wanting to co-operate and lagging behind the brains activity. The body's unwillingness to co-operate is understandable, when it is being brainwashed with '21.1km coming up - not on four wheels but on your own two legs!' A half-marathon run/walk devilish known as the MINESHAFT is reason enough for one's body to go on strike. After a slice of white toast with honey and peanut butter accompanied by tea and lethargically getting geared up - that is inclusive of large slaps of Vaseline on all those tender spots of the body and finishing it off with sunscreen lotion, we were off to attempt this dreadful race called the MINESHAFT.

We have done this race in 2002. I did the 10km and Conroy did the 21.1km. The race was held during a cooler time of the year and even then the traffic was a nuisance. This year it was held during a much hotter time of the year and zillions of cars shaving past one was quite unsettling, not to mention the heat. It was a two-lapper and the heat and traffic quadrupled during the second lap.

To stay alive, one had to use pavements which were very uncomfortable under foot. With no shade to speak of en route and the temperature soaring to the 30's, not to mention km's and km's of 'mineshaft' hills, the race took its toll. With mild heatstroke and endless hills the last 4km's of each lap, I probably was a sight for soar eyes entering the last stretch to the finish. Being way too 'gatvol', I did not hear the commentator airing very rude remarks on the PA system. Conroy filled me in later on our way home. The commentator announced that: 'here's another Run & Walk for Life lady finishing. Her time is 3h14min and she definitely does not look very happy'. Well, it was just as well that I did not hear this at the time, otherwise this poor uninformed commentator's life was at serious risk. 'How dare he make such comments sitting in the lovely cool shade of a gazebo with an ice cold bear in his hand?'

The cherry on the top is that we endeared this awful experience (self-inflicted) and paid for it in cash for a meagre coffee mug!

- Heatstroke signing off

CAROL THE QUILTING QUEEN - Thursday, 19 October 2006 A thank you note from Carol's brother Eddie: "Dear Carol Eddie and I do not know exactly how to thank you for the absolutely tremendous gift of the handmade quilt you have just sent to us. We can only but express our deepest gratitude to you for the truly amazing family quilt - we are totally knocked out about it. When Alan gave it to us last night (his first night here), we have Gareth, Halina, and the 3 of us. We were all together to welcome ALan and have pizza and a drink together. Well Carol I was totally speechless, literally could not speak and just cried. When we never even had a clue that this was coming made it even more of a lovely, lovely surprise. The amount of hours that you put into making it is truly appreciated. THANK YOU -THANK YOU - THANK YOU. Today I took it to work with me on the bus to "show and tell". My work mates were absolutely amazed as well. They too could not believe such a work of art. They were very envious and realised how special our family is to us and to you over there in South Africa. We will also be showing my side of the family and some friends when they all come to our house to meet Alan for a braai on Sunday 5 November. Can't wait !! Carol thank you both for this wonderful git , and particularly to you for the hours of work that you have put into this amazing "quilt" of many colours and pictures!! Thank you too for the card - very special - at my work they could not believe that it was Eddie and me at such a young age. Alan is fine - we just have not stopped talking. We have made up a very "active" itinerary so when he gets back he will probably sleep for a night and day! Love to you both from the two of us Susan and Eddie" Carol, a member of the TP-Gang is also a famous Quilting Queen. She has lovingly slaved away at this huge quilt, measuring approx. 2,5m x 1.8m. Here are some interesting facts in the form of a Q&A - thanks to TP for the input.

How long did it take her to make the quilt? She was very dedicated to getting it finished and was also working with the deadline of her brother Alan leaving for Australia to take it with him so at the most it took her just under two months. What is the quilt design called? Carol's version of the Quilt is based on a design that was designed by our quilting teacher, Bev Essers. Carol has added the photo's and sayings in instead of some of the applique that was in the original design. For whom did she make the quilt and for what reason? Her brother Eddie (who is unfortunately battling with cancer) and his wife Susan. They are both celebrating their 60th birthdays this year. Where is she sending the quilt to? The quilt is going to Australia, her brother Alan and his wife are going there this week and will be taking the quilt with them to give to Eddie and Susan. How did she get the photos on there? Our quilting shop sells stuff to prep the fabric. you have to soak the fabric in it and mush it around, then sun dry it and iron it, cut it to paper size and can then feed it through your normal ink jet printer. It then has to be washed again and is finally ready to be appliquéd on. Any other interesting tit bits. Eddie and Susan have been together since high school. The guinea fowl print on the back of the quilt was specifically chosen by Carol to remind her brother and his wife of Africa. Carol added a quote from Desmond Tutu as Eddie and his wife were friendly with him when they lived in SA. The photos included are of: Carols youngest daughter, Lauren with husband Tim and baby, Charles Carol and Laurence Carol's oldest daughter, Lisa and her fiancé, Jason A copy of Eddie and Susan's wedding invitation Carol's brother Alan and his wife, Megan, with their two children Cheryl and Cameron Eddie and Susan and their children Gareth & Helena - the lucky recipients of the quilt

- Envious signing off

DAY 2/3 OF ORANGE RIVER ADVENTURE SCRAPPED - Sunday, 22 October 2006 Karen Burniston's http://karenburniston.typepad.com/ favourite word 'TUSH' (Trapped Under Something Heaving) is becoming very applicable to me of late. 2006 is becoming like a roll of toilet paper - the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. But just for this Sunday I had the feeling of being an 'UUSH' (Untrapped Under Something Heavy) and managed to complete the next stage of our Orange River Expedition during 1997.

I must say that the thought of the upcoming merger between the TP- and BH-Gangs this coming Saturday, the 'TUSH' feeling seriously spills over my soul. TP-Gang, please don't embarrass Tha Teacha, and check the conditions previously stated. Colour co-ordination being a serious pre-requisite.

To clear the air, I have had numerous requests to state who the gang members are - so here goes:

Teacher's Pet (TP) Gang: Elizabeth Houareau (Libby), Beverley Dow, Stella Fischer, Nicola Jennings, Carol Liebrandt and Robyn Keulder.

Botha's Hill (BH) Gang: Rayna Winson, Nicky Bosman, Shelley Candiotes, Michelle Ramsay and Kathlyn Elena Holland.

PS: In case of serious conflict on Saturday, 28 October 2006, the real TP (recently qualified 'criminal' lawyer) is on standby for legal support to desperate gangsters!

- Let the battle begin!

5 MISSIONS (impossible) TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BEFORE 2007 Well, Sophia here's to your challenge for us bloggers: Mission No.1: Spring cleaning my clothes cupboard i.e. chucking out those items that I have not worn in 2006 Mission No.2: Creating 10 new scrapping layouts - that is one layout per week. (Be warned TP & BH-Gang members, Tha Teacha is on a mission the 28th!! - so get going with samples for Tha Theacha!) Mission No.3: Shedding 5kg and maintaining the weight loss well after the New Year celebrations. Ha-Ha! Mission No.4: Become fit enough to walk 21.1km race in 2h40 and complete 250km's of walking races for 2006. - Well I probably have to start strutting my 'stuff' on the road! Mission No.5: Be more friendly and helpful to people in general. - Mission(s) Impossible signing off

GP (going patiently) to GP (gangsters' paradise) - Friday, 13 October 2006 to Monday, 16 October 2006

Well ya, we did brave Friday the 13th. Fortunately we don't see 13 as an unlucky number. But if I had to read anything into Friday the 13th, then I could say that - with my jeans deciding to detach its fastening button whilst in the ladies at a Wimpy stop-over in Harrismith leaving me with a flapping belt - it was a tiny bit unlucky for me. Thankfully the zip stayed up without the button being fastened.

Whilst visiting the Bead People in Randburg, I just had enough of my gaping jeans and bravely approached the sales lady with a cry for help. Astonishingly she was very helpful and asked one of the resident beaders to loan me a needle and thread. I was so relieved when the 'very friendly' lady handed me a needle and thread. Little did I know that it was nearly impossible to thread a beading needle, even with glasses on (thanks Thanusha for not sharing this bit of useful information), so again I had to embarrass myself by asking the lady to help me thread the needle (just being Blondie), which she once again did with pleasure. At last I had a threaded needle and hastily reclined into a very comfy sofa next to a cappuccino machine (making sure there were no sneaking eyes around) and started sewing my button on. Once done, I felt whole again and could look the Gautengers square in the eyes without holding onto my pants.

Conroy, my 'very' personal chauffeur took me to Magic Memories' head office as well as Scrapbook Trading. I must say that we here in Durban cannot complain at all. We are actually more up to date with the latest supplies and trends than the Gautengers and our prices are VERY reasonable in comparison.

We stayed with Carel and Belinda our god children's (Duane and Kyle) parents for the weekend. Friday night we went for dinner at a Mediterranean Restaurant in the Cresta Centre, Randburg. The grub was divine. Saturday morning we went for breakfast at a News Cafe near Belinda-them and afterwards Belinda took me to the Crafters' Emporium (see previous post). I was very impressed with the quality and standard of items for sale, compared to our local craft markets. The rest of the morning me and Belinda had our own wheels and visited a few scrapbooking shops in the Randburg area i.e. Scrap-4-Africa and The Scrapbook. I was surprised to notice that our local scrapbooking stores are much more up to date with current supplies and that our prices are very CHEAP. So girls, don't worry, we are the fortunates down here in KZN.

Saturday afternoon we visited my niece Heidi and her husband Bernhardt. Their bambinos have grown. Zander, whom I have blogged about in February this year, was such a happy little 9-month old boy and one would never say that he had undergone two open heart surgeries and a hip operation during the first three months of his life. Alisha his 2-year old sister just would not pose for the camera and unfortunately I did not manage to take some well composed photos of her. But you must agree that these little ones are just too precious for words. Even Tigger the resident feline wanted to pose with cute little Zander.

Conroy watched the first half of the Currie Cup Final with Bernhardt while I was snapping away at Alisha and Zander. We left Heidi-them at half time and watched the second half and extra time at Belinda-them. When we got at Belinda's, Carel was outside watering the garden, because he was furious at the way the Bulls performed and refused to watch the rest of the game. After some 'calming essence' from Conroy, he managed to come and watch the rest of the game, but with loud and serious commentary on the side. Fortunately the Cheetahs and the Bulls drew the game (28/28) and the Currie Cup was shared - and we were saved from seeing the men doing the 'Leeuloop' for us (actually me and Belinda were a bit disappointed).

Sunday morning, I quickly had the tripod setup at their front door and after serious bribing got the men to settle down on the steps for some family photos. Even Bungu had his tail wagging and loved posing with his family. The photo's weren't that creative, but at least we got everyone snapped for future generations to gaze upon. After some home made prega rolls we left Belinda-them at 9:30am on our way to visit Terry and her family (one of my old running mates and best friends) in Pretoria.

We chatted away as usual reminiscing about days gone by and happy times shared and before we went for lunch at Caio in Brooklyn Mall I took some shots of Terry, her daughter Kayleigh (busy writing her matric exam) and her husband Roy. Their younger daughter Candice (Grade 8) was at choir practice which takes place nearly every Sunday from 9am till 4pm.

We left Terry-them at about 3pm on our way to Little Switzerland in the Berg, which we reached at about 6:40pm. We left Little Switzerland after breakfast at about 9:30am and took a detour to the Midlands Meander where Conroy spoilt me by buying me three Jeep shirts at Jim Green and afterwards treating me with scones at Granny Mouse. We reached home at about 2:15pm and mellowed for the rest of the afternoon.

Little Switzerland

Scones at Granny Mouse

- Ex Gautenger signing off

THE GRACEFUL ('headless') LADIES @ WORK - Monday, 16 October 2006 For some time I have been milling over the idea of displaying my beading creations by means of jewellery ladies. I have been surveying several shops for 'suitable' ladies, but could not find any. So when Julie Dawson (a colleague) popped into my office one morning with the latest Justine catalogue, little did she know that she will be the one to end my search. I could not believe my eyes when I saw, somewhere hidden between all the perfumes, a jewellery lady stand. No time went wasted and I immediately placed my order with Julie. Then of course I could not wait for Julie to collect my 'Justine' order containing the 'Justine Twins' (the pic below). Sorry Julie for being such a pain, but you will agree with me that when a women wants something, she wants it now.

From the left: One half of the Justine Twins, Lady in Red, the other half of the Justine Twins and My Fairlady

Then we all know that it never rains but pour - just the very next week I saw two beautiful jewellery lady stands in a little gift shop in Kloof, whilst on a pressie hunt for our family and friends in Gauteng. Needless to say, I left the gift shop with a gift for myself and none for our GP friends and family. (See Lady in Red, pic above). And then something happened that made me believe in telepathy. Whilst staying with Belinda and Carel, our god children's parents this past weekend, during our visit to Gauteng, Belinda took me to their local 'Crafters' Emporium'. During our walkabout in the shop we spotted some beautiful jewellery ladies and one very elegant lady caught my eye. I seriously had to restrain myself not to buy her, by convincing myself that my existing 'Lady in Red' and the 'Justine Twins' were more than sufficient. Belinda was also very impressed with this lady, but we both left the shop without her (now that is what I call will power). On our departure from Belinda them on Sunday morning, there was an exchange of gifts, which has become somewhat of a custom between our two families, who only see each other once a year, and guess what - there nicely wrapped Belinda handed me the very lady I fell in love with the previous day. I could not believe it. Thoughts of 'how did she manage to sneak out and purchase 'My Fairlady' for me'. 'No' she said, 'I did not purchase the one we saw at Crafters' Emporium, but have actually purchased My Fairlady two weeks ago at a home industry nearby, without the knowledge that you have actually started to collect them'. Now this was telepathy in its best form. So now I am a happy chappy with my four 'headless' ladies. - Signing off with the following advice: Your future depends on your dreams. Don't waste any time, go to bed NOW!

BH-GANG & TP GANG MERGER - INVITE - Saturday, 28 October 2006

Hi Girls - Now, now .... - I cannot believe that grown up women can go on like this! Your consistent wining, groaning and complaining has driven Tha Teacha up the (Botha's) Hill. The 'TP Gang Intruder, Botha's Hill negotiator, and outside walker' also could not take any more and decided to put padlocks on those traps by approaching the Botha's Hill Gang Leader, Rayna. The BH-Gang Negotiator's approach was supported by several boxes of Ginormous PS Chocs, TLC and flirting. Rayna, the small hearted leader of the BH-Gang (which we definitely cannot say of the TP-Gang Leader) eventually buckled at the thought of all those PS Chocs and gave in to the TP-Gang merging with the BH-Gang on Saturday, 28 October 2006 at 1pm, subject to the following crucial conditions:

1. The BH-Gang takes no responsibility for any defamation or injuries sustained during the merger.

2. TP-Gangsters can only enter the BH-Gang's territory armed with 'irresistible sustenance' i.e. eats, treats, refreshments and buckets full of PS CHOCS.

3. Merger will only take place if the TP-Gangsters & BH-Gangsters are all Totally colour co-ordinated with their TOTE-ALLY COOL BAGS!

RSVP: Tha Teacha!

EAGER BEAVER BEADER

- Tuesday, 11 October 2006

I have been a good girl and kept my scrapbooking up to date lately as well as my beading creations' orders. Here are my latest ensembles.

Candice's gift: R150

I made this bracelet for my friend Terry's youngest daughter Candice. Nicola, I thought that this kind of pink girly bracelet will also perhaps be suitable as Xmas pressies for the girls (instead of watches perhaps)?

Watch Sold: R235

Stella here is the crystal watch for your friend's birthday coming up in November. Trust it will carry your stamp of approval.

- Schemer of future creations signing off

INVITE FROM BOTHA'S HILL GANG - Monday, 9 October 2006 Just to let the TP-Gang know that the Botha's Hill Gang has invited Tha Teacha to spend another social scrapping session with them in October!! - With courtesy from Tha Teacha

NICOLA'S WICKED DREAM - Monday, 9 October 2006 Nicola (the other half of the Greek Connection) gave me a courtesy call this morning at work just to put her own mind at ease. She wanted to know whether I am okay in 'all aspects'. This had me worried - what have I done now? and the thought of 'guilty until proven' gave me some consolation. The conversation went more or less like this: Nicola: 'Hi Desire, I thought I just had to give you a call this morning to make sure that you are okay. Desire: 'I am very well this Monday morning, why are you asking?' Nicola: 'No, because I had a strange dream about you last night' Desire: 'Oh no!' Nicola: 'No it was not a bad dream at all. I dreamt that it was your birthday and their were thousands of people celebrating at a swimming pool, whilst you were on a bicycle cycling around-and-around the pool.' Desire: 'What a strange dream - I definitely do not want to celebrate my birthday twice in one year - one is getting older faster these days, no need to speed things up.' Nicola: 'Glad to hear that you are okay - now I can relax. Bye for now. See you Thursday night.' Tha Teacha trust that she is not giving her students nightmares!!

ORANGE RIVER EXPIDITION (1997) - Start of new Scrapbooking Album At last I am digging in the past. Pluck the courage, don't know from where, to start scrapping photo's sitting in those horrible, standard and acid rigged albums. I cannot believe that it is nearly a decade ago that I had first hand experience of nearly drowning.

A friend of ours was getting a crowd together to experience the 'serenity' of rowing on a river. I refused point blank to go on any water - I feel safe with my feet firmly on Mother Earth. But Conroy managed to twist the old rubber arm and accepted the offer, being assured by our friend that she has done it twice and both times they had to carry their two-man canoes from one lonesome pond of water to another- this was very assuring!

We invited my best friend Lenie (by the way Lenie is getting married on 2 December this year in Ermelo), who cannot swim at all to join us on this adventure.

1997 was a good rainfall season and the Orange River was flowing strong - just our luck! Our 5-day rowing journey started at 'Oewerbos' in Namibia. The first two days went relatively smoothly. We settled into the rythm of rowing/steering a two-man canoe through a full but calm river. We also enjoyed sleeping under the stars at night with scorpions lurking around the fireplace.

On the third day the Big Orange decided to show us what it was made of and whilst going through a medium graded rapid we capsised. Conroy managed to get to safe ground without any damage except for some dignity being shattered. Me on the other hand was swept by the current about one kilometer down stream. Apart from trying to keep one's head above water, one also had to hold onto one's oar (if you wanted to complete the 5 day adventre). With a strong current, heavy strop sandles and an oar to cling onto, it was very difficult to keep one's head above the surface. Clinging onto rocks was also made difficult due to the strong current pressing one so hard against a rock that it hurt too much to keep hanging on. After what seemed like an eternity the rowing party's leader/tour operator Louis managed to manoevre his canoe up to me and held out a very welcome rescuing arm. Our belongings (all in a blue plastic barrel) was picked up a few kilomtres down stream in calmer waters. Fortunately these blue barrels were leak proof.

Keep watching out for new layouts on our 1997 Orange River Expedition. They will be added to the Flicker headed 'Orange River Expedition' on the right.

IRRESISTIBLE IRIS ENCHANTMENT - 5 October 2006 Interesting facts about the Iris flower: In ancient times Iris roots were used in perfume and medicine. Today Iris essential oil from flowers are sometimes used in Aromatherapy as sedative medicines. The dried roots are also given whole to babies to help in teething. Perfumery: Iris roots are harvested, dried, and aged for up to 5 years. In this time, the fats and oils inside the roots undergo degradation and oxidation, which produces many fragrant compounds that are invaluable in perfumery. The aged roots are steam distilled which produces a thick oily compound, known in the perfume industry as iris butter. Art: The Artist Vincent van Gogh has painted several famous pictures of irises. Scrapbooking: Tha Teacha could not resist creating this layout of the Irises flowering profusely in their Coghill Avenue garden for one day during September this year. When Irises flower it is usually an indication of rainy weather ahead - and in this case it was true.

SATURDAY SOCIAL SCRAPPING

- 30 September 2006

It was an early Saturday morning rise, at 5:15am (again), for my ad hoc Run & Walk For Life Saturday walking cession. We did an 8 km in 64 minutes in the Winston Park residential area. The weather was sunny and hot and the stickiness of humidity in the air. No time was wasted to put back all the calories with a 'French Toast' breakfast at Sprigs followed by a mid morning snooze.

Kathy (left) and Rayna (right) the 2 Pilgrims

Michelle (the intruder) (left) and Nicky (right)

Rayna invited all her scrapping friends and even her Teacha for a social afternoon's scrapping at their complex's club house in Botha's Hill. It was a most enjoyable and relaxing afternoon and a very welcome change to my normal Saturday scrapping teaching. I brainstormed a new layout (watch this space for evidence) accompanied with Sprigs chocolate brownies and Shelley's delicious home baked chocolate cake - chocolate overdose, what chocolate overdose?

Shelley (left) and the club house (right)

Tha Teacha brainstorming

Saturday evening was spent creating Stella's (Greek Connection) crystal watch order. Stella hope you like it.

Watch Sold: R235

The rest of Saturday night was spent watching a 3 hour tear jerking Indian movie. I loved the happy and alive feeling Indian music and dance invoke. Thanks to the real TP for the loan of the CD. Even Conroy watched both 3-hour movies with me and that without reading a book or playing chess on his laptop, on the side. THORNTREE 15KM RACE (Pietermaritzburg) - Sunday, 1 October 2006

After going to bed at 11:30pm last night (Indian movies' fault) we very hesitantly rose at 4:30am for this race. It was a tough and hot 15km race with long gradual hills round every corner, but otherwise a most enjoyable race with a little bit of cross country here and there. Conroy took it easy and walked/jogged with me. We finished the race in 2h01min.

- Resigning to a permanent horizontal position