Through my Samsung's eyes

Blog everyday in May - Day 28: Only pictures

I decided to feature some photos on my cellphone. It is so handy having a phone that can take photos - remember the days when we didn't have that?

Planning my frames for my wall

My grandfather's old camera - now mine

Cookie Concrete - Saw this sign at Dubai airport

Japan - You need a manual to operate the toilets

Went to a Korean restaurant in Japan. Delicious meat

On our way home from Dubai

My wooden floors after they were installed

J & I at Justin Bieber

An ex drew these for me - first pictures up on my wall

The spot where my canvas print will go

My kitty cat

Challenges Remaining:

Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

For you

Blog everyday in May - Day 27: A letter to your readers

To my lovely readers

I hope that you enjoy the silly ramblings of my mind.

I hope that while giggling to yourself about how crazy I am, you still enjoy what you are reading.

I hope that I can make you smile even for a few moments out of you day.

I hope that you know how much I love hearing from you.

Challenges Remaining:
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Shit My Dad Says

Blog everyday in May - Day 26: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.

I don't spend a lot of time researching the internet and reading articles online. But this is a good story:

I follow this guy on Twitter: @ShitmyDadsays but he hasn't posted in months.

His dad has some funny ways of looking at life:

"I like babies, just saying they live inside a host body and feed off it. That's a parasite...Yes, I could raise a tape worm and love it."

"We ain't a sharp species. We kill each other over arguments about what happens when you die, then fail to see the fucking irony in that."

"Bullshit. War ain't over till people stop shooting. You can't say you're done taking a crap if shit's still coming out of your ass."

Anyway, while looking to see when he last posted, I came across this article in GQ Magazine - worth a read because he makes an extremely valid point:

How the "Shit My Dad Says" Dad Celebrates Valentine's Day

Challenges Remaining:
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Words

Blog everyday in May - Day 25: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)

I had a story lined up linked to the beginning of this challenge when I spoke about my weight. But my boss said something to me on Friday that I know I will remember forever, so this is it:

He was telling me how difficult his 13 year old daughter is being and how much she fights with them and he says he is feeling very stressed about it.

I told him how much I fought with my mom... every single day and told her how much I hated her. It was only within the last 2 years of school that her and I connected.

I told him that even though I knew I was being difficult and mean, I just couldn't change it, the hormone levels were just too unpredictable making me a crazy.

He looks at me and says to me: That makes me feel a bit bit better. If my daughter turns out to be anything like you I will be very pleased.

Challenges Remaining:
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Bad Girl (and not in a sexy way)

Blog every day in May - Day 24: Your top 3 worst traits

This is an easy challenge!

1. I'm far too impatient
2. I have a bad habit of interrupting people (Probably scared I will forget what I wanted to say - this happens more than you know!)
3. I don't forgive easily when my trust has been broken

Challenges Remaining:
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Life happens

Blog every day in May - Day 23: Things you’ve learned that school won’t teach you

1. There are fun & exciting careers out there that they don't tell you about in school
2. Friendships and relationships are harder to maintain when you are out in the real world with so many other factors requiring your time
3. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions all by yourself and live with the consequences
4. It sucks to have to spend your hard-earned cash on toilet paper and drain cleaner instead of a fun night out
5. Walking in high heels on a slippery floor is not that easy
6. You should respect people because they have earned it, not because you have to
7. Knowing how to change a tyre is very important
8. Sex is so much fun if you do it for the right reasons

Challenges Remaining:
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Ranting it up - letting it all out.

Blog everyday in May - Day 22: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbour or boss does that really ticks you off)

Oh Boy - I will try to limit this rant because today was a bad day and I am not in a good mood.

My rant for the day is: People who complain about their circumstances, but do NOTHING to change it.

Sometimes a situation is difficult to change and I think most people's biggest issue is financial. But if you don't try, how will you ever improve your circumstances? There is always a solution and sometimes you have to look/try a little harder, but it is better than sitting back and complaining about how bad your life is and how unlucky you are, blah blah blah

I don't mind listening to a person when they want to have a bit of a rant to get something off their chest. We all need a good bitch session every now and then. However, I begin to get annoyed when they complain about the same thing over and over without doing a single thing to change it.

I hate my job and I am under-paid.
Have you looked for any new jobs? No

I am so fat nothing fits me.
Are you watching what you eat? No I like my food.

I've had this funny blister for a month now and it hurts so much!
Have you been to the doctor? No, I am sure it will go away 

I have NO money!
Have you tried to manage your budget? No, but look at the 2 new pairs of boots I bought in different colours.

I hate the way that person talks to me.
Have you spoken to them about it? No.
Do you want me to talk to them in a nice way? No just leave it.

Grrrrr! (Now I feel better!)

Challenges Remaining:
Day 23, Thursday: Things you’ve learned that school won’t teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Remembering the Past

Blog everyday in May - Day 21: A list of links to your favourite posts in your archives

This was a blast from the past. I really do talk about sex ALOT!

1. I Love Surprises - I love this post. When I read it I still smile. And even though much has changed. I still hope that MC has a bigger part to play in my life
2. Motherly Love - A rare look into my family life
3. Coffee - One of my favourite sayings
4. I like them young - An hilarious conversation between my Bestie & I while I am out on a date
5. Take Time - A beautiful story and a valuable lesson
6. Ask Jhb - The time the radio listeners chose my man for me
7. T & C in the park - Some fun photos in the park with my new camera
8. I feel you - A spur of the moment poem about somebody special
9. Hanging out with Gerard Butler - 1 of my fun memories

Challenges Remaining:
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you’ve learned that school won’t teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

I can't get no... Motivation

Blog everyday in May - Day 20: Get real. Share something you’re struggling with right now.

At the moment I am struggling to find motivation.

Usually I go to the gym at least 5 times a week. I have accepted the fact that I will never be supermodel skinny, however, I would like to have a toned body and be fit and healthy.

I realised too late in life just how important it is to look after your body.

If your body is fit, so is your mind.

I do not do well when I try to diet, so I prefer to eat what I like, but try to keep it in moderation, and instead exercise to prevent the extra weight gain.

So far this has worked well for me and I can definitely see the difference when I go through periods of not exercising and eating junk.

I hit a slump when I returned from Japan to a back-log of work and - double whammy - a “relationship” ended before it had even started.

With nobody to do my job in the time I was away I had to scramble to catch up and ended up working late nights again. It seems that I have still not caught up and I have neglected the gym.

I have not only gained weight, but I have become ill with flu. All signs that the stress has taken a negative toll on me again.

I need to get back into it, but I am struggling to find the motivation.

Challenges Remaining:

Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives

Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you’ve learned that school won’t teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Blog Love

Blog everyday in May - Day 19: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them

1. The Cow Jumped Over the Moon - I have already waxed lyrical about Kate, so before I send out lesbian vibes - I will say that Kate is 1 of my favourite blogs out there. Read her, you will see why.
2. Purple Lips and Perfect Smiles Claudz always has such a positive outlook on life. When you meet her in real life, she is the same as the way she comes across on the blog; chatty, vivacious & confident. She blogs about a variety of topics and I love every post!
3. Vanilla Blonde - Bailey Schneider is bubbly, positive and a lovely person. Her posts are warm and make a person feel happy
4. Skinny Bitches in the Making - Doesn't the name just make you love them? Candid and refreshing. I love that they articulate everything I feel as a single, independant woman.
5. Peas on Toast - I have been reading Peas for years. Her blog is honest and hilariously funny

Challenges Remaining: 

Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you’re struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you’ve learned that school won’t teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Losing my Thumb

Blog everyday in May – Day 18: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

The screaming was wild and piercing. There was blood everywhere.

As they were holding me down trying to reattach my thumb, I can still remember my Dad’s shirt, saturated with my blood – brown and white checks. To this day I have an aversion to brown shirts. Perhaps that is why?

This is the earliest memory I have. I was 4 years old.

We were in town. I was with my mom while my dad had gone to the hardware store. We were waiting to cross the street when I saw my dad on the other side.

I pulled my hand out of my mom’s hand and I ran across the street. A car knocked me over.

I went spinning around the wheel. I always dream about this part.

The driver was only going about 60km/hour when he hit me. Lucky for me. The damage was done to my right hand. My thumb had broken off and was attached only by a small piece of skin.

I can still remember the pain as the doctor was trying to flush out the dirt and pieces of the tar from the road.

The thumb was re-attached but developed gangrene. The doctors wanted to remove it. My parents refused.

My dad used to sell a range of cleaning products called Golden Products. They had a disinfectant called “Care” It was supposed to be diluted in water. My mom poured it indiluted into a spray bottle and started irrigating the infected thumb.

Apparently all sorts of disgusting stuff came out of my thumb, but it healed.

I still have pieces of the tar left, but my thumb is in full working order.

I learnt to do a lot of things with my left hand while my right hand was in a cast and I still use my left hand a lot. Maybe that is the reason that when I taught myself to play the guitar, I only discovered later on that I was playing with the wrong hand!?

Challenges Remaining:
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you’re struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you’ve learned that school won’t teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Reflection of me

Blog everyday in May - Day 17: A favorite photo of yourself and why

I like this photo because it shows my true passion: Photography

I feel more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it

Challenges Remaining:

Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you’re struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you’ve learned that school won’t teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Bend in the wind & survive the storm

Blog everyday in May - Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your “lot in life” and how you’re working to overcome it

This is the challenge I have struggled the most with so far.

I can imagine that people out there have got some legitimate reasons to be extremely unhappy. (failing health, no job, going through a divorce, etc)

I am lucky my unhappiest "lot" is my job.

Working for a man you both respect and dislike at times causes huge emotional strain. Taking on too much is draining me and forcing me to abandon my social life in order to complete the work, thereby creating the expectation that more will get done.

With the economy being the way it is at present, I am not willing to work at a new company only to be let go a few months later (it's happened to people I know and I cannot take that risk)

I have job security. I know that my position is very secure. 

So for now, if I am not going to look for another job, how am I overcoming this unhappiness:

I am trying not to let his negativity affect me. I am limiting my overtime hours and making myself leave at a respectable hour. If the work is not done and I have tried my best, then there is clearly too much for me and it is time I put my foot down and not budge.

Challenges Remaining:

Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you’re struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you’ve learned that school won’t teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Inspiring other bloggers

Doing the Blog everyday in May challenge has brought back my love of blogging. I was in a bit of a rut and after really busy days I couldn't be bothered to come up with an interesting story to tell.

Now that I have the topics, half the war is won!

I work with Missy Pie (I gave her that nickname very randomly and since then, it's stuck) and her and I have become really good friends, despite the almost 10 year age gap.

She doesn't like the colour pink (ironic), any of my music (wrong) and cannot understand why I like the younger men (crazy) but despite that, we have a lot of common interests (Series, sneaky-chocolate-cake, books, movies, cute actors like Alex Pettyfer & Matt Bomer, funny jokes and some silly blonde moments)
Missy Pie does the same type of design work I do; so we can feel each others' pain when we're told to "just quickly design something"

We've chatted about her starting her own blog for a while now and when the Blog everyday in May challenge came about - it was the perfect platform to launch her into the world of blogging.

Please show her some blogging love. Pop by and visit her blog as she joins us in the challenge.
Leave a comment and tell her that Princess sent you!

What the Blog - Missy Pie

A non-typical day in the life of....

Blog everyday in May - Day 15: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day – this could be “a photo an hour” if you’d like)

I started my day  intent on capturing photos of my ordinary day-to-day happenings.

Somehow the day was anything but a typical day! So here is my unusual day:

• Wake up and get love from kitty cat

•  Check Facebook and Twitter while sitting in traffic going nowhere

•  Before I know it, it's lunchtime - Nandos as a treat today because we have guests

•  Put final touches to a proposal that is worth millions

•  My Blood Type: Caffiene.
  Try to finish my umpteenth cup of coffee before it gets cold (I never managed to finish any cup)

•  Another spoil - CHOCOLATE cake. Caramel filling with perfectly balanced butter icing. I'm a red velvet kinda girl, but when chocolate cake is this good - it trumps all others!

• Receive a gift from guests - a keyring which is a dental implant. Cute. But strange.

•  18:30: Stuck at the office. Drink wine to make me forget the sorrows of feeling like a slave chained to my desk. Work is much more cheerful when you have wine in your tummy

• Watching them at the gate - the motor was broken

•  Our hero Neal saves the day night and cuts open the lock on the motor box with his angle grinder 

• Get home, blog some more and off to bed. Good night!

Challenges Remaining:
Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your “lot in life” and how you’re working to overcome it
Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you’re struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you’ve learned that school won’t teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you’ll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you’d like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. UseGrooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory