It takes a village!

OUR DEFINITION OF SECURITY Our view of security has been threatened.  Every thing that makes us feel safe and secure: jobs, money and big business has all been turned on it's head. Our security blankets have been yanked away, leaving us feeling disconnected and unnerved.  Unsure of where or how we fit in, people have formed 3 very interesting groups. Group 1- those who are embracing the time this lockdown has provided to get closer as a family, participating in activities and learning to work as a team, moms are trying new recipes with their kids while dads are showing their offspring how to fix and maintain their property, they're tackling their to-do list with passion and fun. Awesome! Group 2 - those who have decided there is no lockdown, trying to carry on as normal, and are baffled by police presence, the shop closures and the annoyance of their neighbors . Beware of these guys.  They're probably going to contract the virus and play pass it on. Group...

LOCKDOWN DAY 5 Just survived the weekend with everyone at home.  The tears and screaming, mostly from me has been forgotten and hopefully forgiven in the early morning light of a new day.  A weekday to be precise. I can handle the kids.  I can handle a house full of kids but add my husband to that mix and it's a whole different ballgame.  I'm not talking about the gap between football and soccer, I'm talking soccer and water-polo! He's a handful on his own.  And yes, God-forgive-me, but I'm glad he's part of essential services because I don't know if both of us would survive this lockdown otherwise.  Okay, so I guess you may think I'm exaggerating but one thing about Leon is that he has itchy feet.  He can't stay at home, even on the weekends.  He'll take a walk to the shops or the fleamarket. And if he can't go out, he makes everyone crazy. I have 3 boisterous girls which means that sometimes I have to make myself louder to be hea...

A PERSON IS SMART Officially, today is the start of South Africa's 21-day lockdown.  Judging from all the people still doing their own thing on the streets, I don't think we've ever had one before. A person, you see is smart but people are stupid.  When we're in a crowd, we worry about what others think about us, how we look, how we sound.  Instead of being safe and considerate to others, people will go to the shops without masks or gloves on . So think about the last few days in SA and the people-logged shops: how many of them did you witness wearing their masks and gloves while shopping?  Hmm, a minuscule number, I bet. How many were sick and didn't know it? But no worries, we'll all know it soon enough cos those coronavirus or Covid-19 numbers are climbing rapidly. Patient 31 and her 5000 This is how fast it spreads, people. Patient 31 has infected 5000 people-do you think she thought she even knew 5000 people?! Be safe and stay at home and let...

COOKING DURING A LOCK-DOWN The President has just announced the 21-day lock-down and I'm sure every parent everywhere felt their brain go How on earth are we going to survive our families, with our kids and spouses in such closed quarters for 21 days? Not to mention what do I cook? Don't fret. Help is on hand.  With a few rules in place, you AND your family will survive and thrive. Your grocery cupboard and your budget will also survive with just a few minor tweaks. Rules for Lockdown Be kind and considerate to each other ALWAYS. Try understanding the other person's point of view BEFORE you react. Give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Maybe s/he didn't mean it in a negative way. Before you say anything, ask yourself is this really necessary? When the inevitable argument occurs, stop. Think to yourself: do I need to be right? DO I get a prize for being right?  The answer is  NO. Your family relationships and your sanity are more important ...