...you've just got to be strong....

I have had an amazing week in many ways. Firstly, I have been on an emotional roller coaster, and very very down, but am starting to gain a perspective again, slowly and painfully, but getting there. The week started out with a trip to Secunda and the first day of training began in earnest. 33 people was my christening number! ordered to be there, so not very enthusiastic, but we warmed up to each other quite soon and at the end of the day, I got some nice evaluations. the one thing you learn in training is you cannot please everyone!!

I don't enjoy being away from home, but staying at a very nice hotel in Secunda, and eating in a lovely restuarant with a glass of red wine, outside in the summer air overlooking this beautifully kept lake with lawns really caps a hard day. the rooms are very nice and comfortable, with free access to internet, so it's generally not too bad. I tuck into bed as early as possible with a good book, and relax!! A bit lonely, but what can you do?

Day two was also very full and hectic. 39 people this time, a full class. At the end of the day I am exhausted, but I can go home because Wednesday's training is me being a delegate and involved in a terrific team of people. Wednesday was also a long hard day, which ended in a party - a sort of valentines theme, with some of the talented people singing - goose bumps stuff!! I was so proud to be a part of that team, they have really done something very right. Lots of great team spirit and enthusiasm there. I had to write an exam, don't know my results yet, so watch this space!! it could be bad news though because I was not able to attend the training all the way through, so some of it was guess work. The team each got a laptop and a caddy car to use - Wow! It was heartwarming to see people previously unemployed being so wonderfully spoilt, and motivated and to see them smile and feel their appreciation. What an experience. Such love and kindness is not often witnessed in the business world. And, I was part of it!!:) The venue was Esselen park - built by Italian prisoners of war and used by the railways now as convention and training centre -it is a very grand set of buildings and magnificent gardens - the train is a picture on the wall, and the other picture is the party.

Thursday was also spent back in Secunda. the venue was challenging- a huge empty theatre basement, with no acoustics and huge desks which formed a barrier between me and my 30 delegates. My voice was lost into the concrete pillars and HIGH ceilings, and the huge empty stage behind me echoed as we talkied. I battled to hear the delegates an they battled to hear me - frustrating is an understatement, and I found myself more exhausted than ever after that.

any way, the good news is - I will be away next week to my very favouritist spot in SA, which is my secret where. I will tell you more when I am there. I cannot wait :) a whole week there- heaven. MMmmmm... watch this space - a restoration is about to take place.

Here is a picture as promised of Bagheera. He lies right by my feet everyday. He learns very fast, and can come on command, sit right in front of me and lie down on command already!

I have enjoyed the chat, so will be back soon again, this blogging can really be so fun. Bye, Shirley

..but you know, you know it 'aint easy...

Hi all,

PS: I started this blog on Saturday, but am only finishing it today - M onday, so if there is confusion, that's why!

I have discovered that dog training is really about training the owner! I have to learn the correct commands to give him, use the right words, in the right tone, and I must stand up straight, and I must not confuse the dog, and, and and.... Boy, I didn't do too well either, my mind was way elsewhere, but Bagheera did well, he was very curious about all the other dogs, and ignored the meaty treats I had with me. Kevin had Largo and she on the other hand is fantastic and is too advanced for the class actually, she needs a promotion. She heels, sits, lies down, comes to you when called and dives in the water bowl at tea time!

Life can be challenging, this week has been one of those for me. I know it is not a new concept that girls can be very emotional and i am no exception - hot blooded female every inch!! So, I have discovered that men are different when it comes to emotions - they can be quite cool while you are in a turmoil! I wonder if its because they need to fight wars and stuff? any way, I survived the week.

Our lovely friends arrived from Australia - Paul & Debbie, they hadn't changed a bit, and we recognised each other immediately! We took them straight home for a dinner, which I had cooked during the afternoon, and guess what? - Even though the rice was in a colander above the pot of water, I managed to burn it!! - don't ask....

I had to leave them this morning and come to Secunda to work, and I will be here tomorrow too, and then again on Thursday. Wednesday I am working in benoni way - and then enjoying a Valentines dinner where the whole team of 100 of us are being sent on our way after intense training for a few weeks. It is going to be lovely as there will be a talent show put on by the teams, and there are some great talents amongst them, I cannot wait. for instance there is a opera singer called Thandi, she has a beautiful voice, and a few dancers, should be really fun. the men sang Sosholoza the other day, and I got goose bumps, man, it was good. such a fun atmosphere.

I have to prepare for tomorrow, I have a challenging day ahead tomorrow with 33 people to stand in front of. I have only received the stuff I am going to use tonight, so I better get on with preparations. You have a wonderful evening, I am in a lovely hotel room, with all the comforts and an inviting bed, which I hope to hop into very soon, so Good night!

Shirley

...and life goes on...

Hi,

You know, gym is a fantastic way to relieve stress. I know because I was stressed out tonight and I did the body conditioning class with the energiser bunny and we sweated huge drops onto the floor!! But what a de-stress!! The music was great, and the pace relentless, but I kept up ok. We go for an hour non-stop. The energiser bunny is like a machine - she doesn't stop. great work out!

Our new dog is lovely. he is really placid, and fits into the family well. Largo and him have not stopped playing all day, even though he is not meant to have exercise until he is healed fully - he was castrated by the SPCA - regulations! Poor thing. He was in pain yesterday and is a bit better today. Kevin and Loren chose a name for him - Bagheera- well at first they wanted Diago, but that is too close to Largo, so that doesn't work, so Bagheera it is. I did ask him what his name before was, but he doesn't understand at all, so we will never know will we? It is quite a challenge getting a young adult dog with habits learned already. He is soft and gentle, and hopefully is house trained. :) he seems to be, but we have just started to get to know him. We went for our first walk today and he is not used to being on a leash and does not heel, but tries to walk between your legs not next to you. He was really good though and tried to please. His paws underneath are raw and sore probably from the concrete floors at the SPCA. Largo loves to play with him too, and she has the friend she needed again.

Any way, I am worn out and tired, so hitting the sack!
See ya!
Shirley

Great Preparations

We had a lovely day today. We are expecting some friends from Australia soon, and Kevin and I have been moving the camping gear around in the flat to make some space for them to stay in. We also did some more gardening and I planted some periwinkle plants to cascade over the rocks near the water feature, Kev planted some ferns and hen 'n chickens in pots, and Largo jumped into the pool for a swim! It was a lovely day, and we ended our hard work sitting in the garden with a nice relaxing cool drink to the tune of a fantastic pink glow and soft colours all round the garden- African sunsets have to be the greatest. It has been very hot lately, and the pool has been such a blessing. Kev and I have been enjoying our swims.

Another weekend almost over.

Bull frogs and lily pads

Watch out !!:( - this is a warning!! - this blog may contain paragraphs of gloomy content!! Read it at your peril.

Isn't it amazing that when you walk so many thoughts come into your head. I find it quite therapeutic actually - sort of self examining! :) I just got back from walking our dog to the bird sanctuary and open grassland up the road from our house, and as she was frolicking like a mad puppy and leaping around like an overjoyed bunny rabbit in the newly mowed grass, it occured to me that I seemed to have completely lost my sense of humour! I was feeling a little down,- you know how it is,- like when you feel all gloomy as though you are missing someone special - perhaps too much work pressure and not enough fun?, and lately I have really had many stressful things on my mind, lots of 'things to do' on my shoulders, and some rather emotional issues pressing on my heart.

I needed the work, mind you, because those of you who may work for yourself and have your own business, know that no-one else does it for you, and to meet the never ending line of expenses that crop up, you work and you work hard - ALL the time!!

It made me realise the importance of having a balance in our lives, some work and some play, but when deadlines loom, there seems to be no time for fun, and even fun seems like an effort to have! :))

Back from the walk now, I feel a little better, a bit of perspective again, and a renewed sense of optimism. So I now feel more ready to face another week ahead.

It was an interesting and exciting week just passed, let me tell you about it. among some other things, I was a delegate for a change, on some very valuable few days of training, and I will hopefully receive a certificate for a video they took of me in action, and then i have to write a computer based exam. There are definately great opportunities if you are willing to look out for them, and this was one of them! Also, one of the contracts I am part of a team for is finally happening and the client gave us some relevant dates at last, and a few dates set for some other work in March too, as well as some work for a public company that also came up really made for a good reason or two to celebrate!! So a good week really and I felt like it was a bit of harvesting time, for a lot of hard work I have put in.

Our dog Largo had a companion until quite recently, when Reggae, our gorgeous little pitch black French poodle died quite unexpectedly recently. Largo has been acting very strangly since then, and quite clearly needs a friend to play with! She has been hanging herself from the windows in an attempt to get in the house, and chasing her own tail in a game of 'pretend it is another dog biting my tail' and then charge off like a mad thing round and round the landy! Well, today Kevin and Loren went to the SPCA to see what is available there and a most delightful 18 month old labrador - golden colour, chose them. He is perfect age, and house trained - BONUS, and is so gentle and loving and instantly took a liking to them! Guess what? Now we have another dog to add to the family!! I will post some pics soon once i get some. We just hope he likes cats - or else my lovely fat cat will be most put out, and may even leave home? - Naahhh, Fat chance of that happening - BUT, she will take an eye out or two if she gets a chance.

Well, enough blogging my heart out today, speak soon, love you all,
Shirley