The Ice Cream Man

As the sun slowly sets on this relaxing Sunday, I find myself quite disappointed. All day I have been straining my ears to hear the ice cream man. The familiar jingle that would give me all the confirmation I need, that summer is on it's way.  The ice cream man is like my ground hog. If I hear him, then winter-like weather is nearing an end. Hopefully next weekend he will surface.

Funny thing is I have never even seen the ice cream man here in South Africa. I hear the jingle, then search for my wallet and keys, rush to open the gate on our door, then one at the front of the house and lastly, the gate on the street, by then Mr. Ice Cream man is at least two blocks away. It's not too terrible, as you all know how I feel about South Africa and their ice cream, which I wrote about here. I was still a bit shocked the first time I heard that the ice cream man only sells soft serve?!?! How boring is that?!?! No ice cream baseball glove, with the bubble gum ball? Unimaginable.

Note to Self: Ava MUST experience an American summer, chasing after the ice cream man, for an ice cream baseball glove, with a bubble gum ball.

Friday night was Johan and I's first night out without Ava. It wasn't as bad as I had anticipated, however, I did check my phone a bit more than usual. In my defense, both our phones were on silent so I was a bit paranoid something would happen and no one would be able to reach us.

The night was wonderful. A glass of wine at this swanky new restaurant, then a hilarious comedy show that had us all in tears, and then a nice snack and glass of wine at another swanky restaurant. Felt young again, until I realized the only people I was younger than were my friends. Everyone else around us looked like they were still in matric!! Thank goodness we don't get out much these days. I don't think my confidence can handle it. Honestly, I don't think I ever wore my skirts as short as the girls these days.

Happy Half Birthday, Ava! Here is a look back at the first half of her life:

Don't forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway here! It's easy, just leave a comment saying which lucylucybangbang print you like the most and WIN! The winner will be announced next Sunday, on my birthday!

Goodbye July, hello August!!

Blair

It's My Birthday Giveaway!

In just a few short days, 11 to be exact, I will be one year away from THIRTY! Where have all the years gone?

To celebrate the last year of my 20's, one of Blairadise's lucky readers will WIN a kitchen towel from lucylucybangbang's NEW "Vintage Lights" collection.

No matter where you are in the world, you can WIN!

Here is a short message from one of my oldest friends and the mastermind behind these beautiful kitchen towels.

visit the Etsy store here

"First of all, I want to say a BIG "thank you!" to Blair for this opportunity! I am so excited to have exposure from the US all the way to South Africa! My name is Jacy and lucylucybangbang is my little Etsy shop where I sell some super fun and very practical kitchen towels. Made from lint-free flour sack towels and embellished with fun fabrics to brighten your kitchen (and your day), they snap onto appliances so they stay put. Created to stop my little girl, Lucy, from running off with my towels, but they're super functional and cute in any kitchen!

This giveaway is for one towel of your choice from the NEW "Vintage Lights" collection. Go look around my shop and comment here with your favorite print...maybe you'll win it! Don't worry, though, we're all winners here, so I also want to offer 10% off any order with coupon code "blairadise"...happy shopping friends!"

Gorgeous, uh? Who wouldn't want one of these? They make great gifts as well.

In cased you missed it. To enter you must:

1. Go to lucylucybangbang's Etsy shop here
2. Post a comment below telling us which print is your favorite
• Don't have a Google account? Post as anonymous, then sign your name under your comment

For another entry:

• Complete the above and be a follower of this blog
• Complete the above and Re-Tweet this post
• Complete the above and post this link on Facebook

Tell all your friends and check back on the 7th of August to see if you won! Random.org will be used to chose the winner.

"life is too short for boring dish towels!" - lucylucybangbang

Good luck!

Blair

To Ouma We Go

On Saturday, Johan and I picked up his Oupa from the retirement home and took him to visit Ouma in the hospital. At 93 years old, he is still able to get around. Slowly, but surely. As we walked in, he spoke to everyone as we passed, especially all the ladies. Johan was holding Ava, and I was walking with him. He held on to me tight, like a proud grandfather.

On the 7th floor, we came to Ouma's room. She fell last week, broke her hip and has been in the hospital ever since. After the hip replacement, she got a few blood clots in her lungs and is slowly recovering from both. 

Ouma lay in her bed, thin, pale and weak. When she saw Oupa she started crying, she had thought he was dead. Lying in the hospital is making her lose her mind a bit. Oupa touched her face and told her she was silly, he wasn't going anywhere. I thought I saw tears in his eyes. He probably won't go anywhere. He will loose her, before she looses him. As I watched them interact with each other my heart swelled up. I can't even imagine losing Johan. Not even when we are in our 90s. When I looked up, I saw my husband holding our daughter with tears rolling down his face. My husband is sensitive and not afraid to show it. I love him so much.

After 60 years of marriage, Johan's grandparents are still very much in love. He kissed her forehead and kept trying to make her more comfortable. He told jokes and honked her nose. She cried and tried to joke back. She's in a lot of pain these days. 

After leaving the hospital, I realized just how fast life is going by. My youth is gone. I am now older than my mom was when she had me. I try to imagine her at my age. Where our family was, what we were doing. My grandmother at my mom's age now. I try to look forward and imagine life as Ava. Of what her memories of grandma's house will be. Of school, pets and first loves. I think a lot about the decisions I made as a teenager and even as an adult. The good and the bad. Try to figure out how to save Ava from the bad. Yet, I know she will have to learn her own life lessons from her own decisions.

Johan and I are in agreeance that we must live life to the fullest and always have something to look forward to. We don't leave angry. We wake up with smiles in this house. We love each other, our family and our life. 

Despite seeing Johan's Ouma in such a state, it was so great for her to meet Ava and introduce Ava to the rest of Johan's family. We stayed at his cousin's house, a beautiful home built over 100 years ago. His beautiful wife and their two gorgeous daughters welcomed us with opened arms, lots of great food, laughter, good wine and heated blankets! We really must visit them all more often. 

My favorite photos of the weekend:

Farm Life

I love Ava's hand on her great-Oupa's arm. Melts my heart.

Johan with his Oom Charl and family

Johan and his cousin Charl - almost everyone in his family is name Charl, even Oupa!

9 month old lions

Johan is one calm cat

Me, freaking out

The cat sensed it, then swatted at me with his paw and tried to bite my leg

So I was out of there.

Just another Sunday in South Africa

These are rare white lions, Charl's neighbor breeds them. Not for hunting purposes, thank the lord.

So close, yet so far away.

These tigers were looking at the girls and licking their lips, not cool. Ava is not a morning snack, mister!

The van der Riet's beautiful farm house

Yep, this one is getting printed, framed and hung on the wall!

For some reason I can't get Fleetwood Mac's Landslide song out of my head. 

Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older I'm getting older too
Yes I'm getting older too, so

Getting older by the second,

Blair Scheepers

New Diet

Yesterday I decided, that today, I am going to start a new diet. Mainly for my own well being, not to lose weight. Breastfeeding is taking care of that.

You have heard of this diet. Everyone knows about THIS diet. Moms put their kids on this diet. Dentists highly recommend this diet.

What's the diet you ask? The No Sugar Diet. Cutting out soda, EASY. I rarely crave them. Cutting out candy and sweets? WHAT? I don't know how I will survive.

However, I feel the time has come to separate myself from my addiction. If you know me, you will know, this diet thing is going to be pure torture as I have no self control. I might become mean and have severe withdrawal systems! No candy? Zero sugar? Do people really live life this way? Will keep you posted on my progress. I never actually been on a diet...

This weekend the fam and I are headed to the Free State to visit with Johan's family. His grandmother fell and broke her hip last weekend and things aren't looking too good. Makes me sad to think we are only going now. Makes me really wish I was closer to my grandmothers. December 2012 is quite some time away. A lot can happen and they both HAVE to meet Ava.

The Free State is an extremely cold area, but I am looking forward to visiting with family. We don't visit with them enough.

I am so excited about next Friday night. I honestly cannot wait! My friend Charlene has organized a fantastic date night for a group of our friends. Dinner and drinks at the new Lynnwood Bridge centre and then on to the Atterbury Theater to watch Barry Hilton, a South African comic. Saw him last December and I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. In my defense, I was 8 months pregnant. This will be our first date night since having Ava. I think we are a bit overdue.

As with any outing, I feel like I have nothing to wear!! To the shops I must go!! If, I can ever find the time...

Here is what I spent last night dreaming about wearing next Friday:

This is so me, if I had a real budget for clothes.

How fun is this outfit? I can totally see me in this, especially with my new hair cut.

You have to go here see this dress up close. 

This outfit is boarder line want/NEED.

I have a work event coming up on the 3rd of August. Check it out here. Would love to have a new outfit for that as well. Something like this:

So me.

Man, I wish I owned this.

I think those are my legs! Where is my credit for this picture???

Oh NET-A-PORTER you are my champagne dream, yet I only have beer pockets... I found all these dresses and I didn't even make it past page 3!

Update: Just now, I went to the refrigerator for a water, inside was a shiny red can screaming, DRINK ME... So I did, then I grabbed a KitKat and ate all of it. Guess I'll have to start the new diet tomorrow. 

-Blair

ps: I changed the background, again, back to the 1st background I ever had. It makes me happy and feels like spring. Spring is in the air. Well, with a bit of wishful thinking.

Happy Birthday, Stacy!

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to my best friend in the whole world. Today is her birthday.  

Oh Sally, 

This is the last year of our 20's and I hate I am not there to celebrate with you. 

Wish I had photos from our joint birthday party many moons ago, but it's probably a good thing I don't. They are some where in storage waiting on Ava to find and question. 
Ava: Mom, why are you covered in cake?
Me: Well, um. See. Aunt Stacy thought it would be funny to slam it in my face...
 That's all I will say. The details will never be shared. At least not with Ava...

Cheers to you old pal! May this year bring you lots of smiles.

These two photos make me smile. Always good times.

Love, 
Betty

Ordinary Day

Just a day. Just an ordinary day. Just trying to get by.

Today was just a day. Just an ordinary day. Just trying to get by,  just like the song.

I got out of bed at 5:30 after feeding Ava. Thankfully, she went right back to sleep. I showered, dressed and blow dried my hair. Chatted with Johan about the day ahead. My dad was visiting, so I got to eat breakfast him and Johan, while Ava played on my lap.

Drove to work with barely any traffic. Listened to the news, jammed to Adele a bit and gave the finger to a few taxis's.

Working on two events right now, super busy. Making the day fly by. Listened to one of our speakers on the radio. An interview I helped organize. Made me feel pretty cool.

Drove to my brother in law's house for my niece's 4th birthday. Barbie themed. Ate some delicious soup. Watched my niece become speechless at the sight of her new bike. Ate some delicious cake and sweets.

Now I am lying in bed, thinking about my ordinary day. Just got the baby and husband to sleep.  I am so content with life right now. Today was just an ordinary day and I liked it.

Ava likes to play with my face while she falls asleep. I love it.

I saw this on JCrew and something similar, also JCrew, on I heart your outfit.
This is my dream outfit.
Now to find the $2,500 to pay for it...

I can't seem to get Vanessa Carlton out of my head...

Here's to ordinary days!

EBKS

Day Dreaming

I spend a lot of my time day dreaming, a trait I picked up from my older sister Amanda. She is the Grande Dame of day dreaming. I love listening to her day dreams and hope, for all of our sake, that one day, at least one of hers will come true.

Lately I've been dreaming about moving back to America. Dreams about Sundays at my grandmothers house, eating fresh veggies from the garden, fried chicken and homemade biscuits, maybe even some gravy. Chatting about the good old days, when the house was filled with people, young and old and laughter could be heard all around. When there was someone pounding away at the piano and horns honking as my grandfather's milk trucks passed by the house. The days when the whole family sat sipping sweet tea on the back porch.

I dream about a little house in Charlotte. Something with hardwood floors and a Harris Teeter close by. Eating sushi with Bailey, after watching her play volleyball. Of play dates with old friends and gossiping over wine with Stacy. Weekend trips to the beach. Many dreams about our old house on Lake Wateree. Shopping trips with Natalie. Day dreams of Ava as a high school cheerleader and later attending Duke. Honestly, I don't know why Duke, but Duke it is. They don't have cheerleaders here.

Johan and I have talked about moving to America. It's definitely a possibility for us. Then we have a weekend like this one and I can't imagine ever leaving this place. A weekend full of beautiful weather and wonderful friends. Great food and lots of laughter. I love Pretoria and the home we've built here. I love the friends I've made here and the family we have close by. I love the life we've built here. But, there is no denying that I miss America and the life we could have there. 

My favorite day dream to dream, is where both my lives are combined. All my friends and family in one place. Somewhere near the sea, with a Target close by...

I cut my hair this weekend!! It feels so weird. Johan likes it, I am still on the fence. Ava still recognizes me and that is all that matters. I was going for Drew Barrymore in Going the Distance hair.

Before

After

The Hazel Food Market is the place to be in Pretoria on Saturday mornings. The yummiest food and greatest place to people watch. Grannies dressed better than you.

My sweetheart

 

The best pork dumplings ever! I get them every time,

Waited in line almost 10 minutes for that cappuccino. Yes, it was well worth the wait!

The Man

Day dreaming about sitting at that fancy table and people watching while drinking champagne.

Me and the birthday girl

Ava had her first taste of food this weekend! Steamed sweet potato with breast milk. Here's what she thought about it...

 

A pictures worth a thousand words!

Keep it real.

B

Raising men: Something to look forward to

As I am inching closer and closer to 30, I found this on Raising men: Something to look forward to:

30 Things that every woman should have and know by 30

'By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

7. The realization that you are actually going tohave an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.

8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.

9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2. How you feel about having kids.

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8. How to take control of your own birthday.

9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15. Why they say life begins at 30.'

Being Brazen: Happy Weekend!

Being Brazen: Happy Weekend!: "'We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.' - Nelson Mandela

Hello, My name is Blair and I am a internetaholic...

It all began back in the late 80's when my parents brought home our first computer. I would spend hours on that thing. From Where in the World is Carmen Sandeigo and Hero's Quest, to Oregon Trail and Reader Rabbit, then on to Prodigy and AOL in the early 90's. Before chat rooms were filled with freaks and serial killers, my friends and I would write, "two 13/f wanna chat?" The requests would pour in. Little did we know the dangers of giving your information out over the internet to strangers. Thankfully, nothing serious happened to us and the chat room craze faded, and I began surfing the internet. Still to this day, I could spend hours on end surfing the net, I am what you could call a internetaholic. I Googled it.
  
Most days I waste time with Stumbleupon. You fill out a questionnaire with your interests, then click Stumble! in the tool bar and poof, a random site is pulled up. My favorite Stumbleupon site I found, still to this day is OneSentence.org. Brillant. 

Have you seen Post Secret? New posts every Sunday. Love it and the community service he is doing.

I'm a huge fan of reading blogs. There are 11 I read daily, 5 of which are good friends. The thing I love most about blogs is that it's real people, living real lives. Sometimes I am jealous of the fabulous lives these single girls are living, in awesome cities like Cape Town. Then I remember how awesome my little life is, married in Pretoria and I smile. Some are also 1st time moms, like myself. For example, The Rodrigues Family, sometimes I refer back to what little James was doing at say 5 months, just to give me an insight as to what I can look forward to with Ava. I just found Being Brazen today via i heart your outfit. Loving everything about it, the fashion and books, completely delightful.

Online giveaways and contests have easily gotten all my contact details, filling up my inbox with spam for years. Rarely, have I won but I keep on trying. Once I won a rainbow pack of Bic pens. They were pretty awesome and gave me hope for future contests. Recently, I registered Johan for a giveaway and can you believe, he won! Two pair of Paul Smith designer boxers, R350 ($50) a piece! He is so lucky, I swear. I hope one day my blog is cool enough that someone approaches me to do a giveaway or contest for them. One day...

Have you checked out Etsy yet? If not, you are really missing out. It's the best place to find unique items and gifts. I just bought bibs with ties, a onesie (baby grow) with Mohammad Ali on it and monthly onesie stickers for my brother's baby shower. Super cool. Love Ava's monthly onesie stickers I bought on Etsy. My friend Jacy just opened a shop, lucylucybangbang. Super cute dish towels, bought some today. Also check out, My Child's Hand, my friend's 7 year old son's shop. Buy a painting now, before he becomes famous! The good news about Etsy is that most shops will ship worldwide! For a price, of course.

lucylucybangbang

babyfables

My Child's Hand

RetroBabyWear

Billeevers Boutique

Skype is pretty much a life saver. Don't know what I would do if I couldn't chat to my friends and family back home. Even my grandmother knows how to use instant messaging. Spoke to the BFF for about an hour tonight. Such a nice way to end the weekend.

Can you imagine how scared I was the day I reached the end of the internet, here? It says:

Attention:

You have reached the very last page of the Internet.

We hope you have enjoyed your browsing.

Now turn off your computer and go outside.

I honestly thought I had reached the end of the internet... My heart, was broken. I got up and went outside. Then it dawned on me, there was no way I could have reached the end of the internet, I hadn't even been to sites in languages other than English! So, I went back inside, and began surfing some more. Jokes on you Mr. End of the Internet. Jokes on you.

The 4th of July party on the 9th turned out great. The weather was perfect for outdoor grilling, braai as they say here. I was even able to find red, white and blue striped napkins! We played some country tunes. Drank a few beers. Made a pound cake, with caramel icing and fresh strawberries. Over indulged myself like a true American. It was great.

We (I mean, Johan) finally installed Ava's doorway jumper thing and she loves it! Honestly, the normal swing has nothing on this thing. Once we got it the right height, and she wasn't leaning to one side about to be dumped onto the floor, she had a blast and mom could finally relax.

The picture says it all, sassy!

Gotta love the mismatched outfit kids wear at home when no one is looking.

Hopefully, this week she will sit up by herself long enough that we can snap a photo. I didn't think she could get any cuter and she surprises me everyday. I freaking love this kid.

Friday night we are headed out to Joburg to watch the Parlotones concert with my work colleagues. I am so excited, I cannot wait!! I'll be singing Remember When all week! Check them out.

Watch out week, here we come!
Blair