My spreadsheet brain
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Moms can wear Reebok too
The day has come, my friends. We’ve finally moved over to a space where sneakers are not given a bad rap anymore. Moms can wear Reebok too! I mean, you can wear your sneakers with just about anything, these days! (Can you hear the angels singing?) It’s totally acceptable attire to wear Reebok with your two-piece fancy suit. And you can even wear your favourite white sneakers, with a dress, to a party! Yep – it’s a whole vibe! A vibe I’ve been waiting for my whole life, tbh.
For those moms who, like me, thrive on being as comfortable as possible, I’m sure you’ll agree when I say: what a glorious time to be alive! We don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort anymore. In fact, there are a bunch of stunning sneaker designs, that are great-looking, and comfy and they will suit just about any occasion! I found a few on Superbalist. Take a look:
Classic white
The Reebok Club C Extra range has an exaggerated platform midsole, and white leather uppers, making it a really classic choice if you’re looking to pair your sneakers with a flowy dress. I would even pair these with a cute jumpsuit if I am looking for an amplified look without the discomfort of heels. You can find them here and here.
On the go
If you’re active and looking for a stunning pair of sneakers to do “sportsy” things in, I’ve found that a sleek design always helps to bring across the femininity that running shoes sometimes lack. These picks, from Reebok, offers a chunky sole (so on trend right now), are lightweight and they are really pretty to look at, which is a plus! You can find them here and here.
Make a statement
Show off your personality with a statement shoe! I found these gorgeous rose gold sneakers, with leather uppers, and I absolutely have to have them now! You can take a plain outfit from drab to fab with these sneakers, which features a bold metallic colour, asymmetrical design, and a stacked midsole, for height. I mean, these kicks are chic personified. You can find them here.
See? So moms CAN wear Reebok too! Which of these is your favourite?
This article was paid for by Superbalist.
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Free Wimpy coffee on Slipper Day – you in?
How much do you love your slippers? They should totally just make slippers our designated footwear, like, permanently. Am I right? This is one of the reasons why I will be wearing my slippers on Friday, 5 May. I mean, besides for the other reason which is: Wimpy’s biggest fundraiser, Slipper Day.
For those who don’t know, Wimpy Slipper Day is in support of the charity Reach for a Dream. The organisation is counting on South Africans to step up, buy their R20 sticker, and join their mission to manifest hope by fulfilling the dreams of youngsters fighting life-threatening illnesses.
These children have been burdened with constant medical visits, extended hospital stays, and therapies, which is why the foundation is dedicated to instilling hope in their lives and those of their families.
Guys, last year Reach For A Dream raised over R8.3 million and this year they are aiming to raise R10 million!
Your support will allow them to help 2000 children with life-threatening illnesses experience the moments of joy that come with having their dreams fulfilled.
And anyways, who doesn’t want to wear their slippers to work? It is such a great initiative for the office, and it makes for really, really comfy tootsies. Win-win, in my books!
To support this initiative, simply purchase a R20 sticker at any Wimpy on the days leading up to 5th May. Or hey, do one big purchase, for the whole office!
Besides for using it as your “I can wear slippers today” pass, the sticker is also redeemable for a free Famous Wimpy Coffee on 5th May! How legit is that? Wimpy asks that all patrons wear their slippers on the day to create further awareness for the campaign.
So what do you think, friend? Are you in?
This post was written in collaboration with Wimpy.
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2021… uhhh I mean… 2022 update.
It’s been a while since I’ve shown my face around these here parts. How the heck are you? I know, I’ve been scarce… super lame. Sorry about that. Granted, I have many solid reasons as to why I’ve been quiet (you know, things like: work, kids, life, Netflix – just rewatched Bridgerton btw and am now referring to myself as ‘Your Grace’… that sort of thing) But, excuses aside, I realise that I’ve been pretty slack on the blogging front over the past year and I need to get back into gear. So here’s a young 2022 update for you.
But first, let’s start here: 2021 was a doozy. There, I said it. It wasn’t the best year, but it also wasn’t the worst (yeah, I’m looking at you 2020, come at me bruh).
2021 was a weird year. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I totally appreciated the fact that we all made it out of 2020 alive. And I was super grateful for all the good that we had in our lives. But I’ve never been this inundated with life-related dramatics before.
2021 reminded me of that friend that you are super excited to take with to a party and then you immediately regret it once you get there.
Some of the dramatics I had to, you know, endure include the usual forage of bills to pay, a couple of friendships to manage or release, a lot of weight to lose (I mean, aside from the friendships being released) and then there’s the job front, where I almost morphed into a “mean girl” because I so enjoy matching every stern question with an even more sarcastic answer. Let’s just say, 2021 definitely tested my Christianity.
And not only because we haven’t been able to attend church in-person. Even though we do our best to maintain our relationship with God, but not being able to attend definitely took a toll on us. (BTW our church IS having in-person services, but I have 3 children under the age of 8 years old and 2 of them don’t do well at Sunday School yet, so online services make more sense for my family dynamic right now.)
Aside for that, I found myself diving head first into my work and family, without allowing any quiet time or moments of reflection. A recipe for disaster, if you ask me. Anyways, by the end of 2021, I was malfunctioning.
You know what I mean – short-circuiting… cutting out… not computing… not performing on optimal level. You get the gist. Ek was so bietjie bedornerd.
I had become so programmed to “do, do, do” that I totally forgot how to simply “be”. It reminded me of a little saying that I had once heard about us being human BEings and not human DOings… yeah, I know, a “kapooof” moment for me too. When you’re more focused on doing and not focused enough on being who God calls you to be… well, a short-circuit is usually on the horizon for you, Sally.
And short-circuit, I did. To the point where I sometimes found myself just laying on my bed, and staring at the ceiling. My body felt the toll (giiiirl, let me tell you, I got joint-pain in places that I didn’t even know were joints). I definitely needed a break.
Anyways, at the start of the festive season, I decided to unplug as much as I could. This meant logging out of my emails and logging back into family life. One would think that this is something easy to do. For me, it definitely was not. My spreadsheet brain doesn’t allow me to just chill. I constantly have to be busy in order to feel, I don’t know, useful, I guess.A whole 3 weeks later and I’m starting to feel refreshed and ready for the new year. I’m determined to roundhouse kick 2022 in the face (so aggressive, who is this girl lol) because I will NOT have another crappy year again! Anyone else on this same level of passion?
I’m also thoroughly determined to not look like I am 5 months pregnant when I’m not. I mean, I am a huge “body positivity” stan, but let’s be honest, when you cant even make it up one flight of stairs without huffing and puffing, then something needs to be done. I need to start taking my health a lot more serious this year.
Other things I have my heart set on is: this blog right here! Man, I miss blogging. I miss it because I like that get to say exactly how I feel here. Social media is such a fickle space, and although I’ve been trying to put a lot more focus on those platforms, I realise that my whole heart lies with this blog. So expect a lot more blog posts in the coming future.
Well, that’s all from me. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the type of blog posts you’d like me to write. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. And with that, I bid thee adieu.
Yours sincerely,
Luchae aka Your Grace
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It’s beginning to look a lot like…
“Iiiiiit’s beginning to look a lot like” … September. It’s September, people, calm down. And yes, when I speak to “people”, I’m actually talking to my spreadsheet brain… you know, “the girls” – my inner Susan and her sisters.
Anyways, soooo “the girls” want to start digging out the Christmas decorations already because my soul is in serious need of the over-the-top cheerfulness of the festive season. I need to feel some sort of renewed joy right now, like pronto, right this second.
To curb my enthusiasm (and mainly to avoid the wrath of a husband who is not ready for me to pump my Mariah Carey Christmas album), I’ve dedicated my pre-Christmas time to making my lists (and checking them twice… whaaaaaaat).
Mind you – it’s not all wasted time and longingly staring into the sky, in search of signs that Santa Clause really does exist. (I mean, is there even a doubt?!) I’m actually using this time to PLAN, my friends! Needless to say, “the girls” are so happy rn.
What am I planning? Well… Christmas gifts, for one. I figure that it’ll be super clever of me to begin my Christmas gifts shopping as early as possible. My December budget will thank me for this. I also want to use this time to stock up on Secret Santa gifts (we usually end up buying like 8 gifts for Secret Santa, because we belong to that many groups – its crazy! I mean, how many boxes of Clicks 2-for-1 chocolates does one really need?)It’s also a really good time to begin your Summer fashion shopping. Winter is the BEST time to go Summer shopping for kids! I’ve managed to get the kids some new cozzies and summery items already and I suspect my Black Friday hauls will help to add to the collection.
Guys – I’m even investigating my Christmas lunch options. This year, the fam and I are considering eating at a restaurant because let’s be honest, life is too short to stand around cooking huge pots of food and then to stand around washing copious amounts of dishes, while your pants button begs for mercy. Can’t do it. Won’t do it. Anyways – I am checking out the alternatives before they are fully booked.
Oh and don’t forget that January comes after December (amazing, I know, so mind-blowing). But what I mean by that is that you need to start prepping for that “back to school” spending now already, Patricia!
Don’t be like Old Luchae, who literally waited a week before school started, to make all those purchases. Old Luchae almost had a nervous breakdown. Old Luchae should be no one’s hero.
Anyways, my aim now is to try to buy any replacement school uniform items before December, so that I’m sorted in January. You can do the same with stationary lists (tip: find the next grades stationary list and use it as a guide).
There are a bunch of other things that I’ve been doing, to prep for the end of the old year and the start of the new one. (Whaaat don’t look at me like that Tiffany). You can check out that post over here. It’s filled with really good ideas, I promise.
I know I’m a bit pedantic with planning ahead – but it jingles my bells, okay? Have you begun planning for the festive season? The – uhhh- the girls want to know…
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Instagram killed the blog – right?
Instagram killed the blog – right? Yes, this is my blog post title and, yes, I am feeling particularly salty about the whole ordeal hence me making it my opening line too. Instagram killed the blog. There, I said it again.
Okay, dramatics aside, I’ve actually come here to share some relevant and interesting information (and not to throw my metaphorical toys out of my metaphorical cot) so I should probably get to it, shouldn’t I?
So the question I pose to you, friend, is this: Has Instagram killed blogging? My answer to this question varies on any given day.
Has Instagram killed the blog?
I’m sure you may have noticed that I don’t post on this teeny tiny little blog as often as I use to. And while I most certainly (and frequently) use the fact that I’ve birthed 3 humans beings in a period of 6 years as the reason why I’m unable to type away on my computer during my free time (because free time… hahahaha… that sounds like a nice joke) the truth is that I’ve also had to shift my focus because the blogging industry is changing.
It’s changing because Instagram has now kinda opened up the game. Basically anyone can be a blogger these days (FYI: The word “micro-blogger” is the term of endearment given to people who blog via social media without a website and a 3000 worded essay).
In the past you had to build a website, think out a clever name for your little space on the net, buy a domain, type out long-form posts that are interesting and easy to consume and then get people to actually visit this space. Blogging – in this form – took a lot more effort and time and, hey, moola.
These days, anybody can start a micro-blog. Simply register on Instagram and Bob’s your uncle.
If you’re really good at taking pics and sharing a story via short-form visual media, then Bob’s probably your rich uncle. Oh and if, on top of that, you have enough time in your day to comment on a gazillion peoples posts, thus upping the engagement on your own account, then Bob’s your rich uncle who left you a lekker inheritance.
With that said, short-form blogging is a lot easier to consume (mindless Instagram scroll, anyone?) and, as a blogger, short-form blogging is easier to maintain.
What does that mean for the OG bloggers? Well, our websites now have to compete with the likes of Insta and Tik Tok. Attention spans are shorter, so if we want to keep our blog alive and relevant, we need to put out content that answers a question/serves a purpose. Because, for the most part, people aren’t coming on here to hear about your feelings. Long-winding captions on Instagram takes care of that.
For cool-nerds like me (sniff, sob), who are a lot better at writing than taking a pic (or even posing for a pic, let’s be honest) this really and truly sucks monkey balls. It sucks because less people read my blog posts and, with more brands wanting to partner with bloggers who have bangin’ Instagram accounts, it means that I have to focus my attention there.
But also, for cool-nerds like me who actually own a blog, well… I actually own a blog. What I mean by this is that your micro-blog on Instagram belongs to Instagram. Whereas the content on your blog site belongs to you. And if the Instagram algorithm changes for the worse (as is the trend) or if the app shuts down tomorrow (imagine that… so many models without a job) chances are your content will die a slow and painful death along with it.
The content on a blog is evergreen and with the right SEO (search engine optimization – it means Google will find your blog posts on the interwebs with the right keyword search). Your content can be relevant for years to come, gaining views even when you’ve forgotten about it. Whereas an Instagram post’s lifespan is – what – 48 hours?
So yes, lot’s of information. And I wasn’t even thaaaat salty in this post. Hope my mum is proud of me.
In conclusion I do feel that there is a place in the world for you and for me and the entire human race (heal the blog, make it a better place). I think that blogging is relevant today, but just in a different way. A blog post can inspire, motivate, educate and connect (more than just sell you the latest fad).And while consuming short-form media (i.e Instagram) may be easier, you probably won’t end up on Instagram when you find yourself asking Google for “C-Section Recovery Tips” at 3 in the morning. (I gotchu girl. See my actual blog post about that topic right here lol seriously.)
I mean, if you think about it, blogging has stood the test of time (hello ex-My Space users, wud rofl aslr?). The blog is the one medium that has kinda shouldered it’s way past the crowd of popular platforms (Vine, Facebook, Snap Chat) and cemented itself onto the top steps of the interwebs. Not quite going anywhere. But also… not quite going anywhere. (See what I did there?)
And I’d like to think that this means that blogging is not dead. I’d like to think that this proves that blogging is very much alive.
In fact, I’d go out on a gander and say that blogging will never ever die. Fingers crossed.
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Whats up with Whatsapp? 8 simple points to help you understand.
Okay everybody calm down. Hold up. Let’s all take a collective “wooosahhhhh”. Rub those earlobes Susan… we’ve decided that we’re not going to freak out. Okay? I know you’re all wondering “whats up with Whatsapp?!” I mean, the aunties in our chat groups are telling us that the messaging app wants to steal our information and that we will lose access to the app from the 8 Feb. Hey, look at me! No freaking out, I said!
So, yes, it’s not a hoax, it’s a real thing. As of 8 February, Whatsapp will become unavailable to those not willing to accept their new terms of service.
“AAACK! What are the terms of service?!” I hear you shout out to me.
First all, I asked you to stay calm, Susan.
Secondly… do not fear, friends, I’m here to explain it to you in – uhhh – mummy terms. (I call it “mummy terms” because “dummy terms” is rude and we will not tolerate that kind of language around here, young lady.)
Anyways, here’s what’s happening, in point form: - Whatsapp is changing its terms of service.
This means that they are being transparent with regards to what their future plans are. - Functionally speaking, little will change for existing Whatsapp users.
This means that you will still beable to use the app, and enjoy the end-to-end encrypted chatting that it offers (as in, they are not outhere reading your messages). - The change is to create an integration between Whatsapp and Facebook, making it easier for businesses who use Whatsapp, to make use of the Facebook infrustructure.
This means that businesses and their clients, will have more options with regards to how they shop on the Facebook and Whatsapp platforms. The two will be linked. - Facebook has owned Whatsapp since 2014 by the way.
This means that Whatsapp and Facebook have been in partnership for a long time. This isn’t a new agenda. - If you’re a Facebook/Google user, you’ve been sharing your data already. It’s not a new thing.
This means that apps have always used your data to manage the type of services they offer, advertising and even how they go about growing their corporations. - So if you’re ditching Whatsapp because privacy is an issue for you, you should probably delete every other app you’re registered on.
- If you’re still uncomfy with Whatsapp, you could switch to Telegram or Signal, but you would need to ask your friends and family to switch too.
- Oh and last tip, instead of relying on family chat groups to provide you with information, rather rely on verified/trusted sources of information.
With that said, you can can check out more about the above over here:
- Whatsapp is changing its terms of service.
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2020: Four funerals and a wedding
It’s been the best of times, it’s been the worst of times.
I mean, besides for learning how to bake our own banana bread, 2020 has been showing us flames.Our “best of times” included the occasional Zoom wedding (which is pure genius, btw…). As human beings, we have somehow mastered the art of staying connected, without being in the same room. I dig that.
Our “worst of times” involved losing many loved ones over a short period of time. And, honestly friends, death had always been a far off notion, for me, until this year. We’ve become heavily acquainted with grief.
You don’t fully appreciate your time on earth until you’ve witnessed a life snuffed out without warning. Or until you’ve made plans with someone for the future, and then had to pencil in their funeral on the same calendar. So yes, experiencing loss has been something spectacular.
And I don’t use the word “spectacular” loosely.
It’s the best way to describe this glorious circle of life – a grand design that God had gifted to us, with the intention that we’d end our race well.
It made me relook at what I value most and how I spend my time. Will I end MY race well?
I mean, YOLO isn’t a hippie term reserved for people who matriculated in 2010 – a romantic notion reserved only for gangsters and those who enjoy sky diving. You only live once, Charles! That’s it!
What type of legacy are you leaving behind?
I’ve started to ask myself questions such as:
What will my children know about me? How have I left my mark – and God’s mark – on my family and on the world? Am I chasing the right things, or am I too focused on instant gratification, titles and material obsessions?Am I walking in my God-given purpose? Do I even know what my God-given purpose is? And how will I know what my purpose is, if I don’t pay attention to my relationship with God?
I should be nicer to my husband. I really need to be more intentional with my marriage. How can I honor my husband? I should bake him a banana bread tomorrow.
(Disclaimer: These are actual thoughts that run through my head at 2AM, when I should be sleeping)It has been a year of introspection for me. I mean, besides for learning how to bake banana bread (and then baking it, like, one time). And while the “worst of times” may feel kinda, you know, overpowering at times, I’ve vowed that it would not leave me untouched.
Every single life lost – every tear shed – every premature goodbye… it can’t be in vain.
I just can’t continue to live my life the same way I had before. Where is the lesson in that? Where is the honor in that? What’s the point of surviving 2020 when we come out looking the exact same way that we did, at the start of the year?
So, yes… it’s been the best of times AND it’s been the worst of times. But we get another chance to try again. I’m thankful for that.
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Blessed are the peacemakers
When it comes to feuding and arguments, I kinda, uhh… don’t.
Meaning: I don’t participate. I try not to indulge in little spats and angry text messaging and holding onto a grudge until 7de Laan’s Oubaas returns to Hilda (so that’s, like, a long time).I mean (honestly now) besides for being way too busy and way too lazy (at the same time nogals) to participate, I do find holding on to anger to be quite tedious and unproductive. And as you know – spreadsheet brain – my aim is to be super productive at all times. (Yes, even when I’m scrolling through Instagram Martha, thanks for pointing that out, it’s called “market research”… see? productive.)
This topic came to mind the other day when I realised just how LEKKER it is to hold onto an offence. I mean, when someone does you wrong, regardless of who is right or wrong, you want them to FEEL your wrath, right? You also want other people to know just how crappy of a person your wrong doer is.
I mean, where is the fun in letting go and moving on? So boring.
Right?
Wrong. Do you know what’s boring? Not being able to invite Sally to my son’s Barmitzvah because Susan didn’t like what she had to say about her curtains.
Boring is having to now navigate your entire life around an argument. Boring is basing your future decisions around a past offence. I’m sorry but it’s so lame man! #sorrynotsorry
You aren’t starting a revolution by holding on to your anger and making status updates about it. Seriously, you can justify your anger and offence as much as you want, but it isn’t changing the world for the better. You aren’t setting trends that you want your children to pick up, Harriet.
In a nutshell, and to put it politely: Your resentment is boring.
Do you know what IS exciting and ground breaking and world changing? Forgiveness.It’s ground breaking because it takes a lot more motivation and courage to forgive and move on. Unforgiveness is a comfort zone. Being offended is EASY. Show me the guy who addresses the issue with the intent of solving the problem and moving on, and I’ll show you a champion!
Now, I have been offended a gazillion times over. Like, I’m sure someone made me naar as recently as today. I say this to make you aware that I know that I’m not perfect.
But my point, Vanessa, is that none of us are. And by choosing to stay angry with someone, like, for long periods of time… by justifying your unforgiveness… you’re kinda saying “uhhh yes I AM perfect, bish!”
And to that I’ll say “is your name Jesus?”
And then you’ll say “no, it’s Vanessa”
And then I’ll say “okay so then you’re not perfect, sit down”
And then you’ll be angry with me for a long period of time too… and so it goes on and on
*Que: Circle of Life – Elton John*Anyways, Mufasa, what I was trying to get at is that putting your pride and ego aside is a lot more exciting than holding on to your boring resentment. Walking around like you are Perfect Polly isn’t fooling anyone.
Say what you need to say girl – speak your heart! Do it loudly and out of complete love. And give the other person the chance to do the same. And hey, who knows, by the end of the convo you may have sparked true healing and restoration for both of you.
Love yourself enough to NOT walk around hating/resenting people. That sort of hatred lives buried in your heart but it eventually has to manifest someway or the other. Eventually someone has to lose.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9)
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My Covid-19 experience and why I chose to not get tested again
My run in with Covid-19 was a bit…uh…anti-climatic.
It’s almost as if the virus was playing “where’s he, there’s he!” with me. I mean, I had been totally convinced that I was Covid-19 positive, like, thrice a week, since the start of lock down. With every cough or sniff I would be on my knees asking God to spare my life. Yeah, dramatic much, right?
Except that when we lost someone who was very close to our family, to Covid-19, suddenly the dramatics were totally called for. And suddenly my every cough or sniff felt that much more deadly. Mind you, my symptoms had seemingly worsened and I felt like dog poop on a hot day, covered in mango juice. (Yes, just like that. Whaaat.)
When I eventually ended up going for a test (I’ll pop the video at the bottom of this post, in case you would like to see how they stick a swab all the way up my nostril, and into the deep recesses of my brain) it came back as negative. Woohooooo, Covid negative, party over here!!
The party was short-lived though, as my symptoms became even more severe. I mean, helooooo body, I’m not sure if you heard the news that I’m Covid negative.. if you could just calm down now, that would be great!
But alas, my body did NOT calm down. In fact, I lost my sense of smell and taste. My lungs felt as if they could not expand to it’s fullest capacity. I was fatigued and wanted to sleep all the time.
I was definitely Covid positive.
And friends, although I was displaying all of the signs, I decided to not go for another test. I mean, besides for really appreciating my nasal capacities and not wanting another swab stuck up it, I kinda figured that a test would be wasted on me.
Wasted because all it would do is tell me what I already know. A test would not heal me. A test would not make me feel better. A test would not change anything.
I needed to treat my symptoms and no test on earth was going to help me do that.
I immediately started taking meds to treat the symptoms and I self isolated. My doc also recommended sucking on a blue Disprin, since the virus forms blood clots.One thing about this sneaky virus is that it has you feeling better one moment, and as if you’re dying the next! I mean, I’m sure it has its SA colors in peekaboo. The fortunate thing about this, though, is that I was able to get up and get stuff done (you know, before folding into a sack of dilapidated pain and despair).
After about 2 weeks I began to feel like a normal person again (well, as normal as I could ever be, you know, with my my spreadsheet brain). I remember feeling this huge weight lifted, when I realised that I had fought and won against the virus. Some of the people dearest to me had lost loved ones to it and yet I lived to see another day. How thankful I was!
I try to maintain a faith-based outlook on life…. you know, faith over fear, and all of that. And I can’t say that Covid-19 has changed my mind about this. But it has most definitely rocked me! And, if anything, it has strengthened my believe that God is God.
God is God.
Noone else is. Nothing else is. When you’re breathing in (what might be) your last few breaths, trust me friends, clinging to Him will be the most valuable thing. Not your assets, or your titles, or your outward appearance.
Holding on to Him will be IT.
You see, we NEED to hold on to Him, because we NEED the hope that everything will be okay, no matter what the ending looks like. And that kind of hope and peace is something that only God can give you. He is faithful.
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2019: Here’s what went down
It’s been a while. I mean, the last time I blogged was, like, last year. (har har har #momjoke).
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I spent the past few days wondering when the heck 2019 happened and if I can get a do over. It’s honestly one big blur and the parts I do remember makes me want to cringe. 2019 was messy, for the most part.
So, in true spreadsheet brain style, I thought to observe my pain and suffering in Sherlock Holmes style.
I mean, why hide when you can reminisce-side. (I couldn’t find an appropriate word that rhymes with “hide”).
Anyways, herewith please find my annual ‘here’s what happened last year’ montage. That’s right folks, it’s a blog montage! *insert spirit fingers*
Recap of 2019January
I went into January 2019 being so thankful for my life because we had just survived a crazy car accident that, basically, wrote off our car. I didn’t want to talk about it, because emo, so instead I wrote a bunch of stuff about the new year like how to nail your goals and how to be healthier etc.Very non-confrontational of me.
I added a bunch of other stuff in there (you know, to sufficiently distract me from my feelings) like that Fiver Party Trend and choosing the right school for your kid etc. I also threw in some deep moments, just for fun, and spoke smack about my Hubstopher (because, you know, marriage) and told you guys that I don’t want to be a nice person anymore. Subliminal blog post, anyone?
February
In Feb ish got real. For starters, I finally spoke about the accident. But I also ‘fessed up about how I think we are ready for another baby. I know, this coming from the woman who barely coped with the four that she currently had. (I evens mentioned the ‘not coping’ in another blog post). Yes, I was a walking conundrum.Oh and I threw shade at people who aren’t lekker in life (because my feelings were just that much) and told you guys about the weird Momo trend on Youtube.
March
So March issa birthday month and everybody knows how serious birthdays are to my spreadsheet brain! Like, my birthday should be an official National Public Holiday, I swear!Anyways, I got right in there with the birthday posts. I spoke about lies I often tell myself when I realise I’m one year older and I even wrote a letter to younger me. (Issa yearly introspection month too, clearly)
For balance I added a marriage-ey post into the fray and I showed you guys how totally adorbs my little girl is. She modeled a bunch of Winter looks, in her Lil Punk Boutique tutu skirt, and I couldn’t be more proud!
April
April means Easter and mallow eggs, right? (I mean, it’s a duh) So I did a mallow eggs comparison on the blog because I know how important this kind of thing is to us moms.I also wrote a post about “step monsters” (because all stepparents are monsters, another duh… yes, I am rolling eyes at myself) and jotted down some of the perks of being married (hint: it involves not having to ask for directions).
Oh and I let you guys in on a secret: I was preggers with kid number 5! (I feel like this vindicates all the hormone-ridden blog posts, so bail a sista, would ya)
May
I spent a large part of May thinking about and talking about and, well, writing about baby stuff. I was buzzing with excitement, you guys!For starters, I wrote a bit about how motherhood strips you. I also chatted about how my kids took the news that we’d soon be one man up, so to speak, and when we were planning on finding out baby’s gender (hint: the answer is never… well, atleast not while I was pregnant).
We were also prepping for our 2019 ECMeetUp!
June
June was filled with a bunch of posts about blogging and social media. I mean, besides for the usual ECMeetUp banter, I also told you guys how to stay classy on social media and gave you tips on how to start blogging.Of course there was a pregnancy update, oh and I unleashed my negative body issues on your poor, unsuspecting brains. Sorry about that. Hormones and what not.
July
As far as months of the year goes, July 2019 was a really emotional one for me. If you thought the start of the year was emo, this one was super saiyan emo.I mean, I laid it all on the table and made you guys look (ala Bird Box zombie). For those of you who stuck it out… shalom, friend. Thanks for staying even when I word vomited about my kid’s matric farewell drama and the fact that I was being a negative nelly about my pregnancy. Oh and I wrote a whole post about poop. You’re welcome.
I was also kinda informative, talking to you guys about matric farewell planning, newborn checklists and how to turn a breeched baby. All in all a pretty well rounded collection of posts… right?
August
Twas a month for baby related posts such as: Baby drop safes, Baby name choosings, Baby bag packings and, my fave, my birth story! That’s right… our Asher was finally born.
September
Pain. That’s all I have to say about September. But I managed to kick out a whole blog post about how to prepare for a C Sec birth AND I tackled the #menaretrash trend.October
In October I told you guys about Jo’s trip to the operating theatre… the kid had swallowed a coin and it was stuck! He’s okay now, thankfully.I spoke some more smack about my Hubstopher and ran a Faith over Fear series where a bunch of amazing writers and bloggers shared their faith stories with us! You guys need to read this! Click on these links to read stories by: Me, Timann, Sherayne, Nadine and Kim.
November
More Faith over Fear posts, this time by Megan and Tamsyn.Also, you’d want to read my thoughts on having a big family, my Hubstopher who doesn’t buy me Christmas presents and why I combo-feed my baby.
December
The last month of the year is usually dedicated to my Christmas Crazy. I mean, I take it pretty seriously. This year was no different. I ran so many blog giveaways that I thought of adding “everybody’s getting onnne!” to my blog bio.I was also so keen to introduce ya’ll to Girltivity, the kwaai Springbok Monopoly, Baby Born dolls (they really poop, you guys) and the gorgeousness that is my daughter, modelling some hot Barbie x MRP fashion. Oh and I baked (shocker).
So that’s my 2019… a hodge podge of feelings, being pregnant and product reviews. Atleast there’s a wide variety of content, right? If you’d like me to chat about anything specific on the blog next year, let me know!
Image: Header by Freepik
