Phuthu Stay Phut, Don't go!

After lots of work we’re finally there – Our latest project, Sprogs.co.za,  is now live!!

I say we are “finally there” but the real work actually starts now and doesn’t really stop! It’s all good though, just part and parcel of running a successful directory site…which Sprogs will soon be hee hee!

Sprogs has so many great features and functionality, it really is worth a browse – if you don’t have kids, it’s still worth a browse (then tell all your friends with kids about it!) We’ve got: a blog, a Q&A section, a gallery full of decor and party ideas , articles and party theme guides, recipes, an SA schools directory, an events calendar, competitions page, vouchers and coupon page, a library of books, DVD’s & music to buy as well as quizzes, games, craft activities and more! Sjoe! Bet you tired just reading all that! I need to go lie down now…

It seems that the controversial vuvuzela- our very own national instrument- which became the sound of the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa, has won an entry in the latest edition of the Oxford Dictionary of English, due to be published this week.

The dictionary defines the horn as a long plastic instrument, in the shape of a trumpet that makes a very loud noise when you blow it and is popular with football fans in South Africa. How cool is that?

The vuvuzela has become so popular with the international market, that certain countries have taken a stand against them and have banned the horn from being played at certain sporting events, stating that the ‘noise’ is very distracting to the players and severely limits communication on the field. The fact that they are doing this, indicates just how popular the instrument has become and how many people left this country after the World Cup with a vuvuzela in their suitcase. I love it!

Hello precious people! This is just a quick note to let you know that we are real busy with that project, Sprogs, I mentioned the other day, memba? We’ve got 10 days to launch this website and it means all hands on deck and no time, or very little time for this little precious pie of ours, Phuthu. But we will be back and we’re going to do a follow-up on our Women’s Day post which a friend of mine said was in dire need of something more intellectual! Watch this space!!

Today is Friday the 13th — the unluckiest day of the year — so try not to crash your car, fall down a flight of stairs, set yourself on fire or do anything else that might compromise your well-being. And for goodness sake, stay away from men in hockey masks. But why do we dread this day so much, I mean surely it’s only superstition?

I have compiled a brief history on the possible origins of why Friday the 13th is such an unlucky day. Now obviously there are many conspiracy theories, but these seem to the main ones-

One theory states that it is a modern mix of two older superstitions: that thirteen is an unlucky number and that Friday is an unlucky day.

In numerology, the number twelve is considered the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve hours of the clock etc., whereas the number thirteen was considered irregular, upsetting this ‘completeness’.

Friday has been considered an unlucky day at least since the 14th century. Black Friday has been associated with stock market crashes and other disasters since the 1800s. It has also been suggested that Friday has been considered an unlucky day because Jesus was crucified on a Friday and there were 13 people at the last supper.

Some interesting Friday the 13th superstitions (Use them or lose them)

• If you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, someone in your family will die. (Better be careful Elzet WOOOOHHHAAAAA)
• A child born on Friday the 13th will be unlucky for life. (I have met some unlucky people in my time and none of them were born on Friday the 13th)
• If a funeral procession passes you on Friday the 13th, you will be the next to die. (Jeez can you imagine how many cars are passed by a funeral procession, especially if the grave yard is miles away from the church)

So, it seems that 13 is considered an unlucky number and Friday is considered an unlucky day, put them together and you have pandemonium, people don’t leave their houses, black cats are looked upon as angels of death and bad things tend to happen to good people.

So my question is, is Friday the 13^th genuinely a bad day to do stuff, are the numerologists and folklorists right in saying it is the most unluckiest day of the year, or are we almost willing bad things to happen to us because of the phobia and hype around the day?

How superstitious are you, do you throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, do you wear lucky underwear or even avoid step ladders like the plague?

This is a project I’ve had in mind for the last 3 years – Sprogs – South Africa’s (soon to be, hee hee) BEST kiddies directory ever. I guess you could say that I’ve been waiting very patiently for the right time to launch this website and the time has finally come where it just feels “right”…

We’re planning to touch down on the 1st September which is just around the corner. Eeeeek! This means lots of work, tea and Romany Creams..but we’ll get there…all thanks to a great team!

Watch this space!

Louise

I had an awesome Women’s Day! It revolved around eating!

My man took me to breakfast in the morning, we went to a friend’s house for a laid back lunch in the afternoon and in the evening we had a “fend-for-yourself-dinner”. And that means there was no cooking involved and more importantly – no extra dirty dishes to add to the pile! Bliss!

Kerry

Ok well my husband decided that he would surprise me with breakfast in bed, unfortunately I stuffed the plans up by getting out of bed before he had time to complete the task, so I was not very popular, but breakfast was fantastic anyway (thank you sweety, I appreciate it). The weather on Monday was perfect to stay indoors, undercover and slob away the day watching DVD’s and eating lekker comfort food with of course chocolate for dessert.  Would I ask for anything better………Hell no!

Elzet

I actually totally forgot why I’m having a day off; was just thrilled that I was part of this rosy Monday at home, not realising that it was
all about me.

Found myself in front of the TV at 6 am (thanks to two busy toddlers), desperately trying to get a little bit more shut-eye. My very sweet man tried to surprise my daughter and myself with tea and snacks but we wouldn’t have it. He had to eventually spell it out:

*sigh*
“Sit up girls, I have something for you.”

Then I clicked. 9 August. Women’s Day.

My daughter (4) just, well, refused to have her early-morning surprise. Which made me eat my snack that I didn’t even like just to make up for her insensitivity. Was a long chew.

Overall just a lazy day with him doing most of the work in and around the house – isn’t that true love? Ended off with an hour in the bath with a book. Peace and a good book – what more can any woman want? Okay, perhaps a pair of heels.‎

“All I want out of life is a moments peace, a good book, and a great pair of shoes”
- Katherine Hepburn