Chétjie's Blog - my personal musings...

You know you're a diabetic when...

Roché Naudé — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:29:59 GMT

My faves from a brilliant facebook group:

You have test strips all over you purse, car, and bedroom (funny coz it's so true! opened my handbag the other day and had about 6 of them fly out, nice one)
You think it’s funny seeing the look on people’s faces when you give an injection in a public restroom (restroom? I just do it at the table, am relatively discreet so only get caught now and then ;-)
You use being low as an excuse when you do something dumb, but get extremely offended if you're in a bad mood and someone tells you to test your sugar (SO SO true! get highly offended when in non-sugar related bad mood and asked if I shouldn't be testing my sugar levels)
You get incredibly tired of having to explain to people 'no I don't have the same thing as your 800 pound grandma...' (especially if you're type 1) (ok, choking I'm laughing so hard - I usually get the old "ooohhh, yes, my cousin/aunt/friend's brother's ex-ex girlfriend's sister DIED of/had a toe amputated because of that!" NICE conversation starter)

Laughter is brilliant, so grateful for it!!

Diabetes Quotes

Roché Naudé — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:41:48 GMT

Some brilliant quotes listed on a fellow Type-1'er's (Scott's Web Log) blog at: http://sstrumello.blogspot.com/

Here they are:

"Living with diabetes is like living with a tiger. If you feed it, groom it, never turn your back on it; you can live with a tiger. If you neglect it; it'll pounce on you and rip you to shreds."
By Wil "Printcrafter"

"Genetic engineering of the insulin molecule and new methods of delivery have improved insulin therapy, but in essence, the treatment for Type 1 diabetes has changed little since insulin was discovered."
By Dr. C. Ronald Kahn, M.D., President and Director Joslin Diabetes Center and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School (see p. 27)

"Knowing what dose of insulin to take was not then, and is not now, a precise science. It is not a simple analog of food, exercise, and insulin; rather it is a complex and seemingly random theory of chaos with a few discernible known variables."
By Deb Butterfield, author of "Showdown with Diabetes"

"Insulin therapy, via daily injections or a pump, is a poor substitute for the body's exquisitely precise regulation of blood glucose by insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells."
By Dr. Allen M. Spiegel, M.D. former Director of the U.S. NIH/NIDDK

"Most chemists believe that the course of a chemical reaction is always predictable. But some catalytic reactions in both inorganic and organic chemistry can behave in bizarre and unruly ways."
From Stephen Scott, Clocks and Chaos in Chemistry
December 2, 1989, New Scientist magazine, Issue 1693

"The transformation of disease, as exemplified by the case of diabetes, is a valuable and elegant concept that serves to remind us that the tally sheet for medical science must carry a column for debit as well as credit."
From Book Review of "Bittersweet: Diabetes, Insulin, and the Transformation of Illness" by John Christopher Feudtner from the New England Journal of Medicine, November 27, 2003

RA RA RA - one year today!!!

Roché Naudé — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:29:52 GMT

I'm a bit of a collector by nature and am learning how to live graciously (and at times decidedly ungraciously, just ask my poor housemates) with two auto-immune diseases:

Type 1 diabetes since I was 14 (legal druggy, woo hoo!! I can shoot up in public without getting arrested, I also know what cool words like lancet, hypo/hyperglycemia, Somogyi-effect mean) and
Rheumatoid Arthritis since Christmas last year.

This year saw me finally crossing over to having had diabetes for more than half my life - an amazing blessing to get to this point still healthy, with all the fears I had about ever making it unscathed to year 15! Every day is still a mission, but I'm grateful to have come this far.

Today marks one year (TADAA!!! anniversary so I am allowed to get soppy!!!) since I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.). What a year it has been! Hard to imagine that this time last year I could barely walk. Every day is a study in learning that I am not super-girl and don't have to be!

God, is good and sovereign in all things I believe (comments and thoughts and questions more than welcome!) I am so grateful for the support of loved ones and friends!

“If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer--His grace sufficient, His promises unchangeable.” John Newton

Daily Thought - Slinkies

Roché Naudé — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:39:41 GMT

Thanks go to my mommy for sending me this (almost ruptured my spleen with my cackling):

Daily Thought:
Some people are like slinkies. Not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

Diabetes - the Charmr

Roché Naudé — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:04:39 GMT

Oh my days... Mosey on over to Diabetes Mine and have a looksie at this post: NEWS FLASH: SF Design Firm Unveils the Diabetes "Charmr" in a nutshell, it's a design proposal for a funky little gadget that will make my (and 10% of diabetics world-wide (the approx. number of Type 1 diabetics)) life a lot easier. It does integrated monitoring and allows you to have much tighter control of blood sugars and insulin dosages.

If you submit to the cliché that a picture is indeed worth a thousand words (or are just lazy, like me) have a look at the proposal on YouTube:

Meet the Charmr. Watch the YouTube video below.

Bring it on!!!

Praise You In This Storm

Roché Naudé — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 11:06:46 GMT

BEAUTIFUL lyrics from Casting Crowns...

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Comfort

Roché Naudé — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:01:56 GMT

No, I'm not talking about the "comfort" of my fabulous new arm-chair

Been looking at verses about God's comfort... Have been really encouraged. I have a whole list of them, but this one struck me today in particular...

"My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life."
Ps 119:50

The arm-chair debacle...

Roché Naudé — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:46:45 GMT

So, last week I found a really comfy, good quality and cheap slouchy arm chair on e-bay. I put in a bid, and left it at that. Well, turns out I won the bid.

Before I launch into my thrilling 'not quite picked-up pick-up' story, I first need to explain WHY I wanted a slouchy couch, because I so understand that you're just DYING to know

I LOVE slouchy arm-chairs. They are brilliant... They allow you to snuggle up with a good book, or snooze, or day-dream or think. They're great for when friends come over and you're having a cry or laugh about something. I believe they are the reason the 10 second rule (law in some homes) was invented (which allows you 10 seconds grace to return to your seat upon vacating it before it's open season for other people). Prior to which there was mob-like violence when chair poaching occurred (especially when said chair was particularly comfy!!). If you haven't heard about this rule, then clearly you've been doing your posterior a disservice in terms of the seating you've exposed it to!!

Basically, I drove all the way across London with Tammy (my housemate after fetching her from work) to fetch the chair. We arrived (not quite Thelma and Louise style, but pretty darn close) at the pick-up point at about 9pm last night.

We (when I say we, I mean the guy selling it and his son) spent an hour trying to get it INTO my car (hmmm... it appears I might have been grossly over-optimistic about the size of my car in relation to the arm-chair - tee hee, SHURRUP boys, I know what you're thinking! don't say it... 'girls').

We (again, the guy and his son) even started unscrewing bits and pieces inside the car (in the boot) to make room and STILL couldn’t get it in!

Oh we laughed so much. I felt like SUCH a girl!!! We were both shattered this morning when we had to get up for work after getting home rather late. But we’re still giggling. In our defence (OK this is a rather pathetic defence) I did buy the arm-chair from flat living Brits who were terribly proper and polite and convinced for quite some time that we COULD get it into the car. I'm fairly sure that if I’d bought it from South African boys they would have seen in the first 10 minutes it wouldn’t fit and given me some chiding advice! so funny…

SO, I’ve hired a small van and will be driving through with Tammy tomorrow to get it. I am SO shipping that thing home if/when I leave the UK after this episode.

It's a great arm-chair, and I've decided to name it Mildred - Solid, supportive, comfy yet slightly resistant to change/moving. I think the name suites!

Va va vooooommmm

Roché Naudé — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 21:38:56 GMT

Today was a truly fantastic day...

Firstly, I went cycling for the first time since October. Good friends will know, I'm slightly mad about cycling and was getting quite into it at one stage. A couple of health issues over the past 6 months have meant that I haven't been able to get out there 'Tour de France' style. So it was amazing to be able to manage half an hour tonight, with relatively little pain.

Secondly, the car I bought this week arrived tonight - Basil is now safe and snug in our driveway.

Yeah hooray, blessed...

i carry your heart (a poem by E. E. Cummings)

Roché Naudé — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 10:45:45 GMT

I love writing, and used to write a lot more than I do now (yes, even poetry - but that was a lifetime ago).

Fans of "In Her Shoes" will be familiar with the poem Cameron Diaz reads during the wedding scene. I thought this poem was lovely and not just because it featured in a decidedly uber-girly chick flick And here it is:

i carry your heart by E.E. Cummings

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate
(for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

Blogiquette

Roché Naudé — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 21:21:28 GMT

Blog etiquette, what is that all about?? Well here's my response to my buddy Tam's question on this topic:

Roché's 3 top rules of blogiquette:

e-stalking is NOT cool - At least attempt to get to know someone (beyond their blog username) before asking for their email addy/phone number.
reality rocks - Try to be real (or at least semi-real) the web provides a certain level of anonymity, however, the novelty of make-believe wears thin verrry quickly.
mind your words - Remember 'public domain' what you say on your blog will be part of the public domain, so think carefully before sharing and about what you want to share. It's like un-saying something, once it's said, it's said...

Ode to Roché (on her birthday)

Roché Naudé — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 23:56:00 GMT

It was my birthday yesterday and a very dear friend (I'm allowed to publish her work as long as I don't mention her by name) wrote me a FANTASTIC poem... Wow, scary how well she knows me! I am the quirkster (it's late, humour me!!)

And here it is:

There was this young woman with wild curly hair
Who could cycle, throw and ski with great flair
Roché was her name if I remember well
She said she was from Oz but no-one could tell

She was a bit strange, fun and quirky
Although her gym dealings were a bit murky
Apparently she joined up with a female partner,
Allegedly only to run, swim and walk faster!

Roché you're a fantastic person and this poem to you I bequeath
And no, there's nothing stuck in your teeth!

God moves in a mysterious way

Roché Naudé — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:22:53 GMT

William Cowper's 'Light Shining out of Darkness' (from the Olney Hymns (1779)) is truly beautiful.

As I read it, and think about what he is saying, I find in my heart deep empathy, and understanding, and wonder. I am in awe and wonder of a sovereign God - a God I believe is perfect and holy and wonderful, no matter what we go through. It's in the fire of suffering, the darkness of crying in the early hours, the bleeding heart and sadness for what loved ones are going through that this truth is most apparent and most real - God is sovereign and amazing.

And here is the poem, that says it so much more eloquently than I can:

"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the LORD by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev'ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
GOD is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain."

A Wednesday Winter Wonderland!!!

Roché Naudé — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:06:12 GMT

Ran into one of my housemate's this morning (Tim-Tam), shortly after getting up.. She very excitedly told me to look out the window... I was cold and still half asleep so I pointed at the window. She's VERY perceptive and understood what I was getting at - I'm not very vocal before my first cup of coffee... Not one to easily take offence, she ignored the tone of my "open the darn window for me NOW" and very graciously opened the window. I was then greeted by the gorgeous view down into our snow covered backyard.

WOW - it snowed last night, about 3 inches in total and at that time of the morning, it was all lovely and untouched. So eventually all the housemates (4 of us, plus lovely Dalene who is staying with us at present - and it was her first time seeing snow!!) gathered at the window to look outside.

OK OK, I know what you Brits and people who are used to snow are doing right now - you're rolling your eyes aren't you?? But come on!!! us Southern Hemisphere bunnies are used to the sun (that's the big yellow thing up in the sky now and then) and tans (that's what happens when your skin isn't fluorescent white. This colour change is as a result of spending time outside in the sun).

So I took my camera outside and took about a trillion photos (OK OK, SLIGHT exaggeration).

Hmmm - funnily enough though, out of the 5 of us, it was the Welsh lass (the rest of us are saffers) who was the most excited! and I suspect she's probably seen more snow than the rest of us put together...

What a lovely surprise this morning - especially as it's only 2 days before I head off for a 4 day weekend in Austria (skiing with a group of fabulous friends).

So will prolly only blog again upon my return. Till then, don't miss me too much, I will be back!

- Roché "the hills are alive" Naudé

Monday encouragement

Roché Naudé — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 13:51:48 GMT

Gee, how original are my post titles!

So, that book I blogged about Friday a week ago (Friday encouragement) - the one about suffering and encouragement, well I finished it on the train this morning and here's another pearler of a quote out of it.

“For devotion to stand the test of time and endure through every season of the soul, it cannot be based on the ever-changing circumstances of our lives - it must have its foundation on the never-changing worth of God” Matt & Beth Redman “Blessed be your name” – Worshipping God on the road marked with suffering.

WOW.... 'Nough said!!!

Friday encouragement

Roché Naudé — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 09:32:09 GMT

So encouraged when I started reading a book on the train today (lent to me by a friend last night - thank you Elen, you are a star and so very thoughtful!)

“God remains as faithful as the day He created you in love, and as powerful as the day He spoke the world into being” Matt & Beth Redman “Blessed be your name” – Worshipping God on the road marked with suffering.

No matter what happens, the above remains true - even when everything around you, and everything you see, seems to contradict it.

My King - do you know him?

Roché Naudé — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 15:44:20 GMT

This year at church in our mid-week Knowing God small groups we are studying the gospel of John. As a Christian, God's word - and what it shows about God, and Jesus Christ just absolutely blows my mind. God is amazing - and his love and mercy are simply incomprehensible. The gospel of John shows us SO much about Jesus.

As I've again been thinking more about what it took for Jesus to humble himself, come to earth as one of us and die for us I was reminded about a sermon I heard last year. I did some digging and found it again.

The sermon was given a number of years ago by Dr. S.M. Lockridge. It really meant so much to me when I first heard it. Lockridge goes through a whole list describing God. You can listen to the original here. Or read it below:

The Bible says my King is a seven-way king....He's the King of the Jews; that's a racial king....He's the King of Israel; that's a national King....He's the King of Righteousness....He's the King of the Ages.....He's the King of Heaven....He's the King of Glory....He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King. Well....I wonder, do you know Him?.... David said, The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He's enduringly strong....He's entirely sincere....He's eternally steadfast....He's immortally graceful....He's imperially powerful....He's impartially merciful....... Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son....He's a sinner's Saviour....He's the centrepiece of civilization....He stands in the solitude of Himself....He's august....He's unique....He's unparalleled....He's unprecedented....He's the loftiest idea in literature....He's the highest personality in philosophy....He's the supreme problem in higher criticism....He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology....He's the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion....He's the miracle of the age.... He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him....He's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour...... I wonder if you know Him today?

He supplies strength for the weak....He's available for the tempted and the tried....He sympathises and He saves....He strengthens and sustains....He guards and He guides....He heals the sick....He cleanses lepers....He forgives sinners....He discharges debtors....He delivers captives....He defends the feeble....He blesses the young....He serves the unfortunate....He regards the aged....He rewards the diligent....and He beautifies the meek....... I wonder if you know Him?

Well, my King....is the King....He's the key to knowledge....He's the wellspring to wisdom....He's the doorway of deliverance....He's the pathway of peace....He's the roadway of righteousness ....He's the highway of holiness....He's the gateway of glory....... Do you know Him?

Well....His office is manifold....His promise is sure....His light is matchless....His goodness is limitless....His mercy is everlasting....His love never changes....His word is enough....His grace is sufficient....His reign is righteous....and His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable....He's incomprehensible....He's invincible....He's irresistible.

Well, you can't get Him out of your mind....You can't get Him off of your hand....You can't out live Him, and you can't live without Him....The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him....Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him....The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree....Herod couldn't kill Him....Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. Yea!!!, that's my King, that's my King.

Father..."Thine is the Kingdom....and the Power....and the Glory....Forever"....and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever...and ever...and when you get through with all the forevers, then.... AMEN!....AMEN!

The porker comment

Roché Naudé — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:19:20 GMT

OK, I had to laugh BIG time last night... Was having coffee with one of my dearest friends at Starbucks, when two guys we know came along for a quick chat. Note - I'm not going to mention names here, identity protection and all that and in case the parties involved read this blog

Was good to see them, as haven't seen them in a while. Now - I've lost a bit of weight over the past four months or so (HA HA - TAKE THAT Heathrow injection!) and one or two people have commented that I'm looking good (I think in part it's also coz I'm feeling healthier, and exercise agrees with me!!) See it's all about ME, how modest am I???

SO anyhooo - last night one of the two lads, let's call him 'BOB' says something along the lines of 'Gee Roché, you've lost so much weight, you're looking great' Now.. me being me.. BLUSHED big time (something I'm really good at, a pity I can't earn money doing that as it comes so naturally) and said 'thank you! you've made my day'... Now, Bob if you're reading this, take note of the following very carefully...

It would have been fantastic if Bob had stopped there, but he followed up his compliment with 'yeah, you were a porker, but now you're looking great'. Can you spot the word that is problematic here? I had to stop myself from chuckling - and I said 'Oh, so I was a porker was I?' Bob, didn't pick up on the subtle nuances of the tone I used when posing that question, but latched on with great enthusiasm and said something like 'yeah your were, but now you're looking great' . I think I did laugh then, and then I said 'so, what happens if I pile on the weight again over winter??' to which Bob responded 'Just see that you don't'.

Bless... Bob - I appreciate the compliment, and realise you meant it well, but here's a little unsolicited advice, you might want to have a leeetle think about what followed it. I laughed last night, but this morning, being a chick and all, I'm thinking - hmmmm... not so sure about the porker comment? Is that all that counts? I know it's not... Just some food for thought (no pun intended).

oink

Boasting

Roché Naudé — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 12:21:28 GMT

I've been mulling over part of an article I read today that really struck me. The author Decca Aitkenhead devoted a couple of paragraphs to talking about boasting, and how annoying it is. The line that struck me was this: "...everyone knowing that a boast is self-doubt in disguise". Have a think about that. I've spent a little bit of time thinking about what comes out of my mouth, and how much of my conversation is focused on "my accomplishments/see I'm better than you" type statements.

I agree - self-centred boasting is primarily done when there's insecurity. After all, if I'm good at something, do I really need to prove it by boasting about it? (Don't confuse boasting here, with being honest about your strengths).

As a Christian, I've been looking at some of what God's word says about boasting and motivation behind what we do/say. So easy to let self-interest rule our lives!! Challenging me BIG TIME today (NIV links below)..

Injured!!!

Roché Naudé — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 16:13:38 GMT

I went to the physio today for the first time in my life (or my 'virgin' time as my friend Ca would put it, yes, sadly it took me about 8 seconds to twig the first time she said that)... Basically, the pain in my left knee and right leg just sort of reached agonising level... I've been popping a lot of pain pills recently (and I HATE doing that...). I think I've caused the Nurofen share-price to sky-rocket.

Prepare yourself for a poor Roché/dry your eyes Roché type saga (NOTE: if you're a loving kind person, you'll opt for my first description, if selfish and unfeeling, the latter! )

I woke up this morning very VERY sore - and hobbled my way over to the physio. APPARENTLY, I'm NOT supergirl! and DO need to stretch before I exercise and after! I'm still trying to recover from finding out I'm not invincible.. I'd arrogantly assumed that 'thinking about stretching' was equivalent to ACTUALLY stretching (laziness - not good!).

Turns out I have ITB in my left leg (hmmm.... thought that was predominantly a running injury??) and right leg is suffering from soft tissue damage (and hamstring tightening, and then some medical terms that flew STRAIGHT over the top of my currently blonde head).

The good news - it's not irreparable, the gutting news - 6 week recovery estimate (no cycling ).... AAAI - but I am so relieved to know what is going on... He'll be reintroducing exercise/stretching etc. as the weeks go by (and yes, I got a talking to about not stretching in the past! you can rest assured, I will most definitely start doing it!). Had ultrasound and something else today (that I can't pronounce, but it made my entire leg spasm cramp like - how physios manage not to burst into hysterical laughter with some of the things they see, I do not know). I'm loose for the first time in a while, but the pain, she continues.

Man I LOVE TO MOAN, well done if you've gotten this far (through my woe is me, pity party), SUCKER!!! NO DOUBT - I'll talk about my journey with the physio often so as not to disappoint you, my waiting-with-baited breath audience...

Footloose

Roché Naudé — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 08:44:55 GMT

Last night I went to the West End with 6 girlfriends...

We had dinner at the theatrical operatically middle-eastern bling decorated Turkish Sarastro restaurant. Was great to try out a new place. The table-cloth and napkins were made of crushed velvet (slippery little devils), and we sat under a balcony section (with padded roof). We also had a mute waiter - who did a lot of smiling and 'I don't know' type shrugging - I'd like to think he was simply befuddled and struck dumb by our beauty (BUT I suspect that he doesn't actually speak much English and with 7 chicks nattering at once, even the most well versed English Lit professor would have trouble)... I really enjoyed it, food was good, and the company even better!

We then rushed off to watch Footloose. It was BRILLIANT.. Great music and really well acted. It was a tad raunchy and let's just say, am glad I was there with a bunch of gals. I am now well keen on watching the movie.

We realised the audience was about 2/3 girls when during "I need a hero" the crowd's enthusiasm became monster HUGE (especially when James Bond, a fireman, a marine, a sailor and lifeguard popped up on stage). It was 'Village People' but without the campness - laughed myself silly...

Afterwards we walked in the drizzle back to Waterloo and caught a train... Spent about 15 minutes giggling like silly school girls... No, don't ask - it was funny enough to have 3 of us in tears... Let's just say that a pie can be a messy thing to eat...

Hobble Hobble Hobble...

Roché Naudé — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 08:45:38 GMT

Some of you will remember my whining the other day about a hamstring injury... ENTIRELY my fault of course, not stretching properly!!! I still remember how it happened, I'd been doing some hectic cycling (well... hectic for ME) and suddenly had a phenomenal cramp - I was almost having visions. I ignored the pain once I got over it, and didn't bother to stretch it out... BEEEEG mistake!!

I'm happy to report that today is the first time in 2 weeks where I didn't have to take Nurofens to get me out of bed and down the stairs (was beginning to feel like a bit of a druggy). After seeing the doctor on Monday who told me to rest the darn thing and, horror of horrors, suggested 'it would be a good idea for you to not cycle for an undisclosed_number_of_weeks' , I've been taking hot baths and doing gentle stretches and icing the hammy... blah blah blah, you really don't need to know the details...

Why an undisclosed number of weeks? In case anyone reading this decides to give me a talking to (mommy!!) I HAVE stopped cycling to work for a bit but I'll still be doing some other rides. I KNOW I KNOW, and I AM taking it easy, I'm just not going to stop entirely!! It's gutting not being able to exercise when you really want to (and quite a novel feeling for me really) and my injury is getting better. Bit ironic, I'm usually the one giving the 'rest your injuries' speech.... My decision entirely, and I assume full responsibility (OBVIOUSLY)...

Not enough hours in the day???

Roché Naudé — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 12:38:12 GMT

Hmm... at the moment it seems that way to me! There's still a manic week ahead, I have at least one thing on every evening except Friday – my room looks like Hurricane Mischief hit it, and I have to climb mountains of laundry (clean I assure you! just needs sorting/ironing/packing away) to make it to my bed!!! It's driving me bananas, I'm not overly fond of chaos! Organised chaos yes, end of the world type chaos, no. Right am rambling, what was my main point?

Oh yes, am just feeling a tad busy at present, I think it's time to look at priorities again - Miss Busy tends to sometimes get those messed up.

One of the books I'm reading at present (I usually have 2 or 3 on the go) is proving very helpful. It's called The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness by Tim Chester. Comforting, because it seems I'm not the only person who feels overwhelmed, challenging, because it asks some good questions about priorities. So... if God is the most important thing in my life, how does the way I live my life and spend (or if I'm honest, often waste) my time reflect this?

One way I'm trying to improve communicating with those nearest and dearest to me is by posting news on this blog. I'm still working on the Austria posts (I know you all can't WAIT for those!! don't despair! Watch this space)- definitely one of the BEST short breaks I've ever been on.

My weekend in Norwich

Roché Naudé — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:53:25 GMT

I had the most amazing weekend in Norwich. I went up North East to visit my friend Luc, her brother, sister-in-law and nephew (GORGEOUS one year old!!).

Was so special catching up with you lovely Lucinda. Thanks for all the laughs and all the news from home!!! I miss you more than I can say... Blessed to have you in my life...

On Saturday I went along with Luc and her sister-in-law and nephew to a mini-children's touch farm... So precious, I refused to touch the bigger animals (e.g. greedy sheep, goats etc.) but was basically hurling children out of the way to get to the guinea-pigs in the tiny pets room. I sat with Percy the guinea-pig (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roche_naude/240935103/in/set-72157594280056761/) for about 10 minutes... He was just TOO cute (well.. I think it was a he). Brought back major childhood memories of the guinea-pigs and rabbits we had... Thought about popping Percy into my bag, but realised this would not work, as I'd verbalised said thought in front of the farm caretaker...

Parting comment just for you Luc - "Aggie, friends forever" - Bertha x

The NOT so itsy-bitsy spider...

Roché Naudé — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:41:46 GMT

Laughed myself silly last night when one of my house mate's knocked on my door just after 11pm. Am so glad she did call me to help, because there was a HUGE spider (all hairy with a BIG body) running around on her bed....

My first reaction was "KILL KILL", fortunately Di's voice of reason broke through - 'let's catch it and set it free'. What followed was hilarious... Priceless video moment... We chased the spider around and finally captured him (it?!?!) in the bathroom bin which we had emptied.... Now, the spider was trapped under the bin on top of Di's very poofy duvet... We then sort of comically (with much 'EEEK, Di, can you see him??? what is he doing?') tipped the bin over and covered the top with a newspaper... I was holding the bin, and petrified that 'Charlotte' would leap out and do something ala 'Arachnophobia' (that movie had me scared of going to the loo for 2 weeks!!!).

So, we went downstairs - me barefoot, and in my pj's, Di still dressed but shoeless.... I kept shaking the bin (we could only see Charlotte's shadow from the outside) so that Charlotte wouldn't succeed in climbing to the top and leaping on me and eating me... So there we were, after 11 pm at night, running down the street... I kept going 'eeek!! is it still there??' which then prompted Di to shine a torch into the bin and assure me all was well... We set Charlotte free in a grassy area, down the road from home... Don't ask how we got it out of the bin! that was amusing... I said to Di 'I'm willing to sacrifice the bin, and leave it behind..' Fortunately it didn't come to that...

AAAI - made me think of Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up comedy act - I'm telling you for the last time about men and women in which he says something along the lines of "I don't understand how a woman can take boiling hot wax, pour it on her upper thighs, rip the hair out by the roots, and still be afraid of a spider."