Cath squared, coming up!

I really am ridiculously excited.  I get to see the two Cath’s in my life this weekend, plus one small person named Cam.  I haven’t seen Cam since I moved out of the Shath at least three years ago – can you believe it?   Other Cath, I haven’t seen in months and have spoken to even less.  I think she’s busier than I am these days, so having her over at the same time will be amazeballs, we rarely ever get to spend time together.

In order for Other Cath to have a nice smelling bed replacement, Gloria has her work cut out for her this week.  Not only will she need to actually dust something, I’m about to ask her to wash the covers of our big fluffy sofas too.  Which makes me nervous because the last time I asked her to wash anything other than our daily clothing, my blue bathroom mat turned all of my undies purple.

So I did some online research for a possible Plan B and found this awesome website with fabric sofas that made me turn green with envy!  Of course, now all I want to do is redo the upstairs lounge sofas.  And possibly renovate the balcony into a bigger chill room.  With an indoor pool.  And a jacuzzi.  And palm trees with hammocks.  Do you think my ever loving boyfriend will let me?*

Also, I wonder if I can do all of this before Saturday morning…

Although Cath and I chat almost daily, I’ve also only seen her for a collective three hours over three occasions in the last three years.  I suppose that’s the beauty of online friendships though – we lived together for a year and managed to not kill each other, yet since I moved out we’ve not physically spent much time together.  Yet we know exactly what’s going on in each other’s lives.

Jon has been warned, there will be emotions.  There will be squeals, there will be loud volumes of girl noises and giggles.  I cannot WAIT!

*Noooooooooooooooooooooooo.  Keep practicing the art of persuasion dreaming, Sheena.

Protected: Make way for Emotional Bear!

For Shar.

To my special friend,

We’ve laughed, cried, lived and partied together since we were kids.  You’ve shared so much of my life and I’ve shared so much of yours, my family is your family and vise-versa.

You told me years ago, as we sat around a candle-lit cupcake dedicated to a little girl who was no longer with us, that I was the strongest person you knew.  I told you then that it has nothing to do with strength, it’s all about determination and taking things one day at a time.  Years later, I watch as you have to do the same thing.  But I look at you now and am amazed at the things you’ve coped with.  I’m so proud of the woman you have become.

I’ve never seen you look as beautiful as you did on your wedding day. You chose your life partner well, my friend, his love for you warms my heart.

I wish every love, happiness and joy to you and your brand new and awesomely awesome husbank.

Love always,

Bean.

Going on a boooze cruise in…

Locked out but I got back in

For some reason I was locked outta this here blog for a few days, which makes me exactly 6 days late in announcing the Steri Stumpie Competition Winners.  Not too bad for me, I’ve been known to be way later.  Anyway, I’m back inside my blog (oooh, feels so good!) and have some news.

1. I was Amy Winehouse last Friday

2.  Immediately after that, I must’ve channeled Amy’s current state of mind and got into a car accident.

Okay, so it wasn’t a serious car accident – but I totally could’ve died.  If it had been quicker.  And harder.  And more tragic, but it wasn’t.  Thank goodness, because I really do enjoy being alive.

How’d it happen?  Some chick jumped a red light and flew into the back of me and then hit some other guy too.  My car is okay – needs a bit of panel beating, but the important thing is that Jon and I are both okay.

3.  Because I have an awesome, awesome boyfriend, I will be going on a cruise to Madagascar in T-minus 4 months!  How amazing?  I’m so excited!

So that’s what happened in the last week.  What’s up with you?

30 days in 30 minutes

This is an old post I just found in my drafts.  I think I wrote the first half the day Jon and I moved in together, and finished off the second half a few minutes ago.

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I changed my mind.  Everyone else in the world seems to be doing this blogging thinger where you dedicate 30 days to 30 topics.  We all know I don’t have the attention span to be so brilliant, so I’m gonna answer them all in one blog post.

Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself

I take things way too personally.

Day 02 → Something you love about yourself

I don’t stay angry for very long.  I get mad, very mad, but after I’ve processed why I’m mad, I move on.

Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.

Shoowee.  I suppose it’s Kiera’s death day.  Even though I now know she wouldn’t have lived for very much longer, if I hadn’t given her a bath when I did, she wouldn’t have relapsed that very moment, which means she probably wouldn’t have died that day.

Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.

Jon, for shouting at me today when we moved the couch upstairs.  It’s not my fault he stubbed his toe!!!!

Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.

Need to go overseas.  Serious.  I’ve never been.

Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.

Uh… bury another kid? That’d be uncool in the very biggest degree.

Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living.

My brothers and sisters.  They’ve made me laugh and held my hand when I needed it, and even when I didn’t.

Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you badly.

Kiera’s dad.

Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.

Kimbo.  We used to be so close, but because of a few issues and me not really making the effort to keep the friendship alive, it’s over.

Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

Sheesh.  This is pretty personal.  I need to let go someone who has been around for longer than most other people.  But it’s hard, and I still don’t know why I’m so upset about just moving on.

Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

Public speaking – although I only do it for the love of having all attention on me, I’ve never really explored it further.  Maybe I should since I usually get a great response whenever I talk in front of a crowd.

Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.

My awesome driving skillz.

Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days.

Snow Patrol, Tracy Chapman, Glee Club.  Yes, Glee Club, I said it, what?

Day 14 → A hero that has let you down.

Meh, I don’t want to write about this.

Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.

My mom.  Not that I’ve tried living without her, but now that she lives so close to me again, I’m not sure how I coped with not seeing her for months on end.  I love my mom, she’s awesome. Chocolate, smokes, Jon & my family.

Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.

Back fat Sally, Tina the talking tummy, Tessa & Theresa the thunder thighs.

Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

Anne Rice’s books, all of them.  She opened my eyes to all things supernatural, fictional or otherwise.  I love that genre now.

Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.

Marriage as a whole used to freak me out.  But now I’m cool with it.  For me, it doesn’t matter if you’re gay, bi, straight or imaginary, if you want to get married, get married.  Who am I to have an opinion?

Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

They exist.

Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.

Been there, done that, burnt the t-shirt.  I don’t think either of them are very good for anyone who takes part in excess.  I’ll have a drink or two every now and again but I will never get involved in hardcore drugs because I’ve seen the people who are hurt by users.  It’s not cool, it’s not fun and it’s not a good idea.

Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

What a kak scenario.  I’d rush to the hospital if I could, or book a flight to get there as soon as possible if I couldn’t be there immediately.

Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.

I really regret a lot of things in life, but wishing them away would mean denying who I am today, and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.  I am strong.

Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.

I wish that I’d made a bigger effort to go overseas when I had all the time to do it.  Now, if I do go abroad, I’ll only be able to do it in a leave period, which isn’t very long.

Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs.

Alanis Morissette – In Praise of the Vulnerable Man – for Cath to remind her that this too shall pass

Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

Being alive is underrated.  It’s so easy to get bogged down by all the bullshit, so many people forget that being alive is awesome.  I believe I’ve made choices that have kept me breathing in order to do something amazing eventually.  What that amazing thing is, I don’t quite know yet.  But it’ll come to me eventually.

Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?

I had a moment once.  But it was a moment and it passed and I’ve never truly considered giving up seriously.  Suicide is a selfish and horrible thing leaving a quake in your wake.  I didn’t intend to rhyme there, but I’m leaving it.

Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?

I am in love with my career, home, relationship & family.  Everything is going well, I am very lucky and eternally grateful.

Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?

If I got someone pregnant I would kak in my pants!  And then I’d alert the media because, damn, I’d go viral.

Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.

Sigh.  My bohdi.  Stummak een, chest out!

Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

Dear Sheena,

Live every moment, love your loved ones, be faithful, remain grateful, thank strangers and be nice to those who need it.  You’re a survivor.

Love,

Sheena

Things I’ve learnt in my last year of life.

Humphry Bumphry tooo meeee!

So I’ve just turned another year older.  I was awoken this morning with a shower of pressies, tweets & bookface loving. It was awesome.

Saturday’s lunch with friends was divine.  I was spoilt rotten with love and presents and flowers and tequila.  I wish it was my birthday everyday!  Thank you so much to everyone, I’m overwhelmed with attention (and loving every minute of it).

I feel like I should be imparting strong words of wisdom, because I don’t think I’ve ever had a year of growth like I did with this last one.  So, here’s some of the things I live by these days:

1. This too shall pass. Applicable to only the bad things, right?  Because the good things?  We like those…
2. It gets better. And it really does, with time, perseverance & hard work.
3. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk. Or swim drunk.  Or do anything fucking stupid, while drunk.  Life is too short!
4. Cooking up a storm in the kitchen with Jon on the other side of the counter pouring a glass of wine cures even the heaviest of heavy days.
5. Cake should totally be eaten for breakfast whenever possible.
6. You can’t fix everyone, or every thing. Sometimes the best thing you can do is walk away and hope for the best.
7. Being selfish is necessary for sanity. Putting everyone else first is something not even Mother Theresa did all the time.
8. Work smart, not hard. This is a very recent learning, and one that I’m adapting to with glee.
9. Be awesome instead. Why bother getting nervous?  All it does is psyche you out before you get a chance to be awesome instead.
10. Stay in bed all day at least once a month. Better than a month’s worth of therapy!
11. Love. Don’t be scared, don’t hold back, don’t over-think things.  Just love.
12. Always wear your seat belt.
13. Always trust your mother’s instincts, even when she can’t do it for herself.
14. Plan ahead, even for the things that could go wrong. This is something Jon taught me and the best thing I’ve leart so far in life.
15. Box with brains. In line with ‘pick your battles’, if you must war, war wisely and with caution.
16. Appreciate those who love you. I’ve learnt that time is precious and if someone is willing to give up theirs to be with you, they’re special and deserve appreciation.

I don’t know about you, but I feel smarter.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this list, your wisdom and guidance is something I couldn’t go without.

Here’s to another year of learning!

It’s my birthday in a week!

If you’re an old reader of mine, you’ll know that besides Christmas time, my birthday turns me into an absolute child.  It’s the one day of the year where everything is about ME.  Jon will argue that there are 364 other days that also subscribe to that premise, but it’s this day where everyone else honors and celebrates life.  My life.

This year is no exception (and neither will the next 50 years be, Jon, just BTW) and at the request of Sassy Sandi, here’s my birthday wish list for this year:

1. iTunes vouchers – I spend way too much money on songs, virtual gifts for the iPad games I’m addicted to, and all the iPhone apps I simply must have right this very minute
2. Massage & facial vouchers – please.
3. Kalahari vouchers – for all the cool things the internetz can bring me
4. Amazon.com vouchers – for my kindle addiction
5. Photography things – I’ve just taken up photography.  Sort of.  As in, I haven’t even started yet but I have a beginner’s point & shoot thinger that I plan on learning about soon.
6. YuppieChef – am in love with this store.  Could buy one of everything!
7. Flowers – Since I no longer associate flowers with death, I am loving Orchids with my whole heart lately.  I have about 4 in the house right now & can’t have enough.
8. Lindt milk chocolate balls – mmmm!
9. Vodacom airtime (yup – I’m still boycotting getting a contract!)
10. Time with the people I like a lot.

Might be a bit of a boring list, but I’ve sat and thought about it, and really, I have everything I need.  So if you’re not up to splashing out on anything above, feel free to donate something to charity instead, please.

xoxo

It’s our 2nd anniversary! Part 2

This is a continuation from my last blog post.  Read the first half here.

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Two nights later, he offered to pick me up to see Harry Potter together.  He remembered that during the road trip I had moaned about no one wanting to see it with me.  I spent hours sprucing up myself with make up and hair and tried on at least seven different out fits before he arrived.  Eventually I settled on a cool outfit with heels, make up, perfume and jewelry to boot!  So not me at all, but this was our first date – I had to impress!  I had to show off my Sheena brochure of awesomeness without flaws or weirdness.  I spent hours laboring over which clothing item said what about me.  I sprayed on four different types of perfume because I couldn’t settle on a scent that said “You want to smell this every day forever and ever.  You want me to have your babies and this scent will totally make it happen”.

When I think back now, I actually want to dig up a die-hole and sit in it with my head hung with embarrassment.  The hilarious part is that I know now, two years later, despite all four of the different perfumes I blasted all over my body, Jon has NO SENSE OF SMELL!  What’s more is that when he arrived, I immediately wanted to bash my head against the wall, because as dressed up as I was, he was totally the opposite.  He arrived in jeans, sneakers and a shirt.  WHAT?!

When he saw me, instead of the all-day-long imagined response he should’ve come out with, he opened up with “Shucks*.  You’re very overdressed.  I feel like a hobo”.

!!!!! Cue death, please !!!!

Jon will tell you now, shamefully, that he had no idea it was a date until he arrived to pick me up.  He also felt like a douche bag because HELLOOOO!  HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW?! Regardless, we had a cool night out.  And I obviously behaved well, because when he dropped me off at home, he also asked if he could take me out again.  On the second night, I wasn’t so cock-sure.  I didn’t know if this was a date thing, or just another night out with a platonic guy.  I was filled with doubt, confusion, insecurity and I didn’t want to overshoot again.  So I dressed down completely and threw on some sneakers, jeans and tied my hair up in a ponytail.

But this time Jon totally knew it was a date.  And yes, you can totally guess it, he picked me up dressed to the nines in formal pants, a button up shirt and smart shoes.  He got out the car and before he could say anything I buried my head in my hands and, just like a lady, opened my mouth a very loud and distinctive “FUCK!”.

[*Shucks - Jon's replacement for any expletive.  He never swore back then, and still doesn't do it often, and even when he does on the odd occasion, he swears like a five year old - with worry, self-doubt and an eye over the shoulder to see if the parents can hear him.  It's one of his most endearing qualities.]

Despite our wardrobe malfunctions, the second date went well too.  So well that on the way back to the farm, my stomach butterflies exploded and vomited all over my liver when Jon reached over and held my hand.

Once I held his hand back, mine hot and sweaty and being held very still, I decided it was now or never.  ”Okay buddy, you just made your move.  And while it’s about time, the next time we go out, let’s coordinate with the dress code because this is just getting ridiculous”.

Today, it’s officially been two years since, and we still coordinate dress codes, laugh like loons at our two “mis-dates” and when he holds my hand I still feel like I did back then; unforgivably lucky, and fiercely in love.

Happy Anniversary, Jon.  You rock my world.