One of my internet friends brought up this question on our message board - "For those who drank little or no alcohol when you were younger...why not"

Well that would be me. I had my first alcohol drink at the age of 21.  At a work party.  It was a beer shandy lol  So not really alcohol anyway.  I have never gone on a drinking binge.  I have been drunk - heck yes - but never have I been so drunk that I can't remember what I did.  I have also only been drunk probably 4 or 5 times.  I haven't had any alcohol in ages.  And it's a non-issue for me.

Now back to her question.  Why did I never drink when I was younger.  (Younger meaning when I was a teenager).  The answer to this is not easy.  One I often talk about with my dad (well, more about what they did right for us not to get into drugs and how to keep my boys away from it) but I suppose this is very much the same.  My folks obviously did something right. Not of their three kids ever drank more than what would be considered normal, no-one drank as teenagers, we never tested drugs (not that I know of anyway lol)  But why?

I think, firstly, because we weren't around it much.  My folks never got stone drunk.  They had parties but we never really "knew" that they were drunk (although looking back as an adult they were lol)  In all reality though, this was only on rare occasions.  Not an every day thing AT ALL.

Secondly, we respected our parents too much.  We would just never do such a big thing...disappoint them in such a big way. They expected more of us and we did our damnedest to live up to their expectations.

Thirdly, they were very involved in our lives.  Knew all our friends.  Our teachers.  Where we were and what we were doing.  There was no way we could get involved with the "wrong" crowd.

They also spoke to us often.  Communication lines were open enough for them to know if something serious like that was up. (well as open as it can be with teenagers - especially a GIRL teenager)

We were not allowed out at night.  Meaning we weren't allowed out to parties, just walking around a mall, going to discos or stuff like that.  If we were out at night, it was at a friends house, who's parents my folks knew.

I'm thankful for the way I was raised.  I knew enough that I didn't feel I had to try it out.  My folks told us enough about how badly your body can react to stuff like that.  How quickly you can get addicted and how it will mess up the rest of your live.

I just didn't dare.  So I throw the question to you.  If you didn't drink as a young person, why not.  If you did...why?

My dad took this pic of my brother and my three sons on the night of Michael's birthday (the 8th) 

I am blessed to have a brother like him.  I am blessed to have him as the godfather to my three sons.

I remember us as little kids.  Him teaching me how to cycle.  He taught me how to rollerskate by pulling me behind his bicycle.  He taught me how to make a kettie, climb trees, play cricket.  I learned how to write my name when he went to Grade 1.  He taught me to. I was so proud when I went to school and could write my name.

He also did some typical brother things.  Swapping "lots" of money for one of my R10 notes.  Coins are a lot more right?  Using me to take his "love letters" to his girlfriend.  He taught me how to stand up for myself.  He had a "gang" in primary school - all guys.  We had a "gang" - all girls.  You get the picture.

He stood up for me though.  I had a big brother who wouldn't allow anyone to touch me.  Except him of course.  Oh my word did we ever fight.  I clearly remember my mom giving each of us a saucer of milk to drink - on the ground no less - since we were fighting like cats.

He taught me just how much I love him when he was coming out of coma after a car accident.  He would say every ones name, except mine.  I cried my eyes out.  We fought after his accident - more mature fights of course.  However, once he recovered from his accident and realized that I'm not personally responsible for his difficult recovery we became better friends every day.

He introduced me to my first serious boyfriend.  He supported me when Tommie and I almost got divorced. 

I hope that my boys will end with good relationships like ours. Even though we brother and sister (I personally think same sex siblings have better relationships), I'm thankful for the relationship we have.  I'm thankful that he is here for my sons.  Their lives are richer for having him in it.

I love you my Boet!

Like I promised I took some photos today. I found it very relaxing :)  I should do that more often.  Only thing is that I took all the photos out of my car and some even while the car was moving, so the quality is not great on all of them.

It also shows a town a sad view of our and country I suppose.  Don't go the slide show route, as I posted explanations with each photo.

My town through my camera

You know, there is just something about doing exercise.  Yesterday afternoon, after writing my post, I decided come hell or high water I will go jogging.  I put on my earphones, put the music on nice loud and just jogged.  It was awesome.  I told Tommie that they are more than welcome to walk as well but I'm jogging alone.  No kids.  I felt a million times better by the time we got home.  

Today I'm going to do scrapbooking (after reading my favourite blogs lol) and maybe even take a drive through town to do some photography.  I feel like photographing our town....the people in our town.  To give my overseas friends and idea of what my town looks like.  We'll see.

Oh and I don't plan on getting dressed until Tommie is home and he can take Zander.  I want to take a LONG relaxing bath.

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I got this from Wenchy - let's complete her questions:

• What is your favourite word:  Angel (I use it often when I address on of my guys)
• What is your least favourite word:  Hate (I think it is used way too easily.  Much to strong a word to just be flung around)
• What turns you on:  Understanding.  A deep loving hug.  Good kisses.
• What turns you off:  Being rude to the kids (lol)  Switching the TV over to golf when I'm watching something else in the room.  Smoking.  (how long may this list be?)
• What is your favourite curse word:  Shit and then fok (Afrikaans for fuck)
• What noise do you love:  My kids laughing.  The sound Zander makes when he nurses.  Jay's snores
• What noise to you hate:  Children screaming - loudly.  Phone ringing (except when it is my cellphone as my ringing tone is Zander's chatter)  Dogs barking.
• What profession other than your own would you like to attempt:  Owning my own coffee shop / bookstore.  Occupational therapist.  Photographer.
• What profession would you not like to do:  My own?  Auditor.  Lawyer.  Basically any job where I have to work with paper lol
• If Heaven exists what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates:  I told you I'd wait till you were ready

Isn't it funny that sometimes, even when nothing is wrong, it feels as though everything is wrong?  That's how I'm feeling.  I just want to crawl into a hole and stay there.  (Okay, I'd much rather lie on the beach and do nothing but then it sounds as though I'm feeling okay and want a holiday)

I don't really have reason to feel this way.  I do though.  Let's work through this rationally.  My dad has always said to make lists.  The good and the bad.  Let's start with the bad:

• My work.  I wake up feeling overwhelmed with anxiety when I think of going to work.  I don't' enjoy my job.  Not one bit.  I should never have studied in this direction.  And boy did I study.  When I think of all the hours I put in (waking up at 5 am every single morning.  Studying after work every single day), all the fun I missed out on, it makes me even sadder.
• I studied to be an accountant.  Not a tax consultant.  Even though I'm bloody good as a tax consultant for individuals, I'm not so sure about companies.  I'm a darn perfectionist when it comes to my work and I want to know that I'm bloody good at what I do. 
• I'm not the perfect mom.  There I said it.  I'm not perfect.  Why do I feel like I have to be?  Why do I hit myself with that guilt stick every time I'm not 100 % perfect?
• I keep on pushing Tommie away when he wants to pull me closer.  This is not just physically.  I'm not fair to him and the more I'm not, the more I battle to be.
• It stresses me out that Tommie and I aren't earning enough.  Don't get me wrong, we are doing great but I could earn more.  Lots more. 
• I'm irritated because I haven't been able to go jogging in over a week.  Life just happens you know?  I detest starting something and not seeing it through.
• It ticks me off that Tommie is forever playing golf (especially when he plays on Wednesdays)  Why is he not just earning more money?
• Ticks me off more that he is playing golf tomorrow - Women's Day - public holiday.  Not spoiling me.  Not spending the day with me.
• I irritate myself endlessly that it feels as though I should ask Tommie stuff before I do them.  And don't get me wrong, he so doesn't expect it.  It's me.  The independent woman me.  What's up with that?!  Bloody hell.

The good:

• I get to work flexi hours.  I do stuff with my kids that I would never be able to when I worked for someone else.  Like Friday I'm going out on an outing with Jason.  I'm going to start Mothers and Miracle classes with Zander next month.  I get to take them where ever, when ever.
• I have three amazing little boys.  Even though they don't always get along, they do too.  They can be the best of friends and the worst of enemies.  They give me endless pleasure.  Make me laugh a zillion times a day.
• I have a husband who totally adores me.  Who thinks I'm the reason the world was created.  Who tells me every single day how sexy I am. How much he loves me.
• We have a great life.  We get to go on holiday.  Get to go away weekends.  Get to ride a nice car, live in a nice home.  We do have enough - mostly.
• We are all healthy.  All of us.  We have each other and really no worries.

See, I really have no reason for feeling so blah.  Ignore my pity party.  I'll be my old self tomorrow.