It wasn’t a surprise to me when I was described as an ambivert. You might be thinking, “Is this another condition this lady suffers from? I didn’t sign up to read about her various medical conditions.” An ambivert is someone who has both extrovert and introvert traits, depending on the circumstances. I’m a talker and a listener. I like to be amongst people, but I also need my alone time. ALONE. I’m outgoing but I’m also reserved depending on who is on the other side of the in

The last time I was admitted to hospital was 17 and a half years ago. I returned with a little bundle called Kelsie. Hospital. That word can make the strongest man or woman quiver like a rabbit in a thunderstorm! I fall squarely in that category. If I can avoid taking medication, I will. If I can avoid having scans, X-rays, blood tests, I will. If I can find an alternate herbal remedy, I will. Then came the Hashimoto’s diagnosis which meant I had to put on my big girl pants a

We have always celebrated Valentine’s Day. Not in big, fancy ways. Some days it wasn’t even celebrated on the day. It was early. Or later. Depending on the gig. There was always a small gift and a few hours together. When Caitlin and Kelsie came along and everyone at school started celebrating, we would make sure that they both had a little gift to open so that they wouldn’t feel left out if their friends at school had been asked to be a ‘valentine’ or had gifts being given t

Back to school traffic, lunches, uniforms, fees and timetables. That’s the topics I hear mentioned in the corridors. The 1 st week of February rolled around and everyone says they feel like they have never been away on leave. Returning from the December break, they hit the ground running and haven’t stopped since. I can’t disagree. I really don’t enjoy being back at the office. Not because I don’t love collaborating and working with other people. Although, I suspect if I had

Every year since I turned 40, I make sure that I take a day’s vacation leave on my birthday. A friend I met about 15 years ago always took leave on her birthday. She spent the day with herself. She would head off to the movies or to have a massage, pedicure or lunch by herself. In the evening, her family would celebrate her. But the day? The day was hers. I thought, “This QUEEN!! I must learn from her.” So, I did.   Whether I’m heading off to a spa, having lunch somewhere or

I have spent the last few days de-cluttering. Drawers, clothes, stationery (yes it gets its own special mention), kitchenware and the garage. Some of you might be thinking, "Shouldn’t you have done that at the beginning of the holidays like most normal people?" I would agree with you except I was traipsing about the Drakensberg getting caught in hail storms and summer rains, exploring, reading, sleeping and eating breakfast and supper prepared by an outstanding chef…..who we

The 16 Days of Activism campaign, now in its 27th year, was initiated by the United Nations to raise awareness about gender-based violence. This year’s theme is “Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls working together to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).” Positive masculinity was highlighted at the G20 Ministerial meetings, with hopes for continued dialogue.   Many supporters have turned their social media profiles purple to show solidarity with the Women for Change

This series (aired on Apple TV) was charming and hilarious. Eugene Levy, at 76, decided to see some places he has never been to and I’m waiting patiently for Season 2 (if there will be one). I am not a traveller . I travel with the late Anthony Bourdain through Parts Unknown, while munching on chips and sipping coffee on my couch. I travel with Phil Rosenthal through Somebody Feed Phil and I often hear my kids commenting, “Oh look at mummy – she is smiling because Phil is on!

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Ally McBeal was one of my favourite shows when I was at university. Studying law meant I was hooked on the antics of the people in this...

I might as well start off by saying that many of you, men and women, are not going to like what I’m about to write. It is going to come...

Many people have a giggle when they realise that my birthday is mid-month in January. We all know the drill. Everybody is counting...