Does this make me an activist?

This poor ol’ blog has been neglected lately. Not because nothing has been happening. On the contrary. I’ve been quite busy and focussed. I haven’t written much about it because I’ve been becoming increasingly political lately, and didn’t want to subject you all to that. That’s because of my nature…you know don’t want to offend anyone or alienate anyone, so most of the time I while I am very passionate about something and have very strong opinions, I tend to present my views in a softer way, or just keep it to myself or ear bash my husband with my rants. Sometimes I wonder if I should have been a freedom fighter the way I go on…but actually I know I am so not courageous enough.

I’ve been watching the Zimbabwe situation closely and reading a lot about that as well as learning more about Zim’s political history. I want to know how a nation gets to this kind of turmoil, and how we can avoid it. I fear a genocide there and worry that once again the world will sit back and watch and do nothing. The last couple of years I learned more about the Rwanda genocide and was shocked to realise that this all happened when I was just out of school and yet it happened under my nose and I hardly took note of it! I felt personally implicated in the sense that I did nothing about it. Somehow news reports don’t impact us anymore and these complex problems receive just a few minutes over view on the news with phrases such as ‘armed rebels‘ ‘insurgents attack x village‘ ‘x politician condemns violence‘ etc etc. and we tune out because it’s not our problem, or we condemn the terrorist acts without even understanding their cause. (Don’t hear what I’m not saying)

This situation in Zimbabwe has been going on for some time yet it’s only just really grabbed my attention in the last few months. As I first learned about it I was shocked at some of the stories I read and couldn’t believe the madness of Mugabe’s regime. Now I don’t underestimate the lengths Mugabe will go to to get what he wants.

I am so angry that there are years of crimes against humanity dating back to 1980’s for which he hasn’t been held account. I am angry that the UN has placed travel bans on Mugabe and yet he recently freely attended the Food Summit in Rome. While I think it’s great that governments around the world are not exactly turning a blind eye, but the many “x politician has publicly condemned the post-election violence and calls upon the Government to put and end to the violence” comments are really starting to bug me. Does anyone really think that Mugabe really cares what Helen Clark might have to say to him? (Or even the US or UK?) It’s too little and too late, all this public condemnation.

Who is going to actually do something? And what should be done? Most people want to use non-violent means, which of course is the ideal, but if all diplomatic and political means are exhausted and innocent people are still dying and suffering surely there must come a time when evil regimes are removed by force? I wonder that not much force would be required in actual fact. How many of the armed forces are actually loyal to Mugabe anyway? How many of them are also intimidated and threatened into perpetuating his regime?

The problems run deep. Years and years of injustice, and not just under Mugabe; Ian Smith’s legacy is not exactly one of peace and freedom. Oh Africa! Such beauty and treasures and potential, and such trouble and pain and it is indeed a land that needs healing. Not just a political solution will do. I really believe that Zimbabwe needs the healing of God. Mercy, healing, forgiveness and true peace.

If you want to know more about what’s going on in Zimbabwe, check out This is Zimbabwe as well as Help Save Zimbabwe which has a petition you can sign to the UN asking for action to stabilise the situation. Spreading the grassroots news about Zim is important so that people can pressure influential people to action, so please pass it on to your friends. The more people to know about this the better. Tell your Mum, tell someone! Every one can make a difference even if it’s small.

Also if you want to help in a practical way, I have a collection of medical supplies which have been donated and I am raising money for shipping to Zimbabwe. You can donate here, or check out the project at Make a Plan . The situation for hospitals is rather grim, so every bit will help.

Look Look Look!

Check out what I got from Jen in the Apron Swap!

Thanks Jen. It’s a beauty! And a pretty good effort for a first sewing project!

Here’s a close up.

THANK YOU!

How much does a kindy weigh?

I know I’m not the first to post about this. You know, the stats page where it shows what terms people have used in search engines when they found your blog? Based on these terms, I know for certain that hardly anyone sets out looking for my blog. Most people who come from search engines to my blog are searching for ‘funny kids’, ‘home birth’, or ”home schooling’. A surprising number have come my way searching for ‘eye excema’ (huh?) but people have also found my blog when searching for the following:

ugly dresses for kids to wear

all i do all day is drink

did you know stuff about marijuana

husband + mess

exercise for flappy butt

fat transfer breast

inside a spray bottle photos

broken stereo jokes

naked helicopter pilots

I found god at the bottom of my handbag

funny and random things to say in a letter

Thinking, It’s too hard

why is my bathroom ceiling soggy?

ways to unblock toilets

curly hair replanting treatment cost

macadamia husking machine

unblocking kitchen roll from toilet

spy picture person on earth

how much does an average kindy weigh?

Strange, strange people. If you have a blog, what’s the strangest thing in you’ve seen on your stats?

Blueprint for Marital Happiness

Thanks Jen for this little gem. It’s a 1930’s marital rating scale. The original questions have been scanned and you can view them here.

I rated myself and my husband and he apparently is a Very Superior husband, while I am only Superior. Oh dear. That’s probably because I don’t dress for breakfast, don’t iron his clothes and put cold feet on my his to warm them, while he scored points for letting me use the car. There are some strange irregularities that I noticed though. For instance, a wife scores 10 merits points for ‘reacting with delight’ in the bedroom, while the husband scores 20 points for being an ‘ardent lover’ and ensuring wife’s satisfaction.

Hope none of you wives out there wear red nail polish, or talk during movies or wear pajamas instead of a night gown!!! Worse still if you cook in them! These are big No-No’s! But if you do, you might be able to even the score by writing regularly to his parents, or by playing a musical instrument, or shampooing his hair.

Oh, and hubbies, if there are any reading…no nose picking in public, and make sure you give ‘real movie kisses’! (To your wife.)

Mrs Kimble

Mrs Kimble – Jennifer Haigh

I chose this book because it seemed like an easy read (which it was) and because I like the cover. It is the story of three women all of whom at one stage or another are married to Ken Kimble.

Firstly Birdie, with whom he has two children. When Ken Kimble leaves her she becomes an emotional wreck, an alcoholic and neglectful mother. We follow most of her story through the eyes of the oldest child, her son Charlie.

The second woman is Joan. She is a breast cancer survivor, although succumbs to the disease again and unfortunately dies.

The third woman is Dinah, who was the babysitter for Ken’s children when he was still living with Birdie.

The more I read of this book, the more I disliked Ken Kimble. Selfish and lying man that he is.

The conclusion of the book is quite satifsying, although we never really understand why Ken is the way he is. (Other than that he is a pig.)

Easy read, kept me interested.The writing was vivid and engaging. Dysfunctional story, so entertaining, but that’s about it.

The Complete Tales – Beatrix Potter

The Complete Tales - Beatrix Potter

I never read these as a child (sad I know) and so enjoyed sharing them with my own children. This book which contained all of her works including some unpublished works was lovely. It’s one of those books that will be read and read again, so is one I’d like to own.

Loved the stories, loved the illustrations. Both of my children enjoyed them all. E5 especially, but B3 loved them too especially the shorter ones. Beautiful.

The post that nearly didn’t have a title. But luckily it did. Just in time.

What’s this? Haven’t posted since 24th May? It’s now what…? 6th June? Where’ve I been?

Dunno. Here. But not writing. Just busy. Busy but happy. Except for yesterday when I yelled at the kids. (I always know when I’m tired or needing a break from the daily grind when I yell at the kids.) Today…happy. So far no yelling and I’m going out with tonight. That makes me happy cause I need it. And it’s sunny today. Sun shining makes me happy. Oh, and finishing things. I finished the apron for the Summery Swapity Swap (that’s my name not theirs). I didn’t bother to take a picture because it’s identical to this one. (If you really wanna see it you’ll just have to click the link because I ‘m not reposting it. Sorry) It’s for Lisa in Hawaii. Don’t tell her, cause it’s a surprise. And if you wanna see a while lot of gorgeous aprons have a look at this little set. These are the aprons in the apron swap, so quite possibly one of them could be for me! Eeee! How exciting!

Speaking of finishing things, I’m still reading a lot, but am way behind on listing them for the old reading challenge I’m doing, so here’s advance warning that there’s a few book reviews on the way. At least 5.