To hair and No further

There is a reason why the word hair contains the word air ... much like air being everywhere .. so too is Kirstin's hair. Hair in the shower, hair in the bed, hair and more hair everywhere! But there is a limit as to how much one can take, so the wondering hair lost the battle by having the audacity to land up in her food. So out came the clippers and now we are No. 1.

As parents we imagined that Kirstin would actually look fine with no hair but even we were amazed at how it actually really suits her ... and our unbiased opinion is ... she looks gorgeous.

AND NOW ladies and gentlemen we proudly unveil the awesome beauty of a No.1

The Law of Pilansberg - Respect nature or face the wrath of ultimate power

Pilansberg Game Reserve has had its fair share of problematic animals but so too have the animals had a 'guts full' of problematic humans. Cars may be stronger than humans but they are nothing but 'dinkie toys' to the mighty 'Tandor'.

This incident recently took place in Pilansberg and it has been alleged that the driver of the vehicle attempted to pass the elephant ... something you just don't do! Reverse gear is something you WILL use when an elephant wants to walk on a road ... and NO ... its not negotiable.

Pilansberg - A day in the wild

Wednesday, being a public holiday, gave us the opportunity to do a day visit to the Pilansberg Game Reserve. NO we did not see the big five, in fact we have never seen the big five at Pilansberg, but at least we got to see two of the big five. The mighty Kruger National Park is THE place for spotting the 'Five' but that's a 'dash' to far for a day trip.

The trip was not about the 'Five' but more about our belief in 'nature and relaxation' and Kirstin, as per usual had a great time.

The 'two out of five' are always worth viewing and are of course, the powerhouse two

The Healing Effects of Forests - www.sciencedaily.com

Forests – and other natural, green settings – can reduce stress, improve moods, reduce anger and aggressiveness and increase overall happiness.

Science Daily (July 26, 2010) — "Many people," says Dr. Eeva Karjalainen, of the Finnish Forest Research Institute, Metla, "feel relaxed and good when they are out in nature. But not many of us know that there is also scientific evidence about the healing effects of nature."

Forests -- and other natural, green settings -- can reduce stress, improve moods, reduce anger and aggressiveness and increase overall happiness. Forest visits may also strengthen our immune system by increasing the activity and number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells.

Many studies show that after stressful or concentration-demanding situations, people recover faster and better in natural environments than in urban settings. Blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and the level of "stress hormones" all decrease faster in natural settings. Depression, anger and aggressiveness are reduced in green environments and ADHD symptoms in children reduce when they play in green settings.

Hair today.... Gone tomorrow - Day 18

Life is a really strange thing. Much like the old saying of how it takes a lifetime to build something yet a moment to destroy it ..... well that's the power of the 'red drip'! Kirstin made the 10 day mark ... then the 15 day mark ... but alas, the 'red drip' had to win sooner or later .. Day 18! Yes .. it moves quickly .. very quickly.

Thursday 2011-04-21

As predicted the hair loss began from the crown and moved outwards. At first it was only coming out when brushed but by the following day it, began to leave home at own free will, and it was everywhere ... trust me ... EVERYWHERE ...

Tuesday 2011-04-26

Luckily the back and sides still have enough hair to get away with a 'beenie' or a cap so we are still keeping the 'wigs on ice'.

Mom's R and R (Rest and Relaxation) - ABLOOM Spa - www.abloom.co.za

Any good psychologist will tell you that for any stressful event one needs to have a decent break. Even the military adhere it with their R and R principle.

Well mom took hers at a really stunning Spa Resort called Abloom. The spa is situated on a farm outside Cullinan near Pretoria and is totally designed for a true R and R. Two days there and mom is relaxed, looking and feeling good and ready to take on the world again.

Apart from the relaxed setting, the Spa has an award winning chef and the spa treatments have done her the world of good.  

As mom will tell any other mom, or dad for that matter, Abloom Spa has truly brought her stress level back down to management level. (www.abloom.co.za)

Chinese eye's - Day 17 - Swelling of the eye's

Thursday the 21st (Day 17) brought on a new side effect that we were not really expecting - swelling around the eyes. According to Kirstin says it was not really painful but the eyes do puff up quite a bit resulting in a slight 'chinese look'. Luckily, today (Day 18) the swelling has gone down and her eyes are almost back to normal.