Life in general is good.

I hit a bit of a wobbly about two / three weeks ago. I decided to change my PND tabs and oi it was hectic!! BUT I’m on new meds and shite this stuff is good:)

Abigail celebrated her 3rd birthday and I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by. Logi Bear started baby school and to be honest she isn’t really a happy camper, she is very much a mommies girl and I think she prefers to be home with me. Joshua is in grade 5 and actually loving school. He starts hip hop dance lessons this week and I can’t wait to see him in action. He has rhythm and I know he gets it from me.

I gained so much weight over the December hols, a little depressing but I’m once again trying to lose it. I’ve decided to just cut out on a few things like bread, coffee and vino. In all honesty I’m not doing too well with the vino. Its easy during the week but come weekends it really difficult to sit at a braai and sip on water while your friends enjoy their glass of red.

Business, well I am not even sure where to start. There is so much going on at the mo. I’d like to reveal all but I don’t want to spoil the fun and or jinx anything. All I can say is that we are hectically busy and I’m loving it. One thing I will say is we are hoping to be “certified organic” by the end of the year.

Baldy and I are good. He has been so supportive with my mood swings (meds), weight gain (moods) and business (stress). He has put his foot down because as much as I said I’d spend more time with the kids and him it seems I was still spending too much time in the factory. I have to knock off at 5 sharp!

Logi Bear has taken some strain because I’ve been working long hours, I guess that’s why hubs said NO more! I’m not angry, in fact I’m grateful because I need him to steer me into direction at times.

Having my sister work with me has really been awesome, I’m very blessed. She is one smart cookie.

I’m going to try and catch up on blog reading this week and as usual when I read a post I leave a message:)

Lovies

Leigh

As I start typing this post I wonder if I will have more highs than lows.

I’m certainly hoping so.

Financially, it was very challenging. As our business started to grow so did our expenses. Cash flow is no joke.

The opening of our two franchised stores was definitely one of my highlights.

Losing a few kilograms made me feel good, but I am nowhere near my goal weight. It is definitely on top of my priority list for 2012.

Joshua received an award for mathematics and I am soo proud of him. I’d love to take the credit but I’m no maths boff .

Ending a friendship with one of my closest and dearest friends, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

Attending my friend Hilary’s wedding was my happiest and most memorable celebration.

Watching a friend of mine say goodbye to her 13 year old son (hit and run), was definitely one of the saddest days for me.

Having my sister move back to Jo’burg has been awesome.

Dealing with PTS and PND has been quite the challenge but I managed it well.

Letting go of past relationships that were manipulative and abusive set me free.

Learning to set boundaries has got to be the best thing I did in 2011. A lot of people have not coped well with the change, but it all honesty it wasn’t about them but about me.

Not spending enough time with my hubby really saddened me. I’ve been so focused on Tranquil Body Treats that I’ve neglected him and my children. This is something that will change in 2012.

I never put my all into our salon and spa range but I’ll be starting with a BANG in 2012.

Making new friends (twitter) has been awesome!

Reuniting with two of my friends (Misch and Linkie) has been wonderful.

One of the most difficult decisions I made, was to have the endometrial  ablation. This meant no more babies for hubby and I.

Experiencing spinal fluid leakage, was the most painful experience ever, I thought I was going to die.

Looking back, I guess 2011 was not all that bad but I’m glad its over and I am so looking forward to 2012.

I feel it in my toes that 2012 is going to be a year of love, happiness, laughter and peace.

Anyhoo, enjoy the read. (sometimes its nice to know the ins and outs)

Lovies

xoxox

Leigh

Barend, Josh and I went out for dinner. The food was delicious and the wine good too.

The girls were spending the night with my sister and folks.

Saturday we had an early start. Headed to the venue and started to setup. At first the sales were slow, but picked up quickly.

We watched a good few games of squash. The final was awesome. TBT donated some prizes.

Soon after the last game we packed up and moved on over to the members bar. This is where the fun began.

The conversation was flowing and the drinks too. Everyone was merry.

I can’t remember when last I had so much fun.

We all moved on to a braai hosted by one of the members.

The alcohol continued to flow and then the shooters started. I’m not a huge fan of shooters but the “melk terts” are to die for.

We really had a good time. Met new amazing people.

Sunday hubby set off to 94.7 while Josh and I drove to V town to fetch the girls. They were so excited to see me, gave me the biggest hugs. Nothing better than the feeling of tiny little arms wrapped around your neck.

After a yummy chicken roast we headed back home. I always hate the drive home it feels like hours on the road.

All in all we had a wonderful weekend, that was much needed.

On Sunday we launched our Limited Edition Christmas Range at our shop at Life Style. It was a small gathering of friends, clients and family.

A few pics of the event.

Abigail - our little butterfly

Logan our other butterfly

Our beautiful Busi - Shop Manager

Tweety Pies catching up

Celebrating Busi Birthday

I am feeling the pressure at the mo. The business is growing much to my delight and I’m working really hard trying to get our new containers, labels and products sorted before the end of the month.

I’m currently working on our Limited Edition for our Christmas Launch, which I’m hoping to have done by the end of this month. I can’t seem to find the fragrances that I want, it’s almost as if my nose just doesn’t want to work with me.

I visited our Cape Town shop during the week  as I had to train our new rep and I want to say that the Cape Town salon owners and spa owners are super, super friendly.

I’m going to Sabie for a few days with the Vodacom cycling group, Yes! ladies lotsa gorgeous legs………….and guess what I get to massage them:). It’s going to be a business trip combined with much pleasure. I have a few clients to visit in the area.

Things at home are good, hubby as always is a star helping me with the kids. We celebrated our anniversary last month, we usually go away but we had so much going on that we decided to make the most of our Sabie trip and make that our “honey-moon”, see what I mean by much pleasure.

I started jog – walking and I’m enjoying it. I have a month left to reach my goal weight and I’m about 6 kg away – so guess that means I’m going to do it.

My baby girls are both sick at the mo, and very clingy….mommy likes clingy but it’s rather difficult when they both want to sit on your lap and be loved! Good thing Gogo is always here.

I’m looking forward to our trip to Cape Town in December, it is the first time that we are not going to celebrate Christmas in our home town and I think it’s going to be absolutely marvellous. Not sure how Father Christmas is going to get all the gifts there tho.

I am going to try and catch up on some blog reading tonight, as per the usual I am so far behind.

Anyway this was just a random little post to let you know that I am still in the land of the living.

Have a fabulous weekend.

The week started off with us receiving fantastic news. The franchised shop for Tranquil Body Treats in Cape Town had been approved. The shop will open in Bay Side Mall on the 1st of July. We are super excited. A lot of hard work has gone into the planning of this shop. It took us 3 months to finally get everything approved. This will be our second franchised shop.

Shop at Bay Side Mall

Our fantastic Tranquil Body Treats products featured in the Natural Medicine Magazine this month.

Natural Medicine Magazine

Hubby and I took a trip to Clarens, to see a potential client. She is in love with our products and it seems she’ll be taking on our entire range.  Whilst visiting Clarens, I decided that this is where I want to have a holiday home. I’ve been thinking about a holiday home for quite some time, but I was not sure where I’d like to have one. My mind is made up.

Unfortunately, while we were in Clarens we received the sad news that my friends little boy passed away. Theo, turned 14 on the 30th of May and he passed away the very next day. From what I understand it was a hit and run. What type of person, runs over a child and leaves them there to die. I think it is every mothers nightmare  to bury her own child. Marisa was an awesome mom, the bond between her and Theo was closer than close. They were one. She was a single mommy and a fantastic mommy.I’d like to thank all of the tweety pies from twitter that donated money towards the funeral. I can’t imagine having to lose a child and then not being able to pay for his or her funeral. People were very generous and I am forever grateful for your generosity and I know that Marisa is too.

The week ended with a celebration. We celebrated my mom’s birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!  We love you lots just like jelly tots, as Abigail would say!

As promised some stunning pics of our shop at Life Style, situated in the Gourmet Market, Randpark Ridge.

Holistic View of our Flagship Shop

Holistic view of our Flagship Shop

Most of you that follow me on twitter (@FairyGirlZa) will know that I have been on a very strict diet. It’s the HCG diet and it is tough, really tough BUT I’m sticking to it and I’m down a size in my clothing already. Someone told me once that I’d never get back into a size 10, well guess what I’m almost there (thank you, cause you encouraged me to work extra hard and achieve my goal).

I have pretty much been a slim chick all my life so the extra weight from the pregnancies was a huge problem for me. I feel so much better already and I look it too.

My recent trip to Cape Town was wonderful, the weather was a wee bit yukky and we spent a lot of time in and out of malls. I had a meeting with Bay Side mall and we’re hoping to get the verdict for the shop towards the end of this week. I absolutely love the new Cape Quarter but there just isn’t enough feet passing by.

I never got to arrange a tweet up in Cape Town, but hubby and I will do so when we fly down for the opening of the shop.

It’s my birthday today and hubby woke me up singing happy birthday. He is away on a cycling trip for 9 days. Yip, we’ve not seen one another for 8 days as he could’t join us in Cape Town. I’m back for 1 day and he is off again. He made up for it by writing me a beautiful letter, leaving it on my kindle which he gave me for my birthday. I think he was sick and tired of me stealing his. I’m spending my birthday with my folks, sister and her BF.

My special little boy Joshua woke me up this morning with some coffee and he made his sisters hot chocolate. He truly is an amazing child, a precious gem – created just for me! Okay, I have to share him with a few at times:)

My kids are all well, happy little campers.

I’m hoping to catch up on a some blog reading this weekend, before I start work on Tuesday.  I’m so out of the loop.

Have a fabulous long weekend, everybody!

The Tranquil Body Treats brochure finally arrived and it is absolutely stunning. Special, special thanks to the models (my beautiful family) and the two fabulous photographers Jeanette and Sharon.

Full Colour 16 page brochure A4 size

I am thrilled to announce that we have quite a few distributors, Laura, Wenchy, Sharon and MeeA are of the few and I encourage you to please support these wonderful ladies.

sure, gonna need lots of grass to plant

I started working on our garden. We have pulled up a huge amount of paving in our back yard. I’m hoping to have all of the stones and rubble removed this week so I can plant the grass and finally get the kids trampoline and jungle gym put in.

I am also busy building a quiet time spot in the garden for hubby and I to chill, read or meditate. Still need to source the water feature and garden furniture. It is definitely going to look beautiful. It was a beautiful spot at once upon a time, but unfortunately we had to pull most of the bushes and shrubs out because of the water proofing in the factory (broke my heart)

As most of u r aware I pretty much beg, borrow and steal herbs from my neighbours and friends for my products. This will no longer be happening as I am going to build a herb garden, a lavender and a rose garden.

Pathway leading to hubby's office

One of my dearest friends is getting marriedthis month so hubby and I are jet setting to Cape Town for a few nights. I am soo looking fwd to it. We really, really need time alone.

The waterproofing  has finally been done in and around the factory. We have had endless problems with the building and trying to keep up with the regulations. However, everything has been done and all is 100% in order. We will paint sometime this week and I’m hoping to send out the “factory wetting” invites soon. I may disappoint some people because I have decided not to make it a friends and family affair but a special function for our distributors and their wonderful clients.

Entrance to office of Tranquil Body Treats

I’ve joined a slimming clinic and have set myself a goal to loose 10 kg over 3 months. I lost 1.5 kg in my first week. I am having my measurements taken this week and I’m hoping that I’ve shed a few centimetres. (My b – hind does look as if it has shrunk a wee bit) LOL.

Hubby and I have had to make a decision with regards to my health, it seems that I will have to have a small procedure done which will mean no more babies. Yes, I know I’ve had my tubes tied but that is still not FINAL, so I’m not finding this decision an easy one to make. Knowing that the op will mean NO MORE BABIES is really something I am battling with at the moment.  The op will also help with my constant weight gain. I’ll probably blog about this sometime later when I know what is what.

I’m becoming quite addicted to Twitter, meeting such wonderful, wonderful people.  Its lovely to be able to put a face to a name, when we finally meet.

Anyway here’s to hoping you all have a fab, fab week.