Brigitte launches SAREAL DESIGN at Garlington Show

September 27 2009

SAREAL DESIGN launches at the Witness Gracious Living Expo in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Families who run together..

About 2,700 runners and walkers turned up for the for the Maritzburg Spar Ladies on Sunday13 September. The event has grown significantly in a short time from an initial field of 400 only 4 years ago.
I think there are many reasons for its growing popularity.
Lets start with the cross-dressing pranksters who adorn themselves with 2 piece bikinis, wigs make-up and all manner of other outrageous female attire. This is one of the few occasions where straight men can legitimately dress in women's clothes in public. Its also the only way that dads can 'officially' enter and run / walk with their daughters.
Its also a great format for mothers and daughters, grannies and granddaughters, and family and friends to exercise and have healthy fun. Ask me about the excitement, planning and discussions that went on for weeks before the day. Phone calls and discussions to make arrangements for the online entries, registration and collection of the goodie bags and where and what time to meet. And that's not even mentioning the training runs and walks for weeks before. I took Hannah out for a shake down run a week before just to make sure she was ready for the 5km event. It was special for us (myself and with help from Daniel on his bike) to help prepare Hannah for her race.
Here are some more photos from the day:
1) Waves from Brigiite
2) Debbie charging d0wn the hill
3) Hannah and her cousin Emma in full stride
4) Happy and satisfied faces at the end - Hannah and Emma, and Debbie and Amy
5) Brigitte, Daniel and Gail tucking into their goodie bags at the end.

Celebrating 47 Years of Service

I was so proud tonight to be at my mom's farewell party hosted by her school, Gardenia (formerly Merebank) Primary. Edie (Rusty) Jacobs retires this year after 47 years as an educator (minus a few years to further her studies when I was a toddler).

That's quite something. Especially when you consider that I've had two careers and worked for more than five companies in my so far much shorter working life.

The tributes that were shared by her staff and colleagues this evening reminded us of some of her very special qualities - passionate leadership, warm and friendly hugs and an unwavering commitment to 'do things by the book'. There's so much more though - the enjoyment she gets from interacting with the children in her school and watching the enjoyment and excitement in their eyes as she jokes around with them, how she values family, and her absolute commitment to excellence in school management and doing everything possible to give every child in her school the best opportunity possible to reach their potential and grow to become healthy well-adjusted adults.

We will never know the number of lives she has shaped and influenced. What we do know however, is that her contribution was really significant and given whole-heartedly and selflessly.