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Seasonal Loneliness and Depression (by Tanja)

  Seasonal Loneliness — When “Joyful Times” Make Depression Worse. Certain times of the year bring up emotions we’re not always prepared to handle. Christmas, New Year, birthdays, anniversaries — all the calendar moments that should feel warm and connected — can become incredibly painful for people who are isolated, grieving, financially stressed, or separated from family. For us, as a couple, all of these factors have been our experience for the last 4+ years. The pressure to be cheerful only makes it worse. Every advert, every social media post, every decorated shopping aisle screams togetherness . If your reality doesn’t look like that, the loneliness can feel suffocating. This type of seasonal depression is far more common than people admit. But for many this is not just a seasonal issue. Millions of people suffer with this debilitating condition. Depression has become one of the most common and misunderstood conditions of our time. We tend to label it as a “mental issue,”...

Sharing The Love (by Tanja)

  SHARING THE LOVE Dearest Friends For those of you who have been following our Blog, we appreciate your support and love. You will also know by this time that we've suffered several blows these last few years and getting back up on our feet has proven to be a tremendously difficult task, despite our best efforts. We have always persevered under the pressure and given every ounce of our energy and time to change our circumstances. Laziness is not a board that can be hung around our necks! Having said that, our little business is still struggling to survive, and now, Danie's health has taken a nose-dive. Asking for help is a very humbling experience, but, as the saying goes: Desperate times call for desperate measures! I started this campaign as a means to help us get through this trying time, and humbly ask that you support us in any way you can, even if it's only to SHARE it with your family, friends and contacts.  Thank you in advance for taking the time to read, support ...

When Giving Up Feels Like the Best Option (by Tanja)

  I promised myself this post would be honest.  Not pretty. Not polished. Just us.  So here it is — the part of the journey where survival feels heavier than hope. Some days, the fight feels endless . The weight of survival presses on our shoulders, and no matter how hard we push, the ground beneath us doesn’t seem to give way to solid footing.  I wonder why we keep fighting. Why we keep pushing against the tide when it feels like the tide always wins. Keeping our little business alive takes every ounce of energy, every bit of grit we can muster.  Every day we pour ourselves into it — our time, our energy — and yet the reward feels so small compared to the effort. T he numbers don’t add up, the efforts don’t bring results, and the exhaustion sets in deeper than before.  It feels like we’re running on fumes, pushing so hard and still getting nowhere.  We work, we try, we give it all… and at the end of the day, it’s just not enough. For Danie, health is ...

The Art of Being a Jack (by Tanja)

  Most of us have heard the saying: “Jack of all trades is a master of none.” It usually gets thrown around as a subtle insult — like you’re dabbling in too many things, not committing to a single path, not becoming the “expert.” But here’s the twist: that’s not the full quote! The complete version reads: "J ack of all trades is a master of none, but still always better than a master of one." And suddenly, it’s not a criticism anymore. It’s a celebration. I t kind of flips the entire message. It becomes a tribute to versatility, adaptability, and resilience. Sounds a lot like my life in a nutshell. I can reflect on my own journey — being a caregiver, a provider, a businesswoman, a creative mind, a mother and grandmother, a survivor, a problem-solver. I’ve probably worn more hats than a Broadway costume rack. Not out of choice always, but out of necessity. And that’s something to be proud of, I think. In a world that’s constantly shifting — pandemics, economic crises, health...

My Hero, My Role Model (by Danie)

  We all have a hero and a role model, and yes, they're not the same thing.  According to the Oxford dictionary, a hero is:  A person admired for courage, outstanding achievements and noble qualities. A role model is:  Someone who's behaviour, example or success is emulated by others, and many adopt the positive traits and behaviour of a role model. As I said, we all have a role model and hero, but mine are one and the same being - an AMAZING, SPOTLESS, BEAUTIFUL, MAJESTIC being - my wife! I admire her for her courage - whatever life throws at her, she won't back down or lose her focus.  Her persistence and perseverance is next level, and she will finish whatever she starts.  Her outstanding achievements are too many to name.  Her respect and politeness are well known in all her doings, with the pleasant aroma of her noble qualities. There are many who try to follow her exemplary life, but alas, there is only one YOU! Whether engaging with the fortun...