My Life's Winding Roads: Wishing you all a Happy Easter

My Life's Winding Roads: Wishing you all a Happy Easter: Happy Monday everyone both near and far and Happy Easter for this past weekend, it is only because of His sacrifice that we have hope and li...

Wishing you all a Happy Easter

Happy Monday everyone both near and far and Happy Easter for this past weekend, it is only because of His sacrifice that we have hope and life.  For those in South Africa we have just had two long weekends in a row so looking at another short week.   It is also school holidays here so our little Village is very full with holiday homes and B & B's mostly rented out.  The weather has also been absolutely perfect (for me hehe) for the last 2 weeks, yesterday excluded.  Cooler, misty and  a bit drizzly, pure heaven after the intense heat, the humidity is still quite high.  Saying this just reminded me of years ago when my kids were at school, school holidays were staggered with the different Provinces.  Good old yesteryear.

Well March wasn't quite what I expected or planned but it too has come to an end.  It started with me having the Bone Calcium Infusion  and for the third time in a row my reaction was the severest to date. I will not be having it again and would rather take magnesium daily than subject my body to this again.  It started with the usual increased pain and flu like symptoms but also pushed me into a Fibro Flare, the likes of which I have never experienced.  One of the disturbing Fibro symptoms is something called Fibro Fog where one feels as if thinking is like trying to walk through quicksand.  I got to a point where I was making JB a new dress for her birthday and, after all the measuring and drawing up of the pattern, I cut the bodice out, pinned it together and it was too tight.  That absolutely floored me.  No matter how I tried to re-measure, re-draw the pattern nothing  worked.  Eventually after many tears of frustration I called my seamstress neighbour who came over the following Monday and bam in 10 minutes we had it right.  I had looked at it and thought that I could put a small panel in under the arms, but that thought flew right through my brain and out the other side. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Then I picked up a jersey pattern i wanted to knit .... oh my goodness 3 days and 4 patterns later I could actually harness my brain into getting the pattern right. I was seeing the abbreviations and mentally transposing them. Instead of decreasing I was making a hole. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ At the time, no matter how hard I looked I could not see the fault. Grrrr. During this same period I forgot to order my chronic meds from the pharmacy who only deliver on Fridays and Tuesdays. So, from the Friday to Tuesday I was without one particular pill, which worsened everything even more.  When I eventually went and saw my GP he was horrified.  I was told that under NO circumstances do I ever miss one of those doses.  He did a full neurological test and work up on me and assured me that I am not going crazy or mentally insane but that it was a three fold problem.  The drip, Fibro and the missing pill.  I was so relieved to be declared "normal".  I thank God for an empathetic and thorough Dr.  He made some temporary adjustments to my meds to get me back on track,  and told me to just be kind to myself.  I have to thank JB for all her  care and understanding and for never getting irritable or annoyed with me.   Two weeks later on her birthday I was still struggling, but thankfully apart from occasional balance issues I am back to my normal self. 

For her birthday Poppet and BabyBear had organised a full day of activity in the City. We went together with BabyBear's mom, who was visiting, to a Clay Painting Cafe, where we each chose an item and then got to paint said item, as well as having a stunning brunch. I was a mess with just trying to decide on what to paint and then when I did, in my opinion, in looked like a kindergarten piece. Oh Dear !!! Poppet stepped in and added a flourish to my dish.  All the others were absolutely spectacular and I will look at mine with pride considering everything I was going through at the time. From there we went back to the apartment to get dressed smartly before going to The Silo Hotel at the Waterfront for High Tea.  What an incredible afternoon with the most incredible food, laughter, love and good girl time.  All in all it was a wonderful birthday celebration for an amazing young woman.

During this time BigBear was in the USA and even got to go to New York.  I haven't seen him since his return so am waiting to see all the photos and hear all the stories.    Princess is doing well just extremely tired.  She is working during their vacation as well as trying to catch up on Varsity work, but, she is thoroughly enjoying her chosen subjects and getting really good marks.  Well done my precious Princess.   Big Guy is also well and working very hard, he too is having quite a few extra DJ gigs which he loves doing. Poppet is extremely busy with her Paddle Group and starts her new job in 8 days which she is really looking forward to.   Miss Muffet has had some health challenges but has and is dealing with them like a real trooper, you go girl, you've got this.  All in all the family is well, busy and happy.

Hubby is as usual busy with his watches and clocks as well as enjoying his new hobby of Radio Controlled Sailing.  I think he is still adjusting and getting to know the boat and its foibles as well as dealing with the ever changing wind down here.

Two weeks ago our local pet charity gifted me with an original Wardrobe  Steamer Trunk filled with various rolls of ribbons.  Wow.. I was so excited. It needs a lot of work on it and I seriously considered taking it on but upon reflection and prayer I came to the decision that it is quite a bit more than I have in me at this time.  I gifted a number of rolls of sequins to someone whom I know blings jackets and bags etc.  Kept the ribbons and yesterday managed to sell the trunk and donated that money back into the charity.  So, all round a happy, good decision.

Business has picked up a lot and I am working hard just to keep up at the moment.  I continue to get some really odd things to fix or alter - ie three dolls that were chewed  by a dog.  There is hope for 2 of the dolls but I fear the third is history.  I have to remake the soft, cloth bodies completely - eeeeek.

Folks thanks for reading through this long monthly "digest" .  If you know of someone with a Chronic / Autoimmune Disease like Fibromyalgie, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis etc, please be patient with them.  They may look perfectly normal on the outside, but you have no idea what it takes to look like that and the feeling of sheer panic / terror at not even being able to think clearly.

I wish you all a wonderful week, stay safe and well please. Ciao Ciao. 

Birthday celebrations.

Original Wardrobe Steamer Trunk. Zeepha inspecting.

My Life's Winding Roads: What a fun month

My Life's Winding Roads: What a fun month:   Good morning folks far and wide from an undecided little village on the Western Cape coast.  Woke up yesterday to rain and mist after a co...

What a fun month

 Good morning folks far and wide from an undecided little village on the Western Cape coast.  Woke up yesterday to rain and mist after a cold night, which was such a delightful treat. It stayed that way until 3 pm and poof the sun came out and the humidity climbed 😥. Today it is cool and soft rain 😁.  Clearly autumn hasn't clearly announced her arrival, come on winter, please.

Well we had a fabulous February, don't get me wrong it still had its stresses and nasty moments but I am choosing to focus on the happy, exciting times.  It started off with Jelly Bean and I going through to house sit for the Bears.  We had such a good time and did a whole bunch of stuff we haven't done in the longest time. We went shopping at the Waterfront,  had breakfast at a cute little coffee shop, ate differently to here at home and had lots of cuddle time with Panda our house sitting purpose. Panda is the Bear's cat who is just the cutest little thing.  She is a calico  and looks a lot like  "Grumpy Cat", she doesn't like scratches or, not as much as she likes to be patted just above her tail, quite vigorously I might add.  We read, we binge watched a cooking show and in general just chilled.

The family are all very well and working hard.  Big Guy got to watch one of his biggest clients build and  open their new business which was a long time in the hatching.  Poppet is an avid Paddle Ball player and with the group she plays with even went camping ten days ago and had an absolute blast.  Princess was laid low with a nasty bug just after starting Varsity but thankfully made a quick comeback and despite being flooded with work and assignments is completely happy with her chosen subject and her life.  The Bears are very well and as usual extremely busy.  Big Bear is heading off to the USA for 2 weeks this coming Thursday, leaving every single one of us mere mortals completely green with envy.  A bucket list trip of his for almost his whole life. Be safe Son.  Miss Muffet has had a health challenge and is busy working through her healing, we are praying 🙏  for God's complete healing in Jesus Name. I cannot describe how.much I am missing Big Guy and Princess, it feels like an eternity, especially Big Guy. 

Hubby has started cycling a little bit, which is really good for him and something he has not done for years. He is also getting back into Radio Controlled Sailing with a local group, after a break of nine years or so. He is still busy with watches and clocks which is always good.  Work wise my month started off being very busy, but has slowed down a bit over the last two weeks.  It gave me time to catch up on a lot of sewing and altering needed around the house. I made new covers for the deck benches as the denim we had faded so badly that it looked dreadful.  I am not happy with the way they fit so will tweak them this week.   The heat finally won and I moved my sewing cupboard into the house.  I was sitting with the fan blowing right on top of me and still looking like I was in a sauna ... too much for this woman.  I have also been doing a lot of knitting, good to know I hadn't lost those skills.  I finished the Diamond Dot Painting I was busy with - a bue marble type design, and  started one that Hubby bought me for Christmas which is very different. It is bright and is a Dragonfly on what looks like stained glass. Great fun to do.

The Saturday before last the Bears came through for the day, we went to Hermanus to a wine farm called Benguela Cove and had the most delicious lunch.  What an amazing day of good visiting, catching up, laughing and loving.   I can honestly say my Family are my everything and I love being with them.

Someone mentioned something to me this last  week which I had seen a while back.  We need to look for the glimmers.  What are glimmers? They are those little glimmers /moments / events that make us happy.  When I read it, it really stood out as special.  We tend to get so bogged down with the day to day drudgery and stress that we "forget to stop and smell the roses" or completely miss the little glimmers.  The negative tends to grow and grow until it over shadows everything else. Folks that is not what God wants for our lives. He didn't create us to just barely exist.  Yes we are living in an unbelievably stressful, unkind, ugly, brutal time BUT that doesn't have to be our story.  Every day will have some kind of a glimmer - a beautiful bird, a pretty flower, your pet makes you laugh, or just makes you feel loved. A grandchild giving you a hug, a strangers kindness I could go on and on.  We miss these when we are stressed and overwrought.  Make a point of looking for your glimmers every day and then think on them and let them fill you with joy and delight.  God's Word says - Matthew 6 v 34 " Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.". Romans 15 v 13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Proverbs 17 v 22.  A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Well friends and family that was my February in a nutshell 🙃.  I want to wish each of you a wonderful full week, filled with glimmers, I would love to hear about some of your glimmers and what they did for you.   Stay well and stay safe.  Ciao Ciao.

Panda Bear

Little Zeepha keeping me company.

Marble design Diamond Dot painting (I really need to get them framed.)

My Life's Winding Roads: 2024 Kicked off with a rush.

My Life's Winding Roads: 2024 Kicked off with a rush.:   Greetings to you all from an extremely hot, humid and uncomfortable Betty's Bay.   It seems that the moment the visitors left, the sun...

2024 Kicked off with a rush.

 Greetings to you all from an extremely hot, humid and uncomfortable Betty's Bay.   It seems that the moment the visitors left, the sun came out to play and has glared down day after day.  Years ago there was never humidity in the Western Cape, that was a Natal thing; but my how that has changed.  I have tried all my tricks to cool off and nothing works beyond a few minutes. Ughhh !  Winter you are welcome at any time. 

Our New Year started with the best spoil when Princess and C arrived on the 1st and stayed until the 3rd.  We packed so much into that short time and stored up as many memories as possible. We even went to the shell beach, its been ages since we were there.  I have never seen more than perhaps 2 other people there and that day there were about 15 haha.  We got a good collection of shells and Charlie played with the waves for the first time ever. He also came across his first toddler since he has been with me and was so gentle and calm, I was so proud of him. It was a very tearful goodbye not knowing how long it will be until we see each other again, shucks it is hard when the Grandchilden grow up.

The following week one of my very dear friends came down for a visit, oh my goodness.  What a wonderful time of fellowship, laughs, sewing and sharing we had.  She taught me all about making Kefir (I knew nothing) and within a day the Kefir station was producing exactly as it should.  To learn more.   https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-health-benefits-of-kefir.  Kefir has approximately 50 - 83 different strains of probiotics.   Needless to say I now make Kefir every day which I have with my granola in the morning and in everything I bakes thats calls for milk.  Hubby would drink it all if left to himself and JB is also drinking it in smoothies.  A few days after my friend left I tried my hand at Kefir cheese ... DELICIOUS and then made Kefir cheese balls with chives which I keep in olive oil  - I am addicted to these.  Just another thing I've added to my daily routine, still much more to learn.  Again far too soon we had to say goodbye but hopefully not for too long a period until she can visit again.

My business is growing nicely and apart from the 1 week I took off between Christmas and New Year I have had a small but steady stream of clients with things to alter, fix, replace etc.  I truly can only give God all the glory.  On that note, last year already, I had started looking for a sewing cupboard that I could keep both my sewing machine and overlocker in, ready to go, as well as storage for the growing pile of things.  I had seen one but the lady proved to be difficult to communicate with, eventually she asked if I was still interested, I was and bought it.  She lives in Hermanus so Hubby went off to fetch it,  only  to come back empty handed, it was too big and heavy for him to load into the car or even lift. So we organised a trailer and he hired someone to help him and after a lot of grunting and groaning,  I now have a beautiful sewing cupboard on the deck - I just have to sort out the heat problem being out there.  

The family are all well, being a large family there always seems to be some health issue or personal crisis but we ride the waves and stand strong in our Faith in God.  Princess got everyone's heart racing one night when she stepped back in the kitchen and tripped over a carpet hitting the side of her head on the fridge door handle. Thank goodness for C's Paramedic Training as he got her down, kept her awake and stemmed the most of the blood flow before rushing her to Emergency.  She ended up with 5 stitches over the top of her ear, thankfully in her hairline, plus numerous bruises and grazes.  It took the Dr some time to close part of the hole and stop the bleeding before she was allowed home to rest up.  Her stitches came out last week and although she is feeling a bit vulnerable with her ear she is well.  I am busy with a number of projects currently - sewing, knitting, dotting, kefir'ing and about to sew new elasticised bench cushion covers for easy removal and washing  (for the deck).  I can't wait to show you all the beautiful material I managed to get, that belongs to next month's story.

Living in Betty's Bay we have come to expect burst water pipes which inevitably means a couple of hours of no water or worst case scenario, a  day or so.  There seem to have been many reported throughout the last month especially and the Municipality is hard at work in upgrading the infrastructure.  Seeing brown water come out of the taps is not a shock to us because the fynbos also can discolour the water. So being somewhat unobservant, a couple of weeks ago I put all our white towels in with the washing and could only stare in disbelief when I opened the machine.  My ENTIRE wash, including coloured items,  was a consistent, medium shade of beige/ brown.  It was hot, I was already tired and sore and was almost in tears.  Can you believe that  in this very technological day and age we live in it is almost impossible to find good old Steri Nappi.  All of the clothing has now returned to its normal colours, with frequent washes,  except for the big stuff and towels for  which I am awaiting delivery of Vanish 02 white.  I will then begin the process with returning my linens to bright white 🤞🏻.  After asking on our local WA group I have discovered the simple solution of running the tap into the basin before switching on the machine.  At first I blamed my machine, then later that day when the toiled flushed mud coloured water I realised where the problem had come from 🤦🏻‍♀️.

This all brings me to last week when we had another big fire which started in Pringle Bay, our neighbouring village. We were on our way home from SW when Jelly Bean saw the smoke. By late that afternoon we were having to consider evacuation as it had reached the dunes on our side and was in full flow.  Once again huge thanks and kudos go out to our Fire Fighters and all those that came in from other towns.  There was not one home lost after day one, where just after it started it raged through the point and burnt out most of the homes ( it is a very isolated area called Sea Farm with very few houses ).  Sadly one of the homes belonged to the Caretaker of Sea Farm who is one of our Volunteer fire fighters and whilst he was trying to save other structures he lost his home and all they owned.  There was a picture taken when he received the news which is heartbreaking in knowing what had happened and yet he carried on protecting everyone else's homes.  As usual the amazing folks in Betty's Bay came to the fore and our Village Hall became the hub for feeding and sheltering fire fighters. The fire was only contained fully on Friday due to the winds which kept changing direction.  God once again showed His miracle working power in sending rain (in January??) Which helped with giving those on the ground some lee way and protecting homes.  It is at these times, when one sits and seriously thinks about what you need to take that you realise what is important to you.  We had the cat boxes at the ready, cars turned around and in the driveway and I had mentally catalogued what would go.  Thank the Lord we did not have to evacuate, although many people did both here and in PB.

Folks as you can see, January was 87 weeks long and packed full of things, every day, I was actually glad to see February arrive on the calendar.  Here's hoping February cools down and slows down.  I wish you all a wonderful week, thank you as always, for joining me on my Winding Road of Life.  Stay safe and well. Ciao ciao

Charlie chasing waves

Sewing cupboard blessing

Kefir Cheese and chive balls.

My Life's Winding Roads: Happy New Year and Hello 2024

My Life's Winding Roads: Happy New Year and Hello 2024: Good morning all and  Happy New Year to each of you.  Can you believe it ? We are living in a time that 50 years ago was only in the Jetson&...