The countdown has started......

Never a dull moment. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago in (The calm before the storm) we have been talking about retiring for years. I also said that there was a lot happening in the background, well my friends this is some of what has been happening. Just under a month ago an Estate Agent phoned us to ask if we wanted to sell our house as she had someone who was interested. We explained that we did in fact want to sell but hadn't listed it yet. Anyway, long story short, we met her and she listed our home. We were quite sceptical as we have had another property on the market for almost a year and it is still not sold. The third couple she brought around fell in love with the house and returned with their family to look again. They signed an offer which was subject to the sale of their house, but also less than what we were asking. We accepted with a counter offer. In the meantime their house sale fell through and they held an 'emergency' Show House which yielded results and the house was sold to a cash buyer. They came back to us having increased their offer a bit, the Estate Agent dropped her commission and we accepted. Remember the harbour lights in Italy? Well .......... this finally happened yesterday and we signed the papers last night. Our house is sold and we are actually RETIRING to the Western Cape, in particular we are looking at Betty's Bay. My mind is like a Formula 1 race track at the moment with all that needs to be organized and completed. We will be going down to the Cape in three weeks to view the houses we've been looking at on the Internet over the last couple of months, we have sifted through, more or less, the ones we like. Then it is going to be full steam ahead to get this house packed and the actual move. All this is a little daunting for me at the moment as I have Fibromyalgia and am going to have to find a way to pace myself (not my natural style) in order to stay on top of things and get it all done. If anyone has a main line to the 'moving elves' please tell them to come and visit me. Haha I wish.

Retire has already become a flexible word as Hubby is busy making plans on how he will be able to work long distance, make furniture and a number of other ideas. It was also very 'considerate' of Poppet to tell us last night that "it makes complete sense for Dad to make my dining room table before he makes your bookcases, because then you have less bookcases to move with." Love you girl. This is already a bittersweet event for me as I will be leaving Big Guy, Poppet and my little Princess behind and moving closer to Big Bear and Baby Bear and other family. I think there are many moms out there that will agree with me when I say a perfect life is if all your family live in one city. This is going to change so many dynamics of our family, for the good, in that instead of family caravaning holidays in December we will now be doing family holidays and get togethers by the sea. This for me is a lifelong dream coming true.

Kiko has now learnt how to 'high five' me when she gets her food, as she is usually quite frantic she is only too to happy to oblige She is growing so quickly, has her own very distinctive personality and loves to chat with me in her little squeaks and meows. this little bundle of fluff is extremely determined and is still the first one to approach Gemma for friendship, except for the other day when she leapt off the chair onto Gemmas back and then leapt straight off just as quickly. There was a huge ka-fuffle I can tell you.

Have an awesome weekend folks, enjoy your families, relax and recharge for the week ahead. Stay safe.

My Talented Hubby

I am extremely blessed to have a very talented Hubby. Among the many things he does is making rustic wooden furniture, Poppet always tells her friends that everything in her house apart from the bedroom suite and couches were made by him. This weekend we went to install some cupboard doors that he was asked to make for a closed in patio. He had never made doors before but oh my word they have turned out beautifully. I am extremely proud of him so please forgive my little 'brag'. Its just as well that he loves working with wood as at the moment there is a 'waiting list'. We need two bookcases, one of which is a unique design (you wouldn't believe how many books are in this house) and also a dining room table and benches for Poppet.


Whilst he was busy with the installation I took the three girls for coffee at a super outdoor restaurant nearby. It's not something we often get to do but it was so nice to just relax in the sun. Perhaps relax is a bit of a misnomer. There were two trampolines, each of which is set up with a bungee 'catapulting' device. The child gets strapped into a harness and then there is someone who pulls them down whilst bouncing and then jumps and pulls them down etc etc. My little Princess might be almost thirteen but this was too much for her. She went on twice and I am not in the least bit ashamed to say that I wouldnt have even attempted getting on (not even as a kid). A real little adrenalin seeker this one. She was going so high that a number of people stopped to watch, especially when she started doing forward and backward flips, my heart was in my mouth. Not a moment's fear, in fact if she had her way she would have gone ten times haha. I would like to add that we did go back to help Hubby with the final part of the installation and clean up.

This is a short week for those of us in South Africa as Wednesday is a Public Holiday, which means an extra day for family and friends. We are staying home and will just enjoy the stillness. I will probably be doing some baking seeing as the crunchies are long gone and the empty cookie jar is now staring at me every time I walk into the kitchen. How can a glass object make you feel guilty?

Kiko update - if it's at all possible, she is busier than ever. Loves playing with her toys and keeps me busy in having to think up with new games, at the same time as trying to keep all my skin intact. I weighed her and she has put on a whole 280gms in the three weeks we've had her, she still feels as light as a feather and as soft as silk. Kiko involves herself in absolutely everything that I am doing. If I am filling the dishwasher, she stands on the door 'to help', when I am in the kitchen so is she and the same for every time that I move. As Big Bear said to me this morning she is exactly what I wanted and more.

Have an awesome week friends, remember to breathe when things get stressful and please stay safe.

A Successful Week

Success at last. Over the last 8 or 9 years I have experimented, sometimes very successfully, with Gluten free baking and have had as many if not more fails. It is definitely not always easy or rewarding, but when it goes right then WOOHOO. As mentioned in my last post I discovered Coconut Sugar with great delight, and decided to try making Crunchies / Anzac Biscuits. In the past I have tried a number of different sugar substitutes with dismal results. To Hubby and Jelly Bean's credit they have valiantly eaten the failures and always been encouraging. I have the kind of personality that hates giving up on something like this and will keep on testing until I get it right. Well friends, this week was a great success. I made my Wheat/Gluten free, Dairy free, Egg free, coconut sugar crunchies which turned out amazing. Much excitement and rejoicing. Let me say this - the Coconut sugar is brilliant for baking. It has a number of natural minerals unlike 'normal' sugar, it also contains a fibre called Inulin which is said to be the reason why it has a lower GI and doesn't cause sugar spikes. The one draw back is that it has more or less the same calories and carbohydrates as ordinary sugar - 4 cals / 15 gm carbs per teaspoon. I would say that moderation, as with anything, is the rule. As far as the Crunchies go the coconut also helps to lower the GI. Now that I have conquered that particular hurdle I'm looking forward to the next experiment. If anyone would like the revised recipe, please just send me a message.

My knitting project is also coming along nicely, not that I am 'allowed' to knit as freely as I would like due to one little bundle of fur. Speaking of that particular family member, we at last have peace in the home. We can now say that Gemma has accepted Kiko but at this point they are not curl up buddies yet haha. The fascinating thing with Kiko is that her colour is changing. I have never had this happen with any other cat but have read that it is a Birman trait. It can apparently take a year for their colour to develop. At the moment Kiko's fur is slightly darker and her face is becoming a darker brown. She currently looks like she is wearing dark glasses which looks very funny.

With our extended family we have one daughter and her family living in the UK, one son and his family living in Cape Town, my youngest son and his wife also in Cape Town and my other three kids are up here in Johannesburg. We have always managed to get together on a regular basis which are highlights for me. I see the 'local' side of the family at least once a month and look forward to those times with great planning. Right now I am yearning for those that are not close. Our family in the UK seem so far away, and with all those at a distance we Skype to keep up to date. As well as that, we have a 'Family' group chat on What's App which results in everyone being able to partake in a conversation at the same time, sometimes every day. We share jokes, food pics, achievements, love you's and a lot of teasing. The last time we saw Big Bear and Baby Bear was Christmas last year and it feels like an decade. I am sure every mom whose kids live far away will identify with me on this one, the longing to see, hug, sit and catch up in the flesh with your children. Once we move down to the Cape it is still going to be the same, just with different children. The positive aspect though is the planning and build up to the next get together which I am hoping will be soooooon.

Tomorrow we are going to install some beautiful wooden cupboard doors that Hubby made for someone and I'm hoping to take my girls out for coffee while he is busy. Have an awesome weekend friends, enjoy your loved ones and be safe.

Beautiful stops on a road trip.

One of my favourite things about a road trip is that every now and then you come across the most beautiful scenes. Whether it be a copse of trees alongside a river, or the sight of the ocean after a long dusty road, for me it's always soul soothing, encouraging and refreshing. Last week turned out to have some of those beautiful moments.

Poppet had to go for her regular 6 month check up with her Oncologist. It's always a tense time for us, plus the fact that the Dr hasn't ordered a full panel of Cancer Marker Blood Tests since she has been seeing Poppet. The usual tests were done the day before the appointment and when Poppet saw the doctor she shared her concerns and they then ordered a full panel of all the tests. We got the phone call the following day that EVERY test came back clear. Praise the Lord, she is now 5 years Cancer FREE. God has been so faithful and so many prayers have been answered. When I look at how she has grown, in every area of her life over the past five years, I stand amazed, grateful and so very proud. Way to go Angel.

Then, after me telling you all on Friday that Hubby's contract was finished, his boss spoke to him on Friday and said that they still need him for the next few months. This is what we have been praying for - a short term contract - until the sale of the house is complete and WE are ready to make our move.

It is all these things that encourage me and give me the ability keep on pushing, believing and moving forward. After all the tragedies, dramas, and stresses I have faced along my journey, I have learned to see the positives, to concentrate on the good and appreciate every day that I have with the people that I love. There is a saying that goes 'The good times don't last. Well friends neither do the bad times.

Yesterday I discovered something completely life changing for us as a family. I was reading a Blog that I follow, a lady whose family are extremely allergic to a huge amount of different foods. She had posted a recipe for Sticky Cinnamon/Blueberry buns that were wheat/dairy/egg and sugar free. As one member of our family is a Type 1 Diabetic and a couple of others are Insulin Resistant as well as wheat intolerant, this recipe caused me to take a look at the ingredients. The first thing I saw was that the Chef had used Coconut Palm Sugar, which after a bit of investigation I discovered is a totally natural 'sugar' that does not cause sugar highs or lows, does not taste or smell like coconut, caramelizes like real sugar and can be used in baking with the same results, which none of the other sugar substitutes do (for me anyway). Needless to say I have already bought some and am planning some healthy baking this week. I will let you know the results so here's holding thumbs

On the cat/kitten front, not much has changed. Her Royal Highness Gemma is still a bit hissy, we are still having lots of laughs as little Kiko continues to try and befriend her, even going as far as stalking her and then jumping on her back which as you can imagine didn't go down very well. With a terrified squeal Gemma took off down the passage and stalked out of the house looking very disgusted. Baby proofing a house has nothing on the steps we are having to take to keep Kiko safe as she loves to climb but doesn't know how to stay safe. Windows closed, doors boarded up to above where she can jump. Fun and games on a continual basis in this house, truly never a dull moment.

Have an awesome week folks, appreciate all the positives and stay safe.

The calm before the storm ...

This week has felt like the calm before the storm. Not a bad storm but a BUSY storm. It's been a quiet week which is rare and I'm definitely not complaining. But there is a lot happening in the background and on the horizon. Let me explain - for years we have spoken about retiring and the timing has never been right for many reasons. I believe we were also 'looking at the wrong place' for us. Many years ago I heard about a harbour in Italy which had a very narrow entrance. The only way for the ships to enter was when three green lights along the pier, lined up until they looked like one light. Then it was right to enter. Anyway, long story short, last year we finally decided the we wanted to retire to the Cape and not Natal as planned. Since making that decision the lights have started lining up and things have started moving. Our house is on the market, Hubby's work contract is coming to an end, we know where we want to be, but at this point it is ALL 'still to happen' - the calm before the storm. Having moved more than 38 times in my life, and just having helped Poppet two weeks ago, I know more than most just what awaits me and I cannot say I am relishing the thought. I look around and find myself mentally packing the house. I will admit to completely bailing on packing the garage. That is Hubby's domain alone. In the meantime we are enjoying house shopping on the net, at least we now have a really good idea of what is available and can see and research what we like. So now you can understand my statement about the calm before the storm. I do believe I will enjoy the calm while it lasts knowing what lies ahead.

Talking about calm....... We are still not living in a completely calm environment. I am amazed at how long it is taking Gemma to stop hissing and growling, but to her credit it is far less. I think more for show now than anything else. Kiko actually managed a few run pasts today without being moaned at. I have to give this little one her due, there has not been one encounter with the huge Gemma where she backed away first. She stands her ground and Gemma always moves away first. Kiko will come up close to my face and we have these little 'chirp' conversations. About what I have no idea, but seeing as she is purring all the while I am assuming they are good haha.

I have taken on a new project - my little princess saw a knitted gillet/poncho picture that she liked. I love knitting but usually from a pattern, the only thing is there is no pattern available for this garment. So, brave (maybe naive) soul that I am, I boldly promised I would make it for her. Many calculations and ideas later I believe I have come up with a 'pattern' and began the project yesterday. It did prove more than a little difficult once Kiko discovered the wool and moving needles - at one point I was knitting above my head. Eventually she got tired, never bored though, curled up to sleep and left me to my knitting. Will post a photo when it is finished, if it works :D

As this week comes to a close, have a fabulous weekend, make the most of every moment and stay safe.

At what speed are you hurtling through life ?

The thing with travelling through life is that there are times when we get to slow down long enough sometimes to get reflective. Today was one of those days for me. After a somewhat mad dash right across town through the morning traffic to get Jelly Bean to her Saxophone lesson, I had 45 minutes of sitting in the car waiting and reflecting.

I'm sure I am not the only one who wishes that sometimes we could push the clock backwards to when our children were young. As I look at parents everywhere doing what we do, more and more I am aware of how much the children are merely 'there'. I am going to take the liberty here to encourage Moms and Dads and even Grandparents to take time to sit and actually look at how you are interacting with your kids. I know life is a rush from morning to night, but in that rush there are little humans who are being given lists of instructions and ultimatums. There is so much peer pressure at every point of their lives, are we adding to it ? I see moms in shops, so busy rushing that when their child speaks they don't even hear. I see those little faces 'drop' at being ignored/brushed off and sometimes even a look of total rebellion at being ignored. Nowadays mobile phones take away even more precious time from your children - you get home and are busy making dinner, trying to organise the kids with homework/baths etc and the phone rings. We tend to take the call and carry on with everything else without blinking, but, the tone of voice to the children gets sharper and more irritated, even though we are sweet and polite to the caller. This just escalates and becomes a vicious circle which end up turning the evening into a nightmare. Moms and Dads those are your creations, most of what you are doing is to provide for them, please, please take time to listen to them, why they do what they do, how they perceive life, what do they want. Our children are young for such a short time and we can never get those days back. This weekend we had our little Princess here overnight. She is 3 months short of turning 13 and even though I have been extremely involved all her life, I looked at her and thought - where on earth has the time gone ? She has opinions, churning emotions, ideas of what she wants in life and before we blink she is going to be in Matric.

I look back, sometimes with a heavy heart, and wish I knew then what I know now. That I could have taken more time to actually communicate with, listen to and ENJOY each one of them at the various stages of their lives. Please don't get me wrong, I look at my children today and want to burst with pride at the amazing, awesome individuals they have turned into. having said that I would do it again In a heartbeat, just hopefully a little differently.
Guys, you make me SO proud to be your mother and I am eternally grateful for the close relationship that we share as individuals and as a family unit.

On the kitten front - we are still not living in a peaceful zone although it is slightly less 'hissy/growly' than last week. Kiko is just love and cuteness covered in fur, just too precious for words. When we got her I was told she was a Snow paw X. When our son-in-law in the UK saw her photo his first question was 'is she a Birman?' To be honest I know nothing about Birmans but this morning I got an email from Pinterest with 'Pins specially for you'. There front and centre was a picture of Kiko's double. Hmmmmmmmm now after doing some reading I am beginning to think she is a Birman X. As I've said before, never a dull moment in this house.

Have an awesome week folks and stay safe. Don't let the good become the thief of the best.

Fun and Games

This week has been an absolute delight. On Monday afternoon we collected our new 'baby' kitten. Let me introduce you to Kiko, which is Japanese for friendly and happy. From what we know she is a Snow Paw X, with long silky fur. The softest fur I've ever seen. This tiny little bundle came home weighing only 560gm, but an overload of cuteness. She is tiny, perfect, beautiful, very chatty and spoilt. At night she sleeps in her travel box and goes right through until we stir in the morning, how blessed am I. I have discovered that Kiko is an inveterate climber with one problem, she can't always get down so.... meow for mommy. Also, if she can't see me she sets up an increasing crescendo of meows looking for me, I am loving it.

Where the fun and games have come in is in introducing her to the rest of the menagerie. Oh my word. Our menagerie consists of Max a yorkie, Sasha a maltese and Gemma the reigning queen of the house. Who until this week has ruled supreme, even over the dogs but especially Max who has a healthy respect/fear of her.

This week it all changed. Enter Kiko. The first time the dogs met her she was in her traveling box, and Max did an intense sniff and look see. This was most unwelcome and she hissed at him which caused him to turn tail and RUN to stand between Hubby's legs shivering. Sasha who is more maternal was more cautious and approached slowly. Gemma however, oh dear. I did not know that my beautiful cat was capable of such ugly noises and such a bad attitude. She has hissed and growled, she leopard crawls through the house scanning the floor and surfaces for the intruder. There are tense, noisy stand offs which result in much tension for me as I'm trying to avoid a full on conflict with injuries.

The dogs adore Kiko and she is fine with them. Max, brave soul that he is, has conquered his fear of Gemma and when there is a hissing confrontation he runs between Kiko to make sure she is ok, and Gemma to try and calm her down. Poor little guy is quite frazzled. The other night Kiko came out of the bedroom and surprised Gemma in the passage which led to the usual ugly noises and two frozen (in position) cats. Max bounded in to sort it out which caused Gemma to whack him in the face and chase him into the dining room, much yelping and hissing. Kiko fled back to the bedroom. Max then turned around and stood up to Gemma and chased her, she ran then turned and went for him as he tried to get out of the hatch in the door, except he didn't go through he bounced back and chased her out, before running to check on the baby. By this time everyone was doubled over laughing.

We have had so many laughs and tender moments, always very welcome with the pressures of daily life. Wherever I go Kiko follows and if I don't pick her up 'on demand' she just calmly climbs up my trousers, never mind the holes and scratches that I am covered in. As I sit and write this she is stretched out on my lap fast asleep. I have no doubt whatsoever that the fun and games are going to continue, although I fervently pray we have peace SOON with Gemma.

Friends I hope this has brought a smile to your face as it has to mine. Have a fabulous weekend, find the joy in the little things, and, above all be safe.

Pic 1. Kiko
Pic 2. Kiko in my old furry boot

Kittens and Dragonflies.

Much excitement right now. I am going to collect my little kitten this afternoon. Everything is ready and waiting to bring it home, except maybe Gemma. I am just going to deal with the 'fallout' as and when it happens and pray for a peaceful introduction. we thought we would only collect it later in the week, but the time line moved up just a tad. Yaaaay. I will add a photo of the new baby on the next post.

Yesterday I was in the pharmacy and the lady assisting me was completely taken with my Dragonfly pendant. We ended up having a long chat about it and I thought now would be a good time to tell My Dragonfly story (I know some of you have been waiting for this one :D )

Many years ago, I was in a particularly dark place in my life. It felt as if, emotionally, and in every area of my life I was in a whirlpool, being sucked under, with no strength to get out of it. Nothing I did was making any difference. I was widowed with four children and could not see the light at the end of any tunnel. Big guy had just set up my first PC and I barely knew how operate it much less do what I can do now. Anyway, one day I was trying to find my way around and stumbled on a statement/encouragement on the Dragonfly. I printed it out but have never been able to find it since hmmmm. The quote was shorter than this, but I am taking the liberty of adding a bit more detail.

A Dragonfly starts it's life as a Nymph at the bottom of a dark, murky pond. It lives in that dark place for up to 5 years, during which time it will go through a number of phases in growth. Eventually it will make it's way to the surface (usually at night) and will cling to a reed or leaf and just sit quietly waiting for the sun to come up. When this happens, it splits it's skin and allows the sun to dry out it wings. Once dry the beautiful Dragonfly takes flight and spends the rest of it's life flying around, set free to explore.

This 'hit' me so powerfully. It gave me the strength, the hope and desire, to swim harder and get out of the darkness. Has it been easy? NO.... not for a second. Did my circumstances change miraculously ? No ........ BUT, I did. Since then God has constantly brought Dragoflies across my path as a reminder to me of where I've come from and what, through Him, I have achieved. The very first gift Hubby gave me was a Dragonfly pendant that I saw in a flea market in 2006 and there is not a single day that it is not around my neck. I also have a couple of Dragonfly charms on my wrist chains. There is seldom a week that someone doesn't comment on my pendant, giving me a chance to tell them a little bit about it.

I know that many of you have been/are in a dark place. Dark is dark. It is only displaced by light. I would like to encourage you today to hang in there, keep looking for your light and don't stop swimming. Eventually things will change and you will emerge stronger, free to fly and explore your next phase.

Having said all that - have a totally awesome week friends. I need to get myself ready for the new family member, huge grin, it is just so exciting. Even the weather forecast seems in my favour. We are expecting cold, wet weather which is just my best. There is even a lovely pot of homemade vegetable soup on the stove. I think Crazy Cat Lady only becomes official at 5 or 6 cats. Haha

Happy Friday everyone. I hope as you are sitting down to read this you are doing so with a cup of tea or coffee, because I'm guessing your week has been just as hectic as mine. It seems like life just gets faster and faster, and when I look around I am reminded of hamsters on a wheel. Everyone is in a rush, get here, go there, do this, do that. How many of us actually take time to BREATHE. I am trying to do that right now.

After yesterday's move, which went without any hitches, every bone in my body is protesting, vigorously. I am happy to say that when Hubby and I left Poppets house last night at 8, the girls were in and pretty much settled. Bedrooms made up and unpacked. Kitchen ditto. Lounge and dining room packed out With just the 'fiddly' things to unpack and arrange. Somehow during all that chaos (before the moving van arrived) we took a half an hour and went and had some 'play therapy' with the kittens. We each chose which one we are taking, oh my gosh it is so hard, I want to take them all and love them. But, even I know that wouldn't work as I am sure there would be queue out the front door all holding suitcases - Gemma being the first in line haha. I digress. Just that half hour carried me through the rest of the day. I have chosen our kitten and am looking forward to bringing it home in a week which will mean lots of cuddle time and laughs.

My wish for each and every one of you this weekend is that you take time to recharge your batteries, strengthen your family bonds, spend quality time with your children and spouse/partner. Have good food and fellowship with friends and those close to you and appreciate the little things.