Four days before Christmas

Well good morning folks we did it, we have made it to the week of Christmas 2020. In one sense it felt like December was never going to arrive and on the other hand it was just suddenly there, this has been without a doubt the strangest year I have ever lived through. Well not only did we make it to this week, but we made it through last week 😂😂, just that in itself was a major achievement. On Monday evening Poppet and Princess arrived together with dog and cat, by the time they had collected the animals, hired a vehicle and got to their house it was past 21.00. We greeted them with camping chairs, pizza, a welcome home cake and bottle of good champagne which were organized by Sonshine from the U.K. The rest of the week was spent with them trying to organize things before their furniture arrived, then coming through to us for dinner before going back to sleep at home. As Poppet was recovering from pharyngitis we tried to make sure they got home before dark which is 20.00. I also got the fabulous opportunity of teaching Princess how to Candlewick and she worked on my current square before I set up one for her to do, that was such a joy and privilege. On Friday, D day everyone was on high alert as the moving company had not proved to be very reliable as far as timing was concerned. I had, months ago booked the dogs for a grooming session on Friday which I could not change but in the end it all worked out. The truck was expected between 09.00 and 11.00 and eventually arrived well after lunch time. When Jelly Bean and I arrived the movers had left and there was two very tired, emotional ladies with Hubby, as well quite an efficient sense of chaos. Jelly Bean and I climbed in and tackled the main bedroom, Princess handled her room, Hubby had done all the connections of appliances and went to do shopping. By the time we left they were 90% unpacked and furniture placed and they more or less and spent Saturday cleaning and making it feel and loook like home. Sadly Friday was also a harbinger of bad news - Sonshine was due to fly out on Saturday and arrive yesterday, he went for his obligatory CoVid19 pre-flight test and tested positive so, even though he has no symptoms he is now in isolation for two weeks. This is the third flight he has 'lost' this year due to CoVid and lockdown and it is really very sad as after all the planning and preparations with the move and the fact that they were / are hosting Christmas this year and he won't even be able to celebrate it, so we've designated a 2020 Christmas .2 when he arrives. On Thursday afternoon Big Guy landed and was collected from the airport by the Bears where he spent three nights visiting and catching up, the girls went through for a visit on Saturday afternoon and then yesterday morning we all met up at Somerbosch Wine Farm for breakfast. It was my prayer of the last eleven months come true to have all my South African Family around the same table at the same time. Big Guy wasnt the brightest button in the tin as he was dealing with a 24 hour tummy bug 🤦🏻‍♀️ but at last he is here with us and ........ Today is the start of a brand new spanking week and we all intend to make the most of every minute. I feel so very, very blessed to have the family here, throughout these last nine months we have not personally known anyone whose family has been affected by the virus apart from one couple of dear friends who had to self isolate and now we have sonshine in isolation and, a very close friends daughter and family are having to isolate as well instead of being together on Friday. Folks let us keep in mind, this is very real and even though people have become more relaxed about sanitizing and mask wearing we need to be even stricter and more conscientious than we were during the first wave. A quick update on Charlie's new eating plan is that we are now on day 13 on the amended diet and we've had no vomiting or 'fasting', unwell days, this is a major achievement and I could not be happier. now to deal with his raw, red paws which are the result of an allergy and him gnawing at them As it has been super hectic and I am really going to try for a relaxed week, I am going to wish you ALL a very Blessed Christmas, wherever you are, whoever you celebrate it with make memories and please stay well and healthy. Charlie after his grooming session.