Looking forward to a walk on the beach after this week.

Goodness gracious me, what an insanely crazy day. Ever had one of those ? Of course you have it's part of life nowadays haha. Hi friends I hope your week hasn't been too bad, and if it was I hope you have a restful, weekend planned. It feels like someone put the speed cruise button on and things are just going faster and faster. Deep breath ....... breathe.

There is so much happening on this particular leg of my life's winding road, that it is hard to know where to begin. This week has consisted of packing, putting things in order, organizing so many different things both here and down in the Cape and all the while the clock is ticking. Praise God for His hand in this move and for the way He is going ahead of us, ever step of the way. On top of all the move 'business' I have also been facing a challenge with my eye. Bit of a long story, but the short version is that ever since the second surgery on my left eye I have still not been able to see clearly. I saw the Dr last Friday and after doing some tests she looked very surprised that the readings had gone up from those taken the day after surgery. I still have to see her again next week but there is nothing more she can do. Happily there is no infection or other complication but she did say that I would still have to wear contact lenses and/or glasses, and here I was thinking they belonged firmly in my past. Apparently not to be. I saw my Optometrist today and she did all the necessary tests. My right eye is almost 100% normal but in the left eye the astigmatism actually got worse. Nobody can explain it or give a reason. So, lenses (which still have to be specially made) are ordered, glasses (with a very funky frame) are on order. I decided if I have to still wear them, then I am going to be funky LOL, and I am focusing on the fact that there has been a big improvement overall, the cataracts are gone and once it is all done and dusted my sight will be better than it's ever been. This is just another one of those times when focusing on the glass half full and, how far I've come are the options that I choose to take.

On top of all these happenings my dear, darling, little fur ball Kiko has been a complete little horror for the last few days. Yesterday in the space of a couple of hours, she tipped over a pill box, shredded and scattered a toilet roll, dangled from the blind cords, tried to jump up the wall and fell back knocking her food bowl over scattering food everywhere, ran around the house like she had swallowed an expresso shot, and, oh did I mention climbing up the security bars and hanging from the top? On top of all this she has single handily (or should that be four paw'dly) killed my 6 year old violet plant, chewed my chilli bush and my mini cactus plants....... Right now, as I type she is diving underneath my iPad and then trying to catch and kill my hands. Eeeeek. Just three weeks until I get to go for a walk on 'my' beach and just watch the waves and soak in the peace. Wooohooo.

Hubby has finished the Dining table and benches except for waxing them, and oh my word do they look amazing. Princess has asked almost daily for a picture but we have not complied as we want it to be a surprise. I will post a picture on Monday to brag a little on his handiwork.

Friends, have a lovely weekend, if you can slow down and relax enjoy it to the max, if you are going to be busy, take time to breathe and enjoy whatever you do. God Bless, thank you for your continued support and whatever you do - Be Safe.

Kiko trying to make up for being naughty.

A busy week ahead.

And a happy Monday to you all from a very cold Johannesburg, the sun is shining but goodness gracious it is cold. I decided that today was going to be a rest day. After packing so many boxes over the weekend an 'executive' decision was taken - I believe it is well deserved hehe. To that end typing this finds me wrapped up in a blanket, the gas heater is on and copious cups of tea are being consumed, but can you believe it I'm still cold? There is a pot of Spicey Chorizo and Bean soup on the stove and everything else is 'sorted'. My amazing Hubby built Poppet's dining room table over the weekend and is now busy on the two benches, it looks stunning and I cannot believe how quickly he has done it. Sweetheart you truly have a God given talent, I'm so proud of you. One of his first projects when we get to the Cape is to build a duplicate table, just a little higher and a bit narrower for our kitchen/gas stove area. Talking about gas stoves we have wanted one for ages, I love the way they cook. Our gas hobb is going to be set into the table, it is so exciting being able to design all these different features. This morning whilst out shopping I saw some beautiful gas whistling kettles in gorgeous colours, when asking the price I was astonished at how cheap it is especially as it's a 3 litre in cobalt blue. Needless to say I just could not resist.

It's also that time of year when I get to tour Europe as the Tour de France is on, this is my absolute favourite sporting event of the year. as well as enjoying the race itself, I love the commentary when they give out historical facts and information etc, definitely a highlight for me as well as being a time when I get a lot of knitting done. The poncho jersey which I started a while back for Princess is now coming close to being finished. During a quiet moment this weekend I happened to see a photograph of Kiko when she was a baby. I can't believe how much that little face has changed in three months. Her thirst for adventure and playfulness has not diminished in the slightest though, which is unfortunate for Max, our Yorkie. He is her latest 'target' to tease which is really funny because he tolerates her at best. He is a real grumpy little old man and unless Gemma is fighting with Kiko he avoids her. The new game is at night when he is trying to get into his bed, which is next to my side of the bed. She chases him through the house and when he runs into the bedroom he has to go around the bed, she merely jumps over the bed in two leaps and ends up in the basket. The way he stands looking at it in utter confusion is hysterical. He looks from her to me as if to say "a second ago she was behind me, how did she get there?" He will then turn and go back to the lounge and we start all over again and again until she gets distracted or one of us steps in and stops her. Shame poor little guy, not always the brightest button in the tin. He and Gemma would be quite happy being the only animals in the household.

Friends I sincerely hope your week is going to be a good one, I know mine is going to be super busy but I choose to have a good week. My thought is that tomorrow is a brand new day which is completely untarnished, trouble free, and can go either way. It's my 'job' to make it as good as possible. Have good days, choose to be happy, forgive quickly and as always .... Stay safe (and warm).


Kiko when she was about 6 weeks old



Kiko last week - she is now about 4 months old. That look says "what do you want now mom ?"

Four weeks to go.

Four weeks to go, yippeeee. Just that thought is keeping me going in all the chaos that is my life right now. My house is starting to look empty and untidy, which anyone who knows me will tell you that untidy is difficult for me to live with. But, packing is progressing well and all the little ducks are lining up nicely. Water connections, sewage, telephone, postal box etc have all been organized. If things continue to proceed as planned we are good to go. My little book of lists is being well used.

Apart from all the moving details it has been a relatively quiet week in my part of the world. Mostly due to the fact that driving is still a challenge. I think it is safe to say that Hubby dearest is going to be under a little pressure as he still has most of the garage to pack as well as a Dining Room table and benches to make for Poppet, before we leave. Just another beautiful furniture piece to add to his 'catalogue' and then it's my turn. Hehe. My list of furniture needed and required is growing, keep those saws sharp and hammers close My Love.

One thing that has grown this week has been my knowledge of European politics. Jelly Bean has followed the whole England / Brexit story from the start, so by default have I, the major difference being that she grasps all the finer details quickly and then has to explain them to mother dear. The more I see and hear of what is going on in the world in general as well as our own country, the more obvious it is that the world is lost without acknowledging God. He is the only source of Peace and Hope that we have. At times it is very easy to get hung up on the details of whatever is going on in our lives and around us, forgetting that He is the God of miracles. When we expect miracles we will see them. Jelly Bean's words to me this morning after I received some not very good news were - 'Mom, God will perform the miracle, whether it the way you expect it or in a different way.' Such profound words, but even though we 'know' it, we need reminding time and time again. Friends God will ALWAYS come through for you, if you allow Him to, it's just not always in our timing and the way we may visualize it. Don't grow weary in your Walk of Faith, stay focused and keep your eyes firmly fixed on The Lord.

On that note, I am going to wish you a beautiful weekend full of peace, joy and love. Whatever you are planning make the most of it and as always - stay safe.

Crazy Monday

Crazy Monday would be a slight understatement. Our stopwatch is now on five weeks and I am happy to say we actually managed to get a LOT packed this weekend. Lots of clearing out, throwing away and selling different things, but I can now see some results to the packing. The most noticeable is that at the moment both our cars are sleeping outside as the garage is filling up. One side is 'to go to the Cape' and the other side is 'to be sold.' The 'throw out' is all in the drive way waiting for rubbish collection. A very dirty job I might add.

We went to Pretoria on Saturday to look at material for curtains. Well shock of shocks, I thought it would be cheaper to make them but Oh Boy was I wrong. By the time we've bought the material, tape and then found someone who can put the eyelet rings in, the price doubles. So now we will just look for what we want and buy ready made. For many years, over various moves I made my own curtains, but it would seem that things have changed while I wasn't looking. We also went to see Poppet and Princess as we hadn't seen them since Poppet's surgery. Shame I felt so sorry for her, she has extremely bad bruising and was feeling pretty grim, but happily she now sounds much better and more like herself. Please allow me a little 'brag' here on my beautiful grand-daughter and what an amazing young lady she is. The house was immaculate and a massive load of washing done. She is doing such a good job of looking after her Mom. I climbed in and did the dishes for her and then together we hung up the washing. While we were chatting she says to me "Gran, I'm not sure what to do for supper tonight." I nearly melted with love, so we had a quick discussion and I made some suggestions and said to just keep it simple. Bless her heart, she stood in front of the fridge and said "tomorrow we are going to have roast chicken, potatoes and vegetables." I am so proud of you Princess, you are an enormous blessing and congratulations on such a wonderful Report Card, your hard work is paying off.

Today has been 'crazy' although some might have called it 'blue' - I'm looking at the glass half full theory here haha. I gingerly drove myself to the shops to do some 'new home' shopping and had a lovely time picking out cushions and a beautiful big wall clock for our new lounge. From there things went downhill (in the frustration department). We have a new supermarket so I decided to pop in and get a few essentials. Firstly I got chased away from the door I entered and was told to go 'over there' with a vague hand gesture to have my shopping packet sealed. 'Over there' turned out to be a completely separate entrance, with NO security ?????? By now feeling just a tad irritated I had to find my way up and down aisles I don't know, I can't read the signs above the aisles yet, for what I wanted. I wonder if I am the only person who gets supermarket trolley irritation? When the aisles are narrow and people meander down weaving from side to side and/or come to a complete stop in the middle of the aisle. Eeeeek. By the time I was done I made an executive decision to abandon my next stop and just get home. I have decided I cannot see well enough to to be allowed on the roads yet. I then came home to try and sort out a huge mess with our Medical Aid who changed administrators recently and in so doing all the rules have changed regarding chronic medications. I am still being bounced between people and it's not completely sorted out yet, but, I will have succes eventually.

For a few days I've been trying to figure out why my beautiful indoor Violet is looking so sad ....... well I now have the answer, one naughty, inquisitive, determined kitten - Kiko. She has been sitting on it to watch Gemma eat and then eating it herself. I ask you ? So plant now moved, broken leaves in water to grow new roots and a heartily chastised kitten who looks totally innocent and unperturbed. My last 'event' of this day was just the cream on the top. In all the packing we unearthed the slip covers for our lounge suite and so I decided to give them all a good wash and put them on for something different. Did I mention they are off white? So I put some of them in the machine and ran a double wash, which took forever, and when I went to take them out I nearly cried. Our washing machine tends to give off blackish residue on a big load. We've never been able to find out what it is or where it comes from, and generally if you leave it alone until its dry, it goes hard and you can just scratch it off. Not today. Today it smudged and streaked all over the four covers which are now lying in a bath full of water, hoping to soak it all off and waiting for Hubby to get home to help me get them out and on the line. This was the 'topper' to my day and I decided there and then the best thing I could do, for my own sanity, was to not attempt anything further, make a cup of tea and come and chat to you.

Friends, I sincerely hope your Monday has been infinitely smoother than mine, if not, smile and just remind yourself tomorrow is a brand new day and will be better. It's how we respond that determines how the rest of the day turns out. My philosophy for most challenges is 'this too will pass' and if I can retain my sense of humor, whatever it was will not determine how I feel for the rest of the day / week.

Here's wishing you a wonderful week of wisdom, favour, happiness, fun and always staying safe.

Dream big and don't give up

Good morning all, is it just me or is this year simply galloping past. I am having a battle keeping up with which month it is never mind what day of the week. For your sake I hope that this week has been nowhere as crazy as mine, I am so glad that it is over and we are going into the weekend. There are so many ends that have to be tied up and organised most of which had to go onto the back burner this week as Tuesday I was back in hospital for my third eye surgery (in six weeks) which pretty much has flattened me. The Doctor is very happy and I am delighted that the 'mist' has gone, now it is just the wait for the implanted lens to settle down so that I can focus. Not being able to drive is beyond frustrating as well as putting extra pressure on my dear Hubby, who bless his heart never complains. Adding to all this Poppet was in hospital yesterday for a reconstructive 'touch up' surgery and I was unable to be with her. To her friends who stepped in, thank you SO much from the bottom of my heart for all that you do for my girls, and to my little Princess who is looking after her, you are such a huge blessing Angel thank you. Now we are both sitting at home, in separate towns, unable to do much. Something wrong with this picture? Poppet, we should have organised it that we recover together in one home hehe. Get better quickly my beautiful girl.

During all this 'kafuffle' our Johannesburg home has been transferred out of our name and the Betty's Bay home is not very far behind in the Transfer process. It has been absolutely amazing to see how God has moved things along and provided for us every step of the way as things have happened. He truly is our Mighty God.

Monday night saw little Kiko's stitches eventually removed and she is back to her incorrigible, busy little self. She was so happy to eventually be rid of the thick collar she had to wear. It's almost as if she understands what is going on as she hardly left my side for a couple of days after my surgery. She can be so gentle and yet has teeth that would rival a tigers I am quite sure.

Just a small encouragement to those who may need it. Never stop dreaming or grow tired of waiting for your breakthrough or your answers. It is such a cliche statement I know, and I also know how easy at times it can be to just toss it all aside and settle for what you have. Your future is so much bigger than what you can imagine and you DO deserve to see your dreams, hopes and desires come to pass. Hang in there friends and don't grow weary.

Have a wonderful weekend, do what makes you happy and as always ....... Stay safe please.

Kiko keeping me company.
P

The Clock is Ticking.

From a chilly Johannesburg, warm greetings to you all. My mind is like an eight lane highway at the moment, so many things buzzing around. The stop-watch has been set and exactly 6 weeks from today we should be busy moving into our gorgeous new home. The moving company has been notified, family informed and a ton of packing to do. We've got to the stage now that when someone asks for something I say "it's been packed". On Saturday I packed all our CD's and DVD's and then three quarters of our books, I know we read a LOT but gosh.... and that is excluding Jelly Bean's room which is a veritable library. The house is starting to look as if we are moving with blank spaces appearing. I will be honest and say that I will be beyond delighted when this is behind us, it's hard going haha, and this is someone who has moved over 38 times in her life.

One of the other things buzzing around in my heart is as a result of yesterday being Fathers Day. I remember when Jelly Bean was small she would make me a Fathers Day card at school or Sunday school and initially I thought it odd and at the same time felt sorry for her that she didn't have a Daddy to give them to, then I realised that I was both Mommey and Daddy. I think we often get so caught up in the day itself that we perhaps lose the significance of it. I was so blessed to see really meaningful messages to and for Dads on Social Media yesterday, but at times like this let's also think of the single parent families. Moms being Dads and Dads being Moms. It is very easy to not look beyond the surface of what we can see in the lives of the single parents around us. There are some things that a Mom just can't teach and visa versa. For example, recently we were out and Hubby had to repair something with a drill. There was a little boy there who asked if he could 'help' (he is from a single parent family). My Hubby loves teaching kids and sharing knowledge with them, so he instantly said "yes" and let the little guy have a go at using the drill. This little boy was fascinated with the whole process and enjoyed the time spent learning a 'guy thing'. Having been a single parent of 4 children with age gaps spanning 17 years I know firsthand how hard it is for both the parents and the children. Perhaps if you are taking your kids to a cricket match, think about inviting a little boy who doesn't have a Dad to take him, or if you are having a braai teach him how to make a fire. If you are taking your daughter for a tea date invite a little girl who doesn't have a Mommy to take her, or if you are baking/cooking teach her how to cook. Single parents do their best, but there is NEVER an off day, no one else to hand over to when they are tired or sick, they are always doing double duty. I know how much my little Princess enjoys spending time with her Grandpa. They have long chats about all sorts of things, he teaches her how to do practical things and she loves getting dirty working with him in the garage. Obviously everyone's circumstances are different but I just pray that we become more sensitive to those people in our circles, both young and old.

As I sit and type this Kiko is lying on my arm fast asleep, quite oblivious to the awkwardness she is causing. She is only going to have her stitches removed tonight as the Vet wanted them in for a full 10 days. I am sure she is going to be flying around the house once the collar is removed and she is free. All of a sudden this weekend she learnt how to jump onto the kitchen counters....... So now poor old Gemma can't retreat there for solitude as she is instantly followed. Kiko almost stalks her in the never ending quest to be friends.

Well friends I need to get things done and organised so here is wishing you a wonderful week,make advantage of every opportunity and always - stay safe.


Princess and Grandpa fishing on holiday.

Public Holidays and Speed Bumps

Am I the only one who is feeling confused as to what day it is after yesterday's Public Holiday? I feel all turned around haha. Happy Fiday everyone I hope your week has been successful and that you are looking forward to a restful, happy weekend. At long last winter arrived in South Africa this week and it came with a vengeance, those of you who know me will know that I love the cold especially when it is accompanied by rain. On Sunday night it started raining and continued right through to late Monday evening, our maximum temperature here at home was 6 c. I was in my element, it has warmed up and we are hovering in the late teens, so still cold enough to cuddle up in the blankets.

My week has been quiet due to a couple of reasons, the most obvious being that I can't see clearly enough to drive or accomplish much else. Frustrating would be putting it mildly especially when there is so much to do. After my Doctors visit on Tuesday we at least have a reason for the 'mistiness'. Apparently during the operation when the cataract was being removed a piece slipped back in my eye and afterwards made its way between the 'support ring' and the lens. So, to that end I am back in surgery on Tuesday to have it removed and redo the process, just when I thought I was done. I am not a happy camper at the prospect and am continuing to place my trust in God for a complete healing and perfect eyesight. My surgeon will need a very steady hand in order not to shift the implanted lens and only God can supply that. Talk about speed bumps on My Life's Winding Road.

Only one more sleep and then little Kiko has her stitches removed and along with that her padded collar. Once I out the collar on her, she bounced right back to being the extremely active, run at warp speed, little fur ball she has always been. Nothing and nowhere is sacred in her exploration of her world. She now sleeps in the bed with us (much to Gemma's disgust) and I end up being a cat sandwich every night. Cat sandwich ? Gemma either sleeps under the covers or between Hubby and I, head on the pillows. Kiko now starts off under the covers then ends up on the other side of my pillow, hence cat sandwich. Please note, I am not complaining haha.

With Sunday being Fathers day we are planning a quiet family lunch with the girls, we have a tradition in our family that when it is someone's 'special day' whether it's birthday or other occasion, that person gets to choose the favourite meal. Hubby happily chose Lamb Stew, one of my favourite things to cook, so no fancy roasts just a good old fashioned, rustic one pot meal.

On that note folks, to all the Dads and single Moms - Happy Fathers Day and thank you for everything that you do for your families. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend, whether it's with family or friends. Appreciate and value every minute that you have together, stay warm, and as always wherever you are - Be Safe.