Happy New Year 2025

 Good morning folks from a rather noisy Sea Point.  Wow being in the 'city' is on a whole different level to living in our little Village by the sea.   On Saturday I joined JB who is house / cat sitting for the Bears.  She came through last Monday and we will go home at the end of the week.  This is our second house sitting stint for them since my last Blog and ... oh wow so much has happened in between.  At last, and thank God, six.months after her encounter with the baboons little Zeepha has finally started walking on her right front leg.  She has a limp but is slowly improving and becoming her old self.  We bought her a cardboard scratch pad for Christmas and she is besotted with it. She uses both feet to scratch. The right one being a little uncoordinated and then sleeps on top of it. I am just overjoyed that she has regained the use of her leg.

December was a total blur. I worked right up until the week of Christmas, squeezing in a trip to Sea Point which was a welcome break, I can tell you. Having said that, the apartment upstairs was being renovated and the noise levels were something off the charts. There were a few times when we looked up at the ceiling expecting it to come down on our heads.  Then the one day we were notified that the water would be turned off as they worked on the bathroom.  Awhile later we heard a distinct waterfall and on checking our bathroom discovered water pouring through the light fittings and down the walls.  The plumber forgot to switch off the water and removed the toilet. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️  Needless to say a hasty trip upstairs and many visits from the building contractor eventually saw the light fitting restored etc by the following day.

The balance of the month was taken up with getting all my work out and then concentrating on finishing some home made gifts I was busy with.  I think I have mentioned that I have resumed crocheting, after eventually learning to read a crochet pattern, at this advanced age, Haha. Although seriously, there is definitely a renewed interest and demand for crochet items. I have concentrated on ... toys  and arimigurumi, which I find so much fun.  One of the things  I made was a blue plushy whale for our little Baby Bear.  See pic. (I have subsequently learnt a better looking way of stitching the toys up).

We as a family had decided to celebrate Christmas all together at our home, on Christmas Eve.  It has been such a long time since we hosted Christmas and there was much preparation and busyness to get everything ready.  Between us girls we decided on a cold meal and I cooked all the meat the day before. We had two salads, meat and rolls and then a wonderful dessert.  Truly the way to go for such a big crowd. It was relaxed, easy, stress free and just a totally memorable day all round.   Sadly Big Guy could not join us but we did do a video call with him (not the same but I take every little win).  We got to have Princess  with us which was such a treat. We haven't seen her since as their calendar is beyond busy. But, Poppet goes back to work today and visits are planned, long awaited visits with loads of catch ups. Yippeeee.  As a result on Christmas Day the three of us had a totally lazy, cook free, slow day.

On New Year it was just Hubby and I at home and we  read until midnight, wished each other and then I continued reading until 1 am but didn't get to sleep until after 2.  That's what happens when you change routine 🤣🤣

When we go home on Thursday it is back to work and into the swing of the new year. Hmm, I wonder what this year has in store for us?  It has been good for me to take a total break from work for these three weeks from a physical point of view.  Working with Fibromyalgia can be a huge challenge and many is the day when my pain levels are off the chart, just from sitting in front of the machines.  Perhaps, somehow, this year I can finally figure out the part about pacing myself, I'm not very good at it.

Judging by the noise outside and the date I am guessing that most people are back at work and a lot of the holiday makers will be making their way home.  If you are on the roads, please, please be careful and stay alert. Getting home safely is far more important than getting impatient or speeding.

Have a wonderful January folks, I hope and pray that 2025 will be a kind and gentle year for us all.  Take a deep breath when things become extreme and stay safe.  Ciao ciao.

Blue Whale

We came home to this family if Francolins in our yard last week. Such a joy to see.

My Life's Winding Roads: We did it.... we got to December

My Life's Winding Roads: We did it.... we got to December:   Hi folks, we got here, December has arrived and we've almost wrapped up 2024.  Gee when I think back to the '70's and someone ...

We did it.... we got to December

 Hi folks, we got here, December has arrived and we've almost wrapped up 2024.  Gee when I think back to the '70's and someone mentioned 2024 or any year thereabouts, it felt like another world.  Well ..that part has a lot of truth in it, we are living in a completely different world which is a far from the '70's as we imagined, just not quite how we imagined it to be.

November  turned out to be a busy month, with a fair bit of running around and as usual seemed to fly past.  I had the most wonderful visit from a past neighbour, good friend of ours before we moved to the Cape.  She was down visiting her daughter and we spent a truly wonderful morning catching up and enjoying the company. 

I eventually had my long awaited appointment with my Orthopaedic Surgeon,  who at one point just shook his head and said " you have three different things going on with your knees .. how ?".  The end result of that appointment was he put me in a wrap around brace immediately (which I absolutely  loathe with a passion) as well as an anti-inflammatory which is tummy friendly.  As much as I dislike the brace it has and does help with stability and the pain in the front of my knee. I now wear it when needed or when driving. It doesn't allow for much movement as it has steel rods down each side. The surgery for the torn Meniscus has been set for the 13th February, so here's praying already.  Thank goodness Jelly Bean has her learners license as she has done most of the driving, also really good practise for her.

The family are all doing well. Big Guy is really busy and won't be coming down for Christmas 😢.  Poppet is as usual always busy.  The Bears are well and Munchkin is growing and meeting all his milestones.  BigBear just came back from his last trip to the USA for the year. Princess has finished 1st Year of University and did exceptionally well. She was awarded a prize and in her final marks achieved 2 Distinctions and in the 70's for everything else. Her boyfriend completed 2nd Year and achieved 4 Distinctions.  Well the two of you, we could not be prouder of you, even if you had won the World Cup 😉👏🏻👏🏻  They will be arriving in Cape Town towards the end of December and we are going to squeeze as much time together as is possible.  I have missed her something fierce. 

The piece de resistance of the month was Saturday.  It was little BabyBear, a.k.a. Munchkin's dedication.  What an incredibly beautifull day.  The venue was a gorgeous wine farm, on one of the terraces where picnic blankets were laid out and huge umbrellas.  The Bears had asked me to 'perform' the dedication, which is one of the highest honours I've ever been given.  It was only their closest friends and family who were able to attend - their Village.  I dedicated my precious little Grandson and then charged his parents as to their duty as parents to "Bring him up in the ways of the Lord" before praying with the three of them.  It was hard not to get emotional and tearful at the enormity of it all, but it went well. Munchkin happily slept through the entire proceedings.  After the dedication big picnic baskets were brought down and we all enjoyed a wonderful, hi class picnic and loads of talk and laughter. Thank you guys for bestowing such an honour on me and for the wonderful event you planned, it was perfect.

I would be very remiss if I didn't share with you what we came home to yesterday.  Charlie has been going out with me on most local trips I make with the exception of the supermarket.  He has also, always had separation anxiety.  So ... yesterday when we left home he was highly upset at being left behind.  I walked into the house just before 6pm only to see that  he had managed to jump up and reach his harness,  snagging a fabric shopping bag in the process and pulled them down,  with much determination and effort because the driftwood broke (the harness, dog leads and occasional shopping bag hang on a lovely piece of driftwood next to the door) . So, walking in the first thing we stepped over was the harness, then the bag.  What did make me laugh was what went through his mind when he managed to get it down ?  Did he wonder how to get it on, how to get out and find us ?? 🤣🤣🤣  Precious little guy, we are going to be looking for a new companion for JB in the new year and then he will have someone to play with.

Well folks there is nothing to cap yesterdays news. Today JB and I put up our Christmas Tree and decorated the house.  There is so much I still need to do before Christmas, and somehow I will get it all done. 

Thank you for joining me every month on this Blog about my life, it truly blesses me when I get feedback from you. From my family to yours, we wish you a truly BLESSED Christmas, may it be filled with peace,  harmony, love and good health.  Stay safe and well, especially if you are travelling.  Ciao, Ciao

Happy Charlie going out with Mommy.

My Life's Winding Roads: November is spinning along

My Life's Winding Roads: November is spinning along: Hello November and good morning to you all, yep we blinked and the end of the year is almost upon us. This year has flown past at a speed. F...

November is spinning along

Hello November and good morning to you all, yep we blinked and the end of the year is almost upon us. This year has flown past at a speed.

For someone who is not in the shops a lot, I was surprised last weekend to see Christmas decorations up everywhere, maybe I am living in a bubble, but this is early.

October was a good month from the aspect that Jelly Bean and I got to visit twice with the Bears and spend amazing time with Little Baby Bear.  I know I am biased, and I am allowed to be 😉, but, he is truly the most gorgeous, happy, contented little baby. His face shows every expression and an intense curiosity about what is going on. Our second visit was last weekend and we were doubly blessed to babysit him on Sunday.  The minute his eyes register who is in front of him, he breaks out into the widest smile possible.  His big achievement at the moment is copying what you say to him. He is babbling, so seriously trying to copy every sound.  He is also a real little kicker. At any and every opportunity those tiny little legs are going like pistons.  My only sadness is that time is passing so fast and tomorrow he is already three months old. Happy 3 months little Munchkin, Granny is making the most of every second.

Mom and Daddy are doing a fantastic job 👏. 

That was truly the double highlight of this past month.  The house is strangely empty without little Sasha and I think we are all still adjusting.  Charlie in particular has been generally much quieter and needing to be near me more than usual. He has also been battling with an ear infection all month, which hasn't been fun at all.

Hubby had another regatta,  which he thoroughly enjoyed and was just saying yesterday that now the regattas are finished, the guys are missing their sailing. 

The rest of the family are well, Princess had a bad dose of flu and she and C are finished with Uni for the year 🤷‍♀️, again the time thing. Yesterday she was finishing up her last project to be sent in and then she can relax, well deserved.  JB had the 'flu' (a weird strain /virus) which left anyone around her actually wincing whenever she coughed. Thank the Lord she is getting better every day. I started with it on Friday night and have felt pretty grim, but I think I'm shaking it off as well.

I am still waiting to see my Ortho Surgeon who came back to work on the 1st, my appointment is the 18th (I wouldn't mind time flying between then and now), the constant, unending pain is draining.  Just after the beginning of the October,  I was sitting on the couch and crossed my legs, something went 'pop' and for a full week i could not put any weight on my leg. Thankfully our Village is very friendly and helpful and I was able to borrow crutches to get around and JB did all the driving.  I can now walk on it again but truly cannot wait to have it resolved. One of the other things is that this kind of thing always aggravates Fibromyalgia and it becomes a bit of a endless circle of pain,  exhaustion, pain, exhaustion etc.

Work has picked up some and I have 2 HUGE crocheted blankets on my table that were chewed by a teething Yorkie puppy.  It is fun and also quite a challenge taking a gaping hole and making it look as good as new. I will post some pics on the next Blog when I am finished. I've even learnt some new stitches courtesy of good old Google. 😂

I also made an extra 2 Octipus for little Munchkin as he sleeps with them and Mommy wanted one for the car and one for the pram.   So many things I want to try and so little time and or energy. I have quite the 'to do' board on Pinterest.

Well folks, that in a nutshell sums up October and I keep, in my mind, a running list of all that needs to be done and accomplished by December.  One bite at a time Sharon

Have a wonderful week, please stay safe and healthy folks.  Ciao, ciao.

Extra Octopuses 

Where will these little feet tread ?

My Life's Winding Roads: A sad start to the month. R.I.P Sasha.

My Life's Winding Roads: A sad start to the month. R.I.P Sasha.:   Hello family and friends I hope this finds everyone well.  Currently the weather in the Cape is very confused.  One week snow, the next he...

A sad start to the month. R.I.P Sasha.

 Hello family and friends I hope this finds everyone well.  Currently the weather in the Cape is very confused.  One week snow, the next heatwave, then rain and ridiculously high waves.  Each day is a bit of a mystery and the last two days have had really heavy fog, not something we see often here in the Village. Despite the weather the world seems to just keep rolling along and here we are in October with Christmas on the horizon. 

There were no spectacular stand out moments in September and with regards to the family, all are well.  Poppet  was very ill with flu / covid and wouldn't let us near her.  It took awhile but she has recovered and is back to her usual hectic life and on the Padel Court.  Little BabyBear is growing daily and,  can you believe it? He was two months old on Saturday.  JB and I are going to spend a a few days with them this week and I am literally counting sleeps.  Whoop whoop.                     In relation to the weather, whilst we have been having snow on the nearby mountains, Big Guy and Princess have been sweltering in 30c plus, like I said it is crazy.                              Hubby went to the National Radio Controlled Sailing regatta for the class of boat he sails.  He thoroughly enjoyed himself and was doubly happy with being able to stand for so long and not have any back pain.  Praise the Lord. JB and I took the time to have a real girls weekend which was a lot of fun.

As I type this it is with a very sore heart. JB's Little Maltese Sasha (15 yrs old and a true companion dog)  was fine on Friday and woke up Saturday really sick. We rushed her to the Vet and she has been there since. She had a tumour on her pancreas and due to her age, current  state of health, surgery would be extremely risky and not guaranteed. So this morning we were on our way to see her to say goodbye, but the Vet called me at 8.am to say she had passed away during the night. We are heartbroken and trying to adjust and accept her passing. Jelly Bean said to me on Saturday that she can barely remember a time in her life without Sasha. 😢😢  Little Zeepha is still hopping around slowly on her three legs.  In the last week she has done a couple of things which are more like her normal self, which I am so relieved to see.

Work has generally been a bit quiet, which although frustrating, has probably not been a bad thing  as I have had some challenges. After I fell a couple of months ago, I had a fair amount of discomfort behind my knee which I thought was just pulled muscles. This past month with quite a quick progression, the pain became unbearable so off to our GP I trotted.  He did a couple of very sore movements and sent me for xrays and then straight to the Orthopaedic Surgeon.   This is the same Surgeon who is waiting to do my right knee replacement and, all of this is the left knee. After an MRI it would appear I have torn the Meniscus (cant see clearly if it is detached). I was due to see the Surgeon this past Friday but on Wednesday he was in a bicycle accident and was in surgery for several hours. I am scheduled to see him this coming Friday to discuss the next step  as we have to fix the left before doing the right knee replacement. I will be honest and say this- having Fibromyalgia I am used to pain, my right knee is always sore but the torn Meniscus is on a whole different level. It is constant, night and day as well as giving way when it feels like it.

On a positive note, because of the downtime I eventually, yesterday, finished JB's chunky shrug.  After unravelling it five times I am quite relieved. It is very different to a cardigan in the way it fits,  but she seems very happy with it. So onto my next project - another squishy octopus  for someone as a stress toy. I also really need to sit down and start my next diamond dot painting.  There has been so much going on this year that I have only finished one so far.

Well folks, thats me for now.  Have a great month and stay well and safe. Ciao Ciao.

Little Sasha loved to yeet cushions or pillows off the couches or bed.