My Life's Winding Roads: December has arrived

My Life's Winding Roads: December has arrived:   Wow, good morning family and friends - December snuck up on us and here we are.  Everything about this year has felt off kilter, the month...

December has arrived

 Wow, good morning family and friends - December snuck up on us and here we are.  Everything about this year has felt off kilter, the months seem to fly by and in the Cape our weather has been all upside down.  After a 'dry' winter by comparison to most we have already had our first heat wave (last week).  This kind of weather usually only comes through in February, it was most uncomfortable to say the least.

Well a quiet month socially but extremely busy here at home and also with trips to town for a variety of reasons.  Folks we did it ... we finished off the deck (see pic).  After having someone come in to lay the floor tiles I volunteered to do all the grouting, 30 sq m.  Perhaps I misjudged the amount of work in comparison to my strength and energy levels but, I did it and am very proud of the little bit of sweat equity I added to the project (and sweat I did haha).  After a couple of false starts in finding a comfortable position to work in, one of which was a foot pouffe which we aren't using and I thought might work to sit on.  Hubby brought it through covered in a black plastic bag, put it down and I sat down.  Then in the same movement slid right off the back of it with legs in the air 😂😂, I clearly never thought that one through and how we all laughed.  Anyway, eventually I sat on a low camping stool and I think for the most part did a good job of working and pacing myself. Until I got to the last bit.  I should have done it over two days but had reached a point physically where I just knew the tank was empty and there was no way I could do another day. So, I just knuckled down and did the whole section at once.  Then I could rest and recover.  Since then there has been a lot of resting all the while doing smaller things in between.  Hubby has gone off today to buy the wood for the benches seating and storage whoop whoop. He can truly
be extremely proud of himself for what he has built, well done and thank you my love.
I also started my Diamond Dot Art Painting I may have mentioned this last month.  It is totally addictive and such a calming hobby.  I am just under half way with it and am already planning my next one - such fun.

The family are all well, it has been an incredibly challenging year for all four of the 'kids' work wise but we are standing on God's promises and trusting Him for doors to open.  Princess has officially finished school, that also seems to have just come out of nowhere.  She is currently up country on holiday and having a well deserved rest. 
Within the family we have finally got Christmas planned and will all be gathering at the Bandy Clan's House on Christmas Day. Sadly Big Guy is not able to join us this year and there is going to be a very empty place at home and on Christmas Day 🥺.  Miss you son.

Folks that is about it from me as I look back on the year and see how God has sustained and carried us.  He has never once failed and is always faithful.  As you each head into this season whether you will be going away, staying at home, having a quiet Christmas or a busy one i would like to encourage you to look back on this year concentrating on the blessings and positives. We made it through 2022, we are still here wiser and stronger .  Please be safe on the roads wherever you may go and remember that a kind word or gesture can totally turn someone's day around.
Have a blessed Christmas all.  Ciao ciao.

Ta da - our gorgeous deck.

Before, when we bought our house 

My Life's Winding Roads: And I thought September was busy...

My Life's Winding Roads: And I thought September was busy...:   Good morning friends and family, it feels like an age since I last 'spoke' to you all. So much happened in October that I am not e...

And I thought September was busy...

 Good morning friends and family, it feels like an age since I last 'spoke' to you all. So much happened in October that I am not even quite sure where to start.  Good grief my head spins just trying to recall everything.  I actually thought of doing a mid month Blog just to keep up but then life accelerated and, obviously I never got there.

The family are all well ... Hmm maybe not jumping around like spring chickens as both Big Guy and Big Bear hurt their backs and are still not quite 100%. There has been severe flu, tummy bugs etc but, as I type this we are all  well.  Princess had an extremely busy month with her Valedictorian Assembly, which we were very blessed to be invited to.  School has changed so much since I was there and even my kids.  Being a small class it was very personal and very touching, watching their traditions.  One of the cutest of which is the Grade 1's hand over a white rose to every Matric student.  The new generation saying goodbye to the old.  Afterwards the guests were able to mingle with the students and teachers before the Matric class walked through a Guard of Honour made up of students, teachers, parents and guests.  The following week she had her final year Art Exhibition, oh my word the exhibits were incredible. Each one with a written narrative of their chosen piece.  Princess' was truly exceptional in the thought and meaning behind it and the execution.  She has SO much talent just oozing out of her, well done my angel it is such a privilege to see your work and get a glimpse into your soul, we are SO proud of you.  The week following the above they started with their final exams 🙏🤗

The Bears have managed to organise their upcoming move after the successful sale of their apartment and will be moving in December. Poppet has barely had time to lift her head with work and all the extras at school. Big Guy, apart from his sore back, is also head down and working all hours just to keep up.  Actually all of them including partners are finding they do not have enough hours in the day, it is a crazy world.  For birthday Sunday  we all met at a lovely restaurant out on the Stellenbosch road for a celebratory brunch.  Such a gorgeous place and the food and company were excellent.  

We met with my Sister-in-law, her son and his wife for an incredible afternoon of catch up at Benguela Cove, Hermanus, which was long overdue.  Oh my it was so good to see them,  exchange stories, laugh and hug each other.  It truly was a day to remember and we are still talking about it.  The restaurant is on a very snazzy wine farm, right on the lagoon which gives their wines a somewhat different taste, growing so close to the sea. There are many statues as well as an art gallery.  A lot of the works displayed were at times breath taking.

We also had a wonderful visit with ex neighbours of ours from Johannesburg. They are both older than us and it was truly special, it felt like Mom and Pop had come to visit.  The men never stopped talking but, then again neither did us girls.

In between all this our 'normal' life continued, we have had the deck painted and tiled, it is looking amazing and I am so  excited to see it finally coming together.  This past week Hubby and I started with grouting the tiles - I was possibly, just maybe, a little too excited and overdid things grrrr. I do so wish my body would keep up with my mind and work ethic haha.  Hubby also worked hard and so now we have decided this week we will work together, I will grout and he will come behind to wipe and clean the tiles. Doing it this way should be a lot quicker and as soon as that is done I will share a picture.  It will just need the benches, cushions and blinds to be done.

I managed to successfully lengthen the jersey that I mentioned last month and my client was delighted 👏.  I also eventually started and finished the wooden unit which has been waiting for almost two years. It now has place of honour in the lounge and I feel like an addict in the sense that I immediately started looking for the next thing to paint, it was so much fun.  As I stand now there are three vintage suitcases, two antique magazine racks, a small candle hurricane lantern, a metal cross with a rose on it and a small table.

It is so nice to have caught up on all the backlog 👏🏻 and to be thinking of new projects.  Chalk paint is definitely a very satisfying medium and opens up a whole new vista of projects.

Yesterday I took a day for myself, sort of, and started a Diamond Art canvas that Jelly Bean had gifted me with, also ages ago.  I have been waiting for just the right time to start, without a list of 'to do's' bugging my consciences.  On first opening it I was a little overwhelmed  when I saw all the markings and just how many dots there are.  Once I started it was really hard to stop, again my body started yelling at me and I needed to take a rest. I do believe this is as addictive as chalk painting and I find it very calming as it caters to my 'need' for things to be orderly and precise. So folks, watch this space in the future.

There have been numerous trips to Somerset West and Hermanus and on Friday JB and I went in as I had an Oncologist check up.  Thank the Lord all is well although she is not happy that I am still in so much pain and such limited mobility with my frozen shoulders.  She is referring me to an 'Orthopod' to have it seen to, ho hum 🤔.

Well folks those are the highlights of October, there were the usual 'blonde moments' and minor catastrophes which caused much laughter and teasing, but then I just seem prone to be the family entertainment.  There are two which stand out in particular.  At Princess' Valadiction I  walked over to pour myself a glass of bubbly.  I was aware that someone was on my left side briefly but was concentrating on my task.  The next minutes the cork popped off the bottle further down the table with such a loud bang. Instantly I said "it's not me" which caused much hilarity and embarrassment.  I was never anywhere near that bottle.  🤷🏻‍♀️  Last week when I started the grouting Hubby gave me an old pouffe, which was in a black garbage bag, to sit on.  Well I sat and slid right off the back 😂😂, naturally much laughter at my expense haha.

Now that I have caught up I am hoping to have new projects to share with you. I will say this though. If you have not tried Diamond dot art, it is well worth getting yourself one and giving it a go. Very calming and satisfying to do without great physical effort.

I am also extremely aware that everyone is under so much pressure at the moment. It is like looking at a world of pressure cookers just waiting to 'blow'.  The demands of life seem to have increased hugely, work has become harder and longer, life has become uncomfortably expensive to the point where one is working out just how much a trip to town is going to cost in petrol/diesel. In the midst of all the crazy, all the pressure, all the worry, God never leaves your side.  He Has NOT changed and "is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow." His ear is always attuned to our prayers, day or night, whatever the circumstance. 

Psalm 37 v 14. The LORD hears His people when they call to Him for help.  He rescues them from ALL their troubles.

  - When a child of God calls out to Him, He hears their cry.

  - At the very moment you call out to Him, He responds to bring relief.

  - There is no trouble that is so powerful that God cannot free us.

  - Things may seem impossible and complicated but they are not  too hard for Him. 

A friend shared the above with me this week and I really believe it is so relative right now.  God hears and sees you and your circumstances.  He is moving on your behalf. Very often He has to work through another human to resolve the situation and therefore we need to also pray that the people He speaks to are quick and obedient to do what He has told them, as well as ourselves.  When God prompts you to do something/ pray/  for another person, we need to get it done ASAP.  We are part of someone else's answer to prayer.

As I close off this very long Blog, I pray you will experience God's peace in the days and weeks ahead.  I appreciate you all and thank you for your support and encouragement.  Ciao Ciao

Surrender -Benguela Cove

My wooden unit before and after

The altered jersey, which ended at the blue,  i added on the black below.

My Life's Winding Roads: Busy, busy, busy.

My Life's Winding Roads: Busy, busy, busy.:   Happy October everyone, all I can say about September is "it was good and very busy".  Here we once again find ourselves with a ...

Busy, busy, busy.

 Happy October everyone, all I can say about September is "it was good and very busy".  Here we once again find ourselves with a brand new week in a new month ... It is a blank sheet of paper in your history at this stage, I hope you all make it memorable, even if that is just a mental adjustment to look for the blessings.

As September rolled in I made the decision that enough tasks had gathered dust bunnies and made a began to clear my list.  🎉 Pacing myself I  managed to get 90 % of my list finished and ticked off.  Eventually finishing Jelly Bean's shrug which in retrospect I could have left the original size as it is somewhat large 🤦🏻‍♀️. She loves it but as for me I'm not so sure hehe.  Then I got stuck in and completed an order from the Bandy's for two long thin hot water bottle covers and one small cover for a microwave hot 'bottle'.  They thankfully came out exactly as planned and they were delighted, even I was satisfied.  Next on the  list was tackling some of the awkward kitchen cupboards.  One of my pet hates in a kitchen is the corner cupboard that has two doors, you have to be an octopus, flat on the ground to find anything.  We have one under the counter and one right above the counter.  Needless to say that by the time I was finished there was a large box of a variety of kitchen containers, odds and ends that got donated to our local animal charity.  Then came the moment which I could no longer ignore and this past week I knuckled down and made six big scatter cushions for the lounge.   The material was bought  months ago, before my last surgery if I am correct.  It has been sitting here glaring at me ever since but because I find sewing on the machine extremely hard  on my back and shoulders, I kept putting it off.  No more,  the cushions are made and I am super chuffed at how they turned out.  

There are still four things on my list - to revarnish the kitchen counter and our dining room table, to paint the big wooden unit which has been waiting for more than a year.  Inspiration eventually landed and I am going to paint it with chalk paint, I can't wait.  The fourth task is to lengthen a bought jersey for someone in the Village.  The lady bought this jersey in the UK and it is just too short to be comfortable.  I managed to find the closest wool blend and intend getting started on it immediately.  My fingers are itching to get to the wooden unit.

Hubby has also been busy with a constant stream of clocks and watches.  He also hired a local chap who came in and helped him finish off the cladding on the deck.  Since then Hubs has filled in all  the gaps etc and we can now purchase the paint and get a painter in, 🤞🏻 within the next week or so.  After that it is tiling the floor and then it becomes liveable.  The benches will be the last step.

The Volvo is still not going but the computer is currently in Johannesburg being repaired, so please God that will be back soon and he can get her back on the road. 🙏

The family are all well and Princess had two Matric dances last week in as many days.  On Wednesday she was in Pretoria for C's dance and then they flew back on Thursday for her dance that same night.  Talk about a tight schedule.  She also had her hair cut on the day of her dance to just below her shoulders which was a big surprise and looks stunning.  She is donating her ponytail to the Cancer Association 😍.  Someone is going to be truly blessed with an incredible wig.  I am still trying to figure out where the years have gone, all of a sudden she is this gorgeous, mature woman.  Her school starts writing their final matric exams on the 25th October 🙏.   This weekend she and C her boyfriend came through and spent Saturday night with us, leaving just before lunch yesterday.  We had the most amazing time with them and ended up playing card games til late on Saturday evening.   We tried taking all the dogs to our local Coffee Shop because they now serve Pupachinos and I have been promising Charlie one for ages hehe.  Good old Murphy's law was in full  effect and due to Loadshedding they could not make any of the fancy coffees or Pupachinos.  Oh dear, one day I will get one for him but, oh my goodness try taking three dogs to a dog friendly Coffee Shop and it was bound to get rowdy.  Humphrey is a rescue like Charlie and he gets very vocal when he sees any dog on the street (even if he is in the car), he bark/howls. Charlie just gets over excited period, and Sasha gets so nervous that she shivers and shakes.  Yikes ... It was interesting but none the less good fun and I am glad we did it.  This week is another birthday week in the family with Poppet celebrating her birthday today and Hubster celebrates his on Wednesday, they are exactly 30 years and 2 days apart.  Happy Birthday precious family I pray your coming year is going to be blessed beyond measure.

Health wise I am gaining my strength steadily. I have tried Physio for the frozen shoulders but it truly made no difference so for now I just curtail painful movements and am waiting for it to go.  I think the biggest boost for me has been making headway, albeit slowly, on all the things that had accumulated over the past sixteen months and clearing my 'list'. I feel like a functional, productive woman again.  I can only give God all the Glory for that fact that on this Saturday I will be one year Cancer free. It has been a long year, but one in which my faith has grown in leaps and bounds.  The Lord has held me, comforted me, taught me many lessons and healed me.  As October is Breast Cancer awareness month I am going to ask the question.  Ladies when last did you have a Mammogram ?  As hateful as they are they can save your life, please don't put it off. 

Well folks, this is what we've been up to and I intend having pictures of further projects finished or on the go by the time next month rolls around.  

To you all, wherever you may be, may God be your Comforter, your Saviour and your Healer. He is faithful and just waiting for you to ask, there is nothing too small or too big for Him to handle.

Stay safe folks and stay well. Ciao ciao.

Charlie looking cute at the coffee shop.

Finished scatter cushions  
 

My Life's Winding Roads: September already !

My Life's Winding Roads: September already !: Morning greetings to you all from a cold, wet and windy Betty's Bay, as we are right in the midst of cold fronts.  The wind has been rea...