My plans don't come through... Phuket was a great, spontaneous idea and it would've been heaps of fun, especially with my wonderful friend Jacki, but it was not meant to be. I tried very hard not to get myself too excited about it, but I did and to say I'm disappointed now that I'm not going would be an understatement. Unfortunately, Jacki has a very pressurized job (and crazy personal life) and had to make a few decisions that couldn't wait any longer and, since our last flight was still wait listed yesterday, just couldn't wait any more. Yesterday was a bumpy day for us, Jacki thinks I'm cross with her about not going, but I'm not. I'm just totally bummed that I won't be lazing on the beach, getting my back massaged and my toenails painted on the beach in Phuket next week!!
Our plans were only made last week Wednesday after Papa Louis' funeral and were due to fly this coming Sunday morning, so it's all been a bit sudden anyway. June 2009 was an especially tough time for me and I just needed to get away from it all. There were huge specials and we thought we'd take advantage, but, higher powers had a better plan, so I'm staying at home now instead. And there may well be a good reason for me saving my money instead. In any event, we hadn't been planning the trip for months and months and there's always another time. What will be will be...
That said, there's a lot happening in my life for the rest of the year and I have so much to look forward to. At the end of next month we're going off to the Kruger National Park with family and friends, which I'm really looking forward to. We've been planning that trip for about a year, so no chances of it falling through at the last minute. Jake's never been on a safari holiday and I can't wait to experience that with him. We'll be away for 10 nights in total, 8 of them in the park - it's going to be a good de-stressing time out in the bush!! We leave on 27 August and get home on 7 September - I can't wait!!
The end of October (as in Halloween) is Rosanne and Gareth's wedding, so October will be a very busy month preparing kitchen teas and sorting out last minute odds and sods. At this stage, I'm looking forward to seeing it all coming together. There always seems like so much to do and the end always feels so far away. We are getting there, though. The venue's been chosen and booked; decorators booked and decor chosen, our bridesmaid's dresses have been bought and are hanging up ready for the big day and finally and at long last, a dress maker's been found and we are going to buy material for Rosie's wedding dress tomorrow morning. We're also going to chose paper for the invites this weekend. It's all happening and it's very exciting.
Besides that, there's the prospect of moving into my own house with Jake. I've decided that I'm finally ready to take this huge step and I think that it's one I need to deal with before I can get on with the rest of my life. It's been great living with my parents and they've been more support then I could ever have asked for. Jake's grown up in a loving, stable home that I'm not sure I could've provided until now. Anyway, now that I've made this huge decision, I'm really excited about it and have already begun planning all that I need to do and buy for our move. Hey, perhaps that's why my Phuket trip didn't happen - I have a lot of furniture I need buy!! Most of the things Jacques and I had were second hand (we were young and had no money), so it'll be quite nice moving into a new home, with new things to make our new beginning. I'll keep you posted!!
Lastly, I have approximately 799 photos that I've finally managed to check and edit and I will be posting them here throughout the day. In anticipation of going on leave, I'm so ahead with my work now, I'm not sure how I'm going to keep busy for the next couple of days, so bloggers beware...
Hope every one's doing OK!
Love me XXX
Some one's built this very life-like 
These last few were taken at a Bronze sculpture place they're busy setting up along the main drag in Simon's Town. I have no idea of the prices, but some of their work is amazing...
We did another little trip to Butterfly world a few weeks ago with some friends - I can't resist photo opportunities like that, so here are a few snaps of our time there. Not too many - I don't want anyone getting bored. I love the see-through jobs above. When they fly, all you see are the little white marks on the tips of their wings moving. It's a highly recommended outing, as long as you can keep your kids from crushing the bugs...
New butterflies drying their wings...
And this is my favourite photo of the day...
So, we've been out a lot lately and I'm going to try get some of the pictures up over the next few days. Just thought I'd share this with you - it shows how differently our minds work. After dinner club at 