Nothing to say...

I'm feeling completely brain dead as far as my blogging goes at the moment. Life just isn't all that exciting at the moment. Oh, I've been busy, it's just not really news that I think you'd enjoy reading... Braai'ed at the in-laws on Friday night, Saturday morning had breakfast in Sea Point & Jake had a play at the park, had art (must remember to take another photo of my painting that's still not finished!), Saturday night, we braai'ed at home and watched the rugby (even Jake - he only went to bed just before midnight), Sunday, I took Jake to the World of Birds and we spent the entire afternoon there - it was really great and there's so much to see. We had lunch at their little cafe too. Jake had a ball and it's really worth the drive through to Hout Bay. This week's been pretty quiet. We're busy with the Fish Africa Exhibition that's on at the Convention Centre, so I've been in the office on my own since yesterday and will be tomorrow too. I've been sorting through some old photos of Jacques as a baby and child that I want to use to make a collage for Jake's room. I've always wanted to make one for Jake, but Jacques' mom threw all her negatives away, so I've had to scan each photo individually and have dropped them off for printing this afternoon. I think it'll be really nice when it's done - I want to make it the story of Jake's life. Jacques and I as babies, then as children, later as a couple and as a family and then ending off with more recent photos of Jake. I just hope I don't go too overboard with it - I'm sure Jake won't want a huge mural on his wall... I can't believe how much Jake actually looks like Jacques though. Everyone's always said he's the splitting image of me, but seeing these kiddie photos of Jacques has shown that there's a lot of his dad in him too. I'm also finally busy putting my wedding photos into an album (it's taken 6 1/2 years!!). Been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but it's going to be good to have it done. Anyway, ending off with some recent photos - sorry this is such a boring post, I'll try think of something better to write about for next time! Lots of love xxx Jake... Jacques as a kid... Pre-school concert. That's Jacques on your left and I'm 2 across First day of school... Our wedding day - Milnerton Beach

Crossroads

Well, life has got me thinking. Time moves far too quickly and, it seems, that as you grow older (or more mature!), the days seems to pick up speed. When I think back to being a little girl, starting out in sub-A, matric seemed a lifetime away. School days were long and the end seemed to be so far out of sight. It's 12 years now since I finished school - I've been out of it for as long as I was in - and somehow, the last 12 years seem to have just flown by in a total blur. I cannot believe that in 12 years, I've studied, travelled, changed jobs, moved house, been married, widowed, become a mother and reached the fabulous age of 30 - it's all happened so fast. Yet, 12 years of school dragged on and on and on... Well, at the age of 30, I'm contemplating studying again. I've never been an academic and I'm actually really nervous at just the thought of becoming a student again. There is just so much to consider. Firstly, what to study. As many of you know, I love photography and it's the one thing I've always regretted not having studied after school. I've done a bit of research and have found that Cape Peninsula University (the old Cape Tech) offers a National Diploma in photography, but it's a 3-year full time course. Am I prepared to give up my job and become a full-time student for this? Can I afford to? Can I cope with the work load? I've also found out that Damelin does a correspondance photography course, which should take around a year to complete. This would fit better into my current lifestyle, but am I disciplined enough? The Damelin course is also a theory based course, wherein we are required to complete assignments and portfolios, etc. There are only 3 exams, which is a definite plus in my books. Another alternative would be to get a proper qualification for what I'm currently employed to do (accounts/bookkeeping), but I doubt that this would mean I'd be able to earn much more. Definitely not where I'm currently employed. Cost-wise, the CPU 3-year diploma course is about 5.5 X the price of the Damelin course, but it is longer and definitely more comprehensive. The CPU course has 4 subjects per year, which might take up quite a bit of my daily time. I wonder, though, if it would give me time enough to continue doing the books for the company I'm currently with in between? Would be nice to have some income if I'm studying full time.

The second crossroad I'm finding myself at is that I'm starting to feel like I'd possibly like to have my own home again. It's wonderful living with my parents and they've been so incredibly supportive, but I know that at some point I have to get out of my comfort zone and move out. It's great having their company in the evenings once Jake goes to bed and it's good to know there's someone there when I come in late at night. It's fabulous having my mom around to help with Jake on days when I'm just not coping. And it's really great for Jake to be with my dad. I doubt that, if I were to move out, we'd spend too much time in our house anyway, we'd probably still "live" with my folks. I'd be living in Edgemead, quite close to my folks (in my 3-bedroomed house, currently being rented out); my mom would still fetch Jake from school, so we'd be there every day. We'd probably end up eating there in the evenings too. So then, is there any point to our moving out? We'd only be at our house for bedtime and weekends. Is that a waste of money? Should I just ignore how I'm starting to feel and enjoy having the rental income for now? I wonder if I'd be able to afford living alone if I were to take up studying now... See what I mean????? So much going on in my little head!!

Anyway, less stressful things - Jake & I had a nice weekend. Friday night, I went out to supper with Joanne and a good friend of ours, Sam. Was good to catch up with them, without kids. Saturday, Jake had a friend's birthday party - I never manage to go, because I've got art from 11 - 2. This party was from 10 - 12:30, so I decided to be a little late for art and went to the party till 11:30, when my mom came to take over. I love seeing Jake with his little friends and watching him interact with them - it's so funny. They're growing up far too quickly. His teacher was chatting to me again, saying how well he speaks for his age and that she really thinks his sense of humour's well beyond his years. Gets that from his dad, for sure!! It's nice to hear that he's doing OK. So, had art after the party, then went through to family friends in Simons Town for dinner. Not much else happened. The weather was terrible and it's freezing here!!

Jake dressed for Saturday morning's pirate party: Jake in the bath - loves getting his hair wet, but screams the house down when I actually wash it: Being cute with a bagel:

I finally took some photos of Jake's "vegetable patch". He's absolutely LOVING it. He's had 3 strawberries off his little strawberry plants, his lemon tree has two tiny lemons on it, his tomato plants are covered in flowers, his seedlings are all sprouting and we've transplanted his beans and millie plants into proper pots now. It's all been very exciting for Jake and he's learnt so much from it. He really enjoys getting his hands dirty and I've honestly let him do as much of the work as possible. I've just guided him along, doing all the heavy manual labour - like filling pots with soil - while he's been able to do the actual planting/fertilising/watering/harvesting. Besides some non-toxic-to-kids-and-animals snail bait early on, we've opted to go as organic as we can. Takes a bit more thought, but we're both learning as we go. Maybe I should do horticulture... Anyway, here's a couple of shots of Jake's garden.

Bean/green pepper pot: Newly planted bean seedlings: A few of Jake's pots, containing tomatoes, millies, green peppers, spring onions, parsley, carrots & a lemon tree: The strawberry patch (Jake's favourite). The grid is to keep the birds out, eggshells keep the snails out and the plastic keeps the strawberries off the soil: Jake has to wait paitently to pick his ripe strawberries: Enjoying his first strawberry - rewards of his hard work! Our new garden gnome:

Finally - good news!!

Just a very short post to let you all know that Paul went down on his knee on Saturday night and asked Joanne to marry him. It was completely unexpected for her and he'd only asked my dad that morning, but she's obviously very excited. I can't believe that there's going to be a wedding in our family. YAY! I'm going to have a brother! A really nice one!! Congratulations to Jo and Paul, I hope that you have lots of fun in preparing for your special day. We love you guys tons and tons!!!

XXX

Augrabies and other wafflings...

This week seems to have just flown by - I can't believe it's already Friday!! Mind you, I have only had a 3 day week and it has been a busy one (at work - finally!!!). Jake & I spent last weekend in Augrabies, with our good friends, Wesley & Lizelle van Vuuren. For those of you who don't know South Africa all that well, Augrabies is in the Northern Cape, about 100km outside of Upington. It gets very hot there in Summer time. Wesley's birthday's on Christmas day and he'll be turning 30. Christmas is also harvest time for them (they grow grapes for export/rasins), so it's generally an impractical time of year for a party of any kind. So, this last weekend being a long one, Lizelle organised a surprise party for him and we all went up to Augrabies for it. Rosanne and Gareth drove up with Jake and I and we just had such a good time together. Once again, Jake travelled like a star. He slept a little, sang a lot, nattered away and looked for holy smolies, which are giant bird's nests built on power lines and were called "holy smolies" after Gareth saw one and said "holy moly". We stayed in a lovely self-catering guest house, which had an enclosed lawn area and jungle gym for Jake. We spent most of our time at Wesley & Lizelle's though, which was literally right across the road from the guest house. It was really great having a few days away from the rush of every day life so soon after our Greek holiday. Jake loves it on the farm and Wes has made up a little farm yard for the kids with ducks and geese and chickens and goats and a pig (called Suzy, yes after me). The chickens have 3 tiny chicks and about 18 eggs that they're sitting on and the geese are sitting on another 6 eggs. Lizelle's also expecting their second baby, so their farm seems to be very fertile indeed! We spent some time over at Kamkiri, which is a privately owned game reserve, where we did horse-riding. I haven't riden since the day before I found out I was pregnant with Jake (4 years at the beginning of September) and I was really nervous about it. Amazing how one loses confidence in one's abilities, when actually horse-riding's a bit like riding a bicycle - once you know how, you can't forget. Once I was back in the saddle, I just didn't want to get out again. I'd love to take it up again, but I just never seem to be able to find the time. I must try looking into it properly again. I'd love to get Jake riding too. Some photos of our time in Augrabies...

Horse-riding (look how fat I got on holiday!!):

Jake's first time in the saddle:

Jake & Lara-Lyn:

Jake at Saturday night's party:

Jake & I at the Canyon in the Augrabies Falls National Park ('scuse what we look like):

I was a bit worried about going up, because Douglas was going to be there, with his new fiance (who he hasn't even bought a ring for yet). I needn't have worried though - he didn't even bother introducing her to us and they had a huge fight. I did help her with the dishes, just so I could get to know her a little - she's really young (23), but seems sweet enough. I just hope she knows what she's getting herself into, he's a real player. Anyway, we all got along fine and it really wasn't that bad. At least I know now that he definitely isn't the one for me and I'm quite contented with that. He didn't spend too much time with Jake either, which I was really glad about - his behaviour with Jake after we broke up was shocking.

We got home from Augrabies on Tuesday evening, had supper with my folks and went straight to bed. Jake spent the day with my mother-in-law on Wednesday and put his swimming skills to test by falling in the pool. Not as dramatic as it initially sounded, he was playing on the top step, but did go completely under water. He came up laughing, so I was happy with that. His swimming is coming on well again now. This term didn't start off too well and he vomited in the pool during his first lesson. He's still insisting that his teacher holds him through the lesson, but his confidence is definitely up from where we left off at the end of last term. She's spent a lot of time working on his style while he wants her to hold him, so I'm really happy with how he's progressing now. It's been a frustrating time for me watching from the side of the pool, knowing how well he really can swim.

I'm going through a bit of post-holiday blues with him at the moment too. He seems to be going through quite an awkward stage. He's just decided that he won't smile or say hello to anyone, no matter what I say or do. I've discussed it with him and have explained that from now on, if he's rude to people, he will be sent to the bathroom, until he decides to be the polite little boy that everyone loves. It seems to be going well so far (only been 2 days). He's also not eating all that well at the moment, but I'm not too worried about it. I've put him onto vitamins, because they say it increases appetite. I'm also working on sitting at the dinner table for evening meals (we often eat off our laps) and he's not allowed to leave the table until we're all finished eating. Giving him a choice - sit with us and eat, or sit in the bathroom. He seems to be eating better at the table too. And he's not getting nice snacks during the day (sweeties or biscuits or chips) unless he eats properly. Blackmail. Like I've told so many new mommies lately, it's all about perserverence. And Jake's grown about 8cm since his birthday in May, so he's obviously not doing too badly.

Anyway, tonight I've got my niece & goddaughter's school fashion show; tomorrow's art, which I'm starting to get irritated by - I just don't have the time for it at this point in my life. I seem to be missing kids parties and with working during the week, my weekend time with Jake is precious. I'll finish the painting I've been doing, but I think I'm going to quit once it's done. At least until my life quietens down a bit, which'll probably only be once Jake leaves home one day. Tomorrow afternoon, I'm going through to Wellington with my friend Jacki and her son, Steven. Jacki's boyfriend's got a holiday house there and has left his keys with her while he's overseas. We're going to spend tomorrow night in the jacuzzi and drinking wine. Home on Sunday, no plans. If the weather's nice enough, we might go through to the Blue Peter for sundowners.

Enjoy your weekend! Look after yourselves and all your cute kiddies. XXX PS. Some photos from Augrabies, I have more, but don't have my camera with me today.

To my child...

I've read this before, but think it's so true. Life gets so busy and we tend to let the small things pass us by without a thought. Our children are such wonderful blessings to us all and this poem always reminds me to just stop and enjoy each passing moment. One day our kids will grow up and move on with their own exciting lives, following their own dreams. So spoil them while you can, in whatever way you choose, especially with your time.

Jake & I made a vegetable garden this past weekend. We planted cherry tomatoes, strawberries, child-friendly flowers, a lemon tree and various seeds (all in pots). Every evening when I get home from work, I help him fill his watering can and let him water his plants on his own. He digs in the sand and gets muddy and he loves ever second of it. He did most of the planting on his own and is very, very proud of his little garden and it's been wonderful watching him learn about planting and fertilizing and watering and pests and now waiting for his seeds to sprout. I can't wait for his first "harvest"!! It's so important to give them the happy memories of a fleeting childhood that they so deserve. This poem makes me cry every time I read it. I love you, Jake XXX

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying. Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is. Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play. Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together. Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles. Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by. Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned. Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them. Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys. Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you. Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry. Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars. Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows. Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given. I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore. And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day.............. AUTHOR UNKNOWN

There and back again!

Well, before everyone bites my head off for not blogging, I thought I'd better try find some time during my day to type up a higldy-pigldy post. Work has been busy since I got back, but seems to be settling down (at least for a few days before month-end) again now. Gives me time to do things like this...

Packed and ready to go (only 1 of those bags was allowed for Jake & I!):

My mom, Jake & I on the flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg:

So, we had the most amazing holiday ever and it was an experience of a lifetime. The weather was unbelievable and it went up to 47 deg (apparently) the one day. We have all come back nice and tanned, although mine seems to be fading already. I wish it was summer already so I could show it off a bit before it's completely disappeared (I never go brown!).

We started off our stay in Greece with a few days in Athens. It's a massive, busy city (aren't they all?), but there's plenty to see and do on foot. The whole area is just seeped in history and I learnt so much. The Acropolis is incredible and it's quite amazing to be there, knowing that the Parthenon and other main buildings of it were built during the 5th centuary BC!!! The views of the city from the acropolis are stunning! We also visited Poseidon's Temple, which was built sometime between the 5th & 6th centuaries B.C. too.

Jake & I at The Acropolis "the Gateway" (note how white I was!):

Kathy, my mom, Jake, me, Michelle & Joanne at Poseidon's Temple:

Our next stop away from Athens was the beautiful, vibrant island of Skiathos. Skiathos is about 50 mins flight north east of Athens. We spent 2 nights in Skiathos (one on land, the seond on our yacht, "Thetis") before our sailing trip began. From Skiathos, we visted Skopelos, Alonissos and Skiros. We visited so many tiny bays and saw the most incredible places along the way. The sailing was a fantastic experience, although it was lots of hard work and plenty of stress, which we weren't prepared for. My uncle was our skipper and to say he was hard on us at times, would be an understatement. There were at least 2 occassions where I ended up in tears, threatening to catch the next ferry in the opposite direction. I mean, why can't they just say front and back or left and right?? Still, we had tons of fun on the water and it was also time where we were forced (when we weren't working) to relax. We couldn't do anything, except play games, lie on the deck or snooze. Being on yachts allowed us to visit places you can't get to without a boat, we saw things that most tourists never see. We saw dolphins 3 times, once right next to the boat. It was incredible!! And the waters are so blue and so warm - at 10m, you can still see the bottom!

Jake was an absolute star too! He slept on all the flights (6 in total) and behaved so well on the yacht. He had a special spot to sit when we were coming into/leaving port and he never really performed over having to sit quietly while we did our thing. And it was fabulous to have so much time with him. We played cards on the deck and swam and went to the beach and ate ice-cream and just generally enjoyed one another's company. It's been really difficult getting back to reality and I'm really not enjoying having to come to work full time anymore. I'm desperate for a half day job and I've decided to give my current job till the end of the year, before I ask them if they'd consider employing me half day. It's so convenient...

Jake at the helm:

Jake & I swimming in Monastery Bay:

Fortunately, we weren't affected by the massive fires that have wrecked complete havoc across Greece. We did see the start of one big fire, which had apparently spread to 35km and killed 15 people by the time the evening news came on. Thankfully, we didn't have access to television on the yacht and if we did see one in any of the towns we stopped in, it was all in Greek, so we had no idea of what was going on around us. Since getting home, it's been quite frightening to see what we were in the midst of and to realise how many people's lives have been affected by this devastation. All while we were enjoying our holiday...Thanks to everyone who sent messages to check that we were safe.

And that's about it. We were all pretty exhausted when we got home after all the travelling, but relaxed. It was a stunning holiday and I would definitely love to visit Greece again in the future!!

PS. It's been completely impossible trying to decide which photos to put up on my blog and I still haven't had mine put onto CD yet (well I did, but the quality was so bad, the photo shop has to re-do them). So, here are just a few of my dad's from our trip, in no real order (more to follow when I get mine back!!)...

Skiathos Town:

Arch at Lalaria:

Jake & I in the streets of Skopelos Town:

View over Skopelos Town:

Skopelos

View from Old Town on Skopelos:

Steni Vala:

Jake & I in Orei:

Palio Trikeri (only has 30 permanent inhabitants!):

Sunset over North Bay. This was is an active volcanic cauldren:

Jake & Eve on the beach at Lanaria Bay, Skyros (nice, comfy rocks):

Skyros Town:

Our whole group (we were 5 yachts worth!) in Skiathos on our last night:

The crew of 'Thetis'

Our last day spent at Koukounaries beach, Skiathos:

Us at Koukounaries (Skiathos) on our last day:

Jake & I on the flight leaving Skiathos for Athens

Sailing into the sunset!!!

Well, this will be my last post before I go on holiday! I am SO excited!!

This last weekend was really such a good one, we relaxed and caught up with family. Friday night was a lazy one at home, Saturday morning was my art class, while Jake spent time with Jacques folks. They took him through to Gordon's Bay to take him onto (not out on) Jacques' uncle's yacht. He had a ball. I spent time with him in the afternoon and then dropped him back off with his grandparents to spend the night there. They braai'ed and his cousins slept over aswell, so generally, he had a ball. I went to a dinner at my neighbour's house on Saturday night - the one who I do my art classes with. He arranged a get-together with all the art students, so it was really nice getting to know the people that I spend Saturday mornings with. Sunday, I packed and spent some time lazing in the sun at the Blue Peter with my folks and Jake. I love going there on Sundays, to me, it's the perfect way to end a weekend. I can't wait for summer to start, so that I can be there every Sunday! Had dinner with Jacques' folks, which was really nice!!Jake & I at Blue Peter

Jake hugging his friend goodbye (she goes to school with him)

Lights out in the car on the way home

>With a friend's Jack Russell puppy

So, our holiday is upon us. I can't believe that the time has gone so quickly, it feels like we've been planning this forever. With all the rain and miserable weather we're having today, I'm really glad I'm going off to warmer shores for a little break. The flights are stressing me out a little, because I'm not sure how Jake will manage. I'm just hoping that he sleeps. His longest flight so far was only 6 hours and we flew during the day, so he was fine. Travelling over-night is very daunting. There is always so much activity and we arrive in Athens at 5:50am on Thursday morning, which means they'll be waking us up for breakfast at some unearthly hour like 3am. Why they don't just skip breakfast on these flights is a mystery to me. Still, we're all excited and I'm literally counting the minutes until today's finished. I can't wait to get away from the office.(The Thetis, above, is the yacht we will be staying on)

So, all that's left for me now are just a few messages for my fellow bloggers:

Caroline: Best of luck for everything that lies ahead. You are going to be a wonderful mother and little Butterfly's blessed to have been sent to you and Craig. I will be thinking about you all the time while I'm away and I can't wait to meet your princess when I get home (although, I'm still holding thumbs that she arrives before I go!). I still feel quite funny about the fact that the next time I see you, you'll be a mommy!! Look after yourself and enjoy this very special time in your life!

Ronnie: Happy 30th birthday for the 30th!! I hope that you are as spoilt as you deserve to be. I'm so sorry that I will be missing out on your party, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it anyway! I promise that I will find a special spot to have a drink on you somewhere in Greece. Will be thinking about you lots. I hope you're feeling better after your surgery wish you tons and tons of good luck as far as all that's concerned!!

To the rest of you - I am looking forward to getting back and catching up on all your blogs and news!!! Look after yourselves.

All my love, Susie xxx