Creepy-crawlies...

After reading Sandra's blog this morning, I was reminded about this photos I took of a chameleon visitor to our garden about 3 or 4 weeks ago. We were working in the garden and Jake found this chameleon climbing a tree near to where we were planting new seedlings. I've never been wild about creepy-crawlies, but feel like I have to try be brave about these things for Jake. Where I don't really like even looking at them from a distance, I now have to stroke them and try explain their weird skin and funny eyes. I managed to get my dad to gently lift the chameleon from the tree and pass it on to Jake. Needless to say, Jake loved it and was completely fascinated by the creature. We honestly haven't seen a chameleeon in our garden for years and years; I don't think we've had one since I was kid. So this was quite special and worthy of a picture...

The boy and the toilet...

I just had to share these pictures with you of Jake on the toilet. Like most men, going to the bathroom is a lengthy ritual and Jake likes to pass the time during his visits to the loo by singing to himself. Don't get me wrong here - he can spend up to half an hour in there. So, he usually goes to the toilet with the door open; then belts out something like "you are mine sunshine" at the top of his voice over and over. It depends on his mood really. Sometimes he'll sing there was a little sparrow, or twinkle twinkle little star and he even takes requests sometimes. Recently he's started using the towel rail as a "shelter" during his ablutions and these poor quality photos are of him on the loo (sorry if this offends anyone)...

Friday's Photo on Wednesday: In the Garden...

I was off work on Friday, so had planned to put a photo up on Thursday, but with Financial year end at the end of this week, things have been a bit hectic. We had a sprinkling of rain over night though and I couldn't resist taking a few pictures. Unfortunately, they were only taken with my cell phone, so they're not the best quality, but pretty anyway, so thought I'd share them...

Our March Lilies have just come into bloom and are so beautiful...

Lots of love xxx

wedding pics

The guests along the pier looking back at the ferrari (it is there if you look) and Jo arriving with my dad... The celebrations begin... Opening Dance (Sade - By Your Side)... My mom with Paul's grandfather, Paddy... Hope I'm not boring you with all these photos, posting as I get them from various friends and family...

Lots of love

Sue xxx

What a wonderful wedding!

Me dressing my boy... Joanne with my mom... Pre-wedding drinks... The bridal car... Jake with the Ferrari - note the shirt already tucked out... My dad and Jake with the Ferrari... Jo & my dad before leaving the house... Jake & I ready to go... Leaving the house... Kalk Bay Harbour. The guests are all seated at the far end of the first pier (the one closest). It was too windy to use the main harbour wall as planned... My dad and Jo make their way down the "aisle"... Me, Jake & Rosie on the pier during the ceremony... Newlyweds... Me, Jake, Rosanne, Joanne, Paul, TJ (Paul's brother) and Clive... Jake & I at the reception... Stuart (the Ferrari owner & Jo's boss) and Jake waiting to catch the garter. Stuart actually caught it. What is it about men who own Ferrari's and like kids?? Cutting the cake... At Cape Town International this morning. The happy couple on their way to honeymoon in Bali. And yes, it does look like Jo was crying..

You guys have impressed me today. It's 15:40 (according to my PC) and not one of you have nagged me for wedding photos yet!!! It's been quite a hectic day, so I hope you'll forgive me and I promise to put up lots of photos at the end of this post to make up for taking so long in getting to this post...

Friday was a good day. I'd taken the day off (as had the rest of the family, except Rosanne, who's just started a new job) and I was able to take Jake to school in the morning (a real bonus for me!). Mom and I went and got our nails done (a serious treat - I never do anything to my nails, but they look seriously hot!) and then took a drive out to Harbour House to drop off everything I'd prepared for the wedding. We rushed home, so I could take Jake and Karen (his paternal grandmother) out to lunch at Rosati's. We met my cousins down at the Blue Peter before going off to Joanne's. Rosanne, Gareth (Rosie's boyfriend) and I spent Friday night with Jo. We got there around 7:30 and she made us a delicious pasta with salads for dinner. While Rose, Jo and I consumed far too much champagne (OK, not enough to give us a headache on Saturday morning), Gareth sorted out a few technical problems at Joanne and Paul's new house. Mainly the pool pump. Neither Joanne nor Paul are technically minded and I forsee many a desperate phonecalls for help changing their high-ceiling lightbulbs in the not-too-distant future. I shared a bed with Jo and by the time we got into bed, it was almost mid-night.

Saturday morning, was relaxed and we just sat around the lounge, wondering what to do with all our time before the wedding. My folks came through around 12, they'd been delayed because Rose's car was broken into on Friday night and they only noticed when the police knocked on the door to tell them. We had left-over pasta for lunch and then began getting ready. The make-up lady arrived and we gradually got dressed. As a surprise, Paul had arranged with Jo's boss, that he be her driver and he arrived in his GORGEOUS red Ferrari to collect her. My dad was like a kid and the Ferrari really made the day so special for him. Jo had to sit on his lap and they enjoyed a high speed trip through to Kalk Bay in the Ferrari (they actually had to wait for us to catch up before going on to the pier). When we arrived at the wedding, Stuart stopped at the bottom of the pier, revved like mad and then screamed down the pier, stopping just in front of the back-seaters. We regrouped for 2 minutes, said hi to the minister and the next minute we were walking down the aisle. I don't know if it was just because it was a bit windy or because we were outdoors, but it didn't feel like we were standing in front of a huge crowd. It was actually perfect. Jo and Paul were so relaxed - Paul even offered Jo his jacket at one point after she told him she was cold. After a short ceremony, and a quick kiss, it was all over. We went indoors and signed the registry and then headed off for photos. The weather was not great, but I think that the heavy, dark clouds and stormy sea will add a lot of atmosphere to their pictures. Jo was one of the most beautiful bride's I have ever seen. Both her and Paul were absolutely glowing and they both had a wonderful evening. Paul's speech was really sweet and I'm very confident that him and Joanne will have a long and happy life with each other. They're just so well suited and he's really such a wonderful guy. I'm very proud to have him as my new brother.

As for Jake, he was an absolute star. I don't think I could've asked for him to have been better behaved. He had a long nap (no complaints) at Joanne's house and did his job of bearing the ring very well. At the reception, he sat quietly during the speeches and he ate with his knife and fork during dinner (he had crumbed calamari and chips). Although he got very tired, he just kept going. I tried to get him to go to sleep on one of the couches, but he just couldn't with the music on. Instead, he spent the evening dancing in my arms and making me feel like the proudest woman in the room. Everyone commented on how well he was behaving and it made me feel so proud - it's just such a wonderful compliment. By 2am, he just couldn't go any more and after bumping his arm and making it bleed, he cried. Fortunately, it was after Jo and Paul had left and we were just gathering our things to go home. He passed out in the car and only woke up at 9:50 on Sunday morning.

There was a minor drama after the wedding - Jo took her house keys with her and everything that we'd taken through with us was locked inside her house, including my cousin's air ticket for early Sunday morning. We drove around looking for their hotel and, although the thought of knocking on the newly weds' door within an hour of their leaving wasn't appealing, we needed the keys. We didn't find their hotel, so came home and went back through to Kalk Bay early on Sunday morning, where my dad and sister found Paul walking out of the hotel - so no interupting was done!

We braai'ed (SA version of a barbeque) at Jo & Paul yesterday. Really just the family, including those who'd travelled from overseas and upcountry. It was a lovely afternoon and the weather was perfect. Joanne was feeling a bit under the weather though. We watched them open their gifts, then left them to enjoy the silence of their home (their TV's not working yet, 4 weeks after moving in). My parents took them to the airport early this morning and Jo and Paul are on their way to Bali on honeymoon as we speak. I hope that they have a wonderful time and I look forward to seeing the pictures when they get back.

I hope that wasn't too long-winded, but I'll end off now with some photos and, damn! It's been difficult choosing which ones to post. Hope you enjoy these for now anyway. I'm sure there will be more to put up once we get the pictures from the photographer. Most of these were just taken with my dad's camera...

Lots of love,

Sue xxx

PS. Just for the record - I did not shed one single tear!! Thank god for drugs! And I didn't get drunk either - I was the designated driver...

Sometimes good things do happen!!

Hello!

Well, it's been a very busy week. At work, we have our financial year end at the end of February, so I've been busy with stock takes and recons and debt collection. Plus it's the end of the month, so I've got all my normal work to get through at the same time. I'm basically up to date and on top of things, so feeling good about things.

Today's turned out to be a good day. I've just had a chat with my boss and he told me that he's going to keep my salary the same when I start working half day from next month! I'm so relieved, I really expected them to cut my pay quite a bit, at least to cover some of the costs involved in employing someone else to work in the afternoons. He said that I get paid for the job done and for what I'm worth to the company - nice!!!! I must be honest, deep down, I was a bit concerned about how I was going to cope if they did cut my pay. Whoo-hoo!

Other then that, just 3 sleeps till Joanne & Paul's wedding! I'm feeling very mixed up about it at the moment. First, and foremost, I'm VERY excited. I can't wait to get my hair/makeup done, to put on my pretty party dress (I'm getting it this evening, will try and post a photo if my Jo doesn't mind) and stilettos. I'm really looking forward to sharing this special day with them and to being so involved. I've got the day off work on Friday to get my nails done and to drop off all the things I've made for the reception at Harbour House. I'm looking forward to spending Friday night with my two gorgeous sisters (possibly 1 boyfriend) and I can't wait to crack the first bottle of bubbly. I'm looking forward to seeing Jake all dressed up and I can't wait to see how he behaves under the spotlight. I'm so proud to have such a sweet boy's hand to hold as I walk down the aisle. I'm honoured to be signing the registry after the ceremony as a witness and I can't wait for the party that will follow and will last until the wee hours of the morning. I can't wait. Second though, and this one's harder to explain, I'm feeling very anxious about surviving the day without Jacques. He's going to be so obviously missing from my side. I know that I will shed a few tears, I just hope I can remain composed for when it counts. I know I just have to concentrate on the fact that Jake will be with me, along with many family members and friends. Wish me luck!!

Changing the subject, Jake had a good swimming lesson. He did get sick, but told me afterwards that he'd swallowed water, so that was OK. He even braved 3 dives, so I was very proud of him. He's trying very hard and when he does something well, he knows it. Everytime he thinks he's done well, he turns around and grins and gives me a thumbs up - I could just eat him alive. Shame, I've been a real grouch this week and he's been very tolerant of me and my moods...

Ending off on a happy note, my friends, Liesl & Richard welcomed their beautiful little girl, Jenna, into the world on Sunday. Isn't she just too precious??

Lots of love, Sue xxx

Oops

In my rush to get out of the office yesterday afternoon, I uploaded the wrong video of Jake singing. So this is just to let you know that I've changed the below post and it now has the correct video! Hope everyone's well and that you have a great day!! Lots of love Sue xxx