'Twas the night before Christmas...

So, it's Christmas tomorrow. I hope that, by now, you've all finished your Christmas shopping and that you are getting ready to enjoy the day with family and friends. Jake & I will be having dinner with my parents this evening and lunch with the outlaws tomorrow, so it's going to be a busy day or two for us. I'm not feeling great today, a bit nauseous and I have a headache, so hoping that I'm feeling better for tomorrow. It's going to be such an exciting day for Jake and I'm really looking forward to sharing it with him. Just hoping that this doesn't spoil it for me! Work is drawing to a close (YAY!!) and I probably won't be able to check/update my blog until I get back to the office in the New Year.

And, on that note, eat, drink & be merry. Have a very merry Christmas and a fabulous new year. Stay safe and see you all in 2009!

Lots of love, Sue xxx

A few photos...

How well do you know me? Ha! A few pictures!! Jake & I have been really busy lately and I'm really looking forward to having a few days off work between Christmas and New Year. Sadly though, for all of you, it will mean my absence from the blogging community for a whopping 11 days (give or take, it depends on how busy work is when I get back).

I am pretty busy at work at the moment, trying to get everything up-to-date, so that life's not a mad rush when I come back to my desk in the New Year. Clean slates and all. So, not much time to write more news, just a couple of photos and a few notes along the way...

We popped in at a braai my sister-in-law had at their house last week sometime. The weather was great and all the kids ended up swimming. I hadn't packed a bather for Jake and told him that he could swim in his underpants, but since my child has issues with taking his pants off (I wonder how long it will last??), he ignored me and climbed in fully dressed. He did have fun though...

Jake sent his letter off to Father Christmas last week. I had intended to do it on the 16th, but he was so exhausted that he went to bed without us doing it. The next night was no better, so he only got it off on the 18th. We promise to be more punctual next year... We also cooked Jake's marrow (zucchini) last week. It was delicious and Jake was very proud!!

This weekend went by in a blur. I have good friends here from the UK, whom I met up with on Friday night in the Waterfront for drinks. I ended up getting home at 2am, which was much later then anticipated, but tons of fun. I really miss having Jason and Sandi here and this trip of theirs has been so rushed that we've hardly seen them. They are leaving again on Thursday evening, so I doubt we'll even get to see them between now and then. Still, Friday night was great and, since I was driving, I wasn't suffering with a hangover on Saturday morning when Jake woke me up at 7am!

On Saturday afternoon, I managed to have a nap with Jake for 2 hours! Seriously, I can't remember when last I managed to have an afternoon nap, it was heavenly. Saturday night, we were invited to Joanne & Paul's for a Christmas dinner. It seems to be becoming an annual event of theirs and it's always a good evening. Sam, Steven & Mikey joined us there, so the kids also had a ball. Jo is a wizz in the kitchen (although Paul still needs a bit of assistance) and her meals are always delicious. This year was no exception. Jake & I spent the night, so I could enjoy a couple of glasses of wine and not worry about having to get us home safely. Pity that Jo couldn't join us, but I'm sure she'll make up for it next year! Thanks guys for a stunning evening, we can't wait until Connor's here so that he can share in all the festivities...

Sam & Jo relaxing with a drink on the stoep (Jo's is non-alcoholic). And who was it that was asking for photos of the bump?? There it is. That's my nephew...

Paul showing off about his braaing skills...

The kids playing with the hose in the garden. I'm still not sure what possessed Mikey to trust Jake with the hose - that face might look innocent, but underneath...

Jo getting the food ready...

And I'm still dreaming about this dessert! It was delicious. Please visit http://www.inapaarman.co.za/ and look for the recipe. It's listed under her cold desserts and it's called a Frozen Chocolate Malt Bombe. Jo said it was pretty simple to make and it was very impressive...

Jake and Mike tucking into the cherries...

This is what it looked like inside...

On Sunday we met some friends at the Blue Peter for drinks, which is always good fun. Jake was really well behaved and the weather was divine. Today it's overcast & raining, so I'm not sure what's up with that. When we got home last night, we collected my parents and took a drive into Bothasig (our neighbouring suburb), to walk around and see the Christmas lights. The residents always out do themselves with lighting up their gardens & homes. Again, I didn't have my tripod with me, so some are a little fuzzy... Our Christmas tree at home... Lastly, all that Jake wants for Christmas this year, is a Ben 10 watch. It's revolting and I decided that I wasn't going to spend money on it, but it's all he wants. On Friday I decided that I'd get it and went shopping. Every single shop in Cape Town is sold out. I called my cousin in Johannesburg and she's looked all over Jhb and there's none there either. She left her details with one store and they sourced one at their branch in Pretoria. Long story short, it'll be arriving in Cape Town at lunch time tomorrow. I can't wait to see Jake's face!! And this is Ben 10, for those of you that care...

Chat again soon!! XXX

A total JACKASS...

All I can say is (excuse my language here, but it's the only suitable word I can think of)... PRICK!!!

I had a call from the Dr again yesterday. He called to thank me for a lovely evening on Saturday night and to tell me that he really enjoyed my company. He said that he's got a lot of stuff going on at the moment and that he doesn't want me thinking that I'm the reason for any of it. He said he needs 3 months to get things sorted out and that he'd really like to spend more time with me once everything's settled down. He even mentioned divorce somewhere in amongst all of that. To get rid of him, I eventually told him I had to go. I was blatently rude on the phone and just couldn't bring myself to be friendly to him at all.

Not 2 minutes later, the phone rang again. I ignored it and he left a message for me, asking me to use my discression about this and not to discuss it with anyone, as he hasn't told everyone about his situation at home yet and doesn't want it getting back to his staff. Then he sent an sms, asking the same thing - I guess he was just worried that I wouldn't listen to the voice message and needed to be sure that I'd gotten the message. I haven't replied - let him stew and stress over it. He should've thought about it before he took me out on what I believe was a date.

My thoughts are that his wife and kids must be due back in town this weekend, since they're going to their holiday home at the Clanwilliam Dam for Christmas, which is now less then a week away, and he's now absolutely stressing himself that she's going to hear of his indiscressions. I don't believe that this is the first time he's strayed or hit on a patient and I don't believe it'll be the last. I could NEVER trust a man like this and firmly believe I'm better off (and a LOT happier) on my own!!

So, I'm sure you'll all agree with me now when I say... PRICK!!!

Thanks for listening
Sue XXX

A festive holiday...

Since my last post, I'm happy to report that we are in full festive swing at home. Jake is in his element and cannot wait another minute for Christmas morning. He's forever asking me how many sleeps to go. It's a week today!

Tuesday was a blessed public holiday (Day of Reconciliation), which we all needed after a very busy day on Monday. Monday afternoon, after work, I helped the rest of the family finish off our work in the garage. There are no more mice! 2 nests were discovered, but only one (dead) mouse. I think we'd successfully gotten rid of them before the clean up operation began. Still, it was a good excuse to sort out things and every thing is a lot better organised now. We can actually walk into our garage quite comfortably.

Monday night was Uncle Paul's much awaited Christmas party. The party is such a tradition and not much has changed through the years. We really look forward to it each year and I dread the day that Jake's too old to enjoy it. It might be sooner then I am expecting too, he's so inquisitive about things at the moment - he even noticed that the wrapping paper used at his school party was the same one I had at home. He's full of questions about how all this happens, so I'm having to be pretty careful about what I say around him.

Tuesday was a very busy, hot day, but we spent most of it at home just getting life sorted out. My presents are all wrapped and ready for Christmas Day now too and I can't wait to share it all with Jake. I have only got another couple of gifts to sort out, so basically done now. Thank goodness, I hate shopping!

And that's all the news I have for today. I'll just end off with a heap of photos from Uncle Paul's party...

Uncle Paul's Party is held at Groot Constantia Wine Estate, which is 2 farms away from Buitenverwaghting...

Rose, Gareth & my mom on the tractor ride through the vineyards up to Uncle Paul's castle...

A very excited little man...

An equally excited 'Pa'... Getting stuck into a straw fight... Jake did not like having the straw down his top. Believe me, when I got home, I had straw in places I didn't want to have straw. My camera has straw where it doesn't want straw. Still, to straw fight, or not to straw fight, I'd personally rather be uncomfortable... The arena (can you see Jake checking down his shirt again for straw?)... Rosanne and my mom ganging up on Jake... My mom helping Jake get revenge on his aunty... Itchy, but just so happy... Run, mom, here I come... My mom's like a kid. She loves everything about Uncle Paul's party...

Me in front of the castle. Everything looks much smaller as I've gotten older (bigger?)..

After the straw fight, the marching band arrives. Note how young (and skinny) Mr Plod is. I think he was about 12. He didn't have a single hair on his face...

Everyone goes for a march around the arena behind the band (also a highlight for my mom)...

The two grandpas stayed to look after the bags...

Our friends, Sam & Steven, managed to get in on the same evening with their son Michael, it was great having them with us. Our boys get on like a house on fire, which is fab too. Sam grew up almost directly across the road from us, she's 4 days younger then Joanne. When the 3 of us were together as kids, it was like having an extra sister. I still think of her as my 3rd sister...

The lovebirds...

Noddy arrived via tractor this year. Apparently his Noddy Car broke down on the way...

That's Uncle Paul in the cowboy hat. He was good fun this year. Sometimes you get a really grumpy one...

After sending in a Big Ears doll (see picture above) and saying he couldn't make it to the party, Big Ears magically appeared at the castle door when the kids called him. Pure magic, I tell you. This trick was a new feature at the party, as was the tractor Noddy arrived on...

Noddy and the gang always bring wafer ice creams for everyone (parents too). I never eat wafer ice creams any other time, but these are the best ice creams under the sun. And we're allowed to eat them before the food arrives. Everyone has to pack in enough food (sandwiches/pastries/cakes) for their own party. Then the people running the show walk around with baskets for everyone to tuck in. I have a few issues (I blame them on my mom) with eating food that just anybody has made (call me a snob, but I'm not wild about thick butter or fly poo). It's always a rush to hunt down our own sarmies and then we clear the tray...

Jake & Gareth cuddle up. Jake's crazy about Gareth and I think Gareth's crazy about Jake. He's really fabulous with Jake and he makes every effort to do guy things with Jake whenever he's around. We're very lucky to have him in our lives and even luckier that he's on the verge of becoming family...

Jake & Aunty Rosie. She teases him relentlessly. I think it goes back to when we were kids and teased her. Since she's 8 years younger then me, she was just a baby when we were growing up. Now, she's getting her revenge via Jake. I can't wait for her to have kids...

Mike "Crazy Eyes" and Sam...

After the kids have blown out the coloured lights, we sing Silent Night (Father Christmas' favourite song) and waiting quietly for him to arrive...

Jake & Mikey spot Father Christmas...

Next to arrive is the fairy. We used to have to call her, but this time, Father Christmas got her to arrive. She turns all the lights back on again...

Jake & Mikey wait patiently for their names to be called...

Jake didn't hear his name, so went up when the next kid was called. Here he's getting his gift from Father Christmas...

Magic sweets (they don't make your teeth rot) from the fairy. Am I mistaken, or do they look like they're hitting on each other??

Present time!! Jake was shaking with excitement...

A headlamp of his very own. Now he doesn't need to steal Pa's to monitor the braai hands free. Father Christmas is super clever, I think...

Tuesday saw our Christmas tree go up. We got a new tree last year and it's way better then our old one. Gareth couldn't resist a kiss under the tree...

Pa couldn't reach the top of the tree on his own, so got Jake to help. Jake's very posessive of the tree and all it's decorations. Yesterday we had Nicola (Cheeky Monkey) and Veronica (Purple Ronnie) around for lunch. Nicola's baby was not allowed to touch the tree. Jake was totally painful about it. This fairy was mine & Jacques, it's the first time we're using it on my parents' tree (well, it's actually Jake's tree anyway)...

Surveying a job well done...

We always have a good bacon and egg breakfast on Christmas tree day. It always involves champagne and orange juice. This year, believe it or not, we forgot the champagne with breakfast and only had it while putting up the tree. We even forgot to buy the orange juice. Jake enjoyed a little glass of litchi juice. It might or might not have a drop of champagne in it...

My mom got hold of the camera (note Jake's head in the way as it is in all the shots mom took) and managed to snap one OK photo of me decorating too...

And that's all for now. I'm sure there are too many photos as always, but it was Uncle Paul's Party and only happens once a year! For those of you with kids, your children need to be 3 to go. Please get in touch with me around September next year if you want a copy of the application forms.

Hope everyone's well, off to catch up on some blog-reading.

Lots of festive love,
Sue xxx