I'm still around...

...I just haven't had a chance to do any blogging this week. I have been popping in to have a quick read of other blogs when I've had a few minutes, but generally haven't left any comments. Sorry everyone - I promise to be better about this next week. I have so many things I'd like to write about, but...

So, Jake's at pre-primary school now. He started last week Thursday and has settled in really well. After such a nice, long holiday, I had had visions of him giving up a good performance when I dropped him off for his first day. New environments and all. He'd also been asking me in the days leading up to his first day, whether I was going to cry when I took him to his new school. I kept telling him that I wasn't going to cry (I didn't) and that I was excited about his new school because I 'knew' that he was going to have the best time ever there. Anyway, D-Day arrived and we got to the school a few minutes before the gates opened. As soon as we arrived, Jake left me and went to stand at the front gate. When the gates opened, he stood back and waited for me, then held my hand (I think for my benefit more then his) until we got to his classroom. We put his bag in his locker and I put his name badge on for him, then he gave me a quick kiss, a tight squeeze and announced that he was going to play outside. Just as I was walking out the school doors, he ran up to me, gave me another squeeze and was gone. I must admit, I felt so relieved and I'm so happy that he's enjoying it. He's come home from school exhausted every day. I got the programme for the term yesterday and they've got so much on - outings to the library and bakery; valentine's day celebrations; work days (for the parents); mini-walks - not sure that I can keep bu, but I just know that this is going to be such a good year for him.

Other then that, just a quick update on Mary... She's still in hospital and had her first of ten doses of radiation yesterday. She's apparently too weak for chemotherapy and the doctors have said that she wouldn't make it through a month of it. Paul's brother is arriving from the UK tomorrow, so he'll be helping with her care when she gets out of hospital. Thanks to everyone who's thinking special thoughts for them all.

Lots of love, Susie XXX

This is Jake and his new teacher, Mrs du Plessis. I've known her as Kristy, since she was about Jake's age and her mom was Jake's teacher last year. Her mom actually taught my youngest sister, Rosanne, too. Kristy's really great with the kids and Jake adores her already...

Someone moaned recently that I never post pictures of myself. So, here's one that I took of Jake & I before school/work last Friday morning on my bed. Unfortunately, there's not enough room in my bedroom for me to have set it up properly (I couldn't get in behind the camera, so this was just a lucky shot), so definitely not the best picture. And I was totally horrified when I saw how many wrinkles I've got. Also, excuse my hair, I didn't have time to dry it properly. Even though it's not the greatest photo, it was fun and we had a good giggle doing it. I must try take some decent shots of the two of us sometime... Pia??

And then just some general photos taken over last weekend. I haven't touched my camera this week, I've been too busy reading to do much else. I'm exhausted...

We had lunch at some good friends in Simon's Town on Sunday. It was the perfect end to our weekend. They have a house right on the beach front, just outside Simon's Town. I have to get out there more often, it's just so beautiful. During whale season, they often have whales swimming right past. Like as close as that kelp. I must be honest, it's taken me a while to be able to visit this spot without feeling too anxious. Jacques' diving accident happened near here and the pier where they worked on him is about 2 minutes down the road, in Miller's Point. On our way through to Simon's Town on Sunday, we drove past a group of divers getting ready to hit the water and it hit hard. Still, there's no denying, it's a beautiful part of the world...

And Jake's just lucky enough that he was far enough away from me when I took this photo. And lucky that I was holding my camera, or I'd have had to run over to bite his bum...

Please spare a thought...

...For Mary, Paul's mother and Joanne's mother-in-law. She's been diagnosed with cancer and, while they're still doing biopsies and various other tests, the prognosis isn't sounding too good at the moment. I am feeling really sad about this today for Joanne and, especially, Paul. Mary's already had extensive tests done and they've found that the cancer's in her kidney, the muscles around her kidney, her liver and her lungs. It also sounds like it's attached to some of her vertebrae. At this stage, they're not sure if they'll even be able to do anything to treat it. Hopefully by the end of the week they'll have a better idea of what can be done.

I can't help but wish (perhaps selfishly?), for Paul and Joanne, that this wasn't happening now. With Connor due in just under 11 weeks, it's supposed to be such a happy time for them. Instead of being able to just relax and focus on the excitement of becoming parents for the first time, Paul and Joanne are now, understandably, very worried and stressed about Mary (as are the rest of us). We're all obviously worried about Jo and Connor and I just hope that she's able to find ways to relax in between...

Unfortunately, as I've come to learn, things aren't always in my hands. If they were, nothing bad would ever happen to anyone. Sometimes, I do have to just leave things for someone else to sort out for me. For today though, I can't help but pray for a miracle. Please...

Almost the weekend...

And what a weekend nice, lazy weekend it's going to be. My in laws are away for their annual camping trip in Kommetjie and we're going there straight after work to spend the night with them. They have been there since mid-December and are moving home on Sunday. Every year, I try get down to the camp site while they're there for a night or two, but, truth be told, I'm not the world's greatest camper. I guess it comes down to public ablution facilities and brushing my teeth (or worse) next to a stranger. I also don't like spiders or mosquitoes or dirt. So, though I'd never say it any other time, I guess I'm just a bit prissy. Still, when I do go and join them for a night or two, I always have a good time and come home feeling like I've been away for a month (not sure how it makes them feel after they've really been there for a month). This year, I've been trying to find a gap to get down to the campsite (it's a permanent site, so they leave their caravan there and can go down anytime) since they left and just haven't had a chance. First, I haven't really had time off work and second, my weekends have just been totally busy. I did get a few days off work, but those were over the festive season, which is always a mess anyway. So, tonight we're camping and I promise to post pictures next week. Tomorrow morning, Jake has a party at 10am, so we will be heading home for that.

Not much else planned for the rest of the weekend. I might be spending the night at my cousin's new flat tomorrow, but that depends on whether or not she has other plans come up. Sunday I'm going to a friend's birthday picnic lunch at Boschendal, which should be good.

Other then that, good news for the day, I did our January salaries today and I'm getting a 10% increase. Not that it makes that much difference, but still... I always find it such a long month from December - January. I mean, why do companies pay their staff early in December anyway. We were paid on 12 December and will only get paid on the 26/27th of January. That's a really long month. My credit card's going to hate me by the end of it...

Anyway, hope every one's well and that you all have a stunning weekend. The wind's howling in Cape Town, but the sun's out, so that always makes me happy. It's not too hot though - I just checked on iafrica and it's not going to get warmer then 25 deg C till next Tuesday! It's summer, I want it a little hotter, please...

Lots of love Sue xxx

My Nephew...

I haven't done an update on Connor in a while and since Joanne and Paul went for a scan yesterday, I've got some updated photos! Joanne is 28 weeks pregnant now and is doing really well. She's looking great and is feeling very excited about the little life growing within her. The rest of the family can't wait for Connor to get here now and the time seems to be ticking by way too slowly. Anyway, without further ado, I intruduce you to Baby Connor...

What a cute little bundle! Tucked up all warm and snug...

Two perfect little feet...

Mommy-to-be getting dinner ready. Look at that cute bump...

Cape Town Minstrel Carnival...

Also known to Capetonians as The Coon Carnival or Kaapse Klopse, but there's a bit of a debate around whether or not these names are politically correct. It's an event that takes place from 1 January, with a march through the streets of the city on 2 January. This year, however, the 2nd was a Friday and since most of the minstrels are Muslim, it meant that mosque too preference and they marched instead on the 3rd. True to form, they ran extremely late - they were supposed to start marching at 10:30, then it moved to 11:30 and eventually the first two groups came through at 12:15. There was a long interruption (a Muslim funeral procession) that delayed things by another couple of hours and the main march began at 1:30ish. Needless to say, by that stage we were sick of standing in the burning heat and were all desperate to get home to our pool. I haven't been to see the minstrels in quite a few years and was surprised to see that the streets are now closed off and railings are put in place. The minstrels no longer ask for money with their hats and umbrellas and they have it all arranged that the various groups don't overlap with one another (ie - there are breaks between each group). In essence, it was still the same as years ago with lots of bright colours, friendly (often drunken) faces and loud music that can only be described as Capetonian...

This is the trophy up for grabs. All the groups traditionally head down to a local stadium and compete for this before various judges. I have no idea who won it this year...

The men take advantage of the situation and many enjoy cross-dressing. I kid you not: this is a man!

They start marching as soon as they can walk. I was surprised to see how many people were carrying tiny babies in team colours. And I can't imagine how hot these kids were by the time they reached us...

Here's one of the babies. This guy was in a wheel chair too. Nothing stops them from taking part! And for some, the heat just got too much... Jake was really good, considering the weather. He loved the music and costumes. What a sport... A new bunch to join in the parade, was an African group. Not typical, but it was fun to see none-the-less. I felt really sorry for them, especially the kids - many of them were marching through the hot streets barefoot... I was very surprised to see that the various groups had choreographed dances to perform along the way, it was really good... And always, always, they have whistles and umbrellas, which bob up and down in time to the music... Nobody has rhythm like these kids have... This little boy was too tired to walk another step and his 'big' sister had to step in and help... These were men too... And this guy just wouldn't stop playing. He was one of the drunk ones... We left before the show had come to an end (they were expected to march on until nearly midnight), crossing over Wale Street on the way down to our car. I snapped this as I was being rushed across the street by a police man...

Hello 2009...

Ever since Jacques died, I find New Year's a very emotional time. I don't know why, perhaps it's just the 1/4 Scot in me. I just find it very hard and there are so many memories that I just don't feel like going out and celebrating. I'd honestly prefer to just hide from the world until the sunrises on New Year's Day. Perhaps it's the bull in me that makes me stubbornly refuse to face this event, I don't know. Either way, I like going to bed early. And don't you find that it's usually an anti-climax when you do go out big, anyway?

So, last year, Jake and I stayed in and we had the most fabulous evening together. I set the table, we got dressed up, I made a platter with all of Jake's favourite foods and drank non-alcoholic champagne. We lazed on the couch with a movie and chocolates and were in bed by 10:30. This year, though, my parents were home and had friends around for a braai. It made a huge change from last year and meant that I had to stay up to see the dreaded New Year in. Fortunately, they didn't sing the 'Auld Lang Syne', which would probably have sent me off the deep end. Jake had slept during the day, so he was wide awake till 1am. It was the first time that he'd stayed up to witness the changing of the year, not that it meant anything to him - he was just allowed to stay up unbelievably late...

Duracell curled up underneath the braai, enjoying it's warmth. I managed to sneak the bottle of wine in without him running away...

And that's it. I didn't use my camera much, forgot I had it...

The Great Harvest...

So, somewhere after Christmas and before New Year, we had a big clear out in Jake's veggie patch. We got cracking fairly early in the morning (like 9:30ish) and ripped out everything that was looking like it was fading. We had the help of my mom and cousin (Taryn - she's just moved to Cape Town from Jhb for 6 months), so managed to get a lot done. Since we've worked organically in the garden, we've basically done everything we can to encourage butterflies into our garden and it's resulted in our garden becoming a breeding ground. Hence we have (had) a gazillion worms eating through just about everything. So, I guess, the clear out was mainly to get rid of things that they'd eaten through. And no, for the record, we didn't squish the worms either - we have a small nature reserve behind our house and we've just been throwing the worms (and snails) over the wall and crossing fingers and toes that they find something better to eat outside our garden. While clearing out, Jake harvested everything that was ready to be picked and enjoyed. He has been very chuffed with everything and has been so proud when we've eaten his veggies with our meals. Yesterday, we actually had the family around and served Jake's gem squash, roast potatoes and carrots with our roast lamb and had his spring onions, tomatoes and herbs in our salad...

Jake also got some fake snow for Christmas. It's the stuff they use in movies, so it's pretty real. He had a ball playing with his 'snow' and it was pretty funny watching him having a snow fight on his own...

After Jake had harvested his veggies, we cleaned up all his carrots and have them frozen in bags for whenever...

And a morning in the sunshine, results in a really bad sunburn. Jake got hold of my camera while I was feeding the dogs and snapped one to show me how red I was. It's since blistered (revoltingly) and peeled off. I haven't gone blotchy and have stopped flaking, so feeling better about it now...

The Yacht Race...

My uncle and cousin (the ones we went to Greece with in 2006) are taking part in a yacht race from Cape Town to St Helena bay at the moment. It's called The Governor's Cup and you can check out the leader board on the Governor's Cup website: http://www.thegovernorscup.co.za/. Their yacht's called 'Aurora' and they're currently in third position, just behind a yacht called 'Lusty', upon which, coincidentally, Jacques' aunt and uncle are racing. It's been neck and neck most of the way and until 2 days ago, 'Aurora' was ahead of 'Lusty'. It doesn't actually matter where the boats are lying though, it's all based on handicaps, so, at the end of the day, the guy who crosses first, isn't necessarily the winner...

Jake & I went down to the V & A Waterfront on 29 Dec with my folks, to meet up with the family and to wave farewell to the 14 (or 15) yachts leaving the harbour. Each team has matching shirts and caps, indicating their yacht's name and the yachts depart alphabetically to the cheers of the gathered crowds. I felt quite emotional watching the yachts leave...

Jake & Eve watching the seals. It's Eve's grandfather and uncle who taking part in the race... Live entertainment for the kids. I was quite concerned that these two seals were going to do "the deed" in front of Jake and Eve. I've already got my fair share of questions to answer with Connor on the way...

A mother's love comes in all shapes and sizes. These two were really sweet and I was quite upset to see that the baby has a bit of string tied tightly around it's neck. It's going to cause the poor thing endless worry as he grows bigger... See? They are cute sometimes. This was early in the morning though, so they were fresh. Check back at 6pm... Jake's not all that keen on getting too close to girls at the moment. These pictures were forced upon him...

The yachts all lined up and ready to set sail... My uncle waiting patiently to leave. They were busy doing a blessing for all the yachts... Ummm... just messing around, but I quite like this photo anyway... Another seal enjoying the sunshine. I'm not so sure that I'd be brave enough to walk past it to get on that yacht though... From the other side - check the crowd... That's my cousin and my uncle, again. Glad to see they're actually doing some of the hard work themselves. Hard work - HA! Fender-lifting is the complete opposite. It's what I opted to do whenever we entered and departed the various ports we visited in Greece... There they go... This is 'Lusty', with Jacques' Aunt & Uncle on board. Pete's the guy in the middle with the white shorts on and Sue's the one with the board. Sue's gone with as their chef. Their boat has the overall highest average age... After 'Aurora's' official departure, we met up with them again on the other side of the harbour for a drink. They ended up getting involved helping another yacht repair something, so after we'd had a quick lunch at Quay Four, we walked across to the pier to send them on their way... Jake was given the task of releasing the rope from the quay, which he took very seriously... They're free and on their way... From the main harbour, they had to motor their way out into Table Bay, where they met up with the other yachts. The actual race only began about an hour later... After our trip through to the harbour, we went to Jo & Paul's house to feed their cat and to let Gemma out for a bit. Jo and Paul were away for a week or so with friends. I took advantage of not having them around and snapped a couple of shots of Connor's bedroom. I can't believe Jo's so organised, all that's missing is the baby... The wardrobe's even packed and ready. She's got a few essentials still missing off the shelves, but she's still got a baby shower coming up, so hopefully the cupboard will be fuller by the time Connor's born... This is the theme for the room. The decorator's still busy, so this is just a blanket. Cute, hey?? I can't wait to meet my little nephew...