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...