An expensive week...

This is Duracell. My 8-year old "Jack Russell", whom many of you already know. Poor Duracell has been a very unhappy little man lately and has cost me a small fortune (especially at this time of year!). 2 weeks ago, today, I took him into the vet to have his right hind leg checked out because he's been limping around on 3 legs for a while. Every now and then he seemed to come right and manage on all 4 legs, but generally, the problem was just not getting better. After his examination, the Doctor informed me that Duracell had severed his cruciate ligament, which holds the shin bone to the knee. It's not something that can ever re-grow or heal itself, so I was kinda forced into surgery. The price tag - R4,500.00 (that's nearly $600.00), which didn't including the consultation fee nor the antibiotics I had to give him until the date of surgery!

The op took place on Thursday and my baby had to spend the night at the vet's clinic. I collected him on Friday afternoon and he's been as good as gold ever since. He's normally hyperactive and I was pretty worried about keeping him quiet once he got home, but he's been quite lethargic so it hasn't been too tough. His leg is bandaged up from toe to thigh. It's hard work and I hear the rehab is quite a thing too, but worth it. Duracell's not even allowed to walk around the garden without a lead at the moment, he has to take it very slow too, which forces him to put his foot down. I can't wait for him to be back to his busy old self!

Added to my woes, Amber, my 9-year old Ridgeback has also got some problems that have developed over the last few days. She's always had hormone problems and a non-functioning thyroid and takes huge doses of medication every day to help her overcome these problems, but she's been needing to get outside to 'wee' literally every 5 minutes. It's insane. I had to collect a urine sample on Saturday morning (don't ask, I'll just say that we need a new soup ladle). Turns that while there is no trace of infection, her urine is very dilute. She does drink a huge amount of water though. I was instructed to limit her water intake over night and to re-collect and test again today. I'll probably only hear from them again after lunch time. I am in a bit of a panic that, with all her medication, Amber's kidneys have just decided to call it quits. The vet has assured me that there are a few things they can do to help her, but the fact of the matter is that she is 9. I am feeling pretty down about it. She was Jacques absolute princess.

Other then all these dog related expenses, I also had to replace all 4 tyres on my car on Saturday - I wasn't aware they needed replacing, I went in to have a puncture repaired, that couldn't be fixed and was then told that I actually only had 1 good tyre on my car. Safety comes first, right? So another R2,270.00 (± $300.00) later and I at least have a safe car again...

And on top all of that, I had SUCH a busy weekend. And work's been totally off the wall busy. I had a look at my diary and between now and Christmas, Jake and I have 2 weekend days where we have nothing on, one of them being yesterday. Seems the silly season has arrived in full force. This week, I've got Christmas shopping to do (and hopefully finish), Christmas lights to go see in Town (it's the first tomorrow!) and our office Christmas party, which we're having at Gordon Ramsay's Maze at the One & Only in the V&A waterfront. I'm really looking forward to it this year. There are only 13 of us going, but it'll be fun anyway. People are always so different out of the office. In March I'll have been working at this company for 10 years (!!) and, even though they drive me nuts, I mostly love my bosses and colleagues. They're all men though, so it's quite nice to meet their better halves too!

Hope every one's doing OK, I'm off to go catch up on some blog-reading!

Love, Sue XXX

We wish you a merry Christmas...

Let me start off by saying that I'm really sorry I've been so quiet lately. I have so many photos that I had intended to share here, but that are now outdated. Work has been like a nut house, especially this week and most of the time, I'm not quite sure whether I'm coming or going. Not to mention that the silly season is in full swing already and between Jake and I we have something on every Saturday and Sunday between now and Christmas. Except for the 12th and the 20th. I enjoy being busy and I love catching up with friends, so life's good.

Jake had his Christmas concert on at school on Wednesday evening and what an amazing production it turned out to be! We laughed and we cried and we clapped and cheered. And somehow it left me feel rather nostalgic over the fact that these kids are all growing up way, way too quickly. The kids were fabulous and I love that they're just so spontaneous. They just do what they want while they're up front, it doesn't matter who's watching and taking photos. Most of them take their roles very seriously, but some prefer to play the fool while they have a real audience. Anyway, there are lots of photos to follow, enjoy the show..

The little girl on your right is Jenna. She's Jake's girlfriend; the one he asked to marry him and said no. She's off to grade 1 next year...Here's the whole group...Most of Jake's little group were the animals for 'If I were a butterfly'. Jake was a kangaroo. With skew ears, because he couldn't leave his hat alone. The two little girls to Jake's left played the cat and the mouse for another song... Santa (played by a girl!) and Rudolph...Jake pulled this bored look for the first part of the show. He was really so excited, but I guess didn't quite know what to do with his hands. Further on into the show, he used his tail to bash himself in the face. Unfortunately, I didn't catch it on camera...Starting to get into it now...Mary and Joseph asking the inn keeper if he can accommodate them for the night. The inn keeper's shaking his head 'no'. He shook his head, very seriously I might add, for the entire duration of the song. When we were in pre-school, 26 years ago, I was Mary and Jacques was a Sheppard. There are photos of us both in the same act together...

The angels...Mary and Joseph, sitting as far away from each other as they possibly could...I can't remember which song the kids are singing here, I just like the fact that they all had their own variations to the actions...Same here. See, some chose to over dramatise, others opt to do nothing. Did you notice the elephant in the back row, by the way? His brother was the inn keeper. They're Jake's favourite friends. Their parents (Margaret & Steven) were at school with Jacques and I...Here's my little kangaroo doing his jumps during their song...The butterfly, the robin, the fish, the elephant, the kangaroo and the octopus. Jake's going home with Luke the Octopus today to play, so I've got some time to do some shopping...Some crocs. The guy on the left is Mandy and Darren Scharfenorth's (spelling?) little boy, Cole... Singing about poor old Jerry Giraffe and his funny horns...Even though they look like rhino's, these guys were really dinosaurs. The kid on the left was really funny, running around (in the bathroom where they were all changing) in his underpants after the show. He really enjoyed being on the stage...More singing...Check the ears now... For the final act, all the kids got up and came to stand on the grass in front of the stage, making it quite difficult to get any decent photos, since we were actually sitting right in their space. This is Jake with Rene. Rene's mom was Jake's first playgroup teacher...They sung Michael Jackson's 'Heal the World'. It made us cry...The little girls sat down, the track changed to 'Bad' and the boys showed off their muscles. It was HYSTERICAL. Please also note that my child doesn't like being barefooted. I have no idea why, he was a barefooted baby and I live without shoes on. Even now, at work, my shoes are off...More muscles... This is supposed to be some kind of macho crossing of arms stunt, but they just don't have it yet...The track changed again (another MJ song, I can't remember what) and the girls joined in... The boys sat and the girls did a stint on their own. They're fanning themselves down here...The kangaroo with the skew ears waiting for his next role in 'Heal the World'... 'Heal the World, make it a better place'...

'For you'...

'And for me'...

'And the entire human race'...

What a night, thanks to each and every kid there for making it such a special evening for their families. And thanks to the teachers for all their hard work and planning!!

Looking back...

I was looking through my older blog posts, trying to find a photo that I can't find anywhere and came across this list of 20 things that others supposedly didn't know about me. It was written on 1 August 2008 and so much has changed since then. Below are the 20 points I listed back then, with updated comments: -

1. I cannot suck a hard boiled sweet. I just can’t. I'm a cruncher. This is still true, although, if I concentrate on it, I can now sometimes suck a sweet...

2. Being Jake’s mom has been the ultimate gift Jacques could’ve given me. He’s a happy, sweet, fun-loving little boy and I adore him with every ounce of my being. I would give up my life for him to be happy. Ditto

3. I am extremely protective. More protective then I ever though possible. I’d give my life for my child, but then I don’t know any parents who wouldn’t, although I know that there are some out there. Reading this again, this statement is confusing. What I meant is that I know that there are some weird sicko freaks out there who hurt kids, all my friends are brilliant parents who adore their offspring. Is that better? I could never hurt my own child (or anyone else's for that matter). And I'd probably kill the person who dares to hurt Jake...

4. I love traveling. I love seeing the world and having a little travel companion to share it all is awesome! I can’t wait for our next trip – probably to the Kruger National Park (http://www.krugerpark.co.za/) next August/September. Well, we've been there and back already and as you've seen, we had a fantastic trip, Jake learnt so much and had an absolute ball. The next trip will be to Belgium with the outlaws next September/October. I always need to have something to look forward to.

5. I love summer. I love waking up to the sun streaming in through my bedroom window. I hate grey skies, they make me lazy and want to lie in bed all day. I hate getting up on cold mornings. I hate getting dressed on these mornings even more. YAYAYAYAY the sun is shining today and it's going to be HOT tomorrow... BRING IT ON!!!!

6. Most people are either morning or evening people. While I don’t particularly like getting up in the mornings, I do get going quite quickly. I have a lot to do. I love seeing the world around me and I think I’m more of a day-time lover then a night owl. That said, I do enjoy getting out and about at night time too. Still confused on this 'issue'. Can I be both? I really just need a few more hours in the day...

7. I love people watching. I can sit in a park, a car, a train, a plane – you name it – and just watch what’s going on around me. If I can eavesdrop, it’s even better! I forgot to add that I hate being the one watched though!

8. I’ve stopped wearing Jacques’ ring around my neck – I’ve always been really scared that I’ll be mugged and lose it. It seems such an easy thing to grab and run with. While on one hand I’ve always said I’d rather enjoy wearing it and risk losing it along the way; the flip side is that I know it’s something that Jake might appreciate as he grows up. Still have it tucked safely away for Jake

9. Similarly to number 8, I stopped wearing my rings on my wedding finger about 3 months ago. It’s something I’d considered for a long time, but felt too loyal to ever really follow through on. The reasons for doing this are numerous. Not many people have noticed. I still wear them on my right hand. Yep, still the same. Although Jake has huge a fascination with diamonds at the moment so he might nick them off my fingers. Seriously, anything shiny gets picked up and hoarded away. He announced the other day that when I die, he's going to keep the diamonds from my rings to give to his wife (I told him they're for my granddaughters!!)

10. I'm scared of growing old on my own. I want to be loved (and to love) and taken care of. Shortly after Jacques died I said that I’d never re-marry (and I still may never), but I would like to have another companion to share daily life with. I do believe that one can make a life for yourself as a single person and that you can grow older alone quite happily. My life isn't just Jake either, it's actually pretty full and very busy. It'd just be nice to have someone there who understands me and loves me for who I am. Warts and all. Nice to have someone wink at me across the room; someone to snuggle up with on the couch and a good movie; Some one's hand to hold. I'd like someone who could be a good role model and father figure to Jake. Oh, and I’d love to have at least another 2 children. I'm quite fussy.The only thing I've changed my mind on here is the children. I'm quite happy (for now that is, because this seems to change with the weather) with the one child I've got. At this stage of my life, I don't think I want any more. Jake is so easy and we have so much fun together, I know it's selfish, but I'm not sure if I could do it all again...

11. I love coffee. 2 cups before breakfast and another 2 through the day. Not too bad. I've cut this down to just 2 cups before breakfast. I try drink tea for the rest of the day. Or water. Believe it or not, I like hot water...

12. I love wine more then coffee, although I’m a little more careful about my consumption.I've been drinking extra light wine quite a bit lately. I know it's disgusting, but it means I can have a couple of glasses and not be inebriated. It works well when I have book club. The flip side is that when I go out and have 'proper' good quality wine, I get drunk VERY quickly. I am a typical cheap date...

13. As a kid I wanted to be a firefighter. Now, I’m petrified of anything that burns. Jake has a natural fascination with fire and loves candles and lighters. Jake went on an outing to the fire station this year and has learnt that if he ever catches alight he must 'stop, drop, roll'. Sound advice, I hope he never needs to use it!

14. I’m very nervous of swimming in both the sea and fresh water masses. I don’t like not being able to see what’s below me and I don’t like anything to touch me while I’m swimming. This still gives me the heebie jeebies...

15. I believe in angels. I believe that feathers are a sign that an angel is near. Jake is forever collecting and bringing me feathers, even though he has no idea what I believe them to symbolize.

16. I think I have finally grown up. I am comfortable within myself to enjoy my own company. YIP, I think I like me at the moment!

17. I don’t like confrontation. I cannot think off the cuff and normally end up saying things that I don't mean to. Or things just come out in a confused mess. I'm really bad at making decisions, especially where other people are concerned. I'm trying to be more assertive and I'm trying to be better at decision making. It's not easy though...

18. My child’s taught me how to enjoy gardening. Not the flowery-pot-plant kind of gardening, but I really enjoy planting seeds that grow to become food. It’s such fun, it’s educational and so rewarding! Our garden is up and running, although we haven't spent nearly as much time in it as we did last year. The seedlings are all pushed through, so we're just watering and weeding as we need to. Jake's favourite outing is still to Super Plants, our local nursery.

19. I am scared of living on my own. I know I could do it and I know facing up to your fears is the best way to over-come them, but... Why do it when you don't have to? This is definitely the point that's changed the most. I cannot WAIT to move into my own house in the new year! It's been a huge decision and one that I've given so much thought to. But, it's time and I'm ready to face the new challenges that lie ahead. I know it's going to be difficult, it'll be the first time I've been entirely on my own since Jacques died. I know I'm going to have 'stuff' to work through, but I'm ready to deal with that. Jake's incredibly excited and I can't wait to start decorating and shopping - it's going to be such an adventure. Just 45 more sleeps till my tenant moves out!! Here are some snaps of our 'new' house. It needs some work, but the kitchen and bathrooms have been re-done fairly recently (about 5 years ago) and my tenant is a perfectionist, so they still look good. I need to improve the security and we're going to be putting up a palisade fence, as well as security gates and better burglar bars (security's my biggest concern over living alone). Anyway, it's a starting block...

See the nice park across the road??

This is down the back of the house, past the bathrooms and kitchen and looking down towards the garage...

Round the corner, down the back of the house...

And then obviously the house from the garden. I'd like to eventually put up an undercover patio and have a pool put in, but for now there are more urgent things I need to attend to. Like furniture...

20. I’m happy by nature. It’s something I work at and yes, I do still get into a grump from time to time, but I do generally try putting a smile on my face to face the world. It’s amazing to see how other people respond to it. Still working on this, but I'm sure it'll be something I'll be working at for the rest of my life. Smile at a stranger in the supermarket and I guarantee they'll smile back at ya...

32..

That's how old Jacques should be today. I've always said that I'm sure his birthdays are harder for his parents then they are for me, but I'm feeling really down today (thank goodness I have dinner club tonight with the girls!). And the weather's crap and I'm hung over and it's just not helping. I'm SO over winter...

I know I mustn't, but I can't help imagining what my morning would've been like. Should've been like. Jake would have been so excited to give his dad his presents. I can see him jumping into our bed to help unwrap presents. I wonder what we would've given him? Probably some stupid game for the Wii or Playstation that we'd have owned by now. Perhaps a new pocket knife to replace the one he bought off some stranger in the UK who was short on bus fare while we were on honeymoon and lost. New clothes? Music? A high speed driving course?

Last night, Jake and I went out for a quiet dinner with Jacques' folks and my folks. It was a very enjoyable evening and I was doing well until I went to the loo and they were playing my wedding song - Amazed by Lonestar (something of a one hit wonder who's CD I still do not own). I don't believe in accidents like that and there's a reason this song was on for me last night (even though it made me cry in the toilet and drink too much wine). Here are the lyrics, which make me cry, but that I still love, especially since Jacques chose it for our special day:

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

The smell of your skin
The taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me
Baby you surround me
You touch every place in my heart
Oh, it feels like the first time, every time
I want to spend the whole night in your eyes

Chorus

Every little thing that you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

OK, so before I have a major meltdown at work, I'm going to go. Hope everyone else is doing OK and can't wait to get out with some of you tonight. And don't forget to put on your happy faces...

Love, Susie XXX

You guys wanted wedding photos...

And here they are. I do have more, but I'm sure that this is enough! Oh, the ones on Facebook are basically the same, so probably best not to waste your time checking both here and there.

As is tradition, we went down to the Blue Peter for pizzas and wine the night before the wedding. Our family from Jo'burg met us there and we all enjoyed the perfect sunset before heading home for an early night.

For a couple who have seen each other almost every day for the last four years, being apart for the evening before the wedding was torture. Rose couldn't leave her phone alone - I guess just being apart this close to the wedding was a tall order...

View of our beautiful mountain from the Blue Peter...

Rose with our cousin Taryn... Sharing a private joke... My dad and his brother, my Uncle Brian. It's my uncle's marrow running through my dad's bones and it was so special to have him and his entire family with us on Saturday... A good luck wish from the sky - bird poop... Yvonne, Taryn and Craig - some of our cousins from Johannesburg (Yvonne's Craig's wife)... Rosanne with my mom...And my Auntie Jenny and my dad... Pretty, hey? Cute Mr Jake... The sun setting over Robben Island... The next morning was an early one. Jake was awake at 6:20, which had the rest of the house up. Rosanne crawled into bed with us, followed by Taryn and eventually my mom. We ate Lindt balls and pizza, before getting up for breakfast. Note the phone in her hand again. At this stage, Rosanne was so nervous she thought she was going to be sick... The bridal car - a 1946 Jaguar... Gareth met us (excluding Rosanne) to help tie the ribbons on... Since we'd been up from sparrows, it was a long day. I think Rose was a little bored. Here, she's just killing time on the couch... While Jake ate ice-cream... Jo organised someone to come in and do our make up. It was such a treat! I was done first, Rosanne last. The rest of the day flew by and we ended up rushing around a bit just before leaving. Rose is waiting for her turn here. She'd already had her hair done... Jo went next... Champagne to calm our nerves (I'd already had a tranqu, so followed the champagne with a red bull to keep my eyes open for the rest of the day)... The rings and bouquet... Paul keeping Connor company while Jo has her make up done... The mother of the bride being pampered... Rosanne's petticoat... Dress... And shoes... She's ready and looking gorgeous... Connor cooling off. It was a beautiful day. A little windy in the morning, but it had dropped by the afternoon and was just perfect... Next up, it was the bride's turn... Transformed! She looked so pretty! She could almost have gone to the church draped in this towel... Our little boy all dressed and ready to join the party... We all got dressed (very quickly), had a few photos and it was time to leave... Rosie with her two dashing young nephews... Gareth had snuck a little note and flower into the car for Rosie. She'd been so brave all day, but it set off the tears... Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye... Poor mom had to drive to the church on her own... And Connor slept... Here's Gareth's love letter with the flower and rings... It was quite a long drive to the church, especially for the old Jag, but I think it gave us all time to recollect and calm our nerves. The Jag attracted a lot of attention from other drives, which always makes a bride feel special... A very proud ring bearer, getting excited as we near the church. He insisted on sitting upfront with Uncle Paul... Obviously, I couldn't take photos in the church, but here are the newly weds shortly after the ceremony... Jake and Connor holding hands in the car on the way to Buitenverwachting for photos... Rose and Gareth with his two best men. The guy on the right is Grant, Gareth's brother... Note the green (Ben 10) socks... The happy couple with all the kids. The other two belong to Gareth's other brother, Brendan... With the parents... After the family snaps, we took them into the vineyards for their couple shots... We also stopped for some snaps in the avenue leading in from the entrance to the farm... They arrived at the reception at Constantia Nek around 6:30, very much ready for that glass of champagne... The tables were beautifully laid out, thanks to a cousin's wife on Jacques' side of the family. If you're ever looking for an events co-ordinator, call Nadine at Theme Creations. It was so effortless, well worth the money spent... Jake was so excited to see champagne on the table. He was allowed a sip, but finished the glass while I wasn't looking. Following closely in his father's footsteps... And so began the speeches. They chose to do these as soon as possible, Gareth was very nervous... To intimidate the groom during his speech, the guys all gathered closely around... The first dance - I got you Babe by Sonny and Cher... Wesley waiting to help Jake try catch the garter. They didn't get it (thank goodness!!)... Gareth looking for the garter. Rosanne nearly died when he stuck his head under her skirt for a better look... Gareth's mom made the cake - it was divine and so pretty... The morning after the night before. We had lunch at our house with all our family who'd come down from Jo'burg, as well as Gareth's family... Gareth and Rose opened their gifts - they were so spoilt, it's one of the very few reason why I'd like to get married again... The kids carrying in a huge gift from Gareth's brother... With all their gifts - how spoilt were they??? These last few aren't my pictures, for obvious reasons. Pia sent them to me this morning. It's great to have some nice photos of Jake & I for a change. Pia, if these are the snaps you managed to grab of Jake and I late in the evening, I cannot wait to see the rest. Thank you so much for all your hard work on Saturday!! Jake was an absolute gem at the wedding. He was well behaved (besides the champagne incident), considering how exhausted he must've been. He loved dancing with me and was quite jealous when I danced with my neighbour. He actually told Jo that I was embarrassing him and that I was only allowed to dance with him. Might be a problem for if I ever meet anyone, but for now it's sweet. We only got home after 1am and he was still going...

And that's it. Sorry it's taken a bit longer then expected to get these pictures up, but there are a lot to work through. All in all, it was a very happy wedding and we all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Rosanne and Gareth have gone off on their honeymoon in the Kruger National Park (coincidentally) and are due home on 11 November. I think they have another week or so off before getting back to work. Now that the wedding's over, I'm looking forward to things settling down around here for a while before the Christmas rush begins. Thanks for sharing this with me!!

Love, Sue XXX