It's been a while since I updated my blog (sorry everyone). Work has been good, keeping me out of trouble for at least half the day. I realised sometime during last week, though, that I had 54GB of photos stored up on my work PC and it decided to go on strike. Well, not entirely, but everything was just running on slow. I've now bought myself a smart new external hard drive (1 Tb!!) and have moved all my photos onto that. So, every thing's back up and running as it should be and I have an extra 54GB free on my work PC.

Life's been plodding along as usual and Jake & I actually haven't been too busy lately, which has been really good for both of us. During last week, the only "booking" I had was dinner with the girls on Tuesday night. It was great!

Thursday brought the Oscar awards to our humble little suburb, Edgemead. It was the annual matric dance and the crowds flocked to the streets surrounding the high school to watch the girls and boys (a sure sign of age - they really are just boys and girls!) arrive in their finery. We decided to take Jake down the road (we're in the same road as the school) to watch the cars arrive. Traditionally, it's more an event of how you arrive then who you arrive with. Through the years, kids have arrived by all means - from horse driven carriages (Wendy from Lily Land went with Jacques on one back when we were in school - remember?) and motor bikes to parachutes and helicopters. This year however, the rules stated that the matrics could only arrive by car, so it was a bit tamer then most years. Still, the roads were closed off and the crowds flocked to see friends and family arriving at the dance.

Road closure in anticipation of the Edgemead High Matric Dance 2008...

Jake waiting for the cars to start arriving...

Finally, the first cars arrive, much to the delight of the maddening crowd...

The cars varied from the classic...

To the ultra sexy, slinky & modern...

To the funky (this was Jake's favourite, by the way)...

I like old cars. Don't know why, I just do... And what about this little stock car?? Cute, man...And, since we were there to take photos of the cars, I didn't really take many of the people in their finery. They go all out and the girls all look gorgeous as they try to out do one another; the guys wear smart suits and gel their hair up. Quite the thing... This guy managed to organise an Italian police car. Very cool. I think it's a Lamborghini...

And this is Jake blocking his ears against all the noise of the revving engines. He doesn't like loud noise, 'cept for music and movies...

Anyway, on to the weekend...

Jake & I were home alone on Friday night. We hired a DVD (Funky Monkey - it was hysterical) and got Chinese take outs. We were both in bed just after 7 and Jake was sound asleep by 7:30. It wasn't as bad as it sounds - I read until about 9:30, then passed out. What is it about Friday nights as you get older? I can't imagine doing much more then having a quiet (and early) night at home.

On Saturday morning we went through to Worcester for a wedding. It was a bit strange, there were only 28 guests, including about 7 kids. I don't know the groom very well and hadn't met the bride (only found out that her name was Caroline on the way through to Worcester!). The entire Moelans family was invited, so we made up for another 8 of the guests. Since Kobus and Caroline had already married in the UK, their ceremony was more of a blessing, with the bride wearing a long chocolate brown dress and the groom walking her down the aisle. When the minister asked for the rings, they had to take them off before they could put them back on again. From the church, we headed on to the Karoo Botanical Gardens. The weather was a perfect 29 degrees (C) in Cape Town, which must've pushed it up over 30 in Worcester. We sat outside on a covered patio and enjoyed a gentle breeze. The scenery was breath taking...

They had a jumping castle up (for a short while) for the kids to enjoy... As soon as the guys arrived to do the spit, Jake was over at the "fire" with the men trying to figure it all out. Those poor guys had a whole bunch of questions to answer - everything from "what meat is it", to "did you catch the lamb?" He also told them that his mommy doesn't like the fatty bits of meat, because I'm trying to lose weight. Thanks, boy... In the car on the way home. Jake was beat, but I managed to keep him awake until we got home. Fortunately, Grandpa Hubie drove (thanks!!), so we were free to chat away in the back seat... Took this photo from the car just as we'd hit the road. See the last little dusting of snow? And, when we got home, the first thing Jake did was strip down and jump in the pool. We had our pool heated last year, because Jake wouldn't get into the cold water. It means we spend hours in the water...

Saturday night, I was, amazingly, also at home. On Saturday night Jake decided that we were sleeping in until lunch time on Sunday! That's unheard of on weekends for him. He'd love to stay in bed all day when he's got to go to school, but weekends he's normally up with the birds. So, Sunday morning arrived and Jake woke up at 7:20 and much to my surprise, he kept his word (pretty much). We put a movie on (the Water Babies) and only got up at about 10. My mom spoilt us with flapjacks in bed too, so it was a very pleasant start to our day. The weather wasn't great, but we pottered around the house and did quite a bit of work in the garden. It was really nice to have some time to just stop and be at home for a change. Sunday evening, we had a lovely dinner with Jacki and her son Steven (thanks again for the delish mac & cheese) and Jake was in bed by 7 again. Again, this week, I have no plans - it's wonderful for a change!!

Jake woke up this morning asking me if we could go see Mamma Mia again too. I know it's no really an appropriate story for a young child, but he has seen it already and he actually didn't understand the story at all. He absolutely loved the music though and has been singing the songs ever since. Oh and he's very much in love with the shows Sophie. Since movies are cheap on Tuesdays and it looks like it might rain, we might just do that this afternoon. Although I should probably just buy him the sound track...

And one last photo, here's Jake listening to the old records we used to love as kids. He gets MAD when I sing along...

Lots of love to you all, Sue xxx

PS. Swimming/gardening update to follow later this week!

So, the weekend has come and gone in a bit of a blur. The braai for my mother-in-law's birthday on Friday night was nice, but we only got home at 11pm, so it was nearly 11:30 by the time Jake went to sleep. Saturday was serious hard work and I battled for most of the morning to get him to have a snooze. He eventually collapsed at about 1 and slept till 4. It meant that I had to cancel lunch with the girls (so sorry, Suzaan), which I was really looking forward to. Jake was just finished though and I couldn't face taking him anywhere. Saturday night was our 1978 party and it was really, really good. I had a bit too much to drink, but Jo was my driver (thanks, Jo), so I was free to let my hair down! Everyone made an effort to dress up and it was really fun. I hardly recognised some friends. I'll keep my eye on facebook today, I'm sure there'll be lots of photos going up. Anyway, after his afternoon kip, Jake was still up when we got home just after midnight, which meant that yesterday was also a challenging day for us. Thank goodness it was busy, so we weren't couped up at home driving each other nuts. We braai'ed at friends for lunch (thanks Sam & Steven!) and Jake had a ball playing with their son, Michael. Mikey's such a cute kid. He's 7 now, so a bit bigger then Jake, but he just gets onto Jake's level and the two of them always have lots of fun together. After lunch, we had a kids party till just after 5. And then it was home for a bath, supper and bed. Jake was asleep by 6:30 - he was finished. This week's going to be fairly quiet for us and we don't have much planned for the coming weekend, besides a wedding in Worcester on Saturday, so hopefully we'll have some time to catch up!!

Here are some shots of Jo & I all dressed up for Saturday night's party. Hot...

Must admit, I got quite a shock seeing how dark my hair actually is... Very scary. And you have no idea how painful it is having your hair done up like this. I'd rather have another tattoo done. Seriously, I cannot imagine having my hair done like this, as they did back in the day. Pain is an understatement...

Hee-hee - ha-ha... we look fabulous, don't we??

Wishing everyone a great week! I'm off to do the stock take I've been putting off for about 3 months. Yay...

Lots of love, Sue xxx

Busy times...

Well, I'm getting into trouble for not having updated my blog (Anonymous - you know who you are, why didn't you put your name with your comment??) this week. Sorry to everyone who's been checking in here regularly, I have just been so swamped down at work...

Anyway, enough complaining - who's listening anyway - and back to the boat show, which wasn't half as bad as bad as I had expected. I mean, yes, it was boring enough, but everyone there seemed bored, not just me. Jake had tons of fun though. He gets on really well with Simon, the youngish guy who works with me. He actually adores Simon. Anyway, Simon took Jake to see lots of different boats and I think Jake really enjoyed all the attention he was given. Oh and by the way, there were no sexy, young sailors at the boat show!! Disappointing. Only sales men (no offence to anyone in sales, but it's a personal motto - never trust a sales man and never trust a man that doesn't like animals & children - hope I'm not opening a can of worms with that statement, but it's just how I look at things) and really old, snotty rich guys. I'm not that keen on either, thanks! We managed to get out of there by 5:30 and were home in time to light the fire with my sister and her fiancé (thank goodness, or Jake would've had my head!). My cousin, Taryn, was down from Johannesburg last week and left on Saturday, so we spent a bit of time with her on Friday night.

I can't remember what I did on Saturday (bad, hey), but we did watch movies. Jake slept in my bed and about an hour after bedtime was still awake. When I went to check on him, this is what he'd been doing....

Little so and so!! I've sworn never to buy those cute Disney plasters again... Next time he can get the yucky, plain flesh coloured ones. Seriously, that's a whole box of plasters on his toes (and one on his finger). After all that, he lay his sweet head back down on my pillow and whispered "I'm a little devil, hey mom?" - I couldn't help but smile. Oh and the plasters only came off the next morning...

I just remembered!! On Friday night, my folks house sat for my sister, so Jake & I were home alone. When we woke up on Saturday morning, we went to Rosati's at Superplants for a serious breakfast. It was delicious. We came home and spent about 3 hours labouring away in the vegetable patch!! Then movies in the evening. For a change, we even got to water the garden! We've had so much rain in the last few weeks, that it just hasn't been necessary, the ground hasn't had a chance to dry out. I love watering the garden, but when I'm in the garden with Jake, I don't get to hold the hose, only the camera.

Here's my stylishly, self-dressed son, re-planting the radish he couldn't wait to uproot...

I think it was the socks that really did it. He might just have gotten away with the rest of the outfit, had he been bare footed...

And here he is enjoying watering the garden. Man, talk about a clash of colours. Actually, when he "dresses up" like this, he reminds me so much of Jacques and the "great" outfits he used to put together for working in the cellar. Everything used to get stained and ruined with the wine, so he just used to wear his worst clothes till they were totally destroyed. He always looked a mess, but somehow he also always looked delicious!! Will try find a photo to post sometime...

Some garden photos, for those that care. Fresh water in a 'bokbaai vygie'...

Part of Jake's veggie patch. Peas, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, radishes, potatoes, butternut, patty pans (what are those yellow UFO things really called?) and tons of other stuff to the left of this picture... A newly opened rose bud... A tiny bunch of grapes - something that would've made my heart drop if I still lived on a wine farm. A sign that "The Dreaded Harvest" looms. By the way, these aren't really grapes yet, they're buds that still need to open and then be pollinated before they turn into grapes... This is a paper flower. It feels and looks fake, but it's real. And very pretty...

After a week's holiday, Jake went back to school on Monday. He was desperate to get back to spend time with his friends and I'm starting to dread the 6 week Christmas holidays. Thank goodness I'm only working half days!! On Sunday he was allowed to chose something special to do as an end of holiday treat. He picked the World of Birds in Hout Bay (http://www.worldofbirds.org.za/) and then chose to go to the Blue Peter for a late afternoon drink. We met up with some old school friends, but it was just too hot and so crowded that we didn't stay very long. To be honest, it's one thing I really, really, really hate about being single - I can't stand going into a bar to get myself a drink. It feels skanky. Besides that, the weather was fantastic the entire weekend and, along with the relaxing time we had, it was just what I needed.

Some pictures from The World of Birds...Jake & a statue. Not sure which is the ape... I totally love owls - maybe its the witch in me...

Interesting bark on a tree...Close up... This tiny monkey (can't remember what kind it was either) had twin babies on her back. You can see both their tiny heads beind hers...

Clivias in bloom...Who couldn't love Cape Town? This was one of the views on our journey home. It's looking across over Llundudo, a prime residential area, with an amazing beach...

This week's been quite quiet socially - thank goodness, I need one of them every now and then!! And I'm making up for it this weekend. The only thing I've really had on was a school outing to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (http://www.sanbi.org/frames/kirstfram.htm) with Jake on Tuesday morning. I managed to swap my shift with the Penny, lady who normally takes over from me in the afternoons, so was able to go with. It was my first outing with Jake ever, so I'm not sure who was more excited about it. So, while everyone was busy working, Jake I and I packed a picnic and headed off to Kirstenbosch. The weather was perfect and we lazed in the sun on the beautifully manicured lawns. Jake had a fabulous time and it was really nice to see him interacting with his friends. He's a bit of a bulldozer at the moment and it's quite funny to see that side of him. He's really quite a strong character. One woman, who's son is about a month older then Jake, commented on it too. She said when she looks at her son with his blanket and dummy he still seems like such a baby, but that Jake's just so big and strong and loud and outgoing... It's all in his genes, I guess. Anyway, it was just good for me to see how he's growing and developing amongst his peers and to see how he fits in. After our picnic, the teachers took the kids to hunt for tadpoles in a nearby stream. Jake had a fabulous time. He was in charge of the bucket and was prime frog catcher (much to my disgust, my lip still curls at the thought!). Needless to say, by the time we left his shoes, socks and jeans were soaked through right up to his knees. He was on such a high though, it was so worth it.

Jake riding a life-size lioness...

Checking out the taddies...

Trying to catch a frog...

A proud little man showing off his tadpole/frog things in the bucket he wouldn't share. They've been learning all about metamorphasis at school...

This is Jake's friend, Dano... And some scenic shots...

Somewhere this week, Tuesday I think, Jake ended up helping my dad to mow the lawn. Again, he dressed himself and looks quite ridiculous. Especially since he's dressed in his winter woolies and wellies, while my dad's wearing shorts and a T-shirt. He had to put sunglasses on as well, in order to protect his eyes from the dust. I love that he's got such a strong "male nature"; he just loves doing these men-type jobs that I'd never do if we lived in a house of our own. I'm all for garden service. And, as with braai'ing, I don't think it's going to be too much longer (sadly 'cos he's getting way too big, far too fast!) before Jake'll be taking over the mowing, while my dad gets to sit back...

Oh, before I forget, as I tend to do: Happy birthday to my other mother!! I hope that you have a wonderful day and that everyone spoils you. Thinking of you so much today and looking forward to our braai tonight! xxx

Also, to my gorgeous little niece, Abigail, happy 8th birthday for tomorrow. It's been such a wonderful journey watching you grow from a newborn baby into the beautiful little lady you are today. I just can't believe it's been 8 years already. Or that you're nearly as tall as me and wearing the same size shoe... I hope that you have a fabulous day tomorrow! xxx

As for the weekend ahead, we have SO much on. Today, we're going out to lunch at the Spur for Abi's birthday. She's having a girls only party this weekend, but is taking her boy friends, including Jake, out for lunch today. I'm going with for coffee. Tonight, we're braai'ing at the outlaws - a yummy fish braai, apparently. Tomorrow morning, we're having breakfast at Josette & Justin's for Abi's birthday, then we're out to Suzaan's house for a ladies/kids lunch. I've got a 30th on in the evening. It's a dress-up party and the theme is 1978. I'm thinking of wearing retro tights (either bright pink or purple, cos that's what i've got), knee high boots, an obscenely short dress (it's actually a shirt) and having my hair done up, maybe in a French roll. Thank goodness my mother's a hairdresser. Oh and I've bought false eyelashes, which I'll wear with heavy eye make up. Think it'll be OK?? Too bad if it's not, I'm not spending money on hiring an outfit. The main thing is just to make yourself look like a twit. I'll definitely have jeans in the car for later...

Hope every one's well, haven't had much of a chance to read any blogs this week. Will try find a gap sometime today. Sending lots of love and see some of you over the weekend!!

Sue xxx

Screwing up my plans...

Well, this weekend I have no plans. It doesn't happen often and when it does, I'm normally pretty excited at the prospect. Plus, my folks are looking after my sister's house tonight, so Jake & I have the house to ourselves. Rosanne will be around and my cousin's here from Jhb so she'll be around too, but they'll probably go out and leave us to our own devices anyway. It's an ideal excuse to slob on the couch with pizza (or burger) and kids DVDs. Jake will need to get to bed early, so it's also a good excuse for me to catch an early night with him. Anyway, the no plans plans have changed. You see, there's a boat show on at the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) over the weekend and our company has a stand. Everyone else in the company is working there for pretty much the whole weekend, except me. And, while I'd really "like" to see how the guys managed to get everything set up without my input (just so I can tell them how, as a woman, I'd have done a better job), but I'd have preferred to have seen the photos. Instead, my boss gave me 2 VIP tickets this morning and told me that I should bring Jake down. In other words - I'd better show my face. Yay. I can't wait. Really. I could go tomorrow or Sunday, but I'm guessing it'll be quieter today and I'd rather get it out the way. And it is open till 8 tonight, so I think I'm just going to take the bull by the horns and get it over with. Although, there is apparently a lot for Jake to see, so he'll probably have a ball and won't want to come home. For me, I guess it'll be nice to catch up with the clients that I generally only speak to over the phone. Still - what is a girl supposed to do at a boat show?? I mean, how BORING!! Anyway, I'll do what I have to do, I'll put on my high heels and make up and I'll go stand with the boys from work and smile for a while, before I dash out the door and head home to the couch...

Enjoy the weekend, I can't wait!!

XXX

Tripod...

YES, it's a boy!!! Jo & Paul went for a detailed scan yesterday at the fetal assessment clinic. The baby checked out healthy and they waited right until the end of the scan to check the sex. Turns out my gut feeling of a girl was wrong and Jake's getting his first boy cousin. I'm SO excited!! Joanne's always wanted to have a little girl. She was the one out of us 3 girls who loved her dollies and dressing up pretty. While she is extremely excited and relieved to know that her baby's healthy, the news of a son have come as quite a shock to her. She actually said that she nearly burst into tears when they told her it was a boy. Paul is over the moon, as are the rest of the family.

Jo - boys are wonderful!! Yes, they're hard work and challenging at the best of times and sure, you'll have to get used to snails and snot and dog (or cat) poo, but they're cuddly, affectionate and they're just so sweet and full of life you can't help but adore them. Once you hold that little man in your arms and you look into his eyes, you'll love him more then you've ever thought you could possibly love anyone else. It'll be unconditional and it will last forever. Plus, it means that you'll just have to try again for that little girl (YAY! More babies for me to love!). Congratulations to both you and Paul, this is going to be such an exciting journey for you.

And now the photos...

At just 13 weeks, the nurse said my nephew is exceptionally well endowed! The little guy is only 7.8cm long from head to rump, so I think the fact that they could see anything at all was quite amazing. In true male form, he seemed quite happy to flash his goods for the camera. For those of you not familiar with scan pictures - where it's written "boy" is his rear end. Further down there's a little line drawn through his boy bits. His legs go down towards the bottom right side of the picture...

And then I couldn't chose which pictures to post, so I'm putting most of them up. Side profile - look at that cute nose!! From behind... A bit closer, you can even see his little heart in his chest...

And that's it. Exciting news, hey??? Whoooooo-hoooooo!!!

XXX