Aaargh! Just look at all that sand!

Following on from the previous blog thought you needed to see all the sand!!!

And todays special message:
"Our purpose in Life is to find our gift, perfect it, and give it back to others."

Indi meets the Indian Ocean

When we woke this morning and the sun was shining brightly and there wasn't a cloud in the sky we decided to take Indi out for a treat and introduce her to the Indian Ocean.

As you can see by the pictures she loved it, of course she tried eating the waves and spent a while coughing and spluttering up sea water, eventually she realised that it was not such a good idea to drink it!

Then she did my most dreaded thing she rolled in the sand !!!! I hate sand and it was everywhere!!!Then as if she knew how much I hated it she came and rubbed herself against me... Well she wanted me to share in her fun!!!

We took my neice and K with us and they all had fun chasing each other around, needless to say all 3 of them are now crashed out in bed fast asleep.

Paul and I are sitting here with our glasses of wine and our skin is all a glow, listening to the crickets chirping and the sky is so clear we can see all the stars, it's lovely, this is what paradise must be like!

Roughing it in the Berg

Well we've been out in the mountains 'roughing'it. My brother, his wife and the 3 kids spent the week in this tent, we only went up for 1 night to pick up K to bring him home for Christmas... I don't know how they did it!!! (My brother told me it was for the kids) We ended up spending the night sleeping in the car... TG for my 4x4! It rained the night we were there and it was freezing cold, I don't mind roughing it but I hate the cold!!!Especially when we had left Durban at 38c, I actually swam in the pool before we set off to the mountains.

Well K thoroughly enjoyed himself, there was so much for the kids to do on the camp site, and Penny my sister-in-law said she never saw any of them from 1 meal time to the next.

Paul of course had to 'be man with axe' chopping wood for the Braai (BBQ) "man have fire man will cook". We also took the kids up the mountain to go on a 'Zip Line' I even had a go, it was brilliant but I won't show you any photos as the bum really looks big in those harnesses!!! The boys also went 'Paint Ball' needless to say we are ALL sporting a few bruises, even the ones who didn't paint ball !!! The 'older boys' decided it would be fun to play 'Jackass'! But as you can see the mountains were magnificent at sunset. The area is called Dragons Peak and the front mountain gives a silhouette of a dragon (well so I'm told). It was beautiful.

We travelled back to Durban on the 23rd and got all the fresh food in for Christmas and a few last bits and pieces as we had visitors arriving for Christmas Eve Dinner, we tracked Santa on NORAD, which our friends had never seen before so it was better than watching the telly! Needless to say our friends had such a good time they stayed overnight, they don't have kids so they were interested to experience 'a traditional Christmas with kids (maybe never again!)

Of course Santa left a fair few parcels at our house and he even left his gloves behind, 'forgetful man', but he has called in since then to collect them as he needs them for next year (otherwise K wanted to keep them!!!June's hands would have been cold this winter). I don't think I can list the things he left behind cos I'd run out of space here but I have to say Janet must have been a very good girl this year cos she was very, very spoilt... Thank you to all of you who sent cards and gifts etc. with Paul, I will send you all private thanks too.

Some of you may have received your cards by now but some of you will now be getting New Year Cards instead, just ran out of time AGAIN...

Well we hope you all had as good a Christmas as we have and we still have another special day on Sunday when my brother and his family are joining us for another 'Christmas Day' with them, we are looking forward to that too...

The weather has'nt been too nice this week at all but we are used to colder Christmas' so we'll get over it. Paul is a bit upset as he has not been able to swim as much, he tells us every morning that the sun's going to get out and we all just agree with him, it's easier!

Your thought for today is brought to you by Aunty June who says "friends are the family you choose to have" and after the last couple of days with our friends around I think she may well be right. So a Very Merry Christmas to all my friends that I consider as part of my big family and hope you all have a great New Year too...

Finally found some time!

Hi everyone,
Sorry not been blogging for a while but I'm sure you all know why..!(no! not that Just been soooo busy) Our trip up to Johannesburg was uneventful and believe it or not the weather played nicely... We even got the chance to start the Christmas shopping...

Paul arrived safely on Saturday 13th and since then we have been on the go everyday...Needless to say he is so 'hot'(yes right ehem!!) he just brought the good weather with him and the temperatures have increased daily.(He is so proud of himself for bringing the decent weather!)

Sunday(temp 27c/KZN 32c) we had a traditional family 'braai' (BBQ for my English readers)where large quantities of alcohol and red meat were consumed. The kids swam all day and by night fall the skin was tingly and red!

Monday (temp 28c) we set off back down to Kwazulu Natal, drive was uneventful, my car managed the journey no problem at all I'm so pleased I brought her with us!!!

Tuesday(temp 28c) it was a public holiday here(Day of Reconciliation) and traditionally we spent it with family, kids swimming all day and food and alcohol flowing freely!!!

Wednesday (temp 31c) Paul finally got to meet Bruce the Builder and of course 'the men' sorted out all the problems!!! (As only mano-mano can do. So progress will continue on the land/house from 19th January(of course all the builders are on their annual 1 month leave now) typical...

Thursday(temp 32c) K and P doing plenty of swimming and lots of dad and me time! He's really enjoying his school holidays, he has gone off for a long weekend with his cousins to The Berg - Camping!!! We're going up there on Monday to spend the night and fetch him (oh! lovely camping 'roughing' it and not with a caravan!how exciting is that?)

Friday(temp reached 39c today) finally I had to admit it was hot! But loving every minute of it. With no child in tow we got the chance to get out and do some Christmas shopping (dad's got a lot of spoiling to do!!!)me too! me too!

Well this weekend(temp today - Sat went up to 37c with the water temp at 29c) is being spent wrapping presents and getting the house ready for Christmas, we haven't taken out all our decorations, Aunty J. has decorated some of the house for us and as long as you have a tree for Santa to leave all the presents around you don't need anything else. (At least this year I don't have to go out and buy one like we did in Florida!)

Friends please forgive me if you get your 'Christmas Cards' a little late, it wasn't cos I forgot or anything but I finally got some 'bits & pieces' out of storage when Paul got here, so your cards are in the post !!!

That's all for now folks! Hopefully I'll have some time over the next couple of days to write again.
Todays useful information: When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on for dear life!

9th & 10th days

Hi Everyone,

Sorry we missed a posting yesterday, but K. and I got to spend some quality time together, we had steaks for dinner and spoilt ourselves... then we went to see Uncle Jumbos Christmas Show !!! Less said the better... Lots of screaming, hay throwing and bady chasing by Kung Fu Panda and Spiderman... Ok so it was for charity so I guess you have to do at least 1 silly thing for Christmas. Not the kind of show you take an 11 year old to. Time is going by so fast and it's nice but also sad to see K. growing up. He kinda commented on the fact that maybe "he's abit too old for this stuff now mum!"

Weather for last 2 days, a shocking fact we've now had 4 consecutive days of sunshine, think we might be on a roll. Although it started raining tonight and there's thunder and lightning about. I'm hoping it's going to be a bit of a cool day tomorrow as we are driving up to Johannesburg (only 602km/376miles)takes about 6.5 hours after all I can only drive at 80m.p.h on the motorways!!

Only 3 more sleeps till dad gets here... We are so excited, hope he has a suitcase full of goodies oh! and we're looking forward to seeing him too...

Guys you may not hear from me till we come back to Durban on Monday as I'm not sure about internet access with the family in JHB. I will take my trusty laptop with me in case, otherwise I'll have lots to tell you on the next posting.

Julie thanks for the Christmas Card (my first) it arrived today and I knew it was from you as soon as I saw it. Your favourite T-Bag folding...

Your thought for today: A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

6th, 7th & 8th Days

Sorry guys missed getting on the Internet this weekend, so you've got 3 cards in one go.

How was the weekend? Ours seemed to fly by. Saturday weather was overcast but we went to my brothers down on the coast so it was hot, humid and sticky. K. swam most of the day and Jess my niece joined him, Uncle L also ended up in the pool after he'd done his gardening stint.

Sunday we finally woke to the kind of days I expect at this time of the year. The sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky, needless to say K. spent the best part of the day in the pool...

For the last 2 weeks or so I have had what I thought was sinus problems, earache etc... Guess what teeth issues AGAIN! But I found a great dentist this morning and I am now 1 tooth less and no more pain for me. I was really worried about how much it was going to cost me as you well know the cost of dentists over there!!! I had to have an x-ray and then an extraction I'd taken my credit card with me... R 350.00 guys that's only £ 23.00!!! When I told the dentist how much it had cost me for my crowns she nearly fell off her chair and told me I could have had full face reconstructive surgery for that amount!

Another shocker we've just had a petrol DECREASE!!! We are now paying R 7.11 per litre for petrol = 47p per litre!!! And there's even more talk of a further decrease. I didn't think there was anything in the world that ever went down in price...

Today, first day of the school holidays and K. spent it in the pool. Needless to say tonight he has a very healthy glow and he's been thickened with aftersun cream... It's going to be nice for him to get abit of colour in his cheeks. And if the weather carries on like this I'll have nothing to moan about. All the doors and windows are open, the ceiling fans are going, the mosquito coils are burning and we can hear the crickets chirping outside and it's great.!!!

Your thought for today: Good friends are like stars.....You don't always see them, But you know they are always there.

5 Golden Rings...

Well the holidays have now officially started... schools broken up until 21st January.

This time next week P will be in the air and we'll be in Johannesburg waiting for him. I hope he brings some good weather with him.

Weather today: Cold, Wet, Misty, etc... it rained again this morning like it's never rained before. At this rate I won't need to get diggers in to move the land it's gonna get washed away on it's own.

Gussy thanks for the daily 'dictionary' I'm looking forward to more inserts... Keeps the brain ticking over.

Todays Quote: When you think the world has turned its back on you, take another look.

On the 4th Day....

What another card!

Weather for today: cold, wet. misty, miserable etc...

Temp: 20c

The joy of driving to school today the roads are getting quieter as some of the schools have already broken up for the Christmas holidays.

Day spent writing Christmas Cards... very interesting ones!

Thought for the day: Sometimes the Angels fly close enough that you can hear the flutter of their wings.

On the 3rd day...

Pretty Pointsettias, don't think I've even seen any this year.

Weather Report Today:
Wet, misty, raining like it's never rained before, Temp 20c, feeling very damp and cold. Old aching bones and arthritis is moaning again!!

Tried to get into the Christmas spirit today by going shopping... Lasted 1 shop and I gave up... just can't find the spirit. I hope P is bringing all the pressies from Uk?

2 days of school left, to be honest I can't wait, not getting up at 5.30am is the best thing about holidays... On Friday the kids go to school as usual at 7.30am have final assembly at 9am and we pick them up at 10am ... A waste of a uniform actually.

Just a thought: Ever notice how the people who tell you to calm down are the ones who got you stressed in the first place.

On the 2nd Day of Advent GG sent to me...

Angels and Glitter... No Christmas is complete without both...


Temp today 32c. Stinking Hot (lovely stuff)

We did have a heavy thunder storm, plenty of forked lightning, heavy dark clouds around about 4pm, it was great to watch, but it is dry now, the crickets are chirping and all the doors and windows are open...

Please tell me this means summer is here at last! : -)

K loves it when he can come home from school and jumps straight in the pool :)

My little anecdote for today: The trouble with life is there's no background music!!

On the 1st Day of Advent

the Craft Oracle sent to you...

A card with her favourite 'Christmas Trees' on...


Can you believe it only 24 days till Christmas.. How's the shopping going? Well I have bought absolutely nothing...


It is amazing the things we take for granted... the simple Advent Calendar. Every year thanks to my personal shopper (because I always forgot or was too busy or ran out of time) K always had an advent calendar, and this year I have all the time in the world and can I even find one??? When I ask my family and friends where they get their kids advent calendars from, it's either never heard of them or the bulk of the replies are " yes we remember those as kids, you used to get cheap chocolates in the windows" and thus ends the conversation.... Unlike over 'there' where every supermarket is filled with them, here they are unheard of, never seen. Some others I have spoken to (ex pats) they make their own coz they don't know what they are here... I remember having advents calendars as a kid and I grew up here; so someone has lost out on an opportunity.... K will have a home made one next year that's for sure and I may even start a trend in the shop.... Bev I'm gonna steal your idea...

I've found me a new friend!!! (and probably one of my first new customers) Went to a 'Craft Open Day' last week, very 'different' but managed to pick up a pack of acetates with father and son descriptions on, got chatting to another lady who was flicking through the box of bits I was and she's from Surrey and used to attend a Scrapbooking class at a local lady here who has since quit... Now she has a few friends that are 'crafters and scrapbookers' that also used to go to the same classes and they get together regularly but are running out of ideas between themselves, and one of them just happens to also be an accountant who works from home and has just started out and is looking for new clients... You know the saying ' it's not what you know, it's who you know!'

So in 1 chance meeting I probably have met my first customer and my new accountant...

Well I've now got to get my company registered here before I can start trading, and my accountant is going to do this all for me, but I have to give them 3 choices of names,this is in case someone objects to my name or it is similar to someone elses (SA rules) obviously you know my first choice 'Giglin-Gecko' (not sure if I want to add the Crafts bit) I may even add 'Crafty Bits' or Craft Stuff or Craft ..... , I don't know if I can just give them 3 names all with GG in and add the other bits as above?? She's not sure either... So any ideas gang? Paul had a few interesting ones but ' content may be deemed offensive'

Ok yet again last weeks weather!!! Monday to Wednesday wet, rain, cold, miserable, misty, wet, cold - get the message.... Then Thursday sun shine yes the sun has returned from his vacation... OOPs he forgot his suitcase and he went back on leave again on Friday... Saturday we woke up to 'heat' the type of which I had forgotten, not a breath of air, sun beating down, it was wonderful... At least 32c. K went straight in the pool when he got up... It was so hot all day and even when the sun went down there was no air and it was an effort to move... Sunday we woke to rain, cold, fog, mist, wet and so cold I thought I had returned to UK overnite... K woke this morning with the sniffles and he actually complained that he was cold. And seems winter has returned again... So I just don't know.

House .... Yes well no fine! nothing else to say. Thinking I may just open up a mud spa... I might make more money that way, and it would be all au natural... I could get away with a 'log cabin' on the land (for the spa guests not for crafting!!!!)'meoww!!! put the claws away.

K has 4 more days of school then he is on Christmas Vacation until 21st January!!!! Really looking forward to that - not. No truthfully it's only 2 weeks to P getting here and I hope he realises how much father - son time they're gonna do!!! He's got 3 months to catch up on. Plus we've got a few jobs around the house for P to do... poor guys gonna need another break when he gets back... I really hope the sun shine arrives for him, cos he's gonna be upset if he's colder here than there... He has to go back with a tan...

And Remember : When life hands you lemons, Ask for Gin and Tonic and call me over!!