This and That

Why on earth do I have the most wonderful blog material running through my mind at the oddest moments and then have trouble putting them down. After reading the various blogs I enjoy and seeing the wonderful ways other members express themselves I get a mental block. Who wants to read my ramblings through my everday life. BUT I do have some lovely events to record so here are this weeks really good ones. The first was watching Julie and Julia. What a great movie - you should know from a previous blog of mine that I do not enjoy cooking but after watching this movie I felt inspired the two cooks made cooking such an adventure that I thought I might even try that boeuf b...... thingy that looked so great. Aspiring cooks must watch this movie, it's almost a love story of different kind. Well, as I said I felt inspired but after resting for a while decided that a toasted tuna sandwish would make me feel just as good so the boeuf b..... will have to wait until inspiration again kicks in. The next event I really enjoyed was yesterday I had an art lesson with our going to be family Picasso. My great niece invited me to "come play" which was great as you know she has taken some time to warm to me. But I have now become the up/down expert which is great exercise if you are a bit younger but for her.... well I become young enough. Back to the art lesson. Her mom had down some paper mache articles, some more successful than others, and the one was a big egg which we proceeded to paint. Such fun, how I wish my grand daughter was here to join in. Oh well, she's not but I am blessed with my two great nieces. The big egg by the way is a pinjata???? (spelling?) and will be smashed on Easter day to shower our little artist with small gifts she will enjoy. Whether she quite undestood my explanation of what was going to happed to it, I don't know, time will tell but we enjoyed painting it togeter. So bloggers those are the two memorable days I have had this past week. On the 25th I gave thanks for my mothers life. It was the anniversary of her birth and although she has been away now in a better place she is still very much a part of our lives. Love you Mom. God bless all have a Blessed Easter - not too many eggs.

We're having a heatwave!!!!

Ok, ok I know I have been very silent but now I think I could write just a bit about the NOW. Do any of you remember the song "We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave"? Well that's what I believe we've been experiencing. But I remember the person singing that song was a sexy looking brunette in a sarong surrounded by tanned hulks. That's not how I've reacted to our recent weather. I sweat, have my clothes stick to me in all the wrong places and constantly have to check that my pants are also just sweating. Yes I am sweating not glowing or any of those wonderful things ladies are supposed to do when they are very hot. The heat has also made me realise that fat people can show of their flabby arms - they might be the only wings I ever own and being seen in a bathing costume by others when doing a whale impression in your own pool is to put it in modern lingo .... COOOL BABY COOOL. On the up side as well I now sport quite a tan - I know the cancer thing and all the sun can do to your skin but at my age the sun long ago did the damage I now see. And I am quite prepared to take what life throws at me. At 71 I just want to cope with this heatwave. So I wear my sarong and my hulk is now bulky but we are happy just being COOL BABY COOL. Love all

Happy Holiday

Summer has at last arrived and we were very blessed to take advantage of the wonderful first days of real summer. We were down at Langebaan in a wonderful house almost on the beach which lets one have fantastic views across the sea to Saldahna. I was feeling a bit like my battery had run down big time and just to know that I had no obligations for 12 days was refreshing. It takes a few days to unwind but then..... it is just chill time. I worked on handwork, read a complete book, read a Christian magazine from cover to cover (this was a first), walked on the beach and just enjoyed pleasing myself and no-one else. Pure heaven!! G had a great time out on the lagoon fishing, no boat problems and also just relaxing. Maureen actually sat down more than she ever does at home. Together we enjoyed a meal at Geelbek in the West Coast Nature Park and had walks along the beach, splashing along the water line. Langebaan has long been a favourite of our family and it has lost none of its charm for us although "progress" has taken away the village atmosphere. There is now a shopping mall, much to Maureen's delight, and all the usual chain stores have moved in. Found a lovely childrens wear shop and of course managed to buy for our little ones. We missed being with our family especially the little ones but they welcomed us back with love and hugs. What a blessing they are to us all. Holiday time is so special and while in Langebaan we are inclined to think back to the days when our children were just children and we had Mom and Dad with us. I know that our babies will also one day sit and think back on the memories they are now making down there. We are so lucky here in Cape Town that we don't have to travel far to have a really good holiday. Love to you all enjoy your holiday when it happens.

I've got a name

Yes, I know you all know the me that I am but let me clear up the meaning of the Title. Yesterday, was filled with sunshine, I know if you looked out of the window it was raining.... so what's new, it's done that for a few days now but I was so fortunate... my sunshine comes in two small packages. One is two and the other was 8 months old yesterday. How can I be gloomy in the company of such loveliness. Well, our two fairies entertained us with the magic they always manage to do .. Nina shouting and really being a little me, food a real joy. Amy on the other hand has always been a bit wary of me. But who can blame her? I'm, large, louder than she is used to and she had a problem relating to me. Things have improved I must admit and she often runs to me and puts her head on my heart. But..... I have not had a name. However, joy of joy yesterday it happened. I was rechristened. It happened by chance but it happened. She was going from one to the other to sit her on the giant bouncy ball. Mimi was holding Nina, Mum was making tea, Ga didn't have the energy and that left me. So dearest little two year old stood in front of me and held the bright pink ball and looked up into my face and said "Bugger" Wow a Wow moment as Opray would say. I'm Bugger!!! After controlling my laughter along with the other three who have had names for a while. I looked at her and took the ball, she repeated the name "Bugger". I bounced until we were both bounced out. Oh well at least I think that is my name or was it just ...Oh bugger only you are left. But I had such fun bouncing her on that ball. Anyway a Rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. But is bugger a bugger and nothing else. But from that fairy I'll be whatever she wants me to be. Love her to bits. Look for your sunshine in unexpected places. God bless you all.

Die mooiste, mooiste maand

Dit is the maand Oktober, die mooiste, mooiste maand......So starts an Afrikaans poem we had to learn way back when I was at school. It is beautiful if you take time to drive through the countryside or even just look around at our suburb. All the flowers are coming into bloom especially the clivia. I'm not much of a gardener so when something actually produces a bloom I'm very excited. I have a few clivias in the back garden but they seem to provide tasty food for the snails. But one has bloomed in new spot which those creatures don't seem to have discovered. Now what to do? Do I throw lots of poison down..... eat lots of eggs to use the shells, collect tobacco so they can smoke themselves into oblivion or just let them enjoy eating anything and everything in the garden that is beautiful for a short while. But I was going to say a lot more about the month October.... This time last year we three were in Florida for Andre and Jenelle's wedding (25th) What a lot happened then, what with the preparation, the squashing in of the many gifts for them and the coming baby and then the throwing out of the clothes we really wouldn't need and there were many. The excitement and anticipation, the fear of flying all that way and so many other things until the day arrived. 20th October and we were taken to the airport by our family and adopted son Heiko. But all the fears were for nothing and after nearly a day and a bit we arrived in Fort Lauderdale to be reunited with Andre and Margies family. Well to cut a long story short we travelled to Savannah on the 23rd 800 miles away from Delray Beach and on the 24th prepared a South African meal for Jenelle's family. This in an unknown kitchen with four sausage dogs around our feet while we chopped, diced, sauteed etc for about 30 people. Poor Andre was so up tight but being the people we are we did, I think, an exceptional supper. And it rained, and rained and rained. The wedding went off well with the wedding planner, *Jenni, keeping us all in line and on time. *Andre's mother-in-law. Back to Delray Beach and plenty of time to catch up with ourselves and chill. Now I read my journal each day and can look at the events with new eyes. It was good on the whole and those other bits are just left in some dark corner of my mind. Why waste energy remembering what isn't worth remembering. We love our son/nephew dearly and would do it all again just to be with them. So Ja dit was die mooiste, mooiste maand. But this one is just as good it's great to be back home where everyone knows your name and loves you for who you are. God bless you all.

Long distance Ouma

Yeh that's me ... Ouma -what a blessing but to be so far away from our first grandchild is VERY hard. Adrianna was born on the 31st December 2008 and while we were in the USA. You can imagine the excitement for both families as we welcomed her into our lives. Alas we left to return home when she was just3 weeks old and so we became long distance grandparents. It was extremely hard leaving our American family behind. Once we were checked in I couldn't bring myself to look back. But once again technology has come to my rescue. I never thought I would sit in front of the pc and thank the many people who developed email, Skype etc but here I am thanking them for this blessing. Each week Andre Skype's us and we watch Addy, as she is called, develop into a little person with a bubbly personality. I swear she already knows my voice, but who wouldn't, as she smiles at us from so far away. Andre and Jenelle both work shifts so Andre has a lot to do with her and she obviously loves him. Her little hands are constantly reaching out to touch him as she goes through her whole vocabulary of dadadad, mamama, babababa. He is a very hands on dad as so many of the modern men are and he is enjoying the close relationship that is developing between them. On Friday he Skyped us so that we could watch Addy in her bouncer (jolly jumper) what a sight. Those little legs, so like Andre's when he was young, jumping and jumping for the joy of it. Her little face lit up with excitement. Oh to be right there to give her a hug. She now claps hands when I tell her to and tries to touch the screen. Its so so hard but I'm grateful that Andre realises how very important these times are to us. To those of you blessed enough to be close to your grandchildren enjoy every minute you are close to them. And to those of you, and there are quite a few, who have little ones in distant lands, I feel for you. Grandchildren are such a gift from God. Love to you all

Publc Holiday again

One thing about holidays in SA is that sometimes one day gives you two. That is why today, the day after Womens Day, I can once again take time out to do whatever I want. Not that any other day is any different after all I am a pensioner. My time is my own every day. I wanted to let you know what a great day I had yesterday - Womens Day. The economy forces us to cut back on many things, eating out, travelling etc etc. We have all cut down somewhere. We do not drive around just for the fun of it any more as the cost of petrol keeps going up then down a little, but yesterday it was such a lovely day we had to drive out somewhere. There was no wind, glorious sunshine and an urge to leave my knitting and get outside. So.... I persuaded my man to take my sister and me for a drive to the countryside just up the road from where we live. Philadephia and Klipheuvel were on the route always wanted to see them, I don't quite know why but am glad we went. It was great driving through fields of canola which made the hills look as if the sun had landed on them, the young wheat plants stretching up towards the blue sky. What a beautiful part of the world we live in. When we reached Philadephia we parked in the shade under an enormous gum tree and walked to the business centre - the one street with shops. There is a wonderful shop called Magic Minerals which is like an Aladdins cave of beautiful things. The shop and street were filled with people who had obviously discovered this little place of surprises before us. After wandering around the shop for a while we crossed the road to have lunch sitting outside in the courtyard of The Peppertree Art Stable and Coffee Shop. The pepper tree in the name is gigantic with an interesting trunk we heard it is 150 year old. The art gallery and other little shops were so interesting and lovely people who own them. The menu for the day is printed on a blackboard which the waitress willingly carries around to the tables which I might add had all been reserved for lunch. We were extremely lucky to sit at the only table not reserved. Lunch is only ready at 1pm and so we were able to sit and enjoy the passing parade and the free range chickens as they walked around us, stopping every now and again to scratch in the sand. The food was great Roast Lamb and veg. Chicken Pie baby potatoes and Feta and Spinach Pie with veg. A few glasses of refreshment and we were ready to drive back home once again marvelling at the fields around us that looked so healthy. I throughly enjoyed being out and again give thanks that we stay in such a beautiful province. I can't help but wonder why we sometimes miss the treasures that are right on our doorstep. I hope you all had a great time and enjoyed being a woman.

I am Woman

Today is Womens Day - and I have been thinking of the women in my family those who have gone before and those who are, thank God, still with me. Most of the women in my life were on my fathers side of the family mainly because we were so fortunate to live in close proximity with one another. My paternal grandmother lived with us for about 25 years after our Irish grandfather passed away. She was a person who had gone through very hard times raising a family of four on a blacksmiths wage. Also through a depression which only served to make her a very strong character with ways of making her income stretch well beyond its worth. Living with her was not always easy but if we look back at how she did that miracle we can see lessons to be learnt. I will not yet resort to ironing Christmas paper and collecting every bit of string but..... there are ways of cutting back. My mother was another who through trial and error learnt how to keep three daughters happy and very seldom did we feel deprived. Looking back now of course we know that we did have less in the way of what we wanted but never what we needed. The main thing we and her grandchildren remember is the thing that no money can buy and that is the love she gave without looking for reward. The reward then and now is that we remember her love as a warm blanket that kept us all together when times were hard. I can remember three times when my father was out of work but somehow we never lost our dignity thanks to that strong woman we called Mom. She was and will always be our shining light, our example of loving loyalty especially in hard times. Today I still am blessed with strong women in my much depleted family. I see them as examples of what has gone before. Never, never let the bad times keep you permanently in a bad place. Keep striving as you continue through the dark days. Give what you have love, laughter, happiness and faithfulness. My sisters and niece are the best of women. Loving me in all my loudness without giving up on me. Sure they are going through a lean time but we will be there for one another, sharing what we have to the benefit of each other. These times are a worry for us all but we are strong we will survive. I have loyal friends who continue to love me with love and their friendship, I am blessed. To my family especially my sisters and niece I love you more than you will ever know. To my American granddaughter and great nieces I hope you too will look back one day and see the strength you have inherited to carry you through whatever life throws at you. God bless you all.

To cook or not to cook?

That might seem to be a strange title but anyone who knows me will tell you that I only cook because I must and not because I enjoy it. There are those in my family who are regularly trying new dishes with great success but I only do the basics which seem to agree with my unadventurous man. If I do attempt anything new it has to look like the picture or I consider it a "flop". I even know of some who enjoy reading cook books in bed at night Oh well I suppose it takes all kinds. Not that I am knocking those who enjoy the above its just not my thing. Now back to the title. When I got married we bought a Defy 420 stove - the Rolls Royce of stoves at that time but after 37 years of daily use the RR is begining to show signs of wearing out. I considered that it was time to buy a new stove but the man in my life proceeded to tell me that everyone who buys a new stove regrets getting rid of the old. I have heard this of course but really thought a new stove would be great. So..... when the light went out in the oven I accepted that it was not always a good idea to see which way my latest attempt was going and accepted the dark side of cooking. When the front plate gave up the ghost I knew I could cope with three so that didn't worry me either. Things steady started going wrong with other parts but the man in my life assured me it only needed a new part so slowly but surely he is rebuilding the RR each time something goes wrong. Things came to a head the other evening when I put a casserole in with foil over the top and as I took it out the foil touched the top element resulting in a mighty flash and noise. After getting myself up off the floor after performing a backward somersault the man came running and I was told it needed a new fuse. He examined the damaged and told that a small hole had been blown in the back of the oven. I always say if a thing is not life threatening why worry? Well the element and fuse were replaced and I happily once again decided to make a casserole using his favourite meat for such, short rib. At 160 I was sure all would be well until going to check a while later found lumps of charcoal at the bottom of the dish. Icouldn't help laughing because cooking now was a real adventure - I never knew what I was going to produce. I phoned my sister to tell her this new event and she said I should make him eat it as charcoal is good for preventing wind. Yes to cook or not to cook, that is the question. Well all seems to be going well at the moment and even if I say so myself I have produced a few good meals lately. I even think I might try something new soon has anyone got any ideas what I could do with Chilli Bovril which seems to have hit the shelves lately - there must be something you can do with it.
Oh, my sister and I had a great success on Sunday last week, we baked a loaf of bread. It cost us under R5 which considering the price of bread now is a bargain. It's easy buy the ready made bakery dough from your friends shop and pop it into the bread tin, let is rise in the warmer drawer, bake in oven for 40 minuts and voila - fresh homemade bread. Nothing beats the smell through the house and that first slice of warm bread and butter. Yummy!!! So all's well that ends well but I'm considering upping my insurance just in case the RR decides to blow something else. Love to you all

Just because

Just because today I'm more or less at a loose end. Nothing in my diary or things to do list. This is unusual for me because I have something on each day of the week and that gives me a reason to get up at a reasonable time. I must admit to loving my bed!! Does that seem strange to those early birds who jump up at the first sign of the sun? Oh well we can't all rush around at the same time of day so some of us on days with nothing in particular to fill the hours need to stay under the duvet for a few special moments. I've come to think that bears have the best idea. Eat, drink and be merry all summer long and as soon as the days turn to cold.... find a warm and cosy place to sleep and sleep and sleep while dreaming pleasant things. While sleeping they lose all the weight they put on from all the eating, drinking and making merry and lo and behold they also, so I believe, give birth while in the glorious state of not being quite aware of what's going on. Now that could work for me, how about you? Well no maybe you are an early bird and really can't relate to my almost love affair with my bed and duvet. I'm waffling now but really we have to have winter, the earth needs to be refreshed and cleaned but there is a down side to my loving the cold, wet weather. I often think of those not as fortunate as most of us. The mothers and fathers who try to keep their children dry and free from illness as their "houses" leak and flood each year. Oh I know, they should make provision for these things during the long hot summer days. But I still feel for them. So what can I do. I've given away most of my extra blankets and unworn clothing, I give food at the door whenever asked, and make soup for the Roadside ministry at my church. I know many of you readers do the same and we pay our taxes so hopefully the powers that be will put them to good use and before next winter many more people will be put into real warm cosy leakfree homes. In the meantime I will enjoy my bed on rainy days and thank God for all my blessings. Love you all.

Worker Day - No Work Today!!

Today was a great day for the family - 33 years ago the first of the family's next generation arrived ... so today was her birthday. We celebrated then and we celebrated today the birth of our gentle, insightful, loving, huggy daughter, granddaughter and niece. To each of us she has provided joy each and every year of her short (to most of us mature beings) life. But having tea with cake she so proudly and successfully baked was filled with hours of joy as we looked upon and met her young friends with the next generation of their families. So many goodlooking parents, wonderful children and friends with like minds. For me the real joy was Amy who looked at me to take her out onto the verandah stoep, whatever to play football/catch the ball with Keegan. I have come to realise that I am not the top of the pile when it comes to greataunts, but that's OK because Nina surely loves my ample bosom to rest on. But hey, Amy and I had a great time picking up the lovely round pink ball to "throw" back at Keegan. Thank you Amy, for the love you showed me today. Then..... Rowan arrived. Amy went into overdrive of joy as she ran towards the boy of her dreams, hugs and kisses and giving him the ball each time she caught it. What a blessing. All my nieces friends, their lovely children, their super partners I had a lovely day No work - Oh but I did do the dishes. Thank you all for your love and happiness that made my niece's day so special. God bless you all.

Chocolate overload

Yes I did it again - finished too many chocs -why do I do this every year. The weight I lost in the USA is fast appearing around my middle again. Oh well Im 70 now!!! and I deserve all the treats I can get. Easter was lovely although we missed our sister and her familywho had a great time down at Langebaan. What a joy to once again have a little one plus dog hunting for eggs. We spent a lot of time in church which is how we traditionally spend our Easter. It gives us a good feeling to celebrate this great Christian festival. On Easter Day we attended an Easter Hat Lunch at Oasis which proved to be a success for us prizewise. Gerrit and I as the bunny couple won a bottle of bubbly and granny Joan won first prize of a lovely bunch of white roses as the most original. The meal was great and enjoyed by all who attended. Thanks to the staff concerned. Monday was another holiday when we just relaxed and..... ate chocs!!! Now they are all gone thank heavens. Today it appears that winter is trying very hard to get started and quite frankly I will be glad when it does. The lawn - that's a misnomer for the sorry state of the front garden as the "lawn" has turned a sad shade of brown and it feels like you are walking over a crushed packet of Lays - and all the other plants will rejoice when the rains come so bring it on Weatherman. We have spent some wonderful hours watching Amy - what a treasure to us all. She doesn't relate to me very well - I wonder why? I know I'm very loud and over the top at times but Nina doesn't seem to mind and finds my chest a comforting place to rest. Well time will tell if she takes the lead from her "big sister" Had a belated birthday supper with our Little sister which as usual was a success. Family so important and the older I get the more I realise how much I need them close by - I have some of the best times in my year with them all around me. I hope there are many more to come as they make me realise time and time again how very blessed I am that we live close to one another. For all of them I wish the happiest of times always, success in all their endeavours and love for one another than no-one else can take away. Boy am I getting soppy? time to log off.God bless until next time.

Im still here

Dear bloggers
On Friday I was asked by one of my blog friends why nothing of late. I see that my last blog was written the day before we left the USA on the 14 January 2009. I must admit to being quite pleased that someone actually missed my ramblings. Being back home now every day seems to have a particular pattern and seems boring at the best of times, so why bother to blog. But hey I was missed so here goes.....
Leaving my USA families behind became a reality once we left New York. Now there would be the Atlantic Ocean between us and I think the tears I shed would have raised the tide a bit. But there were also tears of joy when we arrived at Cape Town International and we were met by our beloved family. The waving of the Welcome Home balloon the warm hugs and kisses were soooooo great. I wanted to bend down and kiss the familiar earth a bit like the Pope - its a great idea and you only realise how wonderful home is after being away for a long three month. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed every moment of being with my son and the joy of holding my first grandchild is beyond explanation. There were times when the difference between us and them became apparent but I have let go of those times and enjoy remembering the happy feelings I often had in that far off land. All the young South Africans we met there among Andres friends long to be home. They have not forgotten their roots they just wanted to experience new things, new places and although they have been successful in both when the time is right for them most will come home again. I get upset when I read things people say about those who have left these shores - they are not traitors - in fact most of them are ambassadors for this country. They work hard, talk of this country with affection and never never forget that they are proudly South African. Now our lives are back to normal - it was hard at first - but now I thank God that my life is full. Family is close again, I have toddler and baby to hold and cuddle - what a gift. I miss my granddaughter but hope my son and his wife talk of us often. And soon we will have Skype and she will see us albeit in a box. One day soon I pray they will come home and we will rejoice at being together again for a while. Not much more to say for now except to thank my fellow bloggers who have missed me, my family who continue to love and accept me, and my husband who continues to put up with me. I love you all God bless until next time.

Its almost time

Hi bloggers
I cant believe that three months is finally coming to an end. We have had a roller coaster time here in the USA. Some ups some downs but at the end of the ride wish we could do it again. We have met some wonderful friends Usa and Sa citizens; all friends of A and J. They gave us a Goodbye supper on Monday night. the one night of the week they all have off. What a great time it was. I hate to think of Sunday when we have to be at the Fort LAUDERdale airport at 5am!!! Can you believe I must be awake at that time to leaved at 7am, for JFK New York airporport. I fully trust that each sunrise happens without my help but here I am getting up to see that it really happens each day. It will be a hard time saying goodbye to my beloved son. I don't lknow when we will hug one another again. Only on farewells like his do you realise that they are only lent to us. I thought we would be together in one country forefever. Just goes to show we nefver know what the future holds. I envy the ga-[ga grans and grampys who have the next generation close at hand. Who the hell cares what they call you they are there. our beautiful granddaughter Adrianna will grow up away from us, developing all the little things we love without having any control over what they jmight be. I thank heaven for our niece and her husband who so willingly share they little ones with us. Thank you both for blessing us with Amy and ??? we will love them equally. But enought of all this sad stuff we look forward to being backhome among those who love us just as we are. No warts but warts and all. We have missed you all so please book us for meals on a regular basis as I think I have given up cooking in a serious way. No joke. I'm quite serious about that. Sandra we are available for theevening of the19th as the 20th is now given to the Birbecks. I think I have had 3 glasses but whose counting? Maureen. Love to you alolo.l

We have an angel in our midst

Hi bloggers
Is there anything more beautiful than a new born baby? I think not and when that baby comes into your own family it is the most beautiful ever born. Our granddaughter Adrianna Marie La Grange made her appearance on 31 December at 4.40pm. What a wonderful way to end what has been an exciting 2008. Being in the USA for Andre and Jenelles wedding and also for the birth of their first child and our first grandchild has been just too wonderful. I never thought I would be a granny but who knows what God has in store for us. Being an older mother, which apparently I am, means you have to wait to see whether things turn out the same for you as they do for younger moms. Of course, Adrianna is the most adorable thing and the two dogs, Shaka and Poa, both of dubious parentage, were introduced to her on the familys returnhome yesterday. Both were far more interested in seeing Jenelle and so far have not even noticed the new arrival. However when baby cried Poa, a female became quite agitated. We have just over two weeks left here now and it will be hard to leave our little family although we are looking forward to coming back to SA. Hope all of you have recovered from the festive season and getting back into everyday routine. Love to you all until next time.

This and that from USA

Well time is flying and our time here with Andre and Jenelle is into its last month. Can't believe that on Thursday it will be Christmas our first, and probably the only one, we will have with our USA family. The shops are very quiet the result of the recession I suppose. Went into Dillards, a very upmarket shop, the other day at Boynton Beach Mall and I think Maureen and I were the only people walking around Sad sad sad. Such lovely things on display but no-one buying even Maureen is slowing down now. Andre had taken us to the Mall at 10.45am and Shelley picked us up at 4pm. Boy have I learnt to use my legs since not having the convenience of my faithful Monza. Of course there are all the sales now on and up to 75% off is promised at some stores. I don't think I have written on my blog since our visit to Las Vegas. Andre and Jenelle took us to the airport on the 8 Dec and got us booked in before returning home. The flight took 2 1/2 hours to Atlanta where we waited until others boarded and then on to Las Vegas. We had to change our watches once again to 3 hours behind Florida so we arrived in LV at 11pm. Flying over what is the Nevada Desert you see the lights of Vegas in the distance. What a sight!!! Caught a shuttle to the Harras Hotel which is like a Holiday Inn but more flambouant. In the airport there are slot machines so you could actually spend you money right there and just get back on the plane to return home. The room was great but a big disappointment no coffee machine in it. We are so used to having one that it really was a loss. The next day we got a map from reception and started out at 9.30am. We WALKED until nearly 5pm. Yes we WALKED. Maureen and I are managing quite well but Gerrit's back was troubling him. I did offer to get him a wheelchair but you can imagine his answer ?#!!**. So he had to soldier on. We went from one casino to the other where he tried his luck in each one But needless to say we are stilll on a budget. The casino buildings are amazing each one has a theme which is carried through from outside to inside. Tjhe vibe is ongoing and alive with visitors. Vegas has a permanent residency of about 1 million and an annual influx of 35 million visitors. Our hotel was full of real cowboys all visiting the 50th National Rodeo. To Gerrit's disgust the sit and eat with their ten gallon hats on!!! I think its cute and if they weren't so expensive I would have bought one. I did however borrow one from a cowgirl and had my photo taken with two genuine cowboys in the bar in Paris. We had a great time that day. The next we decided to buy an all day monorail ticket which travels, without a driver, way above all the hotels and stops along the way. At each station you can see which casinos are at that stop so once again we walked. At the one stop we walked from Sahara to Statosphere where we took the elevator to level 1814 ft above the ground!!! I could not stand near the edge of the indoor observation floor vertigo took over but Maureen and Gerrit had a great time getting a birdseye view of Vegas. By the time we got back to the Harras we were tired and hungry. Oh did I mention the mornings and evenings were VER>Y cold as it is in the desert. In fact the week after we were there they had a snowfall. Actually I'm sorry we missed that. That evening on arrival we went to our room and at about 8pm went down and had a lovely meal at the Italian Restaurant. Next day the shuttle took us back to the airport and it was back to Fort Lauderdale where we arrived late - at nearly 12pm. Andre and Jenelle were waiting to fetch us. What a blessing they are to us. The next day I truly felt the time change and all 3 of us just relaxed. That was Thursday and on Friday after sleeping late we went to babysit Emma while Shelley went to a ladies lunch at the church. She was gone 4 hours and during this time Emma was our entertainment and a real little llivewire she is. I took her up for a nap but needless to say after an hour of listening to her on the intercom I felt I should fetch her out. Well....... what a sight welcomed me to say nothing of the smell! She had the biggest pooh I have seen in a long time in her diaper (nappy) and I honestly was at a loss. What the h...l to do with it. I managed to remove the parcel and then cleaned her as much as possible and then.. I didn't know how to put on a clean diaper. But with help from Maureen we got one on. I must say when I put her down to walk she seemed to have a lot more bottom than before. Heavens I will have to get this sorted out if I am ever to babysit again. I'm so glad Nana Margie is now in charge of babysitting. I'm off the hook. Jenelle is very uncomfortable and we are hoping the time now goes quickly so that Baby A can arrive. Who can tell when she will be ready to face us all? Well dear bloggers we are now slowing down but today Sunday we went to church with Shelley and Vaughan and Emma. Margie, Mareen and I thoroughly enjoyed the family service in a beautifully decorated church where the children sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. People dressed in red and green and there was a communal breakfast to start the service. It was truly great and has made the begining of this Christmas week very special. On Wednesday we are going with them again to a candlelight carol service. It is the shortest hours of daylight today and the official start of USA winter. But the weather here is still lovely and very hot in the sun. It is dark at 5.30pm so all the lights in the various homes are lit. Lovely, lovely. Have seen Susan' maginificent photos of Cape Town and it made me feel quite homesick. So now dear Bloggers, to each and everyone of you wherever you may be may you all have a Blessed Christmas and may the Peace and Goodwill of this wonderful time remain with you and alll you love through 2009. With lots of love from 'Nor, Gerrit and Maureen.

Anybody out there?

Hi bloggers
One of the greatest advantages in the USA for the three of us is that internet is readily available each and every day we are here. First thing in the morning we login and check our email and next go to my blog to see if anyone has contacted us. Are we homesick for friendly, warm SA and especially our loved ones and friends in Edgemead and environs? I suppose unwittingly this is just what it is although perfectly are ease here with Andre and Jenelle. We don't want to lose contact with all that is going on at home. It is such a disappointment to find nothing new on either of the above but maybe everyone back home is busy with their everyday lives. We are the ones with lots of time on our hands in between sightseeing and looking wide eyed at the decorations that are now apearing all over the suburbs for Christmas and Channukha(?) Some of the blogs I read are old and quite upsetting in a way for many of the bloggers that are not in my circle of everyday friends are sad or confused one way or another. What the majority of them have that I no longer have is YOUTH. Lordy girls you are beautiful, worthy and an asset to any friendship circle and you have a lifetime still to enjoy. Yes I said enjoy - each and every day is filled with blessings sometimes so smalll they are overlooked. I love and enjoy reading what you do and the things that fill your lives. I realise how blessed you are to be living in this day and age when women are equal in everyway to men. But you seem to forget all these things about yourselves. It took me quite a time to reach this place in my life and i look back now with a few regrets but none that I will end my life with. That's the best do all you want enjoy every experience and never have regrets. Love life and fill it with joy and laughter because you are worthy of happiness and I look forward to reading that you are now walking on the sunny side of the street again. Love you all

THANKSGIVING ETC

Hi blogger friends
This week we have had a baby party for Jenelle and Andre. Not the usual hen get together to drink, share baby stories and drink some more while unpacking gifts but with men present as well to do the same things. Sue and Shelley two of A and J friends gave the party for many of the workmates of the soon to be parents and a really good job was done by them. We had lots of fun, plenty of laughter and they got a wonderful array of gifts of Baby "A". Now preparations are underway for Thanksgiving. We have just seen Pres. Bush give a presidential pardon to two turkeys names Pumpkin and Pecan and they will therefore not end up as someones dinner. We will be going to Shelley and Vaughans home to celebrate the occasion and Jenelle has been in overdrive buying bits and pieces and cooking pumpkin cheesecake which is great and pumpkin pie. She is also going to cook the turkey so we are all looking forward to a great dinner. I have been asked to make mashed potato and I will do it the oldfashioned way and not "just add water" as is the norm here. So dear friends in the way of tomorrow I give thanks for all of you who take the trouble to read my blog and who accept me for who I am. God bless you all.l

Back again

Hi bloggers near and far
Haven't been here for a while because of various reasons. Still loving being here with Andre and Jenelle and have settled in just like Americans. I'm getting used to this convenient way of living "just add water" as Jenelle says but strange to say I miss the good old SA way of cooking. Not that it is my favourite pastime but somehow you can do that with love. Opening packets, tins, etc just doesn't have the same satisfaction as peeling the vegs and humming a favourite tune. Yes I still do that and so far no-one has been irritated. We are enjoyed the "winter" weather and I might even come home with a tan. That must tell you just how great the weather has been. Of course, in USA, where so many LARGE people stay I have been wearing, in public, sleeveless tops and letting everything just hang out, well not literally but for me it feels like it. Anyway. went on an airboat ride down in the Everglades and thoroughly enjoyed it. Saw enourmous alligators, in pens thank goodness and ate an Indian dog. No no no just a fat frankfurther in a bread blanket. On Friday last week, I think it was Friday, we sat on the beach at Delray with many other folk and watched the latest shuttle Endeav our take off. What a sight it was amazing could see the rockets fall off and the shuttle get smaller and smaller as it started it journey to the space station. Brave people those astornauts. On Sunday we went to Kennedy Space Centre and went on a tour of the place. It is gigantic and we travelled by bus from one section to the next. It is only when you have the components in sight and hear the amount of trouble it takes to make each launch safe that you realise the USA takes great care of every little item. Jenelle is great and keeps up with us although she is so close to launch time herself. We have a lovely time with Shelley and Emma as Shell is giving us a lot of time driving us to the malls. She is also grateful for the company as Vaughan works every day and she misses Margie who will be in San Diego until 15 Dec when we will all be here in Florida. Looking forward to that. Until next time God bless love you allo

I have a problem

I hate using the blog site because I always lose my way. I can't find caroline's blogspot and I really want to hear how things are going with her her pregnancy. It's quite strange that none of my links come up as they did at home. How I wish Caroline or Craig were closer so that I could pick their computer brains. Susan please let me have your email address as I write more on that than on blog. My address is eleanor.lagrange@gmail.com I hope you get this message. The time difference now is we in USA are 7 hours behind you. Crazxy but true. Tell your mom I have not washed my hair for 14 days now and it still, to me, looks quite good. Often think of you all in Cape Town but am having wonderful time. Going to a braai with friends of Andres tonight he is a chef at Boca and a Bergvliet chap. Love to all