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