A Busy Time

Hubby wasn’t feeling too well on Monday morning but went in to see his cousin who was popping in for a visit at the workshop. His cousin checked him out while he was visiting and gave him a prescription for his bronchitis. Dennis also checked his feet and was surprised he is still walking around so is going to make an appointment for Hubby at a Cardio Vascular Surgeon to see what is the best course of action. I spent the morning doing my invoicing and statements. Really missed Diane at this time as every now and again I stopped to scan and email before carrying on with statements. (She was so good at doing it for me while I carried on). After the visit Hubby came home to go to bed. I went in to Meyerton to collect his prescription as well as shop late afternoon. The chemist was hectic and I had to queue for ages before finding out that they had run out of the anti-biotic prescribed. What a pain! I spent the evening after supper finishing off all except the final statement and emailing everything possible. Tuesday I quickly finished the last statement and organised myself to go into the workshop while Hubby stayed in bed. Late morning I fetched the prescription and Hubby took his first dose before we went into Alberton. (He wanted to give instructions and check on things). While he was busy I faxed the last statements and quickly went to the shops before we returned home for Hubby to go back to bed. I filed and then after supper watched TV and did some cleaning. Wednesday morning Hubby stayed in bed while I finished cleaning everywhere before Ali and the boys arrived to stay a few days. Ali was on her own at home and decided she would rather come through to us and stay. The rest of the day was spent either playing with Travis or looking after Josh – we took it in turns. Luckily the day was a beautiful sunny one with the temperature reaching 23. Hope winter is over. Hubby got up briefly every now and then to take Travis for a ride on his Mini Motor Bike. Travis loved it. He is really car and motorbike mad just like his Grandpa. Thursday morning Hubby went in to work and Ali and I went through to Henley to take Travis to his old Play Group for a visit. I looked after Josh while Ali and Travis did the class together. Afterwards was tea and cake and gossip time. Most enjoyable to see old friends! The rest of the day was spent outdoors playing with Travis after he had a nap. Thursday evening Ali and I watched TV while Hubby dosed up and went to bed. Friday morning was very disappointing as the weather was overcast and cloudy with a chilly wind blowing. We went into Meyerton in the morning where Ali went in to the chemist to weigh Josh after we had been shopping. At birth Josh weighed 3.2kgs and today at exactly five weeks old he weighed 4.8kgs. Ali couldn’t believe how much he had gained though he has become quite chubby. His cheeks look like a little hamster. He is sooo cute now and he has just started smiling and laughing. He is like Travis was – laughing in his sleep. When we got back we had a picnic lunch in the play area and then took Travis for a walk up and down the road. Ali was determined to tire him out so that he would sleep early when she got home. They left shortly after and I quickly vacuumed and tidied up everywhere so my weekend would be free. Hubby was home quite early and went to bed as he wasn’t feeling too good again – overdoing things again. Diane arrived home about half five and we had an early supper before going to our Friday Night Cultural evening. Hubby decided to stay in bed so it was just the two of us who went. It was another very enjoyable evening of song from love songs to light opera.
Saturday was a hectic day of shopping and wandering around the shops with Diane. Hubby was feeling a lot better and quite energetic so he spent the morning tidying his garage up with the help of the gardener. I spoke to Ali and laughed when she told me Travis had refused to sleep early and in fact had watched the eight o’ clock movie with her before falling asleep at half nine. Guess he didn’t have a long enough walk Friday afternoon. Diane and I got back after four and after unpacking the shopping chilled with a glass of wine before I started supper. After supper we watched TV until late. Sunday morning was up as if it was a weekday as Hubby had asked the gardener to carry on helping in the garage. After feeding the dogs and putting them away I went back to bed in time for Hubby to bring our breakfast. I cleared washing while Diane started organising herself for her week ahead. Val and Colin popped in on the way back from Vanderbijl Park where they had gone with Kim who is doing a six week block in the hospital there. Kim stays in the Res there only going home at the weekends. Only another few months and she will be a qualified Doctor. She can’t wait for the hectic studying while doing hospital time to be over. After they left it was too late to go for a hike so we went for a cycle instead. It felt good to be doing some exercise again. The rest of the day was spent sorting out things for Diane’s week ahead. Before we knew it was already dark so Diane decided to stay over and go through in the morning to work. The evening was spent watching the second ‘ Night in the Museum’ movie and checking e-mails etc on the computer. It was so nice to have our Milo together again though during the last half of the week Ali and I were having Milo together.
Cheers and have a Fantastic Week.

A Great Weekend

Saturday was another cold start after our overnight -5 temperature. I froze when I went out to feed the dogs. The morning was spent doing cleaning and by lunchtime all was looking good. Hubby wanted to rest his foot ready for his day at his Piston Ring Meet so Diane and I went off to Eastgate. We booked for the Twilight Eclipse Movie and then went off to The Bread Basket for another of their delicious Ciabatta Rolls and a Cappucino. Good choice as usual! We went for a short look round the shops afterwards before going in to Eclipse. We both enjoyed the movie immensely – that part about Jacob being Hot – the best. What a Bod!! When we came out the movies we did some shopping before going to The Bread Basket for something to take for Hubby and a Ciabatta loaf for Sunday. We left about six and were home before dark. I quickly put rice on to go with the lamb stew that had been simmering all afternoon before putting on the heater for our evening in front of the TV. The stew was delicious even if I say so myself and perfect for a cold evening. We went to bed around eleven after watching some TV and Diane sorting out her wardrobe for her first week as she is going to stay at Margaret during the week. Margaret is five minutes from where she will be working and she can avoid the morning traffic as well as not have to be up too early while it is still so cold.
Sunday morning Hubby woke me just after six with breakfast and coffee. I had forgotten to put his tablets out and he brought them for me to sort out. He left soon after and the dogs and I stayed in bed until about half eight. The birds outside the window started waking soon after seven and got progressively louder as time passed. It is amazing there is enough food around for them to find seeing as how many there are. At least they keep warm as they must be packed like sardines in there at night. I put washing on and Diane and I had our morning cuppa. We got ready and as soon as the washing was finished I put it out and another lot in before going to town to do shopping. We were back in time to hang out the second lot and then left for a hike as there was not much wind at all. It was sad to see all the black burnt areas on that side of the Suikerbosrand. Even into the reserve it was burnt nearly all the way from the road to the parking area. There were quite a lot of people out hiking and we enjoyed being out on the trail. Though I must say after not being able to do any cycling or hiking lately the climbs really were thigh aching. We only did a short hike and decided we must try and do it weekly to catch up on all we missed. Hubby was back just before us and we had some lunch before Diane got down to her packing. At three Don, Jessie and Neil arrived to go with Hubby to see a Porsche nearby that is for sale. Neil had been hijacked and his car stolen so he needs a new vehicle. After they left Diane showered and got herself ready and we packed the car. We made ourselves a drink and then left for Margaret. I took Diane as Hubby is going to take her car in and go through it to make sure it’s 100% for her to use now that she is working. When we arrived we unpacked the car and then walked around to her work spot to time it. Five minutes – Lucky Girl! I left her and Margaret as they were going to Angie for a curry supper. I was home by six and Hubby made us a light supper. I watched some TV and cleared the kitchen. There was nothing worth watching so I went to bed to read my book. Hubby dozed off and woke about twelve and went off to make some Milo. We enjoyed our drink with a slice of Ciabatta and cheese. Pigs! I read until about two when I finished my book. I have been reading a Catherine Cookson book I found as I have read all the Eric Van Lustbader books we have.
Well that was our weekend. We enjoyed it which is what counts. I already miss Diane.
Cheers. Have a great week.

The Weekend

Was up early on Saturday to enjoy a quick cuppa outside under the trees before starting the Big clean ready for Sunday. It was a lovely day with birds singing everywhere. After breakfast and seeing to the dogs Diane and I got stuck into the cleaning. I did the house while Diane did the cottage. Hubby went off to the shops late morning for some hooks at the hardware so that he could hang some pictures of his cars he had commissioned up in the passage. We had brief tea breaks every so often as well as our lunch break which was a nice long one as `Spiderman 2’ was on TV. After the movie Diane and I went into town for supplies for Sunday’s lunch. When we got back we carried on and finished the cleaning. Hubby wasn’t feeling too good so had a lie down to recover. Late afternoon the clouds built up again and we had another downpour. Hubby was feeling a little better now so he went out to the braai area and put the chickens on the smoker ready for the Sunday lunch – one thing less to do on Sunday. The rain continued for several hours and Hubby dashed out through the rain every now and then to check on the progress of the chickens. We had supper and then watched some TV. Hubby bought the chickens in when they were cooked. They looked and smelt good. I left them to cool and then separated the meat from the bone. There were four chickens altogether and I managed to fill a large container with meat which I put into the fridge. After watching ` Along came Polly’ and `Derailed’ on TV with our inevitable Milo we went to bed.
On Sunday was up early to have my chill cuppa before starting preparations for Sunday lunch. It was a beautiful morning after all the rain on Saturday. After breakfast I peeled and put potatoes to boil. While they boiled we sorted out all the cutlery, crockery, serving bowls, glasses and serviettes. Once they were cooked I put them to cool while cooking the rest of the meal. Hubby made the rice dish – with peppers etc. – while I cooked the butternut. At about half ten I went to shower and get myself ready after which I put a roast beef in the oven. People started arriving about twelve and when the last had arrived just before one I put the potatoes to roast in the oven and peas on to boil. Peter carved the roast and I put the rice and butternut to heat through. Margaret and Diane made a salad. Everyone was chatting and chilling with a drink. Diane and Julie laid the table while I put all in serving bowls and we were all able to sit and eat. There were sixteen of us altogether and we sat out on the cottage verandah around two catering tables. It was a nice change to have a sit-down roast instead of a braai. The meal was delicious (even if I say so myself) and everyone seemed to enjoy it with most people having seconds. The wine flowed and the conversation was enjoyable. It was really pleasant and peaceful sitting outside. Thank goodness for dishwashers! It would have been a nightmare to have to do all the dirty dishes by hand. While the table was cleared and the dishwasher loaded I got the pudding heated. We had Cape Brandy Pudding with custard. Delicious. Those of us still sitting at the table chilled and chatted some more while others moved outside to sit under the trees. The meal finished with tea and coffee for those that wanted. Pauline, Val, Margie and myself with Diane and KIm sat looking at photos and the album Val and Kelly are making ready for Mom’s 80th Birthday. It is going to be stunning when it is finished and is such a lovely, personal present for her. Wayne entertained us with the guitar and singing while we discussed the album. Val and Kim left and the rest of us joined the men outside and Wayne went to catch up on some sleep after his hectic party he had on Saturday. By now only Pauline and Peter with Trevor and Margie were left and we all relaxed under the trees with wine and beers. We all felt good after the food and conversation and nobody felt energetic enough to make a move. It was about half five when they all left and I quickly cleared up and put the dishwasher on. I had to put it on twice to clear all - I really do love my dishwasher. We spent the rest of the evening watching TV and relaxing after the hectic day. It really had been another perfect day in paradise with fabulous people, great food and good conversation. The kind of day we need more of. The day had been for all to see Wayne as well as my usual birthday get-together. I hope Wayne enjoyed himself as much as I did.
Cheers and hope you all have good times with family and friends