Crappy New Year

Sien, dis nou net hier waar 'n blog weer handig te pas kom. Want ek wil iets sê en ek sal dit sê al weet niemand nooit dat ek iets daaroor gesê het nie. Ek HAAT Oujaarsaand. Mense maak so fuss van opbly tot in die "nuwe jaar" en partytjie hou om die oujaar af te sluit en eintlik is die nuwe jaar maar net nog 'n dag. As jy nie gelukkig was in die oujaar nie, gaan 'n nuwejaar nie enigsins verskil maak nie. Mense dink altyd "volgende jaar sal beter wees" maar dit is nooit nie. Een jaar snuif net so veel soos die ander. Life sucks people, so just get on with it! Ek maak 'n punt daarvan om voor 12 op oujaarsaand in die bed te wees en verkieslik vas aan die slaap te wees!
Ek is nie klinies depressief nie, ek is sinies depressief. haha

adorable Disneyland Videos

Lydieduckie

die huis

Hier's die geverfde fireplace wall. Ek dink dit lyk stunning.

Druiwelaggie

Ek het hierdie 'n ruk terug al opgeneem maar ek kan nie onthou of ek dit al gelaai het nie.

Disneydansie

Dip 'n Koekie

Watermanewalis

Chobe die Wilde Water Hond!

Foto's

Ek het nou weer heel lekker gekuier by Almari vandag. Ek dink die vorige keer se frustrasie was maar meer omdat ek so goor gevoel het as enige iets anders. Hier's paar foto's.

Ek's 'n MIER!!!!!!

Ek het 'n lekker besig naweek gehad, en my week shape op om net so besig te wees! Ons het nou maar besluit om by die kerk te bly, en die koor het weer begin oefen want die somer vakansie is mos nou verby. Jim eht vir my gevra om boekmerke te maak vir die koorwerkswinkel wat nou Saterdag was. Dit was lekker om weer bietjie kreatief te verkeer op die rekenaar. En ek dink dit het nogals mooi uitgekom (ek sê aspris nogals ;o) Laas jaar was daar rondom 40 mense by die werkswinkel, Saterdag was daar maar 18 mense saam met Jim. Dit was tragies om te sien. Ek was oudergewoondte laat en toe ek parkeer is daar so min karre in die parkeer area gewees dat ek gedink het ek het die dag verkeerd gehad. Daar's baie min mense oor in die kerk, wat hartseer is. Dit sal maar 'n rukkie vat vir dinge om weer normaal te word glo ek.

Saterdag middag is ek na Jeanette se dogter Nanette se babyshower toe in Palmdale. Ek het so uitgesien daarna, want daar sou mos allerhande suid afrikaanse nammies gewees het!! Nammie, nam. Of, NNNNNNNNNNNNNNAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Soos Lydie sê. Daar was 'n horde mense, seker maklik rondom 70 mense. Dit was heeltemal te veel! So veel so dat ou Lydia skoon heeltemal oorweldig was. Sy wou nie laat ek haar neersit nie, leave alone nog vir iemand anders gee om vas te hou! Almarie het aangebied om haar vas te hou terwyl ek gou eet, maar kyk, sy sit 'n bek op laat die berge antwoord gee. Toe gaan speel ek en sy maar bietjie buite in die tuin. Hulle het 'n lieflike tuin en 'n pragtige swembad. Dit het sy darem terdee geniet, en nadat meeste van die mense weg is en net die Suid Afrikaanse spul oorgebly het, was sy katjie van die baan met hulle en het sy soentjies en drukkies vir almal uitgedeel. Ek het op die ou einde net een ou verdwaalde koeksistertjie geeet. ugh. Nou sal ek maar weer moet bak.

Ek het 6 uur daar gery toe bel Will my om te sê die snelweg tussen Tehachpi en Bak is geslut en dat hy al vir 'n uur vassit. Hy het eers 8 uur by die huis gekom die arme ou. Drie ure van Bak na Tehachapi. Daar was 'n maoerske ongeluk net na Arvin. Toe ek van die snelweg afklim staan daar so swart gemors en 'n brandweer wa langs die pad, toe ek mooi kyk sien ek dis 'n trok wat in sy totaliteit uitgebrand het. Dit was seker wat die snelweg opgehou het

Sondag het George en Trish kom kuier en ons het games gespeel tot laat. Dit was pret.

Vandag is Will af, so ons gaan nou nou dorp toe om fotostate te maak vir my nuwe paspoort aansoek en honde kos koop en my pille by die dokter optel.

More gaan ek in lancaster kuier by Almari (ek sal dit nog 'n kans gee)

Woensdag kom Kurt vir 'n play date en dis kooroefening

Donderdag gaan ek by Kathy kuier

Vrydag is groceries en dorp dag.

Hier's paar nuwe foto's. Die bokkies was in die side yard laas Vrydag toe sy haar middagslapie gevat het).

Vier Honderd Rand 'n Kilogram Biltong

Nou voel ek weer beter

Ek was darem gister en vanoggend baie ongelukkig oor die hele gewig storie. Ek het regtig hard geoefen en het gehoop dat ek ten spyte van die feite nie te min 'n paar pondjies sou verloor, maar moet nie glo nie. Vandag toe ek op die skaal klim is dit nogal so ewe .5 pond swaarder! Ugh. Toe besluit ek ek gaan nie oefen vandag nie, maar ek gaan die huis soos in vreeslik aan die kant en skoon maak! Dit het gewerk soos 'n bom, ek het gewerk dat die sweet my aftap (wat deesdae sommer vinnig gebeur) en was eers drie uur vanmiddag klaar, maar nou lyk die huis pragtig en ek kon terugstaan en die vrug op my arbeid geniet. Dis lekkerder as mens hard werk vir iets en jy kan actualy die resultate van jou labour sien! More is dit maar weer terug na die oefen skedule. Will het begin draf vanmore. hy sê ek inspireer hom. Ten minste inspireer ek IEMAND!

Haai Foeitog

Anyway. So gaan shop ons toe mos nou maar Sondag vir 'n swembroek en 'n paar nuwe goedjies vir my vet bas. Ek is nie onder 'n kalkoen uitgebroei nie, en gaan sommer van die begin af by die Winkel vir die Grootttttter Vrou in, Lane Bryant. Ek het mos vroeer in die jaar vir my daar 'n denim en 'n top gekoop wat ek baie van hou. Ou Will is maar 'n staatmaker as dit kom by die klere kopery want hy het 'n baie goeie oog vir wat goed sal lyk aan my lyf, so met sy hulp is ek toe daar in die aanpaskamer in met drie tops, drie shorts, twee sweetpakke en 'n swembroek. Die lekker ding van die Lane Bryant winkel is dat ek die kleinste nommer vat wat hulle winkel het,want hulle goed begin by 'n 14 ('n 16 vir julle daar in SA). En ALLES pas, so dis net 'n geval van wat lyk die beste. Dit was baie lekker om vir Will en Lydia modeperade te hou en op die ou einde het ek toe 'n sweetpak, die drie toppies en twee van die shorts gekies.

Toe is dit die swembroek se beurt. Nou moet julle verstaan dit is die einde van die seisoen so hulle het nie meer vreeslik stock oor nie, so al wat hulle gehad het is 'n swart en wit kolletjies nommertjie in 'n 16 ('n 18 vir julle daar in SA). Dit lyk toe gelukkig pragtig en vat my baie mooitjies bymekaar. Toe koop ek dit. Heerlik dat ek nie van winkel tot winkel hoef te geloop en aanpas het nie. Maar skokkend dat ek 'n nr. 18 swembroek en 'n nr. 16 regular klere dra, ne! Ek het nooit gedink ek sal die dag sien kom nie. Oh well, ek is ook nie likely om die dag te sien gaan nie, so intussen dra ek maar die grootter nommertjies en voel ek happy.

Arme Will is alweer met Lydia daar in die kamer want sy't gesê sy's vaak, nou hoor ek sy jol te heerlik en daar's niks van slaap nie. die rakker.

Negatiewe Motifering - sies vir my

So kuier ek vandag by vriendin op dorp wie se naam ek nie hier kan noem nie, want partykeer kyk sy wat ek skryf. Sy's sooooooo rond op die oomblik met die babamagie, maar nie net dit nie, sy lyk so bietjie soos 'n bus van alle kante af. Nou vertel ek haar in kleur en geur soos net ek kan van my nuutgevonde (of hergevonde, eerder) gewigsverlies planne. Sy reken ek is heeltemal te laf, en dat as ek net eenkeer per dag met die honde gaan stap is dit heeltemal genoeg en dan kan ek maar eet net wat ek wil. Want sy beplan om na die baba gekom het net vir 'n halfuur in die oggend te gaan fietsry in die gym en dan kan sy gelukkig vir die res van die dag eet wat sy wil. Sy reken dis onrealisties om mens se eetpatroon ook aan te pas as mens reeds 'n strengoefen roetine volg. Sy sê dit nou nie, maar ek kan sommer sien sy dink ek is laf. Nou wil ek eers die ding doen sodat ek vir haar kan wys dat ek nie laf is nie en dat dit nie help om net te oefen nie, maar dat as mens 'n sekere punt van oorgewig bereik het KAN jy nie meer net eet wat jy wil nie, my MOET briekaandraai met die kos en oefen. Ek wil eers dit regkry, en dan sal ek vir haar vertel hoe ek dit gedoen het. So. Nou het ek dubbele motifering. Ek dink eintlik daar is bietjie van 'n ietsie wat die kos en haar kop aanbetref. Eenmal het iemand by ons bybelstudie groep aangebied dat ons vas oor 'n saak, en toe was sy skoon militaristies gekant teen vas. Kos is defnitief meer as 'n sekuriteitskombersie daar!
So. Vanoggend 8 - 8:20 was ek in die water, 9 - 9:45 het ek my Denise gedoen (die USGIS rapporteer severele aardbewings van magnitude 1.5 in Bear Valley vir daardie tydperk...), 5 - 5:45 was ek en Lydia op die pad (sy in die stroller, ek al stotende agterna - die honde nie saam nie, Tasha het seervoet). Vir ontbyt het ek geweet ek gaan na Heidi toe en sy het altyd ietsie lekkers so ek het uitgehou tot daar en 'n klein skyfie Tiramisu geeet (sy het drie skywe gehad terwyl ek daar was). Middagete was leftovers van Maandagaand se Lensiebredie, en aandete is oorskiet groente van gisteraand. En 'n koppie koffie, want ek mag EEN koppie koffie per dag drink.
Arme Will is met Lydia in die kamer, sy's veronderstel om te slaap, maar ek kan hoor sy wil NIKS weet nie!

O wel, hier gaat ons alweer

Na my swembroekaanpasekskursie van Vrydag dog ek vandag ek beter maar oppie skaal klim en net kyk wat die skade is. Ons sal nou nie die gewraakte nommer hier neerskryf nie, maar suffice it to say dat ons van nou af na onsself moet verwys in die MEERVOUD! En ons bedoel nie die Royal Plural nie! Tot Willie sê ek is vet! Hy sê en ek haal direk aan "As ek nou moet sê dan dink ek dat jou bolyf en jou ''core" die meeste werk nodig het" Wat hy eintlik sê is ek het vet arms en 'n groot ronde boepmaag wat teen my bobene skuur wanneer ek loop!! Ek is so goed daarmee om tussen die lyne te lees wanneer mense met my praat. DUS, van more af (want hier's koek in die huis!) is dit weer ek en Tannie Denise. Willie het selfs aangebied om in die oggende vroeg na Lydia te kyk sodat ek kan gaan swem in die BV swembad. Hy het gesê, en ek haal direk aan, "Swem sal baie goeie oefening wees vir jou bo-arms en jou core, en ek sal met Lydia speel sodat jy kan gaan swem", wat hy eintlik gesê het is dat ek liefs nie oefening op land moet doen nie, want ons het reeds 'n klomp aardbewings gehad en dat ons nie die bure verder wil ontstel nie. Verder is alle suiker en stysel nou vir my verbode en ek beter maar sorg dat ek ten minste vier keer op 'n dag een of ander fisiese aktiwiteit doen. Wat my net lam maak is dat ek so gereeld van vooraf moet begin met hierdie storie , dit voel soos my oudste vrotste onderbroek wat ek maar net nie van kan ontslae raak nie. As ek by die laai kom is al die ander in die was en al wat daar is is die ou vrotte, dan moet ek hom maar weer aantrek. Ten minste dink ek die keer dis bietjie snaaks en wil ek nie my polse oop gaffel daaroor nie. Dis natuurlik hoeka alles die Lexapro se skuld, hierdie skielike verskriklike (en ek bedoel verskriklike) gewigstoename! Lexapro gee vir mens 'n eetlus en ek het die afgelope vier weke net geil gevreet alles wat voorkom. Ek moes elke aand die vet van die kalf van my bek afwas en die halwe skaap en hoender tussen my tande losflos voordat ek langs my maag kon gaan slaap. Nou ja, ek sal nou maar net bietjie selfbeheersing aan die dag moet lê.
Die lig aan die einde van die tonnel is ons Disneyland trip in September en dat Will gesê het dat ek $100 kan kry om net op myself te blaas as ek my doel bereik het.
Dis al vir nou.

more animal sounds

Hoekom doen ek hierdie ding in engels dink julle.... Ek het nou gaan terugkyk oor my posts en sien dat net een in Afrikaans is sover. Seker omdat ek die eerste een in engels gedoen het het ek maar net op daai trant voort gegaan.

Anyway. Hier's nog animal sounds wat sy maak wat ek nouie dag al opgeneem het maar nog nie kans gekry het om te post nie.

VBS Set

We had a fun, fun, VBS week. Here are some Pictures of the decorations. The kids loved the songs and the moves, and I loved teaching them. Today we did our songs in church for the congregation, unfortunately only 8 kinds showed up, because a whole bunch of people left our church due to recent troubles. Well, me and my 8 kids and Lydia had fun.

Animal Sounds

The Princess and the Dog

Die Ark

Die ark was oop hier vandag. Eers was ek buite om die swembad leeg te maak en te was, toe kom my vriendin Michelle vir my loer oor die heining met 'n tamatie plantjie vir my. Sy het klomp tamatjie saadjies geplant en almal het opgekom, nou sit sy met omtrent 30 tamatie plantjies so sy deel vir almal uit. Lekker! Toe kuier ons eers bietjie. Toe kom Annette hier aan om te oefen vir VBS, ons het heerlik geoefen en gelag vir mekaar met die bewegings en stuff. Dis nogal baie snaaks as een vet spook en 'n ou spook probeer om kinder bewegings te maak. Lydia het gedink dis snaaks ten minste. Terwyl sy hier was daag die Jehova geguies hier op om ons uit te nooi na hulle saamtrek in Bakersfield die naweek. Ek groet hulle so by die deur "Good Morning, what a wonderful day the Lord is blessing us with!" En so haal mens die wind uit 'n jehova getuie se seile uit! Hulle kon nie gou genoeg hier wegkom nie. hehehe. Toe daag Trish hier op en saam met haar kom hier 'n ou aan van SoCal Edison om ons te vertel van 'n survey wat hulle doen en dat hulle oor so paar uur die back yard gaan nodig he. Ek en Trish het heeldag gekuier (soos in letterlik) sy is eers 6 uur hier weg. Intussen is SoCal Edison hier in en uit, mense van die kerk is in en uit om VBS goed op te tel en die honde raak mal! Dit was 'n heerlike dag all together!

Die kerk crap is nogsteeds aan die gang. Annette is die worship Pastor se vrou en sy sê vir my voor sy loop dat hulle na Jeff se huis genooi is vir 'n vergadering maar dat hulle nie voel om te gaan nie, want omdat Jim op die kerk se bestuur is sal dit voel soos 'n conflict. Ek voel baie bly dat hulle vir Jim hulle ook genooi het want dit wys vir my hulle probeer nie iets onderduims of in die geheim doen nie. Ek het NIE vir Annette gesê ons is ook genooi nie, ek het net gesê ons is biddend vir die situasie.

Vandag voel ek weer beter as die afgelope paar dae.

Lekker slaap.
Lynne

Not so chipper

I am still upset abou tour church. And I am tired and feel generally grumpy.
so. there.

Sunday

Nothing new to report. We have a garage full of people working on the final touches for the VBS set. It looks great. Will's ingenuity (sp??) never ceases to amaze me.

Went to church this morning, and it sucked. Well, not so much the message but more the atmosphere. How could an elder board just ask a pastor to resign without getting the members involved??? And the elder who did the announcements this morning says "This is a very sad and hard time for our church, right now" I say, so why did you make it so then...??? huh? HUH!!!!??? And where is the associate pastor? Surely he should step in and take on the roll of shepherd. I don't know, I'm angry and sad and upset and just generally sick that the Lord's Church here on earth is made up of people. ugh.

For your viewing pleasure...

Here's another dance video. This one taken on July 4th. She's dancing to some or other Country and Western tune.

Sleep Eating

Perhaps Lydia's trying to tell me that she's now bored with Mac'nCheese. hmmm...

Alien abductions are REAL!!!

These were taken on July 5th when a couple of Hot Air Baloons came dangerously close to landing on our roof. The one that landed closest to us had Aliens on the side of it. And the one with the eye peeking out behind the roof is just cute. (And the pic's are in reverse order obviously.)

Lessons Learnt

Today I've learnt that Tehachapi has a very fun Farmers Market every Thursday in the summer. I knew about the event for a while but never thought to go, we went today because we picked the car up from Scotts auto body and they are right there, so we went. How FUN!!! Saw tons of people we knew, bought Tehachaberry pie, bought Bratwurst dogs (the bread sucked, but the wurst was wunderful). I won't go like every Thursday - that would get old fast, but when you guys come for a visit we should definately go.
Today I've learnt what a Korean Melon tastes like. Lovely. Like a cross between a cantaloupe and a cucumber. Refreshing.
Today I've learnt that no matter how hard I try I cannot keeps gnats out of our pool. I let all the water run out, I cleand the inside and the outside with antibacterial wipes, then I let put clean water in, and when I went out to turn off the hose, there they were SPLASHING AROUND IN MY SPARKLING CLEAN POOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I've learnt what the Bear Valley Pool policy is on babies in the big pool (because I asked - revolutionary!). She is welcome in the pool as long as she is in a floatation device or securely in my arms - duh.
Today I've learnt what it would feel like if my husband came home from work at a normal time, like 4pm. It's fun, you get a lot more talking done.
Good night dear ones, I hope you read this and that it made you smile.

Long time no Blog!!!

We have had a busy couple of days since July 4th. I can't exactly say why, just stuff! Yesterday I sold some of Lydia's old clothes at the local secondhand clothing store and got 50 bucks for it!!! How cool! It was the first time in my life I've left town with more money in my pocket than before I went.

Lessons learnt

Today I've learn't that Irving Berlin composed God Bless America. Who knew!!?

Fourth of July

We had a fun, fun day as you can see from the pic's. Lydia thought the hot air balloons were the funniest thing ever. She jumped up and down on my bed, pointing at them and laughing her diaper off! Then we went over to Cub Lake to watch the parade where she only smiled at the animals whenever a person waved at her she frowned at them. Then we took her over to the petting zoo where we had all kinds of fun with all kinds of weird and wonderful farm animals. The sheep and the alpacas seemed to be her favourite, but then she loooved the wooden horse too. Then we took a tractor hey ride with her friend Kurt and his Mom and Dad. By that time my memory card was full, so Michelle will send me a picture she took of us on the tractor.

I'm on the fourth day of Lexapro and I feel okay. I'm experiencing almost all of the side effects. Not all at once, fortunately because then I'd be a lock jawed, fatigued, dry mouthed, confused, forgetful, manic, insomniac with a moer of a headache. haha. I guess it'll take a couple of days to know if it's going to work or not, and the side effects shold go away

Fun fourth

Two years ago I would have FREAKED....

Lydia got hold of a piece of chalk which I left lying around after we drew with chalk on the cement on the patio. She discovered that the dark brown paint works just like chalk board, and so she drew on it. And why not, I ask you! All it takes is just a damp cloth and it is good as new. Yes, she drew the dog.... NOT!!! It looked like so much fun, I joined in.

Lessons Learnt

Today I have learnt that I have Major Depressive Disorder with General Anxiety Disorder. I know it sounds weird, but in a way I am very happy about my doctors visit today. It turns out what I have is an actual THING. Jippie!!? It wasn't even hard for me to explain to her what I feel and when I was half way explaining she started asking very accurate questions. What makes me "happy" is the fact that the diagnosis she made is exactly what Will said he thought I had and she prescribed the same medication Will would have suggested, and I spoke to them completely seperately. That makes me feel that I wasn't imagining things and that I don't change my story from one discussion to the next. In a way that was comforting. So. Now I am on the lowest dose of (and now I have to get up and go get the freakin' box because I forgot the name!!) Lexapro. In two weeks time I have to go back for bloodwork to see how its absorption (sp...?) is working out and also to talk about how I feel on it, then she'll decide to adjust the dose or not. Then she'll also give me names of therapists because of course the drugs works beter in conjunction with therapy. I told her I'm not fond of the idea of therapy because of the language thing, but I guess I'll give it a try. In the mean time she suggested I write. I don't have time to keep a journal and blog, so you guys are just going to have to hang in there with me, because this is going to be "Lexa-Log" as well as my blog. So there.

Nog Swem

Vandag het ek bietjie saam met Pappa geswem terwyl Mamma vir ons lekker kossies gemaak het. Kyk hoe lekker GLYYYYYYY ek met my glyplank af! Ek het vandag 'n heel paar keer sommer self my kop onder die water ingedruk net omdat ek dink dis lekker wanneer die water in my neus inloop!

Proper Pool

I feel I have to explain because I was so excited about the Toadspool and here we go buying a bigger pool! We have these Costco American Express cards and we get rewards on our purchases through the year. This time we got a check of 50 bucks, and lo and behold they had this splash pool there for ... 50 bucks!!! Only thing is, now it's too cold to swim!

Lydia's Dance

I can't think of ANYTHING clever to say, because NOTHING can make this cuter

A Crafty Husband and a Bible Study BBQ

Had fun at the Bible Study BBQ it was great to meet everybody's husbands and see how all the kiddo's play. Lydia's now clean (them what's been there will understand!) and Will's putting her in bed. I pray that tonight will be as good a night as last. I am getting used to 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep again.

Will, The Craftageous, is working on the decor for VBS. The theme this year is Son Quest Rainforest. So he's working on turning the Sanctuary into a rainforest. He takes these foam insulations panels which you buy from the Home Depot then he draws on them and cuts out the pictures using his hot knife (the first time we decorated for a VBS he used a jigsaw, and oh my goodness, the mess! So we invested in a hot knife). Then we have volunteers come over to help paint the panels. Here are some pic's. It's a lot of work, but he loves having that creative outlet, since his job is pretty unimaginative, you won't want your pharmacist to get creative with your drugs!

Lessons Learnt

Lydia has allergies. Big freakin' surprise consdering her parents. I'll just have to carry allergy medication with me wherever I go from now on. It'll become a habit, like carrying my car keys (I won't say "like carrying my celphone", because, well, we all know why!).
I've learnt that working with dough that has yeast in it on the warmest day of the year is not a great idea.
I've learnt that standing infront of the stove for an hour on the warmest day of the year is not a great idea.
Tatta.

Koeksisters

I don't know if it's worth the trouble. Seriously. I've spent an hour infront of the stove this afternoon frying them and dropping them into syrup. That's not counting the time making it, the dough takes at least an hour to make, then while it rises you make the syrup then while the syrup cools you braid the koeksisters. That takes the longest, it took me two hours. Now it tastes like sand to me. Will loves it, though, and I'm excited to take it to my party tomorrow , but I'm not excited about eating it. Can you imagine!! Well, if this cured me from Koeksisters, so be it. I won't make it again. I even took a picture of my efforts I'll look at it whenever I feel the urge to make it again.

Tomorrow we're off to Lancaster. Charlie is due for service, but first I have a doctors appointment for bloodwork at 8:45. The car's appointment is for 10:30. We'll go browse in Lowes while they're working on the car, then to Costco and then to ToysRUs. Then home. Our BBQ starts at 5 and I trust we'll be in time for that.

And a few pictures

Lessons Learnt

Somedays I learn absolutely nonsense stuff which I didn't want to learn at all and which doesn't teach me ANYTHING! Example: Today I've learnt that the Brundage Pharmacy will be open from 9 in the morning till 9 at night on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Will will be working there this Tuesday and next Thursday and who knows how many Tuesdays and Thursdays to come.
Today I've learnt that we have good neighbours. I already knew this but it is good to be reminded.
Today I've learnt that technology can make my far away family seem so much closer. I spoke with almost all of you this morning and still had time to do all I had to do today. Thank you God for allowing the internet!
Good Night dear ones, I love you and I hope you have a beautiful Sunday.

Celebration of Life

Cheryl is our neighbour two doors down. She had a celebration of life for her hubby Bill who passed away two months ago - his son was in Afganisthan and only came back recently which is why she waited until now. What a celebration it was. First I didn't want to go, cause I didn't know Bill at all but I went cause I love Cheryl. Lydia and I had so much fun, many of our neighbours were there and it was so fun to actualy sit and visit with everyone and not just say "hi" and move along with the stroller. Also, it is so much fun for me to see how she is growing to realize that other people are actually fun and fun to be around. She has this thing that she does where she clings to me when we're in a crowd, and then later I notice that she starts to loosen her grip a little and starts to look around the place. That's when its usually safe to put her down. Today I did just that and she went straight for the cooler with the Budweizer in. haha. She guarded the cooler for a while and gradually expanded her exploration area until she had everybody at the party wrapped around her little finger. She is truly adorable.
We have a black couple who live a few doors down from Cheryl, since they are not my immediate neighbours I have made no effort to get to know them. They are nice and we got to talking about this and that. I pitched my "I am also and African American" theory to them and they thought it was HILLARIOUS! I've never said that to any black person before because I don't want to offend them, but clearly these two thought it was very funny. I won't pitch it to just anybody though.
When we came home I mada a wonderful dinner and now Lydia's snoring away and we're watching Aeon Flux. Freaky weird futuristic movi with Charlize Theron. We've seen it befor, but it's worth re-watching. We do love our Sci-Fi.

Lessons Learnt

Today I've learnt that even a day that starts on a melancholy note can turn into a good day.
Today Lydia has learnt to say "Yes" by nodding her head!
Today I've learnt that a five minute nap can be quite refreshing.
Today I've learnt that swimming gets a baby just as clean as bathing does.
Today I've learnt that I'm writing this more for myself than for anybody else and it is balm to my soul.
Good Night Dear Ones, I love you.

Toadspool

"Toadstool" - Toadspool... get it?

Got this little splash pool for Lydia at Albertsons for 11 bucks!! (hmmm.. lately I mention what things cost often). It was worth every penny. We put it up for the first time today since today was warm enough for the first time this whole summer. And even then I filled it with warm water, because it is much to cold to swim in cold water, one would surely freeze on the spot! She played all by herself in it for 30 minutes. UNHEARD of for my little one who wants to be entertained all the time. The puppies also thought it was fun, as they could lie around her in the shade of the umbrella and got splashed upon every once in a while. Lydia and Chobe played a watery game of catch a couple of times until Lydia got bored with it. Then I discovered something wonderful, she was playing with a gallon jug in the water, I took it from her, filled it up and poured the water over her hands, she seemed to like it so when the water ran out I asked "Moet Mamma weer maak?" and she NODDED YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! yay! Then just to test my theory when she was dried off and in clean nice clothes and it was much later I asked her "Moet ons vir Pappa bel?" and she NODDED AGAIN AND RAN TO THE PHONE!!! It communicates. What do ya know!

Now Will's laying her down for the night while I'm supposed to be picking up the house. Here is where my being from Africa comes in handy - "Die mens kan opraak, maar die werk raak nie klaar nie" (Man comes to an end, but work never does). Since I have no wish to come to an end tonight the work can wait until tomorrow.

Cheerieo

Lydia was die vloer

a Photo Post

ducklings at cub lake.

remember how I said the lake is not dirty. gmf!!! look at my swamp creatures!

Lessons Learnt

Today I've learnt a very important lesson which is that when I'm at the very end of myself, God will take over if I only let Him. In the past I've tried to find more of me to give and could only offer dregs.

Wife Wishlist

I want...
A 8 x 10 rug for the living room $300
The Martha Steward Farm House Dining table, bench and 4 chairs $300
The Martha Steward Miramar Outdoor Living room $250
A wall unit for the living room ???

donations may be sent to:
29911 Spitinyouronehand Lane,
Wishintheother, Ca, 93561

Lessons Learnt

I don't know, seems like today I didn't learn much... oh no, wait, very important.
Today I learnt that my regular bouts of melancholy hugely bothers Will! So it'll be back to the doctor in two weeks time to get some more of them crazy pills. Oh well.
I learnt that saving money is not nearly as much fun as spending it. In fact, it sucks.
I learnt that I missed playing the guitar and singing much more than I realized so I'll start doing that more often again.
Good Night, dear ones, I love you and I miss you more than I could ever say.

Fathersday Fun

We had the funnest (is that a word) Fathersday. Will got a photobook from Lydia which he can take to work with him and brag about is Bobsie while he's at work. He loves it, and I'm happy because it took some doing fitting the making of it into my busy schedule. Then we went to the Home Depot where we just gawked at the new kitchens and pretty things which we can't afford. Will was going to get an air compressor but decided to rather save the 250 bucks for a rainy day. Sad for me because if he got the compressor I would get a rug for the living room, so in actual fact we saved closer to 500bucks! Yay. (ugh.) Then we came home and all of us took a 2 hour nap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A momentous event since we haven't all napped together since Lydia was born! Then we had a barbecue and while waiting for the coals to get ready Will and Lydia played Nasstroller on the patio. (scroll down to look at both video's)

Art

Lydia loves to draw with her washeable markers (by Crayola - brilliant!). She is however only allowed to draw on the paper I put out for her or on herself or on me. And of course I don't mind if she goes over the lines a little. Today she drew a perfect nose around her belly button so I filled in the eyes and the mouth. How adorable is that!! We took a nice bubble bath after which is the custom.