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.

Lessons Learnt

Today I've learnt that I'm not quite as fat as I thought because all the sleepwear I bought at KMart are too big. Yay!
Good Night dear ones, I love you, and I hope this made you smile.

Lessons Learnt

Just real quick. Because when we stop learning we die, and well, I'm still here.
Today I've learnt that crackers doesn't make as big a mess as one would think.
Today I've learnt that dogs can sink as well as swim.
Today I've learnt to keep my C4 much closer at all times.
Good night Dear Ones, I love you and I hope this makes you smile.

A fun day

Today was devoted to fun.
First I washed the floors which is not a fun thing, but it is an essential thing if you live with a 17month old and two Golden Retrievers. My swiffer's handle broke ages ago (yes, I wash my floors THAT well!) so I have to get down on my hands and knees to wash the floors, right. While I'm approaching the sliding glass door, butt first, I hear weird crunching sounds and giggles from the grocery cupboard - NEVER A GOOD SIGN. Figuring that the damage is already done I quickly continue my sweeping motions until I rear-end the sliding glass door. Then I cautiously get up and approach the cupboard. I didn't realize that she'd grown tall enough to reach the shelf where I keep the cookies and stuff. She'd gotten hold of a box of Snacker Crackers and opened al three bags inside and stomed and chomped on it! She was very pleased with herself because she had helped herself to breakfast and I just invited the dogs to lick up the crumbs which took care of the floor. I was surprisingly unfazed!
Then the fun stuff started.
We all went to Cub Lake where I first walked around the lake 3 times, because I HAVE TO! Eversince the weather turned nice, I've been wanting to toss balls into the water for the puppies to see what they'll do, and today was the day! Lydia was giddy!! She loved it. She was sitting in her stroller but she literally squeeeeled with laughter every time they jumped into the lake. Tasha has ofcourse swam before in the ocean at Long Beach, but Chobe has never been in anything bigger than a bathtub. She took to it like a Golden Retriever to swimming! What a pleasure to see and experience how they can just E N J O Y the moment. We had so much fun that I didn't realise how tired they were getting until Chobe at one point almost sank on the way back with the ball. She thought she could take a break from moving her legs like she does when she's on land. I started into the water to go get her but she started swimming again, and she was fine. I was wet, though. Lydia played on the slides and the swings while the puppies lay down to dry off a little. (Just a side note, the lake water is VERY clean, so they don't smell funny or anything). I was smart enough to remember to take fresh water and a bowl for them. We arrived at the lake just after 10am and when I got back into the car it was 12:30.
After Lydia's ridiculously short nap (25 minutes, seriously!!) we went to the Bear Valley Pool. She LOOOOOVES water. We started out in the kiddie pool to get her used to the water and see what she would do with it. She just loves it. All kinds of giggles and smiles. Unfortunately the kiddie pool was very full, it is only about oh, I don't know, 12x15ft (don't take my word for it). And lo and behold there has to be the snoootty little girl of 5 who sees the baby and thinks, o jippie, a doll for me to play with. Ugh. She wades up to us and grabs Lydia by the arm and says to me "I'LL take her!" Instead of dunking her head under the water or suggesting she plays with the C4 and matches in my handbag, I try to be nice, so I say nicely "Oh no Honey, she's too little, she will stay here with me". Then she attaches herself to us like a leach and just won't leave us alone. She keeps on grabbing Lydia's arm or any part of her body that is sticking out, until I do say to her Look, she doesn't like it if you take her arm so don't do it. Then she goes and gets a ball and Lydia plays with the ball. I let that go on for a while, but ofcourse Lydia gets tired of the ball pretty soon and wants to go back in the pool again. I take her hand to pick her up and take her over to the pool and will this little brat not grab my other arm, pull me away and say to me, "NO! I will take her!" Here the mother pipes up (whom I didn't even realize was close by until that moment because she's been lying incognito on a shady chaise, in the shade by the shady side of the pool) "Be careful around the baby, Poepsnotgat (Girl's name)". Which gives me an excuse to say, "Poepsnotgat, go to your Mommy, Lydia and I are going to play now." And so she skulks away to her Mother whom I now also realize is mother to more than half of the 35 children in the kiddie pool. My clue was that all the little snot trails led from her shady lair to the pool. Anyway. Then I decide to go to the big pool to let Lydia float around in a more serene environment. My feet barely touche the first step when a Life Guard comes charging at us saying "I'm sorry, but no children under 8 are allowed in this Pool. It is a health risk!" "'n Watseding??!!" ("Excuse Me?") "A HEALTH RISK" she repeats. "My fok." ("Well, I never"). THAT explains all the brats in the kiddie pool! So my Health Risk and I skulk back over to the kiddie pool and on our way over there we walk past a row of "kudu's". One pipes up, "Oh, poor baby, she's shivering, Mommy. She's cold!" WHY IS MY C4 ALL THE WAY OVER THERE IN MY BAG!!!?? So. Not the best Bear Valley Pool experience. I'm not sure we'll go back there.
I'm glad to say that Lydia is now sleeping nice and snugly in her crib and suffered no ill effects from her severe exposure to the elements.
Wow. I trust not all my posts will be this long, but I had fun writing this!

Lessons Learnt

So. Here's the idea. At the end of the day if I have time and strength, I will try to recount what I've learnt that day. Some wise dude once said that when we stop learning we die, and since I'm still alive, here goes:
Today I've learnt that my 17 month old has the emotional intelligence of a pea and it is therefor up to me to keep the emotions in this house intact. If I cry when she cries, the walls come down, the roof gives in , the carpets roll themselves up, the puppies grow mustaches and we all end up in Neverland!
Today I've learnt what a 4.3 (the last rumour has it at a 4.3) quake feels like right under my couch. The puppies went beserk, but I kind of liked it.
Today I've learnt that I CANNOT load a video file of 124 meg on my blog - it'll take two days to load, so I have to find a way to make my videos smaller.
Today I've learnt that going to bed with dirty feet is NOT the end of civilization as I know it.
I love you dear ones, I hope you read this and that it makes you smile.

Jippie!! We have a Blog!! Don't know how much or how often I'll be able to do stuff here, but I hope it'll be much and often! And I can even add images. Brilliant!