Trip to George

I know I have been really bad at blogging...my apologies!

Wednesday and Thursday were really busy and stressful at work. I barely get a moment to go to the loo, nevermind write a blog entry. I've considered writing my blog at home, saving my entry and just posting at work. It will save me on data bundles and ensure that I blog regularly. Pffft. I wonder when work is going to get better. They have extended the product from hell for yet another month. It's caused so many problems I don't know how they could even have considered it. I suppose the engineers and bookkeepers are not the ones constantly mopping up the mess and dealing with angry customers...so why should they worry?

Anyway...On Friday we left for our much anticipated trip to George. Initially we were planning to leave around 10am, but thought better of it and left around 9:15 following a breakfast at McDonalds. We arrived at about 2PM. Finally meeting Nellie and her family was emotional! It was amazing to finally be able to realize all those virtual hugs we'd shared.



We made a trip back into a place called Heather Park to do shopping for the weekend. After buying what looked like monthly groceries we headed back to our log cabin to get the evening started. We had decided long before the time that we were going to have a braai (BBQ) so at around 6PM the boys set about making a fire and we set about drinking.



Just as the (bon)fire was really on the go it started pouring down with rain! We started considering trying to cook our meat on the fireplace inside. After getting a fire going inside though, the rain stopped and the skies seemed to clear. Our men were not deterred and decided to salvage the fire outside. The ladies decided to continue drinking. Nellie and I managed to drain 3 bottles of red wine, a bottle of sherry, a bottle of Amarula and a couple of shots of Sambuca. We were on a station to say the least! We managed to eat at around 10PM and played a game of 30 seconds which was never meant to be completed...as Rudi and I were ahead we took the first title of the weekend and went to bed around 1AM.

Unfortunately Nellie had forgotten to take her sugar medication...that combined with the drinking we done made her very ill, so she didn't have a very good night. We all woke up feeling terribly hung over and had a chilled out Saturday. Baby Daniel is *such* a good baby. He sleeps so well and is generally just a happy child. Most of the weekend you couldn't even tell we had a six week old baby with us!



Goliath went about the surrounding area collecting bags full of pine cones to keep the fire going inside. It was FREEZING in George all weekend, but we noted that there was some snow on the mountains there already so it wasn't very surprising. I think the inside fireplace saved our asses!



We had bacon, eggs, fried mushrooms and onions for breakfast (courtesy of Rudi) every morning. On Saturday afteroon Nellie made us her famous alfredo. We all enjoyed it very much and decided to have a nap after.

When we woke up Rudi started the pot (potjiekos) and we were looking at photos from Nellie's wedding, honeymoon and the birth of baby Daniel. After eating we decided to play 30 seconds again. Nellie and I on a team were UNSTOPPABLE! The guys had barely moved from the start line and we had won! It's the fastest game I've ever played. Nellie and I are *so* on the same wavelength I would challenge anyone to try and beat us! So we switched teams again and I played with Goliath while Nellie and Rudi played together. It was a much closer game, but Goliath and I took the title. Before we knew it...it was 1AM again. As we had to get up early to pack and we didn't want to waste any time the next morning we decided to hit the sack.

We got up as early as possible the next morning and started packing and organizing everything. Rudi got to making breakfast, which we enjoyed with some champagne to celebrate the weekend and our friendship.

Parting is such sweet sorrow. I bawled my eyes out when we had to leave. It was horrible having to say goodbye, not knowing when we'll see them again. We cut the goodbye as short as possible to avoid getting even more emotional. So with wet cheeks and heavy hearts we departed...

It took us 5 and a half hours to get home. Getting home wasn't as nice as it usually is. We easily could have spent more time with Nellie, Goliath and Daniel. Poor Nellie still had family waiting for them back in Port Elizabeth who had decided to come from Cape Town to surprise them and come see baby Daniel. Needless to say they were the ones that were surprised! The extended their stay by a day so that they could get to see them after they came back.

We all arrived safely. Rudi and I are still on leave today and are going grocery shopping in a bit. What a schlep!

So there's our weekend! Can't wait to do it again!

Facebook album available here.

You changed your hair, not your heart...

I've been getting good reactions to my hair, other than shock. My Evil Mother didn't recognize me at church on Wednesday night. She walked past me several times and didn't notice me until I walked up to her. My grandfather likes it. I didn't expect that. I got so much flack last time I made my hair dark that I didn't expect a warm reception this time around. I'll be seeing my grandmother today for the first time. She probably won't like it. We'll have to wait and see I guess. My hair still needs to be trimmed and I think another coat of colour. It's so strange...you look at my hair and your eyes deceive you, it still looks blonde in places, but when I turn my head it's clearly not blonde. Maybe it's my imagination, but Rudi and Sarah see it too.

Rudi still hasn't gotten used to being married to a brunette. I asked him this morning and he again said he prefers the blonde. I got a little huffy since this was kind of his suggestion in the first place and then he said 'I don't care. You changed your hair, not your heart'. Wow. Didn't expect that. Sweet!

Our weekend to George draws ever nearer. We'll be going the end of May to meet Nellie, Goliath and Daniel (the new arrival). I can't wait! Speaking of waiting...I'm still waiting for my package to arrive...you know. The thing I ordered that I can't talk about. Dying to try it out!

So tomorrow I'm back at work. Heaven help me. This leave was so short. At least now I have our weekend away in George to look forward to. After that...nothing. I cannot believe it is May already. On the 5th of May it will be 6 months since we lost James. It's been a long road, but I have come out on the other side. I still get very sad sometimes and I do still cry, but it doesn't occupy my thoughts every single waking moment as it once did. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Although I had wished that my happiness would stem from a new pregnancy, it has not.

The gynae predicted I would be pregnant by May or in May or around May or whatever. Again, only time will tell. I'm doing pretty well at not being upset about not being pregnant. I didn't cry about it, I didn't bite Rudi's head off about it. A vast improvement.

Looks like Rudi has our day planned out for us. Going to watch Fast and Furious 4 at 12:15 and meeting my grandparents for lunch at the Spur at 5. Guess I've done enough chilling. Hmmm...breakfast beckons...

CONGRATULATIONS NELLIE!

Ovulation pain is freaking killing me today! I hate it!

Baby Daniel was born yesterday. I received the call shortly before 3PM. Here are some pictures:















He is truly GORGEOUS!!! Nellie and Goliath are both thrilled and in awe of their new bundle of joy. I am completely ecstatic for them! For some reason with Nellie in particular I don't feel resentful at all. I think it is because she's supported me so unconditionally and because I know that she had to try really hard to bring Daniel into the world.

Many congrats to them!

Nellie

I have spoken about my friend, Nellie, from PE before. We still keep in contact every day and very much look forward to our weekend together at the end of May. Today Nellie did the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. Well, actually she did it on Saturday already. The sneaky bugger! She fished out my address from Rudi and sent me a gift.

The instructions were for them to deliver the gift tomorrow, but for some reason they delivered it today. Luckily I was at home. At first I did not answer the door...a bit freaked out by the man with the walkie talkie outside my door (and I'm in my PJ's)...but they called me to tell me why they were knocking...

When I saw the package I was very surprised. I knew Nellie was up to something...but I had no idea she was up to this!





A beautiful quilt her mother made for me...covers my double bed!



It's reversable!



Beautiful butterfly and flower patterns. I <3 butterflies! (obviously Nellie knew)




In the package there was a letter which read as follows:



Dear acidicice

This is a very small something made with loads of love by my mom and chosen with love by me.

This is what we call a "comfort or pamper quilt" in our home and everyone has their own. So we thought it was about time for you to have one of your own.

We tried to choose colours that are bright and cheerful and colours that I kind of think will "suite" you.

Quilts are to snuggle under when you have "off" days or ill days or days just meant for cuddling. I hope you wil think of us in PE when you cuddle under "this one" think of it as a big hug from me when I can't be there.

The best part about it is that it will be with you to cuddle with on the 18th and many other days both happy and sad!

Thinking of you and sending you HEAPS of love

Nellie

That is special. I called her before I opened it to hear if I was allowed to open it since it had arrived a day early, she consented. I cried and cried! It is SUCH a beautiful gesture. I tried to read the letter to Rudi on the phone, but started crying again.

So special.

Thank you, Nellie and family. I'm pretty sure everyone contributed (I know your dad put the tape on the box!) Goliath...please look after this special friend of mine.

*sending much love back to PE*

Now to get Amber to give me my quilt back...

The Plot Thickens

So an interesting development has occurred with Fence. I'm not sure if it's just temporary, but he seems to be avoiding Rudi. Rudi has sent him messages about going fishing on Saturday morning and has tried to call him a couple of times and he just doesn't answer.

Rudi jokingly says that he is afraid of me and doesn't want to face me. I find this strange as he wanted to speak to me last time Rudi was there (when I refused the invitation). This leaves me to wonder whether or not there is more to this story than meets the eye. Was I or my behaviour a scape goat for Fence not wanting to be friends with Rudi anymore? Why avoid him now? Rudi said he never told him that I was willing to meet and discuss things and he still went fishing with Rudi after everything had happened. What would give Fence the impression that he would have to face me now? He should still be under the impression that I do not want to see him. The plot thickens my dear readers. The plot thickens.

With all of these assumptions above, I might as well continue while I'm on a roll. Does this mean that I am not the wicked witch in the story? Does this mean that my 'attitude' or 'bad behaviour' has been exaggerated or blown out of proportion by someone to use for their own personal endeavours? I'll leave that for you to decide, because I really cannot say.

All I know is that Fence would usually promptly respond to Rudi's messages and phone calls as he was always eager to get together with him and something seems to have changed. Maybe he is really busy. Maybe this is just temporary. We'll have to wait it out and see.

I'm started showing Rudi my ovulation microscope results. Apparently the microscope is a great motivator for men. I am totally excited to see it 'fern' although that could take a week or two.

Another thing I have not mentioned before, but feel needs to be mentioned (as it is rather a big part of my life) is that I have made the bestest friend online. She really has been a wonderful support to me and listens to me moan, bitch, cry and laugh on a daily basis (yes, sometimes all my personalities come out). We've probably been talking every single day for the past few months. We communicate via e-mail when we're at work and when we're at home or on the road we MMS and SMS each other. We share basic everyday things with each other, we basically share our lives. The only drawback to this friendship is that it is a long distance one. My friend lives in Port Elizabeth and in case you don't remember I live in Cape Town. Being the clever girls we are, we have formulated a plan. At the end of May we have a weekend away planned in George (roughly halfway between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town). We're SO excited and have also practically already paid for the accommodation. Nellie (as she will be called on my blog) is heavily pregnant at the moment. By the time we finally meet her Creature (as so called by her) will be about 6 weeks old. Nellie also has the most amazing husband. A soft spoken darling of a man. She is very lucky! Nellie's husband will be known as Goliath when I refer to him in future.

Nellie really is a wonderful friend. She is very supportive and encouraging. It was her that sent me the eating plan I'm following. She's following my cycles on her calendars. She's keeping track of my weight loss...(she's cool like that). I suddenly can't remember what I did without her. We've become so involved in each other's lives that our families know about us and ask about how we're doing. i.e. Her mom will ask how I'm doing or if I am also watching 7de Laan if her phone beeps during the programme. It's actually phenomenal.

I cannot WAIT to go to George!