TOUGH 4 DAYS AHEAD

DAD

I not be blogging until Sunday or Monday. I am off to Port Alfred to go and say my fianl good bye's to my dad. All 3 boys and myself will be there for 3 days.
I beleive my dad's condition is deterioating daily an very fast.
Will al of you just keep us 4 in your thoughts as this is going to be tough.
L

SKYPE ME HERE..SKYPE YOU THERE

This is how I feel tonight.....Thanks Rossi I could not have explained the feeling any better than this photo of you. I am "stoked" as you boys will say. Hannes and I had a "skype" conversation tonight. We could talk and see each other....I could even see the time on the wall clock in the apartment and I could see the fruit bowl on the kitchen serving counter....It was great. We talked about the important stuff and also just chatted in general. So nice to see Hannes's smile and hear his laugh that grows into his eyes.
I am really learning at the speed of lightning. First I had to learn to work "pre paid cell, now skype.... What the hell is next? "Beam me up Scottie? My kids know this stuff as if it is in a built in micro chip......
Who would have thought that I would be so excited about seeing and talking to hannes. We take so much for granted in our day to day dealings with each other that when it is gone you only realise how important and "bleddie" nice it is.
Now let me first let all of you into the skype setup. hannes's laptop (very lani.....) has a built in camera with good visuals...... My laptop does not have a camera (old stock........) so I have a budget job (could even be a rep gift or Hannes bought it for peanuts), clip onto the laptop, position yourself in front of the small lens....................and sit very still( so as not to fall off his screen on the other side....)..............plug in, ah what ever it is just not as lani as Hannes's. BUT I can still see him and talk......Bliss.... Was great and we will skype daily now......
Seeing I am so inquisitive (picture a monkey and a paper bag with something inside..Well that is me. Now I can see what is going on....
I am happy.
Will skype Hannes from my dad so he can also experience the "skype" phenomenon.

These are the girls of trauma in Richards Bay. I called them wife no4,5,6,7,8,9 ect. You see I am wife nr.1, Laurika in the surgery was wife no 2, Marliese in the surgery was wife no3. We were all the woman in Hannes's life. These girls always took care of him in many ways. They loved him to bits and always kept a smile (or frown) on his face. Well any case tomorrow I say goodbye to my other wives in Hannes's life. It is the last day of existence of Hannes's practise and trauma contract with the hospital. I will miss all of them (some just so very much more than others due to very close relationships with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!) This was on Hannes's last day and the girls organised a farewell for him in trauma. They did all the "koek en tee" themselves. Thanks girls.

This is Maggie. My new yachttie friend form maritino's. I fetched her this afternoon to come and have something to eat and chat. (On stable ground and maybe have a bath........) The bath suggestion went down very funny. How can I think of saying to some one I barely know to come for a bath and supper........ My thoughts were that on a yacht there is only public showers.....so a bath with bubbles might be a luxury...She is very quick and retaliated with "why bath do I stink?" and laughed out loud. And no she does not stink..........
She is very entertaining and positive and full of life. She has such a colourful way of explaining situations that you actually feel as if you experience yourself. She is a little younger than me BUT we had the same childhood. Like parents ideas and way of raising children. It felt like talking to a family member.....
Here I met a total stranger, clicked and had two visits with a total stranger that became a friend....
She taught me that teak decks on yachts need salt water daily and a good scrub weekly............I would never have thought to use salt water on teak..................... She does the deck watering and scrubbing number at 05h30 in the mornings................Why not at 08h00 or later (me not a morning person at all you see) I am still waiting for her to answer that one..........................
I think her life is interesting and awarding and very different BUT very very lonely. Would I swap my basket of tricks to try and play with hers? No way Jose.............I like mine just fine...................

Our house was on show today............. You should have seen us this morning before the agent arrived. Packing excess ornaments away, doing the MR MIN number and getting the "showroom" (as Gesi would say)
We went for lunch at Elephant and I (my favourite coffee shop in town) and went for coffee at Gerhard and Ria. Now these dear friends of mine have an African grey parrot called HARRY. Well Harry laid an egg today so now Harry becomes Sally I suppose (excuse the pun!)
Life is full of surprises and never as it seems.
Well I am off to bed now to get myself ship shape to do the hand over of the practise keys to the new owner. say my goodbyes to the hospital and people I have come to know well there. This is the second item of closure. First Umdloti now the practise. I AM READY FOR THIS. Anything to get me to Dubai and Hannes...........................
Chat later again.

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

JC..... STRUGGLING TO BUDGET THIS MONTH LIFE WAS SO EASY FOR THEM AT THAT AGE...........................

LET'S MEET AT OUR WATERFRONT IN DUBAI. YOU CAN PICK THE VENUE

THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN 3 WEEKS AGO. HANNES SAYS NOW FINISHED AND HE DROVE ON THIS ROAD TODAY
DIAN.... DESIGNATED DRIVER LAST NIGHT AND TONIGHT...

ROSSOUW.... VERY IN LOVE AND.....BUYING GROCERIES NOW AND TRYING TO BUDGET PAST A PARKING FINE.

Sorry the photo's came out in a crooked order and I did not really now how to fix it. It has been a little hectic the last few days..... I had such a super phone call today from Barry, our dear friend. He is such a honey and his wife Karen, is the best cook (she is fully qualified). Karen makes a cake that I just want to take the whole thing and hide in a corner with a spoon and finish it all. I want the frosting to be smeared all around my mouth and face to show how good it was........ Ah I can dream can't I? Thanks Barry you made my day. It was a real bummer of a day until I heard your voice.... You are such a special friend and ALWAYS in our lives and in our plusses and minusses.

Today and yesterday and the day before were really not the best I have had to date.

The surgery is "tying down all loose ends" I have been busy with my last Month end as well.....

I will have to continue with the last bits tomorrow and then on Monday it is just to pack up my personal stuffs and hand over keys, say goodbye to staff and friends at the hospital. It will be a long day BUT it is time to do this and start with the new chapters.

I had a terrible phone call with my mom yesterday. very aggressive and deep emotional stuff that needed to be sorted out. My parents have been divorced for donkey's years but she has never dealt with it. She handles it through her children...Very destructive for relationships.... Any way it is over....

Dian had his speech day at school. I walked into the school hall and saw a boy who was in my motor car with a motor vehicle accident a year ago....That was so difficult. The MVA was not my fault BUT it was the worst to think that a child got hurt on my "watch" He is such a beautiful boy and has to work so hard to get well again. Difficult stuff to handle....

Dian my youngest boy did all the driving home form Durban. Feels so strange to sit next to my youngest and he is in control of the vehicle, and he did very well. He also did all the driving last night. he did so well.I just can't believe how quick he grew up. That is the reason for his "younger" photo. I am very proud of him. He is a strong young man with very strong values and does not bend to peer pressure at all.

JC my eldest (look at his younger photo) where has the time gone......he is struggling to budget with his salary this month. Shame he has also stopped smoking..So he is going through very difficult time... I am so proud of him . He is picking up the spade of the big life and he is really trying to cope and he is getting there.

Rossouw my middle son is very in love with a sweet girl and he is also trying to budget with his money. He has a parking fine to pay and I am not substituting this at all.. He has to learn the hard way..... Lessons in life are hard..

Last night when I got home Barbara, Laurika and myself went out for dinner at Maritino's. What a fantastic evening. We had Maria (the owner) at our table again and we chatted and laughed for hours. We met Maggie (a yachttie) who is in the yacht basin for 4 months. She is devine and very very lonely. She is so funny and has such a great sense of humor. We laughed at her yachtting antics and stories. How superb is it not to meet total strangers and feed off their experiences.

Now I am going to have a hot bath and wait for Dian to get back.

L

A Lady

MORE SECRETS

BARBS AND ME BAGGAGE - AND ME
ME- THE BUNNY
DINNERCLUB AT MC DONALDS
US VAN DIJK'S
You must be wondering what these photo's on the blog are of today.................
Well I have so many stuff running through my mind and have to do so many things that I am doing and handling at the moment that i lost who I am really and have to find the real me so here goes.
Barbara is visiting me for a few days and it is nice not to be alone. We come a long way as friends. We have holidayed together in Mauritius.........We had many laughs and fun. It was a good holiday. We went out for dinner tonight at Martino's (Portuguese) tonight. We had laughs and cries as Maria (the owner) lost her husband a few weeks ago. The cries were with her and also the laughs were with her. Does it not sound strange to say "lost: her husband............. Where do they get the saying as it sounds as if you must go look to find him........ I do not mean to be disrespectful but we have to find a better way of saying some one died.... LOST............. REALLY....confusing use of words and meaning. HELP.....
Barbara and I have to both work tomorrow (she has business in Durban) and I am in the surgery to do the last week of work and tying up of loose ends....... It will be good to see the girls there as well.
On Wednesday we are going to a game reserve. We both love the bush and the animals. That will be great.
OK now to find myself........................I said before I am slightly, no, no lets rephrase that I am totally nuts..........
BAGGAGE (THE FIRST PHOTO)
This is how I always return from overseas visits. Yes I am pushing that trolley of luggage. This time my weigh in luggage was 69kg............................ I also had lots of hand luggage. The airline was so sweet did not even charge me for overweight. I will not be able to do this now as the airlines are very strict.......... Now the craziness comes from me just "ganning aan" and not thinking about how am I going to get all this stuff home....... I mean on this trip we had dinner at a restaurant just before leaving for the airport. I saw the most beautiful canister for Hannes's bar and bought it. I never once thought of how to get it home. I had big hand luggage already and just added this to the one finger on the hand that did not have a packet to hold.........
The canister and pour er was from Selangor. It Is pewter made in Malaysia. Very beautiful.... I got it home in one piece BUT my hands and fingers were nearly rotting off from loss of circulation............ CRAZY
ME - THE BUNNY
I might be crazy but this was so much fun. The trauma staff wanted to do something special for Hannes on his birthday a few years ago. They asked me if I would jump, yes jump, out of a cake for him in the hospital foyer. I did not even have to think about it. It was done. Now picture this.
07h30 in the morning in the foyer of the private hospital (busy time) this very big polystyrene cake, which is iced and decorated, is in the foyer. It has to be big as I have to sit in it...............
Hannes walks into the foyer form the parking and the trauma staff start singing and I jump out of the "koek" with a "bunny" (yes playboy number) outfit and give him a hug and a kiss. Hannes is a good manners and everything correct manual on legs. he was blushing BUT loved it. (here the crayon comes into play again....) To pull this one off I had to lie to him as where I was going so early in the morning. I am NOT a morning person at all and I had to get up before him and leave the house before him. I blamed the rotary anne's with some fund raiser for the early hours of me leaving........ ME I AM CRAZY
DINNERCLUB AND MC DONALDS.
This was fantastic, and all my idea............ Our diner club met once a month. each couple had turns in cooking for the dinner club. My turn I thought I want to do something different. SO I rented a limo for the ten of us (The only limo I could find was for 8 people.....) It was a tight fit. I told dinner club to dress very smart and meet in front of our apartment. I had the limo company drive us to Balito (just to confuse all) we stopped next to the beach and had some drinks... Then we went back to Umhlanga. My idea was Mc Donalds Drive through.....Hey do you know a limo does not fit in the drive through. It can not take the turns...................... OK OK I now know that. So we bundled out the limo, and I had previously arranged with Mc Donald to do a kiddy party with face painting and colouring in books and a cake, for our dinner. (We were all over 40)
We had stacks of fun and laughs and the stares form the other people in Mc Donalds was priceless (They did not know where they know us from........... Hell we have to be famous to arrive in a black stretch..........................) CRAZY OR WHAT....
COLLAGE
Just my family all in a nice tight box together................ I love these 4 men in my life so much........
I am so lucky to have such nice and sweet and naughty and lively individuals as my family....Gees I even help make some of them ....................... THEY DRIVE ME CRAZY.....

So who am I now after all this..... I love having fun and laughs. Gees I will even at my own cost try and cause some of the laughs..... Life is too short and too hard not to go for the fun and laughs form time to time. Don't' get me wrong I can also be the biggest worry er in the world.......believe me I can take a mole hill and make table mountain looks like pin prick................. I don't only "haal die bobbejaan agter die berg" I sommer give it a few little ones as well...............just in case.
I never do anything is moderation............. I always have to overdo BUT I will never "underdo" OH No, me I go for the biggest kill in everything. Hannes knows me so well. he will always add a couple of naughts if I got a bargain somewhere. Is this a good or a bad point, I wonder?
Time management is also not my strongest point. My boys can vouch for this. They NEVER phone me until I am 30 minutes late............................ Is this a good or a bad point I wonder?
There is always space for an extra body at my table or party............Is this a good or a bad point, I wonder?
I always say "give me a dozen" when I actually only need one. This is one thing Dubai will train me into not doing. I do not have cupboard space to pack the dozen. Gees the only space to keep the ironing board when not in use in under my bed. Is this a good thing, I wonder?
Enough as I still do not really know who am I really..............

Hannes says the car is still not delivered.....In Arabic the word is "inshalla" It means God willing I think........ We think it means "possibly but not likely".................. He cannot wait to drive himself and also to have some weekend freedom of driving anywhere without the financial burden of taxi fares...................
Well "inshalla" I am now going to sleep.
Chat later again.
L

THE FIRST PACKING UP

MY DOG COLONEL - PRESENT RICHARDS BAY HOME ENTRANCE - PRESENT
FRONT GARDEN - PRESENT
POOL AREA - PRESENT
HANSIE BABES..... - ABSENT...............
I did the first pack,close and say good bye today of our holiday home in Umdloti. It is as if my tears were answered by the weather. It is puring with rain and cold and bleak...... Umdloti to me has always been my sanity...I love water and there we are on the beach with 180 degree's of water to look at. It also changes all the time. You can see big ships lying in wait to go into the harbour and other times we see whales passing by or frolicking in the sea. One little secret I have not told you all is that in my previous life I think I was a lady of the night.... I am absolutely fascinated by ships and harbours !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I fetched Dian form school and the two of us packed my car to the hilt...... He is such a good packer, just like Hannes. If I had to do the car packing we would have had to do 3 trips. he just knows what fits in tiny little places.... Thanks Dian.

We had a terrible trip on the freeway as their was lots of rain and all the other vehicles make a huge spray which makes visibility not so good. We entertained each other with jokes and laughed at ourselves as we were being very silly. It made the trip go faster.
Hannes sent an SMS to say his internet connection at home in Dubai is being connected so JIPPEE we can skype tonight. We decided that to telephone daily is far too costly.. Skype is so easy and FREE.... We have only had contact via e-mail or sms. Strange how one misses the daily talk about sweet nothings...... An sms or e-mail just does not do it at all. Electronic communication is very needed and has it's palce but will never replace the real thing of verbal chatting......Hannes also had a very lonely weekend and missus me badly ( can see form the sms's he sends) He is such a family man and needs to have his family around him.....
When we got to Richards Bay We unpacked the car....What a mission. It feels as if I am just moving stuff from point A to B and not packing in finally. I am so ready to leave.....Need to get my life in order in one country.........and settle down. Now I do not do well with goodbyes or moving........it feels as if I am procrastinating in this move.
WILL SOME ONE PLEASE COME AND BUY THIS HOUSE...........
The week ahead is not a nice one. It is the last week of the surgery functioning and the locum cancelled so we have had to beg the other doctors in town to help out. They have all been so supportive and it seems I have trauma covered.... That is a huge compliment to Hannes as they were so supportive and he always had such good relationships with the other doctors in town.
I luckily also have a very nice young man who will stay with me in Richards Bay as I am shit scared to stay in this huge house by myself due to the crime situation..............

Tonight I waited for Hannes to Skype, like a kid waiting for father Christmas, and in the end I phoned him. Needless to say all was not connected correctly so skype will have to wait a day or two.
We had a "lekker" chat on the phone. He now has busy weeks ahead of him as they have to tweak all the workings and needs for the Hospital to open doors to patients in 10 days time.

Dian has gone out with his friends tonight and he will hone me to fetch him later. That gave me time to go and do all the unpacking. Still have not finished as I have to still do all my clothes and toiletries form Umdloti... I am going to get rid of all clothes I do not wear or that are not suited for Dubai...............
I had a phone call from Elsie ( my sister in law) and it was so good just to chat to her. We get on so well and she has a good hart and is always so loving..........

This get me thinking of how important family and friends are. We can go on in life in our merry ways BUT we always need to touch base. People are not singular beings. We have to touch and talk and fiddle with each other. Actually great. We have the privilege of bouncing feelings and ideas of each other to make a decision with lots of input. Sometimes this bouncing goes with some friction or fights (not nice) but that also builds some character into situations. Hopefully we can all laugh at them in the future in hind sight.
Ah hindsight..............now that is a little bugger. I try my best not to go there but you some times have to. If I go the hindsight way I try very hard to see what was the lesson learnt and not do the same mistakes again............. I say try because I sometimes do not get it right.......

Hannes asked tonight for some things form here to send to Dubai, like our snorkeling gear and I want to send the electric frying pan... Gees we are surely on different planets. he want to scuba and I want to cook in one pan.................... CRAZY.
Reading this entry I feel it is very serious.... It is just that there have not been much light hearted things in my life lately....Maybe because I do not feel light hearted.....
Ok mission to accomplish..................Find the funny again. OK will do.
Chat later . I am going to seek the funny and light hearted stuff again. I sound like an agony aunt.....
L

OOPS - MY BAD

BEFORE WASH AFTER WASH
AFTER WASH
Ok I never liked the slang words "my bad" that my boys use...It means "I am to blame and sorry"
I have grown to like the saying and find it amusing. You see I am notorious for "my bad" situations. I will share a few "my bad" situations with you...........
In the photo's supplied in the blog today are a living memento of what I am capable of. I wanted to wash this shower curtain . Now it is made of many many strings ....... The before photo shows how superb it looks with a tie back. I put it in the washing machine. (it is 4 individual curtains........) They were really very clean but i put 4 separate curtains in the machine and got a birds nest of curtaining out.......................... I had to sit back and laugh and curse myself as I just gave myself lots of extra work................ It took hours to untangle... MY BAD

Woolworths has always been semi affordable... well the other day I needed mascara and was in Woolworths.....I picked 2 mascara's (yes i never only take one....I am known for give me a dozen attitude.) While standing at the make up counter I also saw eyeliner. Nice glitter stuff. I took 2 again. When paying at the till for 2 mascara and 2 eyeliner pencils,I nearly fainted at the price................MY BAD.......

Coming back from Bali a few years ago my luggage was bigger and taller than me ......MY BAD

I single handed tried to make "vetkoek" with 100kg of dough........................MY BAD

I have landed in serious situations with "my bads" but because they come from a good place I am always forgiven... At least I think so....(Just my speeding fines need some tweaking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

These are but a few of my "my bad" situations to let you in on a secret................ I seriously think at times I am totally nuts but every one around me find it amusing, so maybe that is my purpose in life.. I also never hide the "my bads" I tell the world.... Aloma , one of my amazing friends, also taught me to rather say what is going on and not hide it as it will bite you later and by telling nobody can tell their version of the situation...........Takes the "skinner" away.
I enjoy laughing at myself... it lightens. I also believe life is too short to waste time on worries of not an important nature......
I am just blabbing tonight as thoughts are running so fast through my head, of what is my true purpose in life. I know I am a wife and a mother and that will always be my true purpose, but I want to leave a mark in life...........

My sons are truly amazing. They contact me daily even if it is just to ask what I am doing..... In today's times it is so special that they still want to talk to me and share their stories and worries with me. (OK i do know they will not tell ALL, but a mother should not now ALL)
So maybe that is one mark I will leave.................. They can talk to me...I do explode at them for mistakes but they also know to let me rant and calm down and we will find a solution...........
ENOUGH of that.............

Hannes phoned tonight. He is getting our car tomorrow. A Prado. Black with cream interior. He will be very pleased not to do the taxi number any more..........
He is very brave as they drive on the wrong side of the road. I was nearly run over twice (pedestrians DO NOT ave the right of way.) Each tine I was looking for traffic from the other side............... I will carry on the taxi way when i get there until I feel comfortable.. I will also have to do the full driving test to get a Dubai drivers license.

The hospital is also doing well with all the governmental licensing issues and they should be seeing patient form 1 October) Hannes will be so pleased as he is not an admin bunny at all.

I will be going to my Dad end of next week with the boys......This time I now it is the last time I will see him as his cancer is very aggressive...Oh by that will be a tough one to handle. I also will have the boys with me, and they are really coping badly with the news of their "Oupa" I feel so sorry for them to have to go through this at this young age. They are still reeling form Pierre's death (we all are) and now they are confronted with their Oupa dying....

Thank you to all who read my blog.............. Even my son Rossouw phones and says why have I not entered anything on the blog today................

I have to go back to Richards bay next week to stay there until the house sells.............I am really not looking forward to that. It is a beautiful home but I am so scared to be there on my own due to our crime situation in SA.............I refuse to read any newspaper in SA now....
Luckily I have an offer of a very nice young man who will come and house sit with me....he is one of our friends son...Isn't is nice to have friends that still care.
Rambo (my parrot) will be so pleased to have me home again...........

Oh boy I miss Hannes so much....Funny to think we are living on 2 separate continents.....Different time zones................ Both of us believe in giving each other space but this is really pushing it badly....I hate it to miss out on the experiences. Yes I am very inquisitive by nature and want to be part of everything. Hannes always thinks it so funny............he will take a piece of paper (small) and write something on it and tell me not to look......That drives me up the pole......

JC (my eldest son) got a puppy yesterday. Her name is CJ. He says his name is JC ,male, and the puppy is female, so she should be CJ. He always has an animal of some sort......I wonder where he picked up that habit ????????????????? MY BAD

I am bushed. Talk again tomorrow or the day after
L

GREAT WEEKEND - FEELING EMPTY

THE WEDDING PARTY. PIET AND KARINA WITH DEIDRE AND CHARL ALL THE VAN DIJK MEN AT THE WEDDING.
(L TO R) ROSSOUW,JC, DIAN, JAN, PIET AND CHRIS

THE TWO OF US A FEW YEARS AGO. WE ARE SO "SPIFFY"

I had a wonderful weekend with my boys. Dian and I left on Friday first Johannesburg and then to Parys for the wedding. Dian did the "driving miss daisy number" I feels so strange to sIt next to MY YOUNGEST son while he is driving a car.....Talk about paradigm shift.......He did very well though.

I had a very busy week end with very little sleep. Friday night was spent with Jc and friends at a dance studio where JC does is a part time dance instructor.. Wow he is good, and loves the dancing tremendously. I was very proud to see this son of mine strut his stuff. He is also so pleasant to the ladies (older) at the studio. ( No he soes not get tips !!!!!) He is a real charmer. Dian and I tried to join in the dances and really had a big laugh at our plenty pairs of feet........ We gave it a good bash and gave ourselves full marks for effort.....

I did not sleep at all and saw the sun rise on Saturday morning. We left early to fetch Rossouw from Potchefstroom to go to the wedding.

These three brothers were so pleased and happy to see each other that they drove me mad in the car...Just chirping each other ,and me from time to time.

We really all looked so smart and Hannes would have been so proud of his family.

The wedding was lovely and we had a great time. I was so proud of my boys as they all kept me on my toes all night and went out of their way that I did not feel lonely.....I kept a brave face although I was very tearful from time to time.

We all missed Hannes terribly... It just feels so strange not to have him there. It was his eldest brothers daughters wedding. Lovely family affair with kids running all over the place and the adults dancing and having a great time. Thank heavens this is a temporary thing. I am so thankful this is not permanent to not see Hannes. I do count my blessings.....

Dian caught the garter and had to dance with the girl who caught to bouquet. He is so conscious of the fact that he cannot dance. he was a nervous wreck but "pulled " it off very well.

I took a scarf and blindfolded him earlier and took him to dance. This was amazing as as soon as he could not see the people dancing he did very well. In the end he literally danced all night.

Sunday morning we had a family breakfast with the other family members also staying at the B+B. Then the long trek home began.

Dian again drove the whole way and did a superb job.

I cried so much this time around saying goodbye to the other 2 boys. Don't now why , could a combination of good times had and me with total lack of sleep................

We arrived home safe and sound and I went straight to bed.

The empty feelings come from having to e-mail Hannes with the weekend news.............It is so matter of fact...he also e-mails about the new car................ I hate it. I want to experience this all together. That is the reason for the foto of the 2 of us on this entry. We really are so good together.he gives me my strict lines of what to do and when.he has the rules in life..........The black and white outlines. If he was with me this weekend I would have slept........he would have chased me to bed. I again am the colouring in pencil in his life....I give the spice and colour....... Do not get me wrong we have our moments of absolute terror too. then the black and white lines and colour clash..............Boy of boy we can really have colourful arguments.... me the drama queen having tantrums and him cool calm and collected not getting involved........Picture a 3 year old behaving badly with a colouring in book and millions of crayons........................ Now you have an idea only of what it looks like

I miss him badly. I want to smell him (I spray his after shave in the car and in the room..... nuts I know) I want to hug and feel him and tell him all the news and not of flipping technology.....

But this will pass soon too.

I also miss Pierre terribly. When I was in Dubai I did not feel it so intensely as here...... I just hope he is having lots of milk tart, nutella, peanut butter, fresh bread and liver spread............Some of the many stuffs he enjoyed. O I also hope thre is hardware store nearby.....

I had a young guy coming to me this weekend at one of the bun fights saying he is so attracted to me!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was blown away from schock...... I actually think he liked the picture of the older lady buying drinks.......and being herself with confidence. I let him off easy and said to him that I am flattered but no can do......Nice ego trip though.

Hannes has a big day today as the hospital's final licensing will be done today. That means patients in 2 weeks. I am sure he cannot wait. he is not the biggest on admin.......

Not the best company , will do more for this blog later.

L

3 DAYS FROM HELL

HANNES AND GESI (how lucky to have 2 two "special's" like this in my life JC AND SONJA

LAURIKA ( been in my life the last 10 years.)
PRINCESS ( been in my life for 14 years)

I was propelled being back from Dubai and into "handling" the SA side of things with such a bang, that I am still shell shocked....

I went to Richards bay on Monday after being absent for 3 weeks. There was so much work to be done........ I started at home to check the pool and garden and house. Well it was chaos. We had a locum the previous week (the doctor we pay to look after the practise while Hannes is away). This man and his wife had nearly destroyed my pristine house....I was so shocked t see the state of the my Persian carpets and the bedding. to name but a few.

The wife thought it good to allow my dog to sleep in the house and even on my bed......I have only cream bedding and he sharpei is a little slobbery.....The dog was also allowed, and encouraged, to romp on the carpets. I did phone the kind doctor and gave him a very good peice of my mind .....I did not like it but I felt better as he was a liar too and insisted the dog was NEVER in the house....... O well he is out of my life now as he also "dropped" me with a curve ball (before the talking to) and he cancelled his next week working. So I am without a doctor for the last week of this month. Also the last days the practise has to work......

My staff at home also took the fact that I am not there to heart and really let the house run down. I put them straight quickly very frimly and for the rest of the day they cleaned and did gardening at the speed of lightning......When they left the house looked so much better. I have to wonder why one always has to be a super bitch to just get what originally was agreed upon. (Job descriptions.)

On a nicer note I took the girls who work for us at the surgery for dinner on Monday nigh. We had "lekker" chats and had a most enjoyable evening. One which makes memories for me to take to Dubai. In the foto's above Laurika is one of the girls. She is so very special to me as she is so loyal and love able that she feels more like a daughter to me than a staff member. She did such a marvelous job at the surgery and ran the show like a pro. After dinner we went to my hotel and I showed them foto's of Dubai and they wanted to now more and more. I was a real tour guide with the laptop and foto's. Marlise was the other girl but I do not have a photo of her to add. Princess (foto supplied) is another staff member but was not able to join us she did not have transport home after dinner and with the crime situation as it is here I did not want to drive her home alone .. she stays about 30 km out of town in a rural area.

I will miss the 3 of them dearly and luckily we can keep contact via technology..... I encouraged them to save and come and visit next year when I hopefully will be settled and living in Dubai.

I also went to my Hairdresser and had a snazzy cut and colour...In Dubai I might not be able to do my hair so often as it is a very expensive number.

The hotel I stayed in has only be open for 2 months and in the best setting.....Looking over the yacht bay.....How ever the hotel still has lots and lots of teething problems before they will be worthy of their beautiful setting.

I read all the regional newspapers to catch up on the news. I wish I never did that. All the articles were of violence and crime in our area.......It is so disturbing to see this beautiful country go to a not a safe place to be. What is most unsettling is that the crime is so violent. Just deaths and shooting.....No respect for human life at all. In one paper there were at least four police men and security guards shot in the process of robberies........This paper also comes out twice a week...... I stopped reading as it depresses me.

Am I an ostrich for putting my head in the sand ??????????????????

The next day I went home again to continue with my admin work and thought maybe my other car should be washed.............The battery died a silent death......So that will force me to buy a new battery only to hopefully sell the car.............At least the new owner will get a superb car with a spankingly new battery......

The whole day was riddled with small problems that needed urgent attention. Later the afternoon I had a decent emotional cry.....Realising that Pierre is really dead and will never talk to me again was devastating.........Also sad for my Dad's cancer that is so aggressive and will take him from us very very soon....... My boys are also not coping well with the situation.... They really love their "oupa dad"....

Today I had a lovely surprise and Sonja (foto supplied) phoned me form Australia where she now lives (also left SA for the same reasons) and we had a real "expat" chat. Things I am going through she also experienced with their move to Auz. She is also a huge knowledge bank as she "been there, done that got the T-shirt" with relocation to another country.

I did more work and rushed back to the surgery to send a fax which Hannes needed urgently. Rushed back home to finish up so that I could leave back to Umdloti before it gets dark.. I was not successful and in the end had to do the journey in the dark. Luckily I have a very reliable vehicle..

I had dinner with Gesi my bestest friend (gees I am so lucky as I have so many best friends to rely on ) at La Casa Nostra in Umdloti. This restaurant is Italian (wow the name really did not give you a clue hey !!!!!!!!!!!). Their food is soooo good and I will miss their Gnocci Gorgonzola...

The two of us shared tears of sadness, sympathy and joy....... We were the last to leave the restaurant. Luckily it is just down the road form home....

I unpacked and added all the must do's to my diary.....My diary is choc a block full every day. I think I only have a nothing on the diary day in 2 weeks. Every day until then has items to give attention to and finalise. I am very glad for this as it makes my time here busy and make it go fast. On the not nice side I have to handle then by myself..... BUT I read Hannes's comment on the previous blog entry and the nicest words he added as a comment. I bleive that respect is the most important factor for a successful relationship. Love is important but not number one on my list as it varies form day to day. Hannes said he loves and admires me....Don't you just think that is such a huge compliment. It gave me "petrol" to run a couple more problems into the ground.

Strange how one needs acknowledgement so badly.......and so very nice to receive it in writing....

I feel so draind , emoionally and phsically, after these 3 days that this blog might seem seriously serious and mouning BUT LIVE WTH IT THIS ....THIS MY DIArY TO DO AS I PLEASE....................(Cheecky hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

This week end the boys and myself are going to a family wedding. I am so glad as I think the four of us need each others company now. We can have lots of quality moments together.

All for know

L

BACK IN SA

DUBAI - THE HOME I LEFT THIS MORNING UMDLOTI - THE HOME I CAME TO TONIGHT
MY THREE BOYS - HERE IN SA (LEFT TO RIGHT: DIAN. JC AND ROSSOUW)
I was not a happy chappy this morning, or rather since last night, leaving Dubai for SA. I am seriously confused......Where is home?. Have I left home to come home or have I come home? Am I making any sense at all..............The saying goes "home is where the heart is"............ Well my hart is in 2 countries.....Very far from each other and very different from one another. Dubai has Hannes in it which is a large portion of my heart, and then is SA has my boys in it which is also a large portion of my heart. Dubai is a concrete jungle, real city life and very small living spaces, and then Umdloti in SA has such beautiful ocean view's, and large living spaces.......... So very very very confusing.
I found the entry to SA today so different already. I was clutching my bags and goodies, the language is so familiar BUT the immigration staff very rude and unfriendly. So different from the safe feeling and friendliness of Dubai.
Well I do not want to say one is better than the other, but it is so totally different. Airport staff at Oliver Thambo international are loud and rude and unfriendly. That was my very first impression of being "home".
Flight from Dubai was not nice. I was sandwiched between 2 men. One of them have never heard of Mitchum and the smell of sweat was over whelming....the other was clean and Ok as travel companion. I moved very quickly to an empty seat. I was asked by the air hostess to move back to my seat (have no idea why and did not ask her either.) I refused and said that is she is willing to sit next to that stinky man for 1 hour I will move back gladly.....She left me to stay in my NEW seat....
On arrival in Johannesburg, I got my luggage and cleared customs with no problem as I had 3 suitcases with me BUT all empty. This was a first for me....I have NEVER travelled light... The suitcases were brought back for us to have packing holders for the December trip to Dubai.
I now have clothes and toot brushes and make up and everything in 3 living areas. Richards bay has full stock, Umdloti has full stock and Dubai is live able..... CONFUSING...Still do not know what to call home.
In Johannesburg JC, my eldest son, was waiting for me.. So good to see him and he looks very good. Clean shaved, hair neat and clothes clean (A mother is such a "scanning device !!!!!!!!!!) Check kids up and down quickly....... We had a meal together as my next flight was only 2 hours later. It was so good to see him and to have such a lekker chat. I miss the boys badly and miss the telephonic conversations too much..... Well he got his Dubai gifts and was very pleased. I then left for the Durban flight.
Ermanno and Clydene fetched me from Durban airport. We had coffee together and then \i came "home" to settle all before I go to Richards bay tomorrow to do my surgery work and check the house and pets.

I miss Hannes badly already, as we are the best of friends and also married to each other. We do not have to say much and the other knows exactly what thought and feelings are.
He might just have the most difficult time now as he is alone and I at least have the kids here and very good friends. I stocked the apartment well so that he feels at home there..... To a certain degree I am so scared I miss some nice action and interesting things there........

I am going to a family wedding this weekend with my boys and am looking forward to that. I will also have to make time to go and see my dad with the boys in the next 3 weeks... That will be very tuff. This time I now it will be the last time I will see him......
Well me very bushed now.
Bye for now will chat later again.
Loreta

WHAT I LEARNT FROM DUBAI

BURJ AL ARAB AT NIGHT BEAUTIFUL "BLING" MIRRORS MADE FROM SWAROVSKI
BEAUTIFUL CHOCOLATE CAKE - ONE OF HANNES'S BIRTHDAY CAKES FOR WORK
I had a wonderful but very busy 3 weeks in Dubai. The apartment is settled and I worked very hard to get it to this stage. Hannes can now live comfortably.
I have to leave tomorrow morning and am really not looking forward to it. The reasons are varied as I have to go back to lots of nitty gritty stuff. Just for starters one of the locums looking after the practise until end September cancelled a week on number 99...... the house has to sell or rent and the 2 vehicles have to be sold. Worst of all I am alone and have to do this by myself....
Ok enough grumbling....Will not change it at all only make it harder to do....
lets get back to Dubai lessons and experiences.
MILK
In the grocery stores Hannes bought milk by the name "LABAN". When he got home and poured himself a glass of milk he tasted it had gone a little sour and was not tasty at all. he threw the milk away and blamed Dubai heat and mishandling and bad luck for this milk incident.
next day he bought more "LABAN" milk. Same story at home....... next day he went to buy milk again and this time asked where the fresh milk is. In totally another section they showed him the fresh milk.....
"LABAN" in cultured milk (like our butter milk ....) Also kept in another section completely in the food stores. Kept amongst the yogurts and stuff.
The fresh milk and other dairy stuff' are not kept near each other in the stores at all.
Now buying milk is a very big choice to make....... There is 2%, fat free, full fat ect. just like at home BUT there is also camel and goat and cow's milk....... and about 10 different dairies to choose from......
I know know "Laban" is sour milk.
MEAT
Beef from Brazil and Holland, Lamb from Aussie and New Zealand and India, chicken is local are all available and prices more or less the same as home. very readily available. The beef tastes totally different than in Sa but very good.
Pork is not kept in stores at all. Only Spinney's carry a pork section. So bacon is made from turkey in all other stores.
Turkey is huge in the cold meat section.........
VEGETABLE AND FRUIT
The fruit is fantastic. Vegetable are good and the choices of potatoes are huge. All onion and garlic can be bought ready cleaned (Just like in SA)
Un known veggies to me are okra and the pulses family...... Lentils all shapes,colours and sizes to be bought. Muslims are big on the vegetarian side....
CLEANING PRODUCTS.
This is a maze to me as all the packaging looks totally different and the names are unknown. So lots of reading and I still do not now which is the best in the cleaning products so for now it is trial and error. I tend to buy the more expensive one's until I get familiar with cheaper products with the good workings..... Laundry detergent is still major...... Washing not clean enough for my liking.
ALCOHOL
I have not seen one liquor store yet...We also need a license to buy liquor and we get R3000.00 per month for liquor on our license. We will cross that bridge when we receive our license. You also have to buy the liquor and go strait home as if you stop around in town with booze in your boot you can be seen as a pusher.
POLICE
The police here take their job very serious. They accept NO BRIBES AT ALL......They are polite but keep the laws intact.
Public affection is frowned on (between man and woman and same sex affection is taboo) You can even get jail time for this.
WORK FORCE
The work force in Dubai is Pakistani, Indian, Filipinos, Kenyan (very few) but no Arabs.
I believe the Arabs get money every nth to survive and thus do not really have to work.. This is only on hearsay and I cannot say that is a fact.
SAFETY AND CRIME
This is so fantastic.... I have never felt threatened or scared even at night. Small crimes I think will be there but the news paper is filled with thing like what is happening and new ventures in Dubai. Crime reports do not exist.
PEOPLE ON THE STREET AND IN STORES.
I find Dubai very very friendly and all people I have come across are soft spoken and very helpful. Language can be a problem at times but it is very easy to get along with English. At all grocery and shopping points your shopping is packed in bags for you and even your trolley will be pushed to a waiting taxi or car. It is also not purely done for tips.......

Dubai is very very clean. No papers or rubbish any where to be seen. Dubai is one big building site. It is just cranes and highways and building being built every where you look. And Dubai is filled with shopping mall's. I might take 3 years to just get to know each one and what is sold there.

All apartment's and houses are equipped with water heaters. It is like a light switch. When you need the water to be warmed you simply put on the switchfor 30 minutes and the water is boiling hot. I have never used hot water here as the cold water in the tap is bath temperature......and good enough for washing greasy dishes... We put on the water heater about 2x per week.

Make peace with sand and dust. It is a fine powdery sand and dust..... From all the building development and the desert.

All shops are more or less put in areas as per what they sell.. If you want something with electronics go to electronic city (this is an area and not a building) Knowledge city is again where all the colleges and university are concentrated.

Bazaars, Souks and Plaza's tend to be the cheaper shopping areas. For instance Karama is an area where you find bargains and cheaper articles and are expected to bargain for the price. The gold souk also expect you to bargain.
I fund Lamzy Plaza today. A small shopping centre (4 floors) and here the full spectrum of needs are catered for, and all stuffs are affordable.
Mall of Emirates is very very lani and has all the brand shops and is fantastic to see BUT totally out of my budget.....
I stumbled into "DIASO" this is a Chinese shop which has anything you can think of. All items are one price. 6 DHS ( dirhams) an item..... From kitchen stuff to small cleaning and cosmetic dept.

I now can also cook with a gas stove............. (sometimes still not very successful.......) but we now can eat all that I have cooked and not only some....I just have to get the timing thing under control.....

Well I have had a wonderful 3 weeks and am sure we will be happy here for the next 3 years...The choices and experiences are fantastic to go through. very interesting and stimulating... (Even buying groceries !!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I leave tomorrow morning and will be back in Durban tomorrow night. Is it not amazing how small the world is as tonight I am in the middle east (Northern hemisphere) and tomorrow night I am is south african in the southern hemisphere.........................
I love it but hate to go. I know I m going to miss Hannes badly and dread being alone...... Luckily I have the boys there t and all the semantics to keep me busy. Who knows I just might do a surprise visit to Dubai before December when I am scheduled to be back.
Talk again later.

OUR FIRST VISITORS IN DUBAI

This is what these 2 friends did in Dubai............................ Inside WAFI Mall. The entrance to Wafi mall. Clydene and I under the chandeliers.
Inside Madinat Souk. A very upmarket mall very close to the Burj Al Arab. Here you only look....Very expensive and exclusive.
T he side of Souk Madinat, These are all 5 and 7 star hotels linked to this Mall around these beautiful waterways, and facing the ocean.
Had to do the desert trip again.

Hannes and I with "Saartjie" again. Clydene and Ermanno having a Camel ride. Clydene was born to lead!!!!!!!!!!!
We now what this foto is about BUT you may think up your own caption. I will give you a clue...It has something to do with "farting"
Clydene and I after we had Henna done. Clydene on he feet and mine on one hand. Relaxing in the desert after dinner
Watching the sunset.......................................
Well I have had some very full days since I spoke to you last. On Monday I did all my housework (cleaning washing, ironing and grocery shopping as Ermanno and Clydene arrived on Monday night from Italy for a 3 day stop over n Dubai.

My groceries I went to Spinneys and guess what I saw in real life ? "WINDEX".

I remember the movie "My big fat Greek wedding" (I loved it) and the father believed in "windex" for a miracle cure for everything..... Well I saw windex on spinney's shelves. As soon as my window cleaner is finished I will buy one bottle of windex to remind me of the good feeling movie. I can't buy it now as I only have space for one bottle in the cupboard..........................

On Monday night Hannes and I took a taxi to go and meet the Maestrami's at the airport. This was also the first day of Ramadan (Muslim holy month) The airport was packed at the arrivals hall. It almost looked like Bombay!!!!!!!!! and this was 22h30.

They arrived and we went with them to their hotel. We invited them to stay with us but they decided to stay in a hotel as they thought we were not in our apartment long enough to have guests already.

On Tuesday I had some idea of what we will do, so I went to play tour guide with a plan for the day. Clydene was not feeling so good but we met a Souk Madinat. It is a beautiful mall very close to the Burj Al Arab (only 7 star hotel in the world.) We searched for a coffee shop (It is Ramadan and it is fasting from dusk to dawn ) We managed to find one which has curtains drawn as not to offend the Muslim faith by eating and drinking in Ramadan. We had some coffee and croissants and tried to go and stroll the mall and surrounds.... Clydene felt worse and we decided to go to Mall of Emirates. Hannes met us there and he needed lunch. Again search for curtained restaurant. Found one and ordered food. By this time Clydene was very sick. Feverish and nauseous. I brought her home and put her to bed. Hannes and Eramanno shopped and spent 3 hours in Mall of Emirates. I had given Clydene tablets and after 4 hours she seemed to be improving. Ermanno was very pleased with his shirts that he had bought. I prepared dinner................... what a fiasco....I had such fancy cooking pots that 2 hours later dinner was still not ready so all stoves plates were on full blast just to try and get the foo cooked............. I also am struggling with the gas stove as I do not know it well yet...... Ermanno now was also starting to feel queasy.... We stocked them with tablets and packed them in a taxi for home.....

Wednesday I fetched them again and I had such nice plans for the day like a Dow ride on the creek to see the old part of Dubai, Gold souk,Karama market and Minah bazaar. A Taxi driver told us all is closed until 16h00 because of Ramadan. So WE went another route to outlet mall.

All bands are sold there at cheaper prices. Also being Ramadan lots of stores have 70 to 80 % marked down sales.

I later found out that the taxi info was incorrect...................................... AGAIN Pakistani kaniverstani.......So we went to Karama market (very successful shopping) and WAFI mall later and met Hannes. Did some window shopping and went to dinner at a Lebanese restaurant. Both Maestrami's were still weak in the stomach area................

Today was a crazy rush as time was very limited. I had booked a desert safari for us which stated at 15hoo. We did the gold souk today and it was open....................... Ramadan and all...... Went to karama and rushed home for the desert safari.

Both Ermanno and Clydene loved the desert safari. Dune riding, camel riding and good food. Real Arabian atmosphere.

Came home at 22h30. Had coffee and Clydene and Ermanno got into a taxi at 23h00 and rushed to karama for last minute shopping.

They fly back tomorrow.

Ramadan is the Muslim holy month. This will be the whole month of September. From dusk till dawn the Muslim fast. being in a Muslim country Dubai adheres to this strictly. As a westerner you are expected to be respectful of this so on the street you refrain from eating and drinking. Restaurants and bars and coffee shops are closed. (Or hidden from view as not to offend.

You are also expected not to be noisy and rowdy and refrain from swearing of aggressive talking.

After sun set all the feasting starts. Plenty of "Iftar" (fist meal after sunset) specials. You are not expected to partake in Ramadan actively BUT respect the culture and religion.

We had a wonderful time and man laughs.

My sister Jinny had a hip relacement yesterday. Heard from her today and she seems fine.

Later tonight after we returned from the desert safari I got a message in my cellular phone. My dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer, and it seems the doctors are not going to do any active treatment.... Sad news. Will phone him tomorrow as he must be devastated...........

I had my good cry in the bathroom as it is difficult to hear and handle. I also have to go back to SA on Sunday and am dreading to go back. So much hassles to sort out in our life and now my Dd;s news too, and I am in SA alone. I will be a super strong lady soon..................

Ok all for now.

CITY OF CONTRASTS

OUR APARTMENT X-TRA LARGE PRAWNS - CLOSE UP

POOL VIEW FROM BALCONY MY MINI SEWING MACHINE ( FOR MENDING)











THE WATERFRONT -300M FROM OUR DOORSTEP

This is truly the city of contrasts. The skyscrapers that are every where on the horizon and then you look at the size of the prawns in the foto, also large , and then my new sewing machine is so small and the only functions it does is straight sewing for mending purposes. Otherwise I had to do it by hand. It was also very cheap..It is about the size of two of my hands.... So adorable. The size of the apartment inside is also very small...... As I say contrasts.
Hannes and I went car searching..... It is a mission to know which one to buy. Some of the makes, the service is so expensive (FORD) that it is not an option. The insurance is also done only on a yearly basis, not like in SA for a 5 year period or what ever you choose. Insurance is a must as the accident rate here is very high. The second hand car sales are tricky as you never know if the vehicle was in an accident before or not. In the end we decided to go with a Toyota Prado. Nice big car, 4x4, relative cheap to service and easy to find a dealership for service......
Now the semantics of finance are on the table again. We can not give 6 months bank statements so Welcare have to assist again. . It can be frustrating if you allow it BUT yo have to keep a different mind set here as you do as the Arabians do. They are very friendly and helpful, but tomorrow is another day. Luckily we from Africa are very used to that.
I have worked myself to a standstill to get the flat organised and live able. I am taking today off and going to do the "Jumeira Jane" (Nick name here for ladies that do nothing) thing. I am going for a stroll on the waterfront and going to have breakfast and coffee there. After that I am going to the sun for a tan.
Today is the first day of Ramadan. You are asked to be respectful to the Muslim culture and no eating or drinking or smoking in public from sun up to sun down. Maybe my coffee will be a problem. Apparently after sun down all feasts are open and a lot of eating and festivity starts. The end of Ramadan is known to be very festive. I will not witness this as by then I am back in SA.
I have learned so many new things here. It is challenging and exciting and frustrating at times. I looked for a easy reader. At home we now them as "clicks no1" cannot find. At last I found one at Boots (like pharmacy) and so expensive but I needed one as mine broke. A nail brush is also a mission to find. They tend to keep only certain products in certain stores..... Will still get there...
I have learned how "pre paid" (cellular phone) works. Was always so spoilt at home with contracts and stuff.. Now I have a Dubai cel as well. AND i can work it.
Te people here are very friendly and helpful. don't now if it is the Pakistani or Filipino or Arabs. It seems the Arabs do not work. The have Pakistani and Filipino who make up the work force. In any case to go grocery shopping is a teat. The sores are as big as makro (Again the contrasts) Smaller stores are "Spinney's" Stocks all SA brands and magazines but is a deli and a little expensive. At the till you groceries are packed in bags for you (as at home) only here it is done with a smile. All of then aways says hello and thank you and enjoy your day........... then I get to the apartment the cleaning staff come to the taxi to help unload and carry all up to my apartment AND they do not expect a tip........They told me so yesterday as I always had a few Dhirims ready to give.
I find the NO CRIME very nice and you can leave your trolley full of stuff any where and it will be there when you get back.
The other night we ran out of milk and it was like 22h00. We just ran outside to the store for some. No worry about being mugged or hijacked late at night.
The people tend to be soft spoken and are not aggressive at all.
I am enjoying it BUT have a lot to get used to. Some times it feels like coming DOWN in life if I think of our big and spacious home and flat. We will only have 1 car for a while as I do not want to drive ad do not need the 2nd car now. Next year when the metro is open Hannes can go to work by metro so a 2nd car might just never be feasible. But if I think that it is only the possessions that have changed it actually will be nice for us to live here. The flat is very nice inside, small but Manageable for me to maintain. We can go out in he evening and enjoy a walk on the beach. have coffee at a small cafe or just drive into the desert and camp out with no worries.......It is allowed to drive anywhere on your own and picnic or camp.
I have learned to work a gas stove and oven... Don't now if I like it yet but it is very fast and quick. made a wonderful roast the other night with meat cuts (beef) that I do not now. It was delicious.
Hannes tends to get despondent at times but I think it is because he is not busy at work yet and he still feels all is not organised.
The "lani" shops are everywhere..... Brand names I have heard and never seen and some I have never even heard about. I will buy my clothes in SA before I come to Dubai (cheaper there) and hair treatments here are so expensive........
Jinny my sister became a grandma yesterday. Her son Leon and his wife Tammy had a baby girl. So fantastic how the circle of life just continues. I think it will be a beautiful baby as both parents are very good looking. Will have to go and shop some for her here..... Just wonder what her name is and how she looks.
CONGRATULATIONS LEON AND TAMMY.
We have 2 SA friends arriving tonight for 3 days. Clydene and Ermano from Umdloti will be here in Dubai. I have some stuff planned for us. I am not the best tour guide yet as I do not now everything but we will explore the things together.
OK all for today.
L