LEKKER TAAI TOFFIE

I SAID GOODBYE
I said goodbye to my special car this week. I have been fortunate to get a buyer for both vehicles. In our economic climate that was a real difficult thing to do. I am not emotionally attached to this car BUT it always made me feel so special and to drive it was only a pleasure. I had so many happy kilo's with this black number. I remember the day I got it. We were at Umdloti and it was perfect summer weather. It was wrapped by the dealer with a huge red bow. had a big card on it with my name on it.
I took the top down and did a scenic drive down the coast. It was superb. But it has come to an end and i enjoyed it very much

This was Hannes's baby. Also a pleasure to drive. I hope the new owner will have many happy hours driving it. Whoever gets these two power houses is getting very good cars in absolute perfect condition.


The last entry told you about my revisit to my Phinda "timeshare"...This time I went to Phinda mountain lodge with Rossouw and his girlfriend Marlette. Phinda was Divine as always although I do still prefer Phinda vlei lodge. This foto is taken from my private veranda with it's own splash pool and open air shower (yes I did shower there every morning looking out into the beautiful countryside with Impala and "pumba's" strolling by.) Now for me to shower is one thing but to shower at 05h00 is totally unheard of. But the game drive is at 06h00 and I really needed to be wide awake for that. (And also not stink on the vehicle) This shower however is in a different league. You get body scrub and shower gel and "lekker" soap and fluffy towels, so roughing it does not even come into the picture. You can see the shower surround in the left of the foto. I did not even attempt the pool as it is freezing cold water.

One afternoon on the game drive we came across these lions. Sorry the light is not good as I only have my "mik en druk" camera in SA. (For my international friends that means Point and shoot camera) It had rained very much in Phinda the previous week and this pride was having a sun downer in the road puddle. The game was very difficult to find with all the rain as the veld was green and thick and they need not come to water holes.

This is the entrance to Phinda mountain lodge. All open and inviting. I love safari in this style. I am not made to camp and rough it up............ I am a real Jumeira Jane. believe me I am not ashamed of it either. Just sometimes have to wonder about God's sense of humour. he give me this absolute love of luxury, but does not fit my budget accordingly.............

Rossouw and Mella were in awe at Phinda and really enjoyed it. They were up every morning for the game drives (slept on the vehicle to my absolute disgust..................got a lecture not to do so.........................and then all was fine.)

We loved the meals and the spoils and for me to have the days at total leisure as you have no cell phone coverage or TV is so relaxing.

Coming home after Phinda was with a huge "fall off a wall" type of stuff. It felt like every thing that could irritate and test me happened. My dad passing away, Rossouw having to go and write a sub at university, toilets at home packing up, cell phone ringing off the hook with relocation business, struggling to get visas for Rossouw and Dian to go to Dubai in a week ect ect ect.

The visa story was very testing. You have to have a book and paid for airline ticket to apply for a visa. Ok here goes trustably trudie (me) books and pays the tickets after weeks of juggling the boys dates and needs, and I cannot get a visa for longer that 30 days..........I am told to change the itinerary and then re apply...........Too many phone calls and stories to tell later I have to surrender, not and easy one for me to do, and hannes has to do the visas from Dubai. So sclepp all the paperwork to him (you have to have foto's too) and off he goes on a few days up and down to get the visas. Anyway the visas were issued today for 90 days for each child.....SO I CAN FLY TO DUBAI ON 04 DECEMBER.................... I cannot wait. I miss Hannes and am really not made to be single at all.

I also think Hannes is really looking forward to seeing us all again.

Tomorrow I am going to PE to be in time for my dad's funeral on Friday morning. I did not plan in going BUT I am. What a mission to arrange that. I have a few choices of flight but anyway option takes me 3 days to execute . I could go connecting flights between Richards bay and PE via Johannes burg or Durban Johannesburg direct. I just have one small problem PE is 2 hours drive from the airport to Port Alfred where the service is, and 10h00 is the time of the service. SO I leave on Thursday to sleep in PE to leave early by car to be in time in Port Alfred.

Coming back same story. I just took a deep breath and said to myself "don't sweat the small stuff" I think it is less time to fly to the "bleddie" moon than me getting to Port Alfred.

Rossouw and Mella also leave tomorrow. I will meet Rossouw at the airport in Johannesburg when we leave for Dubai.

Dian is writing an entrance exam on Friday for his university course and then he goes to "matric week" in balito. His week has been cut short by 3 days for him to do the exam. he was not a happy chappy when I told him this.

I have also let the house to holiday tenants for 3 weeks while I am in Dubai.......... We will just have see how that pans out.

Ok all it is now 3.30 in the morning and brain is slowing down. Just enough time to bath and do the hair pack quickly and leave for the airport in Durban.

Chat again over the weekend.

Georgie , all the way form the USA, nice to see your comments on the blog. Think of a Dubai for a visit. WD40 not needed...............................................

l

GOOD BYE DAD

My dad, Gerald Louis Rossouw, passed away this morning after a short sick bed but with great suffering to him. GOOD BYE DADDIO.
I will miss him a lot as he always had good chats and very sharp sense of humour.
My sister Jinny was with him for the last week and helped to keep him very comfortable and to die with the utmost dignity. THANK YOU JINNY.


How lucky was I to have had the last weekend about a month ago with him. I had the time and privilege to say all I wanted to say to him and to hear his "version" of his life and trials and tribulations. We had a few tears that weekend but mostly lots of jokes and laughs. He beleived to give all the "flowers" in life and not after death. I could do that.
I do think I had it good with him as my father as he was a lot older when I was born than with my other siblings. (he then had brains to raise a child!!!) don't get me wrong he would have loved that chirp.... anyway I was rather spoiled by him all my life. So I have only very good memories.
My tears today are for myself in a ver selfish way.

Dad I hope you and Pierre and now having a ball together and I am sure the two of you will sort that "place" out in no time, so that when we join you all is done and dusted.
Have fun .
Loved you lots Dad and will miss you.
Licki

WEDDING WEEK END

Hannes sent me this foto today of the opening of the hospital. Does he not look so spiffy in his white coat and tie. It is very formal dress in Dubai for all doctors. The hospital was opened by the Sheik's son. All was done so smart. At last the doors are open and hannes is able to work with patients again.

Hannes has also done a diving course in the days off between shift and he has enjoyed it very much. I believe he got very high marks for his theoretical exams. he has done the pool diving and open ocean diving to 8 meters. So glad he is getting to do some fun stuff for himself as well.
I will never be able to join the diving as my ears cannot equalise so I am a snorkel and tanning baby........ I must say I cannot wait to go to the Maldives to test drive all Hannes's new skills and to see those magical islands. No NO No No (as Amy "Whynehouse" will sing) we do not have immediate plans to go to the Maldives but a girl can dream hey......
At this stage I just want the boys to get their Visa's for Dubai visit in December. More about that later in the blog. I am typing around the story now...

This is the entrance at the hospital. It is really much more impressive than the foto shows. It is total opulence and luxury. The wards are all single and no patient shares a room with anybody. The bathrooms in the wards look like a five star hotel. I just might want to get sick there. O dear wonder if we have a Dubai medical aid......


THE WEDDING (What this entry is actually about)
The last weekend I went to cape Town for a family wedding. My sister's eldest son,Pieter, got married to Michelle. Well this was fabulous. It was on a wine estate called Meer en Dal. beautiful setting. The 3 days prior to the wedding the cape was rainy and windy to the max.... So strange for mid November. But the day if the wedding all was sunny and warm and beautiful.
This is the happy couple after the ceremony, signing the register. My sister worked her butt off. She made all the dresses of the bride and brides maids. She was the wedding planner and convener and "meid van die bruid" as she called herself. (All in good humor) I must say she did herself very proud.

This is Pieter the groom. he was very nervous at this stage as he had to still do the waiting game......
Pieter and I come a long way. he was a tiny tot when I stayed with them for a long time. It was such a strange feeling to see him now in a different role. The groom. he is all grown up and successful. he and Michelle make a lovely couple and I am sure they will have many many happy years together.

MY sister and her husband, the parents of the groom. This is the lady who did all the wedding arrangements and sowing and and and and and. She really did a superb job and that after having a hip replacement just a few weeks prior to the wedding..... can't keep a good thing down now can you!

I also stayed with my mom in cape Town for 2 nights to catch up. She is still very up and about and loves living in her "Estate" The weather was so gross that we did not venture out very much. I did some personal "beautifying" for the wedding. I called it "duco" You know when a car gets re sprayed they call it "duco" Well I wanted to be "tanned" for the wedding but alas absolutely no sunshine in my life for 14 days before the wedding. Now desperate times ask for desperate measure...... I wanted to be tanned, so off I went to a beauty spa where you get the "California tan" in a spray can. I nearly fainted when I saw the spray gun...It is "humongous" You get issued this teeny weeny paper pantie and that is all. You turn like a roast chicken for the therapist to get into all the nooks and crannies for the tan.

Must say it looked fabulously tanned for 48 hours. THEN you look a little dirty as the tan does not keep on all areas the same.......... I went for a huge soak in the bath this afternoon and look a lot better tonight. Luckily it only last for about 4 days then all traces of the tan are gone.

I do not think I will do that again.

Anyway moving on. I lost my "personality" a little at the reception. Luckily late at night. It must have been the German dish that affected me so badly....I think it was called "jagermeister"

The whole family still spoke to me the next day so maybe i did not behave too badly or they just love me enough to let it slide....................... All in all it was a great wedding and I really enjoyed the visit with the family for the 4 days. Strange how family can always pull the strings together although we do not see each other very often.

JC joined me in cape Town for the wedding and he also had a great time. he also spent 2 days with my mom (his gran) and the two of them did the whole waterfront and stelllenbosh item.

JC will not be joining us in Dubai in December so I thought a cape town weekend will be his consolation prize. he is still too new at his company to take leave in December.

I think my 2 cars have been sold. I will have finality on that on Friday. Must say our economic climate is terrible and i will have to pay in to get rid of them.............So are the breaks.

A very good friend put me in contact with a motor wholesaler. Even advertising them did not even give a phone call in the last 10 day. Hannes and I have decided to cut our losses and let go.

I will be relieved if this deal goes through so all of you blogger buddies keep your fingers crossed.

I might have a nibble at the house sale as well. Will that not be great. I do not want to get too excited but a girl can dream.

Rossouw and his girlfriend, Marlette, and myself are going to my time share (as Gesi refers to Phinda) tomorrow. We will be there for 3 nights and I am really looking forward to another 3 days in the bush.

Today was so very busy and stressful. I am having difficulty getting Rossouw and Dian's visas for the December visit. It can only be issued for 30 days. Both of them will be in Dubai for longer. hannes now has to do the visas from Dubai. It is 2 weeks before we fly so i just hope he gets the visas............

This whole expedition, relocation or what ever is really not for "sissies" So many little things jump out the woodwork that you never ever expected. I am learning to think into and around corners at this stage. Also trying not to stress the small stuff BUT that is really testing me big time. I like to control all situations and keep it in hand...This si like a runaway train driven by the headless horseman at times.

Very good friends of ours from Richards bay arrived in Australia 3 days ago. They are also doing the relocation/immigration.

My dad is also not doing well at all and I think he might be taken to hospice tomorrow.

Dian wrote his final maths paper today and all went well he says. So relieved.

A nefew and his wife lost their 18 year old daughter on Friday in an accident. They are so broken up that this that I have to handle is really not bad at all although at times it tends to overdrive on the emotional side. Dian can give credit to this statement today........................although I still think he was a little unconsiderate with his words..................I am so glad he is still here to give me lip.

I am now going to sleep to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for my bush experience tomorrow. Chat when I get back.

L

SILLY SEASON HAS STARTED.

ENGELA, SONJA AND MYSELF.
I slept over at Engela in Durban last night and such a good visit. It was so good to see her again and catch up on all the times we have shared as friends and the laughs and tears we have shared.
I drank all her coffee (I do not think she has ever seen such a large volume of coffee being consumed) I also NEVER have been able to be a reserved person and do this in moderation....I have to absolutely "ruk die hol uit" .....Sorry Engela I think your budget has been dented badly.....but I will do it all over again as we had a super time. Engela uses to live in Richards bay and was one of our very good friends who was always there in our early days here in town. She did excellent PR for Hannes and sent all her friends to him as patients... She has such an acute sense of humor too....Slightly sarcastic but very sharp and never mean. She is a good person.

Sonja, thanks my dear friend for your comment on the last blog.....Good to know you read it and am in touch with all my goings on. You of all people understand this "relocation" You have been there and done the whole nine yards...... WHAT THE HELL IS RELOCATION......I have to find a better word as it puts you nowhere at all......
We were neighbours in Richards Bay and we are still very good friends. Even if we are so very far away from each other it is so good to know we still are in touch. I hope you still remember our Christmas shopping in Durban a few uears ago, as it is nearly that time of year again. We bought all these Christmas things that sing and dance and jump......All used batteries so they were very noisy. I also remember we went to Makro to buy batteries in bulk....... We even kept the neighbours in your flat entertained with our shopping expedition.... You had this huge 4x4 which the two of us very successfully in 1 day's shopping packed so full we hardly had space for our handbags when we came back.............. It took us 2 days to unpack all the shopping as well.. Good times...
Funny how the technology has crept into all our lives and is a good thing.... I remember I nearly shat myself the first time I had to "work" on the computer..... It was this alien thing who could "think" for itself...... Today however i will hit the roof if any one says "the computer" made the mistake.....Who the hell is the monkey handling it I always ask.... Any way still very lekker to have this contact. OK OK I accept all the spelling mistakes as my own ......
ON THE COMMENTS OF THE LAST BLOG:
Thanks to Jollie, Jinny, Rossi and especially to Laurika for the kind and encouraging words. Laurika was the "daughter" who wrote to "ma" on the last blog. It made my day .Although I at first thought it was one of my boys,( A mother can dream) she was the one who wrote those very special words to me.
Laurika was a staff member at the surgery but has become so much more. She is my house companion/daughter/friend/confidant/coffee maker/shoulder to cry one etc at the moment.
She has been so kind to come and house sit with me so that I am not totally alone in this house now.
These comment keep me blogging as I then know some one is out there reading all this gargle (spelling mistakes and all) that I dish out to you all.............



GERALD, PIERRE, JINNY, DOK AND MYSELF.
I had to add this foto in to remind me of how quickly things can change and I must never take one minute of any day for grated as it might change and never be available again. I tend to waste too much energy on what is wrong and how to fix it that I sometimes fall off the rails (NAFI)
The old saying use it or lose it is so true. Pierre passed away this year and has left a void in my emotional life. Pierre i still miss you very much and thank my lucky starts that I had you in my life very actively for so many years. No regrets. We now are only four left and I cherish every moment and contact I can have with them. We are such a lively and interesting bunch the four of us. All totally unique BUT superb people. We have strengths in very different areas but together we make a formidable team. I am the youngest (best position I tell you) and I still learn from all of the others every day. We are all super intelligent and so funny and sharp. I promise anybody never a dull moment in our company at all.



HANSIE BABES AND MYSELF
Ok you have heard it before but this is my blog so live with it I BLEDDIE MISS HIM TOO MUCH......
Look carefully we do not have any shoes on but am dressed to the nine's. We had a dinner party at home. I always have a dress up dinner party when all the boys are home in the holidays. This one however we had to honour Rossouw's short comings, who had had a knee operation and could not wear long pants and had to come in shorts to the table. The whole family (girlfriends and all) dressed up smartly but we chose not to wear shoes so that Rossi does not feel under dressed.
The boys and their girlfriend set the table and I cooked like a real Italian mamma. happy in the kitchen with her whole family by her side. Luckily we all went all out and have such great memories of that. Funny the boys used to ask before the holidays what the theme was going to be and always looked forward it.


TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY READING THE BLOG
These flowers I send to all of you who are out here with me in cyber space.....Thanks for love and support and me knowing you are all there.

THE SILLY SEASON IS HERE AGAIN.

I realised with a bang today that Christmas is upon us again. I hate buying frozen chicken or washing powder with "Rudolph the red nose reindeer" singing in Pick a Pay's stores. Just when I think this is bad "jingle bells" follows. Now I was in Pick a Pay today to buy totally un interesting stuff and I get this creepy irritating feeling creep all over me. As I am slightly confused at this stage in my life (give me a break please 48years old, menopausal, relocating, no deadlines, not sure of the days of the week...........get the picture) well this creepy feeling is there and I want to run but do not know why...............Then it hits me it's the bleddie music in the store........Christmas tunes already.... Maybe I should buy groceries in this time of year with an Ipod in my ears with music of my choice.............

Then the next thought or scenario hits me...The store is held up and I do not know it as I am now deaf...There I will be the only lunatic having a lekker time pushing my trolley in Pick a Pay with my own music and all the others are on the floor and under shelves listening to rudolph the red nose raineer...........................

Which one will you choose.................

With that thought I greet you tonight.

L

NAFI

EXACTLY HOW I FEEL...ALL DRESSED UP AND NOWHERE TO GO



THIS IS ME IN MY "NAFI" POSE


I feel so NAFI today..For those who do not know the phrase it stands for No Ambition,F**k all Interest.
You see I feel so trapped today....I am stuck in Richards Bay with a damn house that does not want to sell and two fantastic cars that do not want to sell either. It may be due to the economy or just maybe it is not the right time yet (who ever decides on that one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I do know and believe all thing happen when they should and for the right reason BUT today I am sorely being tested on my own theories.....................
I fiddled around the house today. Did my pool jobs and stood for hours with my hosepipe....... trying to find a calm place in myself...(Hell that is always very difficult to find)
I realise I have so much to be grateful for but some days I just feel to hell with being grateful and pleasing and understanding...Today I want to be mean and ungrateful and totally non understanding. You see the only thing is I saw NOBODY to take this agro feelings out on.... maybe for the best as I now still have some friends around.

Jc and I did his budget for this coming month. He is in a tight spot as he has just moved to new accommodation. He asked me to help and guide him for the next 3 months...... He just better listen and stick to budget or I will get meaner than Trevor Manual when calculating taxes............
I have to wonder if his money troubles stem form incorrect rearing at home.................OR maybe not giving any money exposure at home when he was growing up. Hannes and I thought that they will have enough tine to learn to manage money when they are bigger.....Maybe this was a mistake. maybe we should have given all the money advise from a very early age.....Any way can't change the past now can we.....

Rossi wrote his maths paper today (his tough subject) and he thinks he will pass it but just marginally. Him and I also had a little rally a few weeks ago about his attitude towards his money matters and studies... Anyway he phoned tonight specially and said he just wants to say thank you and he loves me very much. That made my very kakky day a helluva lot better.

Dian is his normal cheery self on the phone. he has a gift as he always has a smile in his voice on the phone. These three boys are very good at phoning home very regularly. We really do not have much news to exchange every day BUT just to hear their voices is good and to hear they are OK is very good.

Hannes and I did another Skype number today. It was like pulling teeth. I do not have any news and he is also just treading water until out lives can resume some form of normality....(as if him and I have ever had a normal life ....) He was off today and drove to Jumeira park which is on the beach ,only to find that Mondays is ladies only. he sure as hell won't pass for that one... In the end he lay on the beach about 500m form the Burg Al Arab...Tough life hey....Only not nice thing is he is alone.

Luckily Laurika and Nervana (her daughter) are staying with me. I cooked supper for the 3 of us and it is nice to get some human company in the evenings.
Rambo has very limited communication skills............... He does adore having me all to himself in the day though. But I can only do "hello rambo, my skat, shadow uit, lekker koffie ect for limited time)
I also do not have any deadlines now (first time in 15 years) so it makes me feel totally useless.

I got a call from Rachelle (my niece) and she said I am an inspiration to her.............that was so lekker to hear as I felt very useless at that stage. It gave me the oomph to get and blog tonight as I had no intention or inclination to blog tonight. Purely for the fact that I do not have big news or happening to report on. So I am reporting on my NAFI attitude...........

Time for some lessons for you all as I am trying to learn my Arabic . So here goes.
Hullo - ahlan
Thanks you - shukran
Yes - naAhm
No - laa (pronounce like lair with no R)
Help - ekha uuni
Sorry - aasif
Please - min faDlak

I struggle my backside off with this Arabic as I am useless in languages. I am not a reader (except for any and all magazines) so my brain is not trained for the written word. But I am going to get just some basics going... I just need to say hello , goodbye, how much, sorry, please and piss off in Arabic then I am set.......................................

In looking for foto's to add to the blog tonight I realised that one never keeps a bad foto of yourself (so had to use my Thailand monkeys again) and also I am always the one behind the camera so have very few foto's of myself................ Will have to do something about that as I would really love to irritate hannes's second wife by foto's popping up every where of me...See I am in a disgusting mean mood today............Even contemplating hannes's second wife's torment....
No no enough I am going to bed and maybe just maybe tomorrow is better..................
L