Jubilee weekend

We have just had a four day weekend. Its been wonderful. I stayed home on Friday and finished the decorations for Keira's christening cake (will post pics next week) and then spent the rest of the day in the sun. On Friday night, we went to Joanne and Willy's for Chinese. On Saturday we slept late, which was much needed. I did a whole lot of washing, including washing my car! Karl and his father managed to make some kind of suspension contraption in the garage so that our sofas are not leaning on each other ( forgot to take pics). On Sunday, Mark and Christima and Barry and Harps came down, to see the Olymoic torch. It passedat the bottom of the road, and we waited in anticipation, I must say I was disappointed, I dunno what I expected?! A bigger torch maybe?

Anyway, after that the 8 of us went out for a yummy dinner at Harry's. When we got home, we set the fire, poured some wine, put on our pjs and were subjected to anotehr quiz. It was so much fun though and competitive as always. We fell into bed at 2am. We spent Monday infront of the fire watching tv. And while the boys were away, playing golf, the 4 ladies watched the Help. Harps, Christina and I have read the book and we were eager to see it. So Karl hooked up the laptop to the tv and we thoroughly enjoyed it. 

On Monday evening, Karl and I went up to Belfast for a braai at Orna and Enda's place. We met some really cool and interesting people. And got home just before midnight. 

Today, Christina, Mark, Karl and I started interval training for running. It was all going very well until Christina fell. She already has a weak ankle, which she hurt a couple of months ago. So Mark had to run home and get the car and fetch her. So today was mostly spent reading and watching tv as if started to rain a bit. We also got my mother-in-laws 60th birthday party plans sorted.

I am flying to England tomorrow morning, to meet my good friend Clare and her bump :) On Friday I head off to Ellesmere Port (near Chester) to see the Bellis-Jones' and my precious goddaughter, Keira Lilly. I am so excited. Now I just need to do my hair and pack.

I might be off the radar for a week or so, but will update when I get back. xx

Rock and roll Friday night...

Karl is still away and his parents are going out to see his granny tonight. So, I went out to Camerons for a puzzle to keep me busy, but found this instead...

So tonight I'm going to sit and do ladybird sudoku with a glass or 2 of merlot in front of the fire. Will post pics of the finished product (being optimistic!).

My gratitiude list

We all get so caught up in what’s missing from our lives or what we can do to improve it, but we don’t often stop to count our many blessings, so I’ve decided to do just that: 

STOP and think of a list of things that I am grateful for.

I am grateful for/that:

 

A wonderful husband who goes over and above the call of duty EVERY TIME!

True friends who are there for you when it really matters

My parents (all five of them!)

My siblings and all the laughter they bring

My best friends

Hot baths

Decaf tea

Internet shopping

My part-time job which allows me to have pocket money AND me-time :)

Cold weather when I have to do my hair

Skype so I can catch up with my friends and family

Being able to read and finish my book in my own time

Coke Zero!

That I got to attend one of the most prestigious universities

My warm fleecy socks :)

Blackberry messenger

Learning to let go the things that don’t matter

Freedom to do things I am passionate about

Not having to do life alone

Chocolate

New beginnings

That I live in a beautiful area with easy access to the most amazing scenery

My swing cd set (4 cds)

My kindle

Date night ;)

My fireplace in the cold winter

That I have learned not to second guess myself and to stop ignoring my intuition

My health and the good health of those I love

For friendships: past, present and future

My toaster

Snow

My electric blanket

Nap time

Being able to travel

The little things

Today

Try it, it really helps/works.

A Different kind of Christmas

Christmas wreath I made for our front door.

We have been out every night since last Wednesday, and boy am I feeling the effects of that. As I write this, Karl is still sleeping. Those of you who know Karl, know that he never naps unless he is ill. He is totally wiped out. On Wednesday it was Karls friends party, Thursday was the grand opera in Belfast, Friday was my work do. Saturday night we went to church and then had pizza and wine with everyone, and Sunday was Christmas. We woke up on Christmas morning and Kalr and I opened presents. That was followed by many calls to and from friends and family in South Africa which took up most of the morning. I was tasked with making chocolate mousse (did you know you use marshmallows in thie recipe?) and Moira ordered some lemon and orange cupcakes too. SO on went the Christmas music while we baked. Got to parents-in-law just in time for some lunch and then went door to door down Glen Rd with the family to the rest of the Grahams. Had an awesome skype call with the people of 14 Fleur Rd, and tried hard not to cry and SUCCEEDED! :)
We had our Christmas dinner at 6pm and it was delicious!! Everything with all the trimmings.  And of course our Christmas chat with the Klaasens put a HUGE smile on my face.

After dinner we headed to a friend's house for a few drinks, we stayed there til 3am!!

Geraldine thought that the floor would be more comfy (its not because she fell or anything! lol)

Carey Floorcare

I think we slept till about 11am yesterday and then got up and came back to the in-laws for round 2! We had another dinner with all the trimmings and then we went visiting family friends and the day ended with us all going up the road to the Graham cousins and we played trivial pursuit, cranium and articulate, a game similar to 30 seconds. We laughed and played til well after midnight.

Christmas was definately different this year, missed my family, missed the sunshine and missed the beach. Instead of the usual sun dressy thing, I was well-wrapped up. Hopefully next year I'll have some of my family over for the holidays and hopefully this time we'll have a white Christmas!

We are sitting around the fire, waiting for dinner # 3 before heading off to a pub quiz :)

Our House in the Glens (image heavy!)

Well, I was gonna wait until our new sofas arrived, but as its only being delivered at the end of the month, I decided to post these pics in the meantime. So for those of you I have been neglecting, here's the reason why: I have been decorating and cleaning. Here are the pics of my labour. Just a warning, there are a lot of pics in this post, so grab a cup of tea and enjoy!

front door

double doors to keep heat in

wipe your paws!

porch and shoe cupboard! stilol have to hang coat hook

as you come in front door

our room

ensuite

our BLUE ensuite

and shower

guest bedroom

my laundry room/dumping ground!

kitchen

breakfast nook just to left of kitchen

the range/aga which heats the kitchen and you can cook with it

gas and electric stove

yummy!

my 4 slice toaster! always wanted one

my purple colander

the hall

the PINK bathroom! still need to hang the mirror

the throws will have to do until our sofas arrive at the end of the month

view from lounge

view from kitchen

nosey neighbours!

tea bag holder

As you can see, the house is basically ready. patiently awaiting our visitors! the guest room is ready to be occupied!! :)