FIVETRIBE

My fortieth has come and gone. It was fun but quite exhausting for me. As in introvert (who passes easily for an extrovert) this type of activity can finish me off for a week! A few of my favourite images from the night. from left: my sil, me, a bff and her hubby and my older brother My mom saying a few lovely words. Listening to a friend making a speech, hilarious in parts. My parents throwing some shapes on the floor! Fun times, not the most flattering pic but I love this one of my man! My brother and his wife My other brother and his girlfriend My sis, niece and bil. It was well worth it though - to have many of my favourite people in one place was such a treat. We ate, we chatted, we danced and we laughed. And speeches were made by a friend, my parents and my man. I even said a few garbled words - I was quite overwhelmed by then and cant remember anything I said!

A little bit of chaos is really what my life is all about right now. In summary: In August our house flooded in a storm while we were in Mcgregor. Insurance finally sent contractors to lift our laminate flooring 2 weeks ago. The screed was wet and left to dry for a week. It was still wet so they sent in industrial fans and extractors. Without telling me we would have to move out the house. For anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks. I am thankful for my parents who have taken us all in. And my sister who is on standby anytime I need extra help or lodging! I started off feeling very unsure and guilty about cramping my parents style but after a week we are getting very comfortable and I fear they may need big guns to evict us when the time comes. Evenings mooching with the family Annoying Orange on Youtube...and some other amusing stuff! Apart from this relative upheaval I had a little bit of a scare today when I realised my monthly visitor hadnt arrived. In fact she i...

Sometime I just wanna squeeeeeeze him! Oupa got the clippers out! Grade R orientation and a new best friend already - the little girl in the white shirt! Carpet time at Orientation - such a lovely class for next year. Action cricket with Dad - they won the tournament and let him hold the trophy! Happy and exhausted! The boy takes after his mama....just not a morning person! Love taking walks with the dogs and the lad. Precious memories.

I took Rachel to see Adam Lambert recently. We bought golden circle tickets some months back (along with my sis) and the plan was for Russ to come with me but things went pear and I thought it would be a great mom/daughter date opportunity! Rach tried her hand at doing Faiths make-up cos she was feeling very left out! Bonding over make-up? Not a day I so coming but will take it! She did her own eyes! Impressive stuff! All dolled up and ready to rock out! Fun pics in the garden to commemorate the occasion! Cousin Sami helps her see all the better Aunty Lisa takes a turn! The man himself - legendary performer I love this pic taken at the Grand West Arena - happy days. The evening was simply fabulous - Adam is a stage performer of note and we were not disappointed...although a show like that is NEVER long enough. I did wake up the next morning with a NOISE hangover of epic proportions though...I could not lift my head off the pillow - Faith...

While in Kynsna we decided to head up to Rheenendal and do a little mountain walk. I havent been able to run in over a month due to injury but I was  desparate to get onto a trail again...even if it meant walking. We got ourselves a map and decided to do a 9km loop. Little did we know that some signage had come down in high winds recently and we missed the turn.... At around 2.5hrs I was convinced we were lost...how can 9km take this long? I convinced the man to turn back but along the way we met some German tourists who assured me we were going the right way so we turned around AGAIN (against my judgement) Fast forward 2hrs and another 8kms and a truck...with a ranger who came to collect us off a road to nowhere! Suffice to say it was a great experience, lots of laughs, a couple of expletives but plenty of good memories.

We have spent 2 glorious days here so far and I am awed by the beauty on our doorstep. We have been enjoying stunning weather, first class service and unbelievable food which does not leave you feeling guilty .... Even though dinners are a 6 course event! This morning saw us playing tourist and off we went to walk with lions. These 2 have been bred in captivity but a lion is a lion....an incredible of not mildly anxiety-inducing experience. After a leisurely lunch and soaking up some rays we decided to hit the tennis courts for the first time in decades! It was such fun and the 80mins sped by way too fast. My right arm is feeling it but I do think its a sport I could love! Right now we are upstairs waiting for the Bok/Ireland game to start .... A win would round out a perfect day. Tomoro we head for home (not before a quick visit to the Spa!) and I cannot wait to lay my eyes on my spratlets!

We dropped the kids of at my sister at lunchtime on Saturday and headed for the beautiful Table Bay Hotel for two nights. (a gift from a business associate!) We first stopped and fetched Russ' toy for the weekend...a little Mazda MX-5 convertible. It looks real cute but lets just say I prefer my smooth, high ride even though she aint nearly as pretty. Russ had such fun though and we cruised along Camps Bay and found us a good cuppa. We hired this little MX-5 for the weekend Some of my favourite things...tv and room service The man enjoying the ride! Breakfast - yummy! (mine) New wedge sandals from Russ - thankfully he has great taste! Our morning coffee with a view of note Mommy's Mazda and Dad's Mazda! Saying goodbye to the sproggles. The mans breakfast.  Well, the first course.... I have to say this hotel far exceeded my expectations - i have stayed in 5 star hotels all over the world and can say without hesitation that this was th...

I have popped into my blog a few times and then left feeling I dont have the time to get it the attention it deserves. Two weeks later I am of the mind that some attention is better than none. In cases like these I do feel that bullet points will suffice! Russ and I shared our 20th anniversary this year. What an incredible milestone, such a privilege and I am so grateful. It would be a bloody lie to say everyday has been a blessing but what I can say with surety is that every trial we have navigated has brought us closer and made us stronger. Trite but true. I am finding as you grow (and age!) together we are becoming more similar or maybe just more tolerant of each others foibles and idiosyncrasies. I did a crazy impulsive thing. Years ago I promised Russ I would grow my hair...and it has never happened because I can never get through the awkward phase...and have been convinced I look horsey with long hair. Anyyyyway - I went and had extensions done as a surprise for...