Life with Dizabeth

Week two and I am slightly confused, did we decide on a new chapter commencing in UK or was it seriously KZN, South Africa! The music of the moment in my mind is without a doubt Phil Collins – “I think it will rain down” (my interpretation) as the actual Phil version he says:  “he WISHES it would rain down” – erm noooooo thanks Phil! Also, whoever sang “I can see clearly now the rain has NOT gone” – anything with rain in it is the way it has been bar one or two hot days. Now let me share with you – these folks idea of a “hot” day and mine – well they differ! A hot day is like standing in the kitchen all day right up against the oven when the oven is on 180 degrees in Nellies – here – ok it could change, but thus far, a “hot” day is about 29ish. Bearable?  Absobladalutely. As I sit out on my verandah I am disturbed by a truly bizarre sound……oh, wait a minute: it’s the blady grass growing!!! WTF – I hear its snowing in UK – now that is something awesome – KZN – they most certainly don’t need anymore blady rain! Anyhow that’s the opinion of the new kid (old hag!) on the block.

Our first rainbow in Waterfall

So, let’s take a step back to the day we left Nelspruit! Ah best I call the therapist RIGHT NOW!!! My frikken giddy aunt – if I am honest, I have spent the past two weeks really battling to even glance at Dizabeth! Never mind engage in a conversation with her! She said she had this thing called packing up a house “sorted”! Well wasn’t that a bullsh..t story! Or let’s give her the benefit of the blady doubt – perhaps she doesn’t understand the meaning of the word “sorted”? Oh, my word, the day the movers arrived she and they were tossing things in open boxes, building up blady boxes and phoning a friend for more – yip no jokes – thanks Jules – you and Keri were a true Godsend – thank you for the boxes! I truly am battling to even look at her – Dizz that is, even sideways! What a disappointment she turned out to be. The “Mamba mover who had it all planned” erm NOT! So yes, she started when 2022 commenced – but perhaps that was her blady problem! Just like we all thought 2022 was going to be a breeze, dearest Dizz clearly thought packing would be too!!!! She even had the blady confidence of booking a hair cut on the third to last day followed by a pedi on the day before that dreaded truck arrived – WTF! The confidence! Anyhow, so the truck arrived, after we had all dodged boxes that were being tossed across the room and boxed (get the pun there – I actually literally meant fought each other) as to where the box tape was we finally drove out of Nelspruit – ok, ok we all know Diz. First, she had a pit stop to say goodbye to my Jacks at her work and give last hugs to my Lis and Lynn. Pammie, if I had been driving you would have been included on my leaving the block route perhaps it was a good thing that Chad was driving, we would probably still be saying goodbye to each other! Poor child (Chad) we all were pretty exhausted and still had an 8-hour journey ahead of us. Chad had sorted the music, that child (young man) he is incredible. He had done a play list of my fav’s as well as his. I must add at this point – the young man has certainly matured.  You will recall, our last road trip was about 6 years ago to Stellies for Uni. We would listen to one or two that Chad had included on our playlist especially for his mama bear; ol Blue eye’s Frank Sintra “I did it my way” or Billy Joel followed by frikken hell I don’t even know but someone screeching “I wanna F…k you ….oh yeah mama I am gonna …..” – this time Chad most certainly had more laid back golden oldies – they were lovely thank you my angel 😊.

Rosie, Bandit and the blady kitchen sink!

In our car was our beloved Rosie and Bandit. Rosie, I swear – being a rescue – I am pretty sure after the last months of more and more boxes filling every inch of flooring in our house, she was quite aware as Bob Dylan once sang “Times they were achanging” – so she was pretty stressed as I sure all the pets were. So, she sat rod straight, trembling and panting mostly the whole 8 hours. My poor baby – I kept reassuring her – and every time Chad flippen dodged or didn’t blady dodge a pot hole and braked hard instead, dearest Rosie would come careening through to the front along with the blady bathroom mirror, the kettle, that pot that was on the stove and all the little iddy biddy’s that we just clearly didn’t see until it was time to blady leave and so had to toss on the back seat along with dearest Rosie and Bandit! Why the hell does that happen hey – you have packed up and you honestly just don’t see the plates still on the drying rack, the kettle, the dishwashing liquid – yip – you see what I am saying – Dizabeth was a blady disaster mover – trust me don’t ever ask her!!! In fact, at this stage, I do need to say a booming thanks to Pam! Pam arrived the day before and well let’s just say if she hadn’t – well the movers would definitely have been packing a helluva lot more than they did! Pam and I – we were the funniest – we had a thousand goodbyes – each day that was supposedly our last – we would meet for coffee, kuier at the Botanic gardens, and it was our last day – until it was time to hug – we would say – “ok you know what let’s not say good bye ‘ lets meet tomorrow” and the day that was our last good bye, I stood sobbing at the gate whilst Rosie stared by forlornly at me – I slowly walked back into the house and heard a “toot toot” at the gate – yip it was Pam! She had forgotten to say goodbye to Gary – so another hug and another crying session on my side!

Anyhow, so we drove, and drove and DRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOVE! I felt so bad, at one stage, pretty early in the journey I casually mentioned I was feeling quite tired, poor Chad – he clearly felt he just couldn’t ask his mama bear to share the driving after that – hmmmmm or was it – ha was it that he didn’t want the dogs climbing and slobbering alllllll over him!!! Hm interesting point that! Now another very important share dearest Diz has for her South African readers – that are still braving these Southern lands – and for those that have bucks – perhaps right here is a business opportunity! Its time to rethink our confidence in Google Maps when traversing this land! A few years ago, we were in Cape Town heading toward the airport when we realised we needed petrol. We asked ol’ faithful (NOT!) Sheilagh to lead us to the closest petrol station! Anywhere in the world I am confident this would be hundreds – erm SA not so blady much! At the time she took us through a very, very, very veeeeeeeeerrrry rough, scary dodgy township. That day I recall sitting in the back, Gary was the only chirpy passenger – a sure sign he is DYING of stress, whilst Chad was quiet, but you know that toooooooo quiet quiet – so I knew he was petrified – and all dearest Diz did was sit in the back and kept saying in a very high pitched screetchy voice: “well when they read about this murder in the YOU magazine they going to say – well they were blady fools for even being there – they looked for trouble and they certainly found it!” but thank God we were safe then and yip last week – we were safe so thank you Lord. BUT thanks to blady Aunty Sheilagh again – we asked for the quickest route – remember it was approaching 9pmish. We were exhausted mentally and physically and didn’t she blady take us us through another township. Now all aunty Diz did – each time we passed another car I would hide my face – yip you all know why – to alleviate any suspicion of course dear reader – of course! We finally arrived at our destination at 10.15 – Ryan by then was clearly sozzled drinking his beers as he waited for us oh yes and he was watching the soccer World cup, Tide and Michelle had fallen asleep – and Chad and myself – well lets just say there was a distinct “vibe” emanating off both of us! Ryan hadn’t even finished asking if we would like a drink and we were both offering him a wine glass and eagerly gulping down our first glass!

However since then it has settled into our new norm. I am still dodging Gary’s unpacked boxes – I refuse, simply reeeeeeeeeeeeeeffffffussse to unpack his! I did more than my fair share – yes dear reader – yes, I know it took me a year to do it – but frik I still did it! So, we are settling into our new home. We have – well Dizabeth – priorities dear reader PRIORITIES – the Christmas decorations are up – the furry family are most certainly settled – the load shedding – for my blady sins dear Nellies friends we now do experience shedding the blady load. I was firstly doing flick flacks because I was “whoa whoa” my cooking mealtimes will most certainly lessen – that is until I realised the blady stove is GAS! But the kitchen – oh my giddy aunt what a blessing after the room that was supposed to be a kitchen before!!!! I have worked out when it is shedding the load, I ensure tablet is charged and Netflix is ready to roll for the night time stints.

Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

We have already visited the Shongweni market – we loved it and I even bumped into KZN mates! Oh and the other “uncanny” hmmm what would one say – event that occurred. When Ryan was a little one I bought the Noddy collection, somewhere in this thing called Life – we lost them – since Tide has been born, I have always been on the lookout for Noddy – although apparently it turned out Enid wasn’t that great in her story telling – to keep it politically correct dear reader I will not elaborate, if you wondering – try trusting dear Google since this time it’s simply to learn a reason and not a destination, you should be good and you will discover that Noddy these days is a big no no in this new world. Digressing HUGELY there, so …..  the DSTV guy was in the ceiling – and in there he found, a Teddy, puzzles, books and one of them – yip “All aboard for Toyland – Noddy”. Interesting hey – some little person clearly had a “child cave” in the ceiling – when mama was in a bad mood this child climbed the ladder to quietness (dum dum dum dum – scarey music playing) was it quietness or safety? Scary or intriguing? Watch this space – I sure will keep you posted. The other interesting fact, the main room – it has the meanest, seriously big assed latch and lock – so someone would lock someone out or in (Yikes who watched Jeffrey Dahmer on Netflix!!!!) role out the scary music again ….DUM DUM DUM DUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMM!

Hmmmmmm 2023 could lead to some interesting blogs I am sure you will agree dear reader 😊

And that dear readers is all she wrote.

I am not too confident that I will be writing before Christmas – so I am going to thank you all for your love and always showing such care and kindness when it comes to reading my blog.

I wish you all the most amazing Christmas – whether it be with loved ones, friends and friends and family OR by yourself. BE BLESSED – ALWAYS BE KIND TO YOU. And I am holding thumbs you all get what you asked Santa for – whether you been naughty or nice this year – you deserve ONLY THE BEST.

I LOVE AND TREASURE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.

Be blessed.

Mwah Mwah

What an overwhelming, truly reeeeeeeevolting time it currently is! Oh, my giddy aunt, this thing called packing. They say it’s on the list of most traumatic life events, erm well that’s no maybe! Yikes, it is hectic, I would hate to know what it was like for my dearest friend who recently emigrated. She packed up her whole home and didn’t pack it in boxes for the next new homely home, nope all that was sold, and all that they took were their clothes. (Yes, the ones on their backs AND a suitcase or two!) I swear I constantly am thinking of her. Although I have to say on more than one occasion, I have thought I should literally pack my clothes and head into the sunset. It is has been a very hard task I would be lying to say I have enjoyed it – not at all! Fifteen years ago, we packed and came to Nelspruit, firstly I was way younger and the boys really were wonderful at helping. Erm sorry – I hear you pondering “and Gary?” ah may I interrupt you and ask, who the hell is Gary never mind who the F#*k is Alice???? Yip then and now NADA, ZILTCH, NOTHING, It truly, truly has blown my mind how he has not helped – literally, I mean literally at all – NOTHING!!!

Anyhow that is what it is as they say hey? What doesn’t kill makes one stronger, so Superman/Spiderman/Wonder Woman and the Incredible Hulk frikken move over because here comes DETERMINED DYNAMIC DIZZ!

So, in today’s blog I am reflecting on our amazing life in the Lowveld. No, no dear reader you won’t be reading a novel with a second and third sequel, not at all – truthfully if I had the time, yip, could have been but lucky for you I don’t have time so it’s a quick summary just so you know I am still here as is my blog and that dear reader is all thanks to the love, support you show me. 😊

We arrived in Nellies on the 9^th of July 2008, each year when the boys were younger I don’t know why the heck I did this – but I did – guess because I like KFC if I am honest, so each year on the 9^th – yip you guessed I would treat the boys with a KFC take away to celebrate the end of another year in the Spruit. I don’t think they ever really got to feel it as a “celebration” and in fact, in those early years it was to remind me of the nightmare of moving here – but, but, but dear reader you all know how that has ended. Yip, I will most certainly miss all that Nelspruit has been to us. The amazing friends, the experiences, the places we have visited and enjoyed.  On a serious note, also regrets. Last night I met two friends I have known forever, we have always said “we must get together for a coffee/drink” and we did occasionally, in fact, we even went away once or twice and had a ball. Corne your Hoedspruit house and the girl’s weekend was a true Godsend! Thanks for ALWAYS being the welcoming soul you are with all of your Chameleon homes. Thank you 😊 so as I was saying every time I would walk away and think I HAVE to make more effort with Corne and Tracy – we really have such good kueiers when we do make the effort. We have a good laugh, a serious section and then a counselling session. Last night we did one of those, girls I truly regret we didn’t start this yonks ago! BUT as I said we will ALWAYS remain friends and now we just going to have to travel further to kueier.

There have been some incredible memories with weekends away particularly to Kruger, the creatures great and small. Not sure if any of you are aware, a Pangolin is very elusive, and one of those that game guides in all their years as Game Guides very, very rarely have had the pleasure of seeing in their many, many trips to Kruger, however Gary and I have been lucky not once, but four times! I know – amazing hey! Both the boys also have seen them 😊 However, on the blady flip side, we in all the years, and in all the trillions of trips we have done to “the park” as the locals refer to Kruger, we have never, ever seen new born or teeny tiny lion cubs! Yip, sadly it’s the blady truth! I recall when we first arrived here, and people would ask “so have you been to the park?” I was seriously, seriously confused why the heck would I leave KZN and blady relocate here so I could go to the park. For months I was curious as to why they were so keen to know if I had visited the park, the merry go round the swings, and of course not to forget the slide! Turns out they meant the Kruger National PARK! One thing I do need to confess but quietly as we would never want Gary to be aware of this fact! Who knows how it could have ended for me years back if he knew this – sjoe could have been that you would not be reading this right now if he had known this one small fact: In all these years and all the roads we have traveled within the ‘Park’, I am still clueless as to which road leads to where, and what camp! If he had told me to get out the car in the middle of that dense, dusty landscape – I would have well and truly been buggered, so, so much more than “buggered” I would have had to have begged for my frikken life. Golly and how, oh how would he have blady loved that !!! (Raised yes – very, very raised eyes!) Even when we did the Honorary rangers stint, you will recall Gary took offense as I stayed closer than close, in fact closer than was really necessary to the experienced rangers, fearful that I would get lost – so yip missed opportunity right there for my beloved husband!

How life has changed from those early Kruger days, the boys still little boys – through their teen years (huffy and puffy when it was a family day in Kruger and it was compulsory they came dragging their feet!) I recall once Chad lying on the back seat we came upon a cheetah sighting, do you know dear reader he didn’t even sit up to see the blady cheetah! (Teens – ahhhhhh sigh sigh!) and now they are young men, both with wonderful woman at their side and we have had the pleasure of introducing Tide our little grandson to the park. And he most certainly shares the very same passion we all have for the wild. Chad’s passion ….not so much!

I have also met some treasured, truly truly treasured friends, they will ALWAYS be a part of my life, years ago they crept into my heart and there they will remain – even though we are seas apart these days – the book clubs, dinner clubs, what fun we had – thank you for the memories dearest, dearest friends!

When we first arrived here the horrific storms we learnt to endure, both in our path of life and the real storms as in the weather! I have learnt to dance in the rain. I have no doubt I will miss Nellies immensely but for me it’s not goodbye – I recall when we would head back to KZN to visit and each day and night would be jam packed with kuiering with all the KZNers – this will most certainly be a reverse we will be back for sure!

I do believe it is as an old, dear, dear bestie has always said “it is written in the stars” so as we enjoy the last few nights watching the stars of the Lowveld twinkling down – and winking at us we look ahead to the promised twinkling of the stars above in KZN.

 I recall when Gary first mentioned – in fact at that time – shucks now that I think about this – he no doubt had that blady all planned from the very start – this not packing up business! As back in the blady day – he said he would venture to Nelspruit and traverse back each weekend. That was until he traveled that first day – and realised this isn’t a frikken quick sticks drive down to the blady local café, it is an eight-hour journey between the two provinces! Anyhow digressing now – so the point I was getting to – before I realised his ulterior motive was I swear – I am not kidding now dear reader – I had never, in my whole life ever heard of Nelspruit! Nope, I am serious! They have always said – do you ever wonder who “they” is. We always say “they said” so “they” said: “When you arrive in Nelspruit you cry and when you leave you cry” I guess it’s true what “they” say. Anyhow so the plan was that Gary came and would visit, he soon realised that wasn’t about to happen and that’s how the boys and I became Nelspruiters – a perfect few chapters in my book of Life. I have no doubt, none whatsoever one day as I sit in my rocker and reflect on what has been I will smile fondly at the memories made right here in Nelspruit. So thank you Nelspruit – its been great.

And that dear reader is all she wrote; Dizabeth’s last blog coming to you from Nellies!

Stay well and remember always be kind to you.

 Thanks for loving my blog the way you do.

Till next time

Mwah mwah

PS : Typical Dizz; after I have published this blog I know, I just know I am going to think of a trillion things I could have included – so don’t be surprised if in fact there is a sequel to blog 51😊

I am very sure by now most of you are aware we are on the move! After fifteen years – I don’t know so much if I am as passionate about this move, as I was when it was still an idea. On my giddy aunt the dramas that have unfolded thus far – and I know, I am bracing myself that there will be many more!

We had quite a nasty experience. We found our dream home – well frikken NOT!

It was a blady nightmare. In fact, last night I watched a movie on Netflix, we all know this aunty loves her horror. Well perhaps it wasn’t exactly the correct time to watch that particular movie! Yikes! It was called Open House, and the way it developed and ended, not that I will tell you how it ended but I will say this much – it wasn’t a good ending! Neither was our experience. I guess I should not have even mentioned this nasty experience as in all honesty dear reader I don’t want to even give the situation a second more of my time! But a word or warning – be careful out there – this world – hm its scary (not as scary as the movie I watched last night but pretty close!)

But upwards and onwards we go onto more interesting discussions! A crazy thing I need to ask myself – in fact there are quite a few questions I have for dearest Dizabeth right now!

Dizabeth, why oh why didn’t you frikken unclutter every blady Spring – like everyone else, or is that just in the movies – do you all unclutter every spring? Because clearly, I missed that memo! Now here is a “home secret” if Gary knew exactly what has been tossed – well I think he could file for one or two reasons, and we know what I am meaning when I say “file”. But let’s face it – if its in a cupboard and covered in that much dust you don’t even recognize what it is, till you take the item out – it deserves its place in the Toss it bags! Agreed? The amazing thing though, one mans junk is another man’s gold – Jeez o johnny now that is super true! I am on a “Lets help each other group” – well the “junk” I have put on that group – and sure as bob’s your uncle – every time a coconut- I have a “taker”! Yesterday I put all the kids VHS tapes on it. It was definitely a blast from the past moment I cannot lie. The original Lion King, Toy Story, The Jungle Book, Peter Pan – those were truly good and wholesome days! Anyhow disgressing, as I was saying this ‘taker’ was lucky enough (don’t tell Gary) that as I hoiked out the heaps and heaps of VHS tapes –  a video machine was hidden under all the tapes. It’s funny how you have two little Dizzy’s sitting on each shoulder as you toss too! Have you ever noticed that? The one is saying “keep it keep it” and the other one is “nah out you go!”

I reckon Gary has two of the same on his shoulders – both whispering “Keep it”! On Sunday (Let it be stated the first and only day he has helped tidy – yip tidy , never mind pack!) so he spends shucks I don’t know how long on going through all the “we have not seen it for years as its been in the dark dusty cupboard but now he may – just may need it” (erm NOT!)  after a day of this – on Sunday I broke my 5 o clock rule and poured myself a chilled glass of wine at 4pm! Yip, I needed it! He gets lost in his own little world of rediscovering items –too much time is spent rediscovering and I have realised in all honesty in our house it is not a case of many hands make light work – that is fact is absolute rubbish – excuse the pun – as rubbish is exactly what he is rediscovering! So I have taken upon myself to call the “takers” when Gary isn’t around to come collect the stuff Gary feels is really worth keeping ! (Shhhhhhh dear reader – shhhhhhh!!!)

So, in conclusion; the VHS taker – it is a young mommy who is super excited to share those amazing stories with her kids as we did with ours. I will admit my heart is happy for this giveaway.

Now that is the other thing – everyone is saying Sell! Sell! Sell. I truly just don’t have the heart to make someone pay for my junk. I know we said earlier one man’s junk is another man’s gold – but hey if you can make someone’s day by giving surely that is reward enough! Pay it forward – why not in this blady topsy turvy world that lets be honest seems consumed with scamming and crooks – its  the light at the end of the rainbow – or more precisely the pot of someone’s gold!

Its amazing the effect it has on the household too! Packing I am meaning, I have noticed (besides this little honey bunny throwing a tantrum or two a night) – the pets are most certainly unsettled. I keep reminding them – when the bus leaves – they have a seat – I truly do hope they understand that.

Its been quite a mission looking for a home virtually too! How crafty are the photo’s that people post! I look at this dream home. You see a room that stretches on for days – high ceilings and and and, when in reality the blady house has floorboards missing (conveniently not captured in the photo!) and you couldn’t swing a cat in it! A handy hint for any of you looking for anything virtually – ask a friend to have a look at what ever your heart is desiring as a back up to your view. I saw my “dream home” (yip another one) I was ready to sign on the dotted line – when a friend casually mentioned none of the bedrooms had cupboards in them! Dizabeth did not spot that “tiny” detail at all! We started to get a bit “antsy” as all the houses we spotted were perfect BUT in the not so perfect area – or in a perfect area but not so perfect once you walked through the front door! Friends said: “the right one will come” and you kinda sigh inwardly to yourself as you smile fakely back at your friend and agree. And you know what, the right one has come along.

I do have to confess I am a huge worrier – and if I had to add all the hours of my life I have angst about things – things do have a way of working out for the best – remember the movie something about the Marigold hotel …. When the old man says, “It will all be fine in the end, and if its not fine, its not the end!” – as I say not always easy to comprehend when you deep in the worry wars, but yip life does work out as it should. One of my besties has always said “its written in the stars”.

Footnote: Michelle it WILL all be fine – love you my friend.

The other question I have to ask myself, why is it – only when you moving out – you blady fix things – that squiff shelf – that overfilled cupboard that you always fought with to get groceries out – why is it when the landlord is coming with prospective tenants – you fix all that you were going to get to but never did – and now I have a few weeks to enjoy it the way I always wanted it to be! Why oh why didn’t I just rectify it back then!  But on the upside – how nice is it finding things you completely forgot you had! More so with regards to personal goodies, perfumes, clothes, earrings – now here I have been a bit of a “Gary” when I rediscovered these items! But again, dear reader shhh!

I bet some of you have also noticed the great delay in the posting of the previous blog and this one – for that I do apologise. As SABC TV used to say “please be patient we have a problem” – it’s in all honesty going to be a while before there is a more regular (yip did you notice I didn’t say “regular” rather a “more regular” blog posted as I am aware there can be great pauses between posts but this too shall be fine in the end.

, on that note dear reader -for now that’s all she wrote.

Stay well – and thanks for loving my infrequent blogs the way you do.

Love you all madly.

Mwah mwah

When you wish upon a sun filled cloud…..

Although I do have an office, I mostly spend my time on the verandah appreciating the cool summer breeze – I know! Now I am talking absolute BS! The “cool” summer breeze – not! Although I do have to say there is one (a cool summer breeze)  this morning, after a temperature of 38 degrees last Saturday and 36 degrees for three consecutive days during the week – today there really is a cool breeze, and somewhere in the neighbourhood someone has taken to playing their piano – which I cannot lie, I am loving – the tinkle of the ivory’s while a gentle breeze gently tickles the surrounding tall, lush trees their leaves whispering quietly yet comfortingly. My giddy aunt I sound like I am in Bali! Oh no wait the dogs are barking in the neighbourhood back to reality – in my garden in good ol’ SA!

A couple of week’s ago I attended a work function I flew to Johannesburg on the Tuesday afternoon. Now when you fly from our precious little Nellies, you fly with Airlink which in itself is a treat. The planes are tiny, you feel pretty close to your fellow travelers. The plane reminds one of a flying cigar!  It got me thinking whilst we were picking up the necessary speed to take off. The air hostess approached the lady behind me and asked if she was aware she was sitting by the section of the plane that God forbid should we need to evacute, they were the person that would be directing their fellow travelers to safely as we departed the plane for safer seas/land! She asked the passenger with such disinterest whether they would be happy to assist fellow passengers. It got me pondering. Firstly, she didn’t really expect the passenger to say no – let’s be honest would anyone actually say “erm no thanks not for me!” Secondly she went through the whole “in the event of the plane …..” so, so quickly I didn’t get it and I can assure you neither did my fellow passenger, and I know this because once the air hostess had gone I asked her. We decided together we would work it out if the plane did in fact go down! As the plane ascended, I looked at the beauty outside. It had been a cloudy day; a real grey day and it fascinated me how once the plane has ploughed through those clouds there is the sun! Anyhow, it got me thinking how as humans we take so very much for granted! The mere fact that I had boarded the plane, giving Gary a peck on the cheek and saying I will see you on Thursday. And I knew I would be seeing him on Thursday! I had absolutely no doubt of that! But as the plane ascended and we got closer to the sun – I started to chat with the Lord. “Dear Lord, now that I am in this little flying cigar and the clouds and sun are all around me, I, in fact ask you to please protect us and let us fly safely”.  I really got quite deep into my thoughts thinking how we as humans are so confident! We drive everyday and never (well ok maybe it is just me?) but I truly never think when I start my car, oh my giddy aunt I do hope I get there” – nope never do I doubt it. Yet we read of accidents everyday – and air disasters do happen!

Well as you no doubt have gathered, the flight there and back went soundly (Thank you Lord!) I waited for my colleague and together we hauled our luggage, now dear reader I really did have to frikken haul my bag! I had – yes had the cutest fire engine red little case, quite nifty and trendy with her sexy little wheels and handle! That is until Chad was leaving for America and casually asked if I would mind if he borrowed it. Now dear reader at this time we had just crawled out of COVID – well not even COVID rather lockdown, we were all ZOOMING and Teaming and very rarely stepping out of our front door – so I didn’t blink an eyelid – of course you can take my little case my angel! My colleague and I had to walk about fifty-five thousand frikken kms to the Gautrain! I hauled my ass as she very calmly and cooly wheeled her case! Anyhow I made it (but did flook my ‘angel’). I have promised myself to replace this little red case as it is all well and good when I am traveling with Gary, and he casually whips the little cumbersome bag onto his shoulder and has the second one on his other shoulder. It is definitely an entirely different situation when dearest Dizabeth is trying to act nonchalant as she hauls this heavy bloody case whilst quietly promising herself to either replace that  red case OR pack less blady clothing next time, which lets be honest we all know is never going to happen – me pack less clothes – not on my Nelly!

So we arrive at the station bound for Sandton with less than a second to spare. We chuck our cases on the train with us (okay now that I certainly did NOT do, that blady bag if I had chucked it I think it would have been like shot put and I would have most likely also flung myself!) The train is packed with the business peeps heading home – the “regulars” who board this train each day! We huffing and puffing and are quite anxious as we find our seats. We sit and its then that I realise, we are facing the wrong way! So the train has seats – I am not too sure why but there are the occasional seat that is facing the wrong way whilst the majority are facing the direction the train is headed! And of course Dizabeth choses the seat that is not facing the direction we going in. I realise within seconds and say very quietly to my colleague “so right now we are sticking out like true, true Tommy Tourists, however we are not going to move, we are instead going to sit here, oozing confidence and own this – like we knew exsctly what we were doing when we sat here!”  I had no sooner finished telling her this when the wise ass on the other side chirped us about it being our first time on the train and how we wouldn’t know when it was time to get off the train. Well, I very cooly replied I in fact was very well aware of when to get off the blady train and had purposely chosen these seats! I have no doubt, absolutely NO doubt he had a good chuckle and definitely a story to tell over dinner that night!

We arrived at our hotel slightly flustered after the train but not enough for us to look uncool and confident! (We are both confident we should take up a career as actresses after that ordeal). Anyhow so we casually saunter up to the reception to check in. She hands us our “keys” which are these days the key card. Off we again confidently make our way to the lift. We get in the lift, press our floor number (confidently) and are nattering away – and then realise the lift is not going anywhere. Well dear reader I am not going to admit as to the minutes it took – but it was quite awhile – as we irritatedly pushed the floor we were headed for – and nothing happened, the lift doors remained stubbornly open – and not a blady soul came to the lift, so we could’nt even sneak a peak at what is required these days! Finally we realised and inserted our key card in the little slit, pushed our floor number and Hey Presto – the lift doors closed and we were on our way! Clearly, very clearly you no doubt have realised dear reader I am not a seasoned traveler – as this was all new to me!

Now when it got to the room, it was in darkness, but I am super proud to admit – this I know how to do! At the entrance to the room is a little compartment – you confidently place your key card in there and Hey Presto the lights come on! (for those of you that just learnt something – its such a pleasure).

The trip was wonderful. In particular it was truly amazing seeing some of the girls in our team – I don’t think we realise just how COVID alienated us. Of course, the trip wasn’t without its faux pas’s – after all it wouldn’t be Dizabeth if there wasn’t a faux pas I am sure you will all agree. We were traveling through the streets of Sandton and I noticed the American flag, it was the American Embassy and true to Dizabeth style – she speaks out – loud and blady clear when she is thinking! Which, well is why I have titled this blog Never have I ever…..because never have I ever been so blady embarrassed – ok that’s rubbish I have been embarrassed a trillion times thanks to my not thinking before opening my big blady mouth! So I notice the flag flying next to the American flag and didn’t I comment! Yip I did – I commented on how pretty it was “wow look at that funky version of our flag ” I chirped (confidently!!) from the back seat. There was a moments silence as the front passengers obviously tried to figure out if I was buggering around – and when they realised I was genuine – they corrected me! The flag I thought was so pretty – and does in fact resemble our flag (sort of) but it in fact is the Gay Pride flag! No judgement here please dear readers – this old gal clearly is not up to scratch with the world as she likes to think!

What was really wonderful was the me time! Spending the evening in my own little Princess pad, with no one vying for the TV remote, it was wonderful. I lazed on my bed, which in itself is like TOTALLY different to the at home bed, and that linen – nothing, I mean NOT EVEN CLOSE to the linen we have at home! It truly is wonderful hey – just chilling in this room with no concerned as to what to produce for dinner, or waiting whilst the TV is on “stuff” you truly don’t fancy watching! Never mind the overkill of downy comfy pillows! Stunning! Stunning! Stunning. No to mention, the airconditioner – ahhhhh the air conditioner – bliss!

And on that note, I will sign off from my “gewone” house – go feed the dogs and get dinner ready for Mr!

Thanks for loving my blog the way you do and remember, always be kind to you.

Till next time.

Mwah mwah

Last week whilst slothing on the couch watching television (yip again!) I casually glanced at my cellular device and like that, my mood changed. My friend had a weekend up for grabs! “Were we interested in utilizing it?” Was I interested – Pfffff! yeah right! Like “um no thanks, not for me!”  I know, I know we have recently returned from a road trip, but come on now dear reader who does not fancy a road trip? And this one was not much traveling it was in the next, perhaps a hood or two from where we live – so of course I tried – don’t think I succeeded in nonchalantly replying – “hm if it’s still available I guess we could help you out and take it”. Well dear reader by now I was rod straight, sitting as upright as one can possibly sit on a couch whilst repeatedly glancing at my cellular device to see if it indeed was going to culminate in a weekend away. Worry wart Dizz pondered if in the time it took me to notice the what’s app, she could have asked another party? Oh, woe was me as I stared, stared and stared some more willing my phone to beep there was a message. Well, it did beep, aplenty but not from said friend! Ok, relax Dizabeth – I did that whole “if its meant to be it will be” sermon to myself, but we all know, that’s a comfort sentence, nothing more! Let’s be honest and in all reality, it doesn’t really comfort one when it doesn’t “be” does it? The added stress factor here was dearest Dizabeth had been like a blady megaphone and told Gary that there was a potential weekend away in the pipeline so each time my blady phone pinged it was both of us with ants in our blady pants! Comforting ourselves with the “if it’s meant to be” routine.  And then that ping I was waiting for lit up my cellular device. “It’s yours – enjoy!” and that we most certainly did – thanks a trillion Marcel & Riaan.

We arrived on the Friday late arvi. Scoop one on this adventure it seems the whole of South Africa goes away and to Crystal Springs. The cars queuing at the entrance gate – wow! Anyhow, Gary suggested I jump out the car and race to queue for sign in – now this dear reader he probably would never admit – however I do believe he silently regretted he had suggested this! When he finally found a parking and joined me – there was Dizabeth very rustig in the queue as I sipped on a welcoming Sherry! I know right! That alone a clear indication of a damn fine weekend ahead! The lady (we would learn later she was the events lady for the kiddies, the adults and everyone in between, playing hula hoop round the pool, gathering the peeps for various activities. Anyhow, there she stood welcoming us. With her were the Spa ladies, the horse-riding committee, the dance lessons troop – the whole shebang. I must add at this point, in fact I even voiced my thoughts to this welcoming party lady as we stood in the queue. The whole feel was so “Dirty Dancing” vibe. Remember when the family arrives for their holiday at that resort, this was the exact feel! Tall, short, fat, thin, old and young families all signing in each (well not everyone but most definitely the likes of Dizabeth sipping our Sherry with relish!) right down to the early Monday morning evacuation as everyone heads home.

Cheers-ing to a Friday arvi Sunset

With signing in behind us, we headed to our unit! It was perfectly perfect. Fireplace included.  The sunset we experienced while we sipped on our first drink was breath taking. Lucky I had decided to preplan a meal so we didn’t have to worry to much about making salads and the likes – I thought we would braai on the Saturday night. The sun had set as we chatted leisurely – now here I must add there was a bit of an irritation! The people next door! Oh, my blady giddy aunt! Frikken hell they were loud! There were four of them but my word I know all about the one in particulars lifetime, from the blady day him and his eight siblings were born in Malelane – then moved to Barberton – his army days – the death of his one sibling – on and on he went! Toughees for the rest of the party – they hardly got a word in! Digressing slightly there, so we chitty chatting and next thing we are sitting in complete darkness. Now dear reader remember I have mentioned to you that we don’t experience load shedding. So, we both sat patiently waiting for the power to surge back up – nothing, I suddenly twigged checked my watch and sure enough it was just after 7pm! On the Sunday afternoon I had booked a game drive, we only got back at 6.30 – oh my giddy aunt you should have seen dearest Dizabeth blitzing through the fridge, she whipped up dinner in fifteen minutes. But no that wasn’t my of fifteen seconds of fame moment. On Saturday morning we lounged around the pool. I know! It was an extremely unpleasant moment for the other residents who were simply there to enjoy a morning around the pool. They were forced to wear their sunnies as Dizabeth exposed her winter bod to the sun! We also indulged in a jacuzzi or two which was fun – and there were three heated pools, so of course I swam! Generally, that is an “activity” strictly only followed in Mid-February when the pool water is bubbling its so warm.

Saturday sunset

We most certainly didn’t think through our activities! On the Saturday after, yip dear reader you read correctly, after we had soaked in the jacuzzi and bobbed around in the heated pool we went for a hike! Yip, I know! Where is the logic! That’s the Robbertze’s for you – you would swear they were related to the Adams Family! Anyhow, as I was saying we set out, it was lovely, the wildlife we encountered was amazing, the red clay dusty road – not so much! I have showered plenty since then and the backs of my feet, yip still strips of clay – like a blady tattoo! Impossible to get rid of! Anyhow so we headed out on our hike. Happiness. Until it wasn’t happiness. Oh, my giddy aunt we walked, walked and walked some more. It was extremely hot! Gary decided he wanted to get a closer shot of the Eland well by now, oh yes, I forget to mention one small glitch in our walk. As we had already jacuzzied and swum I was too lazy to replace my socks, so there I was walking with my regular walking shoes and no socks! You will NEVER realise the real purpose and importance of socks until you don’t put them on and go hiking! I will leave it at that! So, Gary is trying to get closer and closer to said antelope to take a photo of it! Never mind the fact that he is wearing his bright floral shirt and luminous shoes! It was for this reason I didn’t believe he would have much luck, so headed for  home! One small digression (yes another one!) Gary had asked me to hold his water as he tried for this once in a lifer shot with the blady Eland! By the time he made it back to the unit he was extremely red in the face, gasping for a sip of water whilst dearest Dizabeth had actually had to stop and step into the bushes to relieve herself as she had had water aplenty! He swore that was the last time we would be hiking together, must say I still can’t understand what his issue was! (Kidding).

Sunday Sunset

On the Sunday we headed to Pilgrim’s rest. We hadn’t been there in a couple of years, last time was a fairly trying experience however this time was pleasant. Perhaps it was the fact that we were there fairly early, and the crowds had as yet not surfaced. I found the most beautiful wind chime, which thanks to load shedding (yip again) it was a case of “Yay I am loving my new wind chime” to “Hm I don’t think it’s going be mine” back to “Yay its mine” “Nope its not meant to be” (I know!) as the old dear tippy toed with her card machine – reached for the stars and signal and finally did a happy dance when my payment went through. And since I hung it we haven’t had even one “that windy a day”  – damn it! We also visited the graveyard. Its unbelieavable how young they died back in the day. I took a photo of the Robbers grave. He is buried opposite to the rest of the graves – anyhow I took the photo and suddenly has a “Pet Cemetery” (Stephen King) moment – imagined being haunted by the robber so quickly deleted the photo from my phone and then from the “recycle bin”.

I surprised Gary with a Game drive on the Sunday afternoon so he could rely on the Game drive guy to track the Eland enabling Gary to take a photo of the Eland regardless of whether he (no not the blady Eland dear reader, Gary!)  was wearing a floral shirt with luminous footwear or not.

If you never saw this car – I am afraid to say you weren’t you Pilgrim’s Rest

We stayed over the Sunday night – what a difference it makes to the weekend – we drove home early bells Monday morning.

 And on that note, we have reached the end of this week’s blog and I still haven’t mentioned my fifteen seconds of fame! I decided to take my watercolour pad and planned to paint – well yip – you guessed, that didn’t turn out as planned. On the Saturday morning I happened to be looking through the pad at previous works of “art” when a lady from across the pool smiled. I casually smiled back – that was the opening she needed – she ambled over with her mom. She asked if I would mind showing her mom the paintings – well these two made me feel so great about myself – and ended up scooping my paintings – I do believe one of the most pleasing moments in my day is when I make someone else’s – and on that Saturday morning, at the pool that’s exactly what I did! These two ladies were truly so happy.

And that dear reader is all she wrote for now.

Remember always be kind to yourself.

Take care till next time mwah mwah

Most of you (especially those of you on the book of Face) know I have been road tripping and so as Tracy so aptly predicted – this blog is about our road trip! It was fantastic and worthy of sharing. Funny it is – does this happen to you – when preparing for a road trip the behind the scenes that occur so you can go on said road trip. Your furry family priority number one! They will need food and treats for days (Elaine you started this trend, treats I am meaning!) So, you shop, shop, and shop some more and then you cook and then cook some more! And then we pack. We have discussed this subject in previous blogs. Dizabeth and her packing. Firstly, she starts about a month (huge exaggeration I know!) but a couple of days before. Everyday entails two outfit, so yip if you are going for ten days or more, well dearest Dizabeth should rather courier her whole wardrobe to chosen destination, it sure would alleviate a whole lot of stress (and strain having to haul the blady case all over the place! (For Gary)) What generally (ok, what always happens) is so many outfits never see the light of day – they journey there and back, never making it out of the suitcase. But hey they were there if Dizabeth needed them!

If you have been to Clarens and you never saw this car – I am afraid to say, you weren’t in Clarens.

So, destination one was Clarens. I know, right! What a truly delightful little town. I could gladly move there – perhaps run a BnB or an art gallery, write all my blogs and then some more (at least you would have a stead, regular flow of blogs – unlike right now – sorry dear reader – sigh! Sigh! Like Eskom “eish we have a problem”) it’s called Life and time! And yip I do know you all understand and appreciate what that’s about😊. So, as I was saying I could gladly move there – (Gary not so much – so nope that won’t be a consideration in the future!) The weather alone, oh my giddy aunt! I loved it – the highs were 11. Stunning, stunning, stunning! I was on a mission –I have no idea why, but Dizabeth was leaving Clarens with a new pair of leather boots. Again, I ask why? I have no idea, but she was! Until she wasn’t! There were two huge contenders – I was over the moon – which was going to win – and none did! The one blady pair I clearly ‘glanced’ at them – but not for long enough – so I wasted a whole blady day – dreaming of those boots! At the end of the day – because I had “subconsciously” decided on those boots – none were “that” nice – in fact thinking back they all were blady nice – anyhow, so I go back to the shop and on closer inspection – they didn’t have a blady lip – I mean who the hell makes boots and doesn’t have a lip! Disappointment reigned supreme for Dizz!

 We ate at some vibey restaurants – they had fireplaces, so they won my vote! Another thing – why oh blady why do none of the pubs and restaurants stock and offer “light” white wine! Every liquor shop offers a selection – so why oh blady why don’t they!! Gap in the market right there for any entrepreneurs that read my blog!

I really have to paint this tree – in fact I will do a few all in a row – a typical Clarens scene.

I loved the art galleries they truly made me ponder as to why I don’t paint and sketch regularly! We departed on Sunday morning, next stop our family, now in Wartburg! I need to make mention at this point – I had very sadly become oblivious as to just how truly beautiful our beloved country is! Wow, wow, wow – South Africa – you really don’t deserve all the shenanigans which occur and so both scar your beauty and cause scores to emigrate – you are far too beautiful a dame!

We arrived at Wartburg to our gorgeous grandson Tide, and his mama and papa bear. We had a ball – albeit it did involve a substantial amount of traveling. Each day we excitedly fetched Tide from school and we – as Tide says “ventured”. It was amazing – the memories made each and every waking moment were priceless – for both Tide his Nan and Grandad. I treasured a full day that was devoted totally to my sister – what fun we had – I reckon we both didn’t tick off all on our to tell and share lists! But we treasured the time together. Thank you, Karen.

On Sunday we seconded Ryan with his first comrades. Again. Priceless memories made – Tide was incredibly well behaved for a little chap that was told we were venturing to find dragons and such – and all he really saw were trillions of people running, he must have pondered as to just how big that dragon was with all these people running from it and him not having the pleasure of ever meeting the dragon.

Proud Mama bear – Comrades 1 done and Dusted

 Now I take great pride in my “fitness” levels and the walking I do with dearest Pammie each Saturday. Well not necessarily a Saturday but during the weekend. On Sunday seconding Ryan we walked, walked and walked a thousand steps and more. We drove, drove, and drove some more! I was all good, in fact I was blady chuffed as we probably walked about 12 kms. Well let me tell you dear reader, this week, ohhhhh my frikken blady giddy aunt! Aren’t I stiff – swear you would think I had actually participated in the race! Every body part is quietly whispering an “ahh no” as I walk or stretch to reach for a glass, as I live my everyday life! Who would have blady thought! Unless of course it’s in silent sympathy of my darling Ryan – we are so blady proud. It was his first Comrades – this mama bear bleated and bleated some more – I was NOT AT ALL happy that a family member of mine was daring that blady race – but he is chuffed. He looked strong all the way – and he finished in 9h13min. Not too shabby I thought. Proud mama that I am😊. Now whilst on the subject of my fitness, I am going to dive right in here and chat about my ever so wrinkly face that I truly, truly had no idea I actually had! No jokes dear, dear reader, for the past thirteen years I have been looking in the same mirror each and every morning. Perhaps it was the ‘gentle’ morning light that fibbed to me? Perhaps it was the positioning of that blady fibbing mirror? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps doesn’t change the reality I spotted whilst in the bathroom at Michelle and Ryan’s house! Oh, my word – when the hell did I get so, so old! Years ago (in fact that long ago that Chad wasn’t even born – so perhaps I should have taken heed and listened when Ryan spoke that day!) Ryan and I were driving, and I laughed – with shocked exclamation Ryan said, “Mom when you laugh you get such stripes on your face!” Well, my dearest darling son it was only now, years blady later when I looked at that old woman staring back at me in that blady bathroom mirror in Wartburg – did I flash back and think – he said it alllllll those years ago Dizz – you did you not take heed then – and now those stripes – well they are bold crevices on a rocky mountain!

We headed home on Monday – what a loooooooooooong trip that was! Especially since I had the whole day to sneak a look in the mirror and realise that I am wrinkly and old – it was not the light in my son’s bathroom! Anyhow, the hip, hop happy vibe as we set out ten days ago – definitely was missing – although I do need to say I was uber, which is waaaaay, waaaay more than just super excited to see my furry family. Oh, my word Rosie ran a trillion excited laps around the garden – and did her usual springkaan jumps for us – so yes, I am very, very happy to be back in the hood and at home (and back to my fibbing mirror). I do miss Tide and his mama and papa bear. However, it’s not forever. Sooner than soon, we will see them again – and I must add at this time – sooner than soon I have no doubt I will be seeing Angela and Gail again. So, till next time – I will love following you on the Book of face ladies.  It was truly wonderful seeing you two again – you are truly both salt of the earth and such a pleasure bumping into each and every time I visit Durban.  I also want to say Alex what an absolute pleasure meeting Magic and seeing you and Geoff 😊. Shaz and Greg lovely seeing you guys too.

Amazing family this lot

And that dear reader, for this time, is all she wrote. Thanks for loving my blog the way you do. It was also lovely hearing, Nola thanks for the lovely compliment regarding my blog. I was super, in fact beyond touched at your kind words – thank you. 😊

My dearest blog buddies remember always be kind to yourself.

Stay safe, ahhhh and today is the 1^{st of} September – that means one thing – the heat is coming again. Funny I have noticed, not too sure about your gardens, but in mine you would never think Spring has sprung. There are no flowers (well, ok exaggeration again!) but very, very few, in fact if you blink you will miss them! My orchids which in previous years have shooting buds, and my Jazzy Jazmine – so far nothing! Hmm it makes you think – all that talk about global warming?

Till next time that really is all she wrote 😊

Mwah mwah

Look at my amazing Bokke shirt who would have imagined I would wear one …and proudly.

Earlier this year Gary was truly over the moon when we received an invite to the rugby taking place right here in our little dorpie. In my mind, it was way, way waaaaaaaay in the future. If I am honest, I was neither here nor there about it. I will be brutally honest at this point, (in fact I could lose a few readers admitting this) but it really hasn’t ever been a “biggy” in my life. I know, as a South African who isn’t rugby mad? So, yes this is a dreadful admission indeed.

On Saturday the 6^th August, I awoke and dressed in my usual walking attire and headed out the front door. Nothing unusual thus far. Just a normal Saturday morning. As you all know dear reader Pammie and I walk every week (well, that’s stretching it a bit, it’s not every week per say!) As I drove through our suburb toward town, I was embraced by the electricity bouncing off  the blady streets. Cars passed me with a rainbow of colour fluttering out their windows, it was the South African flag.  The street were abuzz with street vendors at every corner, their goodies were only green and gold – there were tee shirts, beanies, flags – you named it – they had it.  In a heartbeat I was engulfed. The green and gold had another fan! Me. I know dear reader I was gobsmacked!

 By the time I arrived at Pammies house I realised I was well and truly taken by the rugby vibe that had ascended on our little city. Right there and then I did the unimaginable  – I phoned Gary and asked him to please buy me an SA shirt! I know right! So, let’s take a step or two back. Earlier whilst I dressed for my walk, Gary was buried in the depths of his cupboard frantically searching high and low for his Bokke shirt. I “tsked” at him as I pondered what I would be wearing to the game? I assured myself that it wasn’t really a biggy – the most essential point for me would depend on the weather. And of course, being winter I really needed to be toasty. Yip, I didn’t want to be cold – so I had kind of made up my mind on a black shirt (nope not in anyway because of the opposing team – the New Zealanders😊 …..hmmmm well maybe, just because I knew it would irk Gary) and pants with my camel coat. Yip that was my mind made up. Add to that I made a mental note – a pair of gloves and my beanie! Sorted. So, you can imagine how I caught myself off guard as I listened to myself phoning Gary to please leave the comfort of our home in search of a Bokke shirt for me.

See what I mean about us Saffers sense of humour!

As we vigorously (debatable!) walked the neighbourhood I shared my outfit (thank goodness) with my Pammie who warned me she felt it a bit excessive considering the weather forecast for the day. (Hot. BLADY HOT!) In her opinion, definitely not even to consider the camel coat! I lay my cards on the table (yip we all know how hardheaded I can be!)  my thoughts were: the game only commenced at 5pm and the sun would set shortly after that – it would be a real chilly evening.  I arrived home after our extremely fruitful walk (7.09kms) showered and tried on my new Bokke shirt. (Yip Gary actually did listen to me!) If I am honest, he probably thought I had lost the plot. It was then that I felt perhaps with the heat of the day (already so intense) it would be best to leave the camel coat behind. The coat probably breatged a sigh of relief as this winter everywhere Dizabeth went -so did her camel coat!

We were to meet with the friends, so left home at 11.30am and headed to their house. Well again the journey from our house to theirs was truly electrifying.  The excitement and energy embracing our little town was unbelievable. Once we had lined our stomachs with a typical Saffer snack (Boerie rolls) and us ladies had beautified ourselves accordingly with glittery green eye shadow, golden blush on our cheeks we headed to the park and ride. Oh, my giddy aunt – what an amazing idea! As the fans jumped on the bus the comments were classics!  The songs started as the bus chugged along the busy roads towards to stadium.  The “gees” was incredible, another thing I have noticed before and sure noticed again on Saturday – South Africans have the most amazing sense of humour. The comments and chirps all in jest were brilliant. Suffice to say once we arrived at the stadium it was true Bokke Town. We (typical ladies) needed the loo – well, that took a good twenty minutes and we soon learnt that was the beginning of many queues we would endure the whole day.

After one or two shooters in the fanpark we made our way to our seats at 2ish – truthfully, I did think “really, isn’t that a bit of an overkill?” but I smiled and waved – yip I agree very uncharacteristic of me. Well before we knew it the stadium was Choco block and the game was set to commence! Now I have to admit my eyes, I have noted are not – definitely not the greatest at spotting little ant people on the field. We were high up in the nose bleed seating – which in all honesty was also fine as our little stadium is the perfect size. The crowd would roar with appreciation – first I was totally, I am mean totally at a lose as to what we were roaring (cheering at) I soon learnt it was always one of “our boys” (look at me – now its “our” boys!)  When Faf came on the field to kick some balls – well me oh my he was definitely a crowd favourite!

Claire Johnson kicked off the amazing vibe – well that was me – hooked – hook line and sinker –  the tears flowed! Oh my word I had no idea I had that many – until we started singing the National Anthem – only then did I appreciate just how many tears this body of mine stores!! There was no problem here – I filled a bucket with tears – the only issue here being – they were ugly tears! Yip I definitely wasn’t crying pretty – it was huge face contorting tears gushing!!  I was incredibly grateful for leaving my camel coat at home each time a try was scored. Fire shot through the air on all sides of the stadium – the heat even from afar was incredible – not to mention the breath-taking fireworks that lit up the night sky. I do need to make mention at this stage of the spectacular sunset. The sky was alight with a pink hue as we witnessed the setting sun. It definitely was an amazing spectacular distraction from the game – lucky for me – we all know the game only captures my attention for a brief, and I mean brief second!Once that second has passed dearest Dizabeth Crowd surfs – I lurve lurve lurve watching people!

Even the nails were green !

The game was a winner for South Africa – which was the proverbial cherry on top – in fact a beautiful, shiny deeply red and plum cherry of the day.

Then it was time to head back to the park and ride. That same park and ride that had been a resounding success on the way to the game! Alas, I don’t think coordinators nor any of us really thought this bit through. When we made our way to the stadium, we did it in our own times, so it was a staggered smooth operation. Imagine over 40 000 exuberant supporters (and a few sad ones) exiting the stadium all at once – and heading for the busses! Yip! It was a disaster. None of the busses had their destinations displayed so as supporters ran from bus to bus like headless chicken’s it made for total confusion. However once supporters found their busses the sound of Shosholoza echoed throughout every street and surrounds in our little town.  The comment of the day for me was the guy I heard behind us saying he had lost his friends in the crowd – if anyone spots them please let him know – they are wearing Green shirts!

Now this week when we play in Jozi I will be seated in front of the TV – so I can assure you – I doubt very very much there will be as much enthusiasm on my side as there was at the live game. One thing though dear reader – this gal – she will be wearing her newly acquired Bokke shirt – yip she certainly will (I know right! Who ever thought that would happen!)

And that dear reader is all she wrote.  I have to end this by saying I really am not the happiest puppy in the pen! Since Saturday the heat is blady back! WTF is that about – where the heck has winter disappeared to? Please someone – please tell her I want her back.

Thanks for loving my blog the way you do. Till next time. Mwah mwah

Blog 45: Why is it?

You can always rely on a glass of wine and the sun rising and setting.

When you set yourself up, all zoned in for a day at the office and like that the power goes out! Now I know this is a bone of contention, as the area we live in, we don’t get load shedding (I know right! But dear reader, read on) I have always believed it is because we live near the government hospital. And let me tell you this is something us in this hood keep to ourselves. Oh, my word have, you ever noticed how the sweetest person you know, can change in less than the blink of any eye when you tell them your area doesn’t experience load shedding. Ok in all fairness with stage 6 now I guess perhaps I would also become a bit of a Macbeth witch if a friend casually mentioned to me, they don’t experience LS. But, but, but let me tell you – when we have a power failure, well I am damn sure our area is still in the ox wagon era. We don’t get the ‘sparkies’ (why sparkies I hear you ponder, because ours are certainly not the brightest globe in the box!) on the job – let me tell you, I reckon we get the retirees who come out of retirement bringing their old equipment, they traverse to the substation by oxen and wagons. They must have huge issues riding over the potholes and steering those oxen because we seriously don’t have power for a day or three! No, I swear dear reader no exaggeration or lie – for our sins of not experiencing LS we have no power for frikken days! Recently, so this is what happens in our area. The lights go out – depending on whether it is day or night – you blind walk to where the candles are kept, after stubbing your toe, bruising your knee or breaking your well-manicured finger nail as you stretch your hand out in the darkness ahead of you. Its then that you realise the candles are finished! So, no issue you reach for the torch, and it’s then that you realise after the last 3-day power outage you never charged the blady torch – it’s at this stage – I was going to say we go to bed – but that’s a fib! We have an inverter for our beloved TV addict in the house – yip yours truly – me! So, for a few hours you can continue watching TV until that blady beeps and if at this stage the ‘sparkies’ are still on their way to the substation, you then feel your way to bed and hope when you awaken in the morning the power is back – and let me tell you – more times than not – it isn’t back as yet!  And in the dense heat of those wonderful summer nights – the mozzies love it as the fan doesn’t blow them away as you toss and turn and make your own swimming pool in bed as you sweat the night away (I know, sorry dear reader I am also having a vision – eeeewwwweeeee☹) So I digressed there a bit – so bam the power goes out. You give it a good few minute (hours actually) and then there is a flicker as the power comes back on – we used to cheer – we no longer do – because within a millisecond – bam the power is out and this is when the Medieval era commences – it can be 1 maybe 3 days with no power. We have a neighbourhood group – a what’s app group on this group the peeps vent, the exclamation marks come out big time – but it is not worth the energy that is wasted – I swear the sparkies couldn’t give a tinkers – perhaps they do it purposely – bet they certainly don’t live in this hood – anyhow so we sit and wait and wait! Which is exactly what I am doing right now! We use our wifi – right now mine is off – so obviously I am extremely limited as to what can and cant be done.  And a BTW right here – it apparently has nothing to do with living near the government hospital and more to do with the fact that our substation is that antiquated that they can never revive the blady thing when it goes down!

Sparkies arriving at work to restore our hood’s power.

Hello, ok so that was a few days (more like weeks) back, but then dear reader last Saturday we had a “planned” power outage yip we have those too! A bit like you dears that experience Load shedding they give you a schedule so that at least you can grab that candle or charge that torch for a few secs before it goes out! But this “planned” outage was for “maintenance” – it was supposed to be 8am-9am …..erm it came back at 5pm for a brief second, then went out again, came back fifteen minutes later for a brief second, then went again – we had friends for a braai – well Nat had a good laugh because it stayed on just long enough for her to truly appreciate the lights I had set out as decorations!!! The problem here was – I had had one or two wines, so oh my word dear reader did I whine the whole blady night – in the darkness nogal! Anyhow, all good for now! It’s amazing though – I often imagine when the “Controller of the powerhouse” switches “that” switch that kills all the lights and anything else (besides Dizabeth’s TV) if he gets a sense of “power” (excuse the pun) can you imagine knowing I am about to change this whole city’s mood with the simple flick of this here switch. I can hear the three witches of Macbeth’s horrid cackle as I type this!

Right let’s not give the “power switcher” the stage any longer let’s move onto brighter subjects!

Just a quick one to close off the subject, but don’t you hate it when you know the dreaded LS is coming – you keep reminding yourself to give your cell a bit of a boost – it’s on about 20% and you only remember you didn’t when the power has gone and you reach for it to do a bit of social networking in the dark – and it’s now on about 10%.

Now doing a 360 degree turn and change of subject! Each night Rosie cuddles next to me for the night – I have even stopped using my electric blanket – which I guess is a blessing since we have so many power outages – anyhow so Rosie snuggles against me all night (yip sometimes it can get a bit much but I cannot hurt this little fur baby’s feelings, so I rather endure the sauna effect until she decides to shift positions). But the actual point of this story – it amuses and amazes me every morning without fail – every morning when I stir – doesn’t this little poppet get so excited – her eyes are bright and shiny, her tail wags wildly as her mama stirs – and then don’t I get covered in kisses and fur baby loves – the moral of this story – It truly fascinates me how she waits until I stir – how clever is that? Or is it just me? When I turn over at night, or even visit the loo – she doesn’t react.   Also, when I get dressed – she knows just by what I am wearing whether it is a work or home day – I swear on my life dear reader – she does – and if its casual clothing ah you have to see how she bounces around the room  – I am not exaggerating when I say she literally bounces around like a springbok in the open field! (swear its true!)

Ok so now that I have shared the marvels of Rosie – another “why is it moment” why is it – actually or is it just me – when I am about to join a serious ZOOM or TEAMS, the big bosses are going to be there – or you need to win the client over – why do I constantly need the loo? I go (to the loo) then I settle back in front of the computer, check the blouse (how’s that for an old fashion word!)  and scarf are in place, my hair is spit spot, I have lippy on – double check they won’t notice my pajammie bottoms – all settled – pen in hand, and whamo about to sign in – You know that bit when “Please wait for the host to start this meeting” moment and I feel I really, really need the loo (but I have literally just been!) so you race off, sit down a little drop releases itself, you rush back and now the screen is saying you in and you can see all the other members, you quickly settle and tune into the greeting session! And as Bob is my uncle – once the meeting commences that’s me – I don’t think about the loo again! In fact, a very similar occurrence happens when we travel. Oh, my word I pack one thing, everybody else is settling in the car – I use the excuse “wait let me just check in the house……” and run to the loo for that one droplet – grab “something” and race back to the car – close the car door – as we approach the gate to leave the property – “waaaaaiiiiiit a minute – erm did I check the stove?” (Yip how good is that one as no one wants the house to burn down) so you race back for – yip – noooooo droplets! Now I am in the car and thinking “shucks, shucks, shucks I didn’t go the loo so now I am going to need to go sooner than soon” – ok in this case, the traveling case – yip I do always need to stop at each garage we approach! What about when you pass the sign on the side of the road – 50km to the closest town – you desperately needing the loo – so you keep your thoughts clear of any running water, drinking water – water in any form as you get closer and closer to the town and a public toilet. You finally reach the garage and race to the toilet, and when you finally reach the end of the queue – what’s with that – why the heck can’t there be a time when there isn’t a blady queue! Seriously! But anyhow so you pinch and wait patiently till it’s your turn – your come round the corner and you see the toilet door ahead of you – finally its within your view – just a few more seconds, and then it’s your turn. The lady in front of you clears your view as she frikken removes her purse out her bag. No!No!Nooooooo you need R2.00 ….and ….yip …you guessed mine is in the blady car! Or…. The smallest I have is a R5 coin or a R10.00 note – really!!! And what about when you DO have R2.00 you slip it into the slot and the blady coin gets stuck! So now you have no R2.00 and even if you did you cannot insert it into the slot because the blady slot is jammed!

Can look as attractive as ever but if you cant get in – yikes!

On Tuesday my car went for a service, so yip I was part of the Traffic Tannies. Oh, my giddy aunt am I thankful for my chosen career. Don’t get me wrong – in fact we have chatted about this before – I don’t mind traffic – I think because I am such a sticky beak and so enjoy perusing my fellow traffic tannies. But if I am honest, to do that every morning and evening – and now with the petrol – oh my heck – rather just invest in a vespa or even cheaper (or not with the bikes they have these days!) a bike.

Lastly an update on my TEFL studies! I was incredibly bleak – I was really rocking it – until I wasn’t – the last test I did I frikken got 33%! And these unfortunately are not South African standards so 33% is a fail. A definite fail too! I know, but dear reader have, you seen this course! You know your tenses, well did you know there are 12 of them!  And that’s not all – have you any idea what a morphemes is??? (fun fact : it is the smallest linguistic unit that has meaning)Or Diphthongs! Another fun fact : They are important in pronounciation – it’s a pleasure dear reader. 😊

And that dear reader is all she wrote – hope you are all well and warm – how stunning is this winter – yip you all know me – love winter!

Thanks for loving my blog the way you do.

Remember always be kind to you.

Mwah mwah

Well, it’s been a while, in that time I hope you have been well and warm. Me? Hm, I have been warm most of the time. Well. Not so much. My name is incredibly descriptive in one or two ways – Diz – aka dizzy, dozy, and one word that spring to mind: Clumsy! Oh, my giddy aunt – the falls, bangs and bashes I have had in my lifetime – well let’s just say, its definitely not a case of “too few to mention” more like “far too many to mention!” For the past two weeks I have been quieter than usual (I know! Imagine the bliss it has been for the furbies and Gary!) two weeks ago I concussed myself! Yip, I did dear reader! How? Well, it had to do with a darkened room, some chocolate and milk. No! No nothing on the romantic side nor kinky side, definitely not. More a case of Shirley Valentine perhaps? Let’s leave it at that! I will leave you intrigued dear reader.

Packing – thanks to dearest Pam – packing is the subject of today’s blog. Its something we all have done and will continue doing in various forms whilst we still on this planet. Packing: it depends on why you are packing. The various reasons that could conjure up a feeling of joy or sadness. Packing up your house – “un” packing a problem or packing for a trip. So now that I have sifted through the various reasons one would pack (hm guess the TEFL is affecting me more than I thought!) we going to concentrate on the trip part of packing in this blog 😊 the one that includes a road, air or train trip! Ah my giddy aunt – that is giving me a warm fuzzy feeling – when I was a little girl – my sister and I would be deposited onto the train, and we would overnight it to my granny in Johannesburg. Shucks can you imagine that happening now? My Lordy Miss Claudy definitely not on my watch! God, I wonder how the hell my mother slept that night! Shucks there weren’t cell phones, there was absolutely no way of her knowing if we had arrived at our destination safely! My word Shelagh wasn’t even around – my gosh how our world (and moms!) have changed (thank goodness!). My mom – my word she certainly was in a league of her own!

Yip, Dizabeth sure knows this move!

 Anyhow, so packing. Pam and I got chatting about it. What type of packer are you? Do you make a list (like Pam and Chad!), or do you stand in front of your cupboard (like me) and ask the clothing who wants to go to wherever it is I am going?  I’m definitely not one of those that checks out the weather for the next ten days. I always feel that can change in the blink of an eye! I know! I know – these weather patterns etc., they can forecast ahead, but for me – nah I don’t believe that! Perhaps if I did, my case would be lighter. Another thing – I plan two outfits per day – hey – don’t judge me – you never know how plans change! And in my opinion, you must be ready for that spur of the moment change! You could be invited to a luncheon and George Clooney (I know, I know unlikely!) but hey maybe Jude Law is at the luncheon – oh and wait a minute. My point exactly confirmed here: who was recently a local in Hoedspruit? Yip none other than Tommy boy himself – the ol’ Cruise – so my point proven right there! So yes, two outfits a day, and with those outfits – obviously the perfect shoes/sandals and with the perfect shoes’/sandals of course the perfect earrings! No jokes, our last trip to Cape Town Gary laid my shoes out when we got home – there were 12 pairs! What can I say – perhaps Imelda Marcos has competition. What about those of us that have furbies. Hmmm and when they sit on the bed forlornly watching you pack – those big brown eyes getting sadder and sadder with each item you pack – they know you going away. Oh, my word I hate that part!

Now that you have chosen those fortunate items of clothing that will be holidaying with you, what size case and how to pack? My boss taught me – it is a tad time consuming – but to roll each item. Works perfectly and allows for additional items. Only ‘ish’ for me here – hm when the fun times are over – you’ve luncheoned unexpectedly with George, Jude or Tom – or all three of them and its time to head home. So, you eeking in the essential last hours so you not packing as passionately or thoughtfully as you did when you were looking forward to your holiday. So (well me) I definitely don’t take the time to roll and fit in the case snug as a bug. It’s more a case of piling it all on the bed and haphazardly placing it in the case – so when it comes to closing the case – yip it doesn’t close as easily as it did when our holiday was still ahead of us! Hm perhaps even the clothes aren’t that delighted to be going back to the cupboard again! So, you packed – whatever mode of transport you using your bags are on board and next stop is wherever it is you headed for! How many times are you sitting approaching your destination and out of nowhere – you suddenly ask yourself – did you pack your toothbrush and toothpaste? Your night creams? I don’t remember including that – so it bugs you – and as true as Bob’s your uncle – when unpacking you don’t see it! So, yip you didn’t pack it! Damn it you think as you head out the hotel room – off you head to the beach, or lunch with George and what happens – later …much later than night – when you drag yourself home from wining, dining and catching up – that’s when you remember! As you step into the bathroom to remove your make up and brush your teeth! You didn’t stop anywhere to blady buy toothbrush/toothpaste! That’s still an easy fix though – I remember the devastation once; I opened my case and my frikken whole bottle of perfume was empty! Devastation personified! And then what about when you at Arrivals waiting for your suitcase to come out on the carousel. I always frikken stand there hyping myself up “come Liz flex those muscles, flex them big time!” as I casually scan the men waiting for their cases – please Lord let him see me hoiking my whole body as I try grab that blady bag, miss it and it chug a lug’s around the conveyor belt again. So now I stand casually and wait for it to appear again.  Praying I don’t miss hoiking it off this time round. Then what about when you do finally grab it – but now to heave the blady overloaded case onto the trolley! Never mind that I always, always grab a dodge trolley – the wheels are stiff, and I battle to push it – and then that blady handle you have to push down to make it go! Otherwise, it serves as the brakes! How about when you see a case that is a twin of yours – as you haul your whole body in an effort to grab it – someone invades your personal space and just as you getting ready to chirp them you realise it’s their case – and not yours –  whilst you realizing this …there goes your blady case chug a lugging around the carousel again! So, to alleviate that awkward occurrence dearest Dizabeth has a bright, polka dotted thick bold coloured ribbon tied on the handle of said case!

And there we have the good old ribbon trick – loving the fire engine red case – sexy!

Now the bright, polka dotted thick bold coloured ribbon has two functions – for me to notice it – and when checking in, it’s the first distraction for the check in lady – hopefully she is so busy trying to avoid the brightly coloured ribbon she doesn’t notice the weight of my bag! But in the case (excuse the pun) that she does notice the overloaded case – no one is more practiced at putting on the charm than dearest Dizabeth. “Oh wow, you have the most amazing nails/hair/eyes/earrings” …anything to try and butter her up so she thinks ah shame there is no way I can charge this lady for her overweight case! And yes, dear reader it has worked before! (Not so much in the case of being stopped by a traffic cop sadly).

Then we have the situation of the lock – that blady code – remembering the combination – it’s all good and well – until you haven’t been away in a while, your case has been collecting dust on the top of your cupboard. You haul it down – need to open it to pack – and you cannot for the life of you remember the frikken code! By the time you remember the blady code – you really need that holiday! God, I recall when Chad was leaving for USA. I had (yes had as it now is in USA) the sexiest little red case. Chad packed all into it – and closed and locked it. He casually came through and asked me what the code was. And of course, I couldn’t for the life of me remember the blady code! My word did we have the biggest argument!

And lastly, when you get home – months pass and one day you are reminiscing over your distant holiday. As you gaze longingly you notice ‘that’ dress – where the heck is it??? In fact, now that I think about it – I have not seen it since that blady holiday!

And that dear reader is all she wrote for this blog. Thanks for loving my blog the way you do.

If packing – enjoy the break – hope it a good pack and not for a sad or stressful reason.

Remember always be kind to you. Stay safe and warm.

Mwah mwah

Don’t you hate when you open your eyes, it’s another sun shiny day (well not necessarily it could be a rainy day or a windy one, or a grey one (my absolute worst!) all is good with you and the world, until you step out of bed. First step of the day into the blady frikken (could think of a stronger choice word to use here but I won’t!) piddle your darling fur baby gifted you with! We were blessed with a lovely carpet (mat) for the hallway (thanks gazillions Michelle & Mark) – yesterday I noticed there were four dark circles on it! So that was hoiked up rolled and put away! Laundry man here we come! Anyhow digressing now, so as I was saying you wake up with all goodness and rose-tinted glasses frame of mind and just like that it is gone! I woke this morning – first to the frikken piddle – then took myself off to the bathroom to piddle (in the toilet as humans and good fur babies do, well not literally for the fur babies, but you get my jist!) and there was a huge pile of compost with bits of broken clay pot and plant scattered around – I saw red! The blady cat. Then! Then! Then the proverbial cherry on top – I go through to make coffee. That’s another thing – in our household if the Mother person doesn’t make the frikken first cuppa (it’s just me and the Father person here) so if I don’t, well then there is no coffee for the day! Now that I am thinking about that, it irks me more, much frikken more than I am even aware. And since I am now pounding away on my keyboard all these little irks are spewing out! See this blog is a brilliant therapy session for me. So, I walk into the kitchen and when you walk into our stupid blady kitchen you cannot miss it – the first thing you see before you even set foot into the kitchen is the sink! And every morning – after I so diligently washed every dirty dish the night before – there is always a dirty dish in it – and that dish never belongs to me! So, I walk in – already in a “prize” mood thanks to Rosie and whichever blady cat it was that knocked over and destroyed my pot plant and there in the sink waving good morning to me – are dirty dishes that the father person left! Did he think the blady dishwashing fairy would pay us a visit over night! That’s like me waiting to win the blady lotto – it’s not impossible but highly unlikely to happen (well to me) – ever! And no, I am not being negative but realistic dear reader.  So, the next person to get boloxed on this Tuesday morning – yip you saw this coming was the father person.  When he left, he washed his coffee cup – and so he blady should and no doubt thanked the Lord it wasn’t the weekend where he would spend a delightful day with Dizabeth.

Good ol’ dish washing team, would you look at that, they started without Gary!

So, today’s blog is all about how someone just like that can turn your smile upside down and into a frown. It takes a lot for me to get the mutters. One thing though, I have always ensured that I “eat all my frogs first” (Love this, thanks Tracy😊) so I complete all that is on my to do list – then it is done and dusted and what remains of the day is full of rainbows and sunshine as I have eaten my frogs so there are no bumps in my road! That is until I find a blady crater – never mind a pothole in my smooth road! I literally do hit the roof and then break through the ceiling and carry on with the hottest flame soaring into outer earth! Now dear reader I am not talking about the unexpected that occurs in our every day – that I can smile and wave through (ok, ok not always!) I am talking when someone intentionally (or hey maybe unintentionally) pushes all my buttons and I soar through the ceiling into outer earth. There are one or two of these occasions I can (I know I am not proudly admitting this!) but some days I remember when whomever it was, caused “dearest Dizabeth” to be replaced by “Devil Dizabeth”.

I do need to confess I am currently on leave, and the day hasn’t been a complete failure. I signed up for a TEFL course, why I hear you ask? Because dear reader it’s a nice to have behind you tool don’t you think? I do, I always wanted to be a teacher and one day – just one day maybe I will be able to tick that off my bucket list – albeit as an online teacher. Who knows? So, rambling and digressing there for a minute – this morning I decided to knuckle down – decline all coffee dates (ok, ok there weren’t any since it’s the week and everyone is working!) and I started the course. Ok so that is a little white lie too. I actually started this a while ago but what with work, moping up dog piddle, sweeping up compost and broken pot plant piles I just haven’t had a chance to focus on it. So right now, I am feeling damn fine about myself. And ……I have just remembered I need to go check on my pot of boiling water, I boiled out the previous pot and refilled so give me a minute here dear reader….. ok I am back – now what are the chances I get so involved in writing here – that I forget and the linguine burns! The chances, as you have guessed from previous blogs and rice –  pretty high! So Dizabeth will try keep focused on continuing her writing whilst reminding herself that her linguine is on the boil (and on a fairly high heat I may add – yip you know me not my ultimate to cook, so everything is done on the highest heat!) Must add here – life – its precious hey! I took the Spaghetti container out (an oldie from Tupperware) in fact that old that on the lid it has ‘Chad’ written on it. It always gives me a warm feeling.  I recall when he was in grade 1 or 2 …. they needed this particular container for some school project. Bless the memory and bless both my boys (and of course not forgetting little Tide and the Father person!)

So, this morning Grumapasarus mood got me thinking to moods gone by! The one in particular it was Ryan’s birthday we had a whole day planned and Father person had a sudden “previous engagement” that was of course ‘un-cancelable’ as it was with a drinking buddy! Did I go ballistic! End of the day – I recall we both went our own way for the day, and he got home before me – alas he didn’t have house keys – well didn’t I stay out till the cows came home with my two boys! He was still with said friend – and he kept sneaking off “quietly” so his friend wouldn’t be aware that he was phoning “the” wife asking her to please come home as they were locked out! I know right! The funny side was he was phoning from the loo – and I could hear the echo – ok not as funny as it was in real life as I type this out! Another time, oh my word my dearest boys have experience the wrath of mom through their lives. Not always, but yip there have been some moments (some of those I do confess are for me regrettable) but they happened and I guess it’s me – warts and all ☹.

I have had some “prime” moments when in the shops throwing a tantrum once or twice with the boys by my side, until they not at my side! Oh my word I recall once going ballistic and turning to comment to Chad – well wasn’t he Gone with the wind! He could most definitely have received the role of Clark Gable had they filmed a remake. What about the time – I got a beautiful ring (in fact to this day I regret that I stomped back like an angry baby elephant to the jeweler and insisted they take it back) damn it was a beautiful stone. Anyhow as ol’ blue eye’s would sing “Regrets I’ve had a few….” So I was going wild in the store and said “you know you people …..” and didn’t the sales attendant try for the good ol’ race card – however dearest Dizabeth was actually meaning “you people” as in the store! In fact at the time there was a Nando’s ad that said “you people…..” so I literally spat back at the attendant “Oh don’t try that ! I have also seen the TV ad” – well that flummoxed any ideas he had.

You know when I am pondering about episodes to share for the subject of the blog I remember a trillion (exaggeration – a few!) and now that I sit here I am battling to recall any! Damn! If I am honest, I was frizzo whizzo inside typing so have come onto our sunny verandah to warm myself as I type – me thinks this is having a sleepy effect on me instead! The warmer and toastier I get the more I can hear ZZZZZZ land beckoning me to put this tablet away and come catch 40 winks on the hammock – erm no we don’t have a hammock and in fact if we did – its winter – we have heaps of very tall trees so it would be in the shade and blady freezing on said hammock!

Well as you are all aware, this is always written over a matter of weeks (not kidding!) so the sleepy Dizabeth didn’t sleep that day and here she is back tapping away. I do need to confess: that TEFL I was aceing – erm not so much anymore! Frikken heck – I am a bit concerned maybe it’s a sign of my age but I am not cracking it as I was – the mind wonders into the most amazing places that have zero to do with TEFL and I have a trillion lessons to go!

And on that note dear reader this is all she wrote for this week.

Thanks for loving my blog the way you do.

Stay warm (shucks swear this must be the coldest winter in FOREVER!)

Remember always be kind to yourself.

Mwah mwah

PS : I managed to not burn the linguine 😊