January 2026

Started the year with a parkrun with Dolores at the Botanical gardens in Pretoria and a lovely breakfast.

I have created my goals again and have more than 101 this year.

A busy month getting over Christmas, which was a fabulous event at home. Getting the house back to normal and trying to get healthier.

I had my heath check done and have to focus on reducing my cholesterol so red meat and cheese are now a treat.  I’m back to Walk 4 Life and got my 2000km badge this month so another goal completed.

Got to go away for the weekend to do the Amanzimtoti parkrun, ended up in a lovely guesthouse but in a dodgy area so abandoned that one and ended up in a fabulous hotel in Ballito that I didn’t want to leave. Got to see the cousins who were having a reunion and saw the flat where we had our honeymoon and spent many happy family holidays, loved a swim in the Boulders pool and a swim at Granny’s beach, highlight seeing dolphins

 

 

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Linda and I each paid for a spa massage as Christmas gifts and we went to enjoy that time in Bedfordview, a lovely time and we had a swim too.

We were all very excited to be at Sam’s wedding, which was a wonderful occasion, it's so lovely to see how much love there is when the Dawson’s get together and our B&B in Robinson was perfect. I got to do the parkrun with Scott, Jenna, Werner, Devin and Kayleigh!

Got to meet my friends Elsabe and Marcus for a few breakfasts and dinners.

The pool is blue again and Boston has started walking!

 

The Nutcrackers

 I have always loved these, but they have not been easy to come by in South Africa until recently. I got mine in Australia, I think it was at a boxing day sale and I just fell in love with it.

I brought it home and on my next trip I found smaller ones that were also on sale. I managed to get 3 smaller ones, and they were just perfect to complete my family. 

We have Tarryn, the Baker and Kiara the glittery musician and Devin the Peter Pan looking one.

Love these so much.

Christmas gifts 2024

I loved all my gifts this year so I want to document them to remember how each one made me feel. I have just recovered from flu where I lost me sense of taste and smell, so I was even more grateful for the gifts that required these senses that I could enjoy.

I got a beautiful bottle of Diemersdal Merlot Malbec which combines my two favourite wine type from my friend Linda. She also got me a lovely strawberry travel gift set from the Body Shop that has body butter, hand cream and shower gel, a beautiful self-care journal that I cant wait to start and perfect slices of Christmas cake that I enjoyed with coffee on Boxing Day morning, so that never made the pics 😀

Devin and Kayleigh got me a swimming costume with a sarong type wraparound that just reminded me of holidays in Greece and I tested out my lovely costume Christmas night. A Yankee candle, Pink sands my favourite and I can smell it, it’s burning in my room as I type this. Devin made homemade cookies and Kayleigh bagged and labeled them, I love homemade gifts. I also got the most perfect gift vouchers from Devin that he made himself on Canva that include a coffee date, a breakfast at a restaurant of my choice and dinner at Kolonaki in Parkhurst. I can’t wait to redeem these!  Time spent with my family is the best gift.

Kiara got me a lovely margarita desk candle, and a beautiful travel jewelry box filled with amazing rings and earrings. She’s going to help me to re-pierce my ear-lobes. I got a delightful glittery pool tube that I also tested out Christmas night and the today again

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Santa got me a handheld steamer , some black plastic drawer organizers and a Glasshouse candle, passionfruit and lime, another favourite of mine.

I am abundantly grateful for the gifts and will be enjoying them for a long time. Love my family too much.