Army wives (and girlfriends) revisited

So I've been watching Army Wives and seeing a mom saying goodbye to her son going off to Iraq and it brought memories flooding back of saying goodbye to paratrooper Richard Dean Dawson each time he was called up to the border war in Angola. Seeing him in his browns with his balsak over his shoulder, his heavy boots and his name on a tape sewn to his chest, his purple beret at a jaunty angle covering half his forehead, wondering if it was going to be the last time I ever held him in my arms. He would whisper assurances to me promising that he would be back soon and that his first letter would be in the post as soon as he could. He never worried what the other guys would say and always made me feel like we were alone in the middle of all the tangled goodbyes. We were the lucky ones, he came back every time.

The time I remember clearest was one where the guys flew in to the then Jan Smuts airport and we had to collect them at one of the quiet hangars, I had just been doing modeling for a photo shoot at the Germiston camera club and I was wearing high heels and a leopard print dress. All the guys were hanging around chatting on the far side of a 100m concrete quad, I walked across the concrete,  feeling all the eyes on me until I got to Richard and we ran the last steps and he swung me around just like in the movies. He had the proudest smile on his face and told me later the guys were saying who is that hot chick and he said "she's mine!" I loved that story and that day.

The loves of my life

Each in their own unique way these 3 children of mine have made me so proud to be their mom.

It was not the greatest reason that we were all together this year but I am so grateful that we got to have this photo. Love you more 8x

Back on blog

This resurgence of my blog posting is made possible by those whose steadfastly refuse to join the Facebook crew, not that I am without empathy for your plight, I agree on most of your points excepting that you don't get to find out what the heck is happening around you!!

So I'm starting with the latest info and I will slowly be adding willy-nilly in either direction on the timeline to news and updates in my world.

Here goes

Last night I had an absolutely fabulous evening with my two brothers in law. We have not all been together for about 3 years which is disgraceful and we have pledged to remedy that in the coming months, even though we live in different provinces. Scott arranged tickets to see Spamalot as he knows we are all Monty Python fans and we had a great catch-up, dinner and enjoyable show. I will keep you posted about our family pledge.

I don’t even know where to begin this episode, so many things have happened since I posted last.

August 2011 was my last update and I have been blogging for 6 years now!
Since then our lives were filled with getting paperwork for visas to Australia.
Dress shopping with Megan to find my “mother of the bride dress” and checking the countdown app on my iPad every day to see how long it is until we get to see Tarryn again.

Wedding
My brother Lawrence got married in October and I got to be the back-up photographer that was great fun.

Photography
I treated myself to a discounted photography course; it was 6 classroom lessons and a practical session. I also got an external flash and a brand new Canon 600D which I just love.

Sondela
Had a weekend breakaway to the bush, I got up close and personal with a giraffe when I went on a long bush walk by myself. It was a very special time. My mom and Costa joined us this time. I love the quiet time in what feels like the wild bush even though it is only an hour or two away from home. Kiara started her driving lessons there!

Layla
Costa’s grandchild was born and that brought much joy and excitement into the world I made a scrapbooking album for him to remember that special time

Grease
Kiara got a very good role in the school production of Grease and they performed in our local civic centre, it was a fantastic production, but took up her whole school holidays with rehearsals.

Gratitude page
I got back into scrapbooking slowly and made a gratitude page and booked at Spier Wine Estate for this year’s scrapbooking university in September.

Cansa relay
I was part of a Cansa relay with the people at work and it was a very special time spent reflecting on those that lost their battle and to see the brave warriors walking that are fighting and smiling through it all.

Training
I was lucky enough to attend Agile training as well as First Aid and a management course. We even had a proper graduation ceremony for the management course.

Turkish cooking class
I went to one or two cooking classes this year but loved the Turkish one the most. Kiara got to come with me and she enjoyed it too. Pity they are so expensive, I would love to do one every month.

Kiara
Kiara school had their honours evening but Kiara and I could not attend we were at the hospital. She was on another drip for her migraine headaches, so we found out on BBM chat that she was made head of choir, drama, soiree, music overall. I was very pleased for her.

Devin
Had a good year and finished his first year in high school. He turned 15 and as most years with a birthday on the 23rd December, never got an official party.
He is still a passionate Arsenal fan and enjoys playing soccer at school.

Nanna
She had a gallbladder removal op this year and sailed through it. She was only interested in how many days left until Australia.

Work
We had 3 fun work events, a day out of the office at Karee Kloof, a local pleasure resort, a movie trip with the management team and an overnight stay at a fantastic venue for a management strategy session.

IPad
I got my beloved iPad though FNB (obviously the best place to bank and to work for). Their special deal for the iPad 2 was just so incredible that some of my friends moved their banking accounts just to take up the offer! Love it!

Supperclub
We are all still going strong, meeting once a month. We are saving for another trip in 2013. Everyone is coming up with suggestions as to what the best option will be. I loved our Gautrain trip to Sandton and supperclub Christmas breakfast (does that make sense?) at the Radison Blu.

Bookclub
Is alive and well and still not much discussion takes place regarding books! Actually no discussions take place, come to think about it. Always a fun evening of food and drink and chocolate spiced with gossip and laughter. We went to a spa for our Christmas event and I think alcohol was the reason we didn’t get an in-focus photo!

Christmas Eve
I was lucky enough to have 3 of my best friends here to enjoy the evening with. We had snacks and drinks and took photos. I love the pouty photo from that night and when my printer eventually works, I will get it printed and framed.

Christmas day
Costa,the kids and I spent a quiet day getting ready to fly on Boxing day.

Australia
Coming up in the next post…

Cheers from me until next time xxx

Halfway through 2011

Here are some photos of the events that have taken place this year, in alphabetical order. Captions under each group of photos. I can’t get my head around the fact that we are past the halfway mark this year already, time passes so quickly, I have to keep reminding myself to enjoy the moments along the way. Thanks to all of you that have been part of the journey so far.






Ballito with Costa


Carol’s 50th


Cansa Day at work


Devin starts high school



Day with Dee



Harry’s farm on the Limpopo river


Jenny’s 50th


Kiara’s MRI and all is well



Lance visits from Wales


Lee Ann leaves for Australia



Madam Zingara, a supperclub memory




Mangwanani with Luke, Tarryn and Nanna



Mother’s day, with all my kids and mom



Tim Holtz, the scrapping “King?” and Lee Ann


Tarryn’s birthday




Tarryn leaves for Australia


Rock ‘n roll party


Voting day




Zoo with the kids