The holiday home

Well its long over due but better late than never. After my machine crashed there seemed no point but I managed to find some of the photos so.... here we go.

From my last posting to us leaving for the break was typically chaotic for me. Trying to get progress reports out, website updated, kids had winter plays etc etc etc it never seems to end.

So of course packing got left for the absolute last minute - once that was done, we were on our way. The trip home was half-decent, no real hassles and the notion of being home kept us going :)

We were very blessed with almost perfect weather. I'm calling it that, although if Andre hadn't gone to the Dubai 7's and learnt all about P20, the weather would have been too extreme for our very pale skins hehehe If you love the sun but hate getting sunburnt, you must check out P20 it is absolutely fabulous - one application, doesn't wear off and gives excellent coverage !

Seeing family and friends is always just what the doctor ordered and after a very stressful start to the new school year, it was just what the doctor ordered. Relaxing at home, enjoying Alison's new swimming pool, visiting Ushaka, what a whirlwind 2 weeks ! And all this helped me forget that the holiday started off so badly with my suitcase going missing for almost 2 days :( Yes I was forced to wear Andre's clothing - except the underwear thankfully - for a full day !

So .........

First sunny day we headed down to Ushaka but it was too windy in Durban so we watched some live entertainment and then headed back to Pinetown to enjoy some poolside fun.

Christmas pre-day (we decided to have a get together with some of the extended family before Christmas) - once again wonderful sunny day to enjoy with the family. Reminded me of miy own Christmas day's growing up.... fun at the pool with my aunts, uncles and cousins !

And well just another fun day at the pool ....

We were very lucky that our wonderful friends Debbie and Brian invited our girls to join in at their home for a visit from Father Christmas (South African Santa hehehe). Girls had a ball, although I did get the question/comment "Mommy were the presents in the car, in the same wrapping paper ?" and "Mommy, you wrote my name, thats your handwriting !" way too smart for their own good hehehehe.

And there's our second Christmas tree - got one up in Saudi too, a bigger one hehehehe

And then is was off to the Pavilion for a photo with Santa and the fairies (Santa photo to follow when I get it scanned).

Christmas day..... the presents, Lucy concentrating on painting Granny's nails hehehe and then lunch and pool time with the family.

Off to Ushaka, better weather and fun in the sun ! We even got the girls to stand and get splashed by the dolphins in the aquarium, hehehe. And doesn't that skyline look awesome......do we miss home ? For sure !

And who could visit Durban with going to The Natal Sharks Board for a dissection

- mmmm some enjoyed the visit more than others hehehe.

And a momentous occassion - Alison came carting with us for the first time since her stroke, and gave a serious run for our money ! The kids enjoyed the train ride and some putt-putt while we were racing.

And one last visit with Debz and the girls - Brian next time we are home I am not leaving without a photo of you too !!!

and now for something completely different ....

So this blog is mostly about how we as a family are all doing and what we're up to. Considering my darling husband who was meant to be involved with authoring it has left it completely up to me, I'm gonna take this opportunity to spring a few of my thoughts on the world.

Tomorrow marks nine whole years since my father was shot outside a post office in Westmead. Now this post could go in to a whole guilt issue I have but I guess thats for another post. Today I am plagued with thoughts of how reliant I am on male opinion. Not the place most women would like to believe they stand, but what can you do !?
You see the 31st of October this year, marked a year since getting the news that Bruce, my principal at that stage had died the night before. Until that stage I hadn't really realized just how lucky I was. Unlike my siblings, who I am sure felt the untimely loss of our father just as much as did, I seemed to gain Bruce. A good friend said to me last week when talking about a lost loved one "they (meaning the loved one) sent xxxxx to her, they knew what she needed and they found the perfect person to take their place". Strangely this was the day after Bruce's anniversary and so it started me thinking. My father had sent me Bruce. Here I was in a very strange country, no extended family around, about to start a new and at that stage very scary job, and I needed him. He couldn't be with me in person so he found me someone just like him. Now I could also believe it was my Heavenly Father but well that just perpetuates the male opinion issue doesn't it hehehe.
You see as I sit here tonight dreaming back to where I was nine years ago and all that has happened since then, just the same as I sat almost two weeks ago, it is bittersweet. I have both heart-wrenchingly sad memories of both men but more than anything I have those skip-a-heartbeat happy memories.
Both men were my go-to when I needed confirmation or opinion on plans, I could vent and moan - although not too much because I knew they'd put me back in my place lickety-split :) I was pushed by both, they had confidence in me and all that I could be and made me realize I was the only one holding myself back.
As I sit here singing their praises and feeling just a little angry at both of them for skipping out on me, I am ok with the idea that as a woman I felt the need, sheesh still do need a man to tell me I can do it - whatever the "it" might be.

Maybe its because I can also say thanks to my amazing mom and sisters and wonderful friends for their examples of how a woman can standup for anything in this world, who knows hehehehe.
And lest my fabulous brother and darling husband feel left out, I couldn't continue without you either !

But seriously, thankyou to all the wonderful people past, present and future who have and will play a part in my existence, I could only wish my daughters have similar.

Daddy, it doesn't feel like a day has passed, I miss you just as much as ever.

saudi internet connection arrrgggghhh!

Well I have three postings sitting in drafts because they contain photos and my connection is being more than a little uncooperative at present. As soon as I find the time and patience to wage the war, those posts will appear. These include, Halloween parade at school, Rugby in Doha and the girls first experience on a jetski - visiting Larry and Nikki.
Til then.....you'll have to just be content with my moaning and groaning heheheh
Have a wonderful week - we have parent conferences on Tuesday & Wednesday - wish us luck :)

November...

...brings cooler weather, bonfires and.....bubbles !
Well November arrived and the weather has definitely turned, the girls are wearing long pants to school some days, making sure they have a jacket/sweater with them and sore throats and stuffy noses are the order of the day.
Wednesday night saw our compound celebrating Guy Fawkes with a bonfire. It was a very pleasant evening to be outside, weather was perfect and the kids had a ball running around.

Thursday morning we just relaxed at home before joining Ashton and Gary in town late afternoon/evening. Gary arrived in kingdom on Saturday and so had to get out to get some stuff for home.
Friday was the time for bubbles, car washing and updating the blog :)

Needless to say we are more than happy with the change in weather as we enjoy the just warm, just cool time outside !

Halloween at school

Wednesday October 31 was a sugar-high day at school. After lunch all the elementary students changed into their costumes and headed to the theater for a short musical performance. After that is was a parade and then to the classrooms for their Halloween parties. Aimee and Lucy headed out to Sayako's house for a party after school too.