Yet another Week in our lives.

I started a German Conversation class on Tuesday the 11 Sept. Sonja (my teacher from two years ago) was taking this course for the first time. Two of my friends from our previous course had said that they would join me, so I decided it would be a good thing. We will be meeting every Tuesday morning at 8.30 until 11.45am. It is not an intensive course but she will revise some grammar and then give us ample chance to speak the language.
The first lesson was introductory and fun but we still came away with homework - uggghhhh!!!
On Wednesday, Gerard took the day off and we headed off for Fulda. Gerard wanted a new suit for the Bell wedding that was coming up. We went to Moller's and found him a very nice grey jacket with pants that sort of match. Also got a new shirt and tie. Then we went off to Media Markt as I wanted to ask them about my camera. We have never been able to set a date on the actual picture that is taken. They informed us that this model camera does not allow us this facility. And here we were battling away all this time!!!!
After that, we went on to the Herkules Centre where Gerard was wanting to buy shoes. He bought a pair when we first arrived in Germany and so enjoyed wearing these shoes, that he was determined to get another pair. I found a pair of shoes in Deichmann's and Gerard bought his, so we left Fulda quite happy.
That evening, Heidi, Marcelle, Karen, Larissa, Seater and myself all met at the Italian restaurant for dinner. It was the first time I had met Seater, so we had quite a bit to talk about. She told us that she is busy doing patchwork quilting - so guess what my next project is??
On Friday I went off to Marjory. She asked me to put some lace curtains up at her one lounge window. Before I hung them I gave the window a good clean and managed to knock a few of her cobwebs down. We spent the rest of the two hours just chatting away. She is an English lady who met her husband in England but he wanted to return to his home country Germany. So she has lived here most of her life. She is now 83 and bent over with osteo phirosis. What a sweet old lady she is.
After spending 2 hours with her, I quickly shot into the shops in town to look at long evening dresses. I had heard via Marcelle that most of the ladies were wearing long dresses to Larissa's wedding. Found something and asked the shop lady if I could bring my husband for a viewing. She said she would hold it until Saturday morning for me.
On Friday evening, Larissa, Peter and Seater Purchase came over to watch the rugby with us. I had felt so exhausted earlier on in the afternoon that I thought I would fall asleep. I didn't !!!!
On Saturday, I dragged Gerard into town to look at the dress. When I stepped out of the fitting room, his face said it all. He insisted that I have the dress and duly bought it for me.
After our shop in town, we went off to do other grocery shopping etc. We landed up buying some gardening equipment in Lidl. Gerard has wanted one of these wood cutter things for a while. You put in fair size branches, twigs etc, and this thing chops it into small wood chips. Very handy to have, when your house is surrounded by forest!!!
We also bought a leaf blower/vacuum which is also much needed in Autumn. Our forest of trees shed all their leaves and oh boy, what a job it is to rake them all up.
On the Sunday, Lara went off to little Denha's 5th birthday party. Denha is my friend Azam's daughter. They are from Iran. It was such a lovely day and the party was held outside and they had a braai.
We also ended our weekend off with a braai at home.

Another week in our lives

On the 3rd September Gerard had to go to Dusseldorf for a meeting. He spent the night there. Heidi's daughter Tina arrived from Ireland to spend a week with her.
When I took Lara off to dancing class on Tuesday, I met Heidi, Tin a and baby Annika at Deco Dormus where Tina was looking at curtaining. Just as well we met up then, as we did not get another chance during the week at all.
My dishwasher gave up the ghost on Tuesday night. Can't believe that washing dishes can take up so much time.
Had an early morning call from Marcelle on Thursday morning (6 Sept 2007) to say that Joshua David Maxwell Castle had been born at about 5.30am. Congratulations Roxy and Ryan!!
Later on that morning, I went and met a woman from the Red Cross and we went to meet the old lady that I am going to be assisting. Her name is Marjorie. We went to her house and got acquainted. There will be another woman who will assist her on Wednesday mornings and I will help her on Friday mornings.
Heard from Heidi at various times during this week but she was suffering from a bad case of flu. Tina flew back on the Friday.
On Saturday, we just went and did our usual grocery shop. Bought a present for Chinadu and Robert went to his party in the afternoon.
That afternoon, Lara and I went along to the kindergarten, where they were having a fleamarket. I managed to get a good few things for the kids. I have also picked up a keyboard, which the boys will be getting for Christmas.
Sunday was a lazy day spent at home.

My Beautiful Children

I have made a slideshow of some of the photos that Marcy has taken of my children. Now you will see how good she is becoming with her new found hobby of photography.
She managed to take the most amazing photos of Lara whilst we were altogether at Roxie’s house one afternoon. It certainly was not planned and while Roxie, Heidi and I were looking at all the forthcoming baby things, Marcy was snapping photos away at Lara. Marcy said that Lara listened to her and did everything she asked her to do. Quite the budding model I have here.

Steven’s photo shoot took place at his soccer club on the field. Robert insisted that he had to go along and help!!! He was feeling rather left out I think and also wanted “action” shots of a budding soccer star. Marcy explained that up to a certain point Steven played along with her and took her instructions. Then his soccer trainer arrived and all was lost. He stopped any concentration that he had formed and all he wanted to do was play soccer, as a match had apparently been scheduled, unbeknown to me!

These are some of Marcy’s photos.

Last week of August

Oh gosh I have lagged behind on this blog and am trying to get it all up to date now. Some of this news will be totally old for some of your but anyway, this is my diary of sorts, so want to record it anyway.
Gerard was in Spain until the 29th August. On the 28th I took Robert off to see the doctor as he had been complaining of stomach ache for a few days. I was starting to think it could be a grumbling appendix or something. It was also Richard's birthday, so I left a birthday greeting for him on Skype.
Marcelle came to visit me on the Wednesday that Gerard flew back from Spain. We caught up with our news and she took Steven off to the football field to go and take some photos and action shots. Robert insisted that he should go with them (he was feeling rather left out) and did not like the idea of not having some action shots of his own. Robert was sounding quite sick by this stage. What had been a stomach ache was now all in his throat and chest.
On Thursday 30th, I went to visit Heidi. We then decided to go and find out a little more on the aqua exercises that they were offering at the town pool. These classes always are at night which don't suit either Heidi or myself. So we then went of City Sun to find out more about their little Gym. Unfortunately, they want us to sign contracts for at least 6 months or so. Neither Heidi or I want to do this.
Took Robert off to the doctor again and was told to keep him home from school.
All us South African's met up on the Friday night at the Schwalbenest for supper. Ryan Bland was here and it was great to see him again.
On the 1st September (Saturday) we went off the the company GO which does some fetching and carrying for Bell. It was a reopening of their company on new premises and Gerard had been invited along with his family. They had really gone to a lot of trouble with jumping castles, face painting and go cart riding for the children. Drinks flowed all afternoon and then they braaied an assortment of meats and foods. All very nice indeed. There was a band playing music inside and people could sit at tables and eat. It was a very nice afternoon/evening out.
We had a nice lazy day on Sunday and I made us a Roast lamb and veges.

The First Week of School

The boys went back to school on Monday 20 August. Had to get myself back into the routine of getting up early and making lunches etc. and then getting them going, so as to leave the house by 7.30am.

They had a Welcome ceremony, for all the children entering into the 5th class. I met Gerard at the town hall at about 8.20am. The ceremony started at 8.30am. This of course meant that we had to stand throughout this entire session. Apart from 3 different groups of children from the school, singing, dancing (dance aerobics) and an instrument band playing, the headmaster stood and spoke on certain issues. Most of this speech I could understand but not all of it. For me to understand German of this level, I literally have to lip read the person and have no interruptions of any sort!!The children entering the 7th class were also at this ceremony, which makes me believe that in two years time, my son will be moving into a different class yet again. (Only an assumption).After an hour of droning speaches etc. we then had to leave the hall and follow our child's teacher, who had a sign with Class 5 d r, on it, held high above his head.Robert is in the Sports class. Now what this means exactly, I have no idea!!! Gerard had some mumbled remarks which he muttered under his breath. Hopefully, he will be chatting to the teacher in the near future, as to what this class entails. We are assuming that the school, which offers 3 types of classes, 1 being normal classes, 2 being sport class and 3 being music class, that Robert will be doing the usual syllabus plus sport. He led us to my Robert's class room at a school building that I never even knew was a school. Here we all stood in the classroom only to be told what he expected from his students and what he would expect from us - the parents. Once he had cleared this up, he asked us old folk to leave. When I fetched Robert from school at 1.00pm that day, he was quite happy with life in his new class etc.

There was a lot of school book buying done this week and then of course, I had lots of books to cover!! I also had to kit Robert out with a new sportsbag and sports gear. That came at quite a little price.

Trying to get into a proper routine with after school activities etc. is taking some time.

I did manage to see Heidi during the week and on the Thursday he and I took a drive through to Treysa, where there is a Kaufland shop. This shop stocks such a variety of things, which we are unable to get in Alsfeld. On our way back we called in at the Rhode Shoe factory shop, just to look and see what they had.

On Saturday, Gerard went to the dentist. The dentist has advised him that he should have another 2 teeth removed. We can't believe these dentists here - all they want to do is remove teeth!!!! Gerard said he would think about it but that is as far as it will go. He then went and played tennis in Eudorf. Him and Natasha played well and beat their opponents.

That afternoon, Dick and Inge popped in to see us, catching me totally unawares. Gerard had forgotten to tell me that they might call in. He had seen Dick earlier that week, in Eisenach. So they had to put up with coffee and biscuits. It was nice to see them again and Inge told me that they were off to S.A. for nearly a month. Lucky buggers.

On Sunday Gerard left for Spain. I took the kids to the pool for the last time this summer.

Last week of Holidays

I am so far behind in my blogging but will try and catch it all up soon.
The last week of the school holidays was relaxing and fun. On the Wednesday, I went off to an appointment with the "Fussflegerin". I have never been a person who has facials, manicures or pedicures but since we have been here, I have had a problem nail on my big toe. I decided that I would try this Fussflegerin out and see what gives.
Well, it was so nice to sit back in a "dentist chair" while she worked away on my feet. At the end of it my toenails looked so healthy and my feet felt very smooth. So this will definitely take place again. It literally cost me a euro per minute, so will not be doing it often but need to get this toenail sorted out. She reckons that by this time next year, my nail will be back to normal.
That afternoon, I had promised to take Robert and Lara to see The Simpsons at the movie house. So we all went off, including Stevie, who had seen it the previous week. The movie was great and easy to follow in German.
Then on the Thursday, I took the kids to Halligalli, as the weather was miserable and I wanted them away from tv and playstation games.
Marcelle joined me for most of the afternoon. It was nice to sit and chat away while the kids were having a ball.
On Saturday, both boys slept out. Steven joined his football club who were having a sleep out in tents etc. at the football club. Robert had been invited to Vanessa's birthday party which was also a sleep over in tents in their garden. He was the only boy there so had quite a good time.
Sunday was spent relaxing and making sure that the boys had all their school bags ready for school the next morning.

More on August

The week starting on the 6th August was Steven's week of ferien spiele. He was so lucky to join a group of kids that he knew. So many of Robert's classmates where there and a lot of other children from Steven's school etc. The Monday was so hot, that I took Robert and Lara off to the pool for the day. We had a really good time and when we left, to pick Steven up and take him to Andreas' birthday party, his group were right there at the pool. So I just took him from there and went straight to the party in Liederbach.
Us S.A. girls decided to do Roxie's babyshower, as we were not sure just how much longer she would be walking. So on Wednesday I picked Heidi up and off we went to Roxie's house. Marcelle was already waiting for us. Roxy was surprised to see us all. I dressed her up in a nappy and bib and she had to drink out of a bottle. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy her shower and liked all the gifts we gave her. While she was showing Heidi and I all the baby goodies she has collected, Marcelle was photographing Lara. She took some lovely photos of my little girl.

I saw Heidi the next morning for a cup of coffee and chat and later that afternoon took Robert and Lara into town to see the Simpson's movie. This is when we realised that the movie house was closed. We then walked into town and I managed to buy Robert's new school bag.
On Saturday, we went off to Deichmann's to buy the very necessary shoes for school. Managed to walk out the shop with 5 pairs of shoes and a packet full of socks. When we got home a bit later, we found Bodo Paris working on the trimming of our trees, on the roadside. He had a huge truck which had a whole bin section which could be removed, along with an excavator which he was using to pick up all the cut branches etc. We were amazed that he had come to do this job on his own as we thought he would have a team of guys to help him. He used a chainsaw which was on an extension pole, which meant he could really reach the tall branches etc.
While he was busy doing all of this, Gerard got stuck into the huge pile of garden refuse that has been collecting within our garden and pitched it over the fence. This Bodo took away for us with all the other cuttings etc.
Gerard could only do this for a short while as we had been invited to Christina's for a braai. Christina is a girl that works with Gerard on a half day basis. She is married to a farmer and lives just outside Alsfeld on a dairy farm.
We went off to the braai and found that their house is directly over the road from a soccer field, much to the delight of the boys. The children were in their element, as Christina's dog Cindy (a border collie) had had 9 puppies 8 weeks earlier. Lara spent her whole afternoon in the puppy enclosure playing with all the pups. She just loved them so.
When the boys took a break from playing soccer, they joined Lara with all the pups. After eating the braai, we took a walk up to the cow sheds where Han Jurgen, Christina's husband, was busy milking the cows. It was quite an eye opener to see what hard work these two have on their hands. We had a wonderful time at Christina's and left quite late that night.

On Sunday, we took the kids off to the pool. It was a lovely hot day and the kids had great fun. After the pool we went to the Eudorf tennis courts. I had promised to take Robert and play with him during the week, but because of ongoing rain, we weren't able to. So we all got to play and have great fun. After tennis, we picked Lara up from Zina's and drove out to Burg Herzberg where Robert had spent one of his Ferien Spiele days. What a beautiful forest you drive through to get to the castle. The castle is also amazing and so worthwhile seeing. We did not realise that we had a castle like this in our area and so close to home. Had we known about this earlier, this would have been a place to show all our visitors that have been to see us. It has taken us 6 years to find it!!!