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.