GET HAPPY

I've decided that there are loads of people out there worse off than me. So instead of moaning about how tough things are. I'm to reflect on just how lucky I am. I have a husband who loves me, a roof over my head that is 100% ours (no debt). We live on 1,000 square metres of property and have a 240 square meters of home. More than enough for two souls. We have two beautiful individuals for children, with wonderful spouses. We have the most adorable grandson. So much to be happy about and grateful for.                                               

This is a seriously old armchair, it's old and tatty but has done the rounds since first purchased. It's been reupholstered (years ago). It lived in Jocelyn's home until she could afford her own furniture, then went to Bevan's home for a while. It's now back with us and I've placed it at the door to the patio in the dining room. I turn it to face the garden, sit down with a cup of cappuchino and read my book. I get filtered winter sunlight, pure bliss. Get a happiness fix. You're more in control of your happiness than you think. Happiness is its own reward - it feels good- but it has another benefit: it's great for your health. In the rush of the day, pockets of peace may seem impossible to find. But allowing yourself time to kick back and relish what's good in your life, even for 10 minutes, while you have cuppa, will help you to feel happier and less harried. A TIP: Try writing down in a notebook at the end of everyday the things that went well and whom to thank for your good fortune. After about 2 to 3 months you will feel better about life and much more optimistic.

In southern Africa it's now late Autumn or early Winter. Our night or early morning temperatures are about 9 degrees Celsius and our daytime between 18 and 21. So we don't have too much to complain about, as our winter is at the most 4 months long. So the leafless tree is a pleasure, as it lets the mild sun through. The aloes start flowering and we have ripe lemons. Even winter's dull colours can be beautiful, if one takes the time to appreciate it.

Joce and Simon are still staying with us. Simon seems to be getting stronger everyday, although he is still very thin. Joce and Si went for a walk today with Liam. It was such a joy to see him walking instead of lying prone on the sofa or with his hand in his arms on the table on the patio.


I'm dying to do my own thing. I miss beading and gardening, but all in good time. At least I've made time to blog a bit. Now I must have a go at my e-mails. I'm not fond of e-mails and probably also the messages left on my mobile. I believe it is still a hangover from my burnout.

Don't we all wish for the Simple Life ??????

Lemons !!!!!!

Dream !!!

If you've visited, thanks so much. I'd love comments.

AND THE WHEELS COME OFF - 2

These are a few necklaces made over the last while, though not since the wheels came off. The pendants used in the first three necklaces are handcrafted glass pendants from Martini Art & Design. Fossilised sea weed is inserted in this pendant, hence the addition of coral and stick pearls. also included are glass chips and Blood Stone.        To carry on where I left off. I had a really stressful morning on the 29th of April. Our gardener, Jimmy Ngobeni, was working with the leaf blower and somehow got his index finger involved with the blade. The first I knew about it, was when Jimmy appeared on the patio desperately calling me and holding up his finger. In those first few seconds of deciding what to do, I'm sure I spun around in circles. The only thing I could think of was to run the finger under cold water. I then gave Jimmy warm sugar water, washed the finger in more cold water with antiseptic and took him off to casualty. This all with Liam in tow as Joce was working. I 'm sure the morning at the hospital aged me. Fortunately, Jimmy only has soft tissue damage and has been booked off work for two weeks while his finger heals.

This pendant is red glass with a yellow speckle. It lent itself to the use of the brassed African mask and the Indian glass beads. The brassed chain was added for good measure as well as some African trade beads. This last month, Joce spent most of her time, when she wasn't at work, at the hospital with Simon. I have been caring for Liam from first thing in the morning, till his bedtime. I now realise why we don't have babies in our fifties. I can't believe I looked after to "smallies", did all my own housework and gardened as well as sew, knit etc. I must have been super woman in my twenties.

This necklace is symmetrical, something I now rarely do. Aside from the glass pendant, I used found buttons, faceted smokey Checz glass beads, Miyuki Rocaille seed beads, brass beads, brassed links and chain. Simon came home yesterday. He looks like he has come back from a war. He weighs a mere 68 kilos and has that pale haunted look about him. He stayed up most of yesterday, albeit prone on the sofa for quite a while. Today he doesn't look any better but mentally he seems more stable. He has had an incredibly tough time. I'm not sure whether, if I was diagnosed with cancer, I'd have the courage to undergo the treatment. I watched my Dad suffer through it, and now Simon. Rich was diagnosed with prostrate cancer three years ago and bravely underwent the major surgery. Fortunately, Rich did not have to have any other treatment and is still clear.

I loved this pendant and wanted the necklace to look kind of as if it came from India. It's not quite what I envisioned but I don't have the heart to take it apart and start again. It's a real mix of glass beads, bead caps and spacers. Green it seems, is very in for winter in SA, so perhaps it'll get bought or I'll get more wear out of it. Rich went back to work today with a heavy heart. Rich has been put on early retirement, his last working day being the 31st of July 2011. When we first heard the rumblings about retrenchments and early retirement, we were both a bit nervous. But with my retiring in May 2010, we've realised we can cope with less income and our quality of life has been better. We've done our sums and we will be fine. Rich is going to take some time out, then get into a business he has researched. He just wants something to bring in a little extra and also to keep him busy. I of course muddle on enjoying everyday of being retired.

Where the blog gets written

Joce has been staying with us while Simon has been in hospital. They are going to stay with us until Simon gets stronger. He has been booked off work till the 31st of May. Liam has been sleeping in the guest room with Joce, but with Simon home it's going to be easier if Liam is in his own room. So his going to be in my studio for now. I need to go and do some tidying up so we can get the cot in comfortably. Liam slept in his cot in our bedroom last night. I feel like I haven't slept a wink. So I must go and get that organised now.... More soon.

AND THE WHEELS COME OFF

Well I haven't been here for ages and this is purely because the wheels came off. I was last on my blog on the 30th of March. At that stage things had gone too awry. So much seems to have happened. We were due to go to Rochelle and Neil's wedding on the 9th of April. We were due to fly the 8th this was then changed to the 9th, as Rich had a course to attend which ended on the 8th. Getting organised for the wedding wasn't too bad. I managed to find an outfit and make a necklace. I wasn't that happy with what the necklace looked like with the outfit but I was determined not to start fiddling. The top was a bit busy for the busy necklace.

Rose Wine

We arrived in East London on Saturday the 9th at about 11h30. Bevan and Claire fetched us at the airport and we went to our self catering house in Cintsa East. The accommodation was lovely and comfortable and the view from the upstairs patio great. The wedding was fun, we got to see old friends. The bride and groom look beautiful and fun was had by all. Sunday we chilled in the early morning and then we went to Glynis & James's new home for a visit. We always find that the parents are so busy that one doesn't get a chance to have a good chat.  Rochelle and Neil were only leaving on honeymoon to Zanzibar on the Monday, so we got to see them as well.

James took us back to house in the evening, as Bevan & Claire took the hired car to the airport with them.

The view

Monday, Rich and I chilled, then we walked down to the village for lunch. We had a fishy meal in a quaint restaurant and then strolled back up the hill to the house.

Tuesday Glynis was to collect us at about 11h00 and we were to spend the rest of the week with them. Unfortunately, Simon become very ill and had to be hospitalised. I've never mentioned before that Simon, Joce's husband was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in June 2010. Stage 4 cancer, as we soon learnt, is very serious. Simon had immediately started "chemo" treatment and things seemed to be going well, until he developed an allergy to the one drug, The long and short of it, is that Simon is as good as back to square one and had to start radiation treatment immediately.

With Simon having to go into hospital, Joce needed  us near and we caught a flight back to Pretoria Wednesday morning the 13th. Glynis and I managed to have a nice chat on Tuesday afternoon and Rich and James managed to get some fishing done. Glyn and James made us a lovely supper and we watched some of James's music DVD's.

I don't do stress well. That is, no one really knows I'm stressing, as I manage to appear organised and in control. What's happening inside is scary. Joce and Liam moved in with us, as it was just easier for all. Of course Rebecca (the pug) and Phoebe (the Pekinese) came to stay as well. Rebecca and Phoebe were the children before the arrival of Liam, so they are both rather indulged. Phoebe unfortunaly broke her back two years ago and has not walked since, she is a little more challenging to cope with. Rebecca wants to chase our cat Basil every time she sees him, so things can get crazy.

Rebecca

Phoebe

The beautiful Basil

Liam, 8 months old and VERY busy

On Wednesday the 4th of May, Rich went in for exploratory surgery on his knees. They needed to check if their diagnosis of osteo arthritis was correct and also do a clean up. The surgery went well and Rich came home on the Thursday. He was doing well, then started to feel really poorly and had severe stomach cramps and was extremely listless. He spent from Saturday lunchtime to Tuesday night, man down. He was allergic to one of the pain killers and had to just get it out his system.

Nowadays I don't do so much action very well..... I haven't checked this post as I need to go and do urgent chores, more soon.....