Holding it together

My table which was given to me by my friend Louise from hotel school many many years ago has undergone a transformation. It's taken me a year and 2 months to complete. I call it my holding it together table. When ever the wheels were about to fall off I would quietly sit and do a small amount. I like the mix of the mosaic table, African art from Nelspruit, Lemonade the Zebra bought on the side of the road and my red chair with Union Jack. All the special things in my life. Not quite sure at the moment about adding anything American quite yet.

Yes the Zebra word. Victoria calls the Zebra like any English person would but according to her teacher its wrong and she must call is a ZZZZZZebra. The Z is pronounced ZEEEE. Well I nearly had heart failure. Leon and I were you must be joking and it will not be changing. Quite a lot of things are coming up lately and I am finding it hard. Spelling the English way is also coming up as wrong. The kids handwriting in joined / cursive up is wrong and will be done the American way. Also coming back from school, the most important man in the world is the president. Is that a fact now. I am all for adopting another countries ways but do have to put my foot down when it is put across as wrong because its not wrong its done differently.

I got a call from the lady who invited me for tennis every Thursday and I was asked if I could not join them as I basically was holding them back. I really get it and fully understand but it still hurts. It was more for the company than the tennis to be honest but lets see I did say call if they go for a coffee or a glass of wine.

All these little things are cropping up and because I was never exposed to the competitiveness of sport in England its a strange feeling. All part of the character building I suppose.

The day ahead will be filled with sand paper, primer and paints. need to start shifting some of the furniture to completed.

Lots of love

Tennis, family together, elephants trunk

I got an email from a friend, who I met through the ice skating last year asking me if I would like to play tennis. I was so chuffed, feeling a bit low and feeling like I never really do much. I was on that tennis court like hot cakes. Feeling a bit nervous as most people living here in Westport are brilliant at whatever sport they do. What the heck I told them I was bringing some laughs along. I sure did bring some laughs along. All the ladies and private coach had a good laugh at my racket. He who laughs loudest, laughs last. I always tease Leon about his golf clubs because they are so old he rented them from the museum. OK my racket is not wooden but quite close. I have had the same racket from Botswana days. I am about double in size and strength, playing with a kids racket. I had an amazing time. I am not so bad at tennis either. I really need to get another racket this week. Four ladies, all English and so much fun play for 2 hours with a coach giving us drills and then a game. I cant even remember how to score. More homework.

The famous racket. Looks good??????

Mark and Stacey with kids came over for a braai on Saturday. They played so nicely. Kara had her beanbag in the tree. They made a swing with the skipping rope.

Seth having fun with Victoria

W did our pizzas on the braai. Pesto, goats cheese, caramelised onions and sliced tomatoes are the firm favorite


Elephants Trunk
http://www.etflea.com/_/Home.html

I went this morning with a friend of mine who I met in the summer to Elephants trunk. I left home at 6.30am, which is crazy for a Sunday. Nice though to get out.

I was not expecting anything great to be honest. Did not even clean the car out with all my swimming stuff. Well I was wrong. This place was amazing. My dad would have done his nut. I did. Looking for anything unusual you will find it. Well more stuff was loaded into the car.

The area was about two rugby fields full of stuff. I loved the back drop of the leaves changing colour.

All the mums on sale.

I saw this bed - $150.00. I so badly wanted this bed for Kara. She would have loved the canopy. I love the freedom of getting stuff cheap and fixing it. Also there is no emotion attached to the stuff at all, so I can sell it so easily at the any given time. There is not a chance in hell I will be able to get any of this stuff in our house in the UK.

On the way home we stopped on the side of the road to have a look at some other reclamation yard.

Ears pierced.

Kara has been on about getting her ears pierced. I was no, you far to young, plenty of time. Leon and I chatted at length. I asked my friends what they think. Kate my sister gave me a hard time and Kara just loved that. As soon as we got home she sent Kate and email to tell her. We did it as a family together. She is very happy. i am happy for her.

 My new purchase today for Victoria's room.

My new fix up. $10.00. Will see about this one????? Might need a bit of work. Whats a bit of rust!!!!!!!

Good weekend.

Wedding celebration

Kate my sister, just in case you not sure whose who in the zoo got married on the 5 October in Mauritius. Kate looks absolutely beautiful and really happy. I wanted to share with you all some of her special moments.

 The whole family - Jaco, Kate, Stephen, Robbie, Mark and Megan

Kate said in some of the photo's you would not see Mark.he wondered off and did his own thing.

The champagne was flowing nicely

Megan was fed chocolate.

Trip back to South Africa
I have booked to go back to South Africa on my own to see my family and friends. Miss everyone so much. Arrive on the 9 Dec till 18 Dec.

Columbus Day
No school  on Monday as we have to celebrate Columbus day. The weather has been so fantastic. We back in the high 30 degrees, so we have been on the beach most days.

 We headed out to the natural playground for a little play. Only ones there.

I said to the kids I really did not feel like socializing yesterday and needed just to be on my own so we went to Mill hill Beach. Once again the only once there. The tide was out so we looked for crabs.

Leon came home early from work and we had supper on the beach.

The sunset on our way back home.

My dump find. I have bought some metal primer and going to fix them up. Ideal for the garden to give the flower beds some height.

The kids love my quiche and the good thing is they eat it so it not sitting on my hips. The spinach and creamed cheese one is for Leon and me. Yummy 

Its taken me a year to complete this table top. I still need to grout it. I have realised I am not doing much in the creative department so have made an effort to get my glass grinder out and make some more goodies. I always feel good when I do stuff with your hands.

Westport Animal Control
The Westport Animal Control is a no-kill shelter. The shelter is NOT associated with the Connecticut Humane Society, but is a division of the Westport Police Department and is town owned and run.The shelter is run by two Animal Control Officers, and volunteers who walk and socialize the dogs.

Kara and Victoria decided to buy some dog food for the dogs at the animal control shelter with some of their money they made from the cookie sale. Wow the rows and rows of dog food available in the pet store was quite overwhelming. They kids had great fun running up and down the aisles looking for the dog food which was suggested for us to buy.

I was talking to the Animal control officer about hurricane Irene and if they had any problems with dogs going missing. FEMA provides assistance after natural disaster Part of FEMA's agreement if relief is wanted they have to set up facilities for animals. So when families were evacuated from hurricane Irene they had 10 dogs at the local school. They learnt huge lessons from Hurricane Katrina.

What a fantastic experience for us all to do something fantastic. Both girls said they felt wonderful.



School is out again. The weather has been fantastic so decided to take a walk on the beach.

This weekend is a Jewish holiday - Yom Kippur, so I didn't have to work on Saturday. I was on a mission for us to get out and explore. So we headed up to Ellsworth farm in Sharon, Connecticut to pick apples and pumpkins.

We bought pumpkin and cream cheese muffins. They were so delicious. i sure am getting my fill with pumpkins.

Off we go to pick apples and pumpkins.

West Cornwall's covered bridges