34 Years

Posted on August 9, 2020 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

Mike and I celebrated 34 years of marriage! It’s been 34 pretty spectacular years and we are humbled and grateful that God has seen fit to bring us together and bless us with a happy marriage. I don’t really know if there is a ‘secret’ to making a happy marriage, but what I do know is I can’t but God can.

And He has.

Mike made today special by bringing me a cappuccino and croissant in bed this morning. We had a lovely lie-in and enjoyed rain falling outside.

We had a Skype call with Stacey and Elsie which is always both special and entertaining. Elsie is learning so many new things and it’s fun to do the same, so if she’s drinking tea, I go make tea. Stacey has said she has learned that when something is hot she has to wait for it to cool down. So with my black rooibos, I emphasized that it was too hot and I blew gently on it. She blew as well! So cute. The best is the serious attention she gave to Mike when he was putting his shoes on. She has learned how to do this…put socks and shoes on and she sees her parents doing it all the time. Now she saw “Blam-pa” do it too. She watched very intently!  Mike went down to the Mall to do some shopping while I was still on the Skype call – I was using my cell phone – so was able to follow Mike out to the car. Elsie followed the progress and watched with interest as Mike put on a mask! She’d seen that happen at home as well. She’s so adorable.

Mike came back laden with red roses and ingredients for a 3 course meal!

Julian and David joined us for lunch. We had soup and fresh artisan bread for a starter, chicken and veg for the main course and fruit salad and ice cream for dessert. And then he made cappuccino for 4.

Julian and David left, but later we went down to Echo for Mike to take some measurements of the entrance to the property so he can redesign it. Mike has very nearly completed the electrics for the build. Courage comes tomorrow and then is going to work on another job for the rest of the week. When he gets back to us, it will be time for the two of them to start working on the kitchen. It will be great for Mike to take a break Tuesday to Friday of this week. He’s been working hard and needs a rest.

I’ve got a fun comparison photo…this is Mike pretending to cut onions in the ‘kitchen’ way back in about March…

And here he is today…

Corona stats South Africa country-wide –August 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases (maximum we’ve had)– 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active) It’s now two weeks since we had the day with the highest number of new cases.
  • Sun 2nd August – 8195 new cases – 213 deaths (347 227 recoveries/155 892 active)
  • Monday 3rd August – 5377 new cases – 173 deaths (358037 recoveries/150 286 active)
  • Tuesday 4th August – 4456 new cases  -345 deaths (363 751 recoveries/148 683 active)
  • Wednesday 5th August – 8559 new cases – 414 deaths (377266 recoveries/143313 active)
  • Thursday 6th August – 8307 new cases – 306 deaths (387316 recoveries/141264 active)
  • Friday 7th August – 7292 new cases – 305 deaths (394759 recoveries/140808 active)
  • Saturday 8th August – 7712 new cases – 301 deaths (404568 recoveries/138410 active)

Total cases:553188  Total deaths: 10210

Proverbs 9:9

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

Be teachable.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 170 days

 

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Grown-Up House

Posted on August 8, 2020 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day…

I got some super comparison photos. Firstly, I took a new photo from the road (scroll to yesterday to see the before photos)…this was today with Julian’s balcony roof being secured. There are some quite strong winds this evening and it needs to be well secured.

I took a number of photos outside the neighbour’s driveway as the house began to appear above the treetops. Initially, you couldn’t see it…

Then it began to peak through…

Now it has taken its place as a grown-up house.

And finally: the Bible. We wrapped it in plastic and put it in the foundation of my floor…

The conduit above leads to the plug below. The Bible is right under the wall next to my study nook..

Today they put the rest of the windows in. The upstairs bathroom (loo with a view) has got plain none-frosted glass and sure enough when visiting that room for any reason, waves breaking on Fish Hoek beach can be seen.

We are so close yet so far. There are lots of finishes that need to be done. Another three months complete and we should be able to call this home. That’s God willing. Watch this space. Talking of ‘watch this space’, brings to mind the note I scribbled at the back of my Bible some years ago. I wrote it in pencil (oh woman of little faith)…

I don’t know what the Lord has in mind for this unexpected venture, but we have done what we believe we have been led to do and we will continue to commit the rest to Him.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide –August 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases (maximum we’ve had)– 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active) It’s now two weeks since we had the day with the highest number of new cases.
  • Sat 1st August – 10107 new cases – 148 deaths (342 461 recoveries/152 676 active)
  • Sun 2nd August – 8195 new cases – 213 deaths (347 227 recoveries/155 892 active)
  • Monday 3rd August – 5377 new cases – 173 deaths (358037 recoveries/150 286 active)
  • Tuesday 4th August – 4456 new cases  -345 deaths (363 751 recoveries/148 683 active)
  • Wednesday 5th August – 8559 new cases – 414 deaths (377266 recoveries/143313 active)
  • Thursday 6th August – 8307 new cases – 306 deaths (387316 recoveries/141264 active)
  • Friday 7th August – 7292 new cases – 305 deaths (394759 recoveries/140808 active)

Total cases:545 476  Total deaths: 9909

James 1:5

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year 169 days

 

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Summer in Winter

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Helga

Friday

Today was the day…

That was gloriously sunny – was really summer in winter. I did a bit of work early and then Riana picked me up and we went to the beach to meet up with friends.

At about 12 noon, I left and walked along the Cat Walk towards Echo. There was so much activity. Council painters….

And an artist at work…painting of a different kind.

The day was spectacular. I hung out at Echo for a while. We can now access the top floor through the staircase which makes it so easy.

When we got home around 2pm, Julian arrived at the same time. This afternoon we put my cell phone photos on the TV screen. First we looked at memories of Egypt and then we went right through the progress of the build. It’s amazing how far we have come.

I’ll have to take a latest one from the road.

Meantime, Anne is home from the hospital. I am so glad!

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July/August 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases (maximum we’ve had)– 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Friday 31st July – 11014 new cases – 195 deaths (326 171 recoveries/159007 active)
  • Sat 1st August – 10107 new cases – 148 deaths (342 461 recoveries/152 676 active)
  • Sun 2nd August – 8195 new cases – 213 deaths (347 227 recoveries/155 892 active)
  • Monday 3rd August – 5377 new cases – 173 deaths (358037 recoveries/150 286 active)
  • Tuesday 4th August – 4456 new cases  -345 deaths but this may be over a couple of days (363 751 recoveries/148 683 active)
  • Wednesday 5th August – 8559 new cases – 414 deaths (377266 recoveries/143313 active)
  • Thursday 6th August – 8307 new cases – 306 deaths (387316 recoveries/141264 active)

Total cases:538184   Total deaths: 9604

We hope for the best but there is a sense that the numbers are on the decline.

Proverbs 2:6

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 268 days

 

 

 

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Books Have Feelings

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Helga

Thursday

Today was the day…

I learned books have feelings! This important lesson could only have come from my book dealer brother. I was talking about how I needed to sort through all our books.  I said the ones I don’t want to keep, he can look through and then the ones I know have served their purpose, I can put in the recycle bag.

“RECYCLE?” he said!! “You don’t recycle books. Books have feelings!” They deserve to be donated to bring someone else joy! Then he related a story of an older lady he employed in one of his book shops. One day he heard her talking to the books. He asked her what she was saying. She said she was telling the books they must go find another home!

Ah, if books could talk, I’m sure they would have stories to tell! Hahaha. Stories other than the ones written in their pages. Books have feelings.

I worked on and off for the day. In between, I had a visit from Riana, then Julian came and before he left, Mike came home for lunch.

In the late afternoon, Julian and I went back to Echo and had a look at the day’s progress. The stair are done up to the landing…

Julian went onto the roof outside his Juliet balcony…

We saw Werner and asked him what his timeline is. He thinks about 5-6 weeks before he is finished. Well, we’ll see!

Julian and I then walked to Harbour Bay to meet Mike and David for dinner.  It was the first time I saw the house from Simon’s Town Rd.

Still hard to believe that 12 months ago we were waiting for the plans to be passed. On 2nd August 2019, I wrote this on my blog…

He has allowed it to get this far. We are grateful.

I’m continuing to pray for my sister Anne, who remains in hospital being treated for a serious infection. In a week or two, she will have a big surgery. Praying for the best possible outcome.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July/August 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases (maximum we’ve had)– 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Thursday 30th July – 11046 new cases – 315 deaths (309601 recoveries/164756 active)
  • Friday 31st July – 11014 new cases – 195 deaths (326 171 recoveries/159007 active)
  • Sat 1st August – 10107 new cases – 148 deaths (342 461 recoveries/152 676 active)
  • Sun 2nd August – 8195 new cases – 213 deaths (347 227 recoveries/155 892 active)
  • Monday 3rd August – 5377 new cases – 173 deaths (358037 recoveries/150 286 active)
  • Tuesday 4th August – 4456 new cases  -345 deaths but this may be over a couple of days (363 751 recoveries/148 683 active)
  • Wednesday 5th August – 8559 new cases – 414 deaths (377266 recoveries/143313 recoveries)

Total cases: 529877   Total deaths: 9298

Proverbs 24:14

Wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 267 day

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Loo With a View

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was the day…

I got to see the loo with a view. This is in the guest bathroom on the top floor of the new house. The bathroom is at the top of the stairs before entering Julian’s apartment. There is a spacious window next to the loo and they’ve just opened up the space in readiness for the window…

In the same room, but in front of the bath is this window…

When sitting in the bath, you can only see the sea, the beach and the mountain.

Meanwhile, the stairs are slowly coming on. Six have concrete in them. It’s looking good. I think in about a week, we should be able to walk up these steps to get to the top floor.

So that’s been my visit to Echo for today.

I had a good morning of work with a number of interviews set up and a good team Skype meeting.

I enjoyed a visit from David as well.

I also spent some time on the phone to my sister, who is currently in hospital in Johannesburg. She has been admitted for tests following jaundice and nausea. She’s having an MRI tomorrow before treatment is decided. I am praying for Anne.

Meantime, this evening Julian arrives, which is the reason for the early blog.

The Covid-19 numbers in South Africa have dropped again. In the Western Cape there have been between about 450 and 750 per day this week. Over the last 24 hours there have been 562 new cases in the Province.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July/August 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases (maximum we’ve had)– 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Wednesday 29th July – 11 362 new cases – 240 deaths (297967 recoveries/165659 active)
  • Thursday 30th July – 11046 new cases – 315 deaths (309601 recoveries/164756 active)
  • Friday 31st July – 11014 new cases – 195 deaths (326 171 recoveries/159007 active)
  • Sat 1st August – 10107 new cases – 148 deaths (342 461 recoveries/152 676 active)
  • Sun 2nd August – 8195 new cases – 213 deaths (347 227 recoveries/155 892 active)
  • Monday 3rd August – 5377 new cases – 173 deaths (358037 recoveries/150 286 active)
  • Tuesday 4th August – 4456 new cases  -345 deaths but this may be over a couple of days (363 751 recoveries/148 683 active)

Total cases: 521318   Total deaths: 8884

Grateful for the drop.

James 3:17

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

That’s amazing. If I think I have wisdom, that’s the criteria against which to weigh it.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 266 days (it’s 100 days to 2 years!)

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Surgeon Visit

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day…

I saw the surgeon for the (almost) last time. We had a good chat. He’s very happy with me and only would like to see me once my braces come off in (hopefully not more than) 6 months time. I got a photo of us. Got to smile with your eyes. Prof Johan Reyneke. He did a great job.

On the way home, I stopped off at Echo. The stairs are being made…

This is underneath them which will great storage…

I took photos of my bedroom from all angles.  This is looking toward the Juliet balcony…

This is taken from the Juliet balcony looking down the passage…my bathroom is behind the wall – you can see the water pipes for the shower.

This is looking from the bedroom into the lounge. In doorway will be large solid double doors…we’ll probably have them open most of the time.

This is my study nook…

This whole room area is getting ready for paint. I just love my floor. It looks so like wood but it’s tile. The benefits are that’s it is so tough, water resistant and much less expensive than real wood. The compromise is it doesn’t smell like wood. I love it.

When painting gets done, it’s going to really start looking like it’s nearing completion.

I came home and got stuck straight into work. By the time I’d finished Mike was home. Dinner is done and I am now really cold. The sunny spell we have enjoyed for the last three weeks is over. Yesterday and today there have been a few showers and now cooler weather has set in.

I was so excited to see the Covid-19 numbers dropping. We had the lowest number of new cases since mid June.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July/August 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Tuesday 28th July – 7232 new cases – 150 deaths (287 313 recoveries/ 165 191 active)
  • Wednesday 29th July – 11 362 new cases – 240 deaths (297967 recoveries/165659 active)
  • Thursday 30th July – 11046 new cases – 315 deaths (309601 recoveries/164756 active)
  • Friday 31st July – 11014 new cases – 195 deaths (326 171 recoveries/159007 active)
  • Sat 1st August – 10107 new cases – 148 deaths (342 461 recoveries/152 676 active)
  • Sun 2nd August – 8195 new cases – 213 deaths (347 227 recoveries/155 892 active)
  • Monday 3rd August – 5377 new cases – 173 deaths (358037 recoveries/150 286 active)

Total cases: 516862   Total deaths: 8539

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year, 265 days.

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Orthodontist Visit

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Helga

Monday

Today was the day…

I visited the orthodontist. It’s now August. Next appointment is mid September. Is it possible that I may have only 4 more orthodontic appointments? I’m too scared to imagine that to be the case but if I get this treatment finished in January, it’s not impossible.  There will be other appointments to get the implant done, but I am beginning to sense that my visits to wonderful Dr Strydom are numbered.

One of the banes of orthodontic life is the introduction of elastics and today I discovered not all elastics are created equal. “Have you been using Fox?” I didn’t know it but yes I have. Today I got introduced to Impala as well. It’s a whole new world out there.

And diagrams to match…

Trying to teach this dog new tricks was always going to be a challenge, but I think I’ve got it sorted. Fortunately the front one only needs to be put on at night. The side ones are not that visible and he really wants those on 24/7. The only reason I don’t complain about this is because it speeds up the process.

With that visit behind me I returned home to do a bit of lunchtime work and then went down to Echo to see progress. It’s looking good. This is the living area looking through towards our bedroom…

This is the kitchen pass-through…

My bedroom ceiling is almost complete…

And the stairwell is coming along…

Outside, I took a comparison photo from the back boundary…this was Nov 24-2019

This was today…

Not long now.

Today Stacey sent me this positive news from Swellendam:

We are seeing a decline in the Western Cape which is hopeful.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July/August 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Monday 27th July – 7096 new cases – the lowest for a number of weeks – 298 deaths (274 925 recoveries/ 170 537 active)
  • Tuesday 28th July – 7232 new cases – 150 deaths (287 313 recoveries/ 165 191 active)
  • Wednesday 29th July – 11 362 new cases – 240 deaths (297967 recoveries/165659 active)
  • Thursday 30th July – 11046 new cases – 315 deaths (309601 recoveries/164756 active)
  • Friday 31st July – 11014 new cases – 195 deaths (326 171 recoveries/159007 active)
  • Sat 1st August – 10107 new cases – 148 deaths (342 461 recoveries/152 676 active)
  • Sun 2nd August – 8195 new cases – 213 deaths (347 227 recoveries/155 892 active)

Total cases: 511485   Total deaths: 8366

We push on.

Psalm 119:130

The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 264 days

 

 

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Going Back to Say Thank-You

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

Mike and I returned to Scarborough Beach. We were there in July last year, when Mike felt compelled to pray. He got this inkling that the challenges in getting our plans passed would now melt away and things would get easier. So we sat on the rocks and prayed for that. That was Sunday 21st July 2019.  It was a beautiful winter’s day and we took this pic..

Fast forward to today…spot the difference!

I think when Google reminds me of this day in a year’s time, we’ll either shake our heads remembering the masks and social distancing, OR, we’ll say, “I can’t believe we are STILL doing this!”

But it was still a beautiful winter’s day and the beach was buzzing with locals enjoying the weather, the sand and the sea.

This was our view from the rocks.

We thanked the Lord for how far we have got. It’s crazy to think that it may be next month that we could possibly start moving in. That still sounds ambitious but maybe it will be October.

We got home at just about lunchtime and I was able to Skype with Stacey and Elsie who is still beyond adorable with her toddler babble and reference to us as Granny and Blampa. David came for lunch which was great as well.

We had a quiet afternoon and are now geared up for the week ahead.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July/August 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Sunday 26th July – 11233 new cases – 114 deaths (265 077 recoveries/173587 active)
  • Monday 27th July – 7096 new cases – the lowest for a number of weeks – 298 deaths (274 925 recoveries/ 170 537 active)
  • Tuesday 28th July – 7232 new cases – 150 deaths (287 313 recoveries/ 165 191 active)
  • Wednesday 29th July – 11 362 new cases – 240 deaths (297967 recoveries/165659 active)
  • Thursday 30th July – 11046 new cases – 315 deaths (309601 recoveries/164756 active)
  • Friday 31st July – 11014 new cases – 195 deaths (326 171 recoveries/159007 active)
  • Sat 1st August – 10107 new cases – 148 deaths (342 461 recoveries/152 676 active)

Total cases: 503290  Total deaths: 8153

Proverbs 4:6

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 263 days

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Winter Clean

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Helga

Saturday

Today was the day…

I did a Winter Clean…as opposed to a Spring Clean! It feels good to have the main areas we live in spic and span again – although there are still a few spots I missed.

It was such a lovely sunny day, I did two loads of washing as well, so now am feeling up to date. I guess house work is one of those things that has to be done but the dust and dirt does have a way of returning way too quickly.

Mike went back to the Tile stores in Paarden Eiland and had a good look at options for wall tiles and came back with this sample which I am very happy with…

Mike took one of our floor tiles with him and so was able to see if it would work….

I think it’s going to look great. Now we just have to order it and then go to Epping to collect it – which will save a R2000 delivery fee!

David has released a new video…

He’s so talented! Talking of talent, I also had a chat with Stacey. We have a nice routine going to having a telephone chat on a Saturday and a Skype call with Elsie on a Sunday.

Good to get the blog out early. Mike has arranged dinner tonight and it looks like I’m in for a treat!

A new month has begun.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Saturday 25th July – 12 204 new cases – 312 deaths (263 054 recoveries/164 491 active)
  • Sunday 26th July – 11233 new cases – 114 deaths (265 077 recoveries/173587 active)
  • Monday 27th July – 7096 new cases – the lowest for a number of weeks – 298 deaths (274 925 recoveries/ 170 537 active)
  • Tuesday 28th July – 7232 new cases – 150 deaths (287 313 recoveries/ 165 191 active)
  • Wednesday 29th July – 11 362 new cases – 240 deaths (297967 recoveries/165659 active)
  • Thursday 30th July – 11046 new cases – 315 deaths (309601 recoveries/164756 active)
  • Friday 31st July – 11014 new cases – 195 deaths (326 171 recoveries/159007 active)

Total cases: 493 183  Total deaths: 8005

Psalm 111:10

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year 262 days

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Looking Back, Going Forward

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Helga

Friday

Today was the day…

Mike and I both took the day off!

Google reminded me what we were doing two years ago. At the end of July 2018, Mike and I went down to Echo to mark out where the house would be…he put sticks along the house footprint.

Mike could see things I couldn’t…he already had it in his mind’s eye. For me it was all a pipe dream. In 2018 it was a pipe dream and last year it was still one…

In April 2019, we imagined that we may build, but had such a long way to go, we couldn’t conceive it coming to pass. Yet Mike believed more than I did. Here we are in the dying days of July 2018 measuring out for the back of the house…

Two years later we are weeks before completion. That was looking back. Looking forward, Mike and I went to a whole batch of tiling places in Paarden Eiland to look for floor tiles for our bathroom. We found exactly what we wanted…while they look quite blue here, they are really more grey….

They were a great price as well, so we bought 10m2 and took them straight to the site.

By the time we got home it was around 3pm so we’ve not done much since then!

It’s been a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and blue skies and hardly a breath of wind. Perfect winter’s day in Cape Town.  Mike and I sat outside on the balcony having a sundowner and watching the sun set. Special days.

I see in the Western Cape we only had 568 news cases of Corona today. The population of the Western Cape is 5.8 million and Corona stats had been more than a 1000 so we are grateful for the drop.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July 2020 –

  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Saturday 25th July – 12 204 new cases – 312 deaths (263 054 recoveries/164 491 active)
  • Sunday 26th July – 11233 new cases – 114 deaths (265 077 recoveries/173587 active)
  • Monday 27th July – 7096 new cases – the lowest for a number of weeks – 298 deaths (274 925 recoveries/ 170 537 active)
  • Tuesday 28th July – 7232 new cases – 150 deaths (287 313 recoveries/ 165 191 active)
  • Wednesday 29th July – 11 362 new cases – 240 deaths (297967 recoveries/165659 active)
  • Thursday 30th July – 11046 new cases – 315 deaths (309601 recoveries/164756 active)

Total cases: 482 169  Total deaths: 7812

1 Corinthians 9:24

Don’t you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year 261 days

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Start of the Stairs

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Helga

Thursday

Today was the day…

Mike took the day off. He actually has to design the kitchen, do the cutting list for it and get the island top design ready for the fabricators. He did go to the site to do some measuring. We also went to the garden nursery and bought some more bird nectar. In the afternoon, we sat on the balcony and drank tea. 🙂

I had a good work day – just over 5 hours.

Just after 5pm, we went back to the build to see today’s progress. The main thing we noticed when we walked in the front door was this…it’s the start of the construction of the stairs. I think it must be tricky getting this right. They will be in concrete.

We had to go up there to get to Julian’s floor.  The window peeps had been to put in Julian’s main balcony door…it’s looking good.

Then we had to go down again…carefully…

Werner has made great progress with the floors. Mike is taking tomorrow off as well so we can go through to CTM to choose wall and floor tiles for our bathroom.

After we visited the site, Mike and I walked up onto the mountainside and met our neighbours. They moved into the house on the Fish Hoek side a few months ago. The owner of the house lives in Germany and comes out every November. With Corona, it’s unlikely he’ll come this year, so they hope to stay on. It was nice to actually meet them. I’ve greeted them over the wall before but now we  know their names.

Blog’s a bit later than usual and it’s time for me to wrap it up.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July 2020 –

  • Thursday 23rd July – 13104 new cases – 153 deaths (236 260 recoveries/ 165699 active)
  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Saturday 25th July – 12 204 new cases – 312 deaths (263 054 recoveries/164 491 active)
  • Sunday 26th July – 11233 new cases – 114 deaths (265 077 recoveries/173587 active)
  • Monday 27th July – 7096 new cases – the lowest for a number of weeks – 298 deaths (274 925 recoveries/ 170 537 active)
  • Tuesday 28th July – 7232 new cases – 150 deaths (287 313 recoveries/ 165 191 active)
  • Wednesday 29th July – 11 362 new cases – 240 deaths (297967 recoveries/165659 active)

Total cases: 471 123  Total deaths: 7497

Psalm 37:23-24

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 260 da

 

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Mike is Taking a Break

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Helga

Wednesday

Today was the day…

Mike only worked half the day! He came home at lunchtime and is taking tomorrow off as well (although he has already said he may pop down to the build!). Courage is only returning on Friday, so he gets some rest time as well.

So glad Mike is resting, but it means I didn’t go down to the site.

Today was a hectic work day. I had a lot of interviews to arrange. My direct manager is going off until Tuesday, so the days ahead may turn out to be a little quieter.  Today, after a few hours hunched over my computer, I took a short walk around the block. I  just needed some fresh air and a bit of a leg stretch.

I also did some washing. It looked like there may be a shower, so I decided to put the washing on the clothes horse on the balcony. It becomes a sun trap in the afternoon and the washing is now almost dry. Also being off my bedroom, it’s easy to keep an eye on if the rain did come…which it hasn’t. Our balcony at Echo will also be a lovely drying spot, so the clothes horse will definitely go with us. It’s quite light and so needs a brick on two on the bottom of the stand, so it doesn’t blow over.

Mike has gone to the Mall to try get a hair cut. When he’s not here, my companions are made up of Sue’s cats who saunter in when they feel like it. More frequently, I’m kept company by they myriad of birds that appreciate the bird feeders. I keep them well stocked. I’ve already decided where to hang the feeders when we get to Echo. At the moment, there are a couple of sparrows, a flock of white-eyes and a few long-beaked very colourful sun birds. Periodically we get harassed by masses of starlings who we have stopped gobbling the seed ball by putting it in a cage…

Today is also the day that marks 6 weeks since my jaw operation. This means that:

I. CAN. EAT!

I can eat sort of normally. In fact yesterday, on the way back from the airport, David, bless him, stopped and bought me this:

I really enjoyed it, but the thing with Sushi is that I can only have it about once a month or every six weeks. It’s so rich and very salty. It leaves me feeling a little stodgy, but it’s worth it. It was delish and so generous! So eating is back to normal although I will still need to avoid crunchy food. I see both the surgeon and the orthodontist next week. I am super happy with my progress. So grateful surgery is over.

Yesterday, the Western Cape’s total active number of cases had dropped to 11876 that is out of 91659 recorded positive cases. In our province it seems like it is dropping.

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July 2020 –

  • Wednesday 22nd July – 13150 new cases  – horrendous 572 deaths (I heard 400 of these were in the Eastern Cape) – 229 175 recoveries/ 159833 active
  • Thursday 23rd July – 13104 new cases – 153 deaths (236 260 recoveries/ 165699 active)
  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Saturday 25th July – 12 204 new cases – 312 deaths (263 054 recoveries/164 491 active)
  • Sunday 26th July – 11233 new cases – 114 deaths (265 077 recoveries/173587 active)
  • Monday 27th July – 7096 new cases – the lowest for a number of weeks – 298 deaths (274 925 recoveries/ 170 537 active)
  • Tuesday 28th July – 7232 new cases – 150 deaths (287 313 recoveries/ 165 191 active)

Total cases: 459 761  Total deaths: 7257

Revelation 3:10

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

The best is yet to come – it’s beyond the trial.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 259 days

 

 

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From the Back

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Helga

Tuesday

Today was the day…

I had a long company Skype meeting and a productive morning at work. David took Julian to the airport. He had taken Mike’s car so came home via our house, picked me up and together we went to Echo. I went up to the back and took a photo looking down the stairs, from the back of the plot…

This was October last year….just after the stairs had been made.

This photo below is the back of the top floor – the first window is the stairwell window….

Meanwhile at the front the workers are busy putting on the architraves…

Inside, the stairwell has been marked out for the stairs. You can’t see the stairwell window in this picture as it’s too high. The window that is visible is my scullery window which will be behind the stairs…

More tiles have been put down in my bedroom. Slowly, slowly, a house is built. It’s such a lot of work.

I was amazed today to see that the Western Cape  only had 479 new cases of Corona in the last 24 hours which is amazing…

Corona stats South Africa country-wide – July 2020 –

  • Tuesday 21st July – 8170 new cases  – 195 deaths (208144 recoveries/ 168 286)
  • Wednesday 22nd July – 13150 new cases  – horrendous 572 deaths (I heard 400 of these were in the Eastern Cape) – 229 175 recoveries/ 159833 active
  • Thursday 23rd July – 13104 new cases – 153 deaths (236 260 recoveries/ 165699 active)
  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Saturday 25th July – 12 204 new cases – 312 deaths (263 054 recoveries/164 491 active)
  • Sunday 26th July – 11233 new cases – 114 deaths (265 077 recoveries/173587 active)
  • Monday 27th July – 7096 new cases – the lowest for a number of weeks – 298 deaths (274 925 recoveries/ 170 537 active)

Total cases: 452 529  Total deaths: 7067

Revelation 3:11

Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 258 days

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Rocky Access

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Helga

Monday

Today was the day…

I’ve recorded the very rocky access to our front door. We used to have 77 steps but now we have about 55 plus a few truckloads of rocks…

In this picture below, the bottom door is the basement door. The one bedroom unit is the next door up – you can just see it beneath the edge of the balcony. After that is the gap that goes under the house. Our front door is open and just beyond the scaffolding. There are steps as far as the middle door and after that it’s a scramble.

This will change of course. It’s just not happening now. What is happening now is my floor tiles have started being laid in my bedroom…looks just like wood.

I love before and after photos. The other day I saw a photo of between the houses, so I took a comparison photo for today…

I didn’t quite get the right position…but you get the idea!

Mike worked hard on the roof, getting the wiring for the solar in position. He will soon complete the house wiring and we will be onto solar installation.

As for me, I worked most of the morning. I had a chance to have coffee on the balcony and spotted Sue’s cat Cocoa in the tree…just chilling in the sunshine.

This week is week 6 since my jaw operation and I am just about eating normally. I don’t think I have steak in my immediate future and  biltong will need to wait another three months, BUT my desire for a croissant and sushi will be soon be fulfilled. I’ve been eating tender protein such as chicken and fish and it’s going well. My plan is to celebrate on Wednesday with sushi! That’s still pretty soft but I haven’t had any in months.

Today I read that the Western Cape only had 600 new cases of Corona virus. This is down from more than 1000.

Corona stats – July 2020 –

  • Monday 20th July – 9300 new cases – 140 deaths (194 865 recoveries/173590 active)
  • Tuesday 21st July – 8170 new cases  – 195 deaths (208144 recoveries/ 168 286)
  • Wednesday 22nd July – 13150 new cases  – horrendous 572 deaths (I heard 400 of these were in the Eastern Cape) – 229 175 recoveries/ 159833 active
  • Thursday 23rd July – 13104 new cases – 153 deaths (236 260 recoveries/ 165699 active)
  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Saturday 25th July – 12 204 new cases – 312 deaths (263 054 recoveries/164 491 active)
  • Sunday 26th July – 11233 new cases – 114 deaths (265 077 recoveries/173587 active)

Total cases: 445 433  Total deaths: 6769

2 Thessalonians 3:5

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 257 days

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Seeing the House From Behind

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Helga

Sunday

Today was the day…

We walked on the mountainside behind the house. We went along the firebreak and looked to see what it looked like and what kind of rear fencing we should have.

Quite a while ago, way before the build, Mike and I walked along a path behind the house to see if there was any way a track could be fashioned to the plot so building supplies could be driven there but there were way too many boulders.  I was reminded of it today when we walked that way, only now, the hard work is done. The house has been built with everything being carried up on the shoulders of the workers. It’s been an amazing mission.  That’s the house…standing out in the middle of the picture just below the left cloud.

We enjoyed our mountain walk…

It was great to get out.

I also was called upon to do some work today, which was no problem.

And I had a lovely Skype call with Stacey and Elsie. 😍🥰

This evening the plan is to watch Downton Abbey – The Movie!

While we were on the our walk we heard a loudspeaker with someone calling through it to stay home if possible and if you display symptoms of Covid-19 to call this number. They were driving slowly along the main road spreading the message of Corona safety. At least our recoveries number is advancing over active cases. We will win this battle.

Corona stats – July 2020 –

  • Sunday 19th July – 13 449 new cases – 85 deaths (191 059 recoveries/168236 active)
  • Monday 20th July – 9300 new cases – 140 deaths (194 865 recoveries/173590 active)
  • Tuesday 21st July – 8170 new cases  – 195 deaths (208144 recoveries/ 168 286)
  • Wednesday 22nd July – 13150 new cases  – horrendous 572 deaths (I heard 400 of these were in the Eastern Cape) – 229 175 recoveries/ 159833 active
  • Thursday 23rd July – 13104 new cases – 153 deaths (236 260 recoveries/ 165699 active)
  • Friday 24th July – 13944 new cases – 250 deaths (245 771 recoveries/169 882 active)
  • Saturday 25th July – 12 204 new cases – 312 deaths (263 054 recoveries/164 491 active)

Total cases: 434 200 Total deaths: 6655

James 5:11

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

The best is yet to come.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Braces:

1 year and 256 days

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