Mike Shaved off His Moustache

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day we had a lovely breakfast together at the Hot Springs. Then, we went outside so you could use up some energy before the drive home. We went past the beautiful pool,

Where we saw an Egyptian goose enjoying the water…

You were already trying out the rope swing…

Then we played follow my leader with you being the leader…

It was soon time to say good bye. Warm hugs and then we were given a lift in the golf cart to our car…(last photo with moustache!)

Such a lovely couple of nights. When we got home, Mike went to have a hair cut. He came home looking like this…

No more moustache that he’s had for 40 years! We had discussed it for many months and decided that our anniversary would be a good time to see it gone. It was still up in the air if he would shave it off tomorrow. I did get a surprise when he walked back in from his haircut without it. Welcome to the world of the clean shaven! He feels very strange without it. He’s got to get used to it.  We didn’t tell David so when he came up for dinner we were interested to see his reaction. He could not believe it! “Whaaaat! No ways!” You can just imagine him saying it.

Stacey, David and Julian all agree he looks younger. And his bank facial recognition, surprisingly still works. That’s how long we have been talking about it. He didn’t want to do it before our April holiday because of the facial recognition. I guess they use more in-depth criteria that doesn’t include bushy moustaches. What’s really interesting is, like me, half his face resembles one parent and the other half the other. He’s got his Mom’s shape mouth and his Dad’s upper face/ eyes. My mouth/jaw is from my Dad. My eyes are hazel like my Mom’s.

38 years tomorrow – couldn’t have wished for a better husband.

1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Mike Shaved off His Moustache

Caledon Hot Springs With a Twist

Posted on August 7, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday 

Dear Elsie

Today was Caledon Hot Springs with a Twist – the twist was the best thing about the day – YOU arrived with your Mama! It was so wonderful to see you.

At first we woke up to a lot of mist, but that didn’t stop me getting up early and walking the 500m to the Caledon Freshstop where I cashed in on my 2 free Seattle cappuccinos. I loaded them up into Mike’s gloves to keep them warm and walked back to the hotel. My usual morning routine unfolded. After working for a couple of hours, we went for a full hotel breakfast before going back to work.

The afternoon was full of fun. Work was over and I went into Granny mode. We walked all over the place looking at all the hot spring options and ended at the jungle gym. The rope swing was a hit!

 

The only way to get Elsie off was to play follow my leader with Grandpa!

We got changed into our swimming costumes and tried out all the options. We started off in the cooler one…

And then moved to the hotter pools.

We had a grand old time & will all sleep very well tonight! It’s been a good blend of work and play.

1 Corinthians 3:19
The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Caledon Hot Springs With a Twist

Living Our Best Life

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we dropped Julian at the airport and then continued on to a quick 2 nights away. We stopped at Somerset Mall for breakfast.  While there, I did some work. I actually haven’t mentioned to any of my work colleagues that I would be working away from home. I’ve just got on with it. Breakfast at Ole

Our destination: Caledon! I did a bit more work on arrival. We then wasted no time in heading for the hot springs. They do the world of good for both of us.

Beautiful views.

This evening, we took off to a restaurant in Caledon called The Barn. Rustic comes to mind.

The food is boerekos. Big meals with lots of fried food and sweetened vegetables. I had chicken. Mike had a burger.

When we got back to the hotel, I took a 20 minute walk around the place. It’s cold outside but very warm in.

It was quite a shock to learn of Aunty Sally’s passing. She was Granny’s youngest sister. Only 2 of the 8 siblings remain. June & Leigh, the second & third youngest. Tomorrow, Granny, had she lived, would have turned 100. I used to look at her, so old and frail and remind myself to appreciate her because one day she wouldn’t be here. She passed away in 2013. These things certainly remind us of the brevity of life. It’s flashing by and we need to take advantage of the time we have left, so we are trying to live our best life. These little trips away are part of it. Celebrate life, one day at a time.

1 Corinthians 2:9
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.

It’s now about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God Bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Living Our Best Life

A Little Look Back

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today we expected some sunshine, but instead it was a very overcast, gloomy day with occasional spots of drizzle. I worked 9 hours, but one thing that did happen is we saw a whale.  I actually got to saw it breach a few times, but this was all I could get.

We had a guest arrive and he is settling in. He’s here til Saturday.

Mike had to show us something in the Little Lookout and as we were all there, I took advantage of having a photo taken with Julian and I. We take a little look back at the birth of the Little Look out. It was originally called ‘the basement’. This is 9th November 2019.

There had been much debate about this space. Initially, it was going to be an empty space where the water tanks would go, but as it was under the house and would have a roof, it was converted into a large room. It was then going to be a laundry but one day when I was standing it  in, I looked down at the cottage in which there is already a laundry and though it was really a waste to have a second.

This was Jan 2020

So, it became the Little Lookout. It’s a very comfortable space. This is today in exactly the same spot.

It’s crazy that it’s almost 4 years since we moved in.

It’s now gone 8pm and I need to pack, for tomorrow we will be away. A last minute booking was made this afternoon. David will look after Raiku.

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on A Little Look Back

Cat Walk Cormorants

Posted on August 4, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was a day of cormorants. They came by the hundreds and gathered on the sea to feed.

Once done, it’s off to the cat walk to settle on the rocks…

And further down the cat walk there were more…

I hear the cormorant numbers have been in decline. I also read they work together with penguins, which can dive much deeper than they. They push the fish up to the surface. It helps provide dinner for the birds.

I had a good quiet day. Had a couple of walks, did a bit of cleaning, sat on my rocking chair and also watched some of the Olympics.

I don’t take living here for granted.

Today, I started 1 Corinthians.

1:4-5
I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way –

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Cat Walk Cormorants

Saturday Filled With Activities

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day filled with activities. The care needed a service so we drove through to Claremont to drop it off. As soon as we had done that, we found this amazing little Portuguese bakery on Iman Haron called Coimbria, named after a city in Portugal. What a gem this little place is.

The food was exceptional and abundant.  I had the breakfast board.

Mike had the full English breakfast and couldn’t finish it.

So, car dropped off, tummies full, we then went to Oasis Book Shop, where we saw Wayne Turner and had a chat. Julian went to buy books. Mike and I browsed and then went to Access Park and then across to Kenilworth Centre. After strolling  for a while, Julian messaged to say the car was ready. We walked back to Oasis and met him there and home we went.

Then it was a phone call with you Elsie – which I always enjoy!

Then I went to see my friend Debs who had her birthday yesterday. We had a lovely visit. I walked home in time for an hour before walking to Harbour Bay for dinner at Sav. I chose the salmon salad. What a winner.

It was delicious.

And that was the Saturday filled with activities. A good day.

And believe it or not, the scab on my hand has come off and it’s almost entirely healed. Still itchy though.

Last verse of Romans

Romans 16:27 …to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Saturday Filled With Activities

Thick Skinned

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

It is with joy I write Friday! I like Fridays. Today was a 6-hour work day. Then in the afternoon, I took a walk to Fish Hoek to buy a little gift for my friend who turns 60 today. It’s the 1964’s year and there are numbers of us who are part of it. I bought her a hedgehog. It was my plan to drop it off on the way home, but when I messaged her, she wasn’t there.

Not often does a train come by when I’m crossing the line at this point. The train between Simon’s Town and Fish Hoek is happily running a lot more frequently. This has put me in mind that we should catch it to Simon’s Town one day and then walk home.

Last week when I wrote about my hand and how I got a tar burn, I said this time next week it will be gone. Well it’s not. I have thick skin. The pink patch has been very itchy. The middle scab is beginning to flake, so I think in a week it will be gone.

We are waiting for guests to arrive. They said their flight from Heathrow was due in at 11.30am and then they were going to pick up a car and go for a hike. They are due here at 5.30pm.

Courage has been in Johannesburg for the week. We are looking forward to having him back on Monday.

And that’s the end of the week.

One of the Bible verses that always strikes me when I encounter it is this one

Romans 16:7
Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

Can you imagine how excited they were at Paul’s conversion?

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Thick Skinned

Getting Back into Airbnbing

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

For the last 2 months, we have had no Airbnb bookings. We have had guests but they have been off Airbnb. When I opened up the units onto Airbnb again, no one booked for all of July. I understand why. When your listing is popular it goes to the top of the pile, but when you’ve been off the platform, it goes to the very bottom, so no one picks it up. Somehow, people got to see it and one booking became two that became three, which became 4. The 4th came in at 2am this morning to book in today, so we have just seen them in. The first Airbnb guests in the Loft. The view is exceptional!

The next comes in tomorrow and leaves on Sunday. The third comes in on Monday for 5 nights. The following week, the Kazaks arrive for 33 nights.  It’s going to be a busy time.

Meanwhile, crazy Raiku has been trying to catch a bird that has been landing on the outside handle of the side balcony door. Raiku thinks he’s catchable. I videoed him leaping up to try grab the bird and took a screenshot.

Crazy cat.

Today I have a very runny nose. It wasn’t too bad earlier but now it’s streaming.

At least I got in 6 hours of work.

Psalm 25:1
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in You I trust, O my God.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Getting Back into Airbnbing

No Lunch July

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie,

Today is the day that I finished No-Lunch July. The whole month, I missed lunch. Well, almost. There was one day when I was presented with half a delicious hot dog roll with a Russian sausage.  It was so tasty I couldn’t turn it down, but after that I  made it very clear, no lunch for me.  The three things I very soon learned was to get used to being hungry, control my “h-anger” and to help the above by staying hydrated.

If you are going to skip lunch, you will be hungry. I get to lunchtime and I am peckish. What helps is going for a walk. On a day like today, it was no hardship.

When I’m out walking, I take a bit of cash and usually stop somewhere to buy water.  When I get home, I have a half shot of coffee and that gets me to dinner time. At the beginning of the month when I first started, by 5pm, I was starving and very irritable. I immediately realised if my family are going to survive me skipping lunch, I’m going to have to control my h-anger. As the month wore on, I adjusted more. When Julian is here we eat at 6pm, so at 5pm (around now) I have a piece of fruit to tide me over.

The other thing that has helped me is having my sports watch sync with my cell phone app and I try to achieve 3 things (rings) every day. The easiest one of which I need to be most intentional, because it’s hourly, is to make sure I get up and am on my feet for (only) one minute of every single hour of the day. Because my job is so sedentary and I can end up sitting at my desk  for hours on end, I needed to work on being mindful of this. The second ring is exercise. 30 minutes a day – a walk will do. The 3rd ring is burning 270 calories through movement. This is usually easily covered by the walk. At the end of the day, it looks like this – I had a long walk today. It wasn’t super fast either. It was long because I stopped to talk to people and also picked up shopping.

Calorie counting. My app diet log has been such a help in reigning in what I eat. I discovered a portion of macaroni cheese (any pasta in fact) is hugely high in calories and it’s best to substitute it out for plain chicken and veg. In the end it looks like this.  I’ve already put in my dinner calories. I may be able to add a bit of popcorn after dinner.

I had a cooked breakfast this morning which is why my protein and fat numbers are  high.

So, how much weight have I lost? I have lost 2.6kg.  I was 75.6kg on 1st July. I end the month on 73kg.

Going forward, I want to continue skipping lunch & we’ll see what happens. Overall I feel better, have a lot of energy & am feeling more comfortable.

I’m grateful for a good month and good health. Family, I am praying for you.

Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on No Lunch July

The Great Cape Flood of 2024

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie,

Today was the day we saw just how much rain has fallen this month in comparison to previous Julys. We have an an inordinate amount of rain. Rob Mousely posted this to the Noordhoek Community Forum. 313mm this month. it’s been extraordinary.

It was worth taking a look at the City’s dam levels. They updated yesterday and between last week and this, we crossed the 100% mark.

And this is the comparison between 2024 and 2020.

I half thought this year would see a 7-year drought. Remember 2017?  In July 2017, I was using the tank water to wash my hair. As my blog goes back to November 2011, I was able to look up what was happening in that dry, dry winter of 2017. Look at this – 8th May 2017, Dam levels 22%

It was so critical.  I thought possibly 7 years later another drought would come, but it seems the reverse has happened. Like we could refer to the great Cape drought of 2017, we may refer to this year as the great Cape flood of 2024.  For the moment though, the sky is scattered with puffy white clouds. There is blue sky and the sun is shining. Our city has a few days to dry out and (possibly) warm up as no rain is forecast until Sunday. We’ll be enjoying the respite.

I worked for several hours today. David is not joining us for dinner. Tomorrow I think I will give a summary of what my lunch-less July has been like (and if it has resulted in any weight loss).

There’s always something very comforting by reading this…so familiar and so hopeful for what follows.

Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Great Cape Flood of 2024

Tea and Tusks

Posted on July 29, 2024 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I received tea and tusks! It was a very busy day at work and as I ended it there was a knock at the door. An unexpected knock at the door is rare. It was Jonathan from next door. He and his wife Gill had gone on holiday to Sri Lanka. I’ve never heard of anyone going to this SE Asian island on holiday before. It was while they were away that their cat Basil got a bladder infection and I took him to the vet. To say thank you, Jonathan came over with a gift.

The tusks were separate to the elephant and had to be put in place. There was discussion about which way round they went. David got it right. Perhaps tonight I’ll try out the tea.  It was very thoughtful of them. Not tea and rusks, tea and tusks!

As my work day was more than 8 hours, I ended up not doing a decent walk. I resorted to an after dinner dash to the end of the street, all the way back down and then down Highway, up Hillside, down Daisy Lane and home. I got in my 30 minute exercise. There were very brave people in the sea – the sun was setting and it was by no means warm.

Home and now it’s time to wind down for the evening. We get to do it all again tomorrow.

My soul food came from Romans 12 today. The whole chapter is such a good read, but this verse needs to sink deep. Verse 3

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Tea and Tusks

Healing Hand

Posted on July 28, 2024 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

This Sunday was a Rainday. The sun did shine from time to time, but was interspersed with showers. We had a lovely morning with David having a cooked breakfast with us. He went off to teach. I rested and then at lunchtime, we took a walk to Harbour Bay.  We walked past the place where I took a tumble. Tomorrow, it is two weeks. We were walking towards the road and I tripped over these weeds…

My right hand hit the tar and gouged a nasty graze at the base of my hand. It was so sore. When we got to Harbour Bay, I rinsed it off under the bathroom tap and nearly went through the roof.  Although a small area, it’s been a bit of a nuisance over the last two weeks because it’s my right hand and I use it so much. I had to adjust, for example,  how I pick up the kettle and how I push myself up in bed, how I sweep and how I put on a jersey. Then the centre kept breaking open. When I had to go out and meet people I’d put a plaster over it so I could shake hands without wincing. But I couldn’t leave the plaster on for too long because then it became soggy. Such a little sore, such an irritation. Finally, after two weeks, it’s completely dried out and I can stretch my hand almost without feeling it. It’s healing from the outside in, but you can see the red part in the middle – that was the crack that kept breaking open.

Another week and it should be gone. No tripping today, but the walk was perfect. There was one or two little showers but not enough to get too wet. The overhead railway lines were being repaired at Glencairn. No trains on a Sunday.

The waves were quite a sight, although they never appear as dramatic on a cell phone photo. The big ones at the end of the set, thundered onto the rocks, emitting a whooshing boom.

And there was a rainbow.

We got home before the afternoon rain began and missed a number of windy showers. The temperature today has been surprisingly low. They said there was a maximum of 9, which is unusual for daytime. Our walk was nearly 8.5km.

Now it’s time for me to get the dinner on.

Romans 11:36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Healing Hand

Dashing Home to Beat the Rain

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we woke up to see a massive cold front bearing down on the Cape. We were supposed to leave your house around 10am, but in order to miss it, we decided that to miss driving in the thick of it, we would need to leave earlier. We were sorry to leave so early, but were so glad we came.

We left at 6.20am and dashed home to beat the rain. We got to Grabouw before some pre-frontal rain started, but it wasn’t too bad. Baden Powell was uneventful and it was only when we got to Muizenberg the rain increased. We parked in the Muizenberg Checkers underground and picked up some groceries before getting home in time for there to be a lull. We got up the stairs and into our apartment before the heavens opened. I was happy to be in my rocking chair when the rain was pouring down.

Shortly we will jump on Zoom and join the memorial tea for Mike’s youngest aunt (Granny Eve’s youngest daughter), Sally who passed away on 17th July. She looked after Granny when we went overseas in 2011. A vivacious talented seamstress, baker and gardener. She also loved cross-stitch and got  me into it. She taught David how to make lemon meringue pie. She was fiercely protective of Granny and made sure we were looking after her. I’m sorry to hear she has passed away. We last saw her at Monica’s memorial service last year. She looked so well. Granny was born in 1924, Sally in 1944 and me in 1964. She was a couple of month’s shy of her 80th birthday. Sally and Granny in 2012.

In my Bible on today’s date I’ve written how every day the Bible feeds me. Encouraging verses from today’s reading.

2 Chronicles 20:12 & 15
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.  The battle is not yours but God’s.

Good to remember.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Dashing Home to Beat the Rain

Grandparents Day 2024

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we left Cape Town really early and drove through to spend Grandparents Day at your school. We had a fun, fun time. I think you liked the games the best hitting balloons with a fly swatter and using a pool noodle to hit a tennis ball to each other. We had a good time. You showed me your classroom.

You and your very best friend Simone played on the jungle gym.

You went across the balance beam.

Here’s the photo you took of us…

And when you got home, I gave you the butterfly wings which you absolutely love!

In the afternoon, Grandpa and I went for a walk to the shops to buy a few things. On the way home, we found this path…

And decided to walk along it.

It was lovely and went deep into a grove. It was quite wet so when we found an exit path, we took it. We came home via the nature reserve which was very muddy but has a lovely view of Swellendam.

Later we went for another walk. When we got home we had dinner and then played ludo which was a lot of fun and it was a very close game.

We had a lovely time. My heart is full.

Romans 10:13
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Grandparents Day 2024

Yachts and Whales

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I worked the entire day so outside life became very small, but I did get to see yachts and whales. The whales are very difficult to get pics of but the yachts showed up the lovely day.

Such a beautiful day. It’s hard to believe that I would ever get to enjoy this view. We spoke about it the other day. If it hadn’t been for Julian randomly asking  us to go in with him when he bought the cottage, we would never have been here. Julian had put in a cheeky offer. When the estate agent (nicknamed Pollie because he used to be in the police) went to take the seller (Leslie) the offer, before he went in, she said to him, ‘first let us pray.’ Pollie said, ‘you don’t know what I’ve come to say.’ She said, ‘I know you have come to talk business.’ And with that she prayed. Pollie presented the offer. She asked if we wanted the house to sell and make money on,  or to live in. He said to keep it to live in. She read from the Bible, Hebrews 12:1  ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,’ and with that, she accepted our offer!  We would never be here if the Lord hadn’t opened the door. That’s for sure.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

Posted in Day to Day Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Yachts and Whales