Seeing the Old Year Out

2019 was not a good year for me but I feel that it is the turning point. God and me have grown together in leaps and bounds. I know that we are much closer than ever before after this year. 

Anyhow to end off this year, we joined some friends to watch Peter Pan on Ice this evening, starting from the left to right is Matthew, Sean, Tina, Lynda, me, and of course Paulo. 

So here is to a better 2020...

Playful Minks

We bought the cats some new toys, and Minky found them so fascinating that she really went to town on our carpet while she enjoyed the toys.  

Not Looking So Good

On the way home from church, we stopped at a clothing shop because Lynda had seen that they were having an after Christmas Sale on. So why Lynda was shopping for a bargin, Matthew and I popped in next door at an optometrist as Matthew was in desperate need of new glasses, well that was until I found these round frames. And now we did not choose them in the end, as he did not look so good in them.  

Weird Selfie

Okay we are allowed to be weird every now and again, even just to show the we are human sometimes. Any hoo, the year is coming to an end rather quickly and so before the mad rush towards the end happens, we would like to take this pause, and wish all our friends and family, an happy new year, may 2020 be a prosperous and blessed year. 

Husband Day Care Centre

It is the first time that I found myself in this mall, with all the new malls springing up in the last decade it has been hard to keep up. I have been here before, but it was a different mall, it was the Waterfront an long time ago, the it morphed into the Brightwater Commons, and now it is just another mall, Ferndale on Republic. 

Anyways it is now a shinny new mall just like all the others, well not shinny, yet they all the same. So here I found myself with Lynda, as they say shopping is therapeutic but I had to exchange some gifts because of size issue. I know I need to really start loosing some excess weight. Oh well I rather be at the husband day care centre instead of walking the malls.

Sewerage Flows into Botanical Gardens

We come a long way since we first started reporting about the raw sewerage that was flowing into the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens. Sewerage leeks are inevitable in our aging sewer system and yet here we are, with the cleanest river in Gauteng. What are we doing to get here within 2 and a half short years? 

Well we have put in place an early warning system which measures the oxygen levels in the Bot Gardens, and we have a myriad of volunteers from both the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch and the Kenmare Kloof Conservation Association who actively seek out any leaks, which gets reported onto a WhatsApp group which has all the players who can spring into action to fix the problems. Thanks to Mogale City and to the City of Joburg who have representatives on the group who get things done, and not to leave out any of the other good people of that group. Thank you.

This afternoon I got a call from one of the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch members that they were told of a sewerage leak just above the gorge by the caretaker of the Manie Mulder Resort. So my son and I went looking for the leak and it didn't take long to discover the raw sewerage flowing into the stream in Breaunanda just upsteam from what is known as the deepest gorge in Gauteng.

Not long after posting a pin location of the leak onto the WhatsApp group, the local ward councillor for the area, Dr Andries Eksteen, phoned me. I know that Mogale City is on skeleton staff due to the summer holidays, but lets hope that it gets sorted out quickly.

Granny and Dakotah

Christmas is all about the birthday celebrations of our saviour Jesus and family, so here we found ourselves spending the with family. Here is Lynda with her granddaughter Dakotah having a whale of a time together.

KFC Boxmaster Fail

I prefer KFC than the other fast food brands such as McDonalds or Burger King. It has become my go to food when I am feeling down, not that I am feeling down when I started today, but I got that craving of some KFC. 

I know that this is one of the worse KFCs ever because of the many times that they have let me down, and after today it is no surprise they let me down, ... again. After waiting for a long time in the queue for only 2 cars, I should have known then but hoping for the best, I ordered a Boxmaster meal with a buddy coke, oh yes this KFC doesn't even have coke, I should run then ...

And when I finally received my meal, this is how it looked, why call it a box meal, maybe they should change boxmaster to wrapmaster. Why do I this to myself? 

Pool Vacuuming

Matthew has stepped up to the plate and help me get our swimming pool back to swimming condition after the big storm on Saturday. It was hard going with so much debris in the pool. First we had to clear all the floating big pieces of leaves and branches, then vacuum up the bottom and clear the weir every hour as it got too full rather quickly.  

Storm Pool

Surveying our garden after the big storm yesterday, I must say we got off quite lightly other than my swimming pool which was sparkling yesterday morning, and now just a cesspool of debris. Oh well I better start again trying to get the pool back to swimming condition.   

Storm Cat

A huge storm has broken overhead and here is Paddy fast asleep and oblivious to the hail falling outside. My rain gauge measured 59mm of rain had fallen in the last 2 hours. That is a lot of water. Reports are coming in of walls that have fallen over along with videos of the torrents of storm water trying to find its way into our streams. All the while Paddy sleeps. 

Operation Suzzette

Yesterday Suzzette, my pickup,went into the mechanic to get her front hubs replaced plus any other things to renew her life. This pickup is about to turn 20, and this major operation will extend her usefulness even further. Besides her wheel hubs that were replaced, her wheel bearings, brake discs, lower control arm ball joints, disc pads and flexible hydraulic hoses were also replaced.

So now today it is the finishing touches, the wheel alignment. Now she drives like a dream. Here's to another decade. 

Off it Comes

The year with a full beard has come to an end, Santa Claus has left the building as today is the day that I walked into my barber and told him, "take it all off". I am so over 2019, it can only get better in 2020.

Gracey

Oh my, looked what walked into my office on the last working day of the year, an iggy called Gracey. I then discover her full name is Amore Di Mia from the Suamore Italian Greyhound stable run by my good friend Sue Rautenbach and this little pup has just come out of an operation similar to what my Jade had years ago.

It was wonderful to hold an iggy again that wasn't mine, and the tought did cross my mind, that I need another one. 

Missing 6 Hours

 

The case of the missing 6 hours! I loaned my pickup out on Sunday, and then today while on my way to work, the engine started missing. Initially I thought it was dirt in the petrol as it felt very similar to when it was dirt in the fuel. Arriving at work, all electrical power disappeared. I opened the bonnet, and found this. The battery was off its cradle and hanging by only the negative cable. Even the clamps were loose. Strange.

After reconnecting all the terminals, and it was then that I noticed that the clock had lost 6 hours which means the battery had been disconnected for 6 hours. Curiouser and curiouser!

Pool Sand

 

As part of getting our swimming pool back to normal, I decided that we have to change the filter sand after some advice from Dael. So yesterday I bought some pool sand, only 1 bag and should have bought 2 bags, but how was I to know, so anyway this meant we had to wash the existing sand and use it to top back up to the right level.

But before doing this we had to get most of the sand out of the filter by hand as I think that is the only way you can do it unless the pool guys have a special undisclosed method. So here is John and I taking turns scooping the sand out.

After washing evey thing, we placed the clean sandfilter back and reconnected before pouring the new sand in first. Then we added the best of the washed sand back and trashed the rest into the garden. With the filter back inline, it has started doing a better job of filtering the water. Soon we can be back to swimming again.

Missa do Parto

 

Missa do Parto, is one of the principal Catholic devotions of the Maderian Christmas traditions, the Childbirth mass, 9 days before the actual birth on Christmas morning. So here I found myself along with Matthew at this church listening to an Belfast priest praying in Latin, while a mostly Maderian parishioners sing traditional hymns in Portuguese. 

 

Now afterwards, walking out of the church, a lady pushed a tot glass of Whiskey into my hands as the festivities began.

Testing a Little Boy

 

After work I went round to pick up Dael who started at a bike place down the road. I found him testing a Big Boy quad bike, well I should think it should be called a Small Boy according to its minute size. 

End of Year in Sight

 

Ahhh Friday the 13th, and here I stand with 2020 just a few days away as the last days of this year quietly slip away into darkness, thanks to our government who like to blame others for their own short comings. I mean wet coal and Jan van Riebeeçk have been used as excuses for why they are so greedy. They say that greed is an untreatable disease. Does the people have to make another covenant with God?

It doesn't help to blame others for what has happened in our past.

Anyhoo, with reconciliation, it is a new world we live in, a world that will hopefully birth out of darkness, an new South Africa for everyone, a South Africa that we can all be proud of, a lighthouse with its shining light, beaming out to the rest of the world. Nkosi sikelel' Afrika. Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo, yizwa imithandazo yethu, Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho iwayo. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, o fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, o se boloke, o se boloke setjhaba sa heso, setjhaba sa, South Afrika, South Afrika.

Spanner in the Works

 

And finally just before the holidays, the aircon guys are here to fix the aircon. They did come yesterday but during load shedding or better known as rolling blackouts. Yip Eskom are in a power struggle with the government who want to fix the bad management of Eskom but the unions and the management don't want interference, hence the spanner in the works.

But for now our aircons are getting fixed.

Blue Skies

 

And this ladies and gentlemen, is what I woke up to, blue skies. Gone are the clouds and the non stop rain, and welcome to the summer sun. This is the view from my lounge facing north west, when I open the blinds in the morning this is what greets me, beautiful aren't it? Now you know why I like sitting on my deck, sipping my first cuppa coffee in the mornings.

Old Age Pills

 

Really Taleesha, do I need these old age pills? I mean I don't suffer from Arthritis, Hearing loss, Wrinkles, Fading eyesight, or Memory loss? I might be older and wiser but I am not suffering from these.

Local Flooding

 

Another 85mm of rain fell yesterday and today resulting in a localised flood in my garden. I really love this rain but the animals are not too happy with all this water everywhere.

Its Cold and Wet Outside

 

With all the rain we've been having, no wonder the cats have opted to rather stay indoors where it is nice, warm and snug compared to the wet cold outside. Paddy normally loves the rain but this afternoon here he is, fast asleep at my feet in the lounge.

Swimming Pool Overflowing

 

Our swimming pool is overflowing for the second time this week after 120mm of rain has been measured in my rain gauge for the last 4 days. Well it is the weekend and it looks like I have some backwashing to do.

Tiger's Tears

 

Our year end function was held at Tiger's Milk in Bryanston this afternoon along with loadshedding which started yesterday and continuing today at level 4. Eish what is our government doing to this country, what?

Anyway Tiger's Milk was packed to the rafters with millennials having a Friday afternoon of note. It looks like a number of year end parties are happening at the same time. We started with nachos, piled up in a head and smothered in cheese and guacamole sauce, yummy. Most of us ordered off the burger menu including me but the burgers were so huge that Josh had to show us how to eat them. 

Misty Morning

 

The drive to work this morning has taken an eerie term, with the whole neighbourhood smothered with a thick blanket of mist. It is the school holidays which means that not many cars were on the roads at this ungodly hour of 6am. Yes I would love to be still in my warm bed, snuggling under the covers but we have to work, so to beat the broken traffic lights I am on my way early in this mist.

Overheating Rain

 

After the heat wave of last week, rain has set in. Rain is an awesome sight but along with the rain comes the traffic snarl ups. My Vespa still has not been fixed and I am still using my pickup which is starting to show here age, 20 years, after 2 months of daily runs to work and back. One of the problems is that she is starting to overheat while sitting in traffic jams.  Oh poor old girl.

Pump No More

 

When things go wrong, they seem to happen all at the same time, and these last few months have been one of those times yet here I am living day by day, trying to keep my head above water and now this. Last week our swimming pool pump started squirting water out of the pump chamber through some cracks that had developed. Another problem to tackle, not sure how to go about it I phoned a friend James, and asked if he could check my pump and see if it was repairable. 

He came back after inspecting the damaged pump and gave me the bad news that due to the immense pressures, the pump can not be repaired but don't worry he has a plan. Later that afternoon, James contacted me and informed me that when he converted his swimming pool to a pond many moons ago, he put his old pump away in storage and after checking, his old pump will work. 

So today James arrived with a swimming pool expert and replaced my broken pump with his at no charge to me other than the expert's labour costs and fittings that he used. Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person. Thanks to James for paying it forward.

Biker Interview

 

Mark phoned me during the day, twice in fact, I thought it was good news on my Vespa but it was sadly not about my bike but Mark wanted to know if Dael was still available as he is in desperate need of extra hands. 

After work, I picked up Dael and dropped him for his interview at the new biker's workshop that Mark has partnered with.

Hard Church Labour

Okay, okay, not hard labour, as we all volunteered to help renovate the 2 classrooms at Centre Church. While there was plenty hands making light of all the work required, some decided to prepare the lunch which was on the braai. This was just like a modern South African barn raising.

Ballerina Girl

 

After yesterday weird day, I was thankful not to wake up to an alarm telling me to get up. After a lovely sleep in, we had to go watch our little ballerina girl, Rebekah.

 

How Green?

 

Another heat wave has set in with temperatures reaching record highs but thankfully it is the weekend, and here I am sitting on my patio, there is a cooling breeze blowing down the valley which makes it all right.

With so many things going wrong, I don't have a problem as it has been handed over to God. On a daily basis, God comes through. It is the little things in life that matters and here I am admiring how green the valley looks. Beautiful! The swallows are swooping in the air catching the bugs. God is good.

Last Connect

 

That is how we all feel at this time of the year, screaming as we about to hit the brick wall. Uhmm, okay the truth, this is Kyle trying to catch popcorn that Nicolene  is throwing from across the room during the last Connect meeting of the year.

After this it is all downhill from here...

22 Days

 

And finally we get Lynda's car back after what was estimated will take 10 days, took 22 days at the panel beater, Auto Magic. The new bumper looks different, and I had to look at other Brios to see what was different, oh they forgot to paint the one section black, doesn't bother us too much but what does is that the car doesn't have aircon anymore. 

We told the insurance and the panel beaters that the aircon was damaged in the accident but the report from the panel beaters is that there is nothing wrong with the aircon, only out of gas. Oh well now we have to do it ourselves.

Additional Note: We took the car to an independent aircon specialist. They tried to fill it but found that the compressor was damaged in the accident. It is cracked and leaking gas. Which begs the question how did the panel beaters test that the aircon is okay without putting gas in? I think they must have taken a chance. Now the car has to go back.

Daily Water Intake

 

So here I am sitting at my desk, when I notice all these empty water containers on my desk. Yip water bottles from my daily water intake. Well I try my best to drink as much water as I can.

Murdock

 

Murdock, my tenant's bull terrier puppy is a feisty little thing. I think Murdock is the only dog that can handle River Song boisterousness. Over the weekend, I let them play together, and during this time, I heard a splash, rushing out I found Murdock in the deep end of the swimming pool. He was struggling to stay afloat so I reached in and pulled him out by the scruff of his neck. And today he is back for more punishment. Doesn't he even learn?

Month End Crackers

 

Sunday afternoon, month end cracker time. Oh well God provides my daily bread everyday including these crackers that I am snacking on.

Fearful Storm

 

This photo was taken late afternoon, a few minutes before a fearful storm broke overhead. With thunder and lightning, it was very frightening to the fur family. The cats were trying to find places to hide and the dogs were nowhere to be seen.

Cat Fight

 

With the week finally over, my feet up on the ottoman, I put on some TV and searched for something light to watch. Somehow I came across  this video clip of 2 cats fighting and with all the wailing, our cats started to get upset. So the big boy Paddy went to investigate what all the fuss was about. Here he is staring at the 2 cats on the TV.

Storm Pizza

Just as I was about to leave work, a major storm broke over us and there began my crawl home in traffic that does not enjoys the rain. It is Connect tonight but by the time I got home it was late, we had no power as the storm took out the electricity in the area, so off I went to get some pizza.

After a hot muggy day, after the storm, we sat on our patio eating pizza while a gentle breeze cooled down my stress levels caused from sitting in the traffic for over 2 hours.

Yesterday Today Tomorrow

 

The Brunfelsia pauciflora is not an indigenous plant in South Africa as it orginates from the Amazon yet here are 2 of them in my garden. Know locally as a Yesterday Today and Tomorrow as the flowers I've been told changes colours from white to purple on a daily rate, hence the name as the flowers are never the yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And I don't have the patience to check if this is true.

Don't Forget Me

 

"Don't forget me,"cried River Song, our 2 year old German cross Belgium Shepherd. "No, how can we ever forget about you , River, you big galoot". So here before I forget about her again, is River Song, one of our children.

Misty Monday

 

We woke up this Monday to some light drizzle and mist everywhere. After our quiet time, I sat alone on the patio with a lovely mug of coffee, enjoying what God has given us before I set out to start the day. The beauty of the mist, with only the birds tweeting away, no noise from traffic, no bustle of the rat race. Just me, God and this mist.

"Thank you God, for all your blessings". Now let the week begin!

Mike Drop

 

Why am I always surprised when God does a mike drop? I mean why after so many times He has come through for me, do I still tuck the mike into my back pocket and try make contingency plans. This morning I saw this funny moment in church where Lance put the mike in his back jean's pocket just before he went up to talk. I just had to take a photo, anyways later on in the afternoon we had to go back onto our roof and do the second coat of waterproofing. Not following then read Friday's post and yesterday's post to catch up.

Anyway now that we are on the same page, God did a mike drop moment for us by holding back the rain at our house long enough for us to apply the waterproofing material and allowing enough time for it to dry before opening the heavens again. Don't get me wrong it still rained but the rain went around us and poured elsewhere while Peter played on the keyboard.

Waterproofing

 

We weren't sure if the weather would clear, but it seems that God held the rain at bay especially in our neck of the woods just enough to water proof our leaking flat roof. After getting detailed instructions from Dudley of Rubber It, on how to use his liquid rubber product, we washed down the roof with soapy water and scrapped off any lose material.When that was dry, I sealed all the joints with gauze and acrylic waterproofing paint. Then once that was dry we applied the first coat of the liquid rubber compound to the roof which had to go on in one direction. Then we will leave it to dry overnight and apply a second coat this time in the perpendicular direction tomorrow.

Lets hope the rain will hold off till Monday.

Rubber It

 

I haven't seen Dudley since August 2011, when we conquered Sani Pass together that is until now. Well let me start from the beginning, that is last week Sunday. It started raining heavy on Saturday night, and the next morning my tenant said that the cottage is leaking. We climbed up onto the roof above where the leak was originating, and that section it is a flat roof, one of my pet hates because flat roofs are notorious leakers. We temporary covered up with plastic and on Monday we contacted the insurance. 

In turns out that the insurance won't cover us as we have to redo the roof every year. Eish how come we find this out only now but deep down I feel as insurances go, they just don't want to pay. Anyways I contact a friend who runs a waterproofing company with his dad on the East Rand for advice, but he was bit reluctant to come all this way to check out our leaking roof. Then I remembered Dudley, he once said to me that he sells this liquid rubber stuff for roofs. So I phone him, and he said that he manufactures the liquid rubber roof sealant. After some discussion on the phone about my application on a flat roof, I ordered this liquid rubber product from his company Rubber It.

His factory is in Pretoria, but Dudley himself drove all the way to my work to drop off a 25l bucket of liquid rubber. 

Now just to get a gap in all this wet weather.