Primitive Thanksgiving

There is something primitive about sitting around a fire in each one of us. I can only imagine this deep down warm fuzzy feeling stems from a time when our ancestors sat around a fire pit in a cave under an enormous starry sky for safety and warmth.

So on this cool summer’s evening, a group of friends gathered around a brazier for warmth and to give thanks to the Lord our God for a hard year that was full of ups and downs, but a year that God was in control.

This year has surely flown past, as we once again find ourselves at our year end dinner. For me this year was a hard one and I give thanks that deep down I can lean on the knowledge that God is in control even when my life seems out of control and heading for that crash test wall with dummy me strapped inside. My second thanks is for my son Matthew. It is his birthday today and I thank God that he has turned out to be a wonderful young man.

After our primitive yet very important giving thanks around the fire, we sat down at a well decorated table for our year end meal. Breaking bread with friends and family is a highlight in the year for me, knowing that I belong.

Retirement

What supposed to be a quiet weekend turned out to be very busy. Up early to take the dogs for a walk in the park then off to buy some clothes for me because I need to and I never do. In the evening I was in Benoni for the launch of Spessit, my friend David's new start-up with tons of potential. On top of that it was good to see old friends Andy and Julie at the launch. Andy has just retired but I am sure that won't be the last we hear from him.

Brenda's 60th

Our home met at Fratelli in Ferndale Village to celebrate Brenda's sixtieth birthday. Round the table from the left is Mike, Tracy, Gary, Carol (hidden behind Gary), Andy, Petra, Sandy, birthday girl Brenda, Linda and Denise with her back to the camera. We had a wonderful time with friends.

Year end 1

Year year is coming to an end very fast and so is my contract. There are many questions that remain unanswered. Today our Home Circle group had our year end dinner. As you can see in today's photo, Brian and Andy cutting up the Turkey. Uhmmm. While back at home our DSL line is still down. I think Telkom should change the "T" in its name to a "H".

Swan Lake

At Sandy’s 50th Birthday Party, her husband Andy, Gary, Kevin and Brian (hidden behind Kevin) preformed a 10 minute parody on the Swan Lake. It was ballet like you never seen before. Instead of graceful ballerinas we got bumbling elephants. I think this has ruined ballet for me. The audience was rolling in the aisles in fits of laughter. The boys are back in town.

The cell

Another rushed day. It seems that I am wanted everywhere. The last visa was picked up today and just 2 more sleeps until we leave for our holiday. In the evening I went to home cell and we took photos to send to Maia in Bulgaria. So here is from the front left to right Denise, Petra, Rob, Leigh, Sandy, Sarah and Francis. In the back you can find Mike, Andy, Karin, Emme and Joanne.

Moth rain

It continues to rain. The Afrikaners have a wonderful word for this type of rain, they call it "mot reën", translated it is moth rain, in other words drizzle. The rain is so soft it is like the wings of a moth. Afrikaans is so descriptive it's wonderful. The rain did hamper the 6 million kids going back to school today. I heard on the radio the enormous cost of school uniforms and stationary. At least Matthew is home schooled. Talking about home schooling Andy's kids are also home schooled. Remember I mentioned my friend Andy yesterday; well here is a photo of him. Today he was not a happy camper as his office is on the third floor and the only elevator is broken for the second time this week. This time there is someone in it, stuck between floors. You got to be tough to work in the defence industry.