08 April 2011

I can’t believe that nearly 4 months has passed since my last attempt to let you have all the Bloem Nuus.

Things are still very much the same in this sleepy hollow of SA. Or maybe I should re-phrase, in the sleepy hollow of Bloem and the manse. Not that it is quiet with a congregation to keep happy, studies from 2 students in the house. Let’s not forget all the animal children who wants their share (& More) of attention.

We had a bad time when Moose died last Saturday. She was nearly 3 which apparently is old for a hamster, but that meant that we had her so much longer as part of the family. We new it was coming as she was losing condition very fast. It was a very emotional funeral in the garden with special flowers planted for her.

As for the rest, Yogi is growing at a pace and is nearly as big as Teelc. He is very much heavier already and bathing him has become a job for more than one person. He is lovely though and really getting a personality. We won’t mention the chewed shoes, tupper and everything else that looks edible. Cats included if they don’t get out of his paws in time.

                                            Have I not grown into a handsome lad?

                                                                  Sharing a box: Mac Mac & Domino

Ian is just about getting to the end of his studies. His ordination is in Sept in Maseru. So all passports ready for those who wants to attend.

Erin is also full time busy with her studies. 3^rd year turned out to be a horrible year so far, as subjects and lecturers go. But it is going well all taken into account. Next tests in a week so we don’t see much of her, her nose being permanently in the books. I must admit I don’t envy her at all since I have my fair share of helping to summarize and type some of her stuff. Admittedly very interesting. Think I should write exams as well?

Well my big news is that I’m off to Aus very soon (visa acceptance applicable). It definitely is the biggest present I could have dreamed of. Thanks Renee & Shane for spoiling me. So hopefully on the next blog it will be all about my visit to down under.

All the grandkids are really growing so fast that we cannot keep track. Luckily we see Kaelin & Cole occasionally, and it is just a pity the other (nearly) two are so far away.

Good news is that hopefully in the next week or so Tasha will have her little girl and we will be another granddaughter richer.

Grandpa will go up to visit beginning next month so as soon as we have some pics I will put them on as well.

                                                                  Best of friends

                                                   Kaelin & Cole and "baby" Domino

                 

Danni is growing up into a real little lady.

 Well that is about all the news for now. As I mentioned life here is not that exiting in the sense of happenings and coming and goings. Maybe when we strike the jackpot!

Lots of love from all here in Bloem.

Happy New year

It is once again time for me to attempt the blog again. Have been threatening but as things go always something else that gets in the way. Not to mention that I’m still a nervous “attempter” when it comes to these electronic things so the putting off was a good reason.

Christmas and New Year came and went rather quiet. Unfortunately I had to work most of the time (not so lucky as some that can go on holiday!!) and then landed my few days off over Christmas in bed with bronchitis. It had one big advantage…. I managed to get some reading done!!

As you know we have acquired a puppy and kitten last year. They are both growing like mushrooms, especially Yogi who now at 6 months is catching up on Teelc. Both totally impossible and very busy. Any ideas on how teach them that stuff on tables and counters are for the humans not the animals or teething rings. Yogi has learned that if he pushes against the “old man” Mac Mac he “squeaks” He finds it funny so now has a living “squeaky toy” At least he does not hurt him,, he is actually quite gentle most of the times.

 

Taking care of me in bed

Domino is still the littlest terrorist I have come about. Nothing and no-one is safe when he is around. Attack mode is his favourite. But all-in all they are all great and bring us a lot of joy and laughs.

Erin has since got a new baby. Her name is Aurum. That is the Latin name for gold. She is a Golden Chaco Tarantula. She is still quite small and really quite pretty as spiders go. It is one of those cases when crawl into your heart is definitely applicable. She is starting to get quite tame. Erin is more scared and jumpy about the crickets that she eats than about handling her.

The bald spot on her back is where she “threw off” some hair, something they do when frightened. It is slowly growing back but we think she is going to moult soon. She is quiet and not eating much.

We also had 3 baby swallows who fell out of their nest in Dec that we had to bring up. It went well taking that they are apparently the most difficult of wild birds to look after. Had them for just over a month, of feeding worms and water with a syringe. They got so tame and it was a sad day when they had to be let go. Took them to a safe conservation area with a dam and everything. It went well and they settled in with some others.

It really seems it runs in the family taking care of animals of all makes, shapes and sizes

As for the other “kids” (4 legged) they are all keeping well. Kittle, Cinder, Molly, Sammy & Moggie all still rule the house, Feeding time is a quite a rigmarole. Everyone has their own spot and is very fussy of what they eat. Pellets without meat a no-no and milk afterwards a definite must.

Feeding time

Waiting for supper (24/7) or rather lets help ourselves

        Nap time

On the home front all is back to the grindstone. Erin back at classes and “looking forward” to a tough 3^rd year with mostly tax & company law subjects.

Ian on his last steps to being ordained in September.

Me I’m just still battling on to keep the lights going. Things tightening up here at work and were are experiencing major cut backs.

We have had some good rains and our garden is eventually starting not to look like a desert.

Well I had better try and see if I can manage to get this on the blog and sent. If it works I will get back on line soon again. Erll here goes after attempting to download the pics.

With love to all who reads this. The Bloemfonteiners.

           

                                    

           

                                        

9 October

Hello from Bloemfontein.

I have eventually attempted to do the impossible and try and get our own blog. So this is a trial and error attempt and any advice will be welcome.
Things are well here and we had our first rains yesterday and some today. Very much needed.

Well let me attempt to add some pics of our newest additions to the family.

Domino now about 6 months.

He is the clown of the house. scared of nothing and nobody and that included the dogs. He and Yogi are great friends. Nothing is safe when he is near.That includes animals, humans and everything else breakable or not.

Then we have Yogi. Well he is now just over 3 months and hardly fits under Teelc's tummy. Growing at the rate of a bean sprout and permanently hungry. He is a great little dog in spite of his bad beginnings. Little slow on the uptake (I think that is the male part!) but is learning the basics. He has adopted Teelc and fortunately the old man tolerates him quite well.



This is the trio when cousin Ella comes to visit. She is a energy bunny that doesn't stop. We just get tired watching them! Of course they take the whole house apart.

So our menagerie now consists of 7 cats and two dogs, 1 Moose and some baby Guppy fish and the 2 plecies.

As for the rest of the family all are doing well. On my next attempt I will try and tell more about our wedding etc. I first have to see if this works and I'm not a computor boffin.

Love from all here