Mac Moments

Feeling very tired, but need to keep going to get everything done. We may have a buyer for the house and an offer in tomorrow. Everything seems to be going extremely smoothly, I think it is all the positive vibes we are sending out and the universe is just coming back to us on a positive note!!! Sean tore a muscle in his quad at soccer this afternoon and we rushed to the chiro to get him sorted out. He seems to be ok! and Ashley twisted her ankle and is on crutches for her matric farewell..... Can't wait to see how beautiful she looks in her dress tomorrow afternoon! Such a special time and so much fun!!!

Photo: one of my pictures - my favourate landscape / building painting Sean was sick today, so he stayed at home with me. He had a runny nose and I think he has just had enough of the bullies of at school and just needed a break. I took him to art with me and we had fun together.... Jo thinks he is very cute and very similar to her oldest boy. Steve went to PE to finish off with VW and I am trying to change addresses and cancel accounts. It is quite a mission, but we are getting there. Kids are very relaxed about leaving, we need to organise a farewell party for them with all their mates!!!

Photo: Sean on the phone to Danielle Did a great gym session this morning, needed to get all the alcohol out of my system from Monday night!! I could feel every muscle in my body! Visited Aline, it has been too long and we are both hectic, her housekeeper lost her grandchild last week which means she has been running around like a crazy woman trying to keep the house clean, washing, ironing, cooking and doing all the normal day stuff that she usually does.... I then came home and did some work - cancelling ADT, Tracker, Discovery, etc etc and then off to lunch with the girls. A lunch to say "Yay Lesley is staying in SA"..... and "No i am leaving..." But we will have a proper goodbye on the 13th with all the girls. So tomorrow comes1

Photo: Jessica Steven reminded me of Jessica's latest little quote, when we went out on Saturday night and came home, she stirred and new that we were back, she kissed Steven and said to him: "my eyes feel too heavy to open Dad". she says it like it is! Today was Elliots turn to quote, it was a rather hairy morning, I battled to open those heavy eyes and once i got the kids into the car with Steven, I went back for another hours sleep. Lucky me! But it did mean no exercise today, so not such a great idea to have too much wine! Between Elliot movers, the estate agent, Steven's cousin Mandy and Betty having an interview with Angela the morning was a rush of activity. We then met with one of the schools specialists who has been assessing Steven and she confirmed everything that we are aware of that Sean is going through. It is interesting to hear it from a different perspective and know what we need to do to make him more confident, improve his self esteem and teach him ...

Photo: Beating De la Salle at soccer Stuttafords came around to give us a quote to move the house....it is quite a process to go through everything that is going and staying... most of the furniture is sold already! Soccer match against Del a Sol, Sean played goalie and in the team. They won 2 - 0 he was beside himself. The days are flying by and I feel like it is going too quickly already and we are going to be there before we know it! Bronwyn came to visit and we had a good old natter and loads of fun, too much wine was consumed but it was really nice to get to know my cousin. It is strange to think that Bronny was one of my flower girls and was 6 at the time!!! time flies when you're having fun!!!

Photo: Showday Our first show day, we worked like mad people all day. first to get the house ready for the show day, just packing and tidying and prettying everything up until 12:00 after a late night we are both tired!!! Then off to the dam to pack up the house there. We were shocked at how many little things we had there, from linen, to pots, cutlery and crockery. but it is all done, packed lock stock and barrel and we have said our goodbyes!!!

Photo: Sean at James Blunt concert Another busy day, but fun. Sean's first date ever!!! We took Sean to visit a little girl he is besotted over, we are calling it his first date. Danielle is gorgeous and he follows her around like a puppy dog. It is very cute to watch. He bought her a beaded bangle - his first bought piece of jewelry for a girl....lol....he is learning young!!!! Very clever and I think she felt very special..... it is so sad that we are leaving but I am sure there are going to be many Danielles....... my heart was so proud of him that it felt like it was about to explode...my gorgeous little boy! We watched the Sharks lose against the Waratahs (or however you spell it), Dammit!!! The ref was definitely biased!!! Then we took Sean to his first concert, James Blunt. The story is that when he was 5 turning 6 in Grade 0, he went to a birthday party where they had Karaoke and he got up on stage and sang "You're Beautiful" from beginning to end, everyone wa...

yoga was pretty tough today, I can feel how my back worked out after doing about 24 Sun salutations with flat planks into straight upward dogs (all funny names but ver strengthening)..... Went to see Ron today to sort out Efiling, VAT etc etc, for the business. Trying to close up all business dealings and sort out the house at the same time.... it is hectic. Jess is with Jade this afternoon, which has helped us so that we can complete sorting things out. I cleaned up the kids bedrooms and omg has Sean got lots of toys and Jess very little!!! Watch her space grow....

Have finished the paintings for Cameron's bedroom, just need to staple the canvas into the frame, will take pictures of them once I have framed them. We have been working hectically to get the house ready for the show day, tax sorted, paperwork done, school applications faxed off to schools, reports from all relevant people for the kids and generally working through our to-do-lists..... We are trying to keep the kids in their routines without too much disturbance, so gymnastics, OT, soccer etc etc continues daily. Sean is being bullied at school again, he is such a gentle little boy and finds it so difficult to be assertive, that it is easy to pick on him. Something we are going to have to work on!!!

Photo: We have been working on getting the kids into schools, it is quite a process and I will fill you in more tomorrow. Plus looking at taking the animals with, so looking at all the processes for that. Tired right now, so this is a short and sweet blog tonight!

Photo: Sean on the phone to Danielle Two big occurances happened today: 1. Sean has his first lose tooth - almost 7 years and 8 months 2. He also phoned a girl he likes today - Daniel, and had a wonderful chat on the phone to her, it was very very sweet! Still planning the move and working on the website....

Photo: visit from Andrew Busy busy busy.... my blogs are going to be very short from now until we are settled in Doha. Between tidying up the house, selling or throughing things away we are also trying to do our tax, the internet business and apply to schools.... many of which have closed admissions for the year.... not an easy process. Andrew visited us last night as well and the kids were over the moon to see him.

Photo: our little cook 17 Year Wedding Anniversary, the years go by very quickly!! Spent the day recovering, we got home at 4:30 am on Sunday from our reunion and I am just exhausted. Went for an anniversary lunch and Les and Paul looked after the kids, I think they had a ball with their cousins! And an early night to bed!

Photos: Sean scoring a goal in his hockey tournament; Getting together with some friends from school What a fabulous day, Sean scored his first goal in a hockey tournament on Saturday and was so happy. His team won 2 and lost 2 games..... but he was very proud. In the evening we met up with some old friends from school and it was fabulous to see everyone. What people have done, become, married, had....... and lots of laughs were had by all!

Photo: The circles we need to navigate and they drive on the wrong side of the road, dammit! Yoga always calms the mind...... and then coffee with a great friend. I am finding it a bit difficult to actually come to turns with not have daily contact with Aline and also knowing that my sisters are going to be just down the road and my Mom and Dad a 1 1/2 hour flight away. I have these moments of hysteria , where to cope I laugh hysterically to ensure that I don't cry. I have made such wonderful friends over the years and i think that is going to be the hardest for me to leave behind. I have definitely realised that I will be the emotional side to the move and Steven will be the more tangible side. I cannot bring myself to accept that I will not have a good friend to talk to on a daily basis, to just pick up the phone and have a good yack.... not that I find that I battle to make friends, but I do battle to make intimate friends. Over the years you find those friends that you can trus...

Photo: The building site outside the bedroom Steven made me take a sleeping pill last night and boy did I sleep right through until about 10am. I was knocked out!!! Not a knock out but knocked out..... We spent the rest of the day, telling the schools with accompanying letters, OT teachers etc etc that we would be leaving. Then we made a list and put dates to everything, there is a lot to do before we go!!! From selling furniture, house, flats, land..... to cancelling Medical aid, car trackers, house and car insurances, etc and at the right time Selling cars!!! What to take and not Moving the business Doing the tax ..... the list goes on and is quite mind boggling.... I am going to take tranquilisers and wake up in August!!!!

Photos: Qatar The complex we will live in The lounge dining room area The club house Al Khor A view of the bay What an emotional day: Steve got home this morning at 8am, it was great to have him home even though he was not gone for long. We decided to tell Betty that we are leaving and that is probably going to be the hardest part of the move for me. Betty is Sean and Jessica's 2nd mother, she was there for both of them when they were born and we took turns sleeping next to Jessica when she had the tube and could not breath properly. It breaks my heart and I start crying everytime I just think about it..... Then we told the kids, Steve painted a beautiful picture for them of the country and someone convinced them that they wanted to move there. When I joined them, they told me about this wonderful country and how they wanted to move there. So that was easy, the hard bits will come later when we have to say goodbye to Betty. I think Jessica understands the implications as she is ve...

Photo: The Sports Complex Busy day, the kids are really missing Steven and they are very attached to me at the moment. It is interesting to see how they are feeling insecure with one of their parents missing from the normal day to day lives. It shows how important routine is for them. I am trying to keep everything as normal as possible and their daily lives as it should be. Steve is back tomorrow, and we should be back to normal until July. Steve has accepted the job in Doha and will be starting on 1 July, the probability is that he will be gone a few days before that. The kids need to see the school term through and then will start a new school year in September. We will probably keep Sean in Grade 2 and move Jessica into Grade 0 as we made her repeat Grade 00 this year and she is shining now! The news of the move is a bit mind blowing at the moment and I am trying to make it more realistic. I will miss my family and friends very very much, art, gym and my gym partner!!! But I must a...

Photo: Qatar skyline Missing Steven, it is strange how you can get so used to someone being around and when they are gone you realise what a huge part of your life they are!! The kids are missing him as well.... interesting to watch how they process how long he is still going to be gone for! I am going to post pictures when Steven gets back as he has the camera and is taking copious amounts of pictures of Qatar. He says the place is amazing. It has a similar skyline to Joburg and his developing at a rapid rate. The complexes are going up at a rate of knots and driving around is mahem. The roads have 4 lanes on each side and the people drive like maniacs (everyone drives on the wrong side of the road btw!!! Wrong being on the right and not on the left - something I am going to have to retrain my brain to do). He said the Villas are all brand new (literally - no one has lived in the one we will move into if he gets the job) and the areas inside are fantastic, they have tennis and squash ...

Photo: Mother's Day dinner (on Friday night) at Lucios, Sean loves the Ferraris!! With Steve away it has been a quiet day spent at home with the kids. Slept in while the kids watched tv downstairs which was a treat (they are getting big enough for us to do that now). We went out to get some food at Woolies then had a quiet lunch. Watched DVD's, jumped on the trampoline and while they were bathing I started my vegetables patch, by separating the various beds and puting stones and pavers down. My lettuce is now planted and I want to start getting the other seedlings ready. Probably not the right time of year to actually be doing this, but I will plant winter veggies - which ones are they?? Steve landed safely in Doha, Qatar this morning and said the place is fantastic. Doha has a very similar skyline to Joburg and has cranes everywhere with the amount of building going on. They were being taken around the city and area this afternoon, so hopefully I should have some more detail...

Photos: Kids went back to hockey today in full force and loved every moment of it.... It was overall a very busy day with hockey, shopping and banking to be done before we left to go to Louise for lunch. It was fabulous to see the whole crew again, a group of faces I am going to miss very very very much. Steve left at 6:30 for the airport and it was funny not having him at home the night before Mother's Day, a first for us!

Photo: Autumn wonder I love Autumn, all the colours that you can find in the world!! Those beautiful reds, golds, browns, yellows with just a hint of green still around!! And the freshness in the air and most of all the athmosphere seems to be clear and crisp. Everything is so sharp and in focus just how life should be!

Photo: kids kids kids We are getting back into the swing of things.... kids are getting up and dressing with ease now. There is no begging and pleading in the morning (at the moment) to hurry up or get dressed or eat your breakfast.... I hope it lasts. We have managed to leave early enough both mornings to miss the traffic. It can take either 30 minutes to get Sean to his school or on a bad day 45 minutes, which invariably means we are late. Jess is pretty easy as her school is about 10 minutes away, but to get to Sean's school takes us across 2 of the major roads in Joburg, which can be pretty hectic in rush hour! Sean has now been off his ritalin for 2 weeks. The work at school seems to be fine and I sit here wondering whether the ritalin was doing anything. Although when he started on it last year we could both immediately see a difference, from not being able to write or read he could. Now being off the stuff, he seems to be breezing through his homework and reading, and ju...

Photo: Letting the kids loose on the wall! Back to school after a very long wonderful holiday. The kids had a fabulous time seeing all their friends and teachers; and just generally getting their minds working again. It was also a nice break for Steven and me to be able to talk without being interrupted and to get back into routine and Gym!!!

Photo: Last day of holidays - camping I have been in one of those moods lately where you feel you need to write about how you are feeling about life in general and about where yours might be heading. I am feeling like this as we are at a crossroads in our lives, Steven is going for an interview in Qatar this weekend and I am overwhelmingly excited about the prospect of having an adventure in a new country. Learning about a culture that I know very little about other than news articles on Iraq and Iran which are not particularly pretty, then there are the news items on Dubai and how this area has grown. Qatar is similar in growth and development as Dubai. This growth is so exciting and to be part of it is quite overwhelming. The interesting part for us is going to be the no alcohol policy, where you can only buy it if you have a permit and then you buy what you want and you have to go straight home. If you are stopped anywhere along the route and you have diverged from your destination ...

Photo: my next project - paintings for Cameron and Jessica's rooms Almost the end of the holidays, I am not sure who is more sad the kids or me. I have enjoyed sleeping in and having time off with the family, it has probably been the most relaxed holiday we have ever had in a couple of years. The kids had some friends over yesterday afternoon, so they were entertained for most of the day and had loads of fun. It amazes me every day how much you can love someone, that you would give your life to protect them and all you ever want is for them to have a fulfilling, happy life.

Photo: Peace in the home is flourishing What a gray day in Johannesburg today.... cold and wet, we should actually be in the northern hemisphere than in the southern. Joburg has always boasted the best weather in the country. Long, hot summers with afternoon thunderstorms at 4pm short and sweet and short dry winters - now we seem to be having short summers which are rather wet (all day) and cold wet winters!! With the wet cold weather we stayed in doors today, I did a short stint on the treadmill to feel a bit fitter, then spent the day sorting out our lives for the next few weeks.

Photo: The kids dressing up in super hero outfits! I have decided we are reaching middle age, we are sleeping in late (a first for us, ever!!); enjoying trampling around in the morning in our pj's; playing games into the afternoon with the kids (like old maid - that says it all) and just lazing around - the thought of exercising did cross our minds, but that was about it.... The kids got us in the mood (no not for another one), but to go and see a super hero movie, so we all went to see Iron Man, which they loved!! Jess unfortunately has ear infection again, so we have to monitor that, I really don't want her to have another grommit operation (that would be 12 since she has been born - i think that is enough for one lifetime!)

Photo: Almost hairless! Had a wonderful start to my day, woke up at 9am, after vowing to get to yoga at 8am! Just did not happen! We then had breakfast, cleaned the house and got to gym at about 11am... did our bit for our bodies - loads of aches and pains from skiing!! had a wonderful lunch at Fruits and Roots which is an organic, vegetarian restaurant. I can highly recommend it!! Sean and Jess were great today, we have taken Sean off his medication and he is really battling with self control and maintaining a balance, so today was a start for us to get him into routine and learning self control without the medication.... he did really well!! I can't say that it is easy, we need to be incredibly patient with him and devote lots of time and energy to helping him realise his potential. We know he can do things, but he needs to learn that he is bright and able... being ADD he battles to see his own potential so it takes extra effort from us to prove to him how clever he is and extra ...

Photo: Sean's brilliant building skills Another ski today started the day off perfectly, but we are both very very sore!!! Started packing up the dam and put up the for sale signs. Very sad, but life goes on!

Photo: keeping the mozzies at bay! Spent the day at the dam with Barbara, Steve, Kev and Jen. It was a wonderfully relaxing day and got a ski in even though it was very chilly.