I’m always more pleased to receive gifts that show someone thought about the things that interest me, rather than gifts that they picked up at the chemist on the ‘Mother’s Day’ / ‘Valentines Day’ marketing section on the shelves. Norman always knows the things that make me happy no matter how simple. My kids are also starting to realise I am just as happy (if not happier) with a free thing they make themselves. The expense is not the measure of a gift, it is the love behind it.

Last Sunday I started out lolling about in bed drinking cappuccinos brought to me by my husband. Regular readers will know that this happens most Sundays so there is no noticeable celebration of me on Mother’s Day, it is just a Sunday. It is a regular spoiling of the Kitten. Then I got up and had a lovely scrubby shower and washed and conditioned my hair. It was full of oils from my facial the previous day.

When I came downstairs I was greeted by some beautiful flowers from Norman. He knows I love proteas. He had also brought home muffins fresh from the Spar oven, they were still crispy on the outside. He knows me well.

It was rainy and unbearably cold outside when we woke up and as I came downstairs it started thundering and the skies opened to torrential rain.

Norm put together the new little metal plant stand I had bought to keep some of my plants out of the rain during the winter. How adorable is the bear’s paws?? What I found interesting is that this cheap little stand stood tall through the storms! Some of the flowers have started perking up as they were soaked through and the cold ground probably was not good for them. If sitting on a cold ground can give humans hemorrhoids what can it do to a fragile plant? (No facts were verified in the pursuit of this blog).

I unboxed the Crystal Variety box from Gaia Crystals. All of these were only R120, but you cannot choose which box you want if you order online. I am very happy with mine, it was completely packed solid, nothing else could fit in the box. I like each stone, especially the longer flat white one. I enjoy looking at them and when in meetings I use them as ‘fidget toys’.

Caitlin and Bree popped around after Bree’s nap. Norm had brought in some toys from the playroom as it was too cold to play outside. Bree was very happy when she spotted the little pram for her to push around. She played with Poppy and ran around the room pushing her pram and riding the little pink bike we have. Her speech is coming on so well. She walked through from the garage and pointed outside the front and said ‘Go out dere?’. She is like a parrot and repeats everything you say to the best of her ability. Caitlin brought along my Mother’s Day gifts from the kids. I had chosen a little fairy holding a baby deer when Lily and I went to the fairy shop. They also gave me a little card that can be used as a bookmarker or you can plant it and it has seeds embedded in it which will grow into herbs and marigolds.

My big surprise was a framed image of all 3 of my grandchildren’s hands. How creative and beautiful is this?? I cannot even convey how much I love it. I have put it right behind me so it is in all of my work videos.

We saw a double rainbow outside and Bree repeated ‘Rainbow!’. Caitlin and I phoned my mom and we both chatted to her and Bree would say various things for her. We talked for ages until Mom had to go and the girls needed to head home for dinner. It was such a lovely visit.

The weather got increasingly more severe as the evening went on. We had severe storm warnings all week but you never know if it will hit your specific area, the weather even within Hout Bay can differ within just a few miles. When we woke there was a lot of damage. Various things had blown about the garden and even a piece of our house had blown down onto my garden. We later discovered our fence had blown down at the side of the house.

My son, Trevor, sent us pics of a pecan tree that almost ended up in his apartment in Hoekwil. It just missed his sliding glass door. My daughter Lily in George lost two trees in the back of their house. It was insane. Many properties have lost their roof.

I sent a message to Chichi to not come into work, rather stay and look after her own home. Last week she was so upset about the rain coming into her shack and it is better she be there to deal with it. I obviously paid her for the day so she did not miss out on the income.

The damage at the back of the house was not bad because it is so protected.

The cushions all went flying into puddles and one of my hanging lamps came down.

I was able to tidy up the back quickly and eventually decided to put my new fairy out in the garden. I put her with Ivy Fairy and her little Kitten Cleo. We debated whether new fairy was hugging a calf, a baby deer or a sheep. We finally decided it is a calf. Her name is Francesca Fairy and her calf will be called Cinnamon.

The next day I was not happy with how Francesca was sitting off of the wooden disc on the ground, so I swapped the small disc for a larger one from elsewhere in the garden. I brought that light post from the larger one with the disc as there was no room on the other one. I think it looks nice as they both have leaves as trim.

I ordered a new mister from Mr Price as I have some plants that cannot tolerate too much water so a light mist is best. First, it was impossible to open. Then the handle broke off shortly after I started using it. It was a plastic lid and screw top.

I sent in a complaint to their website. For the price of the item I cannot be bothered to drive to a store to return it so I just wanted to express my displeasure.

At least I amuse myself in my own little ways.

Norm popped out and bought some food on Tuesday and he prepared dinner for us. I am a lucky woman. It was so cold and rainy that it was lovely to have some cozy winter grub. He got a rotisserie chicken, ready made mash and a half and half pack of cinnamon butternut and creamed spinach. I was in charge of making instant gravy.

The sky finally cleared and was bright blue with the sun shining when we woke on Thursday. It was lovely for the dogs to be able to run about. It was also lucky as the groomers arrived that day and both Finn and Poppy had a wash and blow-dry. Finn’s sores are back on his backside so his medications are going back to daily instead of just three times a week as it currently is. Norm took him down to the vet after the groomer found a few spots on him. He has so much hair it is difficult to see anything on his skin unless his coat is wet. The groomers are great about calling us out to tell us what is going on with the dogs.

The blue skies and chilly days remained on Friday.

After work I sat outside watching the Swee Waxbills. It made me feel like my life was calming down a bit.

I again have a track by GIVEON on repeat. I just love it. He is so talented and I also love Teddy Swims so it is a twofer special as Teddy is on the ‘Spotify Version’ or whatever they call it these days. There is no official video for the song that I can find, but I found this version and it is just so wonderful and emotive.

Yesterday I booked my flight to go down to George for Amelia’s birthday in July. Caitlin and Bree are on the same flight and I will stay with Lily and Caitlin will stay with her dad. It is going to be a Princess party and I intend to wear this crazy expensive dress I bought and have not worn. It has many layers of tulle which do not really show here.

Today Norman and I are off to Blue Route Mall. I have a dress to return and Norm wants to buy a new suit for his conference. Then this evening we are babysitting for Bree at Caitlin and Wes’ house.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and week ahead. Until next time, Kisses from the Kitten xoxoxo