These last few weeks really made me conscious of the passing of time, something that is often skewed by my neurodiversity and time blindness. It also made me incredibly proud of the life and family I have built.

July 5th was mine and Norman’s 29th wedding anniversary. We were wed in the beautiful registry office in St. Andrews Scotland with my Mother, my children and Norman’s parents, siblings, and their children in attendance. The day was very family focused. After the wedding we went to a park and the kids jumped on trampolines and rode trains. We cut the cake at his sister’s house and the adults all went out for a nice dinner and all the kids stayed with a sitter.

Norm wore a kilt and I wore a simple cream dress and jacket two piece combination.

Norm and I originally met at a pub in Johannesburg South Africa, an unusual “meet cute” for an American and a Scotsman. The timing was also a near miss. Norman was over in Johannesburg on work and was staying with a colleague who happened to be my friend, Colin. We both lived on the same road in a cosy suburb, so we had the same ‘local’ and often drank together. Colin knew I loved the Scot’s sense of humour and of course, the accent, so he rang Norm to come join us for a drink.

The rest is history.

From the time our eyes met we both knew that we knew. You know? We barely left each other’s side and within a very short time I moved to Belfast and it was just easier from an immigration point of view to have a wedding.

I never question Norman’s love for me because I know that I can be hard work. I have highs and lows of emotions daily, all day. My slogan is ‘Buckle Up Buttercup’ for a reason. However, most of the time we just plod happily along. We laugh a lot and we shout a lot but we always love a lot. I know I can depend on him to support me when I am struggling.

To celebrate I had booked for us to go for lunch at Nostos, except when I checked the booking that day I obviously had not clicked all the clicks required to actually MAKE a booking as one did not exist. I frantically messaged Spiro who said he could fit us in. We were seated at a cosy table in the corner so I could people watch across most of the restaurant. I love to people watch and make up stories about random strangers to amuse myself.

I wore a new dress from Me&B.

To start we ordered the “Halloumi Fistiki” which is pistachio and panko crusted halloumi with hot honey and lime glaze. This dish was so divine!!! It was warm, crispy, cheesy and melty. I give this dish a solid 5 Kitten Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For my main, I chose the Garides Skara: Six butterflied queen prawns grilled with ladolemono sauce, smokey paprika garlic butter, village salad and rustic fries. Their chips are homemade and gorgeous. The salad was fresh and light. Another 5 Kitten Stars for this dish.

Norm chose their infamous Lamb Shank Kleftiko: Slow-baked, fall-apart lamb shank sealed in parchment with saucy tomatoes, baby potatoes, rosemary, red onion, and crumbled feta, served with Greek village bread. This is their signature dish.

He was very happy and barely spoke while he consumed every bite, sopping up the sauce with the bread.

The proof is ‘in the pudding’ or in this case the proof of consumption is in the empty serving vessel.

To wish us a Happy Anniversary, Spiro then surprised us with a slice of their Baklava Cheesecake: Creamy cheesecake layered with flaky phyllo pastry, toasted nuts, and warm honey syrup. This dessert is just so rich and decadent!!!

We had a coffee and headed home to relax. It was a gorgeous evening with a bright pink sky over the mountains.

We sat on the stoep and enjoyed the sun setting surrounded by the animals and I counted my blessings.

The next day, I picked up my dress from Me&B which had been altered. The seamstress practically remade it and it fits beautifully. I was just so impressed with their service! It was the perfect dress for a princess party.

It was our little Amelia Ray’s 3rd birthday on the 7th of July.

On the morning of the 7th, Lily decorated her bedroom with her new furniture, filled the chairs with her teddies wearing party hats and a scattering balloons. Amelia was made to feel special as soon as she opened her eyes.

Caitlin, Bree and I flew down to George in the afternoon on Thursday the 9th and Josh picked us all up. Bree absolutely adores Josh and kept shouting ‘Josh!!’ from the side of the baggage collections. It was so funny, she was obsessed with Josh.

We all went to hang out at Lily and Josh and have dinner there. It was late for the babies and Caitlin and Bree headed off as they were staying at her father’s which is just down the road but I was staying in Josh’s mom’s room.

I noticed that I was able to hop in and out of the lovely clawfoot bath with ease this time! I could feel that the short time jumping on my rebounder had already had an effect on my leg strength.

The next day we spent preparing for the party and letting the girls play together and jump on the trampoline. I bought us all a take away for dinner. The next day was the party and we were up incredibly early as the party started at 9am and was quite a distance away.

However the drive was worth every penny because it was the perfect venue for a three year old’s birthday party. It was a huge shed with a variety of different bright structures built inside, many of which connected together via bridges or ladders or all types of child friendly options.

One of the exits is via a very, very high set of slides. Amelia’s bestie went confidently down it so Amelia felt like she had to as well. It did not go well. Amelia was terrified.

The designs were just so adorable.

Outside the play area was a huge trampoline, lots of animals for petting and feeding, a playground, basketball court, and a pony ride. It really was an amazing venue. We were there from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

After the party finished we headed to Lily’s house and Caitlin went to put Bree for a nap at her dad’s and then came back over to Lily’s to have dinner after Bree woke up.

The family all clubbed together to buy Amelia an adorable little playhouse. I gave her a little table and chairs for her playhouse. Lily bought some decor for the house. The only problem is the house did not arrive on her birthday as agreed. It arrived a day after her party on the 12th of July.

On Sunday Amelia was invited to another little friend’s Princess themed birthday party so we were up early again and off to The Pottery. It is such a great venue for small children and the food is yummy for the adults. Trevor, Bree and Caitlin came to join me for breakfast while Amelia and Lily were at the birthday party. The adults all had the Rosti Stack with a poached egg and bacon added to the dish. It was divine!!!

Bree and Amelia loved jumping on the trampoline and playing on the swing sets. When Bree had a snack she had a little container full of peas which she deliberately ate one by one as if they were sweets. I thought it so funny to see all the princesses running around while Bree munched her peas.

Trevor took some pics of me and Amelia and then for a laugh I asked her to take a picture of Trevor and I. I present a 3 year old view of life.

Here is our other half for completeness.

On Monday we had a relaxed day at home as Amelia was absolutely exhausted and a bit grumpy. Bree and Caitlin came over after Bree’s nap and the girls played a bit before Caitlin and Bree headed to the airport in the afternoon.

Lily cooked an amazing home cooked dinner for us of roast chicken, roast potatoes, rice, steamed broccoli and cauliflower and some honey glazed carrots. It was so good!

My last morning there Amelia was so cute, she made a gorgeous, well rounded breakfast for me! She served me al fresco.

She and I spent my last day watching the birds and talking about all sorts of things. She wanted to go with Josh to drop me at the airport and she insisted on coming into the airport with me. She then cried but I knew I would see her the following day so I did not get upset.

Norm collected me and I was just physically exhausted. He popped out to get us the new Chicken Parmesan with pasta that Massimo’s have added to their menu. It looked amazing but it was a bit too much cheese for me. I think it had a bit of sharp cheddar with the parmesan which ruined it. Caitlin is a cheese addict so she ordered it tonight as we all had Massimo’s again. Hers was burned to a crisp so we will not be ordering that again.

Yesterday Lily drove down with the babies so we have them here until Sunday. I am loving getting to spend so much time with my grandbabies. I feel very blessed.

I started back bouncing yesterday as well and have managed to do so every day.

Tonight Caitlin and Bree came for dinner and the girls had a bath together which they love. Funny enough when I was with my cousins at Christmas we all talked about bathing together so it obviously creates core memories.

Tomorrow is Norman’s birthday. Again – I am so grateful for the love and protection of that man. I hope he feels our love tomorrow.

Until next time, Kisses from the Kitten xoxoxoxo