Last night I dreamt that I saw another marmalade cat which looked just like our cat Percy.  It was a vivid dream and all that happened was that this other cat arrived at out new house.

This morning I told Stefanie about my dream and she thought it was funny.  This afternoon I was out in the garden and a marmalade cat jumped out of my garden and onto the neighbour’s shed roof where it stood there looking at me.  I had to look twice to make sure it was not Percy as this cat looked very similar.  At the same moment I looked away to see the real Percy sitting in the garden.

I immediatly called Stefanie and when she saw the 2 cats her comment was ‘Wow Mom your dream came true, so you see dreams do come true’

Since my DS was about a year old and was learning to talk he took a fancy to the caracter Mr Bean.  The word Bean was amoungst the first which he could say along with Mama and Dada.  I have tried to introduce other characters for my DS to like but he will always revert back to his old favourite of Mr Bean.

I could proberly be able to tell you scene for scene any of the Mr Bean programmes as well as the animated version of Mr Bean too.

Joshua is now almost 2 and a half years old and his fasination with Mr Bean continues.  He now thinks that he is Mr Bean and tells me to call him Mr Bean.  I bought him new shoes which had a picture of a car which looked very like the Mini Cooper which belongs to Bean.  Josh is in love with these shoes and even some nights goes to bed with them on unless I hide them from him.  If I cannot get Josh to dress in the morning I tell him that the pants or top are Mr Bean’s clothes and suddenly I have a willing little guy who will put his clothes on.

I took Josh to the shops with me last week and when he saw the shop manquins in the window the men in suits were Mr Bean.   Also any boy dolly that Stefi has are Mr Bean as well and Josh will play with them.

Perhaps Josh will be a comedian when he is grown up????

For sometime now we have been wanting to move to a new house but we have had to wait for the lease on the existing lease to end at the end of November 2009.

I have been keeping on eye out on Gumtree to see what properties are coming up for rent.  I saw a house not far from our present house  and made contact with the owner.  There were  some photos on the site and both DH and I liked what we saw.  We met with the owner on Sunday and fell in love with the house.

It is perfect for our family.  Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, double garage and an enclosed garden for the kids to run around in.

We have negotiated with the owner, paid the deposit and signed the lease agreement yesterday.  We will move on 1 November 2009.

Here are the pics which were posted on the advert which I saved.

We took the kids to the park this afternoon which backs onto the new house.  I took a few pics there.  I wish that I had taken some photos inside the house when we viewed it.  I still may contact the owner to see if she will let me take some before we move.

Big & small monkeys (the house in the background)

Little Princess

DH is driving the Renault back from the workshop as I type.  Renault replaced some contact sensor thingymaygig.  I really dont get it and really dont care other than I want a reliable car.    They kept the car a day longer than they wanted as I insisted that they keep it and try to get it working every few hours.  So fingers crossed I dont have to see Mr Mechanic again for a long time.  (Nothing personal Mr Mechanic)

DH  last night reminded me of the first time I sat in the Renault.  I started her engine and the car failed to start.   The dealer fiddled under her bonnet and she purred.  Once we decided to buy the car, the dealer told my DH that the problem had been due to a some contacts in the engine and that they had fixed it.  Well it makes me wonder if it had been fixed and I had just been lucky to not have the problem re-occur since I got the car in May this year.   With the engine being taken out etc the problem was just accentuated. 

I guess I have scored with this one.  We have a problem fixed which I now find out was there from the beginning and possibly nothing to do with the cam belt breaking.   So some good has come out of all of this frustration.

On Friday afternoon DH collected my Renault.  All seemed fine until Saturday morning when the car did not start again.   DH tried many times over the weekend to attempt to restart her but with no luck.  I must congratulate my DH on his persistance with many things and in particular the numerous times he tried to start the car when I would have given up on it and waited for the mechanic. 

To top it all the other car ‘The Green Monster’ has been given problems with the clutch cable this last week.  (Something that has happened before) DH took a look under her bonnet to find that the clutch cable was hanging on by a few threads waiting to snap.

Crazy to think we have 2 cars and nowhere that they would be able to drive us.  Very frustrating.

The Renault workshop  is not open over the weekend so the Green Monster needed to be fixed.   DH got me to call Mad Mike Mechanic who is a mobile mechanic and will come to your house to fix your car.  Perfect.  So Saturday afternoon he arrived and worked till the evening.    I first met Mad Mike about 12 years ago to fix my Citi Golf.   Mad Mike gave me the heebee geebees  as well as the downfall with calling him is that one is often required to be his mechanic assistant.  After a couple of times where he fixed my car I swore to not call him again.  Desperate measures necessatated a call.  He got the job done and it did not cost a whole pile of money either.  

Now with the Green Monster working there is just the issue of the Renault.  I was on the phone to the Renault workshop early this morning and my now ‘favourite’ mechanic arrived to sort the car out.  Except he could not get it started.  (DH found this amusing when I told him) Mr Mechanic returned to the workshop to fetch some part or other and once fitted the car started.

When Mr Mechanic handed the keys over to me and hesitated when I asked him if the car was now reliable.  My response was to hand the keys back and I very nicely told him to keep the car till I can trust her again.  

There is a funny and freaky side to this story.  Our friend Willem came over on Saturday to help me when Mad Mike was fixing the car.    DH was out with Stefi and I could not ‘play’ the mechanic’s assistant whilst looking after Joshua.   Anyway once Williem had left after DH arrived home, DH joked with me and he said that ‘All we need is for Willem’s car to break down.’  I told DH off for even thinking, let alone joking about something like that.  A few hours later Willem called and first spoke to me to tell me his car was broken down.    It took some convincing DH that Willem was not taking the piss and he was indeed stuck.  DH towed Willem’s car home from the city centre.

I now will wait and hope for when I can trust my favourite Renault car again.

I had better blog about the events of yesterday while it is all still fresh in my mind.

Every Thursday I take Stefanie to ballet and the last few weeks Joshua has been joining us for the journey.  I collected both kids as normal at their school and tried started my car to leave, but it would not start.   I called DH as I did not know what else to do, he was fuming and wanted me to read the riot act to Renault as we just got the car back on Tuesday afternoon after they took a month to fix the car.

Stefanie was upset and did not want to miss ballet.  So I suggested we walk to ballet as the place was very close by to her school.     Luckily the weather was hot and sunny, so we walked.   I carried Joshua and Stefi walked beside me.  While Stefi was in the ballet class I called Renault and arranged for them to meet me at the car to sort out the problem. 

After the ballet class we started walking back to the kids school when Joshua started coughing and the next thing I knew the little guy vomited over himself and on me too.  By which time a mother stopped her car and offered me a wet wipe and a lift to the school.   (My first drive in a BMW X5 – wow)

We arrived at the school where DH was waiting for us.  About 10 minutes later the mechanics arrived and got the car going again. They told me the problem was to do with some dirt on the contacts which could have happened when they fixed the car.  (???)  They left with me saying “Well I hope it is all fixed otherwise I will be seeing you again”  Famous last words.

I returned to work.  After work the car would not start again.  Arrrgggh!!!  I called Renault and the same guys said that they were on their way to me from their workshop in Tokai.  In the meantime I had to fetch the kids from school and Ray (from work) offered to give me a lift to collect them.   (Another drive in a fancy car – a Mercedes this time).  

The mechanics arrived at work and turned the key in the ignition and she started immediately. ARRRRRRGGHHH !!   They suggested that I get the car back to the workshop in order to check it out.  So with the car running again we drove off homewards.

During the trip home I landed up travelling behind the mechanics for most of the trip, until we got to the Tokai Main Road and I turned left and they right. 

As it was late I suggested to a delighted Stef that I would buy them McDonalds for dinner and I thought the Drive-Thru was the best bet.   I should have driven straight home late or not!!!   As I got to the drive thru the car stalls and I could not get it started again.  This time it was pouring with rain and we are about a metre away from the order window, I grab my hair in frustration. AAAARRRGGGHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!! 

Suddenly Stefi was crying and saying what are you going to do and she was hungry etc etc.  I realised that I should not have reacted the way I did as she is so sensitive and perceptive.  I told her to stop crying and to leave the worrying to me and that I would solve the problem and get us sorted.  Amazingly she stopped crying!

I called a McDonalds employee who pushed my car out from the Drive-Thru lane and into a parking place.  I bought the children their McMeals and we walked again. Thankfully the rain had stopped and we live very close to the McDonalds.

DH returned home some hours later and went to get the car – the thing started first time.   I wanted to cry!  The mechanics fetched the car early this morning and I am hoping to get a properly fixed car this afternoon. 

PLEASE ………………….. I dont think I can have another day like yesterday.

I am updating on the post in June about Stefanie making a big step forward with regards to her diet.   

Stefanie has simply amazed me with her eating.  She has tried many new things since I posted.  The foods she has tried on her own are as follows: hamburger pattie, pizza, pork chops, roast chicken, roast potatoes, droe wors to name a few. 

I am so proud of her and I am convinced she will continue to try out new foods in the coming months and years.  I need not have ever worried about her and thought to pressurise her to eat.

I have neglected my blogging and I can hardly believe that it is July since my last post.

To give a brief synopsis of the past few months.  August was an eventful month.

1. My Renault Scenic broke down and had to be towed to the Renault workshop for fixing.  Cambelt was the cause of the breakage and the damage that it caused to the rest of the engine.   They took a month to fix the car.  I had the car back for 2 days when I could not get it started. So it is back at the workshop – hopefully I will get it back today.   That happened yesterday and should be a post all on its own - in retrospect it is rather funny.

   

   

   
   
   
2. The kids were ill on the same day the cambelt went on the Renault (thankfully DH was driving when it happened) and I got flak from work for taking 2 days off to look after them at home.  Joshua was not better after I returned to work and so I was booked off work by the doc for another day to look after him.  When I returned to work the atmosphere was tense in the office and little snide comments have been made in relation to these days I was off. 
3. I applied for a job as a school secretary at the school I started my schooling at.   I made it to the interview and felt so positive about it.  But it was not meant to be.  They thanked me for my enthusiasm. (???)
4. DH was made permanant in his new job at the end of August.  He gets an increase in salary at the end of September and another one in December.  He gets medical aid, pension and a 13th cheque.  DH is doing well at work and seems to be enjoying it all. They have given him a huge challenge and moved him from his book and got him doing the national chain stores book.  He has never worked with retail stores before and is a little nervous about being landed in the deep end.  I have faith that he is going to do a very good job and make a success of it.  This is a big jump in his career and good for him and his working future.
5. Because DH was made permanant, I have handed in my resignation at work.  I am very unhappy working for this company and I have been unhappy for at least 1 year.  DH promised that as soon as he secured a job I could leave mine.  I finish work at the end of September and I cannot wait. 

I think that covers most of the events which occurred during the last month.  The biggest for me is stopping work.  I want to start my own sewing business which has been a dream since I was young.  This is my chance and I want to succeed this time.  I will keep the progress of how I get on updated in my other blog www.lastingcreations.wordpress.com  

Stefi will start Grade R next year and I have until now, not been able to sort out how I will organise her over the school holidays.  That problem is now solved as she will be at home with me during the holidays.

My DH and I are wanting to look for a new day care for Joshua for next year.  At least I will be able to have 3 months to secure of place for him for next year and if push comes to shove and I am unsuccessful, I will keep him at home with me. 

We are not renewing the lease agreement at the house in Tokai.  The place is too small and we are very cramped.   The lease is finishing at the end of November and I will be able to view houses during my time off too.   Ideally we want to live in the Southern Suburbs and secure a 3 bedroomed house with a garden.  I would have the 3rd bedroom as my workroom and I cannot wait to have my own space to do my sewing and start up my crafts as well.

I am looking forward to my time of unemployment to spend some quality time with myself and have the flexibility to fetch and carry the kids when it is needed.

So here I was saying yesterday that Josh did not want try the big bed. I tried again with him last night.  I lay with him on the bed and he fell asleep did not move.  I went to bed knowing that in the morning he is a very early riser and often starts calling for me from 5am. So I knew to expect a 5am visiter next to my bed!!! I should’ve  gone to bed early, if only I had known what sort of night I would have.  Josh spent all night in his bed till as I predicted 5am when he appeared beside my bed.

However I had an eventful night and am trully wrecked now. Stefi arrived at my bedside sometime during the night and climbed in. I woke because of being cramped between her and DH.  I was tempted to join Josh in his bed but did not want to disturb him. So I tried sleeping cramped up but I could not.  So I moved Stefi with Josh in his bed, thinking he could keep Stefi company.  That worked for awhile till he appeared as I said already.  I put him into my bed between DH and I (I am used to this with him plus he is smaller) No sooner this happens that Stefi is beside my bed crying cos she woke to find Josh gone.  So I took Josh (who now wanted a bottle) back to his bed. He was crying and so was Stefi. So DH took Josh and brought Stefi to me in Josh’s bed. A short while later Josh returned to climb into the single bed with Stef and I.   Confused???? So am I!!

No real news from me.  I have recovered from last weekend’s floods.  My insurance  are busy with getting the replaced goods ready and cleaning the rest.

Ironically, yesterday we had the most fantastic weather. It was really warm 28 degrees and felt so like summer. It was mad to think that it was just a week ago we were having floods!!! Winter can be like this here in Cape Town – terrible one day and wonderful the next. Today it looks good as well except I am in the office all day.

The kids had a ball outside yesterday. We had them out in the garden playing with toys etc.  DH had to put up the umbrella for them as it was getting too hot!  DH washed both cars as well as 2 neighbours cars.   (How great is he?) The grass was wet with some puddles which Josh delighted in playing and getting all muddy.    I took some photos of the kids playing so well outside together but I need to download them off DH’s camera. 

Saturday and Sunday Josh missed his afternoon nap.  He seemed fine without it but totally finished by the end of the day. I know at school they will continue to get him to rest but there is not a whole lot I can do about that.  He is still not keen on getting onto a potty or into the big bed. 

Josh’s newist words include:
‘dislishes’  (delicious)
‘…..lations’ (congratulations) 
‘champion’ (this is said when he is eating after each bite and he puts his arms in the air)

Stefanie watched the Mama Mia movie again last night.  She is hooked on the whole story.  She keeps on singing the songs almost perfect word for word.   I had both kids in the bath last night and Stefi was singing ‘Mama Mia’ and ‘Honey Honey’ and when she was done Josh clapped his hands and told her ‘More music Pepi’   

Stefi was chatting to me last night and said she wished she was Sofia and I was Donna.  (The characters in the story)  Later she asked me where the Mama Mia people were in the movie.  I told her in Greece so she said when were DH and I going to take her there.   We told her one day to which she replied ‘I wonder how we will find them?’  (Them being the characters in the  movie!!!)   She gets lost in this romantic world and it is so wonderful to watch her when she watches the movie.    The delight and excitement on her face as the story unfolds.  She was dancing around the lounge last night and was rather hyper.  When I told her to calm down and that perhaps she had eaten too much chocolate and she told me ’No Mom, I am excited because of the dancing and singing’ !!!