Let's start at the beginning of the month: Tim came home on Nov 30, having had a fairly short rotation (just over 3 weeks), and perfectly in time to admire a number of new finishing touches around the house ... and for us to see each other before I would leave for Windhoek on Dec 2. Well ... the Windhoek trip didn't end up happening and neither did my second trip scheduled for the following week. Both trips were canceled because the client I am working with - De Beers - is feeling the impact of the global economy and, with a sharp decline in the demand for diamonds, was forced to spend a few weeks re-assessing their structures and cash flow. Not having to go up in December was a blessing for us as it meant that we unexpectedly had a few extra days together. The news that followed was less positive: De Beers had to make some drastic decisions, which included not renewing the contract with Exceed in 2009. I only had 35 days of projected work next year, so it won't impact us as much, but it certainly was a disappointment for our 3 colleagues who were full time on this project. Personally, I took it as a message from God telling me to slow down ... and I'm grateful. It's been a busy year!
With that behind us and only one workshop scheduled for December, we were able to really focus on preparing for a great surprise: a visit by Paul, Bee, Harriet and I
sabella! They had originally decided to stay in Hong Kong for Christmas, but changed their minds only a few weeks ago. We were absolutely thrilled!! The Hong Kong Wighams arrived on Dec 6 and were with us for 12 days, until Dec 18. We had a blast! Gandalf was excited to meet his little cousins ... a little too excited in fact... he would run up to Tiny or Bella just a bit too enthusiastic and particularly little Bella was regularly bowled over (literally!) by this 34-KG monster!
sabella! They had originally decided to stay in Hong Kong for Christmas, but changed their minds only a few weeks ago. We were absolutely thrilled!! The Hong Kong Wighams arrived on Dec 6 and were with us for 12 days, until Dec 18. We had a blast! Gandalf was excited to meet his little cousins ... a little too excited in fact... he would run up to Tiny or Bella just a bit too enthusiastic and particularly little Bella was regularly bowled over (literally!) by this 34-KG monster! 
We had a wonderful time with Paul and Bee. With some clever maneuvering, we managed to squeeze the baby cot, a fold up mattress and a queen-sized bed all into one room, and it was just wonderful to have the house so full of people... particularly in the mornings when Tim and I got to wake up to the chatter of two little girls' voices in the next room. The girls loved the garden, pool and Jacuzzi and spent a lot of time running back and forth between the two. We spent a lot of time just enjoying each other's company at home, but also managed to get a few beach visits in together, some good Christmas shopping, and a lovely picnic at Boschendal Wine Estate. Plus, we decided to have our first Christmas gift unwrapping on Dec 16 just before they left. It all went by far too quickly and the house seemed so empty once they'd gone ... it left Gandalf very confused as he kept checking their bedroom the first few mornings.
Back to Gandalf ... yep, he now weighs 34KGs (or, at least, he did 2 weeks ago) and is about 70CM tall (height of his back). He's still growing in front of our eyes and had his first proper hair cut the first week of December ... it was just becoming too hot to carry all that black fur around. He came back looking absolutely stunning but acting quite traumatised. He didn't enjoy the experience and it took him a few days before he stopped cowering every time I turned on the tap to fill up his water bowl. He doesn't like to be washed! Sadly, he also picked up a bit of an infection at the groomer's.
I noticed a spot on his head and became suspicious when it seemed to spread rather than disappear. A visit to the vet confirmed it was a 'hot spot' ... harmless, but still, the poor boy had to be put to sleep for 30 minutes and I had to hold him for the injection, which left me in tears. I felt like a traitor holding him down while he was yelping away! I got to fetch him a few hours later with an ugly bald spot on his head. He was still recovering from the anaesthetic. Poor little doggie couldn't even walk and staggered over to the car. I had to lift him into the car and carry him out at home. Still, he wouldn't stay in his bed, but kept following me around the house, walking into various things. Luckily that only lasted a few hours, and now, a few weeks later, he is completely back to his old self with a new patch of hair!
On the house front, we now really are 95% of the way there... I hope! Our final project was to sort out the parking situation and create a second off-road parking spot by moving the vibracrete walls slightly inward. It made our front garden 1.5 meters less wide, but we made up for that by taking out the hedge that was all along the length of the wall and at least a meter deep. With the hedge gone, the vibracrete wall moved and 'creted', and the new second parking spot paved, all that's left is to paint the wall and landscape our front garden. I can't wait to get onto that project ... but will have to be patient until early January. I seems that no one in Cape Town works between Christmas and New Year :).
Back to friends and family ... the day of Paul and Bee's departure was also the day that the Thomas and Duncan-Anderson clans descended on Cape Town. Sadly, they all just missed each other, but we were thrilled to be able to spend some time with Geoff and Linds and little Grace, Rob & Kirsty Kuipers & kids, Ryan and Kristy and Callah, and the rest of the DA and Thomas families. On the weekend, Tim met up with Geoff, Rob, and Ryan for some good climbing, followed by all of us meeting at Kirstenbosch for a Johnny Clegg concert later in the afternoon. This was followed by Grace and Callah's dedication on Monday ... which was originally going to be at Boulder's Beach, but - thanks to the weather suddenly turning foul - ended up taking place in our back garden. It was wonderful!!! Grace is Tim's god daughter (and mine :) ) so it was very special for us to be able to host the dedication and have 30-some family members in our home. The clouds miraculously made way for sun for a few hours ... just long enough for us to have the dedication on the patio and for the kids to decide it definitely was warm enough for a swim. We loved seeing our pool being used by so many kiddies!
That was this past Monday ... since then, we've had a lovely fish braai with the DA family ... who are all staying in Hout Bay, and spent a few more hours on last-minute Christmas shopping. Tim and I are both terrible to shop for ... we're of the 'if you want it, buy it' generation and Sue was just pulling her hair out trying to think of creative things for those who already have everything. We all still managed to surprise each other on Christmas day. We started the day by going to church together with Sue and her friend Liz Davison. A great message and some wonderful Christmas choruses (I've been listening to Christmas CD's for weeks now ...) . After church, we had lunch with Sue and Liz at Dragon Cottage followed by a second gift unwrapping (actually, third ... Tim and I both bought something for each other earlier this week and just couldn't wait to unwrap it.) My funniest surprise was a burnt Sudoku book. It was underneath Sue's Christmas tree which had a candle that burnt out ... the book caught fire, which was noticed by Liz, but by the time it was extinguished the flames had burnt their way through the wrapping paper and quite a few pages.
And that brings us to today ... which started off early with Tim getting up at 05h00 and us leaving for the airport at 06h00. Things there didn't quite go as smoothly as we would have liked as Tim's flight was canceled. Though I was secretly very happy to have my hubbie home for an extra few hours, we realised this wasn't an option ... who would believe the 'excuse' of a canceled flight on Boxing Day!!! So, after a bit of a run around, the airline managed to get Tim on standby on the SAA flight leaving at the same time. A huge relief for Tim. He is meanwhile safely in Luanda and the countdown is now officially on ... 37 sleeps to go :).
I had a lovely lazy day at home today and sorted out my files and paperwork ... never fun, but clearing the desk also clears the mind, right?! I also got out my burnt book and did the first few Sudoku puzzles today. Funny ... I just kept getting distracted by the burnt smell in the air and on my fingers so ended up cutting off the front cover and the first 19 pages :). Finished the day with a lovely long walk on a very windy Noordhoek beach with Gandalf. I go there regularly but it still always surprises me what a stunning place it is!
That's all from our end. I'm looking forward to a very relaxed next few days with only one client project to work on, which is only due mid-January. Tim also is easing into his hitch as they're doing well-testing which is always a very busy time. It means he'll be staying on shore and working from the BP office until there is space on board.
We hope this finds you well, wherever you are ... have a safe New Year ... and remember to take time out to reflect on 2008 and count your blessings :).
Love,
Tim & Ange
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