2009-01-28 -> 2009-04-07
This is a very sad blog for me to write since I need to cover something that is still very heartbreaking for me to think about, let alone to write about.
Well, I have now moved down to Jeffrey’s Bay permanently and I must say that the dust wasn’t settled and I already missed my family and friends. I then made the decision that I would try and go back to Johannesburg once every 3 months….at least that is the aim. Having said that, I miss my family and friends in the Cape as well so I will be seeing them more frequently. Bear in mind that I know nobody here in Jeffrey’s Bay and I don’t make friends that easily since I seriously don’t trust people in general 
During the first 2 weeks of being here I did the most important which is:
1. Found a hairdresser
2. Found a place to do my nails (a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do)
3. Enrolled in a gym
4. Found my doctor from Johannesburg is now based in Jeffrey’s Bay…what a small world
A1 RACE
We attended the A1 race at the end of February. It seriously was an awesome day. We went with a few family members. Got burnt by the sun which I only felt the following day. For those who know me can vouch that what I enjoy most about these races is the accidents On our corner there were no accidents, only one of the cars that came off the track, kicked up dust and got back on the track. Nevertheless, it was a day well spent and I can proudly say I attended an A1 race
HOUSE
What can I say about the house? Except that the buyer who is an attorney, delayed the process by changing from buying on a CC to buying in a TRUST. I wrote a “nasty” email to the agent in question since he was aware of everything that was happening, and WE who are paying his commission, he wasn’t keeping us posted. Even though N was getting mailed weekly, everyone failed to notify us that the TRUST application was originally turned down. After enquiries by the buyer the process was re-instated and now apparently all they waiting for to lodge is a FICA document from the bank. All this red tape is nauseating. Needless to say, the agent soon phoned me after the email and still he tried to blame the banks for the delay. I let him know in no uncertain terms that no matter which way he looked at it, the buyer as an attorney should have known better and caused the delay, not the banks. Anyway, hopefully everything should be done and complete by the end of this month but I won’t hold my breath. If it hasn’t been lodged by mid April, we will exercise our legal right and take the necessary action against the buyer.
RATES
Finally we have had some outcome and they acknowledged they had screwed up and credited us with the awesome amount of R11K
GYM
I have started the gym again since I no longer have access to my treadmill here. It’s in storage.
I am still trying to get into some sort of routine where I walk the beach for an hour in the morning. Haven’t got to that yet, but I will get there
PHOTOGRAPHY
I have joined another website where I can post my photos and learn more from peoples critiques of my work. I find that very fulfilling as I am always open to positive and constructive criticsm. The funny thing is when I take a shot, look at it, it looks beautiful and then I post it and it gets “torn apart’ by people who know a lot more than me LOL. But I like that, because its a great way to learn.
So, visually it looks good, but if you start looking at the principles of photography, then the photo is bad but for the normal man in the street, it still remains a good photograph
Interesting………….
CAR ACCIDENT
Finally N’s car money has been reimbursed 2 days ago. I still cannot believe how lengthy such a process is, considering the accident happened in September 2008.
JBAY HOUSE
We have decided to renovate our holiday home into a liveable home. What we never expected was the cost involved once we got the quote. We nearly fell over LOL. R114K. They are totally nuts.
This is what needs to be done:
1. Inside walls need to be stripped of its existing paint and plaster because uneven plastering is just not my style and here at the coast, the grooves just collect dust and you cannot wash the walls because it just destroys the cloths. Whoever thought this was a good idea for walls, needs their head read. Might be modern architecture, I call it crap LOL
2. Kitchen needs to be redone so it can become more versatile. At the moment it is rather cramped and short of cupboard space.
3. ALL tiles need to be uplifted and replaced with new tiles. Me and white tiles just don’t get on. Don’t know what possessed the previous owner/builder to put white tiles on the floor.
4. Re-paint the whole place inside
5. A few other odds and ends but points 1 to 4 is the bulk of the renovations
I have arranged with my neighbour (a very good friend of mine) that I spend the 3 weeks at her place since she won’t be down at the time. No ways can we live in the house while they are renovating.
Due to the high cost, we have decided to break it up and get different quotes and it seems by doing it using various companies for the various stages, works out a a bit cheaper.
Will keep you posted on this.
N’s BIRTHDAY
N’s Birthday is the 16th April and he will be 40. I am still looking for a boat to give him as a birthday present for his 40th. Will see what happens.
R.I.P HAPPI (real name: DENAROR HAPPI TRAVELLER)
Before we left for JBay in December, we noticed that Happi’s eyesight had deteriorated, but we weren’t sure on the extent of the deterioration. N and I made a conscious decision that when we get to JBay, we will carry him up and down the stairs as I do not want him to go tumbling down.
Soon after our arrival, he attempted the once to come down on his own and fortunately, N was about to go up and caught Happi as he tumbled a few stairs. It was then that we had to block his access at the top during the night so he couldn’t go down. He was very good and woke us up when he wanted to go down.
After we came back from JBay in January, and being at home, I realised that Happi’s quality of life had deteriorated badly.
I realised that Happi no longer was a participant. He slept 90% of the day and only had a bit of life in the morning when he got his Nesquick and greenie and then again, when either of us arrived home either from work or an outing.
I also noticed that his legs were no longer holding him up long enough. When eating, his legs would occasionally give in and he would look like a spatchcock while eating. I found this very hard to watch.
Added to this, he could no longer hear.
The time had come for me to make a decision. I had to stop being selfish and do what was right for Happi.
I went through a lot of emotions, day in and day out.
I thought of why I got him in the first place. I was going through a divorce, I never trusted anyone. I was very close to my ex-inlaws (L & W). L suggested I get a pet which I thought about and realised it was a good idea. She helped me through everything and still today, we are very good friends. I love her like my mother and friend. L suggested I get a pet that doesn’t lose hair and is highly intelligent….she suggested a toy french poodle since I stayed in a flat. She sought the breeder out and we went to look at the puppies. Happi was very shy and kept on hiding behind the breeders legs. My heart went out to him there and then. I chose him out of the litter.
I brought him home and a beautiful friendship started. Very soon, he knew when I was down, he would console me by licking my face or laying beside my leg and placing his head on my leg with those droopy sad eyes as if he knew I was sad. He knew when I was happy, he knew my every emotion and acted accordingly. He became my soulmate, my friend, my confidante. I trusted him like he could trust me to do everything that was best for him. When I visited friends, I used to pack him and his little basket and take him with me. My friends loved him and always welcomed him in their home as I had him “potty” trained.
Rest in Peace Happi, my beloved friend. You will be sorely missed….you ARE sorely missed.
After all these thoughts, I realised I had to do what was right for him, I had no choice. However, it was something I wanted to go through on my own. I started with him on my own, I wanted to end it with him on my own. I waited for N to go down to JBay on the 1st March and I took Happi to the vet on the 2nd March when I had him euthanased. I had him groomed on the Friday so that he could look beautiful when he went to sleep.
I held him in my arms as the Vet injected him and he slowly slipped away. I cried my heart out and I still cry when I think about him. I really do miss him bigtime.
I had him cremated and I still have his ashes. I am waiting for the perfect opportunity to scatter his ashes in the sea.
This is for you Happi:
Heaven’s Doggie Door
My best friend closed his eyes last night,
As his head lay in my hand.
The doctors said he was in pain,
And it was hard for him to stand.
The thoughts that scurried through my head,
As I cradled him in my arms,
Were of his younger puppy years,
And Oh… his many charms.
Today there was no gentle nudge,
With an intense “I love you” gaze.
Only a heart that’s filled with tears,
Remembering our joy-filled days.
But an Angel just appeared to me,
And said, “You should cry no more,
God also loves our canine friends,
He’s installed a doggy door!”
~ Jan Cooper ’95
When the time comes
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this–the last battle–can’t be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We’ve been so close–we two–these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
~ Author Unknown
And on that sad note I will end my blog…………………