Five Fabulous Weekends

We've had a run of five busy weekends this April.

We started with Nic, Ray and Emily arriving on the 1st - well, they really arrived on the night of the 31st, but we were all so tired, it was really like the Sunday that we saw them.  Holding Em again was so special - and she had grown so much in just 3 weeks!  On Sunday, she went to see her Great-Nana for the first time, and on the next day, met Great-Granny Sheila - precious times!  She also met her aunts and uncles - Sarah and Sihle and later, Laura, Pete and Riaan, and her big cuzzie Kev.  Waht a special privilege to spend time with this darling little lady,

The Easter weekend was not only a celebration of our Lord's resurrection, but also a special family time, as Emily was baptised and admitted into the communion of Christ's Church on Easter Sunday.  We followed the service with a great extended family reunion at home, complete with red velvet cupcake Christening Cake.  It was wonderful to celebrate with Jen and her family - Vonnie, Brad, Crystal and Barrie; Pete's Mom, Peggy, his sister Margie and her kids, Louise and Pam; Ray's parents, Graham and Rita and Rita's sister, Ingrid; Laura and Pete and Pete's parents, Richard and Jill; Riaan's mum and dad, Willie and Helena; Sarah's best friend, Tammy, with her family - Craig, Sam and Caden; and of course, our immediate family - including Lindt and Kev's puppy, Roxy. 

So many happy things have happened at out home in Jesmond Road - Jen and Les had their wedding reception in the garden 12 years ago, Tammy and Craig were married in our garden (on the verandah, actually); Kev's baptism, now Emily's baptism, Nic's 21st birthday, Pete's 50th and 60th birthday parties, my Mom's 70th and 80th birthday parties, Sarah and Riaan's renewal of Marriage vows, Christmas, Easter and Earth Day parties, and lots of other family celebrations have happened in this lovely, open home.   That really is another topic for a blog!

The next weekend was busy too - we spent a few days at the beach with Nic and ray, and then I jetted off to Cape Town, whike Nic rushed home to prepare for Laura's Kitchen Tea, which she hosted at our home.  Sadly, I missed it and no-one took pictures :-( - we will have to look for someone who had a camera.

Then the next weekend was Laura and Pete's wedding - a lovely time, full of happy memories.  Nic was Matron of Honour, but little Emily stole the show - especially for our family!

This last week has been Sihle's - he graduated with a BSocSc degree from UKZN on Tuesday and on Saturday, he celebrated his 21st birthday (which was actually in March) and his Graduation at a party.  We had a lot of fun - his "white" family were the staff, preparing and serving the guests, while his "black" family were the guests - only in SA would that be seen as amusing, but looking at our country's recent history, it was something very special.  we are privileged to share him with his birth family.

The frustrations of losing a cellphone!

I spent last Saturday in Cape Town at a text book workshop - and when I left, I left my Blackberry on the table.  The co-ordinator discovered it before I'd even left Cape Town - but as she had my phone, she couldn't call me.  And once I discovered it was missing, I couldn't call her, as she had the phone!  And her number was in the phone so I couldn't even call her when I got home.

Losing the phone would have been frustrating, although not really heartbreaking as I have learned to save all my numbers to my Sim card so when I lose it, I can retrieve the numbers - this has happened to me before.

But the huge frustration was in trying to get it back.

Firstly, I had to find a Courier company that will work wih an individual who doesn't have an account with them and who will do a door to door collection and delivery.  Finally found one and phoned the local branch.  No, they said, you need to call the 086 number to arrange it.  I duly did this - and was told by the woman at the other end of the phone that I needed to go to the local depot so they could give me a quote and I could pay for it.  I drove across town to the depot - only to be told by a very rude young man that he had TOLD me to phone the 086 number and there was nothing he could do.  He walked out of the room - but by then I was mad and called him back.  He shrugged at me which made me madder, and implied that I was lying.  Like I would bother to drive to the depot when I could do the transaction on the phone.

Finally I got him to call the 086 number and when he was still rude, i insisted on talking to the Customer care person in Jo'burg.  he at least was fairly polite and apologised for the mistake his colleague had made on the phone.  So he sent me a quote and said as soon as I had posted proof of payment, he would get someone to fetch the phone.

Quote duly arrived and I sat down at the computer to do an electronic fund transfer.  Double frustration - I can only do a one-off payment if i have a code which is sent to - surprise! Surprise! - my cell phone.  Which is in Cape Town - and I'm trying to pay for it to be sent back to me.

I searched all over the log in page - there is nowhere to make a change to the phone number.  So I phoned Nedbank - after listening to a couple of minutes of "If you want **, press 1..." and listening to muzak, I finally got through to a consultant.  "No, there is nothing that can be done.  If you want to change the phone number, you must come in to the branch and then it will take 2 days."

Before I broke the computer screen by throwing the phone at it, Pete came home and saved my bacon by doing the transaction from HIS bank account at another bank.  I sent the proof of payment every way I could - text, e-mail, fax - and at least I got an acknowledgement that it has arrived.

The quote says my phone will be here on Wednesday - I can't wait.  next time I go to a meeting I am going to chain it round my neck.

An Easter Baptism

Nic, Ray and Emily have been with us a week and I haven't had a minute to write my blog.  But now it is Sunday evening, things are slowly winding down and I have a bit of time to reflect on our precious Emily's Baptism.

Nic wanted her to be baptised at St Matthew's while they were here - although they attend a Baptist church in Tauranga, where adult, rather than infant baptism is practised, this was something Nicky wanted very much.  We were so delighted when our Priest, Peter Gunning, agreed to baptise her and on Easter Sunday, too - when we celebrate the Risen Christ, whose death and resurrection makes it possible for us to receive eternal life.

The whole family was there - immediate and extended - and we were so blessed as little Em was totally angelic, not even whimpering when the water was poured over her little head.  Nic chose not to put on the 100 year old Christening robe that was made for my Dad's family by Great Aunt Mar, and dressed her instead in the little embroidered dress I had made for her.

So many memories - the christening robe was worn by my dad and his 6 brothers and sisters - but what did they do when the twins were baptised?Then I know Jen and I wore it as I have pictures - and I assume at least some of the cousins did too - our family is "big" on doing family things.  Then Sarah and Nic both wore it - Nic was such a big baby that we had to organise the baptism before she got too big to wear the robe!  I think Vonnie might have worn it - but certainly Nadia and Adrian were too big when they were baptised.

When Kev came along, it didn't seem right for a little boy to wear a long white dress in the 1990s, so I embroidered him a little playsuit with a Winnie the Pooh on the bodice.  So I felt I had to make something special for Emily.  It was a rush - I was still sewing on the last poppers at quarter past 7 this morning.  I want a chance to redo bits of it so she can wear it again - Nic says it will become the new "antique" robe and I would really like it to be better made :-)

When Kev was baptised, my Mom gave him my Dad's christening mug as a present, so I decided to give Emily mine - after having it re-silvered.  I really do love the sense of continuity having things passed down the generations gives.

I missed my Mom today - I would have loved her to be there, scatty as she was, and I am sure she would have adored Emily.  She would probably have knitted a dolly for her - or not! It was good to have her great-Nana here - and Emily is a rejuvenating influence for her.  Mom has been so unwell, but when she holds Emily, she is like a new person.

Having the extended family with us - both our daughter's parents in law, Pete's and my sisters, neices and nephews, Laura's future in-laws, all Em's aunties and uncles and friends was just so special.  This is when I am so glad to have a big house so we can host them all.

So a wonderful Easter Day - not only a great Church Festival, but a family festival too.