69 and holding...

 Good morning dear Blogger friends. I remember having a keyring in 1992 which said 39 and holding. (I turned 40 in 1993) 

Mmm. That was many years ago. And here I am today at 69 and holding.

Thank you, Penny for you wishes!

And thank you, dear Gaelyn for your wishes! 

At 6.30, Angus, Amanda and my three Free State grandies phoned me and sang Happy Birthday to me.  Amanda's mom, newly widowed Celia, also a good friend of mine since the 90's, was visiting them and added her voice. So very special.

 One of the many WhatsApp messages. Readers who have followed my posts for many years, may remember how Amanda and I discovered a home for albino children in Shinyanga, Tanzania in 2012. We made toys, collected clothes in South Africa and distributed to the children. We assisted with medical needs. We had a proper "brick and tile" ablution block built for the children. A teacher and her husband from the USA, continue to work at this home

Last night I had Ron and John and Gavin and Janine over to my house for dinner. I have spent the last five Christmas Eves at their dinner table; been at every birthday and anniversary celebration at both neighbor's homes. Although I contributed to the table on many occasions, I had never had them over to my little cottage.

My simple dinner tables setting 

Nine and Gavin spoilt me with a bag of tasty snacks 

Ronnie and John gave me a unique grater with several size grater holes and a holder at the bottom which collects the result. So cool! 

Earlier this week, my Avon mentor who has become a very close friend, and I had our nails done by Jenna next door. Jenna is the older daughter of Gavin and Nine.  I have a monthly appointment with her when she is home from teaching at St John's in Pietermaritzburg. This week Arina had her nails done after me. 

And later we had lunch at my house! 

Arina (the hand below) told Jenna she'd like a similar design to mine! I had mine done in light green and white as I have three important Weigh-Less open meetings this week. These shades are part of the Weigh-Less logo (the silver pinkie? I LOVE bling and Jenna always obliges) 

I'm off to the Valley to have lunch with my dear friends, Steve and Estelle and Mac's Cafe on the veranda where I managed Steve's art shop for two years before Covid. Although I wanted to take them to lunch, Estelle says they have taken me out for my birthday since my first one as a widow in 2018, and today is no different. I have invited Caroline and Les and Lynn who own The Bunker.

It's great to be alive! 

HAVE A WONDERFUL SUNDAY!