Families rule!

On Saturday I interviewed and signed on a new member with Weigh-Less.  None other than my landlady's granddaughter, Jenna. My landlady, Ronnie is a Weigh-Less member and doing very well. Her DIL, Janine, (who is Jenna's mother - get the picture!) is also a greatly successful Weigh-Less member in my Winterton group. 

I'll do a post shortly on how family-orientated my groups are. 

While I stood bent over next to Jenna, sitting at my desk, the little kitten who she took over, jumped onto my back... and fell asleep. 

Baby Henry asleep on my back 

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL 

My life...

Yesterday, waiting in my car for the bovine traffic to disperse - albeit, most languidly - I noticed a cow with two calves. Seeing John on the yard, I asked him if they were twins. He said yes. I have always known about sheep having twins and even triplets, but this is the first time I'd seen calf twins. 

 While I waited, I photographed the cattle egrets against the beautiful blue sky

 My morning traffic! 

 The twin calves  

 My precious Thandiwe helps me carry my work stuff to the car. Here she closes the gate and returns to work indoors 

Skabby and the cats are happy to have her company three times a week. I love Thandi, my domestic goddess! 

I'm off from working in the shop on Tuesdays. Today I do my Weigh-Less admin, sort out my Avon orders and get ready to drive into town at midday. At 3pm I have my Weigh-Less group and afterwards it's a tad of shopping and home. Tomorrow it's back to work in the Valley again. 

I have guests occupying my two accommodation units respectively on Thursday. It's a long-weekend in South Africa and I'm ever grateful for the remuneration of hospitality. Tomorrow I'll check on The Bunker and later drive up the mountain road (I'll try to photograph the ride from the car, but I'm rather nervous while driving!) to Ulundi Family Holiday Home. 

I'm linking to Our world Tuesday here

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Family visit!

As you all know, I love being in the center. One of the perks is that old friends pop in regularly to say hello. I've also been blessed with family calling - my two brothers visited at the beginning of September.

Last Friday, John, and the three boys (of my beautiful clan of six grandchildren) arrived to say hello.

 Israel, Joshua, John, Jo and Elijah

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL!

National Heritage Day

...when South Africans celebrate the diverse cultural heritage that makes up a "rainbow nation". It is the day to celebrate the contribution of all South Africans to the building of South Africa 

— Lowry 21:1995

Monday 24th September was National Heritage Day in South Africa. here

The Zulu ladies in the Valley always dress in beautiful traditional outfits. Yesterday I joined them; albeit wearing a gift from my Guest House kitchen staff in  Tanzania - way back in January 2015.

 Gugu, Cecelia, Jo and Happy on the shopping center veranda 

I had guests in The Bunker over the long weekend.  So after  closing the shop at 3pm,  I drove up to the unit, cleaned it and changed the linen. On my way home, I always pass Thokosiza Lifestyle Center . Yesterday I popped in to drop information with the info center and then walked around to see Mavis, whom I knew would be dressed traditionally. 

 ... she was!

Mavis and I smiling for the camera!

Mavis is my house-lady, Thandiwe's sister. Mavis often helps me to explain something to Thandi . Thandi is pure Zulu and my Zulu leaves a lot to be desired! So Mavis is a great help when either of us need to communicate. Mavis also sells Avon Skincare for me in that Center. 

And as if the day wasn't full enough, I had a surprise visit from extended family. Many of my blogger friends have read about my SIL,  Shelley, who's also my birding mentor. Early on Monday morning, a couple walked into my shop. The man asked if I was Jo Hedges. As he introduced himself as Shelley's brother, Laurie, I recognized him. He and Lynn had been visiting in the Berg and Shelley told him where to find me. I was so touched that they popped in to greet me. I hadn't seen them since Grant and I attended Shelley's younger daughter, Kerry's wedding four years ago! 

Jo, Laurie and Lynn 

While writing this post, I got to thinking back on how blessed I've been this past month. On the first Friday both my brothers visited me - the younger one I hadn't seen since 2009. 

In the middle of September Cheryl and Chris made a special detour to stay in the Berg. We'd last seen each other 24 years ago; and for me to meet Chris. 

Yesterday, Laurie and Lynn stopped off to say hello. How cool is that! 

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Anonymous and friends on the veranda!

No the one has nothing to do with the other. To all the regular bloggers out there, are you also having a spate of "anonymous" people /trolls commenting on your posts? I have been inundated with this terrible commenter for the past month or two. Sometimes they comment on the current post but mostly they've read an ancient post and write a load of drivel and sometimes abuse on these. Is there ANY way that I can block these awful commenters? Does anyone have a solution for me? 

Now for something much more pleasant; friends! 

Apart from the strangers which I hope turn into customers, that meander long the veranda daily, I often have friends popping in to say hello and often to buy gifts, the vitamin booster and African Potato Cream which I sell for an organic chemist. 

Ant and Jenny, whom I see weekly at the Parkrun and whom I used to hike the mountains with when I was a lady of leisure pop in  regularly after their weekly hike; Cindy (Ant's wife of 50 years) pops in to buy the energy booster after her session at the knitting club; Lynn, whom I manage The Bunker for, popped in to introduce me to her niece and at the same time she bought two gifts for her daughter; Stella, a friend from Probus and also the hiking club, popped in last week to place her cosmetic order with me (one of my extra projects is selling for a large skincare company);  Hedy, whose little Daschound, Florrie apparently still bristles when they pass the house where we lived in Bergview popped in last week, ordered a coffee for me and a hot chocolate for herself and had it delivered from the Chocolate Shop down the veranda so that we could "have a coffee" together; Betty, also from Bergview, whose two Labradors and my Skabenga, are our main topic of conversation, popped in  a with two lolly ice creams and we enjoyed these together while we chatted - about our dogs! 

And then there's my young friend, DJ. He was our neighbor when we lived on John's farm. Grant and I got to know DJ "through the fence" as it were. He'd stop and bring a pack of freshly picked green maize on the cob while I would have a packet of health rusks for him. These were handed through the electric fence at your peril so DJ would lob the mielies over the top of the fence and I would send the rusks over the same way. 

Nowadays DJ, a busy farmer doesn't always get to stop off at the shop and say hi. His young wife, Tracy, and cute toddler, Jessica take part in Parkrun every week, so I see them there. However, when DJ pops into the supermarket, he always buys a can of cold-drink and brings it to me in passing and gets off to work again. 

Sweet, huh? Him and all my friends. 

Yesterday DJ came past my shop where I was standing out on the veranda chatting to Jenny and passed me this can of soda! 

I'm linking my post to Our World Tuesday here

For those of you interested in seeing more about  THE BUNKER, please click here

AND

if you're interested in rates and more information, please click the links below:

https://www.travelocity.com/Cathkin-Park-Hotels-The-Bunker.h26812231.Hotel-Information

https://www.orbitz.com/Cathkin-Park-Hotels-The-Bunker.h26812231.Hotel-Information

HERE'S WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL TUESDAY! 

My life...

...at home and at work.

Every afternoon after work, I don my running shoes, leash up a 60kg highly excited Labrador and we set out on our walk.  As we leave the inside farmyard, I release Skabenga's clip and he hurtles off up the road. 

For the past two weeks we've increased our distance and I try to do at least a 2km round trip. On Saturdays and Sundays, we increase this to 2.5km. Of course , my furry friend loves this extra treat. He's the fastest and most energetic large dog I have ever owned. 

On Sunday, we walked the entire length of the outside farm road and back again. I was thrilled to see the cows, before being milked and then herded into the paddock which I pass coming home, grazing in the fallow maze fields. I imagine the cows love eating the cobs and stalks. But the pivot goes regularly here and there is sufficient green grass for them even though it's still winter here. 

 Clever cows grazing greens and other luscious treats under the pivot

 It was such a serene scene and I could just imagine the creamiest milk in the making!

 Some of the cows gave Skabenga a warning look (see the brown and white cow's unwavering stare!) 

 The happy dog had found a pivot path full of squelching mud and enjoyed plodging in it!

 I think he sensed Mrs Cow staring daggers at him and turned to look at her!

 Then we were off again!

 A pastoral scene which has been so instrumental in helping me heal over the past eight months and move forward

This morning I was in Colette's shop next door and Miriam told me that Lips had caught and killed a rat. Fortunately  outside so  at least we know our shops are rodent free. I praised her for being the best mouser in the world!

 Lips, who is alone on the veranda now that Missy rules my home and since the kitten went to live with a friend in the Valley

 Once Lips had done her duty, she showed no further interest in the poor hapless (and very dead) rat 

I'm linking with Our World Tuesday here 

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL! 

 

Always a pleasant surprise!

Since being at this shop on the veranda, I have had several surprise visits from friends. Mid-November I posted a photo of three friends, Trudi, Linda and Mandy from Marquard who'd seen my shop advert on Facebook while visiting in the Berg and decided to come and say hello . They bought up a storm in my shop that day! For 20 years, Mandy lived opposite us in Marquard and as Amanda's now her neighbor. Mandy gave me news of my grandchildren who play with her little son.

A couple from Zululand, whom I remembered only vaguely, and who were visiting in the valley, had heard about Grant's passing. They  popped in earlier this year to commiserate with my loss. 

The day before my birthday in February, a man asked me where the public toilets were. I looked up and recognized him. They were good friends, Norman and Hester from Marquard.  We spent a long while chatting. About Grant's passing; the fact that I've stayed in this beautiful valley and in turn,  they gave me the news of my old home town. Hester is my Amanda's aunt, so I had first-hand news about my grandchildren. 

One Sunday in May, I was on the steps, catching some sun, when a young man stopped in the parking lot. He alighted from  his vehicle, looked up and said:  Hello aunty Jo. It was my erstwhile neighbor, Nichos, from Marquard. We talked a while and he promised to bring his wife, Anna-mie,  to visit. The next day they both popped in and we had a lovely time chatting.  They'd gotten married in September last year and she showed me photos on her Smartphone. Once again, I had first hand news of Amanda, Angus and my grandchildren, who own our house,  as they're their neighbors now, albeit on the other side.

A couple of weeks later, Linda,  the restaurant proprietor from down the veranda, popped her head into my shop door. She said I have some people here asking after  you.  Behind her were a couple, Ray and Sally, now living in nearby Pietermaritzburg. Back in eighties, in Zululand, Grant worked for Ray in a farming situation; all the families lived in one compound on the banks of the Umfolozi river. In fact, we were there when Tropical Storm Demoina  hit the area. The day on the veranda, we chatted for ages - once again - about Grant. They returned the next day before they went home - just to say they were "there" for me! 

Two weeks ago I posted about recognizing a vehicle registration from Zululand and the owners of the car, Bernard and Ruth  popped in to say hello.

Last Friday I heard a woman's voice which I recognized,  greeting me from my shop door. It was another friend, Karminy with hubby Sathiyane and their two daughters. What a lovely surprise. As with all the other friends who have looked me up here on the veranda, I've had someone take a photo of us and posted about the encounter.

Sathiyane, Karminy and I in the middle, with their beautiful daughters flanking us 

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL!  

Meeting old friends on the veranda

Last Friday while sitting with Charmaine from the next-door shop catching the sun on the center's steps, a car pulled -  as cars do - into the car park. I noted the registration and said to Charmaine I know those people. She looked at me in disbelief.

A young couple alighted from the vehicle and although I knew they weren't the friends I was expecting, I greeted them and told them I knew the number belonged to Bernhard Hageman, a sugar farmer from Monzi, Zululand. The young woman said, yes, she's his daughter, Karen (whom I'd last seen when she was three years old!) I told them my name and Karen said: Oh yes, you're John's mum!  She also said that she and her husband and her parents were staying over the road at Champagne Sports Resort. 

Later Bernhard and Ruth arrived at my shop. A whole lot of reminiscing went down on the veranda. Several of us young families, socialized with each other so our children grew up together (going back 40 years here) and some weekends a group of about ten men fished deep sea off Cape Vidal. Eventually when it was better to fish in Mozambique, once a year in May, the men trecked up to **Zavora   in Northern Mozambique. In the two years after we returned from Africa, Grant was part of this group who celebrated its 35th and last fishing trip this year. The fist thing Bernhard told me with tears welling up in his eyes.

Some time ago, I came across Grant's Canon camera. Because I always take the photos, he only used his once: on his last Zavora trip. I'd instructed him to take lots of photos which he had done.  I quickly downloaded the photos, hoping to see a few of him in happier times. However, he'd taken photos of everyone; of boats launching off snowy beaches into the Indian Ocean; of the men catching fish; then back at the chalet of the men filleting and packing the fish into freezers. Not one photo of him. So many reminders...

Ruth was instrumental - all of 33 years ago - in helping me lose weight. She'd started a Weigh-Less group in Monzi and my mum and I joined. I lost 30kg/66lbs in nine months; the rest is history. 

I called Frances, the security officer at the center to take a photo of us. I introduced Bernhard to him as Grant's friend. who immediately replied to him in Zulu telling him how far back he and Grant went. 

 Ruth, moi and Bernhard

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here 

NOTE: ** If you have time, please do click on the link above to read about this beautiful area on the Eastern Seaboard of Africa. 

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL! 

The road to "guess where" ...

...is paved with good intentions! 

Once again, my best laid plans of posting on my blog early this week, were shot to flames. I had guests in The Bunker over the weekend. Please see my update here.

Once they'd checked out I motored up there with my mop, bucket, cleaning products and fresh linen. Before work that morning I had cleaned the unit and changed the linen before setting up the props for a cheese and wine board to post on my blog.

Back at the shop, I washed the shelves and floor, and while this was drying, I set up my display on the veranda. 

In between networking with the veranda visitors, I set about  meeting my Probus Newsletter deadline. This was Tuesday afternoon.  I enjoyed writing this newsletter immensely. The June meeting's speaker spoke about his experiences as a Private Military Contractor in Iraq. He was incredibly soft spoken and humble stating that his mission during his 13-year stint in the Middle East was not to make war but to protect lives.

He acted as a bodyguard for VIP’s, sheiks, engineers and construction workers who were involved in projected to rebuild the country after the 2003 war. 

A most thought-provoking talk. 

 Johan Raath, retired Private Military Contractor relates his serious topic

I'm back on blogger now again and wish you all a wonderful Wednesday !

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

Royal Wedding

Last Saturday I was invited to view the Royal Wedding at a hotel in the valley with a group of friends. Many hotels and resorts in the area advertised their events and I 'm sure each one was greatly supported. 

My friend, Cindy Muirhead was due to pick my up from my house at 9.30. I had already decided on my wedding outfit and after sorting the pets (what else?) and cleaning my cottage, I spent a good half hour getting ready. 

Friend Charmaine,  21`who works next door to me on the veranda of our shops, nagged me to send her photos of my "look". 

  Waiting for my lift to arrive

Me and Cindy arrived early and had front row seats in the private lounge

The receptionist, Jacques and I seemed to be the only guests who dressed for the occasion

I really loved attending the wedding !

Throughout the morning we were served with Shirley Temple (non-alcoholic) cocktails, cucumber sandwiches, cream scones and tea and coffee.

Later on we enjoyed a selection of savory snacks. 

At lunch time (shortly before Meghan was due to arrive at the church) we had curry and rice, chicken a la king and spaghetti sauce. This was followed by the most delicious petite fours, chocolate cakes, meringues and South African melktart!

As you can imagine, a great time was had by all!

 I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

My world

I've had a wonderful first two weeks of business in May, Praise God! But earlier this week the veranda was quiet and Colette (whom I've posted about) who has a hammock hanging outside her African artifacts, hides and gift shop, showed me how to hang upside down on it. 

I often swing (sitting and holding on firmly) on this hammock but this position was a first for me! 

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

Dog in training

Recently I communicated with blogger friend, Sandra that I had verbally chastised my dog, Skabenga for being over exuberant.  This outburst of mine had been coming for quite a while. Over the months since Grant's death, although I take Skabby out for his daily walk and pay him enough attention, this is the first time in his life that the humans (one of whom he no longer sees around) leave him home alone for most of the day. 

While we lived on the farm, we were both there and I took Skabenga and Eddie for walks along the servitude, down to the river and into the veld between three and four times a day. 

When we moved to Bergview, I'd be up at 4am to take the dogs into the grasslands beyond our house and they'd have another long walk in the afternoon when I returned from work. Meanwhile, Grant had started building our cottage and in no time at all, Skabenga became the darling of all the builders. 

Here I must tell a story: Thokozani, Estelle and Steve's gardener  spent time at the building site with Grant; he had  formed a special bond with Skabenga. Of course,that this  familiarity was seen by the other workers, Thokozani proudly  showed the builders Skabenga's party trick: he sits and shakes [hands].  From that day on, every single morning, Skabenga would sit at the top of the driveway while the workers pushed and shoved each other for a turn at shaking hands with the him!  Skabenga became very used to constant attention and love while we live on the estate. 

When we moved to Highlands and into Diddly Squat, Grant, Steve and Thokozani erected large wire enclosure for Skabenga to run around in during the day. At night he slept in the shack with us;  many of you may remember how I posted about several walks we took during the night by the light of a headlamp. He had his normal early morning walk (my many photos of the mountain peaks attest to these walks) and again in the afternoon when we returned home from work. In between, Estelle and Steve who would go and pat him and give him a tidbit. Thokozani, of course, cleaned his enclosure and Estelle tells me he spent ages playing with the dog. Several animal loving guests in Steve and Estelle's other two holiday units,  came to the shop and asked if they could take him for a walk. 

Once again,  Skabenga had lots of attention, love and stimulation. 

Then early in December last year, I moved here to, Solferino, the dairy farm. Beautiful and peaceful with a large garden for Skabenga and the cats and many dogs on either side of my house for him to bark at! 

But...

Mama was out from 7.30 until 4.15 every day and he felt this.

When I arrived home from work, Skabby jumped up and down at the gate, barking furiously . When I opened the gate, he'd be so excited to see me, he almost knocked me over in his dash outside. Once I got into the house, I'd feverishly rush to get my walking shoes on and the whistle around my neck. All the while, Skabenga would be yelping and panting around me getting under my feet in the bedroom. Eventually we'd race out of the gate again and up the road on our afternoon walk. 

Once we got home, I'd quickly select a meaty bone and give it to the dog who generally snatched it from me. He'd go off and gnaw it and within no time at all,  he'd be back in the kitchen where I was preparing dinner. And he'd sit and beg. And what did I do?  I tossed bits of food (mainly vegetables, because I'm a vegetarian) over my shoulder to him.

Which brings me to the point I mentioned in the first sentence of this- now-long-post! 

One evening as I sat down to eat my dinner, in a flash, Skabenga was at my side, staring into my face and drooling. I was totally fed-up and in a loud voice told him not to look at me. I went on to say how I 'd had it with him staring at me constantly while I eat and tripping me up when I tried to do things (can you believe this?) His ears drooped, he lowered his eyes, and slowly sank down onto his side. Where he lay for the duration of my meal. 

And this is what I told Sandra (MadSnappper)  who replied to my mail that it's no use bellowing at a dog because they don't know why you are shouting. I once read that when we humans do this, dogs think we are barking at them! Anyway, Sandra was very kind and reminded me that it was normal to feel frustrated with the situation because I'm doing everything myself now. Also by feeling that I was neglecting Skabenga, I over - compensated by feeding him tidbits. Apart from causing him to become overweight, like with a human child, heaping treats on the dog,  does nothing to improve the behavior.  

Sandra sent me several links on dog-training here,   
and the one thing that jumped out at me was that animals respond incredibly well to commands followed by a reward.  

That night I took Skabenga's bone out onto the veranda  where he was leaping up and down,  barking furiously. I held the bone behind my back and told him quietly but firmly to "Sit". This he did immediately because he knows he's going to get a treat. But then I went down onto my one knee, looked him in the eye, and said " D O W N" making a downward movement with my free hand.  He took step forward. I repeated the word: Down and moved my hand down again. The third time, you could see a light bulb flashing above his head. He slowly sank onto his tummy with his fore-paws stretched out in front of him. 

I rose to my feet which caused the dog to jump up and take another step forward. So I started all over again with the action and command. I had to repeat this three times until Skabenga thought it worth his while to obey (and he might just get that bone from this daft woman!)  I placed the bone about 2 ft from his toes. He started to get up but as I raised my finger and said DOWN, he sank down again. 

Finally, I lifted the bone, stood nearer to him and commanded him to "Sit" again. He did and I held the bone above his nose and told him to take it gently. 

Which he did. 

And then he walked around and around the garden watching me from the corner of his eye in case I tried any more tricks! 

    I need to get away from this mama who may start all over again teaching me tricks!

I didn't only use this discipline that once to take photos and post about it. I constantly reinforce it and the other commands with my sweet dog, Skabenga every time we interact.

When I arrive home now, I open the gate before I even take my stuff out of the car. I tell him to "Sit" and while I stroke his head, I tell him he's a good boy and how glad I am to see him. Then he dashes off towards my car and runs around sniffing at things in the yard while I unpack. He's still boisterous at times, but just one word of command and he calms down significantly.

I hope most of you have arrived at this part of the post. I thought it important to write about my recent experiences and also the success of following **Sandra's** advice and what I learned from Cesar's (Dog whisperer) link. I hope this encourages other dog owners who, like me, might have had a change in their circumstances and which has adversely affected their relationship with their pets. 

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL!  

** Thank you, dear Sandra, for your hints, the links and encouragement. Skabenga sends a wagging tail to you, too

Voting registration

Just over 20 years ago, the permanent Independent Electoral Commission was created - see below. In March 1997, the then Town Clerk, Marquard approached me and asked if I'd assist in computerizing all eligible voters on the municipal roll. I was not at all computer savvy at the time and entered the municipal office set aside for this purpose with a little trepidation. Imagine my relief when I saw the familiar face of Chris, school friend of our younger son, Angus. Chris had left school the year before and entered the IT world. So here he was in our little town setting up the database for the Marquard and Moemaneng voter's rolls. 

Chis was the most patient and considerate teacher ever. During that first day where he taught me how to copy and paste; cut and paste (yes, I didn't know how to this until this time) and how to create an Excel worksheet and much more,  it came out that he had nowhere to stay while in town. Well, at the time, we owned a house with seven bedrooms; one being Angus' room with twin beds. The IEC recompensed me for Chris' board and lodging. 

Three days later, Chris and I had completed a most comprehensive data base with the relevant information on every voter in the district. Chris returned to the city.   I was paid handsomely for my work, I had had my first taste of politics and most importantly,  I could call myself computer literate!


VISION STATEMENT To strengthen constitutional democracy through the delivery of free and fair elections in which every voter is able to record his or her informed choice.

MISSION STATEMENT The Independent Electoral Commission is a permanent body created by the Constitution to promote and safeguard democracy in South Africa. Although publicly funded and accountable to parliament, the Commission is independent of the government. Its immediate task is the impartial management of free and fair elections at all levels of government.

A temporary Electoral Commission was created in 1993 to manage the first non-racial election of the national and provincial legislatures, which was held on 26–29 April 1994. The permanent Electoral Commission was established on 17 October 1996, and has since managed general (national and provincial) elections in 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014, and local (municipal) elections in 2000, 2006, 2011 and 2016.





  Being in Africa for most of the next decade, Grant and I would only vote when we were home in SA. Then in our second year after Grant's contract had finished, I was phoned by friend, Estelle who worked at the local butchery. The owner of this shop, Flip (Afrikaans for Phillip) was our DA candidate. She was offering me a position to work for another DA Councillor elect, Piet van Wyk. 

What did I do? 

Of course, I rose to the challenge. Not only did I work for Piet for the next three months running up to the municipal elections, but I became the party PRO and subsequently organized the IEC special votes for the oldies in the retirement center. In the last month when we had dry runs on the election and had to glean information from the oldies, I enlisted Rina's help and she was paid by Piet as well. 

Do please click on the link below and check it out. Many of you were my blogger friends already and may remember this period in my life.  

here

This weekend past the whole country was encouraged to register at special voting stations around the country.  22,000 stations were open from 8am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. According to the news reports people responded very well and had their addresses amended where necessary (as was in my case!) and could check that they're eligible to vote in the 2019 elections. 

You can imagine the nostalgia when I stopped at the voting station on my way to work  from the Parkrun on Saturday. 

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

HAPPY TUESDAY TO YOU ALL!