12 November 2011

And as I type that date, I am suddenly aware that this time in exactly one month I will be at Charles de Gaulle Airport awaiting my connecting flight from Paris to Johannesburg - oh my, and what a wonderful time I have had - made especially good by the fact that although my wonderful Mum is missing me - these blogs and various conscientious people who have been "checking in with her" have ensured that every time I talk or write to her, or receive an email, she is in good spirits. Thanks so much to all who are making sure that Mum is being "kept in the loop" of all our day-to-day things!!!

Firstly, a HUGE "shout out" to my wonderful cousin Dee who had her birthday today - and then also a wonderful birthday wish to my little sister's hubby, Charles, for Thursday - and I am sure, that knowing him, this has been a birthday weekend! HAPPY BIRTHDAY both of you!!!

Today was a wonderful treat as the Johnsons sure know how to enjoy a birthday! It is almost like a mini Christmas - all that was missing was the "Birthday tree", as Dee and Dan came over to Aunt Pam and Uncle Dave at about 9:45am. The lounge/dining room was decked out in a birthday banner, and then the most awesome balloons - with LED lights inside them. The gifts were all piled in a pile, and after Dee, Dan, Peter and Nix had arrived, all gifts, including the ones from Dan to Dee were opened in something of a celebratory manner. It was wonderful.

So here we have the family gathered around while the presents were being opened by Dee:



And here we have Dee modelling the wonderful "two feet" slippers that Aunt Pam and Uncle Dave gave her. They really are gorgeous, soft and fluffy and caused many giggles.



The one thing I keep meaning to remember to mention is the manner in which Dee laughs - and I know that she has been following this blog, and so, if you are reading this Dee, it is not said for any reason other than the fact that it is the truth! In much the same manner that a baby or young child has a laugh that seems to travel all the way from the tips of their toes to their throat - so Dee laughs. There is NEVER anything artificial about it when Dee laughs. It is wonderful - and just makes people around her (well certainly from what I have seen!) want to laugh with her. It is a laugh of sheer joy. Dee, may you never lose that!!!

Then, after a bacon, sausage and egg roll brekkie, we all jumped into cars and it was off on a surprise trip for Dee. I just loved the way that Dee embraced the whole experience, and to hear her saying that she was just so enjoying the experience and feeling so relaxed was such a pleasure.

The first stop, which I do think Dee knew of, was to a school nearby that was having a Christmas Faire. Some beautiful things there, and generally not too badly priced, but I kept thinking of my luggage weight and whether things would or would not work. I see to have accumulated quite a bit already! Anyway, the grounds were beautiful too, and we waled from one of sections where the Faire was being hosted, onto a "viewing place" and it was a gorgeous view. Unfortunately, I am afraid, I did not take a pic of that!

Then, after that it was back into the car, and off to Hungerford, where we stopped at a farm shop and had a lovely meal - THANKS DAN! That was followed by some shopping at the stall and then back into the car and another surprise. Off we travelled to the place where Dan proposed to Dee - and some lovely laughs and photo opportunities! :-)

So, I thought it would be quite some fun to have Dan "re-enact" the scene and "get down on one knee and do the whole traditional thing. Instead, he just walked over to Dee sitting on the bench where he "popped the question, and started cuddling her and hugging her:



This is the view from the bench of the park in which Dan proposed. Apparently it was filled with daffodils when Dan proposed, and when Dee said "Yes", she jumped up and started dancing around the field, with Dan calling after her something to the effect of "Just don't lose the ring", as it was a little big for her finger.



At the same time, on a bench a little way off, Uncle Dave and Aunt Pam watched bemused at the antics of the three of us: :-)



Then we decided to do a little more "formalised photo-ing - and so here we have Dan and Uncle Dave behind the bench and Aunt Pam and Dee on the bench:



Then Dan kindly offered to take another pic of Uncle Dave standing all lonely behind the bench and Aunt Pam, Dee and myself sitting on the bench. A lovely pic both for posterity, but also as a memory of a wonderful time spent with a wonderful family!!



Following this, we headed back on ourselves, and all the while, Dee was completely unprepared to for what was to happen. It was not aided by the fact that both Aunt Pam and Dee suffer car sickness and so the rather lengthy trip was not helping them too much. However, with a little shuffling about, we eventually pulled into a pub/restaurant and Dee announced quite sternly: "No, now! I Just want to go home and have some tea and cake!" (The latter she had bought at the farm shop!)

Dan basically said that that was a little of a problem as this was something scheduled, and so she would have to just accept that we were stopping there. As we walked in, there was a whole group of both family and friends gathered around and we enjoyed a lovely afternoon of "high tea". All in all, a really lovely day!