"let your boat of life be light, packed with only
what you need - a homely home and simple pleasures, someone to love and someone to love you,
enough to eat and enough to wear
and a little more than enough to drink:
for thirst is a dangerous thing"

Saturday, 7 May 2011

breaking news on the busiest brother.....

well those of you that know me well know that i have a much younger - 17 years younger brother - david.  when the news of david's imminent arrival was announced bestest sister and i received the news with absolute horror.  i thought i was pretty "cool" at "that school" on the main road and here i had a 36 year old mother making a very noticable and public announcement that she was pregnant.  BS and i were so nasty that as soon as you could see that she was pregnant we told her in no uncertain terms that she was to stay in the car when fetching us.  in the past she was known to come flying into the school because we had kept her waiting in the car for 5 minutes (the eccentric mother has never had patience at the top of her list).  once the announcement was made we made sure that we were waiting for her.  it was one thing being 17 years old, falling in and out of love with many boys and being very aware of your awakening sexuality to be told that your mother at the grand old age of 36 was still having sex!!  our expressions of horror on this topic came back to haunt the BS when she proceeded to only have her children at the same grand old age.

once this dreaded child arrived things changed overnight.  BS and i would for the first time in our lives fight over who was going to bath him, feed him, dress him, watch him sleeping.  to top this we also had our overprotective darling grandmother enid living with us.  this boy child was pampered and spoilt beyond words. suddenly it was fine to show him off to everyone.  my best was to be asked "how old is your baby?"  i would never deny it.  the fact that a stranger thought it was ok for someone my age to be having sex, be a mother and look that grown up was the ultimate compliment.

he started school and when in standard one in mrs ciolli's class he announced to the class that he was "an uncle".   years later when mrs ciolli taught gareth she confessed to me that she never really believed david as he had always had a vivid imagination.

busiest brother moved to england after studies and there he perfected the art of busyness (and business).  BB became the fairy (in the spoiling sense of the word) godfather to his nephews.  we have got used to his comings and goings and the frantic trips to the airport - that fact that he has never missed a flight is a miracle in itself.  all three boys have been spoilt by BB while they have been in the UK - they have played in rugby tournaments that BB has organised, been to batchelor parties in scotland, watched rugby in ireland and gone travelling in france with him.  his 30th birthday in 2005 was his chance to spoil  the EM, BS and myself.  we were sent tickets to come to the UK for his birthday and a holiday.  what an amazing time that was - gareth was working in london at the time and matthew was having his gap year at clifton college in bristol. (the fact that he had a major work problem on his birthday and that we missed out on our barging experience was besides the point).


bs, em, matt, gareth, me, bb and alistair (should have asked him to take the picture!!)
for champagne cocktails on the top of the highest building in london (sorry forgot the name)

we managed to do and see so much and the highlight being a roadtrip through wales and down to the south of england.  i will have to tell you all about that sometime (this was the trip that nicky joined up with me and we did our trip to ireland).  getting sidetracked...

a couple of days before we arrived in london 2 pretty blonde girls arrived on the scene.


aimee and lucie rutherford

gareth and BB had met them a couple of times before BB's birthday.  there are many stories to tell about getting them confused and one (that i hope i don't get into trouble for repeating) happened after the first night.  after many drinks BB asked gareth how he managed to know the difference between the twin sisters.  gareth has a way of get his point across and basically told BB to stop looking so deeply into their eyes and to cast his eyes down to the chest area!!  this was remembered by me and was a great tip to use when they were together but did not help things when you bumped into one of them on their own (sorry girls if you wondered why my eyes always drifted to your top half).

this was all nearly six years ago and there have been many holidays and travels backwards and forwards. BB has opened an office in cape town so he flies in and out of cape town all the time. (he has homes in both places so only travels with hand luggage - this saves on packing time but he still manages to leave everything to the last minute and have to drop off beach buggies and motor bikes at various spots on his way to the airport).  over the last 18 months or so aimee had been living and working on and off in cape town and then later lucie has been able to work from here as well.   this has all been great and in february the rest of the rutherfords (dad, mom and younger sister) came to visit from glascow.  this was going to be it.  a month long holiday but no announcement.  BB had his sister's speculating.  friend lesley added to the speculation when it was announced that wayne was going to be taking the boat out with the family.  this was definitely going to be it!!  but nothing.  rest of the rutherfords left, aimee left, lucie left...........

BB went back to london for easter and guess what???


how great is this?  a family wedding probably in cape town in early november (no time to waste, taken him this long, so now lets do it!!).

congratulations to you both.  looking forward to the celebrations.
watch this space

Thursday, 5 May 2011

the commandments according to just stuff

here goes, (especially for janetta):-
1. it is ok for a MAN to cry under the following circumstances:-
· when a heroic dog dies to save its master;
· the moment angelina jolie starts unbuttoning her blouse;
· after wrecking your boss‟ car;
· one hour, 12 minutes, 37 seconds into "the crying game".
1. IT IS OK FOR A WOMAN TO CRY UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES:
· when she is happy
· when she is sad
· when she is cross
· when she watches the royal wedding
· when someone is nasty
· when someone is kind
· in a happy movie
· in a sad movie
· in the bath
· at a wedding
· at a funeral
· when a friend is sick
· when a friend is getting better
· during brothers and sisters
· during the news
· on the beach
· on a boat
· need i go on...............(i can, promise)

2. any MAN who brings a camera to a bachelor party may be legally killed and eaten by his friends.
2. PLEASE BRING YOUR CAMERAS TO THE HEN-PARTY (we have nothing to hide)

3. unless he murdered someone in your family, you must bail a friend out of jail within 12 hours.
3. AGREE ON THAT ONE

4. if you‟ve known a MAN for more than 24 hours, his sister is off limits forever, unless you actually marry her.
4. WOULDN'T IT BE LOVELY IF YOU COULD BE RELATED TO YOUR SISTER or
BROTHER BY MARRIAGE AS WELL AS BIRTH (maybe not, but not a train smash)

5. moaning about the brand of free beer in a friend‟s fridge is forbidden. complain at will if the temperature is unsuitable.
5. WE NEVER MOAN AND WILL HAPPILY DRINK ANY WINE AND IF IT IS NOT
COLD, WE ADD ICE (silly)

6. no MAN shall ever be required to buy a birthday present for another MAN. in fact, even remembering your friend‟s birthday is strictly optional.
6. ALWAYS BUY A BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR A FRIEND - IN FACT NEVER BUY
A PRESENT FOR A FRIEND IF YOU WOULD NOT LIKE TO RECEIVE THAT PRESENT YOURSELF - SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? BUY 2 OF THE GIFT AND YOU EACH GET ONE (clever)

7. on a road trip, the strongest bladder determines pit stops, not the weakest.
7. ALWAYS STOP. IN FACT STOP WHENEVER AND WHEREVER NECESSARY (even alongside the road or in a car park).

8. when stumbling upon other men watching a sporting event, you may ask the score of the game in progress, but you may never ask who‟s playing.
8. ENCOURAGE QUESTIONS AND TALK DURING A MATCH - HOW ARE YOU EVER ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO LEARN?

9. it is permissible to drink a fruity alcopop drink only when you‟re sunning on a tropical beach… and it‟s delivered by a topless supermodel…and it‟s free.
9. OOOH FRUITY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS ARE GREAT NO MATTER WHO SERVES THEM. WE WILL EVEN PAY FOR THEM.

10. only in situations of moral and/or physical peril are you allowed to kick another MAN in the nuts.
10. IN SITUATIONS OF MORAL AND/OR PHYSICAL PERIL - KICK A MAN IN THE NUTS

11. unless you‟re in prison, never fight naked.
11. NOW WHY WOULD WE WANT TO DO THAT, EVEN IF IN PRISON

12. friends don‟t let friends wear speedos. ever. issue closed.
12. WOMAN FIND IT HARD TO TELL A PLUMP FRIEND HER BIKINI DAYS ARE OVER BUT IF SHE IS HAPPY WEARING THE BIKINI (or speedo) JOLLY GOOD FOR HER. GO GIRL.

13. if a MAN‟s fly is down, that‟s his problem, you didn‟t see anything.
13. IF A WOMAN LOOKS LIKE SHE IS COLD ;), OFFER HER A JERSEY OR SCARF. IF SHE HAS SPINACH IN HER TEETH, TELL HER. IF SHE IS SHOWING HER G-STRING RATHER KEEP QUIET AS SHE MAY LIKE THAT LOOK (i'm talking from experience on this one)

14. women who claim they "love to watch sports" must be treated as spies until they demonstrate knowledge of the game and the ability to drink as much as the other sports watchers.
14. WE DO "LOVE TO WATCH SPORTS", WE HAVE A GOOD (some) KNOWLEDGE OF MOST SPORTS AND WE CAN DRINK AS MUCH AS MEN (if we wanted to) and YES,OF COURSE, WE ARE SPIES (silly)

15. a MAN in the company of a hot, suggestively dressed woman must remain sober enough to fight.
15. A WOMAN IN THE COMPANY OF A HOT, SUGGESTIVELY DRESSED MAN IS ALLOWED TO DRINK (we would never overstep the boundaries and why ever would we want to fight?)

16. never hesitate to reach for the last beer or the last slice of pizza, but not both – that‟s just mean.
16. IF YOU ARE THIRSTY AND HUNGRY DRINK MY LAST DRINK AND EAT THE LAST SLICE OF PIZZA ("thirst is a dangerous thing" and i don't need another slice of pizza)

17. if you compliment a MAN on his six-pack, you‟d better be talking about his choice of beer.
17. WE LOVE COMPLIMENTING EACH OTHER AND NEVER MENTION THE EXTRA INCHES ON THE MIDDLE. (we will however compliment a friend on her six- pack, if we had such a "friend")

18. never join your girlfriend or wife in discussing a friend of yours, except if she‟s withholding sex pending your response.
18. WE DON'T TALK ABOUT EACH OTHER AND WE NEVER WITHHOLD SEX (do we?)

19. phrases that may NOT be uttered to another MAN while lifting weights:
· yeah, baby, push it!
· c‟mon, give me one more!
· another set and we can hit the showers!
19. WEIGHTS? TALK WHILE EXERCISING? EXERCISING?

20 never talk to a MAN in a bathroom unless you are on equal footing: i.e. both urinating, both waiting in line, etc. for all other situations, an almost imperceptible nod is all the conversation you need.
20. ALWAYS TALK TO A WOMAN IN A BATHROOM. (some of my best conversations have been over the "walls" of a public toilet. "lesley, is that you?") FEEL FREE ASK WHAT COLOUR LIPSTICK SHE IS USING AND WHICH HAIRDRESSER SHE GOES TO (where else are you supposed to gather important information. certainly not around the dinner table with males present?)

21. never allow a telephone conversation with a woman to go on longer than you are able to have sex with her. keep a stopwatch by the phone. hang up if necessary.
21. THE MIND BOGGLES FOR AN EQUIVALENT ON THIS ONE BUT IT DOES EXPLAIN QUITE A LOT TO US "WOMAN" ON MALE TELEPHONE ETIQUETTE.

22. there is no reason for guys to watch ice skating or mens gymnastics. ever.
22. WE LOVE WATCHING WOMAN IN BALLET OUTFITS, BATHING COSTUMES, BALLROOM DANCING OUTFITS. WE ARE CONFIDENT WITH OUR SEXUALITY AND IT IS FINE TO ADMIRE THE FEMALE FORM (and also fine to criticise - you should have heard us at the royal wedding (you would have thought you were sitting in room filled with michelle pheiffer look-a-likes). did you see that skinny woman in blue with the ugly nose and a canoe on her head? too funny on fashion police on saturday night joan rivers asked "what was that cocaine snorting woman doing wearing her vagina on her head?!!!)

23. when you are queried by a buddy‟s wife, girlfriend, mother, father, priest, shrink, dentist, accountant, or dog walker, you need not and should not provide any useful information whatsoever as to his whereabouts. you are permitted to deny his very existence.
23. WHY WOULD WE EVER NEED TO LIE ABOUT EACH OTHERS WHEREABOUTS? ;)

24 you may exaggerate any anecdote told in a bar by 50 percent without recrimination; beyond that, anyone within earshot is allowed to call „BULLSHIT‟. (exception is when trying to pick up a girl, the allowable exaggeration rate rises to 400 percent)
24. WOMAN DO NOT EXAGGERATE

25. the minimum amount of time you have to wait for another guy who‟s running late is 5 inutes. for a girl, you are required to wait 10 minutes for every point of hotness she scores on the classic 1-10 babe scale.
25. WE ARE PATIENT AND WILL ALWAYS WAIT FOR A FRIEND. AFTER ALL WE ARE WORTH WAITING FOR. IF THEY GET TIRED OF WAITING THOSE EXTRA 100 MINUTES (we all score 10 don't we?) WHY DON'T THEY FIND SOMETHING TO DO LIKE, CLOSING THE WINDOWS, SWITCHING OFF THE TV, FILLING THE ICE TRAYS INSTEAD OF DOING SILLY CALCULATIONS ON THE "HOTNESS" SCALE.

26. agreeing to distract the ugly friend of a hot babe that your buddy is trying to hook up with is your legal duty. should you get carried away with your good deed and end up having sex with the beast, your pal is forbidden to speak of it, even at your bachelor party.
26. THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKE SOMETHING A WOMAN WOULD GET INVOLVED IN
(does it?) (if so, please share the story at our next ladies lunch)

27. before dating a buddy‟s "ex", you are required to ask his permission and he in return is required to grant it.
27. PERMISSION? WHY? I KNOW SOME WOMAN WHO HAVE TRIED TO FIND THEIR "EX'S" A GIRLFRIEND.

28. the universal compensation for buddies who help you move is beer.
28. AGREED BUT WINE, SHARED AND DRUNK WHILE EMPTYING BOXES. (moving is after all a whole lot more than moving ready packed boxes from one destination to another and then leaving with your six-pack of beer).

29. a MAN must never own a cat or like his girlfriend‟s cat.
29. HARD ONE FOR ME, DON'T DO CATS (sorry judy, caroline and other cat lovers but i agree)

30. if a buddy is already singing along to a song in the car, you may not join him …too gay.
30. THE ONLY REASON NOT TO JOIN IN IS IF YOU HAVE A VOICE LIKE MINE.

31. under no circumstances may two men share an umbrella.
31. WHY WOULD YOU LET A FRIEND GET WET? IF SHE HAS HAIR THAT DOES NOT LIKE THE WET, GIVE HER THE WHOLE UMBRELLA IF IT IS TOO SQUASHED TO SHARE.

32. before allowing a drunken friend to cheat on his girl, you must attempt one intervention. if he is able to get on his feet, look you in the eye, and deliver a "*uc* **f!" you are absolved of your of responsibility.
32. DRAG YOUR FRIEND OUT OF THE DOOR WITH YOU. IF SHE KICKS AND SCREAMS AND TELLS YOU TO *$#@ *&^, GAG HER BUT TAKE HER HOME. (then remind her about it whenever you drink wine together!!)
 

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

living in africa without high walls



got to love it!!  thanks alley (a homesick niece in guayaquil, ecuador)

Tuesday, 3 May 2011

what is hiding behind our high walls?


we all have them, we have got used to them but i find it rather sad that we spend time and money making our houses look pretty and spend hours in our garden and nobody sees anything.   have any of you driven along palmyra road in claremont recently?  there are two lovely houses being restored and the old front walls have been demolished (for now). 



i went around yesterday to have a snoop.  all looking very clinical and the entire surrounds of both houses have been paved. no garden whatsoever.  no doubt some doctors planning to move in.

it makes you a bit nostaglic for the old days when a family used to live in the house with a small garden hedge and picket fence and of course, a fig tree.