Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Spring is in the air...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...


I'm sitting here, with my laptop and sweet little 'Twix' on my chest. She is just so cute when she is relaxed.  Every so often she lets out a spontaneous giggle and I follow suit.  She's grown so much in the last month - since I 'rescued' her - and she's filled out into a round little ball.  Twix is 'on top of the world'!  She has the sweetest little personality too.
 I just adore this little Guinea Pig!



I must admit that I've recently suffered a bit of 'blogger's block'.  Usually, I hesitate to write when I feel uncertain, but my posts are getting too irregular for comfort.  Ironically there is so much happening in my world, but words don't seem to flow any more.  Perhaps I've simply been too busy, burnt out perhaps (?)  Perhaps it's just the seasons which are changing(?)  Perhaps I'm disillusioned with the sales of my book(?) (I still haven't broken even yet - despite selling over 600 books).  

All these things add up, but I just have to make an effort to keep posting.  Blogging is what keeps me sane during stressful times; it keeps my feet on the ground and allows me to link with a network of amazing people.  So, please accept my apologies for my absence, dear friends. As they say...it's just one of those times.... 










Today is our first warm Spring day - it's a maximum of about 27 degrees C, clear skies, emerald shoots on the trees and a faint smell of jasmine in the air.  Everything is coming to life again after the cold months of winter. It seems impossible that, only two weeks ago, we were in the midst of a cold snap with snow around the country. 


 Isn't our weather extraordinary? 
Our Spring means that some of my bloggers will be experiencing their first signs of fall...














Eleven-year-old Tammy gave us a big scare last week.  Besides Toby, all my furry friends have been getting old and we have had to watch the inevitable process which goes along with ageing.  Only a month ago we said goodbye to Toffee, so Tammy's new ailment left me numb to the core.  She suddenly went off her food and demonstrated uncharacteristically impatient behaviour with the 'Sweet Hooligan' - a clear sign that things weren't normal.  Our vet checked her out and prescribed antibiotics, but remained worried about the pain she seemed to be experiencing in her lower abdomen. (All I could think of was "Oh no, am I going to loose her too?") The medication seems to have done the trick however and she is much, much better.  Despite this, we took her in for a scan today - for "safety" sake.  Thankfully everything is normal.  Slightly swollen lymph nodes suggest a viral infection.  But she's going to be okay.  I can breath again. Yay!

I've been doing some baking for a local home-industry lately - lemon biscuit squares, chocolate squares, choc-chip cookies and the occasional cake..  It's kept me busy and also given me the opportunity to 'help out' in the store sometimes.  (But has distracted me from my writing) I love the vibe in the store. People are very friendly and it's allowed me to get out a bit more.  It's also great that they have copies of my books on their shelves.  Some Saturdays I go into the store to do promotions.  We've sold about 35 books in the past 6 weeks... 

I've also finished the lovely crocheted, cuddle blanket which has been packed up and sent off to a special little baby in Canada.  Made with love...

 So....life continues in our household...and the 'Sweet Hooligan' is his usual 'Sweet Hooligan self'.  He  certainly injects youthful vigour into our household.

That's all I can muster at the moment.  Hope you are all well, dear friends. Happy Spring everyone!

"Live life to the Max!"

Sending lotsaluv

11 comments:

Mrs. JP said...

Sweet friend, remember quilt is not a part of this (blogger) world. I have to tell myself that too when I feel like I've been gone to long, nothing to say, etc.
I learned that guinea pigs giggle today. That makes me smile.
I'm so thankful that sweet Tammy is gonna be fine. We all get a "bug" sometimes.
Love and hugs to all,,but, give a special tug of the blanket to Toby from me. I love that face.
Blessings to you and yours from the holler...

WFT Nobby said...

Good to hear your news, and to hear that dear Tammy is OK. Baking, blanket making, helping the store, caring for family + animals - you do sound busy and productive. And little Twix looks so sweet! I understand you want to break even on the book, but selling 600 books is quite an achievement (unless you are JK Rowling) especially given the pleasure it has clearly brought to so many, including me.
And don't worry, your friends will not go away if you don't feel like blogging for a while - remember it's all supposed to be fun!
In Scotland it's hard to tell when Autumn is on the way, given our highly uncertain Summer weather...
Cheers, Gail.

Millie and Walter said...

Little Twix is a most adorable little piggy. I love the baby blanket and I'm so glad Tammy is on the mend. Don't worry about not blogging. We all need to take some breaks now and then.

Cindy

Molly the Airedale said...

Twix is so adorable! Mom wants to kiss her tiny pink lip!
We're so happy to hear that you're okay, Tammy!
What a beautiful cuddle blankie! Some special baby will be very happy and warm this winter!

Love ya lots,
Mitch and Molly

Two French Bulldogs said...

Twix we love your house
Benny & Lily

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Oh the baby blanket is so sweet! It looks do soft and delicate!
The new spring flowers are a promise of what is to come in your spring!
We are getting ready for autumn. This morning is was 10 degrees above freezing- and heats up to "perfect" today!
So glad that Tammy is okay. Soon she will be back to her normal self.
Sometimes life takes us through stages- where we feel quiet or entergetic. I think for me its a quiet time- where words rest until they are ready to be spoken- so I understand how you are feeling.
love
tweedles

Charlene and Storm said...

hi guys, twix is so cute, id love to hear what a ginea pig giggle sounds like xxx

glad tammy is ok, i know how you must of worried, the slightest thing with storm and it sends me into panic mode since i lost my special deefa xxx stormy had a strange tiny black dot on his eyeball for a few days recently, must of been a bit of dirt that got stuck tho cos its gone now thank god!

glad your enjoying your spring, im a little jealous your right our autumn is only around the corner now, the summer shrubs have only a few flowers left on them now.

but its not all doom and gloom, soon me dar and stormy are off to cornwall for our annual october hols yay!!! beach here we come!

Lots of Love

Charlene and Stormy
xxx

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi Maxmom, oh that sweet little face in your first photo. Makes me want to go out and get a little piggie too. I had to laugh cause when you said Twix was on your chest, I have Rory here by my side trying to sit on my lap, he really believes he is a lap dog! Don't think of it as Blogger's block, think of it as a short holiday hehe.

We too are nearly on Spring's doorstep and I can't wait. So glad Tammy is fine. Your baby blanket is gorgeous and so is Toby. Have a wonderful weekend. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)

Mary Lou said...

MAXMOM....
Hey, is Blogger's Block contagious? Because I, too, am suffering from it.... :-(
What lovely flowers.... I am one of those Blogging Friends who is experiencing first signs of Autumn.... But that is okay!! I like Fall around here!! ;-D
***Sigh*** (That was my huge collective sigh for you!!) I am so glad that Tammy is okay!! ;-}
Love, Raelyn.... And Rose, my BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE "Mystery Dog"!!

MySpecialDoggies said...

We're glad to read that Tammy is doing better. Sweet Toby - what a cutie you are.

Woofs
Nadine & goldens Neeli & Elle

Scout and Freyja said...

I am holding Tammy tenderly and closely in my heart. At nearly 12, by today's standards, she certainly is a senior but not at the end of her journey.