Basil is retiring.

I have love love loved! My Panda, aka Basil. But he has an issue or 2 now (first in 3.5 years) and I can see it's going to get worse and will result in a fight, and frankly I am all outta fight just now. So I am going to retire him before it becomes more of a problem - for me.
Anyhoo I was going to go straight for another Panda... because they really are awesome. But then I saw and test drove a Fiat Grande Punto (same year and similar low milage as my Panda) and it was great. Admittedly it is not as fun, funky and characterful as the Panda, but it has SPACE, something the Panda really doesn't. Now that I am a single parent with ever growing boys (and their stuff) we have actually kind of out grown the Panda. Week-ends away are challenging as we are very restricted in what we can take, and have to pack very carefully! Taking the boy's bikes anywhere is a mission, and if I already have stuff in the car, I can not do a large shopping trip etc. As a city run around the Panda is perfect, but as the old car in the family it is limiting.

So I am going for it while the opportunity is there and before Basil's problem becomes more serious.

This time next week the deal should be done... Punto's name still TBD.

The Grande Punto looks like this (except it's white)


This is the Panda (I don't have roof racks)


Grande Punto 2006 Reviews:

Good: Well-equipped, good-looking and roomy hatch that's fun to drive. Five-star crash test rating.

Bad: You have to lift luggage (or the dog) over a high load sill in the boot.

Top Gear: Fiat Grande Punto

This is exactly what the world needs. A hatchback with a supercar’s nose welded to the front. Ingenius

Our verdict - The second-gen Fiat Punto dubbed itself ‘Grande’ because it’s pretty damn big for the money. It also goes well and looks great in a segment full of unimaginative Euro-box hatches. Coupled with one of its decent diesels, this is just what Fiat needs to be doing.

Comfort - The Punto rides reasonably well and manages to remain properly composed at motorway speeds. Its only real drawback is a selection of noisy engines that penetrate the cabin at high revs. 11 out of 20

Performance - There are endless engines to choose from for your Punto, none of them a clear-cut winner. With Fiat we'd always recommend going for a diesel, and the 130bhp 1.9 Multijet makes the best of rapid progress with decent economy. 9 out of 20

Cool - The Punto is strangely cool, not only because it has that nod to Maserati in its styling, but also because it's not the default small car choice that is the Mini. Small hatchbacks, just like scooters, are always cool if they're Italian. 12 out of 20.

Quality - You'd hardly dare expect it, but the Punto seems oddly sturdy. For an Italian hatch that undercuts the competition, this is nothing short of miraculous. Another string to what's become a surprisingly tempting bow. 10 out of 20

Handling - Light, city-oriented steering doesn't offer much in the way of feel when you're hurtling about out of town, but the Grande Punto's lively chassis provides plenty of mechanical grip. 11 out of 20

Practicality - The B-segment is full of cars that aren't quite as big in the back or boot as you'd really like them to be, the worst offender being the Mini. The Punto lays waste to all before it in that respect, earning its ‘Grande' moniker with ease. 11 out of 20

Running costs - For starters you can get a new Punto for as little as £7,485, so you're already in pocket. Those diesels are also properly frugal, and the mini-Maser is considerably cheaper to insure than its distant cousins. 19 out of 20

Boys BIG HEART their cousins!

My boys have begged for a Playstation, PSP, Gameboy, XBox, Wii.... ANYTHING! For years now. The poor sods make PSP's out of little boxes and pretend, and Q even got a cheap electronic thing once which had one silly simple game on it, and tried to pass it off as a 'Gameboy'

I was having none of it. I eventually got them some PC games and a games controller and told them that was good enough. They use and like it but. MOM. IT'S NOT THE SAME!

But honestly I just can not justify spending thousands of Rands on a gaming console, and also I don't want to encourage them to spend hours on end on the couch in front of the TV. I'd far rather buy a bicycle or skateboard etc. That's always been my approach. To the point that when our TV aerial blew out of place in June this year and the reception got screwed up I didn't bother to fix it. And still haven't. We literally do not use our TV anymore, not for months now.

Anyway my sister said her boys had negotiated to death for a Wii, and she finally relented but said they already had a PS2 and can't have that many gaming systems. They apparently decided to donate their PS2 and all their games to my boys for Christmas. So we came back from Pretoria with a big heavy gift bag, and I told them NOT TO LOOK inside. Amazingly they never did. Seems they are like me in that way and would rather have a genuine surprise than spoil it for themselves...

Anyway yesterday they opened their gift and they were beyond thrilled! Proclaiming it to be the best gift they have ever got.

I was a tad concerned that it might be a mission to connect up and figure out. But after I changed the plug (from 2 to 3 prong) Quinn zooted off and had it up and running in about 2 minutes, I didn't even have to get up. Yay! So he may replace me as handyman around the house soon too! I can feel my techie knowledge atrophying already!

Griffin is glad that our TV has stopped being an ornament.

Also they are now taking turns one on the PC games and one on the PS2 and my house is strangely quiet. Not a single whining 'It's MY turn now!' to be heard.

I am something to someone...

“I don't wish to be everything to everyone, but I would like to be something to someone.” ~ Javan

I was honestly not expecting to get anything for Christmas this year. Which I am fine with. Gifts are way down on my list of love languages. While I do like receiving gifts, I don't need them to feel loved. I'd much rather someone SHOW me that they care than just buy something. With me the thought really does count.

After the last yoga class for the year my yoga teacher (I've been going to her for classes for very nearly 12 years now!) gave me a small wrapped box, saying 'I know you've had a tough year. This is so you at least have something to open on Christmas day'. I was bowled over by her thoughtfulness and care. That she had taken the trouble to think of me. The box was really light and I joked with the boys that even if it was an empty box that wouldn't actually matter because it really was the thought that counted. Just the fact that she thought of me and showed such compassion made me feel special and cared about.

Anyway so I opened it on Christmas morning and was stunned! She often has things on display at her house that she sells on behalf of her other students or daughter; clothing, jewelry; books etc. Well, the gift was the necklace that I admired and deliberated over for about 3 weeks and finally decided I really didn't need, even though I wanted it. She obviously noticed me picking it up every time I was there while they were on display. That is about the nicest and most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. I can't wait till I go back so I can give her the biggest hug. I love her.

Then Quinn gave me a homemade envelope full of the most amazing and thoughtful vouchers for: Tea, Coffee (about 4 of each) and then 'Spa' vouchers too for foot rubs, shoulder rubs, back rubs, and the best of all one for '10x Super Massive Cuddles and Squeezes'. *melt* That is my best gift EVER! I have always wanted Spa vouchers! I am not sure when he thought of it or made it, but it was a complete surprise. He is such a sweetheart.

We hadn't seen J and his little munchkins for about 6 months. He invited us for lunch on Sunday after seeing them on the beach. He said his daughter B had a gift for me... It was a hand drawn picture in a lovely heart frame. She is such a sweet and loving little girl. I miss her. I still have the beautiful pictures she drew for me last December. Where she drew me as a princess. Aww!

Then C, has been very cash strapped recently. I told him I did not want or need anything. Well he gave me some really beautiful 'Poetry' bath products including the loveliest smelling heart shaped soap.



* I FEEL VERY LOVED RIGHT NOW* by the people that really matter.

Merry Christmas everyone. Thanks for all the love, support and friendship over the year. It means the world to me.

QRWF...

So with all the talk of name changes yesterday on the way to home affairs Quinn told me that my name sounds better this way. 'Jane Margaret Fraser'. He said it doesn't sound as nice with 'Weideman'. I do agree. Anyway I told him my parents had actually given some thought as to how it sounded, but then when you get married the names don't always go together that well.

So then he asked whether he can chose a middle name for himself. I told him yes he could if he REALLY wanted to. I asked him what he wanted...?

He said, 'Robot Warrior'

'Quinn Robot Warrior Fraser'.

Hrm... although it does have a ring to it! ;)

It's only in your head you feel left out

Never mind me. I've just been feeling a bit sad, lonely and neglected tonight.

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle

Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out or
looked down on.
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.
It just takes some time,
little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine,
everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
Hey, you know they're all the same.
You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in.
Live right now.
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else.
It just takes some time,
little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine,
everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
It just takes some time,
little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine,
everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
Hey, don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out or
looked down on.
Just do your best, do everything you can.
And don't you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.
It just takes some time,
little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine,
everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
It just takes some time,
little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine,
everything (everything) will be alright (alright).

p.s Got a cool phone call which made me smile just before I published this... so the title is apt ;)

What's done is done & shan't be undone

So this morning the boys and I trekked off to home affairs. Expecting queues, ignoramuses, slow service, red tape, bureaucracy, general annoyance and frustration, plus significant costs.

I had wanted to get there by 8am, to get there before the long queues, but I only woke up at 8:30, so that plan was out the window. Still I was determined to tackle that today so we went anyway, expecting to be there for quite some time. I woke up feeling quite down and grump so I'll admit I went in rather cynical.

However the service I received was kind, helpful, friendly, sympathetic and effective. A lovely and gentle Zulu (Kumalo is Zulu isn't it?) man helped us.

My name change was processed immediately. Since I was going back to a previously registered name this part was pretty simple. It is merely a 'revert'. It took one simple form, a few clicks on the computer and hey presto it was done. I am now officially Jane Fraser again. Cost for doing this R0.00. Score. Also because I still have my original ID books I don't have to apply for a new one, I'll simply use one of the ones I have. Yay!

I expected an issue with the boys' applications, so I typed up a long letter yesterday detailing the situation and the reason for the request. Mr Kumalo read this, understood and processed the boy's forms as needed. I then paid the prescribed fee: R70 each. This is way less than I expected.

So the forms are now in. This part however takes quite some time to process and aparently we'll need to wait about 6+ months for it to get finalised. It seems excessively long, but they'll need to issue new birth certificates etc I think. I guess there's not much we can do about this, so we'll just wait it out.

So it's done. I have my name back and the boys are on their way to being Frasers too. Feels good to be back in the Fraser Clan. :)
As the crest says: 'Je suis Prest' (I am ready!)

What's in a name?

A Jane by any other name...

With apologies to William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.

"Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Weideman."

"What's in a name? That which we call a Jane
By any other name would be still insane."

"Without that title. Doff* thy name,
And for that name which is no part of me"
I hereby set myself free!

* Hahahaha excuse the pun right there!

When I got divorced I had no intention of changing back to my maiden name. I had been married for 10 years (mostly happily I had thought), I had children of that name. It was my name, my identity. I felt no reason to take a stand. I expected things to be reasonable, functional, amicable even. I wanted myself and the boys to have the same surname. I wanted everyone to get along. I did not want to cause hurt, resentment or issues. I thought we could all be mature about it.

But as time has gone by and the insanity and issues have escalated and become more and more intolerable I have felt less and less comfortable about being associated with that name and him. Now after recent developments and findings I am actually no longer prepared to use his name. I will no longer be associated with him at all. And so I am doing it!

So I am no longer Jane Weideman
JaneW
JW
Weidewoman
Ja Well

I am Jane Fraser
JaneF
JF

I am Just Fine!

p.s. The boys have asked to change their names too. Several times already actually. Completely unprompted. They say they prefer my name. I'll see what I can do.

Will You Walk With Me?

BASEMENT JAXX - Feelings Gone

I Never Thought, I Never Dreamed,
That Things Would Get The Better Of Me,
But Then, A Shadow Creep Just Behind Me.

Oh I Guess, You Can’t Run Forever On Your Own,
No, No

Tell Me, Tell Me,
Will You Walk With Me,
Just For A Little While,
Until The Feelings Gone.

It Gets So Cruel, It Gets So Cruel Out There In The World Outside
When Your Standing, Just Standing On Your Own,
Oh, It Seems Like Every Little Part, Of Your Soul’s Exposed
And I Know Out There, No One's On Your Side.

Tell Me, Tell Me,
Will You Walk With Me,
Just For A Little While,
Until The Feelings Gone.

I’m Not Asking For You To Fall In Love,
For Some Great Romance,
Just Be With Me, Until The Feelings Gone.

Oh, Tell Me, Tell Me,
Will You Walk With Me,
Just For A Little While,
Until The Feelings Gone.

Tell Me, Tell Me,
Will You Walk With Me,
Won't You Hold My Hand,
Until The Feelings Gone.

So How About You, My Shadow And Me,
Just Us Three, Just Us Three,
Walking On.