FRIDAY's FAVORITE FIVE

On Monday I woke up because I dreamed that I was in a schoolyard. But even when I was awake, the chatter and noise continued. I looked out of the window and didn't see anything. But the noise continued and then I opened my door and saw a group of teenagers standing in my neighbor's room demanding chocolate eggs. It was the last class from the school kids who had come 3 days to pick up their chocolate eggs. While the little ones didn't make any noise or mess, the older ones were loud and had a great time, playing foot. Apparently they forgot where they were and that not all residents appreciated this visit. Then they disappeared. I wonder where the teacher was. Later I heard that usually the little ones are noisy and not tall guys and girls from 12 years on. 

The next day, I saw a lady walking in our park and picked up papers and other dirt, the big ones had left while the little ones had put all little papers in the bin. 

As usual the weather didn't know what it wanted, so we had to play inside bowling which was very nice as the room is huge and used for all activities. restaurant, meetings, games, guests, etc. and I thought it is the first time in my life that I play bowling under Crystal chandeliers. My ball landed everywhere fortunately not in the glasses behind the bar but didn't knock down the keys ! And who won ? The 99 year old lady sitting in her wheelchair. Maybe I should try with a wheel chair. 

The sun had come out for a short time and I quickly bought my grapes and oranges and just arrived in time to play a very interesting brain training game, which had the funny name Tic Tac Boom ! 

3 letters were given for example COT and we had to find words in this case it could be cottage. It was amazing how many words we found and it was also a lot of fun. 

The next day there was a clothing sale, a kind of fashion show without a model. When I saw the lady who sold the trousers, skirts and blouses, I didn't like her I had a warn signal in my body and I was right, she had very expensive prices for things I could buy on the weekly market here for less then the half of the price. The things I had seen here on the market for 15 € and she wanted 50 !! It was a cheap polyester fabric and she praised the good quality. I didn't stay because I feared that I would open my mouth and tell her what I thought.

Especially those like my little Italian lady who has no idea of prices anymore and is a bit confused. She was the favorite victim and bought and bought, fortunately she had no money, but her children who pay for her will certainly refuse. I thought somebody should have watched over these residents. Before I exploded I escaped and walked my half an hour in the park ! I will tell the responsible what happened, later !

Over night, really all trees had gotent green leaves, tulips came out and other flowers and it looks very pretty. Unfortunately it's not so good for my lungs and instead of making my daily walk in one shot, I had to sit down because I was breathless. 

and over night

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today it is a sad day for me. Rick would have celebrated his 83 birthday

Happy Birthday wherever you are

HODGEPODGE APRIL 11

1. Do you complete your own tax returns or hire out? Something you've found taxing lately? 

As I have nothing to declare except Rosie, I can fill in the formula online. It's very easy, now that I am in a retirement home. 

Am I deductible ?

2. It's spring (in the northern hemisphere anyway)...would you rather spend the day hiking in the great outdoors or planting a garden? Do you/will you have a garden this year? Flowers, vegetables, or a bit of both?

Nothing from the above mentioned activities ! I have a wonderful park at my disposable belonging to the castle. The park is taken care of an army of gardeners and as I never liked gardening I am happy to be able to sit or walk in this beautiful park. Even when we lived in our house I didn't like to work in our garden and Rick did it very reluctantly, he didn't like it either ! But we both loved to sit in a nice park or garden. 

3. Do you consider yourself a patient person? In what sort of situation is patience not desirable? Are you happy with the degree of patience you have in your daily life? If not, what can you do to cultivate more of this quality in your life? 

I am not a patient person ! Not at all, everything has to go quick and I can't do anything about it, that's just me. But I am very patient with brain damaged people, I didn't even know that, but I have been told so by the nurses here. There is one resident with us who is completely normal until 4 pm and then she starts to ask where she lives, if her room is payed, if she has to stay here, where is her mum and that she has 5 children, but nobody visits her. And this she does every day. She interrupts conversations and starts always the same text. Apparently I am the only resident who is able to answer her and direct her attention to other things than the past, and it is not always the same story if have to invent. She is 92, I always think maybe with 92 I am like her and would be happy that a friendly person answers my questions. I have learned a lot with Rick, who behaved like that too, but always with other subjects.

4. Do you like the flavor cinnamon? If so what's your favorite something made with cinnamon? 

Not really, it doesn't bother me, but I don't particularly like it either. I can't think of anything that's made with cinnamon ! There are so many recipes with cinnamon, but I never used one.

5. Learn by watching or learn by doing? Elaborate. 

I can't put together something with the help of a notice. I read the notice, think that I have understood, but when I try to put the thing together it doesn't work, there is a gap between visual and practical in my brain.

The best is I see it how it's done and then I try to do the same without reading the notice. Usually that works ! YouTube is my little helper ! In the past it was Rick who explained or did it for me ! Now I have to do everything myself or ask for help.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Looking out of my window when I got up, I thought, maybe now the winter is over ! In the last three days it was a bit sunny and I could do my half an hour walk, which I have the intention to do every day if possible ! 

 I want to be able to travel again or at least see exhibitions or do something interesting. 

That's now since  23 September 2023 that the ABBA exhibition is here in Waterloo and fortunately for me lasts til the 18 May. I absolutely have to find a day to go there, because it's a special event. If only I would have a bit more energy, sometimes I think I act like a somnambulist.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Weather today

 

To make me feel better 

 

 

 

 more participants here, and Image-in-ing

AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND APRIL 6

 

 Napoleon

Linking to AWWW MONDAYS 

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WEEKEND

On  Saturday the whole personnel of the castle from the cleaners and gardeners to the management brought their children for an egg hunting ! It was really funny how excited the little ones were with their baskets in their hands. 

We had the occasion to see our nurses and the others without uniform and they presented us their children. A little girl brought me a little bouquet of dandelions and a little boy an Easter egg, I didn't know them and felt like Princess Kate who gets on her knees and receives gifts from the children !

Everybody had a lot of fun and the park was a wonderful place for Easter egg hunting !

A very tall nurse played the Easter bunny I didn't recognize her only later she told me who was in the bunny costume !

a resident friend and I sat in the sunshine, we had unbelievable good weather 24° !! and watched the kids running around and bringing the eggs to a grandma or great grandma !
 

Everybody helps to find the chocolate eggs !

The ambiance !

At 5 they all left, leaving a mess behind, not paper or cans but the chairs and tables were all over the terrace and park. I was very tired and was at 8.30 in my bed, but couldn't fall asleep ! I think around 2 I finally made it.

On Sunday the temperature had dropped to 15°C no wonder that people get colds ! I did my papers, payed my invoice and then went down for the activities. We played Bowling ! I won twice and another "girl" 92 too ! In fact we didn't play so badly ! We had to play inside in our huge restaurant with keys and balls made out of foam rubber. I didn't even know that such a bowling exists and we had to get used first. But for playing inside it is really great. 

 This is Philipp who won three times !

 

Rosie was surprised that over night the trees became green and little birds were singing. She also watched the man who always feeds the 3 cats just opposite the window ! That's her TV !

This is a miracle ! Yesterday this bush had just tiny little green leaves and look what it became over night !