FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

This was a strange week, I had to look on my calendar each day to know which day we were ! The weather didn't help either, because each day when I looked out of the window I saw everything grey and the trees were hidden behind a grey veil. Fog! Every day ! Even the happiest person could become depressed. 

I didn't go out at all, this damp, wet weather was not good for the lungs. Luckily we always had a good time in the afternoons, Elinor and Kim were there every day, even on Christmas. On Christmas Eve I wanted to be alone and watched a film with Rosie, i.e. she slept and I watched the film and ate two kiwis and a mango. Then I went to bed and read. 

 

On Christmas Day we played a fun game, "Merry Christmas" was said in 39 languages ​​and we had to find out which country it was! Since I have heard so many languages ​​in my life, I won. On Friday I felt fine and was finally able to go shopping. Even the sun came out ! But the city was completely congested and it took me an hour to get home. Normally it takes 10 minutes and besides the fruits I needed I couldn't walk a bit around to see if there was a still a Christmas gift (for me) to buy !

Once there was a big agitation in the castle because a resident had disappeared. Everyone went looking for him because the poor man was suffering from Alzheimer's and normally couldn't go out. Finally a Sherlock Holmes nurse found the man in front of the station which is very close, where he was waiting for a certain train in shorts and a suitcase. He was brought home and luckily nothing happened to him not even a cold. Apart from that we had two ladies who had fallen down and both had black eyes. They looked as if they came out of a boxing ring. Not the same day, first one and then a few days later the other. 

And this was the last FFF this year, see you next year ! 

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TATTOO OR NOT TATTOO

I have never payed attention to tattoos for the simple reason that it wasn't very well seen in Belgium or in Germany and a tattooed person was considered as rather vulgar.

So I was quiet surprised the first time I went to Egypt to see lots of British tourists more or less tattooed. It was the same for women and men, and they weren't the youngest once. They were all people like us, retired and stemming from the 60th/70th. When I asked why they all had these tattooes I have been told that it was very in fashion at hippie times end 60th and in the 70th in the UK and it was considered as very "in" ! I knew immediately who was British, because of the tattoos, no other tourists had them and ... they all regretted !

What probably looked nice when you are 20 doesn't have the same effect when you are in your 60th or 70th, put on some weight and lost your hair. Once a beautiful fresh little rose on an arm now looks rather faded, a snake has more wrinkles as usual and the once probably big and strong man who has  a "I love mom" tattoo on his shrunk muscles looks rather ridiculous.

Some women were a little upset because their husbands still had a heart with an arrow somewhere on their body, with a tattoo "Mary forever" but his wife's name was "Sue". You never know if it's forever !

Amongst my friends only one has a little rose tattooed on her shoulder, but even that, now looks rather ridiculous and she tries to hide it.

One thing is sure, when you are 20 you never think how you would look like at 80 ! and it is very hard to get rid of these "youth" memories.

Originally tattoos hadn't been a fashion and exists since the New Stone Age beginning about 9500 BC they were used to mark the tribes or communities, to which people belonged to.

Today, people choose to be tattooed for cosmetic, sentimental/memorial, religious, and magical reasons, and to symbolize their belonging to or identification with particular groups, especially criminal gangs.

When I get into my third (or forth) puberty, maybe I will get a tattoo too, I only don't know yet what ?

 

 What about that ?

AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND DECEMBER 21

 

Supper

 

Linking to AWWW MONDAYS 

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WEEKEND

On Saturday I expected my family to celebrate Christmas together. When they arrived dog Leia went to Rosie's basket to sniff if she was still there, Rosie opened an eye and then went to back to sleep. Leia turned around and did the same. The problem of dog/cat was solved. 

Then we went to a very nice restaurant which is famous for its meat quality. My son and grandson wanted to eat a good steak, while my DIL doesn't eat any meat but had a very good salmon dish. The building dates from the 18th century and is a restaurant since 1976.!!!

It is very cozy inside, has an open fire and a big garden, where you can sit in summer. We had a great meal and far too much, I had difficulties to finish my plate. Leia was very brave and lay under the table and slept.

Then we returned home and celebrated our Christmas. I had no Christmas tree, but had made a nice Christmas decoration.

I have got a special USB key which allows me to use it for my computer, my mobile and my tablet.

There was a little Christmas market in our restaurant and we made a walk through, but didn't buy anything. Poor Toby had probably eaten too much and didn't feel well, so he lay down for a while on my bed. 

At 5 pm they returned to Amsterdam, unfortunately in an awful weather, rain and wind but arrived safely home. Although we had celebrated a bit in advance, it was a nice Christmas day, the first different one in my new life.

Sunday was terrible, it was snowing and hailing at the same time! We played a kind of bowling and Litchi, our therapist's dog, let the people pamper him but didn't chase a ball.

Kim who is our "entertainer" and my son.

 

V

A very happy Christmas and a healthy good year without any problems !