WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

Life in Morocco

 

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AWWWW MONDAY

 

Little dolls in Brussels' laces

 

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WEEKEND 

It was a quiet weekend, unfortunately the temperature has dropped and I changed again from T-shirt to pullover ! Fortunately I have given up to separate winter and summer clothes, because the whole year  we have the same temperature. It's not freezing cold and not excessively hot !

In the afternoon we played an interesting game, it was finding different words for the same object or subject. Again I was amazed that the two who get always lost and wander along the long corridors looking for their rooms, play so well ! I also  had one who came into my room, looked around and then told me that this is not her room, there are too many cats and she is allergic. I brought her back to the reception, as she didn't know which floor and which room number she had. But otherwise her brain still works very well.

On Sunday it was cold and grey and we also had no activities in the afternoon. As I had got my card reader to create a new online banking on my computer and on my phone, I had lost both when they had done an update ! It went quite good until some point and then I got stuck !

I tried again and again, checked the numbers everything was OK but at a certain point it stopped and didn't go further. Finally I put the whole thing aside it was just lunch time and I decided to make a break. The break finally lasted until nearly 5 pm, when Isabel appeared to help me. It was done in not even 5 min, I hadn't put the new password in because I hadn't seen where to put it. We had to laugh, because I already thought that my brain would slowly disappear ! Now it's done and I am really relieved. 

The weekend went by so quick ! 

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

Half of the week we had wonderful weather and of course played our games on the terrace. It was warm and the sun shining. We played Bingo (with buttons) and had lot of fun ! Another day we played archery. No one got killed because the arrows had those sucking things in yellow,  instead of points. 

At least one of us got a yellow thing right in the middle of his forehead, and we applauded the guy who had shot so well. Not at the target, but at the forehead. I was just able to turn my head to the side, otherwise my glasses would have been hit. 

The third game was very interesting. Two people sat opposite each other, and colorful cups were placed in the middle. Then Kim shouted "red" (for example) and both had to grab the red cup, the one who took it first was the winner. Amazing that these grandmas still had so quick reactions ! Even our 100 year old managed to be quicker then her 20 years younger friend !

Chantal from our group, was here as resident, not because of her age, she was only 70, but she had a very bad car accident in which she almost died. She was nearly a year in hospital, to sew her together, but she couldn't live alone. She often tried to find her car and disappeared, twice somebody living in the street brought her back, the people are used to lost residents. 

Otherwise Chantal was completely normal you could have nice conversations with her and she also had a cheerful character. Then she fell a second time in the park. We saw the nurses running to pick her up and then she spent a week in hospital. When she came back, her daughter had bought her a plush dog, which she carried around, but her brain was still OK. But then she fell again and this time it was real bad. Now she has lost all sense of orientation, doesn't know where she is, and as she still has her old room she can go out in the middle of the night and walks around gets lost and then walks into other rooms. That happened with our 100 year old, who got a terrible shock at 3 am, reached for her cane to throw out the intruder. Then she rang for help. Poor Chantal was topless and continued her way. But then the night nurse found her and brought back into her room. Of course we teased our 100 year old and told her she would have preferred a man, but she answered that she had had enough men in her life. Of cause we all wanted to know more !

The section where the seriously ill live is undergoing renovations for a few weeks, so it's possible that someone might get lost or somehow sneaked out of the otherwise closed floor. They are suffering from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or senile dementia. We don't know them because they live on the fourth floor.On Monday they all will be moved into the renovated rooms. 

 

The flowers we planted 3 weeks ago,  have grown and look very beautiful

I wanted to make a selfie of the both of us, but my arm  is not long enough ! Rosie seems to be happy, she sleeps a lot, but she will be 19,  she has a very good appetite, and still plays a bit. But her back has become very skinny. As long as she doesn't show any disease, I don't go to the vet. At her age she would get too stressed. For me the most important is, that her fur is still shining, which is a good sign, and she has all her teeth ! 

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HODGEPODGE MAY 15

 1. What's something you're curious about right now ? 

Nothing special, I am just curious if our summer weather, which is far too early will last ?

 

2. If you could plan the perfect girl's weekend getaway, where would you go and what would be on the agenda? Do you have anything like this on your calendar in the next few months ? 

No I have not yet plans for a girl's weekend  getaway, but if I could go I would go to the sea, which is not far away from Brussels and it would be perfect for a weekend. I would even ignore the hideous coastline, but will just sit at the beach and observe the waves.

 

The water is far too cold for swimming. It is the North Sea, after all.

3. What's the most unique item in your refrigerator right now? 

Nothing unusual, but when we were newly married, I couldn't find my slippers. After searching the entire house without success, Rick found them in our refrigerator in the  evening!

4. In this season of your life, what do you find most challenging?

Since I had decided to live in a retirement home, it was difficult for me to deal with the severely brain-damaged people. We don't see them very often, but it takes a lot of strength to get used to see and hear them. After all, those of us who are still well also could become like that one day.

5. Do you collect anything? If so why that? 

This question would make laugh all people who know me. I collect cats in all sizes and all materials because I am a cat lover ! For me they are the most intelligent animals. You never own a cat, the cat owns you !  I think that's why I love them, they are independent, never do what you want from them. My   grandson once counted all together with his friend and they told me with proud that I had 497 cats  spread throughout the apartment. I had even more when we lived in our house !

Now here in my room I still have a shelf with a part of my collection, I like it, I think it makes my room cozy. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

With this still nice summer weather I always sit outside, I wonder why I don't like to go out, travel or visit friends. I think I have changed a lot since Rick's death. I feel home here and like to help with those who have lost a bit their mind. It's strange, one part of the day they are completely normal but then suddenly a 94 old lady tells me that she will visit her grandparents this afternoon. I have learned  never to contradict her, and would  reply, "How nice of you! They'll definitely be pleased". And then everything's fine again. If I would said the opposite, she'd start arguing which always ends in tears. One man in our group just doesn't understand that and even finds it funny when she gets upset. 

Without any hesitation when we were sitting together, I first tried to explain him what is going on in Rina's mind, but that was completely useless, so I sternly forbade him to make her cry on purpose. He looked a bit stupid, and then he quickly disappeared. So far, he behaved  good now. It always makes me angry when someone attacks a weaker person or animal,  then I show my claws.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

These are photos from our park, which you can see from all the windows of the castle. 

I love to see the deep green grass, and the shrubs and trees when I open the curtains in the morning. 

The little flowers who came out is an invitation for bees ! And when the lawn is mowed, the air smells so good, better than the most expensive perfume.

 

 

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AWWWW - WEEKEND MAY 10

 

 

 

 

 

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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

On Monday it rained cats and dogs but I wanted to buy a crutch, which I did and as I had forgotten my umbrella and had no anorak, I was wet like a cat after hunting mice ! But now, I thought if I have to go out I'll take it with me. Our streets have not 4 stars, they rather look like a Golf course. 

When I came back we had to find the capitals of country's in the whole world. Was very interesting, I was surprised that I knew more then I thought ! Thanks to blogging.

The next day the sun was shining but it was a bit cool, our "entertainers" had bought a lot of flowers to plant in the wooden flower boxes. We all enjoyed it very much, three were working and all the others watched ! I took the pictures, I have no green thumb !

I had an appointment with my pulmonologist, and he noted that my results have improved significantly. Life here without worries and work has been good for me. At my last visit six months ago, I was 35 (?), and this time I was 55! 80 is very good. Considering my antic age, that's not bad at all. In any case, he was very pleased, but he didn't understand why I fall over so often and put on a circus act.

When I came back my housemates were busy playing Volleyball ! 

The ball flew over the net, but then in all directions. Since we had to aim at someone while sitting, the ball  hit us on the head, or it landed on a teammate's already black eye. We had a lot of fun, as it reminded us of our youth.

Sometimes I think people are crazy. The management decided to move all the offices to the ground floor. So they tore down walls, installed cables, and put in new furniture. Then they brought the files, etc. downstairs. After everyone had settled in and we knew that the nurses and staff, as well as the management, were opposite the restaurant downstairs, I went down yesterday morning to borrow a card reader. I almost dropped my mouth open and asked where the offices were; everything had disappeared and the rooms were empty. I was told that all the junk had been moved back to the old rooms, as the reception and entrance are on the first floor. Nobody understands this logic, not even the 100 years old,  they could have thought it over before. 

To demolish walls and install cables, paint etc for what ? Now I am really curious. As long as it does not concern my monthly invoice, they can continue moving up and down offices, rooms etc. It rather makes us laugh.

I almost forgot ! Congratulation to the first Pope for American Catholics ! 

 

 

Which is logical, the first pope was elected in 1059 and America discovered 1492. I hope that Mr. Trump will not change the history.

 

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HODGEPODGE MAY 8, 2025

1. Let's compare this May to last May. What's changed? What remains very much the same? 

It was pretty much the same, cold, rainy and I had the visit of son and grandson. The weather remains the same, it's still cold, rainy, humid and grey !

2. What's something you may do this month? 

 

I have two plans for this month. If the sun is shining I will take my tablet and choose a quiet spot in the shade, or I start to paint again, I am already looking  to buy what I need. I hope I keep my projects !

 

This kind of painting is called "Pouring"
 

3. Mother's Day is approaching (in the US of A)...in what way(s) are you like your mother? 

 

I am not at all like my mother,  she was short, a bit round, had brown hairs and brown eyes. I am tall, blond, slim and have green eyes. I don't look like my father neither, he was not tall, and also had brown hair. People who know us always say that I am a cuckoo's egg ! 

4. Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it and why was it a favorite. 

 

 

As a child and even longer I have been a real bookworm. I think I have read all books which were here in our public library plus those from friends and those I owned. I remember that I liked the "Famous Five" as a child, of course it was written in German. 

5. Are you more of a tortoise or a hare? Explain. 

I don't know the story and as usual googled for the meaning it says : acting quickly, rashly, and carelessly can cause you to fail, whereas thinking things through first can lead to success".

I am not really a tortoise neither a hare, I think I am a mixture of both, I act often quickly, without thinking, but I think later and am mostly successful ! In short, I spring in the water and then I ask myself if I can swim !

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

To be honest, I don't have any thoughts. My days are almost always the same, and I have nothing else to do but have fun. The good life, at least for the moment, I have nothing !

 

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

HALWOOD (Bois de Hal, Belgium)

This wood in Hal, near Brussels, is particularly known for its vast expanses of wild bluebells which usually flower around the end of April or beginning of May, earning the nickname 'the blue forest'.

It is really beautiful to walk around and see this blue carpet.

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