AWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND AUGUST 28

 

What is that ? it's disgusting ! 

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WEEKEND

Today it's a very sad day for me ! Three month ago at 5.30 am Rick left me, son and family forever. I thought over time the pain would lessen, but actually it's getting worse. I realize I'm not the same anymore. I don't like going out as before, I prefer to stay in my apartment, even shopping becomes a burden. I force myself to at least visit Nicole or bring her to me. I do like visits though. 

 Happy times at the Garda lake

I always look what is going on, expositions, things to see and not to miss, but in the last minute I have to kick myself for everything, but that doesn't help either. And when someone asks me to meet somewhere, I usually say no.  I spent Saturday with my photos and Blog comments, fell asleep watching TV (the best sleeping pill) and then the day was over ! 

On Sunday there was a big flea market in Waterloo. Normally I like to walk around and it's so funny what people try to sell. This time I didn't want to go but Isabelle and her sister wanted to pull me out of my hole and so I walked to the park which is only a street away. 

We all found that the market was not so funny and big as usual, but rather small not a lot of stands and only one small tent where you could sit and have a drink. We ordered a coffee, which they first had to make there was none left, and we watched the people and chatted of course. I forgot to take pictures, only 3, but there was nothing special to see as the usual junk. I had enough and returned home while the two girls stayed waiting for the daughter and her partner.

The yellow tent was the only place where you could get something to drink !

Lots of empty spaces, usually it is full of people who want to sell their old things, I just met  5 people I know from our Waterloo Facebook group and they also were very disappointed. 

When I sat on a bench waiting for the others to come, a man joined me and said that since the Covid lockdown people are afraid of having fun, everybody has changed and then everything has also become more expensive. Maybe he is right.

 

AWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND AUGUST 31

Each Friday evening during summer time Waterloo people gather in our park for a drink and snacks. Just behind me was this cute little dog !


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WEEKEND

It was a busy weekend in Waterloo (Belgium). There was street sale for the shops the Saturday



and the center was packed with people looking for a bargain. I didn't go I just went through by car and could take pictures because we moved like snails. I didn't need anything and was not in the mood to buy something either.

Instead I went to Myriam to talk about our Painting's class reorganization and especially publicity, we would need a few new members, sad to say, but some died and some were too old to continue.  It was still very hot 30° !



In the evening we all went to the Waterloo "Apero" it was a little cooler and there were quite a lot of people, I had bought a camping chair so I didn't have to look for a deckchair, there were a lot but apparently not enough. We had a real nice time and as usual I ate my portion of Belgian chips, which are especially good here.

Over the night we had a thunderstorm and the temperatures dropped by 10° ! It was cold !! At least I had the feeling. In the morning I did my blog stuff and in the afternoon I went to the second part of the street sales and this time also other events.

A big surprise ! A Venitian costume show went through the main street, and several orchestras in different costumes. Myriam, Ilona and I found a nice place on the street in front of an Italian restaurant and we could watch the whole show !



Suddenly a man who sat in front of me called me and showed me the orchestra who started to play a very famous Italian song. I was surprised that they sang in Italian, but then the man told me that it was for me ! Yes, they played for me. And I still don't know why ! But I was very happy !



and then we saw these men and women or couples in these beautiful Venetian costumes walking down the street ! It was a very cheerful atmosphere and everybody enjoyed our city fest very much !

WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 8 - MACRO MONDAY

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This weekend we had visitors ! Son and grandson wanted to say hello, which is real nice, but the truth for their coming, was the birthday of my son's godchild. And as the 12 year old girl has a younger brother, the same age as Toby, of course they wanted to be together as much as possible. Because not only the fathers are best friends since school years but also now their sons.

As it is more interesting to sleep with a little friend, and for the fathers there is no limit to enjoy some  wine without paying attention to the quantity because they don't have to drive they spend the night there.  ! And for Toby it's also far more interesting to play with his friend then staying with old Grandma and Grandpa. At his age I would have done the same.

So we enjoyed a short visit, but better that than nothing. They arrived past 1 pm and I got a



a beautiful bouquet.

Before we started lunch, Toby had a look at what I had made for him to remember a "fond of travelling" grandma.



During my travel through the northern countries I had bought a magnet of each city, except Amsterdam, there I didn't have this idea yet. When I was home again I found in a shop a framed piece of metal. I put my itinerary in the middle. The magnets were all in a plastic bag and he took them all out and placed them there were they should be. For his 7 1/2 years I was really amazed that he was so interested to which countries the cities belonged. I was happy that he liked my idea.

After lunch, he played foot. Nobody ever has played football (soccer) in my or Mr. G's family. 



but Toby has become a real football fan and also plays in a club in Amsterdam. Here he was a bit upset because the ball had landed in our animal cemetary, but I told him that the cats, one dog, a hedgehog and a guinea pig wouldn't mind that the ball had fallen on their head.



Then came a family picture session ! For once Mr. G. kept his eyes open and smiled which is really a miracle, usually on all photos he has his eyes closed, or when they are open he looks angry. This time both went well !!

Only too soon they had to leave for the birthday party and we were alone again. I had the blues a bit and for once Mr. G. agreed to go out and eat in a restaurant. Of course in a self service and very time limited. As soon as he had finished he wanted to go home. Which we did.

The next day, I went to my son's friends home, we wanted to go all together to the flea market in the nearby little town. Just as we had in Waterloo last week. Mr. G. was tired and remained home.



Aren't they cute in their football (soccer) outfit ? Although Benji is 6 month older then Toby they have the same size. Toby told me that he as to grow 14 cm (5.5 inches) to reach the same size as his mummy ! I found that very cute a little more and he will reach my size too ! 



Then we all went to the flea market, (above is Benji's mom) whom I know since a very long time, still from when my son lived in London and his friend had fallen in love with her.



The boys had fun and looked at the "Gilles" in their costumes wearing clogs and stamping on the street which made quite some noise together with drums.



Then they tried to play a game. They bought two huge bags of popcorn, which they offered generously to us adults.

We were sitting on the terrace of a Brasserie and watched what was going on.



They found a reading corner, but Toby hasn't learned to read in French but he speaks it very well, his mothertongue is Dutch.





Only too soon we had to leave because both wanted to say good bye to Mr. G.

We chatted a bit and called a friend in Italy.  Then they left. It will probably not be before end October when I see them again.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Flea market


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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

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WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of February 9. If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

This weekend was a special one, because we had the visit of our son with Toby. Toby recognized immediately where he was and greeted us with a kiss and then discovered the new truck we had bought for him, and that of course was very important !



Arthur our cat was happy to see his little friend again, which is rather unusual for a cat ! He watched him playing and even ran behind the little cars. The lazy cat became a dynamic youngster again.



The three of us watching Baby TV



and Mr. G. was happy to fill in his Grandpa duties and showed Toby how the truck works.

Toby needed new boots so we went shopping.



Even at two, he already has is own taste and wanted absolutely "Cars" boots



Apparently all kids over the world are crazy about this little design, of course I was ignorant, but now I know what is in fashion. In the same shop we also found a little trolley and I bought him a backpack (with "cars" of course) for when he goes on holidays in 10 days.  He was proudly wearing his new boots and with his new backpack and the trolley he walked with us through the Gallery where we had a coffee and a croissant together.



Toby has a good appetite and ate the huge croissant with pleasure !



Once finished he played "peek a boo" with us and then we went to the "Kids Factory" an inside playground.



where he had a lot of fun !

The next day the sun was shining and we decided to do a little walk over the market and the flea market



Toby was surprised to find a doll his size and checked it out. But then he discovered two boxes full of little cars and there he didn't want to leave, he was allowed to choose two cars, but it took him as long as it takes for some women to choose shoes !



Before going to bed, Nonno read a story to Toby.

Son and grandson left after lunch on Sunday, because snow was announced and in Amsterdam it had already snowed.



While Daddy packed and loaded the car, Arthur and Toby sat on the sofa before they had to say good bye to each other.

I ended the day with blogging and Mr. G. with his TV. Silence moved into the house again, and our 3 other cats came out of their hiding places and relieved settled down on the sofas !

OUR WORLD - Waterloo Antiquity Market

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In our world are also Antiquity/Flea markets. We have a very big one in Waterloo, each Sunday morning on the parking space of the Supermarket Carrefour (that's like Tesco, or Walmart).
People from all over Belgium are coming to this market and there are a lot of foreigners too. I heard a lot of English and German.

It's amazing what people sell and of course also buy.





The weather was sunny and quiet warm, and therefore the whole place packed !



lots of useless and useful things to buy



A cat in a "Dutch" outfit and a little spinning wheel



This lady apparently had been very thirsty at 10 am ! I suppose that a group had their first good Belgian beer here. I don't think she drank all these bottles alone ! She probably wouldn't sit on the chair anymore.



Instead of a baby I saw a dog in the stroller



and some very strange shopping in the caddy. Maybe it would fit in your living room ?



African statues



And a brave dog, watching over the people.