FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

Slowly I start to be convinced that it will rain non stop ! Again this week it rained from morning until evening.  As usual I had my breakfast and then I started my Blogpost. Then somebody knocked at the door and brought me my laundry ! Like in a boarding school I have now my name ironed in each cloth, even in the socks. That's really practical, it's not sewed it's really glued, anyway it stays put.  Nearly at the same time came Betty, the assistant manager and brought me a parcel with some clothes I had ordered and also an USB stick which fits in a computer and a tablet or mobile phone ! 

In the afternoon we played Bingo, a little more complicated then the first time, I think now I got it because I could help my neighbor who always wanted to add the numbers, or mixed up the colors.

Now on Tuesdays when there is mass, the new animator makes games with us who don't go to the mass. We were so many that I thought that people went to the mass because there was nothing else ! We played a very nice game each person had to describe a word without saying the right one. We were quite good and laughed a lot ! As most of them don't hear very well, there were a lot of misunderstandings sometimes really hilarious. Fortunately they nearly all have a lot of humor and  the others played a nice game to find words. We laughed a lot.

Since the 15th we have 3 apprentices, young girls who want to become geriatric nurses. They are really brave! And so funny and always in a good mood, they cheer up even the worst-tempered resident.

When an argument breaks out, it's always a married couple and the others laugh.

And then a miracle happened ! the sun came out ! The program was changed and we all went outside to play boccia !

Unfortunately the sunshine didn't last and the next day it was cloudy. But I still try to do my daily walk in the park. 

Our animation team had organized a St Patrick afternoon. Two music students played Irish music. Most of the residents didn't know St. Patrick, and were Ireland was, had to be find out ! 

 

Our animation team and a nurse with her dog, a Bearnese Mountain dog

She was adorable and came amongst all these people to me ! I had never seen her before, she also listened to the Irish songs !

These were the two students who performed.

and our table decoration
 

I think I have never heard of a senior residence where you are allowed to bring your big dogs with you, and they are allowed to go everywhere, in the rooms, in the restaurant in the park of course !
 

Isn't he cute ? It's the dog of Ghislaine's friend

And a Golden retriever owned by the daughter of my 99 year old friend !

All I can say I have no time to be bored ! There is only one stupid thing which bothers me,  I got a summon from the Judge of peace, my house owner wants his money because I vandalized the whole apartment alone with Rosie. If it's a "normal" person he will laugh and I win, if he is Misogynist, I will loose !Anyway I'll go alone just to prove them that I am not afraid of a judge and a crazy owner !

Rosie loves my new T-shirt and decided to spend the night on it

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FRIDAY's FAVORITE FIVE

Again a Monday, the sun was shining and I thought I have no excuses to do my weekly shopping. I hate to go shopping and tried to break the world record in shopping time. Then I was exhausted, ate something while watching my crime story and woke up 2 h later. The TV had stopped and in the first minute I didn't know where I was. I think I am getting crazy with this move because I know what I have to do but I can't I have to wait for Momo (abbreviation for Mohamed) who is doing my move he is on vacation but will hopefully be back tomorrow. He did the move for us from the house to the apartment 3 years ago.

Otherwise I sold a few things. My two neighbors invited me, to say goody bye,  they understood October instead of November. I found that very cute and I gave both of them two cats as a souvenir of the cat lady of the 3rd floor. 

I had an appointment with my dermatologist and couldn't remember why ! It was not my day, first I nearly fell out of my bed, then I forgot to put coffee in the machine and got dirty water in my cup, and after getting dressed I thought I have still some time to go to the doctor and didn't notice that it wasn't 11h but 12h! I arrived one hour late ! That had never happened to me because I am always on time. 

I was lucky the doctor didn't even realize, because the patient before me had taken more time than foreseen so in some way I wasn't late ! I thought I better don't move anymore I thought something else would happen, and indeed I actually tripped over the trash can but nothing happened.

The day ended with a phone call from my cousin and we spent one hour on the phone ! She told me stories of her husband who is busy to make his 3rd puberty and is behaving like a 15 year old boy. It was good to talk to her because she made me laugh !

Then Isabel gave me some good news too. She has a friend whose wife throw him out and now he sits in an empty little studio. Isabel very practical thought of me who wants to get rid of my stuff and he needs pots, pans and plates, cups and my 4 chairs, he will come and pick up the things.

1 month and 3 days and I am out of here ! 

 

 

 

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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

From Monday til Friday it rained every day and as I am not a frog or a fish it was rather depressing. On top of that I was stressed I thought I would explode or at least my head I had so many things to think of. I don't remember what I have done each day, but it was not the packing of the suitcase which put me in this state, but all the things I had to think of ! When Rick was still there, I just packed my suitcase and of I went. He drove me to the airport and picked me up on my return.

Now I had to think of finding somebody to take care of Rosie, to make a list of everything which has to be closed and done before I leave, pay all invoices and order a taxi. 

I still found a bit of time to say good bye to Nicole, who is much better and again normal, she was sitting together with all the others around a big table and they celebrated "Mother's Day" ! Normally it's on the 14th but there probably a few children will show up. Not all residents get visit from their children, excuse : too busy, gone on holidays, all excuses are good. I can understand, it's very hard to see their parents decline each time a bit more. I know, I went through it. I don't even know how I managed it.

But now I am looking forward to my cruise !

We have to be ready at 4 am ( poor me) and then a taxi will take us to Brussels airport, where we meet the other participants. Then we fly to Munich in Germany and take a bus to the next port. And then the fun starts ! We will be sitting, or laying in our beds and look at the beautiful landscape until Bucharest in Romania. Of course there are lots of stops where we take a Bus to visit the cities. This is the perfect way for seniors to see a lot and don't move a lot. Of course you can't do that several times per year ! It makes a hole in your wallet but it is worthwhile at least I hope so. You never know your own feelings or reactions.

and these two I put in my suitcase

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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

On Monday I gathered all my energy and went down to the basement to get the two plastic boxes in which I had packed the Christmas decorations from last year. 

Unfortunately, my son had stored a few things in the basement that he wanted to take with him to Holland, but they were still here. He had put my Christmas decorations on the highest board of the shelf so that I couldn't get to it. As usual, he thinks everyone is a giant like him. At least I managed to get the box down without landing on my head, but in my arms. I was breathless and panting like a steam engine ! I returned to the apartment with the two boxes, fell on the sofa and didn't move anymore, only my fingers on the keyboard of my computer. 

The weather became cooler and then really cold ! The temperature went down to 8 °C and I couldn't go out, for a little walk the air was too cold and my lungs hurt. I had bought all Christmas gifts online and one parcel was missing. It took me a whole morning to find the right service for complaints ! No telephone no email address, and that was Amazon. The delivery service had pretended that it had been delivered, but that wasn't true, I was home all day and my neighbor too. After two days the mistery was solved , the parcel arrived and was in my letter box. The following days I got phone calls and messages from all kind of Amazon's customer service, despite the fact that I had told them that I had got the parcel ! I guess they have a lot to do just before Christmas. 

For the first time since Nicole is in her retirement home, I asked her daughter to bring her over to me to see my Christmas decoration, which I had finally started. 

I was a bit scared that she would fall or something would happen but everything went smooth. Her head works perfect, but she has difficulties to walk without help and also to write. My apartment is ideal for handicapped people. When I drove her "home" she had no steps to do or even go out on the street, she could get in my car in the garage. She was very happy to be with me here,  just as if everything was normal again like in the old days. My neighbor joined us and we had a nice afternoon. 

When I had finally finished the decoration it took me 3 days, because I decorated a little bit and then was fed up and stopped. Now the light garlands are still missing. Maybe today ! 

I finally managed to do my shopping in this cold, but it hasn't been too bad, as my car was in the garage and I found a parking space just at the entrance of the store. 

My three neighbors had asked me to show them the pictures I had taken in Switzerland, so when my living was decorated I asked them to come and we spent a nice afternoon together and emptied a bottle of alcohol free "champagne" ! 

 

Miss Rosie after having meowed a hello, returned into her basket and slept (or listened to the conversation) Ever since she lives in an apartment she loves visitors. 

I also have created my Christmas cards for this year, first I didn't want to send any, but then I thought it keeps me busy and when I have to concentrated on something I don't think.

 

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.