FRIDAYS FAVE FIVE

The week began with a trip to the nearby town Nivelles. Luckily, we had nice weather. On the program was a visit of the Park Dudaine, well known for it's beauty. I don't know why, but in the nearly 60 years I live in Waterloo, I have been a thousand times in Nivelles, but it never came into my mind to visit the park, I went to the mall and visited a friend who lived there, but never put a foot in the park. 

It is quite huge and listed offers two types of gardens, French and English, to admire. A fountain and a pond spanning several hectares, where fishing is permitted from April to December, add to its charm, as do numerous statues. It boasts a beautiful rectangular water feature as well as a pond spanning several hectares.The park is the access route to the "Reine Astrid" Sports Ground. The park includes basketball, volleyball, and soccer fields, a multi-sports hall, an indoor swimming pool, a sports field, and an aquapark.We slowly walked around fed the ducks bought a yummy ice cream and sat on the benches and watched the ducks and other poultry. We teased Kim our animator, who walked around and was followed by two ducks, that was so funny to see. 

Then we had a drink in the swimming pool bar and observed the swimmers.  At 5 pm we were home again and very satisfied with our day.

On Tuesday I went to a friend I had known when we had our Facebook supper evenings. She had called me to tell me that her cat had 3 kittens.  I wanted to see them immediately, but I was so occupied that I didn't have time. But finally there was an afternoon where nothing special was foreseen, so I preferred to visit the baby cats.

They are now one month old and so cute and real beautiful. The mother was a ginger cat a very light color and without stripes. One kitten looked like her, one like a classical ginger at and a grey one ! Or there are two dads or it is a quirk of nature. Two are females and one male.

The transformation and work of the convent which is attached to the castle is finished and the severely sick were moved in a very modern and beautiful section which is closed. They moved from the 3rd floor to the first. Unfortunately they don't realize anymore that they are in such a nice place. For the nurses it's also more easy, here nobody can escape. During the works, one person has managed to escape and had  opened the room doors on the second floor at 3 a.m., turned on the light, and even tried to get into bed with one. Naturally, this was the talk of the day, the poor victims  were terribly frightened. I always lock my door. The night nurses have a key anyway.

On Thursday we celebrated the birthdays of all residents born in May. I didn't want to stay because I didn't like the music although the female singer did her best. I happened to be sitting next to Gilberte who is 102 years old and just as much of a chatterbox as I am, so we chatted and discovered that we were born in the same month - she was born two days later than me in July, in 1923 and I in 1943. In theory, she could have been my mother. We liked each other so much and got on so well that I had to promise to visit her to get to know her better. To be honest, I never would have thought that I would be speaking to a 102-year-old lady and not notice any age difference at all. We also laughed a lot. Luckily we were sitting right at the back!

Gilberte 102 years old

 The week ended with bad weather and  I did my shopping. Normally my son and grandson should come on Saturday, but I told them not to come as it was raining non stop the whole day and a strong wind was blowing. Driving 250 km would not be a pleasure. So they will come the next weekend or the week after. We still can see each other through the phone !

 

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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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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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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

This week started very well, the sun was shining it was warm and nothing special happened.

On Tuesday I had to pick up my medication and at the same time bought my fruits. When I came back, they had already started a simplified Scrabble, that means we didn't count the points but only composed the words. It went real well once they had all understood the rules. I was happy to play Scrabble again and we decided to do it more often. 

On Wednesday the air seemed to be clean and I managed to walk nearly all around the park, which I had never done ! I felt real good and I made a few pictures of the beauty of spring !

Just in front of my window

The ivy climbs to the fourth floor

a castle cat didn't want to be photographed

On Thursday we were all excited because we went out having lunch in a very nice Restaurant. We were 14 and had already fun in the little bus. 

Here we all climbed in the two mini buses. Fortunately there were only four wheelchairs, all the others could walk. They only needed a bit of help to push them into the bus.. 

                                    

There was a beautiful Japanese tree standing in the Garden, which is also restaurant.

This was a huge photography which hang on the wall and I found it so beautiful.

There were only invisible guests sitting at the tables, the restaurant was closed on Thursdays, but they had opened it only for us. Although the food was very good and the wine too, the place was not really cozy as we were all alone and there was no other noise then ours.

I wanted to take a picture of all of us, but some were outside to smoke a cigarette. 

Suddenly my friend Aimée told us that she was a little dizzy and didn't feel well. She had eaten her desert and had been very cheerful during the meal. Kim our "Entertainer" asked her if she wants to be driven home and she said yes. It wasn't far, so he drove her home and she lay down. We continued until everybody was ready to leave. Which we did. When I arrived in my room I was a bit tired and watched a little movie. Then it was already supper time. I always eat in my room, so I wouldn't see Aimée anymore before the next morning. 

When I got up a nurse came to inform me that Aimée after supper had laid down fell asleep and never woke up again. She was found peacefully sleeping in her bed, only she didn't breath anymore.

 here she sits on the right, besides J. who wears sunglasses. She was only 4 years older then I, 85.

When I had heard this, I went to the reception, her room was just besides. There were others gathering and some of them cried. Betty our receptionist asked me if I wanted to see her once more and I said yes, I wanted to say her good bye. She laid on her bed, like if she were sleeping. One of our nurses had put a little make-up on her face and she looked very beautiful. I stayed for a while and thought that I had actually ended up here because she had told me that this was not a restaurant but a nursing home and had showed me her room.

The rest of the day we were all numb. Later, each of us wrote a short text on a clover leaf as a card to be put in the coffin.

In the afternoon we drank coffee together and everyone had something to say about her. She was such a kind and friendly woman. It was a shame that some of those who suffered from dementia came for dinner far too early at 4.30 pm and didn't understand a thing. One sang loudly and happily, we let her sing. It wasn't her fault. But we all agreed on what a beautiful death Aimée had. Restaurant, supper, laying in bed to sleep... only it was forever. She didn't suffer, wasn't sick, everyone wished for a death like that.

So ended the week. Her son had come immediately, but her daughter lives in Canada she will surely arrive tomorrow.

It was the first time that we all grieved like that, there had been many residents brought to the hospital dead, (there is no morgue in our castle) since I am here, but we didn't know them. Mostly very sick people from the 4th floor. 

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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE & A BIRTHDAY

I can't believe it that it is 3 years that he is gone forever. Time flies by so quickly. In one way this is good, I never want to live the last 4 years with him again ! It was hell. 

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This week was a taste of almost summer. The sun shone every day, and I suddenly started remembering things that I had simply tucked away in a corner and forgotten about. First of all, I had to sort out the banks; they still had the address of our house. I somehow thought that would happen automatically. Most things, yes, but some, not. So we arranged for an appointment on Tuesday, and I enjoyed Monday with my first sunbath. I was still dressed warmly, of course, but the sun shone so beautifully on my face. It felt really good. Tuesday I settled everything with the bank and when I came back I stated with pleasure that they had done an Ester decoration !

amongst several games we also played ping pong, unfortunately the tables were a bit small and not long enough. One Lady who is a bit crazy claps in her hands and laughs out loud all of a sudden, believe it or not this lady had been Champion of Belgium in Table Tennis ! Each time the ball flow over the net and then its own way, she claimed "and I have been champion of Belgium !" We comforted her and told her that she still plays very well. 

Kim who entertains us had a very good idea, which I thought was a very bad ! On his program was WII playing. Fortunately I knew what it was and had also played once bowling, but for all the others it was just Chinese, they had never heard of it and when I told them that it was played on a computer screen, they all wanted to escape, but curiosity won.

I couldn't believe it ! They all played very well, some had strikes it was just amazing. And the fun they had was unbelievable ! My bowling ball always rolled towards the left side and I never got all keys.

Even in wheelchairs it went well ! 

Chantal who always carries around her plush dog, had fallen and ever since she has lost a bit her mind. Yesterday she escaped and a friendly neighbor in the street brought her back. Now we have all to pay attention that she stays in the park. She also came at 3 am in Jeanine's room and wanted to lay in her bed ! J. brought her back and locked her room now. Hopefully she will heal again. 

Each day I walk around the park (not the whole, it is too big) and then sit on a bench and scrabble until 3 pm when our games start. 

 

 

The little house where the castle cats live, there are 6

 

Signs of spring in our park

and our cheerful group, always ready for new adventures, handicapped or not !

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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

I think Belgium has the largest strike-minded population! The week started with a general strike. (again) We didn't notice anything because only two of the staff were on strike. I don't even know who it was!

My friend Laure visited me, we hadn't seen each other in a long time, but we had spoken on the phone. Her husband had been dead for two years now, and it was a sad day for her. Luckily, she had to drive her teenage grandchildren back and forth, as all public transport was also on strike, this kept her busy !

Anyway, we had a lovely afternoon and told each other how lucky we were that these strikes  didn't happen when we were young. 

The sunny weather continued but it was cold ! While I ate my breakfast, my coffee mug was standing on a little side table besides my sofa. Cat Rosie watched what I was eating and let her tail hang in my coffee. She was very offended when she had to dry her tail I think she didn't like the taste of coffee.

Wednesday the sunshine had warmed up the temperatures and after lunch I first walked a bit in the park, and then I sat down an hour  and scrabbled. It was really warm. 

When I joined the others inside, the program was a relaxing gymnastic and then a walk around the park. I didn't participate because I had it done already. While we enjoyed our coffee laughed and chatted, our  Director joined us and she was happy that we all seemed so cheerful. She is a very nice lady.

For the first time this year on April 3 (quite unusual) we did our gymnastic in the park on the freshly mowed lawn and then our two animators carried the coffee, waffels and muffins on the grass 

Gymnastic outside for the first time this year !

 

and as you see we had a wonderful time ! It's amazing what sunshine does with people, we were all in an excellent mood. If the weather would last until autumn, I think I stay here and don't think about traveling ! I can take sunbaths where I want in this huge park.  µ

Since the beginning of the year, everyone has been crying because it kept raining. Now we've had a month without rain and the sun shines every now and then, and now the farmers are going crazy because of the drought! 

We were happy about the second day we were able to spend outside in the park. It was really a lot of fun. The 16-year-olds trainees, who help us get on really well with the grandmothers and sometimes you don't know who is sillier, the older ones or the younger ones. Those who weren't allowed outside stood at the windows and watched us. This time we did a combination of Thai Chi, yoga, and Pilates and had to laugh so much when we looked at each other. Even the 100 year old Jeannie did her best and was quite good when she had to lift her legs. And so ended the week and we had to say good bye to our 6 trainees it was their last day, Monday school starts again for them. They were so happy here that they didn't want to leave, one thing they have learned that oldies are not always boring but can be very funny ! And we have learned that the youngsters are not all so bad as some people think !

There also was a 6 year old great great child ! Who was proud to do the exercises with us.

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FRIDAY''s FAVE FIVE

On Monday the weatherman announced that the air quality was bad, so I stayed home and we played bowling 

My car was really dirty and I went through the car wash. The man asked me how old I was, made big eyes mumbled something, smiled and reduced the price, which of course I didn't contest, I felt rather flattered. I also had to go to the pharmacy, but it was closed, so I ended up visiting a Facebook friend who lived in the area and  was very happy to see me as she has recently lost her husband and was glad to have somebody talk to. drugstore.

I was in no hurry as they had drawing as activity, and that bores me. So I arrived for the coffee and that was good.

This time, the result wasn't so bad. Everyone was given a leaf and had to paint it, and then the leaves were glued to the tree trunk.

My friend Pauline is in hospital for a check up, lately she had heart problems, I think she will come home on Saturday. That made me think that my doctor had told me to also go to a heart check up, I have no troubles, but I have never been at a cardiologist !!

After lunch I always make my little tour around the park, not the whole, as it is too big, and I noticed that the first bushes bloom. 

Our man for everything had cleaned now all the garden furniture and the benches in the park, that looks very nice. Now we wait for warmer weather ! I can sit in the sunshine but warmly dressed. 

Our students are still here, I think this is the last week, they are so kind and funny, I think we will miss them. A girl told me that it had been very interesting for her, because now she knows what profession she will not do ! It was very hard for her to see all the people on the 4th floor, who have lost their mind, who have to be fed and who lay in their beds. Some of them are dangerous, fortunately not many and they have to leave the home.

My son called me and told me that Toby my "little" one (14)

wants to change his basket club, because he is now so tall that he can go with older once. 

Nothing special happened this week, and I still feel very lazy and without energy. In a few days we will start April ! When we moved to Waterloo in 1975, it snowed and it was difficult to get the furniture in the house which also was ice cold ! Nobody had thought that it would snow in April ! 

  

on the street

and in our park.

In most of the small streets in Waterloo, Japanese cherry trees had been planted, and are blooming now, which is beautiful.

 

 

 

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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

On Monday the gastroenteritis was officially cured, and the restaurant reopened, and most importantly, our games were back too ! A local school had sent us six apprentices, five boys and one girl. Amongst the boys were real twins and it was impossible to see who was who. They had to lead the activities. 

Unfortunately they had chosen "Art" and the art was painting Easter eggs on cardboard plates. I really didn't feel like playing kindergarten games, so I sat in the sun in the park and took my first sunbath of the year ! Several did the same, the person who had given this idea had no idea of old people. Or they had painted wonderful paintings and felt the same as me, or they hands were trembling. There were very few who participated.

I took a photo of the result ! There is no difference between a 6 year old or an 80 year old drawing ! Strange that I have noticed that only now !

 

Here are our students

Fortunately we played bowling the next day, which was very funny, of course the material was soft ! I won ! (for once)

 

The next morning, Madam Glou glou (our alcoholic friend) asked me if I could drive her to her car, she had been stopped in the evening by the police and was not allowed to drive home with her car. The two policemen were very friendly and drove her home. (If she gets a fine, then it will be expensive and probably she has to give her driver license).

 

Of course I did it with pleasure and we chatted in the car. I didn't tell her that she should be careful I think when you are 86 it doesn't matter, she has to decide for herself.

 

I went shopping with Jeanine, she wanted a special  cheese and I needed my fruits. After that, we had a coffee in a new Snackbar. When we came back they just had finished their "painting" and we joined them for another coffee.

 

Today it was cloudy but warm, 20°C. Since the students had drawing on the menu again, I quickly went to the pharmacy and wanted to wait until the masterpieces were finished. 

 

But there was another student there who wanted to work in special effects in the film industry and who came from another school, she was looking for me, because she needed me to make sounds and grimacing. I also had to make a pub for coffee, I had to laugh, and sneeze. She had asked me if I could do it and I said yes ! I am always ready for all kind of nonsense and she was happy to have found a vintage lady who was ready for that. She will show us the finished work. I am really curious. 

 

Lunch break for our staff ! Isn't that a nice "dining room" ?  

and Rosie had to check my purse if it is suitable for a nap. 

 

 

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FRIDAY'S FAVE FIVE

On Monday I found on my breakfast tray a note that we would be without electricity from 1 pm til 5 pm ! Doesn't matter I will go shopping and take Jeanine along. She was quite happy, as she seldom went into Waterloo center and had never left Belgium ! 

We walked around bought some beauty things and then had a very good coffee in a new Snack Bar. When we came back the electricity came back too ! This way I found a new parking place and can see my car from my window, the building behind was a sort of crèche for men with senile dementia, who spent the day there while their wives of family were working. Now it's empty and serves as storage room.

We were informed that there were cases of gastroenteritis and that we had to eat in our rooms and there were no activities. It wasn't a problem for me; I always eat in my room anyway and go to the restaurant for coffee. And as always, when one person sits there, the others come too, so it was actually very nice. The next few days were bad, not for me. I visited a friend I hadn't seen in a long time, who had lost 30 kg after her husband died last year. She is in her late 60s but can hardly walk because she weighed 160 kg, a bit much for her poor knees. The 30 kg were definitely good for her, but I have to admit I didn't notice at all 

We had a lot to talk so the afternoon passed quickly. When I came back the people had started to complain they were missing our get together in the restaurant and also our activities. As they often complain to me I informed our two entertainers, who weren't happy either because they had to do other things like office work.

The doors of infected residents look like this. A joker had taken the notice from my neighbor and had stuck it on my door ! When I wanted to go out a nurse stopped me and told me that I have to stay in my room. I hadn't seen the notice yet and got angry, but then I saw that I was victim of a joke ! That gave me  a good idea, I thought during night I take all notices off and stick them at the door of the manager ! But finally I thought that would be a to big confusion !

Therefore I have nothing special to report except I spent the next day the whole afternoon with Laure and we decided to go to the cinema next week !  

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