FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

The week started with rain and we could breath again ! Even I had no excuse anymore to sit on the sofa the whole day and do computer work or watch a movie. This time I had to go out for shopping. I asked Adeline if she also needed to shop and she too was relieved that her eyes were not swollen anymore and she felt much better. 

We filled our caddies and my little car was full ! I don't know why but there were no choice in fruits, only apples, peas, and Kiwis, besides the classical oranges and Bananas. When we came back we met Lou another neighbor in the garage and surrounded by our shopping bags we chatted for a while ! Now it wasn't the Covid anymore now it was about the French elections, poor France had the choice between a Putine fan, extremist, and nationalist Marie Lepen and the former president Macron, who is a bit snob but at least for the European Union. To avoid a Putine fan you really had no choice. 

The next day, I was in my bathroom and got dressed when a loud voice spoke something in the Living room. I thought it was the TV and didn't pay attention. Suddenly the doorbell rang and when I opened the door a red faced breathless Adeline was standing there looking at me as if I was a ghost and then said relieved, ah, you are OK. I didn't understand. In fact what had happened I am connected to Telehelp who does a check once a month. So they had called me on the device which is installed in the living room and this was the voice I had heard, then they called me on my phone and as I didn't answer they had called the next number on their list in case of an accident and this was Adeline who had a spare key. Adeline had thought I was half dead or at least somewhere laying on the floor, and was near a heart attack. I called the Telehelp and told them that I am OK, that I just hadn't heard my phone. 

I had bought juices, cheese cubes and the obligatory waffles for Rick, so that he had something to nibble while watching TV and went to visit him. The chief nurse when she saw me came to tell me that Rick had a crisis again, had pulled out all cables and had made a mess in his room. He also was fallen and they had to give him a sedative shot and he might be asleep now. 

We talked a bit and both realized that his condition had worsened. When I entered his room, he hadn't fallen asleep but was completely confused. I quickly put my stuff in the fridge because he was upset again that I wasn't sitting on his bed, and before falling down again or getting angry I sat down quickly. I gave him a glass of orange juice and drank one too but there was no reason  in staying, it just made me sad. He was half asleep anyway, the injection had finally worked. 

 

 

I stayed a little longer with the others who were sitting in the garden and playing a game. Then I drove home. My friend and ex neighbor just came over to help me with my printer but we ended up talking. about Rick who she has known since she was 5 years old ! 

 

To end the week I had an appointment with another bank, to change the  joint account on only my name, since I am now solely responsible for everything related to administration and banks. For this I needed 3 attestation, one from the doctor, one from the health insurance and one from his residence that he now lives there. That sounds complicated, but is justified, because if one of a married couple want to cheat, and empty the account it's impossible. But in my case it was done immediately as  Rick can't read or write anymore.

 

After that I went to Nicole, it was quite some time that I was with her, but we called each other almost every day.  Despite her brain cancer, she is in pretty good shape, she walks very slowly and forgets a lot, but otherwise her head is quite clear. We talked about our lives now and how much everything has changed. We laughed about travel adventures because we had traveled a lot together. 

 

 

Isis enjoyed the company and ate her grass it was nice and warm on the terrace and it was good for both of us to be together, it's just so sad that we can't travel together anymore. But it's better to make the best of our situation and not grief about the past, we can go to the cinema! for example. 

 

I took this picture of a very small garden of her neighbor, but she had made a little "Versailles" out of it with 5 parasols, and as I am looking for one, it gave me some inspirations. 

My car hadn't been washed since before Christmas it is white and I always thought it isn't dirty, but it was and while I was sitting in the car which was slowly pushed through the Carwash I took these "artistic" pictures. 

 

And another week is over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

This week seemed to be like one day, we were still in the same state of the lockdown it should change on Wednesday. As I am feeling so tired from doing nothing,  I just went a bit shopping to fill in our freezer for the week and then returned again on my sofa !

The only thing I did was surfing the net to find a new vacuum cleaner, an all in one washing machine and dryer. This saves me space because otherwise I have to buy two machines and put one on top of the other and two new mattresses ! The most urgent things. I found everything, wrote down the references somewhere and of course didn't find my paper anymore.

The next day we went to Myriam to enjoy our lockdown meeting. Now we have got so much used to it, to meet each second day, that we fear that the lockdown finishes !

Now when I drive to her the streets are full of cars again and all people have their masks on in all sizes and colors, and all in all are quite disciplinated. Except some youngsters who met with their motorbikes and gathered in a group of 15, which of course was not allowed at all, the police came and chased them away and probably they also got a fine.



The sun was shining and we sat outside and talked about the day we can go out in a park in a café and have a drink. None of us likes to go shopping ! That is a disaster !

I had seen some nice tableware on sale and thought for a new apartment I also need new dishes. When I arrived at the shop, there were about 6 people standing in a line wearing their masks and waited to be let in ! The shop inside was empty, a long line stood at the only exit with one cashier ! Outside the line became long and longer. A young guy came and cleaned one shopping basket gave it to the next person who was allowed to enter the shop. Very well organized ! When it was my turn I just had the time to notice that all the nice plates and dishes were gone and there was nothing else to buy then cleaning products, so I took one bottle for the floor arrived at the cashier where about 10 people were waiting to pay ! That was the end of my Coronavirus patience, I slammed the basket on the counter and told them that I had no time anymore and that it was not normal to allow one person to be in the shop while the others had to wait or outside or at the exit !
And I went away ! As if I had given a sign, suddenly several people did the same ! Maybe now they let more people in !

I had to go to have my eyes checked, I have the impression that I need glasses again. But apparently I still see good enough and don't need glasses, he said maybe my eyes are tired.  That's possible, because I am quite a lot behind TV and computer.

To close the week I wanted to buy the two mattresses. As I drove by a store who had  bedroom furniture and mattresses, I thought I could check them out personally instead of choosing them on the screen. The salesman with his smartphone glued to his ears shook his head to say hello and then continued to talk. Meanwhile as I was alone, and got bored. So-a I checked the mattresses and layed down. There were mostly double bed mattresses but finally I found some single bed once too and lay down, one was too hard, the next too soft, I almost sank on the floor and then I found one which I liked. I jumped a bit up and down thinking the salesman would stop his conversation, and then I had enough and he must have seen at my face even behind the mask that it was time to ask me what I wanted !

He told me that I had chosen the best mattress of the whole shop and I believed him when he gave me the price ! Almost 2500 Euros for one mattress ! I told him that I am to old for such an expensive mattress, for the time which I have left I can't use it up ! He looked at me with frog eyes and said that it is very good for my back. I told him that my back is OK and I have no sleeping problems either, left the shop went home, and ordered two mattresses via Internet, with apparently the same comfy, a winter and summer side, 7 layers of I don't know what (I will feel like the princess and the pea) for less then half the price of this posh store ! They will be delivered just in time before we move.

Still another week to wait until I can start to empty the wardrobes etc and bring them over to our new domain ! On coming Wednesday we will finally know if the Restaurants and bars will be opened. The schools are since two days. The parents are probably very happy and the kids too !



How can you be full of energy if you have this example the whole day in  front of your nose ??

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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

The weeks are flying by so fast that when it is Monday it's already Friday, I think it is because every day I do the same thing, or nearly.

As usual we had our Scrabble game and I was fourth out of five, but close to the third. What an event ! Of course now it's finished to play outside and we were at Mireille's who has the big black dog Tosca. As we all have cats and no dogs she was very interested in our handbags but of course even more in the cake. Mireille had gotten the results of her eye test and unfortunately her Macula got worse and now she can see only to 25 % on one eye and nearly nothing but shapes and fortunately colors on the other. She never complains, does the best paintings and always wins at Scrabble ! Really I admire her.


These are her paintings

I had to go to the hairdresser who had big worries about her baby girl because it doesn't want to sleep and during the whole procedure of hair cutting I listen what she had to complain and tried to give her hope for the future. Fortunately she didn't put her worries in my hair and I was satisfied with my hair cut.

My friend Ilona has a new cat,  a ginger one named Dorie It had been a while that I hadn't been visiting her. Unfortunately the new cat which apparently is beautiful remained invisible so I didn 't see her and of course I couldn't take a picture. We chatted about Greta, climate, Trump, Johnson and the Brexit, and had to realize that we couldn't do anything anyway but finding funny things about them and laughing. It's already funny that Johnson and Trump look like twin brothers and have the same big mouth.

Our "renovated" painting class has two new members and a new fresh wind blows through the class and motivates all of us. We have changed the tables and seats so that we have 3 distinct groups. One learning different techniques, one who just paint for pleasure and knew already what they are doing and then those who do the pouring, which is a quite dirty thing, needs a lot of paper, so the old News Papers  are very useful again.



Our three group class


and my new painting which has now to dry.

After class to celebrate our renewed seating system we went for lunch in a Moroccan Restaurant which is really excellent. We had a lot of fun and I am sure the guests wondered who the heck these noisy old girls were !



The mint tea was served in the traditional way, but I suggested the waiter to climb on a chair to be a bit higher and try to pour the tea in the cup !

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FRIDAY's FAV FIVE

The storm continued, the wind a little bit reduced, but still with the rain, a horrible weather. I decided to not move and then found in my emails to pick up a thing which I had ordered on Internet and forgotten.  I had to go out !




The thing were three drain stor pick ups, I had needed for two sinks ! They are very practical in flexible plastic and they fit in all sinks ! Now no dirt or hairs can slip through. I returned home very quickly because it rained so much.

Each day during the week I had to give an antibiotic to my 20 year old cat Kim because her nose was running she had a cold. I used a syringe without needle of course and shot it in her mouth. Of course she struggled a bit, but otherwise was very brave and didn't scratch. Today was the last shot. The cold is already much better.



Mr. G had to have a hearing check up and a cleaning of his hearing aid. I drove him to Evere a municipality of Brussels I have been maybe 40 years ago, because I had a friend there, but I didn't remember anything.



It's amazing how the check up is done nowadays ! All per computer. He wore the hearing aids and from the computer, sounds were send and a graphic showed up on the screen ! I looked with eyes like saucers.

After painting class we went as usual for lunch together, this time we were four and we went to an Asiatic restaurant.



It's an all you can eat that's what we did, and we stayed there for more then two hours eating and chatting. It was delicious. Outside it rained cats and dogs and we didn't really want to go home in this weather.

Our Scrabble was at Nicole's and she served us two strawberry cakes, which we ate !!! and we were only four.



Then she showed us her drawings from years ago when she started painting and her little cross eyed cat was delighted to have so much paper on the floor.



and now we will have a windy, cold and rainy weekend ! Joy in view ! Please take an umbrella when you read this post, I don't want you to get wet !

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Photo Themes here

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE - FIVE ON FRIDAY

PHOTO MEMES ARE here



Another week went by and it seems to me more and more quick !



This time we had to dress in thick pullovers and play scrabble inside it was only 17 °C  ! Last week the temperature was almost double and we could play outside. Dog Tosca saw our coffee break arriving and was very interested in the salmon toasts. This time we had a salty break with cherry tomatoes, olives and toast. We were only 3 because the two others were on holidays !



The bouquet I got for mother day looks still beautiful and fresh !



Despite our rollercoaster weather the rhododendron bush is blooming amongst my fake flowers in pots ! It's nice to have both, the most important is, that I don't have to work !




This is the truth ! Summer, winter, spring and autumn clothes are all hanging all together ! Useless to select them per season ! Yesterday I had to change 3 times, very cold in the morning, very warm in the afternoon, and cool in the evening ! We still have the heating timer set on 20° !



We were three to have lunch in this Lebanese Restaurant. I had already eaten Lebanese plates, and was disappointed of what was on offer here. It was presented like a buffet and you could eat as much as you wanted, but the food didn't taste good at least for me. I was surprised that they served carrots with peas in the main course !

And another week ended.

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Fast Blog

HOLIDAY WEEK REVIEW - Egypt Red Sea

Since Tuesday I am on holidays at the Red Sea in Egypt, to escape the cold and grey "spring" weather and all the worries around me and the world !

Here it is the paradise the sun is shining the sky is blue it is very warm 30° or a little more, but with a little wind very nice !

It is the 9th time I am now in this hotel and I have never been here in May, always in November. It's amazing that there are no flowers and nothing is blooming, while end of the year it's a real flower show ! There are mostly English and Germans, very few French and a few Dutch. Everybody goes well together and as usual the atmosphere in this big hotel is rather homely.

When I arrived I was kissed and welcomed "home" by a few employees and in my room was a nice plate of fruits. New is also that there is now Internet everywhere even in the rooms.

I have no time to write, I am so busy with laying on the beach and watching people, or read my book, or I swim ! I am only interrupted for lunch !

In the evenings I am so tired from all this fresh air and swimming that I just watch a movie on the balcony of my room and then fall asleep ! I have to say that the animation team is not so much to my taste, but that's my personal opinion. Anyway I have seen these shows already so many times.




The view of the balcony of my room




Breakfast at the swimming pool or inside ! For everybody even real English breakfast ! I love these croissants and a fruit salad. For the first time I also have little guests on my table, birds ! Never happens in November.



The beach and the sea, there are a lot of activities, here it was beach ball



There are also a few Egyptians in the Hotel, a very friendly lady, only we were dressed differently _




The garden without flowers. There was a special supper for VIP guests. Unfortunately it was a little windy.

Still a few days to go ! Fortunately ! 

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Five on Friday

Fast Blog

linking to Willy Nilly Friday five

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

1. The Waterloo city had organized a trip to Antwerp for its seniors. When my friend Christiane and I arrived far too early on the parking, there were two completely boozed men in their 30th who made a lot of noise and poured beer out of  cans over their heads. I thought it's better to wait in the car, as we were alone on the parking and I feared they would come to say "hello". But they decided to bother a truck driver and as he didn't move, they tried to unscrew the petrol tank. I already had my mobile in hand to call the police, when suddenly a police car arrived. The truck driver probably had called them.



First their was one police car, but one of the guys didn't want to get in the car (the other had disappeared) then suddenly 3 other police cars arrived for help ! (now I know were our taxes go, 4 police cars with in total 6 policemen for one drunken guy) It took some time until they managed to get him in the car. One kicked him in the knees and another pulled him by the hairs and then 3 of them pushed him into the car, where the guy rampaged and shouted. Then they drove all away. I wonder if the policemen survived the beer smell !

2. Finally people were arriving and then came the bus and without any further events we drove to Antwerp.

When we arrived we were taken on a visit to two museums.



The "MAS" which was very disappointing because besides photos from WW I and which decorated the walls, I can't remember that I have seen anything else. As we three had all the same impression, we quickly went up 3 elevators to the panorama roof.



There we saw Antwerp from above.



And the "Red Line" Museum, the building from which between 1873 and 1935 the Red Star Line shipping company transported almost three million people from Antwerp to America and Canada. There too we were disappointed, besides a few old suitcases, trunks, and some documents, we saw nothing. We decided not to listen to the explanations given per computer, but instead went outside and had a coffee.

3.



After lunch on a cruise ship (see post below) we walked through Antwerp and ended the day with pouring rain. Our raincoats we had left in the coach of course. Nicole and Christane protected themselves with their purses and the map of Antwerp.

4. In my painting course I didn't paint, I took pictures ! I was asked to compose a poster with the paintings my classmates had done for the 25th anniversary of the retirement home.



I had taken my little travel computer with me and they were all surprised what you can do with photos ! Of course this is only a trial. The screen on my little computer is too small to see properly.

5. Poor Brussels had suffered for two days with the G7 and even more with Obama. Again 3000 policemen watched and snipers were on the roofs when "The Beast" with his enormous escorts went to visit our King and then the next day to the meeting. I think the working population loves Obama, but only on TV.

Our son had asked Mr. G. to come with him and Grandson Toby to Italy for a week. For once he will travel to see his sister meanwhile 82. The whole afternoon he was lost in front of his suitcase and I had to help. People should have watched this "comedia all'italana" ! Now I am exhausted but then I have 10 days to rest ! My DIL and I prefer to stay home she in Amsterdam and I in Waterloo !

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FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

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1. After aqua gym, I had done my duty to keep me fit and in good health, so that the state has to pay longer for my pension. It's a little contradictory, on one side the government tells us that we have to live more healthy and that seniors have to do some sport, they complain on the other hand that we are living too long and we become too expensive for the community. That sounds a little paradox.



Therefore I went home and spent the afternoon at my computer creating cards and headers for Christmas and didn't move anymore, but not with the intention to die earlier. Since I have moved my desk to the window, I can also watch what is going on in the street, which means nothing, besides some people walking their dogs.

2. For my always hungry Senior baby Mr. G. I had to fill the fridge and freezer with food. I do shopping once a week, because I just hate it. Now we have our menus for the whole week. For the moment I am like my cats I only go out when it is absolutely necessary as it is so cold and humid and the ideal weather for catching colds. The difference is that they go out not for shopping but for private business, which I prefer to do inside. But I did some sport ! I surfed on Internet for Christmas present ideas !

3.

My little "Callas"

Since a few weeks I had noticed that my cat Pookie had probably some troubles with her teeth. To take a cat to the vet is not an easy job. The usually always inside staying Pookie had decided this very day to stay outside. It took me some time to get her in. From there I had to get her out from under the bed, catch and carry a struggling cat and put her in the cage. By then I was already red faced and exhausted. With an opera singing cat I finally arrived at the vet. And yes indeed she has to have two teeth to be pulled out on Monday ! I will take forces over the weekend.

4. It's crazy what time you spent when you are creative on your computer ! It's almost like painting a picture ! Time flies by until suddenly a hungry husband turns up making noises like an elephant to announce me that it is time for supper !
That mostly happens when I had just found an interesting website. But for peace sake I switch from an intellectual on the computer working woman to a brave cooking housewife.

5. My friend Vivienne needed her monthly shot in her eye against the Macula, to restrict this awful disease which can make you blind. Unfortunately she couldn't go the last two months because the poor girl had a throat cancer and had radiations. So her view suffered a bit. There is so much money spent for completely useless things and there is not enough money for more medical research. Apparently it's more important to be able to walk on the moon, then becoming blind or find more efficient medication to heal cancers. After that I went to Nicole, who wanted to order a book on Internet and didn't know how to do it. There was an awful traffic jam on the way back probably because of the foggy and very humid weather.