FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

PHOTO MEMES ARE here

1. Each week I try to find something special for the meme "Our World" which was named "My World" before. When I travel it's not difficult, but when I stay home it's hard to find something I haven't talked about. Suddenly I had an idea, to write about the new shopping mall (post below) under construction. For that I had to go on the roof of a huge household and computer appliance store where I had a good view from the parking there. I took my pictures, and as I was already in this shop I bought a little hand vacuum cleaner for cat hairs and crumbs.

2.  It was the day where Belgium's football (soccer) team "The red devils" should play the very important game against France to win the world cup.The whole city was in excitement, Belgian flags where hanging everywhere, to my surprise because on National Day there are far less.

The place in the park with the huge screen had been enlarged to receive 5000 fans ! The game should start at 8 pm, but when I crossed the city at 6.30 pm, people of all ages were already arriving, direction park.



I pitied them because it rained and they got all wet, on the way and then in the park, the flags were hanging down, the hats too but the mood was in full swing and I heard them singing and shouting that Belgium would win. I wished it too when I saw them so full of hope. Two and a half hours later a deadly silence lay over the city, Belgium had lost.at least place N° 1. maybe they will be second or third, I don't know the rules.

3. I hadn't seen Nicole's new "baby" since 2 days and  of course I wanted to see her and also hear how she gets used to her new home ! After having changed her name 3 times, now little cat is called Isis.
The name she had got in the shelter was a bit stupid it was "Girly" ! Isis suits her much better. In this short time she has taken over the whole huge apartment, disposes over 3 personal rooms and has educated Nicole ! She is allowed on the terrace, sits on the wall and looks down. No intention to jump and commit suicide. She even has conquered Nicole's bed ! 



It's so cute to see them both together ! That was really love at first sight. Little Isis has huge cross eyed eyes and when she looks at you you don't know in which eye you have to look, so funny !

4. We had the doubtful honor to receive Mr. Trump and Mrs Trump (??) ! The streets were full of people who protested against his arrival. 2500 policemen and also soldiers had been mobilized to protect this "precious" man !  He landed on July 10 evening to attend the NATO summit. But, World Cup requires, no special treatment for Donald Trump ! Neither the King nor the Prime minister came to welcome the head of the state, who was simply received on the tarmac by the Belgian US ambassador. Probably they still had enough from his visit last year.



On top of that it seems according to the press, that the real first Lady wasn't there but her double and a real bad one (even I thought without knowing it) that her face was larger and not the same as usual when she stepped out of the plane together with Trump.  The journalists were also very upset because only a few pictures were allowed and from very far (security). Whole Brussels was congested, people were furious, they stayed up to 2 h or more on the streets and missed airplanes, trains etc. In short it was a mess and all this because of this lunatic guy, who made America not great but rather ridiculous in most of the people's opinion.

5.  Instead of playing scrabble we had decided to paint together in one of our scrabble girl's yard. But as the weather was not so stable we gave up and scrabbled as usual.



It was a very pleasant afternoon in Helene's garden. After our scrabble game where I as usual lost and Mireille (above right) who is half blind as usual won. The strawberry cake we had afterwards was delicious !

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

WEEKEND JUNE 17

This was a rather busy weekend ! As there is no Waterloo Apero in the park anymore but now in another place, we decided to do our own Waterloo Apero, and at 5 pm we met in a Brasserie called 421. Don't ask me why it's called 421 and not 22 or another number I have no idea.

We were 4 to try to change the world and the men, for 2 hours and then I went home, only to notice that my man hadn't changed at all ! Neither the world !



Such a little get together amongst women is always nice.

On Saturday morning we drove to Court St. Etienne where the crematorium was located in the middle of a beautiful and peaceful landscape. Mirella our painting teacher's last wish was to be incinerated here.



The building is very modern it was built in 2010 because more and more people want to be incinerated and the Brussels' crematorium had become too small. On the above picture you can see the crematorium and below one of the reception rooms.

There are no religion signs in the whole building, modern paintings were hanging on the walls. Nothing was sad here, to add to the sadness of the family and friends. Each rented room is decorated by the family. They have the choice between all religions or nothing.

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a few paintings I saw



Mirella had wanted a very simple ceremony and it was fully respected by her 3 daughters. The music too was wonderful



She had chosen this song.

After coffee, sandwichs and croissants we returned home, while the family and closer friends had to wait for the ashes to be dispersed on the green fields behind. She didn't want an urn.

On Sunday there was a huge flea market in Waterloo !



Lots of games for kids



and a big crowd ! It was nice and warm and there was a lot to buy ! Nicole tried shoes, I didn't find anything.


Even Napoleon's soldiers did their parade not to the flea market but up and down the street !




 After having walked up and down the flea market, we were thirsty and went into the Café de Paris, where 4 screens were installed for the football (soccer) game, Germany against Mexico.

The whole town is in football (soccer) fever and  is decorated for the  world cup ! I have never seen so many Belgian flags not even at National Day.  The Belgian "Diables Rouges" (Red Devils) are participating  and are in Russia by now. For me it's hard to understand because neither Mr. G. or I are interested in football, but you can't escape ! It's everywhere ! The good thing is that it brings people together who usually would fight !

IF YOU ARE NOT A FOOTBALL FAN

Yesterday I had to go into the Waterloo center. Once Donald (Duck) Trump had said that Brussels is a hell hole! He can add Waterloo too, because I really had the impression to walk in the hell. Shops, windows, doors etc were all decorated in the national colors black, yellow, red, and with devils ! Lots of devils were also walking around. The Belgian Football (soccer) team is called "Diables Rouges" which means "Red Devils" would play for the Euro 2016 against Sweden.



A car with horns, usually there is also a trident around the window cleaners and the rear mirrors are also in black, yellow and red.



I saw a few people already dressed for the evening, the kids are the nephews of our king, I didn't see them, but took the picture from internet.

On Facebook's Waterloo page a list of bars and cafés etc was published who had a huge screen.

I returned home and decided to stay there and watch a film with Mr. G. Later on I read that Belgium had won against Sweden 0-1 ! I learned it because around midnight I woke up because of the noise of firecrackers ! Yes, I have to suffer because I am not a football fan ! I should have gone after the match and celebrate as a devil in the city !

The only good thing what football achieves, where all politician fail, is that for once the nation is all together, there are no Flemish and Walloons anymore, they are all Belgians ! On National day you only see very few flags !

MY WEEKEND OF JUNE 21

Another catastrophe happened to me with my bread making ! This time I had forgotten to fix the screw which kneads the dough ! I even had added onions.



The result was a kind of flour covered brick with the onions sitting on the top ! Uneatable of course !



I had to make another loaf but this time it came out perfect !

My neighbor just in front of our house has important renovations done at his house !



all bricks on this side will be taken off and meanwhile it is VERY noisy !



Saturday afternoon I went to Ilona, all houses around are decorated for the world cup, she  was the only one who hadn't a flag ! She doesn't like football just like me. We checked together what she will pack in her suitcase for our forthcoming trip to Cornwall on Tuesday ! The great day approaches !



Before I wanted to see my son's friend's wife who had opened a new beauty salon ! Unfortunately she wasn't there but I was allowed to take pictures and found this salon very tasteful and beautiful !

On Sunday morning I went to the Brussels' midi market to buy some fruits and also found a nice cardigan for my trip.

In the afternoon we had a short visit from our son with family, they were in Waterloo because Toby's little friend had his birthday.



Last time I had seen him was in April for Mr. G's birthday and I found that he had changed a lot ! He became even taller and measures now 109 cm (43 inches) for his 3 1/2 years ! He goes into his Dads footsteps who is 2 m (6.7 ft).

We we spent a nice hour together, and I am happy to say, that although he doesn't come here so often, he seems to feel at home. 

The rest of the day I was busy with sorting out my computer and photo stuff for my trip !

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND ?

Helps you to remember what you have done on the weekend of April 13. If you participate please put the little logo on the top of your post and leave your link.

This weekend was a very busy one ! We celebrated Mr. G's birthday and on his request only with the family.



At first he wasn't very delighted to see the indoor bike I had offered him to keep him a little in shape, but then when our son showed him how it works he was quiet happy ! Now I have to carry him and put him on the bike everyday (probably !)




When grandson Toby arrived with his parents, he  started to take out all his toys I keep here for him. Now he knows our house very well and immediately felt home.



The weather was good with us and spring has moved in, so he could play football (soccer) and our cat Arthur wasn't afraid at all and watched the game.



It's rather seldom that a cat likes so much a little boy of 2 1/2 years !



In the afternoon we went to a beautiful park near Waterloo and of course Toby asked for an ice cream, which he licked off with pleasure.



For the first time this year we could sit outside on the terrace of an old farm changed into a restaurant.
He ran around with other kids and a dog and had a lot of fun, which made him ask for a hot cocoa drink.
Usually on the fields are horses, because there is also a center for autistic children who do a hippotherapy, but they weren't out yet.

In the evening we had our birthday supper of which I forgot to take a picture ! We had fresh salmon presented like cupcakes as a starter and then pasta with different fish and seafood with lots of vegetables and as desert a Tiramisu. After this long day, Toby was very tired and went to bed early.

On Sunday morning it was rather grey but not cold and we made a walk through the Waterloo Flea market.



Toby was mostly interested in little cars and not at all in the little girl !



In the afternoon the sun was shining again and he played with Nonno (grandpa) on the grass !


They also played football together again and Toby laughed out loud when the ball fell on Nonno's head ! (see the arrow)



Arthur of course had to run with Toby and they looked at each other sitting in the grass. That was so cute to see !



Nonna (grandma) too had to play with the ball, but wasn't very good, so he preferred to pick up some daisies and offered them to me. After lunch they all left to return to Amsterdam and Toby was quiet tired.

When they were gone, I rested a bit and then went to Brussels to pick up Claudie which I knew through blogging who arrived from the South of France.

I turned around and around in the station to find her because her mobile didn't work in Belgium ! But finally we found each other and could drive home ! With all this entrances in this enormous station, I didn't know anymore where I came in so we were looking for my car for at least 20 min until I found the entrance which I had used when I arrived and my car just parked across the street !



Finally home, Mr. G. had prepared us a Pizza and took this picture ! After supper we chatted but then had to stop because we both were very tired !

Tomorrow our holidays together will start !