HODGEPODGE MARCH 25

1. "Hope springs eternal"...discuss. 

There is not much to discuss the only thing I hope is that this nightmare of Coronavirus which lasts now one year ends before the whole world gets crazy !

2. Last time you needed to 'spring into action' or 'spring to someone's defense'...explain. 

As for the moment I am living alone with cat Rosie and Mr. G is in hospital, I have no one to defend and I don't remember when I needed to spring to someone's defense, it must have been a very long time ago ! Maybe the fact that we all have to wear a mask, people fight less ?

3. Tulips or daffodils? baby birds or baby bunnies? The cherry tree or the dogwood tree? Jelly beans or peeps? March madness or spring training? Peas or carrots? 

I prefer tulips to daffodils, especially when I see the tulip fields in the Netherlands. Of course I prefer baby bunnies,  and cherry trees, which have started to bloom and they are very pretty.  Last time I ate jelly was in my childhood, have never seen that in Belgium. For both March madness or spring training I am too lazy ! I like peas and carrots, can't tell what I like more.

4. I read an article here on the South's best cities on the rise. They are-Baton Rouge Louisiana, Fayetteville Arkansas, Greenville South Carolina, Huntsville Alabama, Lexington Kentucky, Norfolk Virginia, Tulsa Oklahoma, Waco Texas, Wilmington North Carolina, and Winston-Salem North Carolina. Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Which one on the list would you most like to see? Have you spent much time in the southern states (USA)? Any spring road trips on your calendar? 

In the 80/90 we have been very often in the States and during the years spending holidays there we have been from the Niagara falls til Los Angeles, and from New York to Denver. Don't remember how many States we visited and all tourist things of course !  I have to add that my Mother's sister had married an American and that's why we have been there so often.

5. Tell us how your outdoor space needs sprucing up this spring? Which do you enjoy more (or hate the least-ha!) yard work or house work? 

My outdoor space is a rather big balcony which goes all around the apartment. I hate garden (yard) work and  housework too. For the housework I fortunately have brave cleaning lady and the balcony doesn't need a lot of work because I put fake flowers in the pots and nobody sees the difference. At least I don't have to water them. For the moment everything is still put away for the winter and as it is still too cold to sit outside I will wait another week and then put table and chairs etc on the balcony.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today our prime minister was on TV and gave new rules for the lockdown ! I can't see his face anymore and the others either  ! I don't know how they can invent  such stupid rules ! Fortunately for me personally nothing changes, anyway I don't have the intention to buy clothes and I also don't have children who have to go to school, because schools will close too ! Last year the children were not dangerous at all and this year they are ! I better think of nice things to do !

 Spring slowly moves in !!!

 

 

 

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

As Monday is my "Do nothing" day, I just gathered the pictures for Our World, now I always have to dig in my folders, no new travel in view, whole Europe is red zone.

Our lockdown meeting was in our home and Mr. G. showed proudly his new Smartphone for Seniors. Now he has just learned how to call and how to answer and also discovered the contacts. What our friend had explained to him was too much and he had mixed up everything ! 

Nicole is also a champion in using a Smartphone, but she has a "normal one" since at least 4 years, but she always forgets how to use other things than the telephone and Whatsapp buttons. We had a lot of fun with the two of them and fortunately they were not offended at all. Mr. G. wants to go to quick and starts with the end ! Nicole is wearing the mask and has a hat on because she had started the chimeo treatment again. She still has 6 to do ! She looks real good. The afternoon went by very quickly as usual when you are in good company. 

I did my weekly food shopping and came back exhausted it's really no fun to disinfect your caddie your hands and follow the lines.. Normally Mr. G. does the shopping which makes him move a bit, but he always buys the same things so this time I changed and also bought other fruits than apples and different ham and cheese. Then I saw a ready made Sauerkraut just to heat up and thought that was the right plate to eat on a cold day. It was very good.

We had another lockdown meeting at Nicole's and talked about the people who start to feel depressed or unmotivated for everything and everybody has a lack of energy ! The pharmacies have never sold so many antidepressants. The suicide rate has also increased although they try not to talk too much about it. It's great time that we return to normal life with cinemas, theatres, zoos, fun parks and all folklore events. Instead the streets are empty and everybody is masked.

Lots of Europeans also watched the inauguration of the new President Biden in the USA,and I noticed for the first timed that Lady Gaga has a wonderful voice ! I always thought she was gaga (which means crazy in French) and that she was more famous for her extravagant outfits ! 

 

                                                 To me she looked like a blown up red Tulip.

The whole ceremony was very nice and the first one in history where all present people were wearing a mask ! This certainly will go into all history books. King Trump who didn't want to leave the White House and had nearly to be kicked out, disappeared with wife Melania ! Now I wonder if she stays with him or not ! She really has hated to be the first Lady !

In the night we had a storm with 90/100 km/h ! My room is just at the corner of the building so the wind whistled loud ! I thought how lucky I am I don't have to fear that the roof or our house flies away ! And now its starts again just before I go to bed. 

Hard times but try to take it easy !

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

On Monday I had nearly the whole day for myself, because the four Whist pals of Mr. G. had decided to start playing at 11 am until 4 pm !! They are always in the same place and now they are eating a sandwich there too ! So I did what I wanted, when I wanted and had no hours to respect !

Our hairdressers are still closed and I wonder how it is possible that our politician's hair never grow and they are all well combed !

 

 

 

 

 

 

(except the UK prime Minister who is an example for closed barbers). Anyway as usual when I look for somebody to work for me I look in Facebook in this case for a hairdresser, I found one in a discrete mention and I sent her a message ! It was quickly done, she came the next day, a very nice girl who only works for people at home. She came with everything needed except the bassin to wash the hair, that would have been a bit too obvious  ! I don't understand why the hairdressers are closed and the carwashs  open, therefore I listened to my inner self and the hair department told me go ahead ! 

I was very happy with the haircut, it is alway a surprise when you have a new hairdresser. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then as she was already shere she also cut Mr. G's hair he started to look like a hedgehog ! Now we are ready for our lonely Christmas ! But will look good at least on the screen !

Some Christmas balls were missing and I returned to the second hand shop and got a whole bunch of red and golden balls for nearly nothing. It was cold outside so I quickly returned home ! 

 

Decoration on the balcony

 

  

A part from a few garlands I won't put more, and no Christmas tree. The huge plants with garlands  will replace it.. We are only the two of us anyway.

We had our little lockdown meeting this time at Nicole's. She too has a lot of little decorations and a beautiful crib and she will also be alone on Christmas Eve. I wanted to invite her, but she preferred to go to bed, she is sometimes quite tired because of the chimeo therapy.
 

The crib, a mini tree a huge ball and Isis who listened to our conversations.

Tonight in the News we were told that  the curfew will be extended until midnight instead of 10 pm on Christmas Eve. We have never celebrated Christmas Eve that late. But on New Year it will remain 10 pm ! I wonder how you can wish "Happy New Year" ??? I only see with all these rules lockdowns, curfews, closed restaurants etc etc, the Corona Virus continues to spoil our lives, the number of death increases, and the infected people are sitll around and generously distribute the virus ! And now the new vaccine has side effects ! Sometimes I wonder how the Spanish flu was handled, without media and not such a developped science ! It was just nature who killed the weakest and let the others live. I start to believe that we will come to the same result despite lockdowns and sanitary restrictions ! 

 

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

The moving week has arrived and as I had now bought everything I needed, we had our first Scrabble during the lockdown, as we are allowed to receive more then 4 guests.

In the beginning we kept our masks, but it became quickly uncomfortable because we all mumbled under our masks and had to speak louder and also if we wanted to drink we always had to lift the masks. So after a while we took them off. Anyway we had all been very careful and the worst is over. This time I lost ! But it was so much joy that we had our old routine back.



On Tuesday 9th we met with the owner and a specialist who checked the apartment whether there was no damage. Then we got the keys.

The building is so secured that it is probably impossible to break in. Everywhere I first have to hold a badge to a device and then I can unlock the door. When we tried to get the first load out of the car we didn't find the elevator and then it was the wrong one and we stood there with suitcases and caddies and red faces. But finally we found the way back to our apartment. The building is not very big has only 4 floors and 2 apartments per floor. But for the first time everything seems to be like a maze.

Fortunately I had the girls who really helped me very much especially Myriam who can carry heavy things !

The next day the weather was beautiful, I had wrapped my little cats from my cat collection in toilet paper sheets and filled a whole suitcase. They had all been in our showcase. There was also other stuff and finally a suitcase and a caddy was full. Practical is that you don't have to carry them because they are on wheels.

But before we brought them into the apartment, we went to the restaurant where we had been the last time before the lockdown. That was on March 12th and we were locked up on the 13th. It was wonderful we could sit outside and with the palm trees it looked as if we were not in Brussels but on the Cote d'Azur!



The food was delicious and everybody happy to finally be able to eat outside !



Then we went to my new castle, which K hadn't seen yet and finally stayed there on the terrace in the sunshine and relaxed. I had brought our garden chairs over, but forgotten to buy a bottle of champagne so we just drank water. That's for the next time.

Fortunately I am not in a hurry, because now I feel that I am not the youngest one anymore and that I have slowed down. But this doesn't matter, it takes the time it needs. Anyway I have 3 or 4 months to empty the house, but I want to do it as quick as possible !

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

Phase 3

AWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND JUNE 6

Linking to AWWW MONDAYS

********

WEEKEND

Something very unusual happened in our garden ! I looked out of the window and saw a strange dog. First I thought it was a German Shepherd, but as Rosie the cat didn't move and watched him I started to doubt. Suddenly the "dog" showed its face and I realized that it was a fox ! That had never happened in my area ! 



Unfortunately I couldn't take a picture of his face, he just turned his head around.
Probably due to the lockdown he discovers other territories ! Maybe next time I will see an elephant in my garden ! Nothing surprises me anymore !

I had to buy a new Television and a vacuum cleaner, the only things which had to be renewed for the new apartment. Although it was now Saturday I thought I will try as on Friday I only could buy the washing machine, because they didn't have the TV I wanted.



Always keep distance of 1.5 m please ! This was written everywhere



when I saw all these people lined up and the red and white striped ribbons, it made me think of cattle or sheep which have to follow the lines, either to be killed to to be sheared.
 
It took all my energy to buy a new TV and a new vacuum cleaner ! I returned to my car I didn't have the courage to line up there and wait for hours.

Instead I tried another shop ! Same thing and then one which I don't like at all and which is mostly more expensive too, but there were only 4 people standing and I tried. I followed the others keeping distance and wearing my mask, then I cleaned my hands in the shop and waited until a salesman came to ask what I wanted. Of course no TV all sold out but at least I got the vacuum cleaner ! Then I had to line up at the check out and waited that they had put the carton in my car. That was enough ! What a loss of time.

As all cafes are still closed I went to cafe Nicole who was glad to see me and had my coffee with her. She too hates to go shopping for the moment because it's just a nightmare.



Isis kept us company.

On Sunday we were invited by a friend living in Nivelles the next big town, as now we are allowed to travel inside the country. There is not much to travel as it is so small, you drive 200 km in all directions and you will be in France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.

We talked about my forthcoming move and I got some good advices. the afternoon went by very quickly and we had to drive home.

Next week will be very busy when we get the keys of the apartment and can start to bring things over, it's only 3 km far. We will put them in suitcases with wheels so it will be very easy, and probably my friends will all help. Then it is more fun too !

Phase 3

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

Our moving date comes closer and closer and I spend my days between paper work, blogging, and to relax visit a friend.

Now that we are more free and the lockdown rules have changed a bit, we started Scrabbeling again ! What a pleasure. Only one was missing she was not feeling well.

A miracle happened I was second ! And I had never played since March 13 when the lockdown started ! 

Poor Mr. G is a nervous wreck and no help at all, on the contrary. He doesn't like when his routine is disturbed like a lot of seniors (to be polite)

Before we get the keys to the apartment, an inventory is made to see that nothing is broken. For this I needed household insurance and a special account with the amount of two months' rent as a guarantee for any damage that we could cause !

In normal times that wouldn't be a problem, but in lockdown times everything becomes a problem.

No way to see people in person everything has to be done by phone and confirmed by email. Each time you call a number in my case it was our bank,  you get a robot on the phone who asks you to push button nr 1 for French, n°2 for Flemish, n°3  investments etc etc bla bla. After having listened to the whole menu, what I was asking for wasn't mentioned. I called our agency and asked for an appointment. Without appointment they just do nothing. Now the problem was that I should do it per phone. I told the lady that I had done that already and what I needed was not listed.


Everywhere you go you have to wash your hands !! Even at the bank !

As I had to pick up a new bank card, I thought I will ask her in person. She was very reluctant, because the appointment was only for the bank card,  so I changed my tactics and said that I didn't understand anything, that I was 77 and didn't hear well and had no idea about computers. Suddenly everything was possible ! (Seniors are supposed to have a lot of money to invest in the bank in Belgium) she did what I asked for in no time and of course proposed me if ever I had money to invest, that they were there !!

My cleaning lady is incredible ! I had asked her to empty the furniture of an entire room, wardrobe, shelf, desk and a dresser and put the content in suitcases. One hour later she called me to have a look and to my surprise it was all done ! Wonderful, at this speed it will be quickly done.

To downwind a bit we had our lockdown meeting at Nicole's and for once it was raining since a long time. We spent a nice afternoon.

Phase 3

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND MAY 30

Linking to AWWW MONDAYS

******

 WEEKEND

Our TV is quite old and before moving I wanted to buy a new one. After lunch I drove to the first shop ! When I saw the line of at least 10 people with their masks standing on a yellow line, my heart sank and I decided not to stand there in the sun and wait until it was my turn. I went further to a big store and there it was the same.

As Nicole lives just around the corner I stopped and asked her if she wanted to come with me, she agreed because she needed a new vacuum cleaner. We decided to first drink a cup of coffee and sit a bit on her terrace in the sunshine. We thought that maybe later there would be less people. Suddenly I realized that it was Saturday ! With this lockdown I never know what day we are. Shopping on a Saturday was suicide and as we were so nicely installed we became both too lazy to get up, take the car and probably line up at the shop.

I will go on Tuesday, as Monday is Whit Monday and everything closed !

On Sunday we were invited by Mr. G's friend with whom he plays Whist, together with my lockdown friends ! It was beautiful summer weather and we could all sit in the required distance.



We chatted together and they had a glass of white wine, while I drank my alcohol free beer. The fishes in the pond were waiting for food and suddenly we had a new guest who kept us company the whole afternoon and wasn't shy at all ! A pheasant !! He had beautiful colors the back golden, a white collar and a shiny green head !

It was a nice afternoon despite the fact that I was very tired from all the papers I had to do for the moving and the whole organization. Mr. G unfortunately is no help at all,  he is afraid of the moving and is rather disturbing me than helping. For the first time I felt really alone and down and was rather happy when the afternoon was over. Maybe we were too many. When I meet with my "lockdown" girls they rather cheer me up.

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 ??

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

I had thought that when the first step of the end of the lockdown will start the weather will become bad and indeed on Monday was the last really warm and sunny day and we could sit outside at Myriam's



She was very proud to have cleaned her swimming pool of course with the help of a robot, but still it is a lot of work. We dreamt of what we would do once the golden gates open, and it was not shopping, no, we wanted to go somewhere we like sit on a terrace and have a drink, and watch people just being outside !

My neighbour brought us 5 masks her friend has made, and which Mr. G had ordered for 4 €. Her friend just wants to give them away, but I found that we should at least participate for the material !



They are really very nice and comfortable to wear because the once we had bought in the pharmacy keep slipping on the eyes, so that I have to pull it down and they are very warm and I get hot in the face. With these made out of cotton it doesn't happen.



Now you see more and more bank robbers on the street. We still have time but then when we are free again we all have to wear a mask.

And then it started to rain, and I even had to put the heating on, at least in the morning. The longer the lockdown lasts, the more tired I get and Mr. G. has the same symtoms. So we yawn at each other and grumble a few words while drinking coffee and then we both disappear behind our computers and then we will meet again for lunch.

In the afternoon I went to N, no terrace this time we had to stay inside because of the rain.



Isis also suffers from tiredness and slept in her "car". We talked about travels we couldn't do and wondered if we could at least go to the sea, because now we are not allowed the towns at the seeside are closed for tourists and not even the owners of a second residence can go there.

My cleaning lady now arrives at 7 am which is far too early for us, but I gave her a key so while we are still sleeping she starts cleaning the living room and the kitchen and then usually we are up. She comes that early to be sure to get a place in the bus, as there are only 5 people per bus allowed and she comes from Brussels. She said she felt very posh because she had the whole bus for her own so early morning.

Today I went to the animal food shop, to buy a new scratch board for Rosie, the old one she had nearly scratched into pieces !



Now she is happy on her new one and has already sharpened her claws several times.

Today I spent my time on the phone and computer and fell asleep after lunch while watching my little crime story. I woke up exactly when it was finished.



and another day went by without any special event, only the garden gets green and greener. This is the view from my sofa, which I know by heart !

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.