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. 

 

 

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

I have nothing else in my head than the move ! I don't recognize myself anymore. I moved 3 times in my life and only remember the funny things which happened even the last one, when we moved from our house into this apartment, I was not traumatized ! But now ! The shock of Rick's death must have been stronger as I thought. You don't know yourself and your reactions. The "party girl" has disappeared remains a kind of zombie. 

Dominique who spent two days with me,  loves to draw plans and here is her first draft ! She didn't have the right measures and added a window in the wardrobe.

 

When she was gone, I started to continue to take pictures of what I want to sell, because there are some things which have value. Tomorrow a buyer will come and hopefully buy the painting I have from the Grand'Place.

And then I have to look for helpers, with my 4 x 20 years I am not the youngest one, and I always fear to forget something. I write everything down in my phone. If I would do that on paper I would look the whole day for them.

What makes me angry is that I have 3 wigs completely new, which I had ordered for Nicole and they had delivered them twice. I called the Red Cross and other institutions, nobody wants to take them. I feel like I ping pong game they send me through whole Belgium. It's a shame, so many women need wigs after a cancer ! I am sure there are organizations who would take them with pleasure. I will ask on Facebook sometimes it's useful.

I visited Nicole and we chatted together and I still don't understand why she wanted to stay in this home which looks like a hospital ! 

The room is small and there are two beds in, the lady who shared the room with her moved and now she waits for an other one. I couldn't stay with another person if I am not forced too. And there is no view !

My lung doctor had forgotten my appointment and squeezed me between two other patients. I was not very happy with that, because as he was in a hurry he gave me very short explanations. I have to go to a physiotherapist and coordinate my breathing with my walking ! 

Anyway I start with all treatments I may have to get after my move, for the moment my head is how to get rid of all my belongings ! 

A young man rang at the door, he wanted to buy the painting which he did, and the strangest thing was, he bought it because his grandfather painted it. That's why he wanted a photo of the signature. He tries to buy all the paintings his grandpa made for his children. Isn't that romantic ??

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

The last three weeks it has always rained on Mondays so we were happy to get together for our Scrabble and coffee chat.



Two were missing, due to a cold and were replaced by Tosca at least for the coffee chat and hoped that he would also get a piece of cake. Which of course he got.



Mireille whose turn it was this time lives on the 4th floor of a building which overlooks shopping malls, restaurants and even a bowling. Now as it becomes dark so early her husband showed us that in the evening when watching TV they don't even need to switch on the lights. The room was clear enough without electricity. The view in the darkness with all these lights was far better then during the day when you see the buildings in daylight.

I still hadn't done anything for Christmas and finally forced myself to start by asking Mr. G. to carry the Christmas tree up from the basement into the living room and then it stood there naked.

After a while I pulled all my energy together and started the decoration, but first we had to put the light garlands around the tree ! What a work as it was all mingled together. Finally the garland was around the tree and I could start with the balls.



Underneath the tree I placed Joseph with Mary and baby Jesus and a few angels. Our Christmas tree was above all child friendly because of grandson Toby. So it wasn't a sophisticated, elegant Christmas tree, but a cheerful every day tree. After that I collapsed on the sofa and answered emails !

In our painting class a few were absent too, so many people are sick which is no wonder with this strange weather, and they also said that there is a virus wandering around. Which one was not precised  and those who had a flu shot got the flu even worse. Therefore I never have a flu vaccination.


My three small paintings had dried during the week and it was amazing that with the three colors I had used and had mixed in one pot and poured over the three canvas  came out all different !

After painting we went for lunch this time a quick one, because I had to check if my TV furniture had arrived in the shop, because I have hired one to pick it up and put it together so that he won't come for nothing.



Grandpa Arthur instead of becoming bald with the age, got long hairs ! I didn't even know that a short hair cat can become a broom. The poor boy was full of knots and I had to take him to the groomer. In the beginning he was cooperative but then he started to growl and hiss he had enough. But all in all it went far better then  I had thought. Now he looks like a sheared sheep ! I wonder if he agrees to wear a coat. But that is not necessary as he doesn't go out anymore.

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

No luck with Scrabble on Monday, it was hot and we were all a little lazy to think hard, I was not the last one but just before ! As we are all in our painting group, we made plans how to start the new school year. Our administrator, meanwhile 86 finally agreed to let her job done by somebody younger and we had chosen Myriam. She is good in organizing, accounting and all that stuff you need to lead a group. I was designed for the artistic side, publicity, photos and Facebook page. (Btw the Facebook page is called "GIBLOUX COULEURS" (in case you want to have a look)

It was very hot again according to the News the 3rd heat wave in Belgium, which apparently had never happened. Temperatures over 30°C. I adjusted to this weather thanks to Blogfriends living in hot countries.I take my cool car with air conditioning and go shopping ! The shops all have air condition. In the house I have a ventilator, so I don't melt. Before I didn't go out because it was too hot, never thought about air conditioned shopping ! I had to buy colors for my pouring paintings and other things I needed for that.

The next day I went to Myriam to prepare the texts for the advertising in the local Newspaper and also invitation cards for our exhibition. I had prepared some drafts and we added the text. She gave it all to the responsible person in the city hall, and now I have to contact the President for cultural events. I need money for printing the posters and the invitation cards !
I had met him once last year and he had told me that if ever I needed something to contact him, and that of course I haven't forgotten.

As you can see below, we had a lot of fun with our pouring ! 



In the first row the canvas are still white and everybody is tossing and tossing each color together with glue in a separate cup and when it is well mixed we pour it on the canvas. The results are amazing ! I had an accident I wanted to spread the colors with aerosol spray and the spray came out so strong that my master piece became dark grey and on top of it drops went all over to my classmates and their paintings ! Fortunately it didn't do major damages, and in the second row you can see my modern artwork, which looks like a cow pat. In the middle is the started of the next painting I swear it is no blood, nobody was murdered.

After having cleaned the mess, we went to our "All you can eat" Chinese restaurant, we were all hungry !



Here is the amazing result of my painting from last week ! It had also looked more then strange.

We got a letter from the mayor inviting us for a celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary in the city hall's wedding room ! We have to arrive with family (very reduced in our case) and there will be drinks and snacks and gifts ! It will be on November 16 ! Toby (grandson) has his birthday the 17th so we can celebrate together !




Arthur demonstrates how we feel in the heat, except that I don't lay on the tiles but on the sofa !

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Isn't it nice to get real dirty ? Vintage ladies and "pouring" painting

more participants here
and Image-in-ing

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

1. For the first time this year it was warm and sunny, the ideal weather for a little walk.



My neighbor Dominique and I went to the little park in Waterloo and walked around the pond, watching the ducks and swans. But no little flower was seen yet.

2. I drove along the Waterloo battle field to take pictures of the farms which had gone into history



Most of them were ready for the bicentenary of the battle.

3. The Waterloo city had asked for volunteers to help the huge amount of tourists who will come to celebrate the bicentenary of the battle in June, and to show them around. So I went to the City hall and put my name on the list. There will be enough English speaking people as we have a big English speaking community, but German is more seldom.

4. Nicole had invited Dominique and me for an afternoon chat. We wanted to sit outside on her terrace, as 17° were announced, but finally the temperature decided to disagree with the weatherman and it was far too cold ! So we had a glass together and chatted inside.

5. The Waterloo city organises a "Route of Artists" in October, which means that all artists are asked to expose their works in special rooms or at home. The public is then invited to follow the route and visit the artists. Our group exposes in our usual class, but for publicity purposes we had to paint or draw a very small square which should represent the style of the painter.



This was very difficult for me as I am used to big canvas and I had to paint on carton paper. Finally I managed and painted half of a cat head. 25 participants do the same and then they will be glued on one big canvas ! I am really curious to see the result !

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

MY WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 28

On Saturday Mr. G. thought he felt better, men seem not to know themselves. He had agreed to a visit of his friend Pierre who wanted to come in the morning.



Which he did, he showed up at 10 am, bringing a box of the best Belgian chocolates. Unfortunately Mr. G. is not allowed to eat them, because he has a slight diabetes and as Pookie doesn't like chocolate either, I am the happy victim to eat them all !

It was very nice of Pierre to come and see him and they had a lot to discuss. The poor man was happy to escape home, because he has to stay in bed until his wife has cleaned the house (or rather disinfected !) and this every day ! Therefore the visit lasted until it was lunchtime.

Although Mr. G. had enjoyed the visit very much, he faded slowly more and more and when Pierre finally left, he was so exhausted that he hardly could eat something, before he fell into his bed and slept for 3 hours !





I had downloaded his favorite game "Solitaire" on my Kindle so that he could sit in the living room comfortably instead of sitting behind his computer. First of course he refused but then once he had learned how to handle the Kindle he was quiet happy.

Besides resting, there is not much to do, he has to take antibiotics and I have to change his plaster. It's also not so easy for him to eat because the movement of mastication hurts. So on the menu are easy meals with not much to chew and the bread crust I cut off. Everybody says that he looks good.



Before and after !

Which is not at all my case. I avoid the mirror now ! I look like the shadow of myself.

I never thought that this surgery would affect me so much ! I did mechanically and efficiently everything what I had to do, but now the stress comes out and I feel worn out. Mr. G. now is worried about me I had always been the strong woman (at least that's what everybody thought) . Even after 45 years of living together and sometimes just wanting to send him on the moon or to hell, there is a strong bond between us and I just had feared so much to loose him. I dug in the past when we started our life together, the fun we had together, the up and downs, the fights, but still looking back the fun and happiness won over everything else in our couple.

Usually being an optimist, I suddenly surprised myself of thinking how I would organize his funerals and then my life without him. I tried to pull myself together but without a big success.

What had hurt me the most were the harsh words of our son, when I refused that they come this weekend. It really would have been impossible, even if they would have gone into a hotel. We were so tired.  Fortunately I have my very good friends who tried to cheer me up and were very supportive. I can't remember when I was so tired the last time. But life goes on and now the worst is over.

I just did some shopping for food, otherwise I spent my time distracting myself, creating new headers and just relax.



I thought I would need some fresh air, but was unable to walk for a long time so I decided to potter around a bit in our garden. I cut the ivy who invades each corner but couldn't clean it up. No strength left.

In the evening very early we watched a movie together and then he said "how was the movie ?" with a big smile, I had fallen asleep !

Obviously I don't have the strength anymore I used to have to cope with difficult situations. I can't remember that I had these reactions 11 years ago, when Mr. G. had a prostate cancer.

We are getting old but we are getting old together.

On Sunday morning when I got up after an almost sleepless night, I am still not myself. Instead of turning around in my bed, I got up made my post for the photo theme, which I had forgotten, returned to bed and reading my blog friend's posts on my Kindle, helped me to fall asleep again. That doesn't mean that the posts were boring !! Now I really bless this gift my son has offered me for my 70th birthday.

Then I had to play the nurse ! What an operation ! I had to wash his hair which was very sticky from the sterile product they had put on his head. He had to sit on the bathroom floor, which took some time and groaning and  moaning then leaning back his head on a blown up half moon cushion, wash the hairs, squeezed between the toilet and the bath tube, get him up and sat him on a chair to change the plasters. First I took the old once off (he was very brave and didn't say a word) then I saw two scars a small and a longer one with decorative blue yarn stitches covered in dry black looking blood. Thanks to Midsomer murders I was used to this view.  I cleaned it, put a brown looking anti infection liquid on them and then glued the plasters under and besides the ear. Now he looks clean again ! Conclusion,  to a wife's duties also belong nursing knowledge !

After lunch, I went over to Dominique. We had decided to paint together on Sundays when we both have nothing special to do. She has a little atelier which she had arranged for the two of us. There were two easels, two tables and two taborets. The sun was shining in the room which made it very cheerful and we started to paint and chat of course. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of our nice place. She finished a portrait of a little girl, while I finished my second abstract painting.When we made a break in the garden, Mr. G. showed up too joined in a little chat and laughed about our colored hands



And while Arthur hoped to sneak into the house and watch the budgies in their cage, which of course he didn't manage, I waited that my painting was dry and then returned home. I felt much better and relaxed. Painting is an excellent therapy. Mr. G. was happy too he had spent the afternoon laying on the sofa and playing solitaire on my Kindle. After supper at 8 pm, he was so tired that he went to bed.

I think it will take some time until he fully recovers from a surgery which had lasted 4 hours where he was under anesthesia.

Tomorrow starts another week and I feel my energy coming back ! 

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

1. It still was unusually warm during the week always over 20°C (68 F) some of my friends even had a barbecue during the weekend !

As it was time to trim the bushes and hedges in the garden, for the last time this year, the weather was perfect to do this.



Our young gardener took care of this and had a lot of work ! Everything had grown as if we were in a tropical jungle !

2. The flower bouquet my son brought me last Saturday is in full bloom and looks beautiful now, that all



blossoms are open.

Mr. G. still has quiet a strong cold and also got an eye infection, I too wasn't feeling to well and my nose started running. It's no wonder with these roller coaster temperatures. One day you need a fur coat and the next a bathing suit ! I had to drive him to the ophtamologist who prescribed him an antibiotic creme. Poor man now sees me double (or triple version) with one eye and a half, I suspect that with one version he has already enough.

3.. I didn't go to my Yoga classes I felt a little weak for that, and Dominique was also kind of lazy instead we sat in her garden and had a cup of coffee, before she started with mowing the lawn for the last time and I returned to my emails.

4. Fortunately I had bought enough deepfreezed plates which I just had to warm up in the microwave, because with the two of us being "out of work" it was the easiest way not to starve. We had tagliatelle with salmon, leek and zucchinis, Spaghettis with pesto and mussels, and Potatoes Savoyarde  which is a classical French dish - a gratin - ham cubes, and 3 sorts of cheese. So today I had to go shopping and fill in the deepfreeze again. The average price of these dishes is around 8 € for the two of us, for that price I couldn't cook all this myself !

5.



Our son sent us some pictures which he had taken last weekend when he visited us with Toby.



and in my painting class I finished my last painting. Our exposition is end November. We all have to present at least 3 paintings which we have done this year.

FUN MONDAY - Back to School

Our host this week is Faye and she wants to know about our past or present "Back to School" feelings, if we still learn etc.

When I went to school, there was no "Back to School" at all. I went to school in Bonn (Germany) and then in the German school in Brussels. At that time the school year ended at Easter. Then we had 5 weeks holidays and school started again. That was it. If something new was needed, it was bought, the books I think we got from school but I don't remember at all. I never liked school not the primary school not the highschool, I don't even know how I slipped through all that. I went to school for chatting, meet my friends and have fun, which was not at all appreciated by my teachers. Without knowing apparently I even learned quite a lot. I only was good in things which I liked, that was history, english and German because I loved to write. I even started a book at 13, but I don't find it anymore.

Then I became a "self made woman" that suited me much better then the restrictions of a school system. I learned French during my studies as "Commercial Correspondent". I improved my school English by working in American Companies. I learned Italian because I had an Italian boyfriend and later an Italian husband. With 4 languages, life was quite easy.

In 89 I rediscovered my love for painting and went to Art School, where I stayed as long as possible by doubling and tripling classes, which made me a total of almost 10 years. I didn't want any diploma, it was just for fun. After that I continued in painting classes organized by our city until today.

End 2005 I discovered Computer and Internet, in 2006 I slipped into blogging without knowing what it was and of course without knowing anybody. Then I learned every day a bit. Html, creating headers and decorate my blogs. When I write about a country or city I do researches not to write stupidities. With blogging I also discovered photography and this is my last study so far. I think I am learning every day. I want to know what is new on the market in the computer and camera world, the only thing I am not interested in at all are sophisticated mobiles which allow you also to make a call. Or I pods or MP3.

Conclusion : Since the day I left school, I started learning and I am far away from having finished !



From 1989 til 2008, workshops, Expositions, School



and even once in the local Newspaper (Chat means Cat in french)

For the moment I do more photography then painting, but I still have new paintings to add to my Painting Blog