FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

In one day (Monday) we had the whole weather program ! It had snowed and quite a lot ! It was slippery and we all had difficulties do drive !

 

During the night, probably the castle ghost had cleaned the whole snow away 

 

and the gardeners could proceed their work. A few hours later and the rest of the week was very humid but unusually warm. Many people caught colds. 

I only went shopping once because my son and grandson are coming on Saturday. Otherwise, we played our games as usual, but unfortunately, Eva died on Wednesday. She was 90. She apparently had pneumonia. 

I had an appointment with my pulmonologist, whom I have to see twice a year, and the result was very encouraging. I have nothing except this pesky chronic bronchitis that makes physical movement so difficult, and often walking as well. Then it's difficult to breath. Fortunately I didn't fall ! 

 

Ever since I have this view !

 

Now I am waiting for my two "dwarfs" to spend some quality time together. I haven't seen them since Christmas and it seems that Toby (15) is still growing and is now taller then his Dad who still is 2 m long.

 

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HODGEPODGE 19

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

When I lived in Bonn in Germany, Ash Wednesday was the end of the Carnival, very important in this region. The Catholics ran to church and got a cross on their front with ash. I am protestant and didn't have a cross. Here in Belgium some cities start Carnival others ends. Each region does things differently. Belgium is Catholic, everything else is either nonexistent or barely present

There is no other mark for a Lenten season. 

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week?  

Non, because of the Marble Syrup, I can't find it anymore Maybe it's due to the fact that a lot of Americans left Belgium because their companies returned to the States. . When I was in the USA for the first time in 1971 my aunt made us pancakes with marble syrup. I liked them so much that I ate nothing else but pancakes for breakfast for two weeks during our road trip! Rick gained 10 kg, (which suited him very well) and not just because of the pancakes!!

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'.

I tend to do everything at once anyway, or at least try to. The last time was when Rick died and I had to juggle tons of paperwork, and the funerals. Normally I'm a well-organized woman, but there I probably did what had to be done, but I have a complete blackout when I try to remember.

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors?  

 

I have been so often in Egypt where they have wonderful jewelry made from semi-precious stones, which I brought back each time I was there because they were so cheap. Especially turquoise, but also all other semi-precious stones. I don't have much of what is called "real jewelry." I prefer the semi-precious stones because I can find the perfect stones to match every outfit.

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

From experience, I believe that the most important thing in a leadership position is that the staff is satisfied and gets along well. A company with good teamwork can only benefit.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Every time I turn on the TV, it's the Winter Olympics!! I can watch them in every country, it's all the same, so I watch what I like on YouTube. I actually enjoyed the Olympics once. I wanted to go to London with the Eurostar train, which is so convenient; I'm there in just over two hours. When I arrived at St. Pancras station, it was beautifully decorated with flags from European countries, and an orchestra was playing—I don't remember what. 

I was surprised that I received such a welcome when a lady next to me said, "Isn't it wonderful? We traveled on the same train as all the athletes who participate in the Games!" I hadn't even noticed, but now that she'd mentioned it... A young girl wanted to show me the bus that was supposed to take us to the Olympic Village and was surprised by my horrified expression. I told her, "No, I want to go to Victoria Station, I want to visit a friend!" 

2012

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Le Cercueil, (the Coffin) is a legendary bar 15 meters from Brussels' Grand-Place, it has celebrated its 50th anniversary. I think I was 20 when I went there with friends for the first time. It is very special and has a mysterious atmosphere. Coffin tables, skeletons, framed photos and skull-shaped mugs create a unique, macabre and cosy atmosphere. 

 

 The entrance

The drinks also have special names like "Demon's sperm, supreme of the corpse, Elixir of the Virgin, velvet of the Devil etc"

 The jugs are skulls.

a table

 

The cozy corners where you sit and enjoy your Belgian beer in a skull.

 

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AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND FEBRUARY 14

 

 

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WEEKEND 

On Monday I did my shopping and when I came back a parcel waited for me. I had ordered table sets and a pullover, unfortunately I hadn't paid attention so the sets were in fabric and not in plastic as I had wanted. But I found another use for them and it looks very nice. 

I placed them on the sofa armrests so that Rosie couldn't scratch them.

On Sunday afternoon it suddenly started to snow ! It was the second time that a few flakes fell from the sky. I quickly made a few pictures, because it is possible that this will be the last snow ! 

Probably tomorrow morning it will be gone, that's at least what the weatherman said. 

We were without our entertainers but that didn't bother us, meanwhile Jeanine and I take the animation over and we played what everybody loves Bingo ! 

 

 

 

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

Unfortunately, the sunshine was replaced by rain, a sad start into the week. I did my computer work and after lunch, I went to Jeanine chatting a bit, I had found a piece of paper with room numbers, names and then a remark "fell". There were 3 fell, one confusion and one hospitalisation. 

I was already in my nighty when my neighbor knocked at the door and asked me if I could repair her TV. It was not the first time, when she is filled up with her red wine, then she pushes on all buttons of the remote control, so the only thing I had to do was switch off her TV and switch it on again, and it was "repaired". She was so happy ! An evening without TV is dreadful ! 

On Wednesday morning I was told that Eva had passed away during the night. She wasn't feeling well since she had fallen in the park. I talked with her daughter the day before and she was prepared that her mother wouldn't make it for a long time. Her mum was a German who had met at the end of the war a Belgian soldier and stayed here. We two always talked German together, that made her happy. She was 90 and died during her sleep, at least she didn't have to suffer. That's what we all said.

We did a funny game the next day. Our entertainer played a piece of music from our generations which means 50,60,70 and we had to tell the name of the singer and the title of the song. To my surprise I was quite good, I thought I knew more English songs, but I had forgotten that I went out dancing here where the songs were often translated into French. Anyway it brought back funny memories. 

Just before dinner, the door opened and Kim, wearing a red vest and carrying a red rose, came in to wish me a happy Valentine's Day. I thought it was a very nice gesture; all the women here received a red rose. Kim always has good ideas, even though he never formally trained in this profession! In the afternoon, we played a game that was fitting for Valentine's Day. He gave us the name of a famous person, and we had to find their partner. Like Adam and Eve, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, etc. We laughed a lot because some really funny pairings came up.

 

and of course I missed my real Valentine

 

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HODGEPODGE FEBRUARY 12

 

1. What's something recent that had you 'tickled pink'

(No way to find a translation)  but if "tickled pink" means "What has made you particularly happy lately?" Then I'm pleased that I am considered as an exposition sign.  When people have worries or troubles, they come to me. Somehow I've found a purpose here. A lot of residents don't dare to say what does not work, they are afraid of the manager. I don't care, manager or king I say what I have to say and am appreciated for that. It feels good to feel useful.

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has it's thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns...which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way? 

None of that. Pink is also a color I don't like; it's a washed-out red. I'm far too realistic to concern myself with romance. The last six years have only shown me the thorns of a rose. The wounds are not yet healed.

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated ? 

The gratitude and love that people show me for what I do for them. 

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day? 

Unfortunately this day is rather sad for me; my better half sadly passed away, and with him, Valentine's Day too. 

Nevertheless, I'm happy that our castle is so beautifully decorated with hearts, even though almost all of us are widows; there aren't many widowers around.

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

In a way I am happy that we never celebrated Valentine's day. When we married 54 years ago, we didn't know it. Valentine's day didn't exist neither in Italy nor in Germany. And later we always forgot. There were many Valentine's days during the 54 years of marriage which is a good proof. 

1969 - 2022

 

 

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

Do I need glasses or a hairdresser ? 

 

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AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND FEBRUARY 7,

 

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WEEKEND  

On Saturday Princess Rosie thought that she should wake me up at 6 am, but I didn't agree. I got up half asleep and filled her bowl with food. Then I returned into my bed and woke up at 9 am, that was better. Rosie too slept peacefully in her basket and didn't even open an eye when I got up. 

In the afternoon after lunch, I tried to transform myself from an old lady into a middle-aged one, since I was going to the theater with a friend. I could have saved myself the "hard" work, because the theater was dark anyway. 

Unfortunately, we had been told the play was a funny murder mystery called "huit femmes" (eight women). There were indeed eight hysterical women running and shouting around the stage : a grandmother, a mother, two daughters, a maid, and a governess. The father, whom we never saw, lay murdered in the invisible bedroom. One of the eight women had killed him. It was so suspenseful that I almost fell asleep and didn't understand a thing. I still don't know who killed the father or why. And no police was present.

On Sunday we had wonderful weather, the sky was blue, the sun shining, and it was really warm for February. 

This time I could do my walk around half the park, and even sit down with two friends on a bench in the sunshine ! It really lifted our mood. 

Even the first flowers came out I think they are called snowflakes, I must honestly say that I am completely ignorant about flower varieties except for roses and tulips and maybe a few others.

When we had finished our walk we went inside to play Mikado, and then enjoyed the coffee time. 

Kim our entertainer had decorated the restaurant with hearts and and other things for St. Valentine's. I told him that he had done it very well, especially he never learned to decorate rooms for special events.

As I was wearing a red coat, he took me as model ! 

All in all it was a nice weekend. 

 

 

FRIDAY's FAV FIVE

This week was quite eventful, so I don't need to write about the (still) bad weather. On Monday, we celebrated "St. Chandeleur (Candelmass)" and as in all families, we made crepes, and sometimes a few stick to the ceiling, because you have to throw them up to turn them over. Of course, not in our castle—the ceilings are much too high. 

Anyway, Jeanine and Kim (top left) made about 400 crepes. I was impressed that they used 25 eggs. I suggested building a chicken coop next to the cat house. Unfortunately, a little fox lives with the cats. Not ideal for chickens. At least not a single crepe was left over, since the staff happily joined in the feast. 

The next day came a young photographer to take pictures of the residents, with or without family. As my son is a professional photographer we have enough pictures from the residents and myself and the family, he was a nice guy and we chatted about photography.  

My cleaning lady and I get along great and always have so much to talk about. She's from Rwanda but has lived in Belgium for ages. Naturally, she experiences the most unbelievable things while cleaning. 

I had finally put my Christmas decorations in my rather large chest and was surprised that there was still so much space in it. Rachel said, "Yes, definitely. In room 13 lived a lady who kept her coffin in her room. There was plenty of space in there, too." 

 

The idea of ​​my coffin standing against the wall instead of my chest, filled with Santas, baubles, and angels, made us both laugh so hard that two more people joined in! You wouldn't believe the things you hear! I'd never heard of anything like it. I told her that she should tell me other black humor stories ! 

 

 

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