26 Sept 2026

FRIDAY"s FAVE FIVE

Monday we celebrated the birthdays of the residents born in September. It has never been this bad since I’ve been here! An elderly gentleman was hammering on our old piano, while at the same time, pictures of all kinds of animals—from chickens to elephants—were projected onto an old white screen (I initially thought it was a bedsheet)..... This was supposed to be "Zen" music.

 

It was so "Zen" that many people fell asleep, left the restaurant, or played on their smartphones. I played Scrabble and tried not to listen, but after a while, I couldn't stand it anymore either and went out on the terrace. Amandine our manager agreed with me that it was rather funeral music then birthday. And the tip of the top was that we didn't even get the excellent birthday cake, but the one always get and I don't like at all. In short this birthday celebration was a real flop. The Birthday residents weren't even there ! They probably had smelled the disaster. 

The next day we had a game finding words, which was very funny. On Wednesday I went with Jeanine picking up her new glasses she had ordered and at the same time we ate in the Lunch Garden, for a change. The weather was nice and warm and we liked to eat something else, although our kitchen is in general good.

Thursday we were 12 to visit the African Museum in Tervueren, one of the municipalities of Brussels. 

 Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren - Book Tickets & Tours - 2026  (Verified Reviews)

It was a real nice excursion and we all enjoyed it very much. I will write and show photos tomorrow or Monday, because it would be too much. The museum is really very beautiful.

Yesterday was the "Open House" day, and relatives, acquaintances, friends, and so on were invited.

From morning on the busy bees prepared the restaurant for the residents and their guests

and on the terrace others took a glass of Champagne 

While Amadeo our cook prepared the BQ ! which was very good !

our "do it yourself" man who repairs everything, a nurse and Beti the good soul of the house who has always an open ear for everybody.

and my friends Isabelle (with Snoopy) and Ilona who came as my guests and spent the afternoon with me


We looked at the new rooms and made this picture with a "Selfie" machine
 
They stayed until 5, they didn't want to go home! Ilona said she couldn't believe we were in a retirement home! The music from our generation was playing just as loudly as it is for today's teenagers; people were dancing, and the atmosphere was fantastic! Then we had crêpes, fruit salad, and coffee. We all agreed it was a real wonderful day and I think the visitors agreed that there are also other retirement homes then like hospital looking once, with the same price range. 

 

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.
 
 
 
 
 
 

8 comments:

  1. That’s too bad about the birthday celebration that didn’t go well. But the open house sounds great! So glad your friends could come and they enjoyed it.

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  2. Dear Ingrid, I am so sorry that the birthday celebration wasn't enjoyable for you! I love all your photos! Yes, Zen is very relaxing! LOL! I am very happy to hear that you had a nice outing with Jeanine and had a meal at the Lunch Garden.
    The African museum excursion sounds wonderful! The Open House day sounds great! Amadeo seems like a wonderful chef!
    I especially love the photo with you, Ilona, Isabelle and Snoopy! Just fantastic!

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  3. Your Open House day sounds like it was the best day of the week.
    I'm glad you can be out and enjoy the better weather and time with friends.

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  4. Oh no! They skimped on the birthday cake! That's even worse than bad music.

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  5. Sorry the birthday celebrations weren't great but sounds like the Open Day was a great success.

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  6. The OPen house day sounds like it was fun. Nice that your friends were able to be there!

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  7. What a let down on the celebrator music and cake front. Still, the visitors day looked a real success and much fun had by all. That's really what life should be like for all retirees, but of course seldom is.
    Stay well and happy!
    Erin

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  8. Oh dear, the birthday celebration didn’t sound very good. The open house day sounded much better though! Glad everyone enjoyed it. #project365

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