Junior enjoying the heat

The Centrale Verwarming (central heater) have all been removed to make way for new. It was really cold this evening and we had to put on the heater. Junior is one smart boy, look at him positioning himself right infront of the heater.

Wendy is having her loops, therefore, she is wearing her panties hehehhe

Sunday, 30th Sept 2007

Sunday, woke up and just rested and rested alot. We didn't have to cook today, had leftovers.

I sewed a pantoffel, spent the whole day on it and at the end of it am not happy with the end result. So I am scrapping this idea of making this sort of shoes. Anyway, I am happy I tried.

Did a little bit cleaning here and there, trying to maintain the place as comfortable as possible and finally went to bed nearly 1 am since I had an early appointment with Yo my diabetes specialist early in the morning.

Saturday, 29th Sept 2007

Saturday, 29th September 2007.
We both woke up nearly 1200hrs, that's midday. Can't believe we slept till so late, when normally I am the one who wakes up much earlier. So, we both must have been really really tired.

We had breakfast and we left home to Tante Til's house bringing the clothes dryer to her. We walked there with the dryer on the wagon, was a short distance anyway. Had coffee, chatted, and then we both showered there. Ohhhh it feels so good to be able to shower in a proper bathroom (yesterday, we didn't shower). Well in any case, we plan to shower every 2 days once. Difficult but that has to be the way. Anyway, it's just for this 1 month and then we are back to our normal routine of showering everyday, and hopefully, with the will of God, we get to buy a bathtub.

Walked back home and we did something funny. I stood on the wagon and DH was pushing me hehehhehehhhe. Was a nice ride home.

We took a short nap, I was bushed, actually, I feel like I am coming down with the flu or something. Woke up and I made Nasi Goreng. Had dinner and then later washed up the dishes using the water from the meter room. I managed to do it happily, am not complaining, but in the midst of washing couldn't help but remember my times during jungle training and how we survived those days with practically not much. So yeah, we did it and we did it well.

I am proud of DH and me for surviving the second day with no water out from the taps.

Friday, 28-09-07, Renovation Day 1

Today, 28th September, the renovation officially starts in our house. It is estimated to end on 24th October, that's about 26 days. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly.

2 guys came at about 8.30 am and laid down protective material on the floor, from the doorway right up to the bathroom door. They left closing the door behind them, so I am guessing that perhaps that's all they do this day.

Cont.
I was wrong in my guessing. Later, 2 guys came to remove the centrale heating units in our house, cut some pipes and removed them. Another guy came and dismantled all the pipings in the bathroom and toilet and also removed the boiler in the kitchen.

I spent a good hour vacumming all the particles on the floor. DH washed the bathroom and cleaned the toilet floor.

In the kitchen DH placed a jerry can of water and we collect water from the meter kast and use it for our use.

I came up with a plan to have easy breakfast, since the workers come in early to start their work, like 7.50am. DH prepared 2 loaves of bread with butter, jam or marmalade or choco pasta and packed in little plastic bags and placed them in the freezer. This way, we just need to defrost them in the morning and there is no worry of having extra plates and cutlery to wash. Smart idea from me of course.

So far, in the midst of the untidiness and chaos right now in the house don't seem to cause me tension nor stress. I am taking them well in the stride. Surprisingly, I am feeling a sort of peace and that's good (considering the fact that I am into my menopause and the last few months have been a difficult time where my emotions and body changes are concerned.

Much thanks goes to God, somehow He keeps everything going smoothly for us. He provides with all the necessities we need in our lives and we lack in nothing, absolutely nothing.

Preparation for Renovation in House

We had spent the whole week packing up our stuffs in boxes and putting them away, stacking them up here and there. We were advised to leave at least a meter away from all the windows.

We covered as much as possible with plastic sheet or with cloth, whatever I could get my hands on, bedsheets, curtains etc etc.

I still have the dining table free and I could do my sewing whenever I want. Thanks to DH for arranging that for me.

Dh in all thru these packing and putting away of stuffs and re-arranging the house, has done a fantastic job. He started doing most of the things earlier than normal. He wasn't stressed at all. Normally, he is huffing and puffing and cussing at every little thing, but not this time. He is taking it all in his stride. Therefore, I have no stress too. Up till yesterday nite, I was cool and calm and not nervous. But the last hour or so before I went to bed, I did feel a kind of anxiousness but quickly reminded myself that God will see it thru for us. So, I ended not stressed after a while.

Didn't fall asleep that fast last nite. Was troubled with the air in the room, feels a little congested kind of feeling. Secondly, the thin plastic sheet covering the cupboards kept giving tiny noises and that kept me quite awake. Anyhow, finally, feel asleep and woke up this morning at 7.30 am.
DH woke up early and arranged the coffee and brought the kids out.

I guess I need to go do my handwork right now or just keep myself busy with something. Till I update further, take care of yourselves and each other.

Flea Sunday

Sunday, was quite a busy day for me. I cooked beef curry, made Raita. I had earlier called Tante Til that we will deliver food to her, so she didn't have to cook. Tante Til had to go to AM house, and that she will come by later to get the food and to also water her plants at home.

I finished cooking. DH brought the kids out to the garden and I stayed home. Wanted some time to myself actually without the fuss of my 2 lovely kids. I did the clothes, 2 washes today, mopped the house, cleared some stuffs and was in the kitchen when I saw Tante Til cycling in.

Went out to meet Tante Til at her house and Jan en Ing were there and we all chatted about the renovations to take place. TT later came over to our house to collect the food and a sigarettetje. DH came home just as TT was leaving.

For the rest of the evening, I was actually alternating behind the PC and the sewing machine. I mended 4 pieces of pants that needed to be fixed, be it the hem line or the waistband etc etc.

Junior must have had a flea on him and he was behaving strangely, keep running here and there. It was very heartbreaking for me to see him suffer like that. We didn't have anything in hand to apply, so just helped to ease him whenever possible. Luckily, it got better in the night and we managed to get a good nite sleep. I was actually afraid that maybe I wouldn't be sleeping thru the night, knowing him, he will keep jumping of the bed and coming back and making me carry him up to the bed. Luckily, that wasn't the case.

All in all we had a wonderful weekend.
I developed a headache soon after and I went to bed earlier.

Rommel Markt

Saturday,
A wonderful Rommelmarkt day near ons buurt. DH had earlier called to book for the Rommelmarkt, however, it was fully booked. On Friday, we had a call that someone had called in and cancelled their place, so we got in.

This day turned out to be a blessing of sorts for us. We met many familiar faces, Marianne and husband. DH met an older man in his 80's who happened to be his father's best friend at work. So exchanged telephone numbers and addresses. They seem to have so much to talk about. It's good that I met one of my FIL's good friend. Will be inviting them to our home as soon as the renovations are done.

Marianne is going to Spain for 6 months and we will be missing her.

For the rest, we had a really good day, mostly chatting up with people.

Sewed a housedress

Panties

I first used a pinkish cloth with white stripes for my trial pieces. Made 3 from those. Then, as I progressed, finetuning the patterns I then turned 2 blouses into panties also for trial. The last piece seems just nice, however, I didn't sew the elastic tight, so the bigger leg holes.

Since I never ever sewed elastic on cloth before, I needed practising, the pulling and the type of stitches etc etc. Now I am ready to use my silk cloth. So far I have sewed 6 and am a bit bored, so maybe I will wait to sew on the silk. Having said that, nothing beats my hunkemuller panties (the black with red lace).

Moving things around

Today, wednesday, we stayed home, moved things around in the house for the renovations. Most things near the window have to be moved. DH moved the cupboard from the bedroom to the living room. I helped but not much. It was really heavy and I have not much strength anymore. Besides my left shoulder was hurting.

Anyway, DH cooked dinner, chicken in coconut sauce while I sewed a panty. Dinner was delicious.

Later in the night I stripped an old housedress apart and am going to use that as a pattern. Why, because I like that particular pattern and it's so comfy. I also sewed something for my dear Wendy. Look how pretty she looks.

Totally Bushed

Monday, September 18, 2006

After a busy week, on the garden, house, driving, and yesterday's weekend market, today I am totally bushed. Wish I can drink Red Bull but too bad my body cannot tolerate that anymore. Wish I can drink chicken essence ....... (mom always made us drink at least one bottle a month when we have Auntie Flow visiting), too bad I have no chicken essence.

I took my vitamin pills and a zalm olie capsule (which I always forget to take)...... I am going to take it easy for the rest of the day. No!!!!! I can't do that, I have tons of clothes to fold and iron.

Monday is normally a busy day for me, however I don't care, I am going to take things easy, take a slow pace.

Oh did I say, I had interrupted sleep because of stupid Wendy. We forgot to close her bedroom door (her cage that is) .... early in the morning, she was pacing the floors tick tick tick tick tick and kept coming into the bedroom and Junior kept shooing her off and I kept waking up from that. Finally I woke up at nearly 6 am. Pffffffffff what a start to a busy week.

Nonetheless, I am going to go on with a positive attitude ...... I shall try to have a good day.

If Wendy thinks she is a bitch (she is a bitch by the way, female dogs are called just that), if Wendy wants to bitch with me, I would like to prove her that I am a bigger bitch than her hahahahah Don't mess with me girl !!

Update:
I have been checking my blood glucose level quite often these past 3 days. It's been higher than normal. Today, I did a few more blood tests, my tiredness is contributed to the fact that I have higher bg levels. So, it's all due to the fact that I had popped those pills, which I have stopped after 2 days of course. I don't like to have high glucose levels because, I feel extreme tiredness, fatigued, my vision gets blurred, frequent urination, my right hand feels crampy and I get no feelings on the tips of my fingers and lastly I had to wake up twice last nite to urine. That's it for you Pill. I am not giving you a second thought nor glance. Goodbye Pill.

Now, I have to start going back to my ritual of eating even much lesser than what I normally eat, and that is miserably little, 5 small snacks is all that I am entitled to, counting carbohydrates and definitely no treats for me. I also need to do something very strenous to jumpstart my system to make use of whatever sugar is left in my blood. Once I get my glucose level to normal or lower, then I can add on more food or tiny treats, then and only then will I feel comfortable in my skin.

To my nieces and nephews I hope you are reading this. Kindly get yourselves educated where diabetes is concerned, be pro-active about it. You can prevent it or postpone the onset of diabetes just by learning to eat healthy and properly. Don't forget to keep your weight within the BMI levels. Get yourself tested often.

Visit to Tante Mil and Oom Jo

We came back home at 4 pm, we were a bit exhausted. Took a nap. Later, went to Tante Mildred and Oom Johan's house. She is the lady I said was going to help me with some sewing and patterns. She is 65 years old and a cancer survivor. Now she is taking her life very easy and spending most of the time on her grandchildren, therefore she doesn't have much time to sew anymore.

We were there about 2 and half hours. She told us about her life and how she survived cancer and how she has a different view towards life. She also gave me advise on how to manage my menopause symptoms and said that some people have a short span of symptoms and how some have it for a long long time. Deep in my heart I felt glad that I met her some months ago and thanked God that He paved the way for me meeting her. She lives in my blog, however, it has always been Hi how are you sort of short chats. A couple of months ago I met her in one of the Rommel markts near our flat and that's where we actually got to chatting more.

She had a lot of patterns all laid out on the table and asked me which I wanted. I chose a few and offered to pay for them but she said it was for me, that I didn't have to pay for any. She also gave me some left over cloths for my quilting.

I feel good these past few days, seems like everything is nearly back to normal in my head, I mean, with regards to the depression I went thru a couple of months ago. When God closes a door, He makes sure He leaves a window open. It's so true.

Oh by the way, their family is the one that has the beagle, a lovely dog, and the beagle is the one that has alot of respect for our Junior. Why? Because once when the beagle was a puppy, Junior had bit him on the nose. Now when the beagle sees Junior he will straightaway get down to the ground and will wait till Junior passes by and the beagle will get up and walk on.

Tante Til Wisselwoning

Monday, we helped Tante Til to shift to her wisselwoning. DH drove Tante Til to the new house while I cycled on Tante Til's bicycle there so that she can store it in her kelder. Her temporary house was practically empty, except for a kitchen, fridge in the kitchen, sofa set, coffee table and a cupboard for the TV etc and dinning table with chairs. It did have curtains, sunny yellow colours and lovely laced vitrage in the living room.

The delivery people came to collect her stuff, washing machine, her bed, and many many many boxes of other stuff. Tante Til's friends came over to help too, Oom Ron and wife and Tante Ricky. So we all helped to open her boxes and put them in place. If you ask me, I think Tante Til brought her whole kitchen to the new house, so many pots and pans and I think those were very unnecessary, after all she was going to be there only 1 month.

Tante Til brought way toooo much of clothes to the temp house. There wasn't any cupboard in the bedroom, which meant that the clothes had to be put into the cupboard where the TV stands on.

Sunday - Rommel Markt and some celebration

We set out late in the morning for the rommel markt dag in our neighbourhood. Later in the evening there was a barbecue. We met so many of our friends and met new ones too.

Tante Til came for a couple of hours. Noi and husband were there from morning to evening. Met Opa Jan, met Tante Mildred and many others, too many to count.

Half way thru the day, we brought our two kids down, however, they were not pleased with the Brass Band and all the people, was just a bit too noisy for them.

All in all we had a wonderful day.

Happy Birthday Jannie!

Happy Birthday to our dear dear and wonderful friend Jannie,

We love you loads,
Honey and I

Window Shopping

2 pieces cotton cloth for a future quilt


Bought these at the market


Wendy's blouse


Junior's T-shirt


Saturday, a wonderful day of shopping.
Have you ever noticed that when you purposely go shopping for something, you actually don't find it. However, if you went window shopping, meaning looksy looksy and having no intention to buy anything, and that's when you find alot of stuff that you suits you or pleases you.

So, we went window shopping this day, with no intention to buy, and guess what I bought 4 pairs of pants and 3 tops and I am pleased with the design and cloth.

My wardrobe is so filled to the brim with clothes and I bought more. Ok, my excuse is that I have had to use quite a number of clothes for the gardening and yeahhhh I do need to replace those that I have taken out for use in the garden.

For the rest we went to Kringloop our favourite second hand shop to look for cloths that I could use for my quilt. Yep, I am preparing for my No. 3 quilt. I normally look for cotton cloths. I found a couple, plus I found this crocheted window apparel which I plan to make into a bag.

All in all we had a marvellous day out and back home by 5 pm, had a nap and then a wonderful evening, enjoying each other and the kids.

Coming Soon - Toilet Renovations

Toilet


Bathroom




Goodbye my friend. You have served me and my family well. I shall in a small way miss you.

Anyway, this is how our toilet looks like now. When we first moved in, I disliked the colour of the tiles and I had wanted to have the toilet and bathroom area renovated, however, the waterweg wonen (housing agent) advised us to not renovate since they will be doing a major renovation in time to come.

So, I had to just be patient and put up with the blue tiles. In between the tiles were really dirty, I had tried scrubbing it with Clorix (clorox) but in vain. So what I did was to have the in betweens painted white. Helped a little.

The floor had another vinyl and we replaced it with this. I can't stand having vinyl in the toilet and the adjacent area leading to the bathroom. But I had to put up with it.

The walls had very very old wallpaper but we replaced that with this.

Now 6 years later, we finally will be getting a new look to our bathroom and toilet and the area adjacent to it.

We had a choice of 4 wall tiles and 4 floor tiles. I chose white tiles, however, I didn't like any of the floor tiles nor the texture of it, so I offered to buy our own tiles. The tiles they offered were somewhat rough, very rough in texture and I knew it was going to hurt the sole of my feet. Because I am diabetic I have thin skin on the soul of my feet and they seem to get hurt very easily. We bought tiles that are whitish with very light colours in it. However, my dream colour scheme has always been maroon red with goldish colour in it.

When we went shopping for tiles the other day, I saw two varieties of what might look nice in our home. A beautiful maroon with bits of marble and glitters in it. The other was black with broken marbles with glitters in it. Now, with the halogen lights that we plan to have on our ceilings, I think that would have been beautiful.

It got us to thinking, especially me, that the house that we live in is a rented house. We don't really know how long we might stay here. DH wants to buy a house, it's not a problem for us, however, I am against the idea of buying a house. I still want to live in a rented home, because of some reasons that I have planned for the future. I will talk about it later.

So, having thought about the fact that maybe we might move to a 55+ housing (housing suitable for older folks 55 years of age and above, where there are better facilities to cater for the older folks, we decided that we shan't spent so much of money renovating this rented house. Secondly, having black or maroon coloured tiles, it's going to leave those soap marks, since our water here is hard, which means that cleaning is going to be tedious. Nahhhhh, I can't be bothered. We do scrub our bathroom floor everyday with bleach since Junior urinates there sometimes, but to do intense scrubbing, I am not in favour for that.

The other thing that we reasoned about is the fact that maybe we might be having a bathtub installed, if the space permits, otherwise we are thrashing that plan too. If we placed expensive floor tiles at 135 euro per sq meter and we need about 8 sq. meter, but after having a bathtub installed and the wash machine and the dryer or the cabinet and the floor mats etc etc ...... one hardly sees any of the tiles except on the bathroom floor. So, based on all these reasonings we decided that we were not going to spend a huge amount on this rented house.

So there goes one dream of mine of having maroon coloured bathroom unfulfilled. But it's okay. I will try and settle for maybe maroon coloured bath towels and accessories. I am in no rush however. Perhaps a maroon coloured cup to hold the toothbrushes. That will do fine too.

I didn't clean the bathroom area well this month because I was thinking why waste my energy when it's going to be ripped apart in a couple of weeks.

As for the toilet bowl, I wanted the hanging pot, however, they suggested a higher pot for us older folks. I can't believe that slowly I am going into that catergory, being called older folks. Sounds a bit funny, but yeah, soon we both will be half a century old. It's all good.

I bid you farewell my toilet bowl, you have served us well.

Food Safari

I got this from Gina's site. I sure could use some of the recipes found here in these videos. Enjoy!

http://www21.sbs.com.au/foodsafari/index.php?pid=recipes

It's Harvest Law

http://www.geocities.jp/vanessa_482/news_2.html

IT’S HARVEST LAW

by Major Alan Flemming (Salvation Army Officer)

2 Corinthians 9: 6-15

“The Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does...”(Ephesians 6:8)

One day a humble Scottish farmer named Flemming saved the life of a nobleman’s son who was mired in a bog. Next day the boy’s father visited the farm and offered to repay him, but the farmer wouldn’t hear of it. Just then the farmer’s son came to the door and the nobleman said: “Then let me pay to educate your boy to the same standard as mine, and if he turns out to be half the man his father is, we’ll both be proud.” Flemming agreed and the boy attended the best schools, eventually graduating from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London.

You’ve probably heard of him – Sir Alexander Flemming, the man who discovered the miracle drug, penicillin, saving millions of lives. Years later when the same nobleman’s son developed pneumonia, guess what saved his life? Penicillin! And what was this nobleman’s name? Lord Randolph Churchill. And his son’s name? Sir Winston Churchill, who helped save Europe from the horrors of the Third Reich!

It’s harvest law. You may not reap when or where you sow – but you’ll reap what you sow. Listen: “It will all come back...whatever you use in giving...will be used to measure what is given back to you” (Luke 6: 37-38 NLT). Listen again: “Be generous....give freely...and the Lord...will bless you in everything” (Deuteronomy 15:8-10 NLT). Do you want to be blessed? Seriously blessed? Whatever you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.

In memory of those who died on Sept 11, 2001

In memory of all those who died bravely on Sept 11, 2001.
To the families who lost someone on that fateful day, may God Almighty hold you tender in His arms, may you be filled with strength as you live each day without your loved one.

My family and I hold you in our prayers today.

In memory of my Sister

In memory of my elder sister,
Born 27th March 1948, Died 11 September 2005

She left behind 3 children (37yrs, 34 yrs, 30yrs old), and 2 grandchildren.

To my family and especially to my sister's husband, my 2 nieces and nephew, try not to remember how she died, however, try to remember how she lived.

Tante Til's embroidery

Socks Day

DH Quilt Finally Finished

I finally finished the quilt that I started 2 years ago. It was supposed to be a birthday gift for DH. Oh well, better late than never. DH was so happy that I finally finished the piece. Now, he can keep himself warm on cold winter days.

oh by the way, I couldn't stand the orange colour while I was sewing it, it was too loud and screaming, but dear old DH wanted orange and so he had it.

The quilt contains cloths from me, some from my mom, some from his mom.

The Psalms 23 - For Me

The Psalms 23

The LORD Is My Shepherd - A Psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters. Rev. 7.17

3 He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Published by The American Bible Society
http://www.bartleby.com/108/19/23.html

Panties Pattern

Sew your own panties, patterns and instructions can be found here

panty.hanty.net

Migraine Day

I had bad migraine this day, pounding head and throwing up. Uggggghhhh!

Cucur Ikan Bilis

Inspired by my friend Y cucur.
We made cucur ikan bilis this evening. I had a packet of olie bollen premix left and I used 500gm of the mix flour, half litre water, pounded anchovies (ikan bilis), onions, koriander leaves, selderij leaves, salt, pepper and gebakken uitjes. I left it for half hour in a warm place and then fried it.

Will I ever do it again, NO. There was a kind of bitter taste to it, perhaps it came from the anchovies, I don't know.

The next time I will use the olie bollen mix with bananas and apples and raisins.

Sleep Positions

Take your test here
http://www.evany.com/sleeptest/


toboggan pose
Toboggan Traits and Tendencies Tobogganeers are always one step in front of their peers; they're first to buy a house, first to microdermabrate, first to spend more than a thousand dollars on a rug. Yet in their rush to get ahead of the curve, Toboggan couples sometimes find themselves racing in two entirely different directions. If they don't check in frequently to make sure they're both on the same track, they can grow impressively far apart, and it can take a great deal of painful maneuvering and many late-night talks before they reconnect once again.
Comfort Zone Toboggan is a Sun Sleeper pose. Other Sun poses a Tobogganeer might enjoy include Big C Little c, Classic Spoons, and The Heimlich.
A Note About Feeding Tobogganeers have two modes: fed and calm, and unfed and frantic. To prevent bickering and other erratic behaviors, always keep the pantry and glove box well stocked with a supply of crackers and spreadables.

Leak Your Sleep Secret Maybe you'd like to share your sleep test results with the whole world? Here is some easy, cut-and-paste-able code to help you post your pose right on your website:

Find your own pose!