Trying to read between the lines

He told me it was golden and its condition was immaculate. It was "only" 75.000 Belgian francs (we didn't have Euros back then). I thought that was a very reasonable price for a Triumph! After all, my former boyfriend drove a similar car, a Triumph Spitfire to be accurate. That car in mind, I agreed to buying my first second hand car.. It took many hours of labor in restaurants to purchase that car, but it was mine and I loved the freedom it gave me.

I'm peeking through the window. The black monster just turned around the corner. I can see its headlights glow in the early morning hours. You're holding the steering wheel with both hands, waiting for the bus to move on. I feel confident and proud. For the very first time, you're driving to school all by yourself. Not without a reason: last night, around 5:00 PM, you were staring at your computer screen, waiting for your school results to appear. And YES!! you did it! You succeeded for all classes. Your hard work paid off. So happy to hear that and what a relief.. There was no reason to go to school to discuss your grades, but you planned on going with your friends so you asked for the car.

A little bird has told me it won't be too long before you will buy your first second hand car. You're ready. You have some money in your bank account and your driver's licence in your pocket. We'll have to think about this and discuss the conditions, before we come to some agreement. I can relate to your desire to have a car of your own. It means freedom and independence and another step towards adulthood. After all, you're almost 19..

Looking at things from the right angle

I loved to look at you, when you were turning the handle of your little bingo machine. Very focused and extremely serious, you would write down the numbers of the tiny balls that came rolling out of the machine. You would take a second glance at the numbers on the sheet of paper and then decide whether you needed to spin the machine again or not. I don't know what made you decide the numbers were good or bad, although you tried to explain it to me a number of times. There had to be some meaning or logic in the sequence of the numbers. If you couldn't trace that logic, you were convinced they wouldn't do you any good. So you started all over again. The tiny balls were put back into the machine and you would spin the handle again. It could take quite some time for you to finish your game. Then you would ask your children what they thought was the best series of numbers. They were very serious about it too. I suspect they would not even have tried to joke about it, because they knew how important it was to you..

I remember two occasions, where your daughter pointed out a series of numbers. You didn't agree and you picked your own. The funny thing is, you would hold on to the piece of paper, scribbled with dozens of numbers, while you were watching the lottery on TV. You would be all sweaty and everybody had to leave you alone and be quiet. On two occasions, your daughter was right about all 6 numbers! That is, if you would have handed in her choice of numbers.. The sadness on your face was really moving, when the host of the show would state the amount of money one could've won. You went on for many, many years and you kept all the scribbles with numbers for as long as it took. Every now and then, you would go back to one particular note and pick the same sequence. But the bingo machine kept going and you kept writing down new combinations..

We filled out lottery tickets for a number of years. It didn't bring us more than what we had paid for, so we finally gave up. It must be awesome to win the lottery. But guess what? I have my family. No lottery ticket can compete with that. Just look at things from the right angle.. Winning a suitcase full of money must be fab, but it can bring you bad luck as well. Making your own luck is a longer journey but it's worth the try.

It just made my skin crawl

This week, I have been speaking to a lady friend I hadn't seen for a while. Although she only lives a block a way, we sporadically run in to each other. I do know her phone number by heart so sometimes we talk to one another to see how everybody's doing. She works hard and with 3 kids and a husband, there's always a lot of work to do.

She knows how passionate I am about food and cook shops and food stores. So when she called me to hear if I was interested in going to the ISPC in Ghent with her, I didn't hesitate one bit. I had done my grocery shopping that morning and I had just unloaded the car (not only the trunk, but the seats were taken as well). She has a van and that comes in handy when you go to the ISPC. Some other friends warned me to leave my VISA card at home and I told myself 1 shopping bag would be plenty.

I guess we had not been in the store for more than 5 minutes, when my first goody was in sight. I have been longing for this pastamaker I can attach to my Kenwood and there it was: like it had been waiting for me to pick it up. My friend has the same Kenwood and we both decided to get the pasta maker. What a joy! When she talked about the Robot Coupe she had ordered and the Green Egg she had bought, I could only sigh and dream on. I have many appliances in my kitchen, but they are nothing compared to the professional tools she's using. The thing I really like about her, is that she's so normal about it. She doesn't brag about it. She's just happy sharing the information and I love to hear her talk about her kitchen utensils.

This morning, she had provided me with a 5 ounce piece of pork shoulder, to make slowcooker pulled pork. I had planned on making Mexican carnitas with the result and since the slowcooker would need 10 hours to shred the pork, I had time to make fresh ravioli with my new toy. There's nothing wrong with my manual pasta machine, but the electrical version works so fast and the pasta sheets are much smoother. It means I can make much more pasta in one hour. The veal ravioli is sitting in the freezer now and I'll bring her some after work tomorrow. She was going to make me some sweetbreads topped with foie gras. I guess my belt will need an extra hole.. 

Got 20 dollars in my pocket

It's the end of the month. I've never liked that last week before paychecks hit our account. It means I have to be more careful of what I buy and what I feed the crowd. It means checking the freezer and the pantry before coming up with a week menu. I can be financially creative if I have to, but it's not something I like to do voluntarily. My freezer, fridges and pantry are always loaded with goodies and produce are always there just in case I feel like making fresh pasta or some casserole packed with vegetables. It shouldn't be a problem to make lunch and dinner for at least two weeks with what is sitting in my supplies. The thing is: I don't always feel like making something with what's available. Does that sound like I'm spoiled? Absolutely! I'm just spoiled rotten and sometimes it feels decadent to be able to eat whatever I feel like.

So what do you put on the table if you have 20 dollars left in your pocket? What would you serve your family of 4? Could you make a first course, a main course and dessert with no more than 20 dollars? Would that be a real challenge? I'm sure I could do it. Cooking is a passion. Looking for new recipes is more than a passion. Trying out new techniques and having a great time in the kitchen is what I like to do best. Okay, I'll give it a go. How about you?

Let go

Being in control is natural to me. It's what I do and who I am. I like to pull the strings and do things my way. It's not that I don't trust others or don't value their opinion. I guess it's just some thing that has grown over the years. It probably goes back to my youth, where I had fewer strings to hold but an overwhelming desire to do whatever I wanted to do.

Letting go of that control once you have accomplished things, is very difficult. It doesn't mean you have failed or you are not doing well. Maybe it's just time to delegate and let others help out. I'm sure it won't be a bad thing - on the contrary. It will benefit us all. It's scary and exciting at the same time. I have no idea how my body will respond to these changes, but I'm anxious to find out. There's a way back though. I need to give it a chance, but if things are not working out, there's always the chance to take back the control. So I don't have to be nervous. I can calm down the cramping in my intestines. Let's get it over with and get going. That way I will realize it's not the end of the world..

What's the catch?

Summer Sales! Not a period of the year I look forward to. I hate crowds of people, rushing into shops and grabbing in clothes to get that one favorite piece. How they push each other aside, how their armpits smell sweaty of excitement and how they mess the clothes up without any embarrassment. The long lines of people, waiting to try on their latest catch.. ugh.. I really hate it.

My friend and I planned a shopping day in Holland though. We have the same taste, same size and we pick the same brands of clothes. We only visit one shop, no more. Our favorite place to be, is The Sting. It's a great store! We have three brands we tend to buy. No need to fit the clothes, since we know the brands and sizes by heart. My wardrobe is now exclusively reserved for these outfits. I'm so happy to have found this shop and it's always a pleasure to go there and enjoy their clothes. Now leave me alone, because I have some clothes to put away and rearrange my dressroom.

Ride for Ataxia Chicago

Our daughters Kati and Carli were diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia. Having the disease for several years now, they are ready for a cure or at least treatment. With many other brave people who have FA they have taken on the tasks themselves to HELP find that treatment/cure. They have participated in studies and have been to several fundraisers. This is considered an orphan disease, since there are about 5000 people affected with FA. So please, we need all the help we can get. If you can't ride think about a donation. Together we can defeat FA. Thank you!

This is what Paula Hook wrote for two of her beautiful daughters. She never expected her girls to get this awful disease. It is affecting her family and there is no cure nor a treatment to make them better. Look at them. Let your heart speak and help them raise money to get a cure for FA.

Paula and her husband Tom are wonderful, generous people. They are a loving family and very much involved. They raised three beautiful daughters and they are crazy about their grandchildren. Living in La Porte, Indiana, Chicago is not that far off. The Chicago Ride for Ataxia is very important for them. Raising money is never easy. If that money could help find a cure to heal their girls and so many others out there with FA, they would be the happiest people ever. Please help Paula and Tom raise as much money as possible, so they can guarantee their daughters a quality life..

I wanna be a billionaire

What would you do if you came home to a house that was scattered with dollars? Would you stay calm as a cucumber or would you freak out and walk on the ceiling with joy?

It's a saying we often hear: if only I were a billionaire.. But would life be so different if you had that kind of money? Would you be happier? It would sure make some things easier. I mean, if you wouldn't have to worry about bills getting paid in time or if money would not be an issue in picking your next summer holiday. But would it really make your life easier? On the contrary I would think.. How would you cope with all those people on your doorstep, begging for a piece of the pie? Would you be able to resist them or would you give each one of them a gewgaw just to satisfy their needs? What if someone would ask you to pay for the medication of a severely sick child? Would your heart open up for these people? Would you refuse money to an addict who lost all of his possessions because of his addiction?

Maybe we should all be happier with less. They say less is more. More wealth, in a different manner. Money matters. As long as it doesn't get more important than happiness..

FYI: no, this is not my house.

Tell me what it takes

Both our girls have been blessed. They are pretty to look at and they take good care of themselves. Our oldest daughter, Lana, is already wearing braces. Now it's time for Eva to decide whether she wants braces or not. There wasn't too much hesitance: YES! She's been looking forward to paying the orthodontist a visit. We have chosen a different one than the one Lana is frequenting. Since Eva goes to school in Bruges, it would be better for her to have a local orthodontist.

The place is very neat and modern and they use the most modern technologies. The braces are custom made in the US. I don't know how many orthodontists work in that practice, but there were too many white costume wearing people around. We had to be there on a Saturday night. Listening to the numbers of the cost, my head was spinning. The doctor was pointing out her view on dental treatment on a computer screen that was hidden in a mirror wall. It was like going back to the future! We were all pretty impressed, especially about the prices of the treatment.. The icing on the cake, was the gold wire they would place on the inside of the teeth after the last treatment. Just to prevent the teeth from going back to their previous position. A gold wire.. go figure. And no ma'am. Health insurance doesn't refund the cost.. unfortunately.. Hmhmhm.. Health insurance is a little old fashioned. They refund the costs of braces that were made 40 years ago. Technology has changed dramatically since, but they have not adapted their refunding. Will that keep us from giving our children the perfect teeth? Absolutely not. Us parents think a nice mouth is an important feature in our face. The orthodontist gave us pictures of Eva before the treatment. I'm looking forward to the after pictures, a year from now.. That is if we start the treatment this month. We'll see.

Let's cook!

I want to cook! Today I have bought 4 new cookbooks and I'm very reluctant to put them down. I started reading the recipes and my head is full of grocery lists and ideas. We're having a wonderful time over here and many would be happy to go out dining all the time. Most meals I've had here have pleased me too and none have given me a bloated tummy. But still, I miss my veggies and a home cooked meal.

Today we visited Epcot, one of the Disney Theme Parks. I had not visited one single Disney park before, so I was pretty excited about this event. Disney is huge! It has its own highways, parking lots, restaurants, .. and it's crowded, even out of season. It took us a while to get to the ticket booth, since every visitor has to hand over his backpacks to be checked. What a waste of time.. It gives people a fake feeling of safety and it makes me laugh. But oh well, if that makes them happy..

Disney tickets are expensive. Very expensive. I will never ever again complain about parking costs in Belgium or theme park tickets at home. Going to one of the Disney parks with a family of four, leaves a big gap in your wallet. Make sure to bring at least $ 550 if you want to grab a drink and a bite as well. Don't enter the souvenir shops and bring your own snacks. The prices are just outrageous.

Epcot is a nice theme park if you like to walk around and sniff the Disney atmosphere. The landscapers did a terrific job and there's plenty to see. Epcot is all about different countries, situated around a huge lake. Take your family along this journey to France, Italy, Morocco, China, Japan, Norway and of course the US. We had lunch at this authentic French restaurant where even the waiters were French. And yes, we ran in to some Disney characters and took their pictures. It was nice to hear Mary Poppins's British accent and The Beauty and the Beast were very charming. The best attraction was Soarin'. It is a multi-sensory attraction that simulates a peaceful hang-gliding flight over the Golden State of California.
The multi-passenger glider is lifted 40 feet into the air. An IMAX projection dome wraps 180° around you, so you're fully engulfed by the impressive scenery. It really feels like you're flying as you glide over such awesome vistas and landmarks.
Feel the wind in your hair, while the air fills with the scent of orange groves, evergreens and the sea breeze. You may think your feet will get wet when you dip down so close to the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, before you return to the sky to continue your hang-glider ride.

We did some more shopping after our visit to Epcot. There are so many shops to discover and so many fun treats to lay our hands on. Today was a cold day and I got myself a pair of woolwarm boots to pamper my feet. I got some more presents for the people left behind in Belgium.

We crashed at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse to have a satisfying dinner. We thought being inside could warm us up a little, but air-conditioning thought differently. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our meals and the company, before we went back to the apartment to pack out our goodies and have another chat before we hit the hay..

Hunting

I want to go hunt for new clothes! Really... I mean, my dresser is close to empty. I keep filling bags with clothes that need to go to the clothes bin or vintage shop. Same for my shoes... and that is more painful. I hate to throw out shoes, but after some fitting sessions, I came to the realization that some shoes will never be worn again, so they have to go.

I like my nearly empty closet. I gives me a sense of freedom and a better overview of what to wear. Some pieces have hardly ever been worn and others were so worn out, I should have let go a long time ago. I'm ready to make a list of basics I will need. Two pairs of well fitted jeans is the first item on the list. A crisp white tailored blouse is another must have. And an amazing belt! I would like grey dresser pants too, and a warm wool sweater. I need some color in my dresser. I have bought some beautiful dresses last months, so no more dresses, or it would have to be another dress I simply can't resist.

Who wants to join me??? I need a personal shopper!!!

Red boots

Like many women, I love boots! And so do my daughters. We have plenty of boots, some high heels, other rather flat. Whatever color you pick, boots are always exciting and sexy, especially if worn under a pencil skirt. Whenever we go to a shoe store, we can't leave the store without shoes/boots. And now, with the colder season coming up, there are plenty of boots to choose from.

My youngest daughter had been asking for boots for a while. The boots she wanted were so expensive I nearly choked on the price tag. So that was a big no-no. Store after store, she nodded her head in despair. She wanted brandy colored long boots, no high heels, but not totally flat either. I know, she's picky and once she has a picture in her head, it's very hard to make it go away and have it replaced by a different model.

So yes,  I was very happy when she found the boots she really wanted. Not at first, because she wasn't convinced at all. Only part of the boots had the color she had in mind. And that was the upper part. She wanted the colors the other way around: brandy color on the bottom and chestnut on top. But hey: it was either these boots or no boots. So she thought it over and balanced out the options. Chewing on the nail of her thumb, she waved a lock of hair out of her face and mumbled: I guess I like these after all... Good grief.. Finally, after zillions of visits to several shoe stores.

Please, don't remind me that the other daughter needs boots as well. And trust me: she's worse..

With or without you

Photo by Lana Joos

We are having a formal meeting with our friends tonight. Decisions have to be made. Something big is coming up. We're working on some project. It is truly exciting and very private at the same time. All 5 of us will be involved, hopefully. If not, it will be a little harder, but still doable.

Let's have another bite and something to drink, and then think things over. It is important to consider every scenario possible, before we make this step. It is everything I always wanted, but it's scary too. Don't forget it's long distance. You can't go there and fix things if you want to. But I'm glad there's at least one professional to convince and advise us. Let's hope things will work out the way we planned.

I can't believe it..

Our daughters are often invited to go to birthday parties of their school friends. So I drive them around town, sometimes even an hour drive away from home. I'm always amazed at the sizes of the houses those kids live in.. Wow.. This week I dropped the youngest one at her friend's house. What a wonderful home those people had. A heated outdoor pool with a fully furnished pool house (bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, changing rooms,..) was the eye catcher. Eva was so astound. She looked at me like: why don't we have a pool??? I think she has too many rich friends.. Or at least friends with more than wealthy parents. She frequents an old school in Bruges and apparently, many rich kids attend that same school. We are not poor, by any means. In fact, we do real well. But no, we don't have a pool nor a pool house. And no, we don't need three cars, two are plenty. Kids are so vulnerable. They see differences between families and they dream their dreams. If I ask them how they will accomplish their dreams, they say they'll marry a rich man.
We all need money to live. Living in the 21st century is expensive. People that say money can't buy happiness, probably have plenty. We all need money. Because we do want more out of life. It's more comfortable to live than to survive. Each one of us is used to a certain standard in life. Some are wealthy since birth, others climb up step by step by working hard and saving their money. And then you have the lucky ones, who win the lottery. Money can be a real pain too. Listen to people that are involved in nasty divorces. If they have money, the outcome is disastrous. Neither one wants to give up their luxurious lifestyle. And that's when the fight over money begins.
Knowing how to handle money is something we all need to learn. It starts at a very young age. You work weekends and holidays and for the rest of the year, you go to school. That's a good way to start saving for future dreams. At least, if you are lucky enough to get the money you saved.. Because not all parents are that honest.. In fact, some are real good at pretending you never saved any money.. Whatever.. dreams come true, not only in Disney movies.

Be fast!

This Friday, K's Choice, a terrific music group, is performing in the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Belgium. I have two tickets for sale for the event that starts at 20 PM. Be fast! They'll be gone before you know it!

The tickets are normally 86 euro, but they are offered now at 60 euro. Don't hesitate! They can be yours. The tickets will be forwarded in a PDF-file, to be printed at home. Those printed tickets are validated as the real tickets to go see the concert.

So contact me as fast as you can. You wouldn't want to miss this fabulous show!

Stylicious

Being a girl, I have purses. Several. A lot. Too many. Purses to match different outfits. Purses to go out to dinner, purses to go to work, weekday purses, holiday purses. Purses with leashes, purses with a handle. The only thing I didn't have yet, is being sold by Tintamar. It's called VIP Two. It's a bag that has nine pockets. You fill it up with all the things you need. Admit it, ladies need a lot of things in their purse... duh. Then you stuff the VIP Two in whatever purse you want to use that day. The next day, you just pull out your VIP Two and put it in another purse. Just like that! Without complications, without any hassle. Isn't that a great invention? They come in all different colors and they are washable!!!

What did you expect? That I would tell you about the VIP Two without ordering one? Not! It's on its way. I ordered it in Holland, online. It'll be here this week and I'm looking forward to getting it. I know I'll be Stylicious with my VIP Two! It'll hold all my diabetes supplies, my cell phone, credit cards, snacks, a bottle of water, keys, change, wallet,..

Gimme a break!

Today, my friend and I were going out for breakfast at the beach. We had to take two cars, because she had to pick up her kids in one town, and I had to pick up my daughter in another town.

We had just left my house, when someone warned me that the police were giving away tickets for speeding. DUH! Like I needed one! I got one just the other week, on the same spot by the way. So I slowed down and so did my friend, who was driving behind me. I looked in my rear view mirror and we smiled at each other for not getting a speeding ticket.

Just a few moments later, another police patrol was standing in the middle of the street. They were pulling over several cars. They let me through, but my friend had to pull over. Shoot! I parked the car and ran over to join her. Twelve cars were waiting there to get their tickets. What a joke! Come on! They said she had broken the law, because she was speeding: 70 km/hour instead of 50. Now how is that possible? She was right behind me, and I was not speeding???

Anyway, she got a ticket and they wanted to make sure she had not been drinking. At 9:00 AM? Gimme a break! Of course she had not been drinking. I asked the police officer if she was going to be rewarded for not breaking the law this time. Negative answer.. He could at least have given her a discount on her ticket, right?

The officers were so slow, that we feared our breakfast would turn into a late lunch! That was not the best way to start a nice day out with a friend.. At least, breakfast was yummy and the bread rolls crisp.

50 reasons to leave your lover

There must be at least 50 reasons to leave your lover. How many can you think off? I'll start the list, you may complete it:

* no attention for his other half

* never at home

* not of any help in the household

* always out with his friends

* bad sex

* farting and burping is what he does best

* not generous enough

* he's a womaniser

* financially unstable

* no emotional bonding with you or the children

* lazy

* too quiet

* too noisy, especially on family meetings (with your family)

* draws too much attention to himself

* wears sneakers all the time

* forgets to pick up the children, not once, but at least twice a week

* never buys you flowers

* thinks his 20 yo sweater is still very up to date

* forgets your birthday, but remembers his mothers

* drinks too much

* wears white socks in black shoes

* tells stupid jokes over and over again

* he wears the same set of underwear for a whole week

* smoking

* smelly feet

* pees on the toilet seat or leaves the seat up

* changes TV channels without asking

* can't cook his own meals

* calls you at work to say there is no bread in the house

* has no idea what washing detergent is

* phones his mom twice a day, but never rings you

* never walks the dog, but loves to jog

* he humiliates you in front of your friends

* he dominates you

* he thinks women are not entitled to have an orgasm

* never kisses the cook

* dirty socks next to the bed

* nose poking

* only washes his own car, not yours

* has no idea what it means to give birth to a child

* he was drunk on your wedding day

* cries out for his mom when he cuts his finger the first time he peels potatoes

* doesn't notice your new hairdo

* takes you out to McDonald's and has no idea..

* puts you on a diet and asks where the crisps are

* he comes first.. always

* got a promotion and calls his mom before he calls you

* has no idea what grade the children are in

* doesn't know the names of your 3 best friends

* takes your car when his car is out of gas, without notice

* calls you when he'll be late, just to make sure you will keep his dinner warm

* working late means in fact he's in the pub with his friends

* he will never understand you and has no intentions whatsoever to make that happen

* he doesn't wear his wedding band

* has a picture of his ex-girlfriend in his wallet

* never wants to hold your hand roaming around town

* makes you pay for dinner on that rare occasion out

* excuses, always excuses

* he beats you

* he calls you names in front of the children

* he gives in when you put the kids in time-out, to be the friend instead of the bad guy

* he's a child amongst your other children

* he nags

* always the same talk about the army

* he scratches his private parts talking to you

* he nods when you're telling him about your day, but has no idea what you've said

* he can't put down the playstation, not even when you have your parents over
* he complains about your cooking, but complains even more if you haven't cooked

* aren't that enough reasons???