You look radiant!

What can I say? Every time we celebrate your birthday, we realize how gorgeous you still are. Still up and going, still dressed to the nines and bright and alert. We are lucky that your sons asked us to join you on this trip, so we could give you your birthday kisses around breakfast. It's good to hang out with you and enjoy your presence.

Have a very happy birthday my friend. You look radiant!

A match made in heaven

Photo by Lana Joos

Happy Birthday, little Inthe!

You turned 2 today, my rascal. And we're not home to celebrate your birthday with you.. I'm sure the girls will give you plenty of treats and they will spoil you rotten. We're so lucky to have you and Rebba couldn't live without you. The two of you go so well together, like salt and pepper.

We'll bring you a new toy from Holland, scoobydoo. We know how you love your squeaky  toys and you ruin them all. It's hilarious to see how excited you get over unwrapping a new toy. Looking forward to seeing your face over this one.

Have fun with Rebba, okay? Daddy will take you for a long walk when we return. xx

Curvaceous girls and V-shaped boys

There's a preference in the ratio between waistline and hips. Men prefer females with small waists and wider hips, in a ratio of 0.7. These ladies would represent fertility and good health. What men really want, is a healthy ratio. It doesn't matter if you're large, tall, small or skinny. It's all about the right ratio between body parts. The most attractive part of a female's body, is a sexy smile. Men like positive women. They find a spontaneous smile truly appealing. I'm sure though, their eyes don't stay focussed on the face for that long. We all know how fast their eyes try to discover other body parts. But at least, they start with the face.. Are men so different from women? I don't know.. It makes me wonder about what I find attractive in men. The first impression is important. Without having spoken to the man in person, the only thing you can comment on, is their appearance. Yes, the smile is important, and so are the eyes. I like bright, radiant eyes with a flirty sparkle.
I like an honest, broad smile. A smile that represents humor and a fun personality.

We all hear that the inside of a person is so much more important than what that person looks like. I'm getting to know more and more people on the Internet. Internet is different in that way, that you don't have an idea what people really look like. You might see a small picture, but you can never be sure it's actually that person you're "talking" to. You get to know that person by sharing experiences, discussing different subjects, getting to know their emotional side. Those experiences can be very appealing and I think they are a good way of getting to know someone. Before you actually meet, you know a whole lot about this one particular person and it changes the way you feel about their appearance. Sometimes you imagine what that person would look like in real life. On other occasions, by no means can you imagine a real person behind the characteristics. These meetings are not about curvaceous female bodies or V-shaped male chests. These meetings are deeper, because they value the true beauty of your encounter..

Taking it to a higher level

This is it! You finally found a place of your own. That is, a place for the three of you plus your beautiful cat. It is a nice house in a suburban area and not too far from where we live. I could even be tempted to go look for my bike to come see you. Duh!! How about that??

You invited the whole family for coffee and cake this afternoon. There will be a whole bunch of us and the place will be packed, but it'll be fun. You've had some pretty busy weeks lately, since you started your new job and evening classes. I'm sure you're worn out for the moment, but still you find the energy to invite all of us. Respect, really.

It's good to have you in the family. In a short time, you have become a great sister-in-law and we all love you. Thank you for making our brother-in-law happy. You are doing a very good job!

Cooking and high heels

Probably not the best combination, but nevertheless worth trying.

I wonder if I will ever dislike cooking. On the contrary I guess. The older I get - no need to remind me I'm 40 - the more pleasure I find in cooking. I'm not a chef, I know that, but cooking is just so relaxing, so interesting, so fulfilling. It's a way of life. The creative part of mine finds so much joy in reading recipes, buying the right produce, tasting foreign herbs and spices. Coming up with different combinations, I dig up a fresh apron, sharpen my best knives and wash my hands. Ready for a couple of hours of pure entertainment. No, I don't really cook in high heels. It would kill me I guess. Sometimes I just spend time by the stove, wearing pj's and warm socks. Comfort food and home wear.. the perfect combo. I'll keep the high heels for the dinner table. The moment where the guests enter the house and when the candles are lit. I'm ready for a house full of guests. Just need some time to invite them.

Make love your goal

Love is so powerful. Love is so pure. It's there to warm your heart and feed your desires. Love is so versatile. It's not only about having a partner. It's about family, friends, pets, good vibrations. Love is o so important. Why don't you make love your goal?

Love can clean your soul, it's an energy rushing inside of you.  Love is danger, love is pleasure, love is an everyday necessity. Feel blessed if you're able to give love or be loved. Love can open many doors...

Size matters

It really does. I never thought I would say this, but size does matter. It makes a huge difference, if you wear a size 0 or a size 8. Oh you dirty minds! Did you really think I was going to discuss whatever you had in mind?? DUH!

No, seriously. In our society, size really matters. People look at you in a different way if you have a bigger size than what is seen as "normal". And trust me: any size bigger than a size 2 is being considered  a bigger size, unfortunately. It makes people feel insecure and it's not good for our selfesteem to be looked at as abnormal because of our size. Your size doesn't make you a better or a worse person, but people do treat you differently. I know, because I've been there. My selfworth was non existing when I had a larger size. It came back as my weight shrank, up to the point where I felt real confident. Until I heard that I was getting too skinny. That I needn't loose any more weight. Not by one person, but several people have told me to stop loosing weight. It's very confrontational. If you're bigger, you keep hearing that you absolutely need to loose weight (like you don't know that?). You do whatever you can to keep yourself from growing even bigger and people don't keep their comments to themselves. You know they give you that sad look when you pass them in the street. You know how they talk about you when they see you eat a treat. It hurts when the lady in the fitting room tells you they don't have that shirt in your size.. And then you start to loose weight. It finally comes off and you instantly feel better. You straighten your shoulders and the way you swing your hips is more appealing and even sexy. You hear compliments, but you can't accept them yet. Taking a look at your naked body in the mirror is still not your favorite pastime, but it's less hurtful when some pounds have gone.

What if your clothes size has dropped 5 sizes? Is that something to be proud of? I guess so. Yes, I can say I'm proud of me. But at the same time, I'm afraid to say so, because I know how hurtful it is to someone who is still in the bigger size section. I wouldn't want to offend them. I know what it feels like, after all, to be stared at and to be condemned. I don't want to be part of that society that judges people who are bigger or slimmer than the "normal" size. I love my bigger and slimmer friends for who they are and not for the size they have or don't have. There's more to life than weight issues, but I won't pretend those issues are not important..

The social mask

Photo by Lana Joos

People don't always appreciate you being honest and frank. Being assertive is good, even though not always appreciated. Sometimes it's good to wear a social mask and tell people what they want to hear. If that's what makes your heart tick..

Good friends don't need to wear a social mask. They can be whoever they are in your presence. They don't have to pretend to be someone they are not. They don't have to live up to the ideal you have of them. It doesn't matter to you if they are different from what you had in mind. Because you accept them for who they are.

Good friends are not afraid to tell you about your less appealing characteristics. They don't have to flatter you by saying that dress looks gorgeous if it looks horrible on you. Best friends have a task. They can make you look your best. Discovering the best in you, they make you a better person.

Embrace those friends. Accept their criticism. Because they mean well. Because they truly care..

Holding back the years

I'm mad at your doctor. I'm mad at the way he has treated you for nearly 17 years. I'm upset with the way he put your life at stake.. At the same time, I'm proud of you. You got type 1 diabetes at the early age of 2 years old. Your parents tried to locate the best doctor around and when your family moved, you found a new doctor in Brussels. He did what he had to do: give you a diabetes treatment. Did he offer you the best help around? I'm afraid not. Are you or your parents to blame? Absolutely not.. In fact, it is really sad how that doctor is still working. It's like he never left the 80's. Maybe they were his best years and he couldn't cope moving on? I had never heard of young people with T1 diabetes on 2 injections of insulin a day. How difficult it must have been for you, to maintain good control and cope with a very tight meal schedule. You were told to eat small amounts of carbs every 2 hours. You had no access to mealtime insulin to cover the carbs around lunchtime. Nevertheless, you hung on. Okay, your A1c is higher than it's supposed to be, but 9 % is not that bad, considering the method you had to follow.

This week, you transfered to another hospital. Modern endocrinologists, modern diabetes nurses and more modern ways of treating type 1 diabetes. Right away, your new doctor told you an insulin pump was no issue. We helped you make the decision. It wasn't easy, since you were interested in using CGM but you also wanted the advantages of a remote control. The remote control won over the CGM.

I'm looking forward to visiting you this afternoon. I'm bringing someone who's been looking forward to seeing you again too. We'll have lunch first and then we'll come see you. You'll be a professional pumper by the end of the week. Your life will be so different from now on. I'm pretty sure there's a grin on your face from ear to ear. And not only the insulin pump made its entry in your life: you have some new friends as well..

We all begin as strangers

Three ladies. Three different backgrounds. Coming from around the country. I remember our first meeting. It felt good to meet the both of you. There have been other meetings since.

Three ladies in a restaurant. A place we have been to before. This restaurant always reminds me of our meetings. It was good to be there. It was difficult too. Things have happened in the last year. You were sad. For several reasons. Your partner is having health issues. He's no longer the man he used to be. But he has you to hold his hand. He has you to take care of him. And you do well, since he doesn't want you to get out of his sight. Not only your partner needs your care. Your son needs his mom more than ever. It must rip your heart out to see your beloved ones suffer. Both your partner and your son are lucky to have you around. Your own health is improving. It's so good to hear you're doing well, considering the grim circumstances. It felt good to hug you and let you know we care..

Three ladies in a restaurant. Just like last year.. but a little different. You're married now, to a wonderful husband. He's your best friend, your soulmate, your eternal love. I can see how deeply in love you are. It's a pleasure to know. I'm looking forward to the expansion of your family. My thumbs are pointing upwards. I try to imagine a small version of the two of you. It will be a wonderful baby.. Can't wait to see you pregnant. Let's keep our fingers crossed that 2012 will be the year of your first child..

Three ladies in a restaurant. I'm happy. Happy to be there with the both of you. Happy with the life I'm leading. Happy with the friends I have. Happy with my family and the people around me. I'm fortunate and I'm grateful.

New encounters

Isn't it strange, how one can meet someone and feel like you've known each other for years? I still find that amazingly amazing. I love to meet new people. It makes life interesting and even new people teach you about yourself. You hear different opinions on life, you see different places and you talk about ...  well... different things. We live in a small world full of lovely people. It's just a matter of finding them. Life is beautiful.

Monkey

Always looking out for new items to treat low blood sugars with.. Lately, I have been eating so many bananas that I start to act like a monkey.. I know some of you will now say things haven't changed, so thanks in advance.. you didn't tell me anything new.

I know fast acting sugars like dextrose or regular coke are the best way to treat lows, but the thing is: I'm fed up with coke and dextrose. Really, just thinking of dextrose makes my stomach twirl. The awful aftertaste it leaves in your mouth and the sweetness is just overwhelming for me. I have never liked regular coke and having hypos didn't change that. So I keep looking for products that can please me.

A friend once advised me to have some juice. That's okay, I guess, if only I would have juice around the house.
I normally don't buy juice. The boxes are too big to solve one low so I end up with half empty boxes of juice. They go bad before the next hypo introduces itself.

There's hypofit of course. It's some kind of glucose gel and it contains the exact amount of fast acting carbs, that is 15 grams of carbohydrate. I keep them in my purse, my car, my bedroom and that's where they stay, since I rarely use them. They are so sweet, I instantly get cavities in my teeth just from having it in my purse. But they're a good emergency carb, since there is no risk non-diabetics would eat them just for fun. The cookies or candy I keep in my car as emergency food for lows, often get eaten by hubby or the girls.

So I stick with my favorite biscuits: 4 Maria cookies to be exact. I carry them around in my special Tupperware twin box, so I can keep them fresh and crunchy. I hate soggy cookies! I'm off to the supermarket. I would like to have some extra rolls..

Walk of shame pants

I started digging in my dressing because I was looking for my special Trinny & Susannah shapewear dress. I lost it some time ago and since it was pretty expensive, I really wanted to retrieve it.
Going through my things, I found a pair of walk of shame pants. I have no idea when or why I bought those. All I could say was: what was I thinking? Honestly... those pants were just so not done. I can't even imagine I even wore those. Maybe as sleepwear, but still..

I have big plastic bin bags sitting in a drawer. They store clothes that definitely need to go. The walk of shame pants might get a second life somewhere else. I can't bring them to the second hand shop, that is just too embarrassing. Maybe I should just rip them apart and use them as rags to wax the car with. If only I would wax my car..

Did you know..

that I'm taking the day off?

Envy is a waste of time

How hard can it be to grant other people some luck? People can be so full of jealousy they have a hard time being happy for the people around them.. The jealousy can be of different origin, but most of the time, it's all about money, lack of money or an abundance of money.

I'm convinced that enviousness doesn't bring you any happiness. It's a sheer waste of time. Being happy for someone else's luck is so much more fulfilling than not granting your beloved ones any luck. Envy is not a good virtue and it's nothing to be proud of. The more you envy other people, the unhappier you become. You don't have to believe me, but you could also give it a chance. Be happy for the people around you. You will benefit from it too. Happiness is so much more than jealousy..

Lost in Venice

The two hour train ride from Trieste to Venezia, was not that bad. We had a lot of fun conversations and the view was immense. I missed my personal photographer..
She would have made the most beautiful snapshots. I was fortunate though, that our youngest daughter let me use her camera in Italy. At least we could make some souvenir pictures.

Venice was fantastic! So colorful, so crowded, so full of tourists.
I have never seen such a huge collection of masks. This one particular friend of mine would have loved the phantom masks and the unique costumes. We really have to go see a musical or opera in Venice!

We walked and walked and walked up until the point where we got lost. That didn't bother us, because there were so many interesting places. We kept going, enjoying the scenery and the Italian atmosphere.

How special it was to have a drink on the San Marco Square, surrounded by tourists from all over the world. The humans were outnumbered by pigeons though and they scared us, but still, they belonged there. It was a joy to see toddlers chase them. Those birds are not easily scared. They are so used to human beings, that they don't fear to hop onto your table and steal your biscotti.

At a certain point I realised how lucky I was to be there.. Who could have imagined the three of us in Venezia? Really. That was so surreal. I'm glad my husband gave me the chance to do this city trip and let me have a good time amongst friends. I will bring my family one day. Promised!

Let's get it over with

By now, you will be fast asleep. Not in your own bed, not even at home. You're in the hospital. Just one week ago, we went to see a periodontologist. He was real gentle with you, but the breaking news was, that he needed to help you out with an issue in your mouth. One of your teeth is not in the right place. It's sunken away in your gums and it doesn't come down where it's supposed to be. So he needs to open up your gums and pull the tooth downwards. He gave you the choice for local anesthesia or the full option. You wanted to be sedated completely and I don't blame you. Three shots in your pallet and gums are not something to look forward to..
I hope the operation will be over soon. I'll be waiting for you sweetie. Of course you will be sore. Not right away, because of the pain killers. But in the late afternoon, you will need some extra cuddles and attention. No pain, no gain, right? But I wish it were different kiddo.. xx

The perfect pitch

I'm not a good singer, but when I think of it: not one day goes by without singing a song. In the car, in the shower, cooking meals in the kitchen.. The radio is on and I sing along. Modern music, oldies, Arabic songs.. doesn't matter, as long as I can sing along. My singing is not pitch perfect, at least that's what my audience says when I sing in the car. I like to crank up the volume, tap the wheel with my hands and throw it all out. What a fantastic feeling that is! Singing cheers me up. It releases stress and it makes time fly by faster if you're waiting in line. It doesn't matter if other drivers look at you like you're out of your mind. I could care less. My windows are closed and they can't hear me. They can see me shake my head or mimic the words, but further than that? No, they are not bothered. I try not to sing when there are passengers in my car, but sometimes I get caught up in the moment and sing along anyway.. O well.. it brings me pleasure and I won't stop singing..

It's close to midnight

Trieste, Italy

It's close to midnight when I'm writing this blog. I closed the door of my hotel room, turned on the night light and sunk down on the bed. My feet hurt like hell but my heart is filled with joy.. What a great idea to come to Trieste, Italy and spend a couple of days in the company of two wonderful ladies.

It's my first visit to Italy. I am convinced my family would love to be here too.. There's no reason why we couldn't do this again, just the four of us. The girls would love this town and hubby would enjoy the weather and the Italian food. I wouldn't mind coming back here..

Once again, I feel how important it is to be able to make yourself understood. I don't speak any Italian at all. In only one day time, I learned some small words like prego or grazie. "Excusa" is not a name, but we had a good laugh over it.

Coming home from wandering around town, we soothed our tired bodies by sinking in a foambath and took some time to relax. Our friend wanted to cook diner for us, so we said goodbye for a while. She had some errands to run and some cooking to do. I sneaked out of my room to pay a visit to the local supermarket. I'm always looking for foreign specialties and I must say: I regret my suitcase was nearly full on my way to Trieste. Because there were so many different kinds of pasta I wanted to bring home.. The packages would add too much weight to my suitcase, so I only picked two.

Tomorrow morning in the early hours we'll take the train to Venice. It'll be a 2 hour ride but I'm sure it will be worth it. Let's hope the wind won't follow us all the way to Venice, because it nearly froze my nose off today. I forgot to take pictures today. I'll make up for that tomorrow..

I live on the second floor

You're just too funny. I knew whippets like to lay on top of one another, but you're just too much.. If you were a human being, you would probably prefer an apartment over a house. You would definitely live on the second floor.. Rebba has no choice but to bear you laying on top of her. Not just with one leg, but with her full body, Inthe lays on top of Rebba. That must be pretty heavy for Rebba, but she manages. That's how both of you like to sleep and spend your day on the couch: warm, cosy and loved..