Chelle's place

Hamster

2012-01-24T16:05:00.000+01:00

On January 2nd I woke up with toothache. Not bad but you know this irritating pain as if you have a bruising and you know it will get bad if you don't do anything about it. Yeah...that!

On Tuesday January 3rd I phoned my dentist. She is on vacation all of January and I got the telephone number of the replacing dentist.
Went there at 11h and he abraded the molar that felt bruised. Apparently because of teeth grinding I had bitten the molar loose and that caused the irritation.

It got worse and I phoned the replacing dentist on Thursday January 5th to find out he was now not the replacing dentist and was referred to the replacing dentist.
Are you still following this? Bare with me though!

The replacing replacing dentist abraded the bruised feeling tooth and the molar before that. It seemed a little inflamed on the photo but nothing to worry about until my own dentist was back from vacation.

On Sunday January 8th I woke up with a swollen cheek and tremendous pain. I went to the hospital ER after I phoned them and they said I should come straight over. The doctor I saw put her finger in my mouth and pressed the gum. In ten seconds she said it was an abcess of the root of a tooth and I should see a dentist and send me away.

I phoned my dentist to find out who the replacing dentist now was. So then I went to the replacing, replacing, replacing dentist!
You still with me right? Bare with me!

After an hour of waiting 3 photos were taken and she said the molar far in the back should come out. So in went the anaesthetic injections 1, 2 and 3.
After 20 minutes she pinched a needle to see if I had any pain. Yes, I did and in went anaesthetic injections 4, 5 and 6. She tried again after 10 minutes and pinched the needle again. Ouch! And then it was time for the big anaesthetic drugs and in went injections 1, 2 and 3 of that and 4, 5, 6 and 7 after 10 minutes. Oh boy...I was feeling soooo sick and had so much pain!
The replacing, replacing, replacing dentist really fell for me. She said I should be treated by a surgeon for this but there is no surgeon available on Sundays.
She pulled out the molar and let me pay 164 euros!
I went home.
It got worse...

Monday morning January 9th I had not slept all night even after drinking a bottle of wine. Painkillers didn't do anything anymore. I felt very sick of all the aneasthetics and the pain was not bearable. I phoned the hospital and asked, begged and finally shouted to get an appointment at the surgeon.
He saw me that afternoon.
A full overview photo was taken and he concluded that the replacing, replacing, replacing dentist...extracted the WRONG tooth.

He sent me home with antibiotics because the inflammation was too bad to do anything now without causing more infections.
Yesterday I had a outpatient surgery where he opened up the gum and treated all the inflamed roots.

And now?
I look like this....see the resemblance???

Yes, you bet I will file a complaint about the replacing, the replacing and the replacing dentists!

First Love Of 2012 - Airfryer

2012-01-13T16:13:00.000+01:00

Music was my first love and it will be....as John Miles sings beautifully. Well my first love of the year 2012 is this kitchen appliance...the Airfryer!

What is an Airfryer? Well, it is a frying pan but you don't need oil to fry in.

No oil? Exactly, only when frying fresh fries you add halve a table spoon of oil in the pan. Unlike other multicookers such as from Tefal you don't add oil and it doesn't have a rotor in the pan that grinds so you can cook more types of food in it than in the other multicookers.

So besides it is a much healthier way of frying compared to a regular deep fryer it doesn't smell like a regular deep fryer. I live in this house for 4 years now and never used the deep fryer inside the house. If I would, I need to wash the curtains and smell the frying smell for at least a week. That is not the case with the Airfryer though. So that is such a relief!

This post isn't about promoting Philips and I am not sponsored by a PR company. I just want to share my enthusiasm for this product!

The Airfryer isn't cheap, in my opinion. It costs 199,99 Euros but at the moment you get a good price and 20 Euros back via Philips so then the Airfryer costs 127,00 Euros. Now that is a good price!!!

This is in the Netherlands but do check out the Philips website if the promotion is available in your country.

Lewis

2012-01-11T20:39:00.000+01:00

He is soooooo cute!!! The little pussycat man in my mum's life.
Here a few 'Awwwwwww' worthy snapshots of the little fellow at 13 weeks old.

The Gallery Week 86 - Phone Photo Of Lewis

2012-01-11T19:47:00.000+01:00

Yes, I know I haven't been the best blogger lately. I am sorry!

Life caught up with me and major factor in it all was the hernia. Sitting was almost impossible and then writing posts isn't that simple. I took time to work out some issues and get my back better.

Tara has a fab prompt for the 86 time of the Gallery. The prompt is Phone photo.

Since I have this SAMSUNG Galazy I take a photo just about everyday. Today's capture is Lewis, my mum's kitten. He is so funny and today he was exploring catnip in his activity centre. Not the best photo quality wise as this little guy moves a lot...

The Gallery - The Kitchen

2011-11-30T18:01:00.002+01:00

One of the places in the house where one spends most of time at home is the kitchen. And that is this weeks prompt for The Gallery.

My kitchen isn't really to my liking to be honest. It was already in the house when I bought it. But it is good quality and not hideous. Two years ago I took off the hanging cabinets and integrated the kitchen more to the living room and for another while it is just fine.

I love cooking and baking. Although cooking and baking for me only now isn't that much fun. Hopefully that will change soon and I can spend more time there. Making a big breakfast for two. Pasta pesto with grilled chicken. Chimichangas. Mexican Corn soup with nacho chips with grated cheese. Brownies Muffins....

Some of you might think it isn't very hygienic but Dixie eats her tuna on the kitchen counter. That originated when she came here from the pet shelter where she wouldn't eat. At the time I had all her food on the floor and she wouldn't eat. Since she gets her tuna on the kitchen counter she eats fine. Also she sits on her spot of the kitchen counter when I am cooking every now and then. She doesn't go anywhere else just that spot and if I tell she can she drinks for the tap sometimes. And yes...before I do anything in the kitchen that involves food I clean the counter tops:-)

This was put together for The Gallery and don't forget to look at what others have posted! Enjoy!

To Pierce Or Not To Pierce

2011-11-15T15:38:00.000+01:00

It isn't a secret that I love piercings is it?

In the way some people come up to me or approach me, it is pretty obvious I don't meet the cliché or prejudice about voluptuous women. And me as a person. That's good as I don't like to be checked and put into a box, I want to be unique, be myself and appreciated for who I am.

Decorating my body with piercings is fun for me and 'wear' them as most of you would wear jewellery. I have chosen to have permanent jewellery. All piercings are placed with careful thought. The parts where they are placed are parts I like about my body or need focus to work on and then become a part I like. Sounds silly perhaps but it works for me and makes me happy. And that's all that counts, right?!

Almost everyday someone, male and female, comes to me and ask about my piercings. Usually they compliment me on how cool they are but also ask many questions like, if I have more, where I have them, who placed them and if it hurts. When wearing a top short sleeved top you see six of them and the ones on my breasts or cleavage attract much attention...
And to be totally honest...yes, it makes me feel good about myself and yes..also sexy:-)

So any of you out there thinking 'To Pierce Or Not To Pierce'...it is your choice to make. I will state a few answers on questions from my own experience. If you have any questions you'd like to ask just place a comment to this post.

- how many do you have and where?
It isn't a secret the total count of dermal anchors in my body is 10, 12 if you count the earrings. Photos of most of them you can find in previous posts about piercings.

- what type of piercing is best?
I love dermal anchors, see the photo. I like them because the chance of growing out of your skin is the smallest.

- does it hurt?
No, but pain is different to everyone. Pinch yourself on the top of your hand and you have a good idea of how it feels.

- is there blood?
Depending on where you have the piercing there might be a little blood.

- do you have to clean the piercings?
After the dermal piercing is placed just leave it covered with a watertight dressing for as long as it stays on. About a week, then be careful and don't play with it so it can grow into your skin.
Sometimes one gets infected of swimming in a dirty pool or if you hurt it somehow. Then clean it with disinfectant soap and put on a dressing with betadine for a few days. It should be okay.

- what if you want a piercing to have removed?
In any case ALWAYS go to the piercer. Also in case of infection! The GP cuts out the piercing which will leave you with a big and unnecessary scar and stitches. The piercer will take it out gently with sedation and a needle and it will grow to no or hardly any scarring.

- should I have a piercing?
That is only up to you and if you are under 16 discuss with your parents.
Never take one because 'others have them too'.

- what about piercing your genitals?
It can be really cool but according to piercers I spoke to and read about, usually woman who have genital piercings have them because of having; a rather larger inner labia, clithood, clitoris, or need it for sexual stimulation. So unlike what you might think or believe from television, most of us woman have no suitable genitals to place a piercing. If you want to know, ask your piercer.
And yes, I wanted one there but as my piercer said my genitals are too nice to have or need one:-)

- do you want more?
Yes, not right now though. I've seen this really great nipple jewellery that makes me want nipple piercings but it would mean I'd always have to wear padded bras if I don't want to show the piercings. Not sure I want that.

Any more questions? Suggestions?

No Pain No Gain

2011-11-15T11:37:00.001+01:00

In the past 8 weeks I have been dealing with a herniated disk on the L5 of my back. I will write in a separate post about my experiences and progress but don't want to tire you with that in this post:-) This post is about No Pain No Gain.

What I learned from the MRI scan is that I have a mild show of arthritis. Nothing to panic about but another alarm bell ringing. Time to take myself serious and work harder on losing weight. In past weeks I have been spending most of my days walking and doing exercises. My general condition has improved so much and find walking outside, a bit of jogging even fun! It gives me the opportunity to strengthen my back, work on losing weight, clear my mind and even relax.

The result...for working my butt of and going through so much pain...Tadaa! When M and I went to Curaçao the last week of September I wore the jeans lying on the bottom. Today I'm wearing the one which lies on top. And yes, you are counting right, I lost 3 sizes in jeans in the past 6 weeks.

Definitely Gain after Pain!

The Hernia A Week After The Diagnose

2011-10-25T09:20:00.000+02:00

In an earlier post I wrote all about the history of my back pain until the trip to Germany to get a diagnose.

Well, after the trip to Germany to have the MRI-scan and the diagnose by Dr. Ohm, a hernia on L4, things went downhill fast and incredibly painful. I had a major set back and moving, even walking was almost undo-able without taking painkillers and muscle relaxant. It took about four days to get back on the hill and stay on it. What changed since the night at the hotel is that I can't lie down more than two hours anymore. Not on my back, sides but a little bit on my stomach. Which is the worst position when having a hernia but it at least I don't lie on the muscle knot in my bum.

Dr. Ohm offered to give me a Cortison injection, a PRT treatment and I can have it on November 10th. My health insurance doesn't cover the cost and also I don't feel comfortable getting injected synthetic steroid in my body. I am very careful with chemicals on and in my body no matter if you put in on or if it is in food. Anyway, I have decided to bite the bullet and go through the pain without the PRT treatment.

My physiotherapist was on a well deserved holiday last week and had the first appointment after the MRI yesterday. We discussed and reviewed the diagnose, scan, my story and my back.
As the L4 vertebral is completely deflated there is no jelly left to draw back into it and the inflammation of the nerve to my left leg we decided to up scale exercises. The purpose is to create more balance between my abdominal and back muscles. This balance was ruined my overdoing the abdominal exercises and where the whole story started.

Of course we did the exercises at the physio practice room. They are easy but I was sweating on my back and in my hands of effort. Also I got all emotional when I felt the so painful muscle knot in my bum getting less massive. You will get the idea by seeing the photo I'm sure. After doing a set of 20 I need to bend forward and relax. That was very awkward at first and my hands would just hang below my knees. After doing some more exercise the point of my index finger was only a centimeter from the floor.
And more important.....it felt so good and less pain!!!!! I felt a few tears running down my face. Is this the way to get well again??

If you wish more information about the exercises then please let me know. I'm most happy to write about them.

Ten Years Ago We Said Goodbye - In Memory Of My Dad

2011-10-17T00:12:00.001+02:00

Ten years ago, October 17th 2001 his loving heart stopped beating for ever.

No words I write can ever say
How much we miss you every day.
As time goes by, the loneliness grows;
How we miss you, only so many know!
We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name
But all we have are memories,
And photos in a frame.
No one knows our sorrow,
No one sees us weep,
But the love we have for you
Is in our hearts to keep.
We've never stopped loving you
We're sure we never will;
Deep inside our hearts,
You are with us still.
Heartaches in this world are many
But ours is worse than any.
Our hearts still ache as we whisper low,
"We need you and we miss you so."
The things we feel so deeply
Are often the hardest to say,
But I just can't keep quiet,
So I'll tell you anyway.
There is a place in our hearts
That no one else can fill;
We love you so, Dad,
And we always will.

The last goodbye to you was sang by one of your favourite singers, Simply Red.

Everytime We Say Goodbye

I can't take credit for the poem in this post, I tried a couple of times to find the words and just couldn't get it right. So the poem is of an unknown author and made it ours. Hope you understand.

Ouch! A Hernia

2011-10-16T14:37:00.002+02:00

One Saturday morning in May I woke up with pain in my back.
The past weeks I had been doing abdominal exercises daily. At that time I could do about 250 sit ups every morning.
The Friday night was our usual sauna evening and we were tired. So we sat in a warm bath that has waterfalls. M dozed off a little and I had the wonderful idea to do sit ups in the warm water using my legs instead of the upper body.
That is when it all started...the pain.

After a few weeks I went to see a friend who is a physiotherapist. Instead of listening carefully and not constantly asking me on a date he immediately pressured my lower-back when on my stomach and after five minutes he would use electro therapy on my lower back. The symptoms worsened rapidly and the therapist just refused to listen. Probably his mind was occupied on my chest piercings...
Anyway, I decided to go to another therapist. He took my history, did tests and we worked out I overloaded my back doing the sit ups and residual stress. He worked on my back about six times and it really improved. Not gone but almost gone. As the summer holidays came up we decided to have no therapy for a few weeks and see how things would develop.
It went pretty well. A bit of pain some-days and it would come and go, also in my left leg but it was getting better I believe.

Until five weeks ago. In a split second it felt like a few spots in my lower back were on fire. It burned and hurt so much. I couldn't walk because of cramp in my left cheek of my bum. In the next few days it deteriorated rapidly.
I went back to the last therapist and he concluded there was a big problem with a vertebral but not yet a hernia. He continued therapy as before the summer holidays but symptoms were so severe it didn't offer any relief really.

M and I booked a vacation to Curacao in September and after discussion with the therapist we decided to go. The holiday was wonderful and except for the beds being too soft I did very well back pain wise.
When back symptoms worsened again and I spoke to several people with experience in hernia's.
The feeling crept over me some of these people (even doctors) thought I was exaggerating and giving me all sorts of assumptions.
My GP seemed annoyed I went my own way so far to get well and he was not keen on giving me a referral for a MRI scan. He did a few tests (as if the therapist had not done this already a few times) and concluded the pain in my thigh wasn't hernia related but a condition called meralgia paresthetica. This condition is pretty rare and usually occurs with people who are obese. A nerve to the thigh that runs through the groin area gets pressured and numbness or fire in the thigh is the result. The fact I only have when having the massive cramp in my leg he didn't listen to. So it was very well concluded after a 20 second examination...not!
Also the pain in the Achilles tendon wasn´t related to hernia according to the GP but didn´t examine this. He wrote a referral mentioning the meralgia parasthetica.

Sick of it I was. The average time on waiting lists for hernia is 9-12 weeks here. Annoyed by this and the misdiagnoses due to not listening and the protocol for hernia in the Netherlands I decided to arrange for a MRI scan myself.

So on Saturday October 15 at 11.00 o'clock I had the MRI scan at the Euregio Klinik in Nordhorn arranged via PrivateScan. The MRI scan is pretty simple although it doesn't feel nice to be in such a small tube for 15 minutes. Glad I knew how long 15 minutes are when lying in the sauna! It seems forever and that combined with the noise of the machine when scanning can be a real challenge not to press the emergency button. No...I didn't:-)
About half an hour after the scan the doctor reviewed the results and we spoke about my options.

The problem you can see where the arrow is pointing to. A total deflated vertebral. The hernia is at its peak right now.
The jelly like nucleus has run out completely and is sticking to the nerves that go to my left leg. The inflamed nerve you can see on the second photo as the white spot.

Now what?

Option one is to keep going as I have been for the past five weeks. Walk and rest only. It will heal naturally within 6 - 8 weeks. The second option is to get cortisone injections. These will be given during a CT scan so they can tell where the needle is. In the Netherlands this procedure is without a CT scan, no need to explain what the risk is here. The doctor offered to give an injection yesterday but it meant I couldn't drive any more. That was no option unfortunately. By injecting cortisone the inflammation will go down as well as the blockage of the nerves. The last option is surgery but the doctor immediately said this wasn't the right option for me.

Today I am recovering of the past two days. I have not been sleeping well for weeks obviously. On Friday I drove to a hotel nearby the clinic. The autumn school holidays started so it took 3,5 hours to get there. I had planned on staying at M's so I had a one hour drive on Friday and one hour on Saturday but it unfortunately fell through. In the next few days I will think about the options and discuss with my physiotherapist tomorrow.
If the cortisone injections are a good plan I will arrange appointments with the clinic and with M if he can put me up for a night every 2-3 weeks.

It hurts like hell...it makes you not functioning in any way...at least in Curacao I did because of the temperature and options to have fun. Here the world is now again so small and I'm scared I will go back to where I was last year at this time. Damn...I worked so hard to get well and happy-ish and now this.
Another time where I feel I get punished in life.

The Gallery - Colour - Blue Lagoon

2011-10-05T12:31:00.001+02:00

This weeks prompt for the Gallery is Colour.

The past week I was on holiday in Curaçao and... oh yes, do they have some magnificent colours there! More about my lovely holiday with M will soon follow in the next posts but this one is for the Gallery and is called Blue Lagoon.

The photo was taken at 'Playa Lagun' on the west side of Curaçao. A stunning colour the ocean has here and the most gorgeous views under water.

Floored

2011-09-13T19:52:00.001+02:00

The girl has time to blog...
Really? Yes...really. She is floored with an almost hernia.

For the past months I had some backpain problems on and off and had intensive physiotherapy for it. For work I went to London in June and after that I took a few days off. Since then my back was quite okay really except for the occasional ache and stiffness.
As always going to the sauna does miracles on muscles and had no pain anymore so I assumed the damaged intervertebral was healed.

A week or two ago I noticed having cramps in my bum and seemed my hip was aching. Not bad but when sitting and getting up.
It became worse. The cramps started to follow up quickly until they didn't go away anymore since Tuesday last week. As I had an appointment with my GP I asked if it could relate to hormones, I read that on the internet when Googling for 'cramp in bum, calve and hip'.
He suggested to go back to the physiotherapist and see what he'd say.

On Thursday I had an appointment at the physiotherapist and told my colleagues that. Really I believed one of them was joking saying I had a hernia. He had one and told me by my story I had all the symptoms.
Scared I went to my appointment.

Soon I learned it almost is a hernia based on the results on movement tests related to my pain and story. Apparently the intervertebral wasn't completely healed yet and I had gotten back to normal....which is like a bouncing ball or loose cannon as some people around me say.

But being that is my luck too because my muscles are in pretty good shape so with the right attitude and sticking to the rules they set I should be well again soon. The rules are; no bending, no sitting down unless eating, walk 6 hours a day and when not walking lie down flat.
Good...I can do that! Since Friday I have been really really strict and I believe it is paying off. It has to!!!
I will be leaving for a holiday that I have been longing for 3 years but couldn't because I was unemployed for such a long time. M and I have booked for Curaçao and we are so looking forward to go and have the break we both need so much.

Talking to my GP and physiotherapist made me realise I have to take things much slower in the future.
I have been trying to make up for the time I was at home feeling useless to the world and to anyone around me. Silly I know but as I tried to explain to a few dear ones;

Since a little kid I was bullied real bad and even nowadays people try to bully me. I am so used to prove to others that I am not a fatty or dumb ass. But that I am a kind loving person with a good set of brains, skills and that I can do everything that others can too. I always have done my utter best to do things better than people would expect from me.

With almost 38 years on the clock I should know better!!! I should know I don't have to do this but old habits are hard to break.
My body has given two significant signs I have to slow down and I don't want any more signs so I am choosing for me know even if it means I will let people down. I apologise in advance...if you don't understand then

First goal to achieve in the next two weeks....Holiday to Curaçao!!!!!

The Gallery Week 72 - Animals

2011-08-31T13:16:00.000+02:00

It has been a while...again since I posted anything. Shame because I find so much joy in blogging and especially in taking part in Tara's Gallery.
So seeing tweets and a few posts so far I can't resist. Don't forget to check out the other fabulous entries!

Anyone who reads my posts and follows tweets knows there is a small little lovely pussycat living with me who I adore.
So for this weeks Gallery where the prompt is Animals of I present Dixie!
I believe it is the funniest shot of her ever! Yawning and making the noise that comes along with it.

A Very, Very Lovely Weekend!

2011-07-12T13:11:00.002+02:00

It is now the Tuesday after a very, very lovely weekend!

Instead of going to the sauna on Friday evening we went on Saturday for the whole day. This time we went to a beautiful spa in the south of the Netherlands that is known for being the most complete and modern spa.

We arrived late in the morning and did about 9 rounds of sauna throughout the day. We attended a brine session where they would pour caramel scented water on the heater, also vanilla and lemon grass and another one that I forgot. At first you feel you have all the time in the world to enjoy the day to the max and optimum relaxation. Time just flies by and before you know it...closing time. The fact you forget about time existing means it actually has the right effect on you. We absolutely love these days and consider them mini vacations.

After a lie in on Sunday we decided to do something active. The weather was just lovely sunny so off we went to the gardens of 'Appeltern'. A 15 acre big park full of (example) gardens, all with their own theme.
We first walked from point A to Z so we would have an idea of what it all was and then decided on what we wanted to really see.
The first garden that appealed to both of us was this one.

Gorgeous isn't? All the different shades of green and textures. Almost a Japanese garden. It wasn't but surely had the feel of it.
And this was only one of the 200 gardens present. We have seen lots of lovely gardens or parts of gardens that really grabbed us. The pond, the colours, the use of sorts of plants and flowers, smell, you name it.

Further into the park we noticed lots of purple and pink. We opened the gate and where in awe...

THIS is totally the garden I'd want and I'm pretty sure M does too. To let you feel what we felt when being in this garden is probably impossible via photos but I hope I've captured some of it. The garden is surrounded by a brick wall. This makes you feel save and seeing all these absolutely gorgeous coloured flowers and plants will definitely make you smile. The sound of water and buzzing bees is just lovely. We wandered off to see the other gardens but couldn't resist to go back to this one two more times.

Every time we saw something we didn't see before, there's so much to see and take in. The architect of this garden comes every month to do the maintenance himself. I can imagine because you really want to keep this living picture alive. Perhaps he needs coming here for the same reason so many visitors of Appeltern find this the most amazing beautiful garden.

And then it was 17.50 pm...time flew! We could resist to buy plants and the park shop as they charged at least double the normal gardencenter prices.
Both of us left full of impressions and ideas of what to do with our terrace and gardens.

The weekend was a good mix of relaxation on Saturday and activity on Sunday surrounded by fun, laughter, good conversation, good company and more!
Already look forward to the next time.

The Un-official Gallery - My Actual Trip To London - Part II

2011-06-13T13:19:00.007+02:00

Hello everyone! I expected to have more time to write about my trip to London but obviously I didn't...

I arrived on Wednesday afternoon. The distance from London City airport to the ExCel Convention centre was about zero but nevertheless you had to take the DLR to Poplar and back towards Beckton to get there. So I figured I'd better go to the hotel first to check in. Freshened up a bit and then go to the location of the exhibition. It was quite busy at the exhibition floors to get everything ready, all was there as far as I could tell and went back to the hotel for dinner, watch The Apprentice with Twitter friends, a bath and sleep.

On Thurday I had to be at the exhibition hall very early as there was an engineer coming to install the Quooker for the stand. I found my way taking the DLR and was at the booth before 8 am. Meanwhile I could start on setting up the booth. It was very warm in the hall and started sweating madly. No sign of the engineer and decided I would get the other team members registrations and badges. About 9000 people would be attending this congress/exhibition and long queue's where expected. Now there was hardly anyone. The rest of the bunch's flight was delayed so I decided not to wait for them at the exhibition hall and go to the hotel. M had arrived and was heading to the hotel too.

We all arrived at the hotel at the same time! The bunch, M and myself. We all chatted shortly and got to our rooms and meet in the lobby later for a briefing.

M and I decided to go for a swim and to go into town after the briefing.

I was so happy to see M after a few tough weeks for both of us. Funny how at ease we feel with each other. After the briefing we headed for Covent Garden.

Found a pizzeria to have dinner and wandered around for a while. Then walked to Picadilly Circus. Finally got a Latte Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks! And purchased the tins with instant coffee for the booth.

We got back at the hotel around midnight. It was a long day for both of us and time to get some rest.

Friday...the first day of the exhibition. M planned a bit of a route as he had to spend the day on his own. The whole bunch met up for breakfast. We went to the exhibition. It took us a while because we were chatting so much and being exited about what today would bring that we missed the stops. Not once, not twice but it took us three attempts to get on the right DLR and to the exhibition centre. Luckily two other colleagues staying at a hotel across the centre opened up.

Everything looked really good and these large pharmaceutical companies have very posh and expensive stands. The crowd wasn't so busy though because most were attending the congress sessions. Later it got real busy as a professor mentioned our company and product in his session and that was awesome. A long day though... M couldn't make it to swing by the booth so I left at 16.30h for the hotel. He had booked us tickets for the London Eye. We arrived at the hotel at the same time, had a soak in the jacuzzi bath and at headed for Waterloo Station at 18h. The weather was very nice but you could tell rain was about to arrive.

As the tickets were pre-booked we didn't have to stand in the long line of people and got on via the fast track.

It was really awesome! From the first move up until the last minute getting off the capsule. The view is magnificent! Even for people who are afraid of heights should try. It is high but you can't look down really but so far and wide, really really fab.

Again I was very happy M came to London to share this with me, it wouldn't have been such a fun experience on my own.

As we got out of the capsule it started to bucketing it down and thundered. We bought an umbrella and headed for the restaurants at the bridge. Long queues of people waiting for a table now lots weren't possible to use with the rain. Both dead tired and having sore feet we found a small Italian restaurant on Belvedere Road called Cucina. Such a nice ambiance and great food and wine. We took our time to enjoy this and each others company. M had walked miles and miles during his sightseeing, me on standing at the booth all day so with the wine in our knees we headed back for the hotel and slept like a log.

The Un-official Gallery - My Actual Trip To London - Part I

2011-06-08T14:28:00.000+02:00

There is something about me and travelling. Something always seem to go different than you would want. Today didn't start very well.

At 7.30 am the doorbell rang and a delivery guy was at the door to deliver all the shower things. Not as planned. Then I went to pack my suitcase and halfway my phone rang. The delivery of the tiles...a day too early and the driver couldn't get the lorrie in my street. He had one of those carts and drove all through the streets with it with my tiles and dumped them on the sidewalk.
Phoned my mum and a neighbour to help put the tiles in the livingroom.
Running out of time of gettiing to the office to pick up the last stuff for the trip.
Made it...barely and knackered.

Unlike my last trip, to see @the_moiderer, that involved flying I will not almost miss my flight.
It is just after 14h and I am at the airport and so is the rest of Benidorm Bastards...

Anyway...My actual trip to London.
The reason I am going to London is the biggest and most prestigious congress on hematology. My company is taking part with a booth and in my role in the company I coordinate congresses and such.
Over the past few months I have been busy working on this. To organise there will be furniture, electrics, water, trash-bins, badges, hotel and travel arrangements and so on.
The company I work for developed and commercialised a micro array test for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The product we will present at the congress.
We will be at the congress with a team of seven and we really look forward to it. Hopefully we get to meet lots of our possibly future customers as well as existing ones. The rest of the gang is arriving tomorrow.

Talking of arriving tomorrow...a huge suprise but so lovely was just confirmed to me. M is coming to London! And yes, I am very happy with that. No high expectations just me at the congress and have fun with M in the spare time I have.

So far part I, no photo yet, will do that later:-)

Un-Official Gallery - My Trip To London

2011-06-07T21:49:00.000+02:00

Okay okay I'm not in London yet so I can't post just yet. But as I will be travelling tomorrow and don't know if I have time I wanted to open the McLinky for you already.

I will upload my post tomorrow as soon as I can. And must say I look forward to seeing and reading your linked posts at the hotel tomorrow evening.

Don't forget, let's make Tara proud so get clicking and writing your un-official Gallery entry!

Un-official Gallery

2011-06-07T12:16:00.000+02:00

Tara of Sticky Fingers is having the week off. Surely she is entitled to have a week off but us lot don't want to miss out on the Gallery, right lovely Gallery fans?!

So once again let's make Tara proud we do an unofficial gallery to celebrate the joy and fun it brings to us!

You don't need to do a prompt if you don't want to but if you do then let's see what you come up with 'My trip.......'.

I will find out how it works now with link up, if you have suggestions please let me know!

See you all back here tomorrow I hope!

Dixie And Her First Encounter With Live Fish

2011-06-03T11:21:00.000+02:00

Since I moved into my house I really wanted a pond. I love the sound of a fountain when chillaxing in the garden. Last week I decided to get a little pond. And what isn't a pond without a pond? Exactly....fish!

So there is Roxie, Ronnie, Jack, Phil and Shirley and here is Dixie discovering them waiting in a bowl to go into the pond. I had such a laugh just observing Dixie's behaviour and clicked tons of photos. She clearly never seen fish other than chopped tuna in a can.

Here are the photos made into a short film...have a laugh!

The Gallery - I'm Grateful For

2011-06-03T11:00:00.000+02:00

I am grateful for getting my life back bit by bit and these two lovelies represent that on a daily basis.

Today at Chelle's Place - Peonies and Sweet William

2011-05-29T10:53:00.000+02:00

Can you smell them??? Lovely aren't they?

Update On Body Parts - My Piercings

2011-05-26T21:39:00.001+02:00

Remember in January there was a prompt for Tara Cain's Gallery on Body parts. I posted a story and photos of my piercings. Since then a few new piercings have been added and I love them.
When people first see me they apparently think I am a 'good girl' (so I am told) and don't expect me to have several piercings.
On request here's the visual update on them.

Chelle's back garden part II - The Gallery

2011-05-25T20:22:00.000+02:00

Part II

As it has been such a long time since I posted anything for Tara's Gallery I couldn't resist to show off the rest of my garden.

In the past I posted about my 'livingroom extension' and that is exactly still what my back garden is. But have a look yourself...and don't forget to look at what the others posted too!

Chelle's back garden part I - The Gallery

2011-05-25T18:25:00.004+02:00

Part I

It is spring, the sun is shining and I love my garden. Here is part I for the Gallery...my new pond with a little fountain. The sound of water is so lovely.
Enjoy!

Happy Birthday

2011-05-02T22:02:00.000+02:00

Today is Dixie's third birthday!

This morning when the alarm on my phone went off Dixie was still curled up and barely awake. Normally when the alarms goes off she is the alarm...

She then walks over my body and hopefully gets me out of bed by loudly purring and scratches my nose with her out sticking tooth.

Madam didn't want any food and didn't want to out first but only wanted to play and have/give cuddles. What a cutie!

Look at me sitting here being gorgeously cute!

Okay I will have a quick look but it is really too cold!

You go to work mommy mistress and I will chew a bit on the plants:-)

When I got home from work she was happy and again very cuddly. She had some extra tuna for a birthday meal and then she wanted to play in the last sunshine of today. Yep, a happy little kitty she is and I am so happy to have her in my life.

Happy Birthday sweet Dixie!

Pink Clematis

2011-04-25T15:08:00.001+02:00

For me a flowering clematis is the start of summer. Hopefully the clematis will blossom as many times as last year...it would then mean we have a wonderful summer.

Where did you hide the eggs?

2011-04-24T10:35:00.001+02:00

Sun day

2011-04-10T16:35:00.001+02:00

So glad my mommy mistress came home last night. I really miss her when she went off for a few days. Now she is back and spends this Sun day with me, in the garden. You like my tan?

Former Entry For Silent Sunday - Kickaroo

2011-04-03T12:17:00.003+02:00

Well, this post was meant to participate the Silent Sunday hosted by Mocha Beanie Mummy as I have been doing for a while.
I was totally unaware of breaking the rules, sorry if I did. But just tell me instead of just deleting it!
Thought is was about having fun and showing a bit of effort!

So now this post was about silence though at least that is what is was intended for.
Yes, you can here me but it isn't about me it is about Dixie and how she is playing with a kickaroo.

Yesterday two years ago Dixie chose me at the pet shelter. See how she is today and spends her Silent Sunday...well silent if you turn off the sound:-)

Something Big

2011-03-06T19:04:00.000+01:00

If you have followed my blog you know that half January a turn around took place after a year and a half of being unemployed. Several posts are about this subject and about what it means and does to you.
Never I expected something like that would get me down so low I would consider not wanting to live like that if this situation continued.
Not that I actually really thought about doing something to myself, don't get me wrong, just saying I couldn't cope with not working and getting rejected all the time and in many ways.

Since two months now I am working and trying to get in a sort of routine. It is not quite there yet. I thought I did but then recently things changed with dear M and now start again.

After all the bad stuff over the past year and a half now was the time and the opportunity to do something big. And big it is!
With the upcoming cost of maintenance, age and mileage it was wise to buy a new car. So a few hours of browsing, reading, looking, mix and matching and then four cars on my list to have a look at and testdrive.

Yesterday I went to do this and by the end of the day I made my choice. It has to be a Mitsubishi Colt CZ5 Edition Two. After a short time of negotiating we made a deal. So.....on Thursday I will pick up my new car!

That means goodbye to my dear black, loyal, trustworthy, fun and fab Twingo.
I loved driving you, see places together such as Antwerp and hang out in traffic jams. Thank you for getting me everywhere save and sound. You've been marvelous! *MWAH*

Silent Sunday - Sneeuwklokje

2011-03-06T12:56:00.000+01:00

Too late?

2011-02-27T22:49:00.001+01:00

I just realised very recent...really realised that I love you.

*swallows*
Djeez, that is really something big and scares me.
Didn't realise you are so deep under my skin.

Just realised that I love you when it all seems to fall apart...for ever?

Just when I really thought things were turning round and there was a real chance to go for it for us? Getting real close again slowly, after having some doubts a few months back?

I now know that I fell for you when you stopped your car right next to me in the parking lot at the beach that night. You got out of your car and kissed me. Right there and then the 'damage' was done!

Honestly I don't believe I have experienced the falling in love bit. There were no butterflies or I was well able to eat and all but when with you I feel great. In past new relationships I have experienced butterflies but that never last. With them the deeper feeling of a bond like we have was never there.

Always I'm looking forward to see, smell and kiss you! You simply make me feel great.

You are so not the type of man I used to be attracted to, not at all, the opposite even. What spell do you have over me? What is it why I miss you so much right now?

I miss your presence, twinkling eyes, laughter, wit and making silly faces that make me laugh so much, your feet against mine when sleeping and just before waking up and I have my arm around you, you grab my hand and press it tight and close to you.

Sometimes I like watching you sleep. Have to laugh when you start talking in your sleep and wonder what it is you are dreaming about.

Oh, sometimes I could just glue you behind the wallpaper because you have your annoying moments when behaving utterly self-centred but just when you get the blood from under my nails you are able to surprise me and I forget all about that.

Dammit...I just wish you would give us a chance, a real chance without holding back in any way. A real chance in a more normal and stable time than the situation that we were in previously. Doesn't the relationship and bond that we have deserve that chance?

I asked you already...have I been so wrong about it all?
xxx

Silent Sunday - Click!

2011-02-27T19:19:00.000+01:00

Silent Sunday - Putting My Feet Up

2011-02-20T11:16:00.000+01:00

More Silent Sunday - Zzzzzz

2011-02-13T20:37:00.000+01:00

Silent Sunday - A Bit Of Sweet

2011-02-13T09:19:00.000+01:00

Silent Sunday - Sharing Pillows and Cold Feet

2011-02-06T14:15:00.000+01:00

Silent Sunday - A Glass Of Sunshine

2011-01-30T11:23:00.000+01:00

Back To Work

2011-01-23T15:00:00.000+01:00

The first week of work is behind me. And what a week it was!
It was fab! Chaotic and fun!

I knew it was going to be like that at first because lots of things are happening in a short period of time. My joining this company now was totally at the right time. Everyone is working really hard on several projects but they're starting to lose overview and forgetting about important details.

Glad I was there already for a couple of hours the week before. In that way I could immediately do something on my real first day. So what do I do?
Well, I support the commercial department in anyway I can. my role is Marketing Assistant but that title doesn't cover the role really. Never mind though, it's only a name.

The company exists two years, a spin-off of the hematology department of the university of Rotterdam. They are about to launch the first product on the market. They have developed a microarray for acute myeloid leukaemia. This test will allow for a standardized assessment of molecular abnormalities. With this test is is possible to diagnose the AML patient quicker and accurate so the right treatment, bone-marrow transplantation or chemo-therapy, can be started.

This past week I have been working on setting up back-office related things as a actionlist of all the things we need to do. Made templates for events and trainings. Worked on organising the launch event which will take place in February. So I finalised the location details, invite and requested quotations for goodies. And I was requested to help with implementing the CRM system as I have broad experience in that area.

I felt very guilty leaving Dixie alone for so many hours. And when home I was soooo tired the first three days that I played with her when laying on the sofa. Fortunately Dixie is doing pretty well. You can tell she is adjusting and finds it difficult sometimes but over all she is happy.
On Thursday evening dear M surprised me by coming over. On Friday we now work about a 15 minute drive apart. So we both stopped at 16.00h and drove to the spa. Had dinner there and a lovely relaxing sauna evening, as always! A long lie in yesterday morning. M went home in the afternoon and I ran a few errands in town. Good to get some fresh air as I've been indoors most of the week. Last night I went to bed fairly early to catch up on some rest.
Today is a lovely and quiet Sunday. Doing a bit of this and that until Eastenders starts.

Now it just comes to finding a routine of going to work, come home, cook, play with Dixie and spend the evening but have to do my housework too. And definitely don't want to do that all in the weekends.

But......I feel GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It feels great and I am happy to feel good.
Since Wednesday I can feel the negative stress leaving my system bit by bit. the wrinkle on my forehead isn't as sharp anymore. People I've spoken to such as my mum and M said my eyes twinkle.

Silent Sunday - What's Cooking?

2011-01-23T12:39:00.000+01:00

The Gallery - Mother Nature - The View

2011-01-19T18:29:00.003+01:00

The office where I work is located in a high building just on the outskirts of the city centre of Rotterdam. This building is pretty high and has magnificent views over the city, on a bright day you can even see The Hague or perhaps even Gouda.

Mother Nature is the prompt for this weeks gallery and I will give you what Mother Nature didn't create...The View. What she did, letting clouds pack together to start pouring rain...lots and lots of it too!

Large parts of Rotterdam were completely vanished of the face of the earth during the bombing in the Second World War. It was rebuild but on low budget and over the years more and more new buildings arise where there were cheap and decayed buildings.

This was put together for the Gallery.

Fire!!!

2011-01-16T18:56:00.000+01:00

Almost...almost my whole world fell apart.
Almost...almost everything I own was gone.
Almost...almost Dixie was gone.

What happened?

It was last Friday afternoon just before my 'unemployed chapter' would come to an end.
Dear M was on his way from work to my place. I had a lovely meal ready for us of pasta with spinach, pesto, grilled chicken and pine nuts. It was a grey and dark day so lights on early.
He arrived, we had a drink, ate dinner, chatted and then got ready to go to our sauna evening. When I got downstairs from brushing my teeth M was sitting on the sofa playing with Dixie. I was saying we were as good to go when I saw the two floor lamps on each side of the sofa started to flash.

'Oh oh', I said, 'seems like there will be a power cut'. The lights started to flash faster and lights got brighter. The plug with dimmer is on the back of the sofa and I saw flashing lights coming from there too.
I got the plug and noticed smoke coming out. Soon it started to smell like fire and quickly took out the plug and threw it in a flowerpot outside. Then checked all the plugs everywhere in the house and pulled them out. Except for the fridge and freezer.
Off we went.

Sitting in the car, on our way to the sauna I realised how many stuff there is actually plugged in. Also I realised what could have happen if it happened only five minutes later. OMG!!
At the sauna I was stressed and worried but felt stupid to ask M to go back as there couldn't really be a problem any more. Everything is replaceable but not Dixie and not my photo albums. So I text my mum saying I didn't feel very comfortable, she was real sweet to go over and check everything. Then yesterday I was away all day again and she fed Dixie and checked again.

This is a photo of the damn (pardon my French) thing that almost caused my house to go up in flames. So beware! These dimmers are available in different sorts at any D.I.Y. store. Please make sure you have or get one with a fuse so in case it short circuits the fuse will blow and the thing will switch off. Same goes for plug extension sockets.

Did I take the imaginary 'for Sale' sign out of the garden because I can afford my mortgage again now I have a job and it was almost burned down.
Brrrr.....
This really...really scared me!

Saturday Shopping

2011-01-16T11:22:00.000+01:00

Result!
After a lovely lie in after our sauna evening and breakfast with dear M yesterday, I went to Antwerp with my lovely BFF Claudia. As she lives in the south of the Netherlands we decided to meet around noon at a little village just across the border with Belgium. She hopped in my car and half an hour later we had parked and were on our way to Starbucks. However walking on the first half of the 'Keyserlei' we noticed Sac d'Anvers, a big shop with lots and lots of bags. In any sort of shape, size and colour. I believe we spent at least 45 minutes there and this resulted in buying a bag each and I bought one for my mum.
Then finally COFFEE!!!! Of course a Caramel Latte Macchiato Venti and a Blueberry Muffin.
We chatted and sipped and chatted:-)
After this 'lunch' we set foot to the 'Meir', the main shopping street.
The weather was good, windy and dry but nice. So after we done all shopping it was the start of dinner time for the Belgian and stupidly is that you can't get in a restaurant for just a drink. So we sat on a heated terrace and had a beer. Nicely tired and getting hungry we decided to get to the car and drive to a little place nearby Antwerp where there is a huge Carrefour Hypermarket to buy wine and such and to have a simple meal at the Pizza Hut.

So here's the result of my shopping spree...from left to right; big leather handbag in taupe for work, blue top, pink cotton/silk shirt, Godiva chocolates for my mum, yoghurt's, rice dessert, coffee, red wine, four bottles of my favourite white wine, ring with black stone, necklace hanger, blouse, Limoncello, handbag for my mum and a lovely ring with a green stone and another top.
Ha, I can hear you think 'how much did she spent?' Well...a little but not extravagant actually considering the nice leather bags and lovely wines:-)

Silent Sunday - Smile

2011-01-16T09:57:00.000+01:00

My Last Day Of Unemployment

2011-01-14T12:22:00.000+01:00

This day I have been looking forward to for a long long time.

Never ever I expected it would take so long and be so difficult to find a new and suitable job when I left B-MS.

Never ever I expected it would hurt me so much not having a job because what I did I didn't like anymore for a long time. I was fed up not having a challenge and tasks I could put my teeth in. Every day was simple, do the trick and go home.

Never ever I expected the professional me to get out of balance so much as I did which resulted in a depression.

Never ever I expected to be let down by authorities such as the unemployment service but also by quite some people around me.

Never ever I expected to get real handy to do most of the D.I.Y.-ing in my house myself.

If only you know me just a little bit you'd understand how hard this past year and a half has been, and I really hope to have never ever experience this again. It eats you up inside and tears most of daily dose your joy and fun out of your life.
That period comes to an end today at 17.00 o'clock. Finally......

On Monday I will start my job as Marketing Assistant for firstly three months at a unique start up company that develops and commercializes diagnostic microarrays for patients with cancer.

Let's take it from there....

So this last Friday of unemployment so far. I got up after a bit of a lie in and played with Dixie. Done most of the chores to clean and tidy the house and now it's time to get myself cleaned up. Then get dinner ready and tonight we will go to the sauna which, as always, I really look forward to.

Although I do the same things I always do on Fridays but the feel is really different. I feel no negative pressure at all and I can feel the stress slowly making a start to leave my body and mind.

So symbolically I will now put a full . to the chapter 'Unemployed' in my book and look forward to the future.

The Gallery - Body Parts - My Piercings

2011-01-11T21:15:00.000+01:00

Yeah! Tara's Gallery is back from the holidays and the theme for this week is Body Parts. A few things about Body Parts came to mind and I tried to get more inspiration when I was at the sauna last Friday evening.

The spa is 'THE' place where you see every kind of Body Part in any sort of shape. No chance of hiding any body parts really unless you're a prude. Of course you look at other people, there's no escaping that if you're as curious as I am. The nice thing is that people look but don't judge or make fun of anyone. That is totally not done. What we notice is that people generally really take good care of themselves. And yes, by that I mean body hair, nails and skin on all body parts! Occasionally when sitting at the footbath area we see a woman or man walks by with a huge bush or jungle on some of their body parts. Then we give a signal to each other and say he or she should have seen a razor:-).

Also there is no escape of seeing tattoos and piercings. And yes, by that I mean on any body parts. Lots of men with a tattooed 't-shirt', a woman with a tattoo of Kermit the Frog with a lawn mower. Occasionally you see a Prince or Princes Albert, Isabella or Christina but next to the pierced ears the belly button is the best represented one.

I used to have a belly barbell but had to take it out as it was growing out. Two months ago I a microdermal anchor above my belly button was placed which was a symbol to celebrate I lost over 10 kilograms.

Today I had another microdermal anchor placed in my arm. Why? For me it symbolises new beginnings.

Don't forget to have a look at the other entries that where put together for

Chez Chelle - January

2011-01-10T18:24:00.000+01:00

The Christmas decorations are taken down and put away in the attic.
Hopefully you all had a lovely X-mas and a good New Year!

Chez Chelle will be coming back monthly and I will give you a theme. More information can be found via the Chez Chelle tab above.
It is the first month of the year and very much winter. A month where lots of us try to eat more sensible food after been told the hard truth by the scale.
To be honest I lost weight over the holidays, it took lots of self discipline to say no to all extra yummy stuff.

So your theme ingredient for this Chez Chelle is....lettuce.

Remember...it is all about cooking fun so it doesn't have to be a gourmet meal with perfect photos. Just share your ideas and recipes on the theme. The linky tool will be up later this week.

Have fun and let it be tasteful and yum!

The Versatile Blogger

2011-01-10T13:17:00.000+01:00

The lovely Julesey10 over at Me, Him & Them tagged me for being a

Thank you honey! Besides learning things about her I didn't know yet she is worth to follow on Twitter too @julesey10...So here are the Rules!

1. Thank and link back to who gave you the award- Julesey10 over at Me, Him & Them

2. Share 7 things about yourself (in no particular order)

I really do not like body hair on me
I had a benign tumour in my left cheek once, since then I am really careful checking my skin and breasts for odd spots and lumps.
I am positively addicted of going to the sauna.
I planned on being a fashion designer for different sized people.
I had most of my education in the HR area
I hope to get my massage business going again soon
I love styling and decorating and would love to do something more with that.

3. Pass it along to blogs you’ve recently discovered and enjoy.

I would like to pass this award on to these three lovely ladies Jenny Paulin of Mummy Mishaps, Sandrine of Paris-Ankara Express and Alethea Hill of Mom On A Wire. Why? Because I like them and their blogs.

4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

Finally...... 10 Questions

1. Why did you create this blog?

Mostly to share my thoughts and feelings. It turned out to be a life saving thing to do during the time I was unemployed and getting very depressed from that.

2. What kind of blog do you follow?

Through Twitter friends I've 'met' some wonderful bloggers. I guess most of them are labelled as mum bloggers but lots of them have a versatile style in writing and choosing topics.

3. Favorite Makeup Brand

I have permanent eye make up in so I only use mascara really and some lipstick sometimes. For any kind of cosmetic product I don't want to use anything with preservatives such as parabens.

4. Favorite Clothing Brand

In my size it is difficult to find one brand that fits good and isn't worn by any 'voluptuous' woman in the country. I combine regular sized clothes from H&M with Paprika and M&S (not the UK one).

5. Your Indispensable Makeup Product

Mascara I guess.

6. Your Favourite Colour

It used to be cobalt blue but that colour doesn't suit me neither the house. Then it was Burberry but after 3 years a bit dull so now it is black, white, grey combined with fuchsia. So...fuchsia it is:-)

7. Your Favourite Perfume

Burberry...for woman, Brit and Touch

8. Your Favourite Film

I don't really have one. There are some films I love to see when on tv but not one favourite.

Loved The Green Mile that was on last night. Also like Grease, The Kingdom, SATC 1&2 and more.

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

South Africa. I've been there for 6 weeks at family when I was 8 years old. Went back to visit and celebrate my birthday for 4 days in 2002. I would love to see more of the country, the wine route.

Then again I would love to visit the United Stated too. New York around X-mas time. Also want to make a tour through some of the states and see the nature, mountains, beaches and desert.

10. Are you a Cat or Dog person?

I love dogs. Real dogs, big ones. For a big dog you need space which my house doesn't have so perhaps one day with a bigger house and garden.

So I consider myself to be a Cat person then. I totally am in luv with my cat Dixie.

New Look

2011-01-10T10:30:00.000+01:00

A new year a new look for...Chelle's Place!
That is what I thought about the past week and yesterday I searched for the new template. In the coming weeks I will probably tweak it a little more but the basic look and feel for 2011 is there.

A new year a new look for...Moi?
Actually I am quite happy with my current looks so I will not drastically change my hairstyle or so. Might get another piercing instead:-). As soon as my weight goes down towards my goal I can probably do with a make over or at least a new wardrobe. Which I am looking forward to very much! Having a personal trainer at the gym will help me get fit and healthy again. Hopefully by summer I will be able to run outside being size 14-ish?

A new year a new look...on the future!
Today is Monday and this time it has a whole different feel to it than the 76 past Mondays. Now I know I have a job to look forward to. And having a job means I get to earn a decent salary. With that I can live a 'normal' life again without having to turn every coin before spending it.
Finally I can start making plans and/or allow myself to dream and have hope again.

The sun is shining, I feel good and going to enjoy it!

Happy 2011!

2011-01-03T13:52:00.000+01:00

Happy New Year everyone!
Hope you had a lovely time going from the old year to the new one.

On 'Oudejaarsdag' M and I went to the sauna. It was so nice and quiet, total bliss!
We went to my place after the sauna, cooked a nice meal and enjoyed a relaxed quiet evening watching the Old-New Years programmes on TV and ate 'oliebollen'. After midnight we climbed on the dike in front of my house to watch the fireworks. Not for long though. It was real foggy and within half an hour we could hardly see anything, even each other. So our cue to drink the rest of the bottle of champaign.

2011....
It started really nice in the company of dear M. Hope he will stick around for quite a while:-)
Hopefully 2011 will bring me getting my professional life back on track by find a good job. Over the past few weeks I have been taking a rest from finding vacancies and stressing myself out over it. Also I have help from a social worker to help me with the frustrations I have for not feeling useful and not needed while being jobless. Once I have a good job I can start or continue with things I put on hold for such a long time.
M-body, my massage practice is one of those things. Rebuild my social life is another. But I have some ideas, plans and dreams I would like to follow up on.
Not sharing those right now as I do need a few subjects to blog about in the future, right?!

First Birthday of Chelle's Place

2010-12-29T14:26:00.001+01:00

Today exactly one year ago I started with Chelle's Place.

Wow...is it already a year ago? It doesn't seem like it to me as time doesn't go very fast since I've been at home.

Via this post I would like to thank all of you readers for coming to www.mschelles.com to read about the simplicity and complexity of life from my point of view.

A few stats...

Over the past 365 days in average 18,7 of you visited Chelle's Place every day.
The best viewed post was the Pretend or Unprompted Gallery and Chez Chelle. Also the photo album is quite popular. Most of you visit from the United Stated, United Kingdom and the Netherlands but I am very pleasantly surprised with from anywhere you come and visit Chelle's Place.

THANK YOU for visiting me and hope to see you again in 2011!!!

My plans and ideas for 2011...

For the blog; Continue writing as I have been the past year. A few ideas have come to mind and will work on them soon. See if you like them. Of course I would love for Chez Chelle to grow and you lovely lot will share your recipes and/or stories about your favourite food there.

Personally; Loose the final 25 kilograms to get fit again, find a fabulous job and show what I'm made of, get back on track with my massage company when I have a job and continue the adoption process and/or might try to get pregnant...we'll see I rather live one day at the time and make the most of that day:-)

xoxo

Chez Chelle Merry Cranberry

2010-12-25T12:10:00.000+01:00

You need a quick simple recipe to make a dessert? You can tweak it or decorate how you like.

Merry Cranberry to you all...

You need:
200 grams cranberries
200 grams sugar
400 ml. whip cream

Put the cranberries and 150 grams of sugar in a pan. Heat until the sugar melts. Let it heat for 5-10 minutes until the cranberries go soft. Mash the cranberries with a potato masher.
Put the mixture in a large bowl and add 200 ml. of the whip cream and stir until cool.

Mix the rest of the sugar and whip cream in a bowl until you get peaks. Spoon it onto the cranberry mixture and marble.
Spoon it in little bowls and let it cool for at least 2 hours.

X-mas Greetings

2010-12-24T16:17:00.000+01:00

Merry Christmas to you all!

Have a lovely time with your LOVED ones. Don't forget what X-mas is about, not the presents, not the Turkey but all about LOVE!!!
When you are having fun and laughs also lite a candle for the loved ones who are no longer amongst us...

The Gallery - Love

2010-12-22T16:52:00.001+01:00

Oh my, the final Gallery for this year. I can't skip this one!
Tara said it would be a toughie and it is... Not that I don't have ideas to write about and accompany the text with a photo but it is really hard when you don't post photos of real life people on your blog.
Think...thinking...thinking again....still thinking...Aaaaahhhhh!!
Eureka!

For those of you lovely people who have been reading my blog over the past year you know what and who I love in life.
So I will not bore with another photo of Dixie this time and I will not post photos of the dear ones in my life but I can post photos of items I love very much moment....in no particular order...

My lovely warm Bomber UGGS

My Galaxy S phone

My pink netbook

And what the heck...this little sweetie represents all the dear ones in my life!

Have a MERRY X-MAS Everyone!!!! Hope you will have a lovely time with your LOVED ones. Don't forget what X-mas is about, not the presents, not the Turkey but the theme that Tara picked so well. LOVE!!!
When you are having fun and laughs also lite a candle for the loved ones who are no longer amongst us...

xoxoxo

Please don't forget to check out the other entries. Everyone of us puts so much effort into this. It is fun and hope it will continue for a long time.

Winter On My Doorstep

2010-12-19T17:32:00.000+01:00

Yesterday the Winter Wonderland post with Dixie, today impressions of Winter On My Doorstep. Literally because I haven't been out far as there was no point going anywhere far with this weather. All daylight photos where views from my front garden and street.

Walking In The Winter Wonderland

2010-12-18T15:30:00.000+01:00

Yesterday afternoon Dixie was sound a sleep on the bed in the guest room. It had stopped snowing for a while and it was so beautiful outside so I decided to wake little 'don't want cold paws' up and take her out for a walk.
And we did, she actually walks with me and 'talks' all the time.
Don't know what she said but I'm guessing it was about cold paws, wet, hungry and sleep...without words Dixie Walking In The Winter Wonderland...

Chez Chelle Holiday Edition

2010-12-18T14:28:00.001+01:00

Welcome back to CHEZ CHELLE Holiday Edition!

Time flew the past few days so I am glad such lovely friends as Maggy of Red Ted Art's blog remind me to open the link up for your recipes. And the link up is open!

As of today until the 31st of January 2011 you can link up your favourite Holiday Season recipes.

Here some Holiday Season impressions to get you in the festive mood. Now go on get cooking, make photos and link up.

The Gallery - Sparkle - Gouda by Candlelight

2010-12-15T21:45:00.000+01:00

Okay I'm cheating on one photo on this second post for The Gallery but I just can not resist in sharing this with you because if we talk Sparkle this deifnitely belongs in the Gallery! The first one was not made by me.

Yesterday the 55th edition of Gouda's Kaarjesavond took place. This event is held every year on the second Tuesday in December.

All windows of the Gothic town hall and the upper floors of shopsaround the market and surrounding streets are lit up by thousands of candles in the windows. The street and shop lighting is shut off and this results in a magical spectacle. Then by various choirs some Christmas Carols ware performed and the audience sings along.
After the official lightning of the tree and ceremony, there are many activities to explore or you can visit churches and museums in the area. This tradition has been kept alive for 55 years and attracts many visitors. More than thirty thousand visitors from home and abroad celebrated the 50th edition in 2005, in the presence of HM Queen Beatrix.
The tree is about 20 meters tall and comes from Norway. It is a gift of Gouda's twin town Kongsberg. The tree has been on a long journey back. It was shipped from Norway via England to Rotterdam where it is carried on a truck that eventually takes it to Gouda. The municipality has one week to decorate the tree.

The Gallery - Sparkle

2010-12-15T14:04:00.001+01:00

For this weeks Gallery theme 'Sparkle' I will take you on a short trip down memory lane.

Ten years ago I was about to start a new chapter in my life. I moved back to Gouda and was going to move back in with my parents until things were sorted such as a fixed employment contract and a house. Still I am very glad I did that because it allowed me to spend lots of time with my father until he passed away ten months later.

Filled with grief and sadness there was also the need to fill the house with light when the holiday season arrived. It gave us comfort. So in the years I shared the house with my mum with the holiday season we would transform the fireplace into a Dickens Village. It was our 'Sparkle' that we needed so much.

It started with a few little houses and lights and decoration but in a few years the whole fireplace, the plateau around it and the chimney would transform in a Dickens mountain town. I made a model with pre-fitted lights, sidewalks, stacked stones walls and a big pond that was the heart of the town. It was awesome!

Unfortunately it isn't possible to set it up in my current house but someday there will be and I can't wait to start building it. If I had the space I would turn the livingroom in a X-mas museum, really exaggerate and go overboard. Love it, love the sparkles!!!

The first photo is when setting it up and the second the end result by night and the lights in the fireplace because it was too dangerous to light a real fire.

Chez Chelle - Holiday Edition

2010-12-15T10:40:00.000+01:00

As promised Chez Chelle is back! Same format different timeline to give you a little bit more time to link up your favourite recipe.

The theme for this edition of Chez Chelle is pretty obvious...it is HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!

So....let's get start cooking!
As of Friday you can link up you favourite winter holiday recipes.

Have fun and hope to see you back here soon!

Best Shots Today

2010-12-02T17:31:00.001+01:00

Quite a few months ago when I was at the D.I.Y. store looking for something I noticed on the front of a path they had mini photo studios. I remember thinking 'I want one of those' but I just bought the camera and tripod so it had to wait. First see if I was any good at photography and if it still is fun after a while. Creative is my middle name but photography is a whole new way of creativity for me.

It is! Still fun that is!

On Tuesday my X-mas present to myself arrived. Really cool!

A bag with the fold out studio, four coloured backgrounds, two lamps and a tripod.

This would fit in my new home office perfectly!

And it does...

Now I need to think of items that are fun to make photos of. Bringing the snow in was too messy so I tried a few simple things I find looking around my house.

The X-mas blend of Starbucks

A piece of a heather plant

A bronze statue that usually is on my desk

Chez Chelle Returns

2010-12-02T11:02:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone! Welcome back at Chez Chelle!

The old format of Chez Chelle was fun and a success but unfortunately not the big success I was hoping for. The reason for that is one week was too short to think of a recipe to post with the given theme. I struggled getting the recipe made and photographed myself, let alone the (cooking) bloggers who like to participate with busy family-life and little kids running around.

Like Get Crafty over at Red Ted Art and Sticky Fingers' The Gallery, Chez Chelle is all about having fun. So let's make it a monthly returning fun thing where you can link up your recipe. Again I will give you a theme but please feel free to share and link up any recipe you love.

See you back here real soon with the new theme for December.
Mmmm...December, what is so special about that month we can make it a theme....

Winter Impressions

2010-11-30T17:40:00.000+01:00

Here's a few Winter Impressions snapshots of today! All taken no further than five feet from my house.

I'm Too Sexy For My...

2010-11-30T16:32:00.000+01:00

...I'm a model you know what I mean

And I do my little turn on the catwalk

Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah

I do my little turn on the catwalk...

You all know me...being used as a subject of photography by my mommy mistress all the time...not that I mind...not really.

Since my MM was at the end of her tether a little over a week ago, she is working really hard to relax and enjoy stuff more. If taking photos of me is helping her then who am I to complain? If she asks me to 'shake my le touche' I will. She gives me lots of cuddles and the most wonderful food everyday. As often as I can I now climb on the sofa and on her to give her a kiss, talk to her and even lie next to her on the sofa or on the cherry red blanket on the pouf.

Just now she gave me pink Salmon with Carrots...oh...meow...absopuurrttutely divine! She turned up the heat in the house so I am willing to model for her laying in my soft and warm bed and hum along the song my MM is singing while taking photos...

Chez Chelle - Quick Curry

2010-11-30T11:38:00.000+01:00

Soon Chez Chelle will be back but with a few little changes. Instead of doing a weekly recipe link up we will be doing a monthly link up.

From some of you I received lovely comments on my curry yesterday and would love to share this easy recipe with you.
Please feel free to change the amounts of veggies and chicken to what you need. This is based on two big eater adults:-)

What you need is;
300 gr. Chicken breast fillet cut into strips
300 ml. Chicken stock
1 can Coconut cream
300 gr. green beans (cooked al dente)
200 gr. peas (cooked al dente)
1 big carrot sliced thinly (cooked al dente)
3 spring onions
1 package Blue Elephant green curry paste

* Blue Elephant has really great products with no additives.

What you do is;
Put some olive oil in a frying pan and fry the chicken. Add the spring onions when the chicken is light golden brown. Add the curry paste and the chicken stock.
Put in the cooked green beans, peas and carrot and see if it is al moist enough. If so then add the coconut cream and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Serve with rice and some naan. Rice with nuts is very nice with this.
If you have kids eating this it might be a bit spicey. Of course you can use less of the curry paste.

ENJOY!!!!

The Gallery Week 36 - In Black & White

2010-11-24T16:07:00.000+01:00

“Artists can colour the sky red because they know it's blue. Those of us who aren't artists must colour things the way they really are or people might think we're stupid.”

Very true isn't? That sort of brought me to an idea...

A couple of weeks ago I changed the picture wall in my living room. During the summer I took so many photos and some of them really lend themselves to be on that wall. When fiddling a little with some photo editors I set a few of them in black and white. If I say so myself, they are even more beautiful in black and white than in colour. The beach photos are on the photo wall in 25x20 size, the other ones are not printed yet but would love to and hang them in the hall or a bedroom.

Judge for yourself...

Then I started thinking creative and figured I could transfer a photo on a t-shirt. So yesterday I printed the 'sheep' one on a transfer sheet, cut it out so only the sheep would be on the t-shirt. Cool huh?

Ahem... blonde here, forgot what happens when you put a black and white photo on a black background, the t-shirt in this case....

Yep....black sheep! Doh!

This was put together for the Gallery, already week 36 and the theme is obvious! There are prizes to win so have a peek at the other entries too!

Acknowledged

2010-11-18T12:21:00.000+01:00

Yesterday my resilience became stretched to the max...
I was writing At the end of my tether when I got the phone call of the UWV and finished the post with that. Then it snapped...

Strangely enough I couldn't stop crying and had a bloodpressure of 200. Not because I was sad but of being so angry and frustrated. I phoned the emergency number of my GP as the practice was closed for housecalls at that moment.
The assistant was really sweet and she told me to come in at 16.00h.

A week go when I got my ears checked the GP stated my bloodpressure was too high. I had to do a blood test for glucose, cholesterol and some values that might indicate heart and vain problems. I told him feeling 'under high pressure' in regards to not having a job and not succeeding in finding one.

I explained him how I feel, that I can't cope or handle the frustration anymore. The only time when ~~I relax~~, allow myself to relax, is when it's the weekend and go to the sauna or do something else fun. During weekdays I feel obliged to not sit on the sofa and read a book every now and again. But I feel I need to keep busy browsing for vacancies, calling job agencies, workout, do the housework and D.I.Y.-ing. The guilt feeling when I slack off that routine is killing. The urge dissipates when it's the end of a 'work day' and I relax a bit.
Also I told him how useless I feel and how small my social world has become. So very unlike me!
Less than a year and a half ago I worked 60 hours a week, went out, worked out at the gym, studied, met friends and so and was very happy.

The private person Michelle is happy with who she is and feels good. Has her dreams and wishes but overall she is a happy and positive person who enjoys life.
The professional person Michelle is depressed and has issue with bereavement.
That is what the GP concluded. Oh, I feel so relieved after talking to him and finally feel acknowledged for what I go through!

So I am going to call in sick at the UWV (benefits agency) and send an email to my job coach repeating what I already told him a few times supplemented with what the GP said. Last night I contacted social services to set up an appointment with a social worker who works with people with issues related to their unemployment. Perhaps they can shine a light on the matter and give me some ideas or suggestions.

Meanwhile doc's orders are to 'have fun'. He enjoined on me to take it more easy as my health is seriously in danger. Need to try not to oblige to anything that puts me under pressure. Do what really needs to be done mechanically and without emotion and do things I find fun. That will charge the battery.
The results of the blood test were good.

This morning I had to translate the confidential report a temp agency needed to present me for a vacancy. When doing it I had a headache and felt pressure on my chest. When it was sent there was relief!

Now I've showered, am dressed, ready writing this blog...it is 12.15h uhhhh...now what???
Suppose I can do something fun! That feels strange....

At The End Of My Tether!!!

2010-11-17T12:46:00.001+01:00

Previously I wrote about the idea of being cursed I know, but it just doesn't come to an end.
What have I done so wrong?
I have never harmed anyone in my life so why punish me?

The rollercoaster or snowball keeps on going and going....Not a week passes by without something happening that causes more stress and extra cost. It has come to a point now that I feel I am at the top of being able to absorb or cope. Absorb sounds better and less negative I guess.
Things happening too much too fast after another that I feel like I haven't catched my breath yet and have to cash a new blow.

So who put that curse on me? Huh??? I am definitely at the end of my tether!

This is November 2010 so far:

November 3: A piece of a molar breaks off during dinner. First possibility to get a dentist appointment is December 1st.
November 4: I fell off the stairs. Not really hurt but this was the third time since I live in this house.
November 5: I was eating a handful of M&M's and a larger piece of the molar breaks off. Dentist won't see me earlier so decided to look for a new one closer to home per 2011.
November 6: Installing a bathroom fan with timer and moist sensor. It doesn't work with how I want it to install it. Back to DIY store and turns out that you can't install it that way so need a different type of fan. One with no timer and no sensor...why didn't they advice that the day before?
November 7: At a lovely funny theater show a contactlense pops out. Luckily it was on my face still so popped it back in. About 20 minutes later it happens again and now had to wait until the break and the lights on. Found it but would go back in. Put the lense in a wet papertowel but at home it was in 3 pieces.
November 8: Went to the doctor to check my ears. Something I do every now and then as I had trouble with them all my life. I told the doctor about hearing my heartbeat so loud. He said it could be of high bloodpressure. Guess what...way too high bloodpressure. Result of blood test will be ready tomorrow.
November 14: Trying to build a home network for my computers and so. The modem fails and the technical service desk of my ISP needed to reset everything. All the work I had done was for nothing.
November 15: The modem decides to stop working completely. The ISP will send a new modem but as the Postmen are on strike it might take up to 5 workdays to receive. Totally pissed and in panic for not having any way to communicate besides the gsm, I ordered them to pay the cost for a mobile internet connector thingy. They did so went to Rotterdam to buy one.
November 16: When I bought the mobile internet thingy I received 400MB for free. No one that tells you that you need to upgrade the prepaid web bundle first to even get the 400MB. For some reason my internet banking doesn't work with Vodafone so asked my mum to do it with her internet banking. Her card got blocked...she called the bank and because her bank is merging her card cannot get unblocked so she will get a new one within hopefully 3 workdays if the postmen don't go on strike again. Jumped in the car to go to the Vodafone store to buy a prepaid voucher and dropped my mum at the bank to sort the paperwork. Later when I went to bed and turned on the tv the cablebox says 'E06 Smartcard defect'. Obviously I will not watch tv in bed and need to get a new one.
November 17: Right in the middle of making highlights in my hair with peroxide the doorbell rings. The new modem has arrived. Yay! Back to finish the highlights, unfortunately I can't tell where I stopped... While waiting for the peroxide to bleach the internet connection works immediately to after plugging in and set up the security. Then my gsm rings. It is the UWV that I missed this mornings appointment. Ooopss! Not intentionally at all and I try to explain to the workcoach I had so much on my plate I completely forgot. He has no consideration at all. Now he wants to have an overview of all job applications I have done. This overview I had but got lost when my laptop crashed. So now I need to go there on Wednesday and hand it over. Or they will stop my benefits. I told him I am not doing well, on the edge of a burn out of all the stress of being unemployed. And that the doctor is running some tests plus the too high bloodpressure. His answer 'yes, well, I will see you on Wednesday then and we will discuss because you need to go to work'. Doh! I am shattered and even crying writing this...I WANT TO WORK but do I have to work as a cleaner or something or become a prostitute? WHAT? Employers DON'T want to hire ME! WHAT can I DO about THAT? TELL ME!!!!

What have I done so bad to deserve this? I don't want much from life than a little happiness. I don't have extreme expectations. And I really think I deserve a bit of happiness considered all I had on my plate the past 1,5 year let alone in all my life.

The Gallery Week 34 - Seasons - Scottish Autumn

2010-11-10T09:36:00.002+01:00

This weeks gallery is about Seasons. Every season of the year has something special but the Spring and Autumn are most impressive. Yes...I love the Summer but nature does incredible things in the Spring and Autumn so your surroundings on your doorstep appear completely different.
For instance the meters of lavender that look and smell astonishing in the Spring look sad and grey now.

A couple of weeks ago I went to visit Dawn in Scotland. Of course you've seen the posts on it. The Autumn then was at it's peak. The leaves where still on the trees and had the most amazing colour scheme. Funny to see the difference in Autumn in two countries with only an hours flight away.

This photo I love because it captures what I felt walking on that path. I wanted to keep walking the path to find out what is behind the next bend, next hill and next bunch of trees.

A Hole In The Wall

2010-11-06T19:24:00.000+01:00

The 'to do' list is getting shorter. Only three more 'must do's' on it and the rest are pure luxurious wishes.
And with my current state of mind and heart I really need to keep busy. I need the distraction, not to think about things so much and keep sane.

You probably read the post about the wall in my livingroom. That was the first of more small projects. With D.I.Y.-ing in this house you always must be prepared to something unexpected to happen as it is an old house and many people lived here before I bought it.

Two 'to do's' that were on the top of the list were getting the box room and spare room de-cluttered. Second was to paint the tile grouts in the bathroom (again) and install a ventilator to help dry the bathroom to get rid off the mold. First project was simple and I filled six big garbage up with junk. All sorts of junk I collected over the years. Even stuff I hadn't unpacked when moving in here. It took two days and both rooms are nice and spacious now.

Last week I went to Ikea three times...yes...three times. But then I was completely certain of the perfect frames for the wall. They were quite expensive so it just had to be right. Then yesterday I felt a bit of withdrawal...
my mum came over and said my bedroom could do with new nice bedside table lamps. Guess where...yep...Ikea.

Today was about project ventilator. This morning I picked up the stuff I needed for it. Phoned a friend to ask what I wanted to do was feasable. I was going to connect the ventilator to household wire and plug instead of connecting it to the bathroom lamp switch. This will eventually happen but I don't feel confident to do that myself.
So what you do is drill loads and loads of holes all through the wall. But as the drill will slip on the surface of the tile you need to hammer with a screw to prevent the drill slipping away and damaging the tiles around it.
After drilling about thirty holes you try to get the piece of wall out.
An hour later you have a hole with hopefully the right size.
Connect the wires in the ventilator, put it in the hole, mount it to the wall by drilling another four holes. Attach the plug at the end of the cord and don't forget to put on a cover on the exit. Plug in the plug and TADAA!

And result! After I showered it only took about 15 minutes for the mist on the mirror to vanish. Hopefully this will mean no more mold on the tiles. And now....I will lay on the sofa and do nothing anymore today because this girl is tired!

Adoptive Parenting Meeting The Final

2010-11-02T20:04:00.000+01:00

The last of a series of six mandatory meeting took place today.
In this last meeting the intention was we could ask more practical questions such as what is the exact procedure? What are we up against? What will Social Services ask? What are reasons to not get permission to adopt? What are the cost? If I adopt two or more children do I pay the amount per child? Can I adopt from countries that are not stated at the five licensees? Can I say no to the offer made by the licensee? Can I delay the procedure and when?
And I can go on and on....

It was of no surprise at all we did not get answers to all these kind of questions.
Basically we were referred to the (licensees) websites but they did explain the procedure step by step. Which exactly is explained on their website...doh! Regarding the explanation of the family research/examination no new information was told. Only a numpty would occur as the perfect parent as if the learned social workers who do the interviews are stupid.

Just before the coffeebreak we started an 'exercise'. With our details a fake waitinglist was made up. After the break cases were discussed and we need to guess to who the child would be a best match for.
What stood out again was the fact they were mostly 'special need' children.
So fact is that the majority of children that are available for intercountry adoption are 'special need' children. Also a fact is that even if you are higher up the waitinglist waiting for a healthy child that someone lower on the list gets priority when a special need child is welcome.

One of the couples said:
We want a girl under 12 months from Taiwan, preferably not special need.
Is it me or what do you find odd in this picture?

Anyway, this step has now come to an end and the next step will follow within a week or twelve.
Then I will receive the invitation to do the family research/examination. About three meetings will take place then and the first one is usually at your house.
Which is good because usually you are more comfortable and open to show the real you.

Now I am single again I decided to continue this step right after the mandatory meetings instead of delaying it as my previous plan was. Reason for delaying was to avoid pressure on a new precious relationship and to not put pressure on dear M personally.

Chez Chelle Week 8 - Witlof Chicory

2010-11-01T20:20:00.000+01:00

Oh dear! I haven't heard enthusiastic reaction really when I choose Witlof Chicory as theme ingredient for this weeks Chez Chelle.
Now I am most curious if any of you will link up a recipe...
Here is mine anyway:-) It is real easy peasy!

What you need is:
- stumps of Witlof chicory (I think two per adult)
- ham
- cheese
- eggs (1 per 2 stumps)
- potatoe slices or some chips

What you do is:
First you cut the Witlof stumps in large pieces. Take the hard part at the bottom of the stump out because that tastes bitter. Cook the Witlof until 'al dente' which is about 10 minutes and let it drain.
Rub in an oven dish with olive oil to put in the rolls.
Take slice of the ham and scoop Witlof on it. Roll up. Continue until all is rolled in and up. Grate cheese and put it over the ham-witlof rolls.
Beat the eggs and pour gently over the rolls.
Let it bake in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes at 200C.

Bake the potatoe slices in a pan without any butter or oil. Let them cook slowly for about 15 minutes and then on high heat until nice golden brown and ready.

If you like you can add some pesto to the witlof rolls for some extra flavours!

Go link up now!!! And don't forget to come back later to see what others have linked up:-)

A Chez Chelle Special Edition - Oliebollen

2010-10-31T12:00:00.001+01:00

On Twitter lots of you are busy doing Christmas shopping already! Wow, that is early but I guess when you have kids and want the nice or popular toys you need to be early to avoid big disappointement.
Talking to @MerciaVorster from South Africa about the typical South African delight called 'vetkoek' remind me of our Dutch delight called 'oliebollen'.

Before 1868 the Dutch oliebol was called 'oliekoek' (oil-cake) so actually the same as in South Africa because 'vet' is 'oil'. Then it was recommended in the cookbooks to use more oil so the 'thing' had more room and could expand into a 'bol', a more puffy shape. Of course then the name had to be changed from cake to puffy thingy and it became 'oliebol'.

Tradition is to make them on December 31st and whole year round you can buy them at carnivals and fun fairs. To cut a huge long story of history short...here's how you make it. In many countries you can buy a package mix for it. Most likely the brand will be 'Koopmans' but if not try this. It really is worth to try.

Ingredients:
500 gr white flour *
45 gr yeast *
4 eggs *
10 gr salt *
450 ml handwarm water *
125 gr raisins and currants (of course you can only use raisins or leave out all)
150 gr chopped apple (sweet)

Method:
Put all ingredients with * in a large bowl and mix until the blend is nice and smooth. Add the raisins and apple.
Take a tea towel, make it wet and put it over the bowl. Put the bowl in a quiet spot to let the dough raise. The volume should double.
Before frying the dough give it a stir to let developed air bubbles out.
Heat the oil in the fryer until around 170C and test if the temperature is okay with a piece of bread. If it turns nice and golden then it is fine.

Take your ice scoop and put in a scoop of the dough. Don't put in too many scoops because they need space to fry and turn. Five at one time should be okay.
Turn?
Yes, turn. If the dough is ready on one side it usually turns itself to fry the other side. Sometimes they need a bit of help but be patient.
It takes about eight minutes to fry them on both sides. Take the 'oliebollen' out and let the oil leak off on kitchenpaper.

Serve with powdered sugar, best when still slightly warm. ENJOY!!!!!!

Homework

2010-10-31T10:39:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday is the last Adoptive Parenting meeting. TG!
For this one we have to do some homework. The homework is basically explore wishes and possibilities regarding the child you want to adopt.

Without the intention to sound negative, I don't see the point doing this now.
Why? Well, for a few reasons really. Firstly, during the meeting the presenters take lots, and I really mean lots, of notes. At the first meeting we were told whey will not use these notes for anything and will not forward any information to Social Services. Really? Then why do you have to make notes at all and if you do why all the time? Obviously I am very careful and speak as little as possible and if I do I try to say nothing very useful to take notes.
Secondly, I understand you have to think about some scenarios and all but I don't believe these meetings are the place to share your views on that.

What they want to know on Tuesday is;
- if you adopt as a couple or alone
- how you think to divide work and care for the child
- who and what can be of support in anyway for the child and me
- ask your partner, friends and family what kind of parent you will be
- what are your strenghts and weaknesses
- what do you believe to be difficult
- what do you look forward to
- what do you have to offer the child
- what are your preferences
- what minimal and maximum age may the child be
- do you intent to adopt one child or siblings or even triplings
- what are (dis)advantages of siblings
- where do you not want to adopt from and does this have to do with race, colour, background or gender
- how do you feel about a special needs child
- what is acceptable for you

I have thought about this carefully....I don't have preferences really!
The one thing that really pisses me off about the whole thing about adoption is the fact you get to set so many preferences at all!
If you would have a child the natural way you would not get to choose so much as when adopting. Besides the obvious characteristics as colour, race and perhaps gender.
I simply refuse to shop for a child so my answer is;

I don't have preferences really, it doesn't matter what colour, race, gender is, nor from which country. Hopefully the child is healthy and if not we need to discuss carefully what are the best options to my ability of parenting.
For instance a deaf child is not a problem for me. I was deaf for a long time and lived happily. Or a child missing two fingers, it doesn't know any better so he or she will cope. HIV positive is another thing. We have no guarentees in life but knowing your child will die before being a grown up, that seems too much for me. I am not cut out for that.
Regarding how I would be as a parent, follow my and the child instincts is the base. Listen are observe each other. Other than that give lots of love. Time will tell if it went okay.

-This might sound as I am being lighthearted about this. Certainly I am not but I don't see the point to discuss now how I would react on a certain occasion. Like what I would do when the child arrives. Have a party or not? What do you do if the child keeps crying for days? What if the child doesn't want to eat? Etc.
Not much point to think about that now is there?-

If I get permission to proceed the adoption procedure is up to Social Services. Hopefully they do but if they don't I will go for plan B.
Yes, there is a plan B but will tell you about that some other time.

Chez Chelle Week 8

2010-10-31T08:31:00.000+01:00

It is Sunday morning...the plan was to post the theme for week 8 a lot sooner but it just didn't happen.
Last weeks Chez Chelle link up is still open so if you have another lovely BEAN recipe please share it with us!

Autumn is really here now with its unpredictable weather. Beautiful skies the one moment and hard wind and pouring rain the next. You find yourself changing to more hearty meals than light salads and all? On Thursday I purchased some lovely fresh vegetables and picked on of them to be this weeks theme for Chez Chelle.

So......I picked WITLOF as you call WITLOF CHICORY.
Now, can you think of a nice recipe for that?

Goodluck and don't forget to come back on Tuesday to link up and see what others have come up with.

Chez Chelle Week 7 - Beans

2010-10-25T19:19:00.000+02:00

Welcome again to Chez Chelle. I hope you enjoyed thinking and making a recipe to share with us.
The theme for week 7 is BEANS. Let's see what you come up with.
Here is my recipe...Tortilla's Chez Chelle.

What you need is for two adults is;
- 500 gr. minced meat (pure beef)
- 1 onion
- 1 can of sweet corn
- 1 can of chili beans
- Taco seasoning mix (Casa Fiesta has no E numbers in it)
- 4 Corn tortillas
- grated cheese
- sour cream or creme fraiche
- guacemole if you like

What you do is;
Cut the onion in small pieces and fry in a pan. Add the minced meat, fry and cut loose. Drain the moisture of the corn and chili beans. Put the corn and chili beans in the pan to warm. Add the taco seasoning mix when prepared according to the package. Let is sit for about 5 minutes on low heat.

Heat the tortillas in the microwave for about 40 seconds.
Scoop about 6 tablespoons of the mix on the tortilla and rol it up. Then put in a large rectangle oven dish sideways. Do this with all tortillas.
Put the grated cheese on top. Put the dish in a preheated oven on 175C and heat for 12-15 minutes.

Serve the tortilla with sour cream and guacemole. And with some fresh salad and nacho chips if you like.

Absolutely sure I was that a photo was on file of these yummy and lovely tortilla but I can't find it. Unfortunately I am going to make this on Wednesday. Then I will add a photo to this post.

Go link up your BEANS recipe now, I am looking forward to it as always!

The Wall

2010-10-24T23:05:00.000+02:00

This wall was Kermit green when I bought this house. When viewing the house I already knew that colour had to go and had a great idea with the Burberry theme and photos for it. The was painted a warm 'whipcream' colour and the photo frames made the Burberry plaid with their coloured backgrounds.
It looked lovely but the cream didn't stay cream as Dixie climbs on the wall with her wet and dirty little paws.

In the past year the wall went from cream to beige, then coffee latte, silver to cappucino. Again the paint got ugly and you could see the silver colour coming through. Already I purchased the cream colour again but then friends came round and suggested to paint it in the same colour as my kitchen which is 'slate'.
So when they left I hopped in the car and went to the DIY store again. I started painting at 15.00h and phoned my friends at 17.00h the wall was painted twice. Looks very 'Riviera Maison' now.
Today I felt I needed to replace the photos and thought of which photos to put in. As you know I spent lots of time at the Dutch beaches this summer. I love the beach, a place I can breath and clear my head and get rest. Really nice to be able to look at that every day.

I edited the photos to black & white and will put them on a white background in its frame. Hopefully it will look as lovely as I think it will.
Here's a few photos that I ordered in print.

Chez Chelle Week 7

2010-10-21T18:01:00.000+02:00

What happened last week? Didn't you like the theme PIZZA?
Shame, I really believed all you parents out there love to make pizza with the kids and some might even have created your own pizza.
Hopefully you will like this weeks theme better.

And the theme ingredient for this week will be....BEANS.
Green beans, black beans, chili beans...any kind of beans.

Have lots of fun and hope to see you back on Tuesday to link up your recipe.

In case your are new to Chez Chelle and want to know what this is, click on the Chez Chelle link above. If you want to see the recipes that were linked up take a look in the recipe collection.

Where Do I Want A Child From - Why Not From The Netherlands?

2010-10-20T18:09:00.000+02:00

Last week when I visited Dawn in Scotland we had a chat. Amongst several other subjects we talked about adoption.
She asked me why I didn't mention to adopt from the Netherlands and I explained to her and her hubby.
So today The Moiderer commented on my previous post that it might be worth explaining to you why I am not looking for adoption from the Netherlands.

Why not adopt from the Netherlands?

Facts:
In average 185.000 children were born in the Netherlands last year and 15 of them were put up for adoption. Last year 682 children were adopted from outside the Netherlands.

Only a few parents see no option to raise their own child and who choose to break the biological band legally when the child is born. If they do choose so voluntarily, the child will be put in a foster family for the first year. After a year the foster family has the opportunity to adopt the child. During that year the biological parents can stop the procedure and take back their child.

Usually adoption within the Netherlands is adoption of a stepchild but that means the biological band with the parents will be legally broken too. In most cases that is unwanted and is chosen for joint custody.

Is that all?
Almost.
A requirement for adoption is that the child has no expectations from his original parents. The judge determines whether the natural parents can no longer fulfill their role.
Basically a child whose parents are deprived from parental authority will end up in foster care or orphanage and can not be adopted, ever unless the judge determines it can. But practically that never happens.

So you see why it is no point really to apply for the waitinglist.

With intercountry adoption to the Netherlands the law says a child cannot be older than 6 years. The new government will hopefully change that to 8 years old. With the The Hague Convention for Adoption the children who are available for intercountry adoption are often older (>3 years). The The Hague Convention is valid in many countries now so first will be tried to have a child adopted in its own country. I believe that is a good thing.

If you have any queries or comments please feel free to share!

Where Do I Want A Child From

2010-10-20T16:09:00.000+02:00

In the first place of course I would love to have a child myself. In previous posts, which you can look up in the archive, I explained my motives for registering for an adoption child. No I've come to the point where I must research and make choices.

Within a couple of months I will receive the invite to do the family research and examination by social services. Am I going to continue now or wait for my soulmate partner? I can delay the examination for two years. However that means I will be 39 years by then and depending on where I want to adopt from there might be a long waiting list. If there is a long waiting list and I reach the age of 42 I can only adopt older or special needs children.
Need to think about this...

As I am a single registered aspirant adoptive parent I am allowed to adopt from eleven countries in the world.
These countries are; Armenia, Bulgaria, Colombia, Haiti, Lesotho, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Poland, Slovakia, United States and Zambia.
That's it?
Yes, that's it. All the other countries do not allow to adopt as a single woman or single register. The regulations are sometimes absurd but just have to deal with them. Regulations such as having to stay in a country for 7 weeks or earn at least 1,5 times the minimum wage.

Obviously there are waiting lists for most countries and even the waiting lists of most countries are closed at the moment.
In my current position (after approval from social services) I have best chance of adopting from;
Nicaragua, this is a new contact since August so no waiting list yet. Bulgaria, waiting time is now 34 months unless you go for a special need child. From Bulgaria mostly gypsy children in the age of 18 months to 6 years old and sometimes with an (operable) disability. From Nigeria only HIV positive children are available in the age between 9 months and 6 years old. And from Zambia only HIV positive and special need children are available.

From all the countries stated my feeling leans towards Nicaragua but to be honest I don't have a preference. Even it is strange to me that you get to set so many preferences it seems like shopping for a child.

Still lots of thinking, reading, research and choosing to do....will keep you posted of every step of the way!

Adoptive Parenting Meeting Part V

2010-10-20T15:09:00.002+02:00

Yesterday the fifth of the total of six mandatory Adoptive Parenting Meetings took place. This time the subject was Identity.
We tried to set all aspects what make you you.
In no particular order these are aspects such as; your name, race, family, friends, work, area of living, image, appearance, religion, society, gender, health, etcetera.

Basically it came to watching several videos of children and young adults searching for their birth mother.
What I found striking from all stories we had seen and heard that it is always about the birth mother first, then siblings and then perhaps the father. Isn't strange the father apparently had little to no role for an adopted child?

Despite of the meetings being way too long in terms of time, some subjects get you thinking. But it all still is pretty far away from getting reality so does it make sense to put in so much effort now? Sorry, I don't think so. Nothing of what has been told in the meetings is practical. When a questions is asked that requires actual information we get a reference to a website of some sort.

Within three months after the last meeting I will get an invitation to do the family research and examination by social services.

The Gallery Week 32 - Rosso

2010-10-20T09:31:00.000+02:00

It didn't take long to think of what to post for this weeks Gallery theme The Colour Red. When reading Tara's post I immediately thought of a huge prestigious music event in the Netherlands that is been held yearly since 2006.
The event is called 'Symphonica in Rosso'.

What makes it so prestigious and high quality is that the artist is musically accompanied by a philharmonic orchestra. The colour red is all throughout the event. The stage is all red and the audience is requested to wear something red. And they do. It is fantastic to see over thirty thousand people dressed in red.

In 2008 world star Lionel Richie was invited to perform his greatest hits and I went to one of the concerts with my mum, BFF Jackeline and her mum. It was an unexpected really hot late summer day.
A fantastic show it was with lots of fireworks, really enthusiastic audience and great ambiance.
The audience knew every bit of lyrics of each song.

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos as there where taken with a phone camera but it is about the impression. Don't forget to watch the video and feel what us over thirty thousand felt that evening!!!

Trip to Scotland Part IV

2010-10-18T21:30:00.004+02:00

Part IV you might think?
Well...yes. Haven't you missed anything in the other three posts?
Indeed...photos!!!

So here is an impression of my Trip to Scotland in pictures and no words. There are 24 of them and a short video...keep scrolling:-)

Chez Chelle Week 6 - Pizza

2010-10-18T19:56:00.000+02:00

Welcome back.
Hopefully you enjoyed having Pizza as prompt for the 6th week of Chez Chelle. I know I did:-)
Some time ago I blogged about my Sweet Chicken Curry Pizza and now I will give you Bacon and Rucola Pizza. Real easy!

In honesty I have to admit I used a ready made pizza crust simply because I was lazy.
So what do you need?
- crust
- tomato puree
- Italian (kitchen) herbs
- mozzarella (how much you like)
- bacon
- cherry tomatoes
- rocket
- olive oil
As you see there are no amounts stated. This because you top it to your own taste.

What you do is;
You spread the tomato puree on the crust. Sprinkle Italian herbs over the crust and don't be scared to use too much. Then slice the cherry tomatoes and put them on the pizza.

Slice the mozzarella and put the slices on.
Bake the bacon so it is crisp and put it on the pizza.
Now sprinkle a little bit of olive oil over. Bake the pizza in a preheated oven on 220C for 10 minutes.
Take the pizza from the oven and put on the rocket.

And? Pretty yummy it looks doesn't?
Go link up your pizza recipe now!!

Chez Chelle Week 6

2010-10-17T10:50:00.000+02:00

Hi Ya! My apologies for putting up the new theme for week 6 for Chez Chelle so late.
As you know it's been a rough week so far and I spent a few days away from home in Scotland with my friend The_Moiderer. Then I meant to write this post last night and...fell a sleep on the sofa.

So....If you followed my tweets you might have picked up on some hints I gave away to Red Ted Art. The hints were Italy, frisbee, cheese, finger food and easy peasy kids easy. I already thought of keeping it simple but healthy this week.
The theme for week 6 is....

Yes, it is PIZZA!!!!

A pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese (usually mozzarella) and various toppings depending on the culture. Since the original pizza, several other types of pizzas have evolved.

Originating in Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many different parts of the world. An establishment that primarily makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria".

What I would love to find out is what sorts of pizza you come up with.
You use a basic Marguerita pizza from the supermarket and tweak it with toppings? Make it with a package? Use left overs from the fridge as toppings?

Can't wait! Come back on Tuesday and link up your favorite pizza recipe and have a look what others find favourite pizza's.

Have fun!!!!

Trip to Scotland Part III

2010-10-16T09:47:00.000+02:00

Goodmorning from The Netherlands!
I'm back home from 3 lovely days spend at my friend Dawn and her family. It's just after nine and sweet Dixie let me have a lie in.

Yesterday morning I was up around 7.30 am and the little one was quite happy but stil not totally better. She had a terrible restless night and obviously Dawn was knackered and needed some more sleep. Played with the little one a bit and chatted to her Dad and after that I went out for another long walk and this time I headed for the woods.

A narrow path lead to some joined converted barns (like I love so much on Location Location). A few dogs ran up to me and chatted with the friendly dogsitter. He asked if I was from around there as he was looking for someone who could watch the dogs while he and his band had to play at a wedding. Pretty funny he thought I was a local but as you know...I'm not.
I walked down the road and into the woods. Amazing isn't how quiet it suddenly gets when the trees surround you and block out sounds from cars and so. That was very relaxing. Just when entering the wind was blowing hard and it almost feels your thoughts are blown out of your head, clear it up and make room for new thoughts. Unfortunately I haven't seen any red squirrels, hoped I would and take a photo. From the woods back I took the path right through the fields and altogether an 1,5 hour walk.

When back at the house there was really yummy chocolate cake and by my fault the little one picked up I said 'MacDonalds' so of course she wanted one as earlier she sort of missed her breakfast there getting sicker and sicker by the minute. Dawn and I went out to pick up lunch at MacDonalds and when we came back the little one had literally came looking for us. It is real cute she calls me Chelle.
We had lunch and then the little one and her Dad went up for a nap. A challenge as the little one doesn't really want to anymore, she just wants to play on the iPad, I suggested to take it up and they did. Then it was time for me to pack the last few bits as my walking boots and charger. I always forget those. (Couldn't find my phone charger anywhere so bought a new one and when repacking I found my charger in my toiletbag).

Off to the airport we went by the more tourist road so I could see some more of lovely Scotland. I have seen some beautiful views and later I will post some photos on the photo album page. At the airport I got a last Caramel Latte as we can't get them in The Netherlands:-) There was plenty of time to go to the gate and even see some shops I thought. But there was a long line at the security check. Very unorganized I must say.
You know I was an airport security agent myself so I could tell the agents were really bored and unfriendly to the passengers.
The plane left a little after 17.00 pm and landed in Amsterdam at 19.02 pm (local). It's the taxiing to the gate that takes 20 minutes which of course is almost half the flight time. When arrived on Dutch soil and looked out of the plane window I saw it was pouring down with rain. Great! No jacket and had to walk for a while to get to my car. But it all went real smooth, an advantage when carrying handluggage only, and sat in my car soaking wet at 19.35 pm.
From the air I had noticed it was very busy on the roads due to the start of autumn schoolholidays. Of course I got stuck in bad traffic just at The Hague.

When I opened the front door and peaked into the livingroom Dixie was happily laying in her basket. Within a minute or two she realised I had come back and decided all she wanted was to be cuddled. So happy she was! And so was I.
Despite of Dawn's hubby and the little one being ill and therefor there wasn't a chance of doing more than we now have, I had a good time!
The point of going there was to get away from the four walls here for a while, see and catch up with Dawn, I might have been more quiet then my usual self. Very much I got to enjoy a bit of lovely Scotland on my walks and I definitely want to come back to explore more.

It also felt very nice to come home to my own four walls...

Thank you Dawn and your lovely family for having me!