Birthday shoutouts and more

First things first, two big happy birthday shoutouts to my brotha and sista, Darrin and Adrian. Darrin's specialista day was yesterday so, "hope you had a great day, man" and all hands and feet were kept inside the vehicle at all times. Woohoo! Adrian, girl, you're a beautiful angel in the lives of us all. I hope you have a day as lovely as you are. Big hugs!

Monday therapy
...began pretty uneventful, literally. The first appointment (afsprak or interview to begin the first day of duurbelasting or work endurance) was canceled due to sickness of trainer. It was just as well. I'd never received my schedule so I was still at home waiting for the planner to call me.

So, I got in by 11a.m. for my ergo appointment in which we tried again various ways to get me into a bathtub knowing now just how little space I have to squeeze into my mom's tub at home. Still, the easiest way seems to be just sitting on the edge and bringing my feet over one by one. We also decided that having a portable handlebar on the wall would be extra helpful.

Then I had my first fysio appointment in a week (Titia was a teacher in Germany last week). I was put on the treadmill for 20+ minutes (which I then happily filed on my fitness sheet). She wanted to see my maximum speed but it didn't really work. At the 20th minute, she decided to up the speed from 2.9 to 3.2. Nix, no going there, all pooped out. She had to hit the big red stop button before my knees scraped the tread. Oops. Tomorrow is heavy-door-pushing-with-stuff-in-hands practice.

These were my only appointments so, as usual, I took the liberty of adding fitness into my schedule and managed to get through all but two machines.

To fill the rest of my day and give myself some rest, I went to the activity room to play a little Triminoes, drink some Spa rood, eat some chippies and just get some good old visitin' in.

While there, I mentioned to Paul a thought I'd had about BBQ restaurants and Holland. I think the two would be a marriage made in food 'n' culture heaven. I had to explain to Paul that BBQ was not only a verb but most definitely a Noun (with a capital N). As he loves the American recipes I've shared with him and my infinite ideas regarding what he should cook next for the activity room comers, his interest was quite piqued.

As I was talking to him about the idea, I thought it might be a great concept to create in duurbelasting - I mean, all I do at work is come up with ideas then flesh them out in Powerpoint. Out of head, onto paper (so to speak). I think it would be a fun way to pass the time there and maybe I get a good idea to sell to some unwitting Nederlander. Ha ha!

Synchronicities
I know you are all familiar with this - little miracles, coincidences that aren't coincidences, moments of grace, dreams come true. But have you ever thought about how often they seem to happen? I am on a mission to document mine - I've had one too many and it's time someone (like, uh, me) started paying attention. I'll be posting them to a separate blog and including a link in this blog whenever one is available. Now, isn't that a fun idea?

Speaking of fun idea...

Photo makin'
Hope you all enjoy the photo below as much as Nico and I enjoyed posing for it. I'm uploading only one here, the rest are on my flickr page (an online page where anyone can store images) and you should have no problem seeing them.

And, if you've been wondering, "what's with the pretty flower picture at the top?", that's my watercolor interpretation of a photo Nico took this summer. JUST KIDDING! It really is a photo and is what I've chosen for beginning watercolor - simple subject and layout. I'm going for it, fly or fall!