Lots to tell

I'm excited to report that starting next week, I'll have a different class on my schedule - meditation! It falls on Tuesday after painting and, a new day, Friday (I'm canceling activities on Wednesdays so I'll still have only four days of therapy per week). I'm both a little nervous (because it will be partially in Dutch) and excited to see if I'll actually learn this method for relaxation. Of course, I'll let you know how it goes after next week starts.

A typical Tuesday
The canvas I started last week is coming along though I will keep the description on the down low for now. Archery was not the same without our 'coach' Henk. He brings the type of energy and guidance I need. Only two interns and the old, silent Dutch archer were there. Loopgroep was good as usual for practicing stepping up on high things. And I had fysio alone with an intern named King, an intense guy (he insists that he's Dutch but he looks and acts Chinese). He has a difficult time loosening up but leave it to me. I'll find the human in him.

Wednesday, an necessary day off
Though I was scheduled for duurbelasting, I spent the day at home - I needed a break both physically and mentally. I ended up doing a lot of work around the house: finalized some lyrics for the ladies I played with last week, played my guitar which was a blast, cooked one of my current favorite vegetables for dinner (eggplant) with basil and spaghetti, got my Amazon Visa card working again, got Nico's (now my) pillows washed, dried and in clean pillow cases, put a cold compress on my neck and back which have been hurting lately, watched recordings of Oprah, had the cleaning gal over and ordered a new one (have had too many issues with her), brushed Hazel a little bit (Linda agreed to brush him for me, woohoo!), organized stacks of things on my couch and washed dishes throughout the day. So, even though I started out the day being worried that I blew off Bb, by the end, I knew it had been the right decision.

Thursday therapy
Swimming was great. I was swimming like a fish by my last lap. Still not able to take a breath between strokes but I'll get there.

Nick attempted to get the sportier 3-wheelers lined up for us but they had some trouble getting the length of the bike just right. It's hard to explain. So we rode the normal 3-wheeler instead. The reason I wanted to ride the sports bike was to get a better workout but not have to work so hard.

Free-day
Nico was half free on Friday so he was able to take me by the Praxis (i.e. Lowe's) to pick up some planters for my balcony and paint for my inherited metal chairs (the last time they were painted was when I still worked for DeKalb College). We also did the Friday usual grocery shopping. On the way out of the store, I dropped by a flower shop to pick up a bouquet. I ended up with lilies that are still tightly closed buds. Nothing much now but will be lovely in due time.

Saturday
And now it's Saturday and I'm finally making time for my blog again.

Linda, Nico's semi-sister-in-law, came by Nico's house and groomed Hazel for me. First I kept him distracted while she painstakingly brushed out as much she could of his undercoat. Then, she braved the shower with him. She said the water ran black. Eek. He's on his dog bed now. I think he exhausted.

I have had on my list of things to do some errands in town: get new batteries for my Mac and my iPod, a replacement insert for my favorite pen (which, strangely enough, somehow came from the U.S. army), espresso from the coffeeshop, and look for a new swim suit. There's nothing wrong with the old one, just being a woman who gets bored of the same swim suit). Perhaps we'll go shop in the center tomorrow as shop are open on the first Sunday of the month.

Tonight, Nico and I will be grilling steaks. He has a firepit in the middle of his back garden which he just loves because it is so camp-like. His grill leaves something to be desired but it gets the job done.

Tomorrow, photos and more
I hope to get some photos posted tomorrow. Thanks for checking in and staying in touch.