All week long

Highlights of this week's therapy
Monday, I had extra time in the morning so I joined in aquajogging. The pool has a floor that can be raised and lowered. For aquajogging, it is lowered so that your feet don't touch and you must wear a flotation device around your waist. Strange at first, I eventually acclimated to it and was 'jogging' back and forth across the pool with instruction from Henk. It really showed me that, with conscious effort, I can move my leg in all directions. I hope to be joining every Monday from now on.

In ergotherapy on Friday, Ninke took me to an outdoor mall where she helped me over my fear of riding escalators. "Step on with the good foot and the right foot will naturally lift off." Looking down at each stair as it rushed by, I had step away for a minute to calm my nerves. But eventually, as with so many other things, I just had to go for it. Like normal stairs, going up was less nerve-racking than going down. Up and down two times and I had it down pat. I don't even remember being nervous in the end.

Green means go!
Wednesday, while the cleaning gal was here, I got the great gift of a golly-ain't-it-green scootmobiel. A nice forest green, she goes 12km/hr and has much better suspension than my little silver bullet (which will be picked up next Wednesday). It's a bit bigger which means it is a real Austin Powers job getting in and out of my storage room. This will be my eternal scoot until I don't need it anymore.

Nordic sticks to go
After therapy on Friday, I set out on my new greenie beanie to find a carrying case for my Nordic sticks. I have a feeling they won't let me carry these things onto the plane so I wanted something that will withstand the bumpy ride down below. I had in mind an architectural case and, in the end, that's exactly what I settled on. Just barely fit. What luck.

Queen's day revisited
At the flea market on Queen's day, I spent a little and got a lot. A cute new corduroy hat, three matching indoor flower pots, a small portable hiking chair, a funky yellow square plate to go with my growing funky collection and some photo frames. Nico also scored some filters for his camera. We was stoked.

At the start, the crowds were a bit intimidating. I was on my scoot then off and walking then on it again. Eating, drinking and taking in so much stimuli was enough to exhaust me. We headed home by 5, walked the hounds then Nico lit a fire and we sat outside and cooked our din.

As we arrived home, we learned about that awful story in Appeldoorn. Remembering 9/11, my heart went out to the people who had to witness the horrible scene and who lost loved ones or were injured. Throughout Holland, most planned festivals for the day were shut down though Eindhoven didn't miss a beat.

Bean stalks in blue pots
Finally, I got the bean stalks planted. I used the branches of Nico's dead bamboo plants as poles. Of all the plants in my little garden, these look the most happy and promising. What a surprise. I expect they'll be to the ceiling when I get back, flowering and making a bit of shade for my bedroom.

A break before my holiday
As full-time dogsitter, Nico deserved a break this weekend so he's on a quick camping holiday in Belgium. He promises to be back in time for Sunday friets. Woohoo.

Thanks for staying in touch!