The Big Black Dog is lurking again!

I haven't written in what, 2 weeks? But that is because I am busy. Busy staying ahead of that Big Black Dog called Depression. Busy keeping him small and not making him take over my life again. I know he's around and I see him from the corners of my eyes. 

I am not on medication. I don't want to really. Years ago I have been in therapy and my psych gave me tools to fight, and I still use them. And I really hope they will continue to be useful!

So now I try to do things that make me feel good. Every time Depression deals me a blow, I go in the counter attack. Today I had a really bad day, all I wanted was to keep my PJs on and curl up in bed. But instead I got dressed and put my wig on and jumped on the scooter.

I went to a supermarket I know here with a bake-off section and they have the BEST cinnamon buns. And to get there I have to follow a very nice route, past one of my fave buildings here in town (in my opinion of course): Huize Westerlicht (Western Light Mansion). A beautiful old building in Art Deco stile, or rather the Dutch version hereof: Late Amsterdamsche School. 

I love it. And it is in/close some sort of forest preserve. I can sit on a bench there and just gaze at it! It used to be a resthome for elderly people but now it has been empty for ages already, too bad. I am sure they could make it liveable again, make appartments there for elderly people and/or for young professionals.

Anyway, I had a great shopping trip and got me some goodies to eat, apart from the famous cinnamon buns of course ;) So I battled the Dog for another day. Oh and thank him because he made me write again, part of the therapy tools, hahaha.

I'll leave you know with a very nice video about the Big Black Dog, take the 4 minutes and 20 seconds it takes to watch it. And please let me know what you think, I like to get feedback on my writing!

Don't worry and be happy you all,

Hugz, Anna

Time flies when you're having fun!

I am soooo happy I am riding a scooter again! Ok, I was only 5 days without a working one but that really was the limit... I really need it! To get out of the house, to go shopping... Today my son called me. he said for as far as he knows now, the only problem with my scooter was...wait for it:.... NO GAS! He put gas in it and it works like a charm again. Now I can hear you say: no gas? Anna, are you maybe a little bit...stoopid??? All I can say is: OF COURSE NOT! I know where the gas meter is and I see it every day, I knew I had to go tank in a few days but the meter showed I was nowhere near Reserve even, and when it is on Reserve I can easily get to the gas station. So I asked my son to thoroughly check the meter, I don't want this to ever happen again.

In the meantime I have been shopping my petootie off ;) Hey, only stuff I needed of course! But I never knew I needed Colman's dry mustard for example, or onion powder. Told Dan last night: I really have to get me some onion powder, I find it in so many American recipes! And while I was at Sultan's, the Turkish supermarket here -they have the biggest and best selection of herbs and spices!- I also bought some stewing beef, some chicken livers, some chicken breast and a bag of little Turkish bell peppers to stuff and some more veggies. I really have enough food for at least a week and of course I refilled my pantry again!

And then there is the online shopping of course, my dear friends in China! I must say, I am usually happy with what I get. Most of it is at least value for money. But sometimes, really! Like, for example, I ordered a black velvet wig head from one seller. Really cheap, around €3. It arrived packaged wonderfully, wrapped in bubble wrap and then wrapped in some sort of cylindrical bubble wrap too. It was really perfect and I use it happily. Then I tried to order the same from another seller. When the package got here, I was already like: "Oh noooo!" And when I got it out of the plastic, my suspicions were true. The nose was pushed in, there were some ugly 'scars' on the face, a big tear in the neck and some bumps in the base that made it all wobbly. Of course I let the seller know and he was like: ' Oh, ok. Half refund good?' HELL NO! 

My Easter Island wig head ;)

A hat I ordered, as it came out of the bag :p 

But as I said: most of what I get is really nice! Now Patrizia ordered me a wig, cheap as chips so I am not expecting much. But who knows it is really nice? That way I know where I can order my wigs, right? I was already amazed that in the US you can get a wig for €150 that costs €750 overhere...same brand, same model, same color! So maybe they order them in China too? Well, we'll see and I'll let you know of course.

Have a nice day and shop carefully !

Hugz, Anna

Epic fail ;)

Yeah, I know, I lost my challenge Joy! But I really think my life isn't interesting enough to write about every single day...

I believe I told you my son put a new exhaust on my scooter and it worked like a charm again...for about a week. Last Tuesday it didn't wanna start again. He thought the sparkplug might be humid but he didn't have time to get the scooter right away (I do live at a 45 minutes drive from his place ). Now he thinks the problem is with the ignition coil and he came Saturday night to pick up my white scooter(well it's off-white really) and brought me my old night black one so I can get around in the meantime.

Because much to my chagrin I found out once again I can't walk distances anymore. Wednesday I went to the tobacco shop -which is quite close, 570m.- and halfway I looked a bit at the water from the bridge. And before I got back home I had a smoke on a bench. Now this was doable and I could have taken another way back home even, same distance, just takes me to the back of my home. But I wanted to get the mail.

Now grocery shopping is a whole different ballgame. For starters the shops are much farther away -800m. and 1.2km- and of course I would have a heavy bag of groceries. When I knew my scooter was dead for the moment I asked a friend if I could come with her if she had to get groceries and that was allright. But then her father in law who was at a hospice, was passing away. So she was with him all the time and not at the supermarket! (Of course!!!)

 Now that meant no shopping for me. I was gonna run out of milk and bread and diet coke but since Monday was my Lidl day I had a bit of everything so I wasn't gonna die, haha. I always have things like bacon and grated cheese and canned tomatoes and pasta and stuff. You know, a little bit of a 'pantry' in my miniscule kitchen.

So, I really ate like a princess I must say. I missed my caffelatte and my bread in the morning but I had Senseo coffee and crackers with cheese and a delicious dinner every single day! My son was going to be here either Saturday or Sunday he said so I could go shopping with him. But then much to my surprise he came Saturday evening after work and he didn't just bring me the replacement scooter but also a pound of frozen chicken gyros and one of his delicious pizzas!

And of course I could go to the supermarket again on Sunday!!! Oh and I have learned 2 things this week: ordering groceries online is a hassle, because you have to order 4 days in advance...and I did order food online here for the first time! I have to do that at least once a month I think ;) 

Have a nice day you all!

Hugz, Anna