friday's feast

april 24 2008

Appetizer
Name something you would categorize as weird.

That's a difficult question.
I won't say I've seen it all, or that I accept everything, but I don't think things are weird easily.
So I guess it will be some strange sculptured art, or maybe even the reaction of people on art.
We have here some flat pieces of iron, stuck vertically in the ground. In fact they are used untreated plates sheets of iron.
People say they're oh so beautiful!!
That's weird, because when I would stuck them the same way in my garden, or they would be stuck in the ground the same way at a building place none would say that they're "oh so beautiful!"

It's also weird that people enter memes and when I visit them and want to comment I have to log in at sites I don't want to be a member of.

Soup

What color was the last piece of food you ate?

Brown. It was my breakfast: peperkoek.

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone?

9.
The only times I don't enjoy it is when I feel depressed and there's a lot of mess lying around when everyone has left.

But I'm never completely alone. My autistic son is at home.

Main Course

Fill in the blank: I will _________ vote for ___________ in _______.

Well, I'm not american. We're an allied country and as such we have relations with america and a view on them.
For international relationships I would vote for Obama.
Clinton wants to force too much rules and regulations on the already weakened relationships. She makes the impression she doesn't want to listen well enough.
Maybe americans value her for the idea they have that she pushes forward and follows what she wants.
But I'm sure Obama does the same.
But dealing with him has to do less with dealing with a bulldozer.
he makes the impression he's able to listen, value matters on their own merits, and make the decision that's best for all partners on the long run.

In other words: I feel Clinton is there for the glory and the ego.
Obama for the cause.

Voting in my own country, The Netherlands, is much different.
We don't vote for people as much as in america, but we vote for party programmes.
We've got many parties, and it's important to get the parties with the best programs in the government.
One can vote for a person in a party.
Whenever that person gets enough votes to surpass others he'll get a better chance of taking a seat in parliament.

Right now I sure wouldn't vote for the tiny party of Wilders.
I sure wouldn't vote for Verdonk. People adore her because she creates the image of their aunt, sweeping the house, eh the country, clean from unwanted people. I think the woman is dangerous in her views, and when ever she gets prime minister we'll leave the country.
For the rest my vote will depend on the issues at hand when it's voting time.

Dessert

Describe your sleeping habits.

I go to bed late, I rise early.
Most of the time one foot sticks out from under the blanket.
Most of the time I try to read a bit before sleeping, then put the radio on and fall asleep while others talk about economic problems.
It's informative and utterly boring, but it works, because it takes my mind of all the troubles.


want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Hi!

When you're looking for friday's feast.
It's up here.

Feel welcome!

Read more...

friday's feast

march 28 2008

Appetizer

What does the color dark green make you think of?

The woods/forests... and the end of summer.

Soup

How many cousins do you have?

I don't know.
My family is at one side very, very large.
When my grandmother died we lost contact, because we had no place anymore to host all of them.

Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you?

9.

Main Course

Name something that is truly free.

My thoughts.

Dessert

Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence.

She Proudly Ranks Innumerable New-York Gardens.

Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer

Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?

The country.
I grew up near the woods and I've missed it ever since.
I'm lucky to live near a lake, where I can see the stars at night and enjoy some quiet, but I would love to live near the mountains.

Scotland would be fine.

Untill then I'll enjoy my garden.

Soup

Who is the cutest kid you know?

Haha!! When I choose one the other 5 are all over me. LOL!
But the twingirls feel the closest. Maybe because they don't have autism spectrum disorder.
One of them is very handsome and the other is....cutest.
Oops, I've said it!!

Salad

Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard ___________.

Have to think about that...

Main Course

If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?

Smallpipes. LOL! Never seen a commercial on TV though.

Dessert

What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?

I take vitamins because I have an aminodeficitdisorder (say that fast 5 times. LOL!).
The vitamins keep me alive.

Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?

Depending on the mood and what I'm writing.

Calligraphy: 8
normal handwriting: 7
grocery list: 5

Soup

Do you prefer baths or showers?

For daily use: showers. I can shower within a couple of minutes, if needed.
But when I need to relax, I love(d) a bath.
It has been ages ago I smelled at bottles to find something nice to pour in the hot water.
Music, a book...
Awwww......

Salad

What was the last bad movie you watched?

Haha...It was so bad I can't remember the name.

Main Course

Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.

Bagpiping.
I feel sad each time I can't go to the band. My autistic son and his dad don't go along, and I just can't leave them together.
I can't use the highland bagpipes in the house, because people can hear it 20 houses further. LOL!
So I'm blogging to make money to buy smallpipes. That's why there are at times some silly posts, I need them to keep the posts in balance.
Now the dollar is as low I have lost over half I had worked for.
When people would rate me higher and more on the buzzfuse widget I might win one of the monthly money prizes and stop moaning about my smallpipes here.

Dessert

Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?

It really depends on my mood.
I don't like artificial instruments very much though. Never did.
I'd rather like a steel guitar than one of those howling keyboards.

I like harp, and lots of african instruments.
I also like to listen to a good spanish guitarplayer.
And as a former balletdancer I dream away when I hear just one piano with a little echo.


Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer

If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?

I would like to be Obama.
There are certain subjects I would want to explore, because people are waiting for understanding. I'm sure I would be able to make them feel hope again. And I certainly would get their votes.
I also would adress international issues far more.
It's important that people in all countries achieve mutual trust.

I'm not going to tell which subjects, because I don't want to feed the opposition.

I also would like to be Oprah Winfrey.
I can talk as good as she can. No problem there.
The change I want to make is that I want those huge presents given to people who always care for others but never have the chance to visit the program.
I also want a monthly episode in which online friends meet each other in real life.

Soup

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?

O.

Most of the time the phone is used for passtime. And my schedule is bussy enough.
Or it's used for bad news.
When people don't want to bother to write an email, it's not worth the call.
I have a cellphone, so if needed people can reach me. We don't have a normal phone.

Salad

Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).

I have donated to many organisations.

In the past a friend who was midwife went to a hospital in Swaziland and she wanted to have a manually operated vaccuumpump.
We gave her all the money we saved and called the supplier to ask him to hand her the pump for that ammount. He valued the idea so much that he did, and he even gave her some more equipment.

Main Course

What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?

Fish... smoked salmon.

Dessert

Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?

We had it all. Yep. All 8.
I myself got the flu a month before the flushot and I've been very ill this time.
It took me quite a long while to get over it.

For the first time in years I didn't get ill after the flushot. So having the flu so badly helped... I tell myself.


Want to take part too?
Click the logo.
Want to have more visitors?
Leave a message so I can invite you for buzzfuse.

Read more...

friday's feast

february 29 2008

Appetizer

Who was the last person you hugged?

One of my girls.
A grown up?
No juicy stories here. The neighbouring woman when she moved out and said goodbye last week.

Soup

Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.

A beauty trick? From me?

Don't use so much Kohl around/in the eyes. Some people use so much that it looks like they're in need of hospitalisation and/or TBC treatment.

When you feel bad, it shows in your face.
So try to keep those smile muscles moving.

Salad

What does the color yellow make you think of?

The sun.
Yellow isn't really my colour. It makes me look pale.

Main Course

If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?

I've worked a while as a photographer for a magazine.
So I've thought about this.

The subject would be people moving through life.
Another subject: nature's miracles. (OK, who's going to send me on a mission to Mt. St. Helens so I can proof that I can do it.)

Dessert

What was the longest book you ever read?

The longest book..... hmm....
I once read a trilogy and it was a very thick book.
But it didn't feel like it.

The thickest and longest book was though, I think, my psychiatry book at university.
I felt very lucky to have a photographic memory, when I was doing exams.



Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer

Name one thing that is unique about you.

Well... hmmm.... I bet those one things are shared around the world with others.
I'm unique because of my children.
The way I deal with people who should try better for them is rather unique.
I'm kind, but very straightforward, and I always put the kid first.

Soup

Fill in the blank: My favorite _________ is __________ but I like _________ too.

My favorite instrument is the bagpipes, but I like other instruments too.

Salad

What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?

Light wood

Main Course

Who do you talk to most often on the phone?

I have a cellphone and I use it only to be reached and to call when I need to make an appointment.

So the time of long talks is over. I don't have the time during the day and evening.

Dessert

What level of responsibility do you have in your job?

As a mom of 4 handicapped kids, I don't have a job, but all the responsibility in the world.


Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of cereal?

In fact I don't have a favorite kind, because the one that is shouldn't be used by me. I'm a diabetic.
I love caramelised popped rice. Or isn't that cereal?

Soup
When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?

The last time?
Can't remember.

I think it was the rocking chair.
I wanted it for ages, but with 6 kids there's never mommymoney.
Then I was looking at a site and someone offered that rockingchair.
Turned out it was not too far from here, so the kids went and got it.

It's in the livingroom.

Salad
What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?

I always skip commercials to do little chores. So I don't know.

Main Course
Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey).

In the jasmine giraffe

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______.

I haven't been to the carnival since ages.

Want to take part too?
Click the logo

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer
How many times per day do you usually laugh?

Haha! I'm not going to count and loose my spontaneity!

Soup
What do your sunglasses look like?

Brown glasses, blue rim.

Salad
You win a free trip to anywhere on your continent, but you have to travel by train. Where do you go?

To the hightest peak.
There's a station in Switzerland that's very high. It's to the Jungfraujoch.
And I would also try to get as far away as possible.

Main Course
Name one thing you consider a great quality about living in your town/city.

Nature. There are many woods near my town. And ofcourse I hardly go there. But I've grown up there and it feels good to know they are still here.
In the summer we have a tremendously large international event, with a lot of open air music from all around the earth.

Dessert
If the sky could be another color, what color do you think would look best?

Marvellous question!!

It has been grey so long, that I long for fresh spring aqua.
But I can deal with a light-purple one. I like wine-red, but I;'m afairad the quality of light down here would not be good enough.

Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer
What is your favorite beverage?

Do you mean alcohol? Otherwise water is OK.

I don't have a favorite one, I have some favorites, and each one is a reflection of my mood.

I love Port, or Porto, as some call it.
I don't like wines, and because there's something in it what I'm not allowed to use because of a metabolic disease I never drink it. It's not in Port.
Port is for the lazy, laid back mood. For the long quiet discussion, for the time with a good friend, without clock, the slow drifting into the night.

I like Beerenburger.
It's a spirit made in the North of The Netherlands from local herbs.
It's dynamic, strong, fresh, and one way or another I can drink as much as I want and never get ill nor drunk.
It for being with friends and have fun and loud discussions. It makes me laugh and aware.

And I like whisky. Not the cheap one, the water with a taste. But the good golden glow where the scottish hills step in and one feels one can withstand the heaviest storms.
Well, I guess it's a bagpipers thing to drink it on every occassion.
But to be honest: when the taste is water with alcohol the plants die where I have been. LOL!
I like the old versions, that one can roll in the glass like cognacm and that makes one wants to smell it all the time.

Funny is I hardly raise a glass, I almost never drink.
Once in 3 months is much nowadays.
But maybe that makes me appreciate a quiet glass even more.

Oh and eh... when I drink, I use a good piece of Old Amsterdam with it.
That's a strong old cheese.
Well, I'm Dutch and we're cheese eaters.

Soup
Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.

Didn't I mention this last week too?

Right now:

coffee
lipcare
and a little bear I have to babysit for a little child here in the neighbourhood.


Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are?

9.
I'm very honest and straightforward, but I tell a white lie now and then to keep pthers happy.

Main Course
If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why?

I need a couple of years to think about this question.
I don't want to hurt people by changing the name of their town.

But maybe, maybe I want to change the name of a little city.. well, it's a street and a few houses, somewhere in the USA and it's called: The Netherlands.

Some people in a group thought that I was living there instead of in the marvellous country called: The Netherlands.

Dessert
What stresses you out? What calms you down?

What stresses me out:
Onprofessionalism in people who claim to be high standing professionals.
People who lie and cheat to get what they want.
People who don't stick to the law (like that careteam at school).

What calms me down:
The sea,
Making or listening music,
Getting on top of a situation.

Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

january 11 2008

Appetizer
What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?

I have no middle name.

Soup
If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most?

Give me a chance and I'll show you. I've always wanted to be a fashion designer.
I would use colourfull clothes for the day.
Absorbing and breathing material, so you won't have those sweaty patches or the feel you're stuck in a plastic bag.
Lots of pockets, either loose or hidden.
Something you'll feel elegant in, but won't break you're neck because it doesn't stretch when you slip off the sidewalk.

Evening: more of one tone, or larger colour areas.

I can't tell my style, because noone has invented a name for it, yet.

Salad
What is your least favorite chore, and why?

Cleaning after people.
Come on... with 8 people in the house... It seems to be all I do.

Main Course
What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?

Hmmm.. have to think about that.
I've an inborn fear for large spiders and snakes.

I don't like a sudden cold shower, because it literally takes my breath.

Dessert
Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment.

At my own place at the desk.
I can see a waterglass, my glasses and a little santa that's glued on the computer this christmas.

Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

When was the last time you received a surprise in the mail, and what was it?

Uh...I bet you don't mean the dentist bill, don't you?
Hmm... a real surprise... I can't remember.
Must have been a package hairshampoo. LOL!

Soup
If you could have a summer and/or winter home, where would you want it to be?

In summer I would love to walk through the snow and in the winter I long for a walk on the beach.
So what says that about me? LOL!

I don't like the extreme temperatures at all.
I'm kind of a springperson. I like the fresh mornings that are just OK enough to walk into the garden without a coat.

Salad
Pick one: pineapple, orange, banana, apple, cherry.

Banana. I'm very allergic to the rest.

Main Course
Describe the nicest piece of clothing that you own.

It's a tartan outfit I made after a description in a diary of 1894.
I also have a lace skirt with blouse set, that's far too small, but it's very beautiful. So maybe it'll fit one of the girls within a few years.

Dessert
If you could forget one whole day from your life, which day would you choose to wipe from your memory?

You'd better ask which day I would want to keep.

The day I want to whipe out is the day a policewoman phoned me at friday 18.00 hours and told me I was accused of abuse of my children.

I was so angry at her and the whole world.
I knew and I know I've never abused my children in any way.
I also knew that she accused me at that time because she wanted me to come up on monday with a statement accusing someone else they suspected. Like they can force me that way. Ha!
And I realised later that she must have called from her own house, as the shift ended at 17.00 hours. And she called as late so I couldn't reach anyone else to have the accussation confirmed.

I'm still getting mad when I remember this.

Happy new year!!


Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer
Name 2 things you would like to accomplish in 2008.

Perform on my bagpipes
Get my autistic son in the auti-class

Soup
With which cartoon character do you share personality traits?

I really don't know.
I never watch or read cartoons.


Salad
What time of day (or night) were you born?

Early morning.
It was freezing. Even in the hospital.
The water in the glass beside the bed of my mother was froozen.

Main Course
Tell us something special about your hometown.

It's the oldest town of the country, with a ruin of a castle near a river.
I used to take walks through the oldest part of town, where there were very old houses, and history was breathing all around us.
Now it's all taken down and rebuilt in a kind of modern classical style. Narrow streets and such. But I can't find the old spirit back.
It's nice for tourists though.

There have been so many changes that even in the part I grew up I have to look for cues of the old times.

So the feeling of being at home in my own town is disappearing and I'm quite willing to move abroad if we get a good offer.

Dessert
If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from?

It depends.

I would love to renew a friendship. I'm sending him a mail this afternoon.
I would love my childhood friend to get over his superiority feelings and make up again. (I criticised him on putting his wished before his sons needs.)

I would love Michael Palin to ask me to travel with him.
I would love to go into an honest discussion about peace and the use of the army. Themes: defense tasks, ethics, protecting your own boys and girls, and a lot lot more.
I would love to get a letter asking me for a choreography.
I would love to win those millions that are given away.

I guess I first need a letter from a mailbox company offering me a larger one. LOL!


Happy New Year!!!!!


Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer
Make up a word and give us its definition.

It's actually a word one of my children made up when he was little.
floepstoep (floopstoop)
It's a heightened area in the street to keep the speed of cars down.

Soup
What is currently your favorite song?

The song that keeps popping up in my mind: "nothing compared..."
and the song I'm learning: "lambada del serpente".

I guess the christmassongs will crawl in my mind soon.

Salad
What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?

Well, as my online friends know: we've already had our gift-event: Sinterklaas.
But right now I need a watch. And if I had a choice I would choose a pocketwatch, as it fits well with my bagpipers uniform too.

Main Course
Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.

Cinnamon: remembers me of my gram, a friend that used to make cinnamon tea for me, another one who treated me cinnamon buns.

And fresh baked cake... awww... me and my gram in this time of year.
I got the apples from the cellar, peeled and slices them,
and we threw rum in, cinnamon, lemon.....
Ohh, the smell.......

Dessert
Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?

Ugh... I try not to pay attention to something like that.
I don't like the know-it-all, the one who shocks others to get a point across, who laughs at the expense of others.

I'm not sure if I want to be santa claus...

Read more...

friday's feast

november 30 2007

Appetizer
What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?

We're never going to amusement parks. Can't. They're too far away and too expensive.
I like the observation wheel, though. The higher the better.

Soup
How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?

That depends.

When I'm in a meeting I feel myself becoming more businesslike and observant. Often even before the situation becomes uncomfortable at a conscious level.
I'm thinking more strategic then.

When people are trying to start a row with me, I back out. Unless I need to get things done for the children. Then I clearly state that I don't want a row, but that I need to get things arranged for the children, and then I state my wishes.

Competition is often for me uncomfortable too, regardless whether I'm the best or not.
Most of the time I don't play the game.
When someone wants to compete, OK, but not with me.

When people are unkind to me I withdraw from the situation, but go back at a later time and ask why.


Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?

At 100.
We Dutch like to discuss..a lot!!
Foreigners often think that we're arguing, but were just duscussing matters and can drink a beer later without any problem.


Main Course
Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?

Yes, I did.
I'm a diabetic and I have asthma, so I got the advice to get the shot.

I've had a bad flu just a month before the shut and was very ill. So I was motivated this year.


Dessert
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?

Let's see:

• 250 min As The World Turns 50 min a day 5 days
• 50 Casualty
• 50 Holby
• 50 House

So that's 400 min, add the news, occassionally some cabaret.

Say 8 hours.

Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

As our chef is celebrating Thanksgiving and in his menu today is only turkey, for those who want to play anyway Gattina's put up a feast.
Here is the menu.

Appetizer
Imagine that you are deaf, dumb and insensitive to touch. What other image of happiness could you have?

Being deaf would be very difficult.
Music keeps me alive, so first I would try to find ways to restore a sense of hearing, even when that means feeling fibrations inside.

I've got a grotta. That's an instrument that is used for healing people.
I think I would use it far more than I do now.

Keeping my sight would be a real happiness.
I could travel all over the world, read and write.

Soup
Do you collect anything?

Oh yes: giraffes, little houses, fountain pens, teapots.
I love earrings and pendants, and musical instruments.
I stopped collecting children.

Salad
When do you start your Christmas?

Certainly not before Sinterklaas has gone. That's december 6.
Changing the home into a christmasfeel makes my autistic kid go nuts. He experiences it as a true change of the world and he has to find a new sense of home again.
So some years I decorate only minimal. Just depending how I feel about facing all the meltdowns.

Main Course
What would you do if you were in a corner and a snake was staring you down?

Stare back ...
Sheeshj...I don't know.
Maybe step towards it to make an end to the situation.

Dessert
If you were in the library and had gas.

Who? Me? I never have gas???!!!

Read more...

friday's feast

november 9 2007

Appetizer
Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?

Oh my dear... I never go to the movies.
It has been ages ago I was able to.
Now Í[ve got diabetes and diabetes has got me I have to choose healthy stuff.

Soup
What year did you start using the internet?

Don't remember anymore.
I started blogging in 2001.

Salad
What is your first name in Pig Latin? (Here’s how to speak it if you don’t already know!)

Haha.... mine is not fit to use...LOL!

Main Course
Name something you are picky about.

Rice, fat stuff

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today.

I was glued to the TV to get the latest information about the storm and flood yesterday and I stayed away from the TV when I heard everything was OK today.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer
How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?

Well, it depends on the bills we get up until then, and upon how much the health insurance is going to cost next year.
Right now I don't have much insight in expneses, because the prices of groceries have gone up very much. With a family of 8 that's a huge difference.
I'm a bit afraid we won't have much this year...like last year. And I felt so very bad...

Soup
What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?

As The World Turns.. well, it's a soap.
Yes, it was great.

The last show?? Can't remember...

Salad
If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?

Haha!! I'm in the middle of it.
It's a light blue/purple. Very light.

Main Course
Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet.
Nooooo, I won't tell you.
I need to get rich, you don't.

Dessert
List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.

• smallpipes, something for my uniform or something else that's scottish
• a place to stay for free during so I can go on vacation
• just something really for me

Want to take part too?
Click the logo.

Read more...

friday's feast

Appetizer
Name a great website you would recommend to others.

I've a complete website black-out at the moment.
But I know a great group with wonderful sites: she who blogs

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how often do you dream at night?

Well, everybody dreams at night, but not everyone is able to remember dreams.
so it's 100%/4%

Salad
Did you have a pet as a child? If so, what kind and what was its name?

No I didn't have a pet.

Main Course
If you had the chance to star in a commercial, what would you choose to advertise?

Pfff... gardenhouses!
in the hope I can keep it.

Dessert
What is your favorite kind of hard candy?

I'm a diabetic, so I'm not supposed to eat candy at all.
We had sweets in the past that were called buttersweets.
I'd risk hyperglycemia for those!

Want to take part too?
Just click the logo.

Read more...