To town with my daughter

july 10 2008

Finally a normal day. Meaning: a day without appointments,letters that need to be written yesterday, pending doom and other terribles items on the list.

Ofcourse I need to do some thing, but I'm OK postponing them until tomorrow.

Yesterday I went with one of the girls to town and we had a great time looking around.
In fact it was a lovely, uneventful time..except for the moment that I nearly tripped over some exercise equipment a shopboy was unpacking.

I was looking for a nice coat that caight my attention and didn't look for what was lying in front of my feet.
My girl grasped my arm just before I would have dropped ungracefully all over the instruments. All was left was a ladylike: "OH!", and a boy that made about 89 apologies. LOL!

We didn't buy anything.
It was like all the beautiful items within our budget were brought to the cellars and atticks.

I recognised it from the years before.
Next week we'll have a huge international event in town, so I guess the shopkeepers rather sell their old stuff now it's sales.

Nevertheless, we had a wonderful time together untill our feet started to hurt.
We managed to get the buss we thought we would miss.
Some people came from corners we didn't even know excisted, so our short run was very worthwhile.
Especially as it was the buss that went all the way to our bicycles.

The cup of coffee at home tasted wonderful!!

It was the first time in years...many long years, that I had the chance to go windowshopping with one of the girls.

Upside Living, the luxury of handpainted glass

may 14 2008


Do you know I love painted glassware?

I'm not only talking about christmas ornaments, but also about bowls, bottles, glasses, candle holders, plates and platters and even salt and pepper sets.

Many years ago I used to paint glasses myself.
It was fun to do, but it took a lot of time, because the preparation of the glass is as important as the paiting itself.
The cleaner the glass, the better the paint will stay on.

I still paint little glass bottles.
It's fun to fill them with bathsalt, herbs or gardenseeds and give them as a present.

More ideas can be found at Upside Living.

Using painted glass is a pleasure.
The playfull efects of the light shining through the glass adds luxury to each dinnertable.
Some time ago I was at a weddingdinner and we all got a different glass to take home.
I've made a shelf in front of the dinnerroom-window, like in the sixties, and I display my painted glasses there.
People love this little home-museum.

Upside Living offers 43 different designs.
I'm sure you can find one that fits your lifestyle and taste.
Or maybe you want each new glass you take a new surprise. Then you can mix the styles and designs.

Whether you like to have a single item, like a decanter, a cheese dome set, or whether you want to have a whole range of glasses and plates, Upside Living can provide what you like.
Each decor is unique.

Ofcourse they have other lovely products too: like windchimes, Italiand and Spanish Pottery, throws and pillows etc etc.
It's the best choice of luxury for you and those you love.

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Are flip-flops sometimes too casual?

may 14 2008

Do you think that flip-flops are ever too casual to wear?

I'm a flip-flopper.
I have a pair at the doormat, so I can wear a pair outside without taking filth inside, and I have a pair for inside.
I even have some colours to go with my clothes.

When one gets too bad to wear, I save the other, because I might get a pair again in the near future.
At the end of the summerseason I buy a couple of pairs to get me through the winter.

But I do think flip-flops are too casual to wear to certain events.

When I wear make-up, I don't wear flip-flops.
It's an unwritten rule.

I climb mountains wearing them, but you won't see me attending a gala event wearing a pair. Not even when they're fancy or bling-bling.

And I never wear them to my diabetes doc, because he considers them a risk for wounds.
I don't agree.
I've never ever had feetproblems with flip-flops, but I've had many blisters wearing normal shoes.

So yes, I do think flip-flops are sometimes too casual to wear.


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Work Boots

march 25 2008

One of my sons has a good job. But the work is hard.
I told him he needed good work boots, but untill today he refused to buy them.

"So what happened today", you might ask.

One of his coworkers dropped some very heavy items on his feet and broke three toes.

Ofcourse I didn't say anything.
I'm not the kind of "I told you that" kind of mother.

I just sat down and waited.

After about half an hour he asked me where he could buy work boots.
"But they have to look good."

Well, I only know a place where they look better and best: Work Boots USA.


For those who don't know the site:
Work Boots USA sells boots and high shoes to protect your feet.
Brands like CAT, Converse Duty Footwear, Corcoran,Belleville Boots, Matterhorn Footwear, Bates Boots, Rocky Footwear, Magnum Hi-Tech Footwear and Wolverine Footwear are all available.
The site is easy to navigate. You can shop by brand, by stylem or you can have a look at the latest additions, the best sellers, featured brands or you can choose to sorf only the hot items.
There's a special section for Military & Government Customers.

In case you want to stay updated, subscribe to the newsletter.

We've found a great pair of boots, and you?

photo courtesy WorkBoots USA

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It's time for Seiko

march 19 2008


Can you imagine...
I was surfing around a bit and suddenly I saw a huge photo of my first boyfriend.
What a shock!

He still had the same features I adored and I fell in love with.

He also was wearing the same watch he got from his grandfather when he graduated: a Seiko.
Still beautiful.

It caught the attention of my son too, and he asked me whether I would have given him another watch.

Yes, I would.

Ofcourse it would have been a Seiko Watch, but another one. A Two Tone Kinetic Arctura Chronograph Silver Dial SNL012.

In his job, he runs a worldwide company, time is money, and his watch should be more of a feature.
The silver dial with gold tone hands reflects wealth, and also signals that time is of utmost importance.
The stainless steel case and bracelet are very comfortable to wear and because it runs by the power of motion it needs no maintenance, which is reflected in the 3 years original manufacturer warranty.

He's a proud father of very sportive children and he can put the stopwatch to great use. It measures up to 45 minutes in 1/5 second increments.
No need to fear water. The Seiko time piece is water resistant to 100M.

I love this watch. It reflects power, elegance and a consciousness of time.
And I'm sure it would last for generations to come.

Pity he's still married.

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My garden escape

march 7 2008


Today I got the best question you can ask me:
"What Garden Building would you have?"

I have always dreamt of a garden house.
A place to be myself, with no access for the children.
That isn't unkind.

Years ago I gave up my own little spot in the house for the twins.
I didn't mind at the time, as I got two lovely little babies.
But now they're 12 and I crave for a place where I can leave my sowing machine without being afraid someone might try it, or might bump against it.

I want to be able to leave a book open on the table...

When I first wanted a garden house, it was just 4 wooden walls and a tilted roof.
But now many people have discovered garden houses are not only for putting bycicles out of the rain, they have evolved into real houses.

I think it's wise to make people aware of the fact that garden houses are perfect offices. You're away from the noises and other distractions from the house, and you can create a good environment to focus on your work.
It's a signal to others: "I'm working now, so don't disturb me."

The garden escape offers a wide array of garden buildings: contemporary, cube, curve. But I opt for my own creation.

I would put my garden escape opposite my willow tree.
One corner in the corner of the garden, so I can have two wooden walls, one with a little window, so I can see the house, if needed.
Two sides can be glass. Double glass, so it stays warm in the winter without wasting too much energy.

I'm OK when it's big enough for a small bed, a cozy chair, and ofcourse an enormous table for my computer.

The Garden Escape offers a lot of information on the site. Like planning permission, what to do with lights and flooring and many other important issues.

Ofcourse I would love to have one of those buildings as a second home, in a beautiful nature resort, but I can do with my little garden house, to escape from my bussy life with 6 children and so many handicaps. They have special needs.

Well, I have a special need to: my garden escape.

Bolzano handbags are top-fashion

march 7 2008


Bolzano!

It rings a bell, but not without a smile.

My aunt came back from Italy about 14 years ago and gave me a bag.
I used it often, especially to meetings.
The bag seemed to be perfect for those occassions as it was both bold and elegant, and it had enough space to contain my personal belongings and the paperwork I needed.

Often I saw the better dressed women cast a look at it, and I had the feeling I was treated with a bit more respect when i had that bag with me.
"Fiddlesticks" I thought. "That's your imagination".
Untill I found out I was carrying a real Bolzano with me.

Bolzano is now famous here in Europe.
They're on the market with handbags and accessories for 15 years now, and they have made quality items that are known by the name of the line.
Not only the B makes the item stand out from all the other brands.
It's the quality and the design.

Each bag and item shows respect for the leather or other material.
The stitching is done with care and is unique.
The curves and shapes are witnesses of insight in what women want and need.
Italian fashion is reflected in each and every bag and it's matching accessories, and I can tell you, Italian handbag fashion is the absolute top.

Since the american celebrities discovered Bolzano, they wanted them sold in America and Canada.
Well, their requests have made Bolzano available. Not only in the shops, but also online.
The leather bags, the outstanding accessories, all have the same quality guarantee as the items which can be bought in Europe and at other places all over the world.

The Bolzano customer service is outstanding, so don't hesitate to contact them with your questions and requests.

And enjoy your handbag as much as I still do.

The Frock

november1 2007

I love fashion ans I love clothes from older times.

It's a pity I don't have time to be a member of a reennactment group.

But I'm member of a bagpipe band.

Now you can ask me what that has to do with historical clothes.
Well... not much.
Only that the kilts and other wear are based on history.

But the festivities, like the Rober Burnes night are a perfect occassion to dress up.

Last year I made a scottish dress completely after how it was made in 1894 according to an old diary.
It was fun to make it according to the rules of that time and without sewing machine.

Today I found a wonderful site: http://www.thefrock.com.

Oh...what a beautiful pieces of art!!

And they can be bought too.

Is there someone rich out there?????? LOL!

Plastic Surgery in the UK

october 29 2007


I'm going to "talk" about UK Plastic Surgery.

This morning I've found out that there is a huge difference between Plastic Surgery in the UK and here in The Netherlands.
Here in The Netherlands doctors are allowed to refuse surgery when they consider it not necessary. The oath says they have to heal and cure. And some plastic surgeons don't think procedures like tummy tucks, and liposuction are part of their work.

In the UK the decision is all up to the client/patient.
The Plastic Surgeon is a professional advisor, but that's it. When you want something done, you'll get it done.

I've seen a good article about the subject the times at women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article2472511.ece.

The way people view thmselves is for a large part dictated by the modern fashion industry.
In the past voluptuous women were s sigh of wealth (there was enough to eat), not slim women are the norm.

I've heard a psychologist complain that she got many young girls and young women in therapy because they had a distorted body image.
"Food for the cosmetic industry", she called them.

It worries me that there's so much money involved that you have to be careful with each step you move into the direction of plastic surgery.

I'm not talking about victims of fires and accidents, but I talk about healthy individual people, who want to give up their appearance to look like a magazine woman who is or is not corrected by Paint Shop Pro, so she has a flat tummy, endless thin pencillegs and a straight short nose... Oh.. and no hips!

It bothers me that about anyone can give advice whether or not to have plastic surgery.

Some or rebuilt human beings themselves, others are psychologically and verbally well developed nurses who know how to make you insecure and then offer the solution: surgery.

At least before you go to an appointment you can look up if your advisor as the proper registrations. He/she should be registered with the General Medical Council (www.gmc-uk.org) and he should have specialised at university. So he has to have
"FRCS Plast" added to the name.
The best surgeons are member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk) or the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (www.bapras.org.uk).

Some people forget that all surgery, even minor surgery has a risk.

One never knows beforehand if the scar will heal nicely and disappear after a while, or will start growing and build up more scartissue, or will stay red or shining silver forever.
Do you know that some people need to have new surgery 5 times just to cover the problems that weren't there in the first place?

OK, surgery seems to be an instant solution for a problem that needs sweat and tears for a rather long time. But often ecercise and diet will do the trick. Hej, the problem didn't appear overnight did it? So at least you should give it an equal chance to disappear when you work out well.

As a psychologist I'm always interested in the reasons why people want to change their bodyimage. Is it to please others? Is it to be able to live up to the expectations of others? Does a little fat here and there really change a life?

I think it's a disgrace that young people are allowed surgery at a time in their life that they're not even completely developed or haven't a proper idea of their own identity.
Surgery is done at places they're not even able to see themselves without mirror, just because the media have made them insecure.

When entering a clinic for cosmetic surgery you have to keep in mind that the people there are very willing to make money from your problems.
Are you an easy target? Why aren't they working in a hospital to give disfigured people a better chance of a pleasant life?

Ofcourse I can't stop you. I won't.
But at least ask yourself a lot of critical questions.
people change during life and it's not about how people look, but about the love they're able to radiate.
Do you want someone who likes your body or do you want a partner that loves you as a person?

But even when you have real problems that can be solved with plastic surgery you have to be careful.
Get a second opinion.
Don't book surgery immediately, but give yourself a week, two weeks to think about properly. Some advisors are booking your surgery as fast that you can't even consider their advice.

Ask about aftercare.
Ask about complications. How many in other patiens overall, and how many in patients that have undergone about the same procedure?
Compare clinics, compare doctors. Talk with others who already underwent the procedure.

When you undress in front of someone who pokes in places where you think you're fat, who looks at you from a reconstructioners eye, you have to be sure that surgery is what you want.

The review of some clinics in the Times was interesting to read.
The journalist didn't expect that she would feel so different just because other people were talking about her body in a way she never thought of it before.
She got insecure just from undressing and people wanting to change her.

Only one surgeon (at MYA/Make yourself Amazing cosmetic surgery) was honest to the journalist. Isn't that interesting.



but it's my opinion.

bedroom furniture for children

october 28 2007

Now the oldest has moved out it's time to rearrange the boy's room.
Maybe even get some Contemporary Bedroom Furniture.

With the girls I had a quick look at Furniture From Home, where we found at the page of bedroom furniture a Youth Painted Doll House Bed which would be perfect for both ladies.
One of the ladies could sleep on top of the roof, and the other in the front of the house.
We all think however that the space for the head is a bit too small.
Suddenly sitting straight up might cause a forcefull bump.
So maybe the princess can sleep the other way around.

Both the pages of the kid bedroom furniture and the child bedroom furniture are full of bedroomsets. Maybe too full.

I also think that some sets are not fit at all for children, unless you want to buy them a bed for their whole life.

Sorting them on colour, or on style would help a lot when a child has the chance to take part in the decisions about his or her room.

Maybe a special page where a child can draw the sizes of it's own room and can drag and drop furniture will help a lot.
That way children can see which beds are unrealistic dreams and which ones fit the room, and how much space is left to play.

I bet a lot of parents will use that tool too.


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Scrubs and Beyond

october 15 2007

I've worked for a long time with parents with cry-babies and babies with developmental problems.

We had a team consisting of a social worker, a physiotherapist and me, the psychologist.

Most of the time 2 of us went to the families who requested our help.
The physiotherapist and me.

Because we needed an outfit that was both trendy and could deal with the heavy demand, we used special colored scrubs.

Now the scrubs are available in all sorts of designs, including polkadots/metro dots, of Katherine Heigl Scrubs.
I especially like the drawstring pants. They're available in 4 colors and have an elastic back.

I'm not visiting families as often as I used to, but once in a while I do, so I have 2 outfits available.
I wear them often in the house, because they can be washed easily and just feel good.

Friends or me wear Medical Scrubs of Scrubs and Beyond.
Frank almost always wears Cherokee Workwear Unisex scrub top and pants. They come in 9 colours and he has them all. Well, they cost almost nothing.

At the dentist the women wear Nursing Scrubs of Scrubs and Beyond, because they need easily washable clothing that is fashionable. It's fun to see them one day in blue and the other day in pink.

At times special items are released, like the Dickies Happy Halloween print top.
It's as useful as the other tops, with two pockets in front. Made of 100% cotton.

I want to focus your attention on the new arrivals, the Katherine Heigl Collection by Peaches.
It's a complete outfit.

The pants are available with either drawstrings or waistband. (black, grey,pink and white)
There are 3 tops availabe with empire-waist, 2 with raglan sleeves and a long sleeve knit tee.
man colors are white, grey, pink and black and metrodot.
The collection is completed with a white lab coat.
All reasonably prized, and providing great comfort.

In case you can't make the choice for someone, order a gift card. I'm sure it'll be welcome.

Well, I think you get the idea.
Go and have a look.