Punctuality means respect

Busy day today, but it didn't start out very well. A new friend was picking me up at eleven o'clock, and being me I was standing outside the house waiting a few minutes before. And there I waited. And waited. And waited.

Twenty minutes later I decided to get back inside and was half-irritated (read very very very irritated). Told the cats that men cannot be trusted, which they agreed on. Five minutes later the door rang, and there he was. Finally. If you know me, you know how much I hate people being late, but this was a new friend so I just told him very gently that had he been five minutes later I would'nt have come at all. Well, perhaps not very gently since I think he got the message pretty quickly. He of course didn't understand at all, he was all like "well you were coming visit so I had to clean", like it was my problem that he couldn't plan better.

Anyway, moving on and we had a really nice day. Visiting some favourite spots of his (including his home, which was pretty clean), and even his indeed very nice neighbours, who pointed out that he didn't sleep at home last weekend. That was when I had my party and he ended up sleeping at my neighbours, not at my place. Which I felt a need to point out. I'm not as easy as I used to be ;).

But he loves animals, which with me is a redeeming factor. Anybody who has a lovely cat like this deserves a second chance.

Leg-yielding

Yet again today I went a bit early to the stables to prepare my fav horse for the riding lesson. I know, I used to do this all the time in my youth, but I guess it's a combination of being a bit thick with age and also that new things have come along over the years.

Nowadays it seems like you have to do things in a certain order and that it is important never to let the horse lose in the box (like when you have put the bridle on, don't leave without also putting a halter on and tie it to something...again I had the same problem as I do with my boat. Knots are definitely not my thing.) Has to do with safety. But I managed, the bridle, the saddle but I still struggled with the "gamasch", I don't know what it is in English but it's some covers you put on the bottom of the legs.

Anyway, they are helpful there, and I got it together in the end. And I got a compliment! I tell you, there hasn't been many since I started riding again, and rightly so, but it warms my heart to hear that once in a while I get it right.

Leg-yielding in trot ain't easy. I know, it looks easy when you watch professionals do it, but I can assure you it's not. And I wish it would've looked as good as on the pic I stole from internet.

PS. It means that you move forward and sideways at the same time.

Fresh lemons

The other day I got some fresh lemons from a friend, and that triggered my brain to come up with something to cook or bake. So far I've done a lemonzested chicken and some quite delicious, if I may say so myself, and I may since it's my blog, cookies.

Now thinking what I can do with the third. Nothing to waste is my middle name.

From thought to action

What a beauty! Now I realize I need another one for indoor use as well. For my plants, as well as storage for cat thingies.

Yes, I can feel another Ikea trip coming up next week.

Easy target

Darn Ikea. I'm planning a visit today. Actually, I don't really need anything but going with a friend and his shopping list. However, today when checking the mail I received a catalogue with outdoor furniture, and immediately saw a bench that I want for the balcony.

Funny that, I didn't realize I wanted one until I saw it. How easy a target does that make me?

Accident prone

This streak with accidents keeps on happening to me. Last Friday riding I was doing something with my right hand, hence holding both reins with my left hand, just as Feri chose to use his head to violently address an itch on his leg. I didn't feel much then, but waking up the next morning I realized my left thumb was almost twice the size of normal.

When working yesterday I dropped a coffee cup, which made me remember to never lift anything with wet hands (or maybe it was my thumb!). Yesterday evening I pushed a glass over, and this morning taking care of all the clean cutlery and crockery (yes, was clever enough to put on the dishwasher last night) I dropped a glass on the floor.

It didn't stop there. When making breakfast (or rather brunch) this morning I was cutting the same thumb with a cheese knife.

Accident- and diseasewise it hasn't been a good start to 2015, so I'm thinking the only way to go from here is up.

Successful party

I would say that whenever I could keep one of my neighbours up until nearly one in the morning, it's a successful evening. He's normally the one starting to yawn at nine.

But yes, I had put in an effort. As a starter it was gazpacho, a veggie soup served cold in schnapps glasses together with a garlic bread.

For main it was pork cooked for hours with garlic, onion and sambal, as well as creme fraiche and cream, served with spaghetti and beans.

So there we were enjoying ourselves, three old friends and a new one, who quickly joined the group.

Then, after a few hours the rest of the house came for dessert, just as planned. As a surprise for the birthday...well woman...girl would be to stretch it. So I had a made a cake and one of the guests brought some cookies.

And after the kids left (yes I know, but to invite these neighbours without their loud offsprings would mean they wouldn't come, so what can one do?), we waltzed. I think the guy who claimed he was an excellent waltzer realized that I was better. Little did he know that I waltzed my way through the 80's. It is nice to surprise people sometimes.

All in all a nice evening. I am lucky to live in a house with neighbours like this!

I'm falling apart

I really don't understand. The past year I've been living more healthy than ever in my life (ok, maybe except for my teen years), and I've never been so sick.

A couple of days ago I started to get pain in my hip (and no, I'm not old enough to need a hip replacement!), so bad I woke up at 5.30 this morning. Fortunately I still have some painkillers since the last stomach thingie.

And yes, today I started to feel the same symtoms as a couple of weeks ago. Still haven't vomited but my belly has started to swell up, and the activity in there is loud. I really don't have time to be sick now!

Soon off to my riding lesson, and I'm not gonna let my failing body defeat me. Hoping for some adrenaline to get me going. And this time I'm going there early. I still have to learn to prepare the horse for the lesson. Previously I have had help, and everybody seems to know exactly what to do and do it quickly. Today I want to take my time, and bond with the horse.

The princess and the pea

My cats are lovely, as any cat owner would say, but let's not forget that they are predators. Instinct. So the other morning I woke up, thinking my bed was uncomfortable, moving around a bit, and finding a blue ball. I was laying on it.

This particular blue ball was a gift from the monster kid next door, and the cats absolutely adore it. Actually, I think one of them would be a world class football player, should cats be allowed to compete.

However, I am grateful that I get to wake up on top of a blue ball, as supposed to a half-dead mouse or a bird with one wing.

Sometimes it's the little things in life.

I'm faster than google

Today, through a combination of greed and bad conscience, I walked all the way to a friends place. Greed, 'cause it pains me to pay for a ticket, and bad conscience 'cause I haven't done any sports since being sick last week. Also a bit of laziness I guess, like "I'm sick, I cannot push myself".

Anyway, google maps told me it would take 44 minutes, and I made in 41. And I was walking fast! Door to door it was like 56 minutes. Then of course I indulged in food and chocolate, but nevertheless, it did me good.

And as of this morning I was only 3.6 kg's away from my ultimate goal. What I'll do if I ever get there? Oh I dunno, probably eat a whole bar of chocolate :).

Mafia?

On Monday this week I went to the airport to see a few friends. They had a few hours transit time, and I hadn't seen them in a long time. So long, that one of them remarked "you have lost weight, you look good". Music to my ears.

Anyway, we were having a few drinks and I told them about my new potential friend, the Sicilian. I may have exaggerated a wee bit, and done it a bit loudly, since a guy at the next table remarked "not all Sicilians are mafia you know". Haha.

I didn't believe for a minute.

A bottomless hole

Yesterday was really strange. I was hungry the whole day. I cannot remember when I ate as much, it was like a couple of hours after I ate, I was craving food yet again.

Apart from being away in the afternoon, meeting two good friends travelling through Zürich, I was eating, eating, eating.

And funnily enough I didn't gain one gram since the day before.

Maybe it was like my body was making up for being sick, not being able to hold down food, 'cause today I'm back to normal. What a weird experience!

Talking about food, I have now cooked lunch boxes for a good friend of mine since about ten months, and I'm running out of ideas. So far I have cooked thirty different menues including fish, pork, beef, rabbit, chicken, all different sorts of cuts served together with potatoes, rice, spaghetti in all various varieties, always with some greens like carrots, peas, peperoni, cauliflower, broccoli, onion, beans or whatever you can think of.

On the other hand, the recipient of the boxes is a very easy person. He would gladly have that I start all over again on the menues.

Still, it's a challenge, and I'm up for trying something new. Ideas welcome!

Valentines date

I had a date tonight. It wasn't meant to be a Valentine's day date, but since I had to cancel last week due to my failing body, it just so happened.

Turned out to be fun, and a somebody who I might hang out with more times.

And who would've thought that I would spend an evening with a Sicilian who looked uncomfortably close to Gandolfini (except alive)? And enjoy it?

Horses are like people

It was fun back in the saddle today. I had to miss last week 'cause of my friggin stomach, but today I was continuing my love affair with Feri.

He was very alert and awake, 'cause it's school holiday and he hadn't been moving all day. We were three in the class, and Feri and another horse didn't like each other. At all. I tell you, it was difficult to navigate making sure they never came close.

They are like us. Sometimes you just don't like somebody, but we have the luxury of being able to avoid those people and also the ability to not show it if we don't want to.

With horses, it's a little bit different. Body language. Ears flat back, nervous trotting, the odd kick. It was almost like I felt I couldn't control him when we galloped. Speeding like a mad man he was. Fun!

Otherwise it went pretty well, except for the volt, a circular movement. First, it was "Annika, next time the volt should be round". Hmmm. But I listen, the teacher is very good and sees every little detail, so I tried hard and made a perfectly round volt the next time over. Then it was "Annika that was pretty good but you should sit down, not ride rising trot".

She's never satisfied, but I get it. How will I learn otherwise?

Oh, and a funny thing. Another student was taking over Feri after me, and when looking at the stirrups she remarked "you have long legs". I actually think it's the first time anybody has said that to me. Not that I have short legs, but I'm not that tall. Turned out she was the same length and the stirrups fitted her perfectly. But long legs? Yes, I have them :).

Miracle medicine

I gotta admit, the doctors knew what they were talking about. The medicine they gave me has made wonders. I feel almost fine again. Yes, I still have a swollen belly, but maybe now just a 6-months pregnancy, and I'm down to 1,5 painkillers today compared to 3,5 yesterday. What still bugs me is that they only gave me 3 on the day I was at the hospital. They should've given me more to last me to the next day, 'cause after 2 sleepless nights I had less resistance to pain and could've used a full nights sleep. And the prescription said up to 6 a day!

However, last night I slept like a baby, actually babies don't sleep a whole night I've heard, so more like a log I guess, and today I've been very active.

Baked bread forever. Should've checked the recipe beforehand of how many loafs there were, so it took me hours and hours and ended up with bread to last me until next month.

Then I made a soup. Soup is not my forte but surprised myself with a veggie soup consisting of cauliflower, parsnip, carrot, potato and leek. Mixed it, added some chili and cream and voila, a fantastic soup. Pat on back.

So yes, am back in business and thankful to live in an age where there are medicine to make you better.

Medicine and pralines

Last night was hell. I'm not joking when I say I was awake every hour, and up to vomit four times, despite only having had two cups of soup yesterday. I really wonder what was in that drip thing I got at the hospital, since I had gained 700 grams this morning. What the heck?

I was swearing over incompetent doctors and for not giving me enough painkillers. The pain was almost unbearable.

Was considering calling a neighbour to ask for help getting medication, but first of all, both neighbours are on vacation, and second...I had a voucher since 5 years only valid two more days for Sprüngli and it felt funny to ask somebody "can you please go and get me some medicine, and btw, can you pick up a box of pralines as well?"

So I bit the bullet, dressed in jogging pants (can't have anything pushing on the belly, which was swollen to a degree of 9-months pregnancy), and headed out in the darkness, -3°C at 7 o'clock in the morning. Got the bus down to the main station, where the pharmacy is open 24-7, and as soon as I paid the clerk I popped a painkiller like a drug abuser.

Then I went to Sprüngli, got a lovely box of delicate decadent pralines, which are now awaiting me as soon as I get fit again.

Talking about fit, I got home, popped another pill and slept for three hours, and woke up like a new person. I was even a little bit hungry!

This afternoon I've been almost fine. Energy is back, I've eaten several small meals and am grateful that the belly medicine has started to work (one pill every morning). Fingers crossed the positive spiral will continue!

Sunday hang-out

Today I couldn't take it anymore, so went to the hospital. For three days I have not been able to keep food down, nausea, vomiting and belly-ache. Not a lot of fun I tell you, since the pain makes you not being able to sleep.

It was even so bad I haven't had a drop of alcohol and been smoking very few cigarettes for the past few days.

The diagnosis they gave me was acute gastritis. Isn't it typical? After me living a more healthy life for the past year.

I don't feel completely comfortable though, since the doctor told me they would do an ultrasound of the belly, and they ended up doing an EKG. Nothing wrong with my heart. Plus that I saw a few errors in the journal they made and gave me a copy of.

Ah well, I've gotten pills now to last me to tomorrow, then I have to get to a pharmacy to fill up. And I only vomited once today, and even managed to get two cups of soup down. Fingers crossed I get to keep them overnight.

If I am to find something positive in the situation it is that my weightloss will continue, however not in the way I envisioned it, and that the cats have been very supportive. Coming to check on me in bed, and curl up next to me to keep me company.

Sick leave

On sick leave. Back soon I hope.

Swiss XII

Got an envelope from the Swiss authorities today, and thought immediately that now I get the results of the test, so that I can put that behind me. Not that I'm really worried, but still, it would be nice to have the confirmation.

But no. This was a form so that I can confirm the personal data I already have submitted several times. "And after you have signed the data can no longer be changed". Oh dear. Sounds like a threat. Good thing I don't plan to marry, since one of the data to be confirmed was that I'm single.

As soon as I have sent this form in, and of course paid the bill attached of 76 francs, my application will processed further.

No worries, they can hit me with as many forms as they wish, I will bounce back, reply and pay as required. I have really put my mind to this. Let's see if it goes all the way.

A date from hell

Omg, there are some weirdos out there. Had another date today with an older guy. I'm not opposed to having friends in all sorts of ages, so I thought why not?

But this particular one I should've skipped. The first thing he said to me was not "nice to meet you" but "you don't look like your picture". What was I supposed to say to that?

Then we took a walk and he kept on complaining just about everything. The women on the site who didn't respond to him, why weren't they? How the hell was I supposed to know?

Tried to change the subject to animals, did he perhaps have a dog? Then I got another rant about how the authorities just want to make money by requiring new dog owners to take a course, which I think is a good idea. And so on and so on.

After that he was back on the women subject. How he would never contact anybody who had "a couple of kg's too much" in her profile. I swallowed a laugh, nearly looked down at him and his protruding belly, thinking his BMI was definitely in the overweight area. And how he liked "natural beauty", showing me a pic of his "friend" who was a goodloooking 25-year-old. I was thinking maybe he had downloaded the pic from internet, until he told me he didn't know how to operate a computer, apparently the 25-year-old had helped him.

When he asked if we should go for a drink, I as politely as I could claimed to have a pressing engagement, bid him farewell and good luck, and fled.

Sunday date

I had a date today with a guy I met online. I've been registered to this dating site for quite a long time now, but am not active there. I just respond if somebody contacts me, and today I met this man who sent me a message and seemed to have a profile that spoke to me. Animal lover. He has a dog and a cat.

He turned out to be very nice, and just like I thought he'd be. Of course the impression he made on me improved dramatically by bringing me a small present. What woman doesn't love chocolate?

Luckily, none of us are looking for a romantic relationship, but for friendship, and I really do think this can be something. Meeting up now and then, taking walks with the dog, cooking together, correction I will have to cook since he doesn't, but no biggie, talking and just enjoy some company with each other.

And maybe I can talk him into doing the vitaparcours with me? Just like me he has lost weight, and is trying for a healthier lifestyle. Except for the smoking and wine-drinking of course :). And he will make me speak German.

It's funny that when people say in their profiles what languages they speak, and many of them tick English. Then when we meet they speak like two words. I, on the other hand, communicate almost effortlessly in German, and still say I'm only half-good. Very humble I am :).