Finally, we had a warm and sunny day at the beginning of May. My cold had gone down, my throat wasn’t sore anymore and I went off to meet Marita. I asked her whether she would take photos for my blog and luckily she didn’t mind. I wore an outfit with old leather jogging trousers, new trainers and a lime coloured patterned jacket.
Our destination was museum mill De Adriaan (see below). The staff had hung a banner around the mill, recruiting staff, which was a bit of bummer for my photo. But I get it, there is a big shortage of staff in every line of business.
Below: Marita and I met at restaurant Zuidam, which is next to the mill. Marita is sitting on her own, at the second table from the right. Because everybody wants to sit in the sun now that it is out, the parasols were closed.
Below: The mill and the restaurant are on the quay of canal ‘Het Spaarne’ which runs right through Haarlem.
Below: I photographed Marita at the back of the restaurant. She was looking smart as always.
We wanted to take photos in the shade because it can be just as difficult to get a good photo in bright sunlight as indoors.
Below: A head to toe shot of Marita in the alley next to the restaurant. Enough shade there.
Below: At the back of the mill was also enough shade. The lime coloured patterned jacket is by Herzen’s Angelegenheit and I bought it at LAB Women’s Clothing. I adore anything with bright colours and lime is a particular favourite.
The leather jogging trousers are from the same shop, bought several years ago. (Link to original post and link to a more recent post with these trousers.)
The trainers are from AMA Brand; I also found them at LAB Women’s Clothing. Daphne, the owner of the shop is always very helpful and never lets me buy something which isn’t right for me. Although she acknowledges the fact that it takes me several years to adopt a new trend. And she is always on trend with her clothes and shoes.
Daphne was wearing this combination in her shop and looked great. I have a hard time imagining how something would look on me when clothes are on a rack (seriously, I do). Seeing it on a person is what I need.
Below: These poor French ladies came up behind me to look at the view as Marita was about to take a photo of me sitting on this little platform. I turned round and sighed. I didn’t say anything but unfortunately my face always expresses every thought. In this case that was “Go away, I don’t want you in my photo”. They were startled and hurried away. It was the result I was hoping for, but it was very unkind of me. I have been in a casino twice, clutching some chips in my hand only to exchange them back for money at the end of the evening. I cannot gamble. And with my expressive face that is a good thing.
I tied the belt at the back and this time it was neat.
Don’t think I had learned from chasing away the French ladies. No, not at all. A tourist family popped up at the same spot. I gave them the same look and raised my arms and hands in (fake) despair. The man was startled, the woman burst out laughing and they moved on. It just shows you I am not that sweet, lovable person all the time as you always seem to think. There is a bitch inside me and sometimes she comes out.
Below: At last a nice photo.
Below: I managed to hoist myself up the wooden platform to have my trainers photographed. I even got down again too (with difficulty).
Truth be told, I did touch up one blotch on my right ankle. My legs and especially my ankles are now full of blotches and visible veins as you can see in the photo above. I might get them removed one day but I might also think “tough titties”.
Below: This was my view from the wooden platform.
Below: Not a bad view, right?
Below: Gold plated earrings with faceted green glass pendant. By Lara Design.
Below: The bridge is going to open sideways to let a big ship go through. That means the left side of the bridge (as you are looking at it now), will move towards you until the bridge has turned 90 degrees.
Below: The bridge is now open and the ship can pass. Great view from the restaurant terrace.
Below: Marita took this photo of me capturing the bridge opening and closing. Wouldn’t it be lovely if I could stand up straight instead of always slouching?
What happened in my life this week
Very little to tell you I am afraid.
Below: I took a photo of mum in her garden. She is rather unstable and uses a walking stick or a rollator. Going into the garden I gave her my arm but as we were almost there, she nearly fell. I held her tight to prevent her from falling but the firethorn (pyracantha) caught her hand and wounded her a little. Her skin is so thin that even the smallest injury draws blood. Nevertheless, this is a nice photo of her.
Ron was getting rid of the weeds in her garden on his hands and knees. Stupid me, I forgot to mention to him this had to be done. Had he known, he would have brought his burner. Far easier (as long as you don’t set the house on fire).
Monday evening my cold came back and my throat was sore again. I also had an infection on my lower eyelid which hurt. After that I got a stiff neck which hurt like hell, but luckily only lasted 24 hours.
I am so fed up with having something being wrong with my health. Big or small health problems, I am sick of it. I want normal life to resume. The arthritis in my left knee is quite enough. I know I shouldn’t complain as these are such minor things and others are far worse off. But fed up of it I am.
Being a little under the weather meant that I didn’t see many friends. Instead, I have been very busy with filling in papers for mum and for Ron’s taxes. Also trying to get the solar app working again on Ron’s phone. In the end our IT guy came round and fixed it in 5 minutes. I was already on it for days and hours. I nearly solved it myself but I was too impatient.
On Thursday I went to the doctor to see what she could do about the headaches I am getting on and off. They are pretty frequent, say 40% of the time, and I take painkillers to get through the day. Of course I know painkillers aren’t the solution and bad for my body, especially now that I only have one kidney left. I have had these headaches for about 33 years, about as long as I know Ron.
Remember my doctor’s suggestion to this information, when I mentioned it last year? With a straight face she asked me: “Have you ever considered leaving him?”
We killed ourselves laughing over this. When I reminded her about her joke, she couldn’t remember it and said: “Oh no, did I actually say that? How bad. Sometimes these things come out of my mouth when they shouldn’t.” But we laughed again and I assured her that no harm was done. She knows both Ron and me very well and she knows we appreciate such jokes.
Anyway, I am now going to take one low dose beta blocker every day for a month and see whether that prevents the headaches. I have tried so many things that I can try this one as well. Although I am pretty sure I took beta blocker pills before, but that was a long time ago. I am not too keen on them. Please don’t give me tips or advice to solve this headache problem. Been there, done that and got the T-shirt. I tried at least 50 things.
Thursday afternoon I had a coffee with one of our neighbours in the neighbourhood restaurant and I wore this (see below). I wore this jacket with black trousers and black top in this post, getting the good news from the surgeon. The jacket works equally well with jeans.
Friday things started to go back to normal. Busy, busy, busy.
One of our neighbours broke her foot and as she lives on her own, we as her neighbours, take care of her. Like with preparing breakfast, lunch and/or dinner and with grocery shopping. She must keep her leg up all day for the first week. We have such a nice community in this street, it is like a little village but without the nosiness. I started with making her breakfast.
In the morning a man with a very tall ladder came to fix a bare spot on our cornice, caused by removing the weather vane of the old awnings. November last year we had new awnings installed and the bare spot up there bothered me as I was afraid the wood would rot. Long story short, a man from the awnings company, fixed it.
I had coffee and lunch with Kitty. Kitty took the selfie. See below.
In the afternoon our gardener came to finish the pond. We were afraid it was leaking for the second time. The irony as we wanted a new pond because the old one was leaking. But…hurray for the gardener, he solved the problem. Next week, after Ron has put in the last plants, I will show you how the garden looks now. And in a month’s time it will be very different when they have all grown. It was a very good day; all’s well that ends well.
Greetje
Hi Greetje, I just read about you on Midlife Chic and headed over. I jumped right to the older post with the beautiful jacket. I love both jackets in this post.
I’m looking forward to reading your posts in the future. Now, I need to find the photos of your garden!
Welcome Dottie, how lovely to gain a new reader. I hope I can amuse you in the future. I saw your other comment as well.
In this post (last three photos) you can see my garden:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2023/07/02/orange-and-cream-kaftan-dress/
And an overview of our garden you will find in this post (last photo):
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2023/06/11/a-yellow-summer-dress/
Thank you for your warm welcome. I’ve visited the links to see your beautiful garden. You must enjoy summer days and evenings in it.
I love gardening and I like seeing other people’s gardens. I’m glad to see what your garden looks like. Lovely.
Actually, we don’t spend much time in the garden but I would miss it so much if we didn’t have this little space. I am terrible at gardening but I am learning.
The jacket and trainers are a brilliant combo! They work so well together.
Glad you’re getting some sunny weather…we’ve hardly had much sun in weeks.
Hope you get some relief from the headaches. Having chronic pain sucks!
Well, this has been the shittiest spring we have had in years. In a month we will hit the longest day. Not funny.
This week I am suffering from a flu and coughing my lungs out. Things soon have to get better.
Funky outfit Greetje! Well done.
Funky! That’s a nice description of the outfit. Thanks. (Although I didn’t do anything, just copied it haha.)
Love both colorful jackets, but my favorite is the second, multicolored one. What a beautiful, versatile piece!
We all need a doctor like yours, who can make a good joke. It would help get us through these trying “golden” years!
Hope you’re feeling better! A cold, and headaches, on top of recovering from surgery, really seems like the Universe needs to lay off you for a bit. DO YOU HEAR ME, UNIVERSE? GREETJE NEEDS A BREAK!
Thanks Sarah, but why do you find the multicoloured jacket a versatile piece? What do you see that I don’t? I can wear it on different colour trousers but that is the only versatility I can see.
Thank you for talking to the universe on my behalf. But I am afraid the operation left me susceptible to any bug or flu thing. I have been going out and about too soon after the first one, which led to another one. I will be more careful this time.
What a bummer to have health problems. I am sorry but it’s great that you don’t lose your sense of humor. tough titties made me laugh, thank you!
The multi-colored jacket is fabulous !
I even have a terrible flu this week. Never mind, it will all pass. I am just very susceptible at the moment, because of my operation.
Working at an English company for 2 1/2 years when I was 23, has improved my English but also taught me expressions like tough titties haha.
You look wonderful in all these photos, and your happy smiles make me smile, too.
I have to smile Sharon. If I am not, I have such a resting bitch face. My blog would have had no readers at all if I didn’t smile.
If my smile makes you smile than my blog mission is accomplished.
Once again thanks for adding your brand of beauty to this world. Your fashion, friends, and the scenic shots inspire and uplift me. All the best to you, Greetje.
Sounds like I succeeded to make this world a little nicer. Mission accomplished. Thanks for your comment Lisa.
I love the jacket, the print is very pretty. The pants, honestly, would not be the ones I would choose, too sporty. I love Marita’s look, sober, sweet, elegant… I love the second jacket, with an ethnic air, that you wear with jeans, I think this look is great.
I have more trousers to pair the jacket with. But Daphne (the shop owner) and me, liked the leather trousers because of the juxtaposition it creates. Just as the sneakers do. But I know you are more a fan of Marita’s look, which is similar to Daniela’s. Alas, I am a different woman.
Your jackets are beautiful and perfect fot soring. I am sorry your illness has continued. I sprained my ankle, 3 weeks later I pulled the main muscle in my neck! I have stayed on ice!
Your pictures are beautiful, even if the tourists go home talking about the mean lady (laughing)! Your friends looked very nice.
So glad your mother’s terrace looks so nice.
So you are from one ailment to another as I am. I now have the flu and a terrible one too.
If you are staying on ice, you will preserve yourself for eternity haha.
A particularly cheering post. Love the second jacket. You have a wonderfully flat abdomen.
I completely understand your frustrations with your body giving you grief…in so many minor ways. In 2020…yes that year!… I was at the local emergency clinic a few times…bad infection that was actually huge kidney stones moving and getting stuck, so lots of dizziness & nausea being followed by an inner ear thing…more nausea and dizziness…followed by an infected molar, then the flu…my goodness…
I was 70 and falling apart suddenly! All was resolved but I was exhausted physically and mentally. Think I am in pretty good shape now👍🤞
I have road maps on my legs and can relate to your ankles. I never started having the superficial veins dealt with, and my ankles show it.
Seems trivial, except when my lower legs are on display in warmer weather. Just avert your eyes!
Good to see your Mum again… you definitely are seeing the aging changes …but happily she’s still there with you.
I do like you affinity for bright colours and you wear them so well. I could never have a totally neutral wardrobe… be bored very soon.
I always enjoy your sense of humour, Greetje. Don’t change..,definitely part of your charm! 🐞
“Just avert your eyes” is one way of dealing with veins showing. I don’t know whether I will adopt that way of thinking or whether I will have them removed. Also depends on the cost.
I feel for you when you had kidney stones and all those other health issues. I can imagine you felt physically and mentally exhausted. You want to get on with your life.
Don’t ever be afraid I will ever change. It is far too late for that. It reminds me of my second job when I was 17. I got fired after 4 weeks (long story about an insulted lady) and they gave me two weeks “to change my character”. Hahaha. I laughed and said: “Never! And certainly not for this. You want to fire me? Fire me now, don’t wait two weeks”. But they did wait two weeks. I was very cheeky.
It makes me also happy to read your writings! At this point my two grown children refuse to talk to me as do their families. If you have any suggestions, please tell me. I have been in tears tears all afternoon. Sorry to dump on you! Bad afternoon…And thank you for your delightful posts which cheer me up so much!
Perhaps you can call in help from a professional mediator? These things aren’t easily solved and people only tend to listen to their own arguments. A mediator can help because he or she has more distance to the problem and to the people involved and that is necessary.
Oh Anna…don’t ever believe a photo. If there is something I do not have, it is flat abdomen. But I am a master in disguise haha. It all depends how the garment “falls” (trousers or skirt or dress) and how you “drape” a top.
I have to share a doctor story with you. My husband and I see the same doctor and usually go in together to save time. We had complete physicals and went to find out the results of our tests. Our doctor told my husband (age 79) he is in better shape now than he was 10 years ago. He asked her if he could start smoking and drinking now (he does neither). She laughed and said, “Sure. You can even start taking crack. We all laughed, but as we were leaving the clinic she came running after us and said, “I shouldn’t have said that. You know I was kidding about the crack, right?”
Whahahaha…poor doctor. She suddenly realised she is an authority and shouldn’t make such jokes. But I think it is a good one. I’ll tell my doctor your story next time I’ll see her. She’ll appreciate it.
Love both of your patterned jackets!
The story about you and the French tourists is hilarious! I tend to be be crabby myself at times.
Hope your health improves. You’ve been through a lot lately, but your good humor and sense of style are definitely there!
Have a good week.
Crabby just by looking at them; isn’t that the worst haha?
My health does not improve, quite the contrary, I am experiencing a terrible flu at the moment. I will be very careful this time and not go out and about too soon.
Losing my humour would be just as devastating as not being able to ever drink coffee haha. I am guarding both.
Love the abstract peacock pattern on your jacket, and noticed immediately how well the lime in the sneakers went with it – I’d wear this outfit! It looks fabulous on you, Greetje.
I am a cranky person too – not all sunshine and roses (I’m a delicate fucking flower, as you well know, ha ha!). We can be many things!
My mom loves her walking poles – she feels that a can throws her off balance, but the poles help her tremendously in staying upright. Would something like that maybe work for your mum? You can get adjustable/collapsible poles at most outdoor stores. Your mum does look beautiful in her pretty jumper next to the tulips.
Love that joke from your doctor! Ha! Look out, Ron!
Have a good week, my friend. I hope the headaches ease for you.
My mum cannot walk as well as your mum can. She is unbalanced but she hasn’t got any strength in her body either. A photo of her taken on the couch, make her look a lot better than she feels. So the poles wouldn’t be anything for her.
The sneakers aren’t just pretty, they are also highly comfortable, the most comfortable ones I have ever had. Next week they will feature in my blog post as well. It will be a strange blog post, out of the ordinary, as I am having the flu this week. Pretty bad even, so no outfit photo shoots and no photos in stock. Nevertheless I will create a post.
Beta blockers have been great at minimising my migraine headaches for the last 20 years. I only wish Id been offered them when I was younger!
I am not sure whether they will help me though. As I said, I think I have tried beta blockers before with no success. So far I have been taking them for 7 days and it hasn’t helped yet. Then again, early days. Let’s wait a month.
Love your outfit! Green is my favorite color too. Am enjoying your blog with its little views of the Netherlands and the life you share with your friends and neighbors. Everything is so cozy. Wishing you the best regarding your health issues.
My health can use some good wishes. I am having a really bad cold this week.
I think the word cozy is a good way to describe the Netherlands. We even have a word for it, that no other language has, “gezellig”.
Your post is inadvertently about the benefits of hiring expertise. I’ve been trying to convince my son that there are times when it makes sense to stop trying to do things yourself and instead, hire a pro. You mention the doctor and the IT guy and the gardener — all great examples of times we should just outsource the problem!! 😉
PS. Really love the jackets in this post.
I totally agree. If someone else knows a lot more about the matter, they will do such a better job than you will. In the end that saves money but I will say, you will have to have the funds to hire them in the first place. Otherwise, look around in your circle of friends and do a barter deal.
My stepmom takes those beta blockers for the same thing. It is SO frustrating. Although the joke was hilarious!!
I love the lime green as I just posted over 15 color combinations with the color a couple of weeks ago. It’s such a happy, spring color and I’m seeing it everywhere lately,
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Lime has been one of my favourite colours for a long time. Which means I have a lot of it. I should be able to combine the items with many things.
That story about the doctor and Ron made me laugh.
It’s a stunning jacket, you’re showcasing its drama with the column of black and cool trainers.
Have a good week.
That story was funny, right? We were in stitches, the doctor and I.
The jacket works best with a column, either black or white. And jeans too, but what doesn’t go with jeans?