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Monday, December 31, 2007

2007: a year in review

Meme-time! Feel free to join in if you like!
It's simple: Put up the first line from the first post of each month for the past year!

So, here's my 2007:

January - Happy New Year
First of all, happy new year to everyone who reads this!

February - TT #27: music preferences
Sometimes you have an "idol" all your life, others blow over after a while or longer.

March - TT #30: Freyja & Bastet
On request: pictures from the kitties!

April - Tagged... passions or obsessions?
Selena Kitt tagged me to confess 5 things I'm obsessed with.

May - TT #38: 13 goals of a witch
In his book "Wicca, a guide for the Solitary Practitioner" Scott Cunningham publishes the following list of 13 goals of a witch.

June - Skype ritual
Friday evening Wonder and I did a ritual together while we were both in our own home.

July - I won an award!
My bloggy friend DK Raymer gave me a Rockin' Girl Blogger Award!

August - Weigh In 3
The 10:4 challenge is three months on its way; here's my "score"...

September - Wow... thanks!
Stine honoured me with the "I luv your blog" award started by Tish & Mike of BlogsWeLuv.

October - Journey apart together
Friday evening I had an appointment with the girls from the Ara group, but alone at home!

November - Samhain with the Witchy Girls
Yesterday I celebrated Samhain with the Witchy Girls.

December - Flu
I haven't been online a lot since Thursday.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Mika - Big girl (You are beautiful)


Walks in to the room
Feels like a big balloon
I said "Hey girls, you are beautiful."
Diet Coke and a pizza please
Diet Coke I'm on my knees
Screaming, "Big girls, you are beautiful!"

You take your skinny girl
I feel like I'm gonna die
'Cause a real woman needs a real man, here's why
You take your girl and multiply her by four
Now a whole lot of woman needs a whole lot more

Get yourself to the butterfly lounge
Find yourself a big lady
Big boy come on round
And there we're gonna do baby
No need to fantasize
Since I was in my braces
A watering hole with the girls around
And curves in all the right places

Big girls you are beautiful [4x]

Walks in to the room
Feels like a big balloon
I said "Hey girls, you are beautiful."
Diet Coke and a pizza please
Diet Coke I'm on my knees
Screaming, "Big girl, you are beautiful!"

You take your girl and multiply her by four
Now a whole lot of woman needs a whole lot more

Get yourself to the butterfly lounge
Find yourself a big lady
Big boy come on round
And there we're gonna do baby
No need to fantasize
Since I was in my braces
A watering hole with the girls around
And curves in all the right places

Big girls you are beautiful [4x]

Get yourself... (repeat)

Thursday, December 27, 2007

TT #68: resolutions

TT68

Thirteen 2007 resolutions and the results

Last year I did my last TT of December about New Year's resolutions. I started to say why they are a curse. Perhaps I should have stopped right there...! ;-)

  • go back inside and make contact with myself again, learn to accept and honour myself (read more here) - the Goddess knows I tried, but it is an ongoing struggle...
  • lose weight (what's new..?) - o yes I did! I lost almost 20 kilo's; I just gained them back the last months... *big sigh*
  • bring back regularity in my eating pattern - again, everything I did better in the first nine months I spoiled in the last three months...
  • be more involved in planning and preparing dinner - I tried, but not hard enough. I just hate cooking...
  • exercise more frequently - I did walk as much as possible for some time and I do aquaspinning once a week, but I can't say I succeeded on this point...
  • meditate - I meant outside rituals and special events. Well, rarely if never...
  • drink less Diet Coke - big failure, I drink the same amount or more...
  • work on my Temple of ARA petition - still not ready...
  • spend more time in nature - not as much as I would have liked...
  • be more active again in snail mail projects (PostcardFairies, PostCrossing, etc.) - nah, not really been active there...
  • visit the pet shelter for "cuddle duty" - not done yet, I don't plan to as long as Ron is home from work
  • make time to let the creative juices flow - I wish i had, I still miss it...
  • say NO more often, be assertive - hmmm, yeah sometimes...

Not a great score, don't you think? That's why I'm not making any new resolutions this time!
Are you brave enought to make resolutions for 2008???

~*~*~*~

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
~*~ ellen b. ~*~ Malcolm ~*~ Chelle Y. ~*~ Nicholas ~*~ The Gal Herself ~*~ Natalie ~*~ Claudia ~*~ Puss Reboots ~*~ sobeit ~*~ Babystepper ~*~ Lori (single parent) ~*~ Deb ~*~ Susan Helene ~*~ Sandy Carlson ~*~ Lazy Daisy ~*~ Moondancer ~*~ SusieJ ~*~ Rae ~*~ Gattina ~*~ Yen ~*~ sandier pastures ~*~ Sarah ~*~ Zenmomma ~*~ cajunvegan ~*~ mommywah ~*~ Bloggers ~*~ Ornery's Wife ~*~ storyteller ~*~ Wolfie ~*~ Lori ~*~ Nancy Bond ~*~ Dane Bramage ~*~ Michelle O. ~*~ damozel ~*~ Jehara ~*~ Saoirse Daily2 ~*~ Xakara ~*~ SJ Reidhead ~*~ Darla ~*~

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Yule on the Brookberg

The idea to take the train to Nijmegen was good, but the carrying out was quite another story... Ron drove me to Haarlem Station. I took the train to Amsterdam Central. There I would take a direct connection to Nijmegen. No such luck... There were troubles with the trails around Utrecht, so I had to make a big detour and switched trains no less than 5 times with long waits in between. Instead of an hour and a half it took me almost 4 hours to travel from Amsterdam to Nijmegen. To save me another switch Wonder picked me up at Arnhem Station. We were very late to arrive at the Brookberg. What a start!
The weather was still cold and sunny. Everything looked beautiful. The lake was frozen for a large part, the trees were white frosted, it was amazing. I took picture after picture. You can see them all here.
The sweatlodge was ready, the fire was burning. We did four rounds without leaving the lodge in between (the cold outside would cool us off too fast). It started mild, but in the end it was pretty hot. I could take it though. The Yule sweatlodge is very special with protection by Grandmother Bear. I asked to be able to let go of something very difficult for me: my body image. I would like to accept my body as it is, even now or maybe especially now...
After we had dinner there was a small fire ceremony. Those who wanted to trust something to the fire could do so. Wonder, I and 2 others drummed during the ceremony. Back inside Ben lead a chrystal ceremony. It was wonderful, but I had to try very hard to concentrate, because I was very tired! Afterwards we went to the tent with two mattresses, because our inflatable bed leaked. I slept like a log nevertheless. We had plenty of blankets, so it wasn't cold.
In the morning it was time to put down the tent. a lot of people had already left. We did the closing circle inside with 9 people. It became a very interesting discussion about how we had been this weekend. I told about my body problem and got some advice. I also received a very nice compliment that touched me. One of the women compared how she saw me in the sweatlodge to a statue of Gaia she has at home, the goddess of the earth. Someone else said I made her think about the Venus of Willendorf . I just wish I could see my body as that of a goddess...

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Centerparcs

Last Monday to Friday Ron, Wonder and I spent a wonderful midweek in the Kempervennen in Westerhoven. We had a lovely cottage with free view on the back. The weather was great: very cold, but sunny and dry. The trees on the park looked beautiful with white frosted branches.
The Aquadome was great: pool with waves, a huge slide, wild water track and a coral bath to snorkel. We always ended with a dip in the hot whirlpool. Wonder also went to the sauna. I was a bit reluctant to show myself in only my swimsuit, I felt like a whale. Then again, I didn't want to let that spoil my stay, so I took a deep breath and 'just' went. I don't regret it though!
We took the dogs with us, but the cats stayed home. I missed them a lot but there were "replacements" to keep me busy. :-) Around 10 cats were wandering on the grounds. The first night I gave them some dog snacks, but the next day I bought a big bag for cats in the foodstore. In the early morning and in the evening they came to eat. Two little ones, a black and a black-and-white one, came in to warm themselves. The other cats sometimes came too. The black one even played with a thread. I enjoyed having them around.
Not too far from our cottage was habitat with two otters. They had a hill with corridors and some warm nests. The also had their own water, but that was mostly frozen. Everyday at 1.30pm they were fed. I made a lot of pictures and a movie. They were so cute! They are very good taken care of; that is checked often. They certainly seemed to be happy.
We didn't leave the park, really making it a week to relax and recharge. We went bowling for an hour, spent some time in the gamesroom, drank something on a terrace in the Marketdome a few times and did some shopping. The last evening we went out for dinner at Howard's, the family restaurant.
There was only one problem: I got homesick! the planning was to spend these days in the cottage and then go with Wonder to celebrate Yule on the Brookberg. To tide over the gap we would spent one night in Nijmegen at a friend's place. I didn't feel good about it. I just wanted to go home. I even thought about not going to the Brookberg. In the end we found another solution: Friday I went home with Ron and saturday I took the train to Nijmegen, where Wonder would pick me up to drive to the Brookberg. I was very relieved when that was decided!
All in all we had a good week, we enjoyed ourselves and relaxed after all the stress lately.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Witchy Girls Yule Night

Saturday evening I’ve been to the tenth Witchy Girls Night in Amsterdam. The theme was Yule this time. We all brought a little present to put in Sorcha’s cauldron. I bought a fragrance bear, a cute little teddy bear with a mini-bottle of essential oil. Luna took it out of the cauldron. I had two little candles with hearts in round earthenware cups.
We did a wonderful ritual. In a short but interesting guided meditation we got a gift. I knew it was a key immediately. Then I saw that is was in a transparent box with a white bow and my (real) name engraved in white. When I unwrapped it, I found a beautiful old-looking key. A special present, though I’m not sure what it is meant for…
We talked about Yule, winter, cold and dark days; what it means to us. I don’t have a problem with winter. I like to light candles in the evening and snuggle up on the couch with tea and chocolate. It is a time to retire and look inside yourself. I love a real winter, freezing with sun and some snow. I’m rather too cold than too hot. Yuletide is a cozy time with decorating a tree and the rest of our home, sending and receiving cards, decorated streets… All seasons have their own charm though!
Each of us had brought a big candle to charge with energy. While someone was charging her candle, I gave her reiki at the same time to add extra power. I had enough energy built up to charge my own candle. If we need light and energy during dark days the candle will give it.
At the end of the ritual Sorcha told us she wanted to take a sabbatical year for the Witchy Girls, because she has a lot on her mind with the Ara initiation, Silver Circle course and her family. In this year Luna and Noukie will take over and after that we’ll see.
After the ritual we gathered around the table, drank tea / wine / juice and snacked. We chatted about everything and nothing, just had a good time. Close to midnight Ron came to pick me up.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

TT #67: best wishes

TT67

"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"
in 13 European languages


Next week I'll be away from Monday to Sunday (for a holiday and a Yule celebration), so I'll skip a TT. That's why my wishes are a bit early!


  • Dutch - Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar

  • Danish - Glædelig Jul og godt nytår

  • Polish - Wesolych Swiat i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku

  • Welsh - Nadolig LLawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

  • Norwegian - God Jul og Godt Nyttår

  • Scots Gaelic - Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur

  • Icelandic - Gleðileg Jól og Farsaelt Komandi ár

  • German - Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr

  • Russian - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i s Novim Godom

  • Bohemian/Czech - Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a Stastny novy rok

  • Estonian - Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi ja Head uut aastat

  • Luxembourgeois - Schéi Krëschtdeeg an e Schéint Néi Joer

  • Greek - Kala Christougenna Ki'eftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos


Correct me if I'm wrong!

source: FLW (in more than 350 languages!)

reindeer~*~*~*~

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
~*~ Aline ~*~ Sue ~*~ Mama Pajama ~*~ Holly ~*~ SusieJ ~*~ Nap Warden ~*~ Robin ~*~ Sandee ~*~ Lori ~*~ Candy Minx ~*~ Chelle Y. ~*~ Nicholas ~*~ SJ Reidhead ~*~ Milan ~*~ Laurence ~*~ Friday's Child ~*~ ellen b. ~*~ Greatfullivin ~*~ Crimson Wife ~*~ Susan Helene ~*~ Courtney ~*~ Sandy Carlson ~*~ Lindsay ~*~ Claudia ~*~ Yummy! ~*~ shesawriter ~*~ Candy ~*~ Gattina ~*~ Leah ~*~ Nathalie ~*~ Rae ~*~ Sandierpastures ~*~ Xakara ~*~ damozel ~*~ Coco ~*~ Tempest Knight ~*~ Bloggers ~*~ joyismygoal ~*~ WorksForMom ~*~ the teach ~*~ Cindy ~*~ Wakela Runen ~*~ Zenmomma ~*~ Darla ~*~ Lori LE ~*~ Amy Palko ~*~ Saoirse ~*~ Janet ~*~ Maryanne ~*~ Bronnie ~*~ Shoshana ~*~

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Crisis

Okay, perhaps the title is a bit overdone, but I don't feel at my best (hmm, that's under-done...).
Today I had an appointment with my internist. I knew he would want to check my weight. The fact is I hadn't been on the scales for ages. The last months the stress and fatigue increased and my depression deepened. Normally I would be able to handle the stress but the combination made me lose control. That has two possible results in my case: overeating or not eating. This time it was the first... I can't get a grip on it and I hate it. I know eactly what I have to do, but I can't. I try again and again but without success, on the contrary...

I didn't want to weigh myself in the hospital, so I decided to step on the scales this morning. I knew it wouldn't be good, but it was even worse. All the weight I have lost this year is back on... Of course I've seen it before and felt it for a long time, but the confrontation with the figure on the display always does it big time...

Ron has discussed my problems with his psychiatrist. Of course it affects him too and she has experience with people with eating disorders. In January I will go with Ron to two of his appointments with her. She wants to see whether she can help me. I'm willing to try, but I can't imagine to hear something I don't already know after all the therapy and help I've had. We'll see; it's obvious I need something to overcome this relapse...

As for my appointment with the doctor... My bloodpressure was 150/100, same as with the last check-up. No change in medicine there. The internist wants to reduce the Thyrax, because my thyroid values are a bit high. They have been for some time, but last time I took less Thyrax my weight went sky-high again. Still he wants to try again. Yay, just what I need right now...

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

CoT #8: holiday decorations

Cats On Tuesday
CATS ON TUESDAY is a group of cat lovers
who share pictures and/or stories about their cats once a week,
hosted by Gattina.


Cats and holiday decorations are always a good combination for taking pictures... This year was Maia's first encounter with the decorated tree. Very interesting for her! Under the tree we covered all the cords with a tablecloth and some extra branches.






This morning when we came downstairs there was a big mess under the tree: 5 broken balls, all the branches through the living room, the cloth piled up... and three cats innocently sleeping on the other end of the room. Who, us?? No mommy, we'd never do such a thing.......
Luckily most of the time it's just the first night. More balls will get smashed and the tree will continue to attract them though, that's for sure. Today Ron will make a frame of wire mesh and attach the branches, so it won't be that easy again to mess it all up again. No my dearest kitty friends, that's not a challenge... ;-)

Monday, December 10, 2007

Midwinterfair

Saturday Wonder, Ron and I went to the Midwinterfair in the Archeon (an archeological themepark) . It is a yearly fantasy / gothic / pagan / history fair with many booths, live music, games, roleplaying and lots more!
We were there around 10 am. Ron had never been to the fair (or the Archeon) before, so we first made a global round. I met a lot of friends and acquantances; good to see them again. Pity I didn't talk to Nathalie, but she spotted me! Read her report of the fair here.

In a big tent (Mongolian yurt with stove in the middle and beautiful roof) we listened to the stories of Donderelf; first some shamanic stories and later the story of Balder. I heard it before, but I always love to hear it. Unfortunately Theresia didn't feel well, so we had to miss out on her harp play.
Wonder had his hand read in one of the medieval houses. It was quite interesting. The woman said some really good things. In the same house was a little fire and in front of it was a cat on a stool. I took some time to pet him while warming at the fire.
Between the houses in the Roman village we enjoyed a funny performance of Johannes de Nar (nar=fool). This time his dog also had a role, hilarious!

The weather wasn't really bad, but it wasn't good either. It rained from time to time and the wind was cold. Ron was tired too after a very busy week, so we didn't stay until the end. Pity, because I missed the fire ceremony and circle. Normally I would do another round of booths, but it didn't come to that either. Ah well, better luck next time... I had a great time nevertheless!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

TT #66: animation movies

TT66

Thirteen of my favourite animation movies

I love animation movies, as long as they are not too childish. I know they are made for children, but that's something else! I have a lot of favourites, but I have to limit myself here... :-)


  • All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989) - A dog returns from the dead looking for revenge on his killer using an orphan girl who can talk to animals.

  • The AristoCats (1970) - Upon Madame Adelaide Bonfamille's passing her cat Duchess and 3 kittens stand to inherit her fortune. But not if Edgar the butler can help it...

  • Bambi (1942) - A young deer is growing up in the wild after his mother is shot by hunters.

  • Brother Bear (2003) - A young Inuit hunter seeks vengence against a bear, only to be magically changed into a bear himself, and his only chance to change back is with a talkative bear cub.

  • Cars (2006) - A hot-shot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family.

  • Fantasia (1940) - A collection of animated interpretations of great works of classical music.
    Fantasia 2000 (1999) - An update of the original film with new interpretations of great works of classical music.

  • FernGully: the Last Rainforest (1992) - The magical inhabitants of a rainforest called FernGully fight to save their home that is threatened by logging and a polluting force of destruction called Hexxus.

  • Finding Nemo (2003) - A father-son underwater adventure featuring Nemo, a boy clownfish, stolen from his coral reef home. His timid father must then travel to Sydney, and search Sydney Harbour to find Nemo.

  • The Fox and the Hound (1981) - Two childhood animal friends find themselves forced to become enemies.

  • Ice Age (2002) - Set during the Ice Age, a sabertooth tiger, a sloth, and a wooly mammoth find a lost human infant, and they try to return him to his tribe.

  • The Jungle Book (1967) - Inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s "Mowgli" story, The Jungle Book follows the ups and downs of the man-cub Mowgli as he makes his way back to the human village with wise panther Bagheera to escape ruthless tiger Shere Khan. Along the way, he meets unforgettable friends and foes including mad King Louie of the Apes, the hypnotic snake Kaa and the loveable, happy-go-lucky bear Baloo, who teaches Mowgli “The Bare Necessities” of life and the true meaning of friendship.

  • Peter Pan (1953) - Wendy and her brothers are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan.
    Peter Pan: Return To Neverland (2002) - In London during World War II, this is the story of Wendy's daughter, Jane, who is kidnapped by Captain Hook and Peter Pan must come to the rescue.

  • The Pooh movies:
    The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) - A collection of animated shorts based on the stories and characters by A. A. Milne.
    The Tigger Movie (2000) - Tigger goes looking through the hundred-acre-wood to find his family.
    Piglet's Big Movie (2003) - When Piglet comes up missing his Hundred Acre Wood friends use Piglet's own Book of Memories to find him, discovering along the way just how big a role he's played in their lives.
    Pooh's Heffalump Movie (2005) - A.A. Milne's enduring characters make room for a fresh arrival to the Hundred Acre Wood in the irresistible form of a young purple pachyderm.

source: Internet Movie Database IMDB

~*~*~*~

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
~*~ Sandy Carlson ~*~ Holly ~*~ Ellen B. ~*~ Greatfullivin ~*~ Susan Helene ~*~ Sandee ~*~ shesawriter ~*~ Nicholas ~*~ Chelle Y. ~*~ Forgetfulone ~*~ Robin ~*~ Mocha Mom ~*~ Pussreboots ~*~ Sue ~*~ Malcolm ~*~ Courtney ~*~ Patti ~*~ Friday's Child ~*~ Nap Warden ~*~ Natalie ~*~ WorksForMom ~*~ Ornery's Wife ~*~ SecretAgentMama ~*~ Janet ~*~ Candy ~*~ Tisha ~*~ SJ Reidhead ~*~ Claudia ~*~ Leah ~*~ cajunvegan ~*~ Gattina ~*~ Rae ~*~ busy91 ~*~ Coco ~*~ Sharon ~*~ Darla ~*~ Kat ~*~ Michelle ~*~ Joely Sue ~*~ geek-betty ~*~ Nicole ~*~ Chris ~*~ Denise ~*~ Not Afraid To Use It ~*~ Head Gaggler ~*~ Frigga ~*~ Sassy Lucy ~*~ Danielle ~*~ Damozel ~*~ Aline ~*~ Kate ~*~ Xakara ~*~ MissDJM ~*~ J. Lynne ~*~ kellyo75 ~*~ Linda ~*~ Garnet ~*~ Bloggers ~*~

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!


P.S. Because the flu got me last week (just better now, thanks!) I haven't visited the TT of everyone that commented on mine. You know me good enough to know that's not like me at all! I'll try to catch up a.s.a.p.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Holidays

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about celebration. You enjoy all the fun and fellowship that the holidays bring.

You celebrate the holidays in a minimalist style. You are likely to only give one great present and decorate your house with a few special items.

During the holidays, you feel magical. You love all of the decorations and how happy people are. You like to sit back and take it all in.

You think the holidays should be nostalgic and sweet. The holidays bring out your inner child.

Your favorite holiday memories strongly evoke your senses. You are vividly aware of all the tastes, smells, and sounds of the holidays.


Yeah, that's about right. I must say I like the weeks before the holidays better than the actual holidays. I like all the lights in the streets and the homes, the shopping, the decorating, etc.
December will always be a difficult month too. I miss mum and dad. How I wish we could have the yearly dilemma back of "what do we do with mum (and dad) for the holidays?" In our living room is a picture of mum and dad unwrapping christmas gifts at our home. I love the picture, brings back happy memories...

Monday, December 03, 2007

Flu

I haven't been online a lot since Thursday. I don't feel very good. I cough, I sneeze, my voice gives up... in short: the flu got me! Bleh...
I'll be back, hopefully soon. :-)