Hometown

I've been living in the same town all my life. I have moved 3 times within that town. Twice within the same area.

It's not very likely that I'll move from my hometown (unless it's to my Home in the UK). I love it here! It's very close to the city and loads of schools and stuff for my son in the area. Also, my parents live just round the corner and I still depend heavily on them for taking care of my son when I'm away.

But things are changing.
I moved house a few months ago. The reason: because they're taking down the one I was living in.
It was build in the 1930s. The housingcompany decided that it was too outdated to even renovate. The house I moved to was luckier. They decided that was good enough to be renovated. Which is what they did about a year ago. Eventhough I'm happy in the house I'm living in, I'll be sad to see my old house go. I lived there for 7 years and 7 months. It's the first home my son remembers (he doesn't remember living with me at my parents house from his birth to when he was nearly 3). It's also been the first house of just the 2 of us.

My old house: the door next to the tree.

A part of my area has been been fenced off, ready to be taken down within the next few weeks. My old house and a few others will be taken down next year.

The other day I decided to have a walk in my area to take some pics. To remember what it looks like now. I don't wanna forget what it all looks like. I grew up here, played on these streets and walked on these pavements millions of times, to and from school.
And now they'll be taking down everything, and building all new stuff. Apparently they'll be building appartments for the elderly.

My old street

hand written letters

These days making contact with new people, and staying in touch with those poeple isn't so difficult. You have Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, LiveJournal, MySpace, Interpals and all these other netwerk sites. Sharing stories, updates and pics is so easy. You can even do it with your phone.

I must admit, I too have registered to a few of those sites. And I really love it. It keeps me updated on everything I want to be kept updated on. And yes, I too am keeping in touch with people on those sites.
 
But for years I have loved the old fashioned way of keeping in touch. Hand written letters. And preferably long letters. I love writing and receiving long letters. I love coming home to find letters and little packages on my doormat.

I love the anticipation of coming home from work and walking up to my frontdoor to see what's waiting for me. I always feel a little sad and disappointed when I see the doormat empty. I'm not disappointed in my penpals, but in my postie. I want him to bring me something every day. And I don't mean bills or commercial stuff.
Finding the letters, rushing to open them and then sit down comfortable to take my time to read them. I also always take my time to reply. I can write 6 to 7 and sometimes even more page letters. At times, I just can't seem to stop. It's just so releiving to just let all your frustrations and life stories run out through a pen on paper.

 My penpals are very special to me. I love sitting down and putting my thoughts to paper.I used to keep a diary. In a way, my penpals are my diary now. It does take me sometime to put a face to the letters I receive and write. In the beginning it's difficult to amagine a person on the 'other end of the letters'. It's not 'just words', but it's difficult to imagine someone reading your letter, and replying to it. Like an actual person. Am I making any sence?
My penpals all live abroad. I love learning about their lives and habits. It's amazing how just writing letters to each other can turn into an amazing friendship. Eventhough I have had many more penpals in the past (over 40 in my teenage years), I lost touch with them, I still think about some of them ever now and then.
I love all my penpals. But there are 2 that are extra special to me. One in the UK and one in the USA. The one in the UK I have already met a few times. And even in 'real life' we get on great!
I'm dying to meet my friend in the USA. I'm hoping to see her somewhere within the next 2 years! She's amazing!!!

With my love for writing also comes my love for stationary. Pens, papers, note pads, stickers, decorative writing paper. I love it! When I go into a stationary shop, I'm like a kid a sweetshop. A kid at Christmas.
I love looking at it, touching it, buying it and using it!

song

A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes
I screamed aloud, as it tore through them, and now it's left me blind

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart

And in the dark, I can hear your heartbeat
I tried to find the sound
But then, it stopped, and I was in the darkness,
So darkness I became

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart

I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map
And knew that somehow I could find my way back
Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too
So I stayed in the darkness with you

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart

By Florence and the Machine 'Cosmic Love'

Home

When you ask someone about their home, they'll tell you about their house.

For some people there home/house is a castle.

For others it's a tiny hut.

And some people prefer to have their home/house on wheels.

But what makes something your home?
Is it the house you live in? The area that your house is in? Or the people you share your house with?


Another requirement of what home is, is that you feel safe there. At ease, comfortable and basicly don't wanna leave that place, or that feeling. A safe haven, somewhere where you'll know no-one will hurt you. A place you can always go back to. Where you can have friends over, or be there all by yourself. Your own little bubble where you can walk around naked when you want to, cry whenever you feel like it. 

And can you have more 'homes' then 1? Not as in buildings, but as in what that word 'home' means to you?

I've lived in my town all my life. It's a lovely town. I feel safe, it's familair, I really do feel at home. Within that town I recently moved house. It took me some but I now do love my new house. It's smaller then the old one, and I love that it's so cosy! It's my little safe haven. I love being at home.
So for me this is my home: this new house in this town.
I can't see myself living anywhere else. With 1 exception.

Ever since I was a teenager I love Engeland. I have a real passion for that country. I love going there. I've seen quite a few places in England. But no where near enough. My fave city is London. I call it my second home. And it really is. Not because of how often I go there, as I don't go there often enough. But because of how I feel when I'm there. Whenever I've been to London and I come home, I'm so moody for 2 or 3 days. And it's getting worse. Last time I got back I had real trouble getting back intom my normal routine. I did not want to leave that place. It's my home, it's where I fel safe and where I wanna be. I so desperately wanted to pick up my son and take the first plane back to London.

We (my friend and I) decided we would go back to The Netherlands for 'an extended periode of time'. I like the way that sounds.
I wish I could live in London for a few years...maybe never leave. London really is a home for me. I feel at home there. Safe and comfortable. When I'm there, I don't want to go back to The Netherlands, no matter how much at home I feel here.




Maybe one day, I'll be going there, without a return ticket.......

The Beauties in my life!

 The other day I was looking through all the pics I have on my laptop. I wanted to select a few to hang on my walls. But, God, I didn't realises I liked sooo many pictures. There were so many which I thought deserved a place on the walls in my livingroom or bedroom. I still haven't decided on the final few.

It did make me realise though how many beauties there are in my life. I've not realised it for a long time, but I'm really blessed with the most amazing people in my life.
I'll start with sharing with you the true beauties in my life.



This my bestie!!!! Liz has been my best friend for 18 years!! OMG that's a very long time!!! I love her so much. She's stuck by me in everything that's happend. And trust me, I have not made it easy for her. She probably knows me better then I know myself. Which is a very scary thought really.
She's a beauty on the inside and outside. She's sooo precious to me. I love her so much, and always will!!
We'll defenitely grow old together.

 

 Another best friend. This is an amazing woman named Terri. We've only known each other for 3 or 4 years. But in that time she's become a true friend. She's been there for me during my darkest times. And has shown me that I can really depend on her, for everything. The only problem is, we live in different countries. I'm here in The Nethies, and she lives in the UK. I hate it that we live so far apart. I miss her so very much! My son and I spent 9 days with her and her son last Summer! We had an incredible time! In 15 days time, they'll be coming over here. I'm sooooo excited! So looking forward to showing them more of my life. I can't imagine living without her.

Of course there's no Terri without George. He's an incrdible lad! So sweet and a great friend to my son. The lads get on like a house on fire and for me as a mum, that's very importand. It's so nice to see how the boys have grown. When Devon and I first went over to see Terri and George, Devon could barely communicate with George. Not that that stopped them having fun.  But you should see them now. They can have whole conversations in English! The lads share their birthday, but with George being a year older. So excited to ses them together again!


 

Here's a new friend. I've met Ursula only in October of last year, but that doesn't mean she isn't a special friend. As she has become just that. I'm so excited about the next few weeks and months where we'll see each other in London and Munich! It's gonna be amazing! I miss her, and can't wait to see what life has in store of us.

Of course there's also different kind of beauty. These people are beautiful on the inside and outside. When it comes to popstars, acteurs, and other famous people, it's somewhat different.
Some are beutiful on the outside, some are beautiful on the outside and inside. But of course you only kinda see what they want you to see. Well, for the biggest part anyway.
But I can be a bit naive like that. I wanna see the best in people. I totally get that my love for these people is true to me, but so unrealistic. I'm past the age where I seriously thought I would get with him. Now it's just a nice fantasy, to dream and drool over him.
I do say him, but should say them really.
This was my first true love. Well, to me anyway.

Mark Owen from Take That. I've loved this man for almost 18 years. He's still a beautiful person to me. On the inside and outside. I know he hasn't always behaved like I would have wanted him to (or his wife ;-) ), but that doesn't end my love for him. I'm glad he's doing well, with his mates, and that he's happy again.
My dream of meeting him has come true, several times. It's only shown me that he indeed is a sweetheart. Mark, I love you!! You were and will always be my first love!!!





Another gorgeous man has entered my life, and I've sure fallen head over heals for him.

His name is Robert Pattinson. You probably know him as the vampire Edward Cullen from The Twilight Saga. He's done loads more, and is doing so much more.
He's an incredible man. I've never met him (yet). But I won't give up. The premiere of his new fiml is only a few weeks away. I'm really hoping to get my chance there.
As far as I can tell, he's also gorgeous on the inside. Very genuine, honest, sincere and humble. He's British, which is a major plus. He's only young, so I'm sure life has loads more in store for him.
He's also quite abit younger then me. It's the first time I've fallen for a younger man. I usually like them a bit older. ;-)

Here's some more pictures of beautifal men. Mainly on the outside as most of them I don't on the inside (very well).

Charlie Bewley

Chris Meloni

Jackson Rathbone

Jude Law

Gary Barlow

Peter Facinelli

Kellan Lutz

I'm gonna end with the most amazing beauty in my life. My son Devon!!!

They seriously do not get any more beautiful then that!!!!!!

Home Town

I've lived in my home town all my life. And I still love living here.
It has all you need. A great, childfriendly area to live, shops on walking distance, plenty of schools nearby, quite a proper shopping centre on cycling distance, and the big city only a 20 minute tram ride away.

As all of you know, I recently moved house. Thank God, I moved within the same area. Only like 2 streets away. I wouldn't have settled for any other house anyway.

I had a friend come over from the UK once (with her 2 little girls). It was very odd to me. It's so weird that what's all so familiar to me is so new to them.
Like, there's a windmill in my town. It's been there as long as I can remember. It's so normal to me. When I was in school, we used to visit the windmill. It's an actual working windmill. I also used to buy my sardust for the guinea pigs there.
But when my friend was here, she looked at the windmill like she'd never seen one before. Taking pictures and all. I felt like a tourist in my own town.

I will have that feeling again, soon.
An extremely close friend of mine, and her dear son, will be visiting us in 2,5 weeks time. I'm getting more and more excited with each day. I'm looking forward to showing her the normal, daily things in my life. The shops, the shopping centre, the city, my work. Places that are so normal for me.

It really makes me see my town with different eyes. I notice shops I never really noticed before. Like shops or companies that you never go into. Like a place where you can have your stone graft ingraved. I never have been indisde, and as you don't use it, you kinda forget it's even there.
Now, I imagine walking around town, telling my friends about the shops. And when I pass store like that, it makes me realise I actually kinda forgot they were there at all.

I might go around town soon and take some pics to share with you.

There's only one reason why I'd be prepared to move away from here. Immagrating to another country. Then I'd gladly give up my town. If I can't go there, I'm not going anywhere. Jo and her son are staying put!!!

Making new plans

It's been quite a while since I last wrote here. And alot has happend.

My son and myself have moved into our new home. It's not 100% finished yet, but which house is?
I'm very happy with the way it's all looking. Love my bedroom, love my sons bedroom, love the carpet on the stairs, the brown colour on one of my walls, and my new settee. It's soooo comfy!!!

Even the cat loves the new settee

I light candles every night, and love coming home.

My Twilight shrine

I recently learned that my previous home will not be taken down for at least another year. A part of me felt sad hearing that. it menas I could've stayed another year in my home. But then who knows where I would've ended up. Now at least I got a lovely house in return.

Frontroom

Backroom

 Unfortunately, our guinea pig died 10 days after we moved house. We gave him a beautiful final resting place in our back garden. So we had an empty guinea pig cage. I decided to turn it into a telly cabinet. So now my telly is on top of it, and my DVD player, stereo and stuff are inside it. It does need to be finished (painted) and the wires need to be moved out of sight. But at least it's looking more and more like the end result.

My sons and my bedroom are completely finished. The thirde bedroom, which will be turned into a library still has to be done. It's filled with boxes stuffed with CDs, DVDs and books. God, I have sooo many! Can't wait for it to be fully finished.

Luckily the weather has changed too. The sun has found our country again, and that's soooooo nice. I sure missed it. I've even been out and about with the kids from work. They loved it!

In a few weeks time, my amazing friend and her son are visiting us from the UK. I'm soooooo excited. It's been nearly a year since we all last saw eachother. I missed them sooo very much and can't wait for them to be here. Have so many amazing memories from the last we were all together.

George and Devon

Terri and me

So looking forward to making new memories. Show them my country, my life here. I have some nice ideas on where to take them.

Bring on April!!!!!!!!!!!!