Happiness Shows

This was the most hectical, demanding year in my life.

Work-wise!

SO much good, SO much help.

I found the energy, I needed to write it down and I got so many nice comments, too!

The most posts I made. Despite of all the work, 10+ work-hours etc.

When my Dad was dying I had no blog yet, did when Ingo was so severly sick and almost died, when my Bro and I helped our Mum on her last months.

All that beside work, too. 

Not as comphy as now. I live(d) in Braunschweig but worked in Wolfsburg and had to drive to Hanover after 8 hours.

Blogger friends - some long not in Blogger-world no more - where by my side and I have no idea, especially concerning Ingo, if I would´ve made it without you!

 

I am not kidding.

I told no one here, not even my Mum or Bro how bad the situation with Ingo was.

 

I needed to be strong!

I needed to work, I needed to drive to the hospital, I needed to find the doctors and talk to them, I needed to talk to our "home"-doc, when Ingo was home I needed to take care of him, when at work I wondered what I am doing there???

 

One real hug and I´d broken down, crying, I could not afford that.

 

Ingo asked, "what do you want to do, stay home and watch me die? Go work".

 

I often asked myself if he will be cold when I come home.

 

I did not blog much. 

But IF -  I got help!

 

Ingo got better, we went on a mini-holiday to Wilhelmshaven (Germany).

On the way back we learned Ingo´s Grandma was in hospital, we went - last time we saw her and she was not aware we (her children, as she called us always - we lived with her and took care) were there.

Went to Bro to say hi and he got all pale.

Next day Mum called me, said Bro did not show up at work cause he was too drunk.

He saw Ingo and... Ingo still looked like a near-dead man.

But do you think Bro called or came to visit once?

Blogger-friends were by my side (Mum was not so well anymore).

You might think, boy, sitting alone in the evening, no one to talk to... blog!

I could not.

 

But now with all the happiness I can!!!

Ingo is on the safe side, I have a great job, Ingo is happy in his.

I re-learned to sketch, learned to cook and especially bake (my horror of 49 years) - LIFE IS GOOD and I want to share!

 

The bad things I only shared when I thought otherwise I break down... which I could not afford.

Now look at us!!!!

We moved away from the stupid landlord´s place, have our own condo, great jobs!!

We still sleep in my Brother´s youth-bed and love it - it´s  big enough! (My Brother is not a tall man but Ingo can bend his knees).

 

I want to share the GOOD with you :-)

 

Henry 🦁

In case you want to celebrate News Year´s here, following warning:

When the fireworks are done and hopefully everyone went home...

Henry jumps off his place and roams the city to check if everything and -body is OK!

Next morning 01/01/YYYY he´s back and acts as if he´d stood there all the time.

 

When you pass by him any or every day throughout January you are supposed to shout up: "Henry, this was a wonderful year!".

And when you look close you will see he secretly smiles a bit.

So... slide well and safely into 2023!! Cheers and to a wonderful New Year!

And thank you...

FFO - Smiles For 2022

I´d like to thank you all for your companionship, not only this year!

There is a lot of faces (with this I´d like to join Nicole with FFO) and loads to smile about (Annie with Friday Smiles).

 

Certainly we all hope the dumb war(s) would be over by now...

And health will come back (ack, still not better)

 

What was the best?

The Job? The summer? The flowers or pressies from Ingo? The little (big, little) things, like meeting new people, cooking, baking, sketching, .... 

 

What was YOURS?

 

So much to smile about and be thankful for!!!!

 

A bath? I was asked at our pharmacy if we have a bathtub . I said no. Got a little package for a foot-bath :-) 

(Not this one) 

 

Henry 🦁

To many more smiles and Faces in 2023!

Honest And Shy And NO DARK COATS - Hi Mum

 

 

Elizabeth inspired me to share with this post.

I am... or was extremly shy, it was a pain.

Meeting new people. A pain!!!

Blogging came along and I got to meet new people online first. 

Often I had no idea how they look like and twice it all went wrong because... they were in real life totally different. 

One is my marriage-witness. At least she took to the job despite we knew we have nothing in common in real life - how strange can life be? We have no contact no more.

Another friend you might know from Monday-posts encouraged me big to... brave up!

 

 

I think people see I am honest and ask me for help and by now I am able to start conversations, not just doing what asked for!
I think some want the conversation more than the "actual help".

My T is one of them.

An elderly woman - even smaller than me! - asked me to give her three water bottles from high up.

There were taller persons around, too!

We talked. I think she was lonely.

 

(Pic from 2021 - 2022 was one of the BEST summers ever!)

Once I wanted to cross a side street and the woman coming towards me greeted me.

In the middle of the (lonely, car-free) street we talked. Think she had Alzheimer´s but had also a few fun minutes.

Another time an elderly woman mistook me for her Granddaughter at the luckily very slow checkout at the grocery.

We had a fun talk.

Overcome your shyness!

Help by just chatting!

I by now - as Ingo often does, too - can overcome it and just say hello!

Our cash-out-woman, our W, other neighbors, people I´ve never met before.

And others are the same!

When I wear my Gurri (and Ingo gave me a summer-Gurri!) people really touch me, stop me, turn around to give me a smile.

One woman really stopped her push-bike, turned around and gave me a huge smile - we were both smiling and happy!

My happy hat helps, too! His ears flap when I walk...

 

Please... talk to people.

NEVER was I shooed off! Never.

 

Don´t wear dark clothes in winter.

Drivers can´t see you in time, it´s plain dangerous and... with happy colors you MAKE people happy!

One woman stopped me and said I made her day, another called me a luck-bringer.

Be brave and colorful!!!

Do good to people.

 

Henry 🦁

And be brave like a Lion - no one will bite you!

 

We will likely visit the Christmas Market today.

On this day 2011 my Mum passed. I got so hungry after Bro told me (life is weird, I was not able to eat out of sorrow).

I´ll have something nice to eat in her honor. Or a mulled wine...

 

Signs: KEEP DANCING!!!

 

With this I - if late - join Tom with Signs2.

Three things first:

#1 - Thanks everybody for your kind comments on last post! You helped me a lot!

#2 - all good in the household and no, I did not ask

#3 - still sick. Got down nothing at  all yesterday, and the cheese Ingo sat in front of me... ack. Tired, coughing and nose running, things could be worse but by now I wish this would be over...

Anyhows, maybe you say, oh, noooooo... but for me this is a sign it´s Christmas!

Clarence (Angel 2nd class (no wings yet)): "Is the man sick?"

"No, he is discouraged. "

As I was, as well.

 

"Wish I had a million dollars!!!", says George  - bell rings! - You know what that means, right?

George finds his boss` son has passed and tries his best -  seeks help... saves another life...

 

As man...

Cannot buy a travel-bag. Cause his ex-boss´d bought it for him...  

 

 Since a little boy where he got the National Geographic he wanted to travel the world! But, if you know the movie, he never left his little town.

My Brother remembered my Dad and I watching the (German version of the) movie every Christmas.

I "hated" it, but had no chance, being the older one. It was tradition.

Bro said he´ll look if it´s on TV and if so will watch with his girls (mind you, the oldest is 12 and sounds like an adult and none had the desire to talk to me cause they do not know me anymore, I gave up on that front - distance of 60km...).

 

 Glad I fell in love with a man I traveled many a part of the world with!

George on dancing the Charleston:  "I am not very good at that!"

Mary: "Me, neither!"

Him: " So what have we gonna to lose?" 

And they dance. 

And they dance.. right over the crack to the swimming pool - they fall in - and keep dancing and everyone joined.

 

That´s why my Dad insisted on watching this every Christmas.

KEEP DANCING!!! No matter what.

I get it now, thank you, Dad.

If Bro is right and you watch on: It's a Wonderful Life is on for you.

I will not throw my life away.

I know, cause  my Brother told me he would not be alive if it wasn´t for me.  

He was in his late 20´s when he said so (he had a very bad crisis and came to me).

His daughters... would not be here.

KEEP DANCING, someone might need you!

 

And then there was Mama Dollar and Papa Dollar!  ... and "the Hotel"... if you don´t know the movie.. give it a go!

 

Clarence, as George tries to end his life, jumped into the ice-cold water and George, without thinking, jumps after him to save his life. Is granted the wish - he was never born!!!

And sees the place, Pottersville, that became an awful plcae.

 

ENTREZ!!!!

Here he finds his old boss who due to the death of his son gave by accident poison instead of medicine, was in jail, ruined his life - George was not there to prevent that accident... George certainly got his life, wife and kids back and....

And every time a bell rings... which his daughter did a lot... also Clarence got his wings.

Merry Christmas!

No, Henry. 8C/46F here... When I was a kid we had "White Christmas", I can´t remember the last one!

Hope you don´t have too much and are well and warm.

 

 

T STands For STill Sick

 

My entry to Elizabeth´s T.

It ended up in the drain. Yuck.

Food... all I got down:

But I am better, no wishing-well-thoughts needed! 😘

Journal, huh:

Monday: Wanted to work but 6 hours, nada. Full time. But I loved it.

Got my bank data on the PC without help, yay!

 

Ingo made sure I eat healthy. Quarter of a breadroll and quarter of an avo.

Ack. When eating is a pain. And you have someone who cares and makes you eat it...

Took me forever but was the right thing.

 

Lisa in The Simpsons told a story in a story .. in a story... meanwhile. Mr. Burns finally got a pic of himself with a child smiling and got his belongings back. My life is so exciting!

Tuesday: It came from all sides. So much work and ALSTOM teamleader decided: Holiday! ESE-teamleader agreed. And then I was so dumb to give my private number for in case away. Let´s see (we´re a team and I´ll be home anyways).

We hop on the last leg, so to say. But I am glad I get a holiday-extension!

Reckon they know my last leg is falling off soon 🤣

Do you know that feeling? 

Too much work, but you love it?

I am sad this year  is over. More or less.

I love it cause by now I half-know what I´m doing!

And they all appreciate it!

And they´re all nice people!!!

Best job EVER.

I would nearly say I pay for being part of it all!

To-be-Teamleader said:  

Take your time to study the technical details, if you want!

Let me tell you. Come slower times I will! Now I just scroll through and check for translation-ability.

Wednesday: Couldn´t eat again and Teamleader gave me a "go!"  to go for 2022 at 11:00 am.

01:00 p.m. we fought over a problem. So much for leaving early but mind you.... I nearly cried shutting down work-PCs for the year... I never said so, but I can´t wait to come back!

Did I ever mention how great that team... aw, well guess I did ;-)

Ingo has a new business-idea!

We buy a truck. I am still allowed to drive a 7-ton-one (please stay home - come mid-January you´re safe, I´ll loose that priviledge).

And then roam the neighborhood and steal frameworks that sit on houses more than a week without any work done.

3 months we have that problem here! Now they rip it down very loudly and we wonder... what have they done? Nothing but taking parking spaces in the street for "stuff". Cheaper than storing it somewhere else but in public places :-(

Buhu. 2022 is done, work-wise.

 

Thursday: I miss starting with "tock-tock...." as "good morning" for my T.

We don´t What´s App on holidays but the maintainance guy sure was LOUD getting me out of bed on my first day off...

 

Friday: Sick.

Ingo asked me to do some... here it is:

 

 

I did at once, weeks ago. The doctor Ingo was at.

We pondered upon a letter to PLEASE take us both in, as most doctors say they have no capacity no more.

I faked the envelope for fun  (blue., you know what) but Ingo never delivered it. 

I could´ve needed a doctor. I really was sick. Alas.

I would have 2 weeks of holiday to have a real holiday next year. No doc > threw that away. 

 

(In Germany, if you have a doctor, you can get signed sick even in your holiday. 

The more than expensive insurance company has to take over. 

You keep your holi-days. No doctor > all gone)

 

I went shopping and recycling at 07:00 a.m.

Ack.

Later Ingo went again, maybe a fun-post to come.

 

Weekend: 

Saturday: Christmas day: Bro called. We talked forever, Ingo got mad  and that was Christmas for me.

Sunday: I made the goulash Ingo didn´t. The meat was... not good. I followed the recipe.

Used two pans etc to make it right (and by now I can cook)...

Couple days before Ingo got meat from there and... it was crap.

The best butcher in town is gone.

I spent 4 hours for NOTHING. Was too sad to take the BOSE with Adriano even.

Löwenzahn, Maus, Fairy Tale, no Ingo. Merry Christmas. Cause my Brother called?

I know it makes no sense - door closed means leave me alone. 

He sleeps in his work-room, too.

He does not care how much he hurts me.

Reckon your Christmas was better than mine.

Heard the Nieces in the background when we talked, Bro and I.

They had no interest talking to me. We haven´t seen each other in ages, they do not know who I am. We live 60 km apart. 1-hour-drive by car (lot longer for me).

It was the best year. Sad this week ended so ... not-nice.

Was it my fault? Who knows, who cares. You cannot get back the time, it´s gone.

At least I got the super-dry toast Ingo bought home down. Still sick, can eat.

At least now I know the Tooth Fairy is male.

 

Art-wise... a piece of summer. All burnt...

 

We could´ve had some nice days.

Ingo threw them away and I do not know why.

 

The love of my life... why. 

 

Please do not say sorry.

This is but my lille, sad diary and it had to get out.

I have no idea what the future brings.

Brings me flowers, makes pressies... maybe he is angry I did not.

I make him brekkie and lunch every working day, clean the condo (not often enough!), do the the dishes, the laundry... cook at times, grocery shopping, it´s not I am sitting lazily on a throne.

If he TOLD me .... the "holiday"... just more mental stress.

Week three health knocked me out. And my heart now gives me the rest.

And they will say say: you had a wonderful time-out, now WORK.

And I will, without a word.

This is my little outlet.

I am sorry. The words needed to go out.

Ingo is a nice man. 99.9% - sadly I grabbed the last bit no one wants...

Henry 🦁

Well, Henry. Who knows. I do not.

Again. Please no "sorry"-saying. Just enjoy if you´re better off, OK? 

I slept in till nearly lunch time (haha, eating...)...

Lost My Love

 

 

No Henry, either. Merry Christmas.

Hope you have your love in sight.

 

 

Henry On Carousel - Merry Christmas

 

 Song and pics from Tom´s here.

 

Henry 🦁

Hope you have a nice one.

And I never knew Santa makes his list, and checks it twice, on the loo (I admit, that the songtext so fits .. I didn´t do that!)

Do Not Cry (I Shared A Tear)

... or two (tears).  Happy Christmas!!

"Stille Nacht... holy night..."

(We do not get that brand here, I do not get money for sharing this)

I confess, I do not like soccer, yet I live in Braunschweig where soccer was brought to first from Great Britain.

Wiki says: "...Konrad Koch (13 February 1846 – 13 April 1911) was a German teacher and football pioneer... In 1875, Koch published the first German version of the rules of football, ... The new game was quickly adopted by other schools in Braunschweig and spread to other cities during the late 1870s,..."

In Germany today is THE day. Santa usually pops up around 07:00 p.m., when kids are sent to their room after.. potatoe-salad with Würstchen (cold sausage). And then maybe this song pops up. 

 

Or, as in our case, a bell rings - then you are allowed to RUN into the living room to find wrapped up pressies under the festively lighted Christmas tree from Santa.  

 

We all wish...PEACE. UNDERSTANDING. It´s so easy, no? The music suits both languages, English AND German.

Isn´t Russian and Ukrainian as similar.

 

Peace not for a day but FOREVER. 

Henry 🦁

 

We are all one. 

HO-HO-HO  -  Merry Christmas! And yes, not even 05:00 a.m. - I think I´m REALLY on the way up, health-wise. Also I need to recycle, my life is so exciting! Also I have not been outside in more than a week.

Maybe I meet Santa?

Video: Ingo found it, not me. So from both of us, Merry Christmas! 💙💛

TOGETHER We Can Make It

Ingo (who is also on holiday) just came over and "told me to" look for this - ain´t it sooooo cute?

Not my bank.

And strange enough in English only (thanks to my job I do not realize it anymore, no kidding).

So - let´s all work together, grab that fallen cookie so the star gets on the roof. Merry Christmas soon - we should act that way always. (We do, right?)

Henry 🦁

To happy times. Yes, two posts again, sorry. Tell Ingo off...

FFO And... Cry?

I share this for Nicole with FFO.

This dude sits in the shelf all year round but is proud to be "The Guy" today!

 

I also want to join Anne with Friday Smiles.

 

I cannot say ESE (the company I work for) is a gang of a frogs.

But Wednesday, when I shut down my work PCs... I nearly cried - with a huge SMILE.

 

We had no Christmas party or gifts, but working for them was the best gift ever. 

They sent me to ALSTOM and set me into the best team.

A prince, kinda! Just that I needed to kiss anyone but Ingo!

With this I wish you smiles all over next year (well and this, of course!), a Merry, happy Christmas!

 

Henry 🦁

  

Aaaaand.. thank Ingo HERE is more to smile about!