Viewing Member - seshat

The weeks seem to pass so fast I barely even notice. Which isn't the way I want to spend life, but sometimes that's just the way it is...

On a positive note, I received a thank you note in the mail yesterday from the president of my voting station, thanking me for my efforts and good collaboration Sunday. A lovely surprise Also in the mail: the booklets in which which story was published, yay. And also: my tablet PC, the Acer Iconia 700, arrived. I will no longer be attempting to surf the internet on my cell phone screen, yay again. I guess this week isn't so bad after all

My party, a coalition of the socialist and the green party, has won the local elections in my city. Yay

I spent most of the day, from 7 am to 4 pm, in the voting station: registering voters etc. along with several other victims (mandatory election duty). I'm exhausted! And sad about how little most of the others cared about this civic duty. Lucky for me: I get the day off work tomorrow, a kind gesture from my employer.

I've suddenly got it into my head that I want a real art deco ring. So I've been browsing the internet for hours, looking for something pretty yet affordable.

And I fell in love...
[url]http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/0-38-ct-Diamond-Yellow-Gold-Dress-Ring-Art-Deco-Style-Antique-Size-N-1-2-/310435615177?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_FineJewellery_CA&hash=item48476791c9[/url]

Gorgeous... And totally out of my price range

More road trip pictures from August... Portugal again, some beautiful places. Enjoy the pictures (I hope)!

The cliffs of Peniche:



A little alley in Obidos:



Palacio Sintra:













Palacio Pena (just outside Sintra):

Am I finally an adult now? I doubt it

The most unpleasant part of my long weekend is over. The funeral was very nicely done, even though I was disappointed to discover that the music I proposed wasn't chosen. Too much talk about death and disease, but that's normal I suppose under the circumstances. Strange day of ups and downs, as we went shopping for the party in afternoon. 200 euros worth of groceries, my guests won't go hungry.

Tomorrow: lots and lots of cooking. Kitchen therapy?

Have a good Friday!

It's going to be a strange long weekend... I had foreseen to take next Friday off work, to prepare my birthday party Saturday (15 people at my house for dessert/dinner). And I was taking Monday off work too, to recuperate. Added to that: the funeral Thursday...

From a funeral to a day in the kitchen to a party, not sure how I'll handle that... But at least it's better than having the funeral after the party...

And now back to my stack of recipes for Saturday, at least I have a distraction!

I'll start with a dessert buffet at 4PM and around 7Pm a dinner buffet.
I was thinking, for dessert: tiramisu, bread pudding and a pecan pie/cake.
For main course: shrimp à l'étouffé (cajun), chili con carne and a vegetable curry with sweet potato/pumpkin and coconut milk.

Life goes on, or so I've heard. So here are some more pictures from my summer road trip. This time Tomar, the city in Portugal where my best friend got married (it was the reason for our roadtrip).

Tomar centre and park:











Tomar convent and castle:























Some ruins near the castle:

The numbness has gone away, unfortunately... Nighttime is always worse for black thoughts.

I considered a dose of alcohol but decided against it and opted for french toast for dinner with loads of sugar and an evening of Harry Potter.

Thanks for the messages of support, I appreciate it.

For those of you who want a pleasant blog, please scroll down to some holiday pictures.

For the others: RIP Granddad. He passed yesterday evening. At least he no longer suffers, I still remember his labored breathing last Saturday...
I feel numb, as if I already did my grieving in advance, knowing this day was coming.