Saturday, September 19, 2009

Fragmented Freewrites- September 18, 2009

Many of the other fragmenters come up with really witty intros to their posts. Unfortunately, if you want a really witty intro, you're going to have to click on the links at the bottom of the post and read someone else's blog!

I'm happy, Discovery is airing newer episodes of Wheeler Dealers. Martijn and I always make bets on how much they'll sell the cars for at the end. We seem to take turns on who is actually the closest.

No monkey pictures this week. I have a few more made, but they don't have eyes yet and they're sorta creepy looking.

My informal Dutch courses are starting up again next week. This is a good thing, I think the past few lessons really helped boost my confidence. I've had several people compliment me on how my Dutch is coming along, but sometimes I worry they're just trying to be nice because they feel sorry for me! I also need to learn how to give people directions because apparently I really look like I know what's going on and get stopped on a VERY regular basis for directions.

We got our "year-end" electric bill and the electric company finally has our estimated billing about right. The first year Martijn lived here they were overcharging him by a LOT so he got a massive refund at the end of the year... but then they were UNDERcharging us by quite a lot so the end of that year the bill was way too low and we owed a lot. It seems like now they've got it about right. We used slightly less electricity this year than last so that's good too.

The bad mail was the letter from the tax office that decided we owed them money. Boo taxes!

My cute husband realized that we'd been living together for more than 2 1/2 years and brought home some ORANGE flowers and offered to make dinner on Saturday. I certainly can't complain about him being thoughtless!

Speaking of flowers, I love how cheap flowers are here. You can get nice big bunches for under €5 on a pretty regular basis. Love it!

In other plant related news, my tomato plants are just NOW flowering. In September. I might have fruit by January. I think I'll have to bring it inside soon since it's getting awfully chilly during the nights and I don't want it to freeze to death.

Did you know that orange carrots didn't really exist until the 17th century, when some Dutch person decided to cultivate orange carrots as a tribute to The House of Orange. Crazy, eh?

Finally, for something completely related to anything that I've done this week... a picture of a door. Because I like it.

Picture 2308

What secrets do you suppose are hiding behind that door?

Friday Fragments?
OrdinaryAndAwesome.com is the Chronicles of My Ordinary and Awesome Life, Family, and Thoughts. OrdinaryAndAwesome.com is the Mostly Wordless Wednesday headquarters as well as the home to several original awards and memes.

15 comments:

Eve said...

Oooh - I like your door photo too!

Flowers for a 2 1/2 years anniversary of living together? That is so sweet... and too cute!

brainella said...

Yeah, taxes are one of life's irritating things. If only we got what we paid for. :)

I really love your sock monkeys.

And tell Martijn he's a lovely man. Flowers and dinner. You can't beat that!

Claudya Martinez said...

Hmm, I think there are hundreds of thousands of eyeless sock monkeys living behind that blue door.

Sara Elizabeth said...

I am sure the compliments on your Dutch are genuine. That is cool that you are learning Dutch. Some people that move to a new country never bother to learn the language.

I have never seen Wheeler Dealers. I will have to check it out!

I love the photo with the blue door. I love colorful doors.

Cat said...

Aww, what a sweet husband.

That door is very cool- it makes me want to write a story about the person who lives there.

Unknown said...

Flowers are very cool...good hubby! That's weird how your tomatoes are just now flowering! It's awesome that you're living and learning over there!

Kristin - The Goat said...

I kept peeking down at the photo as I was reading your fragments. Guess I liked it! I bet that door is hiding some clutter. Maybe an old table is pushed up against it and it's being used as a catch-all place for treasures.

I don't have anything witty at the beginning of my fragments post either. :)

I'm not sure I'd like a once a year electric bill - but then again, it might teach you how to save each month so the bill at the end of the year isn't too painful.

Kristin - The Goat

Mrs4444 said...

I love the door too :) That fragment about carrots was very interesting; I didn't know that.

BOO to tax bills!

Anonymous said...

It is a cool door!

Boo taxes!

Boo bills!

Stacey said...

That's so sweet that your husband brought you flowers to celebrate 2 1/2 years! Congratulations!

Connie said...

What a sweet hubby!! Best wishes with the Dutch lessons!!

Many blessings!

Oh, I love the door, too! Very interesting! Lots of character!!

Gretchen said...

Great post! Very sweet of your hubby to bring you flowers. :) Great blog!

Moore Minutes said...

Awww, your husband is so sweet!! I love how he did that for you. He's a keeper!

4 Lettre Words said...

I like that blue door, too!

Can't wait to see more monkeys.

You've got a good man, there! :o)

sarah @ life {sweet} life said...

I love that picture of the door...very intriguing and just cool! That's interesting about the electric bill...not how we do it here in the states, but sounds better! Good luck with your Dutch...learning another language is SO hard (for me!)

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