FAMeulstee (Anita) - 2011, first round

A new year ahead, hopefully with a lot of good reading again.
So let's skip Christmas and start the New Year ;-)



links
My introduction

75 Books Challenge 2008

75 Books Challenge 2009, part one
75 Books Challenge 2009, part two

75 Books Challenge 2010 - first thread
75 Books Challenge 2010 - second thread
75 Books Challenge 2010 - third thread
75 Books Challenge 2010 - fourth thread

books May 2011
#22 The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel, 4 1/2 stars, msg 246
#21 The last Empress by Anchee Min, 4 stars, msg 245
#20 Empress Orchid by Anchee Min, 4 stars, msg 245
#19 Jacoba, dochter van Holland by Simone van der Vlugt, 3 stars, msg 239
#18 The Land of Painted Caves by Jean Auel, 4 stars, msg 238
#17 The Mauritius Command by Patrick O'Brian, 4 stars, msg 237
#16 Pekingese by Ian Harman, 4 stars, msg 236
#15 The Death of Kings by Conn Iggulden, 4 stars, msg 235

books April 2011
#14 The Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden, 4 stars, msg 228
#13 H.M.S. Surprise by Patrick O'Brian, 4 1/2 stars, msg 228
#12 Anansi's Web by Lydia Rood, 4 1/2 stars, msg 220

book March 2011
#11 De kraai by Kader Abdolah, 4 stars, msg 216

books February 2011
#10 The Runaway Summer of Davie Shaw by Mario Puzo, 3 1/2 stars, msg 175
#9 Spiegeljongen by Floortje Zwigtman, 5 stars, msg 174
#8 Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik, 3 stars, msg 156
#7 The magician's elephant by Kate DiCamillo, 4 stars, msg 133
#6 The sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer, 4 stars, msg 129

books January 2011
#5 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, 4 1/2 stars, msg 115
#4 Post Captain by Patrick O'Brian, 4 stars, msg 99
#3 Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian, 4 1/2 stars, msg 73
#2 Magnificat by Julian May, 4 1/2 stars, msg 69
#1 Diamond Mask by Julian May, 4 stars, msg 63

Okay! Can you come tell my Christmas dinner guests about that?

I would if you lived a little nearer Richard!
We avoid them all this year: no diner guests and no family gatherings! :-)

*vibrates with envy of Anita and Frank*

I decided a few years ago I would stop doing these.
One friend always had diner with us on Christmas day, but he died nearly two years ago. We tried last year with an other friend, but that was not the same...

And I have the luxury of a husband working at night and he almost always can pick the hollidays as working nights, that is a mighty good excuse to everyone!

Hey Anita. I know what you mean about things not being the same. I am stuck with Christmas with the tiny tattered remains of my family and I really don't like it. I only do it because I think it would upset them if I tried to bow out. I just can't help thinking back to how things used to be as compared to the present - and I think I would prefer to have pleasant memories of those times and skip the travesty it has all become. Will be glad when it's finally January 2nd. My, I am a downer aren't I.

So I'm curious, in your profile, you have everything in what I guess in your natural language and in English. So are you bilingual, or do you use a translator. Just guessing, but I guess you are bilingual, because translators don't work right.

> 6: No you are not a downer Charlotte, I think there are many others who will be glad when it is January 2nd!

> 7: Nathan, yes I am Dutch, but have spend a lot of time the past 10+ years surfing and interacting on the internet, my English has improved a lot in those years ;-)
And indeed translators never work right, too many nuances in language!

Cool. I love people in Europe, all places in Europe. Europe is where the love is.

> there are more Europeans in the group last year there were Polish, English, Norwegian, other Dutch... I hope they will all join us again.
But Europe has, as everywere, other sides too ;-)

Hey, Anita! No pictures of Ari on the thread yet? What is up with that?!

Okay Stasia, new year, new layout look at first message! ;-)

Glad to join your new thread and rather wishing I could skip Christmas too!

> 13
Maybe time for a help-group "How To Skip Christmas and Avoid Other Hollidays and Events"?

Awwww. I love the picture Ari in the snow.

thank you Caty, or better thank Stasia for it!

Drive-by hi hi!

hi Ilana

Hi Anita, if that's Ari in your first picture, I want one just like him. What a cutie -- and what a great foot warmer for these cold nights! Is that a hug or a fight in that first pic? Hey, maybe we should have a pet category in our new line-up.

#12: OK, you are forgiven now :)

>14 FAMeulstee: You know, I think my greatest disappointment in the book Skipping Christmas was that they caved. Here I was hoping to pick up pointers...

> 19: Donna
First photo is Ari (Pekingese) playing with Eoos (our youngest smooth Chow Chow). Second is Ari playing with a tennis ball in the snow.
Ari is 7 months now, he is mainly fur, wich is more work then I ever had on a dog LOL
He is a great lap-dog, he only weighs 5,4 kilo (nearly 12 pounds).

> 20: THANK YOU Stasia!

> 21: Terri
I understand your disappointment!
Well the best what happened was that 3 years ago Frank got his job for two nights a week, at irregular times. The first years most of his collegues did not want to work the hollidays, so he did. Work is a very good excuse for shipping hollidays ;-)

>21 tloeffler: Isn't the book Skipping Christmas was made into a movie called Christmas with the Kranks? The touchstone says it was written by John Grisham, and I'm thinking that doesn't exactly sound right. I'm going to look into that.

Yup it deffinaely is. Doesn't sound like Grisham's style of writting though.l

I have never read any Grisham, but the Dutch description of the book suggests that Christmas with the Kranks probably is the same.

Well I've read one John Grisham book called The Chamber, and is probably most famous for his book A time to Kill, but I know that all, or most of his books has to do with lawyers or something like that. I don't know, but if you did read the book Skipping Christmas, then you probably did read one of his books, I don't know.

Terri did read the book, not me, see msg 21 ;-)

Hmmmmmm......Sorry, don't pay attention to details that well.

LOL, does not matter Nathan, I don't mind to explain.

Just dropped by to thank you for the warm welcome to the 75 Challenge. Your dogs are beautiful.

Just popping in before I lose you. I was going to wait, but now I remember from last year that that strategy is not so good... your dog photos are beautiful!

> 31: you are welcome Judy, and thank you :-)

> 32: welcome Cushla and thank you
There is no good strategy, one way or the other, it is impossible (well not for you know who) to keep up with everybody all the time...

Richard inspired me to open the thread with a picture, and Stasia wanted Ari pictures (msg 11), so I might start every thread this time around with pictures ;-)

#33: I might start every thread this time around with pictures

I like that plan!

Great photos!
which I won't show my kids. I mean, they're dog-crazy enough. If they see these sweet things hub and I'll never hear the end of it.

Happy New Year!

> 34: okay Stasia, will do that in my 2011 threads :-)

>35 PamFamilyLibrary:: hi Pam
Well they will see pictures of dogs anyhow ;-)
My parents refused to give me a dog, so I walked dogs for neighbors from my 6th year until I left home at 19. Then within a year I had my first dog and have never been without ever since!
Happy New Year to you and yours too.

Dogs have always been my sidekicks too, I love my little man and would be lost without him.

#36: Good!

Yeah, your dogs do look kind of cute. My family has a rat terrier and he is just so small you can't help to love...that is if you are part of the family. If your not, he'll bite your finger off. It almost happened one time. Yup, Rocky is overly protective.

A snowy hello from the far north! Hope you are doing fine, Anita!:)

drive-by *smooch* to you, dear Anita!

> 37: hi Brenda, I feel the same about my crew :-)

> 39: some dogs are like that Nathan, our Chows don't like to be petted by strangers, luckely they go backwards and don't bite, I would get in trouble if they did. Ari, the Pekingese, LOVES human attention and will do almost anything for a pet and a nice word LOL

> 40: hi Bente, yes we are doing well, we have freezing and snowy weather too. It will be a white Chrismas this year :-)

> 41: and *smooch* right back to you Richard dear!

Going WAY back up there to #23:
Yes, Nathan, Skipping Christmas did become Christmas with the Kranks, and it was written by THAT John Grisham. I am not a Grisham fan by any stretch, but I picked the book up because I liked the concept. I was very disappointed in the book. Not that it wasn't written well, it just didn't match what I expected, and I didn't like the ending. So I can't say if it was anything like his usual fare. And everyone else in my book group loved it, so I'm probably an aberration. Wouldn't be the first time!

Happy Holidays, Anita!

Hugs to the pups from me :)

Happy St. Stephen's Day! Or Boxing Day! Whichever you prefer, dear Anita, may it be a happy, happy occasion.

I love your dog pictures. I used to have a peke named WonTon. So, what's the difference between a smooth chow and a regular chow chow?

I was sure I'd come by your thread and left a couple of messages already, but am surprised to see this isn't the case, so I thought I'd rectify that right away! Kind of hard to keep track with so many threads to check into! Happy Boxing day and hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

> 43: Terri, you an aberration?? Never ;-)

> 44: Stasia, hugs given, Christmas was nice and easy this year!

> 45: Richard
Over here we have 1st and 2nd Christmas Day, both were well, thank you!

> 46: Thanks Ren
Smooth Chow Chows have a short coat, rough Chow Chows have a long coat.
Smooths have been rare for a long time, were even nearly extinct in the 1970s, when approximately less than 100 were left all over the world...
These days there are more, many people discover the joy of a Chow Chow without the intensive brushing and combing :-)

> 47: hi Ilana!
I understand the confusion, we chatted a bit on other threads ;-)

I see that you've read Chronicles of Ancient Darkness or at least Wolf Brother. I've had that book for ages and just tell me, is it good? I keep procrastinating on reading it and I decided this year I will read it, but is it a good read?

It was a good, not great read. Good enough to read the rest of the series :-)

ETA: the first book was not the best one, the books get better on the way

I've got her latest book to read, it's adult fiction, a ghost story, Dark Matter.

#49 I heard about it from Anita, and read it recently. Added a review to the book page. I agree, good but not great. I'm encouraged to look for more in the series from Anita's comments.

Happy New Year, Anita! I'm looking forward to sharing your YA reading and your dogs for another year.

> 52: I had not seen your review yet Genny, well done!
I gave the first book 3 stars and the others between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 stars, the highest rating was for Ghost Hunter.

> 53: Happy New Year to you and yours too Roni!

Happy New Year Anita! My wish for all LTers this year is: may all the books we read be enjoyable. Or interesting, at the very least! :-)

Found you Anita!

> 55: thanks Ilana, the same to you!

> 56: it always feels good to be found Heather :-)

Found ya! :)

Hi Anita

I am so impressed by your comprehension of the English language! You write so well. I admit I am not blessed with a single gene that allows me to speak another language.

Happy New Year.

Hi Anita, just popping in to say I got you starred and am looking forward to follow your reading this year.

Hallo Anita

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

Right, that's my Dutch exhausted. I'll just star your thread now and tiptoe out quietly :-)

Groetjes!

welcome Sara, Linda, Tanja and Linda!

> 59: thank you dear!
> 60: dank je wel!

Already 62 mesages and finally my first book ;-)


book #1 Diamanten masker by Julian May
own, SF/fantasy, translation of Diamond Mask, second book of the Galactic Milieu series

Dorothea MacDonald has huge mental powers, but refuses to use them. Her father has no powers and is wary to people who have them. So at the tender age of 5, after the brutal murder of her operant mother, Dorothea decides she wants to be normal and live a quiet life on the planet Caledonia with her father and brother.

4 stars

Reading now the last Galactic Milieu book!

Hi Anita! Dropping by to say Happy New Year! I'll be back... ;o)

Hi Anita! I copy Fliss in message 64!

Have a lovely day:)

I see you are continuing on with the Julian May books. I really must get to them!

> 64: hi Fliss, the same to you!

> 65: hi Bente
sadly not a good day today, hope tomorrow will be better...

> 66: Yes Stasia, you should ;-)
I am near the end of the last one...

Hi, Anita! I wanted to let you know I am here and following along, even if I don't "talk" very much.

book #2 Magnificat by Julian May
own, SF/fantasy, translation of Magnificat, last book of the Galactic Milieu series

The grand final of the Galactic Milieu series. Marc Remillard has great ambitions for humanity. He develops machines to enlarge brainpower. In Marcs eyes his brother Jack is a far superior human, with only suberb brains and no body that gets in the way. Fury has its own interest in Marcs projects.
Jack Remillard and his wife Dorothea MacDonald try to stop Marc.

4 1/2 stars

Well done on reaching the end of the series Anita. I would be interested to try something of May's one day, but I don't know if I'll ever get to the whole series.

How are all your furry friends doing?

#69: He develops machines to enlarge brainpower.

I want one of those! My brain needs all the help it can get.

> 70: Genny, you could try one, if you are not hooked by then, you can skip the rest and else... well then you HAVE to read the rest LOL

The furry friends are fine, Ari next to my feet, Chimay next to me on the couch and Eoos on the doggy bed, keeping a close watch on Frank, as he has been to Rotterdam yesterday and returned today and she is determined to keep him HOME now ;-)

> 71: I would like one too Stasia, imagine what we could read then!!!

book #3 De Sophie by Patrick O'Brian
from the library, historical fiction, translation of Master and Commander, recommended by lorax

Fist book of the Aubrey-Maturin series... yes again I was fallen for a big read ;-)
The adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and ship's surgeon Dr. Stephen Maturin in the Napoleontic war at the Mediterranean Sea fighting for Brittains Royal Navy on board of the "Sophie".

Very good read, enjoyed it, could barely stop reading ;-)

4 1/2 stars

Anita, the Patrick O'Brian series about Maturin and Aubrey is simply suberb, among some of my favorite books. I hope you enjoy the series.

Yep. The Maturing/Aubrey relationship, and O'Brian's writing make for a great read. And what's amazing is that O'Brian manages to keep it up for so many books.

#73: I have only read the first book in that series. I really need to read more of them!

Cute cute pics! I'm starting my thread reading here as we just got back online! Happy New Year Anita. Hope it's the best yet!!

> 74-76
I am enjoying the second book now :-)

> 77: thanks Susan, glad to see you back!

I won't be very much online the next weeks.
I have been very tired and slow for the past months, at first we thought I had a major depression again, but upping my meds did not help.
So I finally went to my doctor (did I mention I don't like doctors) and the bloodtest showed my thyroid does not work well, probably for a long time, as it was/is servere and I was send to the hospital right away (did I mention I really dislike hospitals?). Was there the whole afternoon, until I panicked big time and no longer waited for the cardiologists okay to leave, I just left.

Next three weeks more hospital visits ahead, drawing blood, cardiologist and endocrinist (sp?)...
So if I am a little quiet, you know why...

#79: Totally understood, Anita. I'm not a big fan of doctors/hospitals either. Hope you get to feeling better at least! :)

I'm getting a new project started to get together great recommendations for books by themes. I've called it Books By Themes (BBT) and I'd love to have your suggestions! Here's the link.

take care and good luck :)

Oh, Anita

BIG hugs to you my dear. I'm so sorry you are going through all this.

I hate hospitals and doctors also...no fun at all eh?

Anita, so sorry you have to go through the hospital visits and blood drawing (I hate needles), but I'm happy that they seem to have located the problem and hopefully the result is that you will feel much, much better at the end of it all, a consummation devoutly to be wished!

I'm keeping you in my thoughts, Anita. I hope the doctors get the situation sorted out soon!

My sister has extremely bad problems with her thyroid (she has Hashimoto's) so I can sympathize, Anita. I do hope the doctors get your problem straightened out soon!

thanks everyone!

Yes I hate needles too ;-) But I manage as long as I don't actually SEE the needle, so with arm sidewards and Frank in front of me the blood drawing went rather smoothly.
Tomorrow there will be taken an echo of my heart, because that seemed a little off and this can be connected (and my mother has heartproblems too, so it is something I should take serious...).
I have no diagnose yet, it could be infectious, it could be Hashimoto's, we don't know yet. February 11th I will see the specialist, or he will see me is probably a better way of saying I have an appointment.
My brain is a bit foggy.

I am taking thyroid-pills now and feel off and on sometimes within a few minutes time.

Reading goes slow ;-)

I hope everything goes well and you get the answers and the solutions you're looking for.

I know the feeling of needles now. I never minded them, but during the last few months I have had SO many needles that now I hate them. At one point I had blood taken 7 times in one day, plus a drip put in, plus an arterial line in (like a drip but goes into your artery instead of your vein.)

So I really can sympathise. Fingers crossed all goes quickly and you're back to health soon.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about all this - sending healthy vibes your way and hoping you find some answers and start feeling better soon!

Sorry to hear you're not well, Anita. ((Hugs)) Thinking of you, and hoping all those dreaded hospital appointments and tests soon result in a definite and easily treatable diagnosis. ((More hugs))

Anita, hope you are feeling well soon.

Oh you'll feel so much better once it sorted out! hang in there.

Feel better soon, Anita!

thanks everyone!

I survived the heart echo today, really nice woman who tried to help to keep me calm and together with Frank she succeeded.
My nightmare was that they would keep me in the hospital after the echo, but my worries were pointless, I was released ;-)

A bit of quarrel between me and Frank in the morning, before the hospital visit, because we were both nervous, but we kept it civilised...

Snuggle down with your fur buddies to destress, and don't forget to take your worry beads with you to dr. appointments! So glad everything went well today.

Glad to hear it got sorted out in the end. Get some rest and hang in there!

Oh, okay, I get it now! Echocardiograms are amazing, aren't they? So much information gathered so painlessly. I think they're modern miracles.

*hugs* to Anita dear

> 95: Rhonda
Dogs are doing well, Ari cuddles up at my lap to let me distress. The Chows try to keep evil spirits and bad thoughts away ;-)

> 96: Sherlyn
I still need al lot of sleep, at night 8-9 hours and 2-3 in the afternoon, but nurse Eoos seems content...

> 97: Richard
Yes ECG's are great, painless, not too much time to make them, now we keep waiting what them doctors read from all these tests!

book #4 Aan lagerwal by Patrick O'Brian
from the library, historical fiction, translation of Post Captain

Second book of the Aubrey-Maturin series.
The adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and ship's surgeon Dr. Stephen Maturin in go on. As there is peace, Jack has no ship and has financial problems, so he very much NEEDS a ship. Luckely for him the war starts again.

A lot of the adventures are this time on shore, O'Brien is better writing about ships and sea, so half a star less than the previous book:

4 stars

Hi There Friend

I continue to hold you in my heart and in my prayers. It is wonderful to see posts from you.

thank you Linda
A week without any hospital appointments, that is good for me :-)
I know all these tests and things have to be done, but I feel so much better just at home with Frank and the dogs...

What a good Eoos!! Give her extra hugs from me too, for taking such good care of you and Frank.

Oh my.. Sorry to hear of your health problems. Thyroid issues are very difficult. So hard to sort out. IT will happen though.. sooner or later. I have had some issues myself. Huge masses... now removed.. meds a pain.. I hope that all is well with your heart ..

As always I have been admiring your dogs :)

Glad to hear that Friday's test went okay, and that you have a week to relax without any tests. Eoos sounds like a wonderful nurse. :)

> 102: thank you Sherlyn, Eoos accepted the hug graciously ;-)

> 103: thanks Kath, at least we know now where (some of) the problems come from. Sorting out takes time, I know, it took many years before my mental disorders were recognised and treated, but I am still alive, although no longer able to work...

> 104: thanks Caty, a month ago I did not know I would appriciate a testless week THIS much ;-)
Yes, Eoos is a wonderful nurse, a few nights ago I was a bit worried when I went to bed, but then I thought that she was watching over me and that thought was good enough to fall asleep :-)

Sorry to hear about your health problems and can only hope that it all sorts out. So pleased that your dogs are giving you comfort.

on a lighter note: Ari went to the groomer today:

POOF

Now that's a bundle of fur. I love it!

Catching up Anita, sorry to hear about your health problems and all the hospital visits. Hope things improve for you soon.

Ari looks very proud of the new 'do! :)

What a delightful little ball of fur! I'm sure Ari brings you much happiness.

I continue to hold you in my prayers.

What!?! Ari has an actual face and body? Amazing!

How about Eeos' hips? Have you found out any more?

Glad you have a week at home this week. Animals are the most marvelous nurses, aren't they? If only they could brew and deliver cups of hot tea as well...

> 108: LOL mamzel

> 109: Nathan, his puppy fur was even MORE ;-)
There is still a little puppy fur left in his manes, and I think the rest will be growing a bit more.

> 110: thanks Heather

> 111: Yes, he is Sherlyn, although he was a bit offended to be left there...

> 112: thank you Linda
It is always good to have dogs around, and even more if one does not feel well ;-)

> 113: Yes he has Rhonda ;-)
When he just arived here you could see it too, but then his puppy fur started to grow... I think his adult will grow longer too.
Do you mean Endo's hips, Eoos brother?
We just go the papers today he has perfect hips!!!!
Now waiting for the ellbow results.
And for the delivery of coffe and tea and other things the dogs can't do, I have a husband ;-)

book #5 De zomer van Winn-Dixiel by Kate DiCamillo
from the library, YA, translation of Because of Winn-Dixie, recommended by Linda (Whisper1)

Sweet short book from Kate DiCamillo.
Opal and her father, who is a reverend, have moved to Florida. When Opal finds a dog in the supermarket, she forgets all about the groceries and takes the dog home. She calls him Winn-Dixie.
With Winn-Dixie she finds friends in the new town.

4 1/2 stars

I read that book a long time ago and saw the movie. It's a good dog book. It's definately not my type of book, but if it was, I'll love it. The same with the book Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. There's other dog books that I could like. Shiloh by Phylis Reynolds Naylor. Stone Fox is another. And one other that I never read, but is a movie is Marley and Me by John Grogan. If you like books about dogs and can possibly get them, those are some good recommendations.

thank you Nathan
I did read Marley and Me last year, from the other three only Shiloh is translated into Dutch, I will look for that one :-)

Your welcome. I haven't read those in a long time that I listed, but for dog lovers, I know they will love them.

Glad you're getting some good care, good sleep and good reading!

> 119: Susan
That is all good, yes, and if I wasn't so terribly tired my current life would be perfect ;-)

Hi Anita. I haven't been by here in a while. Hope you are feeling better. I can see that your 'kids' are taking care of you. Dogs are soooo much better at that kind of thing than cats. I think that Willie would only be concerned about me if my thumbs fell off, for then there would be nobody to pull the lids off of his food cans.

Thanks Charlotte
Not feeling much better yet, but in good care ;-)

There ARE cats who have empathy with their owners... Once upon a time I had cats too. When I was ill after a thooth extraction the oldest cat brought home some dead mice and layed them in the food bowls, as if she said: if you can't provide food for us now, I will take care if it ;-)

But it is a more common quality in dogs.

I love the story about Nurse Eoos, Anita!

I hope your health gets on the upswing soon.

Thinking of you Anita. Sending hugs to you as your February birthday approaches.

My cats have been very kind to me at the moment, somehow they can tell I am down and feeling blue. Of course, their way of comforting is to sit on me, therefore pinning me down and making me feel guilty if I move them......but it's the thought that counts!!

I hope that you get some energy soon.

> 123: thanks Stasia!
We hope so too ;-)

> 124: coming way too close Linda, I'll enjoy being 47 a few more days ;-)

> 125: at times like this pets can give so much, Jenny
Stroking and petting a pet can be very calming :-)

I hope Feb. 3rd is a very special birthday for you...as special as you are!

awww how sweet, thank you Linda!!!!

book #6 Leerling van de kraai by Nancy Farmer
from the library, YA, translation of The sea of Trolls, recommended by Kerry (avatiakh) in the 75 group of 2009

This book mixes history with Norse mythology and adventure. And I must say they all blend in wonderfull together!

Jack, a Saxon boy, lives in England with his parents and little sister. He is the apprentice of the local bard, who has settled in the village after a life of traveling. One day the Vikings come and take Jack and his little sister Lucy with them as slaves.

4 stars

No way!!!! I love that book. I think there's a sequel, but I'm not sure of that.

#129 , #130,

There are two follow up books to Sea of Trolls.

I just finished it and the second book in December (I think). For some reason I couldn't get up the motivation to do #3.

> 130: I thought of you while reading.. it has dragons in it ;-)

> 131: thanks Pam
I haven't seen translations of those two :-(

book #7 Het verhaal van de olifant en de goochelaar, of Hoe Peter zijn zusje terugvond by Kate DiCamillo
from the library, Childrens, translation of The magician's elephant recommended by Linda (Whisper1)

Lovely magical story of an orphan who finds out his sister might be alive, although he thought she was dead. It reads a bit like a fairytale.

4 stars

Hope you have a great birthday, Anita.

Happy Almost Birthday Anita!

I hope you have a lovely day.

I'm glad you liked The Magician's Elephant. It was magical.

I have The sea of trolls sitting here in the tbr shelves, Anita. Your reaction has me moving it up the pile.

Happy, sunny birthday Anita!

Felicem Natalem!! Happy Birthday, Anita!!

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday Anita, and I'm only just catching up on 70 posts here. Really sorry to read about your health woes, but glad you are in good hands. Hope you have a good day today and get tons of new books!!

Happy Birthday!!! Birthdays is the one day where nothing else is important excpet the birthdayereee...that made no sense...And I'm good and English...

Happy Birthday, Anita!!! Have a glorious day!!!

thanks everyone!

It was an odd birthday this year.
Today was the funeral of the partner of a favourite cousin of Frank... He was only 49.
At first Frank would go there and I would stay at home, but it was a fairly long drive, 2 hours, so I decided to go with Frank, but not to the funeral itself (too many people for a phobic like me).
My parents had plans to visit, but dropped that when they heard of the funeral. But on our way back we decided to visit them on our way home (only 1 1/2 hour more in the car). So Frank and I were together allmost all day :-)

No new books this year, I am too tired to put new books in the shelves... as they are alphabeticly organised, so I always end up moving more than half of the books a few inches to the right.

Happy Birthday, Anita!

I know what you mean about the shelves. I'm going to do a major book reorganization this summer when I stain the shelves finally, because I've had to put books in several different rooms because I can't slide them along any more on the old shelves.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Anita. You deserve it!

Hi Anita, sorry I missed your birthday yesterday, sounds like you had quite a full day.

And I'm sorry to hear of the thyroid problems - I hope they manage to diagnose exactly what is going on. I can sympathise in that area - my mother was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid which had gone undetected for about 10 years, when I was a child: she ended up spending several months in hospital to bring her back to normal levels. Then when I was 16 I started having the same problem, and my sister also developed it after her first pregnancy. So we are all taking thyroxine for life now to keep us 'normal', though every time I get particularly tired and run down I wonder whether the thyroid is involved again. Lots of blood tests over the years!

And getting back to books, I like the sound of The Sea of Trolls.

Happy birthday a little late, Anita! I meant to do it on 'the' day, but somehow I am always missing b'days by a day or two.

birthday hugs and smooches, Anita dearest

So sorry I missed the day itself. xo

>146 gennyt: It's really, really good Genny. If you like mythology in the leastest, you will absolutely love it in my opinion. I think the mythology type in Norse, but I could be wrong...no I don't think so...It mention Vahalla, and that's Norse, so that what the books are based on.

Oops... happy belated! Hope it was lovely :) Glad to hear good things about Sea of Trolls, I gave a copy to my sister-in-law for Christmas based on some good reviews I'd read, but I haven't read it myself so I wasn't 100% sure about it. I feel much better now!

Stopping in to say Hello...

Hi Anita, I've finally caught up with your whole thread! My thyroid has been a bit low too (just diagnosed) and just that little bit made me want to have a nap all the time, so I can really sympathise with you about that. I love your new puppy! Yes, it's an excellent idea to start your threads with photos...especially of your dogs.

We went through the hip analysis thing with my son's German Shepherd, so I know how relieved you feel when you get the all clear. I'm a little late wishing you a happy birthday but better late than never. I hope the year ahead is a good one for you, full of good reading and good laughter.

I'm so glad Nurse Eoos is on duty. I can't imagine my life without the love of a dog in it but sometimes there are those special dogs who just seem to know even more.

Just caught with your thread, too. Love the peke pic. Glad you're enjoying the O'Brians; that's a great series.

thanks everyone for the (belated) birthday wishes.

Next Friday I have finally my appointment with the internist, hope to learn more about my thyroid problem!
My visit to the cardiologist went well, my heart seems to be in great shape, doing the work it is supposed to do, the irregularity they found is because there is some fluid in it (my whole body is keeping extra fluid everywhere) and it is expected that will go away when the thyroid is under control.

After the bad elbow and moderate hip analyses of Eoos, making her unfit for breeding, we were very happy that her brother Endo has both perfect hips and elbows! So we have some future in breeding smooth Chows :-)

Anita

I remember those lovely, beautiful puppies. I had such great fun looking at the photos.

I'm glad all is well with your heart. Please keep us posted regarding your appointment next Friday.

Hugs to you!

By the way, I finished an excellent book I highly recommend. You might be interested in reading Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis.

book #8 Tong van de draak by Naomi Novik
from the library, fantasy/alternate history, translation of Tongues of Serpents, 6th book in the Temeraire series.

Not the best book in the series, but not that bad that I would abandon a next book ;-)
Temeraire and Lawrence have been banned to Australia. A stolen dragon egg leads to a journey all over the continent.

3 stars

> 155: thank you Linda
I will keep everyone updated here. I am still very tired, but it feels like I am no longer getting more tired every day, so that is positive ;-)
I saw that book at your thread, but sadly I haven't seen a translation yet and I am way to tired to even try it in English now.

>156 FAMeulstee: I didn't know you were reading that series. And it's book 6! Still on book 2. Did you know that a director bought the rights to make those books into movies?

Happy Birthday, very late, Anita! I hope you are feeling better soon!

I'm glad you've had some good news on the human health and dog health fronts. I hope your appointment next Friday goes well. Take care!

Happy Birthday and Get Well Soon.

Glad to hear you have some resolution on your health, Anita. I hope the doctor's appointment next Friday goes well too.

Anita, when they hit the right balance with your thyroid, you will be amazed at the difference it makes. No more falling asleep the minute you sit down in a chair! It's wonderful.

thanks everyone

Sorry I don't have the energy to reply to everyone personal, but hope to get in better shape sometime soon ;-)

Went to the doctor (internist) today and the diagnosis is Hashimoto's.
Now the dosage of Thyrax goes up to 3 pills a day and if that goes well in 4 weeks to 4 pills a day. Next bloodtest in 5 weeks and next appointment with the internist in 6 weeks.

Just be glad it's in modern times with modern medicine. Get better, please!!!

I'm glad you've got a diagnosis, hope the treatment is effective.

Thinking of you Anita. I'm sorry you are going through all this.

#164: Anita, my sister has Hashimoto's, so I understand a bit of what you are going through. I would happy to connect you two if you have any questions that she might be able to help you with.

Thanks Nathan, Genny and Linda
Stasia: I don't have any questions for your sister yet, I found a lot of answers on the internet. But thanks for offering!

The good news is that I feel a bit better since yesterday, when I started to take 3 pills instead of 2. I even managed to vacuum downstairs without feeling completely exhausted afterwards!

Then I went with Frank to the Companion and Toy Dogs Show, where Ari was shown by Marijke. She likes dogshows and her own Dutch Shepherd is not so fond of shows, although she is a Dutch and International Champion.
So we made a deal, she is showing Ari and we don't have to get up early for the show ;-)

So here a picture of team Ari Marijke (handler), Valentina (driver) and Ari.

#169: I am glad to hear that you are starting to feel a bit better, Anita!

Same here, Anita! :) Hope things keep looking up and up.

Btw, Ari looks adorable (of course!).

wow, their hairs all match

> 170: So are we Stasia!
Needing less sleep and having more energy, it is good!
Only my mood is still a bit up and down, but I assume that will even out in time.

> 171: thanks Sara
Ari is adorable ;-)

> 172: yes Brenda,
the ladies do everything to make Ari look good at the show ;-)

book #9 Spiegeljongen by Floortje Zwigtman
from the library, YA, third and last book of a series, not translated

The continuing story of Adrian Mayfield, a young homosexual in Victorian London, at the time of the Oscar Wilde trials.

His aristocratic lover, Vincent, has left him and is engaged to a woman. So Adrian returns to lower sides of London. He takes his chance when he is offered to accompany an old drag queen to Paris, as his formal lover is there too. He hopes he can persuade Vincent into a life with him, but fails.
Meanwhile the trail against Oscar Wilde continues and ends in a conviction.
Adrian is given the chance to become a journalist once agin and this time he grabs the chance with both hands.

A great conclusion of the series. Through the three books Adrian became a friend, a very dear one. The descriptions of low life London and Paris were horrifying (although I know it was even worse at some places), the poverty, the filth, the unjustice...

The first two books are translated into German and I hope there will be an English translation someday, so you all can enjoy these books too!

5 stars

book #10 Na elke bocht ontdek je wat by Mario Puzo
own, awarded in 1980, childrens, translation of The Runaway Summer of Davie Shaw

Davie Shaw lives in Los Angeles, when his parents go on holliday, he is supposed to stay with his grandparents, but they forgot he would come. So Davie decides to travel to New York, where his parents will arrive a month later. With his pony Mustang he goes on his way.
He meets some interesting and odd people and manages to arrive in time to pick up his parents.

Sweet book, a bit dated. In my memory it was a better book, but that was 25 years ago, the times sure have been changing!

3 1/2 stars

#175: Yeah, I wonder how a lot of my childhood remembrances of books would stand up if I read them now. I have a feeling a lot of them would not be nearly as good as I remember them to be.

> 174

Those three books by Floortje Zwigtman are high on my list, Anita.

> 176: Stasia
I was in my twenties then, but had no expectation of the book, and this time I expected a bit more ;-)

> 177: Marieke
I hope you enjoy them too!

A cold, but sunny morning. The dogs have fun playing in the garden:


view all photos

LOVE that photo!!!

Thanks for sharing the pictures, Anita!

thanks Faith and Stasia
it was fun to watch and even better because I had the camera in my hands ;-)

They look like they're dancing!!! Great picture!!

The photos are wonderful and they make me smile. Thanks Anita.

I've been concerned about you and thus I'm very glad to know you are feeling better.

Hugs to you dear friend!

What a great pic. Nothing like dogs playing to put a smile on one's face. Hope you are well.

Anita, I really enjoyed the dogs in the garden. I'm always struck by how spic and span your garden is, all orderly and spotless. I'm glad you have an answer about why you have been so tired all the time and hope they can get a medication plan going for you that sorts it all out.

> 183-185: thanks Sherlyn, Linda and Regina
it was a lucky shot ;-) I am glad it made some smile!

> 186: hi Tui
I spend a lot of time in the garden and rarely sit still, always picking up a leaf here, removing a dead flower there... Haven't done much the last months, but there is less to do in winter.
So am I, the Thyrax does work, although I still have days I feel very tired, but some days I have some energy again, it feels good to HAVE some energy ;-)

Amen to energy!

our hearts are heavy... sadness is all around

our dear Eoos died this morning, 3 days before her second birthday
She went to the vet yesterday, to get spayed. She probably had a servere allergic reaction on the anesthetic, antibiotic or the painkiller... this destroyed her colon, bloody diarhea kept coming out all night...
She fought like a lion, but the battle was useless and died this morning at 11:11 local time.

Be happy at the rainbowbridge dear Eoos, I hope you can play with your brother Esmo there.

I hate it when pets die. Especially something as not good as that. I had some cats when I was a kid (back when I could tolerate cats) named Snickers and Whiskers. They were getting very old and so my dad took them out to the country and shot them.

Oh, I am so so sorry. I know how difficult such a loss can be, and I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

Oh Anita, I am so sorry to hear that. I will be thinking of you.

Anita, I am so sorry to hear that you have yet another loss of your beloved dogs--the third in a year, yes? This is so hard to bear, especially being so unexpected. I grieve with you.

(((hugs)))

Oh gosh Anita. So, so sorry to hear about your loss. Thinking of you.

thanks Nathan, Amber, Heather, Roni, Mamzel and Linda

It was the third dog in 20 months, but Esmo was not ours anymore, he was born here and only 6 months old, he was Eoos' favourite litter-brother...

Sad and hoping this is all a nightmare that will vanish when I wake up, although I know it is not :-(

so sorry, there are no words

Hello, I've been lurking on your thread and I read with sadness about the passing of your dog, Eoos. Our pets are such a gift to us--they give us so much love and happiness and ask so little in return. I know what it's like to lose a beloved pet. Sending good thoughts to you.

Sandy K

Oh, Anita I am so sorry for your loss. I know your grief must be tremendous. I am keeping you all in my thoughts.

Oh my, that is so heartbreaking. I feel for you. It's even worse when a young dog dies...and you expect that they have a lot of good years yet ahead of them. ((((HUGS))))

There was a touching article about the death of one of two cats in the Chronicle today and the reaction of the surviving cat. It has a happy ending. I have often heard about grieving elephants but not cats (especially those aloof creatures)!

thanks Brenda, Sandy, Sherlyn and Angela
It is still uncomprehendable...

> 201: Mamzel
Eoos was the daughter of Chimay. We have always taken Chimay with us when one of our dogs died, this way she knows he/she is dead. All previous times she sniffed the body and walked away. This time not, she licked Eoos franticly, as if she wanted to lick life back into her dead body...
Luckely we have Ari to cheer her (and us) up! He is too young to be grieving a long time.

Oh Anita, what sad, sad news to read. And how sad I feel for Chimay. Dogs feel grief deeply too - I have seen it. She was so beautiful. I feel so much for you with this loss.

{{{hugs}}}

Anita - I am so sorry for your loss. Healing thoughts to you my friend.

Anita

Oh, how sorry I am to learn of your loss. My heart breaks for you. Please know I send love to you across the miles.

thanks Tui, Faith, Amy and Linda

today was hard, it would have been her second birthday...

Anita, I'm so sorry to hear about Eoos. ((Hugs))

Anita, I'm am overwhelmed with sadness for you. We all shared in the joy of the puppies as you posted their pics and we now join you in mourning yet another loss. Poor Chimay. Please know that your family will be in my prayers.

Omg, Anita, I'm so sorry! :( I know all pets go eventually, but that was so horrible. Give the others an extra hug for me. I hope you're doing all right, of course! :) Hang in there.

thanks Caty, Regina and Sara

Yes, you all shared in the joy of the puppies two years ago... and now share her horrible and sad end...

I created a webalbum at Picasa with the pictures from Eoos

Aawww, thanks for sharing the Eoos pictures--she's so cute! :)

Anita, I've only just caught up with your thread. I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Eoos, and in such a sudden and unexpected way too. I hope your other canine friends are bringing you comfort. I'm going to go and have a look at the web album now.

Later: a wonderful collection of photos of a beautiful dog, from small puppy to almost 2 years old. Thank you for sharing those and I'm so sorry that you've lost her.

Anita, I'm also just catching up on your thread and I feel so sad at reading about your sudden loss of Eoos. Thank you for the link to the photos, so beautiful.

Thanks Sara, Genny and Kerry

Slowly life is becoming "normal" again.
Chimay and Ari are doing fine together, we humans need a little more time to come over this...

book #11 De kraai by Kader Abdolah
own, Dutch, boekenweekgeschenk (book week gift)

In March we have the "Book Week", if you buy books at the bookshop in this week you get the "book week gift" for free, a small book by a Dutch writer.
This year it was a book by Kader Abdolah, an Iranian refugee.

He tells the story of an Iranian (or better Persian) writer, who gets involved in the opposition against Ayatollah Khomeini. He has to leave Iran, gets stuck in Istanbul and finally ends up in the Netherlands.
At first he writes in Persian, but no one can read that, so he learns Dutch, because a writer needs readers. As he has to earn his money he became a coffee trader and writes in the evenings.
Through the book there are citations of classic Dutch writers, the story itself is an hommage to one of our greatst writers: Multatuli, the main person in his most known book Max Havelaar is a coffee trader too.

4 stars

That sounds like a very interesting book, Anita.

How are you doing--medications stabilizing? Have you had a lot more doctor visits?

yes Roni, it was a nice read, small enough to pick up reading again ;-)

I had an appointment last Friday, but the doctor re-sceduled it, today Frank spoke with him on the phone to get the blood results. The free-T4 count is allright now and the TSH is still dropping, but not completely where it should be. The doctor was happy with these results, so I think I should be too. Next visit will be in May :-)
I have more energy, but not enough yet. But it is difficult to determine where the problems come from, my psychatric problems, meno-pause or the thyroid (or just too much to cope with this month)... In April I have an appointment with my psychatrist, maybe he has something to add in this mess.

Anita, nice book review! It sounds like a very charming book. You are often in my thoughts and prayers.

>219 thomasandmary:: thanks Regina!


book #12 Anansi's Web by Lydia Rood
own, awarded YA, Dutch

Three youngsters try to earn money by telling Anansi stories on the streets of Amsterdam. Anansi is a spider who appears in African and Carribean stories.
Helmi is native Dutch, she found old letters of an ancestor who was a slave trader in Ghana more than 300 years ago. Weston comes from Suriname, his ancestors were maroons (runaway slaves), who lived in the jungle. Kofi comes from Ghana, the land where Weston's ancestors originally lived, he is amazed how the habits of Westons ancestors are much the same as the habits in his country.

The stories of their ancestors and the stories of Anansi weave a web from Holland to Ghana, to Surnam and back to Holland. Helmi, Weston and Kofi save their earned money to travel to Ghana.

4 1/2 stars

Anita, I've been way behind on threads for a while, so I know this is extremely late, but I was so sad to hear about Eoos. I know how devastating it is to lose one of your family. The only times I've seen my son cry since he was small were when one of our dogs were hurt or had died. You have my deepest sympathy.

Anita

I continue to think of you and send love your way.

Anansi's Web sounds very interesting. How is Ari?

> 221:
Thank you Terri, it was a devestating loss. We still miss Eoos, it takes time for us to heal. Luckely Chimay and Ari are very happy together, dogs grieve too, but need less time to get over it than the humans do...

> 222:
thanks Linda, hugs to you!

> 223:
Ari is doing well Roni, thank you. Het went to the groomer today.

Whoa, there IS a body under all that hair! And how are YOU--have the rounds of doctor visits diminished? Is the medication effective?

Yes Roni, there is a small body underneath all the hair ;-)

I am doing fairly well, the medication seems to do its job, as the last bloodtest showed that all thyroid related values are getting near the "normal" ranges.
But any stress still knocks me out for days, so I try to live a quiet life...
Thanks for asking!

Hey! You guys should try reading Paint The Wind! It is a really good book!

book #13 De Surprise by Patrick O'Brian
from the library, historical fiction, translation of H.M.S. Surprise

Third book of the Aubrey-Maturin series.
The adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and ship's surgeon Dr. Stephen Maturin in go on. Their voyage takes them to India.

4 1/2 stars


book #14 Ceasar: De poorten van Rome by Conn Iggulden
from the library, historical fiction, translation of Emperor: The Gates of Rome

First book of the Emperor series, the youth of Gaius Julius Ceasar.

4 stars

HI There Anita

So good to see a post from you. Sending lots of love.

Hey, Anita, how are you and the family?

*waving* at Anita. Hope things are going better for you!

> 228 Hmmm.... the youth of Julius Ceasar. Sounds interesting. I'll check for it at my library.

> 229: thanks Linda, it is still a bit up and down, but a little more up than down, so I think I am going in the right direction ;-)

> 230: hi Roni, the dogs are doing great together, Chimay is happy, Ari is wagging his tail :-) The humans are not so fast in recuperating, but getting there, slowly...

> 231: *waving back* to Stasia, things are improving.
Yesterday the internist upped my Thyrax, so it will be a bumpy 2 weeks adjusting.

> 232: hi Sherlyn:
It was interesting and a fairly easy read, I finished part two The Death of Kings (Emperor, Book 2), I will post my findings later. There are 4 books in the series.

I hope the Thyrax adjustment works out well for you, Anita.

book #15 Ceasar: De ondergang van de heersers by Conn Iggulden
from the library, historical fiction, translation of The Death of Kings

Second book of the Emperor series.
Julius Ceasar has grown up and serves in the army. His adventures at sea and in Greece, showing his potential leadership, back in Rome he is send up north to fight Spatacus.

4 stars

book #16 Pekingese by Ian Harman
own (recently bought), Pekingese breed

Sweet little book, written in 1947 and thus a little dated.
I liked it because the author looks at the Pekingese fist as a small DOG, who needs to be treated like a dog and not as an ornament on a silk bed.
Included are a few nice photos of famouse Pekingese.

4 stars

book #17 Met vlag en wimpel by Patrick O'Brian
from the library, historical fiction, translation of The Mauritius Command

Third book of the Aubrey-Maturin series.
The adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and ship's surgeon Dr. Stephen Maturin in go on. Their voyage takes them to the isle Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, where they fight the French.

4 stars

book #18 Het lied van de grotten by Jean Auel
own, prehistorical fiction, translation of The Land of Painted Caves

I love Jean Auel, I enjoyed all previous books in the Earth's Children series. It is said it is the last book... but the end is open, so I keep hoping ;-)
I did somewhere see a review of an other Earth's Children book where Ayla was called Barbie and Jondalar was called Ken, I liked it, so in short this book:

Barbie has a lot to do now she is a mother and in training for Zelandoni, for her training she must visit many painted caves. Ken seeks love elsewhere and gets in trouble because of it. But in the end all ends well.

Good read, I think I will read the whole series again later this year.

4 stars

book #19 Jacoba, dochter van Holland by Simone van der Vlugt
from the library, historical fiction, Dutch

The life of Jacoba van Beieren (Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut and Holland).

3 stars

> 234:
thanks Stasia
Only a few days yet, but it does seem to make me feel better :-)

It's good to see you around again. I hope things continue to improve for you. Take care :)

#240: I am glad to hear it!

Glad you are feeling better. I'm always so interested in seeing what you are reading.

thanks Jenny, Stasia and Roni for leaving a message on my thread.

Sorry for my absense, the better feeling only lasted a few days :-(
But I think I am getting back once again, it is a bumpy ride this year...
I did read some books, reading went fairly well :-)

book #20 Keizerin Orchidee by Anchee Min
from the library, historical fiction, translation of Empress Orchid

book #21 Keizerin Orchidee by Anchee Min
from the library, historical fiction, translation of The last Empress

Two books about Empress Tzu Hsi (Empress Dowager Cixi), the last Empress of China.
The books tell how she came to live in the forbidden city and became mother of the next Emperor.
I liked both books. I did not know much about Cixi, only that she wrote the forst "standard" for the Pekingese dog. Sadly the dogs are not mentioned in the book...

both 4 stars

book #22 De Stam van de Holebeer by Jean Auel
own, prehistoric fiction, translation of The Clan of the Cave Bear

After reading the sixth book The Land of Painted Caves, I decided to read all books again.
It is good to revisit Ayla's world. The first book is still my favorite!

4 1/2 stars

I am glad you are getting some reading in. Hopefully, some good reading will help smooth the bumps. Revisiting "old friends" is often very good medicine.

Ditto what Sher said in message 247...and I'm adding gentle hugs to you dear one!

Glad to see you back around, Anita! :) I've missed you.

Hi, Anita! Sorry the new meds weren't that effective, but very glad that you are feeling a little better now.

Hey, Anita! I am also glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better now. Stick with us here in the 75ers - we are good medicine :)

Nice to see someone liked the sixth Earth's Childrens book! I have only just started it yet but everywhere I see bad reviews... My mother thought it was okay, so I hope I will like it too when I read it (as I did like the other books, though book 1 and 2 were my favourites).

> 247 & 248: thanks Sherlyn and Linda,
I am glad the reading goes well, I have finished some more, will put them here soon.

> 249: nice to hear I am missed Sara, I just wasn't up to do much at the computer. Frank and I are still grieving about Eoos, it went so sudden...

> 250: Hi Roni
The meds are effective, it just takes time to adjust to the new dose. All changes took a few weeks of mood swings before I was adjusted. This time I was optimistic because the first days went better than expected.

> 251: Yes Stasia, this group is good for me!
Some times I am better in keeping up than others, but know you all are always appriciated :-)

> 252: Mene
I think it is not the best book Auel wrote, but good enough. I saw all the bad reviews too and thought it was not THAT bad ;-)

before the thread police comes.... a new thread!