So far so good.....

So far our holiday has been perfect!! 

We started of the holiday just being at home. Kristian had been away at a go-kart weekend and so was looking forward to just relaxing at home. I also had been out at the weekend so I too, didn´t mind a Monday at home. We relaxed and kicked back. The weather wasn´t the best so it was a cosy day inside for us.

Monday evening Kristian had to head down to his wee shop. It was the last evening that they were open before closing for 3 weeks. I decided that I would head to Ikea while Kristian was gone and have a fun night shopping. Oh boy did I have fun.

 I went a bit mad and bought loads of stuff. I had been saving for a new sofa cover in a creamy beige colour so I decided to buy that. I got really excited though, when I saw they had new stock in. Cushions, curtains, and mats in the exact colour I have been searching for, for the last year. I could not find this colour anywhere in Denmark and then suddenly it was before my eyes!!! I felt like I had died and gone to heaven! haha

When Ikea closed at 9pm I met Kristian at McDonalds. Neither of us had eaten dinner so we had burgers together before heading home. 

Then the fun started......

I changed the cover on our sofa and put up the curtains in the living room area. I really liked them there.....

However when I put them up in the dining room area it just made the place dark and old fashioned looking. The curtains worked well in the living room with the cream sofa in front, but there was nothing cream in the dining room. I wasn´t sure about them. You know what they say..."If in doubt, leave it out," so the curtains had to go.

 Another problem I had was the mat that I bought. I got so excited about it being the colour that I wanted (a warm green/gray) that I totally forgot to look at the size!! haha It was too small. I tried to make that mat work but it just looked silly. 

On Tuesday morning (to Krisitan´s annoyance and my joy) we headed into Ikea again to return the curtains and mat. I got my money back. 

We then headed out to one of the local towns to shop. We went to all our favourite sorts of shops and just had a cosy day together. We thought about going to the cinema but decided against it. We wanted to get home and organise the house. 

I had bought new curtains (again) for the window. This time folding curtains. I decided to go with a totally different look. 

Tuesday evening was spent putting up curtains, organising cupboards and cleaning. 

 I really like the change.

Here are a few before pics.....

On Wednesday morning I used a few hours to continued my decluttering of the house. I got the kitchen cupboards all sorted and organised. Oh it feels so good to declutter and get organised.

We then decided to head out. It looked like it would rain, so we headed to one of the big shopping centres. On the way we suddenly were hungry and fancied a Danish hot dog, so we pulled over when we found a grill bar and enjoyed our hotdog by the side of the road. 

Delicious!!! 

After shopping we headed into Copenhagen. We wanted to check out a place that we had heard about called Papirøen (Paper Island) where they sell all sorts of food dishes from around the world at a reasonable price. There were loads of different food stands, so you could buy your food from whatever stand you wished, then sit on whatever bench or table you could find. We had heard that the fish and chips were amazing so we went for that.

                We found an old barrel to use as a table. We were not disappointed with our choice. The fish and chips were delicious.

We then took at drive out to see the Little Mermaid and had an ice cream there. 

Thursday was spent at home relaxing again. I decluttered a few more cupboards, watched TV, and read. Kristian cut the grass, relaxed, and organised photos. It was just the perfect day at home, each doing their own thing.

Thursday evening Christian and Sara arrived. I had bought cake for when they arrived. It´s been a while since we have seen Christian so it was nice to get caught up with him again.

It was then unto the sofa to seen the football match between France and Germany. Christian was hoping Germany won, I was for France. France won!!!  We had a lovely evening with them. 

Friday morning Sara and Christian were up early. Sara was driving Christian to the airport before going into Copenhagen to work. Christian was heading to England to see Formula 1 at Silverstone. (My Kristian was very jealous!)

We were also up early as I had to be at the hospital for 11am. It was the day to get my eyes checked. 

Even though my appointment was at 11am I was first called into the appointment a little after noon!! Talk about being bored....nothing worse than just sitting at a hospital!!

The whole thing was a good experience. I got this lovely doctor who was sooooo good at explaining everything. I felt like he had time for me. I didn´t feel like he just wanted me in and out of there as quickly as possible. 

The conclusion from all the tests shows that I do have AMD - the dry type which means there is nothing they can do for me. I just have to keep an eye on things, so to speak!! (haha).  As the doctor said "You are only 47 but you have the eyes of a 65 year old!! "   

I have to go to my eye doctor every 6 months for check ups. I also have to do the Amsler Grid test every week to check if my eyes get worse. If, when I take the test, I suddenly see a big difference I have to contact my eye doctor because maybe it has gone over to the wet AMD which means they can treat it, to slow it down.

There is no timetable of how long it will take for my eyes to degenerate. AMD is when the central vision will degenerate so much so one can not see clearly, everything becomes a blur which makes driving, reading etc impossible. You don´t go blind, you just can´t focus.

 At the moment I have good eyesight. I just need reading glasses of +1,50. 

I am at peace. I will take things one day at a time. I know a God who is able to do what the Doctors say is impossible so as I live my life I will just claim his promises over my life. No matter what happens I can rest in the fact that I don´t have to face life´s challenges alone. My heavenly dad is with me and He speaks wonderful things over my life.

Above is an x-ray of my eyes. I have drawn a picture around the spots that should not be there on my eyes. The doctor explained that one thing is very unusual - the spots seem to be in a formation - like a triangle or pie shape. He has never seen this before. He took it to his colleague, the top doctor, who also had never seen this formation before. 

Normally the spots are all over the place. He said that if the spots stayed in that formation my central vision my not be affected as most of the spots are at the back of the eye and not around the middle. 

He asked if he could take my x-rays to a speical conference next week. All the top medical eye doctors and professors will be there and he would like to show them my x-rays to see if anyone has seen this formation of spots before. He took my number and said he would contact me if anyone had something to say about it. 

We were at the hospital 3½ hours and we were straving when we left. Kristian invited me out to lunch which I happily said yes to. :-) I felt a bit weird though, as I had to wear Kristian´s sunglasses as my eyes could not stand the light. I had gotten drops to make my pupils dilate.

We had a lovely lunch before heading home. 

So far the holidays have been soooo good. We have relaxed, enjoyed trips out and have gotten the house organised. All things that are good for the soul. 

Holidays......

Our holidays have begun!!! My alarm is now turned off for the next four weeks, Kristian´s for the next three! We are sooo looking forward to having three full weeks together. We are not travelling this year, just being tourist here in Denmark - something we are going to enjoy!

The last couple of weeks have just flown in for us. We have had a full program and have enjoyed every minute of it. If you want to know more just read on......

Saturday 18th June my friend Pernille had a birthday. I was invited to a girly night at her place.

We had a really great evening. Six girls together eating delicious food and getting to know each other better. 

It was a beautiful evening and so after dinner we went a walk down to the lake. It was then home for tea, coffee and cake. It was an evening that I totally enjoyed.

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Tuesday 21st June Leah graduated! We were at her school at 10.30am waiting on her to come out from her last exam. She passed!(and with a very good mark!) So we were able to put her graduation hat on her head.

We had a short celebration at the school before Kristian and I had to head back to work. 

Wednesday 22nd June and Andrew graduated from his school. We were waiting on him to come out of his exam at midday. He passed too and so we were also able to put his graduation hat on his head. 
Then it was time for some celebrating. 

 We headed up to the park to take some photos before going out to lunch together to celebrate. Its such a big thing here in Denmark. The kids wear their hats everywhere they go for about 2 weeks after the exam. 

Wednesday evening we were over visiting Lasse (Leah´s boyfriend) and his parents. He also graduated on Wednesday and they had invited family and friends for dinner to celebrate his graduation.

 Now Leah will take a year off from studying. She has a job in the local supermarket and wants to work all she can so she can save up some money to go travelling. After her travels her plan is to study nursing. 

Andrew will not take any time off. He has finally figured out what he wants to do (we think!!:-) He has been accepted to take an education in for IT and Data Support. It is a 3 year education with hopefully a good job at the end.

On Friday 24th June it was Leah´s graduation service. We, once again, had to have time off work. 

Her graduation service started at 9am and finished at 10am. Andrew´s (which was in another school) started at 10am and finished at 12.30pm. Andrew however told us it was ok that we didn´t come to his, he knew we had a full program that day!

Denmark has a tradition that after the service at school, they hop unto a lorry and travel around to everyones house. They stay for about 15 minutes at each home. 

We had Leah´s class coming at 1pm and there was no way we could make it to Andrew´s graduation and then home by 1pm.  Andrew´s class was coming to us in the lorry at 2.15pm so we had alot of things to get organised. So we headed home to get organised.

 Leah´s class 

A few minutes after 1pm and Leah´s lorry arrived at our house. You can hear them miles away as they play music, blow whistles and blast horns. They have soooo much fun on the lorry. Everyone driving behind them also toots their carhorn. 

Leah´s class had an idea that each home should be a land and serve the food typical for that land. 
Our home was to be Ireland and I decided to serve something that you would serve to guests if they came for a cuppa tea in Ireland.  

 Leah wanted me to do something funny too so I dressed up in my Irish leprechaun outfit and got carried around by "Frank" in my box. Leah´s class mates thought it was hilarious and some of the girls had a hard time working out how it all was put together:-)

When they left we had just enough time to clear up everything and get the table ready for Andrew´s class arriving. They arrived a little after 2pm.  They stayed a little longer than Leah´s class as Andrew´s class was smaller so they could use more time at each home. It was fun having them here but when they left, Kristian and I just collapsed on the sofa!! haha 

Somewhere in the middle of all the graduation Sara arrived home. She was once again working in Copenhagen. 

My friend Laura and I also managed to fit in a visit to the cinema to see "Me before You". We had both read the book and so knew the story line but wanted to see how it played out on film.  It was a film that had us talking, the whole way home in the car, about Will´s choice.

There was also a little time to see football!!I can´t believe I am soooo into this football lark!! I have never been interested in it before. All this football watching because Northern Ireland was a part of it and now I am hooked!!!

There was also time for a bike ride down to the lake to relax in between all the madness.

Sunday afternoon we had invited the family home for a BBQ in the garden to celebrate Andrew and Leah´s graduation. ( Another tradition that you do here in Denmark) so Sunday afternoon we had 40 people gathered in the garden. We had such a cosy afternoon with good food. 

 Before the guests arrived I was a little worried about the weather. It looked like it might rain and I had no idea what I would do with 40 guests!!! However as soon as the guests arrived so did the sun and the temperature was just perfect for a BBQ in the garden.

There arrived a special guest - Betty from Belfast. She was a lovely wee women. She was meant to sing but had a sore throat so she played Bingo with the guests instead. 

 There were some good prizes for the winners. 

 And she really took a shine to Andrew

It was early evening when the guests all headed home. We got the place cleared up and then discovered we had another wee guest visiting....a hedgehog was wandering around the garden. Our little cat Zoey had a great time trying to play with it :-)

I also spent some time on my Bible journalling......

Friday was my last day at work, so after work those that could, headed out for cake and coffee/tea to wish each other a good holiday.

 On Saturday I had a date with my friend Anne. I hadn´t seen her since April so I was sooo looking forward to our evening out. (Kristian meanwhile was away at a go-kart weekend.)

 We were out eating and then headed out to the coast for a walk along the beach.

 We then went to see if we could find a cosy cafe for hot chocolate....

 we found one.....

 we had our hot chocolate and then headed on to another beach to sit in the car and watch the sun set.

It was such a wonderful evening. We laughed and acted silly yet had some good deep talks together as well. I feel so blessed to have so many good friends in my life.