Good evening at the 30th off December, 2024.

 Good evening everyone, 

It's windy and stormy outside in the Netherlands. I hope y'all haven't been blown out off your socks. 

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What to chase away the dark with? It's so dark and dreary, it's cold and stormy and sometimes thee's the ambience in this old fashioned town off a WWII movie. Foggy and sad as it feels. What to chase away the cold and the crankyness with? Sometimes I do an attempt with cooking, this week it's an attempt with chocolates. A large box off Celebrations for de Boed, community centre in Zaandijk/ 

I purchased that large box, it's been so incredibly pricey, it's traumatic, still I felt like granting these to de Boed. So we all had a chocolate with our afternoon coffee. And probably will have one again tomorrow, since it's such an incredible large box. 

Prices are almost intimidating. Still, I have that silly urge to give in me. The urge to give gifts. But I came to dislike it these days due to inflation. I just couldn't help myself and answer to that certain drive yesterday and buying them those chocolates. Simply to chase the worst dementors. It's almost as if someone has let them out from Azkaban to haunt Zaanstad during this day and age. It's sucking out all happiness from the surrounding, a little chocolate could help people get over with it a bit. It won't solve, it just brightens a coffee moment. 

But I think I won't do so anymore. They've gotten too expensive. I need to seek something else to brighten life with. But it's hard. Usually 'to brighten my day.' contains nice food in my case. A treat, a baking, something special for dinner. Just that little help to soften the gloom. 

Today was for a fried egg with ham and cheese on bread, simply because I felt too bad to cook cauliflower with boiled potatoes and a sausage. It's not too difficult, it's just that I feel too much hurt in my system to do so. It's strange how a big woman my size can feel so terribly weak. I feel it in my bones, even. Something painfull itched my sides today. I can't wash myself or cook to full potential. Just too bad. New Year's Eve is all ruined iff I feel that way tomorrow. Something to chase away the gloom with? I better seek a way to cope with this first... 

To keep it togheter is difficult. I spend the evening in with tea and some holiday wreaths. The way I eat them is almost healthy. I only eat two with a pot off green tea. It's the simple almond ones, as expensive as this crisis allows me. 

I spend my evening seperated from the world, in quiet peace. Except for the pain, it's not been too bad. I think I'm not going to like it when everything fun will become around 10 euro's. The box off chocolates was 7, I think if they got it high in their head, it will be around 10 during this crisis. I think I should make certain I own the base off living for that period. All the other is not important. I think most off us who can prepare, should prepare. It's not about money or not having money, it's about being certain you own items, and you have access to things you need. If you can't afford, you should have already have it. Items in the Netherlands can go with for a long time. We don't need to renew them all the time, or follow trends or fashion. If we own something, simply keep it clean and it can go with a few years. Furniture, clothes, kitchenware, standard, basic, every day items like scissors and nailclippers. Those sort off things we should already own. Fashion is not off importance during a big, fat crisis. Simply to wear clothes and brush your teeth is. I suggest you to invest in items that are either a bit timeless, or very much to your taste. So you won't mind to wear them for a longer period off time. And look for quality that lasts a while. I think you should have already done so. But if it's usefull to you nowadays, feel free to use my crisis tip. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.