Leakage, construction and quarantine

Well, we have had quite a day, or week, or months really lol.

I had to go to my last blog to see when I wrote last and to see what I wrote. It was almost two months ago that I posted and it was a good post. I had just started my new job then and everything was starting to feel better little by little every day. Im happy to be able to write that I am feeling good now as well. Still with ups and downs, but isn’t that life in general?

At the moment that I am writing this Pim and I are staying at a bungalowparc in a little vacationhome/condo together. Last Friday we got the message that there were 3 kids in Pims class positive, so he had to quarantaine for 10 days. Ofcourse everything is about timing in life as on Monday the contractor would start plastering our walls and ceilings in the livingroom as well as the bedrooms. We would've been able to pull it off to sleep in Nynkes room in the attic together, Erik could work from her room, I would work from my neighbors house and the kids would be in school all day, so that would work out perfectly. That was until Pim had to quarantine….ugh!

So, I ended up finding a place to stay for Pim and me about 25 min away from Amersfoort where we live. When Pim can be back in school I will drive him up and down everyday. Meanwhile the contractor is sick himselve as well and the whole project at home is on hold while the livingroom is half done and totally empty. But it is what it is and I am very happy that Pim and I are gone from the house. To be honest, it is nice to not have to camp in my own house where it is cold and cramped with 4 people. in the attic. Also it is quite special to have this quality time with Pim, I mean, how often do you get the change to spend so much time one on one with your kids?!

The last months were busy. As I mentioned, I started working for my old boss. This has been a wonderful experience all over so far. I get to work when I want and pretty much how much I want, which is awesome considering our situation overall still adjusting to everything. This way I have something for myself, I'm doing something meaningful and I still get to be there for the kids as much as I want.

The holidays were quiet but we enjoyed the family time with the four of us and the quality time with our parents separately. New years was quiet as well. There was a ban on fireworks and it was so pretty hahahaahah. The ban didn’t work, people said it was more and prettier than previous years. Sad for all the people selling it in Holland though, as that wasn’t allowed so it was all bought in Belgium. But it was dry and a very clear and warm night, crazywarm temperatures to be honest, but it was nice. Lots of neighbors were home and outside at midnight to look at the fireworks or do some themselves. (In Holland it is a tradition to buy lots of fireworks and shoot them at midnight. Neighbors will come outside to wish each other a great new year etc.) So we had a wonderful night with the kids who stayed up all night, which hasn’t happened before because the time difference (6 hrs later in Holland) was very convenient. We would celebrate with Holland at 6 pm while in America and then go to bed normal time lol.

For the rest, we have a leakage in our bathroom which means that we will have to get the whole bathroom redone. This is ofcourse also a very big project and as we were in Lockdown since the end of November, we have not been able to go to a store for this. Thank goodness the problem is in the shower and we also have a bath, so at least we have something and are not in a hurry. Next project, first we have to finish this. After all the walls are plastered it all needs to be painted by Erik. As it first needs to dry really well, that will take up lots of time too. But we will get there. I will be very happy when it is all done though! Very much looking forward to that!

Other exciting news is that we were able to book flights to Raynham in the summer! We are so excited to be able to visit. Ofcourse we are hopeful that Corona will not screw it up for us, but we are positive about it and we can’t wait to come over and see everyone. And to go visit the new Starbucks in Raynham, and the new Burlington, go to Target, TJMaxx, visit Mrs Chickering and Mrs Hargraves and Mr Poulos at school and have fun playdates with all our friends!!! It is less then 6 months, so we started to count down and are very excited!!!

For now I don’t really know what else to write here. I guess that is the way it works, when you have to much on your mind you don’t have time or energy to write and when you feel good there is not enough time or everything just feels so normal, so what should I write about. If there would be anything you would want me to write about, let me know. For me living here is so normal and so I don’t always know what is interesting for you guys to read about.

I hope everyone is doing well and is healthy, despite all the messages I receive from the next one who got Covid….It is going ballistic, both in Holland as in Raynham!

Miss you all like crazy! That hasn’t changed a bit! Hope to see you soon!

XO