Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Good Bye Again, so sorry that I'm leaving...

Well, gentle readers, we had a good bye party for Eric on Saturday night. Many Dutch and Americans came to wish us well and give us kind words and gifts. I couldn't believe how much thought was put into each gift -- from formal pens designed in France but imprinted with the Dutch Air Base logo, to a pewter plate with so many symbols on it that the person who usually does the etching actually commented, to a license plate with Eric's name and thoughtful messages from so many he has come to respect, to a tiled plaque with my name! (and lots of whiskey from my friend who knows what I drink). It was a night that was hard to say good bye.

Then today, there was a welcome to the lovely incoming spouse and a good bye for me. Again, so many thoughtful gifts including a photo book of our time here. I cannot recall the last time that I cried that I wasn't watching a chick flick...but it was a long time ago...and then today I actually did cry publicly. ACK! I didn't see too many flashes, but I hope that there are no bleary eyed photos of me lurking somewhere in cyber world.

Tomorrow is the change of command and a change of venue -- we will head to the airport hotel. I think it will be a good thing. But, I am heartsick leaving. So many things I wish I could have completed. In a lot of ways, I have actually done surprisingly well over the years -- making the most of the time and places I have lived. But, here, due to naps and Eric's long hours, I feel that I didn't even scratch the surface. Eric talks about 'when we come to visit.'  I certainly hope that we do come back.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

hotel life (2)

So, we have a fashionable suite (meaning with refrigerator and microwave and a couple of glasses, plates, and the like) in the small town of Mill. Some quirks: the shower wall (which is in common with the room) is an opaque glass, so bathroom light fills the room if it is left on. It is in a piece of the hotel accessed by an elevator and then some steps down (after a long hallway) and then some back up.  The sink in the bathroom is a faucet that goes over a sheer wall on one side (the side where the faucet is) and pours onto a large angled surface. The drain is a very long slot. So far, we have already lost a comb down the slot. Thank goodness that is the total loss to date.

Eileen is doing really well being put back in a crib. She knows she can get in and out, but as I pointed out, it was either her sleeping there or me, and we all know how crabby I get with no sleep. We have lots of toys and toddler snacks and brought her videos and a travel DVD player. In short, she is always in the same room as us (or at least me), but thus far, we aren't missing the other 3000 square feet of house.

Tonight is a goodbye dinner for Eric - but mostly we are enjoying a last weekend here.

Friday, June 25, 2010

hotel life

For people not up to date on my life, let's just say that two days ago was chaos. I was busy packing for the hotel and doing laundry when the movers showed up. I had written down that they were coming the next day. The original plan had me packing, giving Eric the suitcases, while I took carry on bags and kid and last toddler snacks.

Instead, I had two trips in a borrowed car hauling large amounts of stuff. Happily the hotel took us a day early. I somehow hauled that stuff with a patient daughter in tow.

Now we are in a hotel. More to come.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

the return of the computer

As some of you know, Eileen decided to give my computer a bath about two weeks ago. Please forgive the absence, but not surprisingly, I had to wait until my computer was returned from the dead (thanks to the AMac store in Eindhoven and their wonderful tech guys). So, since the last post, we are still on borrowed furniture, with the house echoing. Our car was sent to the US, so we are on a borrowed car as well. I had hoped to do everything by bicycle, but the idea of loading luggage on this Thursday as well as baby on the bike was too much for me.

Meanwhile, we go out to play every day. Eileen has discovered that she loves to do watercolor (preferably all a murky brown). And the house gets emptier every day (I think that Eric is tired of 'freezer surprise' for dinner -- but it seems to be working).


Every day, Eileen and I venture out to play outdoors when the weather is good -- which it has been, thankfully.


Oh, and for those of you who thought I didn't notice, we hear lots of noise across the street as I type this...world cup and drinking at the bar there! I have a browser open and am watching bits and pieces stream across the screen occasionally as Eileen sleeps....go nederlands! (and the US was robbed the other night)