Last Brussels Update?

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Things went amazingly well at the exit survey. We were told to expect charges of 5 euro per nail hole, plus other assorted charges. To our great relief (and surprise), we didn't get charged ANYTHING. Not even for the speckled laundry room walls as a result of some sparkling wine exploding all over everything and leaving spots. The inspector didn't even go outside, so he didn't see where I had agonizingly scrubbed rust spots with something akin to hair perm solution. (And, luckily, he also missed all the spots I also missed!) I was truly surprised, given the horror stories I had heard about others' inspections.

 

So now, we are officially homeless.

 

The kids and I spent the day doing a little last shopping (Hello Kitty dress for Miss A, tiger tank top for Jack, no dresses for me), enjoying ice cream, and getting a big bucket of wonderful strawberries. We had one last dinner at Fat Boys, a sports bar by the EU that is run by a former Exxon guy, and where no one even tries to speak French. Great bar food, and a truly fantastic hamburger that rivaled those in the U.S.

 

So we pack up tomorrow, go to the birthday party, and head home Sunday morning. Yippee!

 

I've tried to add some pictures of the move. Not sure how, or if they'll come through. I'm sending these updates via e-mail (as we're charged 0.60 euro per online minute!!). If they don't come through, I'll just wait until the US to resend.

 

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Last Days in Brussels

The move went (mostly) smoothly. We overflowed our 40-foot container (how embarassing! so much stuff!), so I'm not sure what they'll do with the excess. It was pretty remarkable that we filled the container, especially given that they completely took apart anything that could be taken apart. Toys, furniture, you name it.

 

I'll post pictures from the move, including the lift, later, once I find my cords to connect the camera to the computer. It's in the hotel somewhere...

 

So yesterday was cleaning the house -- T.J., Lila (our cleaning lady) and me. Lila was in tears at the beginning and end, and it was sad for me, too. She is such a sweet person and a glorious help -- I wish we could find someone like her in the U.S.

 

So the house is clean, but today at 5 is the real test: is it clean enough for the exit survey? I can't tell how well (or not) it's going to go. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

I took the kids to our favorite waffle/crepe place downtown today (since our hotel is just a block from it). Our favorite waiter was there, and I wondered if he would remember us. T.J. and I came there almost every day when we did our househunting trip, and we've been there several times since. Indeed, he did remember us. It was nice -- I've been surprised at how many vendors/servers we've come to know almost by name or at least have become familiar with.

 

Today is a free day, until our inspection at 5. Then tomorrow is our last day in Brussels. The kids are going to Jacqueline's birthday party in the afternoon. Then Sunday morning, we fly home

The Last Goodbyes

Learning how to make baskets at the celebration in Stockel for the 100th anniversary of the tram.


Petting a (formerly) real fox outside a butcher's in Stockel.


The proud princess displaying her cupcakes to take to school as a going-away treat.


He should be proud -- he decorated all the cupcakes himself!


Our humble Belgian abode.

The movers are here, frantically packing away. So far, they won't pack batteries, and it doesn't look like they're packing food. (Poor Tammy is going to overwhelmed with all by bits of food that they won't pack. I can't throw it away, but I doubt she's going to want all of this!!)

It's overwhelming, a little. I'm trying to stay out of the way, watching TV. They're packing the kitchen, so I can't get a snack or a drink. Things, so far, are going smoothly. They're packing quickly (oooh, and listening to a little vintage Paul Young on the radio!).

Amelia chose Saturday night to have another bout of middle-of-the-night croup. It was a pretty bad case, with some stridor on her inhalations. But after a sit outside (in the rain) for the cool air, then a transfer to the bathroom for inhaling steam, she begged to go back to bed. It did break my heart, however, when she asked me if she was going to die. I think it worried her that we were causing such a fuss and dragging her all over the house, rather than just giving her any medicines. But she recovered enough on Sunday to make one last trip to the Stockel carnival.

The kids have three more days of school, and tonight (Monday night) is our last night in the house. It seems a little surreal.

We're all excited to come back, but we will miss Brussels. But on to bigger and better things (and things that are open 24 hours!).

More to come!

Our Last Travels

I still hope to blog more later, but the movers are coming in two weeks, and I'm not sure which way is up. I'm torn between trying to do all the "lasts" that I want to do, and trying to get a jump on packing. Neither seems to be working, so instead, I helped chaperone a field trip to the Antwerp Zoo today.

I hope to post more soon. But in the meantime, enjoy the pix.


Jack and Amelia on a windmill in Kinderdijk, the Netherlands



Getting some bratwurst in Cologne, Germany with the Coles.


view from the top of the mini Eiffel tower, Petrin Hill, Prague



Schmoozing the bartender for cherries at the Hard Rock Cafe, Prague


A fountain Jack just loved, Prague.