THIS is Blogworthy

Amen

Imagine what happens when garbage pick up is EVERY OTHER WEEK and you have a baby!

Catching Up

I got tagged earlier this month, when my blogging time was non-existent. So now here are 7 random things about me. In the spirit of the blog, they are expat-related.

1. Summer in the The Netherlands reminds me of summer in the U.P., where I grew up. Riding bicycles, buying pop at the neighborhood stores, or on the farm watching the cows cool off in the pond.
2. I created a list of things for people to bring when they come here, or for us to use when we are in the States. It’s very handy and helps ensure we don’t run out of mustard or chocolate chips.
3. This life has its ups and downs. I’m not sure if we’re up or down right now, but I sure am glad I have my faith to cling to. God isn’t up or down…he’s always there.
4. On Mother’s Day, we went to the pannekoekhuis for pancakes. I’m still tasting the delicious one I got: beef, bell peppers, leeks, cheese, and ham. These ain’t no American pancakes.
5. I’ve had three silver round frames for almost 5 years now, I even brought them across the ocean, and I am finally putting pictures in them. Just had to wait for the right subject: Rebecca!
6. We just bought a car that we like very much. It has more than 235,000 kilometers on it, no air-conditioning, and no radio, but it’s been called luxurious and beautiful. I like the Dutch standard of not having standards when it comes to such things.
7. Another recently acquired possession is from Germany and is something I’ve been waiting to find for 2+ years. A broom. A real, long-handled, long-bristled broom. Thank goodness Germans know how to sweep.

Where Have I Seen You?

Today at the store a man looked terribly familiar to me, but I couldn’t place him. After thinking about it awhile, I realized what it was. I hadn’t seen him, actually, but I have seen the likes of him – in America. Why did he look so familiar? He was wearing a baseball cap.

I Need Another Name

That does it. The decision is made. I need another name. Not a different name, but another name. My three names don’t look important enough anymore. Dutch people have such impressive looking names: D.S.G. Hendriks and L.W.M. van Nieuwenhoven, for example. Those two names, by the way, are the reason I made this decision. We got two letters yesterday, one from each of these people, and when I thought about replying to them and signing the letter with my measly little initials of B.L., I just don’t measure up.

You see, we don’t use our real first, second, third, fourth, and fifth names here. (Yep, this week, I saw a name with 5 initials.) We just use the initials for anything except the last name. Surname, that is. So, of course, it makes sense to have lots of names before the surname. That way you can make a name out of your initials.

So, what should my next name be? Should it go after the “L”? Or should it be Isabelle, placed before the “L”, so I can be known as B.I.L.? Or maybe B.E.L. would be better.

Goodbyes

The deafening quiet of normalcy has returned to our home once again. We’ve been so fortunate to have had a series of guests this year, friends and family alike. Today my schoonouders left, and when we got back from dropping Grandma and Grandpa off at the airport, the familiar empty feeling gripped me. How silent the house is with just Dan, Rebecca, and me in it. How futile it seems to prepare a lunch without a table full of people to eat it.

Even before leaving for Europe, I had my share of goodbyes. We lived a thousand miles (give or take a few) away from all parents, and the closest siblings were still a 6-hour drive away. In all, we see our family and some friends a good bit, considering the distance and our busy lives. But no matter how much we are together and how many times I say goodbye, that empty feeling always returns. It creeps into the pit of my stomach the morning of departure, and climaxes when I get back to the house and hear the silence echoing throughout our home.

At the airport this morning, my father-in-law mentioned how fortunate we are to have the hope of eternal life, where, presumably, we won’t have to say goodbye. He’s right. Until then, however, I have the certainty of two more family-visits this year. Anyone else care to come?