A couple of days back they told us that there were problems with the toilet pipes in upstairs in the new master-bathroom. The location was far away from the main. It was decided to lower the ceilings in the downstairs back hallway and in the kitchen.

Pat and I took another look at the plans and decided we could take the bathrooms 1 to 2 feet out towards the upstairs landing and this ways have more room in the bathrooms to switch things around. We finally came up with a good solution and today Pat talked to Jonathan of our plans. He agreed it was a lot better and he would go for it!

 

Also today we got our power back on in the big house after more than 10days!! Yeah, I'll be able to put the washer and dryer to work. they have had a vacation and they'd better be prepared to do some real work now!!

 

The crew working on the sidings of the house is nearly finished and low and behold, Theron, our painter who did all the work downstairs back in 2005, has started work on the windows. Pat and I also choose the colors of all the new to be painted walls.... and we're still talking to each other!!

 

The powder-room and the downstairs suite is now drywalled and they started mudding it. Once that is done Theron can go in and start painting.

It'll all come together, but never, ever again I tell you that much!!

 

 

 

 

When Pat and I moved from San Diego to Durham, North Carolina we decided that we needed to do some, very needed, improvemnts to the house. We painted the livingroom, back hallway and kitchen, where we also put in new lighting and new Corian counter tops.

 

As soon as Pat came back for Xmas 2005 and saw all that, he soon started speaking about other renovations, but I told him that I wanted at least a year of peace and quiet after three moves in a year and a half from Holland to England to San Diego and finally to Durham. When he picked up the subject in early 2007 I realized I had to agree with him and I also saw the need of it if we wanted to go for Pat's dream. Stop working in a couple of years and start a B&B in our 1911 old farmhouse.

 

So we decided on an extension of the house on the backside, i.e. extend the downstairs back bedroom in order to get a walk-in closet in there. We would have to change around the existing bathroom there as well. Further more on the first floor we wanted a powder room in the front hallway.

The second floor was more of a problem. There were two bedrooms and one bathroom that had to be converted into two suites with a walk-in closet each. I realized thais had to be done, but oh boy, I didn't know what I was in for!!

Pat was very sweet and agreed to buying a steam shower/yacuzzi unit for the master bathroom. Honey thanks and we'll enjoy it, but had I known what I was in for even the steamshower would not have convinced me doing this renovation!!!

 

We had to find a contractor and Pat stopped at an old house on Buchanan here in Durham. He was very impressed by the renovation in progress there and the contractor was a young man from Bahama called Jonathan Garrett. John, thaks for lightening the air once in a while when you see me stressed out!

A lot more had to be done, the foundation had to be worked on and insulated. New central heating/airco ducts were needed and we also wanted a continuous hot water system like we had in Europe, where more than one person can take a shower, have the washer run a load and use the dishwasher at the same time if necessary. 

New windows through the whole house were needed according to Pat and boy are those expensive! But jeez, they look so nice! When I write this part of them are in place and the house already looks so much better from the outside.

 

We have been busy with all that since the end of March and I thought all would be ready by July. NOT!!! Everyone told me that was normal with renovations. However we had a deadline, because Yerik, our Foreign Exchange Student, from Kazakhstan was coming on August 9 and at least the first floor had to be finished.

We're three weeks away from the deadline and I really get frantic because I just don't see it happen. No drywall in thye room or in the powder room, bathroom not finished and then it still has to be painted!! I have a headache and I already told Jonathan that I would check into a hotel with Yerik or present ourselves on his doorstep and stay with him until he'd finish the house!

 

Thank God, for our studio apartment over the garage, because without that we would have to pitch a tent in the side yard. We have been without power in the big house for more than a week now and for the first time in 20years I just may have to go to a laundromat, now that is what I call a challenge.

More about that later, meanwhile I hope to get my stress level down with a free weekend from work.

I'll keep you updated.

Now, we're about

Finally the day has arrived! 07-07-2007. Wedding day!!

Pat and I had coffee had coffee and croissants brought up to the room, but I was too nervous to eat.

After a cup of coffee I took a shower, packed my dress and after Pat had breakfast he took his shower and dressed.

 

I would put up make up in Calafell at Jaume and Nuri's house and made sure the dress, necklace and earrings were packed. I picked up my purse (but not the every day one and that got me in problems!) and we took the car to drive to Calafell.

Half way I started screaming and yelled at Pat that my lipstick, the one that matched my red dress, was in my other purse !!! Panic, real woman panic! Pat suggested to go back to the hotel, but it was already 13:15 and there was no time to do that, in the meantime I was slamming my fist against the steeringwheel and chainsmoking. (News flash both Pat and I had stopped 5weeks prior to leaving for Europe, but with all the nerves we both had started again on our vacation!!!). Suddenly I had a brainwave and told Pat to call Brigitte. I think I only said Brigitte forgot my lipstick and need a red lipstick NOW! Asnwer was only "what color red?" (thank god that girl understands me!!) Blood red was my answer, she repeated it and told me not to worry she had it under control. Brigitte I still owe you for that lipstick and it was a great choice!

 

After getting lost a bit in Romani I found the house and we started to get dressed. The photographers would arrive at 14:30 but before that Nuri had arranged for some very tasty canapes, tiny pizzas and more lovely stuff.

Pat was going around with his new camera, the kids were playing and everyone looked just fabulous. I was speechless when I saw Joost come out of the door. He looked so handsome, but I guess all mothers of the groom say that of their son.

 

After the photo session Joost and I got in the Mercedes that would take us to the church in Valls where the wedding proper would take place.

We had to drive around some through the very narrow streets of downtown Valls, but we arrived at the church with plenty of time to spare.

Some of the guests were already there and others soon arrived.

Joost and I walked down the isle and it was a very emotional moment for me when I left him in front of the altar to wait for Laura.

Thank you Mari for your diplomacy! With all the family problems going on, you made your statement by instead of sitting next to Adolfo, you sat next to me. Thank you for this. With this gesture she made clear to everyone that I was, once again, part of the family and that she wanted it like that. That gesture set the tone for the rest of the wedding day. The one hour service was beautiful and  Joost and Laura looked ever so happy when they appeared on the church's steps.

 

Now that the offical part was over we were all ready and in need of some food and drinks that were served in the restaurant garden. There was so much food and free bar,everyone mingled talked and it was great to see old friends and get reconnected, also meet the people and say "hola" to our new friends Josep.Rita and Paco from Ibiza who had come over to the mainland to celebrate the wedding with Joost and Laura, as did two of Laura's colleagues. Childminders were there for the nieces and nephews and they would also sit with the kids at a special table during dinner and play with them. Many photos were made, both by the official photographers and the guests whom I invite to upload their photos on this website so everyone can enjoy them.

After the appetizers it was time for the wedding dinner and that I don't even start to describe, for the ones who were there water will come into their mouth again by just thinking about it and for the ones who were not there, well it's impossible to describe!! What about a melon soup with salmon eggs and mint! Strange combination?!  Eat it and you think you're in heaven!

 

The wedding cake was cut by Mr and Mrs Wierda with the RCMP sword that once belonged to Joost's grandfather's nephew who had been an officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

 

Mario's present had been a live band and most of us danced away the kilos/lbs we had put on with the appetizers and dinner. Even the older people danced the night away, like an eighty five year old uncle who danced like a young man and enjoyed himself tremendously!

 

Most of us finally went to our rooms or home when the music stopped at around 04:30, tired, content and relaxed no that everything was over.

 

That Sunday the family met at the pool and relaxed. The young couple prepared themselves for their honeymoon, a cruise in  the Carribean.

 

Pat and I as well as Joost and Laura would leave for the airport on Monday July 9. They for the start of their new life together as husband and wife and Pat and I to the hustle and bustle of our everyday work, home renovation and prepare ourselves for the arrrival of Yerik, our Foreign Exchange Student from Kazakhstan, but about all that in another blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mario's wedding present was a live band and we all danced away the kilo/lbs put on with the appetizers and dinner

Finally I got rid of my excess energy, now the real vacation started. Our kids had vacation and they took us all over the island and we met their friends where we had a great Sunday afternoon/evening with good foof and wine. Josep and Rita were absolutely fabulous as was Paco.

Pat and I saw parts of Ibiza the normal tourist will never ever see, and both Pat and I are very grateful for that.

 

We have a lovely daughter in law and Ibiza we really got to know them well. Laura and I had a lo0t of catching up to do and Joost and Pat as well. However my son and I just walk faster and Pat and Laura were together a lot so they hadf thye chance to talk to each other as well. Sometimes with ands and facial expressions, but all worked out fine.

 

Laura anhd Joost on Thursday morning left early to catch the ferry as they took their car. Pat and I had to close the apartment and get  a taxi to Ibiza airport to catch our flight to Barcelona.

Whenb we arrived there I saw a bus that could take us to Calafell without the hassle to9 change trains in Sants, so we took that one and on top of that it turned out to be cheaper.

 

At 17:00 that day we could get the keys to the aprtment we had renhte, because my other son Nono, partner Brigitte and our two grnadchildren would stay in my mother's apartment which only has 2 bedrooms.

Our apartment was a lovely onhe with a large balcony with view of the sea and the hils behind Calafell (see photos) and at around 22.00 Joost and Laura joined us there. They had brought bedllinens and towels for us from their home in Ibiza and we went out for dinner at Casa Pedro, or as we still call it El Frankfurt.

 

Joost and Laura would stay with Mario, younger brother of Joost's deceased best friend Nick for the time they would stay in Calafell.

Saturday Joost had kind of a bachelor's party and I met all the old friends again. All insisted that I would accompany them to Mario's bar after dinner and we didn't get homke until the early hours of the following morning. Laura in the meantime had taken the High Velocity train to Madrid (under 3 hrs from Tarragona) for a last dress fitting and spend some time with her parents, sisters and nephews.

 

Sunday was our day of peace and quiet befor the storm. Monday Laura and I had to be in Valls (Tarragona) for hair try outs at the hairdresser and in the afternoon I had to pickup Nono and family.

Tuesday I had to take the boys to the airport at 04:00 to take a flight to Malaga where they hyad to take care of some business, but I had to drive back again in the afternoon to pick up Natscha, Montse's daughter and her brother, who were flying in from Copenhagen.

Joost and Nono were delayed and Pat and I babysat our grandchildren, while the two sisters in law went to pick up Joost and Nonjo. They finally arrived at arounbd 01:00!!

 

Wednesday and Thursday we spent most of the time with Nono,Brigitee and the grandkids and Friday Joost handed us over the car at 22.00 to go to our hotel in Valls. The same hotel where the wedding reception and dinner would be held.

Laura and Mari, her mother, were there waiting for us. We both had a beer and retired to our suite (66.00 Euros!!per night

 

I'll explain about the wedding tomorrow.

 

 

 

On June 22 Pat and I left for Spain. We traveled from RDU to JFK (never again!!!), then to Madrid and onwards to Barcelona. As we left with an hour delay from JFK and we never recovered that time even running in Madrid Airport, we arrived late at Barcelona Airport. Although the police at custums were very friendly we stonewalled at a Air Europa supervisor who denied us on the flight from Barcelona to Ibiza. Mind you the door was still open, but gee did she love her authority!!!

We finally had to buy 2 njew tickets and couldn't get on a flight until 9.10 that evening!

Well I promised Pat his day in Barcelona, so he got it. We had to take a bus to Sants Station since there had been a derailment and no trains were running. We got our suitcases in consignment and off we went to the Sagrada Familia. Pat went in, M<argit stayed outside in the shade in a park and loved it. Both of us did what we did! Walked a lot, saw the Ramblas, the University where Margit had studied in the '60s and we got back to the airport with plenty of time since we didn't want to miss this flight!!

 

Joost and Laura were waiting for us and took us to a fantastic restaurant and Pat was gaining his nickname "Mr. Wonderful"! Everything was wonderfull to him. We had a super dinner and then finally home and a bed, so Margit thought. We very much appreciate the fact that joost and Laura gave up their room.

Joost,Laura and Margit stayed talking till 05.30 but soon Margit realized she couldn't sleep and at 07.00 she went out to jog along the beachfront (boulevard) and the beach. At 08.30 after a nice swim in the Mediterranean she crashed on the beach and slept there till 11.00 and went home.

The view from the balcony was stunning and she found Pat there enjoying and taking in everything.