"De laatste loodjes wegen het zwaarst"

It took the movers 3 days to pack all of our stuff. What a sad view to see our home full of cardboard boxes!
Anyway, we finally got the house clean today.
What a relief that the cars and appliances are sold, although only for a charity price.

But there is still no end to our to-do list.

I see how naif it was to think we will spare some time for more trips.


Luckily we managed at least to visit our favorite pumpkin patch and Maarten had even more pumpkin fun at school. By the way, his school is one of the things we are going to miss badly. I may come back to this later...

Among of all those sad good byes it seems I finally came to terms with the local police...since Maarten became a Junior Officer of the San Ramon Police yesterday morning!

I've already brought up my concerns about Maarten's adjusting to the changes but actually it's me who is going to have difficulties with that.
Only the fact that we are staying in a hotel only one mile away from 'our home' gives me a stomach ache. Suddenly everything 'American', seems to me just wonderful, even the Applebee's !
As for Maarten, he really has a blast. He can use the hotel elevator several times a day and instead of oatmeal he gets the colorful cheerios every morning!
What more one can wish for?!


To spare this post any further wailing I should mention our Angel Island outing we did a week ago.
We took the ferry from Tiburon and climbed Mt. Livermore, the highest spot of the island.
Here you get incredible 360-degree views of the stunning San Francisco Bay Area nearly the entire trip.

We couldn't wish for a better good bye to this absolutely marvelous area.

It's raining; it's pouring.

I usually complain about the sunny, hot and dry weather here in California...

This morning's storm, partially the remnants of Typhoon Melor, which blasted Japan late last week, obviously brought more troubles for the Californians.
Next to the threat of devastating flooding and mudslides, we can also expect power outages. This is quite a scary idea. We experienced how badly such a power outage can damage your household just when we moved into our San Ramon home 3 years ago.

Gusty winds and heavy rain already caused a lot of traffic problems this morning.
Wrapped in his 'Dutch' rain gear, Rob had a safe bike ride to work despite the bad weather.
Yet this was a long drive to school for me and Maarten. The freeway was completely congested due to several car accidents.

But our 'California boy' was totally thrilled about the raindrops drumming heavily against the roof and windows. I wonder if he'll still appreciate the rainy weather in Belgium.

I know how this might sound, but the rain is actually really needed and welcome in this dry area. And unlike the previous years, more wet weather might come for California this winter!

Wildfire along Crow Canyon Rd?

Last summer we had to spend many days inside the house.
Not because of the heat and burning sun but due to the omnipresence of smoke from the wildfires. Besides that the idea of quickly spreading fires was kind of scary and the grey smoke irritated your eyes and caused difficult breathing.

In the beginning of this week I thought this summer seemes to be not that bad.

Yet, today while driving Maarten to his swimming class we saw several fire trucks
with lights and sirens rushing through the traffic in our neighbourhood.

Later I heard on radio about a wildfire along the Crow Canyon Road.
'Only' a grassy area is burning and there are no constructions in danger.

I hope the fire is under control right now since this is really pretty close to our house.

Who is eating my tomatoes?!

This is how I keep finding my garden every morning!
The tomatoes, some still green when attacked, are carried off and then discarded after being nibbled on.

Tae Kwon Do

Last Friday I enrolled Maarten in Tae Kwon Do. He is thrilled.
I know nearly nothing about karate and compared to his dad I would never even consider it for my child.
But already during the test we both got very enthusiastic and Maarten loves every minute of the training.

Originally I was looking for some kind of activity which would help Maarten to channel his abundant energy. He is probably still too young for tennis or soccer but here he can already start to train his physical skills.
I enjoyed watching the class and I'm pretty confident that Maarten's training will not result in violence and aggression.
What I really like that the training highly emphasizes good listening, respect, and good manners. We can truly use that lately!
In Maarten's case it's also a wonderful opportunity of socializing and interacting with others.
He has to answer in a strong clear voice when the instructor asks a question.
This is actually great for practicing his English. He is an excellent talker in Czech or Dutch but he is still kind of insecure when it comes to speaking English.

I only wish it wasn't so ridiculously expensive.
So far, the only real downer here is the fee.

Roadkill

I remember my relatives in New York shaking their heads when they heard about my flight back to Europe on the 4th of July.
Then, I didn't understand.

Now I know better.
While living in this country we've learned that during this particular weekend our home is probably the best place to relax.
Unless you don't mind to deal with large crowds and heavy congestion of course.

Most of the people are out of town to celebrate this America's favorite holiday.
Compared to all campgrounds, hotels, beaches, parks and other popular places, our neighborhood looks rather abandoned.


Also today during my daily bike ride I don't encounter anyone.
I mean anyone alive.
Only dead animals along the road. Usually I see dead raccoons, squirrels or skunks. You probably know what happens when skunks are frightened or cornered. I've noticed they release the foul-smelling fluid also when they get killed!

Another 'strange' odor hit my nose early this week. This smell really made me gag. Poor little fawn.

About one mile further something pretty large wrapped in carpet lied right on the shoulder. There was a big threatening sign attached to it. I didn't feel like approaching it and I caughed only 'Whoever did this, you are...'.

On my way back someone couldn't restrain his curiosity and partly removed the carpet.
Awful sight!
Loads of predatory flies were surrounding the corpse.
Obviously someone hit this big deer and he or, maybe someone else driving by, chopped the deer's head right off!
Now the wrapping was removed, you couldn't help but notice, it had no head!
How gross!!!
Is this the way you claim a deers head?! Who would make a trophy of roadkill?

I've called the Animal Control and now the carcasses are removed.

The place stays haunted by the headless deer, but as for me, I'd better go now and join the partying folks!

Summer Break Blues

Maarten fell from a tree! He is bleeding!
I hear him cry.
If Maarten is crying there is really something more serious going on.
He is on his knees wailing. I wish I can check his wounds but he won't let me. He gets up and runs off to play with his friend.
His nostrils and mouth are all full of dirt and he is spitting blood. He is angry which means he probably is in pain.
But in a second he acts like nothing has happened.

Only at home when I put him in bath I see how badly bruised he really is.

This is actually not a special event since Maarten has similar accidents almost on a daily basis.

Yep! We have a very wild child.
You may say the apple never falls far from the tree...

I do like Maarten's liveliness, enthusiasm and always cheerful spirit, though... ugh, I am about at my wits end when it comes to disciplining him lately.

Everything seems to be fun to him, he is not scared of anything. But unfortunately it's not only climbing trees and jumping from high places.

Today Maarten was about to run into traffic on a busy street and I was so scarred I couldn't stop him. I did at last but someone didn't approve of my behaviour and therefore I got into trouble with local police!

I'm very upset and humiliated but the bruises all over Maarten's body are really not from abuse!

San Ramon's Art and Wind Festival

Can you believe this crazy weather?
It's about 80 degrees and yesterday only 50!

I had a lot of plans for this weekend but we ended up at the Art & Wind Festival .
I'm not enjoying crowds at any opportunity but the boys had a great time.
And we haven't been to this local annual event yet!


One of those colourful kites and fly it high, that's what Maarten wanted to have most of all!