Quiet Days at the Mill

 As I knew it would, the time has flown by since I arrived.

We've mostly stayed close to home these last couple weeks. 

Enjoying all the hard work Han has done since I've been gone

 (like putting in this greenhouse/kas).

-Martin & Annet-

(Annet is also a Miller and we've been supporting one another on our cancer journeys.)

I've also cheered Han on (and helped a little bit) with new projects like this dock/pathway he built over the canal (!) for the houseboat that will be moved over here soon.

Moments when I really know I'm not in Renton anymore: painting the stork pole!

Or when we park next to a giant cabbage field. Typical Dutch!

We've gone on a couple nice, easy going outings.

One to a nearby garden. 

Our favorite thing was this fishtank in the pond that the fish can swim in and out of as they wish. 

And we also visited "Vlindertuin"-the local butterfly garden.

So beautiful and amazing to watch butterflies being born.

 

Somehow I can relate to this turtle/schildpad. The last couple weeks I've been peeking my head out of my shell way more than I had in months. It has been an organic way to get back into action. And tomorrow we leave for our week long trip to the Friesland region of Holland. It will be a treat to be in our own little bubble and to see new sights together.

 

Till next week: tot ziens!

❤️

Reunited at Last!

I'm so happy to be posting from the Mill. It feels like somewhat of a miracle to be here after all the hurdles we had to jump over. But, now that I am here, we will enjoy every minute. Time that had been going by so slow is bound to go by in a flash over these next four weeks. Funny how that works.

It was a real calculated risk to fly right now but thankfully, Delta did a great job with the flight I was on. I had the whole row to myself and was in the very front, behind first class....so felt like I had a whole corner of the plane to myself. The flight was 1/2 full, everyone wore masks, and things went smoothly every step of way. I had been worried about customs but they gave me no problem at all.

Now we will enjoy this time with an appreciation that has been hard won. We're sticking close to the Mill for the first couple weeks and then have a week long trip planned a little north of here. I'll post pictures here from time to time. It's so much more fun to share this kind of update than health ones!

We so appreciate the joyful support of you, our family and friends, for this reunion.

We can really feel it and it means so much!

The most beautiful view, is the one I share with you.

We didn't realize we were being photobombed!

Liefs en knuffels uit Holland!

💘

Yet Another Change of Plans

Just a quick update to share that I'm doing well after my last chemo. I'm so relieved to have that behind me and very happy to look forward rather than back.

I'm aware that it's crazy to even attempt to make plans during this groundless time. 

Luckily, I enjoy trip planning and know exactly where we'll go when we can go to Iceland...and Aruba. Yes, a few days ago, Aruba upped it's travel advisory to a "level orange", tipping the scales for us and causing us to postpone this highly anticipated trip.

On the bright side, The Netherlands is offering a "Sweetheart Visa" exception now, which is great development! And since the most important thing of all is being reunited no matter where we are, the plan is for me to fly over this Saturday (the 15th) and spend a month with Han in one of my favorite places in the whole world: his world.

Zack (who is still off of work!) is flying back up from California tomorrow, so I'll be able to spend a few days with him before I go, and he'll be here with my mom while I'm away.

I won't really believe it's true till I get there. 

But, that's the plan for now. We're calling it "Plan H" and that seems about right.

❤️

"Water does not resist. Water flows.

When you plunge your hand into it, 

all you can feel is a caress.

Water is not a solid wall,

it will not stop you.

But water goes where it wants to go,

and nothing in the end can stand against it.

Water is patient.

Dripping water wears away a stone.

Remember that, my child.

Remember you are half water.

If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it.

Water does."

~Margaret Atwood, "The Penelopiad"