New plans for the Heber House

It is always funny how we like to say, "For the Heber House" when we see something we like in architecture or landscaping or ideas for decks, balconies that will utilize the view, etc.
Well, we visited the Herst Castle today, just south of Big Sur. What do you think about this outdoor pool??? Not too shabby, eh? Nice decks for enjoying the view. Nice setting. Now all we need is the money to pull it off! Ha!
Oh, and we stopped along Big Sur and somebody graciously offered to take a picture of the two of us. Most times it is just one or the other of us. Nice to get a duo shot.

MANTRA

A setback: A brickwall: The Brick wall is there for a reason. They are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.

Sometimes, the most impenetrable brick walls are made of flesh.

He went on to tell about being close to fulfilling a lifelong dream. One man who stood in his way was asked by the author: "do you think this is a good idea?" "I have no idea if it's a good idea." Another man who could give approval was asked the same question: "do you think this is a good idea?" "I don't have enough information to say. But I do know that one of my star faculty members is really excited. So tell me more."

Lesson for me? LISTEN! Be open! Let me pass this onto my children who are now parents. Our children have dreams. And they will hit brick walls. Be sure you are not the brick wall! And as for my own brick walls? Well, as he said, it is there just to show me how badly I really want it!

From 'The Last Lecture' by Randy Pausch

Marriage of Heaven and Earth

Dan asked me what I was going to do all day while Tom was at work. Well, there is certainly no scarcity of beautiful nature to enjoy, that's for sure. I pack up my backpack and head out. Any direction is sure to reap benefits! Most of these shots were taken at Point Lobos nature reserve. The sunset was from Carmel Beach. Today is another beautiful day. Better get going....

Repeat of Mel's blog entry a couple of weeks ago

We loved our week-end in San Francisco. We pretty much repeated what Jake and Mel did a couple of weeks past....Pier 39 and the sea lions, Ghiradelli square, Bike the Bridge, loved the visit to Alcatraz, Muir Woods, etc. It was a sunny, stunning week-end. We stayed at Fisherman's Wharf this time. We walked to the bridge the first morning! We walked to church the second morning. I thought it was a huge city, but when you stay there, you realize it is very walkable...a discovery you make in Paris and Rome and London!
Jet lag? You bet! We are waking up at 5 or 6am rarin' to go. We get so much more done! Too bad it can't last. Last night I crashed at 7:30pm, too tired to eat! This morning we got in our walk around Carmel and the beach before breakfast was served at 7:30am. Sunset is 5pm so we need to get up early. I like daylight savings so much better than regular time!

Talk about the end of an Era

OK, Newsflash!
Our kind neighbor, the infamous, HUGO is MOVING! The moving truck was outside their house today. I saw his wife, Annette, and asked her. Yep, they are moving to a larger home. Will they sell or rent their home? They haven't decided.
But Youpy is going too!
This is huge news. Just thought I would pass this along.
Do you think I have enough guts to go over there and say I want a picture of them to remember them by? I mean for heaven's sakes. This family is a big part of the rich tapestry of our stay in Belgium. So many stories and memories of Hugo. And Youpy.
Hugo actually did me a favor one time though. He caught the YW toilet papering our yard and yelled at them so much and made them so afraid that they cleaned it up! So I came home to a bag of toilet paper all wadded up on my front door step....but not all over the trees and garden!
What will our guests do without Youpy waking them up each morning with his incessant barking??? They might actually sleep in! Not to mention Tom and I having a quiet sleep in on a Saturday morning!
What will we do without Hugo yelling at our guests to go back to America? Or yelling at us to stop playing in the backyard b/c it's past 10pm and we are going against 'the Belgian Legislation!"
Oh my. I think I might actually miss him. He has provided oodles of entertainment over the years. And provided fabulous, humorous stories.
And to think he never did yell directly at me. I kept waiting. But it never did happen, and now, it appears it may not happen.
Dan/Lara got an earfull, but they gave it back. Marie Jeanne Gardner got an earfull but she gave it back. Most of our kids got an earfull at one time or another. The YW got yelled at. All my Seminary parents got yelled at.
Oh, the entertainment of it all. Yep, I just might miss it!

New Bishopric

For any of those readers out there who were former ward members. We now have a new Bishopric.
Bishop Peter Edwards with Counselors Frere Sheen and Brother Passey.
Our dear Bishop Gardner and Marie Jeanne are moving to Mons to be nearer to Marie Jeanne's father. He was a super Bishop and we will miss them terribly.
However, Bishop Edwards will do a terrific job! And we all look forward to serving together with him.
It's the end of an era.....

Villers Abby

Villers Abby moves up there with Kinderdyke. (as far as places to see in a day trip or an afternoon.) It is only 30 minutes door to door from the house. Beautiful drive through the country side. Awesome place to explore. Jake/Mel use one similar picture on their blog heading...recognize it?? Oh, Jake/Mel...remember the prison? Victor Hugo mentions it in his book Les Miserable!
I think Seth and Heidi are checking off absolutely everything they wanted to do. Seth got his 2 credits from Leuven. They just got back from Kinepolis. We have an open week-end. Too bad the forecast is for rain, and more rain!!! Might just stay in Brussels!

Oh, my stomach hurts!

Seth, Heidi, Taft and I took an outing to the Neuhause chocolate factory outlet. It was tons of fun, but I admit right off, that I over indulged. To the point that I have a stomach ache!
So what is the emotional, physical process that goes on there? You walk in the store, knowing that there will be free samples. And lots of them. Can I stop with one, or two, or even five or six pieces of chocolate? Oh no. I have to eat until I'm sick. And even then. I see another one that must be tasted and I eat that one as well. I filled my pockets to take some home to Tom. And bought a couple of boxes to share.
They say that chocolate is the elixir of the Gods. Probably so, but in moderation. You go overboard and it's the elixir of the Devil!
At this point in time I honestly think I will never eat another piece of chocolate again. Never. And I really mean it. Did I overdose? Absolutely. I have burned out on waffles. Have I now come to the point where I have burned myself out on Belgian chocolates??? We will see. Tonight I would give a resounding YES!
I feel better having confessed to gluttony. I should be ashamed. But really I'm just shaking my head in disbelief. I'm back to the original question. What is that emotional, physical process going on there????