Baby project back on track

Following Flo's change in jobs from an Amsterdam to a Den Haag location, the logisitics of continuing IVF treatment in Amsterdam were a little overwhelming. We therefore opted to investigate transferring treatment to Voorburg, just down the road from Den Haag.

We've heard good things about the hospital in Voorburg, but had heard in the past that there was a waiting list for treatment there. We were therefore very surprised (and happy) to hear that they could see us straight away and as a result we went for an intake interview yesterday.

We both felt very relaxed at the hospital. It's a small, refiendly place, unlike Rotterdam's Erasmus hospital (which was neither small or friendly) and Amsterdam (which was friendly enough, but again not particularly small). Our intake interview was with a gyneacologist named Dr. Brandsma. He was one of the founders of the IVF clinic at the hospital, but was now winding down for retirement and not participating any longer in the IVF lab work. He was a very friendly man, full of anecdotes and obviously of the opinion that the patient's wishes are of paramount importance rather than the hospital's. It amused us when he stated that we were crazy for wanting children because they're horrible things, but if that was what the thing between our ears craved for then they would do all that they could to increase the chances of it happening.

So, the ball is rolling again. We gave some blood yesterday to cover the formalities of blood testing and today we made an appointment for some more tests and a further interview with one of the nurses for her to explain the practicalities of the procedure.

If you'd like to read more about the hospital and IVF treatment, then click here.

Ceiling restoration?

After a lovely weekend break in Andorra, it is back to the house project. Which is also a lot of fun, but different. Less physically strenuous, but sometimes mentally tiring. All those decisions! :-)

After removing the false ceiling, we discovered a beautiful ornamented Jugendstil ceiling in the soon to be dining room. I have been toying with the idea of restoring it, also influenced by my cousin Rob, who is a big fan of old ceilings.

However, since the ceilings are so high, we are going to put in another false ceiling, covering our newly found treasure. Another option is to make a mould to replicate the ornaments. So I had a look online today who could do that for us.

It just so happens that we have a renovation company (www.rescura.nl/bedrijf/index.php) across the road from our new house. What better than support local shopkeepers? Although, judging by the projects they have already completed, they don't seem to need any support from us! Our small ceiling should be a doddle to them.

One of the guys happily hopped across the road this afternoon and had a look at the ceiling or rather, what is left of it. Hopefully he will get back with a quote this week. So we should know whether we can afford this little extravaganza!

Skiing in Andorra

This weekend we were fortunate enough to be invited skiing in Andorra, staying in a friend's 400 year old stone house (named Roxx by my friend's Dad, since when his mother bought it he said she was silly having spent all that money on a pile of rocks!) in the small village of Sornas.

The house is located about a 15 minute drive from the nicest ski slopes in Andorra. The snow was fantastic and on the afternoon of the first day we were extremely fortunate, since it felt like we were the only ones there! The slopes were almost deserted, which meant we had plenty of space to get back up to speed after skiing last year in Beaver Creek with Adam and Tahne.

On the second and third day we were joined by a couple more friends, Ali and Kate on the right in the picture below. In the center is Martin, whose house we stayed at. The meat on Flo's plate is now considered by us both as the nicest steak we've eaten.


We had a great time! Thank you Martin and Martin's Mum and Dad.

For more pictures, click here! Martin has also posted some pictures here.

PS. We also fell in love with the log burning stove in the old house and have decided that we want one in our new home! I think it is the same as this one pictured here, but we'd probably get a smaller one for our house. It was so nice coming back to the house, throwing a couple of logs into the stove and then sitting back and feeling it warm you up while supping on a cup of tea.

Martin's Mum's got good taste!

Flo's belated Birthday pressent arrives in time for Pancake Day!

 
Flo's Birthday present finally arrived the last week in February, only one month late. If it was going to arrive late, then it couldn't have arrived on a better day. Flo had organised a pancake dinner to celebrate the British tradition of Jif Lemon day (also known as Pancake day) and what better way to say thank you than with a gift?

So here it is, an "I love my geek" T-shirt, just as Flo had requested for her Birthday. And the T-shirt fitted too... even after eating far too many pancakes. 

Shrove Tuesday

For the first time in years I remembered on time that pancake day was coming up, so we decided to give in to our childhood pleasure and have a pancake dinner yesterday. Yummie! Another 39 days to Easter. Officially pancake day is the last opportunity to use eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients.