Sunday 23 March 2008: The fun continues for Sarah on her long weekend away with riends and family and stcks and balls among other things...

Sarah says: There's me and Marv in farm country having a great time!

Above you can see the Boys Team during our throw sticks at blocks game. In this game size didn't matter but strength did - and sadly for the Girls - the boys won!
In the photo above, we had moved on to Farm Golf! It was pure MUD and WATER and pure cold, rainy fun, fun, fun! I got a good movie of it all. If I can figure out how to post it on here, I will. We were dirty and cold after this fun-filled day, but again - what a blast!!! And not one bit of back pain for me!
The Boys Team won again but we all came together and showed our team spirit in the end!
HAPPY EASTER FROM EASTER BUNNY AYLA!!!!!

Saturday 22 Maart 2008: Long live Peter Clasen and his Anny! And long live Sabine's orange mouth and Filip's stone feet!

Heidi says: With my substitute man, Wout, I had a great day today. We went to Peter Clasen's sweet wedding reception, where he showed his true love for his Anny and Anny for her Peter. Afterwards, we drove to Tervuren , where Wout picked up old collector's material from Madonna, and then we bought flowers at a local flower shop, drove back to Kortrijk, and ate MacDonalds. What a day!!! Lovely!



Sarah Says:
That's Sabine with the orange mouth in the above photo. Our mutual friends, Filip and Vanessa, arranged a weekend away with us for the last few days because their two kids are our "god" children. My husband is the godfather on their son and Sabine is the godmother and I am the godmother of their daughter and Sabine's husband is the godfather. It was such a great weekend of relaxation and fun! Even though the weather was totally wacky, we managed to get outside to the roaring sea, to play a great throwing sticks game as well and also to play farm golf in the middle of mud and sludge and cold rain. It was a blast!

Sarah adds:
Everyone had the task to make someone happy with something. Filip was made happy with hot stones between his toes. I was there to record this for you all! :-)My feet were just fine in the rain and cold! had my new totally water and wind proof machine-washable boots. They did the job well! Isn't that interesting? By the way, sadly - I didn't have my camera with me at the sea, so these photos might be a little bit out of order. I don't know if I took photos the day we went to the sea. I did with my phone but I can't figure out how to get those photos off my phone and onto my computer. Once I can, I'll put some here because the wind and the waves were fantastically wild and whipping against us! At first, you think - oh no -- this is damn cold and uncomfortable. But then you see the strength and beauty of nature and you weather the storm! It felt amazing to be blown like that by the wind and to have sand whipping you in the face. My skin felt burnt and dry but good. I LOVED it!

Friday 21 March 2008: IT IS FRIDAY!!! Heidi, Sarah and the funny bunnies wish you a GOOD Friday!

Sarah says:
Have a very GOOD FRIDAY!!!! Don't you love our bunny, Easter friends? They make me hoppy! But I am not allowed to hop or jump ever again. I could never be an Easter Bunny! I envy the Easter Bunny - not to say I'm giving him the evil eye - Easter is a hop, skip and a jump away from today! I'm checking out for the weekend! Off to a weekend of fun with good friends and their kids. Time to relax and sit back but not bend backwards - can never do that again! I feel like the funny Alice bunny in wonderland right now or rather the one who talks in riddles. In any event, have yourselves and eventful weekend! I'll be back by Monday to check in!

Heidi says: Unbelievable but it is Friday again!! And this time, I need it! The last days were somewhat annoying and a little hard, although not so extremely hard. It was just a bit too much running around, with a sick vomiting daughter with diarrhoea and and all the rest to take care of. But with help from our social system (CM Knuffel) we did better than fine! Thank you Belgium!

Here you have a picture of Jules, my best friend katrijn's son. He wears a jumpsuit from Air France, that I gave them. I bought it on a retro fair. When I saw it, it totally made me think of Katrijn, as she used to say she wanted to be an Air hostess. Jules looks lovely in it! Adorable!!

Thursday 20 March 2008: almost Friday!!!

Heidi says: Almost Friday!! I long for some days off! I am tired. Tonight I'll do some fake Pilate's to relax :). And I hope to have less back/shoulder/neck-pain by doing exercise...

Sarah says:
If I ever complain I'm too fat just remind me that I ate that WHOLE chocolate freaky head in one sitting today and have a belly-ache because of it. I rarely do that but today man - today I just needed it badly!! I needed a sugar rush. A lift! An extra few chins and fat rolls! And it tasted good! Really good! It was for Easter. How could I resist. I couldn't! Heidi went for a healthier choice - a banana! Not me folks! That's why we are like Laurel and Hardy! That's it right there! :-)

wednesday 19 March 2008: This is a black day for the world. Hugo Claus is dead. Long live Hugo Claus. The Sorrow Of Belgium...

Heidi says: the news brought tears to my eyes. Hugo Claus died this afternoon. He is now longer ours. He will be missed.

Het ongeloof
teistert de gelovigen
in de verzorging
Verpleegster, in uniform, olijk
mongooltje, onrechtvaardig,
slachtoffer, hoe lang nog? Twee jaar?

Wij zitten in ongenade, in
hetzelfde schuitje

Zelfs de zeeleeuw van de geologie
is verbijsterd
door het moeras
van zegeningen

Hugo Claus

Sarah says:
The Sorrow of Belgium -- Hugo Claus is one name I have heard over and over again since day one of my being in Belgium. Rest in Peace HC.

Tuesday 18 March: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXANDER THE GREAT!!!!

Sarah says:
What a great moon last night! I almost turned into a werewolf! Still haven't gotten a good night's sleep!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXANDER!!!




Heidi says: Gelukkige verjaardag mantje!!!! up uwn on dah mug je eindelijk rusten!!

Monday 17 March 2008: Sarah's new bedtime is 10pm at the latest as this girl needs some sleep bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah says:
I really thought that once my back pain went away thanks to my operation last year that I would start to sleep better. I always woke up from pain and couldn't sleep from pain. Now I am basically pain-free and have learned that I am in fact an insomniac and it sucks!!! I don't need a lot of sleep and generally have a lot of energy and stamina regardless of how many hours rest I get -- but it all adds up and eventually wears me down. I feel a little worn down right now. That might just be because I stayed up till 2am this past Saturday and I'm feeling it now. Who knows! All I know is that I would kill to have a full-night's sleep without waking up at 4:45 to pee, without only falling asleep by after midnight despite having gotten into bed just after 9pm. My brain isn't even on when I go to sleep. But when I can't fall asleep - it starts reviewing my day and predicting the next day and going through annoying songs and lyrics and thinking about TV series, etcetera... Then I am screwed because I become wide awake! It's an endless battle! I have to find a way to win it! Suggestions are welcome. I might just go to the sleep school at this point! Anything for some rest!!!!

HEIDI SAYS: HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday and Sunday 15 and 16 March: Sarah celebrates being married for 12 years with Marv!

Sarah says:
Saturday the 15th of March was our 12 year wedding anniversary!! Marv and I had a nice evening seeing Zita Swoon perform at Antigone in Kortrijk. The nicest thing about our anniversary was that we each had written each other a card and basically our cards said pretty much the same things. We are very in-tune with each other and feel so lucky to have made it this far and to still feel happy. Life is good for me and Marv right now. I hope the next 12 years will feel this good too...

Sarah adds:
The above photo was taken today - Sunday the 16th. We had a late night and it really shows in my face. That's me with very little make-up. And that's why I chose the below Post Secret this week. I too wish I felt pretty enough without make-up to not be bothered. Mostly if I don't wear it, people ask me if I a tired and sick. That makes me slop it on again and feel bad. Make-up is a great escape but also an addiction of sorts. I can't live without it - not yet anyway. Maybe one day!

Sunday 16 March 2008: Party's over, going home, sleep and relax.

Heidi says: Hell yeah, this was a party! Radio Modern does what is necessary: organize fun warm retro parties with a good band and good DJ's ;)! The DJ's definitely had fun this evening and night!

Saturday 15 March 2008: Ready to party! Back from France Thursday and Friday 13 and 14 March...

Sarah says:
Below are some pictures from our two days in France - just to keep this site up to date. First one is Thursday the 13th in front of the fire before a long meal.


Above you can see Max from our Paris office. We had a good time with him and BG, another fun co-worker of ours from France. Lots of laughs and lots of Justice!

And there we are on the train back Friday the 14th with protective coverings from our various visits surrounding us. Two long days but two good days. A very worthwhile little adventure...
Heidi says: my new party look!!

Wednesday 12 2008: Sarah has a pounding head and wants nothing more than a good night's sleep for once!!!!!

Sarah says:
I have a pounding headache. I want my head to blow up and start over all clear.

Tomorrow Heidi and I are off to France for two days on a road-trip with two colleagues. It will be good to see them and do what we're going to do! It's always nice to find yourself in a complete other environment - in the middle of nowhere you have been before...

My friend MS has started a creative writing group. She's the coolest because she's sending me her homework assignments to do along with her. Our friend ED is also involved. I did the first assignment last night and sent it to the gals this morning. I can't wait to read their writing. I can't wait to write some more! It's been so long since I have written creatively and with assignments. I'm very excited by it all! I hope I keep it up. MS is the BEST for letting me play along! THANKS MS!!!! Tomorrow on the train, I'll work on the newest exercises!

Heidi and I probably won't post on here until Saturday so goodbye until then!

Tuesday 11 March 2008: Heidi lacks energy and it's still WINDY as can be! Seriously BAD HAIR DAYS!

Heidi says: I am scared. Because I am tired. So tired. Physically and psychologically. Very tired. Lacking energy. Hands that swell up, like they are filling up with water. Belly ache that keeps on going. Anger that keeps on hanging in my head. Back ache. No strength. What's happening with me? Why am I like this?

Just drank coffee, feeling better. But now I am even more scared for my belly ache, as coffee really has an influence on that...

Afternoon: I had lunch, and now I have a headache and feeling very tired. Very weird if you know that I went to bed at quarter to ten yesterday... heavy heavy head. Glands swelling up in my neck.

Sarah says:
I feel for you Heidi! As we have talked about so many times -I felt like crap for about 3 years after I gave birth. A lot of it was my back, no doubt - but plenty of it was just other stuff and being like open to every cold, flue, bug out there and always feeling forever tired and feeling way too needed with little space for myself... But alas - we all have our own experiences. Too bad you don't feel so well. You did have a week or two of feeling full of energy and awake and all that. It will come in waves I guess. Hope you feel better soon. It's hard seeing you feel unwell. If only there was a magic pill for everything! There is SUNLIGHT to look forward to!

Monday 10 March 2008: Heidi and Sarah's day flew by like the windy, windy, wind today! These gals are freaking good busy again!

Sarah says:
I NEED LITTLE HOUSE AND THE PRAIRIE AFTER A DAY LIKE TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday 09 March 2008: Sarah welcomes Face The Day Special Guest: Dags' kids! Heidi and Sarah see The Swigshift in Wervik - Heidi's hometown!

I'll wait till later to post today's photo of me and Heidi as we'll see each other tonight at the Swigshift concert in Wervik!

Heidi says: Still in a rage. Don't know why.

Sarah continues:In the meantime, check out these adorable children? They are the kids of my good, old friend Dags and his wife Lisa. It's so cool to see how genes work themselves out and get passed on. These children are such a mix of their parents. And there's another child on the way soon for Dags and Lisa. Look at the little red-head! What amazing hair that child has. I can't wait to see Dags and his kids in person again one of these years!
Sarah says:

And while here, I thought I'd post my Post Secret pick of the week. There were a bunch of good ones this week. Check them out via this link. I like the one below because we all wait for signs to tell us what to do - even when we don't really believe in all that fate stuff or God or faith... We so often live in fear of change and never take risks. I say - jump! Take the risk! Try it! It really might be amazing! So many of the risks I have taken have indeed turned out to lead to amazing results. You never know and the tides can turn and all that but you'll never ever know unless you just go for it without over-thinking it sometimes...

Saturday 08 March 2008: Sarah has a house full of kids!

Heidi says:
Nice cosy party at Barbara's this evening. Now tired and have a huge belly ache. Sleep! That's what I need. And I want to be left alone. I don't want anyone to ask anything from me. I have had it with being told what to do at this moment. Bad mood.


Sarah says:
See the smallest kid in the above photo? Well, in case you are wondering - that's not really a girl! It's a little boy dressed up as a girl by my kid and his sisters. That's what's happening in my world today. I am happily surrounded by kids doing shows and funny things for their and my entertainment. I could never have 4 kids of my own, let alone two or three even, but I sure am enjoying having these lovely little people here for the weekend. I love it how you can just automatically truly love the kids of the friends and of the people you love. It just happens so naturally. It must be thanks to evolution or something - a natural way to make a safety net around family units - of extended friends and family - I guess it's as close to a tribe as we get in this lifetime - extensive bonds that promote protective feelings and caring among the various people you feel for and are deeply connected to...

Anyway - these aren't just any kids! That's for sure. These are Peter's kids - and Valerie's of course! I haven't written about Peter a lot here since the weeks after he passed away in November. I think about him constantly still. Music gets him on my mind in flashes. It just takes an Editors song on the radio to bring Peter immediately into my head. If I am in my car, all these thoughts of him just rush through me. I sort of talk to him -- the air -- out loud. I either hold the tears back or let them flow. It happens in such waves. I can pass an old house of his and 5 seconds later start weeping without even realizing why right away. I can also feel really happy and content when he comes to mind.

I struggle most with the memories of the last times I saw him - that I didn't really get a chance to say what was on my mind and to really hug him and look him in the eye. The moment didn't allow that. I think of all the moments didn't - there were like 5 solid ones between when he was diagnosed with cancer and when he died - that I spent real time with him. Each one he was getting weaker and weaker and worse and worse. I guess I already knew he was going to die the first day I spent with him after the diagnosis came. And we talked about it but only ever so briefly. I just go over these moments in my head sometimes. Those thoughts are the ones that come back all the time. And thoughts of our old rehearsals and conversations we had. He is so often on my mind. And sometimes I still can't come to terms with the fact that he died so fast. And sometimes I can.

Spending time with his kids is really part of the wonderful moments now - not the painful ones. I just love these kids. I always have - no doubt about that. I guess now I also see Peter in them - more than I noticed before - and those are like the only glimpses I'll ever have of Peter again so I hold on to those moments dearly. The same look in the eye. The body language. The way of speaking sometimes. Some feature in the right light. In some ways it doesn't sound nice - sort of putting all that pressure on his kids to see parts of him come through them. It makes me feel weird to even say that. But what can you do? It's just like that. They are a part his flesh and blood and they are what is left of him other than pictures, videos, music and memories.

My home feels very alive with all these happy kids running around. I even enjoyed peeling 30 potatoes and carrots today to make them all lunch.
Now it's time to get them to go to sleep. There's nothing more beautiful than all these kids fast asleep and at ease and rest.

Friday 7 march 2008: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARBARA!!!!!!!! There is no product placement going on in this entry today!!! Nope! None! It wasn't us! No way!

Sarah says:
There is no product placement in today's entry. Heidi and I wouldn't do that. No-Sir-EE-BOB! That would just be in bad taste. We aren't advertising anything or trying to start any new trend or trying to make any sort of statement. We're just hard-working girls, we are! So even if you click here and see up close what you think is some sort of advert for something we are good busy with, well you have got it all wrong folks. Not us. No way! By the way - if you want one of what we have got, don't hesitate to ask. They are all the rage these days!



Heidi says:
Gelukkige verjaardag meisje!! Je bent 30! Nu ben ik de enige van de drie die nog twintiger is! weehaaa!!


Look above at who showed up after Heidi left the office - KG and her baby Jules! And again - there's no product placement here. Those buttons don't mean a thing! We aren't exploiting babies to make adverts for us or anything like that! It's all good!

Thursday 06 March 2008: Heidi is sick of her mornings

Heidi says:
I HATE my mornings! I am sorry, I have to tell you about my mornings, or I am going to go mad! Every morning I have to rush. I am sick of it! This is how my mornings go: I wake up. 5 to 10 minutes lost because I can't get out of bed because I am too tired. Then get Yma out of her bed. Wash and dress Yma, give her a bottle (that she drinks herself). Then trying to keep her happy, while I am trying to eat. 5 minutes lost. Then washing myself, quickly cause Yma can't be alone, and Nico doesn't have a lot of time to stay with her either, 'cause he has to be at work at 8. As my hair gets really greasy after a day since my pregnancy, I have to wash it every other day. Again, 2 minutes lost. Then running after Yma to get her jacket on (she thinks it's a game :) )and noticing that she did poopoo in her diapers. Change the diaper, another 5 minutes lost. Then not finding my purse, 5 minutes. Then taking Yma on my arm (maybe running after her to catch her, if so 2 minutes lost) and bringing her to the 'onthaalmoeder'. There I can't just drop her, the onthaalmoeder likes to talk a bit. I try to get out of there as fast as possible, but I loose 5 to 10 minutes at least. And then the worst still have to come: ride my bike to work. OK, I am proud when I say I go to work by bike. But damn, do I curse on that bike sometimes, mostly... If it windy, 5 minutes are lost. If I wear the wrong coat, one that is catching too much wind for instance, at least 5 minutes lost. If a car does a strange manoeuvre in front of me, so I can't pass and have to stop, 5 minutes lost... and so on... Every morning, on my bike, I am thinking 'I can't do this anymore'. I hope that there really won't come a time that I can't do it anymore. Need to find a solution to get over this morning stress. Or it will cost me too much... Advise anyone?

Wednesday 05 March 2008: Sarah jumps out the window as Heidi looks on happily!

Sarah says:
That's just wrong. All wrong! I am so tired. I have bags under my eyes. Why can't I sleep? I HAVE TO get some sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or I might jump by accident!

Below you can watch one of the best scenes from The Wire ever. I showed it to Heidi so she'd be a The Wire follower one of these days...

Tuesday 04 March 2008: Heidi and Sarah look the same as always -- same angle -- same expressions -- same clothes -- same faces -- same colours...

Sarah says:
Okay - maybe you have never seen the shirt I am wearing before but it's no great leap from ones I have worn before. Thankfully the current "in" colors are grey and black and white and bright pink and red is an always color so I'm lucky. Most of my clothes are those colors, apart from white -- which I stain too easily and look pretty huge in, though it can be kind of nice with my dark hair - but ruins easily once yellow pit stains come into play and dripped food on the chest area and smears from tables on the mid-area. White is a definite no-no for this gal!

Speaking of color - Heidi and I were talking about how we have let ourselves go pale - whereas we both used to make sure we had a tan - fake or real. We have seen the light - or avoided it, rather - to preserve our skin and health and all that. Heidi and I were competing for who is the palest today - she's sure she is and I am sure I am. And look at the above photo -- who is whiter? Who is more pale? That would be me so I win!!! Maybe it is the contrast with my black hair - who knows - but man, am I a whitey! Nothing wrong with that I keep telling myself, nothing wrong with that! And just for the record - this morning I had to scrub myself silly because tonight I had my hair-laser treatment on my face and bikini area. The results are best on very pale skin. So this, folks, is my true skin color. And it's not that bad... Not as bad as I think (sometimes). I can't even imagine that in the past I would load up on fake-tan and look kind of orange. What was I thinking! My kid loves her own pearly, pale skin these days. I hope that lasts. I hope her love of self lasts. With me as her example - I'm afraid she'll have a rough road ahead in terms of loving her looks and all that. Where did it all go wrong for me I wonder? I have always liked myself and have thought of myself as a good, fun, smart, kind, funny person - but looks wise - man, we all know how self-hateful I have been - even now sometimes in my freaking adult years! It's not right! But it's not just me folks! I think every woman I know isn't satisfied with how she looks. We all listen to each other and wonder - oh what is she complaining about - we are all so self-punishing. I love all these ladies and think they are absolutely beautiful! If only we could all see that in ourselves, eh?! I just hope my daughter continues to? That she adopts her dad's attitude and doesn't have issues with her self and feels free and self-loving most of the time!

Heidi says:
I so not agree with you Sarah! I am definitely paler than you! Did people ever laugh at you, saying that you were a milkbottle? Did someone ever yell at you, on the street, saying that you should go under the sunbed? NO! I win! I am the palest. I was born pale and I will always be pale. And I am happy with that! Because pale is beautiful!

Monday 03 March 2008: Heidi is thinking about becoming 30 and Sarah is thinking about a whole lot of nothing...

Heidi says:
I am turning 30 this year. It's becoming obvious in my face. Yma woke up this night at twelve thirty and she needed consolation for who knows what. So I sat next to her bed, watching her while she was watching me. That hour and a half that I was up at night, brought me this tired exhausted look. And this is the best picture of many I took today :). There was a time, that my friend Barbara used to say that you couldn't tell when I was tired. I think that is history. Nowadays, you very clearly see when I am tired. And that is sad. Like most people, I would like to look young forever. But that is not going to happen. I see now. I am turning 30 soon. Oh well... Sarah says:

Empty head. That's me. It's hair-removal time tomorrow and it's about time! That's about all I can offer up today. I am blank. Though I will add that I made a hell of a chicken salad tonight.

Sunday 2 March 2008: Heidi didn't forget to take a picture, Glory Hallelujah! And Sarah has another from ASG for y'all!

Heidi says:
I am tired but very satisfied! We painted the hall in one day and a half. That is really fast!
Weehoo!

Sarah says: Here I am again - but with ASG and the kid! ASG took this pic when we met in Brussels Sunday. Thanks ASG! It's a good one and the bunny is fixed!!

Saturday and Sunday 01 and 02 March: No Saturday photo I'm afraid and a tired Sunday one at that!

Sarah says:
Forgot to take a picture Saturday. Haven't doen that in a while. I'm tired this weekend! I had a headache all of Saturday. Not nice. But Saturday night was really fun! We played games at our house with some of our friends and it was loud and funny and fun as usual. Today we met ASG in Brussels. More pictures to follow later! I actually forgot to bring my camera with me! I don't know where my head is at.

Heidi says:
work work work
Paiting the hall! No time to chat! The colour is green! :) Again!

Below is Sarah's Post Secret pick of the week. "I can relate to feeling guilty about having a happy family. I never new a family could feel this happy and sometimes that is a bit scary... But mostly just good and nice and a huge part of my well-being these days - but I simply can't grasp that this is possible still. And when it feels so good you can't help but worry it will slip through your fingers... and you can't help but question what makes you deserve this... "