THE MOVE!

So here's the story of THE MOVE!  In the spring of 2012 Don was hired to coach the boys' basketball team.  We put our Wellman house on the market thinking that we'd move to IC/Coralville.  The house didn't sell that spring or summer so we commuted into IC for City High practices/open gyms/games/etc.    It worked - 40 minutes and 21 stoplights from Wellman to City High.  In the spring of 2013 we again listed our house and it SOLD when we were in Mexico and we had about 6 weeks to be out.   Within 24 hours we purchased a house in Coralville (I had looked at it earlier and Don walked through on his way to Washington DC).  So while he was in DC with the USA 3 on 3 teams and I was in Indy helping with the new baby we purchased 2417 Biltmore Lane, Coralville.

Monday, October 14:  The movers load and move our things from Wellman.

Good bye to our home in Wellman after 24 years.

Tuesday, October 15:  The paperwork is accomplished on both homes and the movers arrive with our stuff in Coralville.  Melissa stops in, drops off supper and helps unpack some of the kitchen.

Wednesday, October 16:  Three painters paint all day in the kitchen, all three bathrooms, and our bedroom.  Landscapers are working out front. Darrel and Janet stopped by with lunch!   Pizza arrives in the evening with a visit from Judy, mom and dad.

The painters came on Wednesday painting bathrooms
blue, kitchen the neutral, and accent wall in bedroom.

The kitchen turns from the sage to the beige to match the living/dining room.

Don in the office!  Yikes!

Judy, mom and dad came with pizza Wednesday night.

Mom and Judy unpacking and arranging the china cupboard.

Thursday and I am off to Kansas City for a the national MOPS convention through Saturday night.  On Friday Don heads to Des Moines for the fall IBCA convention.  While I was away at convention the new stainless steel kitchen appliances were delivered and installed.

From white appliances to stainless steel.

We settle in after our weekend away, unpacking, rearranging, enjoying our new home.  One week in our home and the Kahlers come to see the house and have supper.  Since it is a Tuesday (Melissa's day off) she picked the boys up after school to come and Scott drove over from West High.  What a blessing to be close enough to them now for that to happen on a school night.

The Kahlers on their first visit to our home.
The little boys loved the home theater and we are planning
a movie night as soon as possible!

Papa wrestling with Landon and Owen

We invited family on Wednesday, Oct 23 to celebrate my mom's 83rd birthday.

Happy birthday, mom
And dad on Nov. 1  

Photos of 2417 Biltmore Lane

New landscaping!
The old, builder grade bushes were pulled out.
Now - dwarf lilacs, weeping mulberries, grasses, day lillies,
golden sumacs, and ground covers.

Garage doors will soon get some decor handles.

Fall decor by front door.

Gas fireplace at the end of the living room.

Screened porch off the living room and our bedroom.

View of living/dining room from the fireplace.

Entry and dining room.
Walls are still bare as I'm hesitant to make nail holes yet.

Front office

Seoul, South Korea

An overnight flight took us from Jakarta, Indonesia (from the 3 on 3 world championships) to Seoul, South Korea.  The team and staff had an eight-hour lay-over, but we have several days planned in Seoul so the Marriott driver picked us up at the airport and transported us to the JW Marriott.  Floor 17 in this beautiful hotel will be our "home" for 2 nights.

We booked an afternoon tour to one of the palaces and a market.

Changdeokgung - one of Seoul's five royal palaces.
Completed in 1412

The old stone brige - 1405

This building was used only for very special events for
royalty - weddings, funerals, etc.

Inside the building 

Elaborate painted buildings

Statues to scare away evil.

In front of one of the gates to the grounds.

Namdaemun Market

One of the few rice cake shops still open

He was making a Korean candy

Pigs feet and knuckles

Raw seafood

One of the four city gates that were used when the
city was completely walled.

We had planned to eat out, but who needs to eat out when you can go to the executive lounge at JW Marriott?  Unlimited wine, salads, snacks, main entrees, desserts!  Yes, we do love this hotel.  Tired from a busy day and overnight flight we retired earlier than usual. Awwww......

Wednesday, October 2
We booked a tour for today to the DMZ - demilitarized zone.  After the Korean War (June 25, 1950 - 1953) South Korea and North Korea negotiated and then designated the DMZ 2 km away from the truce line on each side of the border.

ID check at unification bridge

at the DMZ area

The 3rd North Korea infiltration tunnel.
South Korea has found 4 tunnels that N. Korea has dug to
get to S Korea to infiltrate.
No photos allowed as we walked down into and through
the first section of the tunnel.

View into North Korea from the Dorasan Observatory

The sign says "End of separation, beginning of unification."

Yep, a hoop at the observation area.

Dorasan Rail Station
It connected N & S Korea but was closed in 2008
after an incident.

On the trip back to Seoul......

Rice fields

Entering back into Seoul

Amethysts Center
Yes, I indulged in a bracelet and ring

After our DMZ tour we happened on the Bongeunsa Temple, a Buddhist Temple and assorted buildings.  It is a 1200 year old temple located in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.  Today, Bongeunsa is writing a new history for Korean Buddhism, establishing itself as the center of Buddhist practice.  Monks apply themselves to chanting, communal work and meditation.  

Gate of Suchness that leads us into the temple.

Dharma King Pavilion
It houses the Buddha, the king of the Dharma (teachings).

Main Buddha Hall, the heart of the temple.
Daily ceremonial services and prayers

Monks chanting

Another one of the many building in the temple

Great statue of Maitreya Buddha

In the bell pavilion there are four instruments
Here are the Dharma bell and cloud-shaped gong

And the Dharma drum and a wooden fish.
These 4 are struck just before services at dawn and in
 the evening with the intention of saving all beings in the universe.

Jakarta, Indonesia

Basketball took us to Jakarta, Indonesia.   A total flight time of 24 1/2 hours with 4 legs and 3 layovers - Chicago, San Fran, Seoul, Jakarta.  We are traveling with the USA U18 3 on 3 teams as they compete in the World Championships.  More info about that at www.usa3on3.blogspot.com

Bri, Arika, Don, Gabby and Katie Lou
WORLD 3 on 3 CHAMPIONS!

Dom, Demonte, Cliff, Larry
7-0 in pool play
eliminated by Lithuania in semifinals

Monday - a Day with Duane 
Duane, native of Kalona, Iowa lives in Jakarta and attended several evenings of our games.  We had the privilege to spend all day Monday with him.  He took us to his house in the suburbs, to the traditional mall to shop for souvenirs, out to dinner and to the airport for our 11:50 pm flight.  

Duane and Reti at their house

Don with Duane in the backyard

Don showing his traditional Indonesian instrument orchestra.

Duane collects Indonesan antique fold art - "reverse glass paintings"

Exploring the yard

Lunch with Duane and Reti
Duane is showing us how to eat these fruits

Reti with a guauve - it was huge.

We all flew to Seoul, South Korea.  The team had an eight hour layover, but Don and I have chosen to spend 2 days exploring Seoul then head on.