At last! Internet again.
We’ve settled into our new home, unpacked, met the neighbours—at least, the under-12 set. Leonard the Betta Fish is happy and producing frothy bubbles round the edge of his fishbowl/vase as proof. The twins already have scrapes and scratches to prove the efficaciousness, or not, of their garage-sale bike’s brakes; Ilsa knows the only other 2 girls on the cul-de-sac and has already had them over to play. I’m growing accustomed, in an appreciative manner, to living in a window-filled house that looks over a small forested area; a place of pine and cedar and oak and poplar, full of autumn colours and smells and the calls of birds.
Our house is a duplex on a small cul-de-sac, backing onto a “greenspace,” built on a hill which means the trees fill the windows top to bottom. Our dining room looks out onto a path for biking or hiking or rollerblading or skateboarding, which runs alongside a tiny creek and has a park at one end and an Albertsons at the other.
Unpacking this time was more of an adventure than normal. We don’t own furniture at the moment—we have a few things in storage in Mauritania, but nothing here except an old chest of drawers. Our church sent out an email to the entire congregation with a list of everything we’d need to set up a house—beds, sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, wooden spoons, pots and pans, cleaning supplies, microwave…everything! And we got almost all of it, in an amazing outpouring of generosity on behalf of these unknown givers. This made unpacking a combination of moving and Christmas, as I had no idea of what would be in each box. I got brightly-coloured spatulas and a white container-thing to keep them in, a red tea kettle, a Cuisinart blender in stainless steel and black, fun comforters for the kids, a duvet cover and oversized cushions for our bed, and so much more.
The duplicates provide almost an embarrassment of riches. We got given 5 couches plus a love seat and chair (we only kept one); I got 8 spatulas, some plastic and some metal. Many kitchen items were “gently used”, but others were brand-new, meaning that someone went out and bought me brand-new kitchen gadgets, muffin tins, and other things.
We unpacked our things from Mauritania, mostly clothes and few odds-and-ends, such as the bright blue tie-dyed tablecloth to add a touch of colour to a cold Oregon winter, or the goat-skin candle-holder painted with henna designs from Morocco. It feels wonderful to be out of suitcases at last.
So how does all this look? I’m sure you’re picturing a look best described as College Student Eclectic. There’s an element of that, of course, but the extreme generousness made it possible to pick and choose, so that we’re actually quite coordinated. Besides, once you’ve lived overseas you’re always going to be a bit eclectic.
14 comments
October 11, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Kris
I want to see pictures of Leonard the Betta. 🙂 I used to have 5 betta’s at one point – they’re great little fishies! 😀
You should also post pictures of the house and yard – it sounds like a neat place!
Glad you’re settled in and back online!
Can’t wait to see you around Thanksgiving.
October 11, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Robin
Your description of your yard and neighborhood sound incredible. I can’t even picture all that green anymore, and without 8 other houses in view at the same time.
Happy settling in.
October 12, 2007 at 3:30 am
Michelle
Sounds like you guys have a great view. Enjoy the greenery. I’m glad you’re finally settled and that you have internet again. Let’s chat soon.
October 12, 2007 at 7:08 am
Rebecca
Oh, I would love to see pictures.
And your new life sounds so idyllic…
Our betta fish is named George.
October 12, 2007 at 9:04 am
Kelly @ Love Well
I’m glad you’re getting to enjoy a settled home — for a while anyway.
Loved the last line by the way. That’s truth right there, my friend! And not in a bad way. It’s one of the reasons I love meeting people who’ve lived all over this beautiful planet of ours.
October 12, 2007 at 11:02 am
Wacky Mommy
yay! I’m next.
October 12, 2007 at 5:15 pm
LIB
I’m glad you’re back on line!
I agree with others – please post pictures!
October 13, 2007 at 5:52 am
Jolyn
Yes, pictures please! And you’re right about the eclectic look and overseas living — I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Your church sounds wonderful. Would love to read a blog about it sometime.
October 13, 2007 at 7:45 am
meredith
Your new settings sound great and I am glad you’re back on line. We’re eclectic, too. A wooden camel fits in especially well 🙂
October 14, 2007 at 12:39 pm
mopsy
How nice! You seem to have a cool sense of style—I bet you pulled it all together into something really warm and fun.
October 16, 2007 at 6:00 am
Lindsay
Congrats on your move!!
When i moved i used moveme.com, its really useful. Shame youve moved already but you may still be able to use some of the pre made chage of address letters and stuff 🙂
October 16, 2007 at 11:26 am
Caffienated Cowgirl
I whole-heartedly agree! And being eclectic just means you’re interesting :o)
October 16, 2007 at 11:59 am
courtney orrange
Hey!
So where are you guys nowadays. I haven’t been keeping up regularly with your blog, but I see that you’re getting settled in the US. Feel free to drop me an email and let me know where you are and what work you’re doing. It’d be nice to hear from you. Hope you’re all doing well.
courtney (from ideas, well not anymore, but before)
October 16, 2007 at 11:48 pm
J
Just wanted to let you know, I host a free giveaway every week on my site. They’re for products that are made in the USA. I make no money off of this – I just want to see more attention given to these products. (and more jobs stay in America!) Come check it out!
Thank you!