Blissfully Boring

Ok, so life isn't exactly boring, but I am seeing signs that we're settling in. I've realized I haven't felt compelled to blog much, mostly because life is starting to just feel like....life. Fewer and fewer interactions feel strange, hilarious, bizarre or just off beat. Driving past a huge truck with a bunch of men laying around in flour-sack hammocks while the truck is going about 100 kilometers down the highway no longer feels like it's from another planet. It just makes me smile and be glad I've got a seatbelt and air conditioning.

Other signs of settling are popping up as well. Basil. My garden has its first crop of basil and various types of lettuce. I've started harvesting a few leaves at a time and spent much of the weekend cooking - pizza sauce with basil, chevre, basil & tomato salad and other yummy things. A few months ago, cooking was way too overwhelming. Whatever was set in front of me is pretty much what I'd eat because going through the hassle of figuring out anything myself took more energy than I had. I had forgotten how much I love to spend a Sunday afternoon in the kitchen. Although, I have decided that there's not enough air conditioning in the world that can make a kitchen cool when it's 100 degrees outside.

Life is moving into a nice rhythm for all of us. The kids are doing well in school (although due to swine flu that wasn't even at their school the school closed early and they are out for 1 month!!), they have friends and have started having a couple of play dates. Work is feeling manageable and I'm finally able to set some boundaries around it and take some time off. We're all staying pretty healthy, I have a beautiful place to swim in the mornings, we love hanging out at the beach on the weekends and life feels like it's taking on a nice cadence. Blissfully (almost) boring. Whew.

Almost Like Home

We finally got our furniture. We ordered cane furniture from a furniture maker on the side of the row in section of town where there are loads of furniture makers. Sophie & I picked out material for the couch cushions & a tailors made them. We've now got beds, a couch, table & chairs and a few shelves. Feels good to be a bit settled. Last week, I broke down and bought a small TV and got satellite hooked up. I know, that's a minor miracle. For those of you who know me at home, I haven't had TV for a couple of years. I was desperate. I needed something to keep the kids occupied so I could breathe for a moment!

Tomorrow, we're getting out of the city and staying at a small beachfront bungalow place. Sounds very off the beaten path & we're looking forward to breathing some fresh air and swimming in the ocean (and I can't wait to pass out in a hammock!). The place looks great http://www.ko-sa.com/ and is only about $35/night for a bungalow. I'll report back after our weekend.

When we return, the kids start school on Tuesday. They just got their uniforms yesterday & they look so darn cute in their little green outfits, white socks & brown shoes :)

Hopefully, I'll get around to posting some pictures next week. Missing home & all of you.