The New Digs!

So We are here--we are settled, and I am nesting.

We have unplugged the children, with the exception of a netflix movie 2 or 3 times a month. We have to take the DVD player out of a closet, and detach the screen from the computer, and set it all up in the livingroom. A good amount of work when one is avoiding easy media exposure!

The lego's stay upstairs.

Weggie is potty trained (he also had a small case of pinworms--but we took care of that. I love modern medicine!)

The roast is in the oven.
(so is the bun. . .hahaha)

The fire is going.

But the best result of a more comfortable life is I feel more able to be mindful. In my speech, prayers, interactions. Not that it's always perfect or easy, but with lowered stress in general, I have more energy in my will to fight for what I want.
Holiness, Jesus, Scripture Reading, high quality child care and education, same for husband care.

We call all this "The Oregon Effect"--and we are feeling it and enjoying it. The small discomforts of late pregnancy at my advanced age are so easy to bear in this new environment.

But I am tired at the end of the day. Good Tired.

Holiday?!

Has anyone else been foiled by this holiday?

Let's get that important homeschooling book from the downtown library. . .but first sit in traffic to watch the peace march go by. . .only to find out it's CLOSED--MLK Day.

Check the mail honey. Nothing? Oh YEAH! MLK day.

Please mail this package while you're out dear. (over the cell) Can't do it?! RIGHT--MLK Day.

Geesh--you'd think we'd learn! At least the doctors office was open and scheduling appointments!

Death watch comming soon

I'm having a busy life--so time on the computer is scarce. I'll continue the trip remembrance soon! Love to all-say hi to the snow for us!

New Best Friend

What kind of person would leave a loving community of supportive Friends, willing babysitters, homeschooling helpers, and playmates for the children just for a measly appliance called a dishwasher?

Yeah. Me. Bye Guys. I'm lovin this! Even John is noticing that I am cooking a lot more since I have the ease of a modern kitchen.

You'll have to imagine the vacuum marks on the carpet--they don't show but they really are there. The Vacuum is #2 friend.

City Life

We all road the MAX today and walked along the waterfront. Portland is pretty fancy! I bet any city I go to is fancy since it's been over a decade since I've been a city-dweller.

Here are some examples:

• Walk and Don't walk signs that talk to you and count down to red.


• Indoor bike parking


• Special curbside parking for electric cars with charging stations


• "Information Men" dressed in green uniforms and there to answer your questions.

Some things that stay the same are

• Pink haired, cool accessorized people on the train you wish to be friends with.


• People on the train you don't want to be friends with.


• Homeless people begging with signs.

At the end of the excursion we had all gotten off and on trains without being separated, we found bathrooms when we needed them, and we all had a great afternoon trying to look like a city family, and failing miserably.

BAA BAA Blacksheep

One of the best gifts we have received since arriving was a lamb. Not on the hoof. In the freezer. I have learned a lot about cooking lamb. The headmaster of John's school attributes the decline of culture to the abandoning of lamb as our staple meat. . .I don't know about that--but is IS yummy!

Tonight was rack of lamb.