It’s a long weekend at work already! Also, because IT is doing some things, we are locked out of our systems and literally cannot go to work. So it’s sort of a for real long weekend. I brought things home on thumb drive, but at least I can do them here.
I have spent a lot of the past two days house hunting. House prices are high here, of course, but there are a few things within our reach. The apartment we are in is very small and has only one bathroom, so I am eager to get us into a more permanent place. My two current obsessions are a small but gorgeous new build, and a larger older place (2300 sf) with a large backyard but really terrible bathrooms. If money were no object I would do the latter and Reno the bathrooms and kitchen before we move in -but I am afraid of the risk of hidden issues. Old roof, old HVAC, etc. The former is 1650 sf which is 1000 less than we had in AL. But it’s brand new, with a ten year warranty, and designed very well. 3 sizeable bedrooms, 2 perfect bathrooms, clever closets and a perfect kitchen. I just wish it had one more room.
I am glad we left Alabama. So. Glad. I am a progressive free spirit, and NOLA suits me. Even with its terrible roads and bad schools and crime, this is a community. It’s a place of connection, not isolation. Sometimes I really hate it, but most of the time I love it.
Having the Prof live with us full time is also wonderful. Even having all three boys share a room isn’t so bad. We put Craig to bed first, and play a game or do a puzzle or art project in the living room with the big boys, til he is settled and they can sneak in. Since they don’t have to get up at 6am any more, we can all stay up a little bit later. We have been using this time to slowly go through each of the Christmas presents they got this year. Christmas morning was chaos, and they didn’t really process the things they got as they opened them. We only got them each four things – three were left unwrapped on the couch from Santa and the last was a personalized book – one for each of the kids. But they got stuff from grandparents and aunts and uncles, and I have introduced them to each thing one at a time. I enjoy this time with them. Craig and I, meanwhile, enjoy early mornings together, as he still gets up at the crack of dawn. So I never sleep but at least I get quality time with the boys!
There are uncertainties and frustrations, but there isn’t the fundamental disconnect in the culture. On New year’s eve, we went to late dinner reservations, and then to a party at a friend’s house. They threw their arms open in delight st the sight of us, gave us sloppy drunken cheek kisses (in the French style), and said “welcome home!” The whole party toasted our arrival. Home indeed.
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The week’s meals all depend on a roast turkey . . . And I foolishly forgot how long it takes to defrost a turkey. Yikes! If I can’t get it defrosted today then we will wait til the weekend and shuffle the menu.
Monday – roast turkey, potatoes, carrots
Tuesday – turkey tetrazzini
Wednesday – turkey pot pie – no recipe, I just throw cooked turkey, a bag of frozen mixed veg, a jar of gravy, and maybe some diced potatoes in a casserole, then cover with a pie crust. Boys love it.
Thursday – corn chowder with green chilies, biscuits. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/corn-chowder-with-chilies/
Friday – sausage, potato, and kale soup http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/sausage-potato-and-kale-soup/
Saturday – spaghetti and chicken meatballs
the drunken kisses and “Welcome home!” just made me smile and smile. Happy New Year!