This is my new kitchen, long and stretched out instead of a nice little square like my old one. My husband and I trip over each other when we’re in there together. But it’s “done.” With the exception of a few things hiding in who-knows-which box, it’s finished and functional. So is our bedroom, with the exception of curtains. We need window treatments throughout the house, and since I know absolutely nothing about how to dress windows–about how to decorate a home, period–I’ve been stalling. I’m about to make the plunge, but until I gather my nerve, the sheet over the bedroom window will just have to do.

This place is totally different from our other home. They’re both about the same age, but this one has been renovated. We have a nice-sized lot, but nothing like the eleven acres we just left. Here, when something catches my eye outside the kitchen window, it’s not usually a bird or a squirrel, but a Ford or Toyota. The houses here aren’t ten acres apart like they were at our old home, so we see more of our neighbors. But that’s not totally a bad thing. We see life happening. Kids on bikes; older folks on their daily power-walks; moms gathered at the ends of driveways, visiting and keeping an eye on everyone; dads washing trucks or mowing lawns. Just simple life.

We’ve traded the early morning symphony of pond frogs for the lonely whistle of a distant train. There is a smaller variety of birds here, but the mockingbird is variety itself, and the doves’ coo is always welcoming. A walk down the street brings heartwarming calls of neighbors and friendly chats–a suitable replacement for a soul-calming, peaceful walk in the woods.

We miss our old home, but after only a week here, we’re learning to love this one. Friends and family have dropped in to visit–all bringing food. Which is a good thing. I have yet to fix a decent meal in this house. I’m generally a good cook, but lately I’ve begun to wonder whether I’ve lost my touch.

I’ve been able to be with Mom, to be there when she needs me, a lot more often and far more easily than before. That, in itself, is a treasure.

Of course, I’ll be glad when everything is done and we can settle into some sort of a routine. MSB has been retired for a year now and still doesn’t really have an idea of what retirement looks like. Last year’s unusual circumstances coupled with this year’s move haven’t allowed him to just be retired. But we went to the lake yesterday, where we spent most of our dates, with hopes to re-engage our love of fishing sometime in the near future. The lake has changed quite a bit, but once we get out on the water, it’ll feel like old times.

So here we are. I guess this is the final leg of our journey on this earth and this house is truly our forever home, but I’m happy with it. We have time to do what we intended to do when we moved back home–reconnect with family and friends. I’m looking forward to it.