Hjemmefronten

Among the things that one doesn't think about at first when one decides to up stakes and move overseas is how much time and energy goes into the home that one is leaving. This past month has been filled with tending the home fires, both metaphorically and more literally. We've been doing taxes, visiting elderly relatives, looking at paint samples, and getting bids to have the exterior of our house painted. These tasks have a tendency to strengthen ties rather than make it easier to detach oneself.

I'm really excited to get the exterior painted, and have plans for some small repairs to the interior over the summer. And in the mail today the local neighborhood newsletter announced that a neighborhood-wide garage sale is being planned for July. I am thrilled, and already sent off an email to get involved. It will be a fantastic way to start paring down more of the material goods that are lurking all over the place in our house.

Spring has also arrived here in the Pacific Northwest, and our very large (and very uncouth) yard is starting to pull itself together and start looking pretty again. All those corners that look dismal in the gray, wet winter, are starting to come to life. I think every year when spring comes, KE perks up and starts to reconsider the plan to move back to Norway. Then the summer heat comes along and he starts longing for home again. I'm getting used to his cycles.

But all in all, April is feeling a little strange and unsettling. The nesting instinct is surprisingly strong.