Pardon My French

Today was one of my slower days and I've been able to take it easy since 2 p.m. I feel a little guilty about it, actually. I spent most of the day planning and figuring out how to make fake fishing poles so I can do a vocabulary fishing game with the little guys. Since then I've been reading, trying to figure out what kind of crap virus infected our computer last week, and trying to get motivated enough to vacuum.

One thing I did want to comment about on this particular blog is that I am feeling more at home here and capable of getting things done by myself. It feels like a home to me, although back in the mountains will always be my real home. I'm not sure if that will ever go away. I feel so lucky to have such good friends back there and I think of you all every single day, even if I am total crap about e-mailing. The more hours I work here, though, the better I feel. Having a job definitely did make all the difference in the world as I feel connected to people around me, and the increase in pay helps me feel not poor. If I want to buy a book, I can, darn it. That's a relief.

I have no idea what really has made this into a home for me, but S. and the cat are obvious components. The job and the book club are others. Another factor is probably that I am able to find my way around Carrefour much, much better than before, despite the fact that they always keep moving things around on me. (I hate that). The honest truth is that I do love the U.S., and would be just fine going back there if that's the direction our lives took. I would even say I would be delighted to be closer to all of my family and friends, but that I would be losing something from this end. On the other hand, I love it here and will also be just fine staying here (and visiting every year) unless something major happens. I feel guilty saying that, because I do miss everyone so, so much and it is hard not to be able to see the little ones growing up and learning how to do new things. Thank the Good Lord for the internet, is all I can say, even if it sucks up too much of my time when I should be cleaning the house instead.