Home: Under Construction

You probably didn't notice in this picture I took of the outside of our house, but there was a gift waiting on our porch:

A Welcome Home! balloon was attached to a lovely houseplant (which is still alive! and has to be a record for me). Next to both was a card from one Marijke Sutter. The tears which had welled up at our homecoming received the addition of tears from the love, the gratitude, and the twinge of homesickness for every soul I left behind on the east coast. 

This was so touching. I'm so grateful for Marijke. She has always known how to be a friend to me, from the moment we met in a tent in the Adirondacks.
The plant is still alive, more's the miracle. She says she deliberately ordered a hardy one.

The day after we arrived we spent in unloading the truck into the garage, getting groceries and supplies, and trying to find the most essential boxes for survival. It was a bit of indoor camping, at first.

Wednesday the 15th, the kids were willing to give Ascension Episcopal (our new home church)'s VBS a try-- provided I stayed with them the first day. I obliged.

It was blazingly hot! I resolved to get some sunscreen forthwith.

The outdoor water games were a big hit. We got to experience the joy of water play in the desert, where you never feel cold for an instant and your clothes dry in minutes. 

The women who taught the music classes really sealed the deal on the kids' enjoyment and approval of the program. They're still wandering around singing the whole VBS soundtrack in broad voices.

Isn't she amazing??

The kids were so dazed and jetlagged! But they participated as much as their little headaches would allow, and were very happy to go back for the rest of the week- without me along. 

Meanwhile, our frantic search for furniture has been underway. We bought a washer and dryer and a living room set new, and a desk, two dressers and chair used.

Look at this glorious desk! I've wanted one like this my whole life.

I might write letters now! And I will certainly write my thesis in elegance and comfort.

Meanwhile, this is the weather we've been experiencing....

It's really not as bad as it looks. In the shade, it's downright comfortable! I am officially a fan of dry heat.

We got to have another dinner at the vicarage with our new friends, the priests-in-charge of Ascension Church. Alas that they're moving out just as we arrive! We hope good things for their replacement. 

We found a home quickly for the whittled man Anne gave us:

...to let our neighbors know exactly what kind of weirdos live here. 

Slowly, the house is starting to come together, with furnishings, organization, and here and there, some art and decoration is emerging.

My kitchen is cool and comfortable. 

We've spent a lot of time on the front porch. I just love the trees and birds. I'm so grateful for the tall trees in our neighborhood, unnatural as they are in this climate. They make me feel at home.

We had to try this. It's not bad!

Wednesday morning after our move in, we had to call our first plumber! That's right, it didn't take two full days for yucky water to start filling the bathtub and pooling around the powder room toilet at every flush. The plumber was NOT impressed with the inspector's negligence as he snaked the main line. Fortunately, it wasn't devastatingly expensive or destructive. And we now have a favorite plumber!

And we have a new book:

And Jon has a new skill: fixing sinks!

That strainer basket was leaking, too. C'mon, it's our first week!!

Even the kids got into the spirit of home improvement. Here, they help paint their new (used) dresser!

Desert nights are so magical. Our backyard (which is about to become more pleasant still- our lawnmower arrived today!) is nearly bug-free and the summer night air is dry and pleasant.

Sunday marked our first visit to Ascension Church in Pueblo! It was a promising first visit. Their motto is: "A haven for all and a blessing to our community." And this really does seem to be the direction of their efforts. 

That Sunday happened to be the sending-off service for Pastors John and Rachel, so we got a chance to see how the congregation loves their community. And we got a bit of their sense of humor, in the musical review they performed for their departing priests, and in their decor at the reception:

Monday, we did something that made me feel like an official Puebloan:

Our local library, only a 10 minute brisk walk from our house, is a treasure! Can't wait to see the big downtown branch. We've already been to a cool kids' event and checked out stacks of materials.

See those puppets? You can check them out!!

Living room furniture arrived yesterday...

A quick word on home ownership: When we were shopping for a home, I saw each house as a set of positive and negative characteristics. I felt fairly balanced and unsentimental about this house, recognizing simply that this was the best house for us. We put in our offer.

During that six weeks when there was so much doubt that we'd even be granted a mortgage, this house became a castle in my imagination.

When we arrived, it was a lovely little house, with a few minor flaws and a carpet that smelled vaguely like dogs. But a week later, after the plumbing repairs and the work of unpacking and arranging and the plans and the sweat, I now love this house. It is mine. I look at the flaws and feel only slight fondness and determination to improve them. I look at the features and glow with gratitude. This really is our Mushroom Castle. Thank you to all readers who helped us get into this house and prayed us through that last few months.

Look all around! Nothing but blue skies!