One Rare Bird

Goodbye 2013...

 

In Transition

A while back I wrote a post about my turbulent (at best) housing situation, and despite my good-intentioned attempts to stay positive about the changes in my life I was bested by the stress of it all. But now that some time has lapsed, as well as my *ahem* monthly cycle,  I'm pleased to be writing from a much better place, both literally and emotionally. We moved into an apartment a month ago and despite my initial depression about going from my dream home to what I'm calling a "transitional home", I'm loving the simplicity of our new living arrangement. Our possessions have been reduced by nearly half and our monthly living expenses by almost the same. There is no yard work to keep up with  or maintenance repairs, and the only bills coming in are for rent and electric. It takes only 20 minutes to clean the entire place, and even though it lacks the charm of a 1920's bungalow I'm not freezing my ass off because of drafty windows, or walking down three flights of stairs to do laundry in the basement. I can honestly say that I'm relieved to be walking away from everything that big, beautiful house would have ended up being: a lot of work, time, money, and unnecessary possessions. This process has changed our perspective - or maybe it just clued us into what we really value - and we're now looking for something smaller and simpler to call home. We don't know what that will be yet, but for now home is this undemanding apartment with a great view and the people we love.

Momma

Get Away: Day Five

Get Away: Day Four

Get Away: Day Three

Get Away: Day Two

Get Away: Day One

Me + The Beach

"Happy Fair"

This past Sunday we went to the Oregon Country Fair. It was our first year ever going to this particular fair and the mixed reactions I got when I told people I was going was, in retrospect, a bit over reactive. We had been warned that everybody at the Country Fair will be naked (though I don't see the big deal in that) and that it's going to stink to high-heaven "with all those hippies who don't bother to take showers" and that it will be a giant dust bowl that will spit us out looking like Pig Pen. Well, some people were naked, but nobody was completely naked and people's creativity of costume and unabashed exhibitionism was actually quite liberating to watch. The kids had a fabulous time doing crafts and attending quirky theater shows, while the adults mostly enjoyed the superb people-watching mixed with a juggling lesson here and there and the occasional cup of juice spiked with vodka. We prepared for the day by accessorizing with body paint, headpieces, and wings, then it was off to the fair where we were greeted with jovial exclaimations of "Happy Fair" by a procession of fair workers on the long walk to the entrance. All in all: this might have been my first year to the Country Fair but it definitely won't be my last!