We've been here six months as of today. It is crazy how on the one hand it feels like we just got here and on the other it feels like we've been here forever. I have been terrible about writing anything down but I really want to get back to it because it helps us to remember everything! So I'll just jump in with what has been going on recently then try to post some of the trips and day trips we've done the past few months.
The biggest news lately is that our stuff arrived. Since we left in August we've only had the things we carried in our suitcases - so we were very happy to be reacquainted. Of course we'd had to purchase most things - furniture, dishes, etc. - so what was coming in the crate were the things that had sentimental value. It's so nice to have art on the walls and books on the shelves. Feels much more like home.
A couple of days after our things arrived, we had visitors. It was the best motivation to get everything put away and get the boxes broken down and stored in the garage. There are still some shelves I will want to reorganize but for the most part it feels pretty set up.
We were very excited to have our friends Marc and Adele visit us from the UK. We'd seen them in September when the ship stopped in Southampton but we were ready for some more catching up. Marc and Babac are friends from high school and their stories have provided ample fodder for decades (clearly, as Hallie posted this several years ago after Marc's daughter visited her in NY).
We have so many fond memories of their visits to us in California and ours to them in the UK. I first met them in 1989 when I was pregnant with Ana, so nearly 35 years ago. We did the usual touristy San Francisco things.
Great memories of our visit to them:
Unfortunately the weather wasn't super cooperative while they were here but we made the best of it! A day trip to Modena and then another to Verona. A lot of very good food and a lot of laughs - a perfect few days of catching up.