Procrastination

Have I mentioned how good I am at the art of procrastination?  I'm such a pro and unfortunately, it sometimes comes back to bite me in the butt.  Take today for example.  I've been putting it off all week.  I've known for a long time it was coming, but I just didn't want to to deal with it.  It stresses me out, so I just go in to denial and then end up in frenzy at the last minute.  What is it that has me all out of sorts... TRAVEL.  I know, right.  What kind of person doesn't  like to travel?  ME!  Don't get me wrong, I love seeing new places and exploring new things, but I HATE getting there.  I despise packing.  I can plan and pack for myself, but packing and planning for 5 is one of my least favourite activities.

Anyhow, I put it off and today, I need to make a big, long list and start the packing because the kids clothes ain't going to pack themselves. Yes, I said "ain't".  Deal with it.  I'm sitting here with a paper and pen next to me, but have yet to write anything down.  I HAVE checked the weather. I am looking forward to the waffles and chocolate.  If you don't hear from me for awhile I may be in a sugar coma.  We'll be in Belgium for a few days, in case you couldn't guess.  On the way home we have a surprise for the boys.  I'll fill you in when we get back.  ;-)

We are lining up a few other trips and I've already defaulted to Jason.  I told him I'll plan spring.  It's just not fun trying to find the best flight deals (and then miss out on them) and trying to find a place for all of us to stay.  Learning where to stay and what to do is tedious.  I'm sure I'll be a pro by the end of our time here.

I think I'll procrastinate just a little longer and then get to it.

Cheers!

Spoiled American

I freely admit that I am a spoiled American.  I like comfort. I like convenience. I like my house to be warm when I turn on the heat.  These are not traits of English living.  Let's take a look at some of the things that make me cross.  ;-)

Lack of storage and convenience.  It didn't seem like a big deal at first, but now, it's annoying.

• I have to leave the kitchen to get a dish.  There just isn't a place for them there. They reside in a sideboard in the dining room (up 3 steps and around the corner.) 
• Piles of linens on my bedroom floor.  No linen closets.  I ran out of plastic bins and room under the beds for hiding them.
• Piles of papers and small appliances covering the tiny amount of kitchen counter space I have. Again, the clutter is way worse than it was back home.  How that is possible is beyond me.
• No medicine closet or storage.  Those things have been placed in a bin and are on the top of a high glass shelf in the master bath.
• What built in storage there is requires a ladder, in most cases.
• The master bedroom, looks huge on paper, but try arranging furniture around 2 long radiators and 3 very large windows.  The space dwindles.  I feel like I should have a 4 poster bed in the middle of the room to provide more wall space.  Hmmm....maybe I need to think more about that idea.
• High ceilings and single paned windows make it awfully drafty.  In the states, I kept my heat on 71 and it pretty much stayed around that temperature.  I know that's warm for some, but I like to be comfortable! Here, I set it to 21C (just under 70F) and I'm lucky if it reaches 20.  It was 19C most of the day yesterday.  It made me a very unhappy woman.
• There are 2 small boilers in this massive, old home.  The downstairs one can barely keep up and the upstairs one has to be reset every other day.  I woke up at 3am freezing because the dang thing stopped.  I had to reset it and then we were back in business.  (I may or may not be interested in moving next summer to a smaller, newer home.)
• Climbing nearly 30 stairs to gather laundry from the boys bathroom has already gotten old. I wish we had a laundry chute. lol
• The curtains fell off the wall yesterday because the person who hung them, did it improperly and a bolt was missing.  REALLY.   Thank goodness no one got slammed on the head with the metal rod.
• While walking the boys to school is mostly a positive thing, when it rains, it sucks.  There really is no where to park.  We live close enough that we would only get one or 2 streets closer.  Not really worth the effort of getting everyone in the car.
• Did I mention I am always cold!

Now, these things really get my blood boiling, but it's not really that bad.  These are silly inconveniences that I need to adjust to.  I can say that I appreciate my little home back in the states so much more than I did before leaving it.  I just need to figure out how to let the little stuff go, so I can enjoy the big picture.  There is a lot to be thankful for.
How about a little list of things I am thankful for to end on a high note.

• We have a lot more family time here.  A short commute for Jason equals more time at home.
• Access to incredible sights.  I feel as if my heart and mind have been split open by the things I have seen here and the things I know I will see.
• The ability to walk to the shops, restaurants, parks,etc. if I choose to.
• The amazing, kind and compassionate people I have met here.
• Easy access to fresh, local produce and dairy products.
• The opportunity to have this experience that I am so unworthy of.

There are so many things to be thankful for.  I will try to focus on those and maybe now that I've aired my grievances, I can let them go a bit more, too.

Cheers.