Lightening Online

I have to admit, it does feel a little bit weird being home again.

Like, I can’t remember where things are and end up opening way too many drawers.

The kids have been pretty excited, running around rediscovering things.  It’s like all their toys are new again.

The biggest thing I’m struggling with is how much STUFF we have.  We’ve lived without most of it for 3 months and part of me would just like to have a MASSIVE clean out.  I hope the feeling lasts long enough for me to actually DO so.

Saturday was a lovely day at home.  The sun was shining and we spent the day unpacking and enjoying being home.

Today (Sunday) was a little more challenging.  It truly signified the return to “real life”.  Sadly, our calendar is already filling up.  *sigh*  Isn’t it funny how you can go away for 3 months and miss a heap of stuff and it not matter but to be at home and not go…. well, that’s not so easy for a whole variety of reasons.

Something to think on there.

Anyway, as sad as it is that our “big trip” is over, it is nice to be home.  One thing that we’ve realised as we’ve travelled around is how lovely a spot we live in.  It has it’s frustrations and limitations but then we found that wherever we went.

It really is nice to come home and be glad that it’s YOUR home.

Well folks, the time has come.  We have spent our 100th night in the caravan and as I type this, we are driving through Adelaide on our way home!

We won’t get home until evening though as we have to stop and see my parents and collect our cat as well as do some grocery shopping along the way (a big shop given I emptied the fridge and freezer and most of the cupboard before we left).

We have mixed feelings about heading home.  I’m not sure how we’ll feel once we get there.  In one sense, there’s a sense of relief to be heading home to more space and more convenience (like an inside toilet for instance!).  In another, there’s the dread of getting back to “real life” and having to do with real life stuff (like 14 weeks worth of mail!!!!).

Plus, of course, the sadness that the trip is now offically “over”.

BUT…

We have some exciting plans for our house over the next couple of years.  Completing our pergola, building a back decking and verandah and building an outdoor games room (a lined shed is the plan).

AND…

No doubt there will be more trips in the future.  Only short ones for a while (probably until the kids leave home) but nevertheless, lots of great places we can visit in 2-3 week blocks.

Overall, I’m mostly just feeling proud of ourselves that we had a dream and we made it happen. It makes me excited about the possibilities the future has to offer.  There is nothing like seeing a dream come to reality to inspire you to dream more and chase those dreams!

Anyway, I had best publish this while we still have coverage (and I still have battery power).  See you when we get home!!! 

I’m the kind of person who cares what other people think.

Way too much at times, I’m afraid.

I think some of this tendency has lessened a little as I’ve been coming to terms with a sense of self that isn’t self loathing.  I doubt I’ll ever fully get rid of my desire to please and my concern for what others think but I am glad it’s abating a little.

What I didn’t expect out of this trip was for how unconcerned I might become about what others thought of my appearance.

At home, if I was going into town (unless it was to the gym or some physical activity was involved), I’d always put on make up.

And heaven forbid that any member of the family might leave the house with the slightest crease in their clothing.

So, it has surprised me no end that in the last 14 weeks, I have ironed the sum total of 2 items.  Not 2 items a week.  2 items in TOTAL!!!!!!

And I haven’t worn make up many more times than that (okay, I’ll admit, I have worn it every Sunday for church and a couple of times when we’ve gone out for a meal but that’s IT).

I even went into Sydney (city that is) without even thinking about whether I should wear make up or not.

Totally out of the habit.

I walk around the caravan park in my pyjama’s, rarely bothering to “cover up” with a dressing gown (don’t worry, my pj’s are quite decent).

I’ve even been wearing thongs with my trackpants occasionally.

This morning I even wore socks with thongs!!!!  (Yeah, I know, that’s pushing it a bit – in my defence, it was still dark out!).

So, it will be interesting to see how I go when I get home.

Will I go back to my old ways or will I care less about “appearances”?

Side Note: Today has been the horribly boring crossing of the Hay Plains.  Tomorrow we drive to Adelaide to get home on Friday.  If for some reason I don’t get a chance to post in the next few days, we’re nearly home and regular posting (as well as a catch up on photo’s) will be forthcoming.