Settling in

Well here we are. This is coming to you not, as I feared, from a Starbucks or equivalent, but balanced precariously on the window sill of our living room, as it's the only place that picks up wireless networks in our home. So saving on overpriced coffee, but slightly awkward to write and it does cut out from time to time. We also have it on the veranda, which makes for a very modern twist on the notion of sitting outside enjoying the balmy afternoons and evenings.

However! We almost didn't make it! In the kitchen on Sunday ready to hand over the first month's rent, Chris made an innocent comment about the fridge not being clean as promised, which unfortunately awoke the schizophrenic beast within our mousy-looking landlady. She turned round, said "you know what, I'm not going to rent to you anymore" and proceeded, despite many attempts to calm her down, to lay into us for a good ten minutes. It was utterly bizarre, and not a little frightening! Not least because of the prospect of being back to square one. But the torrent ran its course, we paid the money and we got sweet Charlotte back, who then chatted on about how busy she was, her boyfriend, how women are great, and wished us a happy stay in the area. It does mean, though, that all problems to do with the house will have to be fixed by our own initiative because we never. want. to. see. her. again.

We've done a good job furnishing it for very little cost. On Sunday, Nathen and I drove around in a van we hired, whilst Chris stayed on internet duty ringing people who were advertising free/cheap things and then directing us to pick them up. A fun, tiring, long day, finished off by a late trip to Ikea which saw us get very lost (the map was in three bits by then, with middle section mysteriously vanished) only to find it, take the wrong exit and sail down the freeway headed to Seattle. By the time we made it back it was, of course, shut. We returned home to find Kevin back from work, locked out, sitting on the veranda using free internet. First evening was weird Chinese frozen take-out, followed by all camping down on the sofa and two mattresses in the living room under coats, thermals, towels because our bedding was still at Ikea....

But now, it's massively different. House is clean, furniture is set, beds arrived, rooms set up and unpacked and it really looks like a home! It's really, really lovely. We've got a ton of space so visitors welcome! Plus I have the best room in the house (advantage one of being the one girl in five!).

I've also got myself a job! Had an interview at an Eco store on Broadway - the main shopping street near us - and I have a training day on Thursday and then three shifts next week, with the possibility of more. Hurray!! I was sorely tempted to go and spend all the money I have yet to make on a new ski jacket - saw some beauties this morning but I resisted temptation. For now.

Also enjoying the pot of Marmite that Q brought out for me (thanks!). Kev said a few days ago that he didn't mind it (which I seriously doubted) so gave him some to try this morning. He clearly hadn't had it before, as his verdict? The devil's toothpaste.