Taking Stock

So, here is where we stand: the move is done, although none of the unpacking, decorating, cleaning up, etc. have been accomplished. We have one wedding down and one to go, along with one accompanying visitation of friends down and one to go. But, then again, we have almost two full weeks off of work. And how are we spending them--hmmm...? Well, it must be said, though I have lofty hopes and much to do in terms of encouraging myself in my writing discipline, as well as some other projects I have up my sleeve, not much of that has been going down. There has, however, been a lot of lounging about, idly trolling around the internet, cooking lots of amazing food, and watching lots of House (thank you Netflix! If only your turnaround time was just a little bit faster.) Not the steely eyed discipline I've come to expect from myself (rather wistfully, though, as opposed to an expectation that might actually be fulfilled)but still, let's remember. I'm on vacation. Never mind the fact that two days after I start work I'm...going on vacation. Well, at least I should be extremely well rested by the time I start...

But, in the meantime, here is the thing (of the thing) my own room is a federally declared disaster area of unpacked boxes, but other glories reside in this new humble abode of mine:
--an upstairs AND a downstairs bathroom
--a room of one's own (not to be underestimated, eh Virginia?)
--lots of very international neighbors
--a secret staircase at the back of the house (I like to think of it as being my own personal secret passageway, since it's next to MY room)
--a window that overlooks our wild, tangly yard, waiting to be unearthed (The Secret Garden) and a fine view of the expansive, lush, neatly tended garden next door (which I like to think of as the Witch's garden from Rapunzel, into which I shall sneak after night falls and have to sacrifice my first born child as a penalty (ha, the joke's on you, Witch, I'm not having any children!))as well as a tempting view of the pool in the neighbor's yard beyond that (speaking of sneaking into things after dark...)
--grape arbors belonging to the houses on both sides of us (we live amongst horticulturalists, apparently)
--a Wusthof chef's knife in the kitchen. This is the glory of glories, I do not think I have words to convey to you the esteem and love in my heart for a good chef's knife. And it's a Wusthof!!!
--a very chipper patch of daisies in the back yard, though they seem to be rather infested with aphids, as I discovered when I tried to domesticate some the other day.
--an attic and a basement, which have not yet been explored to discover if they be glorious or terrifying, but there is at least adventure to be had there.
--And finally, the most tempting, beautiful strawberry pie I've ever laid eyes on, resting quietly in the fridge, while I wait with bated breath to see if the fruits of my labor (ha!) will set properly.

I'm sure there are still charms uncounted waiting for my discovery, but I think the above list is not too shabby for a week's adjustment.