Back in the swing of things

I know it's been awhile. Joel's visit ended over a week ago and then my computer crashed...again. Stupid hard drives. But I'm back online and back into the old swing of things.

Speaking of 'the swing of things', let's talk about that, shall we? Ever since Maya and I moved out here, I've tried to make new habits and 'traditions', if you will. One of my big goals was to keep the condo clean. Much more clean than my home was in Indiana. Living with a husband, two teens (well, teen and 20-something now) and a kid made for a messy house, and one I just finally tired of trying to clean all the time. Now that it's just Maya and I, it's much easier to clean up the kitchen after dinner, do the laundry, pick up the living room. I have no excuse out here.

I've also made sure that I cook more meals. The five of us were rarely home at the same time in Indiana, so it was drive-thrus and convenience meals. Now that I have this new space and more time on my hands (ahem, no theatre...) I make sure Maya and I have home-cooked meals most nights of the week.

But as we get settled into our life out here, it's different when my husband comes to visit. We are so thrilled when he is here, but I can understand that he feels more like a visitor. This isn't his 'home' just yet, and actually, we'll be moving into a bigger place by end of summer anyway. But I understand it's hard for him to find his own place out here with us now that Maya and I have gotten into our own habits. I felt the same way when we went back to Indiana for the holidays. It wasn't odd being with my family, but odd being in a place I hadn't lived in several months. I lived out of my luggage for the 12 days I was there, and most of my 'stuff' was here in Colorado. My name is still on the mortgage, but it felt less like home.

Now, I know my husband is one of the few that read this blog and I don't want him to think there is anything negative in this post! :-) But it is an odd feeling knowing that you've left someplace to start anew elsewhere. I wonder where 'home' really is. Will it feel more like home when he moves out here and we're together again? Will it feel odd not having the other two kids with us, since they'll be in Indiana making their way through college? Only time will tell.