We had a really nice Thanksgiving weekend, with a big fun dinner with Lee’s family, where the kids ran around outside until it got dark, then turkey, and hanging out.  Then we visited old friends in Knowlesville and went on a beautiful walk that involved lots of tree-climbing.  After that, we took off to Queenstown to do some work on our little house.  It was stressful at first, being there.  The wreckage is still abundant, and some days I think we will be able to pull it together and move back before Christmas, but I wasn’t so sure upon seeing how much more work there is to do.  But after some painting and reno cleanup, and figuring out where the refrigerator’s going to go, and tinkering with the plumbing, the kids and I went outside to the garden, weeded two large beds, and planted our garlic.  Digging in the dirt is so transformative and therapeutic.  We have had a gorgeous, mild fall.   And I am so thankful that this garden is still vital, that the oil hit a drain tile and passed well underneath this beautiful black soil that I have spent the past two years nurturing.

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And now for the big news: After consulting with all the brilliant people in my life, we have decided to acquire a dishwasher.  Opinion seems to be quite evenly divided on the subject of dishwashers.  I have always scorned them, actually.  Isn’t it faster and easier and more efficient just to hand-wash?  Sigh.  My mother keeps all of her dry goods in the dishwasher. It’s the perfect pantry!  Mouse-proof.  But, I am finished with fighting about dishes, and I am sick of waking up in the morning to a sink full of dirty dishes, and Lee has promised that the idea thrills him, and being potters, we have enough dishes to toss them all into the dishwasher and have the luxury of dirtying more, and…the kitchen in Queenstown is about 50 square feet with one tiny counter, and only a single sink.  This is a capitulation, I know.  It is against my principles, I know.  I am crumbling to the promise of technology.  No, I’m embracing it.  (oh and did I mention that we will have a washer and dryer in Queenstown too?  No more washing diapers in the bathtub.  It was romantic.)  So, all of these first world luxury problems to be thankful for, decisions to make.  It’s ok.  I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving.

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