
List of things that now feel like luxuries that before I took for granted, in no particular order:
- Oven mitts, pizza cutter, variety of spices, 9x13 pan, measuring spoons, variety of pots, full-size kitchen garbage can, cabinet space, full-size drain tray (complete with silverware holder and cup places on the side. I could actually write a whole blog post on the drain tray, having a sink with the divider in the middle, etc. Dishes, my least favorite chore, feels like a dream and for the first time in my life, I prefer to hand wash the dishes over the dishwasher. Side Note: I don't expect that to last long. I think its mostly because hand washing doesn't leave the residue and having lived without that dingy look to dishes now it is unappealing.)
- Being able to buy things to have on hand, instead of just things we can use all of within a 12-week countdown
- Sunshine. Wearing shorts and flip-flops because its a necessity, not just an emotional attachment
- Family nearby that's always excited to see us and babysit
- Spacious, affordable housing, multiple closets, 2 bedrooms, etc.
- Wide Utah roads and free parking with reasonable rush-hour traffic
- Walmart and Winco nearby
- Counter-space around my bathroom sink
- Friendly Mormon neighbors
- More than 2 chairs in the dining room
- High-chair, walker, crib, changing table, kids books, variety of kids toys, etc. (this may have been at the top of the list if it was in order)
- Free bags at stores
- Camping
- The luxury of familiarity in general.
Things I miss:
- I can't believe I'm saying this but...recycling. I feel guilty now throwing away in the garbage all the mail I went through, plastic containers, etc that in Seattle would be easy to recycle.
- The wonderful weather, although I hear it was unusual it didn't rain on us more.
- The excitement of everything being new
- Parks...oh Seattle knows how to do parks.
- Public transportation, where Trevor could take the bus to work
- Water. From the beach of Puget Sound to the many large lakes to the large rivers and waterfalls. Even our drive back we would pass lots of bodies of water until we got to Utah.
- Feeling like a missionary, especially at church. Where being willing to visit teach or able to play piano is a novelty and a surprise to whoever is asking. (P.S. I've been told to thank my parents for the piano bit. Thanks Mom and Dad!)
- Planning activities for every weekend and scouting out all the free things we could do. Living like we've only got so much time to take advantage of the opportunities around us.
- The mom group and being in a ward where small children are abundant and play dates are frequent.
- People put their best foot forward bringing things to a potluck. Side Note: I will not miss humus being present whenever there is food involved.
I'm sure there's more to it than can be expressed in bullet points, but I'm thankful we had the experience. I've always wanted to live out of Utah for a bit and this was a nice taste of what it can be like. Now we're back and getting back into the swing of things. Trevor is hunting for a new job while I have been packing and cleaning. Tomorrow is Pioneer Day (Utah holiday involving fireworks) and then we're going camping this weekend. Thanks for everything, Seattle, but it's good to be home.