Back in the USA

We've been back in the USA for over three weeks now. The plan to try living without a car? It lasted two days after arrival. We got caught in a nasty cold pouring rain the second day, with a bit of a walk from the bus stop to our destination, and then back, using a bus stop with no shelter. Jim was afraid I would get sick out in that cold rain, and he says he didn't want his stubbornness about not having a car to be the cause of me getting ill. We got a car on day 3. So we have a shiny new red 2009 Chevy Aveo, and we love it. Jim says it is nicer than our Honda Jazz/Fit we had in Thailand. It's not a hatchback, but has a spacious 2-body trunk. We have a free year of OnStar, too, and 0% financing. Woot! Being out of the country for three years left Jim with a wholly clean license, so the car insurance was less expensive than I feared. And we got a discount by getting renter's insurance from the same company. Jim is keeping that license clean by not speeding. Our apartment is almost fully furnished, thanks to Ikea. All our furniture is from there, except Jim's desk. If you are curious, just ask and can link you to what we bought. Our bedroom is white and blue, a calm retreat. It has warm fluffy down alternative pillows and comforter. The living room is white and birch, with a red sofa. It really needs that splash of color. We are using the far end of the living room as a dining nook, and using the dining nook as my office. It's really working well for me, to be open to the kitchen. My desk and bookcase are white, as is my chair. The dining room table and chairs are birch. No real decorating has been done yet. Plenty of time for that. We are both happy to be back. Jim is following the Detroit Lions, seeing how long they can extend their record-setting losing streak. I am shopping at the local food coop and farmer's market for fresh food. I still shop at Meijer's, but I'm spending far less there than I would otherwise. I can't wait for the kitchen appliances I ordered to arrive! Having only a toaster and coffeemaker is a bit limiting.