Coming Home

July 9 2011

To wrap up our ROG adventure, we returned to the US on June 15^th. We were in DC for two days while Ron wrapped up with Treasury and visited a couple of international non governmental organizations to talk about future short term assignments. Treasury asked Ron to be on the intermittent list as well. We visited our kids and grandkids which was a real treat then headed home arriving late Sunday night, June 19^th. Jane Burke was kind enough to pick us up at the airport and bring us home.

On Monday Jane moved in with us as Jim, her husband, is bicycling across the US and their house is occupied by people with whom they are doing a house exchange. We unpacked our six suitcases and started on the 30 boxes that we stored in our basement while we were in ROG. I needed to go to the grocery stores where I shopped to stock the pantry and refrigerator. It is so easy to shop here with such a wide availability of items. I bought many things that we had not had for the 21 months we had been gone.  Monday night the three of us went to the mattress store and bought three new mattresses: one for the apartment, one for a guest room and one for us. We had fun acting like Goldilocks at the store trying out various mattresses.

On Tuesday we finished the boxes. Ron was busy in the office working on the presentation he was to give in Vietnam, leaving on Thursday. I woke up Wednesday and went down to the kitchen and realized I was thoroughly exhausted. I had been operating on joy and excitement about being home but had been going non stop. My body said slow down and I did. I started working a while then spending time at the computer or some other non physical activity.

On Thursday I took Ron to the airport and off he went for eight days. While gone, I ironed, god what a mountain of ironing was left after unpacking six suitcases. I still have more to do. I gardened, buying and planting plants for the patio and porch pots/boxes. It really helped me feel as though I had reclaimed our home. It felt rather unlived in when we arrived. There is a ton of maintenance that needs to be done but we have started on it and hope to finish by the end of August. When Ron returned we used our neighbor’s power washer to clean our patio, deck and sidewalks in the backyard. He didn’t finish but he got the majority of it done. Next we will clean the mold off the deck and the apartment deck and steps. NW winters take their toll. He has a lot of touch up painting to do outside and in the apartment which we will rent in August. For now Jane is our neighbor there. Jane has been a great help. In the evenings the three of us worked the daily crossword, a fun activity for all of us. Ron got our computers set up and the office straightened out. What a mess it was. While Ron was gone to Vietnam, numerous problems arose: the internet went out, the basement floor had standing water from a plumbing problem, the TV didn’t work and the car died. I was at my wits end as these are the things Ron always takes care of and I felt under the gun to make progress while he was gone. Fortunately we were able to communicate and he gave me guidance and all of it got resolved. Let’s just say that re-entry has its moments: highs and lows. Joy at being back home and bumps with adjustments.

WOW! A month has flown by and I never finished this. To wrap up, we are still are catching up on maintenance. As I reflect on ROG, I realize the word ‘grim’ keeps coming to mind. Our experience wasn’t grim but the country is somewhat grim with its Soviet era architecture, so many people wearing black clothing and often walking down the street with grim expressions. We are most grateful for the chance to spend 21 months there and to travel throughout the region. We are one lucky pair of love birds.

We will return to Tbilisi sometime in Oct. as Ron has a promise for 48 days work between Oct-January. As this is a different job and different employer we will be on our own as it were. No benefits from the embassy, Bummer.  But the work will be challenging and within Ron’s passion which is local government.