Itchy feet

I think it's time for another day trip because our blogs are getting boring and my children our bored. Note that I say the children are bored. After I have done my chores, I am delighted to step outside and look at PHOTO_ID_L=my-view.jpg which I can view from any one of three outdoor seating areas. Here is one: PHOTO_ID_R=one-of-my-3-outoor-seating-areas.jpg

My view

What are my chores? Well, they are similar to my chores at home, yet different. Cooking is a bit of a challenge because my pantry of staples is fairly small, I don't have access to many things that I usually cook with (both software and hardware). The children are relatively picky about their food both places. Josh, for instance, doesn't like melon or tomatoes which are both staples of the Turkish summer diet. I've adapted what I'm willing to eat, buts some of my fellow travelers aren't as flexible. Obviously shopping without a car is a bit tricky, as is only having market day in Gundogan once per week. I love the shopette that is a five minute walk away. That's where we get our bread now.

one of my 3 outoor seating areas

Laundry: Theoretically they could wear each of their outfits multiple times before a wash, given that they spend most of the day in their swimsuits, but they haven't been terribly cooperative on this. I'm working on behavior modification here. The washer washes every load twice. This I don't understand, but it's there in the instructions with the house, so I know it's right. At any rate, it takes about 2 hours to do a load and then I hang it on the line. Sometimes this takes longer than using a dryer, sometimes not. It depends on how hot and sunny it is, not how windy. The clothes pins are made out of plastic and are in the shapes of corn cobbs and circus peanuts. Fabric softener is called "smoothing liquid."

Cleanup: Takes very little time! The kids have almost no toys or games! I spend more time setting out lunch and dinner on the porch and wiping everything out there down each day, but I have a daily helper who works with me on this. I think it's nice that we have so many meals together here.

Refereeing fights: This has been taking a little too much time lately. I think it's all the togetherness.

Teaching Turkish: I've been trying to spend some time each day learning and teaching Turkish, but am meeting with lukewarm responses. I have better luck when I teach food words like: sugar, ice cream, bread. They need a hook, it seems.

Enforced fun: We have a minimum of two trips to a body of water each day. This, sadly, requires persuasion. Ridiculously, they always have a good time after we get there and then prepare to complain for the next time.

Tonight is movie night. I've downloaded Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy and we will pop corn and gather round the MacBook tonight. Two more days 'til Harry Potter!