Chronically Sleep Deprived

So, a week AFTER the one-year anniversary of us coming home, I'm finally getting around to blogging about it. There are days when I have to remind myself that I really did live in a foreign country for nearly 18 months; it seems so long ago. There are days when a certain smell or sound will bring back a crush of memories, and I wish I were still in Khon Kaen, lying in a huge bed, cuddling with Adia, Trea, and John, while listening to the rain pounding the roof. There are still times, mostly when I'm doing the dishes, when I feel a profound gratitude for things like air conditioning and hot, clean water. I still get giddy about my dishwasher and four-burner stove (with an OVEN!) and the shiny new energy-efficient washer/dryer. I'm grateful for all the modern conveniences and grateful that I know I can live without them (not without some whining, but still, I can cope). And I really, really miss my friends. Nit Noi, Nok, Ged, and Earn, who made going to church worthwhile. The

Today is the one-year anniversary of us coming home from Thailand. I'm too tired to blog effectively about it tonight, but maybe tomorrow.

To the guy who found my purse today, after I dropped it in the Wal-Mart parking lot: Thank you for turning my wallet into Customer Service. I really do appreciate not having to replace my license, medical insurance cards (for me and the kids), library card, transit pass, and other miscellaneous cards. It's ok that it took you ten hours to turn it in; I'm sure you had to run home and try the credit and debit cards (cancelled them already, sucker!). Oh, and you're welcome to the five dollars and change you took before turning in the wallet. I do wish you'd turned in the purse as well, of course, but now I get to buy a new one. I hope you enjoy my glasses (although it's a very weak prescription, and they are pretty feminine frames.) There's some lip balm, two pens, and a bunch of receipts. You're welcome to those too. Try to cash either of those checks, though, and I will nail your butt to the proverbial wall. By the way, the nice elderly lady at the Customer S