Things Are Looking Up

September 15, 2017

At least I think they are. The leak is still leaking (a tiny bit) but we have a dish tub catching all the water and the wall has dried up. Hopefully maintenance can come back and fix it once and for all.

It’s a little stressful to think that we’re already having to deal with a leak but I’m happy to say that I’m still feeling pretty good. I’m actually feeling better than I have in a while. I think getting out of the smoke has made a big difference. We now have a heavy duty air purifier running 24/7 and I’m guessing that’s also helping. Today the wildfire smoke cleared out and we were able to have the windows open. That made the apartment feel even better!

I’ve been working hard on getting us settled in while Brett is working hard to launch his new coaching program for young writers. We figured out the washing machine and it’s been quite amazing! All you have to do is throw some clothes in there and push a few buttons. I got caught up on all the laundry in just one day! Incredible! I had forgotten laundry could be so easy!

Yesterday, I vacuumed all our cabinets (Brett helped me with the ones I couldn’t reach). Then I spent this morning bringing items from the van into the apartment. Things like dishes, spices, non-perishable foods, and clothing. I think by the end of tomorrow we’ll be all settled in. It helps that we don’t have much stuff.

I definitely miss some of our things from PortlandΒ now that we have an apartment to call home. But I think losing everything has been a really healthy experience too. It’s helped us detach from our belongings in a way that nothing else ever could. It’s taught us that happiness doesn’t depend on what we have or don’t have. We can be happy even when our furniture consists of two bean bag chairs. Especially because one of them is a shade of turquoise that looks like it belongs in a fifth grade girl’s bedroom. Haha. πŸ™‚ So many things to smile about. Real life is so much more rich and complex and beautiful than any Pinterest account.


By the way, Brett and I made a beautiful PDF of my favorite resources for suffering souls. I created the content and he made it look fancy with his superduper graphic design skills. It’s available for free to my email subscribers. Click here to sign up and receive 5 Resources for the Suffering Soul.

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13 Comments

  • Laura Davison

    Ana, I’m so excited to read that things have been going so well so far! And that you and Brett are settling in πŸ™‚ enjoy those bean bag chairs! ❀

    September 15, 2017 at 7:31 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thank you so much Laura! It’s been busy but good. 😊

      September 16, 2017 at 10:30 am Reply
  • Mom and Dad

    Ramona says … “Um, hey, where’s the cow-ch?” πŸ˜‰

    September 15, 2017 at 8:28 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Hahahaha!!!!πŸ˜‚

      September 16, 2017 at 10:31 am Reply
  • Katherine, Forster

    Yayay!! SO happy you guys have an apartment now! “Real life is so much more rich and complex and beautiful than any Pinterest account” Amen!

    September 15, 2017 at 8:37 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thank you Katherine! We are too!

      September 16, 2017 at 10:31 am Reply
  • Patty Margaret

    How’s the drying going. I’m worried for you. It’s a long road to learning safe home maintanence for moldies. You were so sick for so long,, and camping keeps bzy, have u been able to keep up? Let me know if u need any thing. Keep the humidity low to facilitate drying that area, don’t leave water sitting around, and dry the tub and shower right away with a squiggly I use a moisture meter to check walls and plaster. Drying clothes inside can give you quarts of water inside. Just some things off the top of my head. Wet makes mold in 48 hours. I know you’re smart about all this. Sending you love and best wishes.

    September 15, 2017 at 9:51 pm Reply
  • Kiki Stanton

    This is amazing! God provides! Praying for an easy rest of transition and for maintenance to come fix the leak ❀️ God bless you!

    September 16, 2017 at 6:19 am Reply
  • Charis Rae

    So glad! Praying that things continue to get better for you guys!

    September 16, 2017 at 8:18 am Reply
  • Erin

    I understand about the whole experience thing with leaving basically everything behind being a good experience in ways. I am glad you are still feeling good and the leak is semi-fixed. πŸ˜‰ I love what you said at the end of your post: “Real life is so much more rich and complex and beautiful than any Pinterest account.” So true! I’m so amazed that you can have such joy and faith and trust even through all this. Although I guess I shouldn’t be amazed, because we can do all things through Christ. πŸ™‚ Keep getting well, Ana! πŸ™‚ And tell Brett he’s doing amazing taking care of you and is a wonderful husband to you. (Not like he doesn’t get told that enough…I’m sure he does.) XD

    September 16, 2017 at 2:14 pm Reply
  • Ruth Meyer

    So glad you have a more permanent/stable “home”. Am I crazy for enjoying things like washing dishes and laundry and vacuuming floors? I’ve always enjoyed those. Other chores, like cleaning really dirty stuff, mopping, not so much… one bonus is you don’t have as many things and furniture to clean around. Fewer areas for dust to settle and collect and breed dust bunnies of doom. ;D Hoping the leak clears up, and no mold is formed. *waves to Ramona*

    September 18, 2017 at 7:57 pm Reply
  • Chris

    Ana, I love this post!! And the picture is so very cute of Ramona!! Yes, the place does look alittle bare but as things progress you can add to that. And its so true what you said, “Real life is so much more rich and complex and beautiful than any Pinterest account.” That is sooooo true!! Well said!! I’m so excited for you!! (And I’ve still been praying too!!) πŸ™‚

    September 20, 2017 at 12:54 pm Reply
  • Ellie Peetz

    I love that picture!

    September 25, 2017 at 3:56 pm Reply
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