Exploring and Preparing

A "weekend" getaway

In preparation to do the pilgrimage in Italy Kevin and I did a LOT of walking and exploring. This trip was to the area of Monteagle, TN. No explanations, just cool pictures.

 

Welcome to our new home

 I've tried to upload videos here but they don't seem to be working so here are a few snapshots of our new place and surroundings.

 

looking down the side yard

looking across the back yard and the flower gardens I have to play in

looking up from the entrance 

We have a spacious screened in porch. Yes, that is our laundry. There is no outdoor line so we dry clothes here and if they aren't dry in time we put them in a dryer (might sound normal to most people but here it is the expensive way to dry clothes.)
 

 

I have a place to start seedlings and protect plants from dogs!

 

Living space

 

 

We hadn't quite finished arranging everything but here is the general idea of the place.

In the corner is the very important coffee area.

The best storage area I've ever had!

The view out the back (from our bedroom)

The apartment has two bathrooms and a spacious bedroom.

The story of a Cat

 Unfortunately, the story of many animals of missionaries is one of change. Not often do they travel from place to place with their owners but some do. RFIS's most recent director just left and brought along her little dog. I know of at least two ladies that have returned to the US with their felines. One elementary teacher brought her beloved dog with her to Cameroon!

Most of the time pets need to be re-homed. We had to do that with our fur babies two years ago so we do have a little sympathy where the animals are concerned. 

Kristi decided that Fuzzy needed to stay here in Cameroon since he is such a hunter and outdoor cat. She arranged a new home for him that is just above the apartment that she lived in with him, which is the apartment we now live in. Well, guess what. Fuzzy isn't interested in living in his new home. There are some reasons... 1) Orca - the other cat and 2) Rocky - the large, interested dog puppy. Orca should go to his next home in a couple more weeks so we all decided Fuzzy could sleep on our porch and we'd continue to feed him so he doesn't just sit outside and cry. So that is going ok. Here's some pictures to prove it.

So, that blue chair was one of his favorite places to nap. I decided he could keep that so I put a cover with it in case I wanted to use it.

But did he choose to sleep on that chair?

 Of Course Not. He preferred the cushions which was all well and good until...

And you see that clothes rack in the background? This morning we woke to discover it collapsed. Did he really try to jump up on that unstable, sheet covered rack? 

Well, at least he is not crying outside our window at night!