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I am the boss here
I am the boss here
Moving to New Zealand
Moving to New Zealand

We are moving back to New Zealand - the land of milk and honey

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This fearless girl found her permanent home in front of the New York Stock Exchange. She inspires me. What piece of art inspires you? * * #noteddetails #art #inspiration #fearless #brave #strong #noted #details #newyorkstockexchange #thefearlessgirl
Another one of my other goals after we lived in New Zealand, was to have more picnics. When we lived in Rotorua from 2013-15, I had a tub in our closet that was always stocked and ready for a trip to the lake. * * Today we drove to Mount Maunganui to pick up a bike and look at a van. We laid our blanket out on the grass and ate an assortment of things that we found in the fridge this morning. * * After lunch everyone set about doing things that they like to do. I sat on a blanket and read a book that I have been meaning to reread for well over three years. It’s a good one - check it out. * * When we were here last time we had little kids. It’s a new (wonderful) thing to read a book on a New Zealand beach. * * It was raining when we left the house this morning. It’s still a bit overcast - perfect weather for a picnic at the beach. * * #noteddetails #picnic #beach #MountMaunganui #NewZealand #stevenpressfield #thewarofart #art #notfart #writing #goals #blanketonthebeach #readingabook
When we left New Zealand and returned to America in 2015 I had a long list of things that I planned to do, to live a slower, more sustainable life. I wanted to maintain the habits that made our experience in New Zealand so refreshing. * * I wish I had a better report on how that went. I don’t really know why it was so difficult. “Cultural norms” won the day in most instances. The number one thing that I planned to do, was line dry our clothes. It never happened. * * We’ve spent time in a few countries where line drying is the norm. I have always loved the process, but I don’t really understand why. In the United States, staying on top of the laundry game, is my least favorite part of home life. * * You would imagine that adding another step to the process would make me crazy. But instead, it slows me down and makes me grateful. I need more of those kinds of tasks in my life. * * Glad to be back in the habit of line drying. Next time we move to America I will have a laundry line. Hold me accountable friends. * * #noteddetails #laundryline #laundry #linedry #slower #moresustainable #grateful #sustainability #noted #details #newzealand
One Wednesday night we arrived at our new home after dark. When we woke up on Thursday morning, I could hardly believe the view. We had seen pictures, but it was even more beautiful than I expected. * * When the kids burst through the door and into the park behind our house, I snapped this photo. It reminds me of one of our favorite kids books. “We’re going on a bear hunt” * * It feels like we’ve been on a bit of a “bear hunt” these past few days - getting everything sorted in our new town. Even though we have been busy getting things done, it’s been a gift to have so much time together as a family (Ben doesn’t start work for another week and the kids are on summer “holiday”). * * We took a break from all the errands this weekend. We shared meals with dear friends, walked around the lake, went to a new church and drove to Taupo for a picnic and a cold swim at the lake. * * I hope this feeling of immense gratitude doesn’t ever wear off. I am thankful for another opportunity to live in this beautiful place with people I love. Our guest room is ready - come for a visit. * * #noteddetails #goingonabearhunt #newzealand #views #adventure #lakeswim #mealswithfriends @mattbrowningnz @romyjbond