in America

Yes, I'm sitting in Dad and Mom Steiner's house this morning. It is so nice. I love looking out at the neighborhood behnind the house. I love hearing some birds tweeting happily as the sun comes up. I love having Maddie lying on the floor watching cartoons. I just love knowing that we're here. I love that we're going out for breakfast and then doing some shopping at Dutch Valley store.

Yesterday we shopped all day. I had forgotten how wonderful thrift stores are. In fact, I know that I have a whole new appreciation for them now that I haven't had one anywhere near for almost 4 years. Honestly, why would you shop anywhere else? I got almost everything I had on my need list from a Salvation Army and a Goodwill. Ok, you probably aren't going to be impressed because you may not know the horror of shopping for hours in an itty-bitty sized jeans world (aka Asia) and only leaving with the impression that your butt can't even fit in an XXL pair of sweats but I got 2 pairs of jeans yesterday for less than 10 bucks. It makes me so happy even now.

Just the whole process of easily shopping and having great choices was wonderful.

We had Mexican for lunch. I was most impressed with free chips and salsa, free refills and the beauty of that huge pile of guacamole dip. Oh my, that was good. No wonder America is the plump capital of the world.

I'm noticing how light we American's dress in chilly weather. Yesterday was in the 50s and breezy. I saw people in t-shirts, shorts, flip flops (ok, when did all of American women start wearing flip flops?) and no one looked or acted cold. Also, there are so many pregnant people. They are everywhere.

I love being able to understand everyone's conversations. It's so odd looking at a rack of clothes and understanding every word of the 2 ladie's conversation beside me. Yeah, that will look cute.

So, it's great. I'm really happy to be here.