I Miss...

As we get ready to return to the States tomorrow for the first time since November 2005, it’s time to reflect on things we miss (besides the obvious family and friends):

* Air conditioning – while we don’t really need A/C in our home since it’s rarely too hot, a bus or train without A/C on that rare 85° day is not fun

* Air filters – we can’t believe how dusty our house gets; we might not have dust bunnies, but we definitely have dust mice

* Window screens – we don’t have the big mosquito problem that we had in Cary, but it would be nice to keep other flying critters out

* Harriette’s Book Club – I’m enjoying the two book clubs I’ve joined, but they still don’t compare

* Target, Michael’s – I know it’s shallow to miss stores, but I think many expat moms will agree that there’s just no replacement for Target or a large craft store here

* Screened Porch – we miss spending time on our screened porch amongst the trees

* Washer/Dryer – sadly, the Number 1 thing I miss is my high capacity washer and dryer; not sure if you can tell how tiny this thing is since the outside looks normal, but it’s a fraction of the size, takes hours longer to do a load and doesn’t have a lint filter