The Repatriation of Miss Pickels

Before we moved to Kazakhstan last summer, we endlessly scoured the web for any information about our new residence.  While doing so, we ran across a random blog entry about an American guy who had been living internationally, but was in the process of shipping his bulldog back to the USA.  The entry was written from the dog's point of view and was called, "The repatriation of  Miss Pickles".  It made for good reading and obviously it struck a chord with me because I still remember the title.

We all (me, the husband, 2 terrier mixes and the big boy, Pete) are now living back in OKC, in our new house and enjoying our time being one family again.  Pete had been living at his grandparents' house while his sisters did a little traveling abroad.  He definitely got the better end of the deal because Grammy was always baking something, which invariably ended up on a cooling rack placed on the dining room table, so it was easy pickings for a dog that when standing on his hind legs, is at least 5'4".  The girl dogs on the other hand were restricted to a diet of Russian-grade Purina (who knows what by-products are in that stuff).

Our repatriation is still a work in progress, as the majority of our household goods, including most of our wardrobe, will not arrive from Baku for at least another month.  Our house is a little scarce, albeit a few pieces of just-purchased furniture.  I'm having a little shell shock at the monthly bills that we went without while living internationally.  A mortgage, car payments, car insurance, utilities....I liked it better when someone else was picking up the tab.

Our new house

It's all good though because we are still in that honeymoon phase where we aimlessly roam the Wal-mart aisles, enjoying the variety of everything.  Overly-friendly people are still charming.  The oppressive Oklahoma summer heat is thrilling.  Mowing the yard - fun!  Washing the car - can't wait!

So, yes, we're all settling back in just fine.  It seems that the repatriation is much easier than the expatriation of Miss Pickles.