Nesting and Comforts of Home

The past six years in Spain have felt like being in a holding pattern, waiting to land somewhere – anywhere. We originally came for a year long adventure, which turned into six years largely due to a series of unfortunate events that I’ll write about someday, but not yet (because I am a tease). We spent a lot of time filling out forms to renew our visas every couple of years, which we were never quite sure would be accepted. But we just got approval that we have unlocked a new achievement in this game of expat life: Permanent Resident Status. This means that we can live in Spain – and Europe – forever.

And so I’ve started an activity that I’ve longed for the past six years: nesting. I love nothing more than a good nesting session, but I haven’t engaged in it at all since 2015 because we were living in permanent limbo with our residency status. We rent furnished houses, and while the furniture usually is pretty shabby, I wasn’t about to invest in new furniture when I wasn’t sure whether we’d be staying here long term.

But now that we have permission to stay, everything has changed. We still aren’t actually sure where we want to wind up long term, but even if we don’t stay in Spain for much longer, just having the option has given me the permission I need to do some nesting.

We did buy a new-to-us couch in the autumn while hubby was browsing at the secondhand (segundo manos) shop and saw a really great quality one where one side turned into a recliner. Oh my goodness, the luxury! It was only €160 delivered, and we jumped on it. Not literally. We’re taking good care of it. And while hubby felt confident buying more permanent items – a boxing bag, weight set, musical instruments – my purchases were more ephemeral. Lots of scented candles. Random storage containers (which I justified because I’d be able to pack things in them when we had to leave).

But this week, since we have our residence and have the choice to stay long term, the nesting has officially started. Thanks to Amazon.es I have purchased:
– A Swiffer Wetjet: which I got because I had one in America, and the smell makes me feel like home
– Method Pink Grapefrult multipurpose cleaner: same thing. Used it in America, and it makes me feel like home.
– A new mattress. I was literally waking up with hip pain with our crappy mattress that came with the house.
– Mattress cover
– New pillows
– New towels
– A microwave stand in the kitchen for extra counter space
– A footstool/storage box for the chair I sit in in the living room
– A good outdoor umbrella so we’re not baking in the sun when kiddo is in the pool, if we’re not swimming with her

All told, probably about $600 worth of stuff, and I feel so much more comfortable in my home now. $600 I would have preferred to spend in my forever home, should we have had to move in a rush. Even if we’re not here that much longer, just sleeping well at night, and having counter space to cook, and lovely towels when I get out of the shower – it’s so worth the money.

I’m grateful that I have the ability to buy these comforts, and that Amazon can deliver them to me here. Waking up rested, and feeling at home in my home is priceless. It’s only taken six years, but I’m finally feeling homey in my home.