week 1.

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it’s been a little over one week since we descended on the oakie house, and although we may just be basking in a honeymoon phase, we’re extremely happy to be living together. i think the first week was an important litmus test. we’ve set up a shared kitchen, haggled over the arrangement of major public spaces, and wandered around in pjs and bedhead – and it is safe to say that none of us are contemplating an immediate exodus. rather, we’re thrilled at the day-to-day presence of good friends and the opportunity to share meals, childcare, dog walking, and dinner parties.

this is not to say that there haven’t been niggling annoyances. for instance: i am the most anal retentively clean person in the house. we all knew this going in, but i was willing to be flexible for the sake of getting sunlight and wonderful roommates, and everybody else was willing to extend grace to me in the moments when i had to apologize for flipping out about crumbs on the counter. but it’s one thing to imagine flexibility and another to actually execute it.

 there have been moments when i’ve thought: what?! another X on the X? why can’t X remember to pick up X when they’re done X-ing? etc. etc. this morning stands as a good case study of my own cleaning neuroses, as i woke early to catch up on RCIA reading and instead spent the better part of an hour scouring the only-slightly-messy kitchen. really, me. you could have just calmed down and retired to the couch and the fireplace where — oops — you found yesterday morning’s tea mug steeping in its own plasticky dregs.

speaking of yesterday morning’s tea mug, one thing i’m learning about living with six other people is that one person’s forgotten item is no problem. seven people’s forgotten items, plus Lil L’s scattered books, plus nook’s half-eaten toys, plus all the boxes we still haven’t unpacked is A BIG FAT MESS.

while i’m fretting about cleanliness, other oakies are ready to transition from emergency grocery runs to an actual common pantry/purse. we’ve started a list of food and home items that we’d like to share, and it ranges from flour and honey to paper towels, organic milk and free-range meat. that’s right. as soon as we find our craigslist fridge, we will be hitting the rural VA meat circuit in search of our very own slab of beef. we hope to finalize the common pantry list and sort out a family contribution/purchasing plan within the next week or so.

finally: a funny thing about the communal living arrangement is that we’ve become demi-celebrities. everybody wants to come over to view us and — no kidding — at least two people have said to me: “but just act natural!”

folks, the zoo is down the street. but seriously, anyone who wants to come over for dinner, hanging out, helping me maniacally organize the spice rack is more than welcome. here’s hoping the honeymoon doesn’t expire before your ticket comes up.

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Tags: co-housing, common purse, community, family, friends, home, intentional community, kids, marriage, roommates