More pictures and thoughts on being married

I’m still getting used to being married. I don’t like being responsible for every meal we eat. I don’t like having to clean the bathrooms or mop the floors. 

Its weird, but even my ring finger is rebelling a little – the skin is red and peeling. Its only now beginning to heal. 

The second morning I spent here at D’s place was really strange for me. I had cleaned up the house, unpacked as well as I could and had done the laundry. My clothes were put away in various empty drawers in my MiL’s bedroom. My clothes were in her closet, which smells like old-fashioned perfume. 

My makeup case, in a three-drawer Rubbermaid container, had no place to go. It was on the floor in a duffel bag. I don’t know why, but this completely shattered my peace. I felt like crying as I went from room to room, wondering what I would do when I went back to work. Where would I get dressed? Where would I put my make up on? 

This seems silly to me now but I am such a creature of habit – I have lived in the same house all of my life. My bedroom has been mine since I was five years old. I loved my parent’s home. Change is really hard for me and it takes away from the happiness of being married, at last, to someone I’ve loved so long. 

Most of my negative feelings are about this house. I hate the neighbours, the sun doesn’t shine through the windows in the same way here, and there aren’t enough trees around. I set off the burglar alarm and now I am always afraid to open the door to go outside. This house isn’t ours – it’s my MiL’s. We are getting out of here once she gets back from her stay in Europe. I think I need my “own” space to feel comfortable. There’s no point in unpacking here because we are going soon. I wish I knew where that was…

Here are some more pictures from our honeymoon.

One thing I loved about Portugal was the lush landscape of the north. In the south, the environment is much drier. Its amazing how different one tiny country can be in terms of landscape and climate!

Another thing I loved were the traditional painted tiles that can be found everywhere in the country. We visited a private collection that included secular and religious painted tiles. They are all so beautiful and they really make the buildings beautiful. 

We visited a number of castles - which are completely foreign to my Canadian self! I was amazed to be in such medieval ruins - my university studies were not in vain! It was wonderful to see things I had studied for so long, in person!

The churches in Portugal are out of control. There are churches on the way to churches built on tops of various mountains. It was wonderful to see so many places of worship. Fatima was an experience I will never forget. The faith of the people really moved me. 

We enjoyed ourselves in the south a lot. There is nothing like eating at a patio right on the beach with palm trees in every direction. It was so relaxing. 

Wedding pictures coming soon!