Home Again

I grew up in a small town about 85 miles north of the metropolitan area I live in. For a lot of my life, whenever I had been away from my hometown, that place was still my home. And it wasn't when I arrived at my mother's house that I was home, it was when I entered the county. All of the landmarks along the highway were part of "home." There are the grain towers where my granddad used to take me as a child for caramel candies. The community building in the smaller town to the south where I've attended birthday parties and wedding receptions. The factory where my mom worked for ages and ages, and where I spent a miserable (but well paying) summer. Then there's the Dairy Queen, the county Courthouse, the old grocery store, and the roads that take me to the places of my childhood. That was home.

Yesterday, we visited my hometown to go to a festival that I knew would be loads of fun for my kids. It was great. Although, the pork burgers were severely sub-par. Pork producers, why did you sell out? We also took a lap through the neighboring state park to pick out our spots for an upcoming camping trip. Then we headed home.

We live in a "small" town outside of the state capital. It's quickly becoming a suburb as this town and the capital grow into each other. But it still has a "small town" feel, which I love.

As we arrived in town last night, and we drove around the golf course to the road that leads to our house, I said, "This is home." Even though BK and I have been married for almost 8 years, and have resided in this house for 5 years, last night was the first time that I consciously understood that this is where I live. There is a new road and new landmarks that lead to my home now. The home where my husband and children are.

I know that may not make a lot of sense. Sadly, my mother recently lost her home as part of the mortgage/foreclosure problem that is currently plaguing the country. Up until my mom had to move, there was always a place to go in my hometown that was my "home."

The loss of a house that holds so many important memories of my early years had such a large impact, but I didn't realize it until last night. And as we approached this house - the one that BK's grandparents built, with their own hands - I truly began to appreciate the place my heart calls home.

*****

After reading this post, BK encouraged me to send it to the Vinyl Cafe Story Exchange. I hope Stuart likes it.

If the hat fits

Mommy, can I wear this Lightening McQueen (winter sock) hat (from 2 winters ago)?

Sure! (It's only 85 degrees outside. A winter sock hat from w winters ago it totally appropriate.)

Mommy, will you tie the strings on my (winter sock) hat (from 2 winters ago), please?

Sure! This hat is too small for you.

No it isn't.

Yes, it is.

No it isn't. It fits fine.

Um...ok.

Who's your Daddy?

Conversation this morning in the car on the way to work:

Busby: I need to call Daddy's Mom and Dad.
Me: Oh really? Who are Daddy's Mom and Dad?
Busby: mmmmm.....
Me: Well, who are Daddy's Mom and Dad?
Busby: Papaw and Grandma.
Me: Very Good! Who is Mommy's Daddy?
Busby: Pop!
Me: That's right. And who is Mommy's Mommy?
Busby: Aunt J.
Me: Ummm.....
Busby: No! Your Mommy is Grammy! Aunt J is your sister. I was making a joke. hahahahaha.
Me: That's funny!
Me: Aunt J is mommy's sister. Who is mommy's brother?
Busby: Daddy.
Me: Ummm.....No. Daddy is Mommy's husband.
Busby: Daddy is your husband? Who is Mommy's wife?

Old School

My thought train is back on track....

As I started to tell you the other day, BK was taming the wild jungle of our yard. And a door-to-door salesman stopped by.

Not just an ordinary d-t-d salesman. No. This guy is selling UVerse. My version of the conversation goes like this (and it's only slightly exagerated):

UVerse Guy: Hi, can I talk to you about your television?
BK: Umm...Ok.
UVerse Guy: What are you paying for your television?
BK: You mean what did we pay for the TV? Nothing, it was free. (Which it was. Got it as a wedding gift)
UVerse Guy: No, I mean your TV service?
BK: Nothing. We're using rabbit ears.
UVserve Guy: Really? (With a look of shock and disbelief.)
BK: Yes.
UVerse Guy: And you're happy with that? (Still shocked.)
BK: Yes.
UVerse Guy: How many televisions do you have in the house?
BK: Two.
UVerse Guy: [Looks even more shocked.] Have you already bought your digital converters?
BK: Sure have.
UVerse Guy: Can I ask where you get your phone service?
BK: From you.
UVerse Guy: And what do you pay for that?
BK: Something like $20/month.
UVerse Guy: Ok, and what about internet?
BK (and here's where he was less than truthful): We have dial-up. It's about $20/month.
UVerse Guy: And you're happy with that?
BK: Yes.

UVerse Guy did fill BK in on the "benefits" of paying AT&T $99/month, but in the end conceded that if BK was happy, he had nothing to sell us. I image he'll be talking about Mr. Satisfied for weeks.

Off track

So...Big Kahuna was out on his monster tractor attempting to tame the wild jungle that came about after not mowing for 8 or 10 months.

Ok, that's an exaggeration. It's only been 2 weeks, and with very, very good reasons. Which I mostly don't want to discuss.




Just now, there was a loud crack/boom outside. And my train of thought totally derailed. I have entirely failed to remember what I was going to blog about.

It's my party

I love it that I said, "It's Mommy's birthday. There's no fighting in the car on Mommy's birthday." And they said, "Ok, Mommy. We no fight." And then they didn't.

Branching Out

Ok, the main purpose of this blog is to talk about my kids. And who can blame me?

But there are other things I want to talk about. Like books that I've recently read that I love (Enchanted; A Criminal Appeal) and those that I don't love (Audition). And new discoveries in my faith journey. And my hobby/passion/obsession: saving money.

So hang with me, and we'll see how much I can over share. :)

Now that's blogable!

There have been so many funny, cute things happening lately. Having a horde of small, noisy children lends itself to funny. But I'm so, so tired, that I just don't get any of it blogged. (Noticed my 6 week absence? Me either.)

But some examples:
"More mashed tay-toes!" - Janet
"Daddy, I like your new underwear." - Busby
"ooo agh hahahahaha *waives right fist with joy at mobile animals*" - McCloud
"I really, really don't like this Barbara Walters book." - Surprised Spectator
"I really, really need to mow the grass. But I'll grill those pork chops for you instead." - Big Kahuna
"Look at all this stuff I got for free at Wal-Mart!" - Surprised Spectator
McCloud is quickly mastering getting said right fist in her mouth. Hurray for self soothing!
Busby and Janet are learning to count from 11 to 20.
Busby and Janet are learning that there is more to They Might Be Giants than the ABCs and 123s.
Busby and Janet are learning that there is more to the music world than They Might Be Giants.
Big Kahuna is getting me tickets to see Vinyl Cafe live when it comes to town. Woo Hoo!

Shoo Monster...and I don't mean Imelda Marcos

Busby has a tendency to get out of bed after he's been tucked in for the evening. The reason? "I scared, Mommy." "Of what?" "Monsters." "Where are the monsters?" "Outside my window." So we go. We look. And then I tell him that monsters cannot climb up the hill to the house, because monsters roll down hills. Then I tell him if he thinks there is one close by, to clap twice, and say "Shoo Monster!" There have been many, many nights that we have heard faint declarations of "Shoo Monster!" coming from Busby and Janet's room.

Tonight, like most other nights, he came out of his room. Only this time he said "My arm is scared." Hmmm..... "Which arm." "This one." (Indicating the left.) I kissed his scared left arm three times, then told him to take it back to bed. Before Daddy comes and bites it.