Monday, August 29, 2011

Gladys Kravitz

I don't want to be her. The neighbors have been so nice.  I don't want to say anything rude and be that person, but people are walking through my yard.  Not just sort of along the edge (it's a corner house), but RIGHT up through the yard close to the house.  I realize this house has been empty for a few months, and I guess they just started trampling their way through because they knew no one would see.  But isn't that still rude??  That's a rhetorical question - the answer is YES.

It's one thing for kids to do it - they're still young and haven't learned all the RULES, but I've seen two moms lead the way!

For now I'm going to chill and smile sweetly, all the while letting Duke bark as ferociously as he wants to as they pass.  Eventually they'll all realize someone lives here again and will show some respect, right?  This IS the neighborhood where neighbors have brought homemade banana bread and cookies within the first few days of our arrival.  But do they take liberties along with their acts of kindness?  Look at me already starting some neighborhood drama.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Welcome

I've seen neighborhoods in the movies where kids walk to the corner to catch the school bus, sometimes with moms or dads, the family dog in tow, and neighbors mingle and chat until the kids are safely off to school.  If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd have thought this picturesque neighborhood was imaginary.  But I'm living in one!  It's adorable.

Duke and I went for a short jog yesterday morning, and we chatted with several people along the way.  I spotted my neighbors next door, an older couple, and stopped to chat for a while.  If you've ever had older neighbors, you know how invaluable they are.  They know everything. Years of wisdom makes for awesome neighbors. 

And then this morning, the doorbell rang pretty early which kind of startled me.  I was "indisposed" at the moment we'll say, but when I went to the door a few minutes later, this was on my doorstep:


I still don't feel like I'm at home, but I'm getting there.  :-)

Monday, August 08, 2011

Gifts from the Heart

Had a really great weekend - great news from a family member, fun times with the girls Saturday afternoon, and a great party Saturday night.  And I (we) got some really neat farewell gifts from good friends.  One gift was this beautiful cookware:


So here's what makes the cookware interesting.  I had already been thinking that I would use some touches of red in the new house, particularly in the kitchen.  The kitchen has existing red window treatments that, although they're not something I would pick out, I'm going to keep them awhile and see if they grow on me:


They remind me of medieval times.  Back to the cookware.  While browsing through recipes last week looking for snacks for the party, I came across a crab dip that you bake in the oven until it gets hot and bubbly.  The photo for the recipe showed a scalloped baking dish that would easily go from the oven to the table and still look pretty.  I didn't have pretty cookware, but figured my French White Corningware (that half the women in America probably own) would have to do.  But I made a mental note to be on the lookout for pretty baking dishes, and poof!  I'm (we're) given RED SCALLOPED bakeware.  How cool.  My friend had no idea I was wanting this!

I (we, oops) also got this from another friend:


Which is again, a coincidence, because I've been wanting to keep an eye out for quaint, funky signs for the kitchen.  I think this fits the bill!  And then this awesome refrigerator magnet from the same friend:


As excited as I am to be living somewhere new, I'm proud of my Texas roots.  It's my home and always will be.  I'm certain more Texas memorabilia will find its way into our new home.

This week is less stressful than last, but just as busy if that makes sense.  I'm trying to make as much time for seeing friends and family as I can, to-do list be damned!  Because when all is said and done, people are more important than packing my underwear. 

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Really?


That is not right.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Where the Heart Is

Sold a house, bought a house, scheduled closings, and packers and movers arrive two weeks from yesterday.  It's strange to be so excited and yet so sad at the same time.  Excited for the new adventure and sad that my daughters will be over eight hours away.  But I've always said it's better to miss someone and be missed than to not care at all.

I've wonderered, is this the house of my dreams?  Well the answer is I never dreamed I'd have a house like it, so perhaps that's a "yes."  But there are moments I feel I haven't done anything to deserve it, so the answer feels more like a "no."  I think I'm more comfortable saying it's just a house, a material thing, and does nothing to say who I am and what I'm about.  All I care about is that it's filled with family soon, mine and Alan's.  And Duke and Junior.


I'm looking forward to the pitter-patter of their little (and big) paws throughout.  I think it'll help me feel at home.