Calm after the storm...

They have all departed...the four, plus one puppy. It is quiet, there is less stuff all over, and I have started to put order (my order) back into my life. I loved it! We had fun, built new memories, talked about old memories, they seemed to fight less (at least in my presence), and I think for the most part fun was had all around. And as great as it is for all to be here, the calm after the departure is nice too. Even though they are all self-sufficient adults, it is still demanding to be Mom to the 4!

D2 and M2 are engaged!! A pleasant surprise, and fitting in some small way that their announcement (finally) was made as Mr. CP and I celebrated 40 years together. I hope all that and more for them, as they begin their "officially committed" life together. And we get to be part of another wedding!!! Great fun!

It will take awhile until the sheets and towels are washed, folded, and put away. Tomorrow I will wash puppy nose prints off the french doors--which reminds me of Sammie, and how much a part of "us" she was when "the 4" were all at home. I will frame some of the pictures, sweep up the crumbs, de-sticky the bar, and try to get rid of the mosquitoes that everyone kept letting in. By Friday you will not see any traces of the chaos of the last three days---

and I will return to tending my gardens until they come again--in ones, twos, three's or more. That is why we bought a "party house"! It serves us well.

40 Years

Is a long time for anything. I have been married to the same person for 40 years.

My maternal grandmother did not even live 4o years!

My parents were not married for 40 years before my dad died.

I have not lived in the same town for 40 years.

We have owned three cats during the 40 years (or rather they have owned us!)

40 years is a long time--

a lot as happened

three states

four kids

one dog

multiple houses

multiple jobs

eight couches

each of our parents dying

each of our kids growing up into an independant person (all different, all great)

One constant--we are in this together!

Mostly for better, although a few times things were a little worse, before they got better.

The secret to a long marriage? Compromise, realistic expectations, similar backgrounds, values and goals...and TWO people who are willing to stick it out. Or maybe inertia---but doesn't matter,

if you can be married to the same person for 40 years, you can be married to that person forever...

"Family" with chicken!

I just returned from "O-hi-a", where I had great fun at the "reunion" of 100 or so people to whom I am more or less related. It came with the full complement of children, dogs, games, crying babies, sulking teenagers, a hedgehog (honest), food, more food (!), somewhat successful attempts at photographing large groups of related individuals, etc.

There was chicken too--"family chicken"--lots of it! (You would have to be from my family to understand!!)

2 copies of public records...16 cents,

800 miles, 3 nights hotel, 5 tanks of gas: expensive.....finally knowing your great-grandmothers name...priceless.

Only those "into" genealogy would understand!