Today, it finally feels like home here on Stauffer Avenue. There has been a lots of activity and none of it was focused on the wind damage that is now totally cleaned up.
Last week it was the visit of Aunt Lorraine. We deposited her at her son Mark’s on Friday.
Saturday Dennis’ daughter, granddaughter and two of the great grands popped in from Mankato just before noon. Noon! Lunch! A five month old, a three and half live wire named Lux, plus four adults counting Dennis and me to do a lunch. Out came the selection of cold cuts that I had not as yet opened: pickles, veggie sticks, some fresh fruit to cut up and chocolate milk. Everything was on track until Lux opened the refrigerator and spied the boiled eggs that were peeled ready for making some egg salad. The mother determined that Lux could have one of the boiled eggs at her plate at the table. But, she only would eat the whites of the boiled egg. I expected that either the mother or grandmother would cut the egg and give Lux the whites of the egg. No . . . Lux decided she wanted to do it. Seriously! I think I am still finding specks of the yolk when least expected. I am all for allowing children to find their own way, but . . . who is the adult here! I am here to say that I always appreciated how Carrie handled age appropriate activities when delegating what Megan and Nicholas could do on their own and what needed for the adult to step in.
We were finishing up noon lunch when Dennis’ son Ken surprised us. He popped in just in time to have ice cream cones that Dennis was doing for everyone. He had a lay-over with his Arizona based semi and the load he was carrying. As it turned out he took the load to Mankato and then was off from Saturday until yesterday, which was Wed. It is always good for Dennis to have time with Ken as we don’t have any plans on traveling to Arizona anytime soon. One of the challenges was that he desired wheels to get out and around to visit friends and family. There was no way he wanted to drive around my old lady Lincoln. That left Dennis with his 1968 Cub Cadet to get around with. I doubted that Dennis minded that one bit. From Saturday until yesterday there were numerous people popping in and out catching up with visiting. Several trips to the grocery store were needed for impromptu meals. Our “old people schedules” . . . were out the door.
Today was the peace that passes all understanding. Our home is quiet. As much as we love company, it does catch us off guard when nothing allows us to gear up emotionally and physically before our sweet domain is going to blow up in our faces. A bit of a warning is always a good thing. Yes, you have it . . . we are spoiled rotten. We like it . . . we like it a whole bunch. As hot as it is today, I am happy I don’t have to be anyone . . . but me. When Dennis visited his recliner after lunch I believe he felt the same way. This is our home sweet home.