Me: whispering "Julie, there is a phenomenon going on over here."
Julie: whispering "Oh dear. What is it?"
Me: wondering why I'm whispering "I'm all alone! My house is completely empty!"
Julie: "That is a phenomenon! Are you scared?"
Me: "A little ... this is weird."
..................................
This is all part of the little transition that our home is going through over here. It's been a LONG time since our house was ever even close to being empty. The sound of children began 23 years ago (this month) for us ... and each year it has gotten a little bit noisier. Rarely have we just had our own children here and frequently it's been a full-house!But last night ... the kids were all gone, the husband was all gone and it was really weird. So I scurried around the house and began to clean, relishing the thought that there was nobody around to undo what I was doing. And then it happened.
First let me start off with an excuse. It's been hot here. It's been really, really hot here. And when I say it's hot ... it's pretty much off the chart hot (because I am typically cold all of the time).
IT'S SO HOT!
At this point in my evening (and in my life), a thought came ringing in my head like the Liberty Bell shouting freedom to my soul. The thought said "Hey! Nobody is home ... why do you have to wear all of those clothes?!"Approximately 4.3 seconds after I had that thought, I locked the doors and I was prancing around the house in my underwear ... nobody even cared! It was exhilarating and refreshing all in one episode of crazy behavior! What next ... a henna tattoo?
I realize that the time is going to come when I am not so fond of the Shaker Shack being oh so silent and I won't see what the big deal is about walking around in my underwear. I am sure that I will probably be desperate for a bit of chaos when our kids are really all gone. But as I get a sneak peak into a much more laid back existence, I think I like it!
Gary & I have both enjoyed being able to spend more one on one time with our remaining kiddos. It seems that we are able to view things with a bit more serenity and appreciation (instead of out the moving car door window as we are shouting instructions to child #5 who is standing on the lawn as we drive away with child #1 to his scheduled appointment which he is already tardy for.) And I can't remember if that last period is supposed to go before or after the parenthesis.
And sometimes
we can walk around in our underwear!
I've been talking an awful lot about this little phase of my life. Please feel free to move along if you're bored. But I need to remember these things. I need to really know that every phase of life offers a positive side ... even if it's a crappy phase. I need to be grateful for every year and every different facet that it has offered! Would I ever want to speed up the process of my kids growing up? Gosh no! But would I want it all to stand still and miss out on what's ahead? No! Gosh!we can walk around in our underwear!
Looking back on it all, it's actually downright fascinating and a pretty perfect process! So here's the deal. I'm in a bit of a celebratory mood. Yes I am dressed. Believe me, clothes are my friend! But I need help keeping myself "buttoned up."
So I'm having my FIRST EVER giveaway!
I have the cutest blog button ever ...
and I want you to have it too.
and I want you to have it too.
So put my cute little button on your blog and leave me a comment for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Target (say it like you're French). If you don't have a blog, well you really should, but just leave me a comment for your chance at $25 big ones. The winner will be announced on June 21st, because that is the day that my whole world as a mother began. So you have plenty of time to tell your friends (or anyone else in need of a plush new bath mat). Again, does the period go before or after the parenthesis? Ah!
Go ahead ... button up!
Or walk around in your underwear ...
I support you either way.
Or walk around in your underwear ...
I support you either way.
19 comments:
Everyone tells me this phenomenon happens (maybe not the underwear part, but the kids growing up part). Kacey looked beautiful in her wedding pictures as did the rest of your kids...we have such a good lookin' family! Anyhoo...your button is cute but I don't think my blog allows "buttons." But...i still love your blog.
hahaha a henna tattoo? Mom keep it together! And the period goes AFTER the parenthesis. You'll have to show me how to add your button to my blog later as I am slightly handicap in that department. Long live livin in your underwear.
Karen I just love you!! You crack me up....Oh and I think the period goes after the parenthesis...because what if you had more to say after the parenthesis and you put the period inside the parenthesis we would all miss what else you had to say cause you would have ended the sentence.....just sayin :)
I can't wait to see what your tattoo will be!! lol You're so funny!
Oh Karen, you always make me laugh. The days are shortening when I can walk around in my undies. Garrett is talking more and more, and its a matter of days till I start getting the "what's that, mommy" questions. So enjoy your undie wearing days! I'll work on getting that button on my blog, but I don't have a clue how to do it. But please put me in that drawing, I would love it :)
Oh, and I was trying to come up with something funny to say about your support being like a good bra (you know, since were on the underwear topic), but I couldn't think of anything. And heck, lets just face it.....I only wear a bra so I look like I actually have boobs.
I want $25 smackers. I like this post - 23 years ago huh? That is a long time a way for me. A quiet house is so nice...
Ok, I'm all buttoned up! Unless, of course, family can't play...
Great post! Glad you're mine!
xox
Karen, I have been "stalking" your blog for a while now, but this post of yours was worth commenting on! You are hilarious!!! Chris and I ran around in our underwear before we had kids! Can't wait for the day when we can do that again. I know it will be here sooner than later. Thanks for a good dose of laughter!
Mistie Rash
OK...I love your blog, and it really IS nice to have a empty and quiet house (for a while).
Love you,
Aunt Nancy
I don't have a blog, but yes you do have a cute button. And I have my eye on something at Target!
I want that target card! Am I allowed to comment more than once? "You're MY child"
I better win. That's all I'm saying. I don't even do the blog thing, and I don't even really like you as a person. Yet, I visited your blog and actually READ the whole mind numbing frivelous post...plus, I need a new plush bathmat. So, gimme.
Ok, that last one was really mean. Your blog is SO cleaver and witty that it makes me want to be you. Do you give lessons??? If so, SIGN ME UP!
...and this one is just for an additional chance to win, SUCKERS!
The button has been posted! And for the record...I am in my underwear as we speak. =) I believe that if you are home you should be cozy...Might have to rethink this once my kids have friends over.
Ok David is cheating. I have always loved you, Mom. I'm a mooch because I'm your daughter. What's David's excuse. I need the gift card. Remember who made you look "mira fab" at my wedding.
I don't normally shop at Target (and, yes, I am pronouncing it as if it were French), but I need a few picture frames, and Target is the only place I can find what I want. So count me in!
ok one more for luck!!!
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