The thing about life is, you never know when it's going to be a party!

This is one of my favorite lines from The Homecoming.      We had a very unexpected snowstorm yesterday and dear friend Holly could not drive home so she and three of her children came home with us to stay the night.    We put on a big pot of soup, cut up some fruit, made cookies & popcorn, watched movies, made crafts, played cards, hide & seek and just enjoyed having a house full of friends.    The kids piled up in the living room on couches and pallets to sleep.   Holly managed to survive in a house full of cats by taking a couple of Zyrtec.    Alyssa and Ari made us some muffins this morning and the kids had some more fun in the snow.    We were all a bit sad to see the roads clear and our friends head home this afternoon.  

It's the small things

I was sad a few nights ago, upon discovering that quite a few of the Christmas ornaments that I had collected during my travels did not survive the flood.   After so many years of unwrapping them, I could list what was missing easily.   My mother had not put up a tree in several years and so she sent her Christmas ornaments to us today and I just opened the boxes.   Inside were not only glass balls that are older than I, but exact copies of most if not all of the ornaments I lost.   I had forgotten that while traveling,  I always bought two ornaments, one for me and one for momma and daddy.     What a sweet surprise!  I can't wait to call her tomorrow.

6 months later

6 months after the flood of 2010 and neighbors all around are rebuilding.   Although I am happy for them and know their journey is still not easy, I find myself envious. 

Emotionally, life is hard right now.   Much harder than at first.   It was easier to remain strong and optimistic in first weeks post flood.  Now I am simply exhausted.   I cannot seem to bring myself to go over to that house and take care of things I should. 

Putting up the Christmas tree was sad for me last night.   So many ornaments from my childhood, my mother and all my travels are gone.   Some were older than me.   Alyssa's stocking, the angel for the top of the tree, the advent calendar...   I KNOW they are just things.  It is still sad.

I just want this nightmare to be over, the bankruptcy, the uncertainty, the loneliness...