I MISS THIS HOUSE

Remembering the things that used to be---the only world that I knew growing up, the world that was only one block wide almost puts a pit in my stomach, almost makes my  heart burst with longing for what once was.

  

When I was young, time really did stand still, I'm sure of it- although at the time I had no recognition of it.  Days were long, neighbors were nice, friends were everywhere-all the time, seasons lasted longer than possible and crossing 13th East to go to  fill our 'Monster Mugs' for .29 cents, wasn't a bit scary for me and my friends.

 This is the house that has all my memories painted on the walls, walked into the carpet, worn into the lawn and even grown into the the trees that I would talk to when I was lonely. They were once small, but have now matured into giant wonders.  For example, the picture of this Blue Spruce was once so small when we planted it that I could run and jump over it without having it touch me.  I remember every year it got harder until finally I just couldn't do it anymore. 

I have to make mention of those glorious mountains, to the East of us.  Some days I'd notice them in amazement and other days I just let them be.  I loved that they were so close to my house.  I spent many hours on the front steps, marveling at their beauty and massiveness.  Still to this day, I get chills down my spine, when I fly into the Salt Lake valley & see those majestic mountains standing firmly in that same place they were when I left them.  They are a landmark that I can relate to and  a perfect picture from my front steps.  I love those darn mountains and the color changes that take place in the fall....I haven't seen anything prettier than the vibrant colors on the trees....you can see them from miles away.

 

I hope and pray that this house will always be there for me when I go visit Utah.  I pray that mom & dad don't give in and sell it. It is home and it has assisted in the formation of my personality----flaws and all.  So many memories linger in that house that I constantly pray that my parents just stay content there, so that I can always come back home even just to remember.

I thought this house was gigantic---after all, Lisa and I did roller skate in the basement on many occasions(who has a skating rink in their very own basement)? LOL  My sisters and I made the best of that unfinished basement and the very thought of those times makes me want to go back to experience it just once more, with the same fervent attitudes we had then.  

This is the house I love.  This is the only house I know.  My memories are fond and embedded so deeply into my soul, but time is chipping away at them and it makes me frustrated to know one day they will be gone, as the new memories I am making might just perhaps push them aside, as some already have.  I like to hold on to as many memories that I can, but I need those reminders of what it was like back when the world was one block wide. 

HORSE BACK RIDING

This is something that I have been meaning to post about ever since I returned from Utah.  I am a whole month late.  

 While we were in Utah, my sweet brother Nate and his darling wife Brooke, were so generous to let me and the kids take their cute horse "skeeter" riding.  My kids have never been horse back riding before except for on those silly pony rides where theose dumb ponies get dizzy because all they do is circle after circle after darn circle & not only that....it's usually in the blasting heat.  There really is no risk for getting hurt or bucked off of those ponies is there.....do ponies buck?  Oh well who knows.

  Tuesday and Wednesday Nate took the kids and I down to the barn and saddled up "Annie" first and then "Skeeter".  Madison, Jacob & Amber hopped on without hesitation, but my timid Ashley waited until the last moment possible to get up on that horse & once she did we had to peel her off! for one small moment I had a flash of horses on our land in the front of our house, but it scattered quickly when Bill gave me that look of disapproval:(    It was FUN! Jacob and I also rode, but the pictures of us kissing on Skeeter says more for me than seeing me in a helmet!

I had a good time talking to Nate and hearing all that he knows about horses and learning new things that I never knew!  Thanks again Nate and Brooke.....we had a blast!

p.s. are you still going to sell Skeeter to us???   LOL

WELCOME TAYLOR

Friday, August 15, 2008 our nephew and cousin, Taylor Olschewski arrived @ the Eugene airport around 12:30  in the afternoon.  I had a car full of kids who couldn't wait for him to get here.  The whole scenario:

Maddy:  How much longer until we can leave for the airport?

Jacob:    Mom, when is Taylor's airplane getting here?

Ashley:  I can't believe that Taylor is actually coming to our house today!

Amber:  Clueless about this whole thing.

My kids were so very excited to have one of their favorite visitors here.....let's get playing!!!

Our first stop was our house of course to see the kids' rooms, the yard, the hood etc.  And because it was scorching hot, the next stop for the day was Cottage Grove lake.  We gathered towels, goodies, snorkeling gear and off we went.  The water was warm and inviting the shore uncluttered of people and noise and the Oregon blackberry bushes growing just behind us had ripe, juicy, sweet berries calling out to us. We couldn't resist the taste or the mess that you can make with just a few berries.  We made that a day.  It was home to make sleeping arrangements directed by the one and only queen herself....Maddy.

Saturday came quickly and we wanted to make sure that Taylor had a chance to see the ocean while he is here, so off to the coast we went.  As for preparedness goes, well, I thought it would be at least 70 degrees------not today.  It was an all time high of 58 degrees with a huge, frigid north wind eating through our skin and down to our bone(at least we had sweatshirts).  That didn't seem to stop the kids.  Running, jumping, shell searching(high tide so not many shells), wading, rhino riding, and castle building.  They couldn't have been happier just having one another to do things with. A very fun day indeed.

Sunday was a normal church attending day.  Although I think that Taylor is loving the "Crofts" sunday rules vs. the "Ol-ski" Sunday rules.  Sorry Lisa!:)

We are having fun and know that time can not stand still and before we know it Taylor will be homeward bound and we will all be sad to see him go & I will have to suffer through the ride home with 4 whining kids----it's well worth it.  Thanks for coming Taylor! We still have a whole week left-----let's get playing!