We're getting settled in here in Texas. It's been a fun week.
On Monday, John, Norm and I joined a bunch of other moms and children at our neighborhood park/playground/pond for a breakfast picnic. Everyone brought food to share (we brought mini waffles--Earth's Best because they had Cookie Monster on the box). The children had a great time playing on the playground and feeding the fish. The moms enjoyed chatting. Norm was sweet enough to take his morning nap in the stroller so John and I could be social longer. John was actually playing with (not just near, but with) a few of the children by the end of the morning. Very exciting!
Brian is out of town until Wednesday so one of our neighbors invited the boys and I over to her house for dinner. She has two boys (3 1/2 years and 1 1/2 years) and her husband is also out of town. We've met at a few different "meetups," but this is our first time hanging out just us and our boys. I'm really excited. Not only is she really nice, but she's a fellow Virginian.
So the week is off to a good start and it's only going to get more exciting because on Thursday my good friend Nicole arrives from Austin. She's driving up with her son Will who is 2 weeks younger than John. I can't wait to spend some time with a close friend. I can't wait to see how much fun John and Will are going to have together. I can't wait for someone to come see our new home.
Despite our fun week, I'm feeling a bit homesick these days. Thus, this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is...
Top Ten Things I Miss About Living in Ohio
10. Lake Erie. I miss being close to water. I hear there are lakes around here--I just haven't found them yet.
9. My grocery store. I've tried four different ones here so far. Nothing as good as Heinen's yet.
8. Knowing where everything is. I'm finding my way around, but I miss just knowing where the closest _________ (fill-in-the-blank with store/restaurant of your choice) is.
7. My backyard. My big beautiful tree, squirrel, and bird-filled backyard. I think Zoe and John miss it too.
6. Trees. Big, full grown trees. Everything's too new around here to have great old trees.
5. Pauli. I know she's not in Ohio, but she was with me when I was there and I miss her so much.
4. Being in the same time zone as my mom. We used to talk every morning on her way to work. Now I'm usually in the shower at that time.
3. Being only 8 hours away from my family in Virginia.
2. Friends and family. I miss chatting with my next-door neighbors over the backyard fence. I miss Sunday night dinners with my in-laws. I miss being able to call up a friend and plan a last minute gathering any day of the week. I miss going to a playdate and just relaxing because I know John is comfortable and happy.
1. The feeling of belonging, of truly belonging. I've had little tastes of it here, but I'm not there yet.
2 comments:
i love you
I wish I could give you a big hug. I still don't feel that way here... But it does seem like you found a great community. I have lived in this neighborhood for a year now and only a couple people speak to me! No chats over the fences here..
i can't wait to come! don't worry, you'll be sick of chatting by the time i leave :) hahahaha!!!!
by the way, will keeps saying i need to tell you that he is going to introduce you to his sweatshirts (loveys). i admitted to him i forgot to tell you that on the phone today, and at dinner again he mentioned it, so there it is. get ready to meet sweatshirts. ha!
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