Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Hello There, Stranger

Well.

I didn't mean to be gone quite so long, but you know how it goes... First, my parents come into town and then spring break comes along and before I know it,  I've forgotten how to blog. Be careful, it could happen to you too.

But I'm back. With the remains of a sunburn that are fading into a tan, and a long list of items that have been fixed by my dad around my house. I couldn't be happier.

The problem with being gone for so long is that I feel compelled to write about it all, because it was enchanting, but (lucky for you) I don't have that kind of attention span. So, I will just summarize a few of the truths I discovered spending a week with my parents, and then a week on vacation:

  • Having my parents stay is like having kindly, live-in servants. Rich people are so lucky.
  • If we set our minds to it, we really can eat an entire giant bowl of fruit in one week.
  • Take time to wander in small shops; they could be selling magic pants.
  • A trip to the beach is not the same without the bacon ice cream store.
  • Field of Dreams is actually a very strange story. How did we miss that in 1989?
  • Some gas station food is actually good.
  • Watching your parents with your kids is one of life's treasures.
  • The cherry blossoms in Washington, DC are worthy of every lovely adjective sent their way.
  • Speaking of adjectives, the only ones worth using in Mad Libs are: poopy, chunky, smelly, and pimpled.
  • The best Mad Lib nouns are: poo, poop, turd, diarrhea, armpit, and pee.
  • Taking a tour of the nation's capitol is even more fun when your nephew is leading it.
  • The best Smithsonian cafeteria is in the American Indian museum.
  • If you're a mom or a grandma, a trip to a cool grocery store can feel like a trip to Disneyland.
  • Dropping my parents off at the airport will always make me cry. Always.
  • Packing for vacation can keep your sad heart occupied.
  • A ten-hour road trip seems exponentially shorter when started at 7 am instead of 2 pm.
  • When in doubt, rent the minivan.
  • My oldest child is becoming an adolescent, which means that I am becoming an agnostic.
  • Some Subway employees are not worthy of the title "Sandwich Artist."
  • The sound of the ocean is very good for the soul.
  • Mexican food, as it turns out, is also very good for the soul.
  • There is no shame in eating Mexican food every day.
  • There are no wiggly pigs anywhere in the Piggly Wiggly.
  • If you really concentrate, fried okra is almost as delicious as fried Oprah.
  • Never miss an opportunity to wander a tiny, used bookstore.
  • No matter how long you're gone, the dog will always be happy to see you again.

16 comments:

Hildie said...

All that and not a single picture? For shame!

tiburon said...

I too agree with just about every thing on your list.

Especially the wiggly pigs. Cause I have looked for them too.

Hil said...

So glad you are back! And glad you had a wonderful time away.

Love the new header by the way.

Becky said...

Hi Friend! It's so good to hear from you again. :) So glad you had a good time with your parents and on your spring break get away! Loved your list!

Jesse C said...

Ass.

I actually meant to write "aww," and then decided to leave it for comedy's sake.

It really was a sweet and sentimental post. Good to have you back.

Lindy-Lou said...

Was it a dream? No, the magic pants are hanging in my closet, and that must mean we really were there. Oh, and there's the 4 lbs. I gained.

There is one believable line in Field of Dreams: "Is this heaven?" But the answer isn't 'Iowa'; it's Family.

Miranda said...

I've really missed you.

Kelly S. said...

So funny! I loved what you said about grandparents. I stopped thinking my parents were perfect when I was about 12. I found out they had flaws. But now that I have made them grandparents, I realized they get to seem perfect again to a whole new generation. And I think my kids will probably always think they are perfect. Probably because grandparents really are nicer than parents, right?

Alyssa said...

hmmm, I know I left a very witty comment here earlier. Either you are now censoring me or I got distracted mid-comment (I think it is the latter, which is why I came back to check). Welcome back!

Kristina P. said...

This makes me need to get back to DC. It's been far too long. I don't think I've ever seen the cherry blossoms.

Omgirl said...

Re: mad libs, you forgot "puss" and "scabs." My dad's personal favorites.

Leslie said...

I missed you! Glad you are back. And glad I get to come again, when I'm NOT recovering from surgery...at least that's the plan.

readplayrun said...

love it! glad you're back.

Travelin'Oma said...

My mom used to clean out my toaster when she came. She's been dead for 13 years and nobody's cleaned it in all that time! I am not that kind of mom, sad to say.

Erin O. said...

Methinks that the "magic pants" story needs its own explanatory post. :) Welcome back!

Mia said...

So glad you are back. I love seeing my parents with my kids too. I even love seeing them with my brother's kid. If I am honest though I would rather they were with me being my live in servants and doting on my kids but hey we have to take turns ;) Cherry blossoms are amazing aren't they!

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