Back to Normal

I'm ready to get back to normal after a very crazy two weeks. Two funerals, a lot of traveling, not enough cleaning my house, and the day-to-day routine have me ready to take a deep breath and get things back in order around here.

I decided not to mess with Texas after all. I think Texas knew what I was contemplating, and in a final "I told you so" move, Texas made me trip on the curb at George Bush Intercontinental Airport yesterday morning and busted my knee up pretty bad. I think I almost would have preferred The Frizz, but I am pretty vain, so it's a toss-up.

Houston greeted us with beautiful weather that was, at times, cooler and more Spring-like than what we left behind in Virginia. Friday, the day of my grandfather's memorial, was beautiful. Sunny skies and a cool breeze in the air. We had to drive to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, but the military service was touching. My sister (an Air Force veteran) explained that the soldiers who perform the military honors aren't just any "Joe Schmoes" who get assigned to the duty. They volunteer and go through special training, and they serve at military services on their days off. Knowing that gave me even more appreciation for them...they showed so much respect for our family and the years of service my grandfather gave to our country. The flag ceremony is timed so precisely, and the gun salute gave me chills.

My sis snapped this shot, which I think pretty much says it all...

It's sad that funerals are sometimes the only thing to bring families together. Although I wasn't particularly happy to be together at some points of the trip...namely at 11 pm on Thursday night as my mom tried to maneuver the rental car out of the airport and through Houston. There was a lot of shouting and waving of the hands. It was like a flashback to 1997, when I had cheerleader bangs and didn't want anything to do with my family. I was very sad that I didn't pack my expired pain killers because there was some pain that needed to be killed in that rental car.

The trip wasn't all sad. We ate delicious Tex-Mex and caught up with our cousin and made fun of people on Doomsday Bunkers. We even hit our favorite used bookstore, which seemed like one of those "normal" day kind of activities.

I'm ready to get back to normal-day activities. Kindergarten drop-off, play dates, my DVR. Even getting the house back together after two weeks of limbo. T held up so nicely while I was gone. None of the children went missing, and they were even fed and clothed when I returned. I was pleased to see that their outfits even matched and he put bows in their hair. Bows, people, bows! I knew I'd rub off on him someday....

So, all this is short to say, thank you for letting me take another day to "vent" here. I didn't feel like jumping back into posts about my family room or the latest recipe I've tried. I'll be folding my laundry today if you need me.

Back tomorrow with an announcement about a new series for bloggers!