Mr. Roger's Neighborhood it Ain't

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,  A beautiful day for a neighbor...Yes, I'm singing Mr. Roger's theme song.  I'm hoping beyond hope it will catch on with my neighbors and put everyone in a good mood! 

Have you ever had neighbors that you just don't get or get alone with?  No matter how nice you try to be, their kid is still ugly to you?  We have those in our neighborhood.  It totally bums me out. 

Don't get me wrong, some have been great.  Really.  Some though, not so much.  In fact, our next door neighbor mows their 'yard' with a weed wacker and a pair of scissors and that's usually at 6:30AM on a weekday.  There is so little grass that Neighbor X is just taming weeds...but it is a great visual.  Imagine someone in 80 degree weather, out in their yard with a yellow plastic dishwashing glove on one had and scissors in the other, bending over to 'trim' the tall weeds in the yard. 

We also have a food truck that sits in on the street - it's a pretty, shiny silver color - such a nice addition to the neighborhood.  Wonder if she has any gluten free snacks on board?? A few houses up from up from that we have the house that was abandoned.  They had two Great Danes, so I'm sure the inside looks great.  I'd bet a bag of gluten free pretzels that you can get it for a steal.

Back up the street is the neighbor who is our own Gladys Kravitz.   Remember her from the show Bewitched?  She's in everyone's business and she tells so many stories, I think she's forgotten what the truth is.  Based on how she talks about our neighbors, we certainly don't want to get on her radar. 

We do have great neighbors though - in fact we love them!  They are fun, caring and giving folks. I always wanted to live in a neighborhood where I'd have friends, kids to play with our children (someday), and just in general a warm, friendly, and safe environment to raise a family!    I think we've met some great friends, but I'm not sure we're in the neighborhood I was dreaming about.

But for now, we're okay...in fact, this past weekend we had a mini 'baby shower' for one of our favorite neighbors.  She's having her second child and is having a little girl!  We're so excited for her - I made some cookies for her (upon request).  We can't wait to meet her new little one! 

I think overall, this neighborhood has been great for us.  We've met some really nice people people and learned some important life lessons.  Eventually, when things calm down in our lives, we'll move...but we'll stay here in Charlotte.   I'm sure we'll find another interesting group of neighbors in the next neighborhood - maybe we'll find someone who mows their yard with a mower and doesn't care about whose car is parked in our driveway....well, a girl can dream I guess.  Happy Wednesday Ya'll!

You Can Never Go Home Again

I spent about half of my adult life living away from 'home.'  Home was Maryland and I could NOT wait to get out of there and head out into the world after I graduated from college.  It never felt like my forever home you know?   I'm often jealous of people who have stayed and made a life for themselves where they were born and raised. 
I never felt like I was supposed to stay where I grew up - I always felt like I was supposed to be somewhere else.  Of course now there are many things I miss about where I grew up and through Facebook I can keep in touch with how things are there.  I've wondered what my life would be like if I had stayed in the Mason Dixon area - but I guess I'll never know! 

My life has taken me to towns all over the US and I've got favorite places and people in each of those towns.  I've really liked all of the places I've lived, but in some cases, not until after I'm gone! :o)  When I lived in Cleveland, I could NOT wait to get the heck out of there.  The only thing I liked about it at the time was Malley's Chocolates and Lake Erie in the summer and going to Huntington Beach to the Honey Hut for Orange Blossom ice cream.  I hated the snow with a passion and couldn't figure out why people chose to live there!

Now that I've been gone for seven years, my viewpoint has shifted.  I miss many things about Cleveland. I miss the Irish Festivals, the Westside Market, the Lake, the Jake and the Indians, and the great restaurants and ethnic foods.  Sadly, the Honey Hut is no longer at the beach -I hear the owners have changed - but my memories sure are great!  I can also get Malley's Chocolates in the mail!

I think there's probably something about each town I've lived in that I miss and have fond memories of - but  the point I'm at in my life helps me to focus more on make memories here in Charlotte.  The Queen City was such a gamble for us.  We moved here pretty much sight unseen - just because there were jobs here (and no snow!)

So time has blown by and we've been here for seven years.  I was sitting here thinking I don't hate it here - nor do I feel the urge to 'move on' and find a new place. Wow!  Maybe we're finally 'home?' Maybe it's because my parents and B's parents are here - so it makes it feel more permanent.  Who knows!  I do know I love many things about Charlotte and I have lots more to learn and explore.  After all, the Nascar Hall of Fame is here - haha!  I'll focus on making great memories, but also in making a great life here.  Who knows, maybe we'll stay?!

I think Maya Angelou says it best -  You can never go home again, but the truth is, you can never leave home, so it's alright.

Happy Father's Day Dads & Happy Sunday Ya'll!