More moving

Understatement of the week:

Robert and I are not very social, and we like our routine.

However, it's become obvious to both of us that we should be, and want to be, working on hospitality. I don't really mind having people over. I just don't do it. And I don't do it particularly well. The truth is that I'm a Martha hostess, not a Mary. But if I'm working on it, at least I'm starting somewhere. (Right?)

In what can only be attributed to dual fits of dementia, we've grabbed several opportunities in the past week or so. Steve and Nanci came over for dinner on 7/20. Robert and Steve have known each other for several years, but the four of us have never gotten together socially.

On the 22nd, we had an afternoon bbq and invited more of Robert's former work friends. Holly's friend Mackenzie was already visiting for a few days, and Trevor's friend Tucker was here playing. (At that point, what's two more kids, and besides, they are nice and get along with everyone.)

Sarah worked for Robert for a few years, and they've kept in touch. Again, we chat occasionally, but we've never visited at each other's homes.

Sara, husband, and baby

Sara's dd

Sara's baby

Sara's ds, Trevor's friend Tucker, and Trevor

Dan and Christine and their "baby" came too. Robert and Dan are also work friends, and we've gotten together with them frequently over the past year or so. I am really glad we've gotten to know them!

Little Sam looooves Trevor. Isn't he a cutie?!


The next day, Monday, my dad and Sherry came for several days. Usually I get quite stressed about everything being perfect before my dad comes. I know he likes things "just so," and this is totally pressure I put on myself. Hah, not this time! After he left, I realized I'd never cleaned the crumbs out of the toaster. I'd also wanted to run diluted vinegar through my coffee pot, but I hadn't done that either. I am quite sure he didn't even notice. :) (Thanks, Dad!)

Proof that I need to work on hospitality: they played video games with the kids, lol.

We had our neighbor over for dinner tonight. He'll often come over in the evenings for a beer (or Robert will go to his house), but it's a sit-on-the-patio kind of thing. We've never "had Mike over for dinner" before. He even changed his shirt before he came. (But I don't think I even put on shoes, lol.)

Usually, "having friends over" means running around like crazy, doing (my idea of) last minute perfection cleaning, planning the perfect meal, making sure everything is just right. If I stress out, Robert is there to rescue me and take care of everything else. By the time the guests are actually here, it's all I can do to sit in a chair and exhale.

In the midst of moving, however, my house is a disaster. The best I can do is vacuum between the packed boxes. My kitchen table is pushed against the wall, so it's helped that we've eaten outside. I didn't even check to see how clean the bathroom was before my dad came. I haven't hyperventilated when a kid eats a chocolate cookie over my carpet. There are several stacks of things on my counter that have been there for days. And that alone would normally send me over the EDGE.

But with everything so topsy turvy, I've had no choice but to relax and refocus. While this has been a little extreme, I've really enjoyed ALL of each day of it. It's given me something to think about as we consider the more limited options we'll have for meeting people when we move too. We will be trying to concentrate more on our guests instead of US as we prepare for them. This is good practice, and a good way to start. But I'd prefer to find a happy medium in here somewhere!

:)