“home sweet home” – Creations By Cathy

“HOME is not a place. It’s a feeling”

Over three years. That is how long we have been searching for a house. A house that my parents, and youngest brother Michael, can call home. I’m not going to say “the perfect house”, for I do not believe in the concept of “perfection”. What I will say, however, is that it feels right. And good. And happy.

From St. Louis to Kansas City. My parents and brother will be moving 252 miles across the state of Missouri – leaving behind a house that has been “home” to my parents for more than 40 years. It is where they raised seven kids; five in ten years, with a ten year break, and then two more; followed by more than a dozen grandchildren. Is this going to be easy; for anyone…? Nope. Change is NEVER easy. But it’s time.

My brother, Michael, just turned 30 this summer. Michael has Down Syndrome. He and I are the “bookends” of the family, and Michael will eventually be my permanent buddy…xoxo Moving to KC now means new roots, new friends and new surroundings while everyone is still young and healthy and happy. My dad will celebrate his 80th birthday later this year in his new house. We are so blessed….

“Home”

Hold on to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave (wave) is stringing us along

Just know you’re not alone
‘Cause I’m gonna make this place your home

(lyrics/music by Phillip Phillips – click below)

So it looks like we’re getting some new neighbors.

The first clue was discovered amidst the sweet little pansies on the front porch. I had planted them next to the front door at the very first sign of spring. They are cheerful little survivors… and for me, a real sense of hope after a LONG winter. I say that because here in the midwest, “springtime” teeters on the edge of full blown winter. Yep. Sure does. As I type this, the cold (winter) wind is a’howlin…

OK – so anyway… I went to take the dogs out last night for their last “potty break”. The front porch was covered with; well… birdie poo-poo. Right up next to the front door. Actually, it was even ON the front door. Weird. Clue #1.

It was then that I noticed that it looked like a wild (and angry?) rodent had thrown a temper tantrum in that little “shreddy filler stuff” that I had carefully tucked around the pansies in the planter. There was a big hole where the shred had been “removed”, and it was then haphazardly strewn about in little piles everywhere. Hmmm… Clue #2.

We have little birdies that used to come every spring and build a nest. That is, until my hubbie decided that he didn’t like the “ambiance” of a front porch covered with “birdie droppings”. And a wife that wouldn’t let him use the front door once “the babies” arrived. So he decided that HE was smarter than a bird. He put bricks up at the top of the pillar… kinda like taking the “vacancy” sign down. Well, it worked for a while…

It wasn’t until morning when I took the girls out for their morning potty break that I saw the final clue. (OK – Is it me, or does this whole post seem to revolve around one basic subject??)

You see, we have TWO pillars. Ouch!! Being outsmarted by a bird… that stings.

If you’re keeping score… Birdies – 3 points. Hubbie – 0

I will update you when the “family” moves in….