Memory Lane!

Most of my boxes have been unpacked, but there were a few in the basement that have been packed away for years, apparently. There were only 2 boxes, but there were a lot of memories.  A few old dolls, some clothes, some gifts from Foreign Exchange students (that I didn't even remember I had!).

These dishes were in one of the boxes.  I expected them to be from Germany because the Blue Onion pattern is famous from the Weimar region in Thuringia, but they are actually from Japan.  Who'd thought?!  I suspect I received these from one of the 2 Japanese girls that lived with me, but one has already said that she hadn't.  She also stated that they looked European, not Japanese.  Specifically, Japanese tea cups don't have handles.

I came across a dress that I bought in Australia that I loved.  I held it up to my waist to see how "far" I'd have to go to fit into it again... Yeah, ain't gonna happen. I doubt my chest would fit into it anyway, even if my waist manages with narrow again.

Eventually some of the stuff will be out on display again, but for now, it will stay in the basement.  Just long enough for me to forget the wonderful treasures so I can get all excited over them again.

Childless People Never Realize...

...just how interesting their stuff is to their friend's kids.  I, the childless one, always find it interesting at how much fun kids have exploring and manhandling the things in my house.  I also find it interesting at how uninhibited many kids are at exploring.

"Miss Lisa, can we play with that game that is on the top shelf of that cabinet in that back room? You know... the one behind that big bag of CANDY we found?"  I swear they are part sugar hounds...

Couches become jungle gyms, tables become chairs, banisters become dance poles and swings.  

I am not complaining. I am, however, surprised at how aware I am.  I am truly glad that these children feel at home in my home. 

*So* Popular

I dont get it.  (Some) Kids seem to really like me.  Not that I think I am not "kid-friendly," but I am just not sure why they like me as much as some of them do.  Specifically, my new neighbors.  There is a family down the street with a bunch of kids (versus a gaggle).  There is an 11 year old that looks 9, his 9 year old brother that looks 6, and then there are 2 younger ones, plus Mom's got one in the oven.  The 11 year old immediately took a liking to me when he tried to sell me popcorn.  "I KNEW I was going to like you!" ex exclaimed within the first 2 minutes of meeting me.  He insisted that I come to meet his parents.  I obliged and was glad I did.  They seem like good people.

Then today, I was chatting with my neighbor across the ally and here comes a little girl from a few houses down. "HI! I'm ANNIE!" She was sweet and lively.  She too insisted that I come meet her parents.  Wouldn't you know it, they are from back home!  He's from East Chicago, she's from Chicago.

We stood there and spoke for quite some time.  Very nice people.  Annie was cracking me up.  Totally fun and sweet.  It turns out, our birthdays are only a day apart.  She wants to have a co-birthday party. By the time we said our goodbyes, I was invited to hear her sing at church, her basketball game tomorrow, planned a trip to Ritters with both our families, including the dogs, and she had set up a time for her, her Mom, and about 3 of her friends to come over to my house so I could teach them to knit.  A very productive introduction!

I am guessing that the kids like the fact that I talk with them versus at them.  But that's just a guess.  Like I said, it's not all kids, I ran into a friend and his 2 kids and the 6 year old has decided she doesn't want to interact with me (in the past she had warmed up fairly quickly though).  And, I got a smile from the baby, so I consider that a "win."

Enough Already...Part II

So, life had slowed down a bit and weird things had as well.  No theft, auto accidents, had a lovely weekend with friends and then it went weird and bad.  I blame myself, although I jokingly blamed an old friend from high school who had quipped "it isn't over yet" when I had stated what an awesome weekend I was having.  I had a weird situation with a friend that I am still trying to come to terms with. I am chalking it up to "too much togetherness," but only time will tell.

Then, after crying most of the way back down to Indy, I get home and an uninvited person knocked on my door.  It was creepy.  Stalkerish.  I hadn't spoken to this person in nearly 3 years.  I hadn't planned on talking to him again.  Email: blocked.  Facebook: blocked.  Address: changed.  Not to avoid him, but it was a fringe benefit.  How did he know I had just gotten home?  He lives over 2 1/2 hours away.  I had just driven from 2 1/2 hours from a different direction.  How did he know what I drive? I am on my 2nd car since I have last had contact with him. Even more creepy, how the HELL did he know where I live?!  I have only been in this place for about 2 months and you can't find me online.  Sadly, when I had heard that he showed up at the his ex-girlfriend's house earlier in the week, I thought "thank God he doesn't know where I live."  So, twice I jinxed myself in one week.  It even prompted me and a friend to "google" myself and I couldn't locate my address in Indy.  how did he find it?!  I have my theories.

I didn't speak to him when I opened the door and the door wasn't open long enough for him to say anything either. It's hard to describe the feeling of seeing him there.  It wasn't anger.  I was astounded initially and thought "how dare he."  But, as the night progressed, I realized how freaked out I was.  Was he still out there?  Was he watching?  Has he been following me? Has he done this before?  WHY would he do this?  There are only so many times that you can have the same damn exhausting conversation.  I thought I had the last one years ago.  I guess in a way, it still has been years ago since we spoke!

All that night, I was on pins and needles.  I kept expecting another knock at the door.  I even was looking around the parking lot at work expecting him to show up.  A full week and a day later, I hard knocking and it woke me from a dead sleep.  I think it was across the street, but it sent chills.  I laid there awake listening intently to see if it was at my door.  I convinced myself it wasn't and tried to fall back to sleep.  I didn't think it had that profound of an impact on me, but obviously it did.  I wasn't going to write about it, but tonight, another knock at the door sent me into a tizzy.  It was the pizza guy, but I was convinced it couldn't be because my cousin had just ordered it like 10 minutes before.  Thankfully, it was the beloved pizza guy.  No police needed to be called.

Halloween in my New Neighborhood

It was fun again!  It was really neat being in a neighborhood that embraces Halloween.  The neighborhood claims to be the birthplace of modern Halloween Festivities.  It is technically a week long event (however, there is an artwork competition that starts well before the week of).  The artwork is for that years poster.  The festivities start with the original, 1st, and 2nd runner up artwork being auctioned off.  Then, there are poetry readings, plays, and kids (and grown ups) can purchase "windows" where they can paint whatever they want.  It was fun to stroll through the business district watching the kids paint.  Many of them had scribed their designs out on paper.  It's serious business!  I didn't realize it, but there were also prizes for the best windows.

The week ends with the street festival.  It was just right.  It was 2 city blocks long and somehow we spent all day there.  It was fun seeing all the different types of costumes on both adults and kids alike.  And the dogs too! There were so many dogs in costume.  Their choice, too, I am sure.  I didn't bring Cecelia ~ she's not use to being around crowds.  And while we love being with each other as much as we can, I am not going to do put her in a stressful situation for it.  Not too mention, we ended up walking 10 miles by the end of the day ~ she usually starts pouting around 1 mile and really gives up at 2.  I didn't feel like carrying her fluffy 45 lbs around for 8 miles.

For the better part of the last 15 years, I have been lucky to have a dozen trick-or-treaters.  I was in the apartment, then for a few years, I was in a rental house & got TONS of kids, but the last 6 years, the houses on my street were too far apart to maximize candy hoarding. Kids went to the neighborhood behind me - they could attack 3-4 houses in the time the could get from my house to or from my neighbors.  

This year, I was bombarded.  I was also told that I was one of the few giving out the good stuff.  Yeah, that's right, I rocked Halloween.  I also won points when I was able to identify Magenta.  However, in my opinion, if one is old enough to have seen Rocky Horror Picture Show, you are too old to be trick-or-treating.

All-in-all, it was a great week!