Monday, February 11, 2008

There will be blood....

My joy knows no bounds. It is almost Girl Scout Cookie season. This is a special holiday at our house and helps us get through the February doldrums fat and happy. As it should be. (That's what I tell people)

Happiness is also at an all time high around here because Josiah is home. Yes, the Puppet Master is back and directing everyone around him. It is a beautiful thing.
He and Amy decided to move into an apartment together.
Wow.
Yes, I am aware that he used to shove her into the dryer and threaten to turn it on.
I remember how he would chase her with a laundry basket, cover her with it and not let her up until she began to scream. *see below.
I know. She used to tattle on him for.Every.Single.Thing.He.Ever.Did.
True, it probably saved her life on occasion. But still.
And Amy has this screech like a pterodactyl calling it's young to feed that she lets loose for no real reason a few times a day. We are so proud.
When they said they were going to get a place together and I had finished laughing,the seething fear set in. I could hear a calm voice, my voice apparently, saying," Great idea. Go for it." Encouraging words. Words of false hope. Outside I am a picture of cheerful optimism. Inside I am quickly and efficiently donning my flak jacket, night goggles and helmet. Because, truth be told, there will be blood.

For though my memory is getting spotty, I do remember my two children, sworn mortal enemies screaming at each other as they fought to the death over a box of Fruity Pebbles.
So the headlines I imagine follow this vein: "Suspicious deaths being investigated. Woman found stuffed in dryer. Man apparently pecked to death by giant bird."

Over the weekend I helped the kids begin moving into their new place. Let me tell you, Amy and I had a blast carrying heavy boxes across deep snow covered with a slickery layer of ice. Good times. Rod can't help because he still has Bubonic Plague the flu rendering him next to useless on Moving Day. It doesn't count that we could hear him coughing up a lung in encouragement as we trudged back and forth from house to car with our heavy loads. The special Moving Day cupcakes I made helped significantly. Red velvet with cream cheese frosting. Decadent. Festive. You can thank me later.

As we hefted the boxes up the flight of stairs to the new place, I noticed the nice neighbors, smiling benignly at us. Someone should warn them what was coming. "I'm sorry," I say with a meaningful stare at an elderly man as I accidentally bumped into him with an extra large box. I willed him with my eyes to understand the code(which meant "Run as though Alien AND Predator were chasing you down! And you are on fire!") I was trying to convey, but he just chuckled and continued down the sidewalk. I obviously have to work on my silent communication skillz.
So I was completely unprepared for my sense of wonder and joy, (yes joy!) I felt when I brought up Amy's boxes of shoes (how many shoes can a girl have? Please, don't look in my closet. Besides, we were moving HER shoes, not mine) and assorted towels and bathroom items.
There was Josiah arranging his things in his room. They showed me around their small, yet spacious, place with obvious pride. I loved it. Especially the eating area with two big windows to let in the afternoon light. Oh, and the 50 inch plasma television. My word.
Their rooms are kitty corner to each other, just like when they were little kids. I started to get a warm glow in my heart.
Later that night I came by with some kitchen supplies and Nyquil for Josiah, who wasn't feeling great. There were a few friends over visiting the new place and commenting on the size of the deck and what household items were still needed. Josiah invited me to stay as he was having our favorite pizza delivered. Everything was low key and relaxed. I felt welcome and at home because this was Josiah and Amy's apartment, and they are my kids, and we all love each other. I needed to leave quickly before the weird cry/laugh thing that I have mastered began. But it was all so GOOD. I could heave a huge sigh of relief that peace will reign.
I came home to see sickie Rod and make him a nice healthy dinner. We ate, then watched a western. It was fabulous. I could lock the door because I wasn't listening for anyone to come home late. I knew where both the kids were and we could R-E-L-A-X.
Then the phone rang. It was Amy in full pterodactyl mode, thanking us (sarcastically) for getting Josiah Rock Band for Christmas and concerned(read: scared out of her mind) that they would get evicted on their second night there. She asked us to talk to him. I could hear Josiah in the background "singing" loudly as his friend Joey helpfully played the drums. At their new apartment. Next to their new neighbors.
I thought about it. Then I rolled over and went to sleep. By the way, I haven't read the headline this morning. Is there anything that I should be aware of?

13 comments:

Susan said...

Hi! I've spent a few minutes (hours?) catching up with you. I really can not decide if our girl would room with either of her brothers. Maybe her younger brother (he's five years younger) but I just don't see how that will ever happen. Her older brother? Doubtful. They are two totally different creatures and, while I know they love each other, it's more like only tolerating the other for the sake of their mother. :)

I loved all the pictures. What a handsome kid Josiah is! Can't wait to hear more about the roomies! (Or reading about it in the newspaper!)

Qtpies7 said...

HahahaHA!!! Oh, yes, I can just see my kids living together. There would be blood if I wasnt' there to break it up.

But your house is quiet now.

Jessica said...

I am laughing at someone being shoved into the dryer! Kids are too funny! : )

happyhome said...

Found you through Big Bloggy Move. LOVE your blog design because well, I LOVE coffee! Your tag line is so very true.

So glad your son is home safe. Hopefully he and his sister can survive one another! lol

Rick said...

My two oldest daughters use to fight with each other to the death (almost). Now they're spending lunch together every Sunday. We tried to tell them that they would love each other when they got older - they didn't believe us.

http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com/

Megan@SortaCrunchy said...

CUTE blog!! Thanks for playing along in our Big Bloggy Move!

Beth said...

I got here via The Big Bloggy Move. Your post gives me hope that my children may some day enjoy coexisting. :)

Amy Plumb said...

Great story about the kids. Funny how now they want to live together but when they were living together they couldn't wait to get away from each other. Kids, you just never know!

Wendy said...

Why do I have this terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that I'll be facing something similar with Ben and Sarah as they grow up? :shudder:

Looks like you might have an endless supply of blog material on your hands right there. ;)

E said...

Hi there!
Thanks for stoppin' by my blog today. I appreciate the comments. The picture I use for my blog pic when I leave comments is actually Mt. Rainier! :) So, no, it is not "your" mountain! HA HA!

Have a great day and thanks again for saying hey!

Jennifer said...

I can't EVEN imagine my boys moving in together one day!! It would be constant wrestling...probably cage matches!! LOL!!
But, I forget if they ever moved in together they wouldn't be 8 and 4.
Actually I would LOVE for them to have the kind of relationship that they are close enough to move in together....and not kill each other. No Blood please!!

I am so going to make those Red Velvet cupcakes!!! That is my alltime favorite cake!! Yum-Yum-Yum!! That's for linking that recipes to your post.

I'm enjoying reading your blog. I will visit again.

Michelle said...

Ok, GIMME A BREAK my "bloggy friend". you are so excited that Josiah is home, you can't stand it. All thoughts about deep snow drifts have left your mind.

They are both different people than they were when they were little. The fact that they are this close is a tribute to their mother!


In some ways I envy you, your kids are grown, you get to take pride. Mine are going through pre teen and teen. I still have all the doubts to weather.

I know I heard your heart sing the last few weeks!

God bless Josiah and every single member of your family.

All my love,


your bloggy friend :)

Beemoosie said...

Oh I'm laughing here...and oddly you have sparked hope in my heart! I have a 15 yr/o girl and 13 yr/o boy...I pray they too will survive long enough to realize they like each other!!
~Blessings
Bonnie