Staycation Twenty Eleven

It's spring break around here and we have plans to get crazy! We are cleaning out drawers and closets. We plan to get donuts at least two mornings this week. Jump Zone is on tap for Wednesday and on Friday we will be celebrating Caroline's 9th birthday.

I know. I know. Those of you who are skiing or beaching this week are thinking, "WHAT THE HECK?! Why did I go away when Rachel could have planned a wonderful spring break for us?!"

Well. Now you know. And there's always next year or summer vacation.

Seriously, though, today my mom and aunt and I went to Mineral Springs, Arkansas and closed on the sale of Granny's house. Then we walked through it one more time. It was weird to know that for the first time EVER, someone else owned that house. We talked about memories in the rooms and laughed and cried and eventually locked up for the last time. It's funny that in situations like your emotions can swing so quickly.

We had a few business items to take care of too. When my grandparents built that house in the 1950's, they put a deposit down to turn on the water. Last week the new owners notified the water company that they would be needing the service now. When the water lady looked up my grandparents account to turn it off, she saw the deposit and called my mom to tell her not to forget to come by and pick up the refund when we got there. Can you guess how much it was for? $10. We have gotten so many laughs from that.

At the end of all of this, no matter how sad I am that the house is gone, I can cling to the fact that the memories there are ours forever. The millions of card games and yahtzee, the loaves of cinnamon toast, the nights waiting for Santa, the hours playing office, the laughter, the stories, the love . . . all mine to keep no matter who owns the deed to 316 McClendon.  And I am so thankful for that.