"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2



Monday, July 23, 2012

The Empty Nest Is Not Empty Anymore...


Last week I had the fabulous Keli Gwyn visiting on the blog. I want to thank Keli for taking the time out of her busy schedule. It was a real pleasure to have this sweet lady here and to learn more about her.

As promised, we are giving away a copy of her book, A Bride Opens Shop In El Dorado, California. I drew the name at random.

The winner of Keli’s book from last week’s blog post is: Digging for Pearls - Jodie Wolfe

CONGRATULATIONS Jodie!  I will get in touch with you for your address and pass it on to Keli – so she can mail you out a copy!

In other things, the empty nest is not empty anymore...

This past week, my son moved home for three weeks before he heads off to Law School, and my daughter moved home because she landed a big job in the city. She will be staying with us until she finds her own place to live.

It’s been fun having the two youngest back home again. I get to watch my kids say goodbye to an old life (college and grad school) and hello to a new one. In the mean time, we’re watching all of our old favorite movies, playing video games, having spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen, juicy debates, spatula wars, and loads of laughter. Even though my kids are adults, they are still my kids.

Last night, Eric and I are upstairs in bed…all is quiet and peaceful. I’m nearly asleep, when suddenly, we hear my son laughing loudly and hysterically. Fly, the mother when I’m not in the room, is rooing and barking, and my daughter is shrieking. It was reminiscent of days of old...when they were little.

Of course, we get up to see what the commotion is and find that a one of those centipede thingies had run across the room, touched my son’s foot—he jumped, my daughter screamed which sent the dog into her “bark at everyone” mode, while my daughter’s boyfriend just laughed at them. Honestly, you would have thought it was a mouse by the carrying on. The dreaded centipede had gone under the couch. In whooshes Eric to the rescue with paper towel in hand. I watch from the stairs—I’m not taking the chance of the peed running across my toes! The boys lift the couch, and bam, the centipede is history.

I’ve lived this scenario many times before when they were small. It’s funny, the more things change, the more they stay the same…

What do you do when a spider or centipede invades your space? Are you a screamer, or the one that comes to the rescue?

I’m a screamer, I admit it. I call hubz to the rescue.

Between you, me and the gate post,

Loree

24 comments:

Cindy R. Wilson said...

I bet it's so nice to have the kids home for awhile.

I'm usually the one that comes to the rescue. But if my hubby is home, I usually ask him. No screaming, though :)

Brandi Boddie said...

I hate insects of all kinds, lol. I will scream if a cricket or grasshopper gets on me, but otherwise, I do my best to slay the beast before it can do me harm ;-)

Terri Tiffany said...

Spiders don't bother me--now lizards are another story:)) Glad you can enjoy your kids a little bit longer!!

Jessica R. Patch said...

Ah I love the sounds of family laughing and even shrieking over bugs. I'm usually the screamer unless everyone else is and then I have to be the rescuer. But I'd rather not. LOL

Gabrielle Meyer said...

When I was little we lived in an old victorian home which was rife with centipedes! I had many a run in with those nasty creatures - and I was the one usually running! :)

Cheryl Linn Martin said...

My daughter and son-in-law are living with us, Loree! He graduated from law school last year, and then they moved to the NW from Penn State. He passed the bar and got a position as an associate with a Portland law firm. Now they're saving for a house downpayment! With my youngest still at home, it's been a busy household!! But, yes, fun!

Aloha! --Cheryl

Lindsay Harrel said...

I don't really scream, per se, but I do speak in a very firm voice asking my husband to please get over there to rescue me. ;)

Enjoy your time with your kids!

Loree Huebner said...

Cindy: It is nice to have the kids home. You are brave!

Brandi: I'm with you. I dislike insects. I know some are good, but I don't like creepy crawly things!

Terri: Lizards? Now I like lizards. My daughter has a 12 year old gecko that is now living in my house...he came home too.

Jessica: I do love the sound of the laughter. I'm glad I'm not the only screamer...lol! Sometimes I can be brave...but not with peeds. They just creep me out.

Gabrielle: Oh my! I could never sleep! Those older homes usually get spiders and centipedes.

Cheryl: Congrats to your son-in-law! My oldest is an attorney too. It's great that they can live with you while they are saving up. That's what my daughter is doing. She wants that down payment money before she moves out. I'm enjoying it! Now they cook...

Lindsay: I know that tone of voice very well...heh heh

Cindy, Brandi, Terri, Jessica, Gabrielle, Cheryl, and Lindsay, thanks for stopping in! I enjoyed your comments.

Unknown said...

Hi Loree! Oh I'm a screamer. In Indonesia, I arrived home late one night and started to undress in my bathroom, and discovered a rat in my toliet. I almost screamed, but because I was half-dressed, bit my tongue and hurriedly threw my clothes back on before I ran out of the bathroom at lightning speed... LOL!

Loree Huebner said...

Gwyn: LOL! I've never had a rat...I think I would faint.

Thanks for popping in!

Misha Gerrick said...

Hahaha sounds lovely. I am a screamer first, but when no-one's about, I rescue myself. :-D

troutbirder said...

Family fun. The best of times that's for sure. Fond memories for me....

Jessica Nelson said...

LOL That's hilarious! How fun to have your kiddos home. I don't scream because, living in Florida, I find bugs (or arachnids *shudder*) in my house daily. But sometimes I scream if it surprise me. YUCK!
Enjoy your kiddos while they're there. :-)

Loree Huebner said...

Misha: I must admit I have rescued myself a few times...screaming "ewww ewww ewww" all the way to the front door or garbage.

trout: so glad you stopped by! Good memories are the best. We keep them close to our hearts...

Jessica: You are a brave woman! I hand you the fly swatter wand! I know Florida has big bugs! I do think I scream more at the surprise...but then I scream...lol!

Misha, trout, and Jessica, so glad you stopped in!

Unknown said...

Congrats to Jodie on winning the copy of Keli Gwyn's book! I'm hosting Keli on my site tomorrow, so if anyone is interested in another shot at winning her debut novel, please stop by!

Isn't it fun to have adult children back at home? We're enjoying having our daughter living at home while she's working and sorting out exactly what she wants to do.

Your centipede story is hilarious! I can imagine my daughter as the screamer (of course the bug would be a cockroach)and either my husband or I would come to the rescue.

Must say, after killing a copperhead this summer, a cockroach is a welcome little invader!

God bless!

Carol Riggs said...

Dance parties in the kitchen and spatula wars! Your house sounds fun! Enjoy your Kid Company.

Gah--I'd rather see a mouse than a centipede! Those things are uuuuugleeee! And freaky. Yay it met its demise. ;o)

Rhonda Schrock said...

So happy for you! What a fun season, Loree. Sounds like you're loving every minute of it. :)

Loree Huebner said...

Maria: You killed a copperhead? Oooh, what a scary situation! I detest snakes. I bet a little cockroach pales in comparison! Brave woman!

Carol: We are having a great time. Last night we stayed up until 2am trying so solve the worlds problems with my kids and their friends. The discussion was awesome They are so aware it's amazing.

Rhonda: I am enjoying the moments.

Maria, Carol, and Rhonda, thanks for stopping in! Love having you and reading your comments!

Sarah Forgrave said...

How fun to have your kiddos back, Loree! And I'm totally a screamer too, especially if my hubby's around. If he's not, then I give myself a five-minute pep talk (all while keeping my eyes focused on the moving object) and then take care of business. :)

Have a great weekend!

Loree Huebner said...

Sarah: I've given myself that same pep talk...lol! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend.

Unknown said...

:) I can handle a spider. A snake...that's a different story.

Loree Huebner said...

Julie: Yeah, snakes are bad...
I was fishing at a lake, standing in the water, and a water moccasin swam/slithered around my legs on the surface of the water. I felt him touch me...ewww! I didn't move and he went away. I almost passed out...lol.

Thanks for dropping by!!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Centipedes are okay. I scoop them up and toss them outside. Spiders are semi-okay as long as they aren't too big and hairy. It's the roaches that send me screaming, lol.

Victoria Lindstrom said...

Screaming and jumping on the nearest piece of furniture works for me! Have a good week, Loree.