Roots

I went to a Mary Kay party last night, where I overheard part of a conversation in which two women discovered that one's mother had been the preschool teacher of the other's husband. As it turns out, most of the women there grew up in this area.

I don't get that. I know there are people who live and die in the same town, but I just can't imagine it.

The longest I've ever lived anywhere was 13 years in Goldsboro, NC. I moved four times in that time. I lived for 19 years in Michigan, but that was spread out over three towns, and none of them were close to extended family. We visited my grandparents frequently, much more so than my kids have been able to. I've never lived in one house for more than ten years (that one was the first house I remember).

These friends of mine are normal well-adjusted people who have managed to live in the same area their whole lives. Their families are here. They see people they went to high school with, and in some cases go to church with their old teachers. I barely remember people I went to high school with.

Now that we're out of the military, I'm hoping the nomad in us won't kick in again. I'd like to stay for a while, put down roots, and actually be a lasting part of the community. I want my kids to remember the people they go to high school with and to have a place to come home to on long weekends and holidays.

OK, the biggest reason is that I don't want to move my library again any time soon!

Brain straightening

I guess it's because we've been on the move so much in the last two years. That's the only reason I can think of for my month-to-month thinking. Whatever the reason, I looked at my planner yesterday and was shocked to discover it's the last week of October. The bill reminders that have been dropping into my e-mail are the first-of-November bills. I only have a week until NaNo starts.

I was also shocked to find dental appointments in today's block. They've been there for months, on not one but two calendars. I'm amazed that it's time for six month appointments already.

It's probably good that I've discovered this now because business is picking up with the holidays descending. I'm working a few extra hours here and there, and we're scheduling gigs with both Dudley's Rush and the handbell choir.

It's not even Halloween and the Christmas holidays are seeping in already. At least this year I have a job I like.

As an aside, I've decided that cats as a species have ADD. Tess was stalking the toy mouse I threw for her and got distracted when her tail twitched. Somehow she hasn't made the connection that it's part of her, and that she's the one who makes it move.