Another goodbye

So, last night was my last night to volunteer with a respite program I've been involved with since 2003. I thought I'd be fine, until the parents whose child I was with for the night hugged me. I'm such a sap. It's been wonderful to see how these children have blossomed...I'm going to miss seeing more, though I know I'll be back to visit sometime in the fall. Still, it's hard saying goodbye to the relationships you've formed, the people who you've shared such a wonderful experience with.

Today was orientation for camp. I got to meet some of our new campers. I can done tell I will have some great camp stories--these little girls aren't shy. They're a hoot!

On other news, I have a contract on a house. It's not my dream house, but on a teacher's salary (Oklahoma teacher no less), it'll be sometime before I can have that. Still, it's an improvement from my former house in that the kitchen is better, master suite is better, the yard is bigger, it's on a cul-de-sac, and the neighborhood doesn't have a bunch of traffic. There is also a small lake and park in the neighborhood. Better yet, my commute will be 10 minutes or less!

The front

It's not a huge, stately southern porch, but it is a porch! That's another improvement.

My last kitchen had 2 drawers, no pantry, and not many cabinets. This one has 8 drawers, a pantry, and plenty of cabinets! I think the counter-tops are corian. I like the sink. It's an electric stove, which stinks, but I can deal with it.

I'm not sure what's up with that teddy bear? There is a cutout above the kitchen sink that opens up to the living area just behind the couch you see.

I also have a jetted tub and separate shower in the master suite. There is a little 'nook' behind the living room where I am going to put a reading chair. It's open to the rest of the house, but set back a little. I can see my little dog taking a liking to the chair...I also have room in the back yard for a garden. There is already a place where a raised garden has been put in, but it needs some work. Still, that's a goal for next year. Before moving in, I will paint the guest bathroom and master bedroom. After that, I'm not doing any other fix-up things until next summer. I need a break. I do have wallpaper that I will remove and have my dad texture it, but he is having another foot surgery next week and will be out of commission for a while. It can wait until next summer. OK, I'm not rambling mindlessly. Until next time...

I have to say that I am soooo ready to kiss Texas goodbye. I've never embraced living here. There are too many people. Sure, I'll miss Central Market, Sprouts, DSW, my students, my classroom, coworkers and friends. I won't miss putting 300+ miles on my car a week, the "Dallas" attitude, and the fact that this just has never been home. Sure, there are things here that OK doesn't have, but they are material things. When it gets down to the nitty gritty, people are what matters most, especially family.