You can Never Go Home Again

Jay, the kids, and I just got home and settled from our vacation. We went to a family reunion for his side of the family in South Carolina, then on up into northern Virginia.

Northern Virginia is where Jay and I met. Married. Had Dathon. And, lived for 3 years while Jay was in the Marines. We moved away to Dallas for 4 years, then on to Kansas City for 18 months, but returned again to Northern Virginia. This time we bought our first house. We stayed in Northern Virginia for 3 years and moved on to Florida, where we have been for the past *almost* 7 years.

This was our first time going back since we moved to Florida. Lots of things were the same as we remembered them. Many more weren't.

When Jay I lived in Virgina, he took "back roads" between where we lived and where he worked. Along the "back roads" is a TINY town surrounded by horse farms. In the town are several historical markers that tell the story of the town and its people. We always meant to stop and read them when we lived there. But, life seemed to busy.

While on vacation, Jay and I decided to try and find the building that he used to work in. Found it. So we decided to see if we could find the back roads that he used to drive and find our way back "home". Found that too. And along the way was that tiny little town. This time we were on vacation. We stopped. We read the signs. What a rich and beautiful history that town has. We had ice cream at the town ice cram parlor. The parlor featured ice cream dishes named after the people of the town. Jay and I both had a "Rick's Mix". Vanilla Ice Cream, Hot Fudge, Heath Bar bits. I have no idea who "Rick" is, but based on the treat named after him, I'd guess he is quite the character.

All the while we were driving from place to place to see what was still there and what had changed, we realized, that even if we wanted to moved back it wouldn't be the same. So much had changed. The traffic changed. The people changed. The roadways changed.

We changed. So...No, you can never go home again. But that isn't always a bad thing.

Time passes so swiftly.

Today is the day that we are going to the home school library to check out Aubrey's school books for the next year. Are we *really* going into our 4th year with this? Where did the time go?

This week was also the memorial of Michael Jackson. Has it really been 27 years since Thriller came out? I was in 8th grade at Troy Middle school when that album came out. Times were so much simpler then. Or so they seemed in my 8th grade mind.

I specifically remember one day in P.E. For some reason, Joe was sitting out. I think he had hurt his knee. He had brought his boom box to school and had it loaded with "Thriller". So, during that P.E. class, Joe played that tape very loudly. We all were jamming and playing dodge ball-back when you still COULD play dodge ball, to P.Y.T., Billy Jean, Beat It, Thriller, and Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'. We were in 8th grade-top of the food chain for elementary school, we were playing dodge ball to Michael Jackson, we were "IT". It didn't get any better than this.

As I watched the Memorial, the memories of songs that were sung by Michael crept into my mind. It hit me, at almost every point in my life, playing in the background is a Michael Jackson song.

The memorial was a beautiful tribute to an icon of my generations youth.
Rest In Peace, Michael.

I so need to get more regular with this.

Outside my Window…it's a sunny day. We are supposed to see 80 degrees today.
I am thinking...what to have for supper tomorrow night.
From the learning rooms...YEA!!!!! We are almost done for the year.
I am thankful for...having such a wonderful husband.
From the kitchen…Tonight.....not sure yet, too busy planning for tomorrow night
I am reading...Twilight
I am hoping....that we can get school finished on time
I am creating..a menu for tomorrow night.
I am hearing...the dogs snoring, and Aubrey working on Math
Around the house...Laundry is done, kitchen is cleaned up.
One of my favorite things...a quiet day
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Get Joan's birthday present and plan the meal for to tomorrow night, early out tomorrow, put Aubrey's grades in the computer to get her final grade card ready
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...