What it's like living with guys again

My 28- and 30-year old fledgelings are back in the old nest. I thought I'd feel crowded, overwhelmed,  outnumbered and whatever the opposite of lonesome is. I thought I'd be thrown back into caregiver/mother role and wouldn't be able to feel retired and free to flit about. (Not that I was doing that much flitting; I just wanted to fell like I could and not have to answer to anybody.) None of that has happened. It's a good thing!

Of course there are changes -- the front bathroom is now the Men's Room. The refrigerator and cupboards are crammed with things I didn't buy: Muscle Milk (?) industrial size boxes of cereal, beer, even Meals Ready To Eat (courtesy of the National Guard). The food and drink I do buy disappears overnight, leftovers either don't happen or are devoured as midnight snacks. I shop 3 or 4 times a week and the Costco sizes of condiments no longer last me years. I enjoy cooking again (although my Jenny Craig diet-size portions are no more) and if I don't feel like it there's somebody else who can do it! Nobody will starve without me. I can flit. When I do cook, someone else does the dishes! without being asked!

I have live-in tech support. Electronic devices still behave badly for me, but I have threats I can use to get them in shape! I no longer need ladders and stepstools. I don't always have to hang around when a repairman gives me an 8-hour "window". I hear about different news stories than the ones I am usually tuned in to. I have more people to recommend books and movies to. The cats have more lap and nap choices. (They may be exploiting this by falsely claiming not to have been fed.)

There are still things I'm getting used to: the sound of deep voices again (my male cat has a very high un-macho meow), and odd thumps and bumps too hefty to be made by cats. They sleep much later than I do in the morning and go to bed much later at night -- I'm learning I don't really have to tiptoe around, though. They actually have more experience living with roommates than I do, so they are quiet-ish and neat-ish and considerate about letting me know when they'll be out late, or when they finish off some vital staple.

They still seek my advice, but they're definitely not kids anymore and I don't constantly worry about them in the same mommy way. And they haven't started treating me as senile yet! This arrangement won't be forever -- Matt is talking about buying a condo, and Jeff is considering a move to Southern California-- but basically, it's fun and comfortable. And I do have two female cats to even the balance!

2014 in Review

It has been a pretty healthy and happy year: I’ve been continuing my workouts, have done a wee bit of subbing, a ton of reading (currently halfway through Outlander series), and a fair amount of crafting – my favorites were the magnetic cookie-sheet calendar #1

 and my decoupaged door #2.

   I won a blue ribbon at the county fair for my fairy garden #3. (I won’t mention the paucity of competition!) Maybe this will be the year I figure out Etsy!

 My biggest trip was attending my nephew Brice’s wedding in April in Toledo. #4,5.

Parents of the bride, Lisa, Brice, bride's son Michael, bridesmaids, flower girl is my great-niece Cara.

My nephews and niece; Billy,Devin,Brice, brother Bill, Stephanie, Joel, Grant

On the way I also hung out with my cousins Denise and Trish & Mike in southern Ohio.

 Smaller expeditions included a trip to Glass Beach in Ft. Bragg with my friend Morag #7,

monthly museum visits with retired teacher friends Susan & Susan #8, helping my BFF Marylin with her English Fudge sales, and running away to beaches every chance I get.

 Visitors included Donna & Steve (feeling better after kidney surgery) from Arkansas. #9.
While they were here in June we went to see our old faves: Pacifica, the Redwoods, and new places: a cruise on the Chardonnay, Angel Island and a Giants game #10.








In September Jeffrey’s friend Jennifer #11 came from Maryland – they went to beaches, San Francisco, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and he cooked her pancakes almost every morning!

My largest purchase was solar panels! #12. (My electric bills now average $5.00 a month!) I love to watch that meter show negative numbers. I also had popcorn ceilings removed and walls repainted in half the house – chaotic but worth it.








Lifestyle changes: Jeffrey moved back in with me in July when diminishing roommates and continued unemployment made rent unaffordable in Redwood City. I really enjoy having him around. #13,14.

Just before Thanksgiving, Matt returned to the nest, too, after ending a three-year relationship with Noelle and her children. #15. 

At Monterey Bay Aquarium, photo bomber is Noelle's son Nathan

Sad but necessary. The house is beginning to look like an episode of Hoarding.

Felines Majesty and Inky are happily dashing from bed to bed and lap to lap, but Twinkletoes is still being a scaredy-cat.

I hope you are well and I wish I could see you as often as I think of you! Happy Holidays and a Great New Year!