MY DREAM HOME!

The second week of my trip was just as busy as the first.  It was during this second week that I realised quite how much I referred to my new home, as 'home'.  "We don't have these at home!", I would say, usually referring to some food item or another.   

"I want a pasty", I told Richard during our trip to Watford on Monday morning.  We had taken the car to the shopping centre, ('centre' spelt with an 're' at the end, as I was in England,) and bribed Oliver with a trip to the Lego store.  I still had a few things on my list that I had to take back home!  "I want a sandwich", said Ollie.  We came to a little bakery, which had some seats inside and outside, and decided to eat 'al fresco', despite the weather being less than conducive to doing so.  "Yeehaw", came the comment from someone in the queue.  I turned around to see a couple standing in line, as I eyed the choice of hot savories.  "Yeehaw", came the comment again, from the male of the couple, whilst the female looked straight ahead as if she had not heard him.  Wearing my Stetson and Lucchese's, since my arrival, I had not yet had a comment, and was starting to think that perhaps, this time, I was blending.  "This is everyday dress where I live, in Texas", I responded.  "Wow!  I wish I lived in Texas", said the guy, as his companion breathed what seemed to be a sigh of relief.  A couple more sentences were exchanged and it was my turn to order.  "Cheese and onion pasty, please.  I don't get these at home!"  The young lady serving did not appear to be interested in my latter comment, just whether I wanted the pasty warmed.  

My 'orders' were to return to the kitchen by three in the afternoon.  I did not negotiate, but rather overruled.  I was the one cooking dinner, so I was going to be in charge!  Elise and David were coming over and dinner was at 6:30.  I had already prepared the potatoes and the 'petite pois' would take minutes to boil.  (We don't get them at home!  My haunts only sell the regular garden peas.)  "Put a teaspoon of sugar in the peas", came the instruction from my mother.  I had already done so.  Some things you just don't forget!  I arrived back at my mother's a little before four, and set about getting the roast oven ready!  Potatoes were 'par-boiled' and put in the oven, and the joint went in at the same time.  Despite asking her advice (as I did not want to be blamed for any wrongdoing,) as to the amount of potatoes to peel, and her saying, "Oh, that is plenty! No need to peel anymore," mum commented on the lack thereof once in the oven!  The meat was also cooking too quickly, in her opinion.  I bit my tongue.  When Elise arrived, she asked how I was doing.  I told her of my mother's disappointment in my cooking ability.  "Are there enough potatoes there?  The meat looks like it might be overdone.  Should you have put the potatoes in so early?"  The wry grin on her face was obvious, and my mother started to lay blame.  Elise found the whole thing very funny.  However, at six thirty, all was cooked, all was served, and compliments to the chef (from two of the three non-cooks) were abundant!  In fact, David had 'seconds'!  It was all delicious, even if I do say so myself!

I was awoken at midnight with the sound of fireworks.  Although not set off outside my window, the sound penetrated through and I jumped up and almost fell out of bed!  I had fallen out of bed on my first morning due to disorientation!  Fortunately, the 'bangs' and 'whizzes' did not last too long, and I was able to fall back to sleep.  It was 2019 and nothing appeared to be any different!  


New Year's Day was rather busy.  I decided to tackle all the jobs that my mother thought needed doing, and had mentioned over and over, and over, again from my return home in August!  The first comment when I made the phone call to her when I arrived back in Austin last year was, "You didn't....".  The freezer did not need defrosting, but I defrosted it.  The cupboard that houses the saucepans had been cleaned by her 'help', but nothing had been put back in the right place.  She could not remember where everything went, other than everything was in the wrong place.  Eventually, all was put back nearly as it should be.  I emptied cupboards, and threw away out of date items, of which there were far fewer than she thought there would be.  It did not take long, and after lunch we headed over to Richard and Steph, for tea.  Steph's grandma and her cousin arrived at the same time, and we had a lovely afternoon.  "You should try and get out more", said Steph's grandmother to my mother.  A comment that was not taken lightly!

"This meat is very tough!" said my mother, as she chewed the cold lamb I had presented for dinner, with colcannon, (potato and cabbage mash,) and a few left over Yorkshire puddings (which I do not get at home!).  "Amazingly enough, when I am at home, everyone just says thank you!" I said, slightly irked.  I realised that I should not have taken offense, and should have had a little more patience, as my mother's life does not have a lot of action at present and her joy appears to be the degradation of all, but the roles have changed.  As children, we are not allowed to be ill.  She was concerned that we would become hypochondriacs and unless we were physically unable to move, we were not sick enough to be 'relieved of duties or responsibilities'.  It definitely made us stronger, and I am grateful for that.  We ate what was put in front of us, or did not eat, and we were thankful!  It was 'good' (and I believe it was 'good') old fashioned, parenting!  Now I find I am repeating to my mother what she told me as a child!  The problem is she is still my mum, and I still like to show respect.  Make sense?  However, I digress!  We ate and then sat in the lounge.  Half way through a particularly good, and intriguing episode of a detective drama, mum said, "What they don't realise is that I don't find it easy going out, and I am in pain.  Do they think I say I do this for attention?"  I chose to continue watching the television.

I spent the day with Jamie on Wednesday, and we went grocery shopping and then to the mall, where he spent an hour in soft play and appeared to enjoy himself.  I cut up a tuna sandwich into dinosaur shapes and he ate the whole thing, rather than pulled it to pieces as he is accustomed to doing.  I remember doing the same for my children, and their friends, some of whom were fussy eaters, but thought the shapes tasted better.  Once a mum..... We came back to mum's and he slept in the pushchair for a couple of hours.  Ollie was dropped off a little later, and then the sibling rivalry started.  Oh how quickly we forget!  Steph collected them a little after five, and after macaroni cheese, grandma style!

Thursday was Ollie's turn to have 'one on one', and we went to Asda, and then to see 'The Grinch'.  I remember being taken by both 'nanas' to see Mary Poppins when I was four, and wanted to take Ollie to see the new version, but the former won, and he enjoyed it, so it was worth the sacrifice!  We then went to see Beverly who was having lunch with her daughters, Jodi and Steffi, and Ollie found it rather funny that my friend knew his other grandma too!  It was all very 'last minute', as my 'connection' with the 'outside world' had been through Samantha or a quick communication before leaving home.  My trips at Christmas are usually more restrictive, due to losing days such as Christmas Day.  Ollie and I had a blast, and I took him back to mum's where we played for a while before taking him home.  Richard was meant to pick him up, but Steph had been in hospital for 'day surgery', and he was not allowed to leave her alone.  I stopped at the golden arches to pick up 'dinner' for the boys, before depositing my elder grandson with his parents. We played for a while and then I came back to mum.  

I had planned to see my friend Lesley, but she was unwell, and so mum and I had a take-away Indian meal.  It was scrumptious and although she did not finish her meal, she enjoyed thoroughly what she did eat.  I was absolutely exhausted and relished a later start on Friday morning!  

My last couple of days were spent winding down, and packing.  I was slightly concerned as to whether my bags were overweight and no matter how many times I put them on the scales, put them and me on the scales and then put them back on the scales, I knew that it was not accurate, and perhaps I should just go be feel.  Sunday afternoon was lovely, as we went to Richard for tea, and Steph's mum and Merton, and her brother and his wife and kids were there.  They left and mum and I stayed for dinner.  It was a great 'last supper', and I put both boys to bed, and promised Ollie I would be back!  "But will Poppa Dana come with you?" he asked.  I could not promise but it was nice to know that he would like another 'grandpa' to come visit!


I left mum's around 9:30 on Monday morning, and the trip to the airport took less than thirty minutes.  I was amazed.  My bags were not overweight, and I had quite a bit of room to spare.  The extra jar of mincemeat that I left in the cupboard could have made the trip, and the books I had put in my hand luggage could have been stowed!  Security was not busy, and I purchased my obligatory items before heading to the lounge.  Then the gluttony began!  I ate a hearty, cooked breakfast.  The sandwiches that were put out after breakfast was cleared away, and variety of cheeses, called me with such a loud voice that it would have been disrespectful to the other passengers not to go and at least look at what was on offer.  Of course, it would have been rude not to partake!  The gate was opposite the lounge, so I did not have far to travel.  Once on board, I got myself situated, and waited for take off.  In between a five course lunch, a few bags of crisps, biscuits, oranges, snacks and desserts, afternoon tea (which another full meal) and a few cups of coffee, I watched a few films.  The journey, although ten hours, whizzed by with the help of one of the 'seven deadly....' and I left the plane feeling quite full!  Immigration was quicker than I have ever known at Houston.  "What were you doing in England....You are a grandma?  Wow, what do you eat to look like that....".  Standing feeling three stone heavier than twelve hours ago, and receiving all these compliments, I had to reply to the last question, "Much more than I should!"  We chatted about why I needed to bring back so much chocolate, and how I would like to be able to be in a financial position to bring back the allotted amount of cash, if not more!  Finally, I received the 'welcome home, Ma'am', and I headed to get my cases, which were first off, and together!  Yes.  I was home.  The second round of security had been streamlined, and despite the threat of disruption, was very quick.  I headed to the lounge.  "Hamburger, please", said I as I took my seat in the restaurant. I didn't need another meal, but on the way out, Edward had ordered a hamburger, and it looked very tempting.  I did not drop my phone, nor did I break anything.  I felt redeemed!  I finished my beef patty, and chips, and rolled out to the gate where I boarded the plane.  I drank a baileys on the rocks, and settled back for the quick ride home.  Dana was at the gate waiting for me, and I did not feel safe jumping into his arms.  I did not think I could leave the ground, let alone have him lift me up!

I unpacked on Tuesday morning, and it took a full two hours!  I had left my cases downstairs, as there was more to be put away on the ground floor than upstairs!  Samantha came over around 6:45 a.m., and we both shrieked with excitement to see each other, as we had not seen each other since last year! (Groan!)

The week was rather tough.  We were very busy, and Dana had left more than he intended for me to do.  I cooked Wednesday night and although I thought it was not a very inspired meal, my guests loved it, and were asking for the recipe!  What a change from the last two weeks!  Samantha and I went to collect her winnings on Friday, from the radio station, and she was presented with four tickets to the Austin performance of Cirque Du Soleil!  

I enjoyed Saturday immensely.  It was a routine day, but I was home.  Costco was Costco, Sams was Sams, and Walmart was Walmart.  No, "Yeehaw"s, no "Whered'ya leave yer 'orse", just compliments on my hat and attire.  Of course, a suit, shirt and tie, with a raincoat and umbrella under an arm would probably get the same looks as I get in Sainsburys!  However, I do have two homes, and each has an advantage.  I miss my family tremendously, even the complaints about my cooking and housewifery!  I know 'home is where the heart is', but perhaps I could be like Doctor Who and have two?  Life goes on and as we march into 2019, I know that I am torn between 'two loves'.  Rather than lament the loss of one or the other, I should rejoice at having the best of both worlds!  

I plan to go back into 'autopilot' mode tomorrow as another week starts, and with the jet lag having dissipated, routine will be good.  I have memories, and shall live on those for another few months.  It was a bitter sweet experience to see a video of Ollie riding his bike today, for the first time without stabilizers.  If only it were a week ago.....  However, until I depart for another journey, I shall enjoy home and all it has to offer, and will keep y'all up to date in ............ another story!