Parade Of Hopes and Dreams '09

Yay! It was Parade Of Homes time again, and of course we didn't miss it. We LOVE torture as you may well know. No, this is a fun family tradition that we really look forward to all year. This year though, I have to say, it got me thinking a little bit about what I really want out of life. While I think these homes are beautiful, I for one know, that it is not the life that I would want or choose for myself. Just give me a tent in the mountains, a fishing pole and some hot dog roasting sticks and I am satisfied. After all I am a country girl at heart. This weekend I had the chance to spend a couple of days at my Mom's house in the big O.C. Nope not Orange County. In Utah, that means Oak City. I realized, like I do every time I am there, how much I love it. Growing up in Oak City was truly an adventure. Especially for a kid. The first morning we were there, to mine and my little brother Jimmy's surprise and delight, we saw that there was a cow pasture across the street. We were so excited! Cows! We had grown up before that, mostly in West Valley City, where farm animals were NEVER seen across the street!HAHA That day I found an old rusted pot, that I was sure belonged to pioneers, and immediately started making "Mud Pies", and didn't stop for at least six years. Building forts, swimming in ponds, playing in the ditch and riding my Honda 90 everywhere I went, soon became a part of my everyday life. It was a fantastic way to grow up, something I wish my children could have. Wait, would my kids even swim in a pond? Or would they say "Mom, it's muddy. Gross!" What I wouldn't give for a little farm house with a wrap around porch surrounded by a few acres, a cowboy hat, and boots, a tractor and maybe a cow and some chickens. I know I am a little strange! :) Maybe it's a simpler life I crave. Away from the "hustle and bustle" and the crotchety old man that drives around every Friday to make sure everyone is obeying the C.C. andR.'s in our neighborhood. Are there kids' bikes on your lawn? Is your garbage can out of sight? Maybe this Friday I will make a beautiful sculpture of bikes and garbage cans out on my lawn, just for his adoration and appreciation. I wonder how many days it would take to get a threatening letter from the "Association"? Yep, I think I would gladly go back to live in the O.C. I would trade pavement for mud, custom curb for gravel, tall buildings for mountains, and tame for wild. And maybe just maybe Rheenie would get on the back of my Honda 90 and hold my piano books for me, one more time, when I decide to jump the dirt pile in front of the Facer's house. Sorry for the road rash girl. But that's what friends are for..Right? A few good quotes come to mind "Bloom where your planted." "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." And "Wherever you go there you'll be." I'll try and i'll succeed. But the O.C will always have a special place in my heart.
And as for the Parade of Homes, we had a blast. My kids love spending the time with Grandma and Grandpa, fighting over which room would be their's, in EVERY house, and making stuffy old people mad that 4 kids under the age of 12 were in the same room with them. But, I think, the best part was when on our way home Savannah said "We still have one more beautiful house to see. It's the yellow one with the red door." Glad to see "Home" is still good enough for them. If only it was in Oak City.