You can go home again
Night before last, my daughter and I were a little off schedule. That tends to happen when Daddy isn’t home because while he is very, um, organized…we are not. So at 8:30pm, she was finishing up her homework while I was taking a shower.
Then I heard it: glub, glub, glub.
I look down at the drain. Nothing. I hear it again: glub, glub, glub. It’s coming from the other side of the shower door. The toilet. It’s…burbling. And not like a brook either. Why I knew this was a bad thing is beyond me, but I did. I got out of the shower quickly.
I dried and dressed and then decided to check out the now glub-less toilet. It won’t flush. Another bad sign. I pull out the plunger. Nuthin. So I do what any rational 42-year old woman does when she has a plumbing problem at 9pm. I called my Dad.
Now, I guess I could have called my husband, but love him as I do, his knowledge of plumbing is about equal to mine. But my dad knows everything. Most dads do, don’t they? He ran me through a few tests then declared, “You need to call the plumber.”
Which I did. We are now way past my daughter’s bedtime, but the toilet noises have distracted her and she’s still not done with her spelling homework. I talk to the plumber, who says he thinks there’s a clog in the main line (which I know enough about plumbing to know ain’t cheap) and he can come around midnight. Maybe. But he’ll waive his service call if I let him come in the morning.
Well, here’s a man who knows how to negotiate.
But there’s no way that two females can live in a house without working plumbing, so instead of tucking my daughter into bed like a good mother, we do a fast evacuation.
Pillows and blankets, check. (Yes, my parents have pillows and blankets, but they are not OUR pillows and blankets.) Clothes for tomorrow, check. Backpack, lunchbox, lunch, school things, check. Julie’s laptop (with files from PC quickly downloaded), check. Dog, check. House locked up, check. Forty-five minutes later, we’re at my mother and father’s house…and they live ten minutes away. Packing quickly takes time!
My father asked if we were staying for a week when he saw us marching toward the front door. My father is a funny man.
I got my daughter into her pajamas and she managed to finish her homework and get into bed by 10 o’clock. The dog, however, was another matter. While she loves visiting my parents house and squeals like a pig for the last two blocks because she figures out where we’re going, she doesn’t like to sleep over. I think it’s the wood floors throughout the house. You can hear EVERYTHING, so the dog hears twice as much. Instead of sleeping at the foot of the guestroom bed, she stands guard. It’s got to be exhausting for a little dog.
Because my parents weren’t expecting company, my daughter and I ended up sharing the same guestroom with the king size bed. I forget what a wiggle worm that child is until I share a bed with her…and the dog.
Of course, I let her sleep in. Luckily, my parents live closer to her school than I do, so we were only 15 minutes late. I called the plumber to verify my appointment time and realized I had two hours to kill. So I went back to my parent’s house (they were both at work) and I remembered why I didn’t move out until I was married.
This is the view from their patio:
These were taken by my cell phone, so the quality isn’t great, but if you click on the pic, you’ll get a larger view. I don’t know if I can explain how peaceful this is first thing in the morning when there are no boats on the lake, when the ducks are just waking up, when the yard guys next door haven’t show up yet. I’d like to say I got a lot of writing done…but reality? I spent a nice hour just communing with me.
Until the plumber called. He was on his way to my house, so I had to book out of paradise and head for home. Not that I don’t love my house, but until the hot Florida mornings start up (we’re still having spring for a few more days) I think I just found my new morning writing spot. It is, of course, close to my daughter’s school after drop off. I have a key. And the view is free…
So, tell me about your “peaceful place.” Do you have one readily available?
Oh…the clog in the line? Red-hair (gulp) and a FROG. Leslie, what are you doing sending your mojo on my house??? 
Ummm … do your parents want a permanent boarder?
Wow that view is gorgeous!
And how do you make those pics click bigger?
I do NOT want to discuss Ellis Island, the nonCoach bus (despite promised luxury) or the noise level fifth graders can make for one hour straight, in traffic, along with feeling the pot holes, hearing the freeway noises, being a migraine person … Waah! Julie’s parents’ house is calling me ……….
Comment by Carly — April 24, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
Can only post real quick, off to work.
Carly- Welcome to Ny where we have a 5th season between Spring and summer- Pot Hole!!!
Comment by ev — April 25, 2007 @ 6:28 am
Oh my God, a FROG! I can’t even imagine how that bugger got in there. LOL!
As for a peaceful place, I just got back from it. Nestled in the mountains of Glen, New Hampshire. It is gorgeous up there.
Comment by Kelly F. — April 25, 2007 @ 8:46 am
I guess I would pick my dad’s house(I also always bring my own pillow and blanket). I love going to visit because I get to relax and he takes care of cooking and everything when I come home. Although, my own home is pretty peaceful too…once I turn off the phone. Sorry about the frog in the line, that is a new one for me. I work for a property management company and I thought I had heard of everything that could get stuck in a water line.
Comment by Liza — April 25, 2007 @ 9:11 am
Julie, btw the tulips were beautiful in Chicago this past weekend. They were just starting to bloom and the colors were everywhere.
Comment by Liza — April 25, 2007 @ 9:14 am
I can’t believe there was a frog in toilet. Me being who I am my first thought is omg what if it had tried to get out when…well…you know.
Julie, I can see why you stayed at home until you married. That is beautiful and so peaceful.
My favorite places would be the beach in Destin, FL where my parents and sister and her husband live. The water is that emerald green color and the sand is like powdered sugar with dunes as well. I also love the mountains especially in the early morning. Gatlinburg (but up on the mountain away from the shops (I can always come down and shop)
Thanks for sharing your pics.
Comment by Vicki — April 25, 2007 @ 9:27 am
Wow, beautiful house! I grew up on some acreage in the woods. Very peaceful. Now I live in a housing development, and though I love it for my son (we’re right across the street from his school and park) I miss the peace, and I miss having a view where I can watch the weather. My favorite place in our house is our bedroom. I’ve got a stuffy chair in a sunny window and have been known on a cold but sunny day to kick back there and take a nap. But alas, no lakes, no woods, no view.
That’s what I’m hoping these Harlequin books will buy me some day! (It could happen, right?)
Comment by Lori Borrill — April 25, 2007 @ 9:40 am
I know exactly what you are talking about when you say you call your Dad because he knows stuff. My dad is an electrian, when it trouble I call Dad still - My peaceful place is my best friend from high school’s house. (high school was too long ago) anyway I always feel like its my vacation home whenever we visit.
Comment by Beth — April 25, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Julie
Oh my a frog and red hair: Was the frog formerly a prince with red hair?
Sounds like you have great parents and what a lovely view. I can certainly
see you writing some great pages in that spot. Me I like our MAine camp.
It has mountain views is on the water and in the woods. Very private and
if I was an author I’m sure it would be perfect. I know I love to reads
there.
Carly
Now, now, you know you don’t travel well.
How was ellis isle itself? Did your daughterenjoy the trip?
Lori
I hope your stories get you that special place. I am 62 and have only had
mine for 5 years. It was worth the wait.
Janelle
“Still Mr and Mrs” did not disappoint. I read it all before I could go to sleep
last night and I am working 12 hour days this week so that is a huge
compliment. Without giving anything away, I must say it “crawled” right
into my :love2:.
Leslie
Just a quick hello. I loved the video of your girls.
Comment by jeannie — April 25, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Oh, Julie…a frog???? Thank your LUCKY stars that the little bastard drowned before you sat on him in the middle of the night!!!
And my peaceful place…was my back yard in Florida. :whimper:
(Hi Jeanie! Glad you liked it!)
Comment by Leslie — April 25, 2007 @ 10:43 am
Carly, I feel your pain…We’re getting ready for my son’s 8th grade trip to Philadelphia In May, bus is leaving at 7am sharp
My “peaceful place” would be my parent’s summer home in Connecticut. Its right on the water and truly a slice of heaven. And after our trip to Philadelphia in May I just may need a trip to my “peaceful place”
Comment by Tina Martinesi — April 25, 2007 @ 11:18 am
LOL on the frog, Julie!
I’ve been to Julie’s parent’s house and I can attest to that GORGEOUS view. It’s absolutely breathtaking! It makes you feel like you’re in a whole different world! Too bad it isn’t a house we could rent for our plotting weekends, LOL!
Jeannie — I’m so glad you enjoyed STILL MR. & MRS.!
Comment by Janelle — April 25, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Let me first start by saying I absolutely, completely recognize how lucky I am and I give thanks for it every day. I have a view very similar to the view from your parent’s house and it is definitely my peaceful spot. It almost has a sacred feeling to me at times.
My house sits on a lake and we have a total of 60 acres so it’s private and peaceful, but we’re at the dead end of a subdivision so my son still has access to lots of friends. I mow a total of 25 acres (it takes me 2 full days) but it is absolutely worth it. Right now we have 2 sets of gosslings (one set of 5/one set of 7) and 5 baby ducks.
We had this property for 6 years before we were able to build and I used to come out here and just sit because it is so wonderful. I’m very grateful to be able to live here and there is an open invitation to all of our friends to come out and fish/paddle boat/or just be lazy whenever they want. You’re all welcome too if you’re ever in eastern NC.
Comment by Jodie — April 25, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Jodie — It sounds like you have your own little slice of paradise! I’m so envious. That’s my dream someday — to live somewhere with a lake and lots of acreage (that I don’t have to mow, LOL!).
Comment by Janelle — April 25, 2007 @ 11:29 am
Great view, man I wish i lived near ANY body of water at all… :cry:
Anyways, glad to hear the toilet problems are over.
Julie,
I went to the TARA website and was wondering why on certain pages if you click the links it comes up with a wierd language that I can’t identify…
Example…Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
This happens with the links such as Contact us, News, Our Members, and Site map. Very strange. Maybe it is a bug in the website?
Just Curious
Comment by Shannon Upright — April 25, 2007 @ 11:43 am
Janelle - When it’s 100 degrees with 100 humidity and I’m out there mowing, frying like an egg, I debate whether it’s worth it or not. But then at the end of the day, when I can sit back and enjoy it I realize it is.
However, it will be even sweeter when my son weighs enough to be able to keep the mower running and he can do the mowing!
Comment by Jodie — April 25, 2007 @ 11:45 am
Jodie
In Maine we don’t mow but 12 an acre and it rarely ever gets to 100.
Janelle
I would offer my place but there is no 5 star room service.
Plenty of acres cheap right now but in 5 years there’ll be no more
waterfront that is reasonable the way it’s selling now.
I wish I could show you some pictures I took right after the snow storm
April 5th. (23.5 ” on top of about 3 feet already there.) It was spectacular.
Guess you could call them on Frozen pond.
I am lucky that both
my places are on pond but the one in Maine is in the boonies and is my
favorite. HAve a nice day all.
Comment by jeannie — April 25, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
WoW That is gorgeous. I don’t have a peaceful spot.
Today, is my anniverssary. I got roses at work. how sweet.
Okay, I thought the frog in the hotel room that ended up in the bathroom while I was on the potty was bad, but in your own home–way worse.
Just think youcould actually use this in one of your books.
Comment by Debbie — April 25, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
What a gorgeous view!!! I am fortunate to have waterfalls at the end of my street. They are large enough to be seen and heard right from my home, but not close enough to worry about flooding. I also live within 3 miles of several gorges, a state park, a national forest, and a lake. I’m not sure if I could pick just one spot that is my favorite. They each are special in their own way.
Comment by KC — April 25, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
OMG a frog how the heck did he get into your toilet.
When we went to Boston last weekend my son and I brought our pillows:thumbsup2:
Your parents house is so beautiful and I would write there
Comment by Cherylann — April 25, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
Carly,
My son went to Ellis Island a couple of weeks ago and I couldn’t go because the Teachers don’t like the parents to go because they wander off. My son is in the 7th grade.
He also went on a tour of YANKEE STADIUM
which he thought was awesome
We are having a good time going back and fourth because the METS are in FIRST PLACE
Comment by Cherylann — April 25, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
ok, now that I am home and have a minute or so.
I love the view. Can I come live with them??? I can bring my own pillow.
We are up a hill and from fall thru early spring have a nice view of the Hudson River. Then a view of a nice little woods.
My favorite place to go is a friends house on Sacandaga Lake in Upstate NY. They have water front prop and a house to die for. I want to buy it but hubby is a poop.
Comment by ev — April 25, 2007 @ 7:52 pm
KC - I lived in Arizona for 6 1/2 years and I miss the gorges and canyons. I didn’t have any waterfalls nearby - didn’t ever have any water either - but your place sounds great!!
Comment by Jodie — April 25, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
Liza, we’re heading to Chicago next week, so I’m VERY glad to hear the tulips will still be in bloom!
I have to add to the story that my parents bought this house back in the late 70s because of the view. I think you all know I grew up in a middle to lower middle class neighborhood (that I loved). My father, however, had bought property in “north” Tampa (ie, much better neighborhood!) and for years, worked with an architect to build his dream house, a two-story colonial with a pool, tennis court/basketball court…you name it. I was ecstatic because I was getting my own bathroom!
On the day before we were to finally break ground on the new house, my parents drove by this rather ratty looking house on the lake that was for sale. Also in North Tampa, but on the lake. My father put in a very lowball offer…and they took it! I cried the day I saw the house…it literally had a sun with a smiley face on the dining room wall and the kitchen had purple and turquoise chicken wallpaper…with polka dots. It was awful! But the view was fabulous. Over the years, they’ve gutted the entire house and it’s beautiful now, but then? I think that’s why it took me so long to appreciate the view!
About the frog…well, nothing was left of him but skin. Ew! And the red hair…that would be mine.
The screen in our shower is not very effective and I’ve known it but have been too busy to change it out…will do so this week.
KC–a waterfall? I love waterfalls! What a sight that must be every morning.
Love hearing about everyone’s peaceful places…it’s great to know they exist in so many neat places.
Shannon–I emailed you privately, but the TARA website is still under construction. The latin pages are placeholders until the real text goes up. Only the contest page, from what I understand, is up and running. We just made the switch to the new design.
Comment by Julie Leto — April 25, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
Julie,
I have a problem with sleeping when I hear stange noises at night and my husband is working late…I have to keep the T.V. on when that happens.(Guess I’m just a little weird)……..
My peaceful place is the beach,I love hearing the waves, when I was pregnant with my first child I would drive for about an hour or so in the middle of the night to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz,CA and just sit in the car and listen to the waves.
Comment by danette — April 26, 2007 @ 1:24 am