Cousins

We've done well with our move, with not overdoing it and wearing ourselves out or pulling muscles. But you had to know there would be a point when we would hit the wall. That was today. Even though we slept well last night, there was zero energy when we woke up this morning. And the morning coffee infusion didn't help.

I'd planned on finishing up the house today while doing some “free” laundry over there. But I decided the world wouldn't fall out of its rotation if I put that off. Instead, we put together a shopping list and headed to Walmart. It's so warm in the apartment (we're on the third floor, and heat rises) that it was a shock to walk outside and encounter a brisk north wind. It did wake us up, though.

It was good for us to walk away from everything for awhile. We're amazingly settled in, given the short amount of time that's passed – but things still need to be sorted and organized. I just need to remember that it's okay if that doesn't happen immediately. Physically I think we're both at the point that once we sit still for a bit, our bodies creak and moan when we move. And since I'm somewhat vertically challenged with short arms, I'm still bruised from my elbows up where the corners of our boxes dug in. I'll heal, but I'm still sore for now.

It was a nice relaxing drive and shopping trip. And it's always good when we can finagle so it's time for lunch when we get out of the store. And isn't it nice that Dairy Queen is just across the street from the Walmart parking lot! We love their $5 lunch – hubby gets the chicken strip meal and I get the burger and swap out the fries for onion rings. Yummy.

The last time we were there, a couple of weeks ago, we saw one of my cousins, her hubby and her mom. They have a “Wednesday habit” of taking her mom shopping. And today – we parked right next to them. It was a little chilly to talk long, but it was nice to run into them again.

This cousin is part of the family who grew up just half a mile down the road from me. I was closest to the girl who was two years younger than me, and we were back and forth between houses frequently, especially in the summer. But they were all my cousins and friends. The older ones were always special – I felt like they treated me like one of their younger siblings at times.

The oldest one was the second mom to everyone. She did a lot of the housework, gardening, etc., as they were growing up. The second one – the same one I saw at DQ – was a bit more of a tomboy, helping out with farming and driving the tractor. She always had a special spot in my heart because she was in band and would let me play her clarinet when I visited their house. She also designed and sewed clothes for my Barbie doll. They were great, very professional looking.

The only boy in the family was two years older than me – and he picked on me pretty much like he did the girls in the family. Next was the sister I was closest to.......their mom, busy as she was, made us matching dresses a couple of times when we were kids. There were three younger sisters, and the baby was the one who caused me much fright.

The baby shares December as birthday month with me. One bright summer morning I popped in to play and the older kids in the family were arguing over which one got to dress the baby. When I walked in, their mom announced that the argument was over, that I would dress the baby. I was shocked and petrified at the same time. I'm an only child. I'd never dressed a baby. Even dressing my dolls was difficult, and they weren't squirmy. But somehow, with much oversight from the four older kids, I managed. I was so afraid I'd break her!

I was rarely left behind by my parents when I was a kid, but I remember one summer when Mom's high school class had a reunion. I got to spend the evening with this family, and it remains one of my all-time favorite evenings. Usually when I was there it was daytime and everyone was busy. On this Saturday night, chores and farm work were over. So the parents were at the house and relaxing, and the kids were all outside playing together. It was always a fun time at their house, but that was an extra special time.

I've always had the impression that I'm more attached to my cousins than normal since I don't have siblings. They're all very special to me, and I'm glad I have them in my life. Time spent with them is always fun.