House of Rockenbok

There is a children's building system called Rockenbok that Ruth and Chris and Liam love, having received some as present when Liam turned two. Today Ruth found a whole world of Rockenbok at a great price on Craig's List, and as I write she and Chris and Liam are sitting up late on the dining room floor putting it together. that's the kind of overheard delight I would miss out on altogether if we lived seperately.  Feeling very blessed tonight.

Summertime

is full of travel and transitions, all of us in and out of the house.  When I came back from Brownsville birding birthday trip with Bob it felt really good to walk into the house as it is now, multigenrational family home with mixture of belongings, toys, art.  The spirit of the house is good, and it is in much better repair than I could keep it back when i was here mostly by myself while Bob was teaching in Corpus. Tonight Bob made a simple pasta supper and I didn't have to do a thing but sit at the table and eat and talk to Ruth and Liam about their great weekend at the beach.  It doesn't get much better than that.

Good Night House

Every night different.
Every night the same
Invitation to enter cave
to read book or three.
Shy retreat, hooded eyes
as you pull shawl over
head to nurse your Mama.
Warm squishy hug, shy amile.
Always brush teeth,
Always, Good night Liam
Always, Good night house

Help Received

Advantage of living together
is when I stumble to bed
exhausted after long day,
late bath, someone who
loves me will pick up
wet towel I left on floor
Privledge to return the favor.

Broken and Still Wonderful

Ruth has been sick and lost her voice.- better now  Liam has been throwing up - better now.  The AC  is broken and it is bloody hot.  The repair done today didn't work.  And still, life here feels so good - shaved ice on the deck and a scooter walk with Liam and his parents at sunset.

Electricity!

Ruth was the electrician's "monkey" today as the two of them finished wiring KK's little house more permanently (no more extension cords from the big house which means a computer out there and brighter lights).  Walls will come soon.  It's been a good week, with Zachary part of the household while he attended baseball camp in Austin.  He hit a triple, spent one night in the tree house, and was generally a love.

Happy Day, Happy Night

Not all days can be like this under any circumstances, but this has been a good one.  KK came home glowing from her slumber party and Zachary was delighted with his baseball  camp and commended by his coach for great behavior even though others were wild.  Liam and I started the day by working in the yard, pulling weeds, doing laundry, making cookies.  We've had family meals and bike rides and now KK is snug in her little house and Zachary is sleeping under the stars on an air mattress in the tree house.I feel content being who and where I am tonight.  The Longhorn baseball team even won it's regioual tournament.

Recommitting

is what I'm trying to do to this and all my other blogs.  I hope some of the rest of you who live in this house will help me out by adding an entry of your own.  The spring was very busy and full of change, getting used to Bob being retired, or mostly retired and all the busyness of KK finishing eighth grade and applying for and getting into the arts high school at Mac.  (Go KK!)  Life in a family with a toddler and a teen and three other adults is very different from the life I had before as a working woman in a long distance relationship with her husband and no daughters or grandkids on board most of the time.  I had lots of time for myself then and used some of it well with writing and exercise and other creativity and self care, that are harder to manage now.  I also read lots of light books and played computer games mindlessly at times.  I wasn't lonely in that life.  It was an easy life.  Life now is less easy but so much richer.  I tend to get caught between the needs of the various people in the house and have to work on boundaries and creative solutions.  That's good for me.  I was an only child and never really learned how to fit into a larger group without giving myself up altogether.  I'm doing better at that now, though it is still definitely a growing edge.  It's good to have such loving people with whom to grow. 

There are some delightful surprises in this life, like the tree house Ruth and Chris built for Liam in the back yard.  And the Wi.  I never thought I would have that popular game system, never wanted to try it, but Ruth and Liam bought Chris one for end of school and early Father's Day and the whole family is enjoying it.  Last night they even introduced me to bowling Wi style.  I was genuinely nervous at first that I wouldn't be able to do it at all, but I manafged fine and had fun.  I am amused that Liam, at two, can already play a video game with great understanding and a little skill.  Playing Wi together had the whole family laughing, something I wouldn't have expected.  Thanks Ruth.

Home again

after an anniversary trip to the coast to to both novel research and plain romantic getting away with Bob.  it felt good to come home to a family winding down for the night rather than to an empty house.  We haven't even talked much tonight.  it's late and everybody's tired, but the presence of family just feels warming.

Neglected

is what this blog has been lately and I don't approve.  I think I've been taking the co-housing life for granted, not chronicling or paying enough attention.   Some things about this life are harder than I expected.  Since Bob moved home and retired unexpectedly early quarters are tight and I feel more anxious than I'd like in a cluttered and disorderly room.  Bob needs the recliner in the room so he can elevate his legs at times and that really makes space tight.  On the other hand, in the evening when I am settling in I have the treat of hearing Liam's little voice raised in the ritual "goodnight house!"  I know that kid, his expressions, moods, syntax, favorite foods, where he likes his orange juice cup to be in the fridge.  That closeness is more than worth the price of cramped quarters for me.  Also treats tonight were sitting out in the lttle house with KK while she arranged costume bits for her show this weekend and kissing Ruth goodnight as she sat at her computer organizing blog pieces.  The disadvantage of co-housing in a small house is that we are in each others' space and the advantage is that we are deeply in each others' lives.

From a Distance

    I'm away for a long weekend visiting friends and it is strange to think back on the house with all the family in it - and KK in her little house too.  So much has changed.  Liam is a big little boy, talking, asking, playing, helping.  KK clears the table, even gets tupperware out for food storage and just puts leftovers away without anyone making that her chore.  Bob is putting a garden in, which amazes me since he is still easily sore from workouts. He's also been doing most of the grocery shopping. Chris has been working long hours at schools and tutoring lately, really long hours, much different than a few months ago when he was often home.  Ruth and I plug away balancing out of home and in home tasks and don't have to work at enjoying family.  This co-housing is good, not perfect.  It would be easier to have more space, and I wish we communicated better about mutual needs, but we do pretty well, but there is so much love.

Quiet house

It is so quiet here - KK with her mama, Ruth, Liam, and Chris in Blacksburg with family - just me and Bob and dogs and turtles present. The quiet feels good, the ability to clean and put away laundry without getting in anyone's way - and yet I miss the energy level and the love of an active family household. And I miss the specific people. It was a scramble before everyone left - dance, choir, and school deadlines for KK, holiday social events, semster end scramble for Ruth, crazy busy practice for me. By Tuesday I was feeling worn out, like at the end of a long race, but I don't regret the intensity of our household, just keep learning about pacing.

Happy Hanukkah House

I'm surprised how much holidays and music are special in my life since we started living together. I'm really not much on music or holidays, or at least I didn't used to be. But no much of anything could top dancing in the kitchen, three generations of us, to klezmer music while two candles shine in the mennorah after a fulfilling work day.

In Appreciation of Ruth's Magic Touch

Magic

My daughter Ruth
works magic with space,
turns chair, clears air,
paints wall, work of art
,opens hearts, sets table,
nourishes friendships
,organizes for serenity
,designs for connection,
moves through room,
trails beauty like love.

Victoria Hendricks
November 24, 2010

Thankful

This year has brought so many changes, some we planned and hoped for, like Bob getting a job in Austin and moving home and others, like his leaving the job when it became impossibly stressful, not planned. Yesterday Chris cooked Thanksgiving dinner for himself, Drea, Joanna, Liam, Ruth, Bob and I. It fed soul as well as body, a truly nurturing feast. For a while all of my grandchildren were playing in the backyard at the same time. That felt good. Today we helped Joanna move the last of her belongings out of storage to take to San Antonio. This year has brought so many changes, none of us where we expected to be or doing what we expected to be doing. It is good to have the love we have, the comingled lives, the children thriving. Ruth and I took down Thanksgiving decorations this afternoon and decorated for winter/Channukah, both of which come early this year. I feel the vulnerability of being alive, also the tender sweetness and the sense of Thanksgiving lingering after its holiday.

Songfest

I love the resilience of the human spirit. Bob has been so banged up by his recent hostile and frustrating work situation. All of us are worried about money, but at this moment I'm lying in my bed with my computer while Chris cooks fragrant chicken with rice and Bob and guitar hafe their guitars out, playing songs from my childhood - especially my Dad's two favorites "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad". Liam claps and dances along. I love living in a house full of live music, have most of my life. It makes me really happy that Liam and K.K. are growing up where singing to and with each other is part of everyday life. I feel a well of happiness beneath my anxiety. Life is at least partly what we make of it.

Hard Times

It's been hard at our house - money worries, job distress for Bob, fears about his health for me. And yet we continue to share laughter, meals, song, the thriving of Liam and K.K. Better together than alone, whatever the times bring.

Wiring Accomplished

KK's little house has outlets now and everything in place to be formally lit up, heated and cooled. Chris and Ruth, with much appreciated help from Bill, finished setting the WIRING (correction from firing!) in yesterday. Hooray! Chris says it's by far the toughedst and biggest electrical project he's attempted. I so much respect his and Ruth's willingness to try and competence at achieving all kinds of projects. KK has just returned from aweekend away that included a school lock in (apparently fun for her) and visits with her brothers and baby sister and both parents. Time to go talk to the girl!

Progress

There is so much sweetness in our home, day by day, especially on Fridays. Last week as we were preparing for Shabbat Bob got out his guitar and started playing for all of us. He and Ruth sang and Liam danced, while Chris and I continued to cook. So emotionally warm in the house. There is struggle too, especially with Bob's challenging job, but good to have more family to face it it. These last two days Chris has been wiring KK's little house, in which we have been spending delightful time, progress on all fronts.

For Mama,

On a lark I used Wordle (which, by the way, I LOVE Wordle!) to make a "word cloud" of this blog. Basically the program tells you which words are used most frequently in a writing sample--the bigger the more frequently used. I thought you'd get a kick out of seeing what resulted. I love it--you've created a sweet peice of art about our family home. But I'm a bit horrified that it doesn't have "Victoria" in it. I need to write about you more (and maybe call you by name? Though that seems weird!)

So, in order to assure that your name shows up at least SOME next time: Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria,, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria,, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria,, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria,, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria,, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria,, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria!

PS--> click on it to see it bigger and clearer--don't try to read it here!