Thursday, July 05, 2007

God Bless America

I confess, I've been eyeing some MLS web sites lately. I really don't think God has it in our near future to move, but I can't help but think about it. A developer is trying to buy our whole neighborhood and there was a note on our door recently that indicated we could close in as little as 7 days. Isn't that nuts? They aren't shelling out the big bucks or else we would be very tempted. I've had to really pray about this because I do not want to have the grass is greener on the other side syndrome. We live in a suburb that was fresh and pretty about fifty years ago. By now it's got some rust. Honestly? A lot of rust. Still, our neighborhood has old-fashioned charm. Under normal circumstances, like when I've seen the sun shine on it for more than two hours at a time, I can forgive the urban deterioration and focus on the old school appeal of my community. And there's always the church - the church that I love with my whole heart - situated within a stone's throw of my driveway. I love that.

Well, God gave us the best Fourth of July. It renewed my love for my community. We basically rolled out of bed yesterday and walked down to our city's parade. Here are some pics for you.

Let me tell you how excited my hubby was to be at the parade. I think he ended up having fun though. He gets a HUGE A+ for being Super Hubs yesterday.


Michelle, this is in honor of you having been Spongebob at camp one year.


Erin W., this is in honor of the VW bug convertibles we wanted - painted with hippie flowers.


This is in honor of the husband and wife who tool around town in their matching motorized chairs. They make it happen in those chairs. This might be the hubby, but if so I'm freaking out that his wife isn't with him!


Meet the beauty pageant winner who holds the title of Mrs. Mature. I do not know her but she is very pretty and I liked her red pom pom.


This gentleman has been a Boy Scout for 50 years.


If the Red Hat ladies are still around when I'm sassy and silver, you better believe I'm joining them. In case you were wondering, their float says "The Frisky Foxy Jewels."


I only had one disappointment with the parade, other than that I was not riding on the back of a shiny red convertible wearing a tiara and waving a red pom pom. When the Sonic float came parading down, I was just convinced that they would be throwing tots out to the crowd. I was ready and willing to catch some tots! It was not to be. They were handing out coupons but I was not graced with one.

I have more to say about the 4th, but I'm sleepy and need some tea. I'll be back!

21 comments:

Janelle and Ella said...

"The Frisky Foxy Jewels" Too much!! That is hilarious!! I can totally see us there in 50 years. Ella and Jackson will be so proud.

Erin Ward said...

Ya know, it doesn't do much good to put Erin W. because I'm "Erin W." too. :)
Looks like you guys had fun. But yeah, I do wish we could have all been together.

Shelly said...

Is it bad that one of my fears in life is that I won't be a sassy cute silver haired woman?

The Frisky Foxy Jewels gave me hope! lol....

jen said...

what a fun parade!! Okay, I have to tell you, I've been keeping a secret from you.... My husband is a manager at our local Sonic. :) Actually he just got promoted to Co-Op manager, which is a BIG DEAL for him and I'm so proud. Come to Abilene and I'll buy you some tots from my man. :) Happy 4th! (a little late, but it still counts. :) )

kittyhox said...

I have issues with Realtor.com. It's always making me want to move!

But like you, the Fourth of July gave me a bit of extra appreciation for where we are right now, even if I want to be somewhere else in the future. Long story, I'm going to refrain from going on an on in your comments area. You're welcome. ;)

Loving those red hat ladies but it's waaaaay outside my comfort zone to wear red and purple together. Or even seperately, to be honest. I just don't know if I want that many people looking in my direction. I like to blend...

Big Mama said...

There is no tot better than the one caught in mid-air.

Anonymous said...

Take it from a girl with experience in "the grass is always greener" mentality. Enjoy where you are. Embrace the simplicity of it. Being so close to your church is HUGE. Glad you enjoyed the parade.

Travis said...

I am putting my computer down for the evening. There is nothing more to read, know or understand after seeing that there was a Ms. Mature Irving in the parade.

Sigh.

Pen the Tale said...

Uh, so I checked out Realtor.com yesterday. I had Sonic tots with cheese on Tuesday. I used to live in a "charming" old house in an "established" neighborhood. Now being in a new house in a new neighborhood, I get sad for my old house sometimes.

Of course in my remembrance of it, there are no creaking floors, old windows or lead paint. Just lots and lots of character.

It just ain't in us to be 100% content down here for too long.

Yay to ya'll for showin' some patriotism or something. I took in the metroplex's pyrotechnic offerings on my drive to and from the airport. That was about it.

Murrell Family said...

I love those pictures of the parade! Irving truly is unique...and I love it!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Um...don't tempt me...I will stalk you with house MLS listings in our new 'hood. In fact, I drove through our neighborhood today and thought of you when I saw this really cute "cape cod" style house.

R said...

I just looked up the Red Hat Society out of curiosity, and we don't have to be over 50 to join! If you're under 50, you just can't wear red and purple. You wear pink and lavender. Interesting!

It's totally going to be my after-50 sorority fix. :0)

Patty said...

I am happy that it wasn't raining, praise God!!
I have been searching on ReMax.com and have found homes, nice homes in and around Hotlanta. I feel we will be moving within the year, either to Atlanta or Nashville. I really want to stay in Tennessee!! I love the Red Hat Ladies and I am closer to them than I really care to admit, :o) BUT I really dislike red and purple. Sorry! Don't want to offend anyone, well their color choice.
Have a great weekend!!

Profbaugh said...

Thanks for the pix. Loved sharing your parade. The one thing I really, really love about the 4th of July are all the local celebrations. There's just something "special" about small town USA. As for Ms. Mature Irving. . I don't know. I think I'll just settle for being a red hat (when I turn 50 which is not for a while, thank you!).

~Cheryl

Amy T said...

Cool parade! Like a small town in a REALLY BIG town, huh? I like to just look at the new houses for fun. But I love my house and only want to update it a bit. Of course, if a developer came offering BIG bucks, I might change my mind because then I could really get the bathroom I want, you know? ;)

Nancy Mon said...

Right after I turned 50 I was rushed by 2 serparate Red Hat groups, but I am not really ready to join. I am in denial over my age, cause on the inside I still feel young.

Texas Aggie in Florida said...

How fun! You're making me homesick though! I just moved to Florida from DFW. My husband's a children's pastor here. I taught in Irving at Townley Elem and lived in Las Colinas! Small world!!! http://texasaggieinfl.blogspot.com

Erin said...

Thank God for unanswered parayers...if our parents would have really bought us the hippie flower painted bugs when we were sixteen we would NOT have bben as excited as when we were 13, I can promise you that! Love the blogs sister :)

MamaCass said...

I so know the feeling. I go back and forth all the time. If it wasn't for the church and Rodney's parents we would probably have moved by now. But our town does have a certain charm that comes out when you least expect it.

Michelle said...

The things we did for camp!!! I will say that was my most memorable year!! Curt-your costume that you made was much better than that one!!!

ginny said...

I've read your blog for a while, but don't think I've commented yet. I have to tell you though that I grew up in Irving and worked at Sonic through high school. I was with the Sonic group several times during the 4th of July parade. If I remember correctly we just threw out peppermints then :) Your post brought back memories!