New Kids on the Block

We're getting the band back together. Kidding. A little over a month ago, we moved to the other side of the zip code. I know, doesn't sound too traumatic does it? We have downsized, simplified, lightened our load. I have plenty to say about that, at another time.

Today, my question is, what happened to the welcoming hot-dish from the new neighbors?  Where is the nice to meet you pan of bars? Why is it always about food? Who cares, we are the foodie family and we would like our pie, thank you very much. My friend, Cynthia, tells this story about the welcome wagon she received the very second she opened her new door. There was a terrible storm and people brought food, batteries, flashlights and a steak dinner with a couple bottles of wine. Ok, I made that last one up. I am a foodie with a rich fantasy life. But still. We are very nice people.

We live on a block where I believe the majority of home owners have lived for thirty plus years. Except for the one gal across the street. The woman next to her did say hello while I was hanging Christmas lights. She shared  that the across the street lady lives alone. Divorced. Good to know. The marital status of my neighbors is very important to me. If you've got time to tell me that then you've got a few minutes to bake a pan of brownies. Chop chop sister.

Am I the old fashioned one? On my most isolated of anxiety filled days, I can still muster up a loaf of banana bread for the new people. If it is an especially rough one, I will put the goods together and shove one of my kids out the door to deliver it. If they feel too anxious themselves, then they get the go ahead to ding dong ditch. Leave the treats and make a run for it. It is the thought that counts.

 We are worthy neighbors. I hand write a thank you notes for a thoughtful gesture (for those of you unfamiliar with this antiquated practice, bummer). I return the pan with something I've made because I've heard it's bad luck to return it empty. I don't really believe that, but it is the Minnesota nice thing to do.

I am feeling blue because I miss the old hood. I had a solid set of folks I could count on and they count count on me. In this new place I don't have Gladys Kravitz to eye ball every passing car with the suspicion of the CIA. I always knew she'd had a bad day when she needed ice. I had an ice machine. For whatever reason, she has an influx of aluminum foil so when I was out, she provided a hefty supply. She has a closet full of crock pots and at any time I could go through and find what I needed. We still mock that closet. We would drop everything and run through the neighborhood in our pajamas when one of our dogs had made a break for it.

We no longer have each other to call to warn that the Jehovah's are coming. Batten down the hatches. Hide the pooches and get out of site. Close the garage door, there's still time! The knife selling kids are out in full force, turn out the lights and save yourself. Hurry! Then we would whisper to each other on the phone until we were sure it was all clear.

A side note.  My sister in-law is a very nice woman and had no support system with her when she was bombarded with the knife kid. Cost her $700. I'm not going to lie, those are some really bitchin' knives, but then they had better be.

While my family and I are adjusting to our new surroundings, the holidays are difficult. I am very sentimental at holiday time. I just noticed that mental is over half of that word. Huh.  Anyway, we lived in our former house for thirteen years. A lot of mile stones and a lot of Christmas'.
I do my best to focus on how fortunate we are to be together, healthy and with our senses of humor in tact. We  have love and friendship that over flows. Our dogs don't pee in the house. It's all good. Mostly.

This rant is really coming down to Kravitz. At the end of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy looks at Scarecrow and says " I am going to miss you most of all". Kravitz is my scarecrow. I am short a carton of chicken stock, I need 2 eggs and some powdered sugar. That may sound like a grocery list to most, but to me it is a chance to catch up with my girlfriend.