That Burning Question

( Hubby built that swing. )

This morning has brought me to an experience with a thought - well - more like - a question.  Yeah.  I guess you could call it a question - one that came to me for examination from a direction I never even dreamed would ever happen for myself.

At some point in life - most of us examine the question, “ Where would you like to be five years from now ? “

Well - this morning I was pondering, “ Where were you five years ago - before today ? “

My answer - “ Wondering where we’d be in five years - after that day. “

Are you keeping up?

Let’s try this.

Five years ago - around this very month of that year - we were renting a home in an historic neighborhood inside Maryville, Tennessee.  In fact - we lived on the same street where Senator Lamar Alexander (R) Tennessee was born and raised - only a few houses away.

I’ve always carried the philosophy that it doesn’t matter if you rent or own the house you're living in.  Above all else - it is your home - where you dwell on a daily basis.  Therefore - take care of it as your home.

The yard was huge at this house.  And bare.  Being the avid gardener that I am - it drove me nuts - living in this house - with a totally empty canvas - just waiting for someone - like me.

And it was spring 2005 - when I put my foot down and decided to set up this flowerbed.

I don’t think Hubby and I will ever forget the infuriating challenge of dumping that “ topsoil “ from the back of our 4x4 to get it piled and spread into this shape.  It was wet.  It was heavy.  It was a pain in the…

Anyway.

I decided to make sure I got photos of progression through the seasons.  I always love looking at the before - during - and full fledged bounty effects from my gardening labors!

The fruit of our labors became even more special - when we opted for using it as a back drop for the Senior Prom that my youngest daughter - Jennifer - attended.

 
Her date’s name was - Tommy - the Bad Boy.  No - I’m just kidding!  ( Hey - I’m excused.  I’m the girl’s mother ! )

( There's another photo with Tommy leaning sideways - into Jen - like he's gonna fall over.  Too funny ! )

And they went with friends.

And I - still - thank God - because He held a particular hellacious thunderstorm at bay - long enough for us to get all those fun photos!  And because my daughter made it home safe and sound - after - Prom Night.

This shot was taken at the point of spring thinking about moving into to summer.

( The fuzzy stuff under the canopy of the tree is the sprinkler - sprinkling ! )

And this shot was taken around the first week of September in that year!

And then - the owner’s daughter drove by.

And then - the end of October came.

And then - we were given thirty ( 30 ) DAYS to get the hell out of that house.  They said the daughter liked what we’d done with the yard so much that she wanted to buy that house.

But we know the truth.

Mommy and Daddy had lots of land - and houses - and - no more money.

Moral of the story -  “ If you don’t believe in Karma - you better become familiar with it.  Because - it happens - always - and always ten fold. “

We ended up leaving behind the swing that Hubby built.  But - we also ended up coming out on the better end.  That’s all I’m gonna say about that.

As for the question - the answer is obvious.  We’ve come a long way, Baby!!