this is where i lay my hat
this is where they know my name
this is where they show me that a man's not so alone
maybe i'm already home
sometimes you got to go back
maybe i'm already home
sometimes you don't know why

-marc cohn-

it has been quite a month. a week ago yesterday we got notice that our house is no longer going to be our house. our second such notice in 8 months. we staggered. we bounced. and we rallied. now, a week and a day later, they have an offer in on a house and we are packing. in the midst of it all, we have all worked full weeks and taken care of animals and somewhere in there, slept a little.

tonight we found ourselves sitting in our living room with glasses of good wine, plates of delicious healthy food, and three happy animals strewn about the place in various states of sleep. last night was my night to cook, this was the SIL's creation and it was fantastic! the SIL raises her glass--a toast to me, my optimism this week and my faith in their ability to find us a home--and then we raise a toast to the Bro, who pulled himself together spectacularly and in the space of 8 days has become a homeowner (well, halfway there)--and then he and I raise a toast to her, for her forward thinking, never-give-a-inch, keep moving ahead way of handling the obstacles thrown at us. she reminds us that while she may keep us moving forward, it is only because the Bro and I bolster her up on either side. we are a triangle of sorts. a family. i think we all take turns moving forward in situations like this, and we are all good at keeping each other upright. and i am proud of us, not me but us. i am especially proud of them. they had every right to panic. there's internship, overtime, two dogs, a wedding in a few months, and then just day to day life. and yet they didn't. they formulated a plan A, and then a plan B, C, D, E, and probably F, and we all went from there.

the night they got home from their camping trip, after i called them to let them know The News, the SIL came downstairs and, in the course of many conversation topics, told me about their plans for a house. we're going to buy. i had kind of thought that might happen, and so with the help of the Other 1/3 in Seattle, had started looking for places for me and ChuckNorrisCat. it's ok, i thought, it's probably time for them to live by themselves. they ARE geting married, after all. i really was okay with it. not thrilled, but ok. so, we're buying. ok. we found this great place, it's got a full bedroom upstairs with an office space, big living room and kitchen, nice little guest room. it sounds perfect for them and i smile at her. and the basement is perfect for you and ChuckNorrisCat. plenty of space, lots of light. we think you'll be happy there. i look at her and she smiles. three musketeers, Ames. we're in this together. ok? i nod. yeah...sounds great.

so i guess, in between houses, with boxes and packing tape coming out our ears, i am already home.

thanks, guys. love you too.