I met Vix back in 1981. Yes, I know, I dated myself. I met her my Jr. year in High school. She was a sophomore in college. Remember I blogged about being into music. The only year I wasn't first chair bass all the years I played, was my freshman year in high school. I got beat out by a senior. This senior and I ended up being friends. When she went to college the next year, she went away to school to live in the dorm but the college was only about 30 miles away. It was great for my 15 year old self. My parents trusted this girl whole heartedly. They thought that she was just the best role model for my little self. Little did they know. They used to let me go hang out for weekends at the college with her. Her sophomore year in college, her roommate was Vix. Vix and I hit it off right away. Of course, it helped that Vix knew where all the good parties with cute boys were. And that she didn't say much when I drank too much. And Vix always treated me like her little sister but yet never bossed me around.
The friendship that started then has lasted thru today. The girl that introduced us? We still hear from her too. Not as frequently. She sends regular mass emails but other than that doesn't have much time to answer an email. And folks, don't misunderstand that statement. I don't mind the emails . I just don't much care for only being recognized as part of a mass email with no personal touches. These mass emails are like those annoying Christmas card updates that people send out. You know, things like Susie is head of the cheer leading squad, dating the captain of the football team and head of the student counsel while Johnny is being recognized by the state for his performance with his volunteer group and has been offered a full scholarship to harvard and they just bought a new vacation home in Hawaii and her husband has been offered a 1/2 million dollar raise and a company jet. And no, I'm not jealous. But no one's life is that perfect. We all have trials and tribulations to deal with. And when her son got a girl pregnant who gave him sex as a thank you for helping her with a homework assignment when he was 16 and they had to do a paternity test to see if the baby was really his.... Do you think that went out in the newsy email? Of course not.
Anyhow, that's how we met. Sorry for the side-track. 28 years later. Vix is god -mother to my monsters. Hurricane has lived with them on and off for the last 4 years. Cal has gotten every one of the monsters a computer when they started high school. And eventually, they will get around to building their house down here on this property. And it won't be visiting- we will be neighbors. Which was the original plan 11 years ago when I moved to Texas. I am the guardian for the property. Cal calls me his protector. My house is at the front of the property. I keep people from vandalizing the property but really what Cal wants me to do is keep the door to door folks from ringing his door bell. They can bother me and not him. Vix calls me her sanity. I drag her out of the house and make her socialize. Because if I didn't, she'd never go do anything. My anti-social buddy. She wasn't like that when we were younger but as we've gotten older, the more she stayed to herself, the worse she's gotten. Not that I am social. But I do better than she does.
How has our relationship survived 28 years? Opposites attract. Where I am anal- she is laid back. Where I am habitually early - she is habitually late. I organize my pantry - she throws it randomly in there. I am a dog person- she does cats. I have a ferret (a predator) - she has pet rats (prey). She has been happily married for 23 years now. I am happily divorced.
I really expected that some of these differences would make for an awkward visit. Especially, as picky as I am about keeping things picked up around my living room. I have to keep the floor area in those 2 area's picked up. Or the fact that while I am a morning person with an internal alarm that goes off around 7 every morning. I don't think Vix knows that 7 has an AM. I think Vix believes that 7 only comes at PM. Just as I don't do a 4 or 5 AM which she regularly sees- from the day before side. I mean our schedules are about as different as they could possibly be. I have been pleasantly surprised at how easy this visit has been. Sitting around the living room like normal folks watching movies together while Cal showed the boys how to properly clean the rifles. Watching Sunday football together which was ultimately weird. (well, its such a "normal" Sunday activity and we really are neither or us much into football). Things that have needed done have been accomplished. Cal and Little Man (and then Little Man got cold and quit but Cal stayed out all night) went deer hunting. No arguing between the boys and Vix. They do love to pick on her and she is just isn't sure how to take them sometimes. The arguing I worried might come hasn't. My anti-social friend has managed to spend 3 days away from home (well tonight will be the 3rd night). She is surviving. And thankfully, the boys have been fairly good with all this. Not too much rough housing. They've been helpful with Cal. All in all, a much more relaxing experience than I expected.
Ice Cube and Ruth both had to start their new jobs this weekend so they didn't get a chance to come visit. I miss seeing my Little Bit but totally understand that they have just moved and needed to start their new jobs and I'm very happy that they managed to get jobs in todays economy. Well, big day tomorrow. Y'all have a great one!
