Adaptation

Ten short months ago, we received word that Mississippi State University wanted Chris. (Cue the Billy Squier music.) Ten short months ago, we broke the news to the kids. Sam and Gus smiled nervously and nodded their tentative approval, George bit back tears, Mary Claire exploded into full-on, body-thrashing, vitriol-spewing anger. “Nooooooooo!!!!” she screamed as […]

One Step Forward…

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Mile 12

Two steps back. That’s how a journey often works, huh? At least in my experience that’s how the Willis Tribe rolls. We’re operating at a 50% happiness level right now. Chris is loving his new gig. He’s relishing the opportunity to pontificate, to think of intriguing questions and then to find the answers. He’s in […]

Settling In

Photographs and Lamp

We are officially unpacked. Well, we’ve at least unpacked all of the boxes we intend to unpack. The rest, we’ve moved into the attic for long-term storage. Pictures are hung, dishes washed and put away, walls are painted, we welcomed our first dinner guests last night. I am beyond grateful to have instantly met a […]

Mississippi Delay

City of Starkville Water Tower

I’ve mentioned it before. Everything here moves slowly. Slower than slowly. Slooooowly. Like molasses. Or a snail stuck in molasses. I’ve discovered that every date or time promised in Mississippi is merely an approximation or a best guess. Now, don’t get me wrong. These Mississippians might be slow moving, but they’re nice as can be. […]

Transition

Car Pulling Uhaul

When I was little, I used to get “The Feeling.” (No, not THAT feeling, Dirty Minds — that one came later.) I was probably around George’s age when I would occasionally look around and think, “I’m not supposed to be here.” It wasn’t just an out-of-sorts kind of feeling — it was an all-out I’m-living-an-altered-existence-and-these-aren’t-my-people […]

The “Couches Across Indiana” Tour

Gus, George, and a Friend

We have the best friends in the world. Truly. The. Best. We moved out of our home in mid-June anticipating an earlier house closing and capitalizing on the one date the moving company had available. When we announced our need to find some temporary housing, our friends and family rose to the occasion. Offer after […]

The Wisdom of Age

Chris and Katrina at a John Mayer Concert

I had the honor of being a “guest blogger” on my friend, Nicole’s “The Year of Exploration” site. Of course, I was late with my submission. But because the committee members are kind and forgiving and enjoy sharing an occasional glass of red (thanks, Liz), they posted it anyway. Thought I’d share it here with you. […]

Cherry Plum

Natural Remedy

I’ve never been a “natural remedy” kind of girl. With a Medicine Man for an uncle, I’ve always relied on pharmaceuticals to cure my ills and ease my pain — both physical and mental. Lately, however, I’ve found friends who rely solely on natural healing, on non-prescription relief, on homeopathic treatment, and I’ve become intrigued. […]

Old School

Curb Sofa Frat Party

Our new house doesn’t have a basement. That means we’ve had to purge a bit of furniture. And the first thing to go? Our old green couch. We bought that couch when we first moved to Zionsville. It’s been the recipient of every bodily fluid known to man — from dog slobber to baby diarrhea […]

Movin’ and Groovin’

Packed Boxes

I think I forgot momentarily that bloggers are supposed to blog. It’s been quite a while since I thought about posting, and that’s normally not my modus operandi. Usually, I’m filing story tidbits in my overloaded brain, jotting down funny and inappropriate things that my kids say, witnessing something in the nearest Starbucks that would […]