Jacob and I have some of the best neighbors.
To our left we have Teresa & Mike with Jack and Nathan. Then to their left there is Sean & Leigh with Carleigh, Colby and Caden. And then across the street the house full of friends - Jeff & newly added Kim, Jim & Stacy, Steve-O, and Brenda & Roy, aka Papa Smurf. To our right we have Vedren & Oliva, aka vodka & olive. And then down the street we have Charlie at one end and Danny & his crew at the other.
We have been pretty social with them over the last 12 years, watching kids be born and grow up, boating together, and the holiday parties, but this past year we have broken out in stride.
We have formed a softball team - One More - which seems to be the neighborhood motto. We have played two seasons, summer and fall, and placed third in the fall league. (I won't mention the rank for summer - wasn't pretty)
Started spending every off chance playing pool volleyball durning summer months. An entire pool full of neighbors. And then here in the past month or so Jacob and Jeremy have broke out the smoker and we have cooked out in our drive way now for at least 3 weekends in a row. In true America's Cup fashion one weekend wasn't enough. We had to do One More and then One more (well you see where this is going). We have been smoking ham, brisket, turkey legs, chicken, ribs. and even went a little wild - tried smoking some of the goose Jim got in his recent hunting trip. (The boys raved over it). Jeremy has cooked just about everything we can nail down, cover in foil, and hand to him. It's been good eats here and we have really come together as a group. Be it a loud, obnoxious, drunk one at times. We have found good friends.
Now here, the weekend before Christmas, with everyone's family in town, and we are still all out front playing cards, bean bag toss, washers, and sitting around the mini campfire in our front driveway. Just with added family members. We are once again getting ready (or drunk - one more you know) to fire the smoker up again tomorrow. Even as it is 1AM, and Jake has passed out beside me in bed, I can still hear most of them hooting and hollering, playing away out front. (those who aren't sissies and didn't go to bed early) And before all are tucker out, I am sure our favorite cop, and yes neighbor, will have to swing by to tell us once again to keep it down - not everyone wants to be as cool as the One More Crew on America's Cup.
While listening to the laughter and sing-a-longs, I was thinking about the blessings and sorrows of this past year, plus the End of the World speak (12-22-12 we're still here), how humble I am to know we have been blessed with friends that have each others back with love and support in whatever may come our way, right next-door. Of course that comes along with the occasional plumbing, tree trimming, hunting, boating, cooking, building, foundation, and engineering help, expertise, or advise we may each need.
We are a band of brothers and sisters you may say.
I hope for Christmas we can all remember that love, family, and friendship really is enough meat. The presents and hoopla of the hustle and bustle of the holidays are just gravy.*
** I'm sure that is a quote from the bible somewhere - just paraphrased a little. ;)
Merry Christmas all and to all One more!
Jenn
