Is is really March already?

The first of March came and went with a subtle poof of insignificance.
(I'm just practicing for Fun Monday, which is really so artsy and creative that I know I am going to come in dead last. Not that Fun Monday is a competition where people who never look at your blog check it out for a few minutes, then judge you as a human being. Seriously, no pressure at all.)

But I can't believe it is already March. When we moved here to Ireland in mid-November I thought March would never be here. I also thought the sun would never shine and it would never stop raining. And I can say now that, yes, we have had some sunny, dry days and, wow, it's March.

Those first few jet-lagged, nauseous, disorienting weeks here held March as some sort of pinnacle of civilization: "March" was when I would GO BACK HOME. "March" meant BRINGING THE DOGS BACK TO IRELAND. "March" = Mexican food, family, friends, baby shower, cheap shopping and not paying to park everywhere.

(Tangent: I am at that point where I cannot possibly fathom that you can park at the Galleria FOR FREE. All those (FREE) parking spaces. Those (FREE) spacious spaces. All that wonderful shopping. *dreamy sigh*)

So imagine my surprise when yesterday, el primero, passed with almost no notice. I mean, come on, people, I've been waiting for this month for, well, MONTHS! And, nothing. No fireworks or celebration. I haven't even started a countdown until I come home (not that it's hard to count to 20 and not that I'm not excited because I am VERY, TRULY EXCITED to come home!).

I was shocked with how boring this highly-anticipated turn of the calendar truly was.

Perhaps it is because THIS--Cork, our home, our kitchen, our Super Valu, our funky toilets--is HOME now. It took months to get used to the fact that we were not returning to Pearland in a few days where I could shop at my favorite Kroger with my favorite sacker (Ronald--I heart Ronald. Ask him how he's doing--I guarantee that he is "tired".) That we are not moving back into our house just ten easy minutes from Target and Chilis and IHOP. That we have a new home and there's no point in lamenting all the good stuff from back home because it only makes the transition even more difficult.

This. is. home.

And we both really like it. Of course, John never wants to go back to Houston. Ever. I imagine lots of kicking and screaming when we are loading up on the plane to Houston in a few years with the dogs and a toddler. For John to be kicking and screaming, that is.

So a big "hello" to March. It seems that I have been waiting forever for this month and now it has finally arrived. I cannot wait to unload my furbaby burden from my awesome friend Kat who offered and took the dogs for 4 1/2 months without batting an eye. I cannot wait to visit with family and friends. I cannot wait to meet our friends' babies who were born after we left. I cannot wait for the baby shower my friend Shauna is working hard on. I cannot wait for whatever freakish Texas weather awaits. I cannot wait to eat real Mexican food.

But I know that I will also be missing John and our new life and friends while I am gone. Strange, isn't it, how quickly we adapt to our new surroundings?

So that's it. My Friday post. It's rainy and March-y and mushy outside but honestly it will probably be a gorgeous day by the time the sun sets.

One last thing: I'm going to pimp one of my friends who is participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day--a 60-mile walk for breast cancer. If you want to help contribute to finding a cure OR you are doing your taxes and realize that you want/need to give more to charitable organizations for your taxes next year, then consider making a donation here http://www.the3day.org/dallas07/blsmith
Brandy is an awesome little mamacita that I've known since we were, like, I dunno--in diapers,maybe--and I am totally excited for and proud of her for doing this event.
B-Lee, I hope you don't mind the "pimping"--I'm just excited for you!