Smackie the Frog

There have been some big changes in the Halley family over the last week. So many, in fact, that my brain can barely keep up, and sometimes it seems like everything is going to fall apart. I think that in the end, everything will be okay, but for now, everything seems weird.

Firstly, my parents bought a new house. For various reasons, non attack related, they had been thinking about buying a new house for a while. The attack, however, did speed that process up. So last week they made an offer on a house in Ladue (yes, THAT Ladue), and it was accepted. And more importantly, since they have seen how much fun I’ve had with my house, they decided to buy a fixer-upper. So they will be spending the next year of their lives covered in grime, which is really the best way to go.

Then, Abby, my little sister, moved away to college. Of course, keep in mind that when I say that I mean that she moved to the dorms at Wash U, which means I think she is actually just about as far away from me now as she was when she was at my parents. But still, it is a change, and I think it is probably affecting my parents more than me. So far she seems to be enjoying herself, although classes don’t start until tomorrow, so we’ll see about that then.

Having her start college made me think a lot back to when I started college, and that made me sad in some ways, because I certainly could have done things better, and it is also a part of my life that I miss. But in that same breath, I’m very happy with where I am right now, and you have to move on past everything at some point, right?

And then finally, in the saddest and hardest change, Phil and Helen moved to California. He was finally healed enough to head off and start his new job. I really, honestly, am happy for them. I’m glad that they are able to start their life, and glad that they aren’t sitting around all day with no car and no stuff, dwelling on how their lives are on hold. But that doesn’t mean I don’t already miss them like crazy. And you know what, there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.

So that’s about it. Pretty crazy, but I think in the end we’ll all be okay. Still, feel free to send money to pay for my iPhone.