The Bells are Ringing

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For those that don't know, our home is somewhat long and skinny. The ceiling over the living and dining rooms are nearly 30 feet high, yet the rooms are only about 16 feet deep. Long and skinny, with a lot of glass overlooking to the Thought Dock. The floors are wood, and only an area rug sits atop part of it. There are few decorations yet hung, and the furniture is sparse. The design of the house, and the lack of furniture, allows for a tremendous echo through out those rooms.

Now add to that, the first part of the clan arrived yesterday for their ten day Christmas. That means a father, mother, 5yr old son, 2yr old son, and their infant daughter. The day after tomorrow, another part of the clan will arrive. A father, his wife and their infant daughter. Pretty "Every Day - All American" families, I suppose.

And the bells have begun to chime already. Each kid has his own DVD player, trucks, balls, and loads of other toys. The infant has hers as well, and every one of them make noise. Add to that, a football game blasting in the background so I can hear it, a stereo going upstairs, six singing Hallmark Snowmen, and two dogs and three cats fighting to save what was once their territory, our telephone ringing, and the guests cell phones going off as well. And my ears ring, but no one hears that.

And the sounds resonate through out the house. The windows shake as it echos up, around, in one, then out my other ear. I want to shout, "I can't take any more!" But it was only the first day, and there will be more. Lots more. And more people will soon arrive. And even more noise!

But.... I am Grandpa-D. And, I can take it. And, I do love it. And, when the rain stops, I can escape deep into the forest for a little while.

And, it is Christmas time at the Thought Dock.
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