Tuesday, September 7, 2010

No Sounds of Silence Here

Last night, the eve of a new school year, I sat in the back yard and listened to the sounds emanating from the open windows of my house.   It said a lot about the people who live there.

I heard:

*my husband typing and deleting and retyping his response to a neighbor who was confused about Cub  Scout matters,

*my daughter phone chatting with one friend and simultaneously Facebooking with 600 of her other closest friends,

*my oldest son murmuring into his earpiece with  his buddy who lives a half-mile away and who was playing the same video game,

*my middle son taking a two-minute shower because he doesn't like being upstairs alone and then rushing to watch Adventure Time,

* my youngest son taking a much longer shower and then coming downstairs smelling suspiciously dirty and appearing completely dry,

*and my youngest son taking a second shower.

All while I processed all these sounds that define my family, I could think only about how high our next electric bill will be.

15 comments:

T said...

Me: it's the water bill. I have a 14 year old that lives in the shower and the 10 year old camps out in it.

That leaves me with a very short time frame to try and make up for all the water THEY used!

Cranberry Morning said...

I still think there ought to be a device to put on the shower that turns off the hot water after 7 minutes. Kind of like a parking meter. I think they have them at campgrounds. I think they should make an inexpensive version for home use. You think I'm crazy? We've raised five kids and know how those interminable showers affect the electric bill! :-)

I Am Woody said...

Love this! The sounds of family:)

claudia said...

I muh prefer the sounds of your family. My family sounds too much like two adult girl children arguing over who spent more time online and who hasn't done dishes in days and days. I usually lock myself in my room with the dogs and discuss things with them.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love your family.
I love that you can have your windows open this time of year!

Lucy and Ethel said...

But at least you know where they are!

Lucy

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

I love the sound of my washing machine that someone else is using other than me!
Is summer really over?
<><

One Photo said...

Ah yes, the joys of the gas/electric bill every month, especially in the summer time. But having your family to listen to, that is something so very special.

One Photo said...

Ah yes, the joys of the gas/electric bill every month, especially in the summer time. But having your family to listen to, that is something so very special.

One Photo said...

Ah yes, the joys of the gas/electric bill every month, especially in the summer time. But having your family to listen to, that is something so very special.

betty said...

LOL!! sounds like a good ending to what I hope was a fun summer! wishing all a successful school year!!

betty

joanne said...

cherish these moments now...they are so fleeting. Missing the sounds of my family at school time..*sigh*

Lawyer Mom said...

Ah. We have a showering non-showering situation over here, too. He must pass the smell test (which he rarely does) so off he must tromp for another attempt (and a much higher water bill). Sigh.

Xenia said...

I cringe thinking about 10 years from now when my girls are both teenagers - I have no doubt our electric bill will be crazy!

Thanks so much for joining us for Friendly Friday, I'm following you now! Have a great weekend :)

Mrs4444 said...

Yikes.