Sirens on Main Street

Chapter 1: Dirt
The weather on Saturday was a bit nippy and VERY windy, but that did not deter us from having some much needed grading done around the house. By the end of the day, the grading was perfect but we were covered with gritty sand everywhere....nose, eyes, ears, face, hair, etc, etc, etc.....I felt like there was no place on my body untouched by sandy, gritty dirt. The kiddos played inside much of the day until they noticed the fresh sandy dirt and decided to roll around in it. I thought to myself how ironic it was that I wanted OUT of the dirt and they wanted to be in the dirt! The thought of trying to clean the grit off our bodies in our 18" by 2' shower, knowing we would not have near enough hot water to do the job, made me shiver. With the last bit of daylight disappearing, I walked down to feed the horses. I shivered again and could not help but think how nice a long hot shower would feel, and how the kids could use a good soak in a regular sized tub. Then it hit me......... A hotel....YES!.....unlimited HOT water, relaxation out of the clutter caused by living in a travel trailer and garage, warm relaxing room......Oh the bliss it would be! But, this idea must be approached delicately with Jeff. He is not as spontaneous as me and much more conservative and level headed. Because of this, he makes very good decisions (in fact, he picked out all our appliances, counter tops and carpeting for the house...and I knew I could completely trust him). And of course, money is pretty tight right now trying to get this house done. But I must try, I think, as a lick my chapped lips and taste more gritty dirt.

"Hey Jeff", I say as I enter the garage. "You know it is your birthday tomorrow and mine next week, I have an idea for a perfect birthday present for both of us". He looks at me through skeptical eyes. He knows me so well after all these years together. I continue on as if I had not noticed the skeptical eyes and share my great idea. After a small amount of persuading and him licking his chapped lips and tasting dirt he said O.K.......Oh Happiness!! C'mon kids, I yell as I search for a duffel bag, jammies, shampoo, soap etc etc etc. Lets get going!!!

Chapter 2: The Silver Creek Inn
Jeff dropped off Cassidy and I at the hotel lobby so we could check in while he and Harrison went to buy some snacks at the grocery store. I slung the duffel bag that contained the entire families necessities for one night over my shoulder and walked in with Cassidy right behind me. In a tired voice I told the lady I needed a room for one night. She asked to see my drivers license so I handed it over. She looked at it, paused, then asked "Is this a current address?". Yes, I said, then I realized how funny that sounded. I live in the same town as the hotel I am checking into! I looked down at Cassidy holding her ragged old blanket, her pony tail falling out, wisps of wind-blown stringy hair matted around her, and her face smudged with dirt. Then I thought about how I must look with my dirty clothes and baseball cap. I licked my lips again and tasted dirt. I came to the realization that she probably thinks we are homeless and have been wandering the streets begging for enough money to get a hotel room. Or maybe she thinks we were running away from an abusive husband....that is even worse, so I set the record straight. I spilled my guts to this poor hotel employee. I told her everything....how we are living in a travel trailer until our house is done, how we were outside working in the dust all day, how we just needed a little break and long showers etc, etc, etc. And of course Cassidy had to pipe in her two cents worth "and we don't have a TV so we wanted to watch conference tomorrow in a hotel room". But, along with more skeptical eyes and a slight smile, we got a key to room 124!

Chapter 3: Bliss!
The room was nothing fancy but it was warm, cozy and had a shower with unlimited hot water. Soon the boys were back with snacks and the party began! Our baths and showers were BLISS and we stayed up late eating M&Ms and watching National Treasure. About 11:30 pm, after the movie ended and we had turned out the lights, some loud sirens went by the hotel and in a sleepy voice Cassidy said "that is why we don't live in town". That gave Jeff and I a good chuckle. We slept in the next morning, ate the hotels free breakfast, and watched conference. No more grit, no more dirt and a night and morning of relaxing with the whole family was enough to rejuvenate us. We are now ready to face whatever the new week has in store for us, dirt and all!