Pack Monadnock

Yesterday, we went for a short hike at Pack Monadnock in Temple, New Hampshire.

Resting

Summer Escape

Earlier this month, I escaped the humidity of New England and spent four nights in Las Vegas. I timed my trip to surprise a dear friend for her 40th birthday. She was speechless! I enjoyed two nights camping in the Spring Mountains and two nights in a hotel in Henderson. Driving a Smart Car was a fun treat, too.

Nothing Better

Friday Favorites

---Evening Light at the Shore---


---Buzzing Bees in Our Yard---


---Sea Peas---

Itching to Go

Lately, I have the itch to hop in the van and go exploring. I dream about packing few clothes for the kids and wandering around for a few days; stopping wherever seems interesting to sleep and eat. It's not really possible right now, due to a variety of appointments, finances, the cat, two rats and our fish.

I've been researching RVs online and still don't know what will suit us best. I briefly looked at a used Gulf Stream Endura that was in near-perfect condition. It was out of our price range, but gave me a lot to think about. Baby steps, baby steps.

Mr. Q has to travel for work for at least two weeks in July. I'm excited for him, as he'll be contributing to an important project doing something that he enjoys. I can't help but feel a bit jealous!

The Song Remembers When

This afternoon, I heard one of my favorites songs: Black by Pearl Jam. As I sang along, a perfect memory flashed in my mind.

It was the summer of 1996 and Mr. Q and I were driving by Otter Cliffs in Acadia National Park, singing along to a mix tape in his Daytona. He was back from two semesters abroad and ready to start senior year. I was a few weeks short of 21 and he bought me wine coolers. We had dinner with friends and then watched our first sunset together from Cadillac Mountain. We were "just friends", but I still think of that day as one of our first dates.

Bliss.

Delicious Day

Today was one of those unexpected, amazing days full of sunshine, blue sky, happy children and springtime blossoms!

Life Isn't Simple

"The trouble with simple living is that, though it can be joyful, rich, and creative, it isn't simple." ~Doris Janzen Longacre

Beach Day!

The six of us went to the beach in Salisbury, Massachusetts on Friday for the first time this year. It was warm, but very windy.

Freedom to Fly

Everyone once in a while, I learn something new about myself. Often times, it is with the help of the amazing man that I call Mr. Q. Last weekend, I was struck by a life-altering jolt thanks to an idea of his.

It's no secret that I've found life as a homeowner overwhelming. For the past year, I've felt trapped by our commitment to this house. For years, I was able to test my wings a bit more each time that we moved. When we returned to New England, I felt my wings were being clipped. Mr. Q helped me to see that feeling like I was forced into this situation was a major factor in my finding it so oppressive. After all, he said, it's happened before. Why is it that what was glaringly obvious to him completely baffled me?

A short while later, he said something about me hitting the road with the kids in an RV. My brain was spinning so fast at that point that I'm not sure exactly what he said, but I suddenly felt more alive than I had in a long time. Traveling in an RV is something we'd both love to do and he's willing to find a way to make it work, even if that means me going without him. He's giving me the freedom to fly and even nudging me out of the nest!

In the week since our discussion, he's continued to be supportive of the idea. Things are fairly nebulous right now. There are an infinite number of details to work out and we have to make some significant financial changes to buy a rig, but I'm confident that we're at the beginning of a new amazing journey. I hope that giving in to the wanderlust for a few more years will eventually soothe my desire to travel. In the meantime, I think it will give the younger kids an amazing childhood!

Tumbling Tumbleweed

I finally figured something out :)

Simple Saturday

sunshine - red tulips - laundry - open windows
laundry - vacuumed cars - chocolate eggs - leftovers - taxes
fresh bedding - laundry - clean kids - holiday preparations

Season of Promise

Happy Spring!

One Year, One Day

It's been 366 days since we moved into our "new" house in New Hampshire. We were welcomed home by a snowstorm. Apparently, Mother Nature decided that we needed to celebrate our first anniversary with a snowstorm, as well. Last year, we got 14 inches. Thankfully, we only had 7 inches to shovel this afternoon.