Maine Adventure

It's been quite a week.  It's always hard (at least for me) to get back into the swing of things after vacation.  Especially with work.  Someday I will do a job I love.  I will.  That's what I keep telling myself anyway.  It's not that my job is all bad.  There are some nice things about it.  I just don't love it or even enjoy it.  But someday I will find my niche and I won't dread going back to work after vacation!  =)  But that is another story.  Back to vacation. (I wish!)  This promises to be a rather lengthy post, so if you aren't in the mood for lengthy posts, you can stop here.  Ok.  Don't say I didn't warn  you.  The first day is one of the most fun days of a vacation, in my opinion.  You have excitement coursing through your veins, combined with the relief of not having to go back to work for however many days.  I love it.  This time, however, my first day was.......interesting.  (But divinely orchestrated, which I will get to later.)  The plane that was to wing me from Raleigh to Boston had some sort of malfunction (not of the wardrobe type) that was going to take at least 2 hours to fix.  This of course meant that I would miss my flight from Boston to Bar Harbor.  I called the tiny air company in Bar Harbor to see when the next flight would be and it was going to be 6am the next day.  SO didn't work for me, but I figured if that was the best I could get, so be it.  Then all of a sudden it dawned on me that the Bangor airport (which I have used before) was not far away!  So when it was my turn to talk to the ticket agent  I gleefully told her that I didn't need to get to Boston, didn't even need to get to Bar Harbor; I just needed to get to Maine!  Well that was easy.  It just so happened that I could catch a flight to NY and from there to Bangor---and all in the same day!  What a relief!  Then there was the rental car, but that too turned out to be not a problem as Enterprise was very congenial and switched everything so that I could rent from Bangor instead of Bar Harbor.  So 3 hours later than I had planned, I was on my way to Mount Desert Island---the home of Acadia National Park.  I didn't get to do the food-gathering as planned, since I was late, but it was actually more fun because we all did it together.  5 women, most of them hungry, grocery shopping for a week.........you can imagine the pile of food we left with!  I have to say, though, that we did pretty well for ourselves in using it up.....=)  The rest of the week was spent exploring--again--ANP.  It's a beautiful place.  Like I said before, if you have not seen it you need to put it on your Bucket List immediately!  Although, if you do not care for nature and the outdoors and would rather have entertainment, you would not feel at home there, so you might as well go to Vegas or something. lol  For me, the ocean crashing against the rocks, the mountains, the hiking trails that take you up the mountains so you can see everything down below, the lighthouses---everything about the place, really, is so relaxing and refreshing.  I could (and did) sit for hours watching the sea curl and crash and spray.  What is it about water, particularly the ocean, that we find mesmerizing?  I haven't yet figured it out, I just know it is.  This year we went on a couple hikes, which are great because the views at the top are just spectacular.  You get up there and feel like you are on top of the world and looking down at lakes and islands and houses---all surrounded by the open water.  Worth all the huffing and puffing to get to the top!  And yes, there was much huffing and puffing.  I said we did the hikes, I didn't say we were all in tip top shape.......... Several other days we spent most of our outdoor time watching the water--and taking pictures.   If I told you how many I took you'd probably refer me to the men in white coats!  Suffice it to say that I took some ribbing about no one seeing me all vacation long because I was constantly behind the lens.  =)  Our days generally went like this:  Lazy mornings spent drinking coffee and checking the computers (eating too, of course!).  Noon or so we would amble out of the house for whatever ramble was on the menu for that day (one day was shopping in Bar Harbor--so nice!).  Most times we only stayed out until dusk/dark, for obvious reasons.  Then it was back to our cozy house to light the fire and stir up something tasty for supper (chili in the crockpot or tacos or shrimp pasta.....)  Yum.  After which there was more lazing around, with computers or reading or photo sorting, usually accompanied by a movie of some kind.  All of this to the sound of the fire crackling.......  The house was snug and cozy with nice water heat, a claw-foot tub upstairs, firm mattresses and a lovely beadboard kitchen.  The artwork was also beautiful---an eclectic collection of photos/paintings/drawings of Maine subjects---more than one of which I wanted to "accidentally" drop into my suitcase....=)  It was really a restful week and was over far too quickly.  Before I was ready, it was time to say goodbye to my sisters (too hard!) and climb on the plane headed South again.  (Goodbyes really are so unpleasant---both the ones to sisters and the ones to Maine!!  Yucky.)  The plane is another story by itself.  Remember I said that I would refer back to my "divine scheduling" from the first trip?  Well, here it is.  The airport in Bar Harbor is small---reeeaallllyy small.  Which means, of course, that only really small planes fly in there.  Unfortunately I didn't realize just how small until it was too late........  The plane that they sent for me was a Cessna propeller deal with 10 seats.  10.  That includes the pilot!  No cockpit here or flight attendant or even overhead/underseat space.  Nope.  Just the pilot and 9 of us crazy lucky people who needed to get to Boston.  Our pre-flight safety briefing was the pilot turning around in his seat and telling us where exits were and that our seat cushions were floatation devices, etc. One of my fellow passengers sat in the Co-Pilot's seat!!!!  If I could have turned and run away I would have!  I did NOT want to get on that plane!  But there it was, so on I went.  In one sense it was cool to see the islands and mountains of Maine up close and personal, as it were.  It really was like one of those sight-seeing plane deals where you go up just to tour a place.  That's what I had to tell myself---"You're just going up on a sight-seeing flight. It's ok."  And it was fun to hear my fellow passengers from Maine talking about the sights down below, identifying islands and harbors and mountains.  It made the flight bearable.  But I have to tell you, it was scary too.  Out over the open ocean in a plane not much bigger than a tuna can........*shudder*  Every now and then the pilot would angle the flight path out further over the water and I wanted to yell at him to "get back over closer to land"!  lol  I felt kind of like a missionary----the ones that have to use little planes like that to get to and from remote areas of the world.  =)  Of course we could see the pilots gauges and hear his buzzers (NOT pleasant!).  He was quite calm and efficient and seemed to know what he was about.  At one point one of his digital readings started flashing 0.00 and I thought "Oh please don't let that be the fuel reading!"  lol  I'm kidding, of course.  I know it wasn't that, but it was a bit disconcerting.  Thankfully it was a beautiful clear day so the flight was mostly very smooth, and in just over an hour we were landing in Boston.  I didn't quite bend down and kiss the earth when I got out, though the thought did come to mind......=)  I was very thankful to be on solid ground again though!  And here's where I knew that what I thought was a scheduling snafu on my previous trip was really divine intervention.  God knew that had I taken that little plane from Boston to Bar Harbor the first time, I would have dreaded that return flight my entire vacation, and might not have even been able to make myself do it (without medication, that is!).  So He rearranged things for me to spare me that.  I am so thankful.  Once again, I am amazed at God's busying Himself with our little affairs.  He's got the whole world to run, and yet He changed things up for me just to make them easier.  He didn't have to, but He did.  Of course, He may have had entirely other reasons than that for working things out the way He did.  But these ones work for me for now.  =)  So that's it in a (very big) nutshell.  My vaca to Maine.  We have already begun thinking about next year.  That's what Maine does to you.  Pulls you in and doesn't let you go.  Try it and you'll see what I mean.  Just make sure you fly into Bangor.......=)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

I'm back from Maine, but have not yet collected my wits enough to post a proper "Vacation Monologue" yet.  I'm definitely in "Vacation Withdrawl" mode today!!  So, I'll just post another (Almost) Wordless Wednesday.  =)

This was taken from the Beech Mountain area in Acadia National Park, Maine.  Down below is Echo Lake, out in back is the open Sea.......

See why I love this place so much?

I should have posted.  I know.  But all I can say right now is that Maine is as gorgeous and relaxing as ever and I am having a blast with "The Girls".  No time for posting and things (except pictures on Facebook).  Maybe tomorrow when we stay inside because its raining........ But don't hold your breath.  I don't want to be responsible for any syncopal episodes or anything!  I want to soak in all this serenity before I have to leave it again.  Or not.  My sister is currently looking at real estate on her ipad..........So maybe I'll be moving.  =)

I'm off to Maine tomorrow! I can't believe its finally here! I will be flying and my sisters will be driving---its only fair that it be that way since they "only" have 500 miles to go, while I have about 1000 miles. lol So I fly. For once my suitcases are all packed except for last minute stuff. Usually I'm bustling about and going a million directions the night before I leave. Not this time. This time I was determined to get things done ahead of time, and I did! I was packed on Saturday night--2 days early! Whew. I think that has to be a record. =) Anyway, we are headed to Acadia National Park, which is one of the most gorgeous places on God's green earth. I have been there many, many times--so that by now its rather like an old friend. Its a fabulous place for resting and relaxing and enjoying serenity. If you ever get a chance to go to ANP, Take It! Put it on your "Bucket List". Now. Today. (We are supposed to have internet there, so I may just stir my lazy self to post a picture or two.) Its wonderful. And of course there is the whole going-somewhere-with-friends thing too. Its a great time for all of us to get together. We ramble and eat and laugh and eat and talk and eat and sleep and eat.......well you get the picture. Since I am getting there first, food-gathering is my responsibility. And when I say "food-gathering", please don't get any sweet images of me picking nuts and berries, or tromping through the woods for game! I assure you its all quite modernly done in the comfort of the nearby Walmart and Hannaford stores, and the only picking I do is plucking things off the shelves and putting them in my cart! lol  But that's tomorrow. Tonight its time to go to bed and dream of lighthouses and pines and waves crashing on the rocks.......

I really had wanted to write about something today, but then I promptly came home from work and went right to work on the computer designing some pages for my "Household Binder".  I found some printables on the net, and I probably will use some of them, but there were a couple things I wanted to include as sections and did not find any free printables, so decided to try to make my own.  =)  I've been using my Silhouette Studio program and they are turning out to my liking for the most part.  Now if I can just learn to use Paint Shop Pro or some such program, then I might be able to make more in there.  The thing with the Silhouette program is that you can only save your work as Silhouette documents, instead of saving the stuff in another format that might be more useful.  So it means I really need to learn Paint Shop Pro.  I told my friend Morado (in her words, "sounds like tornado" lol) that she needs to put some tutorials on her blog Little Bits Of Lilac since she is literally a "Paint Shop Pro".  =)  She's been using the program for like a bazillion years, though, so I told her the tutorials need to be for "wittle kids" beginners like me.  =)  Speaking of her blog, go on over and show her some love!  You're good for a laugh--or three (the trip to Walmart is a MUST read---entitled Soggy Sunday).  So anyway, long story short, the computer is why I am missing the inspirational post I was supposed to write. (Is that like saying "The devil made me do it............?)lol  Maybe tomorrow I won't forget...............yeah right! Who am I kidding?  Have a great weekend---all you lucky folk who don't have to work them!  =P So there!

Wordless Wednesday

A new camera makes anything fun......=)

I have absolutely nothing insightful or interesting to write about tonight---unless of course my turning 40 TOMORROW is considered interesting! lol  At the moment I am feeling pressed by my mounting list of things that need doing in the next week (though I can tell you that some of them will NOT get done until I get back from vaca, whether they need doing or not!).  My house is a wreck, the lawn needs mowing, laundry needs done, and of course there is my nonexistant (yet!) Etsy shop that I keep rambling about.  If I don't open it soon people are going to start thinking I'm making up stories!  I made a mistake talking about selling my towels before I got the shop open.  I should have slaved away in secret painting all kinds of deliciousness, and then got the shop in order.  Then I could have blown everyone away with my talent at a lovely Grand Opening celebration. lol  But you know what they say about hindsight.  Mine is definitely 20/20, unlike my forward vision which is about as bad as my eyes in real life (Very Bad)  Oy!  Anyway.  I'm feeling stressed about all the things that need done and not enough time this week to do much of Anything. However.  Tomorrow is my birthday, and my 40th birthday at that, and I refuse---Absolutely Refuse--- to clean house or mow the lawn!!!  So.  I am leaving all my stressing things behind and escaping to Colonial Williamsburg for the day, armed with my new Canon Rebel.  I plan to give it a strenuous workout/initiation.  The weatherman is predicting mostly Sunny with a 10% chance of rain, so I hope he is right.  I plan to get there early since if there is to be any rain it seems to be coming later in the day.  I am hoping for some fabulous pictures and lots of relaxation, not to mention just a little shopping.......it is my birthday, after all.  Yes, yes, I know, the camera was supposed to be my birthday present, but one of my co-workers told me that 40 deserved an extra present, so I'm taking her advice!  lol  I hope you all have a delightful weekend.  See you on the flip side!

Intentional Homekeeping

Its been 5 days.....Tsk Tsk Tsk!  But the days do go by so quickly when one is having so much fun (insert sarcastic tone here).  =)  It is true though, that the days seem like they are whizzing by and sometimes I have to just hang on for dear life and hope I can catch my breath at some point!  Which brings me to a subject I have been cogitatin' on lately.  Organization. Homemaking. Living Intentionally.  So, as is my usual habit when I want to know something, I've been browsing the internet looking for websites that have good tips (and free printables!) on organization and homemaking.  I really want to be more organized.  I have this vision of my house all neat and tidy--not in a sterile, furniture store way, but a cozy lived-in tidy.  Baskets on shelves all in neat rows, the hutch all decorated for whichever holiday is nearest, and the bathroom sparkling fresh.  But between living here by myself and working full time, so much just doesn't get done.  Why bother?  There's no one to see it anyway.  Sometimes it bugs me, but other times I have other things to do so I don't think about it.  But lately I've been thinking about how much I love this place in the country, how much of a sanctuary it has become for  me, and I thought Why Not?  Why shouldn't I focus on that---making this place into my cozy refuge from the "howling wilderness".  So what if there is no one to see it, no one to share it with at present.  I'm here, I see it, and I think it would make my current contentment here even richer.  It would also give me something to work on.  I don't have friends close by, so why not take the lonely times and use them to work on my "nest"?  Now don't get me wrong, I have friends.  An abundance of them.  However, many of them are far away or just far enough away so that its not easy to get together for quick little visits---like you would if you lived just across the drive or around the corner from each other.  So this makes for empty times.  So I've been thinking that if I took more time to make my house a home this might help with the lonely times--both the work and the place it creates.  It would take the focus away from the lonely times and put it into creating something.  Am I making sense? I keep running across the phrase  "Intentional Living" and I think this is what I am talking about.  Living day-to-day (and not more than ONE day at a time) instead of existing day-to-day.  To me this also includes Intentional Homemaking.  Keeping house--and dressing it up, cooking, making gardens---all on purpose.  Not just flying by the seat of your pants every day.  (Not that there won't still be days like that, but maybe fewer than there are now.)  I think this may be one of the keys to contentment I've been looking for.  (Or maybe this is all just a bunch of mishmash brought on by the fact that I am turning 40---yes, you heard me!--40 in a few days.  I don't know.  Is this what a mid-life crisis feels like? lol)  I am learning, albeit very slowly, that you need to focus on the good things in your life so that you can cope with the not-so-good things.  This place in the country is one of the oh-so-good things in my life.  So if I focus some intentional attention here, then maybe it will help me cope with the "lesser nice" things (like my job).  Surely knowing that I can run home to my cozy country cottage must count for something!  =)   And of course while I'm saying all this, please know that my first and foremost source of comfort and strength and contentment is Jesus Christ.  In all my posts and wanderings, know that He is a given.  So all this talk about Intentional Living and cozy cottages is fine, but it is completely impossible for me without having Him first.  Got it?  Okay, just so's we understand each other. =)  With my 40th looming there are lots of ideas on getting started.  You know, fresh decade, fresh start kind of stuff. lol  One thing I see everywhere are Homekeeping binders or organizers.  Yep, want one of those.  I also want to put some kind of schedule (say it with the sh sound instead of sk---shedule) to this here blog.  Not sure what it will be, and I don't want to lock myself in too tight so that I can't ramble when the mood strikes.  But something.  Maybe like a picture of the week post or recipe of the week.  I really would like to journal as well.  I've started and stopped so many times in my life, but especially for this my 40th year (I know, ain't that so special....) I want to journal.  I ran across an article about a woman who started a "one-sentence" journal.  Every day she wrote just a sentence (or 2 or 3) about her day.  This way she could keep it up without getting overwhelmed and now she has this awesome collection of snippets from her life.  Little memory word pictures.  Or there is a photo journal.  I'd love to do a photo-a-day, but I really don't think I can keep that up for an entire year.  But maybe a photo a week or something.   Lots of ideas tumbling around in my head!  Since I turn 40 on Saturday I had best be getting something honed up!  I'll let you know what I decide.  What do you do?  Do you have a Homekeeping Binder?  How do you keep organized and keep your nest clean and cozy? How do you journal?  Do tell!

Well, now I've rambled enough to more than make up for the 5 days without anything. (You really don't have to nod, you know.  T'ain't polite.)  I'm off to find something sweet to eat and wait anxiously for new Canon Rebel to come in the big brown truck tomorrow!  Happy Birthday to me!  =)