Heartaches

I made my journey north today...
I love it up there.  As soon as I get off the main highway and start towards my destination, I begin to breathe.  My shoulders actually come down out of my ears and I feel a grin begin on my face.  I love that drive. The twists, the turns, the trees, the water, all bringing me closer to the beach.

I had a list of nearly 8 houses to see, however many were already taken, so I got to see 3.  One was beyond bad so made it's way right off the list.  The other two gave me a problem, the one that I can afford, that would work, was not the one that made my heart sing (isn't that always the way).  The one that did was old, quirky, and had all the hopes I have for my runaway place (well aside from the outside that needs paint or siding).  But it is out of my reach by a bit.

After, I went to Crystal Beach to find it under repairs as they prepare for the season, so I meandered my way over to Frankfort and found some solace in a latte and croissant and a walk on the beach.  But looking at the water, and hearing the waves made my heartache.  It hurts me so very deeply to have to leave the beach and the water.  An ache like none I have ever known.  I feel almost breathless and unable to breathe when I have to think about leaving and driving away.  Today there were tears.  I am ever grateful I live somewhere where I can access such beauty easily.  But I ache for more.  I want this to be part of my world.  I have to believe that it will be.  That I will have a spot to runaway to and breathe and refill.  Where my big day will include walking along the water and feeling like a lottery winner when I find a piece of beach glass AND a heart-shaped rock.  These are the simple things that I soooooo want in this world. 

I wish my Irishman understod this more.  That he could feel even for a few minutes how my heart feels when I stand there and breathe it all in and more importantly how it feels when I have to leave.  This want to be up North is more than just a whim.  It is something I feel to my core.  The water calls me.  And now I have to start listening for possible answers...

Water...

This is me and I NEED to be near water!!

It touches my soul...

It makes me a nicer person...

And it brings me peace to my very core...

Now I am wrestling with not if I will live by water but when and how and where...I will. I am putting it out there Universe now listen up and hand this over to me I need it! It makes my heart hurt to think I can't be on or near water right now...but I am looking at my options and trying to figure out what in my big head full of dreams is our best option as a family. But there will be WATER!! Oh yes there will!

Where have I been??

There was David Gray and Ray Lamontagne

There was coffee with a view...

There was a Drive in Movie...

There was swimming...

There was building...

There were picnics and music
in the gardens...

There was tomato canning!

There were great eats...

There were train rides...

There were naked cowboys...

We went to New York...major goal for trip

was to see the Intrepid which we gratefully

did it was incredible!

There have been S'mores

There was blueberry picking

There was some porch reading...

(not nearly enough of this)

There were camps...

There were visits from Dear friends

There were celebratory tea parties...

There were Lego exhibits

And Museums...

Jack Johnson...and concerts...

Boated with friends...

B and I Relayed and she sang...

Bandanas for Relay...

4th of July spent watching things crash...

E and one of the things that crashed

love us some figure 8!!


So as you can see life has been full. Very full!! In a good way but I must say I might have just packed a little too much into my days this summer. Just a tiny bit...she says laughing...

But this summer brought beach time, and I am so in love with the beach that I didn't say no and still feel like I didn't get enough in. Not enough wasting away by the water for me ever!! We got to wander with friends. We got to giggle a lot!! We got to hear a lot of live music in case you forget it is important to support live music so go out and see bands and cheer and say thank you for sharing yourself. We got to reconnect with family. We got to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We took advantage of what our local farmers have worked so hard to produce and our freezer is thankfully stocked for the winter ahead. Encourage farmers to farm food!! Find your local farmer's market every place has one somewhere. Go out and buy! You can't beat fresh picked produce for dinner! And many markets have happy chicken's eggs, and healthy farmed meats! Right there on your doorstep! No excuses. Hook up with a CSA or a u-pick and fill up your pantries and freezers! I canned for the first time this year and am looking forward to more next year. We read LOTS!!! We dined on the porch. We swam. We watched the world go by.

And now we get ready for the beginning of another school year and getting back into our schedule. I have read several articles lately about how September should be the New Year. How everything feels fresh and goals get set. How the scent of fall makes you want to turn inward and begin to make change. I love this time of year although it makes me a bit sad that my time with my girls gets to be less. Our adventures get more spread out as my work schedule and their school schedule do not always mesh. But FALL!! Oh how I love fall!!

I have had a goal every summer to have a dinner party with friends and have yet to achieve it...hmmm maybe fall??? Harvest party? Yeah I haven't been busy enough!

Hope everyone enjoyed their season and are all ready for the "New Year"!