Things for which I am especially grateful:

Hugs.

Friends who keep me sane.

Friends who are still willing to take care of me and help me out.

Having a beautiful (if untidy) house.

Things that are red/peach/orange/salmon/golden/pink.

Fresh air, sunshine, shade trees and fresh produce.

All the times I have been able to talk to my husband.

Safe travels.

Natural fibers and chemical free living.

Yarn and bamboo knitting needles.

This life in this world.

Aaaaaand... He's gone.

I cannot express how truly grateful I am to have had the chance to spend the last few days with my husband, including our one year anniversary.

It's odd to think that one year ago we were filled up with wedding planning, relatives visiting, and just staying sane. Now he has been deployed for a month and a half, we have a new house, a 10 month old puppy, and life seems to have slowed down.

Nothing puts life into perspective like having your husband leave for a deployment.

I am so thankful for this opportunity to be present to what really matters, the chance to step back and reassess what is important, and the luxury of leaving out the rest.

knots in my stomach - leave in Baltimore

One might not think that having knots in ones stomach would be a good thing... But in this case, it is.

A month and a week ago my husband, Joe, left for pre-deployment. Tonight, god willing, I get to pick him up at the Baltimore airport. I will have to drop him back off at that same airport, but only after a few days together!

Aside from all sorts of reservations about driving in general and unnecessary worries about what I'll leave behind: I get to see my husband! I get to see my husband!

m

Another strawberry?!?!?!? MY FAVORARRGTHMMGPTHOMNOMNOM!!!!!!!1!!!“

( The Happiest Tortoises on the Planet )

Life is pretty great. This is my conclusion.

I finally feel like I'm getting into my own rhythm again. It feels so good and it has been far too long - years, not months.

I feel like I am where I'm supposed to be and doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I have so many wonderful, loving, caring, inspiring, supportive people around me.

I like this. I think I'll keep it.

Yay for the Franklin County Fair

As I was out of town last weekend for the Tri-County Fair in Northampton, the Franklin County Fair was my first of the season.

As always I left the roundhouse inspired and heartily ashamed at myself for not having been more crafty over this past year, left the baby animal exhibit with a full cute-o-meter (hooray for baby bunnies, pygmy goats, and chicks :) ) and left the 4H display full of wonderful nostalgic memories.

After lunch at the Leyden Church booth and some fried dough with maple creme (from the only local fried dough vender) my stomach was also well satisfied. :)

I have a tradition of having fried dough once a year and cotton candy once a year, although since my first experience of maple cotton candy no other kind will do, so that tradition will have to wait a few weeks for the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts festival. :)