untitled......because I am too tired to think of a title

THIS is a blogpost :)

Something has got to change......

I have been putting together a blog as an assignment for one of my classes, and each time I work on it, I really just want to be here. So as soon as finals are over--and given I survive--I intend to start blogging for real. I think I need just the sort of  creative rejuvenation such an undertaking would inspire!

For Tilly!

There. I blogged, darling, just for you! I didn't actually say anything, but I visited my blog, for the first time in months........so perhaps, just possibly, almost maybe, your New Year's resolution will pay off.

Hugs, O daring resolver of challenging resolutions!

Driving...

overwhelms me a little. Due to chronic hand pain, I put off learning to drive for A LONG TIME. I got my license last year, so I have been driving for a while, but only locally, so my experience is very limited. So it was quite the adventure driving for over four solid hours, followed by driving through the city...at night, to make things even easier. The first part, through the wilderness, was pleasant enough, while the latter portion was terrifying, though not as bad as I had suspected. I said many a desperate "oh God!" (prayerfully, mind you) as cars darted to and fro. I followed carefully the advice of Papa and Max, who gave oddly similar speeches about remaining confident, and going with the flow. I think I need a St. Anthony bumper sticker :)

I am extremely fond of my sweet-tempered new car.........I have a feeling she will be a very dear friend over the next few years.

I followed my mommy the whole way. And yes, that helped with nerves *sheepish grin*

Maddelyn and Sarah (behind the camera of course) were my charming travel companions. We enjoyed spending several hours chatting and catching up on each other's thoughts, and recent experiences. And we all sang at the top of our lungs. It was a wonderful opportunity for quality time.

Boating!

Also on my last day at home, I had the wonderful experience of going boating with all my siblings (excluding Matthew who is on a Switzerland adventure), my dad, and a very generous friend with a boat.

It was a gorgeous day!

Maddelyn helped Malachy apply sunscreen

Malachy was thrilled for an opportunity to drive "All by Myself"

There was a smorgasbord of food :)

I love this picture!!!!!!! I love my dad!!!!!!!



Everybody got a turn to get towed. It was extremely fun! Garrett and Sarah took the prize for daring (gulp), but I was able to go surprisingly fast myself. We used a smaller floatie than shown in the above picture, and I held on with all my might. Ironically, after surviving water up my nose, swinging in a wide circle, and bouncing on turbulent waters, I fell off the moment the tube came to a dead stand still.

Maddelyn was a bit grouchy when she "had" to take a turn. she sat in the center, refused to hold her feet out, and went about as slow as the boat could manage. She "proved" herself later on though :)

My sweet sisters

Garrett on the test run. Hang on!

I felt such an interesting combination of exhilaration and peacefulness. It was a perfect "last day"

Thank you so much, Terri, for sharing your boat and your time. We were all so excited.

Cruising Along

The scenery...

...was exquisite. The water was so cold it knocked one's breath out. Needless to say, we stopped several times for swimming. Fortunately the day was quite warm.

We even saw bald eagles, and a sandhill crane

Oh Garrett


Everyone. Exhausted, and thoroughly happy.

My last day at home...

was wonderful! In the morning I walked around Heart's Haven taking random pictures. I will miss it so :)

A pear from our tree :) (duh)

My mountain

Mom and Maddenlyn were brushing and cleaning Strider's coat. Ricca came for a visit and sat in the shade with them.

Strider - the happy woofie



The bell by our back door.

Ah...

Pure...

Bliss!

The Garden and Chicken coop

My pretty new car next to "Beauty"

the lovely antique sleigh bed (it was my great-grandfather's) that I am using while at school


My dad and Garrett fixed it up--

Thank you, Papa!

Thank you, Garrett!

And Thank you, Dan, for the wood!

Happy Birthday, Tilly! Spending time with you today....from quilt stores to yarn stores, to cheesecake, to wearing our recently tie-dyed t-shirts...has been indescribably wonderful. Kindred spirits, indeed :)