Freshly washed and rejuvenated

I didn't want to hike today, it was a long weekend and I was feeling very rundown and sluggish this morning. Outside was damp and cloudy (despite the forecast of mostly sunny) and a great day to stay in and veg. At 11:oo it was now or never. Bailey was peering at me in anticipation urging me with those big eyes to pull myself together. He was ecstatic when I grabbed my sneakers and headed for the door. I am very happy I went, the woods smelled freshly washed and the cloudy sky made the array of fall colors pop. I brought the camera hoping to get a great shot. I'm afraid I didn't "capture" the moment, but these should give some idea to the beauty of the day. (I did feel much better once I got moving.)

My time

I feel like I have been told that from now on I must walk on my hands. The pace of my life has altered so abruptly that it is taking me some time to adjust. It is not as if I didn't know it was coming, I got the letter over the summer..."Beginning Sept. 3, 2008, you're life will flip upside down, your daughter will get on the bus and your life will never be the same. Get your gloves on." Okay, maybe it wasn't so contrived as that but it is how I felt.

Three weeks ago yesterday, I was home alone...for the first time in 7 and a half years. There have been other moments, but just brief moments nothing lasting or recurring until that fated day. I have to admit that I did not cry, Lennon made me so proud and she was so ready. When she heard the bus coming down the road she ran and hugged me tight, kissed be quick, and yelled to Colton, "I wanna get on first!!!" Before I had a chance to feel sad, she took off, down the steps and ran up those enormous bus steps (twice the size of her)...and never looked back.

As I walked back into the house I was overcome by quiet, no TV, no computer humming, no footsteps, no yammering endless descriptions of the smushed bug on the sidewalk, no "guess what!?", no arguing...nothing, just silence. It was creepy! And I had to escape. I did a poor job picking up, stuffed a few things in my pack, grabbed Bailey and drove the the base of Mt. Baker.

I enjoyed a glorious morning up there. I sat on the south face, not overlooking town (and my daughter at school) and took in the view. I'm not sure when I last sat at the top of a mountain and didn't worry someone was going to fall off. Words could never explain what my children and husband mean to me, but I do think that it had to be a Mother who came up with the concept of school. I envision a group of cavewomen huddled around a fire, surrounded by screaming children running around naked and dirty, trying desperately to talk to each other over the excessive noise and dust. One of those Mother's decided to send the kids off to "learn" (a.k.a give me peace and quiet, and a bit of my own identity back).

After the wettest summer I can ever remember, we have stumbled into the most quintessential fall weather. (Thus explaining my absence from the blogging world...not that I don't check other peoples, I just don't have time to do much more that post a picture on my own.) I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. At least two mornings a week I climb Baker and enjoy a little respite, climb down and get Lennon from school. I have finally been able to spend time with my Grandma, hiking into Moose Pond or walking behind her house and enjoying a cup of tea...it's amazing having her here!

My household projects still loom ahead of me, but I know the days of fall are short and soon the rains and snow will come and I'll have plenty of time to clean out the cabinets and rearrange the entryway. Mt. Baker, here I come!!!

Mysterious phone calls

I received a phone call at work today, which is not unusual in its own right. The caller and the caller's location where. My little daughter climbed, under her own power, Mt Baker today with Josh and Bailey after school. When she reached the top she called me from Josh's new toy...his new beloved Blackberry (how high tech of us Adirondacker's, huh). Then they took a picture of themselves and emailed it to me...from the top of the mountain!! I do realize that most people are much more tech savey than me and this probably happens all the time, but I was a bit beside myself.

Post Script: to prove that the picture of Lennon napping after school was not staged, Josh brought home some further documentation (with much better scenery than mine).




My fingers are getting cold...I need to go sit by the gas fireplace. I refuse to turn on the furnace and it is supposed to be 20 degrees tonight...please pray for my pumpkins!!!

The big carry

After much patience Colton finally got his shot at carrying the ball last Sunday. He didn't make it very far, but the smile on his face was to die for.

I hope to elaborate soon on my new found freedom. I haven't really had all that much "free" time and I have to admit I have been a little greedy with it. I'll share soon, I promise.

Oh, so tired

A long morning at school leads to the best sleep ever...

School days are here!!

Labor Day Weekend

Nancy took the kids Friday afternoon and Josh and I adventured off to SPAC for Cruefest...we just had to get in touch with our inner 80's rockers! For those of you who laugh at this idea or might never consider going to such a thing, I ask you to reconsider. There is something magical about their stage performance that just has to be experienced to be believed.

Saturday we caught up with Nana and the kids in Port Henry. Grandpa Pete grew up there and his sister Aunt Debbie lives in their childhood home and is the ultimate entertainer. The house has the most spectacular views of Lake Champlain and we got to watch Pete's fireworks from the front yard. The siblings set up tents in the backyard and we all sat around the fire ring and had a wonderful evening. A huge thanks to Aunt Debbie for keeping us all so well fed and laughing so hard.

Today, Josh is in class but the kids and I are off to Dad's for the continuation of his annual summer party...what a Labor day weekend!!