Monday, May 24, 2010

Missing but not gone

I'm sorry to say that I missed yet another Friday finds. So maybe I should change it to every other Friday.

My days have been surrounded by boxes and all my worldly possessions are scattered around in chaos. We are somewhat frantically trying to move out of our current situation into a more flexible one so that one of these days or months we can actually become homeowners again. So yes, we are moving twice in theory but once right now. Ben calls it our summer vacation because we are moving to a house on a horse ranch out in the country. We both are city people for the most part (I relish the idea, sounds and feeling of the country but LOVE being in town to walk wherever I want to go). The boys are beside themselves with dreams of the tree house, exploring, walks in the woods and by the creek, horses, and so many other wonders that this new home will bring to their door.

So we are moving quickly. I started packing Thursday afternoon and we hope to be mostly settled in tonight. I have already found myself frustrated with the in between. Being two places at once. All my things divided and stacks of boxes here and there. Soon it will be behind us once again but for now my computer is going to rest in its box and I'm going to plow ahead and pray the rain takes a short hiatus while we load the trucks tonight....

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Dreams and Reality

It is easy to confuse the images that fill my mind with reality. I have learned that on many levels. I have and am learning that when it comes to the dream of a house that was really not meant to be and the reality of staying 12 more months in an apartment with a not so lovely landlord.

I absorb this reality on a much smaller scale as well. Last week when I was feeling particularly motivated and desirous of a nature retreat my son, Warren, came up with the brilliant idea of packing a lunch and going for a walk/picnic. I have a hard time keeping myself indoors on even the dreariest of days and this day was lovely. So, we packed a lunch, picked up some books at the library and headed out on our journey. Three small boys settled in on the picnic bench, PB&J in hand and me reading to them about all the disgusting foods people used to eat. Then lawnmower man shows up eager to tame some of the savage nature that surrounds us. My youngest son starts panicking (at this point he has a paralyzing fear of machinery), nats start swarming in our eyes, around our food, in our mouths...rocks find their way into our shoes as I drag my littlest terror stricken boy on our walk and soon the idealic scene turns into a quick retreat to the van.

And I sigh...another chance for reality to show itself.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Friday Finds: 1940

Much more time has passed than I intended and so soon into my project I have already missed one "Friday Finds" post. I will try desperately not to let that happen again. I have many excuses for the missed post. First and foremost though we found a house that I am absolutely in love with.

My husband and I and 3 boys have been jammed into a comfy apartment going on 2 1/2 years now. I have been so very thankful for the provision we have had and have tried hard not to take it for granted; however, the extreme lack of storage gets to me and I have to fight the overwhelming urge to throw all of our possessions away in an attempt to have some openness with which to roam freely. Our deadline is closing in upon us and tomorrow we have to commit to another 6 months in order to continue to enjoy shelter from the elements. So in one final attempt we looked at a house last week and it was truly love at first sight.

Built in the 1940s, this house screams of character. The one drawback is that in the 40s they must not have had as many clothes as I do now (and I really don't think I have that many) and it also seems that they didn't enjoy the spacious comforts of a Queen size bed. Needless to say had we acquired this house the space would have been tight but I really would have given anything to squeeze into something so wonderful. Alas, it seems that it was not meant to be for several reasons but in honor of that dream this weeks Friday Finds is dedicated to the 40s.