Still Breathing

This is most definitely the longest hiatus I’ve taken from blogging since I started more than two years ago.  I offer my apologies but no promises that things will improve for the next month or so.  But I do want to take the opportunity now to run and update on what’s happening here.

First of all, we sold the house!  After spending almost three weeks negotiating with Couple #1, who seemed intent on proving to us why we should not sell them our house, we were relieved when Couple #2 swooped in last week and purchased our house in a matter of three days.  The lucky couple spent the evening here on Wednesday night, and we enjoyed the opportunity to get to know them a little better.  They had hoped to buy our house 3-1/2 years ago when it was on the market, but we managed to squeeze our offer in ahead of them.  It’s nice to know that they’ve been hanging on for a few years in hopes of snagging the place, and makes me feel a little better about leaving the home I love so much.

So my lack of blogging can be explained by furious packing, along with keeping up with the regular antics of three young children.  I doubt I’ll remember much about this summer, and it’s a pity I won’t have the blog to remind me.

I have managed to squeeze a couple kayaking trips into the schedule, thanks to Ringmaster’s vigilance on my behalf.  Last Tuesday I co-guided an expedition for a group of ladies from her church.  We had the perfect weather for an enjoyable evening on the lake.  Then on Saturday my Water Divas group headed north to the Bois Brule River for a small taste of some rapids (John, I am so very much gonna talk you into tutoring me on whitewater!).  We ended our journey at the mouth of the river, on the mighty Lake Superior.  Pictures of both trips are here:

FBC Long Lake

Bois Brule

James just called to inform me that his truck starter died, which is par for the course this summer!  He needs me to pick him up, so I’ll have to continue my long-overdue update at another time (sorry, no promises on when that will happen).

Defensive Pessimism

A friend-who-shall-remain-nameless and I have been joking about how we are "defensive pessimists".  Come to find out, that’s an actual psychological idea with its own website and everything.

Those of you fellow defensive pessimists out there will enjoy this website (my favorite quote: "AT DESPAIR, INC., we believe motivational products create unrealistic expectations, raising hopes only to dash them.").  My optimistic husband is busting his gut over some of this stuff, so there’s a little something for everyone.

Even pessimists need a laugh now and then.  Especially this week.

My Cousin’s Wedding

This is mostly for my family members who have been waiting to see pictures of my cousin’s wedding.  It was a very busy weekend, but all went well.  She was a stunning bride.

Hideous

Thanks, Dan!

Happy 4th!

Our Independence Day festivities began with a trip to my hometown for the annual parade . . . which lasted two hours.  That thing gets longer every year and I’m wondering if they ought to consider some kind of screening process for entries.  But who to leave out, then?  Certainly the kids would complain if they didn’t get their quota of Tootsie Rolls and gumballs.  Pix of the day:

After the parade, we had lunch on the road and then came home to spend the rest of the afternoon (and a good share of the evening) getting the house back in shape for buyers to view tomorrow.  It had really gone downhill with James being gone all last week, but it’s back to sparkling again (BIG thanks to my friend Debbie, who cleaned my bathrooms better than I do).

‘Round about dinnertime we received a call notifying us that my newest niece made her entrance into the world today!!!  I think I can speak for my sister when I say the arrival of this little pumpkin gave special meaning to the word "independence".

The rest of my holiday was spent packing for a trip to Michigan this weekend to attend my cousin’s wedding.  I’ll be driving over with my other sister and her family.  She and I are hoping to get some time to watch a Mommy Movie or two in the van while the kids are napping–wish us luck!

Fishing in Alaska

One of the reasons I’ve been so quiet is because James was in Alaska with his dad and brothers all last week, and I was seriously outnumbered at home.  We are thankful to have him home now, and he brought pictures:

Am I the only person who thinks some of that water would be more beautiful when viewed from the cockpit of a kayak?

Happiness Is . . .

All-you-can-eat strawberries . . .

PS – My apologies for the lack of text on the blog lately.  I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.  Hopefully, normal blogging will resume sometime before summer’s end.