As we set sail for a new destination ....

The Sailboat

I have studies many times
The marble which was chiseled for me
A boat with a furled sail
At rest in the harbor.

In truth it pictures not my destination
But my life.
For love was offered me
And I shrank from its disillusionment;
Sorrow knocked on my door,
But I was afraid;
Ambition called out to me but I
Dreaded the chances.
And all the while I hungered for
The meaning in my life.

And now I know I we must life the sail
And catch the winds of destiny
Wherever they may drive the boat
To put meaning in ones life may end in madness
But life without meaning is the torture
Or restlessness and vague desire.
It is a boat longing for the
And yet afraid.

(entitled George Gray from Spoon River Anthology)

This poem has been in my life a long time, and recently when clearing out a drawer I found an old copy. Seems I've always taken chances .. like the sailboat .. yet, I've always been scared that I'd make the wrong decision. This move for our family is a big decision. Although, well thought-out, it still leaves me unsure of all that lie ahead for us. But that's the adventure, that's the life with meaning. So even though there have been plenty of tears, there's sure to be plenty of laughter and good times to come as we enjoy the breeze and the spray of the ocean as we enjoy the ride!

Dinner at Mom's on a Sunday Night

We gathered at Mom's on Sunday night - the night before our departure for Charlottesville. John brought pizza from Caputo's and Mom made a big salad. We took pictures and talked about when we'd return for a visit. We'll miss so much .. and tonight, the night before with all that's been put in place for the move - we're left to wait for morning with just our thoughts. This process has truly made me appreciate those who are important to me. And better yet, have told so many of the ones that mean the most exactly what they are so special. It's been a challenging time, but also an optimistic look toward the future!

Bubbles~~~~~

Bill bought Ellie a great bubble blower for her to use with Josh at Papa's house on Saturday afternoon for our going-away cookout. It would great - as you can see!

Cowboy Cookies

Everytime I make this cookie recipe someone asks for the recipe so I thought it best to share it with all who are reading. Recently I made it as I was using up all my pantry supplies (flour, sugar, chips, nuts) so I wouldn't have to move everything. When I looked in the pantry I knew exactly what to make ...

Cowboy Cookies

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups oats

1 cup chips

1 cup shredded coconut

Cream together butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Separately mix flour, soda, salt and powder. Mix butter mixture and flour mixture together. Add in oats, chips and coconut. Bake 8- 10 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees. Better than chocolate chip cookies!!

Jude & Bill's Going Away Party

The 2009 Travers print from all our friends!

Paula & me
The whole Farm crew

(back) Bill, Dawn, Cathy, Sue, Ed, Scott, Leslie, Brian & Suzanne

(front) Jenny K, Heather, me and Paula

This should have been taken in front of Jimmy's - but that's another story!!
Ed and Jenny K (standing), Paula and me
Heather, Cathy and me

I was overwhelmed by our friends from State Farm that gathered at Paula & Ralph's house on Friday night to give us an awesome send-off. The room was filled with people that mean the world to me - who've helped me, encouraged me or just brightened my days at State Farm! Paula outdid herself with the menu; rigatoni ala vodka sauce, eggplant rolatini and lemon chicken with capers. It was delicious! Our friends were also incredibly generous in giving us Home Depot gift cards and a gorgeous 2009 Travers print to hang in our new home! What an awesome night!

Painting Pottery

Here are the fruits of Ellie's labor painting pottery from a few weeks ago.

She's very proud of her hand prints on the back!

Cookout with the Andersons!

Bill & I have friends at work - Leslie & Scott Anderson with two daughters, Reese (3) and Ryann (6) - who invited us to their house today for a cookout. The girls played on the swings & slide, blew bubbles, kicked the soccer ball, rodes bikes and ultimately ended up in the wonderful basement playroom with lots of great toys. We're sad to leave friends like these, as we've just really gotten to know them. We're only hopeful there are other great people, with kids Ellie's age, when we arrive in Charlottesville. We had such a nice afternoon!!

Hey buddy, can you help a brother out?

Man is walking along and falls into a hole.

The hole is deep and the sides are steep.

He calls out for help.

A doctor walks by.

"Hey Doc - can you help me out?" the man calls.

The doctor writes out a prescription and throws it down the hole.

A priest walks by.

"Father - can you help me out? the man calls.

The priest writes out a prayer and throws it down the hole.

Then his friend Joe walks by.

"Joe - can you help me out?" the man calls.

Joe jumps in the hole with the man.

"What did you do that for? Now we're both stuck."

The man says, "Don't worry. I've been down here before. I know the way out."

Girls Weekend .. just Ellie & I

Happily riding the carousel!
Standing near the pond in Congress Park

Chasing the ducks!

OH MY! We're getting ready to paint!

We've Painted!!

While Bill enjoys Father/Son/Friend Yankee Weekend, the girls are playing! Ellie & I took care of some Father's Day gifts in the a.m. and then went to Creative Sparks to paint a plate for our new dining room. Ellie picked the paint colors and the stamps and we went to work! It will take a week for the finished product but you can see the start here. After that we walked to Congress Park to chase the ducks and ride the Carousel. It was a gorgeous to enjoy the park. Lots of kids running, parent pushing strollers and everyone enjoying themselves. Ellie listened patiently to my story of how her father took me there when he proposed! She still beleives SHE is going to marry him, but at least I showed her the spot where it began for us!

Ellie taking pictures ..

Yes, that's right when Ellie stayed at Grammy's while we were away she got her hands on Grammy's camera and shot these photos. She also amazed everyone by shooting video with the camera - especially since Grammy didn't even know the camera could take a video!