Living-Deliberately.com

And so, this weekend I went back to Jacksonville. Just me and Rowan, and after the incredibly draining week I’d had last week, a few days away was desperately needed. Much was crammed into itty bitty living space so I won’t go into the lot of it. Here’s a simple run down:

On the way down:

• Despite a deathly fear of occupying space in a metal object hurtling through the air, and subsequently falling and slamming into the ground like a burning, mangled mass, I managed to pull off getting on the plane. Feeling oh-so-cool, like I’d deftly defied my deepest horrors, I manuevered through Atlanta’s monstrous airport, played with my baby, chatted with seatmates, and marveled at the difference between a day’s driving and an hour or so’s flight between my old and new worlds.

• Arriving at the airport, seeing my mom at the end of the walk way (almost bumping into her!) was worth more than words can say.
• The shop included a Krispy Kreme from Cheryl….one perfect, soft, orb, that melted in my mouth as I broke into the sweet veneer of frosting. Nothing can match that first bite when you haven’t had one in months and months!
• I had a great, fun, lunch with Marlene at Mellow Mushroom devouring a Gourmet White and feeding my headache a great cup of caffine. A familiar face and good conversation, our sweet and fat babies, and that awesome pizza with olive oil and garlic sauce, four cheeses, and fresh tomatoes made for a fabulous way to spend an hour.
• I spent an hour or so with my Gigi, working on her computer and getting blog up and ready for more memories. She got to chase a highly mobile baby around her apartment, navigating around cans of baby powder, the ironing board, the computer switch……
• Dinner at Cotton’s for my first BBQ since we moved. Hot ribs and beans in one of the worst rain and lightning storms I’ve ever seen made for a cozy good time. I could just about bathe in thier bean sauce.

Saturday:

• Up early with He Who Will Not Sleep. Grown up music and videos…blissful way to wake up slowly. Cold Play’s video of “Fix You” is great, Rob Thomas’s newest is fun, and yea-hooray Nickleback has a new one too that is like Rockin’ Canadian Country. Fun, fun, fun.
• We packed somewhat, less than I should have, as I had Mr. Mobile attatched to my right hip. They have to maintian a vicious pace in order to get it all done.
• Walked to Rowe’s. Not many gals have “visit new grocery store” on thier vacation lists! Neat store…I would have shopped there had we stayed and probably dropped lots of comment cards for little ways to keep improving. May it do well. The Ben and Jerry’s wasn’t freezer burned. Worth the walk!
• Ironic it is that we always meant to visit the Nassau County fair and it took moving away to actually make it there. Fun little fair! Quaint and country and just what a fair should be….a diversion with community and productivity without trying to be a dirty version of a major ammusement park.
• The land is FABULOUS!!! So much easier to envision Sandy Stream Farm now that I’ve seen the land. I do, however, recommend Guinea Fowl for the birdie-sized blood suckers that zip through the air……They are going to have a blast living there, plunging themselves enthusiastically into “a plot of thier own”. I’m so happy for them!
• When Dad said, “I feel strange”, and it’s because his BP is NORMAL for a change, I felt like I could just sigh. The basics are what matter. People matter. The rest is gravy.

Sunday:

• Up again early, it was fun to make Daddy Eggs Benedict and coffee. Cozy to sit and read the paper with Mom before the sun was up. Some things never change and I’m glad for that.
• Began to accept that my cat is no where near to forgiviving me for leaving him. He likes it there but also made it clear that he was no cheap trick. There will be no cuddles and kisses without residency.
• FBC was big, bright, and familiar. The sermon stuck to the text and was an oh-so-timely reminder to pray, not worry, when times are uncertain.
• Better still was the conversation reguarding Irresistable Grace with Mom and Dad in the car.
• The flight home was white-knuckled, tears-streaming, pants-wetting terror. Metal Objects, let alone ME, have no business up there. I don’t want to die that way so I’d best keep my feet on the ground. My stomach is still in my throat a full 24 hours later.

When I got home, the mountains were waiting. While I was gone they exploded with thier color and the temperature dropped. The kids ran to greet me. We sang great Psalms with our church friends, who all welcomed me home most enthusistically. Jasper Clapp, 2yrs, “read” me his memorized favorite, “What Do You See Brown Bear?” and the kids ran in the cold, clear dark outside.

Trackback This Post | Subscribe to the comments through RSS Feed