Getting Away

I'm excited. This weekend the hubby and I are getting away, just the two of us, for the first time in a long time. We're heading about three hours north to a place that we have never been. The only plans that we have made are (1) to actually secure a place to sleep and (2) that skiing might have to happen one of the days that we are there.

Hubby and I love to travel, but we find so little opportunity to as a result of his and my own school schedules and other obligations. This was one of those rare occasions when we simply decided to chuck it all, hire the dog sitter, and run away. Very spontaneous - very much a godsend.

So, if you wonder where I am this weekend - when I fail to blog or fail to read/comment on your blogs. You can be 90% certain that I am snuggled up next to my husband in a king-size bed watching TV and eating takeout after a long day of skiing. I honestly don't think it can get any better than that!

Have a great weekend, Everybody!

Only 24 in a day?

My days and nights have become increasingly more busy. During my days, I have had more and more responsibilities put upon me by those around me - for which, I am not compensated or even thanked. During the evening, some of these "day duties" will invade and then I am still left with my several projects, household chores, and oh yeah the things I actually want to do.

How do I do it all? How do I even come close? I know, of course, that this feeling will pass. But, it's currently pretty overwhelming.

Here's to a obligation-free Friday evening that I can spend "catching-up" with life. 

Cheers!

Un-decking the Halls

Today, I am taking our Christmas decorations down and I have to admit, it makes me just a little sad. I love the way our house feels more like a home during the Christmas season. It just seems warmer.

My sister mentioned in passing over the holiday break, that she has never seen our home at Christmas - as we always meet at my parents' home. So, I've posted some pictures of our house - before the de-decking madness ensues.

Enjoy.

Every candy dish has been full for the last few months. 

My mini-sled...with some important cargo.

My Gourd-snowman and pine cones. 

A new wooden star for hanging...and an old peace sign in hope.

One of the stockings I knit for our little family this year...I think this one is hubby's. 

They look exactly the same, so it's hard to tell.

This is my Santa "collection." It didn't really dawn on me that I even collected Santa figures until Hubster's and my first Christmas together...He pointed it out. 

This is our Christmas 2008 ornament from Hubby's side of the family. 

It's very nature-themed and country looking...which is pretty much "us."

Our Star

Christmas 2008 ornament from my family...to remember the insane gas prices.

Hubby's gift to me. We don't do Christmas day gifts for one another. 

He bought me this card. It was absolutely the best gift ever.

Our tree. 

My sweet mother-in-law purchased me a subscription to Southern Living for Christmas. 

In it, I saw all these beautiful doorways with greenery. 

I was inspired and used my greenery as a card display

(which I had been searching for for weeks).

Cute, kitchen hand towels from one of my students. They make me happy.

Our very non-traditional, but simple Advent wreath. 

My table stayed set like this for most of the Christmas season. I felt like such a good homemaker.

The Zoo

This morning, and several recent mornings in fact, I have had the privilege of observing the neighborhood deer. He was a beautiful, young stag. He was running through the brush and I found myself (even for just one moment) captivated by the beauty in which his body moved. It was breath-taking. I realized what a rare moment it was that to have the privilege of seeing God's creations in their own environment. Most often, I see sad animals in zoos and wild life refuges. How this is in no way the same as seeing an animal free from constraint and the difference between the two sights is nothing short of amazing. It made me a little sad as I realized many of these ancients have witnessed an encroaching human presence. It made me laugh to think that indeed this particular stag had came to visit me in the human zoo this morning.

As I reflect on this, I am hoping to spend my day treating the animals I encounter more like God's creations and the people that I encounter, less like animals.

If you miss me

If all 5 of you who read my blog are finding themselves missing the wit, vivacity, and strangeness that is often found here semi-daily, then I indeed bring good tidings.

While I am still taking a break from this particular blog, I would like to point you towards two other blogs that I author.

Everyday Eating Disorder & The Purple Martin

Everyday Eating Disorder is a blog about my struggles (past and sometimes present) with disordered eating and body image..

The Purple Martin is a blog that focuses a bit on my crafting.

While, neither of these will replace A Day's Grace as my main blog, they might help tide you over until I come out of my temporary retirement.

Much Love,
Lydia