Sunday, September 29, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Vermont: And our Weekends
Yesterday was truly a perfect Vermont day. I've had a hard time focusing on the positive the last few weeks of chaos and upheaval but paused for a few minutes yesterday to take it all in.
First, picking up our chickens. Yes, I said chickens. 8 beautiful birds were loaded into the back of Brad's VW bus yesterday and made their journey to Starksboro (more about that later). And by 5 pm, we had an egg -- a perfect, warm egg.
Then, we stopped by the bustling Middlebury Farmers Market. Cheeses. Bread. Colorful vegetables. We stocked up on all of it! John, our contractor's wife, has a lovely stand with homespun wool and organic chickens.
Next, we stopped for organic chicken feed and grists (oh, something new I know about now).
Then, I picked apples from our orchard and yes, made a pie. Not so pretty but delicious...and so proud that the apples are from our very own tree.
And we ended our night with a barn dance. The kids frolicked in the hay bales. We bid on a few silent auction items.
Home and in bed by 10ish. Still lots of angst but it was a perfect Vermont day.
First, picking up our chickens. Yes, I said chickens. 8 beautiful birds were loaded into the back of Brad's VW bus yesterday and made their journey to Starksboro (more about that later). And by 5 pm, we had an egg -- a perfect, warm egg.
Then, we stopped by the bustling Middlebury Farmers Market. Cheeses. Bread. Colorful vegetables. We stocked up on all of it! John, our contractor's wife, has a lovely stand with homespun wool and organic chickens.
Next, we stopped for organic chicken feed and grists (oh, something new I know about now).
Then, I picked apples from our orchard and yes, made a pie. Not so pretty but delicious...and so proud that the apples are from our very own tree.
And we ended our night with a barn dance. The kids frolicked in the hay bales. We bid on a few silent auction items.
Home and in bed by 10ish. Still lots of angst but it was a perfect Vermont day.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
And Settling In, Sort Of
Has it really been nearly a month since I've blogged? Yes, sadly it has. And in that time, I've been on an emotional roller coaster as we all try to settle into life in Vermont.
First, there was the summer babysitting issue, after our French au pair departed after just 7 weeks in the US. But as all things do have silver linings, a lovely Starksboro girl fell out of the sky and frolicked with my kids for most of August.
Then, there was the start of school. Oh, so much to worry about in terms of whether Abby and Stefan would be happy, would connect socially and would decide that leaving behind friends and a known, "safe" community was not so bad after all.
And, the saga, ongoing saga of trying to find a permanent after school care provider. Who knew it would be this hard?? It's been 8 weeks of looking and we still don't have a solution. I won't bore anyone with the details but suffice it to say it's been a major source of stress in terms of trying to balance life and work.
Finally, that thing called work. Back and forth to DC every other week. Planes and trains and automobiles. Frantic scheduling to squeeze in meetings and catch ups with fellow staffers.
I know it will take time. I know life will become established. But for now, I'm having a hard time seeing that future.
Amidst it all, Vermont is....beautiful. If I can just remember to breathe.
First, there was the summer babysitting issue, after our French au pair departed after just 7 weeks in the US. But as all things do have silver linings, a lovely Starksboro girl fell out of the sky and frolicked with my kids for most of August.
Then, there was the start of school. Oh, so much to worry about in terms of whether Abby and Stefan would be happy, would connect socially and would decide that leaving behind friends and a known, "safe" community was not so bad after all.
And, the saga, ongoing saga of trying to find a permanent after school care provider. Who knew it would be this hard?? It's been 8 weeks of looking and we still don't have a solution. I won't bore anyone with the details but suffice it to say it's been a major source of stress in terms of trying to balance life and work.
Finally, that thing called work. Back and forth to DC every other week. Planes and trains and automobiles. Frantic scheduling to squeeze in meetings and catch ups with fellow staffers.
I know it will take time. I know life will become established. But for now, I'm having a hard time seeing that future.
Amidst it all, Vermont is....beautiful. If I can just remember to breathe.
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