Vermont: And Finding Happiness Everywhere

Here are just some of the things that made me happy and brought a smile to my face this weekend, reaffirming my belief in Vermont and our decision to move here:

1.  Spending time with Abby.  It was mommy and Abby time most of Saturday-- going to horseback riding and hitting the annual craft fairs.  Loved it.

2.  Craft fairs.  So unlike me. Very uncharacteristic.  But I do love these Vermont craft fairs.  I especially love paying people who typically undervalue their hard work.  I appreciate what it takes to knit a pair of mittens or make a beautiful wooden cutting board in many, many ways.

3.  Discovering a cool product.  Abel and Lovely.  Some Vermonters probably already know this cool  Charlotte-based company -- makers of yummy smelling soaps and cool t-shirts -- but I stumbled upon them at the Charlotte Craft Fair.  And met the lovely co-founder, Kristin.

4.  Curling up in our reading nook.  Now complete with our reindeer skin from Sweden,  lots of lots of throw pillows from all over the world, including Thailand and Senegal, and a perfect place for reading the Sunday New York Times.

5. Breaking bread with new neighbors.  We are just getting settled here and it's so great to meet interesting, fun people and have them over for dinner. Especially when they bring amazing apple and currant cobbler for dessert!

New York: Dancers, Soup and More

We didn't know why they danced but they did.

Nor why he thought to paint soup cans. Oh, such ordinary soup cans.

Or what lily pads were his inspiration.

But we thought about those things and more as we breezed thru the MoMA last Sunday.

And surely, we will think about it for some time to come.

New York, New York

Soaring skyscapers. Wall to wall people on 5th Avenue jostling for a look at Harry Winston or Louis Vuitton. The buzzing MoMA on a Sunday morning. Whizzing taxis dodging traffic.

Horns beeping. Horses hooves pounding.  Sirens blaring.

Oh, the sights and sounds of Manhattan on a crisp, fall day.

If there is a but, it is but it was invigorating. And stimulating. And wonderful.

To be in one of the most amazing cities in the world with my daughter and my best friend.

To gaze up at those architectural wonders and think about the people living and working above. To marvel at the amount of wealth generated in a city where people actually buy those baubles tempting us through shining windows on 5th Avenue.

Vermont: And the "Process"

Some days, I start writing a book in my head. The words tumble out. About our move to Vermont. Why we did it. What motivated us. How I'm feeling. It's mostly about how I'm feeling.

It could be titled "A Year in Vermont" but Brad wouldn't like that title. And maybe it would be "Our 5 Years in Vermont" or "Our Life in Vermont."

But for now, I honestly don't know. Some days, I'm thrilled with being here and the beauty and simplicity that surrounds.

Other days, I struggle to remember why we moved and left behind our life, our friends, our routines, our way of life in the city.

I struggle to think about how we will connect and build a life here that will be as full and satisfying as our life in Washington, DC.

So, if you are reading this, be patient with me.  If you are reading this, please don't ask why.  If you are reading this, please remember that it takes time.

Just try to have faith, as I'm trying, that we made the right decision.

Vermont: And Pumpkins, Apples and All Things Autumn

Happy Autumn!

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.

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.