Bittersweet

It's been a week of bittersweet feelings... I don't like it.

I've been doing pretty well. We've made it almost through our year of "firsts". I've had so many people call and write offering such sweet support! I truly appreciate all the support. The year anniversary date of losing my nephew Andrew has come and gone - along with my 16yr wedding anniversary and my parents 44th. I thought it would be a lot harder... but actually the days before were the hardest & saddest.
I focused on my Mr Safety Man! I cannot believe it's been 16yrs married! It's been a blink!!

So this weekend was not a fun weekend... but it was a necessary one. We've been sorting, organizing, cleaning, throwing out, trying on, giving to Goodwill, etc etc etc. It feels good to get my life back in order. But for some reason I just don't feel like I have.

This summer is supposed to be about fun, spending time with my girls, and just make up for last summer. And I just don't think I'm there. I feel horrible that I'm always cleaning this place, always have something that needs to be done.

I see people and they are getting so much done, they're reading every day, doing fun crafts, just doing awesome stuff... and I feel like I haven't... But I guess maybe we have. Perhaps I am just whining...

I dunno you tell me - here's what we've been up to...

The first 10 days we were on vacation in Maine. We did get to do a lot of fun things...Like

Dedicating an important bench in Grammy San's name, spending time with Pam, Linda, & Sandy - we love you!

Special lady!

Installing Grammy San's granite bench in the woods on MORSE MT

Finding beautiful spots, spying Fairy Houses

Reflecting upon quiet moments

Investigating tide pools

Writing in the sand special to Mommy

Planning our new home (someday) Isn't this color the BEST?

Cuddling with my boy! Love this kiddo!

Loving the ocean!

Quality time with my nephew

Flirting with Mr Safety Man

Getting stuck with abyss below me... Watching beautiful waves coming in and out

Playing in the Buttercups

Smelling intoxicating Lupins

Sneaking some snuggles

Tiptoeing in the grass (boy I miss New England grass)

Being goofy

Rolling down REAL hills

Visiting old towers (sorry too tired to turn it)

Remembering our engagement on Mt Battie - admiring the CAMDEN harbo

Making bubbbbbles!

Sneaking some quality time with my sweeties

Stealing quiet moments by the Atlantic on a ROCKY beach

Finding fun spots to explore

Sharing family time

Loving our family

Standing up to my NEMESIS - Verona Island Bridge (over huge gorge) bleck!

Supporting, visiting, and loving three generations of family

Climbing like I couldn't 2 yrs before

Visiting Bath Maritime Museum and being in AWE of history

Becoming a fish...(visiting LL BEAN)

Celebrating Daddy's Day - and being GOOFY with 'said' Daddy!

Actually SWIMMING in sub zero water

Hunting for seashells after

And saying some hard goodbyes... LOVING spending time with our family

 And the rest of our time... well let's hit that tomorrow...

DY. NO. MITE!

So far this trip has been good...no actually for the most part it's been really good! Sure there were some not-so-nice times (funeral, rain, tiredness... to name a few) but the good are outweighing the not great times.

Today I wish I was a millionaire for sure... we were in Rockland, ME and Camden, ME and the shopping was to-die-for - yes, yes it was!! I pretty much figured out - I could easily deck our home up here (whenever it is built) just by shopping in antique stores and a few shops in Camden!! OH WAIT... my house is already filled with antiques... BUT for the most part I was a good girl while shopping - today. I reeeeeeaaalllllyy wanted these but Mr. Safety Man was not thrilled that they had no arch support (since I was limping my way through the sights today. Oooooo I think I will have to get my way on getting them. HOW CUTE ARE THEY?! The deal is - (I may have changed it a bit) - if I go to a podiatrist I can get the shoes. But I don't think he'll agree that that was the deal.

After shopping... we went to one of the most special places for me and my Safety Man... right outside of Camden - Mount Battie. This is where 18 years ago - October 23rd-  he asked me to marry him. Say it with me now.... Aaaaaaa! It was a gorgeous site and he put such thought in to it... Overlooking Camden Harbor, full Maine fall foliage, on our own personal rock at the top of the mountain. It was a lot of fun to bring the girls there and let them see "our spot", play in the little castle turret, and explore.

We are going, going, going... on this vacation... so I think to close I'm just going to post a bunch of photos from the first few days of our trip and will come back with some great prose on our trip...another time!!

ENJOY!

Our lot is on the left

Marriner family on our lot

Aunt Kiki's new home - ALMOST done!

This is what SOLD it for us... HUGE rock!!

Aunt Kiki's lot... kiddos found a fun place

I LOVE the old sign... original grocery sign - now just a little shop - BEST Maine Italian  (not like ANYWHERE else)

Our lot view from the road

Our lot view from up the road a bit further

LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS more photos... or at least good stories! Mount Battie photos as soon as I can upload...

Freeport photos...

LL Bean was amazing and so many changes! I couldn't believe it! We were not so impressed with the poor moose on the wall... WE LOVE MOOSE!! The children's section was FABULOUS... even the bears were attacking the girls with love... it was so much fun! Check out the new fish tank with the observation "bubble"! AMAZING.

Some Yo Yo's on a quilt...the EXACT thing I want to do with my girl's fave shirts... My friend, Amy and Grammy San's going to have to re-teach me...(pleeeease?). Check out the church... established 1789!! WOW! I love that history! Spring was also arriving...DAFFODILS!

The Inn where we stayed... but the best parts that kept us going... Chris' MOXIE - Maine soda and Kymmie's Lobstah roll... yummmmm BABYyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!