VACATION

I've been on vacation since last Friday at 2:30 pm!! and loving every minute although it did have some bittersweet moments.

Here are FIVE of my FAVE moments from the past week.  It is good to give thank to the Lord and it's made easier to keep track of all the blessings He brings into our lives, our years, months, weeks, moments, by writing them down and linking up with Susanne who hosts the FFF.  Click here for more info.)

• NEW HAMPSHIRE!  One of my very fave New England states is NH.  I just love that the Atlantic Ocean is so close to the mountain region and you know I am a mountain lover.  We decided to go out Saturday morning but with the horrendous traffic through central MA and up to Dover (NH) a normally 4 hour drive took us 5 1/2 and we only stopped for 20 minutes for a quick lunch!  We finally made it to the hotel in Dover and then hit the beaches in Rye.  Here are my 3 fave photos from that early evening beach time with our youngest daughter Claire.  How I treasured every moment...our last evening with her for awhile!

the Atlantic Ocean
at Jenness Beach
Rye, NH

Claire and I
19 August 2017

Almost empty nesters!
(photo courtesy of Claire) 

• MOVE IN DAY!   Claire was accepted into prOVES, a community service organization at University of New Hampshire, so she got to move into her dorm a week earlier than regular freshmen. (there were about 100 kids who signed up to be in prOVES; click on the link above to see what this is about!) What fun it was to help her get set up.  We were given an itinerary though, so only had about 45 minutes once everything was hauled to her 4th (!!! no elevator..just a dumbwaiter!!) floor room to unpack.  She finished the rest, very late that night after we were gone and already down in MA.  Here are the photos she texted to us of the final look. (Her roommate, Mary, will move in today).  We love the university campus..the rural setting in a small New England village is just beautiful.  Right outside her windows are gorgeous pine trees.  It was tough to say good bye and with separate cars, I played some hymns on the way to my in-laws in southern MA with a choked up feeling in my heart and tears in my eyes.  My baby is at college!!

Her corner of the room
Love how she organized her closet!

her desk area...dave managed to find a nice small printer
you can see on the right of the main desk area.

Her bed/sitting area....and score!
Bed was already lofted when we arrived so one less thing to do!

• DATE DAY!  After moving Claire in to UNH, we drove our separate cars down to the south shore of MA where Dave's folks live.  We all sat around the table that evening, catching up on our lives, etc.  It was fun.  The next morning, Dave decided he wanted to go sit on a beach somewhere but our fave beach on Cape Cod was closed due to a shark attacking a seal, so we ended up at Myles Standish State Park which I had never been to.  There are 28 ponds/lakes in just this one state park!  And NO entrance fees during the work week...very unlike NYS!  We loved it!  I explored the College Pond area (pictured above).  Although no lifeguard was on duty, technically no ranger came along to tell people NOT to swim.  Again, very different from NYS where rangers patrol the grounds.  It was swim at your own risk and many families were taking advantage of this.  We read our books, and talked.  Then went to grab some lunch where we watched the solar eclipse on the large TV in the restaurant.  We followed this up with a trip to one of Dave's fave ice  cream spots from his childhood that is still up and running.  It was delicious! Our first "empty nest " date!! Later that evening, we went to this establishment with Dave's brother and his wife for drinks and dinner in their outdoor dining room. I loved it!The gin drink I ordered (gin, cranberry, lemon, lime, and sierra mist) was called The Wildcat.  It was perfect!!  (UNH Wildcats). We are so thankful we had this time with Peter and Kathy laughing and chatting about our respective young adult children.  It was such a special time.

College Pond at Myles Standish State Park
Carver, MA

The Wildcat!
Dave's hometown high school has as their mascot a "Wildcat"
as does UNH/Durham...so this was the perfect cocktail!

• JOB OFFER!!  Our oldest daughter Courtney, who graduated from Gordon College 2 years ago, has been working part time at Michael's ever since graduation.  She has interviewed and searched for a full time job with benefits but graphic design jobs in the Capital Region of NYS seem few and far between OR they want someone with 5-7 years experience!  We know several people who have young adult children looking for full time work.  BUT...after I encouraged her to go to a recruiting agent, she ended up going to a job fair and the recruiting agency I was recommending was there!  To make a long story short, she had an interview while we were away earlier this week, and the next day they offered the job to her!  Glory to God!  She will be doing some administrative work as well as working on their website and designing/writing newsletters.  And...it was one of her long term goals to work in a non-profit agency...and guess what?  It's a non profit agency that offered her the job!  She has a 90 day probationary period and after that, if they keep her, she will begin benefits, etc.  We are thrilled for her.  She will be working down in North Albany so it isn't too far away.

• ANNUAL MEET-UP!  My dear friend Deb whom I have known my entire life but who moved to TN when we were both in college, came up to NYS on her annual vacation and we met in a town halfway between her mom's and my home.  We went out to brunch yesterday and then did a 4 mile walk along the Erie Canal/Schoharie Crossing Historic Site. (our first time there!) What fun we had catching up on our lives (we do stay in touch through Xmas cards and FB/texting) and sharing what God is doing in us and in our marriages.  I always learn something spiritual from her (she is 4 years older than me and her sister is my dear friend Diane who is 5 years older than me)  These two women, when we were kids, would pour into me....we are very emotionally and spiritually connected for many reasons, one of which was our parents were close friends and church members together.  I can't begin to describe the connection we have.  I'm very thankful I got to spend some time with Deb yesterday and we already have plans for next summer!

Me and Deb!
 24 August
Schoharie Crossing Historic Trails

crossing over one of the abandonned locks across the Erie Canal

That wraps up the highlights of my first week off after summer school.  

I am looking forward to this weekend as I have a hike planned and some time with Dave planned and then another whole week of vacation!

I hope whatever you do this weekend, that you take a moment to give thanks to our Father for all the blessings He sends our way.

Happy Weekend!