I apologize...

I feel like apologizing....in my old life...the one I was living about 14 days ago, I had wi-fi at every corner, a computer or handheld device within inches 24/7. Now...I am out by the lake (too wet and dirty to even dare bring my phone), or tromping around on the hill, or simply 'out of range.' There's not even '3G' most of the places I drive!

So, the apology part is because, in my old life people knew what I was up to....so....in writing this...I have no idea who I am apologizing to because, certainly, there cannot be very many people missing my multiple daily updates on Facebook. BUT, I do know that there are people who might be missing ME...because I am missing them. It's so weird to not know what they are doing today...or yesterday....or when they have a dentist appointment or what time they're all meeting at Finch Park....Alas, I've been through this before - facebook kept me "in-the-know" with the daily/weekly doings of my friends in NY...but coming back is not the same. In Texas I was connected to my little black box, here, I have no desire to 'check-in.' Which in many ways is very, very good. But, in one way - the way where I feel remotely connected to people I love far away - it's not so good.

So...I guess this post is just about missing my friends in Texas. Dear friends, I am so, so happy to be back home, but know, that I miss each of you so very much.

The week in photos...

Well, technically, the last nine or so days....I stink at putting them in order when uploading, so forgive the sequence. Above you have Liam riding sans training wheels in our driveway.

Here's Finn at the Old Chatham Sheepherder's farm. While he's allergic to everything they sell, he is not allergic to the livestock!

This is us driving up our road with the truck. Many of the roads here are like this - winding and hugged by trees. I feel so nestled and secure all the time. I think that is one of the biggest differences between here and there.
And here's our 'front yard' so to speak. (For the time being.) It is the most magical, wonderful place to me.

Today we went to the summit of Mt. Greylock in Mass. We hiked about a half mile of the Appalachian Trail - It was a SUPER steep section and I had Finn in the backpack. We decided to take the car down about 2500 feet to a less steep trail which was a great idea.



And flashback to moving day - the truck empty...
And the truck busting at the seams...
Liam in the passenger seat - he rode shot gun nearly the entire trip!
This does not look steep, but it WAS, I swear! And now I see why Bill wanted to take this shot...
Best buds...
Billbers keeping watch...
Scenic overlook on the way up Mt. Greylock.
Finnster at the summit.
Finn loaning a big wheel from a friend.

Settling in...

Well, we're here. It's been one whole week since we pulled up. It seems like an eternity ago...and yet, it seems like yesterday I was licking Amber's frosting from my lips and hugging my dear Texas friends good-bye.

It's hard to explain how I feel. I was never unhappy in Texas, maybe in the beginning a little...but now that I am back home...I just feel....better. Better overall, even though I have no home of my own and an uncertain future (financially). I feel perfectly grounded and where I belong.

Here's a recap of the last week:

-The house:

Despite the maximum amount of grief a picky, partially psychotic buyer can give, we did finally close on our house. It actually finalized while we were somewhere across Tennessee. I fear for my dear sweet neighbors....

-The drive:

Amazingly, I had no problem! I thought I'd be falling asleep at the wheel, losing sensation in my butt, however, it appears that driving long distances suits me. Except for one puking incident after a harried lunch at the dirtiest McDonald's we've ever seen, Finny did great. Liam rode up in the big truck with his dad. Apparently, he did not watch one video or play a single video game. When I asked him what he and daddy were doing all those hours in the truck, he replied, "Just talking and singing rock music." Suffice to say, my six year old can now sing some Beastie Boys lyrics I am hoping he will forget before school starts in September.

The break down of our drive (in case you want to drive to us from Texas):

Day 1 - 6.5 hours Dallas to Forrest City, Arkansas

Day 2 - 12-ish hours to Wytheville, Virginia

Day 3 - 6.5 hours to just outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania -we decided to take an extra day, because we were all worn from so many hours in the car

Day 4 - 5 hours to the house on the lake (near Albany, NY)

The reunions:

Blissful