Best Life

 Finally for the first time since arriving in RI, Paul and I observed quiet time today.  After simple chores and food shopping we came home to an empty house.  Maddie was more than happy to join us on the couch for a quick nap! Our current projects include:       a second fridge that Paul found on Marketplace (6 adults cannot fit easily in one small fridge) that needed cleaning and a bit of paint;     cleaning, scraping and painting basement walls (moving everything to the middle of the area and sorting through trash vs treasure);     planning a bridal shower;     planning a garage for Maine using barn blueprints;     and installing a new sump pump. Needless to say we needed some quiet time! Today is Outfit of the Day Day.  So I will share some outfits that define the kids' personalities.                               ...

Another full day but this time I had Maddie all day.  Right after morning mass, Maddie was released into my custody for safe keeping while Kevin and his friends moved her "room".  Her bed, her chair, food, toys and treats all had to be taken from Mendon to Lincoln with the hope of her settling in her new home without too much anxiety.   While they did the heavy lifting, Maddie and I hung out in Cumberland.  She visited with Brianna, played catch, barked at the other dogs and stared down the cat.  As long as she could see me, she was happy to watch as I weeded, swept and washed outdoor furniture.  A very productive day. She transitioned well into her new space and we can now post a No Vacancy sign out - the house is now complete and full. Today is Log Cabin Day. I love Maine and our home there and am looking forward to heading north soon.  For now we are enjoying spending time with family and friends.  But I know before long the mountains will...

 A full day of Brianna.  Arriving at Pine Road at 7am for a 730a departure I found her still asleep.  Music is her incentive to being moving and somehow we made it out of the house by 730a with a peanut butter toast breakfast. Aida was her pony to ride this morning (8am in Seekonk!) for her half hour lesson of walking, posting and trotting.  And she takes her cool down very seriously!  She even tried to tell me that I should go get her forgotten helmet in the ring because "I just got off a horse!" Back to the house for a second breakfast/lunch and then onto gymnastics.  What I thought was going to be a 45 minute lesson was actually 90 minutes.  90!  With only short water breaks she bounced and rolled and flipped almost continuously.   Then a late lunch with Lenni (Nick and Linda also).  Brianna managed to continue with nonstop activity.  Sidewalk chalk, drawing, cutting and playing badminton by herself.  And she can sing -...

 As we continue to settle in to our RI selves, I am amazed how it feels like we have never left.  Despite the changes (we are now living with Kevin, Isis, and her grandparents in Lincoln) it feels normal to be cooking for more than 2 people, helping the kids with chores, "babysitting" Brianna and running errands in our own car.   Paul cut the lawn (riding mower) for Kevin while I weeded the front garden.  He definitely had the better deal!  He not only cut the grass but weed-wacked the edges and still I was only a little more than half done.  Thankfully it was much cooler today. I don't think Paul ever cut the lawn in Cumberland - it was always my job (push mower).  He had the pleasure of doing the grocery shopping since the smells at the store make me nauseous.  I definitely had the better deal all those years! I am loving the long hot showers, full size washer, fresh fruits and veggies every day and of course visiting and catching up with a...

 We have become fully immersed in land life instantaneously.  It is heartwarming to watch the kids navigate life and adulthood.   We are currently living with Kevin and Isis who are preparing to purchase the home here in Lincoln and sell the home in Mendon while making wedding plans for August. (God bless their chaos!)  We are happy to share space with her grandparents while they finalize their retirement plans.  I am excited to learn more about my future daughter and assist them with this phase of their life. We have also been called to "babysitting" duties with Brianna.  We arrive at Megan's before 7am for duties until drop off at gymnastic camp at 9am.  Then we are "free" until pick up at 3pm.   Today we grocery shopped and combed through 6 months worth of mail.  Ugh! With Maureen cooking dinner last night and TJ tonight, we are enjoying home cooked meals and just being with the family.   The funniest part of my day - T...

 As we fly back to Rhode Island today, I am excited but somehow feeling surreal.  How could the season be over?  It feels like it just began and yet, we have accomplished amazing things.  Here is my most list for 2025: Silliest – me singing karaoke vs Paul and myself playing pool Saddest – seeing all the damage from hurricane Dorian and then the brush fires on the east end of Grand Bahama Scariest – this is a toss-up between arriving in the West End, Grand Bahamas marina in the dark with no dock hands OR scuba diving                                                       The very narrow canal we had to traverse at 11pm. Most laughs – John, Bonnie and Constance at the Bonfire; I never thought I would be doing the limbo or musical chairs that did not involve a child’s birthday Most joyous – the perfect sailin...

 I awakened determined to finish the work despite the suffocating humidity.  As the sun was rising we walked from the hotel back to the marina.  Only 1  1/2 miles it was an easy walk but sweaty due to the humidity - super sweaty!  (temp at 7am -76, humidity - 93%!!!!)                                                     The hotel had a great breakfast including fajitas and 4 types of coffee! (Free!) A very different side of St Augustine than we have seen full of remodels and authentic coastal homes.                                        Our hurricane straps have been placed and Quiet Time looks secure! The guest beds are covered in drop cloths and my vacuum bags filled with clothing and linen...

 What a long day!  As a reward to ourselves for all the hard work and perseverance we left our hotel on the San Sebastian River and walked to the local pizza restaurant, ate a great pizza and drank Sam Summer Ale!   With our sails wrapped and a haul out time of 9am, we released the mooring ball just before 8am.  And we hit the first snag.  The Bridge of Lions apparently only opens on the half hour (not what I had read) so Paul had to "hover" for more than 30 minutes.    I used the time to finish packing and cleaning as much as I could while sweating profusely.  Humidity was in the low 90s.  Absolutely crazy. Just as we were turning into the San Sebastian River, two eagles soared above us while fishing - pretty cool! The river was thankfully deeper than documented but came with a wicked current.  The marina we were headed for was around several bends. The swift current was headed back to the Matanzas River causing Paul to abort his f...