Best Life

 Caught a beautiful sunset on the way home from Kim's birthday dinner. We had dinner at Trails End in Eustis, the next town north of Rangeley.  We arrived at 630pm (ish) and fought the crowd. The party animals did show up though!  Only in Maine! The day was spent working on the new bathroom closet.  The jacuzzi, which we purchased in 1991, had been in the bathroom until last fall.  Knowing we would be spending way more time here, we decided to relocate the jacuzzi to the front enclosed porch and install a closet in the space instead. The jacuzzi has been a frequent way to relax after a long day (especially after skiing or snowmobiling!).  The kids enjoyed many hours in the water and only a few floods ever occurred.  The most memorable was my falling asleep with the hose still filling it and I dreamed I was near a waterfall.  I woke to find water pouring over the sides, through the floorboards and flooding the basement.  Oops!    ...

 Tonight we had the privilege of watching Carly Pearce in concert.  When she first came on stage and spoke of being in Rangeley and how "It doesn't suck to be me", I understood her awe.  The people, the nature and the sense of peace Rangeley all make one feel they are part of something special.  The music was beautiful and Carly did a great job of involving the audience.  A true inspiration to younger girls.  An awesome night! This morning was spent staining the back deck which was super dry!  Installed in 2020, this has become one of my favorite spaces to hang out.   A trip to the church to drop off our purged items, the transfer station to drop off recycles and redemptions (Cans for kids) and then quiet time in the jacuzzi.  Cards and drinks and "dinner" with Don and Kim after the concert, and our day was complete.  A perfect combination of work hard, play hard.  

  Tonight we took our dinner to Rangeley Lake boat ramp.  A picnic by the lake, especially the boat ramp, is always entertaining.  And we were not disappointed.  Between the beautiful scenery and the antics of boaters removing their boats after a day on the lake, we enjoyed our dinner and a show! Sunny and 75 today, I concentrated on cutting the lawn (and driveway!).  When we built the house back in 1991 (feeling old again!) we had a shale driveway "installed".  There is very little shale left but plenty of grass.  Maybe someday.   The lawnmower, originally purchased in 1991, has never failed us.  This year was different.  Paul had hung it on a hook over the winter (a first) and the oil drained into the engine and muffler.  The kids couldn't get it started so the grass was just over knee high.  Ugh!  Paul did get the mower fixed after a bit and I tackled the job.  Who needs a gym?  But it looks good and I fe...

  There was no quiet time today.   A fast morning getting Brianna to camp, a return to camp with her forgotten lunch, a trip to donate at Goodwill, Harbor Freight for trailer supplies and Home Depot for quick price and availability checks on closet doors and vanities.   A late lunch, fast packing of car and return to pick Brianna up on time.   We (I really mean Bri) swam in the rain, played Uno (Frozen version) where the main goal according to Bri is “not to cheat” (thank you Lauren for teaching her that one!) and where both Annie and Fenway kept trying to get in the car as we finished packing! We crossed the Maine border just before sunset and Fenway decided he needed a stop.   Thank you, Fenway.   We managed to catch this amazing sunset from the parking lot!   It's late.  We're tired.  But we are in Maine!  We have lots of work to do since we haven't been here since last November (maybe?) but for tonight it's wine, a movie and slee...

 Despite the cooler, rainy day my Zen was easier to find today.  A good morning with Brianna who awakened, ate, dressed and raced me to the car to get to camp on time.  No dawdling.  No cajoling required. A long, therapeutic walk with Lisa in the Monastery trails.  Lisa, who has been stalking me since before 1990, can always be trusted to get me sweating while talking non-stop.  We first met at Fuller Hospital in Massachusetts.  She preferred the addictions unit while I usually chose the adult psych ward.  Two years later after graduating nursing school, I began working at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket.  And there was Lisa working on a different floor.  Fast forward a few years and as a house supervisor, convinced me to take the same position.  It was short lived as the hospital closed.  When I began at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, Lisa was in my orientation!  The universe kept tossing us together.  Li...