I count down the days until my much-anticipated vacation, practically kill myself to get out of town for a few, but know the amazing escape will be worth it if I live long enough to get there!
Last week, we were set! My son got a jumpstart on his school project due tomorrow – while keeping up with homework. My daughter proactively did 3 pages of homework a night! I looked for work, fundraised for kids’ science camp and blogged. We’d hit a new rhythm and this bonus trip was fun-tastic!
This week, starting my new job, we had the learning curve of a new routine. Couple that with my daughter’s lost security blankets (Buddys)
and the week got crazy until Friday night. I planned to pour a glass of red, do laundry, and pack. I didn’t go as planned (does it ever?!), but we packed, I blogged the extra post for Saturday and were surprisingly on time Saturday morning.
We drove up to the wilderness, the kids looked forward to shooting and running while I hoped to wander and shoot scenic photos. Once I got there, the lack of snow revealed that the reserve was devastated by fire almost 9 years ago and left in ruins. Usually the snow paints a prettier picture. While the kids did team building exercises, I looked for gems hidden in the forest floor along the way:

I shot this to share with my kids as I know they ran right by it. Woodpeckers shove acorns in logs to attract bugs to eat.
I loved how much fun my kids’ had with their friends from all years of their lives. I loved exploring the town, accommodating my son’s insistence of our malt shop tradition. I felt restored heading home early enough to relax for the week.
I didn’t love that we couldn’t shut the front door fast enough to keep reality from barreling in after us.
My daughter wept since I wouldn’t be at school for writing showcase, my son pressed on to meet his report deadline, and my relaxing moments crashed like the oversize Jenga game from the camp. We all needed a nap but couldn’t sacrifice the time. I look forward to the week starting again but feel like I was never gone. At least I have the pictures or I’d never believe it.
Feb 06, 2012 @ 01:59:57
nice JACKELOPE composition!
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/the-j-archive/
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Feb 08, 2012 @ 00:17:09
Thanks Frizztext! Thanks for wandering through!
Feb 06, 2012 @ 04:41:44
Fabulous and i love your jackelope!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 00:55:44
As it turns out, I’m thinking that it may be something else because the darned thing has wings too. I am at a loss for what that might be called. Thanks for wandering by!
Feb 07, 2012 @ 23:00:11
OMG, I love ur blog. One question: why aren’t you writing books or articles? Your an amazing writer.
Feb 08, 2012 @ 00:11:00
*BLUSH* Thank you Sharon F, I appreciate the kudos! Practicing now, eventually will become a “real writer!” Thanks so much for wandering by! Hope to see you around these parts again!
Feb 10, 2012 @ 21:39:44
Ahh, now that your true identity has been revealed, Thank you again and hug to you!