Laura and I at the Silver Lounge
Laura lives in Connecticut, (one of) my old stomping grounds. We met several years ago while working for a mental health facility. I remember her first day there and thinking then that we would surely be friends. Maybe it was her Longaberger Basket purse. I love Longaberger Baskets! She sold them at the time. They are pretty pricey, but these baskets are so sturdy and durable! They made it through many a farmers’ market…but enough about baskets.
The two of us are living a couple of hours (give or take) away from each other now, and Laura drove out to visit me on Saturday. We did a couple of fun things around the area (lunch is always fun!) but mostly stayed home with the dogs. The time went by way too fast. I still struggle with time – seems like I am still making time for time, even in my deliberate quest to simplify. I had a Mountain Girl Organics (my business) meeting that I really could not reschedule, and some family drove over to visit with the dogs (Ty is doing better but still needs lots of encouragement). Laura has two kids at home and more jobs than one person should be allowed, so her schedule is very tight…tricky.
Regardless of all that, it is always good to see her. One day soon, we will visit with few outside distractions and an actual budget. Maybe a spa weekend, or a retreat of some sort. Maybe we could go on a cruise; a creative type cruise! You know, where you listen to motivational speakers or something along those lines that feels relaxing and inspiring (in between ports, of course). Laura is a Spanish teacher; perhaps we could go on a Western Mediterranean cruise! I could polish up (ie relearn) my Spanish while we are there. Here I go again with the distractions. Maybe we could simply turn off the computers and phones and just hang out next time. What do you think, Laura? What do you think, everyone else?
PS Thanks, Frank for suggesting the Silver Lounge in Falmouth – we really enjoyed it! Plus there is a really sweet country store attached…always looking for new homes for my natural bath and body products line : )
So glad you and Laura had a chance to get together! Sounds like you had a great time. What is a Longaberger basket?
Hey Em,
Longaberger baskets have been around since the 30’s. They were what people used before paper/plastic bags were mass produced to make all of our lives more convenient (ugh). These baskets are works of art, and they are sturdy! I wish I could have bought more from Laura when she sold them – I will most likely use the ones that I have now (thanks Laura!) for the rest of my days. Miss you,
V
I had no clue that you liked the Longaberger baskets. The company is based outside of Columbus Ohio, so I grew up with the baskets.
It sounds to me like you are as busy now as you were back in colorado! It goes to show that no one’s life really slows down unless you’re sick or dying and then, would you really want life to slow down if that is circumstance? The daily routines of life just change. I try to set aside one day or 1/2 of one day a week just to plop my butt on the couch and read or watch some movies. I figure that’s about as much slowing down or simplying as is realistic for me.
Otherwise, all is well here. Tucker’s babysitter is gone for a month and I tried a dog walker….however, Tucker refused to come out of the bedroom and barked non-stop for an hour until the woman left. She returned later in the day to try to let him out again, but he lunged at her, growled, bared his teeth and peed….so, I guess a dog walker won’t work. I”m interviewing 2 home based doggie daycares in evergreen this week to see if either of those will work (see, I spend as much time with animals as you are !) until his babysitter returns. Then she’s only home until her house sells, so I need to have a solid alternative daycare in place for him within the next few months anyway.
We will start our ski season next week…Thanksgiving day is when we start. Yikes.
Oh, and Terri Ann just up and left Evergreen. I happened to call her as she was en route driving to California. She’s going to try her hand at making money in California for 2 months. If it doesn’t work out, she’ll come back. Otherwise she’ll stay out there. Her house is empty, packed up, and Sam is running the business without her, but she says it wasn’t really making money anyway. So, everyone I have come to know is leaving………………….
In the meantime, what would I do if I wasn’t working???? More travel; more dog training; more photography; more skiing; take up sailing again and probably end up trying to find a paying job….like bartending on a beach in the Carribbean !
It seems a lot of us have an addiction to keeping busy these days. It really comes down to “wherever you go; there you are” in my case. I am keeping busy, but it is a more calm kind of a busy; a more controlled busy. I am head over heels in love with these dogs – they are very grounding. They know what they want in life : )
I will try to get in touch with TA. She is one of the many that we did not get to say goodbye to in person. I will never forget the look on Paul’s face when she dirty danced – not with, but ON him at the Little Bear Last Summer!
You must be excited for ski season – looks like Tom C is having a blast already. I’ll tell you, bartending in the Caribbean has a nice ring to it…I am hoping we at least get to Key West for a few days this winter; we had such a great time there on our Second Anniversary.
Paul is going to treat himself to a new camera once the house is officially sold. Hope he lets me play, too! My little Canon Elph does an amazing job, considering how compact it is. I always wanted to take a photography class and Paul is interested also which is exciting.
One of my new friends here is a big sailor – she has been in many a race and all over the place (I’m a poet…). Can’t wait to go whale and dolphin watching; what fascinating creatures.
Thank you for the update and good luck with the Tucker situation. I know it is painful in the meantime but I am sure you will figure something out here soon. Keep me posted – I love your updates,
V
oh goody, it’s nice that you are spreading the ‘mountaingirl organics’ love in the areas you are in – cheers to you for continued success!
V,
This is my favorite blog so far. Over the past few weeks I have come to realize how important it is to keep in touch with those you care about. Once you lose someone you realize that lost time, and good intentions can not be made up. I was so touched to see friends from the past, as well as, new friends that I haven’t regularly kept in touch with support me when my father died. Sometimes the time we spend with others is more important than anything else we can afford.
God Bless you all,
Jeni
So true, Jeni. I think of you a lot lately and hope you are hanging in there during a painful time. Is your grandpa with you in CO? I love this last sentence…
Sometimes the time we spend with others is more important than anything else we can afford…