The Simple Life

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Blackbird fly...

So it’s been a rough few weeks. My Grandma had been in the hospital- she was sick with an pneumonia and fell in the middle of the night subsequently cracking a couple of ribs. We knew Grandma was getting weaker and more confused in her old age but nonetheless weren’t aware of any serious health issues. About 2 weeks after being in the hospital she was diagnosed with Leukemia. This was shocking news for my entire family and our hearts ached as we knew at almost 87 years old Grandmas life was inevitably coming to an end. She was taken to a rehabilitation center and a few days later passed away. Although stunned and saddened by the loss we took comfort in the fact that her last breaths were taken peacefully in her sleep and suffering was no longer a part of her future. She’s in a better place now and I know Grandpa is taking good care of her.

But Not Forgotten

I think no matter where you stray,

That I shall go with you a way.

Though you may wander sweeter lands,

You will not forget my hands,

Nor yet the way I held my head

Nor the tremulous things I said.

You will still see me, small and white

And smiling, in the secret night,

And feel my arms about you when

The day comes fluttering back again.

I think, no matter where you be,

You'll hold me in your memory

And keep my image there without me,

By telling later loves about me.

Margaret Elizabeth Langelier
1924-2011

On a lighter note~ Joshua landed a great job this week. He’ll be starting tentatively the 21st of this month. This is huge not only for him but for us and our success here. Really, this marks a milestone in our journey. We made it everyone!

A few pics of what we’ve been up to the past couple of weeks.

Valentine treats

Strawberry Cake

We made a romantic cupids dinner together.

Ceviche

♥

We had a few days of high 50's and even low 60's-the snow was FINALLY starting to melt!

Zzzzzzzz

And then, it snowed... again.

Looking forward to the coming Spring and seeing family/friends as I return home for the funeral this week.

Take care everyone!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

All you need is love... ♥

"There's nothing you can do that can't be done. Nothing you can sing that can't be sung. Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game. It's easy..."
~The Beatles

On a personal note: I want to start out by saying this journey has not been easy. We've def had our handful of struggles, stresses and fears. Probably more so me than Joshua. What can I say? I'm the worry wart! I'm doing better though. I'm trying my best to take it day by day and focus on being thankful for what we have rather than what we don't. To embrace each moment. To embrace this moment and this AMAZING experience! Sure, there are days I'd like to just throw in the towel and let defeat take over but nobody ever said it would be easy. Nobody said life was easy. If it wasn't for the blood, sweat and tears how would we ever truly appreciate anything?! I can't let a few struggles get the best of me. It's the struggles that make me stronger and made me who I am today. Really, hardships are a gift. I honestly believe that... I have to. That's what keeps me going every day. That and my husband.

I'm so grateful to have Joshua by my side. If it wasn't for him I don't know I would've ever found the courage to be here... living my dreams... making them a reality. Before he walked into my life dreams were just that. Dreams. Reach for the stars they used to say in grade school. I had no idea what that even meant. He's not only taught me to believe in myself but to reach for those stars! For that I'm so very grateful... and for every time he picks me up when I fall. He really is my rock, my support, my guiding light... my best bud.

After saying all that... I'm really happy. I love New Hampshire! Joshua does too. We miss our friends and family immensely which is only to be expected and will never change. But at the end of the day we love calling this place home! I get into my car each morning and no matter what kind of funk I'm in~ I press on that gas, take a look around and that all withers away. I'm in complete awe. The scenery is always different...it's like a new adventure each day. One day the sky is blue, the snow is glistening and the reflection from the sun is gently kissing the trees. The next the snow has just fallen and everything is covered in a perfect blanket of white. Another is gray, the trees are naked and calm and my breath is white. It all has it's own unique beauty. The seasons are incredible. I absolutely love having change!

I will always cherish the Golden State and the relationships I made there. I feel fortunate to have experienced the life of a California girl and deep down I always will be that. Now, I get to experience this- Classic Americana. Wow. It's pretty extraordinary.Who knows? Maybe in 10 or 20 years we'll want to try something different and I LOVE that we can! I love this country! I'm so thankful for my freedom and very proud to be an American. :)

So catching up...

Our new fav thing! Snow pants!!! :) We don't have to even get out of our jammies to go play in the snow ... AWESOME!

Now that's an icicle!

We've gotten so much dang snow they're running out of places to put the stuff!

Our complex is COVERED in icicles!

The path to our apartment... that's Joshua down there at the end! Helllllllooooo!!!!!! ------

Hehehe :) Cold much?

Such a dork!

Icicles hanging from the cars... oh my!

This is our street right after a snow storm - all plowed and purty!

Weeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

The view from our living room ... snow!

Snowmobile!

Ice fishing

Winter perfect

Rufus waiting for dad...

Come on already! :)

So we spent the day in Portsmouth- an early Valentines day outing. Portsmouth is just 45 mins East of us on the small but beautiful NH coast. My boss told me about this Mexican restaurant there Agave that we just had to try! We've been DYING for some real Mexican food!~!!!!!!!!