It's Now or Never!

"It's my life

And it's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just want to live while I'm alive.

It's my life."

Bon Jovi


Sometimes a good "kick" out of the comfort zone
is all it takes.
When the landlord decided to sell our rental,
we didn't fully believe 
that we were ready to take
the home-ownership plunge.
Good thing we got the boot
and had to take a leap of faith.
The flight wasn't completely smooth,
but the landing has been delightful!

Truth be told,
this one leap
has filled me up and has me looking
for that next big jump!




Joining Kathy for
Song-ography

Good. Random. Fun. {week 14}

For any of my friends who follow me on instagram

{@scrapbookmom17}

you know this has been a crazy week!

We. Have. Moved.

It's real.

It's official!!

On Wednesday, the night before we signed all the mortgage papers,

I went to "my" pond with my big girl camera for a wander.

To breathe...and to see the mama swan on her nest.

A beautiful, peaceful sight.

Papa swan was swimming nearby ~ he never strays to far from the nest.

The golden light added magic to the scene!

I stayed at the water's edge until the setting sun painted the sky...just for me.

I lingered with my favorite, arched branches...
the leaves were just beginning to sprout and I drank in the simple silhouette.
Just the moments of peace and quiet I needed before the craziness of the next days began!
This was good. Very, very good.

Over the next three days we signed papers, got keys and moved countless carloads of little stuff to our new digs.
And then came Sunday.
Our "rent-the-big-truck" day.
We woke up in our new home to a snow covered back yard.
Thanks, spring, for the random weather!
Snow. Winds. Extremely chilly temps.
Oh well, you can plan and plan...then you just have to roll with it!

So, what's a little snow?

We're New Englanders, after all.

HOWEVER,

when you arrive at the U-Haul facility to pick up your truck

AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ONE for you,

you start to loose your marbles!!!

Thanks, U-Haul, for the random delay.

Alas.

In spite of these glitches,

a truck was found, the sky cleared and our move was completed.

Whew!

Either our old house is really small, or the truck was really big...crazy, right!?!

Thanks to one husband, one son, one son-in-law, three young friends, one boss
and my darling daughter, we got all the stuff from one place to the next!
Thanks one and all.
{also, few things look more random that lots of furniture trying to find a new place to call home!}

Through it all,

the most fun I had was standing on the 2nd floor deck directing traffic.

As everything came off the truck,

my job was to tell people where to take it.

So. Fun.

And this guy.
We had our little mascot with us all day.
May I just say,
he makes every party just a little more fun!!

Here's to a great week everyone!!




Joining Tamar for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Good Random Fun {Week 13}

Well folks.

This is IT.

This is the week.

IF all goes as planned,

we'll have keys in 

THREE DAYS!

If I had to choose just ONE thing that I've loved about living where I am now,

it would be the discovery of this place.

This pond.

This sanctuary.

I'm grateful that we're only moving about a half an hour north of here,

and that I will still be working right around the corner from these sights...

It won't be quite the same,

but this place has become a part of me.

I'm sure I'll be back to visit.

Often!

{Here are a few iPhone shots I got this weekend. Sigh}

Joining Tamar for

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Autumn Woods

Like notes in a symphony,

the leaves that accompanied me on my walk through the woods

hung,

floated,

danced

and 

rustled

in numbers too large to count!

As the breeze sang to me,

I fancied myself engulfed in a paradise

of autumnal bliss.

Such a heavenly Saturday afternoon.

The melody dazzled with

its hot, fiery reds.

And turned dreamy with dollops of creamy pumpkin.

The strains of autumn's symphony grew quiet

as the soft, golden yellows soothed my soul.

The air was sweet,

the tune divine

and my heart was full.

Joining Ashley for

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Black & White Wednesday ~ This Season

{June 7, 2015}

"Childhood is a short season."

Helen Hayes

Snap.

Snap your fingers,

blink your eyes

and,

as we all know,

childhood has flown by.

Maybe not as quickly for our babies

as for these baby swans...

In only four months they have turned into long necked beauties.

Ready for the big pond.

Ready for friendship.

Ready for their close up!

We've got both kids under our roof tonight.
All four of us, after a long day's work.
Feels so good.
Takes me back.
Fills me up.
Makes me long,
not for a return to those childhood days,
but for many chances to fully live this season.
The one we all share as adults.
This grown-up season that's here to stay a while.

Join us here and share some of your

Black & White photos!

I'm also linking up with

Wednesday Around the World

Too Early?

"On the Seventh day of Christmas
my true love gave to me
Seven Swans a Swimming"
and
One Swan a Standing


I know.
No one wants Christmas Carols yet.
Still 86 days until the big day.
But every time I see this swan family,
I think...
I want to get a photo of seven-swans-a-swimming.
But there are eight of them!
Such a conundrum.
Do I leave one out of the family photo?
Or just give up on the lyrics that pop into my head every time I see them?
I know.
Try and contain yourself.
My mental gymnastics are so. very. interesting.
Not.
Anyhow...
This weekend it happened!
The perfect shot!
Honestly, it's my favorite new shot of "my" large swan family.
And, not only are they all in the shot
but
{and here's what pushes my happy button}
only seven of them are swimming!

Enjoy all those shopping days left until the holidays!



Joining Kathy for
Song-ography

Pre-teens?

Well, we've got SIX babies that have made it to the pre-teen stage.

It's so beautiful to see the growing swan family gliding across the swampy pond.

Sometimes these little ones still look {and act} like babies.

They cuddle up for naps and stick together.

But, like our human babies,

as they head towards those teen years,

we start to see some changes.

Like trying new hair styles....

mohawk anyone?

And stretching their wings...

under out watchful eye, of course!

Sharing this swan story with Kim for

LIttle Things Thursday

Sunshine

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

Sunshine almost always makes me high

I've been known to sing this old John Denver tune out loud as I wander.

To myself, of course.

And the birds, I suppose.

My jaunts around the pond this weekend were filled with sunshine.

And hot summer air.

A few climbs.

A lot of walking.

And some lazy meandering.

Just the way I like it!

Joining Kathy for

Song-ography

A New Favorite Photo

"Sibling Love"

In the cool air of an early summer evening,

I found these young swans

enjoying a family swim.

It was such a pleasant surprise,

when I got home and looked through my photos,

to find the heart shape

made by the two cuddling sibs.

Just another photography gift I wasn't expecting!

Joining Kim for

Little Things Thursday

and Kat for her

Writer's Workshop

Six Word Fridays ~ Stuff

"We are such stuff as dreams

are made on; and our little

life is rounded with a sleep."

William Shakespeare

Join me here and share your story -

six words at a time!

Black & White Wednesdays ~ Swan-a-razzi

They come to the pond from near and far

to see those baby swans.

Look at the joy on their faces!

I mean...what's not to love?!?

Join us here and share your
Black & White photos.
I'm also linking up with
Wednesdays Around the World