Lost Boots

Oh, Dear Friends:
I cannot find my hiking boots. One of the things on my list I need to take to training is a pair of hiking boots. I love hiking and have been hiking and backpacking since a young teenager. When I was 16 years old I took money I had been saving to Alpine Outfitters and bought a pair of hiking boots. They were mid line in pricing; not the most expensive not the cheapest - and I loved them with their red laces. I have worn those hiking boots for the last 36 YEARS!!! Yes- 36 - !!! the leather has molded to my feet and my foot slides into them like a second skin.
Well, I CAN'T FIND THEM!!!! Help!!! Where could they be??? has been running through my head since Friday and I realized they were not in my crate of shoes.. I've been to my shed looking in other crates - but - at last I cannot find them.
That last day in June when I was packing up my personal belongings is when I sorted through my closed and either packed the things or put in a pile for donation to the local thrift shop. I was beyond tired, stress, and a lot overwhelmed, but I cannot imagine in a million years giving away my hiking boots. I have my work and dress cowboy boots which I've had for 28 years, snow boots I've had for 20 years, and shoes I wear when painting that I've had for 10 years. I buy shoes that are comfortable, of quality and then keep wearing them.
What could I have done with my hiking boots?????
One day I suppose I will laugh about loosing my hiking boots, but not today... To replace them will cost over a hundred dollars - ugh... I leave for training a week from Tuesday... Ugh.. that was not in the budget.... :o(

This isn't the first item I couldn't find immediately, but so far the only thing I actually can't find once I've dug through the shed.. I guess if that is the only thing I can't find I'm doing well, but oh how I loved those hiking boots.. What will I do????

Yes, you may laugh at my struggles over a pair of hiking boots.. There has to be humor some place in this... I had no idea I was so attached to material processions until I had to give away everything that didn't fit into an 11 x 14 storage shed... and yet that is more than many people around the world will have in a life time. I have many different shoes and so many don't have even one pair.. And here I'm complaining about one pair of hiking boots.. so sad.. how pitiful can I be, except I'm still missing them..

The adventure will continue with or without them and I'll be fine..
But for the moment - Missing one ratty pair of boots.
Vicki
Out of all the thousands of pictures I have I don't even have a picture of my favorite boots.. How sad.... They will live on in my memory.. :o)

Two more weekends and then I head south!

I can't believe how fast this summer has flown... For some reason I had thought back in June this would be a relaxing summer - wrong!!! Still working 50 plus hours a week, sleeping in many different places, Sarah's little sickness scare, KC changing homes, my car breaking down "2" times (give me a horse please) then add on top of that fund raising I'm on over load.. I've gotten lost in a city I've lived 40 out of 47 years... I forget where I'm sleeping that night and go back to where I've been.. Trying to remember where I put something has tested my memory skills. Last weekend I went to my shed so I could finally caulk the seams so it would be weather proof. When I was moving crates around looking for winter clothes that I will need for this fall I found stuff I'm not sure why I saved and other stuff I forgot I still had.. Oh, and I found my socks I had been looking for - for weeks....
I have two more weekends then I head south to the mountains of North Carolina. I'm looking forward to my time of learning, but at this moment I'm actually looking forward to 9 weeks in the same bed....
I am still excited even in the mist of being out of sorts sometimes. I also am so thankful for the many blessings each day... for small things like warm homemade banana bread to bigger things like dear friends lending me luggage for my trip. I am also thankful for the encouraging words I receive..
Thank you for joining me on this adventure..
Vicki

Sarah Elizabeth

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Alexandra's Senior Portraits

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Family Portrait

Saturday I did a photo shot of a friend of ours.
Since I was going to be taking Alexandra's pictures Sarah brought some outfits so I could get some pictures of her too. Since I would have an extra person I asked Marc to meet us so I could get a family photo. A dear friend who has a beautiful back garden said we could use her yard for the photo shoot and the girls could change outfits in her house.

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We all had a good time. Almost two hours later we had 350 some photos and the girls were tired of smiling but I was able to capture some great pictures of the each. Alexandra's mother, Lois came and was able to get a couple really good family pictures of us. This may be out last picture together for awhile. Kind of bitter sweet.. Change in a part of life and I wouldn't want things to stay the same, but sometimes the unknown can also seem sad when you think about what will be no more...

I'm still excited to be moving forward and am surprised when waves of emotions roll over about what will no longer be...

Love..
Vicki

Make a Smilebox slideshow

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51 days as a Nomad!!

It has been 51 days since Sarah and I closed down our home.  Since then we have stayed with 4 different families and are learning to be flexible.  

There are days we long for "our" familiar space, but we have found many joys and blessings along the way.  - Pools, hot tubs, dogs, lizards, cats, fancy tv's, home grown tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and figs, but mostly it is getting to know friends better and their generous hospitality.  

This week I'm in Charlottesville, Virginia finishing a job for a sweet couple and their 5 children ages 1 1/2 years to 12 years.  I have the pleasure of having Marc assist me with this job.  We are working 12 hour days, but painting also provides many hours for conversations.

I'm thankful for this time to connect with my son.  Being 20 he is usually off in his adventures of life and even though we talk on the phone and see each other about every week it's not like when we lived under the same roof.  

I'm a morning person and once Marc reached his teens he became a night person.  I can't tell you how many nights I would go to tell him good night because I was going to bed only to have him start sharing all kinds of thoughts.  Now, at the end of a long day I'm not at the best and always wanted to say; "can't we do this in the morning!" but didn't for I knew if I did he wouldn't be taking in the morning and I would loose the opportunity.  So I would sit and listen and learn more about who my son was and his thoughts on so many things.  We would connect in a way that didn't happen doing the busyness of the day.  

I miss those late night conversations.  This week has been a great chance to hear his thoughts on things and reconnect in a way we haven't done for awhile.  

What a gift.  

Both my children are precious treasures and I can't imagine life without them and all they have added to my soul.  God richly blessed me when HE gave me Marc and Sarah and I am ever so thankful.

I am also thankful for all my dear friends who are joining me on this journey and speak encouragement along the way..

Vicki 

 

Their faces help me keep on this path.

Sarah and I have been living without a home now, for a month.  We have gotten into some what of a routine and we call "home" where ever we lay our heads that night.  Many things we each thought we couldn't live without have ended up in the shed.  We actually could live without many things and have narrowed life down to the essentials.  There are actually a few more things tagged for "the shed"..  as we navigate our new "normal"... and prepare for the next steps of our journey.

Sarah leaves for Navy boot camp 29 September.  She is ready, like I, she is tired of the end between - what was and what is going to be.   But, we are still trying to savor each moments and enjoy the many blessings and joys given each day.  Last week while house/pet sitting we were able to enjoy their lovely hot tub on the back deck over looking the woods.  I made fruit smoothies for us to enjoy while we soaked.  Ahhh... we enjoyed that soooo much...

From now until 9 September in addition to working full time I am focusing my energies on fund raising.  In order for me to go I have to raise all my support to live and work in Kazakhstan.  I cannot do this on my own or in my own strength.  I will need a team of people who desire to build relationships with the Kazakh people and reach out to the children.  

As Americans we tend to think "Lone Ranger" mentality.  Doing everything in our own strength and might - be self sufficient - don't ask for help....  Yet we are created as companion orientated beings.   I will not be alone in Kazakhstan.  I will have my team members there and "my" team back home.  I am enjoying meeting with individuals and groups telling them about the country I will call home come February.  Kazakhstan with it's majestic mountains, rich history, and new beginnings has captured my heart.  The children especially.  I look forward to building the relationships that I have started over the years, starting new ones and seeing how they all grow.  

When the bumps of this road have made me stumble, when I'm missing my beloved KC dog, and thinking how I'll miss my family and friends the faces of the children and the love in my heart for them is one of the things that gives me encouragement to keep moving forward.  I know God has a plan and I look forward to being part of that plan.    Oh, how I love being part of this journey...

Thank you dear friends and family who are cheering me on, partnering with me, sending encouraging words, and introducing me to people who might be interested to join my team.  What a true gift of you are.  

My love to you each..

Vicki

Shed is Finished!

The shed is finished.. Teresa is very pleased with her "new" backyard environment.  What a blessing for the opportunity to do a fun joy..