did i mention i'd be away?

i meant to tell you we'd be off camping all week, but apparently i forgot. i'm sorry if my unusual lack of blogging had you wondering if all was well.

we went with a group, up the coast to my favorite local campground. i wouldn't say it was one of the best times i'd had camping; i shall spare you; but there were enough lovely moments to have made the week quite enjoyable. i mean really - would you just look at those adorable, little, filthy toes!

i love being so close to the ocean: the smell & feel of the air, the wildlife, the adventures to be had, & the sounds. hearing the waves crashing through the night is one of my favorite sounds. it's so soothing & magical, & vastly better than listening to giant raccoons stealing the cookies i'd stored in a bin, then weighted down with a gallon of water.

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thehobbit is in his element when camping. he was out of sorts the first 2 days of the trip, but he got through it, & found his groove. lucky for him, because manlyman & i were considering leaving him out the next night, tied to a bag of cookies.

i love this photo! watching thehobbit & his 2 best friends walking along the shore, all quiet & serene, & deep in conversation had been a moment to cherish. there aren't 2 kids in the world more suited for him than minipaper & minisoap. he has other friends i think are simply lovely, but these 2 are meant for thehobbit. they are sweet & just as odd & so good to him, & he loves them deeply.

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as much as i love camping, i am happy to be home. we've just been too busy these last few weeks, & i need to take care of things around here. the house & the farm are showing serious signs of neglect, & if i don't dye my hair soon, you shall find me wearing a hat, & whimpering in a dusty corner. not to mention that i need to get all the october homeschooling things taken care of. i know none of that sounds as relaxing as camping; & it isn't; but if i don't get my home back in order there's just no way i can relax. i don't do well living in chaos.

& on that note, i'm off. i hope you have a lovely day.

~peace.