This Journey Called Life....

...is chock-full of highs and lows, isn't it?!  Well, at least in our family...because we live.  We engage the world around us...put ourselves out there.  Sometimes wear our hearts on our sleeves.

These past few days have been a bit of a roller coaster.











Fleetwood Community Theater worked hard for the last couple of months to put on the musical, Mary Poppins, and I had the pleasure of choreographing several scenes.  This weekend, our four shows went splendidly.  Given the nature of live theater we did have our hiccups and tech issues, but everyone handled those like pros!  I had so much fun with the whole experience.  I even got to be part of the stage crew, moving props on and off the stage and helping actors with quick costume changes in the wings.  That was a brand new role for me, and I have the bruises to prove it!  Yeah, my "night vision" is not so great, therefore moving around backstage in the dark was a bit hazardous for me, lol!

Would I do it again?  \

                    If they ask me....probably.

Also this weekend, we learned that William, who stayed behind in NY when the rest of us moved back to PA, is going to be moving back here in October.  I am so thrilled about this!  Westbrook Enterprise is doing quite well.  In fact, Don and Nate can barely keep up with the work, so Don offered William the opportunity to join them, hence his decision to leave the golf course at the end of this season.  William is going to help the family business expand, too, into septic system design and inspection, taking classes and earning certifications next winter when the installation work slows down a bit.

William is so different from Nate and Don.  He brings balance to the family, and he'll be a great addition to the business.

And, now for the sad news:

Brook and Nate broke off their engagement.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Returned the ring, too.  The details are a private matter.  Nate is heart-broken at the moment, and the rest of us share in his pain because we were all invested. But, there is also an element of relief.  Some underlying issues rose to the surface in the last few weeks; some important things that Nate insisted be resolved before the wedding, and Brook is not ready to deal with those things, so it is better that they wait.  They may, yet, work things out.  However, if they cannot, better they figure that out before they jump into marriage.  We will be praying for both of them, that God will direct their paths!

In the meantime, since Nate already secured a spacious two-bedroom apartment, William already has a place to live when he moves here in about two months!

All the sweet kittens went to their new homes last Thursday.  They entertained me immensely for six weeks, but alas, they had to go.  We already have four adult cats living on our property which is quite enough.  But, I was still a bit blue on Friday and Saturday, without them running around the kitchen, playing in our shoes and snuggling with me on the couch.  Not to worry, though....Don to the rescue!  (I say that, tongue-in-cheek!)

Rosemary has been wanting her own dog for about a year...one who can travel with her, accompany her around the horses.  She saved up her money.  Our friend, Brianne's, Aussie Shepherd had a litter and made Rosie an offer.  How could she refuse?  Tig and Penny have been terrific dogs; fairly easy to train, obedient for the most part, and very loving.  So, Don and Rosie drove up to Brianne and Mike's on Saturday, while I was at the theater.

What I never expected...

Don and Rosie decided to buy Grace an early birthday gift....Brianne had one last puppy for whom she has been unable to find a suitable home, so she made my family a sweet deal that, apparently, Don couldn't refuse....

Not only did Quigley join our family, but Audrey, too!  The girls are thrilled.  They are both very good at dog training and care, so I am confident we'll have all well-behaved dogs.  But...but...FOUR dogs under the age of 5 years in one household!?  Well, at least until our girls choose to move out and, hopefully, take their dog with them, but one never knows for sure how that will all work out with young adults!  Oh my word!

Don plans to fence more of the property so that they all have plenty of running space as these little ones grow up.  OYE!  My husband is NUTS!  His impulsivity both thrills me and frustrates me!

Thankfully, I have off on this rainy Monday.  Between 30 hours a week at the salon and Mary Poppins' rehearsals and shows, I desperately need some downtime today.  My body is adjusting to some new medication, too, so I'm feeling exhausted and nauseous these last few days.  Good day to relax with some puppy love, right?!

Next blog update with adorable puppy pics in August; expect some baby goat pics, too...Wow!...this summer is just flying by too quickly!  I need a vacation!

Behind the Chair And More

Blogging is a flexible hobby, thankfully.  During this busy season of my life, I don't have as much time to sit, reflect, and compose as I once did.  But, I do still take MANY photos, capturing a plethora of moments from the quiet and serene to the action-packed affairs that fill our lives here at Dealan-De Farm.

We've been back in PA for over a year.  The pace of life right now is definitely more frenetic than it was during our years in little ole Homer, New York.  Less quiet afternoons wandering through the woods, more time commitments and activity.  We have settled into a fairly steady rhythm, though.

When I turned 30...ehem...too many years ago...I developed a heart for young women in that 17 to 24-year range.  Those can be some tough, challenging years to navigate, I know firsthand. Finding oneself.  I thought I would love to mentor, encourage and even inspire young women by becoming a youth leader at church.  That door, however, never opened for me.

Instead, I became a hairstylist at 40.

Now, more than ten years after those first stirrings in my heart, I happen to work with young women everyday - both my fellow stylists, and some of my salon guests!

A couple of weeks ago, Don prompted me to think about my goals and plans in my new career...

...He was thinking more about financial gain and position...He encouraged me to consider other options besides working in this corporate-owned salon.

The more I dwelt upon it, however, the more I realized, "I am here for a reason and I am not supposed to go anywhere right now."  Last weekend, a young mom, pregnant with her second child, sat in my chair for some highlights.  She's going through some rough stuff with her fiance and feeling defeated.  I was able to encourage her and offer some positivity.  I keep her in my prayers even after our time together.  How cool is that?  God orchestrates these meetings, I'm sure, and I'm so humbled that He chooses me to be His tool sometimes.  If I want to fulfill my heart's desire to pour into the next generation of  women (truly, women of all ages), then I am in the perfect place!  And, I feel like I can be far more effective where I am, behind the chair, than I ever would've been as a youth leader in a church.

Switching gears now, I want to share some photos of fun things we've been doing lately, from visiting a Celtic Festival a few weeks ago to celebrating Independence Day at one of my fave places, Buttonwood Beach down by the Chesapeake Bay to an afternoon hike with Rosemary, and of course, one more kitten photo...

This celtic musical group, all siblings, was terrific!

Couldn't leave the festival without something!  This pretty plaid wrap is a gift from my hubby!

With the wedding only about two months away, we figured it was a good time to introduce Brook to Buttonwood Beach, where Nate spent quite a bit of time with me, his siblings and my Dad during his childhood.  It was high time she met Nate's other crazy cool grandparents, my mom and dad, too!

What a lovely day that was!

Hiking with my daughters and my dogs has been a cherished pastime over the last decade.  However, this summer, between our work and school schedules, plus my commitment to the community theater, we rarely get a chance to get out together lately.

Today, Rosie and I made it happen!  Sure, it was a little warm and buggy, but we enjoyed exploring a new park.  And, Rosie was thrilled to note that horseback riding is allowed here, so I'm sure we'll be back.

There is an old abandoned building covered in graffiti at the start of this trail, then the path is covered in raspberry bushes.  I should've brought a basket for the berries!

And, finally, I have about one more week of the "kitten invasion".  Having Mickey's litter in the house has been AWESOME!  They are sweet and cuddly and sooo entertaining.  Nothing like kittens to reduce stress and soften the soul.

The opening night of Mary Poppins is just one week away - Yikes!  My work is mostly finished, of course.  Just helping out with the finishing touches.  I am proud of our ensemble and I know they will put on a terrific show next weekend.


Keep watching my blog for a special surprise coming up....more than one,  in fact.

Grace's goats will have their kids next month, so more adorable animal pics to share.  We are 90% sure that at least one of them is carrying twins!

This guy is beat from our hike today!