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!