I tried to think of a jazzier name for this post, essential for reeling the reader in, but...I can't. It's its name. It means more than its name, but it really is and was a specific place. It was the place years ago (nearly 19 now!) that caught us when we moved to Canada. A fresh couple in our 20s, making the moves for our life together, our careers, just a stopping off point to the next things--that's what Vancouver was supposed to be. We moved from our well-loved Seattle apartment, our community of artsy friends, a fresh Master's degree on my part, a hip church with all the greatest music--to another city, another country! I felt the pride as we were pushed off by my grandparents (especially)--off to do great things! Cause Matthew was going to the prestigious Regent College, and he was well on his way to a career in The Church, like many in my family. Grandpa Harry was proud.   I don't know what I was thinking, really, not ever all that comfortable in The Church. ...

May 1st will be the 10 year mark of living in this here little blessing of an apartment.   Quiet, tree lined street Balcony Hardwood floors Original 60s kitchen Original 60s washroom--pink tubs and sinks included Shabby chic, as they used to say Just big enough Two washrooms (oh thank heavens!) Long term neighbours, and a welcoming cushion to new ones   I could go on.  I will! Some of you may remember that time I was practically evicted from my last place. One year after Matthew and I separated. I loved that place so much. So much! We had lived in the building for 6 years, between two different apartments. We started at the top, in the beauty. Then, finances got tough, since one of us was in grad school and we had a growing family. So, painfully, we moved downstairs. After that so much changed. Something about that move was a break in many ways, a new marker. I remember going back upstairs during that time, to a party hosted by the new tenants, and just longing with all o...

'Twas a bit ago, but I got engaged. WE got engaged!  "My fiancee", Simon will say to me with a fancy accent. It all happened back in November, right before my birthday. We were headed for our Mexico trip the next day! It COMPLETELY took me by surprise. Still does. Cause, I never wanted to get married again. Never! Hahahahahaha it's kind of like after childbirth when everyone says they'll never do that again and then whoops they do. Ok, maybe not everyone says that, but. If you don't say that well wow.  I never wanted to get married again. Find someone, sure. Share a life with someone, sure. But the M-Word! No way.  The suffocation of it all. I loved looking at my wedding finger EMPTY. I did. That free little finger. Nothing weighing it down. I do, like many--I'm sure--have an independent streak. Even the other night, leaving everyone here to go to my dance class on my bike in the dark rainyness, ohhhhhh the freedom of all that was amazing! Buh Bye EVERYONE...

When all is said and done And he is asleep I bleary-eye my way out of my warm, cozy bed Out of my room  Looking for my second wind The second wind that will  Mend the mending  Write the posts -- from swing years to thrift scores thru all the in betweens and overs and unders Plan the trips Organize the photos into tidy memories Do the things that aren't simply puttering Or eating ice cream out of the tub Do the things  With Intention, she says, that voice in there  But I think I left the second wind  Back in the bed Because all I can muster up is a few toys back to their basket and a bit more puttering -- through the time I've waited for all day --  Sending me back to the other time I've been waiting for all day:  sleep Cause all's been said and done And I can't do anything With Intention now  Except sleep.  If I don't -- Intentions will sleep in, With out me  They're sure needy.  And greedy.  And diligent. I wish they'd ge...

Below will be a series of stories from our trip. But first, an intro! But First, An Intro! When I was about 15 we went on a family trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I bought the beautiful Mexican blanket I still have today, that sits here in my office and sometimes comes out on picnics with us (although I stopped using it in that way due to my realization of how special it is to me and my fears of leaving it someplace!!).  Ever since, I have looked back fondly on that vacation. It was the first of a handful of special trips my family took growing up, that weren't just In State or Visiting Family--we went to NYC, Cabo, Phoenix, Hawaii, Disneyland, and Washington DC from when I was 12-21! I felt rich, doing such things. Cause before I was 12 we never did such things, and others around me came back from spring breaks with tans, and talked about airplanes and stuff like that.  Of all the trips, Mexico always held my heart the most. I love the beach and the sun, we ate dinner at rest...