*happy*

It's so good to be back, you guys. I never realized how much I loved it here until I left. Nor realized that I'm a bit of a complex person.. lol. See, I've tried it all- country life, city life, suburban life.. And really.. I feel like I fit in each place.

Part of me LOVES the city- I love the energy, the constant buzz, the opportunity, the convenience & proximity of shopping options, the fashion, the design, etc. I enjoy it so much. I lived almost a year in the city. The only part I didn't like was the dirtiness, the bums, & lack of SPACE.

I spent almost a year in midwest suburbia, development-land, whatever you want to call it, as well. And really, I loved it there too. I loved the neighbors, the cute little neighborhoods, the perfectly manicured lawns and bushes, the beautiful bike path, & my running route. And, I'll admit- I kind of liked the stupid status-y stigma. However, I still felt like my wings were clipped.

I never would have told you I loved the country 5 years ago. Uh-uh, no way. I wanted out. And I got out... and came skipping back last week. :) Oh my gosh, this place is beautiful. I LOVVVEEE New England. I don't care if we have cold snowy winters, or if Cracker Barrell hasn't made it's way into Maine yet. This place is gorgeous, and I'm so thankful to be here. If I ever forget that, would you all remind me please??

Anyway.. call me a chameleon.. I can learn to love it just about anywhere. I think that's what God's taught me these past few years. I've gone through periods when I hated where I was.. only to lose precious time I could have been enjoying my surroundings. So seriously, if you don't like where you're at right now, learn to okay?? God puts us in places to stretch us sometimes. And I believe that if we learn to appreciate where we're at, it enables him to bless us through it. I missed out on several blessings I'm sure while I was in high school and hating northern Maine. Now that I'm back and my eyes are open.. God is blessing me abundantly. Just tonight he sent me a little message in the form of beauty:

This is the view from my parents' front yard. Gorgeous, eh? Oh, and Canada's on the other side of that mountain. We'll blame the "eh's" on that, okay? :)

Here's a quick rundown of what's going on: My parents have made their basement into somewhat of an apartment for us for right now. We're house hunting at the moment, and will buy as soon as God leads us to the right one. Z's got a job and starts monday. I've had two interviews since I got here, and I felt pretty confident about both of them (I'm a bit over-qualified for them..). I should know about both of them by Friday. I've said the same prayer before each- just that God would bless my words, and that I would be hired where HE wants me, not where I want. Sure takes the stress out of interviewing. I do my best, and if it's where he wants me, I'll get it. Simple enough. My dad's in Louisville on business and my mom and sisters left to visit a college in TN today, so Z and I are alone in this big house for a week. I plan to get lots of cleaning and fall decorating done for my mom while they're gone. I'm just feeling super blessed right now, even though things are in a big transition stage. Anyone else able to relate??

Oh, and a BIG shoutout to my fellow New England bloggers! Glad to be back with ya, ladies!! :)