Vacay, oh sweet vacay.

While it already feels like light years away (isn't it nuts how a work week will do that?), we had a spectacular time. Spectacular in the "sleep late, read, lay in the sun, etc." kind of way - which was exactly what we wanted and needed. For the most part, Baxter and I are "do-ers" on vacation. Give us a Lonely Planet and we'll conquer the world. Twice. But this time, we planned an agenda consisting of nothing more than the beautiful sun of the Riveria Maya:


and Harry Potter. We both read the sixth book of the series while we were there (Baxter also read some significantly more weighty material as well), and lets just say I'm still emotionally processing the end of Half Blood Prince. (*moment of silence*).


(Isn't he TOO cute?) Here's a basic recap of trip: yes, we love each other more than ever and it was a dream to celebrate our anniversary in such a beautiful place. And yes, the resort and ocean were fantastic, we're so lucky. (Sigh, this is not bitterness - just the semi-sad nostalgia from life after vacation.) Team Bentley footloose and fancy free:

I promise my cover-up was not scandulous . . . it just looks semi-hoochie here. What I DO NOT understand . . . is those MANY people who decided that since they had been at the beach, it was acceptable to wear your (potentially still wet) swimsuit as undergarments on the plane. NO PEOPLE, NO. THIS IS NOT OK. But I digress.

I also suppose that the glory of vacation has faded in the demand of the MANY things that required our attention quickly after our return. Kind of a bummer about vacation, right? It always has to end, and reality never really does. I think that's why we all need time away, to allow us an opportunity for rest and perspective. Both of which I know are critical to a whole and happy Katie. That and a kid whose name rhymes with Maxter.

One major thing going on right now is the selling of our house. We've ventured into the "For Sale By Owner" world, so far with positive results. Say prayer for an offer and contract SOON from a very sweet young couple. If we could square this away with such ease it would be a DREAM . . . and we are hesitantly hopeful. But if it doesn't, here's a picture that might convince you to quit your job, sell YOUR house, buy OURS, and enjoy life forever in the Cowboy Capital of the World.

Sigh, my pretty, pretty kitchen . . . you've been good to me. Counter space and cabinets for days! However, it has not always been so. The picture below is what we started with . . . and the condition in which we bought the house. How my husband convinced me we could get from that to this, I may never know. But boy am I glad he did!


I could never decide what I loved more, the brown/orangeish stained lineloum, the attempt at shabby sheik door-less cabinets, or the washer/dryer combo next to the stove. Luckily, two out of the three disappeared relatively quickly due to the love and labor of our precious families (remember laying that floor Daddy B? How long was it you stayed, 11 days?!)

We have loved our little house, and transforming it from a collegiate explosion of color and dirt to an updated, clean oasis that we call home. So, if you think about it - say a prayer that our little homestead would sell quickly. Until then, I'll leave us both to look wistfully at what was my view this time last week: