Some paths run through the weeds before they get to the flowers.

Do not go where the path may lead, 

go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

We had our path all planned out...if not the actual driving path, then the path on which we would forge ahead with our new life.  Only one small, minuscule, problematic obstacle continues to stand in the way.  HOUSE.

Everyone loves it...but no one will buy it.  So, as September looms, I am reminded that I will not be entering a classroom, attending meetings, or getting paid.  Not that I am upset about any of it.  It is just a reminder of how long it is taking for us to begin on this new path.

The one thing I am thoroughly enjoying is the freedom I am experiencing.  My mind is moving at a mile a minute, so sleep has not been forthcoming without some sort of small, oval aid.  My creative juices are flowing which makes it painfully obvious how much I am lacking in certain skills.  

My newest passion, which has been bubbling at the surface for some time, is writing.  I just published my first article for an online site called Suite101.com.   Here it is...

When Your Mammogram Leads to a Lumpectomy

I hope to only improve, but now that I have, so they say, "popped my cherry," the words should come a little easier.

 If I could focus on only this, that may be the case, but I am also working on my other newest passion; beading.  I know next-to-nothing about making jewelry, but with Youtube as my guide, I am finding it to be quite fun.  Sadly, though, it has brought to the forefront how badly I need glasses.  (I used to wear reading glasses once-upon-a time).  Thanks to my $3 in CVS ExtraBucks, I was able to get a pair of 125 strength eyeglasses.  Which, of course, inspired me to make some beaded eyeglass lanyards.  Cause and effect people.

My hope is that at the very least, I will be able to use some new-found skills and talents to make a few Extra Bucks of my own.

And then, there's the man...

Throughout this summer, Steve has been working non-stop.  We have barely seen him.  Between working details for the East Providence Police Department, and helping a friend with his beer line cleaning business, daddy has been very busy. We love him for all he has done. It has been tough.  We are hoping the stress, lack of sleep, and long, long hours will be worth it.

 The path we are taking is not traditional or conventional; and it isn't scary.  I guess it should be; but, as my mom has always said about us, somehow, we fall into shit and come out smelling like roses.  Compared to the manure we could be in, this isn't so bad.  And the sweet smell of roses will be even more fragrant when we finally break lose and hit the road.

You can take the teacher out of the classroom...

but, well, you know the rest.  So, to fulfill my need to constantly provide educational information and tools, please click this link to check out this awesome website.  I don't remember who first introduced this site to me, or if I found it by chance, but I go to it very often for great materials and products.  Take some time to search the site and check out the great products they sell.  Teachers and Homeschoolers will find many things to get excited about!

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I am not sure how I will look back on this summer.  

It has been far from the typical cliché vacation.

We have not traveled at all.  Eagle is just sitting there, looking hum-drum and entertaining the mice.  We never put up a pool because we didn't think we'd still be here.

I am just finishing up a 12-day stint of Summer School teaching.  Not something I ever saw myself doing.  Why am I doing it?  Same reason Steve is working un-Godly hours cleaning beer lines and being a human traffic cone.  No need to beat around the bush...We need the money.

I am officially on leave from my teaching job so, as of June 10, I have not been paid.  We are living off savings at this point.  The dream of being on the road by end-of-summer is slowly being smashed to smithereens.

But... we have not yet found ourselves between a rock and a hard place...

it will all work out, come Hell or high water.  

I just keep reciting this to myself.  It will all work out.  It may not work out in our time-frame or in the way in which we perceived it, but it will work out the way it should. You just have to keep your head above water.

I am seeing reasons why we haven't left yet.   One is the reason why I am teaching Summer School...to help out a friend.  And when the opportunity came to make the money, I had to take it.  Even though I HATE getting out the door 4 days a week at 7am with three kids!  I am looking forward to next week when I can just begin my summer.  Not that I won't keep working...I mean, money doesn't grow on trees.

Steve, too, has been on the clock since the first week of July.  He is also helping a friend with his business cleaning beer taps.  If nothing else, he'll learn a new skill.  There are worse things to know than how to keep your keg lines clean.  It's amazing how absolutely disgusting some bars and restaurants keep their systems.  I won't say where, out of professional courtesy.  But, yeah, look before you draught.

Steve's hours have been many and have made for very long days.  It's been a work summer so far, but we are thankful for the opportunities to work as many people have none, or, at least, no desire to take them.  And, in the long run, maybe this will all work out.  Our Fall 2011 may look different than the vision we had a year ago.  Being flexible is key...you have to bend with the wind; roll with the punches.

Anyway, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.  Where there's a will, there's a way.  Nothing ventured; nothing gained.    And we have everything to gain...so...

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!