Weekend Woes

I hope everyone had an amazing 4th! Mine was oh so bittersweet. Spontaneously, I decided to go home to southern Illinois for the 4th. I wanted to get away if only for the day. Smell the fresh cut grass, hear the locusts sing me to sleep and enjoy the calmness of home. A mellow ease fell over me as soon as I left the city limits. I instantly knew my Sunday was going to be what I've been missing.

*dress will be up for sale tomorrow in the late evening*

I awoke at my family's house, I seriously got the best sleep I have had in months, set out to prepare for an afternoon of grilling and lounging. Chicken kabobs with avocado glaze and fresh lemon, cucumber salad and a refreshing fruit salad was on the menu! Yummy indeed! Not to mention, the best black tea with fresh raspberries!! It was perfection, laughing with my mom and brother Jon and my adorable sister in law Heidi. It's probably my favorite treat when I go home.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Chicago, but when I'm there, I don't want to leave. That's why it is always so hard for me to take enough time off from work to go there. I never can take enough. I so much want to buy a little house somewhere small that can give me the same feeling of home. A beautiful yard, a quaint little house with screen doors, a clothing line and a porch. I don't think I'd rather be anywhere else in the evening than on a little porch enjoying the night air and the quiet, yet loud noises of locusts singing in the night. Taking photos of my vintage finds and playing dress up all day long and sending off my pretty little packages of vintage goodies to the lovely people who enjoy them.

My Mom, Sharyn and my favorite kitty, Orange Kitty...yes, that's it name.

One of my favorite parts of the trip, there are may, was spending much needed time with my dear friend Wes. Sitting on the porch enjoying the late night air and then taking a long long drive on all the back dirt roads talking about life and listening to good music. It really makes the stresses of everyday life seem so small and unimportant. Everything suddenly calm, relaxed and easy.

I love my family very much. Despite differences and distance, I feel closer to them now than I ever have in my life. My efforts this year to see them more and talk to them about things that are more important than the typical "how are things" will be my most important goal. Support and love for and from family and friends is what will make this the year what I need it to be.