2008 March | chatting at the sky

my crazy, mixed up (Hilton) head

March 30, 2008

We made it home from Hilton Head…my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and my kids. It was girls only this week. Well, except for the baby, but he doesn’t really count as a guy yet. Besides, he still has that pink paci and he spent more than a few hours in a princess pull up. To sum up the week, we pretty much ate too much chocolate, watched lots of chick flicks and bought way too many shoes. It was perfect.

Here is one last thought I wanted to share with you from the island.
Attention men and women of the world with hairstyles…come here and they will give you Harbour Town. For your hairstyle. Ain’t that nice of them? I think it ought to be Hairstyles for Your Hilton Head.

Anyway, so we’re home. Except it feels a bit less like home than it did when we left because there is a For Sale sign in the yard now. I felt kind of guilty when I saw it. I know. I’m a freak. It’s just that I love this house. And she’s kind of become like, the 6th member of our family. And we have fancied, polished and dressed her all up just to show her off and sell her to the highest bidder. And soon, we’re going to leave her and I don’t know if the next people will love her as much as we have. And that makes me sad. And now you see how deep my issues really go.

We had lots of showings while we were out of town. And I can tell people have touched my stuff. And it smells different. But it’s still clean, which is a perk. We are getting more excited about our new house…our 45 year old new house.

I think I’m ready to talk about it. Stay tuned.

Filed Under a freak, a girl, a house-lover 9 Comments

thankful for my Assets

March 27, 2008

So The Sisters have another post up over at Chic-Critique. And by The Sisters I mean my sister. She did it up right this week, critiquing some items that every girl needs in her bag of tricks. All I did this week was to assure her that yes, it is Spanx, not Spanks. But panty? Not sure. I always thought it was panty…but maybe it’s pantie?

Either way, hate that word. But love the Spanx.

Filed Under a girl, a sister 8 Comments

me and my nosey self

March 25, 2008

I have this thing where when I go see a movie in the theater, I don’t like to talk about it right away. And if I go with people who, right when the credits begin to roll, turn to me in the dark and say “So, whaddya think?” I will say nothing and just look at them. I don’t know why that is. I think it has something to do with the fact that I don’t want the strangers who sit behind us to hear my opinions. Because everyone just saw the same movie. To ask me what I thought is such an obvious question. Wow. That really made sense in my head.

But I had that same feeling walking in Harbour Town today. If you didn’t know about the couple who disappeared from here three weeks ago, you really wouldn’t notice anything different. Except everyone around here does know. And also because their boat is still in the harbor. I didn’t want to just walk confidently up to it and start snapping photos although maybe that would have been better than to pretend like that wasn’t why I was there.

So I lingered. And I took photos of the lighthouse and flowers and chains (yes, chains); some of my favorite things to photograph in the harbor. And then I sat down and shuffled some rocks. And then I took yet another picture of the lighthouse. And then I looked over my shoulder (yes, I really did) and snuck a few of the Yellow Jacket.

I’ve seen it here before…over the years of visiting the island. The yacht is small, especially compared to the Pa-Li-Ne that sits right next to it. Standing there looking at it, you would think her owners were simply down below or spending some time at the Quarterdeck for lunch. As I lingered, I heard passersby speculate about what may have happened to them, how they could have disappeared on purpose just to get away. At least 6 people took photos before I did. With their phones or their point and shoots. I could have gotten a better shot, but I would have had to get closer and it would have blown my cover. I don’t like to be obvious, you know.

I imagine to the locals it might be annoying. I might be annoying. Disrespectful, maybe? But there is something about a tragedy that has gained nationwide attention that causes people to want to gawk in spite of themselves, especially a story that is shrouded in so much mystery.

I stood there for a bit, imagining what may have happened to this couple, hoping they are still alive and will walk along the manicured lawns of the harbor and take up residence on their boat again. I kind of hate myself for taking a photo of their empty boat, evidence that something just isn’t right. It is sad and strange and it is none of my business, really. But being here, I can’t help but think of them. And to pray that maybe they are coming back.

Filed Under a freak 14 Comments

opposite day

March 23, 2008

The azaleas are blooming in Hilton Head. I don’t usually like azaleas. They are scrawny, burnt looking bushes most of the year. Until they bloom. And for those few weeks, they can certainly be beautiful. I am surprised that beauty can come from such an ugly bush.

I always forget how much I love the Low Country of South Carolina; how beautiful the water, the allure of the tree lined path of Plantation Drive. The Spanish moss hangs lazy and low from those branches. Every year I take some home with me. And every year I am disappointed that my baggie full of moss just isn’t the same away from the island.

Somehow the beauty of this place almost makes it lonely. Maybe it’s just because I know there is change waiting for us when we get back home. It is more likely because The Man isn’t with us. I think there is something about a beautiful place that demands intimate company or it almost seems as though it doesn’t count. I imagine Adam felt that way in the Garden before Eve was made but he didn’t know why.

It is sweet to be in such a beautiful place on a day that celebrates new life and freedom. It is hard to believe that beauty can come from suffering and death. I think of Isaiah 53:11: “After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.” What a prediction. What a promise. I often forget how opposite the Lord thinks from the way I think: how the last will be first, how beauty comes from ashes, how life comes from death. It doesn’t makes sense, really. But I am certainly thankful it is true.

Filed Under a girl 5 Comments

chic critique

March 20, 2008

In the midst of organizing, sorting, packing and yes, even real grown-up cleaning, I have found lots of fun things I forgot I had. Namely, lots and lots of new beauty products just waiting to be opened and used. A few of them have expired. And a few of them are duplicates of the same thing…as I have a hard time throwing out perfectly good, full bottles of pretty liquids even though they may be products I never use (ie: samples of foundation, eye make-up remover, dental floss). Kidding. Floss is not a liquid. And I do floss. Not gonna say how often, but I do.

I even got lucky in the self-grooming department recently as my mom’s very cute habit of leaving things behind when she visits paid off for me. If you want to hear more about that, check out the story over at chic critique. This when-exactly-did-I-last-take-a-shower girl has somehow found herself as one of the new contributers on a beauty product review site. It’s kind of fun, as The Nester and I are doing it together. What are we calling ourselves, you ask? Why, The Sisters…what else?

Filed Under a girl, a sister 4 Comments

i got house on the brain

March 18, 2008

I’ve been lacking in the self-reflection department lately. And the friend department, mom department, bathing department and just about any other department that doesn’t have to do with selling our house. It is shaping up nicely. A good thing, I know. But sort of bad, too…as seeing it so cute makes me know how much I’m going to miss it. It is hard for me to let go of things, even when I know what I have to look forward to is right and logical and even fun.

They’re coming tomorrow to take photos and video so we can list it. So we’ve been working crazy-like to get ready. I am at the point now where I’m throwing away unused bags of popcorn and perfectly good crayons because I just don’t want to organize one more thing. I know. Shocking.

I’m lucky though, because my mom came up to help. Too bad she’s a slacker.

All she did was empty my entire fridge, clean it, throw out expired food, organize my pantry, shine my stove and microwave, wash dishes, polish the counter top, mop the floors and clean a few bathrooms. Oh, and she watched the kids for a while. And scrubbed my outdoor furniture. And did all my laundry.

But that was nothing. Because I put a lot of elbow grease into this.

Look how clean that kitchen is. And organized. What an important thing I did. Because I know those picture men are really gonna hone in on the pink kitchen in my girls room because that’s what a buyer wants to see.

Seriously, we have all been working like dogs. Dogs, I tell you. Of course, if you worked dogs this hard, you would probably go to jail. But it’s gonna be worth it…I hope.

I will be posting photos of our new house as some of you have requested. It’s hard to post before photos before I have after photos. But I will. Until then, I’ll leave you with a cozy look at our porch. Don’t you wanna sit there and drink your coffee and watch the clouds go by?

Filed Under a house-lover 16 Comments

i spy with my little eye

March 17, 2008

…something that is pink. Yes, I said pink. He is not partial to paci colors. He is also not opposed to tutus, cheerleading skirts or pink high heels. Now go! Find that pink paci…

Filed Under a freak, a mother 17 Comments