Wednesday, April 22, 2009

three digit goodbye.

I would argue that most goodbyes are hard.   Let's be honest.  The only ones that are okay, are the ones that for one reason or another, alleviate stress, or are the first step in taking you back to a place you've missed more.

Last week Audry and I said a goodbye to the most recent of our loved and fondly reflected upon, 3 digit houses.  If we kept record, 3 digits are all we would need for some of our favorite addresses.  Sure, there was 275, 309, and 240... all numbers that I will look back on lovingly in the 517 area code... The two latter of which, will never make me look at that time on a clock, the same way again. In fact, it's guaranteed that if i find myself in the presence of any former roommate, and that time chimes (3:09, 2:40), an honorary announcement, and acknowledgement will be made.  It's a bond we share. and we love it. 

Well, last weekend, 644 joined those rankings... From here on out, you'll find it in the chapter of "Friends 3 digits we miss".  And so here is her goodbye... a tribute to a classic.

today we say goodbye to the lovely miss 644 Union.  As our great friends leave her, she will be left behind with the good, the bad, and the ugly... as all of us are.  We will all be a little better off to part ways with that d@mn side door,  that freezing living room at night, and the bathroom with no fan and the window that doesn't open (ick).   As all good friends are though, her strengths always surpassed her weaknesses.   We will miss the confidentiality of her walls, and the way that we could defy physics, and (almost) always surpass the weight limit on the pullout couch in her living room.  Let's also not fail to remember one of my favorites, the summer day where we sat on her awesome porch, ate chocolate chip pancakes, and took the time to take in the surroundings.  We will miss all the primping that went on there... whether it was for New Years, dinner, or a trip downtown. But no less will we miss the days of sleeping too late, and laughing out loud, but never too loud.  I will miss the artwork on her walls, and the sounds that lived there.  A little 50, mixed with classic rock and some over the rhine... see, it's hard to imagine how such a mix could be so good! but trust me, it always was :)   We will miss the tv watching that went on there... the discovery channel specials on anything from the rain forests to odd cults (yes, sometimes intriguing)... and the movies watched on that couch (honorable mention to blue crush for the perfectly lazy day it blended so well on a DWYWW - and P.S I love you, which was always intended to be watched there, but never was).  She will not be left in bad company.  With this next move, she joins the likings of 711 Hawthorne and 588 Notre Dame. both classics in themselves. 

So today I leave you with a glimpse into the welcoming arms of a house that was lived in, in an unparalleled way to most of her neighbors on any given Saturday throughout the year. 

xoxo 644.  we'll miss you. 



Thursday, April 2, 2009

Sunny with a high of 75

I'll be the first to say that one of the top reasons I love living in Michigan is because of the four seasons... no, not as in Frankie Valli and his boys... although ever since I saw the movie Heart and Souls, I will forever love with the song "Walk Like a Man" :)  It was one of the first movies to ever stir emotion in my heart... I think I was ten, maybe twelve when I first saw it. 

Anyway, back on track... I love the seasons.  I love the gifts that each one brings, and honestly, feel bad for people who don't get to experience all of them in their glory! I still look forward to the first snow every year.  My heart is refreshed with joy when I see the first little flower poke its way through the soil (and am thankful that God continues to be faithful in bringing Spring again!). I love driving with the windows down, and sometimes air on too, because life is too short to not experience something so close to perfect! And I will always look forward to crunchy leaves, and hearing the weatherman prep his viewing area on when colors will be at their peak! See... I really do love them all :) 

Although, today, when I was looking at some old pics on my dads computer, I couldn't help but get excited for Summer to get here...  I'll post the pictures and explain why. 

This picture is one of my favorite summer pictures. For an obvious given, it's one of my favorite people :) But I love so many things about summer in this picture. 


                                                                  
 












* I love that you can tell it's the end 
of the day by the shadows that are being cast... and that it doesn't matter, because it's still beautiful enough to be outside. 
* I love the green... all the shades of beautiful green!
*Short sleeves and rosy cheeks!
* I love that it makes perfect sense to drink coca cola out of  a yellow, plastic goblet. 
* I love how Hannah's hair tells the story of how much playing was done that day. 
* and most of all, I love thinking back to the conversations that were had between Audry and our little Han.  Oh yeah... and the other pictures we took, that I guarantee will be duplicated her senior year of high school (I know... I would )


This is another great summer shot.  It's from our trip out to Krista's family cottage in Canada.  It's perfect because...


*we all were able to clear our busy schedules to spend a few days together.
*it was perfect weather for popsicles or cold beer.
* our (un)scheduled event was to watch God's glorious sunset...He never messes those up.

           




                                                                   












I love this shot.  It's not frame worthy, but it captures family summer parties.  And one more set of reminders on why summer is welcome back with open arms.

*you can sit on the back porch, and be entertained by all the outdoor activity.
*bare feet. 
* Dasha being tired from running her little heart out in the backyard... but still willing to take a stroll with her buddy :)
* First base not quite being tagged, but I think that's okay when the other team is all facing the opposite direction.
*slip n' slide.... need I say more?!?

how great is it that we get to experience it all!?!  I'm sure i'll eventually be back with my Winter, Spring, and Fall highlights too :) but until then... tell me why you're looking forward to welcoming back summer?!?!