My little yellow house...

...is going on the market, hopefully soon.

I love this house. It's so cozy and charming. Just the right size for me and Lincoln.

Plenty of space when people come over,

but not so big that it feels empty when I am alone.

Sadly, since I moved in the latter times far outnumber the former.

Over the years I have had so many wonderful friends in Wheeling. I'm down to about four. I love these women, too, but due to families and work and more babies on the way our schedules rarely align.

So last week I met with my realtor to talk about what it will take to get my house market-ready.

One reason I bought this house was that it was in great move-in condition, and thankfully that is mostly still true.

The biggest job is curb appeal--my yard is my achilles' heel.
And decluttering everywhere!

How did I get so much crap into this little house in so little time?

It's in my blood unfortunately.

I am working on it though, and if you need anything--clothes, furniture, knick knacks, books, etc, you should call me b/c I am just crazy enough to give almost anything away! (Not my bedroon suite, Lara, sorry)

So over the next few weeks I'll be spending my free time getting this house into beautiful order in hopes that it will be officially listed ASAP!

If you are in Wheeling and want to help me out--come on over! If you know anyone looking to buy an adorable home in Wheeling, please let me know, I'll connect you with my realtor! It's perfect for the first time homebuyer and that tax credit is still available!

What's next? This remains unclear. I'll move somewhere more central to my work travels, and somewhere where I can live with people and do my work around people more often.

As I look back on what I have written here I realize I have not communicated the sadness and struggle through which I have come to this decision. I still love Wheeling. I have loved my time here. But to everything there is a season, and mine here seems to be ending. Perhaps I'll write more about that later. For now, I have some stuff to pack away!

I could have had a baby since my last post...

I didn't. It isn't that I haven't written because I have been so busy incubating another human life that I didn't have the energy to write a few paragraphs. I'm just noting that I *could* have because it has been nearly 9 months since I last wrote and promised to write more often.

This summer a very wise man told me (after I had apologized for something that I didn't really need to apologize for, and honestly wasn't sorry about)
"Katie, Jesus did not die for our false guilt."

So I won't apologize for not writing.

What brings me back to the blog? My rapidly approaching 30th birthday? maybe.
Anticipating a year of discernment and transition? perhaps.
Another writing project that I am avoiding? There it is!

In anticipation of the big 3-0, as well as potential transitions on many fronts, I do think I'll try to blog more often. Mostly b/c I need someplace to get these things OUT OF MY HEAD. For tonight, though, I will just share some photos from the best vacation I have ever taken.

A month ago, I went to Bethany Beach with some old friends and one new friend. We had the most wonderful time. These photos do not do the time justice, but basically here's what happened:

These friends and I all lived in Wheeling at the same time a few years ago. We, along with a few others who couldn't be with us, used to socialize by going to the market on Saturday and buying good, fresh ingredients and then converging on someone's kitchen to cook the MOST wonderful food, drink wine, listen to music, talk about big stuff and little stuff, and laugh and laugh. It was the best time of my life in Wheeling. It was the age of my veranda and Damian's little kitchen.

The beach vacation was basically that: food, wine, music, laughter, good conversation AND we went to the beach every day. I can't explain how good it was. Here are some pictures, many of the food :)

What a great weekend--let's do it again soon, friends!