time flies, but is it fun?!?!

and many say, if it isn't fun, why do it?!? why, indeed =) last weekend, i spent my first weekend working for "high rock security". it was quite an interesting and fun experience. i got to work the "harmony festival", in santa rosa california. i got to spend the ride down with a good friend, and the ride home with a new friend. this was my little camping space, at our compound at harmony:

now, lest you not appreciate the enormity of this, let me just say it's probably been more than ten years since i've slept on the ground, so this was quite a challenge to me. we later had very nice RV's i got to sleep in the last night, but mostly, i wanted to stay in this tent to see if i could do it. i am happy to report that i could and i did, and with no sore muscles or aching old bodies, either. pretty decent for a chubby old lady =) here's our compound:

and finally, this was the harmony festival before thousands more than we saw friday descended on this urban hippy fest:

i will say only that i am inspired and amused at the various and sundry ways in which urban hippies will try to get out of paying for said urban hippy fest and still enjoy the festivities. it was an educational and amazing experience for me on a lot of different levels. soon, i shall be a california licensed security guard. i am not sure if i should feel proud of afraid =)

in the ensuing week, times are a-changing for me and mine. i am almost experiencing empty nest now. chris is in afghanistan, and looking forward to his liberty soon in columbia. it's a part of the world he's never seen before and neither have i. i can't wait to hear of his adventures. he's busy out living life, but i sure wish he was more cerebral in recording it...mostly so i can live vicariously through him...wishes for safe travels are definitely being sent his way....

about a week ago now, bri moved out again, too. i am very proud of her. she moved back down to where she lived before, with corey. this was her choice, and i think a good thing for her. sometimes i think it's good to shake people up and make sure they are still on their toes =) and in anticipation of our lives changing drastically due to dan's military retirement, we now have no one living in our house who isn't contributing financially. we couldn't do it anymore. there's a part of me that feels guilty about asking people to leave when i know they were depending on me to "take care of them"...but then another part of me feels colossally relieved, the atmosphere in my house seems much lighter, the house is LOADS cleaner, and in general, i feel very good about what has happened. other adults shouldn't have to take care of each other, except for the normal ebb and flow that occurs when partners lives change and evolve.

this weekend that just passed, was spent experiencing ranger love, in various forms. ranger training was attended, ranger friends not seen for awhile seen and loved up on, gifts given, gifts received, and a whole lot of goodness going on! i heart my khaki clan!

that's about it for the moment. just about a month to compression. holy crap!

peace!