and then there were five....

::painting pottery at fired-up::

this is laurie

~she's deb's friend, not a blogger...gasp... and i said....sure, bring her along~

this is deb

this is the queen. the rock fairy.

i call her sweet kim.

and

this is debi

~

we were all strangers. blogging friends. with big curious hearts. i asked if they wanted to visit. they said yes.

{i warned them that i swear and can't stand smelly perfumes. i should have warned them that i'm not the greatest hostess. oh well. now they know}

~

three of them drove over ten hours from texas to get here. kim flew from new hampshire.

and

when we were all together

we shared and laughed. we cried and created. we listened and learned.

~

we walked and photographed everything. we didn't spend enough time on the beach. we ate amazing food created by deb and laurie. we tried to learn some arty things from kim.

{i'm an awful student}

~

seashells were found. beautiful gifts were given. sleeping hours were short. warmth from the sun was minimal. hearts were opened wide. ideas and techniques were shared. candles were lit. wine was drunk. stories were told. a canvas with overlapping hand prints was made thanks to debi. the smell of coffee filled every morning's air. bravery was tangible. new foods were eaten. {yep. i actually ate jicama} sophie was loved on. massages were given {actually only to me. thank you laurie for being an amazing massage therapist}

and

in the rare moments of down time

loved ones were called

letting them know how much they were missed and how much fun we were having

~

was it always easy. no.

five women. enough said.

{it takes real women to admit, know and understand that}

but

was it worth it.

more than i'll ever be able to tell you. and were our big curious hearts filled. to the brim.

*

thank you

thank you thank you

kim and deb and laurie and debi

for being brave enough

to take a chance on

me

~

thank you kim

for staying {and putting up} with me the longest. you really got to see seaside at its best.

lucky you.

{i think you got to see me at my best, too}

i am so blessed to have had you all to myself.

~

and

thank you hubby

for allowing me to have yet another amazing life experience

that never would have happened without

your love

~

you are more amazing

than you'll ever know

*