The More I Clean... The Messier It Gets...

I never intend on staying up all night before an early flight, but somehow it always happens :) We're leaving for NY in the morning. It's 3:45am and the shuttle is coming at 5am, so why sleep now, right? Cat nap for a minute or two maybe... we'll see.

We got home this evening LOOKING like Santa with our suitcases and bags-o-goodies :) But I had the strong need to purge before putting things away.

I only got the bathroom done.

But hey! That's at least something. I threw away all the out of date medicines and vitamins... and continued to fill my bag that will eventually go to Goodwill... got rid of any other unnecessary items. Then I cleaned that sucker like no one's business! WHEW that feels good.

But the bedroom only got messier as a result. Ughh. That's for when we return.

We're always coming home for a few days at a time... and I think stuff builds up even more than the average person. We put things down, and it's hard to get the gumption up to REALLY clean when you know you're not gonna be there more than a couple of days. But this is our home... even if it's only a few hours at a time :) So getting a little bit done here and there is better than nothing at all.

Mamma mentioned yesterday that she didn't feel as sad about Christmas being over as most years because there's so much to look forward to this year. I must agree. And THAT in of itself is an incredible feeling!!! To have so much to look forward to that you get giddy with anticipation. Life still happens all around us - the hardships and rough times. But there is so much goodness and excitement. And the good times become even MORE meaningful when things aren't always just fine and dandy.

So I am thankful at the end of this year. For ALL that has happened and all that is to come.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

I Made It!!!

Whew. We've had ummm 15 or 17 shows in a row with no break... I can't remember right now and I don't have the energy to go count. This whole year I have seen this stretch of shows on the calendar and it was the leg of touring I was the most concerned about. If they were all college shows, it wouldn't have been a problem. But when the book ends (3 days on the front and 3 days at the end) are at some of our longest club nights... well, I just have to be extra careful with my voice.

But yay!!! I made it! I won't be speaking tomorrow at all on the drive home. Give my voice some rest. We won't sleep much tonight - it's already 6:15am and we need to be out of here by 11. But hey, at least I am not singing tomorrow!!! I can always handle little sleep. but when you pair little sleep with lots of singing... it can be rough.

I love Spinnaker. I really do. I went to the beach this afternoon before the show. And James and I just stood up on the balcony at Spinnaker before we packed up and took in one last look at the ocean.

It's been really fun having Justin back on this trip. He is an incredible singer and an extremely charismatic performer - he knows how to get an audience all riled up! I'm gonna miss him!

Heading to bed. And tomorrow I head to my own bed for a few nights! WOOO HOO!!!


Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie