Spontaneity and J-Land Photo Shoot

                                                        

Today marks my third year blogging here at aol journals! YEAY!

I'm linking this entry to the JLand Photo Shoot because I wanted the photos to be part of the photo shoot event. I call these photos "Sunrise at Carolina"... and there's a video to boot! If you would like to participate in the JLand Photo Shoot, click on the above link for details.

                             

Wednesday morning my husband and I had a moment of spontaneity. It was about 10 a.m.

After his first cup of coffee, I saw him step outside onto the front deck. That's his favorite thinking spot. He loves being outside on a beautiful day, and it was such a day. He leaned back into the old wooden chair, his eyes scanning the yard.

He had the next three days off, and we'd made no plans. I asked him what he wanted to do with his time off... he said he didn't know. Sometimes that's his answer when he doesn't really care. It's like a stall answer, saying nothing, remaining uncommitted.

But it was the way he said it that made me think that he really was wanting to do something, but needed to hear what I thought first. That was my clue to jump in and tell him.

"We could either go to the mountains... or to the coast," I suggested. The coast is about 300 miles east, the mountains the same distance west. I would have chosen the mountains, but I knew he loved to visit the coast. Our boat has been out ofcommission for two years now, so that wasn't one of our options.

He was silent for a few moments as he thought about it. "We could go to Beaufort or Carolina Beach... we haven't been there in years." I reminded him. It was true. Neither of us could remember when we last walked on any of the beaches of Pleasure Island (Kure, Carolina, or Ft. Fisher).    

                           

"Yeah... we could spend a couple of nights at Carolina Beach." He liked that idea.

"We could pack what we needed right now, jump in the car, and take off... nothing keeping us here. In three days, I'll be getting ready for VBS, and then school starts... summer is almost over," I reminded him.

His summers are not like mine. His workdays are longer than mine. He needed a break as well. We'd just gotten back from a family visit in Georgia and Florida, which was a great deal of fun. But we were both ready for some alone time. Middle of the week. It shouldn't be any trouble getting aroom right on the beach.

"Yeah," he said again. "Carolina Beach... we could go there. Relax. Walk around the beach..." he left the remainder of what he was thinking open.

"Then let's go pack the bags, load up the car and get on the road!" I said as I stepped in front of him. "Right now, let's go.Let's do something completely spontaneous!"

We packed everything we'd need for two days, and then some, and were on the road by 11:30 a.m.

                                        

It was fun... leaving like that. No cares, no responsibilities for the next three days and twonights. Just like those first three years of our marriage, before we became parents. Only this time, we could afford to take off. We didn't have to count pennies this time.

Responsibility and work and obligations were just three days away. But these three days would be ours.

                              

I took probably fifteen minutes of video... but shortened it to five for my journal.

If you would like a five minute respite, may I suggest visiting this aol uncut video anytime you desire to get away? I'd be honored to have you join me there.

Tags: JLand PhotoShoot#138, Carolina Beach, Early Morning Sunrise at Carolina,