Headed toward Breitenbush and then the coast for vacation
09/04/2008 04:12 p.m.

So, come Sunday, Miah and I will be headed toward the middle of my fine state, Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort, at an elevation of about 2300 feet. So it will be chilly!!!! Breitenbush is an intentional community and worker owned cooperative whose mission it is to care for the hot springs, the land and the Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center. We'll be staying in a hard-floor tent, using our inflatable mattress as a bed, and electricity will be nada. Also, all the bathing and hot springs areas are "clothing optional". YIKES!!!! I'll probably "opt" to remain clothed! LOL!!! Miah and I are going there for Service Week, so we'll be donating about 4 hours a day toward the retreat's upkeep/maintenance (probably outdoors, on the grounds) in exchange for a greatly reduced lodging rate and use of the facilities (hot springs, daily sharing groups, etc.). Also, full vegetarian meals are included in the cost of lodging. That goes until Thursday at lunch. Then, Miah and I are headed to the oregon coast for two more days of the ocean. I can't WAIT to hear those waves on the shore and smell the good, salt air!

http://www.breitenbush.com/index.html

My mother will be taking care of Meme (her mother)this week. It's so wonderful to get a break! Not that the work of caring for Meme is taxing, but having to be here to do it four times a day, 7 days a week, is what's taxing. It will be awesome to have only ourselves to look after.

Miah and I are both looking forward to some time for just us, to look over our relationship and where it's going and try to make some sense of whether or not a future together is doable. It would be awesome if our time away could help us do that as I sure have experienced ALOT of confusion, doubt, and heartache over the last year and a half. But I've also experienced ALOT of growth, and love, and I feel that, because of having Miah in my life, I've resolved some pretty serious inner dilemnas.

Also, since the grocery store where Miah was a manager just closed (and he's consequently unemployed as a result) the timing of this trip couldn't be more perfect. When we get back, hopefully Miah will have a better idea of what he wants to pursue employment-wise as well, should we decide that we wish to continue our relationship.

And after that, I'm going to be turning 46. 'nuff said.

I am currently: looking forward
Listening to: my grandmother stirring around