when it rains, it snows

I am alive! Last week, I was in Maine with Devon’s family, and cell phone reception was spotty at best – and for most of the time we weren’t around any kind of computer. The vacation went wonderfully. Honestly. It was full, and intense and somewhat overwhelming in a beautiful way, but it was perfect. When we arrived on Sunday morning, we were met at the airport by Devon’s mom, step father and step sister, complete with fleece lined hoodies for us. Temp was about 42 degrees, and it was raining. It was about an hour and a half drive across the coast to where they lived. We stopped halfway as a surprise to eat lunch at a seafood restraunt where we were met by Devon’s father and step-mother. So basically, I got to meet the whole family all at once. Lunch was fantastic – I really didn’t need to order any food for myself – Devon’s father, who sat next to me ordered a seafood sampler platter and piled half of it on my plate for me to try, as I never tried much of it before. Everyone else piled on little samplings as well. It was wonderful, funny, loud and relaxing. Her family is crazy in a charming, endearing way and instantly I was just surrounded by good energy, peace and unconditional acceptance. There was no weirdness, no awkwardness at all.

On Monday, Devon’s sister in law Lauren was in a car accident, which kind of skewed plans a bit, since we all wanted to make sure she was okay. She suffered a few scrapes and bruises – her car did its job and protected her beautifully and gave it’s life in the process. It was a pretty bad wreck, but the important thing was that she’s okay. After she got home safely, Devon, her mom and I took off to go to Rockport briefly to look around and pick up a few things.

Tuesday/Wednessday were the days I was looking forward to the most, out of the whole trip. We were going to the Island of Islesboro off the coast, where her father and step-mother now lived, in her grandmother’s old A-frame house. The weather on Wednesday was forcasted to be a bit rocky. We got dropped off at the ferry around 3, and met her father there, carrying a box with 4 live lobsters in it. We made friends with the lobsters on the ferry on the way over to the island. I think this was a mistake. When we got to the island it was already dark (Did I mention it’s dark by 3:30 up there? And by 5, it’s pitch black?) Anyway, we got back to the house and were shown around (and by we, I mean I). I sat out on the porch, bundled up in 20 layers of clothing, mind you, with Devon’s father and talked to him a bit. Both he and Jen went out of their way to make me feel welcome and a part of the family, taking one on one time to talk to me, to hug and kiss me, and to tell me how special I was, and how grateful they were that I was in Devon’s life, and in theirs. We ate dinner – lobster and steak, with french fries and veggies. Watching Devon eat a lobster was slightly terrifying. She was ripping arms and claws and tails off left and right, water and stuff was spraying everywhere, things were cracking – and here I was, sitting there with a whole lobster on my plate, not quite knowing what to do with it. I figured it out, with lots of help. I tried it – wasn’t my favorite. I think it’s a taste you have to get used to, not one that you just instantaniously like. It was decent though. I focused on the steak. After dinner and cleanup, we went to the school Jen teaches at to go ghost hunting. While we didn’t get any videos or pictures of ghosts, or any spooky voice recordings, lights went on and off when no one was near the room, etc. Including one behind a locked door that we didn’t have the key to – and no one else was there. The school was awesome – I loved being there, and getting a special vip tour. Since its on the island, and there are maybe 600 people there total, it’s a small school, k-12. But Jen teaches 3rd and 4th grade, and her entire class only has 7 people in it. So yeah. On Wed morning, we woke up to snow. Like over a foot of it. I looked out the window, after I jolted awake when Devon went to go downstairs and was flabbergasted. We were going to get a tour of the island that day before taking the ferry back to the mainland, but those plans were put on hold a bit due to the weather. We did venture out for a little tour on the main road, stopping to take pictures and just revel in it. We didn’t go off the main road due to the possibility of getting stuck. But it was a blast. I threw snowballs, ran around like a mad person, ate snow, etc. It was absolutely beautiful.

Wednesday afternoon, we took the ferry back with Devon’s dad, were picked up on the mainland and went back to Devon’s mom’s house to start getting things ready for thanksgiving dinner. thursday was the big day – we were up at dawn on turkey basting duty – the turkey was a huge 37 pounds and needed two people to carry. Just an idea of how cold it was – we kept the turkey out on the enclosed porch when there was no room in the fridge. Before dinner, one of Lauren’s friends, Sinead and I went out to play in the snow. It wasn’t the right kind of snow for snowmen, although Devon’s mom did make a snow turkey – the snow witch melted. I attempted to make a snow angel, but it didn’t really succeed. It was more like a snow lump, since the snow had once again frozen over. Thanksgiving itself was a madhouse – we had 14 people in a not too big house, but it was a blast to meet and talk to everyone and play the mac-taylor version of musical chairs – every time you went into the room, people had moved around and you had to find a new spot, next to new people to sit. Dinner and desert were all amazing. Saying goodbye to everybody was hard, though – knowing we wouldn’t see Dad and Jen again – we all stood in the hallway and everyone was crying, and everyone left one right after the other. It was hard on Devon, especially. I understand.

On Friday, we got up and drove across the coast to Portland, which is the biggest city in Maine, about 2 hours away from her mom’s house. We met one of her high school friends for lunch and then wandered around Old Port, all the shops, etc. I got souveniers there. We left at about 5 to head back home, as Devon’s best friend Lisa was coming over to spend the night. We got home just in time, Lisa came over, and for some reason we decided to drive out to Freeport, which was almost where we JUST were in Portland to go to dinner and LL Bean. It was not my favorite trip ever, as we had just been in the car for 4 hours round trip, but I’m glad Devon had a good time. We got home late and crashed.

we went to Camden on Saturday for more shopping and Thai food, wandered around a bit, and Devon and I picked up steaks for everyone for dinner that night. We cooked them on the grill, warmed up the left over mashed potatoes and made everyone a nice dinner.

We had to get up early on Sunday to head back to the airport in Bangor, where everyone cried, etc. Our flight was delayed for over an hour, due to a seagull hitting the plane on the way in, and having to wait for a maintenence person to check it out. It was fine, and we were back home in Florida shortly after 2. Despite some drama upon our return, the trip was amazing. Not quite relaxing, but fun all the same. Picture entry to come soon, after I upload them from the camera onto the computer.

In other news, we changedwedding plans some – instead of Salem for the ceremony, we’re going to do the ceremony (but not the legal marriage) on Isleboro island at her dad’s house, right on the Atlantic ocean in mid-September. We are then going to honeymoon, and get legally married in Salem, and drive down to boston. It’s going to be a beautiful fall wedding. Yesterday for cyber monday, at 50% off, no less, Devon and I purchased her wedding dress, and plans are well underway for the big event. Honestly, I can’t wait.