The Return

In all good mythical tales the hero always returns home. The Odyssey that was Steve's journey has been but to a halt. A "false start," the PBO family calls it. As of today, Wednesday, Steve will be returning home.

What? Why? How? Well, seeing as the swirling, twirling, whirling dances my belly seems to be making these days, I don't have much creatively or energy for long expletives. The O2 that normally fills my brain seems to have headed south to more important creation endeavors. This week the creative explosion in my belly goes from the size of a lentil bean to a chick pea by weeks end. That's a lot of work, my friends!

Anyway, with baby Voller on the way and the house still not sold there came two simple realizations:

A: We can't afford 2 house payments.
B: We can't be apart during this pregnancy waiting for the house to sell.
(c. And a small side note, j couldn't stay with our friends, seeing as construction zones are not good for a pregnant woman to be around - very sad indeed. I was looking forward to getting a hammer in hand!)

So, Steve made the gallant, manly and tender decision to be with wife and her dancing belly until they could figure out what exactly the right decision is in a case like this one.

So with a dichotomy of much sadness and much happiness, Steve leaves Pittsboro. Steve really did love his job and the potential that it offered. He loved being outside for his work. He loved the learning process, his favorites being waste diversion, vermiculture, composting and of course, the farm piece. He mostly loved all of the people of Pittsboro. It's the kind of place that everyone waves to each other. The kind of place that sees rain for 2 days and wonders when their signature sun will return. The kind of place that supports local business. A real gem.

But lucky me, he loves me more than any career and is happy to return to be with me, our elle dog, and now the new member that's a brewin'. Plus, talking on cell phones is never great for getting important decisions made. It will be a blessing just to see his face over a nice dinner that I may, or may not be able to stomach.

We certainly did not plan to get pregnant right now. But alas, plans are never really our own anyway it seems. The Universe, or God, or Nature definitely has a sense of humor. Regardless, we are so excited!

We don't know if Steve's return is for good, temporary until the house situation gets figured out, or until baby Voller graces us with his/her presence, but we are at least together, and that, my friends, is how it should be. Anyone who has spent any time with the two of us knows the truth of that statement.

Until next time, my faithful readers, when the Voller Saga Continues...

Gifts of Pittsboro

And so, the adventure continues, starring Steve the hero, j the princess, and elle the mighty black steed.

Elle and Princess J galloped at a heated pace down south to Pittsboro-oria. The mission was clear. 2 weeks, although trite to some, was too long for our characters. We were missing each other's presence terribly! Finally, after what felt like 2 years the 3 were reunited on X-Campbell road heading towards Old graham.

A 14 hour journey made horse and rider sorry guests for the first evening. But just the act of laying head to pillow together was enough.

The days passed too quickly. Tours of Pittsboro and the outer cities were traveled, farms were toured from car window, elle's black ears flapping wildly as she sniffed all the new smells. A wonderful passive solar house on 7 acres for rent on a hill top overlooking a valley to the foothills was viewed and is now the new Voller homestead come end December. Dinners were shared. People were met. (we were invited to Mayor Vollers New Years Eve Party!) We headed back to nap on days well spent. The day is November 4th. The time 4pm.

I suppose life thinks it's funny. As the control freak of the relationship, you'd suppose j at least saw this coming! This could be too much information for some -- if so, scroll down. But if you've got a stomach for science read on. You may remember in a previous entry a mention of an ovarian cyst rupture. Yep. Well, as you know, j's system isn't the most reliable being on average a 75 day cycle. Basically she skips months. So, October was a skipping month until the cyst ruptured. We guess j ovulated when she wasn't suppose to. And, well, said goodbye to Steve.

So here we are 800 miles away and somehow the universe decides they'll shake things up.




Yes. That's TWO pink lines. Not one. TWO pink lines. And yes, that means what you think it means.

Against all odds!

Man, when the Vollers start shaking things up, watch out!

Although we are only 5 weeks along with the little Voller we figured we wanted to tell all of our close friends to get their energy, their support and their love vibes through the air whether north or south. We figured we would need all of your support in any case, so we're out with it!

Without further ado, with excitement, shock and amazing awe we announce --

Baby Voller. Due July 2007.