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Well, after two day's of thought, I have decided to accept the contract with Intelliguide to update their West Virginia listing.

This comes in the same week we are scheduled to visit Greenbrier State Forest (GSF) for free as part of the "Host a Park" Program.

Then, right after our commitment to GSF, another magazine posted a need for photos from Lewisburg, WV - which is just a few miles from GSF.(Fate? Coincidence? Dumb Luck?)

Thus, within a few weeks of beginning this venture, I have two solid assignments, and am making a trip that could result in at least six different articles.

Did I mention I'm feeling excited? Perhaps a little overwhelmed?

YEE HAW!

I love it when a plan comes together!

The Intelliguide contract will bring back the money spent for this week's trip, plus a little more, (darn the price of gas anyway!) and with the photos of Lewisburg, we might be able to plan our next trip.

But most of all, above all else, I love that this is something Frank and I can do together - something that brings our very different personalities and abilities to a common goal.

We have a new purpose and direction in our lives that is all ours - not farm or family or daily grind related. Something that encourages us to spend time together, learning together, being together, embracing the world outside our little limited community.

Pleasure with a purpose. I like that. It's the perfect solution for two workaholics.

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We will be arriving at GSF on Thursday evening, just in time for their annual Spring Hike Weekend with guided tours. (And I just bought hiking sticks for us for Frank's birthday - again, coincidence?)

Most likely, we will try to spend part of Friday in Lewisburg, photographing people and buildings and popping in and out of all the little antique shops.

Saturday, we'll pick a morning hike, and the rest of the time, we shall be serving the park as hosts.

After feeling a little blue yesterday, today I am feeling lucky, blessed and fortunate. I can look to the future and see opportunities that won't force me to choose between city and country, money or love, happiness and success.

(I hope that last sentence makes sense to people other than me, they are typical conflicts I believe so many of us are forced to struggle with.)

I am often burdened by the thought that "this" is the rest of my life. Calhoun, the newspaper, the farm. I don't mean to knock the things I have, but, there are times I just know there is more out there, and I sometimes feel I'm missing it.

But now, I know I can be happy with what I have, and look forward to opportunities that won't make me give up what I want to keep.

I feel lighter today, and, again,
I feel blessed.

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Want to know more about DeLaHaye? Visit her web site at WV Travelers , or her online store at Impecunious Impressions, or read her weekly column at The Calhoun Chronicle.