Heading Out Again...

Yes, believe it or not, there is another two-week trip in my not-so-distant future. This time, I am off to do a conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan (outside of Detroit) and then on to spend a few days in Indianapolis, Indiana with my dear old friend Wendy and her family. I think it has been at least a decade since I have seen Wendy and probably 12 years or so since I've been in Indiana. I'm looking forward to it!

As for leaving again, it doesn't exactly get easier but we are getting used to it. I'm starting to get a system down and getting a little more Zen with the inevitable stresses and issues that pop up. Meanwhile, Lilly has finished all her GED testing and Lucy is getting into a round of testing at South--she has a week or so of IB and AP testing for college credit and certificates and such. The girls are also planning their joint graduation party to be held in June when all the dust settles. Stuart is trying to shine it on at Churchill and just finished picking his intended classes for next year--I guess it never stops!

I think all four of us are really looking forward to and hoping for Summer. It seems to be just out of reach--the weather won't exactly cooperate and our schedules won't exactly cooperate, but it has to be out there somewhere...vacation!

Lucy's 18th Birthday!

It did not matter how cool we tried to be with it, Lucy turning 18 was a big deal! True to family tradition, she is managing to stretch it out as long as possible and I am quite certain she isn't done celebrating. There have been family gatherings, outings with friends, plenty of cards and a few gifts, and a cake or two. On her actual birthday, she brought over a few friends and her boyfriend, Daniel, and with Stuart and Lilly joining us we had homemade pizza and shared a big chocolate cheesecake.

As the mother of the eighteen-year-old,it is both strange and perfect. I couldn't help but get nostalgic and have a flood of flashbacks (like one of those cheesey movie montages) but when I look at her or chat with her, she is so very much this incredible eighteen-year-old--I cannot hide my pride and delight. This is a major period of growth and transition for her--turning 18, finishing high school, starting college. She seems to be hanging in there just fine!

Back on the "Left Coast"...

It has taken a few days of re-entry--unpacking the suitcase and washing clothes, catching up with my kids, putting the house back in order. It has been a bit of a whirlwind, but I must admit, a much more manageable pace than being in Philadelphia and New York City. While there were many things I loved about the East coast, the go, go, go pace was a challenge for my West coast self. Not to mention, I missed my kids and there was plenty that went on while I was gone and plenty to do the minute my feet hit the pavement here in Eugene.

I had an amazing time with my sister--she has a quaint apartment in Brooklyn and works in Manhattan so I had to quickly learn how to maneuver the subway, taxis and dust off my walking shoes. Fortunately, I am such a fan of public transportation and I love to walk, so I enjoyed it. It was great to finally walk through Central Park, and Tricia took me to two Broadway plays ("August: Osage County" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"). I also got to see Trish do a reading on my first night there--it was fantastic!

Now that I am back, it has been shopping for prom dresses (Lucy) and getting caught up on all the school, GED, and college stuff. Lucy got her acceptance letter while I was gone and Lilly went and got her learner's permit and is scheduled to start taking her GED tests this coming week. And, Stuart is starting a new school this week as well. I think the song got the locale wrong and THIS is really the city the never sleeps!