<p>Oh, Moda, that is so bittersweet! hugs! And cheers!</p>
<p>And Happy 4th to everyone. I am jones-ing for a beach with majestic waves, a bonfire and moonlight right now. I think what brought that up was recalling my lifetime shenanigans on just such a beach when I discovered a poster on another thread was off to same for a vaca and I figured out she was headed to my old stomping grounds back home. </p>
<p>As much as I love my land here, those thoughts led me to remember how much I miss the power and mystery of a large body of water, particularly at night or in the early morning. Mch might have a coronary but maybe I should go pitch a tent beside the big lake tomorrow to get a fix, or just book something in to the cabin on the lake I used to rent.</p>
<p>Speaking of coronaries, a client with whom I am in the middle of a big project right now just survived a massive one. I’m glad he’s okay, but doubly concerned about the pressure and the deadline now from two different fronts. Yesterday I gathered up al the assets-in-progress from his hard drive and asked for credentials to his inventory database. My summer just keeps getting more complicated…which is likely why I’m jones-ing for those carefree times at the beach hi ho.</p>
<p>Moda finding the monogram on the wine glasses bring tears to my eyes. What a thoughtful mom - a lovely way to remember her this 4th of July weekend. </p>
<p>I also love large bodies of water, and honestly can’t get enough of being near them. Happy 4th, everyone!</p>
<p>Moda, Love that about the monogrammed glasses from your mom. So sweet. </p>
<p>Had a nice 4th of July-party at our pool in the afternoon with good music and then a neighborhood party in the evening- a potluck with egg toss, bike parade, fireworks. Hope everybody had a nice 4th of July.</p>
<p>Moda that is lovely.
Quiet weekend here. Thought I would have to work today, it’s quarter end in my world, but did not. I am working at home a little, trying to train on the new software upgrade, being as I have to conduct a training class to a large group of co workers 2 days after I get back from europe. Obviously I need to have a clue what am doing.</p>
<p>Belated congrats to CQ’s daughter on landing a great job!</p>
<p>Just back from 3 weeks in Germany (traveling with D2, who was recovering at the time from mono!), and then 2 weeks in Israel with a student/study group. </p>
<p>Germany was a bit chilly – but we had a wonderful time hopping from one little town on the Rhein and Mosel to the next; and taking long afternoon naps. D’s mono and my jet lag made (unfortunately) good companions. </p>
<p>Israel, as usual, is hot in the summer, but the students were eager and I don’t remember laughing so much or so hard for a long time. Recent sad events did disrupt travel plans one day, increased security at some points, but also provided occasions to talk with students and locals about the complex situation there. </p>
<p>Moda – a simultaneously wonderful and bittersweet surprise. </p>
<p>Kmcmom – I know what you mean about the big ocean beach. I have very fond memories of bonfires and transistor radios playing Light My Fire and seeing a million stars in the sky. </p>
<p>Peonies - Such a lot of change in a year – I’m so sorry about the loss of your mom and a pet. (Though you didn’t generate nearly the reaction D’s Calculus teacher did when she told parents at back to school night – in great detail – about the loss of her beloved dog, and after several minutes with pictures shown on screen of said dog, mentioned that her dad had also died a couple of weeks before. )</p>
<p>Z., welcome home! Is your d home now too, or were you just there for a visit?</p>
<p>Arabrab, re calc teacher…I have a client who is an “at home” euthanasia vet. The more I learn about her business, the more I come to see that unlike most relatives, pets are often a prime source of unconditional love and acceptance </p>
<p>Speaking of pets, we had a visit from the most adorable miniature golden retriever I’ve ever met on the 4th during dinner with friends. I took a Claritin, and because we stayed out doors, did not react at all. The “find a hypo or low allergenic dog” quest has been somewhat sidelined by recent events. So it is likely on hold until hings settle down. But part of my problem is I seem to love dogs that are highly allergenic!</p>
<p>I wonder if immunotherapy has improved at all since when I last had it, which was two decades ago…</p>
<p>Mcson is back in the saddle after a long weekend away with gf. Sounds like they had a nice time kayaking and mucking about. I think I might be out of whatever doghouse I was in because I got a little holiday text hug from gf ;)</p>
<p>Back from vacation. Have a fantastic time in Alaska. We only really had rain one day and that was a day that we were on the train so didn’t really matter. Met up with a friend from HS that lives in Fairbanks now. Was nice seeing him.</p>
<p>I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. We were at home the whole time (except for trips to Lowes and church.) It was wonderful to be by the pool, do some weeding/trimming, catch up on the newspapers, etc. I even took a 90 minute nap yesterday. On Saturday I stayed upstairs during the entire Netherlands/Costa Rica football game, watching and putting things away from my travels, going throug papers, etc. </p>
<p>Of course, now that I gave myself the long weekend “off”, I need to get serious about making checklists, with two kids going away to college soon. </p>
<p>So glad to hear that, rochmom! I hope you can zone out and think of your vacation when the boss starts up.</p>
<p>Good for you, mp! 90 minute nap??!!?? - WOW!</p>
<p>The 80th bday party for FIL went very well. He was happy, so all is good. </p>
<p>I’ve got to get away from thinking so many negative thoughts about the absentee family members as well as crazed but incredibly frail MIL. It is not doing me any good and may be turning me into an ugly, snarky person. Ugh.</p>
<p>Sorry! Just back from the hospital. D2 has kidney stones! She is in a lot of pain and was on morphine most of the day. Now home and on Vicodin until they pass. What more can happen this week!?!?! So much for getting last minute things done! Heading to bed now as I am exhausted. Will check in again tomorrow.</p>
<p>Welcome back to the travelers! On the conjunction of relatives and pets, our Wheaten terrier Casey was great company for both of my parents in their later years. He would lie by their beds or chairs for hours, and happily lick their hands. They loved knowing that Casey enjoyed being near them. Pets are amazing.</p>
<p>Family drama over Mother’s estate has created over 30 emails in the last 3 days. I have not posted once as everytime I go to they have moved to a more nasty level. And this is over $4000 between 5 of us!!! One very ill sister–just exactly like my mom–creating the conflict. In the end she will lose all contact with her sibs which will be so bad for her.</p>
<p>NM!!! so sorry as now is not the time for more. Thinking of you and yours.</p>
<p>Sending the healing vibes to your D2, nm.
oregon101 - so sorry to hear of that bad family business. ugh. Kudos to you for taking the high road and staying out of it.</p>
<p>Good grief, NM, sending the bride the super fast healing mojo!
In the mean time, be good to yourself and DELEGATE!</p>
<p>Oregon, an excellent question to pose might be “Sis, what is your way of being worth to you?” Better yet, send her a bill for counseling your sibs ;)</p>
<p>You see, I am just the type of naughty so and so who can never resist throwing in on such matters. My mind knows the high road is a better pace to travel, but I have this madcap notion occasionally that my reasoning is irresistible and influence must be exerted It might be a birth-order thing. At the same time, I can see how absurd it is!</p>
<p>I know I will face a good deal of shenanigans when my own mom passes one day, particularly if her boyfriend survives her. My sibs will not wait a hot second to evict him, while I am more apt to respect her wishes even if I don’t like them.</p>
<p>NM, I hope your D feels better and you stay calm as the wedding has its normal bumpiness.</p>
<p>Oregon, this is about $800 per person? I’d stay out of it. If pressed, I would probably send an email saying “I can see there is a lot of rancor here that I don’t really understand or want to have any part of. But, I wonder if you could confirm to me that the issue in question would cost each of us at most $800 per person?”</p>
hi ho.</p>
</p>
She is in a lot of pain and was on morphine most of the day. Now home and on Vicodin until they pass. What more can happen this week!?!?! So much for getting last minute things done! Heading to bed now as I am exhausted. Will check in again tomorrow.</p>