<h1>theorymom, I was thinking about you yesterday! You must have felt it. Thank you for checking in! Yes, I’d love the link to your book.</h1>
<h1>tm–be safe! I would like the link to your book. and congrats!</h1>
<p>D left this a.m. to return to RI. She gave a lovely toast at the wedding she was in and we attended this weekend.
The toddler nephew in the bride’s immediate family began screaming just as she finished and the second speaker began. I whisked that little guy out so fast. We played with the salt and pepper shakers and a plastic cup for the next 30 minutes and missed all of the other toasts. Told D that when/if she has a wedding there will be a sitter and kids room onsite. Toddlers are sooo difficult when an event goes on for hours. Cute kid though and will no doubt become a chef after our experiments.</p>
<p>Off to the beach as it will be 102 here with high (for us) humidity.</p>
<p>D is planning on bring new BF home for a week in Oct. !! </p>
<h1>theorymom – I’d love the book link, too. Smoke is awful – is there a chance of getting away from it? My eyes hurt in sympathy.</h1>
<h1>college_query - I put one sprig of lavender in a pitcher of ice water, and the rest are fresh in a small vase in my entry hall – no water in it, just drying. After that, I’ll put them in a sachet in a drawer.</h1>
<h1>TM, congratulations for you and for #TS. The bumps in the road are just part of the journey. I hope the forest fires stay away.</h1>
<p>Is Oregon101 in a different part of the country than you (somehow I remember you as being in the same general vicinity)? If yes, be safe too, Oregon101.</p>
<p>We’ve been having a great time in Dubrovnik. Walked the 2km wall of the old city at 8 AM. Lots of stairs. Lots of stairs in the city. Then took a ferry to a national preserve of some kind on an island, where we were able to swim in the beautiful crystal clear Adriatic. The self-selection bias we saw in Hvar (they appear to have a sign outside the city gates telling females who don’t look extremely good or better in a bikini to return home) was not really in evidence in Dubrovnik (lots of people in good shape but families, folks in not so good shape). Much more normal. ShawSon said he thought this was the most beautiful city he’s ever been in (sea, old city, mountains, wonderful though very warm sun). The octopus here is great – not chewy like in the US. Last night, we had dinner at the very top of the hill overlooking the city after touring the largely destroyed Napoleonic fort that helped defend the city from the Serbians/Montenegrins in 1991.</p>
<p>Yesterday, ShawSon bought a a very nice bracelet for his GF (an elegant one of a kind thing crafted out of palladium). At dinner, we asked why. He said, “We’ve agreed that we will break up at the end of the summer when she goes off to Europe. She’ll be moving to a country where she doesn’t know anyone and will probably be lonely. So, I want to be extra nice to her.” ShawWife said, “You are a wonderful boyfriend, thinking of how she’ll be feeling even after you guys are not together.” ShawD said, “Wait. So, she’s going off to Europe and will be lonely and you are going to get her something that will keep reminding her that she’s no longer going out with the perfect boyfriend. That’s nice?” I bought her a lovely ring from the same designer. ShawWife had said it was too expensive, but It was $44 and would probably be $250 in the kind of shop that would sell it in Boston. I guess that is what Dads do.</p>
<p>On to Prague tomorrow. What would you put on the highlight list for Prague?</p>
<p>Thanks for the welcome back everyone. Those of you who would like the link (I don’t want to put it here plus I am not sure is “legal”) will you please send me a quick PM - easiest way for me since I get an e-mail notice so I am aware and I can just hit reply - Still smokey as all get out here. ugh</p>
<p>So good to hear from you #theorymom!!! First, I am glad #TS is doing better. Sending feel good mojo and hoping some extra fairy dust will help him fight that depression. Glad you were able to be there for him. Second, Congratulations on the book! HOORAY! What a wonderful accomplishment! I loved listening to you read your poem when you passed on a previous link. So very, very happy for you. How proud your family must be that you returned for your graduate degree and now have a book published. Thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>Shaw…your travels sound lovely! Glad you can have this wonderful family time in an exotic setting. What lovely memories you all will have!</p>
<p>I am really missing D2 even though she is just 20 minutes away. I had gotten used to having her here every day. She is settling in at her apartment and is learning to juggle study time and dealing with grocery shopping, cleaning, budgeting and the quirks of living with her new H! 
</p>
<p>Took the morning to catch up on the posts - DTE, your PSA was/is greatly appreciated. Had my mom not insisted she wasn’t well, who knows if she would have had the last three years as when she was finally diagnosed, she was already stage IV ovarian cancer, and this was 22 years after having BC. I have asked about the scans vs mammography due to family history and high risk in a general way. I love my doc, but after I got strapped to a gurney on my cholesterol levels that he hadn’t thought were worrisome, I think I might have to make a change to find a more proactive kind of guy.</p>
<p>And while the conversation is back a few pages, I very much liked that my kids tested the boundaries as I thought it showed spunk and I felt taking calculated risks is part of what makes for an interesting life. While exhausting at times for sure, when the line was crossed, the hammer came down. The biggest arguments my H&I ever had were because he always wanted to quickly give a clean slate and I felt the punishment wasn’t the point but the consistency of expectations was. Not sure we ever were on the same page there and glad it’s behind hs - more or less.</p>
<p>We went to the Birkshires this past weekend to celebrate the life of my H’s grandmother who died this past spring at the age of 101 born in 1913. It was truly a family reunion and I was so glad D1 and her husband and S were able to be there. The only ones missing did so because they were out of the country, my niece in Germany and D2 in NZ. The point: It was fairly interesting to see just how many of the next generation have tattoos, including my own son in law. But then, he was a musician and is a graphic designer. But he isn’t an idiot and the only time you truly see them is if he is swimming or wearing short sleeves. In fact, he can wear a long sleeve shirt and roll the sleeves as you do and you’d never see them. I did ask him if he’d gotten any new ones while living in SF and he said, no… and was glad because they hurt to get and then said something along the lines that he was getting too old to suffer for art anyway. Not sure how he put it exactly, but it was classically funny and made the entire group laugh. The truth is, that generation will all be in the same boat and tattoos, soon enough, won’t be the “it” thing. What I don’t like, to be honest, is those nose rings that remind me of what a bull would have. So distracting. Truly. Let’s just say it was definitely an interesting mix. BUT… I absolutely loved seeing S and D1 together as it was the first they’d seen one another since the wedding last June!! We stayed up until 3am on Saturday night and I don’t think I have laughed that hard in a very very long time. I really do think H’s grandmother would have been pleased with our merrymaking as that was her point in “hosting” a family reunion with a little memorializing thrown in.</p>
<p>Not much talk about med school applications although his grandmother was sure to tell everyone he was going to be a doctor which made S very nervous as he’d like to get an interview first, to say nothing of acceptance!!! But he did tell me he sent in his secondary for Harvard and the only school he didn’t receive a secondary request was from UCSF. So 17 secondaries out and we’re crossing our fingers for an interview. Send the mojo guys!! </p>
<p>Going to the wisdom of this group for ideas! H’s birthday is coming up and I never know what to get him. He’s an avid bike rider (not motorcycle here guys – pedal) and runner. He competes in dus - think tris with out the swim part. He isn’t big into tech gadgets (that’s me) but over the years I’ve purchased several different garmins for him. I just have NO idea what to get him. All and any suggestions I’m up for. I thought about doing a weekend away – not sure when I would plan it for. Maybe just have him tell me what weekend works but then is that really a present for me or him. :)</p>
<p>Around here they have some winery tours that you can do by biking. Not competitive but something you could do together???</p>
<p>We also have a pedal pub that tours the Cities which is supposed to be very fun. The History Center has a Segway tour of historical areas of interest in St Paul, </p>
<p>Has he mentioned needing or wanting anything related to biking or running? ( for instance, does he need a new bike pump). If he’s into beer, there are beer making kits, craft beer tours in many places, etc. If he’s into grilling, maybe something for that. I just bought my husband a Weber beer can chicken roaster. He’s also into crossword puzzles so I often buy him new crossword puzzle books. It really depends on what you think your husband would enjoy.</p>
<p>We do have winery tours around here and have done them in the past. Somewhat hilly for me so usually we use the car. 
Nothing like pedal pub tours or anything like that here unfortunately – sounds fun though. Doesn’t need anything for the bike or running that I can tell. Isn’t really into beer - more a wine person but I don’t think that he would want to try to make his own wine. Too picky about his wine. Doesn’t do puzzles at all – he can’t figure out why I like them. We have just about anything you can think of for the grill. Does it show that I’ve had issues in the past and have managed to find something! This year I’m stuck. Just can’t think of anything that he wants. I mean he NEEDS a new phone but doesn’t WANT one as he tells me every time I mention it but not sure that getting him something he NEEDS and doesn’t WANT is a good idea. I know that I’ll eventually think of something but I go through this every year with him and he never makes it easy and says that he wants something.</p>
<p>For our anniversary, I got H some massage gift cards. He really likes massages (whereas I do not.)</p>
<p>Massage gift cards are a good idea for someone who likes massages, missypie. I try to pay attention if he mentions an interest in something or mentions something he has heard about-like a book in an area that interests him, music CD, cookbook. Maybe an item he wouldn’t think to buy himself-an interesting food item, fancy shaving stuff, pocket briefcase from Levenger for notes, nice pens,etc.</p>
<p>Every year I purchase several massage gift certificates for him at Christmas time. Great idea though. He’s still got two from this past Christmas to use. I am always trying to listen and note it if he mentions anything. i think he’s figured that out and no longer mentions anything. We are “foodies” have a ton of cookbooks and I get 3 magazine subscriptions that are food related so I could probably cook meals for several years with no repeats. </p>
<p>Sounds like you’ve already got it covered then! Have you asked him directly if there’s anything he wants? My kids got me e bags last Christmas because they knew I had a big trip in June. I was skeptical but they were very helpful with packing. Maybe shawbridge has some ideas from a male perspective. shawbridge, your trip sounds great! </p>
<p>If you are “foodies” you may like this idea! A friend had a bday party where her H had a local chef come in and teach them how to make items that were then served for dinner. They had 3 other couples and the chef paired wine with the courses. Was lots of fun and fabulous food! The chef did all of the shopping, prep work and actually most of the cooking, and all of the clean up. I am sure you can get different levels of service. Fun for everyone! Could be a group or an intimate dinner for two! ;)</p>
<p>That’s a great idea, NM. </p>
<p>Shawwife and I biked through California wine country for our honeymoon, which we took before the wedding., so right about this time of year 30years ago. Started in SF and cycled across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Marin, then in the Napa, Sonoma, Anderson and Mendocino valleys and then down highway 1 to SF. We stayed overnight in a number of good places and had great dinners. We also stopped at wineries in the afternoons. Maybe you could do a shortened version of that trip. </p>
<p>Hi guys!
RM, if he’s a serious cycler and doing duathlons, has he seen the latest power meters out there? Here’s a summary of a few popular with some triathletes I know, but be warned, they’re pricey 
<a href=“http://www.athleticmentors.com/2014/01/power-play-a-power-meter-measurement-product-comparison/”>http://www.athleticmentors.com/2014/01/power-play-a-power-meter-measurement-product-comparison/</a></p>
<p>Crunch week around here…mcson, mch and I all worked til midnight yesterday and I predict more in store today. Good grief is all I can say.</p>
<p>NM what a great idea. We don’t have anything like that that I’m aware or locally however we do have the NYS Wine and Culinary institute where we had my S’s rehearsal dinner which was wonderful. They also do classes. I looked this morning and there were several that look really nice. I am thinking of signing us up (and maybe the kids if they would like to go) for a class. We have said before that we would love to take a class there so maybe this is the time. Thanks for the info that led me to this!! Appreciate all the help. </p>
<p>KMC - I did look at the link. I think that might work for another time so keeping that in the list as well. He is serious – nationally ranked even. :)</p>
<p>I LOVE the idea Shaw of the California trip. I’ll have to keep that in mind for the future as well. With D buying a house and DIL pregnant and doing 2 weeks in Alaska I think this year we will be staying close to home.</p>
<p>Thanks to all!!!</p>