Hi Bets,
Just wanted to chime in and say ... glad to see you decided to make your hiatus from here only a "Shore" leave.

I'm so sorry to hear about your nightmarish summer. Its the time of year I use to look most forward to. Lately, I've come to look at one precious moment to the next without attempting to group them together in any sort of way, especially under a season. The two that stand out most recently are seeing my FIL on Father's Day in totally ecstasy of being able to spend it surrounded by those he loved ... and ... being able to watched my family laugh and enjoy themselves on my D19's b-day with a dinner and a comedy show (good clean comedy) , when she thought she wouldn't be able to celebrate it at all this year. Everything in between is just is what makes those moments stand out even more.

I'm sorry to hear you're having to deal with some more health issues concerning D7 and will pray that they can be remedied with the best case senerio. When I read about her hosing those passing cars, I couldn't help but crack a smile and think she's just doing her part in keeping the world a "cooler" place to be. (Pun intended!) It so fits with everythings you describe about her.

... and D10 sounds like a true "Pre-teen"!!!

Yea that's what my D11 announced on her 10th b-day. "Now that I am in the double digits, I'm no longer a kid ... I'm a "Pre-teen"!" ... and she's been sticking to it also! Have you received any phonecalls from boys yet? Get ready ... its coming! This summer D11 been getting calls from a boy that was in her class last year. Everytime CAW & I hear him on the VM, we chuckle since he has a higher pitched voice than D11. (and yea we started the sex talk last year. Its amazing how much had gotten to her ears from school, but now we set some things straight.)

Most important you seem at peace with the direction your life is taking. You may be a bit more worn out, but if you truly find peace in your choice then the rest will follow. (Ok another bad pun), but seriously, maybe this weekend could be the perfect time to have a sleep marathon.

'til later,
KAW