Happy Friday

Happy Friday to all! The expected snow storm missed us for the most part. We have a few inches of snow, nothing unmanageable, and the wind has finally stopped. The snow coating the tree limbs looks very pretty, and it's nice to look out the picture windows and see it. I'm hoping the sun comes out this afternoon as predicted and makes the snow sparkle.

My Redhead is back in the US of A! She called last night from JFK to let us know she was stateside. This first semester in London has been a long strange trip (thank you, Jerry) but I think she's going to do so much better next semester, moving on with the lessons she's learned, and not just the academic ones. Now, she'll spend a few days in NYC seeing buddies.

My Blondie is in San Francisco at her conference. She gives her talk today, and as long as she remembers to breathe and speak slowly, she'll be great. Just like me, when she's a little nervous or very excited about something, she starts talking very fast-you'd think I could have given her some other trait-but knowing the Roseola, she'll have practiced a few times yesterday and will be fine.

They will both be home on Sunday. Lou and I are ready to see them, to listen to them argue, to have them pretend they are little and snuggle into our arms and laps. I never thought ahead about my children as adults, and yet suddenly they are two young women who amaze me to no end. That I had a part in shaping these vital women humbles me. Sometimes I think about how I wanted things differently than I was raised-things in their places, no piles of books or papers or stuff and furniture that wasn't hand-me-downs comes to mind-but I now realize that doesn't matter. They will shape their own spaces physically (most likely minimally!) but they will always carry with them that emotional strength that comes from knowing they have been loved and supported through everything they try. I can't think of a better gift to have given them.....

XXOOXX to my girls, with a LYSYB thrown in for good measure!

San-Dee the Plumber

Today I learned something new: how to repair a leaking kitchen sink faucet. Lou was very patient with me and nobody yelled-the sure sign around here that things aren't going well..... we took the faucet apart, put all the pieces in a bag and went to the hardware store. The plumbing guy said we were better off replacing all the stuff rather than just the washers. So, we got this handy all parts together repair kit, brought it home and redid the faucet. We finished it all, then turned the water back on, and NOTHING LEAKED. Hopefully it will continue to not leak.

riding on that success, we really decided to take the rest of the afternoon off. We have a shopping list to create in anticipation of the kids being around and I've got some coasters I want to make for the people at work for the holidays.

Last Wednesday we had our year-end party at work. We went to the local site of the music schools, B2R, and learned to be in a rock-n-roll band (it was the corporate party experience they offer to the public). We were told to channel our inner rock star. A few of us did dress up, most as a genre of rocker as opposed to a specific person. I channeled my inner Janis Joplin. I probably did it since this is the second year in a row I have missed dressing up for Halloween at work because it hasn't been on one of my work days. It was fun. It was funny. Our band learned and performed Wild Thing. I was lead guitar. There are rumors that the video shot of the learning process/performances will be uploaded to youtube. That could be a BIG mistake.....nobody was that good, even the groups that had some of the music teachers in them. But, it was very relaxed compared to other parties, and everyone had fun, and that's the most important part.