Saturday, May 29, 2010

Well On Our Way...

We're in a hotel room outside of Birmingham, Alabama. "We" includes me, Steinvic and Young Man. Young Man's friend flaked at the last minute, so it's just us three.

At first, I thought, "Crap...Young Man is going to be bored to tears the whole time, hanging out with 'just us.'"

And now that we're on our way, eight hours in, I'm happy that it's just us three. Young Man and I caught up on music, work, cars, society and all that on the way down. Steinvic hopped in back for the last third of the day and Young Man and I chattered away...before that we'd been yammering from the front/back seats.

Because I drove the whole 8 hours today! And I probably could have kept going, but I suddenly felt ready to get out of the car. Still, it was the easiest 8 hours in the car I've ever had.

Maybe it's because I'm so ready for this break.

Maybe it's because I'm so excited to share this place with Steinvic and Young Man.

Maybe it's becaus so often, I'm not in control of anything in my world, but this is a chance for me to have a heroine moment, where I can do something really great for the people I love most.

No matter the reason - let's not analyze it - we're about 4 hours away from our beach destination. We're going to take our time getting there, but by 3 tomorrow, we'll be there, checked in, comfortable, and taking in the beauty of a beach that I LOVE.

I'll let you know how it is when we get there...pictures and all.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Finally!

Here I am...I swear, I didn't mean to be gone that long.

Steinvic and I have been on a business trip. It was a conference for a work association we belong to. (If I haven't mentioned it before, we're both on the board and it's the group that was responsible for us meeting!)

So, we were traveling and I didn't have Internet access. Before that we were getting ready to travel and I barely had five minutes to do a darn thing! But you know what? It was all worth it. We're exhausted and spent, but the conference we put on for 16 of our colleagues was super awesome and fun.

Tonight, he is in Columbus for work, and I'm washing all our stuff from one trip in preparation for our next trip, which begins Saturday.

We are driving to Florida for a WHOLE WEEK of vacation in a darling condo right on the beach. We had the pleasure of going to the same place about 4 years ago and it was amazingly relaxing. This time, we are taking his son with us, (and his son's pal) and that makes this our first official family vacation.

I couldn't be more thrilled...I think it's going to be fantastically fun.

So, Vegas yesterday, Ohio today and tomorrow and Florida by Sunday. I feel so lucky to get to do all of these things!

If I'm honest though...I'm so tired right now, I just walked over to the phone in the kitchen to call my Grandma. (If you're new here, she passed away almost a year ago.) What a conversation that would have been, huh?! I have had the impulse to call her plenty of times, since we used to talk every night, but it's been months since I've actually walked to the phone with conviction, ready for a catch up. So, I know I'm wiped out. But, instead of crying about it (which is what I usually feel like doing), it made me smile. I've poured a glass of wine (didn't even remember that any was here!) and I'm catching up with you instead.

But anyway... I promise to post here more this week! It shouldn't be as big of a challenge...we plan on having a lot of time to do whatever we like. And we'll be doing it together.

I've missed you! And I'm back...

Friday, May 14, 2010

J is right...

...I haven't posted in a while. What is up with that?

I haven't. Part of it is being really busy. Part of it is...I guess what every blogger goes through.

"Does what I have to say matter?"

"Does anyone miss it when I don't blog?"

"Who cares about all of this?"

But then I'm reminded of why I started this little corner of the Internet in the first place: for me. I write here because it's a place for me to record where I am at this minute.

And right now, we're waiting to hear back about a reception hall. This is the second one we were interested in...the first one? They are crappy about getting in touch and letting us see the place - not a good sign.

And I found a dress. And we have a cake lady, way talented. And a volunteer bartender who is super nice.

Beyond that, we're gearing up for our professional association conference that we're responsible for. We leave next Saturday. And we get home from that, then head for vacation.

Before that, Steinvic's son comes to stay with his girlfriend...they have tickets to a concert locally. Since I didn't really get to celebrate his birthday with him, we'll celebrate Monday.

So much going on...

All good. Just busy. Just the business of living...

Monday, May 3, 2010

A Very Special Birthday

May 4, my Grandma would be 92.

When she passed, we collected money for a fund instead of flowers.

I mean, she loved flowers and was surrounded by flowers in life. In fact, the woman who now lives in my Grandma's former room home is undoubtedly floored by the explosion of buttercups and gladiolas that are going on in her patio garden. We made the most of our 4x8 feet of space...what can I say.

But when she left us, we didn't want flowers that would die.

We wanted dollars that could live on forever.

Tomorrow night, an underpriveleged girl at a local highschool will get $1500 toward her musical education. She'll have her books or car insurance or a class or two paid for.

My Grandma attended Sherwood Music School in Chicago in the 1930s, and she did it on scholarships, nanny jobs and a shoestring. She'd tell you about putting a Buffalo nickle in the vending machine for an apple, and how that apple was her whole lunch, if you'd listen.

(I'd give anything to hear her tell that story again. )

Tomorrow, I'll meet my Mom and my Aunt - who drove in from Hatley, Wisconsin tonight - to watch this young woman receive the scholarship tomorrow night. My Grandma's birthday is the perfect time for giving...