bye

I am off on vacation beginning tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Yippee!! Excited to see family and a city I've never visited before.

Lots to do between now and then, but it is all good. Hey, even the new website looks like it will launch on time Friday morning.

Enjoy the day and see you in June.

Let the good times roll.

so long until 2013

I'm on vacation after today until 2013! Yippee!! So, I won't be posting until New Year's Day. This past year has been a good one. Lots of changes, lots of new challenges, but a good one. As Christmas approaches and the year comes to a close, I'm thankful for so many things. I'm also looking forward to the year ahead and the opportunities it will bring.

On this Winter Solstice, I wish you Glad Tidings, Peace, and Joy!

getting ready to depart

We are headed for points east over the weekend. The family is excited to make the trek to see my folks and spend some time with them. Then on our way home we will be stopping so the hubby can make a job site visit and do a punch list....yep. Keep a good thought that the weather is nice later next week and I'm not cooped up in a hotel room with three kids, no car and a rainy day while he is working. That would be very bad, very bad indeed.

Yesterday during our donation sorting time I found two books by Kate Collins. Her "Flowershop Mysteries" have adorable titles, cute covers and look to be quick reads. I absconded with those two and then went into the library and checked out every other Flowershop title they had on the shelf. I stacked them into a pretty pastel tower on my nightstand.

The bookstore is thriving now that summer is upon us. After a very wet and slow spring, sales have picked up, the inventory is moving and donations are pouring into the store.

The library was busy yesterday. It is always nice to see kids walking out with books. The whole building has a different vibe during June and July. The tense-under the deadline- feel of the school months dissipates and is replaced by the ooohhh-this will be fun to read-smiling faces atmosphere.

We've one more swimming lesson, two more keeper sessions and one more VBS class before our mini vacation begins. Guess I better think about packing food and snacks as well as cleaning the house.

Enjoy the weekend and next week as well.

chatter

The five of us spent a bit of time in Target over the weekend looking at Christmas cards. Since my mom had her accident, I've been trying to send her funny cards. We found three good ones and I sent them out on Monday. She called yesterday and was still chuckling. Laughter is the best medicine.

I also spoke with my brother. His three kids are getting as excited as mine for our upcoming 'excellent adventure' to Europe. He has changed our itinerary a bit and instead of going to Strasbourg and Triere, we are going to Luxembourg City....a whole NEW country on our visit. They've never been there, but have heard it boasts a marvelous Christmas market. Triere's market is already closed by the time we arrive and they decided against Strasbourg as we are going to France a few days later. He has also sketched out our trip to Bavaria and rattled off a list of towns and castles he is taking us to.

I just know those two weeks will fly by and I'm determined to savor each and every moment. Christmas is just two weeks from today!

My brother's family will be coming back to the states shortly after we come home from our visit. It will be nice to have them closer...only a day drive away in Florida.

I need to find a book to take on the trip. I'll scout the bookstore today when I'm there to stock. Have to have something to read on the flights.

Our rainy weather has turned cold. For a moment yesterday, I really thought it could snow. Brrrr. I guess I better get used to those temps! I hope the glow of excitement keeps me warm in Germany, Luxembourg, France and Austria!!!!