The Last Week of May

Oh yes, it is the last week of May. Schools are winding down for summer vacation and it is celebrated by FINALS WEEK. What stress, what pressure, what a relief when it is over. How much worse could the last week of May Be? Try getting food poisoning the day before finals.

My poor kid, he has thrown up maybe 3 times in his whole life, ok not counting the first few months he was on the planet. He is a picky eater to say the least and he finally broadens his culinary palette and gets FOOD POISONING! After much research, I discover that one does not call this the stomach flu, no no. That implies it would be caused by the influenza virus..no this is a viral infection that lies in wait in the lower intestine...gross. Highly contagious ( yes wash EVERTHING ) and deadly nasty. So the attack waits until Monday to hit and finals begin on Tuesday morning. The kid has carried a 3.8 GPA all year and the only borderline grades he has going into this are 2 high B's that could change to A's resulting in the much desired and sought after 4.0 GPA. No pressure here.

He can't lift his head off the pillow Tuesday morning , he tried..nope not gonna happen. His fever finally broke Tuesday night around 11:00 and Wednesday morning ( after missing 2 Finals ) does not look much better. This poor kid, he was fortunate ( if one can call it that) enough to be able to schedule 3 for tomorrow and 1 for Friday morning. Dear gracious............this has made me sick!

Vacation Time Again....Schools Out!

Who knew planning a vacation could be so difficult..well I should have. For years we have traveled from the West Coast to the East, a mecca for lovers of American History. Last year, I was convinced that teenagers needed a cool Tropical oasis to relax and rejuvenate their tired brains. We opted for Oahu, I was not overly enthused about it, but I was a good sport. It was one of the most enjoyable trips we have taken. It was filled with relaxation, beautiful undaunting scenery, and FUN!

Fun, came in a variety of different experiences. We enjoyed jetskiing, snorkeling, sailing, para sailing, walking, touring historical sites ( ahh come on ....WWII history..Pearl Harbor) and driving around the island. It was a vacation too perfect, and so wonderful. So much so, we opted to return this year. However, someone could not make up "his or her mind" and time got away from us as well as airline fares...now we are struggling to come up with A PLAN!

I don't mind admitting that I tend to be a bit anal about vacation plans, itineraries, documents, etc, and plan way in advance...months actually. LAST MINUTE is NOT my thing....I HATE IT!

Nonetheless, here I am..attempting to plan the perfect trip..why?

This is my Birthday present, Christmas present, Mother's Day present and all holidays in between present. I love this time, I am alone with my kids, my grandkids and we are carefree and just hanging loose. Memories are made that will last a lifetime and beyond and I cherish every precious minute of it. Now, I am stressing about the PLAN. We will pull this one out of the fire and it will be wonderful and a new experience too. I am traveling with teenagers..ALL 3 for the first time..WOW! My babies are growing up.

I guess that is one reason why this will be special, you never know at this age if this will be the last trip they want to take. I am mindful of their age, their need for the apron string to lengthen a bit....I did mention the surfing they did last year didn't I? What a blessing, what a thrill , what great kids, yes no matter what we are doing it will be , A VACATION TO REMEMBER!