please help

my3girls

Cathi...I think I know how you feel and what you mean in regards to Amanda...I have an Amanda as well. And..they are always a challenge. Seems like we can never do anything right in their eyes.

Shirlann...good to see you and glad Dr. Wong helped...here's to continued comfort!

I have to say..my dear mother was the same as the what you all have described. She was always there for us, and loved our kids dearly and was always there for the kids...especially to LISTEN to them...even when they didn't have much to say. As they got older, my girls appreciated that their Baba...was always willing to listen and give them good advice. But she was not a drop in, full time babysitter. I lived just around the corner from her...and I never took advantage of it. She raised 7..these were my girls to raise. I had a sister in law (ex's side) who would say..."you are so lucky to have your mom around the corner. Then you don't have to take the girls with you to grocery shop, or run errands". I looked at her and said..."are you kidding?". They go with me wherever I go.

Jane...Oh I feel for you...and that James doesn't pick the best g/f's. Both of my girls have had their share of not so good boyfriends..but I think now they have finally realised what they DON"T want. Danni's new guy is AWESOME!! Perfect for her! Treats her like a QUEEN! I am so happy. I hope James comes to his senses. Does his brothers talk to him and tell them what they see and think? I hope so.

Judie...why do you think "it's scary"? It's just a date...about 30 min. from my house..in a public place. Explain what you meant.

Well..just finished mowing the yard...2 hrs later! and I am exhausted. Going to bed soon...for my "friday" morning!

xoxo

Lisa

geebung

Shirlann - that is wonderful that you feel so much better after just one treatment!

Judie - your doctor sounds fantastic - and it's great that you got a good report.

Cathi - I think that arrangement with Jaclyn and her children is perfect. You are not a bit mean! You & Jaclyn seem to have a high level of mutual respect for each other. Each of our children are different and our relationships with them are different. I do hate being made to feel guilty and, as a mother, it's far too easy for me to berate myself and blame myself for the shortcomings in my kids. There are no perfect parents but I guess we do the best we can. So far, I haven't acquired any daughters-in-law. I would love to have some but only if they and their husbands can have a reasonable level of contentment. Wild passion is one thing but kindness, respect, maturity, real, unselfish love on both sides...all too much to hope for I suppose...sigh!

Hugs and love to all of you,

Jane xxx

1Cathi

Jane it's not to much to hope for - it took me over 40 years to find that relationship and one hell of a long bad marriage to boot. My parents always loved and respected each other,  sure they had an ocassional tiff,  yet I picked someone who was a total freak, mean and nasty.  Then out of the blue Ed came along,  he says we were the best of friends to begin with,  and  because we respect the others feelings and always put the other first is why we are what we are.  I think sometimes there is never anyone "perfect" in our minds for our children,  Jaclyn's DH is an ok guy,  yet I am always able to find a "little" something if I want too that gets under my skin -LOL

Once a parent always a parent no matter how old they get to be.

lvtwoqlt

My mom didn't do babysitting except .... When I left my first husband with a 3 month old I moved back in with my parents, I already had him in a private day-care center.  I took him with me when going to the store or running errands. When he started kindergarten, she would take him to school in the morning and pick him up in the afternoons, along with my niece and nephew (single parent as well). After I moved out (he was 2nd grade), I put him in the 'wrap-a-round center' at the school so Mom didn't have to take him to and from school. When I started going to college to get out of the factory, my whole family helped watching John in the evenings while I was in school. When I started dating my current husband, John was old enough (10) and he went along on our 'dates' when we went out, but mostly our dates consisted of Donald coming over after work and sitting at the house.

I may have taken advantage of my mom but she said that she enjoyed the time she has spent with all of her grandchildren and she was trying to help a financially strapped single parent. She now babysits her great grandchildren 1 night a week during school while their mother gives 3 oboe lessons. If my sister isn't working her 2nd job, she will watch the 2 boys and give my parents the afternoon off.

And about the bassett hound, that choice of dog was my husband's idea, and yes she got me up at 5:30 this morning again.

Sheila

barbe1958

Lisa, I think the worry is that you have a `good thing` going right now and I know that I hope it goes well for the meeting, that`s all....

NancyD

I wish my mom had lived a bit longer. She died when my son was 5 yo and Emily was only 5 months old. She didn't mind me coming up to visit with the kids for the weekend, but they were too young for her to take for one on one time. I suspect (no...make that I know) she never liked my ex husband. They hardly EVER came to visit us and we were just in Manhattan, barely 30 miles away. When I came up for weekend visits, it was almost always without my husband, either because he was away or very tied up with his work—and he worked at night; slept all day, so we had to be quiet around our apartment. Taking the kids to my parents was probably what kept us together for so long, lol.

Now, her mother was almost always our babysitter if my parents went out. She lived several miles away from us in the Bronx when I was young, and even though it took two buses for her to get to our place, she loved doing it. Even after we moved out of the city to the suburbs, she would often come to take care of us. I think my grandfather liked a little time alone, too. But they were also the kind of grandparents who took us for one-on-one time. Trips to the Bronx Zoo or the NY Aquarium with my grandfather were rights of passage...and going to the movies and for ice cream with my grandmother. 

While my paternal grandmother lived the longest (well into my post-college years), it's my maternal grandparents who I remember the best and most fondly. Is it usually that way? 

EWB

Remember that no one can take advantage of you with out your permission...yes it may be hard to say no, but that IS a choice. It is our choice to set or not set those limits with children

lvtwoqlt

One thing John remembers doing with my father is every Sunday afternoon, my dad would drive to pick up all the grandchildren (5 of them) and take them to a local store that was owned and operated by a blind friend and there they would get ice cream or chips and a drink. They would take his seeing eye dog out for a walk and while dad would visit with Ray, the kids would play in the side yard with balls or frisbies that they took along. They did this every Sunday for years until Ray passed away about 5 yrs ago.

1Cathi

Shelia I don't think you took advantage of your mom at all,  she did what she did by choice and out of enjoyment, same for you Nancy,  heck I have Alexcis tons of times for overnights etc,  so I guess thats babysitting,  I want to have her here and also know Jaclyn can use a break from time to time, when Brandt starts sleeping better at night we'll do the same,  I think what we all haven't meant is (at least for me) I don't want to RAISE my grandchildren,  I don't want to be the disiplinarian (of coarse we have house rules she abides by) but I wanna be the ME-MA,  fun,  fun,  fun.  I don't want to do homework,  I don't want to potty train, all that not so fun stuff. 

Jaclyn used to spend almost everyweekend at my parents house,  she and they loved it,  as she started to get older and spend less time there more with friends,  I recall my mom one day < it was so sad,  she was sad,  saying I guess Jaclyn doesn't love us like she used too,  she's always to busy to come over anymore like she used to. Jaclyn and my mom and dad were so close. When my dad was in his final days from kidney failure (Jaclyn was 12) she would stay with them (my dad was unable to get out of bed) she learned to give him his insulin shots (from the hospice nurse) she would bathe him, and the biggest surprise of all,  she helped with his cath for urine and the bedpan,  I was amazed, everyone was,  the hospice people said they had never seen anything like it from such a young one.  

my3girls

Thanks...Barbe...my good thing is lonely though. I just hope this is what I feel like it could be...and I will be cautious and let things unfold.

Judie...said scarey..that is what I didn't understand.

Another dreary day here!  Linda....sorry about your weather!! I saw it on the news this morning, and thought of you! I got to work today, and due to weather our Boston flight had been cancelled!

Where is SUMMER????

lvtwoqlt

When I was living with my mom and dad for 5 yrs, they didn't raise him, they supported my decisions on dicipline with him and he knew that if I said no, they would say no also. there was none of this running to Grandma or Grandpa to get a yes on something mom said no on. Sure we were an extended family living together (my younger brother also lived there). One Father's day when John was 4 or 5, he announced that he had 2 daddies, I was shocked since he didn't have any contact with his sperm donor. I asked him 'two daddies?' He said 'yes, Grandpa and Uncle Eric'. That made my brother feel good that John thought of him as his daddy. He would get on the floor and wrestle with him like a father would after John got big enough Eric was comfortable with him. He even let John shoot his paint ball guns at the trees in the woods several times, but never at a person.

Sheila

1Cathi

We also have rain again, supposed to be gone by Friday PM though,  hope so.  We have a rain guage outside and we got just under 6 inches here on Wednesday,  thats a ton of rain in one day,  so far the storms aren't quite as heavy ,  there was some real bad flooding in Tampa,  our storm drains and because everything is so darn flat can't take that much water at one time.

Lisa I bet you never thought you would have so many mom's - LOL.  Take some mace  - just incase. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

dreamwriter

My children are now 24 and 20.  Note I called them children.  When we had our first child, their grandparents said they they would do no babysitting.  They went away for Christmas with their daughter (my hubby's half sister) who was a child.  So after many years of seeing grandparents 3 times a year when they live in the same city, the girls came to resent the lack of time put into them.  Birthdays would be mixed up or forgotten.  The one in April would get gifts and the one in May would not.  It has come down to a family breakdown.  So holding back love does not work.  All they had to do was love them and invest some time in them and perhaps we would be able to get past the wall between my eldest and the grandparents.

my3girls

Dreamwriter...that is extremely sad. Do they realize what joy they missed out on?  I feel bad for your children.   Grandparents are a gift!  My daughters really were devistated when my mom passed. They have grandparents on their dad's side...and my youngest see's them some..but the two older ones...do not. They treated me so badly when I wanted a divorce from their abusive son, that my older daughters didn't want any part of them.  They are not "bad" people, but they tend to bury their heads, and pretend like nothing is wrong.  I know for my girls, they appreciate the grandparents my parents were...loving, caring and disciplinarians if needed...and also good at giving advice.  The other two grandparents were more about "giving material things"...you know the non important stuff.

Being a grandparent myself...I love it. I love to give him little tokens as well...but I just enjoy the time I get with him and the smiles on his face...listening to his "stories"....it brings back wonderful memories of my own girls being little.  I am blessed to be able to have this relationship with him, since he was adopted by another family.  His brother (their biological son) I also consider my grandson.  In fact next Friday the 10th...they are coming to grandma Lisa's for a sleep-over.!

Sheila...your situation was different...and we all would do the same as you did and your parents.  Your son was raised with much love by you and his wondeful grandparents.

Cathi...yes...I LOVE all my mothers!!

sueps

Good Evening.. 

I think the UK must be getting some of your sun... it has benn 91 degrees today ... I am so sorry for all the bad weather you are having. I think it will be slightly cooler here at the weekend, I hope so.. because I have had the worst day with my arm, it has swelled up and feels very heavy, I had to wrap a cold wet towel around it... it seems to have helped.

I am watching the news just now and the swine flu locally is spreading. Did you get the swine flu in America.

Thinking of you all.. I love hearing about being a grandparent... xxx 

livesstrong

Sue - 91 degees is my kinda weather!!!  If it cools down by the time we get there I will be freezing (except when I get hot flashes). Will I need a jacket?   OMG - yes we have the swine flu here - several people have died that live in my county - PLEASE DO NOT mention it to UB - he is very concerned about getting it from the plane ride.  He also keeps track of the cases you are having there!!!

cloudhowe

Hello my dear friends



Been off the radar having lumpectomy, getting Histology results tomorrow. Say a prayer eh?



The wound is 3” and just looks like a deep scratch, swollen just now, so don’t know how it will look in time, but so far, so good. Hope the margins are clear tomorrow.



The site of the lymph removal is very hard, swollen, and red and sore though. Is this common? I am finding it uncomfortable to wear most bras, and I am an E cup. I am also feeling more tired than I did through chemo – how strange is that???? Will post tomorrow to let you know f I need a mastectomy, more chemo, both or just rads and Herceptrin. Feels like it will never end. My brows and lashes are returning and my hair is growing back, but mostly colourless!!!!!! Quite a lot of grey when I had hardly any “before” My BC (before cancer)



I have so much to catch up on!!! And I am knackered.



One thing I did catch was the news about Dennis. I am so sorry Lisa. I know what you mean; cancer seems to be everywhere – no escaping it. It seems like I get news almost every day that someone’s mum, workmate or whatever has been diagnosed. It is s modern plague. I was on FEC, but a high dose. They use it a lot here in Scotland for aggressive BC – I know 4 other girls on it. Unfortunately, almost everyone on FEC loses all hair, body and facial, but I kept a lot till the end, and now as I said it’s now reversing. I wish him the best of luck. I do know that it is very effective – my tumour shrank form 4.5cm to 16mm after 2 sessions. So the surgery was much less invasive. I hope it does the same for Dennis.



Still on my old PC, laptop is going to cost £400 to repair and money is so tight. I haven’t worked this year! So I hope this posts!!



I’ll post over the weekend to let you guys know the results. Say a prayer for me. To Cheryl and the other lovely ladies who e-mailed and PMed me, thank you for your concern. You truly are the best and I love you.



Will take ages to catch up, will do it over the weekend.



Are any of you watching the tennis at Wimbeldon? So exciting. Andy Murrey is Scottish (he actually was a survivor of the massacre a Dumblane when the madman Thomas Hamilton murdered a class of 8 year olds and their teacher in the mid ninties) He has been SUPERB and is through to the semis. Can’t wait.



Have a great weekend, take care of yourselves, and watch the tennis!!!



Nettie xxxxxxx

EWB

Nettie- prayers for good results and quick uneventful healing! Please take good & gentle care of yourself

Hugs, Elaine

Makratz

Nettie, Glad you made it through the lumpectomy with no problems.  Get some rest!!  My SNB was more painful than the lumpectomy.  Strange, I thought.  I've heard others say the same thing.  It will heal, just give it time and don't do anything!

I had to wear cotton sport bras after my lumpectomy. I got a couple at Walmart for 10 dollars.  I am also an A cup so not sure if the sports bras would work for you.  Perhaps you would be better off with no bras and just cotton T shirts until you heal?

Praying for good results tomorrow.  Let us know.

Linda

1Cathi

Nettie- I didn't have SNB at time of lumpectomy I had excisional node removal,  but the healing from the node removal was longer and more painful than the lumpectomy and even the MX I would say,  really restricted arm movement,  rest,  rest,  rest.  My BS insisted I either wear the post surgery bra or a very tight sports bra after the lumpectomy for 2 weeks. 

Maybe UB should wear a surgical mask on the plane AE,  he has to come home to chemo treatments, it sure would not hurt,  planes hold all those nasty germs deep inside them.

geebung

Nettie - so good to hear you post. My snb wound was much more painful than my mastectomy. I got a slight infection in it a couple of days after coming home from hospital and I went on antibiotics which made it feel a bit better but it was still sore for some time and I continued wearing those soft cotton bras  for months.

Sue, I think my youngest son had swine flu last weekend. He rang me Saturday night and said he had a temperature and was aching all over. He is a teacher and several kids at his school have it. He felt a lot better on Sunday and was feeling 100% by Wednesday. The media has made a huge fuss about it here and a few people have died but quite a lot of people die from normal flu each year. Most people don't get H1N1 badly - I heard one man being interviewed on tv and he said he'd had "worse paper cuts!" The countries in the southern hemisphere are the main focus of this flu at the moment but, with all the flights around the world, it will continue to spread. Hopefully, by the time the northern hemisphere countries start heading into winter, the vaccine will be widely available. They are starting human trials soon in Australia.

geebung

Oh, and Nettie, I'm praying that you get good results from your lumpectomy. xx

Anonymous

Oh, Lisa! I'm sorry I used the word "scary". It just popped out. I'm thinking scary as in the what-ifs. Anxiety would be a better word. Also, I've probably watched too many reports on bad stuff. Color me paranoid

I love all the grandparent stories. They bring up many happy memories of my own. How sad, dreamwriter, that your children haven't had much in the way of grandparenting.

Nettie, it is so very good to hear from you. Bless your heart, you've been through a great deal. You've earned a good report! I'll be thinking of you, anxiously awaiting the good news. You are an amazing woman.

Jane, I'm so glad the pandemic is turning out to be fairly mild. It's still spreading rapidly, as you found out, and I pray it doesn't mutate into a more serious strain. So far it looks good. Whew!

Bless each of you!

Judie 

Shirlann

Ah yes, I loved my grandchildren, now they are all grown up!  I miss the second go-around with the babies.  Went so fast!  I did a lot of babysitting, even took one day off of work to watch my youngest son's two boys, so they had to spend as little time as possible in day care.  We have taken each of the 5 of them for a week to San Francisco, they all loved that, and trips to pet the whales, and so many camping trips.  I hope they all remember.

I miss them now, my own did not seem to grow up so fast, the grandkids, just came and whoosh!  They are 22, 2-20"s one 18 and one 16.  All busy and doing young adult things.

Hugs and kisses to all, Shirlann

cloudhowe

Just me, Nettie, the tough auld Scottish bird checking in.



I'm full of wine, - red and some fizz -, and , almost forgot a couple of pints of Guiness, my dear friends, and JUST a wee bit tipsy! OK drunk as a skunk!!



Cannot believe it! Clear margins so no more chemo for me - OR surgery.



Halleh-bloody-luyha! (sp)



The remaining lymph nodes were clear, but receptive, so the only absolutely involved nodes were the ones taken during the SNB way back in Feb, the remaining were pre-cancerous. Out vile things say I! They drained today 150ml from the wound left by the lymph surgery, so that has relived the swelling and the pain, but it is building up again so might get District Nurse in over weekend now I know the cause of the pain.



I am giddy with relief, steamboats on Merlot and Moet (and the Black Stuff - Guiness, or, or as the Irish call it "A pint of plain") and thankful to GOD for the care I have got from my fab medical team.



I will need rads, of course, and Herceprin for a year, but my sweet darling darlings - I AM CANCER FREE at this stage.



I was told to expect at least 2 more chemo, so was stoic about that, poss mast, so was prepared for that. It did not occur to me that these things would not happen. But I don't need them. Wasn't prepard for that!



So ....... we went to the pub, watched Andy Murrey being beaten - och well, he did better than any Englishman in 70 years - that's our yardstick, and I am still trying to take it all in. Just in ( nearly 1am in the UK - just checked) and just has a great wee laugh, in the middle of torrential rain!!! (We were watching the match in an outside beer garden because we have been in the midst of a heatwave and the skies just OPENED)



I will be seeing the Oncy soon to get an echocardiogram and to arrange for the rads and Herceptrin.



Any feedback from you guys on Herceptrin post everything re treatments?



Gonnie have to fall into bed, teeth unbrushed.



THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.



Love and lollipops.



Nettie x



Still think Andy Murrey was gubbed.

Makratz

Nettie!  You deserve to have a few drinks!  Congrats on being cancer free!!  I can only imagine how relieved you must feel!!

CELEBRATE!!!

Linda

honeygirl

Hello everyone.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

Well , we had to buy a new monitor. The other one just wouldn't turn on.

Boy , I sure did miss alot.

Cathi , hugs to you honey. I really can relate to your daughter and SIL moving in. My ex-hubby and I did the very same thing to my parents. And it was a very small apt. Needless to say , my dad , one day , just couldn't take my ex anymore. And he said to me , Cis , I love you , you are more than welcome to stay , but he has to go! He told him he would get him a motel room , until he could find a job. Luckily , he found a job that week , and he didn't make him leave. I really did understand why my dad felt that way. My ex had little respect for other peoples space. He would walk into the living room , my dad would be watching tv , and he would just changed the channel! He was just so very uncouth.(msp) I hope they help out as much as they can until they can get a place of their own. It makes such a difference when they don't act like they are just on vacation , but help and do their share , and especially respect your privacy when needed.And I think its a good idea to set some sort of a time frame , if thats possible. I know sometimes its not. I really hope its a good bonding experience with your daughter and grandbaby(s). And don't be afraid to say , "hey , I need some alone time"! Its only natural. Good luck to you and Ed , and Margo!lol Lil' sweetie. More pics please. Oh , loved the birthday cake pic. Soooo cute. Have fun at the bar-b-que!

Lisa , I'm so glad the open house was a success! And I knew Olivia would love the albums. I made picture colages'(msp) and hung them all around at Adam's open house. But albums are such a great keepsake.When does she move to Fla? Watch out for "empty nest syndrome" , it kinda sneeks up on you. I would be fine , until it was time for him to leave , or if I went to see him , and I would leave , I would cry almost all the way home! So don't feel bad if you get kinda weepy. Its what us mama chicks do when our baby chicks leave.

Lisa! I am so excited about you and "Wayne"! Oh boy , another adventure! And you two seem to hit it off , and you haven't even met yet! Thats a great sign. When you can feel good about someone , without seeing them , thats a good thing. But when you do meet him , and get to spend some time with him. Listen to your gut. It won't lie. Fingers crossed! Hope hes' your match , but if not , then a very good friend!

Netts , hang in there girl. Prayers for good results of your tests. And your hair is growing back! Yah-hoooooooooo! Yea , I know what you mean about feeling tired. Even after chemo is over. I think alot of us felt that way. But when you think of all we have been through , your body really needs alot of rest to recouperate. Rest and sleep when the feeling hits you. It really help your body to recover. Hugs and love to you Nettie.

Cheryl , Hope you are getting better as each day passes. Gentle hugs , and lots of prayers to you.

On the subject of grand parents. I only knew my paternal grandmother. She was from Hungry , and spoke broken english. She always talked about dying , and how she knew it was her time. Well , that went on for many years , and she out lived some of her children and was in her nineties when she passed! I do remember some hugs and smiles , but mostly it was "be quiet , grandma is sleeping" or go out and play , grandma doesn't feel to good. I wish I would have known my other grandparents. But when I was four and five , we rented an apartment across the hall from "grandma and grandpa Raab. They were the best. Grandma Raab always gave us soft , nesseling hugs. Always gave me the warm and fuzzy feeling. And at Christmas , she would make , I'm not sure of the hugarian name for them , but we called them "angel wings". Very lite pastry with powder sugar sprinkled on. Shaped like angel wings. Oh yummy! They were hungarian , but no relation to us. But I always felt like they were my grandparents.

Hi Makraz! How are you doing? Hey , it looks like New England is getting a break in the weather! Go outside and have a blast this weekend. Go for a much needed motorcycle ride.

Sorry you are having a somewhat hectic summer with the boys. I really feel for you. My son was like me. A night owl. And loved to sleep in. I was lucky in that sense. But getting him up for school , now that was tourture! As I said , he is like me , not a morning person at all!lol

But before you know it , they are all grown up. And they are out doing there own thing.

I'm doing OK. But had a very sad week. A childhood friend , we grew up together in Cleveland and after we move to Geneva , she would come out to visit on the weekends or for a week in the summer. The last time I seen her was in 1980, She was heading for Texas , to go to school to become a doctor. I was moving to Tennessee shortly , so we made plans to get together the next weekend. Well , she never called , and thats the last time I saw her. And then life happened. Then a few yrs ago , I decided to start looking for her on the net. Alls I could come up with was some old addresses. Then I was diagnosed with bootface , and my search went to the wayside. Well recently I started looking again. I found an article in a medical journal she wrote , but then a deadend. Nothing. I always thought of Debbie , as being a doctor and having a wonderful life. I knew we would get back in touch and remanise about the old days and catch up on our lives. Well , for some reason , I thought to check the death records. There it was. Debbie had died in 1993. A week before her 37th birthday. I was able to find a obiturary at the cleve. library and her sister is still living in Lakewood. Thats where my son lives. I can't find a phone number , but I am going to write to her and maybe find out what happened to my dear friend. I so hope it wasn't a violent death . Debbie was such a beautiful person. Inside and out. You just couldn't help but want to be around her. So , even though she died 16 yrs ago , I am really grieving. You just never know what tomorrow is going to bring. Hug everyone you love. Forgive everyone that needs forgiveness. And I pray that we all can live our lives in such a way that when we do die , our friends and family will remember us with good thoughts and memories. Sorry about the sadness. But my friends are my heart. Love you all. Mel

honeygirl

WAY TO GO NETTIE! THIS DESERVES A HAPPY DANCE! Or two , or three...

I raise my glass to you!

Makratz

Mel,

So happy to hear from you!  I was getting nervous.  What a sad story about you and your childhood friend.  I too hope that she did not have a violent death.  So sad to die so young!  I can completely understand your grieving now, this is all new to you.

It did rain and thinderstorm again today for most of the day.  I am hoping that that's the end of it for awhile.

We miss you on  the threads, Mel.  Hope you are doing well.

Linda 

honeygirl

Hi Linda! I'm doing well , considering. Aww , darn those storms! I heard the weather man say tonight , "good news new englanders , sunny skies for you"! I guess as always , they can't predict everything right. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

So do you and your family go on vacation in the summer? I am still hoping to go to Tennessee to see my sister and mom. And my neice and nephew. Its just so hot down there right now. I wish I could of went late spring. Oh well , its air conditioned and my sis has a pool. But now my son , who has always gone with me. This will be the first time I would go without him , says he could go if I wait till fall/winter. But I really feel the need to go sooner than that. And actually , I would love some one on one time with my sis and mom. So I don't know when I am going!

Well , hope you are having a relaxing start to the weekend , even though the weather is soggy!