After a brief period of mourning my son going to college,

I am now in much better spirits!

Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that we purchased our tickets to Ireland! 

We will be spending half the time with my husband’s Irish Relations(that he’s never met before)  near Galway and

the other half on our own with a Groupon special, staying in 4 different country castles .   

My daughter took these pictures and we were both joking about how hot it was at five o’clock.

She said, “I feel like I am getting a sunburn” 

I was thinking, try facing the sun and actually had to close my eyes for this shot!  

I love kimonos and never tire of them as third completer pieces..

This floral one offers so many colors and is extremely versatile and is one I’ve had for a few years. 

My maximal nature would have been to add a necklace, but with the heat, I opted to just let the belt buckle be my jewelry…

Dear Readers, My son is settling in nicely at VCU and I’ve talked to him daily all instigated by him…I know that once  classes start that the phone calls will get less and less, but for now I am cherishing him telling me everything going on.  I have no worries about this smart young man and the ability to make good decisions for himself.  He always has and with the big goal of becoming an eye surgeon to keep him going, I know he will continue to do so… He knows getting high grades is the only way to get into med-school….. A college in the middle of the city of Richmond offers a lot of clean fun and he is seeking that out successfully.   He was right in his desire to room in the doctor’s lounge with like minded people and they are saying no to temptations together!  One of his suite mates is actually offering the rest alcohol and they all are telling him to knock it off!  The school is offering freshman to participate in a study of how alcohol relates to grade performance and my son said he wanted to join to be part of the control group who doesn’t drink and get paid for doing so. 

I am so blessed to have such smart children with high goals and making good choicea and don’t ever take it for granted. 

Gratitude

I am grateful that my son is settling in and making friends.

I am grateful that I discovered my headache on the left back of my head was actually sciatica related and not a new type of headache that initially scared me senseless.. (I put Vick’s vapor rub on it and when it relieved that pain, the sciatica pain came forward as it had been masked)  A shout out about the wonders of Vick’s Vapor Rub for Headache Relief! 

I am grateful my husband asked me to go for a walk last night to help get this recent weight gain off..

I am grateful my husband is succeeding so beautifully since stepping down from management (he is actually making more money!)

I am grateful that my oldest took my youngest to see a movie yesterday. (With 13 years apart they need to bond more, them being together alone with no other siblings around while we are in Ireland will be great for them!)