The long overdue update OR what I did on my spring and summer vacation

When we left our intrepid heroine, there were growing children, new house things and an upcoming trip to the Arctic.

Um, check, check, and OMG was that awesome.

No really, the kids are growing and are doing great. Stretch got braces, her period, and started high school. (Remind me to never show her this blog, eh?) She made the HS soccer team and will be playing next week. After a run in with the most nutless human being who happened to be her former travel soccer coach, she is moving to a new team (his choice, not hers and I won't go into it except to say that this incident damn near made me give up organized sports for kids and well, you all know how much I love sports). All is well, she is adjusting just fine to the changes and has lost about 6 pounds from the every day of soccer practice. Dear Lord in heaven... that child likes to run about as much as I do, which is NONE.

MPM and the Boy are both in their new elementary school and doing just fine. The Boy has a male teacher (YAY!) who may help to keep him in check. He has started playing football, and I swear his pads weigh nearly as much as he does. He's so cute and is playing offensive line and defensive end (not in the same game!) and is the pride and joy of his parents. Even if he does look like he's playing leapfrog during those three point stance moments. MPM made a travel soccer team. I know, and it seems she's a budding goalie. I KNOW. I wince every time she comes charging out of the net, but she seems to love it and I know she's loving having Daddy as a coach. It gives her the status that Stretch used to have. Both kids have adjusted to the new neighborhood, they have friends (and sleepovers) and new friends in school too. So, things are moving along swimmingly.

Had a great family vacation this summer. Went to Myrtle Beach for a week with my folks, and did LOTS. Spent time in the ocean, in the pool, at the go-karts, playing mini golf, saw a circus, went to the aquarium, and the amusement park...we tried to do it all and it was so worth it. Heck even I got a tan and I am a pale Polly indeed.

Work is a challenge. Just this week my HD for my laptop died...so I'm splitting time having NO computer at the corporate office. The desktop here at the customer location isn't much better, but hey, at least I can blog! The spouse is good...he's a spouse, and marriage ain't always sunshine and roses. We'll be fine. It'll be 15 years in October. Most of those who know us didn't think we'd last 15 months.

Okay, the travel...ah yes the travel. In March I went to Norway. I saw the aurora borealis, I was 300 miles NORTH of the arctic circle! Was it cold? You betcha...but the pictures don't even do justice to that gorgeous place. There just aren't adequate words to convey how absolutely beautiful it was. Not just the landscape but the people...oh my the people were so warm and wonderfully friendly. Eight inches of powdery dry snow, the bluest blue water like sapphires set in platinum, that's all I can tell you for a color comparison... it was amazing.

In May I paid a visit to England and Scotland. Give me the opportunity and I will move there. I mean it. London was fantastic, I felt right at home even more so at home than here in the US. I saw STONEHENGE. I walked around it, touched the stones, leaned against them...and watched the sun set. As that red-gold orb sank lower on the horizon, I felt the warmth of the giant rocks against my back and I closed my eyes in a small moment of meditative thankfulness. I could swear...no I WILL swear that I heard a voice..a warm womanly voice saying "Welcome home, Traveler." That wasn't the only hoo-doo boogity thing that happened on my trip, but I know I was changed by setting down in England and getting to bide there a while. I will return, and soon. I just know it. The Scots are a great lot, spent a couple days in Aberdeen, up north. Nice town, nice people who use the word "fuck" an awful lot. I felt pretty comfy there. Got to see Castle Dunotter, which is the location for the Mel Gibson version of Hamlet. Well at least when I see the movie, I will remember the castle and not the nimrod Mel.

June saw me at my 20 year high school reunion. Can it really have been so long ago? Had a really nice time re-acquainting myself with some old school chums. The day after, I left to go to Norway again... this time in summer. Again I was floored by the beauty of Norway and the people. The end of June means that this area has the midnight sun..it never gets dark! Now I am an insomniac to start with, but put me in 24 hour daylight and I am FOOKED. I think the longest stretch of sleep I had was 3.5 hours. All the stunningly beautiful things I saw covered in snow were even more beautiful in the 24 hour daylight and lush green of Norway in June. There is a special imprint on my heart in the shape of Andoya Norway. I will return, I promise. On the way home, I had a nice trip through Oslo, and I had a layover overnight in Dublin. My heart sighed with happiness when I stepped off THAT plane. I did get to have a pint of Guiness, but my trip was far too short. Maybe it's the Irish blood but I swear I could feel the pulse of the land. Amazing...amazing stuff. Ireland...ah sweet Ireland. Next trip will be longer.

Next week I am off again, Germany and Austria. Six days in Munich (OKTOBERFEST y'all) and about a day and a half in Vienna. Let me tell ya, this unsophisticated girl is loving the globetrotting that this job gives me. Next year? Seville, Spain and Australia. If you hear the joyous screaming, it's me.

Photos coming as soon as I get a way to upload them, for that I need a working computer.

Now for some shout outs: Lunatic...I LOBE YOU! There is no one else like you and I am so glad we're still together all these years later. GQS...glad the ailment is better, sure miss you though. Kiss the fambly for me. Shroom...COOL IT woman!! You better get healthy and fast..this world (and me) need you. Who's gonna nag me to update if you don't? Joyous One...I am in awe of you, of your courage, your strength, your beauty, and everything. You're the most amazing person, and that cutest kid has one helluva role model. PoD...MISS YOU how's the move? Go Sens! CowboyPapa...that's some cute little Piper you got there Dad. So happy you're sharing her with us. Daniel...Hello? Hello? You update even less frequently than I do. WESM...hang in there, k? Miss you, sorry I missed the trip to Reno this year. ShimmeryOne... That is one fine lad, you know I love you and him... you are a great gift to me, I rely on you to help pull me back from the ledge and you always do. Last but not least to the E... there isn't much I can say except that I love you. I am so glad we've become so close, and I can't imagine a day without an E or two.

Yay!

I have been called impressive...

Impressive! Me! I'm impressive.

Oh wait...he said impressionable.

Nevermind.

Because Shroom told me to...


And she knows I'm scared of spiders.


Because it's so damned hot here...


I feel like I may never cool off.


Pictures of Norway in March.





Cool and beautiful Norway, ah how I miss you.





More later after I'm sure I won't melt.