For those who didn't know where I disappeared to, the answer was a family reunion and a chance to remember how incredible my last remaining grandmother was - a life full of adventure and obstacles overcome with a smile, an ability to laugh off the tough times and create a positive future. She died with all three kids nearby and the three local grandkids and three or four great grand kids nearby. If I learn to become half the kind person Grandma Edie was, it will be a good thing. And, all of us Hirschs gather in Chicago for a memorial. Eileen had a great time playing with her cousins (first and more distant ones).
I know you are thinking that I would do anything to avoid the 100+ temperatures here, but in truth we are used to things here and there are some benefits to this summer. The bug population is sure a lot smaller. We got more time together as a family indoors doing things. Because I was out of town when the sign ups happened for Gymnastics, Eileen missed not just July (due to our vacation) but August. And so, she convinced me that Dance classes would be more appropriate.
That brings us to the school year (starting on Monday): School for Little People again, with some new faces and some old friends; Dance classes once a week; Violin classes once a week; and Sunday School.
For me, I am going to finally have time to get the house really clean, catch up with both Officers' Spouses' Club responsibilities and Support Our Squadron work. And I am thinking of research proposals again - thank goodness my brain is starting to kick in.
