Our Baby is 18!

I surprised Colleen for her birthday last night with dinner at the TPC with Andrea Koegler (her favorite family friend) and Mel and Sarah, two of her best friends from school. We missed the other Farn sister, Hayley. Isn't this the cutest cake ever? The celebration continues tomorrow when she turns redneck for the night at the Monster Truck Jam! Tailgate starts at 4:30pm and the festivities last until midnight and then out for breakfast at Famous Amos. Can't wait to see those pictures :)

Weary Travelers

The last two weekends have been spent on the road for Colleen, Jim and I. First, the Duke/Miami game in Durham. Since that will probably be my first and last basketball game at Cameron Indoor it was so exciting that not only did Duke win, but it was in OT. Down to the wire!

Then off to Wake Forest for a college visit with Kate and the girls. Colleen and I both really enjoyed our visit and tour. It was interesting to learn the history of the University. Although it is an old institution (1834), it only recently (that being a relative term) moved to Winston-Salem, 1956, and became a University, 1967. Beautiful grounds, buildings, dorms, library, etc. We found it odd and not that attractive that the trees in the quad had been toilet papered. That is a tradition stemming from a team rivalry from when the school was located in WF whenever they win a big game. They have a nationally ranked business school (application separately) and a top ranked study abroad program. 4-year on campus housing guaranteed, all freshmen dorm rooms have a fridge and micro as well as wireless. Laundry is included in tuition.

The library addition was added on without tearing down an outside wall which makes for a very neat atrium effect. They have a Starbucks on campus and are currently building a TGIFridays. The cafeteria is new and the food choices looked really appetizing and fresh. All made to order they said. Is this really a country club? Long drive home, but no longer than the Duke trip - about 8 hours, just a different route.

Then off to South Beach for a Valentine weekend getaway. Jim flew in from Dallas and we met a few friends from the Boston area. Jim and I golfed twice, the iguanas were everywhere. All colors and sizes. Didn't see a gator, but we know they were there somewhere.

Warm, sunny weather, great food, good times. What more can I ask for. My romantic husband who was sick as a dog the first 2 days, asked me to put his iPod on the player which I did. When turned on there was a playlist entitled Valentine's Day. He had researched the top love songs from the last 32 years (when we met in 1977) and had compiled them for a Valentine's day gift for me. I almost cried it was so sweet! He's a keeper.

Back in PVB with no plans for any travel for the next 3 months until Colleen graduates! As always, there's no place like home.

PMC 2009 Here I Come!

So, it's official: I registered for the 190 mile, 2-day Pan Mass Challenge -- Sturbridge to Provincetown!!! The race/challenge takes place the first weekend in August and I have committed to raise $4200 by October 1st to help further Cancer Research. It's definitely going to be a challenge but I am looking forward to training and brainstorming ways to reach my fundraising goals. I am planning to create a blog to chronicle my experience and hopefully encourage people to donate. More details to come...