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...

Abbey's Big Day

Thought Melissa and Colleen would enjoy some pictures of Abbey's wedding. It was a beautiful day and a lovely ceremony even if we had the time wrong, arrived 10 minutes late, almost missed it, but luckily caught the important part ... the vows!

The happy couple cutting the cake.

The 3 high school BFFs.

The very cool "grooms cake". A southern tradition I had no idea existed.

Em and Kev.

Caitlin and Brandon.

Brrrrring on the Snow!

Last weekend I went up to Vermont with my roommate Ingrid and her friend Laura for a weekend of relaxation and wintry activities. She lives in the Northern Kingdom of Vermont in a town called St. Johnsbury -- about 50 miles from the Canadian border. Driving up there is absolutely beautiful as you pass through Franconia notch and her house/land does not disappoint. They have over 50 acres of land with several trails blazed through the woods and hills surrounding their home (it actually reminded me a bit of the Poconos -- but with more mountains). When we weren't outside, we spent most of our time by the woodstove, which heats their entire house. While there, I skied for the first time in almost 5 years and went on a long snowshoe. It felt great to be back on the slopes and I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to ski down the blues and one black with some ease. Needless to say I am looking forward to ripping up the slopes again soon...

After a day of skiing

Ingrid's Backyard
Snowshoeing!

Ahhhhhhh.......

Last night I did something for only the second time in 8 years - took a nice hot bath in my whirlpool tub! What bliss. Although I golfed in the morning, I wanted to make it to the gym for my cardio exercise and, as often happens with me, I procrastinated all afternoon and before I knew it it was time for dinner. So I wasn't going to go, but I ate too much at dinner and just decided after cleaning up that I had to hit the gym. So I worked out at 8 pm. Upon arrival home just decided I needed to warm up (as is the rest of the nation, we are in the deep freeze here) and relax. So I dimmed the lights, lit some candles and soaked. I now vow to do that more than twice in the next 8 years!

Mini Update

After an enjoyable and memorable family vacation in London, a hectic new year weekend, and getting Melissa back to Duke, I am gradually settling back to normal. Wanted to share this family picture from London. We are standing on a bridge in a garden near Buckingham Palace along the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walkway. Although it looks relatively calm and there is not a bird in the picture, there were a ton of pigeons, ducks, and other birds flying all around as people were feeding them and the girls were absolutely freaking out. You can see that Em is seeking protection from Melissa. Note the London Eye in the backround. That is a 443 foot high enclosed ferris wheel, the world's tallest observation wheel giving stunning 360 degree panaromic views of London of up to 25 miles. We rode it at night (a champagne flight) so although we didn't see quite 25 miles, it was a very clear night and we enjoyed the lights of London with a glass of champagne. I thought I might not be comfortable with the height, but it wasn't scary at all.