Packing

 When the kids started to pack up for vacation, they loaded up on swimsuits and counted out underwear.  The first thing I did was to pick a project to carry along.  I've still got my little baskets for handwork, but I also wanted to have a project for evenings in the hotel room.  There are two projects from Bonnie Hunters new book that both use 1.5 inch and 3.5 inch strips.  I am planning one in blue and brown and one in blue red and white.  

We spent the morning watching the shuttle launch.  There was a lot of low cloud cover, so it wasn't visible for very long.  It is the last launch ever though, so we had to see it go up.  I'll miss being able to pop out into the front yard and see them go up. 
After that we all went out to a movie and then came home to finish packing.  Mom's surgery is scheduled for next week so the tentative plan is for me to catch a ride to Atlanta with the in-laws to help mom out.  She has a girlfriend coming to stay with her for the first few days and then the plan is for me to stay for the next week or so. 

Couldn't Sleep

There was a conspiracy to keep me from sleeping that started at 3 this morning. Anna came down to tell us that Ryan was crying because his ear hurt. That woke up the dog of course. I tried to get back to sleep, but busy thoughts were running through my mind of the things I need to take care of before the cruise next week. I was still pondering at 4 and decided to get up for the shuttle launch. I think there are only 4 more left, so I am making a point to watch them all. Now Ryan says his ear throat and tooth are all taking turns hurting and I thought I might as well just give up on pretending to sleep and catch a nap later to make up for a very early morning. It never seems to work out that way, but I'll keep telling myself that it will and hope for the best.

Shuttle Launch (Finally)

We got to watch the shuttle go up tonight. If they hadn't managed to get it up on the next two tries, it was going to be scrubbed, so I'm glad it finally went. It wasn't a fantastic view this time, we barely saw it clear the rooftops across the street before it ducked behind clouds. Sydney is still bummed that she didn't get to see the separation. We turned on the news to see it on TV, but it is not the same at all.

Shuttle Launch

Almost forgot about the shuttle launch! The kids were watching a movie and I had dozed off in my favorite comfy chair. I heard the countdown on the Florida Today web site and ran out the driveway just in time. Kurt took this shot just as the external fuel tanks seperated. That usually happens about the time the sound hits us. The sound on take-off is just a low grumble. When it lands again there will be huge window-vibrating sonic boom. Anna was just a baby the first time I heard one. I was up feeding her at 3 a.m and had just dozed off (I'm sensing a common theme). I thought something had blown up next door. Kurt jumped out of bed and we both ran around trying to figure it out.

Coming Home

Endeavor arrived back this afternoon right before the school bus. There was weather when it was supposed to land originally, so they diverted to Texas and piggybacked it home on an airplane. I didn't get my own picture, but this one was sent by someone from work. Everyone here is bracing for the end of the shuttle program and wondering how it will impact the area. We already have one neighbor leaving, he works directly for NASA and couldn't pass up a good offer to move out of state. They have a son Ryan's age and they play well together, so I will be sad to see them leave, but I would do the same thing in their position.
We've managed pretty well in a single parent household for the week. I am so thankful that I don't have to do this alone all the time! My mom managed from the time we were all small children, and every time I try to "go it alone", I have new respect for what she managed to do.
The quilts are all folded and ready to go. I need to clean Kurt's car out in the morning so that it is ready for carpooling, and I noticed that his back tire has a slow leak, so I should take care of that. The babysitter is coming at 1:30 to stay with Ryan, Sydney and Ryan's friend Lucas. Kurt's parents will be here sometime, they are coming off of a cruise and couldn't pin down an exact arrival. I hope it doesn't confuse the babysitter too much if they show up while I am gone. Kurt will be back in the US by early morning, but has to catch a connection and won't be home before bedtime. Sunday is another doozy with Anna singing in Church in the morning, a birthday party and OM in the afternoon as well as a holiday open house that I don't want to miss. I suppose we'll do as much as we can and count ourselves lucky to have so many options.

Shuttle Launch

I had a very quick evening run tonight, but wanted to rush back in time to see the shuttle launch. It is getting near the end now and nobody knows exactly how many more there will be. Occasionally we'll go out to the beach or up to jetty park to see a launch, but usually we just head out to the front yard. Most of the neighborhood is usually out doing the same thing, so it's kind of festive. The week has been a long one, and I spent a good bit of the afternoon comatose on the couch watching TV with the kids and sewing the binding down on Dad's Plaids. I'd love to call in DONE DONE, and get it settled on the bed.