Home Alone?

Sounds like a good name for a movie!

Today marks the first time I have lived alone, with the exception of a short time in 1975. When I lived alone in 1975 (the dark ages) I had a black and white springer spaniel named Jason and a beautiful grey kitten named Jasmine. I sold Jason to someone who had a whole lot of time to spend with him and I gave Jasmine to a friend who really wanted a kitten, and again who had more time to spend than I did...I wasn't very good on my own. I found lots of reasons to be away from home.

I left Lesley at the airport in LA on Saturday afternoon. It was bittersweet. When Lesley went off to college, neither of us were very happy - it had been a very tough year and I was glad to see her going to college. She was thrilled to be leaving home, was not happy with us here. I never got to have that going away to college, gosh I'm going to miss you time (like I have since had with Joe and Andy). Lesley moved back home after she graduated from college and it has been a great year. I have enjoyed her company and been able to watch her grow a little! She developed great relationships with Tim and I, her brothers, Cassie the dog and people at work. She really enjoyed her job at Starbucks. We said goodbye on the rental car shuttle bus - I held it together until she was out of sight then totally lost it. Had a few moments in the security line and on the plane. It's a weird feeling. She has arrived in Taiwan, says it smells salty and humid like the beach (I asked her to remember all the smells so she could describe it to me) and today was her first full day in the country. I know she will enjoy it.

We did have a great weekend in LA. Arrived at about 9:30, got our bags, got to the hotel, crashed. Of course, once we arrived in LA they couldn't get the jetway to work - that took about 15 minutes, then I went to get the car while Lesley waited with the luggage and the line to get the car was about 30 minutes, then, of course, even with the GPS we got lost going to the hotel which was only three miles away! We got to our room and the hotel had given us keys that were too big for the slots in the door! Friday morning we both had a workout, then went to Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. We went to Grauman's Chinese Theatre which was very cool and very touristy. Walked on the beach at Santa Monica and wandered around the Santa Monica pedestrian area which were both very cool. Had some good Mexican food and humongous margaritas and went back to our hotel. Saturday we went separate ways!

Today Tim left at 6:15 a.m. for Philly. He won't be home until October 1. Rather than coming home from Philly on Thursday he is going to Minneapolis so he can go down to Andy's parents' weekend at SMU. Andy is performing with the concert choir, the chamber choir and the jazz ensemble. Tim will then go back to Philly from Minneapolis.

I am going to Joe's last parents' weekend. Joe never really wanted us to come before. It is his senior year, he is the president of his fraternity and they are having a barbecue and keg party on Saturday! I doubt if all the parents will come but, I will be there for a little while. I'll drive up on Saturday morning and drive home on Sunday. Sarah H. will be watching Cassie - in combination with other members of her family...depending on who's home.

Off for a walk, then yoga, then lunch with friends.