Back from the Midnight Sun

Well actually I've been back for a week now, but for the first part I had to pay the piper and keep my two nieces along with my two rug rats. Even with PH's help, four children under ten is a bit crazy, especially when suffering from jet lag. I expected I would be able to get by with just pictures from the trip for a few days but alas my mother's computer does not appear to be compatible with any other system. My beautiful photos are on my laptop and my mother's computer refuses any sort of interaction. Since it is a a rainy day here in Maine, I hope to drag the children into town and try to find a disk to download the photos and see if that will please the giant ancient machine my mother calls a computer.

So Norway . . . it was a wonderful trip. A quick run down

• We arrived in Stavanger after a wonderful flight on Northwest/KLM. After my disastrous flight on DELTA to Maine, it was nice to be treated courteously and kindly as that certainly was not the case on DELTA. In case you haven't figured it out, I will no longer fly on DELTA as their uncaring behavior made the flight even worse than the time I was stuck in D.C. with a barely three year old and six month old and was told it would be faster to drive from D.C. to Florida than to wait for a flight (15 hours in car that I have chosen to block from my memory - shudder).
• Slightly groggy we drove to Haugesund to meet with the family that PH stayed with as an exchange student nineteen years ago. This ride included a ferry ride which is a fun way to travel - park car and exit upstairs to watch the boat cross the water. Very refreshing after having been in an airplane all night.
• We drove around Haugesund a bit as PH had not been there in nineteen years and seemed a bit stunned that it had changed - go figure! Finally with the help of some kind Norwegians and PH's language skills we arrived at the home where we would be staying.
• The family PH lived with nineteen years ago were beyond kind and hospitable. We had the bottom half of a house to stay that they were not using, dinner was arranged every night at different family member's home, the father of the family was our personal tour guide for two days, driving us and chatting away with John in Norwegian but making sure that I was included even though my language skills were abysmal. There was a night out on the town with PH's "brother" and his wife, a BBQ, a bonfire, a boat ride on the fjords, a hike to an abandoned lighthouse at 10:30 P.M. to watch the sun "set" at 11:45, gifts exchanged for our various children, a promise to make traditional sweaters and send them to us in the U.S. in exchange for some "spirits" that we had brought with us. We saw a part of Norway that very few tourist would see and "tusen takk" seemed to be an inadequate way to thank them. I can only hope that at some point they will come to the U.S. so we can return the favor. I know we will certainly visit again.
• After the three days in Haugesund, we were off to Bergen.
  
  

• We stayed outside of the city at the lovely Solstrand. We visited Bergen using the Bergen pass which allows you a days entrance into the museums, funicular, churches, and various other discounts including for parking. We also biked, hiked, swam in the fjord - well, jumped in and got out, used the wonderful pool and spa, and ate delicious meals at the Solstrand. This was a wonderful hotel for us as we prefer to be outside the city and enjoy being outdoors.
• Our last day we drove and ferried back to Stavanger and visited Stavanger and again had a lovely flight on Northwest/KLM.

Fingers crossed that pictures will be available tomorrow.

Hei Norge!

Off we go... This is PH. Unfortunately, Hexe has been a little ill so you get me. Hexe flew up to Maine on Monday to drop off KK and Hew at her mother's home. Here's what happened: We woke up at 3:20 AM to make a 6:00 AM flight. After checking in the gang headed to security for the fun to begin.

The TSA confiscated the kid's yogurt as contraband at the security check point. The kid's Play-Dough was nearly taken, but after a rather intense inspection it was allowed on the plane. Upon finding the yogurt and Play-Dough, Hexe was forced to empty the entire contents of her purse and back pack. After the PB&J sandwiches were analyzed to make sure they didn't exceed the 3 ounce limit, the family was allowed to proceed to their flight.

Of course, Delta was nice enough to seat each of them in three different rows. The ticket counter person said she couldn't reassign the seats so that the children could sit with their mother. The representative at the gate also refused. So, Hexe did what any mother traveling alone with a 3 and 5 year old would do. She chose a nice row and squatted until the crew reseated other passengers.

Once seated together they got ready for take off. More fun quickly ensued. Both KK and Hexe tend to get air sick. This time, it was KK's turn to throw up on the plane. The good news is that the entire contents of KK's stomach made it into the vomit bag. Hew was rather impressed and told every passenger what good a job KK did to throw up in the bag while being careful not to "miss it" like last time. Plus, KK only needed ONE bag this time. What a proud little brother.

The three of them arrived on time to Atlanta for their connection to Maine. While exiting the plane Hexe gave the flight attendant KK's deposit and went in search of the connecting flight. There were no more security "issues" and this flight boarded on time. However, once the plane was fully boarded several passengers started to notice a rather familiar, strong smell. This was quickly pointed out to the flight crew who told the Captain. Apparently, over the weekend the ground crew forgot to clean and empty the toilets. Instead, three days of "remains" were still in the tank. The crew was instructed to take off and let the ground crew in Maine clean it up. Fortunately, the Captain had a heart and forced them to empty the toilets before leaving. I am really glad he did. Otherwise, Hexe and KK would have filled several small bags on this flight.

Hew was rather impressed with the cleaning crew and told them to make sure there was plenty of blue water for him to use, now that he is completely potty trained.

After a 30 minute delay for the "potty clean up," the kids and Hexe were on their way back home to Maine. Unfortunately, during the rush to put everyone's shoes back on and gather her belongings at security in Florida, the PB&J sandwiches were found at the bottom of the back pack. So, on the Atlanta flight there was no yogurt and no sandwiches. Isn't Play-Dough edible?

During the last half hour of the flight KK was unable to equalize the pressure in her ears and screamed bloody murder. The good news is that no one threw up. Hew made sure that all the passengers were aware of this fact.

Once on ground Hexe gathered the luggage and car seats and went in search of the rental car. It was now 1:30 and the kids only had peanuts to eat. The first "restaurant" she could find was a McDonald's - somewhere the kids have NEVER been and Hexe hasn't visited since she was in high school. The kids were not impressed with the chicken nuggets, but ate them any way since the only other option was a plastic bag of squished PB&J remnants.

Unfortunately, Hexe caught a bug on the flights north. No, it is not T.B. Between visits from her cousins and grandparents she has been trying to stay in bed as much as possible so she can get over her funk before we fly to Norway tonight. I am currently sitting at Gate 77 in the Orlando Airport waiting for my flight to Boston where I will meet Hexe for our Norwegian vacation.

In Boston I'll greet her with a big hug, a kiss, and a vomit bag if needed. Details from our visit will be coming soon. Until then... we are off to the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Hilsen,

PH

Technical Assistance Needed

I need someone to tell me how I can reply to my comments individually without leaving another comment. I see some of you have mastered this talent (Ms. Mac and Expat Travel and the rest of you know who you are) and this technology challenged blogger needs some help figuring out how to do this. I will forever be in debt to you master bloggers. Merci, Tusen Takk, Danke.

Round One

I am trying to pack and prepare for our flight next week. Yet my kids seem to have other ideas. This happened last year too. I've yet to figure out the correlation between suitcases and bad behavior. I have no conclusive evidence other than to note that it appears to be a consistent trend.

My kids, although young, are good travelers. Now as their parent, I'm sure I'm biased. However on every plane these kids have flown, total strangers have turned to us at the end of the flight and comment how well behaved my devil spawn are during the flight. Even when sick, there is no crying on planes.

But getting them to the plane with a packed suitcase is a different story. This morning has included repeatedly rolling the ottoman across the floor and banging it into the wall, as well as the removal of several Barbie heads. We have had fights that have resulted in hitting and one biting incident. BITING! These kids did not even have a biting phase as toddlers and now at the sight of a suitcase, they're leaving teeth imprints on each other. I would love to toss them both outside but as I reside in Hell and it is two thousand degrees in the backyard, I would be accused of child abuse if they were left outside melting for more than ten minutes.

I need reinforcement - Is it too early for wine?

Yesterday included a visit to the dentist for a cleaning, a stop by the store for socks and toothbrushes, and a run through the market for mild and bread. Both kids strapped themselves in and out of the car seats several times. I didn't realize how long it was taking until Hew pointing to the local Bob Evans, chimed from the back seat, "There's Auntie's house."

It appears in all the errands I took a wrong turn and drove 1300 miles to New Hampshire. Imagine how happy my sister would be to think that the home they spent the last six years building resembles this?

Food and Wine

While in Oregon, I attended my first cooking class. I have to say that I am hooked. I've always loved cooking and this brunch class just furthered my curiosity (as well as my appetite!). The menu included:

Goat cheese and salmon blintz served with a red onion and quince jam and creme fraiche

Whole wheat crepes filled with a spinach florentine served with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce

A living cress and citrus salad AND

Classic crepes suzettes

Of course, I forgot my camera so I have no proof of my creativity, but it was wonderful. The food was incredible and the class was only six students so it was a cozy group. Since then I have been inspired and PH and the kids have been reaping the benefits.

When I arrived home PH had some left over chicken in the refrigerator, I diced up the chicken with some artichoke, prepared a roux and added chicken stock and lemon juice. I had no creme in the house so I tossed in some of the kid's vanilla yogurt and then made homemade crepes and a salad - resulting in lemon chicken and artichokes crepes with salad. YUM! Since then I have grilled some great burgers with corn on the cob and a delicious tabouli salad. Last night was a cold peach and strawberry soup with steam artichokes and a mustard wine sauce. I'm not sure how long the inspiration will continue but I need to start taking some photos to capture this creativity.

Also in Oregon, I stopped by a winery

And also made a stop at Tillmook Dairy where I was nearly run over by numerous senior citizens with giant bags of cheese

Finally, I stopped at the Blue Heron Dairy where I sample and purchased some tasty smoke brie, including a smoked pepper brie. I also had lunch in their cute kitchen - a smoked turkey and brie sandwich with a cup of clam chowder. YUM!

Must go - time for lunch!

Pics

The view of my hotel, The Ocean Lodge from the beach the day I arrived. It was rainy and very foggy.

One of the many house along the beach that I liked.

These flowers were growing around the hotel. I have no idea what they are.

This is the fireplace where I spent some quiet hours reading with coffee and a treat from the never ending cookie jar!

Once the fog cleared, this was the view from the deck in my room.

I took numerous pictures of these rocks. There was something mesmerizing about them.

As the sun was setting

A path down to the beach from a state park.

More random flowers found while walking.

Children are" calling" (screaming bloody murder at each other over a $0.50 toy) so more later about the cheese and wine.

Thank You PH

I tried to upload photos but my computer is doing strange things - I guess it does not enjoy traveling as much as I do :) So far I have walked the beach and stared at the ocean, been to a cooking class, shopped, watched a movie, gone to a winery, visited two dairys that make cheese, and taken lots of pictures. And it has rained almost the entire time I've been here!

None of this wonderful trip would not be possible without my wonderful husband watching my children. I know there are many women who would be uncomfortable traveling alone and even fewer husbands who would agree to let their wife fly off across the country to wander alone. Since I can't load pictures, I can at least thank my husband for this time. Thank you for the time and for watching the kids. Thank you for realizing that I need time to wander and for trusting me enough to always encourage me to take time. I love you and miss you.

I Love Travel

I would swear to you that this state hates me. For weeks I have wished for cool weather or a lazy rainy day, and now as I sit at the airport waiting to leave the state, there is a down pour. Not only that, it is expected to rain all weekend. Yeah, yeah the irony . . .

This is my first time at the airport since Christmas with PH and the kids. Being here by myself is certainly different. First, I am sitting quietly. No one has asked for a drink, snack, movie, or to be taken to the bathroom. It’s almost eerily quiet as I sit looking at the blowing rain wondering what I will be doing for the next few days. And that is the second difference, what will I be doing for the next few days? Normally travel days are filled with events, people to see, and children to control. Other than a couple hour cooking class, my time is free for the next couple days. Those of you with families can understand how this is both exhilarating and yet slightly unnerving. I know I used to have a life before marriage and children, but the years of sleeplessness have robbed my memory of that time.

There is an excitement however, every time I walk into airport. You’d think it would get old and that I’ve flown enough to find it a dirty but necessary inconvenience. Yet walking through the airport doors with people rushing about with suitcases, it appears as though the world is a possibility. Sounds corny, I know. But from this place, people will be going to places across an ocean. They will meet new people, have new experiences, and modify their world view. I can’t help but sense the possibilities each time I walk through the automated doors.

Enjoy the weekend and hopefully I’ll some pictures in the next few days so the sappy dribble can be replaced. And all my love to PH and the kids

An Observation

It’s an overcast day and a cool breeze is blowing through the backyard. Cool is relative here as both kids are currently in their bathing suits running through the grass, chasing bubbles they have blown. It’s a simple pleasure they enjoy and one that I haven’t had time for recently as it includes a change of clothes when the “bubble juice” inevitable ends up on their clothing.

I covertly sneak out the camera to try and capture a few of these moments for eternity. I manage a couple of pictures before the beauty queen, my five year old daughter, notices the camera. Within a second the scene changes and my five year old is posing in her brightly stripped one piece bathing suit, right leg out in front, hip cocked to the side as though she is Ms. June in a magazine. And I’m disturbed. Where did she learn that? I gave up on being fashionable years ago so there are no magazine floating around the house unless they have recipes or home improvement projects. No pictures of the anorexically thin young girls in the provocative clothes and poses. Is the one hour a day of PBS and Disney television responsible? With the ultra thin, ultra cute, ultra white smiled pre-teens dancing across the screen? Or maybe preschool, where her classmates have older brothers and sisters who have passed down a not so impressive vocabulary that has unfortunately made its way into my home?

All I know is that in that moment I could see that KK was not going to be five forever and it disturbed me. How many moments do I miss just in the business of the day? What do I fail to see when I’m running around trying to throw together a healthy dinner that they will eat and I won’t be sweeping off the floor? Or when I ask for just one more minute to finish the task at hand? It a cliché about time passing quickly but today I could see it running away with my girl and I didn’t like it.

Not much happening

The finals are corrected and the grades are in. Tuesday is officially the last day and I have survived the last year of teaching. I received some lovely notes from students about how much they enjoyed my class, as well as a number of students who stopped in to wish me a good summer. I've not quite forgotten the crazy parents and unsupportive administration, but the second half of the year was a definite improvement.

I appear to have picked up some crud and will be calling the doctor on Tuesday as it has been ten days and I still can't shake it. I am sleeping as though I have mono - napping every chance I get.

We are taking it easy this weekend. PH actually took a parent free day yesterday and sat by the beach solo. As I will be leaving next Saturday for four days in Oregon, it was easy to be gracious about his day. Other than a cooking class on Sunday next weekend, I have NO PLANS in Oregon! I can not wait as most days are packed with children needing various levels of attention. I am so excited to be without plans. After that trip I will be home for a couple weeks and then it is off to Norway and Maine. This summer will be full of fun travel and family!

Hope everyone in the U.S. is having a safe Memorial Weekend!

Almost Done!

Out guests have left and it was a good visit. My children now use random french words that they picked up from their younger cousin and my niece has returned to France with an English vocabulary that is quite impressive for a not quite two year old. My daughter, concerned that she would not be able to speak with her young cousin, has asked us many questions about learning languages so it appears we have sparked an interest!

I celebrated my son's return to his own room (he was sleeping in our room during the ten days of our family visit) by becoming sick. I lost my voice and that made the last couple days of classes rather interesting with me whispering orders to my students :) I'm sure my voice will return and that my illness is more a result of exhaustion.

Friday was my last class and next week is finals. I expect it will pass rather quickly in a whirlwind of grading as the exam itself is only two hours on Monday. After my grades are in, I'm done. Fini! I will have completed my first year of teaching and I was offered a contract for next year which I have signed (I need one more year for my temporary license to become permanent). Knowing that next year I will begin looking for a different job, I have been in contact with an overseas education placement service and even though my license will not be final until next May, they have requested a resume for the fall so that I can be considered for positions for the following year. A good sign.

I am looking forward to my trip to Oregon, the first weekend in June. I fear that I may sleep most of the vacation, but I hope to rest up after this week.

Thanks to all of you who posted wishes and congratulations on my 100 post. I can't believe it's been a year. Look forward to returning to regularly posting in the near future.

100 post

I imagined that my 100 post would be insightful and witty, as I reflected on this past year blogging. Instead I 'm writing to say I will be back in two weeks. I have two weeks of classes left and I am drowning in work. Additionally, the french visitors who were to stay four days are now back for an unannounced additional week and our three year old is sleeping in our room to accommodate the visitors. I'll be reading others blogs just to escape, but I'm too exhausted to try to put together a coherent sentence. Back soon - Ta Ta!

This weekend: a dance rehearsal, a dance recital, drop car at airport, arrival of family from France, cooking for family arriving from France, laying of sod, 26 resaearch papers to grade, two quizzes to write, a cold and a partridge in a pear tree!

A Decision

So, a decision has been made. The week after I finish my first year of teaching, I will be going solo to Oregon for four nights. Oregon certainly wasn't my first thought when I began planning my escape, but a very cheap ticket and a look at pictures of the coastline convinced me otherwise. Additionally, I have never seen the West Coast and I have some unexplained aversion to California. And to top it off, I found a cooking class for one of the days and a nearby winery. So beach, books, wine, and good food - sounds perfect to me!

Interview Me

This has been making its rounds on the blogs for the last week so I had to jump on the bandwagon. Pam from American Spoken Here graciously agreed to interview me. Below are her questions and my answers. If anyone else wants to play just follow the rules.

The Rules:
Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me.''
I respond by asking you five personal questions (I will leave these questions for you in my comments) so I can get to know you better.
You will update your journal/blog /whatever, with the answers to the questions (please don't leave your answers in my comments unless you don't have a blog).
You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

So without further adieu (and Thank You Pam!):

1. How did you decide on 'Hexe' for your blog?
I had been to Austria and just fallen in love with the country. It was after that trip that my husband and I started the "what if" conversations. What if money were no object - where would we live then? What if we started to look for jobs overseas? What if I stopped practicing law and changed jobs so we could look for employment in two fields? What if we found jobs, could we move our kids overseas? As a result of these conversations, I began looking on-line for information about living overseas and stumbled upon blogs of expatriates. After months of being a lurker, I finally decided to start my blog. I didn't really have an intent or a plan other than to write about our hope to move soon. As we were not willing to announce to the world and my husband's job that we intend to leave in the next two years (now one year!), I needed a "code name." Because of my love of Austria, I used my German dictionary. I was just randomly flipping through it when I found the word "hexe" which is witch in German. It seemed to fit because some days I'm a good witch and I magically juggle home, work, husband, family, kids, and self and others I'm just witch (or substitute a "b" for the "w"). So Hexe I became.

2. If you could change any law, which one would you change?
Only one?! There are so many . . such as in Maine, you can marry your first cousin if you attend genetic counseling. If you're willing to marry your first cousin, then I have to imagine that genetic counseling is not the only counseling you need. Or that stealing a filled lobster trap is called molestation of a lobster trap! The tax code that more heavily penalizes the lower economic class. In Florida, if you kill a person through neglect and the deceased does not have a surviving spouse or children then no one can hold the negligent party responsible (e.g. drunken doctor kills 18 year old who is not married and has no children, parents can not bring suit). A minimum standard for universal health care. Laws that restrict the termination of parental rights - there is a presumption that the biological parent is in the best interest of the child. Biological parents who beat, torture, starve, and burn their children should not get a second chance. Okay, that's more than one - Sorry!

3. What experience of one of your grandparents do you want to make sure your children know?
My paternal grandparent's farm. As a kid I used to love to visit my grandparents and see the cows, the garden, and run in the fields. The cows are now gone but they still grow hay and keep a garden. It was great to see my kids riding on the tractor with my grandfather.

4. Your life story is a movie: who plays your part?
My husband says Felicity Huffman. I'd choose Dame Judi Dench.


5. What do you do when (you think)no one is looking?
Dance to the music in my head.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

SEND HELP! Mother in law has arrived with numerous bags of "treasures." Children are full of Easter candy and screaming "Gramma" repetitively. More candy has also been brought into the house. Please send reinforcements!

Busy, busy, busy

The last week has been both relaxing and insane. My parents arrived Wednesday from Arizona. They are driving back to Maine after a few months of being snowbirds. Thursday, I took the kids to daycare and went to work for a few hours, then picked up the kids and brought them home to my parents, then I quickly threw some clothes into a suitcase and jumped back in the car and drove to pick up PH from work, then we drove a couple hours to the coast and checked in to a resort for forty-eight hours of child free time. In that 48 hours, we went for bike rides, went swimming, walked on the shore and stared at the ocean, went to yoga, went to a core class, ate at two restaurants, sat by the pool, had a manicure, graded papers, and read a book - it was great! Then we drove back and filled eggs and prepared for a visit from the Easter bunny. I got up at 6:00 A.M. to stop the chocolate hoarding and help find eggs. Next, we colored a dozen eggs and then spent thirty minutes and a lot of soap trying to scrub the dye off little finger. Additionally, I cooked a ten pound ham, a dozen potatoes and a meal for eleven people and then we went to my sister-in-law's house and did had an egg hunt for another fifteen plus children and I brought dessert for the meal for twenty plus people. In four days, I filled 84 eggs. Today, I said goodbye to my parents and then tried to prepare lesson plans and tests for the next week. Whew!

Friday Feast

Appetizer: What are you proud of?
I am proud of my family, of my insatiable need to continually learn, and of my stubbornness.

Soup: What is the best thing you’ve ever won as a prize?
When I was twelve my grandfather put my name into a drawing and I won a ten speed bike. it was baby blue and I thought I was all that and a bag of chips with the handle bar breaks. When I was in law school I won a mock trial competition and a set of law books with enthralling titles such as Opening Statements, Evidence, and Trial Preparation. I used the bike more than the books.

Salad: Name something you do that is a waste of time.
Bathe my children. Why bother - ten minutes later they are covered in dirt or food.

Main Course: In what year of your life did you change the most?
The year my daughter was born. Before that it was all about me, all of the time. Within six weeks of her birth, I changed jobs to work part time, and went from putting criminals in jail to representing them.

Dessert: Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?
Any mountain - the Austrian Alps, Mt. Battie and Mount Katahdin in Maine, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the Swiss Alps. A quiet hiking trail, a picnic of water, fruit, chocolate, and cheese, and cool air.

Oh, the romance . . .

PerfectHusband reads post that is below and then read the comment by the wonderful and talented Ms. Mac. PH turns to wife and says "If you fly British Airways to London and die at least you'll get to ride in first class . . . and I'll get stuck with the bill for it." I die and all he is worried about is the fecking bill for first class. Despite the 80 degree weather here, it will be a mighty cold night at Hexe's house.

Suggestions

Only 46 more school days until summer break. I know I sound like an over-anxious teenager, but in reality I am an overworked teacher who is ready for a break. This year has not been what I expected but I don't know if anything could have prepared me for this year. Every teacher not affiliated with the school where I teach claim that in their multiple years of teaching they have never experienced what I have this year. At least that gives me hope that another school may be a very different circumstance.

I still have not planned my four days away that PH's trip to Arizona entitled me too. I intend to take the four days right after school gets out but I still have not planned it. So far, I have looked at a eco-hotel with cooking classes in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Toronto, and Vermont, as well as whether I could get a direct flight to London (otherwise not worth it for four days). Thankfully, we have miles earned and vouchers from a previous flight so I am not worried about price, but more worried about time. I know previously some of you suggested places in the South but I really just want to escape from the South just to remind myself that there is hope and I will not be living here forever. At least that is what I keep telling myself. So any more ideas - I need to some motivation.

The Mother-In-Law

When PH and I decided to wed, I really didn't consider that cliche that by marrying him I was marrying his family. PH's family is insane - six siblings and all raised by my MIL after a brutal divorce from FIL and FIL has gone on to three additional wives and various adopted children and step-children. Generally, there is no communicating between the various sides of the war, but my house is Switzerland. We host the holidays and invite everyone - while you're here, you put the past shit aside and get along. There is some grumbling but it works, and generally I drink a couple glasses of wine on these days and ignore the passive aggressive bitching.

This is where MIL and I differ. The women is the Queen of passive aggressive behavior, whereas I tend towards erupting like a volcano when I have reached my threshold, and then hashing it out. On top of MIL's "helpful little suggestions," I have come to learn that her children are perfect, and the various spouses are not. As a spouse I take exception to the idea that PH is perfect and any faults demonstrated by him are a result of marrying me. Because of the Queen status, this is never directly stated to me, but hints are given and when that doesn't work MIL tells other members of the family how poor PH has suffered due to my ineptitude. I, in turn, get to hear about how PH's siblings suffer due their spouses incompetence.

I continue to encourage PH and my kids to have a relationship with MIL because I am selfish. Children learn what they see. When I am a senile, obnoxious, old bag, I want my children to remember that they saw me continue to try with MIL and know they have an obligation to still see me. So with that theory in mind, I invited MIL with us to the beach for four days.

Overall, it was good to have her with us. I got sick the day we were to leave for the beach and MIL and PH took the kids for a couple hours so I could empty my stomach before crawling into the back seat of the car between two car seats and riding three hours through Orlando traffic (it was a VERY bad ride). Additionally, MIL did offer and take the children on a few occasions so PH and I had a few hours to ourselves, which was very considerate. It wasn't that the other stuff didn't happen, it did, but some I've learned to ignore and some I save to share with PH. But it was this weekend that I got to see that MIL isn't always going to be around.

MIL is obese - not just overweight - hoarding food, no exercise obese. Her weight impairs her mobility and keeps her from being able to do what she would like to do. At the beach, we stayed at a condo that was no more than a five minute walk from the resort and pool. It was slightly uphill, but PH and I walked with both kids several times and never thought twice about it. MIL always called a shuttle for a ride. One time, she actually waited forty minutes with the kids and me rather than walk the five minutes. Seeing this scared me - I need to get my butt out of the chair and get rid of the twenty pounds that came with the kids. I refuse to let my weight keep me from doing all the activities I intend to do before I die. More importantly, seeing her helped me to understand that even though I will never be "good enough" for her and she will continue to favor one of my children over the other (a subject for another time), she will not always be able to go where we intend to be. If she continues, there will reach a point where travel will not be an option for her. Considering that her grandchildren and children now live on two continents and varying states, I feel sorry for her. I guess this means I'll invite everyone, including MIL to both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

Photo Tour of the Beach

The View From our Condo.

The Beach.

The Lazy River at the Pool

The Pool

One of the many shells

Proof that we were not alone.

Shaving Cream according to Hew

My Final Resting Spot

Nothing new

After a week, I should have something to write about, but I have nothing. I have been grading like a crazy person and doing lesson plans. Thursday we are leaving for the beach for four days - The kids, PH, and MIL. I hope to more later this week but for now nada. Hope your week is more interesting than mine.

Almost done . . .

Thirty-six papers read. Six to go. Insanity catching up quickly.

Just a thought . . .

After having been married for more than six years, Perfect Husband and I readily recognize each other flaws. I do not adapt easily. I know that change causes me stress which results in me raging and ranting during the adjustment. It is not pretty and I know it.

Perfect Husband also recognizes this character flaw and as recently as last night expressed his concerns about an overseas move. How will I deal with the inevitable feelings of stress at moving somewhere unknown, where it is unlikely that I will speak the language, and I will be working at a new job? (An aside here - Before meeting PH, I did move across country by myself to start a new job at a place where I had no connections and miraculously did manage.)

Yet, was it me snipping into the phone at some poor service worker as to why there was no technical support available ON A SUNDAY to help PH with his new Blackberry? It appears that I won't be the only one needing stress management when we move.

The swing of the pendulum

Received in the forty plus research papers and promptly got the stomach flu that KK had. The flu hit so fast that I actually had to run out of a class I was teaching to be sick. Have determined that I must now be dying as the sight of chocolate turns my stomach.

What I've been doing in my spare time

A little less than a year ago, we decided to pull up the old nasty carpet in our house and replace it with a wood floor. After several heart stopping quotes, PH and I decided to put down the floor ourselves - one room at a time. We were half way through the house when I started my new job in August and since then, the floor project laid dormant. We blamed my job, but part of our inertia was due the fact that the next room to do was the family room which is the largest room.

Last Sunday, after I finished my first 23 research papers (46 will be coming in on Wednesday so service will then again be interrupted), we decided to pull up the rug and put in the floor working every night after work. Never mind that my sister and her family were coming in a week for a visit before heading to Mouseland. Never mind that I was cooking for fourteen the following weekend. It was time. Here is our progress the first night . . .



Night one!






AND FIVE DAYS LATER . . .






Although we are tired, it is done and the last three rooms are substantially smaller. We still have trim work to do, but I am quite impressed with our work.

After Friday night, I still had to cook for fourteen. I made chicken breasts in a sauce of tomatoes, onion, thyme, parsley, and wine, with baby red potatoes grilled with olive oil, thyme and parsley, and some blanched green beans. I was so busy that I only snapped one picture while I was making the sauce.

But I didn't forget to take a couple pictures of the pear and chocolate tart.

Unfortunately, after all the working, cooking, and visiting, KK came down with the stomach flu and I am now cleaning bed linens. Ma belle vie!

Temporary Break

I will be back but I am currently buried under a stack of research papers that need to be corrected. Also, for some insane reason, we tore up the carpet in the family room and are laying wood floors down. Someday, I will be back . . .

Near Escape

A very busy week and I don't see a let up in the next couple weeks. Yuck.

We finally returned Hammy the hamster, but not without problems. Last Sunday night, the deviant hamster from hell made a dash for freedom at two freakin' o'clock in the morning. Even without wayward rodents, I hate Sunday nights. I can never get to sleep - my mind races with all the things that need to be completed in the up-coming week.

Before Hammy's break, I spent the first two hours in bed tossing and turning, making numerous lists of things that I will never accomplish. The next hour, I listened to PH snore. PH's snoring is not consistent. The volume increases until he nearly gags himself whereupon he wakes himself up, only to turn over and continue snoring whether on his back, his stomach, or his side. After numerous attempts to stop the variant decibel snoring, I finally went to the couch to sleep.

I had just dozed off after acknowledging that I would only have four hours of sleep to start my week, when I woke to the clatter of plastic hitting the tile floor in the laundry room. Damn Hammy, I thought as I stumbled to check on the freakin' hamster like the third child I never wanted. I flip on the laundry room light and the evil rodent is perched on the top of his cage and he has knocked off the lid. As Hammy sees me, his eyes widen with the knowledge that his escape plan has been foiled and he runs down the tube to hide in his exercise wheel. Damn rodent. I duct taped his cage back together.

Hopefully, this Sunday night will just be a normal sleepless Sunday.

Priceless . . .

Making a post on a lazy Saturday and immediately receiving responses from people around the world. Thanks.

The Week's Run-Down

This week:

• We had a few days with temperatures below fifty degrees. I actually wore a jacket and people here thought the world was coming to an end. It was wonderful!



• It rained. For me, it was such a nice change to see rain until I saw the pictures from a city less than an hour away from us. These poor people have lost everything. I won't be wishing for rain again anytime soon.



• We are currently babysitting the hamster from KK's pre-school. "Hammy" is a round, over-fed little bugger. I fear that he will become stuck in the narrow, little tubes protruding from his cage. And PH already yelled that Hammy was not in his cage and after a frantic search, we found him mid-tube. Pray we don't kill the damn thing before his return to pre-school on Monday. KK would never live it down.



• As I was driving yesterday, a vulture flew into the path of my windshield and despite attempting to brake, I hit the friggin' thing. Just a small ding to the windshield, but PH is still laughing at my driving skills and the irony of hitting a vulture.



• KK and Hew are in competition for the world record for the most consecutive days bickering. I may be institutionalized soon.



• At the ripe old age of two, Hew has announced his career choice - Trash Man. He explained that the Trash Man gets to ride on the back of the truck AND wear his hat backwards. What more could one need in life. . .
  

So, what was your career choice as a child? Happy Weekend!

The Queen of Planning

The Queen of Planning should really be my title. It's not enough that I am constantly planning our escape from this state in eighteen month [well, really sixteen months and ten days, but who's counting :)], but it appears that I have become my entire family planner.

This weekend, I arranged for my family's various summer flights, car rental, and a hotel in Norway. My sister and her family will be visiting Mouseland at the end of February so I planned a dinner at my house for her and her brood, and my grandmother, her 87 year old boyfriend (don't ask!), and my aunt, uncle, and cousin all who live about an hour from here.

Then, I received another call from sister who had been talking to to my parents. It seems that instead of a fortieth anniversary party in August, my parents want a family trip to celebrate - WITH ALL OF US! That is eight adults and five children, ages two, three, five, six, and nine. The only available time that everyone can schedule the trip is the week after Christmas. And of course, since I am the Queen of Planning, the trip has been dumped on my doorstep. I say "dumped," but in reality I don't mind as it gives me some control as to where we go.

So here's the parameters - it must be warm, preferable the Caribbean, possibly an inclusive sort of place, accessible from Boston and Florida, big enough to accommodate 8 adults and five children, with a kitchen so we don't always have to take the kids out, and it must be the week after Christmas. What I have run into so far is that the cost between Christmas and New Years increases at most resorts at least three fold. I have one lead in the Dominican Republic that looks promising, but I'm hoping for some assistance in blogger world - places people can recommend or places to go with thirteen of your family members (yes, hell does seem to be the most accurate response). All this family planning has left no time to plan my Mommy free time in May, but I'm sure I'll come up with something (insert dramatic sigh here). Where's my crown?

Suggestions

As a pay back for PH's trip to Arizona, he has suggested that I take a few days away. Because of my work schedule, it doesn't appear that I can take any time until the very end of May or beginning of June. So where to go? Time period is a maximum of three to four nights. And no, I don't want to stay in Florida!

Something new

Lately, this blog has been a lot of whining and not much substance. Although I cannot promise that will change often, periodically I will be making attempts to add some "substance." The following is just some thoughts I had after reading an article in today's paper about the boys from Missouri who had recently been rescued from their kidnapper. Feel free to agree, disagree, or tell me I'm full of crap. I'm interested to hear what others think about this.


Those in “developed society” tend to frown upon the stories of women convicted for being victims of rape. Stories from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, and other countries about women being imprisoned for “zina” or unlawful sexual intercourse (which is a rather nice phrase for being violently forced to have sex) are abhorrent. The idea that someone could be jailed or sentenced to die because of being sexually abused is outrageous to the majority. These stories are a reminder that societal organizations should not be used to further victimize those who have harmed wrongly.

Why then is there a questioning outcry after two kidnapped boys from Missouri are discovered – one after nearly four years of captivity? The issue centers on the fact that this child had opportunities to use a phone and a computer, and was also seen outside of his captor's apartment, yet according to the media there were no attempts to escape. Somehow, in the court of public opinion, this has brought this child's victimization into question.

Is it necessary to remind John Q. Public of a child’s vulnerability? This child was kidnapped at age eleven and was held approximately one hour from his home. In reality, how many children age eleven could find their way home when an hour away? Additionally, a child's inability to accurately assess a situation should be noted. Children readily believe that a fat man in a red suit can slide down the chimney of every home in one night. Yet according to the media backlash in this case, a pre-teen should be able to measure the credibility of his kidnapper's words and deeds, and then act to save himself at opportune moments. It is unknown at this point what was done or said to this child, but the media questions should focus on why he was taken and what can been done to keep this offender from stealing another young life, instead of blaming the child for failing to escape.

Lately, it has become easier to blame the victim of a crime as their credibility is further questioned in the news. Through cases like the recent Duke rape case, the issue of an alleged victim's credibility are being examined. In the Duke case, the waters are furthered muddied by a prosecutor who in seeking fame, forgets his ethical responsibilities to the public. It was easier during an election year to spew words like "gang rape" and "racism" without first investigating the case. Due to a recantation and evidence issues, the focus has moved to one of blame. Because of the rush to judgment without evidence in that case, other victims of crime will suffer --their credibility will be attacked for having the audacity to report a crime that is often near impossible to prove. After all, the smart criminal chooses to commit a crime where it cannot be seen and is careful not to leave behind evidence. Thankfully, many are not so smart.

In looking at these cases, it becomes evident that “civilized society” is no different than those courts in developing nations. Instead of a criminal conviction for being raped, there is a conviction in the court of public opinion -- the child in Missouri should have done more to escape. This is the same logic used to punish the victims of rape. The only difference is that there, women are punished for the actions of their predator, whereas here, we punish the kid for the actions of the kidnapper.

Thoughts?

Still looking on the bright side

Incredibly, the good mood continues. I say "incredibly" because I have some horrid stomach virus that makes me feel tethered to the bathroom. However, I have lost almost five pounds since Friday. Not the diet plan I was going to use, but I'll take it. Hope everyone has a happy MLK day tomorrow - although I have the day off, I'll be working on lesson plans if I can break free of the tether.

A Happy Note

Back to work almost a week - still had unhappy parents and children grumbling about school, and a surprise evaluation, BUT I've just been happy. My lesson plans have gone well, the evaluation went fine, and I've been able to have a few nights where I haven't had to bring home work. Do you think the job's getting better or it's just the temperature dropping below 70 degrees that brought on my smile?

Singles Parents

I don't know how single parents manage. PH flew out early yesterday morning to Arizona. He'll be back late Tuesday and until them I'm a single parent. I've got one kid with an ear infection and another with allergies (at least that was the diagnosis Friday). Both have been good with occasional bouts of sibling dispute, but I miss sharing the load.

I've always been amazed by single parents. I know that most don't have a choice - you do it because you have to do it. I imagine that at some point I would become resentful at never having a moment to myself. All of the fights, the baths, the getting dressed, the fits, the illness, the laundry, the dishes, the late nights, and the early mornings. I know that also means you get all of the kisses, the hugs, the snuggles, the I love yous, and the attention. I admit that I'm relieved that my single parent status ends on Tuesday. And yes, we ate take-out last night!

Some thoughts for the New Year

This is the first year that I haven't made any resolutions or come up with any great thoughts on how to improve my life for the future. I'm still reeling from the impact of my latest life changing decision and haven't decided whether I have made a mistake. For such a planner, I am at a loss for the future.

For the past four years, PH and I have been talking about a move. Although PH has a great job, it's not what he wants to do forever and I really dislike Florida (I know - surprise, surprise!) Our initial thoughts were to move North to New England. It would be closer to my family and I miss the change of seasons. Then after a few vacations, we began entertaining the idea of trying to find a job overseas. At first, it was just fantasies about winning the lottery, quitting my job, finding a good nanny, and moving to the Alps. The talk became more serious as we volleyed around ideas of how we could earn a living. No, we're not technology people, international business people, or military. And between the two of us, we speak some basic french and one of us is fluent in Norwegian [not a very useful language in most countries - sorry Renny :)]. Still, we are educated, with advance degrees; there must be something we could do overseas to earn a living.

PH and I were in the same line of work - law. I was working part-time to be available to parent our new children. Decent pay, great benefits, and part-time with something I had done for years. PH is a partner -- great salary, great hours but he is ready for a change. With the talk about moving, we decided that I would go back to school, take a few classes so I could work at a lower paying job that put me on my kid's schedule. I went back to school so I could teach. I never expected it to be easy but we thought it would be easier to find jobs once we moved if we weren't in the same business.

So, we had a plan. I'd change career. It would be better. It would give us options. Only it hasn't quite worked out that way. I'm working for a private school that is going through an administrative change. Because of the upheaval, parents are currently running the school. Not literally, but for all intens and purposes, they are calling the shots. I have been screamed at and insulted; I have had parents barge into my room ten minutes before class starts demanding I change my lesson plans; my credentials have been questioned; grades are changed upon the demand of parents. These are parents who would have never dared talk to me this way before I became their child's teacher. There is some assumption that because I have "lowered" myself to teach that I am fair game for attack. Additionally, the school does not have a mentor program and no one else is teaching the classes I am teaching, so there is no collaboration. Also, there is no set curriculum; other than asking other teachers what they have done in the past, I am responsible for developing my own curriculum. I have been told this is not a typical "first year" teaching experience.

I know I don't have to do this forever. I keep reminding myself this is for us to get out of here. I only have a year and a half left, and then I can start looking to move. But more and more, I'm realizing that it is not likely that we could both find jobs overseas and support ourselves. Today, I received an e-mail from a well meaning expatriate that sums up my fears. The e-mail discussed the average teaching salary, the tax code, the cost of housing, etc, etc, etc. What's the likelihood that two people, one who speaks only a smattering of french and one who is fluent in Norwegian, will find jobs in a foreign country? And not just any jobs, but jobs that will allow them to support their two young off-spring? Jobs that will not blow their saving that they have worked the last ten years to accumulate?

So now, I wondering why I'm sticking with a job where I am treated badly and I'm not sure if I even like it? If we're just going North to New England, why not just stick with my original profession? Did I make a giant mistake in changing careers? And at what point, do you have to grow up and become realistic, and give up on the idea of moving to the Alps?

New Years Brunch

Welcome to New Year's Brunch at Hexe's house. It was just the four of us this morning. PH had mentioned last night that he wanted to run in the morning so I thought I'd have time to cook. Of course, this morning PH changed his mind. Finally, after thirty minutes of trying to cook with a two small children at my feet begging for food, I finally ordered PH to go for a run and take both kids. By the time, they were all dressed, had various bathroom breaks, and put on their shoes, the rain started! Fortunately, the getting ready process lasted long enough for me to get brunch completed.


First, a bite of pumpkin bread to keep the children from starving while I cooked. In the fall, I pickled up a few extra pumpkins that I cooked and pureed, and the froze for later use. Although the canned version works, the frozen pumpkin always makes the bread very moist. Yum!

This was a egg and ham custard recipe from a french cookbook. It is seasoned with thyme and nutmeg. Very easy to make! I made some potato pancakes to serve with the eggs.

This was suppose to be peaches and strawberries in pink champagne, but I couldn't find any good peaches, so I substituted cantaloupe which worked well. I made it without the champagne for the kids which they seemed to like. I need to work on my photograph as this picture does not do this fruit cup justice.

And finally, mimosa - champagne and orange juice!
HAPPY NEW YEARS!

The Disappearance

I wish I could say that my blogging absence was due to something exciting - like a lottery win and an around the world adventure, or a spontaneous cross country move. Unfortunately, the hiatus was the result of more mundane events - some work related problems and some family chaos. Neither is something that I can comfortably talk about right now. We are all fine, but this past months has left me asking myself some difficult questions about our future plans. Sorry for being so cryptic - at some point, I hope to be able to laugh about all this, but right now I'm just a tad overwhelmed.



On to the excitement of Christmas . . . the blurry pictures show the result of global warming in Maine. That's right - no snow this year. This is our first Christmas trip with no snow and we have been traveling to Maine for ten years, except for 2001 when I gave birth to KK two days after Christmas. The kids asked about the snow, but were content to play with their cousins and the numerous Christmas gifts bestowed upon them by Grammie and Grampa. For them, the trip was a great time -- Santa and their relatives were exceptionally generous, hours of play with cousins and friends, walks on mud filled roads -- even without snow, it was a wonderful time.

We arrived back in Florida two days ago to 80 degree weather. Three out of the four of us have lingering colds - 'tis the season! No plans for New Year's tonight, except to put the kids to bed early and relax. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and I wish you a joyous New Year! Bonne Annee! Ein Gluckliches Neues Jahr! Godt Nytt Ar!

Over the River and Through the Woods

The quick and dirty on Thanskgiving in New Hampshire (there was a 'nice' photo of the trees and stream where we stayed but Blogger does not wish for me to use photo at this time - Damn you, Blogger!):

1. Hew to KK as they walked outside the first morning - "Hey, look at the frosting on the car!"

2. Attempting to make fudge with powdered sugar results in chocolate taffy, but NOT fudge, no matter how long you put it in the freezer.

3. Children who refuse to sleep for their parents and then sleep perfectfully for their grandparents WILL NOT receive a visit from Santa.

4. My parents are becoming the old, obnoxious, retired people who winter in this state. Not only did my father who used to ice race cars fail to drive over forty miles an hour, he also refused to follow the direction to my brother's house given to us by my brother. We spent an hour driving forty miles an hour through the mountains for no apparent reason.

5. This is the first time in ten years that I did not make the meal and I missed it. Plus, we had no left-overs.

6. It is amazing that my sister and I grew up in the same house. Sis has been building a house for more than three years (according to their bank loan it was suppose to be done in a year - yeah, that tends to impair your credit rating) and there was a list of things the bank wanted done before the end of November. We all go over there to help - there is no system or order. Neither Sis nor brother-in-law (BIL) is sure what to work on first. Food has not been made (there are ten people coming to your house, you might want to plan a little!). Sis planned to make lasagna but forgot. I made it, realizing after I cooked the noodles that the only cheese in the house was shreaded cheddar and colby jack. At night, I am sleeping on a pad from a lawn chair, in a room with no heat, with my four year old niece's blanket that doesn't reach my toes. Next to me is PH who is sleeping on an air mattress with a leak thus resulting in the middle of his bed sinking to the cold floor and PH being wrapped like an enchilada by the air filled sides of the mattress. Both kids are in the room and I have dressed them in full length pants and sweaters to sleep. There should be a test people must pass before they attempt to build a house - Sis and BIL would fail it.

7. I love my family. I love to visit with them. I miss them. But living with them would result in my hospitalization in a psychiatric facility.

Friday Feast

Appetizer: Have you ever flown in a helicopter?
No never. I tend to become ill in small planes and make use of those cute little bags that are so thoughtful placed. I imagine flying in a helicopter would produce the same results and I fear they would not have the cute bags.

Soup: What color is your warmest coat or jacket?
I have a stylish, fitted ski jacket in sky blue and white. Never did I think a white winter jacket would be slimming, but I look positively svelte in it. Living in Florida, I get to wear it for one week when I visit my parents at Christmas which is too bad because there is little else in my wardrobe that has the effect of that jacket.

Salad: What is your favorite rainy day activity?
Before children, it was reading. There is nothing better than a cold, rainy day, a blazing fire, hot chocolate with Bailey's Irish Creme, and a good book. Now, it's building a tent from chairs and blankets or playing the game "Put Mommy to Bed" which allows Mommy to lay in the bed while the kids read me stories and put me to sleep.

Main Course: Describe your hands.
Small, short, slightly swollen fingers. The life line is longer on my right hand. I have prominently veins which is why my Husband says I am a Borg.

Dessert: If you could eat only one nut for the rest of your life, what nut would you pick?
Cashews, of course. My Husband thinks I should have a different answer to this question.

Sorry for the hiatus

Life at Hexe's house has been a little crazy. After the sick kids, Hew decided to make the most of his terrible twos. For nearly two weeks, he has refused to sleep through the night. The tantrums escalated into forty-five minute screaming fits. I seriously started to think we needed to have him evaluated AND THEN my parents arrived. Hew slept through the night - no problem. This was after I had called my mother sobbing as I was so sleep deprived, trying to explain why Hew needed a neurological exam. She laughed and said he was two, testing his boundaries, and apparently winning. Damn, I hate when that woman is right! Since then, some minor tantrums but definitely more sleep.

Add in craziness at work. Plus this time of year seems to depress me. I know I'm obsessed with heat, but it is nearly December and it is 80 degrees. Late autumn should be cold mornings with frost, steaming coffee, and a fire in the fireplace. I do realize that all this is just excuses for my lack of writing but with the lack of sleep, I've barely been able to find matching socks in the morning - complete sentences were just too much!

We did make it to New Hampshire for Thanksgiving. Once my parents arrived and Hew slept, we had a nice time. I know it sounds thrilling - 'nice', but our standards are pretty low here. We stayed at a place with a pool which made the kids happy and PH happy, and it was in the mountains with a stream running outside my bedroom window, so I was happy. PH and I even had a dinner sans children once my parents came to visit. We ended the evening with a cursing, tiring screeched stop as a BLACK BEAR was smack in the middle of the road as we drove home. Yes, it was a BLACK BEAR - not some large dog. The thing moved rather rapidly back into the woods, but then turned and watched us watching him for several minutes. We just kept repeating different versions of OMG THAT IS A BLACK BEAR! See - easily entertained.

More on New Hampshire later. Sorry for the lame and awkward post - I'm out of practice. For those who celebrate Thanksgiving - Hope it was 'nice'.

Look out Norway . . .

I love making travel plans - the anticipation, the research, the discovery. Other than frustrating airline mileage redemption programs, I enjoy the entire process of planning for our next trip almost as much as the actual trip. A future trip to an unknown destination is just the escape one needs when the doldrums of evevery day life set in.

I have previously mentioned my frustration in planning our summer trip to Norway. After numerous tries we finally gave up on the idea of using our frequent flyer miles. Even after informing the airline that Stavanger is in NORWAY not GERMANY, it was impossible to use the miles unless we were willing to stay for six or more months. As the kids will be at Grammie and Grampa's house, six months seemed a bit of an imposition. So after a few weeks of research and searching different options, we have finally procurred tickets to Stavanger for eight days in June. I do understand that this more than six months away, but I now have plenty of time to anticipate, research, and discovery western Norway. Plus, some basic Norwegian must be learned as we will be visiting the family PH stayed with as an exchange student.

So anyone with information or suggestions about the area between Bergen and Stavanger, drop me a line. (This means you, Renny - although I know you are on the opposite coast). For now, I can be found ignoring my sick child (yes, that's why I'm home mid-day) so that I can troll the web and fantasy about my escape. Happy Friday!