A million pieces

Of things to put together in my head......

so ~

I am going to start back at the date I had with my husband and move forward from there.

it'll help me collect my thoughts, and organize where I am.

(ahem, can you tell I am seeking some settling vibes ....)

So, my date - yum. I love dates. I love this man. He is peace, he is comfort, and he is just.so.easy.to.be.with. I do not spend enough alone time with him. We are in the thick of parenting, like so many people, and get caught in that whirlwind of needs, and wants from those little cherubs we call "our babes". Our New Year's Res (well, one of them ...) was to spend more time having dates, and being alone *reconnecting* if you will. We are the very best of friends, and I feel strongly he is my soul mate. We've made it a priority to find that time, and I have to say, we've been okay with it. This date proved to me we need to become very good at it.

We started with meeting up with some new friends at an Irish pub around the bend that we'd not been to. It was terrific. Great people, and of course, good libations. ;) We then went to the most terrific Irish band concert - The Gaelic Storm - FABULOUS band! We saw them in a very old theater, tons of nostalgia there, and the accoustics were phenominal for the event. They were funny, they were incredible musicians, they were entertaining, and they were perfect for our date. It is something we rarely do - see a concert - and it was just right. A lite dinner, a couple of libations, and music. Irish Music. Right up our alley. We are already planning to see the band again when they come back in the fall. They've been together 8 years, and have quite a following. We may be two more followers. ;)

The next day, K-gal and I went to NYC to watch my two nieces dance in a National Competition. They did beautifully, and we had a blast in the city. We were there for two nights, and it was a really fun time. My oldest niece, K, was in the title competition, and she placed 2nd runner up - out of 255 dancers from around the US and Canada. :O) Awesome! She is just captivating to watch, and moves me to tears each time she dances. My little niece, R, was also there dancing, no solos, but her group numbers. She did awesome! She was awarded several medals and the experience was terrific for her! K-gal and I headed home Sunday night about 11PM, she slept, I wanted to - but drove straight, and weerily parked in the wee hours back in my driveway to climb into my bed, happily seeing my dh and squirt, C.

While we were gone, C, was named player of the week in his hockey gig he is doing this summer - he won a rocking new stick, and was thrilled beyond imagination! He and daddy spent a very guys weekend together, watching the Sox, and going to daddy's baseball games ..... they missed us though. And we did them. :O)

The two squirts started the arts and crafts camp this week. They are doing it for two weeks, one now, and one in August, and they are LOVING it! It's only 2 hours each day, just right, and loads of friends there. I have a feeling come the end of the week, I'll be asked to sign them up for another week besides August. :O)

I am knee deep in an organization of "photos and memories" undertaking. I am finally going to have everything chronologically done. I will be finishing a scrapbook for C, beginning K's, and then the world will be my oyster. ;)

So, with that, I am off .... feeling slightly caught up now, and ready to begin the next few moments .....