Well, this is a crazy long time without an entry. I did start another blog over at Xanga.com, but I haven't done anything there, either. I'm in blogging limbo. I haven't found my blog niche yet, and I haven't exactly applied myself to the problem. I have also been gone for quite a long time. Here's a brief rundown:

Labor Day 3 day weekend: Camp Bethel in Fincastle, Virginia, which is about midway between Roanoke and Lexington. It was such a peaceful, incredible time apart that we seriously considered trying to land jobs there are a camp cook and office worker. In the end, this wasn't going to work out anyway between the fact that a nepotism clause will not allow us both to hold jobs there at the same time and the fact that the cook position was just filled and the office manager position is not opening until 2008. But what a wake-up call!

The following weekend: Whirlwind trip to Philadelphia to see the king Tut exhibit at the Franklin Institute and visit the Mutter Museum full of medical curiosities and see the Liberty Bell. Staying in the historic art deco Loew's Hotel was the biggest draw for Ollie. Our room was on the 17th floor and afforded unbelievable views of the city and surrounding rivers.

Three days later, we packed up yet again to head to Isle of Palms, South Carolina for a family reunion. It was an interesting prospect because other than my Dad, I wasn't sure who in my family might be there, seeing as I haven't seen anyone in my family for many, many years. There were some great surprises--two cousins and my ex-aunt, who I hadn't seen since I was probably four. Their children gave my children the gift of being second cousins. The weather was Camelot-esque--it didnt' rain until after sundown, the days were warm, the water was tub-like. We visited Charleston twice during our stay, touring the aquarium and seeing Fort Sumter and walking around the Market and the Battery.

In the midst of all of this, our regular school year has proceeded on full force. I'm a bit overwhelmed. Some things have to go, and I'm not sure what they are. I'm working on that. But overall, we have a very full life and "school" is going on more consistently than usual.