Oops, I did it again ... (posted by Lani)

Got busy and neglected posting, that is. So, let's see, what's new and exciting here. Well, last weekend I went to Kentucky to visit Jim, and had a fabulous time, and, um, well, spent a lot of money too. We'll get to that later, though. Jim is doing wonderfully, which obviously makes Jim's mother very happy. He's happy with his job and doing well at it, and is seriously looking at going back to school part-time this summer. That makes Jim's mother even happier, needless to say. Quick pic of a happy Jim:

This is the only picture I have where he's even remotely smiling; he hates having his picture taken. Still, he's happy! Note all the cold weather gear, gloves, coats, etc. behind him ... it was COLD in Lexington, and got colder while I was there.

So the shopping thing! Well, it seems there's a Talbot's outlet in Lexington ... whoops. I bought a LOT of clothes. I bought so many clothes that I was worried they wouldn't all fit in my suitcase. They did, in the end -- well, in my suitcase and my tote bag -- but both bags were so stuffed that I was really afraid they'd explode if dropped. Whee! Shopping is fun, especially when you get stuff for super-duper cheap. As if I didn't do enough damage at Talbots, on Saturday we went to Berea, which is south of Lexington. Berea is a wonderful little town which bills itself as The Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky, and seriously there is some fabulous shopping there for handmade items of all kind. Everything from cutesy-country stuff to very elegant and sophisticated items fill shops which line the streets; it was a great day of wandering in and out of shops. And, oops, I did it there too; I bought some fabulous jewelry for myself, and a couple of Christmas gifts for others.

As for flying, yes I've been doing that too. This past week I've been to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Columbus Ohio, Montreal, Charleston, Raleigh and Savannah; sadly I was so broke after Kentucky that all I did was sightsee a bit in Baltimore, no money to spend! Tomorrow morning I leave on another trip that will take me back to Philadelphia, Montreal, Baltimore, New York, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, and Providence, RI before coming home on Wednesday. Loving it, loving it, loving it, but it does tend to keep me just a little occupied. By the time I come home from a trip I'm usually tired enough that my first day back is mostly being lazy; doing a little laundry, lazing around with the dog and the cats, maybe puttering in the yard, and that's about it. Still, it's fun, ya'll. And Steve is handling it surprisingly well, too. Life is good here!

And travel benefits! Not only fun for 'let's go to New York and see a Broadway show!' but very good for those phone calls that go: "Mom, can you come help me pack? The movers will be here on the 22nd, so if you could come before then it would be great!" Yeah, I'm going to try to go to Florida this coming weekend and help Laurie pack to move to her new apartment. After all, why not? And then I'm taking Jim to Washington DC in March for a few days to visit the Smithsonian and of course the various historical monuments; and then in April Steve and I have planned a trip to New York for my birthday. Have I mentioned I love this job?