The first time my mother, Frankie H., ever went on an airplane she was 54 -- same age I am now strangely enough (and something I just this second realized). Of course I thought of her as very old!!

Anyway, the occasion was a trip to Europe with 18 year old me as tour guide, my mother and my Auntie whose husband, my dear Uncle Royal, had passed away just a few months before. The obstensible reason was in fact to cheer Auntie up. But she and I were quite worried about my mother. Would she be fearful on the plane (to this day I'm a very nervous flyer and while Auntie didn't admit it I think she was a bit leery as well)? Would she be able to handle the long flight to Copenhagen (with later stops in Paris and in London).

Well, Mama got on the plane (in the days when flying on a 747 was still a huge novelty) looked around, got settled, and fell promptly asleep, waking only to eat dinner and then to get ready to disembark. And Auntie and I? We stayed awake all night watching some atrocious movie and talking quietly. Consequently when we arrived in Copenhagen, my mother was raring to go and all Auntie and I wanted to do was collapse in the hotel room. Mama, that's when you were at your very best!

So, as we prepare to embark tomorrow evening (with a thunderstorm forecast that is causing heart palpatations already), I'll think of Mama up there in Heaven watching over us! Safe travels to us all!

And next posting -- from the Hills of Tuscany...

P.S. Greece trip didn't go so well...moral there, don't travel with ex's so soon after break ups...but on to happier, sunnier days.

And they're off..

How could it POSSIBLY be five weeks since last post? Amazing!!

In that period of time:

• James and his girlfriend broke up
• James graduated from college -- and got accepted into grad school
• Jer has finished up classes for freshman year of high school and is now in the midst of exams
• AND we've spent so much money getting ready for this trip that now am not even sure we can afford to go.

However, the real news is that the Frankie H. Bivins Memorial Tour officially began on Saturday when Bryna, now a "girl who is a friend" rather than girlfriend, left home in Allentown, PA to come to New Jersey. Then yesterday, during a VERY hectic day of Confirmation, exam studying, laundry and packing and of course WORK, James and Bryna embarked from Newark Airport. They are having quite a day of traveling -- going from Newark first to Rome, then to Athens (where they are still as I write this) and finally, after a long six hour layover, on to the short hop to Santorini. To see where they are staying check out www.volcanovillas.com. Jealous anyone?

And yes, this Blog WILL soon have pics -- just as soon as Jer finishes these exams and can show me how to use the digital camera. We'll also of course have a computer with us (would you expect anything less?) and will post as we go.

So...Friday, the 9th, it is. Yes, fear of flying is rearing its ugly head (fortunately it affects only MOI) but I'm envisioning the great time we are going to have (hope all my friends and family remind me of this when I see all those bills at the end!).

Thanks Mama!!

Five weeks and counting...

Time has been flying by and can't believe how close trip -- which seems once again to be somewhat organized -- is now!

Just received confirmation of two booked museum visits in Florence -- made this seem VERY real...but also begs the question of how much art is too much art? Last time in Italy we had just one day to see Florence, rushed all over the place so much so that we felt we had whiplash. Plus I'll be really honest -- the DaVinci Code fervor aside, Renaissance Art just isn't my favorite thing! Excited because just discovered new modern art museum in Venice, so that will be a nice change.

Got GREAT luggage tags as well (www.wishingfish.com) with inscriptions like "Beware, Dirty Clothes Inside" or "Careful, Shoes Inside". In a sea of black suitcases, hopefully we'll really stand out at the luggage carousels -- and maybe even make those TSA guys crack a smile (Okay, THAT is a really big goal...)

Better go back to making some money so I can try and actually pay for some of this!

Less than six weeks to go, five for James, and his girlfriend of almost two years decides she needs her independence, wrecking 50% of our plans...I KNEW this was going to happen, gave her benefit of the doubt. This is cruel to James who was so excited but also shows how very immature she is...personally I think a lot of this is her fear of leaving dinky Allentown, Pa. Going after her parents thought for BIG $$ we are now out because of her but glad to say "adieu" to her once and for all...I thought I was a selfish person, but compared to her I'm small potatoes.

We'll have a terrific time anyway!!!

Back on track...

Trip back on track...just now trying to figure out how to get Jeremy from Prague to Istanbul. For people who have spent each vacation the last 12 years at the Jersey Shore that's quite a sentence...

Hitting some snags

Well, hit some snags with this trip...

May be scaling this back, would cancel completely if I could...just not worth it anymore! It's gotten too tension filled, too complicated, so all the fun has gone out of it. Maybe the best part was really in the planning...

James...you make a mother proud (and I'll ignore exactly what your goals are for this trip!). Personally, I'm a lot more interested in shopping -- and sampling some of those great Italian wines.

We're now down to six weeks + and counting...We've made sure Henry, the pug, is going to that overly fancy doggy hotel (hey, he deserves a vacationtoo!), and all the other reservations are made.

Meanwhile, James' graduation draws closer. His announcements came today -- so official looking, and we made all the final plans for graduation weekend...

Don't worry, Jeremy isn't left out -- two nights of a house full of14/15 year old boys is really plenty. He's counting on keeping in touch with everyone while we are away via IM, and he's going to be our official "tech" (sorry James!). Hopefully he'll make a post of his own soon.

Now back to doing work so I can somehow figure out how to pay for all the loot I want to bring back!