Today is a sad anniversary.

Twenty years ago today my mom passed away. She was only 54 - that is how old I am right now. Lung cancer - please don't smoke. I miss her so much. Right now some of the things I want to talk to her about - how do I deal with this empty nest? I want to ask her about her growing up years. I want to hear those stories about her grandmother who was was born in Italy. I want her to teach me to jitter bug - why didn't I let her when she wanted to? Oh I wish she could see Rachel and the young woman she has grown into, and Rose who she never met.

There is no other woman on earth who can touch you, love you like your mother.

I love you momma, I miss you.

Okay, I'm a believer.....

I'm ready, take me away again, I'm sold, I believe you now. Oh my. I have experienced my first cruise! I must say that I went with my lovely daughter and had a wonderful time, now I'm looking forward to going again with my husband and having an even more wonderful time.

We left Baltimore on the 7th and came back on the 14th. First stop was Grand Turk, then Half Moon Cay, then Nassau - Bahamas. It was on the Carnival Pride.

The immediate lessons that come to mind for me: two swim suits are better than one, water shoes make for comfort. I only took one excursion - a glass bottom boat ride - but still had a great time. That beautiful white sand and clear water, I would have stayed in it all day, had I not stayed in the same sun on the two days at sea - forgetting to put sunscreen on my face - everywhere else - not the face!

While bobbing around Grand Turk I was talking with another woman from the ship who said she was there with 52! That's 52!!!! members of her family. They plan a cruise every year and then whoever can make it has a year to pay it off and that's their reunion. They've been doing it for 15 hears now and had close to 100 family members in the past. What a great idea! Maybe next summer (2010) at our next reunion in Texas we could talk about it.

We must all be busy - or else we are all on Facebook!!!! I've chatted more with the Tresters on Facebook then here. Maybe we should just all get on FB?????

I did email Nick and Becky - Nick replied that they are all well, just busy with new baby - I'm hoping they post new photos soon. I think they are on FB, just need to figure out how to reach them to become Friends.

Anyway - here are a couple photos from my summer adventure!