Sloughing off the stress

The challenges of the past few weeks are now history.  Mia has a reservation for boarding, we're ready for our trip to Ireland, work is caught up for the first time since I took that job years ago, our sewer and water main will be replaced while we're away, and my sister and I managed to actually surprise my mom with a 60th birthday party at my house last night.  Challenges are behind me, vacation is just ahead, and my house is squeaky clean.  Today I finally feel like myself for the first time in many months.  I can breathe ...and just sit, without guilt or anxiety or anything hanging over my head.

We're going to go to my house of worship today, the museum!  There are four totally awesome exhibits there right now that I've been really wanting to see, but something has always seemed more pressing.  By the time we get back from Ireland, the "Chihuly Toledo!" exhibit will have ended.  As a glass artist, I -will not- miss this exhibit, so that's really the only thing on my plan for the day so far.  We may or may not check out the other exhibits too.  They're all free (love our museum!!!), but the other three will also be running for a bit longer, so we'll have time to catch them on future visits.

The party last night was a smashing success.  My mom was genuinely surprised.  :)  My sister made a gorgeous and -delicious- cake.  It had Baileys in it, lots of chocolate flowers and tons of buttercream frosting....unf.  Everyone had a good time.  Craig talked radio with the uncles.  The kids were totally enchanted with the bunny, who, surprisingly, didn't seem to mind them too much.  Uncle Mats thought our potrack was brilliant (thanks, Deb & Brian!) and since we still had the other one from the set in the garage, we we able to send them home with one.  Everyone talked and talked and laughed and laughed.  Good times.