September in Naperville

I decided to get away from the 9/11 special services for awhile, and chat with loved ones.

School began in late August. John and Kyle are now 6 and 4, so that means I have a few hours a week with an empty house while they are at first grade and preschool. First grade was apparently an exhausting adjustment for John, but we are into the swing of it now and are falling into a routine. Kyle misses him a lot during the day, which is touching.

I am very sorry that I didn't fly out for the picnic. My decision was very logical...I had just had a nice visit with Mom and Dad here in August, I was at the picnic last year...but this looks like the most fun you've had in years. Jim and Debbie planned lots of fun and the weather cooperated perfectly, it would appear. And attendance by the younger generation was great! Thanks to all of you who have shared pictures of the day.

Ed and I had a long weekend in Las Vegas early in August. We were actually there for our 33rd anniversary, coincidentally. He had work in the area, and I joined him. I was braced for the heat, but our heatwave here, at the time, actually topped their temps, at least when you figured the heat index. The dry, but hot, desert air actually felt refreshing compared to the hot, humid (about 85%)weather I left behind. Even so, it would be a more pleasant visit in the winter. WE pretty much hated the strip (sorry Suki, I just couldn't get into it), but LOVED the Cirque de Soleil 'O' show, Hoover Dam, and the Atomic Testing Museum. We also saw David Copperfield (Ed's choice. It was just like watching it on TV, so didn't do much for me, but was amazing.)

I just finished preserving peaches - freezing, canning, making jam. I don't get that done every year, even though it is our favorite canned fruit. We get Michigan produce at the local farmers' market, and the peaches this year were outstanding. I cannot begin to count how many I must have eaten fresh. Even though I find canning very gratifying, I'll be glad to get all the paraphernalia off the counters and packed back down the basement.

Love to all,

Janice