[tkrik]

" . . .All my bags are packed I'm ready to go . . "

I'm ready for vacation #2 of this summer. Two vacations in 1 month is crazy! I haven't had a real vacation in years and years. All of sudden, 2 in 1 month. I guess that is the benefit of having an empty nest.

I spent a week up in the Colorado mountains and loved it. There is nothing better than having a cup of coffee looking out at all the wildlife, mainly deer, and the scenery - beautiful flowers and greenery. Oh, and enjoying the cool weather.

This time I am heading off to the cool weather in the Pacific Northwest to visit my family. This is the 1st vacation that I have ever taken by myself and I am looking forward to that. It will be nice to be around my brothers and sister as well as their spouses and kids. I will spend a little time with each of them. My SIL is one of my best friends. She and I were roommates and both in nursing school at the same time. She married my brother. How cool is that!

These 2 vacations were/are very much needed as when I get back, things will be rough. As some of you know, my dad is real ill and it doesn't look promising at all. Hence, the reason I have been somewhat MIA lately. These vacations are great as they will create these great memories so I can use them as mini mental vacations while being with my parents during my dad's treatments (what ever treatments he decides to do, if any at all).

Saturday I will be off on that jet plane with good ol' John Denver singing in my head . . "I'm leavin' on a jet plane." (I so thought I was going to marry him as a little girl). HAHAHA