* ANOTHER GREAT FIND AT THE LIBRARY *

I found another great book at the library and this is the first book I've read by this author: Kristin Hannah

Winter Garden

Oh my gosh...I LOVED this book! It kept me engaged, I'd read at night until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, and wished I could fit in some reading time at my job. 😍

I'm really not very good at writing book reviews, so I won't even try! But I will say that this book and its characters stayed with me for days after I finished it, and that doesn't happen very often. I really cared about these people and couldn't get them out of my mind.

Here's a couple of sentences from page 158:

"Is something wrong?" Nina asked.

Meredith blinked slowly. "You mean besides the fact that my father died at Christmas, my mom is going crazy, my sister is pretending to help me, and my husband...is gone tonight?"

Nina knew it wasn't funny, but she couldn't help laughing. 



"Sometimes when you open the door to your mother's past, you find your own future..."

Inside Winter Garden book flap

* Where Has the Time Gone? *

Gosh, I can't believe I haven't posted anything or commented on anyone's blogs since August 3rd!

Most of what took up a lot of time was looking online, trying to help Mark find an apartment in New Orleans that was in a safe neighborhood, fairly close to Tulane....and here's the kicker...affordable! 

I've never searched for a place to live without actually seeing the area, nor has Mark. He's been in our area all his life (which is why I'm SO sad to see him move away. And yeah, yeah, I know it's a wonderful opportunity, etc. and that he's certainly an adult...but a mom can still cry, can't she??)

Between him searching online, along with Ron and me (and thanks to a professor friend he already has down there) we found what looks like a great place! His prof friend told him which areas to stay out of and which were better. I hope the complex is everything it looks like in the photos! He's getting a tiny, studio apartment which is fine with him. I think he's most excited about having a washer/dryer in his own unit! It's a stackable, otherwise a side-by-side would take up half the apartment! Ha!

He's leaving this Thursday and a friend is going along to help drive and keep him company, which I am SO happy about. Not sure how the friend is coming back here...

Yesterday, Ron and I (and Charlie) drove to his current apartment to say our Goodbyes. I thought it would be less emotional than watching him drive away...which may or may not be true, because I cried my eyes out, and have been off and on for days. 😢 

I'm at work, so I better get back to...work!

* I'm So Proud of My Son, Mark! *

OMG! Fabulous news!!

Our son Mark just got hired to teach at Tulane University in New Orleans!! 

He has a one year contract to teach two philosophy classes and one cognitive science class. His title will be Visiting Assistant Professor. It's possible his contract could be extended, too. He'll be earning more money than he was getting presently at Washington University, and also free medical insurance!

He is very happy and excited, as are we. Classes start Aug 26, so he'll be moving soon! I'll share more info when I know more. (Obviously we will miss him, and even though we don't see him that much, just knowing he's only a few miles away has been wonderful.) 

I know I'll cry when I say goodbye to him. 🤧 I told him we'll have to Skype a lot.