Hello.

Hi!

Just got back from a weekend in Chicago where my three sisters and I organized and held a celebration in honor of my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. I used to think you had to be ANCIENT to be married for that long. Somehow, I don't look at my parents as elderly or ancient. They are 70 and 75 and are so young at heart. They use the internet, they garden, they love music and dancing, they travel all over the world. The gathering was an elegant and motley crew of cousins, neighbors, co-workers and MORE cousins. I had to be the MC which I was dreading--because I didn't want the pressure to be entertaining, eloquent and in charge. In the end, I actually enjoyed directing the priest who officiated the renewal of the wedding vows, and my sisters, and parents in the reading of toasts and welcomes and singing "Sto lat" ( which means may you live 100 years in Polish).

My sisters are crazy about photographing everything....and we poured over all the photos this morning. I realized several things....that I look so much better when I stand up straight. Truly there was one photo where I had a sway back and pot belly!!! In another I'm standing up straight and actually look like I have a nice figure...Two, I was ready to cut my hair several inches because it is thin and I have a bad layering job....but I really liked its length in the pictures. Three, my beautiful Mom looks like she has a white powdery mask on in many of the photos. I took her to Marshall Fields dept store and got her all NEW make up--Bobbi Brown which is very natural looking. The sales girl said that the titanium oxide in sunscreens and foundation can often make you look like a ghost in photos.

I took Izabela with me to Chicago...leaving Kasia and Willy behind. My husband Will reported that he LOVED hanging with 15 year old Kasia...she was lovely to be with, articulate, funny, considerate, and an engaging companion. They both went to the Chesterfield County Health Fair to sell license plates to raise awareness and funds for diabetes....for me. Anyone who wants a license plate let me know... they are only $25 per year. I am so lucky to have my family's support in the diabetes research and fundraising arena. YEAH!!!

Will can be very exacting and can be critical so his compliments about Kasia this weekend are extra special! It makes me so happy when everyone can be themselves and get along.

Spring break is over and we're back from 4 days in Disney World. Not my first choice of vacation, but a welcome break to "happy land". Izabela (8) was enthralled by the characters and magnitude of rides and of course the volcano pool at the Polynesian resort. The highlight of the trip was being asked to be in the 4 parade at Animal Kingdom. The three of us dressed in safari hats (with Mickey Mouse ears) and vests. We were perched on a fancy float and waved and smiled for 45 minutes as we criss-crossed animal kingdom. I can't tell you how many people videotaped us (WHY?) it was crazy!

As much as I love getting away, I hate the first couple of days getting home. I had 204 emails! Most of them work related, and they needed answering. Piles of laundry and mail and paper. This week is crazy work too. I like Mondays to be a quiet stay at home day to re-group after the weekend. Instead I have a strategic planning meeting to go to all morning. Then the afternoon I'll be calling press contacts to see if they're coming to our press conference on Tuesday morning. We're announcing that the First Lady of Virginia, Anne Holton (She did not change her name when she got married) is the Honorary Chair of "Read and Romp" a fun family event that celebrates the joy of reading and will be "bringing books alive" for young children. The First Lady will be our spokesperson and will stress the importance of reading aloud to young children. Kasia will be helping at the event...she will be Curious George.

I am happy with what I'm doing...I just wish there were more hours in each day. I just bought another Garden State soundtrack...and I love it. Watched two movies this weekend. The classic Alfred Hitchcock "To Catch a Thief" with Grace Kelley and Cary Grant, and "Walk the Line" with Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix. I never liked Johnny Cash growing up. He was so redneck and country. Now, I enjoyed his music in the movie. Also, heard his songs from my son,Willy and thoroughly get his humor.

Good night!

I love trips and getting away. I come alive when I encounter the unknown and the undiscovered. I like to experience life outside of my "pattern of living" --whether I'm visiting old friends in another city, or going abroad to a new country. I thrive when I get a break from my routine and rote thinking. Of course coming home after being away is always a pleasure...my bed feels so comfortable, my kids smell sweeter, and I'm more appreciative of the place I call HOME.

After much deliberation, we've finally decided on spring break plans. This year its more complicated because Kasia has a different spring break than her siblings....so I get to go on two spring breaks (how perfect). Sunday Will and I are taking 8 year old Izabela to Disney World, Willy is going to the Bahamas with a friend, and Kasia is staying with her grandmother. The Polynesian Resort and Magic Kingdom should infuse me with several carefree days--when our biggest decision is what ride should we go on next, or what should I order for lunch?

Then in April, Kasia and I will be heading to Mexico via Dallas for Kasia's springbreak and birthday. On our way back home we'll be stopping in Dallas and hopefully will meet with Gin and Mumsy--at long last. I am really looking forward to traveling with just Kasia. Our last two trips alone were to Baltimore (for her 8th birthday) and to Saratoga Springs when she was going to science camp at Skidmore. She has a great sense of humor and is insightful and adventuresome. We gravitate to similar shops and cafes. I feel that the last several years at home I just get snippets of her. I've missed her being "chatty cathy" and following me around the house.

Just knowing I have a trip on the calendar lifts my mood. I have even pulled out my spanish textbooks hoping to brush up on basic conversation.

Buenas noches amigos...

No one warned me that parenthood would become a circus act...juggling responsibilities, demands, conflicts, housework, paperwork, and most importantly personalities. My biggest job is influencing the experiences and characters and habits of my children. Sounds easier than it is because all three are strong willed, independent, and outspoken children. To complicate matters my partner and husband is a Type A assertive personality too....so our household can be loud, volatile, and NOT easygoing. So I'm left trying to direct lots of chiefs and no indians....

I haven't found the right balance between personal chores and my work related duties. I keep trying to keep them apart, but after years of multi-tasking I find it difficult to stay focus and on task. I find myself interrupting my concentration by checking an email or fixing tea or running a load of laundry or calling my one of my sisters....I love it when I do become absorbed in my work which is usually when I'm writing a persuasive letter or note.

I've never enjoyed public speaking yet suddenly this year it has become something I do for my job as PR person for Reach Out and Read virginia and for JDRF. So tomorrow will be my biggest group so far, 80 librarians--people who will catch the grammatical errors and ums...oh well...I just have to remember to breathe and think of them as friends who want to hear about Reach Out and Read (which is a cool program to promote early childhood literacy...pediatricians talk to parents at well child visits and tell them the importance of reading aloud to their children, then the y give the kids a developmentally appropriate book to take home. By starting this book giving in infancy, the pediatrician and parent foster a love of books and reading in the children). The program works! It is cost effective and simple to administer.

I thought life was about following your passions, now I see I have to squeeze in my passions between responsibilities. I took a class today that talked about God and evil and free will. Had to clear cobwebs from my brain...but basically God gave us free will and thus we are responsible for the choices we make, and there are moral consequences for our behavior....this is what distinguishes us from the other creatures on earth.

Good night!