Flying Solo

This dapper gentleman attended a conference in Rhode Island this week.  While we had dreamed of going together on a couple's retreat, logistically and financially, it just wasn't possible.  So...we had a solo week in more ways than one.  Phil rode on a plane solo since before we were married, went to a conference solo Tuesday-Friday (technically, he has done a few local conferences and he did go to a conference in Chicago summer before last but we drove with him and stayed with friends...we try our best to make any overnighters something that we do as a family), and I stayed home with the children and went about our busy life.

So much has changed since Phil and I last rode a plane together.  There was wi-fi aboard the plane so we could skype back and forth.  We tracked his flight pattern online and watch as the plane crossed over numerous states and one of the Great Lakes.  Phil sent us pictures of his adventure in Rhode Island and I sent pictures of home.  Most of these pictures were taken on our phones and sent back on forth over the week.  It made us feel so much more connected to be in touch throughout the day.

And the journey begins...

Getting ready to land at Dulles airport.

Phil went to Brown University and saw how some sort of program worked...I am not sure all the ends and outs only that they actually plan the missions of the Mars Rover here in this very building using this very technology.



Sights and scenes of Rhode Island...from evening returns after the conference happenings to a morning jog at sunrise.  













The food was impressive and Phil sent me lovely pictures of food and dining.






Not to be outdone, I sent him pictures of what we were eating....like burnt to a crisp sausages.

Meanwhile, real life, back at home....

...lemon cucumbers were carved into jack-o-lanterns

...there was great concentration on school 

...there was reminiscing of an 11 year old boy, once a baby, wrapped in this blanket, now causing mommy to pull her hair out while character training.

...pictures were drawn (this, btw, is not vicious blood sucker, rather someone eating a tomato).

...teeth were extracted, and dental tools left out on the bathroom vanity.

...poop was stepped in (a certain daughter wearing communal shoes) and the floor was scrubbed down.

...there was crying.

..."Mom, it is us, your pride and joy."  Yes, my pride and joy!

...there was running in the wind.

...and errands to run and back road country driving, my most favorite.

This was naturally a very long week but we did alright.  It was unfortunate timing with my school plans a bit up in the air and things did not run very efficiently (see my last post) but we powered through despite the lack of solid direction.  I struggled most between the hours of 4:00 and 7:00 with that push to get the house cleaned up, manage the children's second wind, and make sure school was wrapped up for the day.  Phil usually comes home between 4:00 and 5:00 and jumps right in helping and does the bedtime routine, freeing me up to take a breather.  It was lonely without him and hard to not have some quiet time.  We were busy!  We had only one day that didn't involve running errands or going to various activities.  I guess that made the time pass quicker.  I scarcely had time to breath but made sure to get a few minutes to crochet before I fell asleep.  The children watched a little more tv/movies than normal but we were in survival mode.  I am watching the clock...at this moment, we are 5 hours away from Phil under our roof once more and all being "right" again.  

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