Tea with Jane.

I feel like I need to put my feet up, grab Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen and sip a cup of tea - even though I don't drink tea. It just sounds so peaceful and relaxing, plus, to read other peoples issues would be a nice change. We are getting ready to leave on vacation, a nice road trip through VT, NY, and hopefully to DC for the fireworks; yet , it really is those last couple days before departure that create the most stress and need for a vacation. Do you ever feel this way?

Craig came home last night from London and brought Beckham shirts for everyone. Nini was quick to put hers on and run and get her soccer ball. I have been so awful at making friend pillows lately I felt like I should at least try to make a small one and send it. But when I was finished with the pillow, I felt inspired to give it to Cici. She calls it her "pillow purse". I just love it. Even thought I am her mother, my girls need to know that they can come to me with anything. To me, this pillow was perfect for her and will allow us to talk more about what it means to be a friend. Nini was very excited to surprise her sister with it. (Hers is on the way.)

We are leaving tomorrow for our family road trip and our house/dog sitter totally flaked on me. So, I've been scrambling to find someone for the past couple days. Late tonight, I finally resolved the issue -not fun. This morning I was up and downtown with the girls for a quick dentist appointment. After the dentist appointment, I realized my phone, which I would need later that day, was at home. I needed to drop the girls off at Craig's office at 10:45, so I had 45 minutes to get home and back. I just can't seem to find a babysitter during the day here, it's very frustrating. So Craig had to watch them while I went for an appointment that was absolutely no kids. I hurried to that appointment through tons of traffic. I took a street that your not supposed to travel on, although, nobody warned me before I took it, but were quick to say, "You never take that street", after a took it. Make sense? I picked up some lunch on the way back to downtown and we all ate in Craig's office.

La Cache/April Cornell purse to pillow.

The rest of the day was getting packed for our road trip and dealing with the girls. Long story, but they're having some coping issues that take up alot of energy and time. It's emotionally exhausting because I can't always help them. Craig is at a meeting and I'm trying to get some me time before the craze and last push of packing and getting ready consumes our evening. While Craig was traveling, I spent some time getting my swap package and good mail packages ready to send. I have several good mail packages to send before I leave and so hope I can fit it in. Although, I think I'll wait to ship them while on our road trip in the US - much cheaper. The pillow below I made out of a La Cache bag I purchased earlier this year. This I am sending with my swap stuff, which may eventually get to the recipient.

How do you relax before a vacation?