Friends, Time and all...

As the summer starts its end run, school in the near distance...

This has been a strange summer, like all the summers since the Pandemic.  Some summers you feel like you have seized the day and spent the best times you can in the weather and activities...and sometimes you feel like you lost opportunities or just did not take advantage of the opportunities and now the summer is gone.  Its more of a feeling than a reality most times.  

This year, I am not sure if its more a feeling or reality.  We had some heatwaves and that stifled some outdoor plans.  We had obligations that were obstructing some plans.

And yet---we DID enjoy a wonderful vacation on Cape Cod.  We were at a wonderful house, we all got along, and relaxed and did (almost) everything we wanted to do!  We did enjoy the beach, the sun, the fun, each other.  We DID go to Canobie Lake and celebrate the Fourth of July. We DID go to a Pool Party!  We DID go to a Sci-Fi/Comic Convention and have fun!  

But--that was mid-July, which seems SO far away now...and while things are starting to become a "new normal" re the Pandemic, there was still issues with supplies, staff shortages, gas prices, etc. that made certain activities still unattainable.

Still---2022 seems to have gone by so fast and school approaches and I find myself trying to deal with the truth that we are all getting older, and not necessarily wiser.  

I haven't started lamenting the last gasps of summer yet, and perhaps this year I will not.  Perhaps its a year to embrace the Fall (like I used to).  Time to enjoy the air getting colder, the leaves (although the heat wave may affect the colors this year), the pumpkins, the autumn of Willow's FRESHMAN year....

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This week has been a meeting of old friends...my friend Nancy was here for a wedding, and after 30 YEARS, we met in person.  It is strange to think about 30 years ago and how we were and what we were doing...sometimes it seems like a fog filled misty memory/dream.  And then you meet your friend, who has not really changed her uniqueness at all.  It surprises you (and yet doesn't) how much she reminds you of the times in college.  It was a hard time for me in a lot of ways, and she made it so much easier.  I did not always "get" her, but I always knew I had a friend, a person who would be there for me.  

Unfortunately, she left school later on to other pursuits, but she was the reason I found my footing in college and away from home.  She is also the reason I joined the Star Trek club at college...and met my future husband....

Ghost Tour in Boston with Nancy and her family...

My family waiting for the tour to start.

Nancy and I on the Ghost Trolley

Our Ghost Host!

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Today, we met up with Willow's friend Kayla and her mom.  Before 2020, we got together a lot...but its been harder the past few years, and this year, even with restrictions easing, it just has not been in the cards for us to get together....to finally meet up and have time with our friends...it reminded me that we also have the here and now to be a part of.  

So, these girls....

Are going to HIGH SCHOOL now....

Memories are nice.  But MAKING memories is also important.  

SO, I am going to seize the time left in this year...and make some good ones!!

Yes, we got our photo op!

Willow and I stood in a line for a little over half an hour, we got there, someone was trying to talk to him, and was being rushed off by staff (these were make up photos after all, so a LOT of people to go through).  Originally, he was supposed to be behind plexiglass...but apparently, when he arrived, he made them take it away saying "Oh, I don't like this..." (wish I had been there for that!)

We got in, staff said something about doing something with our pose to help with reflections of our glasses (yeah, I wasn't really listening...I was looking at David Tennant!)  So, he put his hands on our shoulders, as Willow went over to his other side, I said "This is my daughter, Willow" and he said "Oh, hello there Willow.." and we took the picture.  (I was more concentrating on his warm hand on my shoulder, but whatever...)

And then we stepped aside and were about ready to leave....When they said "Oh wait! We need to do a re-take because the reflections in the glasses!"  

So, we got to pose with him AGAIN for the above photo.  He may have said something...I think he did about "the camera liked you so much, we have to do it again" or something...maybe, I don't know.  

Later---Willow said "Didn't he smell nice?!"  

Yes.  Yes he did.

Okay, fangirl satisfied.  Achievement unlocked.

Fans, fandom and Cosplay Oh My

Today we went to the Boston Fan Expo.  Its like Comic Con on steroids.  

First time in such big crowds, but since Chewy and I got our boosters...and we are in MA, I feel "pretty" safe for the Covid...but, it is still kinda weird because of the last three years...

We went because--well, because I had promised myself if David Tennant ever came to a convention I could get to, I would go.  And he is coming to THIS one....BUT

Apparently not today!  

He was supposed to.  I had the Photo Op ticket, I had the cool T-Shirt...and at 12:40 was my time...and at 12 o'clock...the official word was that he wasn't here yet, and they would not know until 2 p.m. IF he was coming today.  

It all worked out in the end....(well, I hope):

We had fun, we hung out until the official word came out...everyone was happy (well, I was a bit disappointed...) and it was a good time despite it all.

AND--he is coming TOMORROW and they gave me a free voucher for the exhibition (the photo op ticket was separate) and HOPEFULLY, tomorrow, Willow and I will get a photo with Mr. Tennant (who is a really great guy and nice to his fans, so I am sure it was something he had no control over, etc.)  :-)

Meanwhile... some PICTURES:

My Cool Shirt:

Michael took some pictures too...so I hope he shares them with me and I will upload 'em...

Summer flying by...Cape Cod 2022 memories

And like that---its August.

Mid-July we went to Cape Cod.  We stayed at a wonderful house in Wellfleet.  It had three porches and a remodeled kitchen.  Apparently, according to Willow, it had a Goblin haunting it so she couldn't sleep in the bunk beds in the room that she was supposed to share with her brother.  Michael was happy enough to enjoy having a room all to himself.

We did some of the usual Cape Cod things, although the tinge of the pandemic still reverberated.  We have also been going to this part of the Cape long enough that we can now have discussions on what restaurants used to be where, and "remember when" is a frequent phrase. 

Having kids with special needs provides challenges that sometimes sneak up on us. Even (or maybe especially) during vacation, the cracks become craters.  Willow seems to be going through a bout of self doubt, anxiety and depression.  She has definitely been affected by the pandemic, as she obsessively cleans her hands and worries about how "dirty" things are.  A few sleepless nights were part of the vacation this year.  Despite that, we do have a very good memory of Willow, Chewy and I watching The Thing at 3 a.m.

All in all, the vacation was a success and restful for all, even Willow, who came back a little bit brighter.

There were four beaches 10 mins away from the house.

Willow had oysters for lunch one day...

I had these Yummy scallops and corn chowder.

And, of course, a Mudslide!

Woods Hole Aquarium was open again!

A couple of trips to Ben & Jerrys occurred...

Resting in the evening.

The annual sand sculptures.

Sunset!

helloooo, hermit crab!

View from a porch.

We spend some quality time reading and relaxing.

Feeling down, but at least she has sharky (the stuffed animal that Michael got her for X-Mas this year).

I loved decorating my hamburger in Provincetown.

As usual, its LOBSTER for the girl!

Despite this pose, Michael had a fun time.  

Bought the man a hat!

Bought all three of us a HAT.

Willow on one end of the beach...

Michael on the other end of the beach....waaaay down there...that standing spec is him!

Hi from one of my favorite places in the world!

And treats!

Hanging out...

We ate a lot of Red Barn pizza.

YUM!