The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.

Michel de Montaigne French essayist (1533 - 1592)

The quote and link to other quotes by this author are, no doubt, much the best part of this post!

Hard to believe that it is September already! I keep writing August on things - trying to hold back the rapid passage of time.

Starting to worry about getting things done for Christmas. Especially as this will be an extra busy December with David's graduation. We will be going to SLO for that and then doing some kind of celebration here in Sacramento. But, that's not really my problem. My problem is big family and small budget, energy , creativity, and management skills (time and money).

I finally finished the tow package on the Cavalier. Meaning I bought the ball and had U-Haul install wiring for trailer lights. I reserved a small utility trailer for our trip to Fort Bragg next week NEXT WEEK!! It will slow us down and cost a bit, but it should make things a lot easier. Trying to decide if we should take our bikes, Anna being the drawback there.

Although, we are going to be gone such a short time, I almost wonder if we need the trailer. Friday night to Sunday is all. With the trailer, we have plenty of room for tents, cooler, firewood. Tough call, the car is a little too small, the trailer is a little too big. We will take it and see what we think about future trips.

I haven't biked with Anna since the crash. Haven't walked her much either. Cyndi has been working extra long hours at the gym - they just changed locations and had to move computer records - I don't know what all. I don't really enjoy walking Anna as I should since I haven't trained her to behave. And I feel ok about exercise since I am biking to work. Also, Tuffy is with us for about 2 weeks, I think they should play together and exercise each other. (Not that that is how it actually works out.)

I was very surprised Monday to get an e-mail from Teresa asking if we would be ok with them coming to visit starting Tuesday. What do you THINK I said?!

I have to work late on Tuesdays and Thursdays to make up time for the class I am taking. Then I stopped at the store to get milk. I was surprised not to see their car in front of our house as I thought she had mentioned an ETA of around 6. Coming in the house, I said something about that and asked Ben if he had heard from them. He said yes in a kind of funny way, but he is so strange sometimes that I thought nothing of it. We spoke briefly, then this voice says, "Hi, Mom!" David! They had arrived around 6 or so and then Teresa went on to drive her sister to Placerville.

Teresa came back and Miriam came over and naturally we all stayed up a little too late talking. Not a lot, though, I just don't have it in me.

Wednesday evening, David and Teresa went to Apple Hill with friends. Benjamin and I went to Young Men. He played Ultimate Frisbee. I sat on several Boards of Review for advancing Scouts. Court of Honor next week.

Thursday, we thought a friend was coming to visit, but something came up. That night, Benjamin and much of the Priests quorum worked at the cannery doing tomatoes until 1:30am. I drove him over there a little before their meet up time. We parked out back near the cannery door and waited (while some other ward members waiting to work razzed us a little). Then around the corner strode YM President McCord leading several other Priests looking like Captain Moroni and his stripling warriors. Ben jumped out of the car to join the ranks. I was so proud of them all.

Now it is Friday afternoon. Benjamin is off at class at City College. We have been trying to figure out what we are doing today. (The answer: not much) Joseph is working on doing something with a new hard drive that arrived yesterday. I think this will create a backup for the eMac. I am not sure what all he is up to. (even though he told me). David was playing with the Wii (I am told he played until 3ish one night). Now he is showing a talk by Ezra Taft Benson on the tv through the internet on the Wii. Teresa is on Hal. It is kind of a lazy day. I am getting my laundry done - pretty much.

Tonight we are going over to Debi’s. Everyone is bringing stuff to put together for Chinese. Ruth is bringing their game It Came To Pass.

We (barely) started working on plans for David’s Graduation Celebration. They want to do a BBQ in their landlord’s backyard in SLO graduation day. Here in Sacramento, we want to have dance party on Saturday, December 26 - hopefully in the Dover building. We have the DJ ; ) and are trying to get the building.

Teresa might not “walk” for her graduation. Disappointing and not decided yet, I think, but there are good reasons. Her walk day in June is on Sunday and she doesn’t feel comfortable with that. Feels it is too ‘me’ oriented for the Sabbath. Besides that, they have heard that it is very uncomfortable - hours in the sun in June. I think they do the June grads in a big area. Actually, they might have the big speeches in the area, then each college goes off to a different venue to “walk.” Worse, it has been known for them not to walk individuals at all - just tell the entire college graduating class to stand up and then tell them Congratulations, you graduated. How disappointing. They certainly deserve more recognition than that!

I hope she still gets herself a cap and gown. I want to take pictures of each and both of them all over Cal Poly in their caps and gowns.

We will certainly plan a Graduation Celebration for Teresa here in the spring or summer. Maybe we will have her “walk” then!!

Benjamin graduates (high school) this spring, too. I am getting old. I keep rejoicing that this is my last year for Seminary! Yippee!!! (unless - *gasp* groan* shudder* you get the idea - they call me to TEACH someday) but I keep forgetting that means Benjamin GRADUATES from high school.

Final reckoning with Horizon Charter School - oh that will be fun. And possibly good-bye to this old computer which came from them second hand at least. Old it may be, but it is something.

All my babies grown! This is going to be an adjustment. Not only am I obviously quite old, but being a mother was my life’s work. Over?! I don’t feel like I did a great job - although my children are great. And who and what am/will I be now? Wierd. Scary.