This week brings with it stacks of laundry, an unswept floor, and suitcases to pack, times two. You see, quite by accident I find myself preparing to go away. First, I found out about a work related trip to the Caribbean (yes, this is one of those times that I love my job!). I agreed to go (duh), so in mid-August, Evan and I travel to the island of St Lucia where we’ll spend five days ziplining, tubing, beaching, and jeep riding. The zipline portion of that sentence scares me senseless, by the way.

What more could a gal want? Hey, how about more to squeeze in?

Last week we found out that Brad was awarded a scholarship to attend the American River Acoustic Music Camp. Oh, yeah. I forgot he applied for that. The dates? The week before we fly to St Lucia. And because he’s a minor, I’m required to go. So, after a week of music and camping (and likely not sleeping) we come home for ONE day, then head to the airport. I’m hyperventilating just thinking about it, and yet I’m totally excited about both opportunities.

In any case, this week is the week that I have to get packed and ready for both trips. And people keep asking me if I’m ready for school to start. Let’s see. Camping and playing with professional musicians, eating food prepared by the same folks who cooked for the Grateful Dead, a scholarship winning essay, flying through two American cities to which we’ve never been, exploring a Caribbean island, swimming in a new-to-us ocean, hearing a new language, testing our limits. Yep, I’d say we’re ready for school to start.