Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?

No.

This past weekend (starting on Friday, really) I had the distinct privilege of heading to O'Hare at 4am. (Nat? "As you do.") It was the beginning of my Let's See All the Sisters College Tour '09. And in the nick of time, too- they graduate in a couple of weeks!

The flight was lovely, as I had drifted off to sleep right after takeoff...only to be nudged awake by an apologetic flight attendant. Would I care for a drink? (They didn't even have cranberry juice. Just a cran-apple blend with 8% juice. They should really call it "juice.") I was then informed of my in-flight movie selections: Bride Wars and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Really, American Airlines? And to top it all off, the video wasn't jiving. Come ON. So, I held my "juice" and waited for someone to come get my trash (I kinda feel like Little Lord Fauntleroy- "collect my refuse!") Because, you know, you can't just fall back asleep after the beverage service. Nope. You've got to keep your tray down and hold your 'guilt cup' until it's taken from you. If you put your tray up and nod off, you'll spill a few drops of "juice" on your lap- or worse yet, your neighbor's...and she's already hogging two seats with her NY Times and she's not even pregnant. And forget about leaving your trash on your neighbor's tray so you can fall asleep- that is illegal.

So, once that harrowing leg of the trip was done I ended up at Harvard with Chelly, Kate, Quinn and Cole (my favorite Harvard student, big sister and little dude nephews) for a quick lunch before Rachel's luncheon award ceremony (yes, I pre-ate). Rachel won something cool, like the best actor to act, ever. Or something. (I think at this point, Harvard's just throwing accolades and money at her to thank her for enrolling.) Later I got to see her improv troupe and a couple of fabulous senior recital rehearsals...and then it was time for a ten minute power nap. She may or may not have been talking to me at the time. Then three plates of food at her superior dining hall (hush up, Chel, Quincy House has the best food- complain about it next year over your ramen. Besides, my college's dining hall was 90% vegan.) And then it was time for her mini senior showcase at the Signet, her lovely and exclusive club that has included the likes of Tennyson and Lithgow (John). Her voice was superb, the packed crowd ate it up and I got to party (soberly, seated) with Jen and Kate. Later, I passed out in the front seat of Kate's stylish and roomy new Routan. 

Up early with my nephews (although, admittedly, they let us sleep in), and off to see my sister's new house in Reading, 15 minutes outside of the city (awesome, porches, yards, fabulousness) and drove to Pittsfield to high-five my folks before Kate and I jaunted up to Williams College to see Emma for the five hours allotted to each town. 

It was a gorgeous day, and after a terrific meal of fake sushi (only 'fake' because I wasn't allowed to get a spicy tuna roll) and rad pad thai (a great name for a band) and eight other things, we stopped off to get a sandwich to bring to Em's boyfriend Dan. Eating Across Massachusetts '09. Walked for what seemed like five miles (Kate and Em assured me that this was not so) past tennis courts where wound-up dudes argued with refs about something or other in some important tennis match (I'm a sports fan), past where Kate used to play soccer, down to the baseball field to say hi to Dan for FIVE MINUTES...and then we walked back. It was a gorgeous walk, however, as Williamstown is one of the prettiest places in the spring, ever.

Home Saturday night with my folks, two of my sisters, bro-in-law and the little dudes (another great band name). My mom made about thirty of my favorite comfort foods, most of them Armenian, and I ate myself into a stupor. Sometime in the [early] evening, I was tucked in somewhere warm and allowed to drift off, content with the knowledge that I wouldn't be taking a boat, train, Routan, plane or cab for at least fifteen hours.

And then it was Mother's Day! I made my mom a decently sweet set of notecards with a dragonfly print and a fancy letter 'D' (for her name- I'm not COMPLETELY random) and my bro-in-law gave me a gorgeous pink Gerbera daisy for my very first Mother's Day. Does it count? I think it should count for at least a half. Walked with my mom and Kate (what is it with you people and walks?!) and watched a Nancy Drew mystery from 1939 with my mom- now that's cinema. Before too long, however, it was time to go back to the airport for an uneventful flight back to Chi. My awesomely faboo husband had cleaned the house, gotten me a sweet card that made me cry (it was the hormones) and had lobster tails chilling for the following night (when we could have din prior to 10pm.) I could possibly dig on this mother thing.

In other news, I am ballooning ("No you're not"/"Thanks, Mom.") and we may or may not have just bought a house! (We did.) Okay, well, they accepted our offer- but, as we all have learned, that means NOTHIN'. Inspection this Sunday, so more deets then. But it's superbly promising, as it has bedrooms, a roof, a floor and [hopefully] plumbing. 

Livin' the dream.