What a week and a half...

Have you ever been a single mom to three boys? I'm guessing most of you haven't. It can be overwhelming...especially as they get older. The past few years have been the most challenging as cars and insurance have become part of the package. **sigh** I've posted this picture before, but here is Jeffrey, my oldest (he'll be 23 in October)...with his girlfriend Erica. (He hates this picture, by the way.) He lives with friends in Austin and is going to Austin Community College and will transfer to the University of Texas-Austin next year. He's hoping to get into architecture.

Jared is the middle one...and will be 21 in September. He's going to Texas State and isn't really sure what he wants to do with his future yet. This past spring was his first semester. He had a '95 Mazda Protege which died about 10 days ago. We didn't want to put $2,000 into a refurbished engine so he had to think about getting a new car. I told all my boys that I would help them with the first car, but subsequent ones were on them. But I went shopping for him last Saturday since he had to work and found this for a great deal.

It's the same thing I got as a rental last January when my other son, Jonathan, had his accident from hell.

Since Jared has an excellent credit record, he was able to get it at a very low interest rate with low payments, so here he is...the proud new owner. (Mom just had to co-sign...didn't have to shell out any money.)

And here's Jonathan (and me)...he's the "baby." He'll be 19 next month. Jon's the wild seed...he definitely lives by his own rules. He originally wanted to join the military, then thought twice about wanting to go to Afghanistan. He's not a studious kid...and works at Carino's as the saute cook...and does an excellent job and they love him there. At 18, I'm proud that he's good at what he does and has a strong work ethic. While I hope that he will eventually go to college, I give him a lot of credit for wanting to be independent and self-sufficient. Considering all the self-absorbed kids there are out there today, I consider myself blessed that I have children who want to carry their own weight and pay their own way.


But Jon's truck that we got after his accident had to go into the shop for work last Thursday. This is something I dread with every fiber of my body because I automatically think it's going to be the most major thing that could possibly go wrong with it. $203. **sigh of relief** Personally, I think anything under $300 at a garage is "cheap."

I've had many conversations with instructors at the University this past semester who say this has been the worst for kids expecting A's for doing minimal work and are VERY upset if they don't get them. This generation has grown up with instant gratification for little work...which says little for our (or their) future.

So then there was Mother's Day...I got a new watch...

...and some new earrings from a friend...

So it hasn't stopped there for being a heck of a week and a half.

I received an e-mail from VivaAerobus this morning that my flight to Cancun was cancelled for May 28-June 7. I'm supposedly getting a full refund because of the swine flu deal. To tell you the truth, I wasn't suprised. This will be the last time I book anything through VivaAerobus. I plan on rescheduling with another airline later this summer. I'm hoping the fares stay low. So I will not be enjoying these sights the end of the month...

Another **heavy sigh**...

Bound for Isla...

Well, not any time REAL soon, but at least it's in the future...a little less than 200 days away. But who's counting? I was surfing the net the other day, just curious about airfares to Cancun...not having anything in particular in mind. More wishful thinking than anything. I did a check on VivaAerobus and found fares for -$.01. Yes, that would be a negative one cent. Knowing how VivaAerobus lures you in on these unbelieveable fares, then charges big taxes, I was skeptical. I plugged in some dates and got this fare in response: $117.90. "That can't be right," I said to myself. So I acted like I was going to buy it to check out the whole fare...and that was it...taxes included, round trip from Austin, non-stop. Whoa. I couldn't help it...my finger took over with a mind of its own and clicked on "Purchase." Now I am the owner of a flight to Cancun the end of May. And since that's the low season, I have no worries about finding an inexpensive place to stay. It must be karma. The only negative thing might be that I may have to sit on the wing. My son also suggested that I might have to buy gas for the plane before we leave.

Oh, and one more thing. On my last four trips to Isla, I have wanted to take little side trips to Playa del Carmen, Tulum or even just Contoy...but never did. You know how Isla has that hypnotic effect on you...you get there and all you want to do is...nothing. Walk around the island...take pictures...have a nice meal...take pictures...have a cerveza or eight...take pictures...lay by the beach...take pictures...take a dip in the pool...take pictures...off to see Romi for a couple Margarita's...take pictures. You know what I mean.

So THIS time...I'm going to Playa del Carmen first...then Tulum...THEN go to Isla. I know that's the only way I'll be able to see other places. I have plenty of time to plan. Oh, yeah...I be Isla bound.