I’m back!
Originally published 8/20/2018
Hi all in the bloggersphere and beyond. I’m back for now to my once weekly postings (I will try really hard to stick to this).
It’s been one of the busiest summers to date. In addition to working full time taking care of breast cancer patients in my practice, I’ve been extremely busy doing other things.
My son graduated from high school in May so there has been graduation, then graduation parties and a couple of trips to his new school for orientation, moving him in and settling him into his new dorm.
We are now officially empty nesters. I have mixed feelings about it all. I’m excited for him as he embarks on the start of the rest of his life. He will be meeting new people, learning and discovering himself outside of family. I’m also nervous for him and hoping he remembers all the various life lessons we have thought him over the years and hoping he makes great life decisions and choices. And I wish him all the success in life. He on the other hand is so excited and happy and looking forward to everything. This makes me happy, seeing that he is happy.
On the home front, my husband and I will miss the kids terribly but we are also happy to have them gone and looking forward to our new life without human kids- my husband has 2 Belgian Shepards- his fur babies. I try not to claim them but they’re wearing me down.
Me with Lila and Caesar- our Belgian shepherds
Also this summer, my parents celebrated 50 years of married life. There was ofcourse a big party because you have to celebrate this huge milestone. The preparations included traditional custom made tailored clothing for all the children, their spouses and grandchildren. There was also coordinating all the children, grand children, spouses, inlaws and various family members traveling from all over and their accommodations. There was a church ceremony with vow renewal and a big gala party. All exhausting but beautiful and something to aspire to. This was the first time my entire family (me, my parents and siblings) have been together in about 23 years. The epic fail was not having a chance to do a big family photo with everyone. Hopeful there will be another chance soon.
Mom and Dad at vow renewal
I also had a chance to go with my husband on one of his golf trips. This was way more fun than I had anticipated. He usually travels by himself to bond with his golf buddies and I’m sure there are lots of ‘boys will be boys stuff’ that go on. But it was kind of nice to go and get to meet the other wives (my fellow golf widows.)
Me & hubby at the golf gala night
We were in Los Angelos for my husband’s high school reunion weekend. This was a whole weekend of brotherhood and making new friends and acquaintances. And another chance to dress up at the gala night.
Gala night in LA
Both of my kids also celebrated birthdays this summer. My daughter turned 22 in August and my son 18 in June.
They always insist on BD cake
We travelled to New Orleans this summer, as well, with friends for the Essence music festival. This was so much fun as you can imagine a bunch of adults in New Orleans. The nightly concerts were amazing. From a private suite, we enjoyed musical performances by Mary J Blige, Janet Jackson, Snoop Dog, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Ella Mae, Idris Elba, Miguel, and so much more.
Mary J Blige
Janet Jackson
Ella Mae
I also made some time to continue monthly dinner club outings with my girlfriends and a few happy hours. I find it is important to maintain these friendships.
Truthfully, I am quite exhausted after such a whirlwind summer. I am now ready to get back to ‘normal’. But first, I will be doing a top to bottom house cleaning since the kids are gone, re organizing my kitchen and closets (I have a lot to donate) and doing some yard work (not my favorite thing to do). I may blog about how I accomplish these things later.
There were so many other events and outings that happened this summer that I’m forgetting about. But for now, I’m happy to be back and looking forward to reading all of your blogs and posting some of my own.
As always, thanks for reading
And don’t forget to check out my Instagram @lifewithjovita
J