It looks like you guys had a FABULOUS trip! Even the boat trip looked like fun!

I miss everyone!

It looks like we may be getting out of the hospital today and moving in to the Boston Ronald McDonald House - exciting but a little scary. It's nice that Hannah is well enough that everyone feels confident we'll be able to make it without a team of doctors and nurses holding us up. She's pretty worried - I think she's worried that I'm no doctor and certainly no nurse. But we are both looking forward to a night's sleep without any hospital sounds!

Nice to hear from Shelley- thanks for writing! It sounds like you are doing well!

Wow - I've used more exclamation points in this entry than anyone should be allowed in a lifetime. Sorry about that. I think I'm trying to put a positive spin on everything even though I am very nervous.

By the way, I've been working to master the challenge of Sudoku . . . hard to do when you're number-phobic like I am. But I'm getting the hang of it. I just started last week and almost gave up. Over the weekend, a friend helped me do a few puzzles and showed me some strategies - it gave me away to start. That made me think of two things - first, I thought of Prudence and her endless Sudoku. Second, I thought about how anything new is difficult if you don't have any strategies, any ideas how to approach it. Ummmmm. . . that made me think about reading and writing and vocabulary. That's what English class and English teachers do: we give you strategies, lessons, ideas how to approach the challenges of reading and writing. Then you have the tools to accept the challenge on your own. Isn't that the coolest thing? I love how even numbers relate back to English! (Uh-oh . . . ANOTHER exclamation point.)

I've been reading but nothing noteworthy. Chris Bohjalian has a new book which my mom bought and loaned to me; I'm starting it today. I've loved EVERY one of his books - they all have a New Englandy charm and usually star a fascinating woman. Plus, I met the author. He spoke here at a Bunch of Grapes event about three or four years ago. My mom tells me that this book starts with a rape/assault and that it might be too disturbing for some readers. She also said that she needs to talk about it because it left her confused . . . Don't worry about that, though - I know I've told you about my mother and movies (WHO is that? Why is she doing that? What's going on NOW?), and she's the same way about books. Read it yourself and let me know what you think.

I also got a novel that's a pseudo-memoir of Jackie Kennedy - I read a favorable review, but I'll let you know. I like the concept of a fake autobiography of a famous figure. And I have my hands on a brand new Susan Isaacs novel - promising. Also, Shopaholic and Baby is coming out TOMORROW! I will be first in line!

All right, I'm taking my exclamation points and getting out of here. Hope you all have a lovely vacation. Miss you!

Ms. Wallace