Chef Boy ‘R Mine

The Spanish Notebook

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Three years ago today, I checked into the resort on Ibiza — Destino Pacha. I went to attend my son’s and now-daughter-in-law’s wedding.

Spain was a very good vacation. One of my best, but I’m not sure it was the best. That might have been Hawaii in 2017.

The Spanish Notebook

Spain, however, was my most unusual vacation. I went alone. To a foreign country with very little grasp of Spanish. I went to attend my son’s destination wedding. I also used the occasion to celebrate my 60th birthday.

I had never traveled alone for a vacation. There have been business trips and solo sojourns in hotel rooms, but never a whole vacation. I was giddy. I was excited. I was scared. I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for it all. Usually, I had someone to share costs with.

I was alone.

My mother could not attend my son’s wedding due to failing health. It’s a long trip and she was just not up to it. My ex-husband was in the process of being diagnosed with a debilitating disease and was physically incapable of making the trip.

For the Hawaii vacation in 2017, I thought I had pulled out all the stops. I took my mom to places we hadn’t seen since 1970 when we lived there. We had a full list of things to revisit and see again. I made a notebook itinerary with detailed plans, flight schedules, hotel reservations, daily agendas, etc. It was pretty OCD. It saved our butts a few times.

That notebook was so successful that there was no question I would have one for Spain.

The Spanish Notebook ended up being more than 100 pages and was spiral bound for me by a friend. I mapped out everything. I had only two weeks in Spain, and I was determined to do and see as much as possible. The wedding was only going to occupy me for about 2 days before the happy couple went about their honeymoon. (And who wants their mom/mother-in-law on their honeymoon with them?)

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Julien Conrad

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He stole my heart even before birth.  I have been so excited to meet him.  To hold him.

Julien and me. Together forever.

I learned of him last September.

As the pandemic wore on well into its second year, we were all weary of daily life. Chef Boy ‘R Mine, however, had taken a job offer in his dream city of Chicago and was there scouting out apartments when he called me.  His life was dynamic and moving forward.  He had married the love of his life two years earlier. I could hear him breathing a little heavy as he walked, fast as always, the streets of Chi-Town. 

I can’t remember how he led up to it, but something like “So, I’ve got the news.”   And then, “Vanessa is pregnant.”

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COVID-19: Day 25 and 26: One long day

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The days are starting to blend into one another.  It doesn’t help that I have my days and nights mixed up.  I work until 4:30 or 5 p.m. and then go to sleep, wake up at 2 am or 4 am and rock on for a few hours.  Napping before starting work at about 8 am.  This is not good.

Yesterday, Day 25, I couldn’t find anything to write about.  It was just a day.  I researched the CARES Act for funding for the nonprofit I work for, I wrote some business letters and I worked on the webpage.  Nothing scintillating there.  I’m also teaching myself Photoshop Elements which is slow going because my brain just doesn’t work the way that software was written.

I did talk to Chef Boy ‘R Mine:  a real phone call.  Neither of us had much to say but it was good to hear his voice.  His birthday is on June 15th.  I’m hoping to be out of shelter-in-place by then.  Maybe, I’ll even go to Atlanta to see him.  I do miss the boy.  I also miss his wife.  I don’t have a pithy nickname for her yet.  I adore her though.  He chose well.

It’s 6 a.m. Time to start this day.  I’m thinking of actually showering and putting on real clothes.  Maybe that will make it feel like a real day.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained. . .

 

My Cup Over Runneth!

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ibiza 2019 491When my son was born. I promised him everything good.

I feel like I’ve made good on that promise.

On social media, I call him Chef Boy ‘R Mine.  He’s the love of my life.

A few years ago, he met the love of his life on match.com.  They married yesterday.

I am over the moon.

We’re all in Ibiza, Spain.  The wedding was the best I’ve ever been to.  The reception was a heap of fun.  Today, I have gloried in the fact that he is happy and has found, as he says, his Queen.

I haven’t had a lot of time with my daughter-in-law, but the little I’ve had, I adore her.  She is intelligent.  She is gracious.  She is beautiful.  My grandchildren will be awesome.

img_3563The view from my cup is overflowing with happiness.  I am just suffused with joy.  It’s so much fun to watch the wheel of life turn and to see one’s offspring do well.  I couldn’t be happier.

Jeremy, my son, was uncompromising when it came to a help-meet.  He had high standards and he met them all.  Vanessa is a treasure.

We can walk this world alone or we can choose a partner.  My son has chosen well.  I am beyond happy.  My cup over flows.

Buenas noche!