I don't know about you....but I can hardly believe 6 months has gone by since I was last in Paris in March.  So that means I'm now 60 1/2....(do we count "halves" over a certain age?)  Ray and I leave a week from tonight for Newark.  We booked the Hilton at the airport there.  It's a 3 hour drive from Cedar Key to the Tampa Airport and then the 2 hr. flight to Newark.  Too much rushing, etc. and much nicer to just get there Monday evening and relax a bit.

Our flight to Paris leaves Newark Tuesday evening at 6:15 and we arrive there Wednesday morning at 7:40.  Nice and early.  We had some glitches (that's being kind) on our flight in March.  We flew on Ray's pass and although we did get Business First going over, we had a fair amount of stress flying non-rev.  So for this trip, I bit the bullet and booked us a confirmed reservation for Business First over and back on Continental.  Their service is superb and it's easy to see why they win the JD Powell award every year for European travel.  It's also going to be nice to know there will be no stress wondering if we'll get on the flight.  We already have our seat selection, and I'm already looking forward to that first glass of champagne they'll be serving me pre-flight.

Looking back over these past six months, I can see why I'm looking forward to returning to my beloved Paris.  Soaking up the positive energy I always find there.  Chilling out at the sidewalk cafes over a cup of coffee or glass of wine.  Exploring many new restaurants that I've done research on over these months.  Just being there.

I still find it shocking that we lost our Holly less than two months after returning from Paris.  That in itself was a difficult time to go through.  And during the months that followed we were faced with our son's very nasty and ugly divorce and custody battle. (Which did NOT go well and I still can't bare to talk about here) Then recently.....I had the huge disappointment of that writing contest.  And more recently, learning Brie had the abnormal EKG prior to being spayed.  (Still waiting for an update on that)

But in retrospect, I'd have to say all of the above is simply "life."  Things happen.  We hurt.  We grieve.  We're disappointed.  But for ten days, I can put all of it behind me and be in my favorite city in the world.  To recoup my energy. To soak up things that I love.  To enjoy special moments. 

And with seven days left till departure.....I'm very much looking forward to all that Paris never fails to give to me.

See you here next time.........