I thought I'd give you some idea about what we are doing while we are here. Jack has 2 morning classes..he teaches Math (Algebra I & II). Then we are free for the rest of the day. I sleep in (SURPRISE!) and Jack goes downstairs (we are on the 4th, yes 4th floor) grabs breakfast and then returns with a plate of breakfast breads and cranberry juice for me! He's so nice!
Then off he goes to class and I catch up on emails, make cards, order cakes (remember, I'm the cake lady for the school) do laundry, shower etc. Then about noon we head downstairs (did I tell you 4 floors?) for lunch. Let me tell you that these guys have a menu you just can't believe!! Lunch and dinner are really our "social" hours. We get to visit with the other teachers and just get to know them. Boy they come from all walks of life. Very interesting people.
Then we head upstairs (4 floors) and Jack watches TV on his laptop and falls asleep. We find that our bodies are beginning to finally respond to all the stress we had before left California. With my dad and the emotional rollercoaster ride with his illness after his surgery, my son in law dealing with a cancerous tumor in his kidney, the surgery (the Dr has proclaimed he is "cancer free") worrying about my daughter who is pregnant and watching my grandaughter, who is two and has only two gears (fast and faster). Then all the while we are worrying about my dad, Jack's mom died. Although we knew she kept falling around December, all things seemed to be alright, and then all of a sudden, she passed away. Totally out of left field...she had just turned 91 in May. So needless to say after all of this and getting ready for our trip, we were stressed.
Things are starting to get better now, but the reality of his mom's death is starting to wear on him. She was cremated and a memorial service will be held in Maine (August 1st) where she lived and at the church she had attended for so many years. The end of the week we will head to New Hampshire for his family reunion in which another memorial service will be held.
Ok back to our regularly scheduled program.....at 5:00 dinner is served and we head back down (yup, 4 floors) to the dining room. After more socializing, we head back upstairs....(4 floors) and play cribbage or Jack has dorm duty. It sure is very relaxing and we get a chance to just enjoy each other's company.
We have some exciting news, not only is my daughter Jennifer pregnant and due on December 13th, Jack's daughter Kelly, is pregnant as well and is due on January 13th. Kelly had an ultrasound and she was told that the baby's hands were up over its head and waving to her. She said "no way, he's signaling a TOUCH DOWN" Yes, Jack's girls are as much into football as he is.
So that's what a day in the life of "The Hills" is all about. We are now calling The Taft Summer School our "Summer Home in Connecticut". I'll take more pictures the more I get out and about.
Happy 4th of July! Be safe!
Nancy and Jack
