I’m Gonna Be Okay…

My son.

 

The Prince, Heir to the Empire, Protector of the Realm…

 

GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE … and is embarking on a great internship. He also has made it to the final selection round to become a State Trooper.

 

 

Living his dreams.

 

…and I’ve managed to keep it together (mostly) as the apron strings slowly unravel. My baby boy, my Prince  - he is all grown up. He’s a man. Mommy not needed- not like before. Now, I’m just Mom and my job is done.

 

I think we did pretty damn well. We raised up a great young man, as we should, and now I got to let him go and do his thing. I thought it was going just about kill me, that whole letting go thing, but I’m okay, I think.

 

I’m gonna be okay. I’m pretty sure.

 

We are so proud of our son. Cheese eating grin proud. He is going do great things…and I’m going to be okay.

 

Just call your momma erry now and then.

Wordless Wednesday: The College Graduate

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Cutting The Apron Strings

The Prince, Heir to the Empire, Protector of the Realm left today to go back to college…for his SENIOR YEAR!

 

And he took the car back this year – cause we promised – all the way to Indiana. 10(TEN) hours to Indiana Tech – car loaded, all by himself.

 

…TEN HOURS on the highways & byways.

 

 

My baby done gone and growed up on me. We had BIG BREAKFAST with the family this morning, watched The Prince load the car (The FireMarshall prevented all of us women from getting involved –“Let that man take care of his business.” {{{O_O}}}), said our goodbyes and watched his drive away. SIGH.

 

And I didn’t burst into a heap of tears as he pulled off. Not even a lip tremble.

 

I think he’s gonna be okay.I guess I can put away the apron and hover craft…Mmmm…maybe I’ll just park it in the garage so if I need it…

 

Letting go is never easy.

Soulful Sunday- Prince Jordan Edition

This past weekend we out to visit Prince Jordan, Heir to the Empire, Protector of the Realm & Beastly Lax Goalie for the Indiana Tech Lax Weekend (3 games over 3 days).

 

We had a wonderful time with our son at his off campus pad with his roommates and a bunch of the team parents.

 

 

 

I can almost rest easy…The Prince is doing real good for himself.

 

 

   

Warrior Athlete too…with a 3.3 GPA.  WOOT WOOT! One month left and The Prince is a college SENIOR.  Where did the time go?

 

Right now, he is having to get back & forth to school and practice on what his roommate’s mother calls the likka-cycle cause his roommate got a OWI (operating while intoxicated – not sure of the difference, but ok) and can’t drive for a while. The house vehicle is out of commission.

If only I could convince him that his melon is not indestructible and to wear a helmet. I tried to use the logic that he wouldn’t play without his helmet and no pro-athlete (race car driver, cyclist, etc.) would go without. HUMPH. Like talking to a brick wall. SIGH. A mother’s nagging is NEVER done.

 

A Wonderful Weekend of Warrior Lax…The Realm is Protected & The Prince is still BEAST!

 

Caption This!

Prince Jordan & Lady Camille Halloween 1995 or 96.

I laugh every time I look at this picture. The relationship dynamics are the same at any age. LOVE THIS!

 

What do you say?

Wordless Wednesday

Prince Jordan & Lady Camille

Prince Jordan is 20 Years Old!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Happy 20th Birthday

Prince Jordan, Heir to the Empire, Protector of the Realm is celebrating his 20th Birthday today! OMG!!!! Where did the time go? When did he get all grownt up on me?

 

My BAAAAAAABBBBBEEEEEEEE is a MAN! Good thing…we need a few good future Lords around these parts cause…WINTER IS COMING!!! and male bytchassedness is spreading like the plague.

 

THE PRINCE IS 20 YEARS OLD…TODAY!!!

 

Happy Birthday, my son. I hope you are having a rockin’ time!

The Boys of Bayer Street

This picture brought me joy! Jordan & 2 of his lacrosse teammates are living off campus this year in this awesome house. Today was the 1st day of their Junior academic year. Looking good.

How Time Flies

Prince Jordan, Heir to the Empire, Protector of the Realm went back to college this weekend. SIGH.

 

He’s a JUNIOR…IN COLLEGE!!! Where did the time go?

 

He’s living off campus this year. SIGH. In a house with 2 of his Lax Bro’s (yeah, I’m using his terminology). Letting go and cutting the apron strings gets harder and harder each year. SIGH.

At least I didn’t do the ugly wall slide sobbing cry…that will come later as I start getting the bills.

 

SIGH.

 

I bet the parties are gonna be AWESOME!!!!

What College Tuition Will Get You

If my son & his roommate can put on a mini production then I'm expecting that they ACE those final exams. LOL. Not bad. I really enjoyed the bloopers.

The Prince and Sir Tony are just up to no good in the Realm. SIGH.

Randoms of a Traveling Lacrosse Mom

I got up at the crack of dawn on Friday to catch a 6am flight to Ft Wayne, IN to attend Parents Weekend at Indiana Tech and get me some WARRIOR LACROSSE in. I was worried about the whole trip as Prince Jordan has not had much luck in traveling to & fro from school in the past couple of months.

 

The trip was uneventful. I even got the opportunity to “volunteer” to give up my seat and catch the next flight out of Detroit to Ft.Wayne. Since I didn’t have to be there until 7pm for the game, I volunteered and scored a $400 travel voucher on Delta.

 

Our Memorial Day vacation is going to be that much better when our flights (The FireMarshall has a free ticket as well from another trip) are taken care of. And NO, I don’t have a problem traveling on a different airline than the FM. We will arrive at the same destination and have a rip roaring time.

 

Do I take this Warrior Lacrosse Mom business seriously? YEP. I’ve got my colors on, my bling on & even my nails are painted orange. I also go a tad overboard with capturing pictures of my Warriors.

I did some research on great sport telephoto lenses and came up with the Canon EF 400 mm/ F2.8 L IS. (“The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens is the ultimate Canon professional field/track sports lens.”) Of course I went back to www.borrowlenses.com to rent the lens for the weekend. I rented from them before, but this time I was asked to verify my identity by sending over various scanned copies of my id & the CC I used to prove the it was IN FACT me that ordered it. Then I got an email asking all kinds of questions (was I a professional photographer, did I have a website, business EIN – if so, do I have any references, etc). I was taken aback a bit…at first…and then I went to look at how much this sucker costs.

 

$7-$8000 DOLLARS. GTFOOH. No wonder they wanted me to verify and put up a kid as collateral. I finally satisfied all their questions and they sent me the lens. It arrived in a friggin suitcase.

 

I got skerred. DA HELL DID I ORDER?

 

I am lugging all my camera equipment around in a piece of luggage on wheels.

 

NO! I am not from ESPN. Warrior Fans – stop asking me – I’m just an overzealous Warrior Lax Mom/Fan.

     

Let me tell you what I’ve learned after the first night game:

• I still suck at night photo’s even under lights & with a $8k SUPER LENS
• I have to take LOTS (like a gazillion) to get some great shots, especially at night. I SUCK.
• That lens is HEAVY even using on a monopod. Also, you just do jump up and move locations. Did I say that sucker is HEAVY!
• Have back up batteries. For some reason this lens sucked the life out of two batteries in two hours.
• Use that hood. They sent it to me for a reason…I think.

No, I am not a professional photographer. STOP ASKING. Why did I rent it? CAUSE I DO WHAT DA HELL I WANT TO DO. Yeah, sure. I’ll take your picture…IF YOU GO STAND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FIELD.

 

I am having a wonderful time hanging with some of the other Warrior Lacrosse Mom’s. They now know that I only need a nudge to act out a complete LAX COUGAR MOM fool. Diana – yeah, you! And as for “Doris Day” – once she took off that apron, it was on & poppin. I’m still working on a comeback after she threw me under the bus last night over the “bathroom” incident.

I haven’t laughed so hard and cut up so much with these ladies, their husbands & our Warrior Lax Men in ages. I think I punctured my spleen.

 

Another game is up late this afternoon with a SLAMMIN’ TAILGATE! I’m Girding My Loins for when the INDIANA TECH WARRIOR LACROSSE TEAM releases THE CRACKEN!

Travel Drama–Episode 29

I swear on all that is Holy that there HAS to be a Travel Demon between BWI & Ft.Wayne, IN. HAS TO BE. It seems that every time The Prince, Heir to the Empire, Protector of the Realm tries to come home or go back to college, there is some form or TRAVEL DRAMA involved in any of the journey to or fro.

 

Today started off innocent enough. Prince Jordan & his First Knight, Sir Tony enjoyed a week of Spring Break at True Blessing Estate. For an entire week, they got run of the Kingdom under the watchful eye  of Emperor FireMarshall & Empress TravelDiva (more TheTravelDiva since the FM is actually a KOJ – Killer of Joy). After the week of festivities & “socials” every night, they boarded a plane back to Indiana.

 

The United flight left BWI at 1212pm…but didn’t touch down in Chicago. You see, there was this “act of nature” called a rain & lightening storm. So the United Flight from BWI to Chicago Ohare landed in Indianapolis, IN instead to wait out the storm.  That flight sat on the runway in INDIANA for 2 hours waiting out the storm, never went to a gate, took off and went back to Ohare. SERIOUSLY?  The Prince & Sir Tony got in the line with the rest of humanity to reschedule their flight. I KNEW that if The Empress didn’t intercede, those boys wouldn’t get back to college until before next weekend Parents Weekend. I got on the phone with United & they quickly booked The Prince & Sir Tony on the next flight out…the only flight out on any airline to Ft. Wayne…until 6 am THE NEXT MORNING.

 

So…what are they supposed to do until 5am the next morning? I work on finding them lodging. I find a very reasonable rate at a hotel called Baymont Inn & Suites Ohare/Elk Village. Well, let me tell ya – YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I made the reservation on an online travel site and went about my business. The Prince & Sir Tony get to the hotel and THOSE SUMBYOTCHES at the Baymont Inn & Suites Ohare put them back on the street saying that there was a “law” in Elk Village stating that it was illegal to house any person under the age of 21. SERIOUSLY. ARE YOU FUGGING KIDDING ME. So if a 20 year old SOLDIER, SEAMAN, MARINE 20 years old or less that is SERVING their country and protecting your right to even own a MFn’ hotel could stay at your piece of shit in the woods. GTFOOHWTBS. Law my ass.

 

But put them out on the street they did. Told ME – The EMPRESS – that it wasn’t personal, it was the law. UH HUH. Wanna see one of the 4 horses of the apocalypse? That was me. On a rampage. I called in some Woop Ass Supply Ships for lands as far as TX & FL and become my campaign of rendering you’re the BAYMONT INN & SUITES OHARE’s reputation to dust…and I haven’t finished. I will make it my personal MISSION to get on every travel sight known to man and render a review that would make Atilla the Hun look like a nice guy. LAW MY AZZ.

 

While Prince Jordan & Sir Tony were riding on the shuttle back & forth from the airport and the piece of shyat hotel, The Emperor got on the phone with Starwood and secured a reservation at the Four Points Sheraton Ohare where all they requested was a signed release authorizing what charges we would allow The Prince & Sir Tony to put on our bill. Ms. Anna at the Four Points Sheraton Ohare took care of the young men, got them settled and whatnot like the professional I have always met & expected from a Starwood Property.

 

I still wait with baited breath to see that they actually get out of Ohare. May God grant our young men Travel Mercies and get them back to college without any more incident. Thank you for granting us the wisdom and patience to find a solution & the strength to deal with irrational, rude & disrespectful organizations with force & authority. I am thankful for all of your blessings.

 

I’ll keep you posted.

#22 Indiana Tech Men’s LAX falls to #2 Davenport

#2 Davenport Defeats Warriors

March 12, 2011

For Immediate Release

Grand Rapids, MI – For a second straight weekend, the Indiana Tech men’s lacrosse team faced off against a Top 5 ranked team. The 22nd ranked Warriors fell to the No.2 ranked Davenport University Panthers 21-7.

 

Davenport took a 2-0 lead to start the game before sophomore Brent Nichter (Ft. Wayne, IN/Bishop Luers) scored to cut into the lead. The Panthers then scored 10 unanswered goals before halftime to take a 12-1 advantage into the break. The Panthers then outscored Tech in the second half, 9-6.

Tony Cremeens (St. Charles, MO/Hazelwood), Craig Schaepkens (Davison, MI/Davison), and Josh Puckett (Cincinnati, OH/Mason) all had two goals each and Nichter added one. Schaepkens also dished out two assists while Josh Ambrose (Brooklyn Park, MN/Armstrong), Nicholas Lichtsinn (Ft. Wayne, IN/Snider), and Nichter had one assist apiece. Nichter was big on face-offs and picked up a team-high six ground balls. Shaun Lewandowski (Tecumseh, MI/Tecumseh) played great on defense and Tony Loftus (Fishers, IN/Hamilton Southeastern) and Jordan Steptoe (Ellicott City, MD/River Hill) played well in goal.

The Warriors will be back in action on Indiana Tech’s Hall of Fame Weekend on Friday, March 25 against Purdue University at 8:30 p.m.

 

…and this Warrior Lacrosse Mom will be there!

 

This was a tough one to watch, but watch & cheer them on I did, while freezing my patootie off. I’ve got Prince Jordan and Sir Tony for a week of Spring Break – Time for KOOLAID MOMMA’S HOUSE to open. Let the mixology & shenanigans begin as the revolving door opens for all of my “kids”.

 

Enjoy another Warrior Lacrosse Mom video production.

BorrowLenses Review

I have found my favorite spot for renting lenses for my Canon. BorrowLenses.com is THE business. I have been a FB friend and have been watching them for a while as I have always wanted to get a super telephoto and/or something to take great pictures at Prince Jordan’s & The Indiana Tech Warriors Lacrosse games. Since it wasn’t something that I was going to do on a daily (or even weekly) basis, purchasing a lens was just out of the question.

 

Enter BorrowLenses.com. Last Sunday, I searched the website for a telephoto lens and selected the Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 SP AF Di LD IF for Canon. For $100 (for a week rental) which included roundtrip FedEx shipping I received the lens, tripod mount, & hood. Ordered Sunday – arrived on Thursday (as requested) perfectly packed.

 

I am in love.

 

Friday night was a horrible night for shooting – at least for me. It was drizzling & cold and we had to take up shelter in a parking garage on the 2nd level so we could watch the game while being somewhat dry. Uggaahhh. The lighting was horrible. While the stadium lights were on and I adjusted my camera for tungsten light. I wasn’t under the lights…I was a gazillion ‘miles’ away in a dark parking garage. I keep fooling with the camera settings and then found the one florescent light in the garage to stand under; however, I just DON’T know enough about adjusting for light and movement to get really good pictures. Not the lens’ fault – user incompetence. Nevertheless, I am motivated to take a class to learn how to work with my camera to get good pics with an awesome lens in this kind of situation.

Saturday was a much better day. The sun came out every now and then. I forgot the lens hood at the hotel and after reviewing some of the pictures, I was evident that I really could have used it. Some of the pictures had a glare or haze to them from the sun. Tip…Use all the tools given to you. They have a purpose. Still – I got some GREAT shots. I love how in some of the pics you can see the water droplets splashing up from the field. Cool beans.

          

Saturday…Not a cloud in the sky. Bright! I used the lens hood this time and once again…I AM IN LOVE!. This lens was just fantastic for getting really close up shots of the action as a spectator – especially when you can’t stand on the field like the “professional” photographers can.

 

I am so pleased with my rental. I even entered a contest for a $100 gift certificate. I so want to rent another lens for Indiana Tech Warriors Parents Weekend in March – well, even if I don’t win – I’m gonna rent another lens – prolly the same one.

 

A couple of tips for a novice like me when renting a telephoto…You will need a mono-pod. Once I got the lens on my housing, that mug was heavy – too heavy to hold up for entire game and it made it so easy to turn and follow the action. You also might want to have a lens cover for such a long lens. The lens I rented did not fit in my camera bag – AT ALL – but the Queen Mum had a zippered cover for a long lens with a strap that made transport a cinch.

 

While I am not aspiring to become a professional photographer or anything, I am desiring of fantastic photos for my effort. I plan on taking a class – particularly on low lighting and sports/action to be better prepared. If you ever want to take your game up and/or experiment with different lenses (or even a camera) before you buy (or just for grins & giggle in my case cause I’m not EVER purchasing a $1700+ lens) then BorrowLenses.com is the place for you. Check them out.

PMT - Pride Management Time

It is always a pleasure to have Prince Jordan, Heir to the Empire, Protector of the Realm home from college for a visit. However, it really hit me this time that my son was no longer "my baby"...he was becoming his own man and finding/making a place for himself in this word. Add to this the fact that he has essentially has chosen Lady Joan as "the one" already (and whenever I throw up the side eye...he patiently asks me why what worked for the FM and I can't work for him...umm, well...er...IDK).

The FireMarshall, to my eternal chagrin, keeps reminding me that "Boy's leave...as it should be." I would like to stab him in the throat every time he says that true bulldookie to me. HURSH.

This holiday visit came to a close and I kept whining to the FM and anybody else who would listen that "I am feeling some kinda way about The Prince. I feel ignored, forsaken, dumped, kicked to the curb."

I wasn't the only one.

Princess Cara was asked if she wanted to ride to the airport to see Prince Jordan (the same brother she used to "bully" a kid at school with a 'if you keep messing with me, I'll have my brother, the po-lice, sh--t you.') off to college. She went OFF! "NO! I only like Jordan a little now...he didn't spend any time with me...he stayed in his room the whole time."

The FireMarshall, Prince Jordan and I were killing some time in the kitchen a couple of hours before Jordan's flight and between my mewling & Cara's kick to the curb, the FM said..."Jordan, I think it's time for me to teach you the art of PMT."

Pride Management Time - or how to manage all the lionesses in your pride.

I blended into the background so I could listen to The King bestow some wisdom onto his son, The Prince & Future King.

The King explained that essentially there were only two male lions in this pride we call family and a whole slew of lionesses to include a possible future addition (Lady Joan) and he had to figure out how to divide his attention and give each lioness the attention she needs. Even though the male is busy out there building the Kingdom & protecting the realm, he still needs to give some time, energy and attention tot he women in his life that the realm & love him.

Pride Management.

The young Prince wasn't completely grasping the concept so the King gave up some examples:

"...that time you called your mom out of the blue and talked about college, your life and stuff for an hour kept her on cloud nine for months."

"...going over to Gma Willie's and setting up her rug cleaner and replacing light bulbs = her hero."

"...playing ball, lego's or any game with Cara would put you back into 'my brother will kick your azz' status."

"Next time, take your mother out to lunch - just the two of you. The hour or so you spend with your mother over the few weeks your in town will carry her for longer than you can imagine."

The King went on to explain that a little "time" given to your lionesses will go a long way to keeping the pride happy and harmonious. It takes time to master this skill and to figure out what will make each happy, but master it you must for peace in the Kingdom.

Wise words. Father to Son.

What do you think about PMT - Pride Management Time?

Delta Drama #2 - Indiana to BWI

How soon I forgot my dislike of all things Delta.


I booked The Prince on a flight (with a connection) out of Ft. Wayne, IN to BWI for Thanksgiving holiday...and THAT is where the comedy of errors begins. After the his harrowing experience last night I will avoid that airline with every fiber of my being unless it is a last resort. Why?


Delta scares the shyt outta me. At The Prince's departure airport, there were not 1 but 2 planes that had "mechanical problems" and could not be flown. *Well how the fugg did they get there?* After rearranging every bodies flight, the powers that be went to some back hanger out in left field somewhere and pulled a plane outta their hat - that worked.


The Prince arrives in Detroit only to find out that his flight is delayed for...wait for it..."mechanical problems". GTFOOHWTBS. Does Delta have ONE plane that actually works and is NOT being held together with some spit & gum? Just asking. He boards and they decide that this issue is hydraulics and they gotta get off. Delta says that they are going to bring in another plane from Boston or someplace and they would be ready by 7:30 pm. The Prince had been in Detroit since 4ish. Well, 7:30 came and went and the sign on the board changes to CANCELLED.



WTF. 70 passengers are now sitting in Detroit trying to figure out how they getting to Baltimore.


We get the Prince to do some slick maneuvering to a counter person to see what is going to be done and if he can get out tonight. At the same time Princess Erin gets Delta on the phone while I look up every possible flight out of Detroit on the computer. She gets a lovely lady at Delta on the phone, who once we explained the situation was on it like stink on a dog. I found the only flight out with enough time for The Prince to make it (if he sprinted) on U.S Air. Re-booked. Rerouted. The Delta agent on the phone was two-waying us into the counter at the airport. While we were finagling this flight...The Prince somehow worked his magic and got himself a seat on a Delta flight (they pulled another plane outta left field) to BWI but there were only 8 seats left. He got one. 62 passengers had to wait till this morning. SIGH.



The Prince called us from the plane and said they were about to taxi - pick him up in 2 hours.



Now you know we didn't just settle (they might not even take off). The nice lady on the phone at Delta stayed on the phone with us until the flight actually was in the air. THEN, without us even prompting - cause I didn't know to ask - she said "Let me make sure that his return flight is still in order. He has been switched and cancelled so many times today that his return might have been cancelled." Now you want to see me on an episode of Snapped...let that mess happen. She clicked, flipped some switch, and reconfirmed his return flight.



We also logged into BWI's flight tracker and tracked that plane till it landed. No chances.



The Prince made it home 6 hours after he should have...but he made it home safe and sound.



While the Delta lady on the phone was the epitome of what customer service should be, it does not mitigate my fear of flying on a Delta plane. That is just ONE to many mechanical errors for my taste. I need for my plane to have all of is PMCS (preventive maintenance checks & services) done and be in order. They ARE NOT giving a travel warm & fuzzy.



DO BETTER. BE BETTER DELTA.

Prince Jordan's 19th Birthday

Happy 19th Birthday to Prince Jordan, LAX Goalie Extrodianaire, future law enforcement officer, heir to the Empire! We love you bunches and hope you are having a wonderful birthday at college. Don't party TOO hard with the lax bro's.

Move-In Day @ Indiana Tech - Sophmore Year Begins

Today was move in day at Indiana Tech. Sigh. We drove the Prince out to Indiana and hung out at our friends house for the weekend, doing some dorm shopping and relaxing before we dumped his stuff off today.

We went to Wally World on Saturday to stock up on stuff that Prince Jordan said he needed...seemed reasonable to me right up until they rang all that stuff up. I nearly passed out when she said $500. Did we really have that much ish in that one cart? Guess so. I got a lot of questions about what in da heck did he need that would cost so much and that he didn't get last year, so here is a summary:

• Laundry (detergent, stain remover, all fabric bleach & so on)
• Toiletries (body wash, shampoo, conditioner, shave cream, razors, toothpaste, lotion, toilet paper, etc)
• Kitchen (pans, utensils, plates, cups, can opener, etc)
• Office (printer cartridges -$$$$, paper, folders, notebooks, etc)
• Misc (trash cans, bags, xbox controller -SMH, extension cords - where did they go?, batteries)

JUST STUFF!

College ain't no cheap undertaking. Take the hit at one time or get nickled & dimed every month. I could do it all at one time OR I could get a text every week with a list that I would have to SHIP (I'm gonna have to do that anyway - but perhaps I'll get lucky and not have to do anything till Thanksgiving). I just knocked it out...but my knees are still a little wobbly on that shopping trip.

We showed up at the school and were amazed at how nice the Warrior Row Townhouses were. VERY NICE. Prince Jordan's girlfriend, Joan, (who came with us & is working on becoming a future Princess - HUMPH - we will see) and I helped unpack & set up Prince Jordan's room while The FireMarshall went back to Wally World to get some last minute stuff that Jordan needed after we got to actually see the room (fan, shade for window, snacks, more hangers).

We said our goodbyes and are now on the highway back to Maryland.

Sophmore Year Begins!

Road Trip w/The Boys

Prince Jordan and his crew are this very minute (12:48am) on the highway - embarking on...

THE ROADTRIP

The crew wanted to do "The Big Summer Trip" and I hooked the boys up with a condo down in Orlando for the week. They decided that it would cost them more to fly & since none of them are 21 - they couldn't rent a car without forking over a tuition sized deposit. Thus, they are driving - the infamous party van - our Chevy Conversion Van.

I am up at 1am in the morning, the worried mother, fretting about safety, can they handle the drive, are they gonna be okay...blah, blah, blah. The FireMarshall is sleeping soundly. We got a call about 30 min ago from the Prince asking about the brakes on the van. I practically jump out of the bed frantic but The FireMarshall is handling the call with finesse and calm. I'm pacing the floor. The FM hangs up, lays back down and starts to promptly go back to sleep.

DA HELL. I want details. What's going on? Are they okay? Are they gonna make it?

The FireMarshall, in his voice reserved for idiots and the elderly, said "Woman, get back in the bed, lay down, calm down and don't fret yourself to death." Ummm, okay. How comez he all lah de dah bout the Prince - the Heir to the Empire - driving 13 hours (he is not doing all the driving-the boys are sharing the load) down I95? Why you all calm about six 18 year old boys on thier first long azz road trip? WTF.

He prompty put it in perspective for me. He said, "We send 18 year old boys to Iraq & Afghanistan, give them guns and send them out on patrol all day to Sunday. I think my son and his friends can handle I95. They were responsible enough to check in about the brakes, they are fine, we will check them when they get here. They know now to take their time & pay attention. They will watch out for each other - just like our kids overseas."

Ummm, well, err, yeah.

He then wraps himself up in this here heavenly bed (we are already in Orlando for vacation & a conference) binky and says, "Would you rather him navigate I95 or navigate IED's? Let the boy be a man. Now go to bed."

He then offered to help take my mind off of the Prince with a game of pocky-poo. Uh, Huh.

The FireMarshall has a valid point. I gotta let The Prince do man like stuff and navigate life on his own. I'm still his Momma - and I'm gonna worry, just a little bit.

I've said my prayer and asked God for Travel Mercies for The Prince and his crew. I ask that if and when you read this, that you throw up a prayer on their behalf.

Safe travels, my Young Men. Love you all - from the KoolAid Momma.

Hmmm...now let me see about this game of pocky-poo.