August Afternoons

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The August afternoons are quickly slipping away, but that doesn't mean they're not yet to be enjoyed ~ this stretch of warm, sunny weather has been perfect for afternoons on the dock and floating in the pond. Who knows how many more days or weeks I'll have left of such sweetness!? I think the water has been on my mind again as I go to the "designing board"...

~ SETTING SAIL Necklace


~DIVING IN Earrings

A Long-Awaited Phone Call!

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First there was the email waiting for me yesterday morning telling me in very excited fashion of his official assignment, and then the news that he had, indeed, purchased a cell phone and was going to call me right away.....Yes, finally, direct contact and updates from Andrew, my Peace Corps volunteer son in Tanzania!

We had the most wonderful phone chat -- although I can't tell you the number of times both of us simply said - "It's just so good to hear your voice!!" (wonder how much that cost!!??) He is doing so well and succinctly states that the experience so far has been indescribable, incredible, and amazing.

The map above shows roughly where his assignment as a "MENTAL" (Peace Corps environmentalist) for the next two years will be. He was thrilled to learn that he is the first PCV being assigned to this site, but reassured me that there are "plenty of cool volunteers already there" in the region, and explained that he will be approximately 14km from Same. As he describes it, "I'm going to be in the mountains... like... IN the mountains." You can see from the map the close proximity of Mt. Kilimanjaro - a climb he has hoped to make sometime during his time in Tanzania!

Andrew will be sworn in officially on the 20th and then sometime in the next couple of days after that make the trek to his new "digs". I was also happy to see some new photos that he's shared, and he tells me he's sending me more of his host family who I'm looking forward to "meeting" through pictures since they took such good care of him and he thought so much of them!

"No worries, Mom!"

A Look at the Celebrations!

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Here's a look at some of the "Sweet Sixteen" :-) Celebrations this weekend...

And a special birthday greeting from Vermont!

Shh!

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It's been such a great birthday weekend...pedicures and massages (ahh!), dinner at Buca's, a surprise sleep-over party (ok -- almost surprise - until the last minute when she saw Sam's truck!! LOL!), and now a family cookout with even more surprises in store, I'm sure!

Don't forget...shh! Still about 7 1/2 more hours to go on the "Secret Sweet Sixteen" sale in the SignatureSterling shop - see details in the post below!

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!

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Yes, it IS a very special "sweet sixteen" birthday weekend around here and we are certainly celebrating! If you see the "birthday girl", be sure to wish her a happy day! :-)

The SignatureSterling shop will also be celebrating this special occasion with a "Secret Sweet Sixteen" sale all weekend long, going on now through Sunday night at midnight, EDT ~ 16% off EVERYTHING in the shop (except gift certificates). What a great time to pick up new Buckeye gear, spruce up your fall accessories, or plan for holiday gift-giving!

To get your secret discount, just put "Sweet 16" in the "Notes to Seller" at checkout and WAIT for a revised invoice before making payment. If you prefer to pay immediately, I'll refund your discount through PayPal. And remember, local friends of SignatureSterling always receive free delivery for even more savings (no shipping charges!).

Tanzania Report

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Yes, I've had another long-awaited (whew!) email from Tanzania and, thanks to the "wonders" of Facebook, a picture as well of Andrew "in Peace Corps action!" (he's on the far left, wearing his "signature" beanie!). As a Mom, it is so good to hear from him and yes, so good to see him looking well! He tells me that he's completed his language training (Kiswahili) and has been shadowing another "mental" (the slang term for Andrew's position - "environmentalist").

Official training period is rapidly coming to a close, and he will be returning to Dar Es Salaam soon to be sworn in officially and receive his village assignment where he will serve for 2 years. And yes, he promises that he IS getting a cell phone when he gets to Dar so I'm really looking forward to that first phone call!

AND...Andrew even found time to update his Peace Corps blog so be sure to check it out!

A Change in the Air?

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Maybe it was the first soccer scrimmage of the year, a sign of the upcoming fall season...or the noticeable coolness as the sun set last night...or perhaps, the refreshing late summer breeze this afternoon as we enjoyed another day on the pond but this time aware of the water being just a bit chillier...and, yes, the weather forecast for this weekend is almost early autumn-like.

No doubt, we will have many more warm sunny summer days ahead, but a change is in the air ~ getting us ready for our Buckeye football, back to school, a full successful soccer season, warm fall sweaters, Friday night lights, brilliant trees, and all the many changes that come with every autumn.

Breathe deep and enjoy!

FALLING IN LOVE Necklace


HARVEST LACE Earrings

A CHANGE OF HEART Necklace

Let the Games Begin!

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Rankings are ALL over the place, but only ONE ranking really matters and that's the BUCKEYE NATION POLL where our BUCKEYES are #1!