Crash Landing

People keep asking if we've come back down to earth yet from our great adventure, and I have started to say yes, I crash landed! It was all so exciting for the week we were there and the weeks leading up to it, and now all is back to normal. Which is just so... normal. So finding the joy in "normal" and finding new ways to be involved is our challenge. Life is good and busy. Lindsay is back to work and catching up at school. She was featured in the St. Teresa's Academy newspaper, The Dart, which came out today- a great paper by the way. Grace is finishing up her science fair project and back to being a member of the band with no name. Hannah is busy with her new classes and tutoring at the Literacy Center in Rogers Park in Chicago. Jim and I are back to work and volunteering at school and deciding how to be involved with Obama for America and some new initiatives.

Oh, a picture of our group at the Neighborhood Ball made it to People Magazine that came out last weekend! You can see Grace and a bit of Lindsay. I can see the rest of our heads but only because I know where to look. I'm quoted in the article about Malia and Sasha, too. Of all the experiences we have had, I must say- getting in People is really the pinnacle, right?! Hey, as long as we don't end up on the worst dressed list.

Our train compadre, Lily Ledbetter was prominent in the news yesterday. President Obama signed his first bill, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which overturns the Supreme Court decision that employees only have 6 months from the first paycheck to file against an employer who has paid them unfairly. The Obamas hosted a reception at the White House, and Lily appeared modest as usual but proud, no doubt. What a battle she fought, all for our "daughters and granddaughters", she has said. We are keeping up with the group of 41 for 44, our train friends. We shared a unique experience, that's for sure.