2 Days with my SISTERS...

This is for those of you who don't know the story behind the annual SISTERS weekend that I mentioned in my previous post. Perhaps you've noticed that on my list of favorite books, I listed 'everything by Nicholas Sparks'. I eagerly await each new novel (in fact, his newest, "The Choice" is available now!) and am not sure if I have a favorite! At any rate, my story starts with the arrival of his book, "Three Weeks With My Brother", which came out in the spring of 2004. It's a story of Nicholas Sparks and his brother, Micah, who took 3 weeks to travel around the world together in early 2003. Here is what Nicholas has to say about this time in his life...

"...This, then, is a story about brotherhood. It’s the story of Micah and me, and the story of our family. It’s a story of tragedy and joy, hope and support. It’s the story of how we’ve matured and changed and taken different paths in life, but somehow grown even closer. It is, in other words, the story of two journeys; one journey that took my brother and me to exotic places around the world, and another, a lifetime in the making, that has somehow led us to become the best of friends."

To read more, click on this link: Three Weeks With My Brother

This story moved me entirely more than I thought possible. It's not an exciting, suspenseful book...but a book of discoveries and of time spent together. It inspired me to try to find more time with my family...special time. Not the usual 'all the relatives for a special event' get together. The majority of my relatives, including my Mom and her husband, live about 3 hours away in Eau Claire. I have a sister (Joyce) in Alaska, my baby sister (Jill) a few hours away here in Wisconsin, and Julie, who lived in the apartment next to mine for several years but moved to Colorado earlier this year. I see my family a few times a year...usually when I travel to see them. So. I decided that it would be great to have Mom down to Madison for a visit....just her...just time alone with me Mum. She came that early summer (YAY!) and again the next year. Course, I had to share some of that time with Julie, since she lived right there, but Mom and I did have time alone. Mom didn't come last year...I was planning to spend a week in Eau Claire...but that's when Cruiser was having problems, so I didn't go. And, of course, if you are a faithful reader of my blog (who isn't?), you already know that Mom came for a short visit in early September...just a month ago.

At the same time, back in 2004, I decided that it would be nice if my sisters & I could have time alone...without Mom...without kids...without friends and relatives around...just the 4 J's (Joyce, Jacque, Julie, Jill). Joyce travels to Wisconsin once a year, so we take a few days for our SISTERS weekend when she is here. It is a great time! We do nothing special...just be with each other. We usually bring small gifts for each other, but that is not a requirement. We shop, eat, talk, laugh, eat, talk, laugh...it is a very special time for us! Mom keeps asking if she can come...ummmmm, NO! {grin} Julie won't be with us this year, but we shall chat on the phone with her. (She'll be home for Christmas.)

In preparation, I am a cleaning fool this a.m.! Joyce hasn't seen my house in the country, and Jill had just a quick run through, so I want everything sparkling! I groomed the dogs last night, so they're looking good. I do not enjoy cleaning at all, but I do enjoy a clean house!

And, there you have it...the story behind SISTERS weekend. Don't worry, I'll take lots of photos to share!