This will be my final entry until I return in September as I will not be abroad for July and August.  Today is my birthday.  It's hard to believe I'm 39!  How did that happen?  Anywho...  My friends here gave me a little surprise party after school.  It was very well planned out and really very sweet.  One gal asked me to drive her daughter home for her, (as I have often done before), and when I arrived, there they were with cake and wine for a lovely party.  It makes coming back much easier knowing that we have people to come back to.  But right now all I can think about is getting home to my family and friends, my house and town.  Tomorrow Grace "graduates" and there is a ceremony and concert at the school.  Then we are off to lunch with her friends and their parents.  Tomorrow night we'll finish packing, I'll give my garden a last weeding and watering and hope it survives the summer, (GP is a negligent gardener), and say farewell to Italy for a while.  xxoo me