On Friday (6/4), I drove up to Frostburg and dropped my children off with my cousin, Lisa. Round trip from my house to Frostburg is about 4 hours. My husband had Friday and Saturday night gigs - plus a freelance project - so he wasn't going to be able to manage the kids. On the plus side, he agreed to drive up to Frostburg on Sunday to pick them up.

I got up Saturday morning (6/5) and got ready for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. I had to be in Rockville at 12:00 noon. The relay began at 2:00 and went on until the following morning at 7:00 AM. I managed to run/walk 17 miles. Kim and I walked a two-hour shift from 2 until 4 AM so that we could leave early. I got home at around 4:30 in the morning - completely exhausted. No problem falling asleep, but I only slept about 4 hours.

I had an appointment to jump at Orange at 2:00 PM. At 10:00, the sky was gray, but we were hopeful. We decided to start driving. Worst-case scenario - we'd go to see a movie somewhere along the way. When we reached Fredericksburg, we called the drop zone and they told us to come over.  So, we drove over to the drop zone.

This time, my original jumper man was there, but due to cloud conditions we did not get to jump. BUMMER! Round trip to the drop zone - driving only - about 4 hours.

After making a trip to Orange and not being able to jump, I was completely frustrated! I had my ducks in a row! I found someone to watch the kids. Even though I was mentally and physically exhausted, I got myself to Orange. My jumper man was there. I was there. The plane went up, but we stayed on the ground.

Mother Nature would determine my next trip to Orange. If I woke up on Friday morning and the sky was blue, I'd go to jump. School was out for the summer. If I went to Orange, I'd have to figure out what to do with the kids for the day. Hmmm. When I mentioned the possible jumping opportunity to one of my friends, Carolyn, she offered to keep the kids for me.

In order to fully appreciate this gesture, you need more information. Carolyn already has four children of her own - 4 boys! She'd have to contend with six children for at least eight hours. Ugh! I can't imagine six kids for an hour! I'd have to take Valium or drink a bottle of vodka!