Abby rocked her violin recital (that seems like an oxymoron, no? -- although after seeing Transiberian Orchestra last week, they DO have rocking violins -- electric at that!). In any event, I hit no wrong notes in my piano part, though I did skip a couple chords. sigh. She did GREAT! One of the few to have the piece memorized, and she's so calm up there on stage -- I'm still a nervous wreck!
Regarding TSO -- we took Tom on Thursday evening for his Christmas present -- they do an awesome Christmas show. The spiritual message was a bonus for us, I was just anticipating good music and fun for all. We had good seats at the arena, despite the rain we made it there and home safely, and we ALL enjoyed it -- a good measure of a show! And nice to surprise Tom with something unexpected, new, and enjoyable for him as well.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Almost Christmas!
Looking forward to Abby's violin recital today. She's playing "Gavotte" and graciously allowing me to accompany her. The benefit of that is that we can practice together more often! The downside is having her mom accompany her. You know!
Yesterday Maggie and I braved the mall. First we went to the library to get some books for a school project (homework over the holidays -- although the assignment isn't due anytime soon, she's like me and wants to get a head start!). Then to the mall. Actually managed to find all we needed (including a pair of jeans for her after "only" trying on 7 pairs). Not too bad (as all of you ladies who try to find jeans that fit know!). I do need to shorten them a bit and lengthen another pair, but she's got 3 that she can wear. Phew!
Getting ready for Christmas holiday -- the refrigerator is emptying, although I do need to stop at the grocery for 3 things (that will keep!). Cat will be dropped at the kennel tomorrow. Laundry and packing to commence, and then we'll be gone for a while. Depending on activity, I may update while gone (especially if someone does something funny!), or just wait. Live in suspense -- it's good for you!
Yesterday Maggie and I braved the mall. First we went to the library to get some books for a school project (homework over the holidays -- although the assignment isn't due anytime soon, she's like me and wants to get a head start!). Then to the mall. Actually managed to find all we needed (including a pair of jeans for her after "only" trying on 7 pairs). Not too bad (as all of you ladies who try to find jeans that fit know!). I do need to shorten them a bit and lengthen another pair, but she's got 3 that she can wear. Phew!
Getting ready for Christmas holiday -- the refrigerator is emptying, although I do need to stop at the grocery for 3 things (that will keep!). Cat will be dropped at the kennel tomorrow. Laundry and packing to commence, and then we'll be gone for a while. Depending on activity, I may update while gone (especially if someone does something funny!), or just wait. Live in suspense -- it's good for you!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
water, auction, and batting eyelashes
Hopefully an intriguing title will cause you to read. If not, just click on to another site!
Water: on Saturday the girls and I went to see The Nutcracker. Maggie wanted to see her friends in it and Abby and I were interested as well. So we headed to NOCCA which is about a 20 minute drive from here, down by the river. We enjoyed the show and Maggie was able to giver her friends their flowers after the school. Then the problems started. It has been raining, and was pouring by the time we left. Maggie had thought ahead to bring in the umbrella, so I made a run for the car, stepping in a 2 inch puddle with both feet along the way. Sigh. Got to the car and went back to get the girls. So we headed home. I don't like to take the interstate when I have an alternate route, especially in the rain, so we headed back home the way we'd come. Unfortunately, that entailed MANY spots of standing water. Our first "stopping point" occurred about 6 miles from home where we stopped on a crossover on a street median. Sat there for about 30 minutes, called Tom (who helpfully gave us the weather conditions at home!), check the radar from my phone, and came up with our first detour -- braving the interstate. Made it onto the freeway and to our exit without any problems. Then we encountered another delay -- only about 2 miles from home this time, but the direct street to our house was blocked by police cars. So we took another detour and got a bit closer. Then had another spot where the standing water was over the curbs, almost covering the neutral grounds. Another detour, then we headed home. We got within 4 blocks and absolutely could not go any further. At this point Maggie and I lost it and started to cry, which, of course, set Abby off. FINALLY (about 20 minutes later) I saw a sedan pass thru and figured he was lower to the ground than I was so we headed the rest of the way home. 2 hours after leaving the ballet. One of Maggie's friends mom's called me and asked if we'd gotten home -- they live on the next block and didn't get home until 9:30pm. The director of the ballet school's husband successfully flooded her car. So I suppose we didn't have it too bad!
Auction: Sunday was a much nicer day, despite more rain. We got to see how high the water had risen all over, and marvel (at least I did!) on the water still standing in people's yards. WOW! Church and football (go Saints!) followed. Headed to a re-scheduled piano lesson after football and then home where Abby had an idea to hold an art auction in our house. So we did. It was quite fun! I managed to sell some of my art from my class, Abby and Maggie sold some of theirs as well. I think Abby both spent and earned the most money! The art went for between 10 cents and 4 dollars. Hilarious. And I was able to let my art teacher know that I was now a marketable artist (ha ha!).
Batting eyelashes: Yesterday (Wednesday) I was quizzing Maggie over her science for her exam. For some reason I batted my eyelashes. She tried and couldn't do so. So I asked her how she expected to flirt with boys when she couldn't even bat her lashes. So she used her fingers to move her eyelids. Then Abby came downstairs and was able to bat her lashes. So Maggie kept trying and it just got to be (stupidly) more and more funny, to the point where we were laughing hysterically. Maggie looked more like she had sand under her lashes than that she was flirting. It went downhill from there when I asked her how she expected to flirt with boys. She decided that she'd make faces at them. And the faces she was making would NOT be successful. In any event, it made for an enjoyable time together!
In other news, tonight we're taking Tom to see the Transiberian Orchestra for his Christmas gift. Should be fun. He was able to pick the girls up from school at noon (early dismissal) so I could participate in my last art class in its entirety (she actually liked my painting!).
In any event, those are the highlights from this week! Have a safe and wonderful weekend......
Water: on Saturday the girls and I went to see The Nutcracker. Maggie wanted to see her friends in it and Abby and I were interested as well. So we headed to NOCCA which is about a 20 minute drive from here, down by the river. We enjoyed the show and Maggie was able to giver her friends their flowers after the school. Then the problems started. It has been raining, and was pouring by the time we left. Maggie had thought ahead to bring in the umbrella, so I made a run for the car, stepping in a 2 inch puddle with both feet along the way. Sigh. Got to the car and went back to get the girls. So we headed home. I don't like to take the interstate when I have an alternate route, especially in the rain, so we headed back home the way we'd come. Unfortunately, that entailed MANY spots of standing water. Our first "stopping point" occurred about 6 miles from home where we stopped on a crossover on a street median. Sat there for about 30 minutes, called Tom (who helpfully gave us the weather conditions at home!), check the radar from my phone, and came up with our first detour -- braving the interstate. Made it onto the freeway and to our exit without any problems. Then we encountered another delay -- only about 2 miles from home this time, but the direct street to our house was blocked by police cars. So we took another detour and got a bit closer. Then had another spot where the standing water was over the curbs, almost covering the neutral grounds. Another detour, then we headed home. We got within 4 blocks and absolutely could not go any further. At this point Maggie and I lost it and started to cry, which, of course, set Abby off. FINALLY (about 20 minutes later) I saw a sedan pass thru and figured he was lower to the ground than I was so we headed the rest of the way home. 2 hours after leaving the ballet. One of Maggie's friends mom's called me and asked if we'd gotten home -- they live on the next block and didn't get home until 9:30pm. The director of the ballet school's husband successfully flooded her car. So I suppose we didn't have it too bad!
Auction: Sunday was a much nicer day, despite more rain. We got to see how high the water had risen all over, and marvel (at least I did!) on the water still standing in people's yards. WOW! Church and football (go Saints!) followed. Headed to a re-scheduled piano lesson after football and then home where Abby had an idea to hold an art auction in our house. So we did. It was quite fun! I managed to sell some of my art from my class, Abby and Maggie sold some of theirs as well. I think Abby both spent and earned the most money! The art went for between 10 cents and 4 dollars. Hilarious. And I was able to let my art teacher know that I was now a marketable artist (ha ha!).
Batting eyelashes: Yesterday (Wednesday) I was quizzing Maggie over her science for her exam. For some reason I batted my eyelashes. She tried and couldn't do so. So I asked her how she expected to flirt with boys when she couldn't even bat her lashes. So she used her fingers to move her eyelids. Then Abby came downstairs and was able to bat her lashes. So Maggie kept trying and it just got to be (stupidly) more and more funny, to the point where we were laughing hysterically. Maggie looked more like she had sand under her lashes than that she was flirting. It went downhill from there when I asked her how she expected to flirt with boys. She decided that she'd make faces at them. And the faces she was making would NOT be successful. In any event, it made for an enjoyable time together!
In other news, tonight we're taking Tom to see the Transiberian Orchestra for his Christmas gift. Should be fun. He was able to pick the girls up from school at noon (early dismissal) so I could participate in my last art class in its entirety (she actually liked my painting!).
In any event, those are the highlights from this week! Have a safe and wonderful weekend......
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
what i forgot in the yearly update
I've already realized I forgot several "important" items from last year's update!
First, credit to Tom for lots of projects this year. He's painted the dining room and our bedroom, and is in the process of doing the entry and living room (which is actually a BIG project as the entry is two stories). He also managed the remodeling of the girls' bathroom (it used to be hideous -- picture a faux marble bathtub surround that looked like melted rocky road ice cream, with a too-small vanity, with BRIGHT yellow walls with yellow and gold speckled linoleum on the floor. Lovely! I think it was dated when the house was built in 1984, no? In any event, they now enjoy pale yellow walls with a blue ceiling, brown tile floor, and a properly sized vanity complete with granite top. Bathtub is surrounded in off-white and there are two mirrors and updated light fixtures (no more hollywood lighting!). Mom made the shower curtain (THANKS!) and it's so much nicer now!
Second, I turned 40. Since I really didn't like 39, 40 hasn't been so bad at all. Although I think I'm exhibiting some "mid-life" events -- I've been taking a drawing/painting class (I am so left-brained that this is truly a challenge!). I've found that I am apparently terrified of light and/or bright colors. My drawings are all dark. Sigh. A learning process! Also, I'm going to Mali with my dad in January. Last year my dad went on this trip with my uncle. It's run through the Tandana Foundation (tandandfoundation.org). For a person who doesn't even enjoy camping in cabins, this is quite a stretch! I am so thankful that I'm able to go as well as for my mom, who will be taking my place for the 2 weeks I'm gone (instead of having 2 weeks to herself!).
I'm certain I'm forgetting something else, but it will come to me in time! Meanwhile, next post will catch ya'll up with the past couple days/weeks (including the underwater adventure on our way home from The Nutcracker).....
First, credit to Tom for lots of projects this year. He's painted the dining room and our bedroom, and is in the process of doing the entry and living room (which is actually a BIG project as the entry is two stories). He also managed the remodeling of the girls' bathroom (it used to be hideous -- picture a faux marble bathtub surround that looked like melted rocky road ice cream, with a too-small vanity, with BRIGHT yellow walls with yellow and gold speckled linoleum on the floor. Lovely! I think it was dated when the house was built in 1984, no? In any event, they now enjoy pale yellow walls with a blue ceiling, brown tile floor, and a properly sized vanity complete with granite top. Bathtub is surrounded in off-white and there are two mirrors and updated light fixtures (no more hollywood lighting!). Mom made the shower curtain (THANKS!) and it's so much nicer now!
Second, I turned 40. Since I really didn't like 39, 40 hasn't been so bad at all. Although I think I'm exhibiting some "mid-life" events -- I've been taking a drawing/painting class (I am so left-brained that this is truly a challenge!). I've found that I am apparently terrified of light and/or bright colors. My drawings are all dark. Sigh. A learning process! Also, I'm going to Mali with my dad in January. Last year my dad went on this trip with my uncle. It's run through the Tandana Foundation (tandandfoundation.org). For a person who doesn't even enjoy camping in cabins, this is quite a stretch! I am so thankful that I'm able to go as well as for my mom, who will be taking my place for the 2 weeks I'm gone (instead of having 2 weeks to herself!).
I'm certain I'm forgetting something else, but it will come to me in time! Meanwhile, next post will catch ya'll up with the past couple days/weeks (including the underwater adventure on our way home from The Nutcracker).....
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Happy Holidays 2009!
Hard to believe another year has gone by - as with all trite statements, this one is true! We’ve had a busy and fun year, and look forward to even more in 2010! I’m either lazy or ‘going greener’ this year and didn’t print and send this update with my cards – we’ll see how it works out…
We enjoyed Christmas last year with my parents’ visit. And we had our typical “quiet” new year’s celebration – avoiding the people who shouldn’t be out driving by staying home where it’s safe, warm, and you can drink an affordable glass (or two!) of champagne. Bliss!
Our first “vacation” last year was over Mardi Gras holidays when we headed up to Arkansas to visit with Tom’s mom and Lou. We had a really nice visit with them, relaxing and seeing their new place. Harriett treated us to massages (WONDERFUL) which we both really enjoyed. The girls enjoyed all the card games as well as the bit of shopping we did.
I served as “cookie mom” for Maggie’s girl scout troop this year. Given that there were only 6 girls in the group, it wasn’t too difficult or taxing a job. Perhaps the hardest part was keeping Tom from all the cookies that he hadn’t ordered!
The big school events last spring were, for Abby, the 3rd grade talent show where she played her violin. Mom and dad came down for this one – when Maggie was in 3rd grade Kristin happened to be visiting and it’s really a fun little show, so this time I invited them to come along! For Maggie, it was the 6th grade’s Greek festival. The kids all studied various Greek figures (she did Echo), reported on them in costume, and we enjoyed a Greek luncheon.
Another “big” event for Maggie this year was getting glasses and contacts. For the past 2 years she’d had trouble at the regular doctor’s office with the eye check equipment. Last year we thought maybe it was just something that she had a problem with, but this year I ended up taking her to the eye doctor. Her prescription is stronger than mine, but she was able to leave the office with contacts and we ordered glasses the same day. Abby, somewhat happily, tagged along as the visit was on a day when there was no school.
For me, a big event last spring was my baptism. I was pleased that Tom and the girls were able to attend and that the church so welcomed me. Mom and dad even surprised me (immensely!) by sending a bouquet of flowers for me (and everyone else!) to enjoy.
The girls finished school the weekend before Memorial Day. They both participated in the ballet recital. Abby’s last “hurrah” at ballet as she decided to devote her time to piano and violin (sounds a bit like her mom!). We also enjoyed the piano recital, which is a nice, low-key event where the kids are definitely the focus. The teacher also arranges for various “groups” to perform, this year including drums, vocals, multiple pianos, and guitar and bass. With so many kids interested in being in bands, it’s both a great experience and a good way for them to show off their skills. Abby also participated in her violin recital, which is a much more formal event. She allowed me to accompany here which was fun (and helpful as we could practice together at home!). She really loves her violin and is getting quite good at it.
Summer continued at a busy pace. The girls participated in the summer camp at their school again this year. Maggie also participated in an intense dancing workshop, 5 days a week (AFTER camp all day!). Kept me running around town! After camp ended, Maggie headed to New York with my parents for her “trip with gramma and granddad” – promised to all grandkids at around 12 years old. Maggie chose New York. While there, they did a lot of tourist things, went to 4 Broadway shows, AND showed up on the Today Show (I have it tivoed if you’re interested!). They came home and mom and dad left and then the 4 of us headed on our holiday. This year we went to Washington, DC. Instead of flying, Tom had us traveling AMTRAK which was a fun adventure. Takes about 28 hours from New Orleans. Maggie and I shared a “room”, Abby and Tom were bunkmates. Our room had two tiny beds (during the day mine were the chairs). The toilet was right next to my bed, the sink folded up into the wall. It was certainly an adventure! We really did enjoy it, especially on the way there (on the way home, we were just ready to get home…). We managed to see about 28 museums collectively (none went to all of them), visited a friend of mine from college and friends of Tom from high school. We spent a week in DC, then headed to Virginia to a farm house where my parents met us for a few days of canoeing, tubing down a river, and chilling out. Then we headed back to DC for more of the “city”. It was great to break up the trip like that, especially as I was able to do laundry!
Soon after we got home school started – hard to believe I now have 7th and 4th graders! They’ve managed to earn good grades despite big courseloads (I think Maggie has more homework than I did in high school) and lots of projects. Maggie has also applied for high school next year (most of the high schools here start at 8th grade for the girls – she’s decided to forego the last year of elementary and “get used to” high school before it really “counts”).
Thanksgiving this year was in Houston with Tom’s family. I hadn’t been back to Houston since Hurricane Katrina, so that was nice for me! We stayed with one of Tom’s brothers and enjoyed several days with family doing a variety of movies, shopping, eating, and just enjoying one another. We missed his youngest sister and her family in California! Hopefully we’ll get to see them and meet the newest member of the family soon!
We will be spending Christmas with my family in North Carolina, returning home on January 2 (which allows me to watch OSU in the Rose Bowl with my parents!).
Our prayers for all of you are for a safe, happy, and fun-filled holiday! Keep in touch…
We enjoyed Christmas last year with my parents’ visit. And we had our typical “quiet” new year’s celebration – avoiding the people who shouldn’t be out driving by staying home where it’s safe, warm, and you can drink an affordable glass (or two!) of champagne. Bliss!
Our first “vacation” last year was over Mardi Gras holidays when we headed up to Arkansas to visit with Tom’s mom and Lou. We had a really nice visit with them, relaxing and seeing their new place. Harriett treated us to massages (WONDERFUL) which we both really enjoyed. The girls enjoyed all the card games as well as the bit of shopping we did.
I served as “cookie mom” for Maggie’s girl scout troop this year. Given that there were only 6 girls in the group, it wasn’t too difficult or taxing a job. Perhaps the hardest part was keeping Tom from all the cookies that he hadn’t ordered!
The big school events last spring were, for Abby, the 3rd grade talent show where she played her violin. Mom and dad came down for this one – when Maggie was in 3rd grade Kristin happened to be visiting and it’s really a fun little show, so this time I invited them to come along! For Maggie, it was the 6th grade’s Greek festival. The kids all studied various Greek figures (she did Echo), reported on them in costume, and we enjoyed a Greek luncheon.
Another “big” event for Maggie this year was getting glasses and contacts. For the past 2 years she’d had trouble at the regular doctor’s office with the eye check equipment. Last year we thought maybe it was just something that she had a problem with, but this year I ended up taking her to the eye doctor. Her prescription is stronger than mine, but she was able to leave the office with contacts and we ordered glasses the same day. Abby, somewhat happily, tagged along as the visit was on a day when there was no school.
For me, a big event last spring was my baptism. I was pleased that Tom and the girls were able to attend and that the church so welcomed me. Mom and dad even surprised me (immensely!) by sending a bouquet of flowers for me (and everyone else!) to enjoy.
The girls finished school the weekend before Memorial Day. They both participated in the ballet recital. Abby’s last “hurrah” at ballet as she decided to devote her time to piano and violin (sounds a bit like her mom!). We also enjoyed the piano recital, which is a nice, low-key event where the kids are definitely the focus. The teacher also arranges for various “groups” to perform, this year including drums, vocals, multiple pianos, and guitar and bass. With so many kids interested in being in bands, it’s both a great experience and a good way for them to show off their skills. Abby also participated in her violin recital, which is a much more formal event. She allowed me to accompany here which was fun (and helpful as we could practice together at home!). She really loves her violin and is getting quite good at it.
Summer continued at a busy pace. The girls participated in the summer camp at their school again this year. Maggie also participated in an intense dancing workshop, 5 days a week (AFTER camp all day!). Kept me running around town! After camp ended, Maggie headed to New York with my parents for her “trip with gramma and granddad” – promised to all grandkids at around 12 years old. Maggie chose New York. While there, they did a lot of tourist things, went to 4 Broadway shows, AND showed up on the Today Show (I have it tivoed if you’re interested!). They came home and mom and dad left and then the 4 of us headed on our holiday. This year we went to Washington, DC. Instead of flying, Tom had us traveling AMTRAK which was a fun adventure. Takes about 28 hours from New Orleans. Maggie and I shared a “room”, Abby and Tom were bunkmates. Our room had two tiny beds (during the day mine were the chairs). The toilet was right next to my bed, the sink folded up into the wall. It was certainly an adventure! We really did enjoy it, especially on the way there (on the way home, we were just ready to get home…). We managed to see about 28 museums collectively (none went to all of them), visited a friend of mine from college and friends of Tom from high school. We spent a week in DC, then headed to Virginia to a farm house where my parents met us for a few days of canoeing, tubing down a river, and chilling out. Then we headed back to DC for more of the “city”. It was great to break up the trip like that, especially as I was able to do laundry!
Soon after we got home school started – hard to believe I now have 7th and 4th graders! They’ve managed to earn good grades despite big courseloads (I think Maggie has more homework than I did in high school) and lots of projects. Maggie has also applied for high school next year (most of the high schools here start at 8th grade for the girls – she’s decided to forego the last year of elementary and “get used to” high school before it really “counts”).
Thanksgiving this year was in Houston with Tom’s family. I hadn’t been back to Houston since Hurricane Katrina, so that was nice for me! We stayed with one of Tom’s brothers and enjoyed several days with family doing a variety of movies, shopping, eating, and just enjoying one another. We missed his youngest sister and her family in California! Hopefully we’ll get to see them and meet the newest member of the family soon!
We will be spending Christmas with my family in North Carolina, returning home on January 2 (which allows me to watch OSU in the Rose Bowl with my parents!).
Our prayers for all of you are for a safe, happy, and fun-filled holiday! Keep in touch…
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday 9 December
This time of year is so crazy-busy! Even without having the girls dancing in Nutcracker this year, we're still up to our eyeballs in alligators. Sigh. In any event, here's catching you up since last week!
Last Tuesday Abby's choir caroled at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the French Quarter at lunch time. I was able to go see them singing. Tom was in Dallas for training, so he didn't make it this year. They sang my favorite song to sing-along to (Feliz Navidad) but Abby kept motioning to me to NOT sing (if you've heard me sing it, you'll understand). I kept motioning like I was going to sing and/or dance and she just kept shaking her head. I think we were both laughing hysterically! Fun to see them all, of course!
Wednesday after Bible Study I made my quarterly trek to SAM's. While I appreciate the concept of bulk shopping, I HATE going there. So I definitely buy in bulk! Unfortunately, I do not have the storage space, so I have pantry "additions" in both my closet and in the extra bedroom upstairs. Amazingly enough, I do know where most stuff is, unless someone doesn't put it back where it belongs! After that trip I picked the girls up early from school as Maggie had an orthodontist appointment. Her teach are now straight and her bite has been corrected, they're working on more "cosmetic" stuff right now. They added brackets to her very back molars for some reason. Never having worn braces myself, I don't know much about them, BUT having worn one on my back for a few years for scoliosis, I appreciate the discomfort! Picked up Chinese food on the way home (fried rice is acceptably "mushy") and then got some ice cream to numb the mouth.
Thursday was my art class. Our assignment the previous week had been to paint a leaf on canvas with arcrylics. We first critiqued the paintings. Overall, I was pleased with mine, though I knew something was "missing" and couldn't figure out what it was (a thin line of very pale green outlining the leaf). Then we did ink sketches of leaves. Our "final" assignment is to gather 3-6 leaves and paint them on a large canvas. After doing three sketches -- one in black charcoal, and two in pastels. Silly me didn't realize that there are both "pastels" made of chalk as well as oil pastels (see how much of an artist I am?). So I did one sketch in black charcoal, one in chalk pastels, and one in oil pastels. If nothing else, I learned new techniques! I've started my painting -- painted the back "ground", sketched the leaves in charcoal (outline) and gone over the outline in paint. Tomorrow I'm home with the termite people (treatment, not getting rid of any pests thankfully), so I'll be working on it then.
Friday was my shot day. After finding out where to go to get my immunizations for Africa, I finally found the place (Passport Health -- they're a national company of private clinics that does this sort of work). Went for my appointment and was impressed -- they'd prepared a briefing book with my name and the country to which I'm traveling which includes information on all the vaccines required/recommended, travel alerts, climate, government, etc. And I got 4 shots -- a big poke with Hepatitis A and B, the adult Polio booster, Yellow Fever, and meningitis. I had 2 options for typhoid -- a shot that lasts for 2 years OR 4 pills that will last for 5 years. Went ahead with the capsules. Also got the pills for malaria to take with me. Go back again in January for the second round of hepatitis. They also sell packaged "kits" for sun/insect protection, digestive "woes", water sanitation, etc. Overall and very well-run place. I took the first typhoid pill (empty stomach, 2 hours after or one hour before eating) and, as indicated, was nauseous for the rest of the day. The second pill on Sunday didn't make me nauseous, but the 3rd yesterday did. Curious about the final one tomorrow!). Tom came home Friday evening (thankfully, as there was snow in Houston and those flights from Dallas were cancelled/delayed).
Maggie's camping trip was cancelled (due to how cold it was and winter warnings where the campsite is), so we had a quiet Saturday (aside from piano lessons). I worked on my drawings! Sunday was the church anniversary (40 years!) celebration and luncheon. Wonderful sermon on the topic of the local compared/contrasted with the universal church. One of those (many!) sermons that seems to speak right to your heart. I've been going to this church just under a year and it's always felt like "home" to me -- very welcoming, sound teaching, etc. The luncheon was nice as well. Maggie won a door prize -- the one we'd brought! Since it was stuff we all like, we were happy to have that one (hee hee!). Home to watch the final 3 hours of the Saints game -- even though the Redskins LOST the game more than the Saints WON it, we'll take the 12-0 record! Got to also see some of the Browns game, though I turned it off before they almost rallied in the 4th quarter, scoring 16 points.....
Monday was back to yoga and the normal "routine". Maggie went to see the girls basketball game at school immediately after school, so Abby and I made a detour to have coffee. Home for the evening. Yesterday the annual termite inspection was done. Whoopee. The girls got out of school at noon (b-ball teams were playing the northshore campus at the arena at 2:30 and 3:30), came home to clean their rooms (they were NOT thrilled!). Violin at 3:45, Celebration in the Oaks at 7:30. Last year for this choir concert was the day it was freezing, windy, and snowy here. In the tent where they perform it was cold and the wind was blowing all over the place. Much more pleasant this year!
Running out of time -- need to leave in 5 minutes and need to pack my stuff first. Never enough time, no?????
Last Tuesday Abby's choir caroled at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the French Quarter at lunch time. I was able to go see them singing. Tom was in Dallas for training, so he didn't make it this year. They sang my favorite song to sing-along to (Feliz Navidad) but Abby kept motioning to me to NOT sing (if you've heard me sing it, you'll understand). I kept motioning like I was going to sing and/or dance and she just kept shaking her head. I think we were both laughing hysterically! Fun to see them all, of course!
Wednesday after Bible Study I made my quarterly trek to SAM's. While I appreciate the concept of bulk shopping, I HATE going there. So I definitely buy in bulk! Unfortunately, I do not have the storage space, so I have pantry "additions" in both my closet and in the extra bedroom upstairs. Amazingly enough, I do know where most stuff is, unless someone doesn't put it back where it belongs! After that trip I picked the girls up early from school as Maggie had an orthodontist appointment. Her teach are now straight and her bite has been corrected, they're working on more "cosmetic" stuff right now. They added brackets to her very back molars for some reason. Never having worn braces myself, I don't know much about them, BUT having worn one on my back for a few years for scoliosis, I appreciate the discomfort! Picked up Chinese food on the way home (fried rice is acceptably "mushy") and then got some ice cream to numb the mouth.
Thursday was my art class. Our assignment the previous week had been to paint a leaf on canvas with arcrylics. We first critiqued the paintings. Overall, I was pleased with mine, though I knew something was "missing" and couldn't figure out what it was (a thin line of very pale green outlining the leaf). Then we did ink sketches of leaves. Our "final" assignment is to gather 3-6 leaves and paint them on a large canvas. After doing three sketches -- one in black charcoal, and two in pastels. Silly me didn't realize that there are both "pastels" made of chalk as well as oil pastels (see how much of an artist I am?). So I did one sketch in black charcoal, one in chalk pastels, and one in oil pastels. If nothing else, I learned new techniques! I've started my painting -- painted the back "ground", sketched the leaves in charcoal (outline) and gone over the outline in paint. Tomorrow I'm home with the termite people (treatment, not getting rid of any pests thankfully), so I'll be working on it then.
Friday was my shot day. After finding out where to go to get my immunizations for Africa, I finally found the place (Passport Health -- they're a national company of private clinics that does this sort of work). Went for my appointment and was impressed -- they'd prepared a briefing book with my name and the country to which I'm traveling which includes information on all the vaccines required/recommended, travel alerts, climate, government, etc. And I got 4 shots -- a big poke with Hepatitis A and B, the adult Polio booster, Yellow Fever, and meningitis. I had 2 options for typhoid -- a shot that lasts for 2 years OR 4 pills that will last for 5 years. Went ahead with the capsules. Also got the pills for malaria to take with me. Go back again in January for the second round of hepatitis. They also sell packaged "kits" for sun/insect protection, digestive "woes", water sanitation, etc. Overall and very well-run place. I took the first typhoid pill (empty stomach, 2 hours after or one hour before eating) and, as indicated, was nauseous for the rest of the day. The second pill on Sunday didn't make me nauseous, but the 3rd yesterday did. Curious about the final one tomorrow!). Tom came home Friday evening (thankfully, as there was snow in Houston and those flights from Dallas were cancelled/delayed).
Maggie's camping trip was cancelled (due to how cold it was and winter warnings where the campsite is), so we had a quiet Saturday (aside from piano lessons). I worked on my drawings! Sunday was the church anniversary (40 years!) celebration and luncheon. Wonderful sermon on the topic of the local compared/contrasted with the universal church. One of those (many!) sermons that seems to speak right to your heart. I've been going to this church just under a year and it's always felt like "home" to me -- very welcoming, sound teaching, etc. The luncheon was nice as well. Maggie won a door prize -- the one we'd brought! Since it was stuff we all like, we were happy to have that one (hee hee!). Home to watch the final 3 hours of the Saints game -- even though the Redskins LOST the game more than the Saints WON it, we'll take the 12-0 record! Got to also see some of the Browns game, though I turned it off before they almost rallied in the 4th quarter, scoring 16 points.....
Monday was back to yoga and the normal "routine". Maggie went to see the girls basketball game at school immediately after school, so Abby and I made a detour to have coffee. Home for the evening. Yesterday the annual termite inspection was done. Whoopee. The girls got out of school at noon (b-ball teams were playing the northshore campus at the arena at 2:30 and 3:30), came home to clean their rooms (they were NOT thrilled!). Violin at 3:45, Celebration in the Oaks at 7:30. Last year for this choir concert was the day it was freezing, windy, and snowy here. In the tent where they perform it was cold and the wind was blowing all over the place. Much more pleasant this year!
Running out of time -- need to leave in 5 minutes and need to pack my stuff first. Never enough time, no?????
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)