Here I sit, comfortably in my pjs, writing in my blog. Last year we were at my sisters with friends of theirs, playing pictionary (boys vs. girls, girls managed to win!). This year, at home, Tom's on the computer/xbox/something shooting something, I'm almost done with a book, and the girls have friends spending the night. And I'm in my pjs, so it's a GREAT evening (and I'll make it up to 12, but not far beyond that!). Life is great, God is most generous (especially to this undeserving soul), and I adore my family. Can't ask for anything more in 2011.....
Christmas was GREAT for all of us. Tom's cataract surgery was a success. Vision is definitely a blessing -- can you imagine life without it? The day afterwards, he and my dad went to see "True Grit" while the girls and my mom enjoyed "How do you Know?". That evening we all went to Muriel's on Jackson Square for dinner. That's my new favorite local "fancy" restaurant. WOW!
Friday (Christmas Eve) saw me at the gym for yoga and a relaxed day afterwards. This was the first year that all participated in the stuffing of stockings. Side-note -- in my family, I believe that the stockings are the high light of Christmas. While there is nothing included of "great" value, this is where we spend the most time, on the shopping, wrapping (yup, we wrap them!), and enjoyment of everyone unwrapping them. We go in order from young to old (sorry, mom!) and I really enjoy all of this -- even the unwrapping of toothpaste!. I have my childhood stocking, the girls have the ones their grandmother made, and Tom has one my mom made 'specially for him. We tale a break in the middle to heat up breakfast (cinnamon/sugar monkey bread) and enjoy that while we finish stockings. Then onto the gifts. The older I get the more I enjoy seeing the smiles on people's faces when they open their gifts! There is certainly a great joy in giving. We had turkey and all the fixin's for dinner and a relaxing day over all.
"Boxing Day" had us visiting my aunt and cousins and their kiddos. I haven't seen my cousin Ted and his wife for several years, although I'd briefly seen their two kids this summer. And although my aunt, cousin, and her family live less than an hour away, the longer we live here, the less often we see one another. So that was definitely a treat.
On the 27th the girls, mom and I headed to Foley, AL for outlet shopping with the cash from Christmas and birthdays burning holes in our pockets. We checked into the hotel, grabbed some lunch, and headed to the outlet. This particular one is arranged in 2 "rings". We hit the outer one that day, had dinner and spent the night and did the inner ring in the morning. Maggie and I are in negative cash-flow, while Abby has some left. A blessing to have money to spend, and time to spend with family. Meanwhile, Tom and my dad finished painting the ceiling in my kitchen (who got the better end of that deal?).
We returned Tuesday afternoon and showed all our purchases and had a relaxing day. Wednesday saw us heading to the French Quarter. Had a nice lunch, did a bit of shopping, and attempted to get beignets at the Cafe du Monde. Line was QUITE prohibitive, so we headed to the branch in Metairie and had our donuts there.
Mom and dad left Thursday before I was awake. Talked to them a couple times on the road. Tom took the girls to see "True Grit" while I enjoyed (?) time alone to finish laundry and iron.....Today was yoga and a couple small errands. The girls have friends over to share New Years with while Tom plays a computer game and I blog and read. Typical new years in Metairie!!!!
Praying that 2011 is the best for all of us.......
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas 2010
Merry Christmas to all!
2010 year in review….
Happiest of holidays to you and your family and friends! All is well with the Webbs and we had a GREAT 2010.
Tom was (as usual!) busy working to keep us afloat. A few trips overseas, MANY to Houston, and some other fascinating places in the world. He’s gotten back into karate and Maggie is encouraging him to go to the gym with her in the early evenings.
The defining moment for my year (aside from the great things the 4 of us did together!) was a trip to Mali last January with my dad. Dad had gone in 2009 with his brother with the same organization (Tandana) and I was so intrigued that I got signed up to go myself. Truly an incredible experience. We did some touring of the country, then spent a short week in their “adopted” village where we helped the villagers plant hundreds of fruit trees and build a rock wall around (to keep the sheep and goats out). Reports state that some fruit is growing, and dad will be returning again this year with an update!
Maggie’s big event for the year has been making the transition from grammar to high school (private high schools start in 8th grade for the most part here). She quit dancing and ran cross country this past fall and is looking forward to track in the spring. She has made many new friends (going from a co-ed class of 42 to an all-girls class of about 125!) and is also succeeding academically.
Over the summer, Abby participated in swim team and the JCC – man, can she swim breast stroke! In the fall, she started upper school (5th grade) this year – first year where there are MANY different teachers (one per subject) and changing rooms for each class. She ran for student council, but didn’t win (at least the boy who one is a friend of hers!). She also played intramural volleyball and it turns out she’s quite a server! She continues with violin and I am astounded by her progress.
As a family we made several great trips this year. Over the Mardi Gras break, we took the train to Tom’s favorite place in the world – Big Bend National Park in west Texas. My second no-make-up-vacation of the year! We were both really impressed that the girls were able to complete a 12 mile round-trip hike that included a 4000 foot elevation change. We hiked for 4 days and enjoyed coming back to the lodge in the evening for comfortable sleeping and someone else making supper! We enjoyed it so much we’re heading back again this year…
During the summer we flew to North Carolina to visit my family and enjoyed a week in Pigeon Forge with them as well as my sister and her family. Did the tourist items, including Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede which was a hit with all. Tom flew home after that trip while the girls and I stayed an extra week.
Over Thanksgiving we went up to see Tom’s mom and Lou. Picked Maggie up at school on Tuesday afternoon, drove to Memphis and arrived in Arkansas on Wednesday. GREAT meal Thursday (even with the freezing rain storm) and nice relaxing. Too bad it was a short visit….next time!
2010 year in review….
Happiest of holidays to you and your family and friends! All is well with the Webbs and we had a GREAT 2010.
Tom was (as usual!) busy working to keep us afloat. A few trips overseas, MANY to Houston, and some other fascinating places in the world. He’s gotten back into karate and Maggie is encouraging him to go to the gym with her in the early evenings.
The defining moment for my year (aside from the great things the 4 of us did together!) was a trip to Mali last January with my dad. Dad had gone in 2009 with his brother with the same organization (Tandana) and I was so intrigued that I got signed up to go myself. Truly an incredible experience. We did some touring of the country, then spent a short week in their “adopted” village where we helped the villagers plant hundreds of fruit trees and build a rock wall around (to keep the sheep and goats out). Reports state that some fruit is growing, and dad will be returning again this year with an update!
Maggie’s big event for the year has been making the transition from grammar to high school (private high schools start in 8th grade for the most part here). She quit dancing and ran cross country this past fall and is looking forward to track in the spring. She has made many new friends (going from a co-ed class of 42 to an all-girls class of about 125!) and is also succeeding academically.
Over the summer, Abby participated in swim team and the JCC – man, can she swim breast stroke! In the fall, she started upper school (5th grade) this year – first year where there are MANY different teachers (one per subject) and changing rooms for each class. She ran for student council, but didn’t win (at least the boy who one is a friend of hers!). She also played intramural volleyball and it turns out she’s quite a server! She continues with violin and I am astounded by her progress.
As a family we made several great trips this year. Over the Mardi Gras break, we took the train to Tom’s favorite place in the world – Big Bend National Park in west Texas. My second no-make-up-vacation of the year! We were both really impressed that the girls were able to complete a 12 mile round-trip hike that included a 4000 foot elevation change. We hiked for 4 days and enjoyed coming back to the lodge in the evening for comfortable sleeping and someone else making supper! We enjoyed it so much we’re heading back again this year…
During the summer we flew to North Carolina to visit my family and enjoyed a week in Pigeon Forge with them as well as my sister and her family. Did the tourist items, including Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede which was a hit with all. Tom flew home after that trip while the girls and I stayed an extra week.
Over Thanksgiving we went up to see Tom’s mom and Lou. Picked Maggie up at school on Tuesday afternoon, drove to Memphis and arrived in Arkansas on Wednesday. GREAT meal Thursday (even with the freezing rain storm) and nice relaxing. Too bad it was a short visit….next time!
Friday, December 24, 2010
cataracts
So this past Wednesday Tom had his right cataract removed. As you can imagine, he was a bit apprehensive about the procedure. As a "veteran" of two separate Lasik surgeries, I was a bit more confident and while concerned, attempted to be the positive side of the equation.
We left the house to arrive for the 8:45 appointment to the concierge surgery center. They checked Tom's name, ID, inquired which eye (put a sticker on it), and asked birth date -- apparently this was repeated to him often enough that whenever anyone would enter the room he'd recite it.....They took him back from the waiting area at about 9 and I sat and "caught up" on all the People magazines (not my normal, but certainly a time-passer!). About 10 they came to get me and, I assumed, he was done and that I was going to the recovery area. Nope. Instead I went into a small inner room where I was able to watch the surgery via tv with on of the nurses talking me through was was happening (quit reading until the last paragraph if you're squeamish!). Quite interesting, actually. The view I had was of his eyeball -- it took up the entire tv screen. It was the same view the doctor had -- the microscope she used had the camera attached. First they made a small incision, then came in with the large incision maker (about the size of a toothpick). Then the put in the tool that breaks up the lens with ultrasound and vacuums it all out. It was really interesting to see how after the lens was shattered, you could see the cloudiness more from the "pieces" and watch them be sucked out. Basically took less than 10 minutes total. The doctor came in to talk to me, letting me know that it was considerably thicker than she'd anticipated but it all went well and he'd be in the recovery area soon. He came home and rested for the afternoon and I "babysat" him.....Mom took the girls for mani-pedis and then mom and dad took them to a movie (the Focker one which they don't recommend). Mom and I then left Tom with dad and went to the grocery to get the stuff we hadn't gotten on Monday.
Yesterday, Tom took dad with him for his 6:45 appointment. They then went to breakfast and came home. We all vacated the house at 11 as it was to be cleaned. The girls went to see "How do you Know?" (cute, light, not one I'd say run out to see) and the boys to see "True Grit" (which they DO recommend to go out and see). Home again for a bit before our fancy dinner out -- Muriel's on Jackson Square. Tom had been there for work functions before, but the rest of us had never gone. YUM! I had a spinach salad, grilled fish, and sorbet. The girls had steak (Abby ate the entire thing). Maggie had room for dessert -- flourless chocolate cake. Mom had a crab appetizer, salad, lamb, and bread pudding. Dad has oyster appetizer, salad, fish, and creme brulee. Tom enjoyed a pasta appetizer, salad, and bbq shrimp. No one went away hungry and the girls and I will certainly go back! Today we're doing the pre-meal prep for tomorrow -- stuffing is cooking, potatoes baking, pie will be baked, table is set, mushrooms are sauteed.......Merry Christmas!
We left the house to arrive for the 8:45 appointment to the concierge surgery center. They checked Tom's name, ID, inquired which eye (put a sticker on it), and asked birth date -- apparently this was repeated to him often enough that whenever anyone would enter the room he'd recite it.....They took him back from the waiting area at about 9 and I sat and "caught up" on all the People magazines (not my normal, but certainly a time-passer!). About 10 they came to get me and, I assumed, he was done and that I was going to the recovery area. Nope. Instead I went into a small inner room where I was able to watch the surgery via tv with on of the nurses talking me through was was happening (quit reading until the last paragraph if you're squeamish!). Quite interesting, actually. The view I had was of his eyeball -- it took up the entire tv screen. It was the same view the doctor had -- the microscope she used had the camera attached. First they made a small incision, then came in with the large incision maker (about the size of a toothpick). Then the put in the tool that breaks up the lens with ultrasound and vacuums it all out. It was really interesting to see how after the lens was shattered, you could see the cloudiness more from the "pieces" and watch them be sucked out. Basically took less than 10 minutes total. The doctor came in to talk to me, letting me know that it was considerably thicker than she'd anticipated but it all went well and he'd be in the recovery area soon. He came home and rested for the afternoon and I "babysat" him.....Mom took the girls for mani-pedis and then mom and dad took them to a movie (the Focker one which they don't recommend). Mom and I then left Tom with dad and went to the grocery to get the stuff we hadn't gotten on Monday.
Yesterday, Tom took dad with him for his 6:45 appointment. They then went to breakfast and came home. We all vacated the house at 11 as it was to be cleaned. The girls went to see "How do you Know?" (cute, light, not one I'd say run out to see) and the boys to see "True Grit" (which they DO recommend to go out and see). Home again for a bit before our fancy dinner out -- Muriel's on Jackson Square. Tom had been there for work functions before, but the rest of us had never gone. YUM! I had a spinach salad, grilled fish, and sorbet. The girls had steak (Abby ate the entire thing). Maggie had room for dessert -- flourless chocolate cake. Mom had a crab appetizer, salad, lamb, and bread pudding. Dad has oyster appetizer, salad, fish, and creme brulee. Tom enjoyed a pasta appetizer, salad, and bbq shrimp. No one went away hungry and the girls and I will certainly go back! Today we're doing the pre-meal prep for tomorrow -- stuffing is cooking, potatoes baking, pie will be baked, table is set, mushrooms are sauteed.......Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Almost Christmas!
First, a photo from Thanksgiving of us and Tom's mom:
So we're continuing to get ready for the holidays. Most of the shopping is done and gifts wrapped. Abby's done with school, and Maggie has 2 more exams tomorrow (sigh). Today we were up at 6am and disappointed (but not surprised!) that no one came to see us.....
Mom and dad arrived last Wednesday and have had a busy time since then. Thursday we headed to Abby's school for the 5th grade play and holiday sing-a-long. Friday mom and I took Maggie and 2 other girls to/from school for their exam. We spend the time strolling Whole Foods, having a cup of coffee, then checking out Chico's across the street. After coming home and a quick lunch, Dad, Maggie and I headed out to equip mom's stocking with gifts. Saturday was piano lessons and some relaxation (ahhhhhh). Yesterday we enjoyed Abby's violin recital followed by an afternoon of quizzing Maggie for her exams, and watching both the Steelers and the Saints lose....Today I took the girls to school and headed to the gym. After a shower, mom and I went to the grocery (of course, there's already 3 new things on the list!) and right now Tom's on his computer, mom, dad and Abby are at Walgreen's and Maggie's studying.
Tom has his first cataract surgery scheduled for Wednesday -- be considerate and say a prayer for him, please!
Enjoy the holiday ramp-up......
So we're continuing to get ready for the holidays. Most of the shopping is done and gifts wrapped. Abby's done with school, and Maggie has 2 more exams tomorrow (sigh). Today we were up at 6am and disappointed (but not surprised!) that no one came to see us.....
Mom and dad arrived last Wednesday and have had a busy time since then. Thursday we headed to Abby's school for the 5th grade play and holiday sing-a-long. Friday mom and I took Maggie and 2 other girls to/from school for their exam. We spend the time strolling Whole Foods, having a cup of coffee, then checking out Chico's across the street. After coming home and a quick lunch, Dad, Maggie and I headed out to equip mom's stocking with gifts. Saturday was piano lessons and some relaxation (ahhhhhh). Yesterday we enjoyed Abby's violin recital followed by an afternoon of quizzing Maggie for her exams, and watching both the Steelers and the Saints lose....Today I took the girls to school and headed to the gym. After a shower, mom and I went to the grocery (of course, there's already 3 new things on the list!) and right now Tom's on his computer, mom, dad and Abby are at Walgreen's and Maggie's studying.
Tom has his first cataract surgery scheduled for Wednesday -- be considerate and say a prayer for him, please!
Enjoy the holiday ramp-up......
Friday, December 10, 2010
more friday 10 december
The house (well, the entry, living room, and half bath! are decorated for the holidays. Abby helped me put up the tree, string up the lights, and put out the ornaments -- Maggie did as my sister did as a child and put two ornaments on the tree and left us to it. Tom's contribution was to add new batteries to the Feliz Navidad dog and the Homer Simpson character. Sigh. Another Friday afternoon/evening passes at the Webb household.....
A great weekend to all!
A great weekend to all!
Friday 10 December
I'm way behind on this -- BUT I've got all my major holiday shopping done and wrapped, mailed out the cards, and once again got my car fixed -- new struts -- dang that Earhart Expressway! They've finally opened new (e. g. SMOOTH) lanes east bound, so it's getting there........
In other news, we had a GREAT Thanksgiving -- a very short visit with Tom's mom and Lou. When we made the plans to go there, I thought Maggie had the entire week off from school as she did in grammar school. Nope. Just early dismissal for Tuesday. So we picked her up Tuesday afternoon and took a long drive to Memphis, arriving at the hotel a bit after 9pm. Tom had a teleconference in the morning, so the girls and I slept in and we left the hotel a bit before noon for the rest of the drive. Made it to their house late afternoon and enjoyed Chinese for supper. Thanksgiving was cold (down below freezing) and rainy all day. A bit of concern regarding the roads for Friday morning as we'd hoped to start for home then. But we enjoyed our big dinner and the roads were clear for departure Friday. Home Saturday in time for me to get to watch the second half of the OSU/Michigan game (of course, the guys in red won!).
Now we're onto Christmas planning. We'll be home this year, and I still have to get out the decorations to put out -- Tom's moved them down from the attic, so it's time for me to get that done! I bought the turkey and the bread for the dressing today. Also we'll have roasted chestnuts, green beans, potatoes, and whatever else we think of between now and then! Mom and the girls and I will be heading to the outlets in Gulf Shores the week after Christmas for some fun.
Meanwhile, the girls are getting ready for exams -- Abby's are Monday-Thursday next week, with the late morning on Thursday being dedicated to the 5th grade play and holiday singing. The following Sunday she's playing in her violin recital -- she's really become quite accomplished and is learning the last piece in the second Suzuki book now. Maggie has exams next week Thursday and Friday, then Monday and Tuesday the following week. She's going to the information meeting Monday afternoon regarding track team. Time for another round of mom-driving-all-over-all-the-time!
Tom and I managed a movie-morning-date to see Harry Potter -- the girls had both made plans to see it with friends, so Tom and I headed out together. Last Friday we had a "double date" with a friend of Maggie's parents. Her winter formal was last Friday and as we were driving, we thought it'd be nice to meet up with her friends' parents. Apparently they all had a good time, especially as we sat completely away from them....her friends father commented that he doesn't have to do anything at all besides just being to be embarassing -- truer words.....
Tom will be having cataract surgery on one eye the week before Christmas. Please keep him in your prayers!
Best to all over the holidays.............
In other news, we had a GREAT Thanksgiving -- a very short visit with Tom's mom and Lou. When we made the plans to go there, I thought Maggie had the entire week off from school as she did in grammar school. Nope. Just early dismissal for Tuesday. So we picked her up Tuesday afternoon and took a long drive to Memphis, arriving at the hotel a bit after 9pm. Tom had a teleconference in the morning, so the girls and I slept in and we left the hotel a bit before noon for the rest of the drive. Made it to their house late afternoon and enjoyed Chinese for supper. Thanksgiving was cold (down below freezing) and rainy all day. A bit of concern regarding the roads for Friday morning as we'd hoped to start for home then. But we enjoyed our big dinner and the roads were clear for departure Friday. Home Saturday in time for me to get to watch the second half of the OSU/Michigan game (of course, the guys in red won!).
Now we're onto Christmas planning. We'll be home this year, and I still have to get out the decorations to put out -- Tom's moved them down from the attic, so it's time for me to get that done! I bought the turkey and the bread for the dressing today. Also we'll have roasted chestnuts, green beans, potatoes, and whatever else we think of between now and then! Mom and the girls and I will be heading to the outlets in Gulf Shores the week after Christmas for some fun.
Meanwhile, the girls are getting ready for exams -- Abby's are Monday-Thursday next week, with the late morning on Thursday being dedicated to the 5th grade play and holiday singing. The following Sunday she's playing in her violin recital -- she's really become quite accomplished and is learning the last piece in the second Suzuki book now. Maggie has exams next week Thursday and Friday, then Monday and Tuesday the following week. She's going to the information meeting Monday afternoon regarding track team. Time for another round of mom-driving-all-over-all-the-time!
Tom and I managed a movie-morning-date to see Harry Potter -- the girls had both made plans to see it with friends, so Tom and I headed out together. Last Friday we had a "double date" with a friend of Maggie's parents. Her winter formal was last Friday and as we were driving, we thought it'd be nice to meet up with her friends' parents. Apparently they all had a good time, especially as we sat completely away from them....her friends father commented that he doesn't have to do anything at all besides just being to be embarassing -- truer words.....
Tom will be having cataract surgery on one eye the week before Christmas. Please keep him in your prayers!
Best to all over the holidays.............
Friday, December 3, 2010
a random pepsi can
I like Diet Sierra Mist as a soft drink. Not quite as acidic (to me!) as sprite, so it's what I buy. The other day I opened a new twelve-pack box in the refrigerator. The first can out was sierra mist. Then, a random pepsi one can. Now, I know that they are both made/bottled by PepsiCo, but it's a silver can amidst a bunch of white ones. Maggie was in the next room, so I showed it to her. She wondered what drink it had inside. Since pepsi one has caffeine and I don't do caffeine, I wasn't going to find out. Subsequently, we told Abby and Tom about the random pepsi can (sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator). Last night Maggie decided she wanted the pepsi -- the moment of truth -- what was inside the can? Sierra Mist.......looked like it, tasted like it, just in the wrong can.......
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