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.............