Easter

We had a wonderful Easter weekend. Maggie was off school on Thursday and she and I decided we HAD to get our nails done (duh!). Went to collect Abby from school in the afternoon and relaxed in the evening. On Friday the three of us got in the car to head to Houston. Unfortunately I managed to get a speeding ticket -- I suppose I'm a bit thankful that Tom got a ticket recently for an illegal u-turn so that he wasn't able to harass me too much. I used it as a learning opportunity for my soon-to-be driver, instructing her on what to do when you're stopped (get out the license, registration, insurance) and how to be polite to the police officer even though you're irritated that you were the one stopped when "everyone" in traffic was going to same speed (sigh). I'm also thankful that he didn't keep us too long as they are sometimes wont to do -- 10 minutes later we were again heading west.

We arrived in Houston about 2:30 and met Tom and his brother Troy at a Starbucks (Tom had been in Calgary for work the week before and Troy had kindly picked him up at the airport). Tom and Troy headed to meet a lady who'd written about one of their ancestors and the girls and I headed to Rice Village for a bit of shopping. Tom met us there and we headed down to where the rest of his family was gathered. His youngest sister has a brand new baby as well as a 4 and almost-3-year-old which, of course, were the highlight of the visit! I did my fair share (and probably then some) of "helping" by holding the new baby, William. We enjoyed dinner out and the four of us headed to our hotel after a long day of travelling.

Saturday morning we headed back to Kay's house and spent the day visiting with family. My brother-in-law made a SUPER supper of salmon which we all enjoyed. Back again to the hotel for the night. Sunday morning we got together and attended mass. I "had" to help again with the baby to enable the Catholics in our family to take communion -- the sacrifices one has to do! After mass the baby was baptized and we all headed over to a picnic meal. Sunday evening was back to Kay's for more visiting and then we made our good-byes as we'd be heading back to New Orleans Monday.

Tom drove us home and we had a safe and pretty uneventful trip. Home to lots of laundry and settling back in. Abby was back in school Tuesday and Maggie had her final track practice that morning. She was back in school yesterday and I ran LOTS of errands. I've managed to get both cars inspected (whoops, the brake tags expired in March!), got Abby's new violin, corrected some investments for tax purposes, paid Tom's library fine, dropped of Maggie's summer work contract, grocery shopped, finished my Bible study homework, and ironed 14 shirts of Tom's (he was both gone a week AND I've been a bit delinquent in my ironing -- thankful that he's got a lot of shirts!).

Tomorrow Tom's mom and Lou arrive for a visit which will be great. I'm back to the orthopedist Monday. And then we have my parents coming the following week -- all the in-laws/grandparents within a three week period. Life is great AND busy!

Aging

I like to consider myself an active, fit person. I exercise very regularly (to the dismay of my family!), eat reasonably well, and keep my weight down. But as noted in my previous post, of late I've been plagued by hip "issues". Which have finally been accurately diagnosed. Unfortunately, the diagnosis is of severe (slightly premature!) osteoarthritis in my left hip. The cartilage is pretty much gone and the bones are rubbing against one another. Not a pleasant sensation. I'm likely looking at a total hip replacement (both the femur and the pelvis are damaged) in the pretty near future. I'm looking into some faux-sinovial fluid injections (name brands of synvisc, euflexxa, and suppartz) but so far my insurance company isn't agreeing with this option. Meanwhile, I'm "allowed" to continue yoga (skipping poses I either cannot do or modifying them), riding the bike and the elliptical. No impact exercise. You know it's bad when you cannot sit with your legs crossed in front of you OR do the pose your yoga instructor calls "downward facing easy pose". At least I can still touch my toes!

Meanwhile Tom recently had his second cataract removed. It's suspected that it was "caused" by his previous use of nasonex (if you hear the add on TV cataracts is one of the possible side effects). The surgery went well and he flew off to Calgary on a business trip 4 days later. I joked that we should get a long trench coat, have me wear it and sit on his shoulders and button it up -- I could do the seeing and he could do the walking! Sort of like what you'd see a costume on Scooby Doo.

Then we have the girls -- Abby continues to be 12 with all the "issues" 12 year old girls experience. She's getting her braces on in June, but should only have to wear them about 18 months. Her bite is pretty good and she's only got a bit of crooked-ness. Sixth grade is going well -- at her school they have the same teachers for 6th that they had for 5th, so it's pretty much familiar and after almost 2 years she's ready for something new. I'm just thankful that I'm still able to help her with math homework! She continues to enjoy her violin and is ready to move up to a full-size one. Maggie is doing very well moving towards the end of her freshman year. She turned 15 and will take the driving portion of driver's ed at the end of May, then the ready to get her permit. I'm both thrilled and terrified of her driving!

Spring is definitely upon us and the azaleas are done with their blooming and the gardenias are budding. They are my favorite so I'm looking forward to them. Thankful for every day we continue to be here!