It was a hard week. It was so cold and dark. The week began with MLK day on the same day as the inauguration. No, I did not watch it and changed the channel from NPR when it began. I went to tennis clinic, very grateful to be on the court not with my friend wearing the MAGA hat. That was the only tennis and basic exercise I did all week. That didn't help anything. It was so cold that the MLK parade was canceled. The best part of the day was book club at Heather's where we discussed a terrible book (only because it was a fiction that seemed a little too real), Chain Gang All Stars. Then Tuesday I spent the morning at the school board sharing views and listening to the options to save money- cutting busses, reducing electives and therefore cutting teachers. It's impossible to have this conversation when this is happening. Lunch with Jamie was a balm, along with that salmon rice bowl at the Brick. The best day of the week was Wednesday. Voss turned 10! The lucky duck did not have school due to a snow day. No kidding. We did not get snow but lots of North Florida did which is so crazy. It was still cold and rainy. We had donuts, watched Birthday videos and working on a really hard puzzle by the fire. Marly and Abby stayed up decorating and were so sweet to him that morning. We had lunch with Uncle Matt at Firehouse and later family dinner at TCC. Again, Marly surprised him with an ice cream treat at TCC and spent the afternoon baking him a Birthday cake (with homemade frosting). The kids getting along is enough to warm my cold heart. Phil got Voss (and totally himself) and XBox. So there goes life as we know it. I tried not to follow all of Trump's executive orders for the week, but I couldn't help but get sucked in. Thursday I volunteered at high school for a round table discussion (talking about going from 8 classes in a block schedule to 7 periods in one day). It was neat to have kids from other schools join in the discussion. More conversations with school board members that day, too. It doesn't help that I've been listening to Octavia Butler books this week on top of all this. Friday I finally made it to the gym for a HIIT class, adoration then lunch with my friend, Susie at a new taco place. My sister came to pick up Ellie and help me with driving for her dance class on Saturday morning. Hot chocolate and puzzle by the fire time. Phil and I ended up on a double date with Matt and his girlfriend, Tara. I tried a non-alcoholic Guinness and Riverside Liquors, NA white wine at Primi Piatti (that owner is the sweetest) and then some delicious chamomile tea with honey at TCC for a nightcap. Saturday we rolled out to Cecil Field to celebrate Voss' Birthday. One of my dad's friends gave us a tour of a new POW museum he is curating. Voss said it was the best Birthday yet...complete with party favors of army bags, helmets and toy planes. It was a sweet group of Voss' friends and then one stayed to play after. We had the Nutcracker board dinner that night. We raised $110K! I can't wait to see how we vote to give it away at our next meeting. We stopped in to Silver Cow for a kombucha and to hear some live music. Then home for an early night. Not Ellie. She was out at a friend's 16th Birthday that resembled more of a wedding! We all read and served at mass on Sunday then had CCD then breakfast at TCC. We played family soccer and had chicken and rice bowls at the Fredlands. It was a great way to kick off a better week! Here are the pics of the week,

A DJ on the radio said Monday was the day most people quit their new years resolutions. I see it. I'm still holding onto Dryanuary and cracking the whip with these kids. Picking up from after school tutor session and calling in for extra chemistry help. It was cold so they canceled flag raising which meant I was able to take Matt and Tara to the airport to fly up to get Matt's car. I was late to tennis clinic but snuck in. I had lunch with Steph at Modrum (enjoy that delicious lentil soup). We got the fireplace up and running with cozy fires each night along with a super hard puzzle. Maureen and I lost our match on Tuesday again in a third set. It was so close the whole time. Incredibly frustrating that this keeps happening to me. I never took my coat off. Heat pad on my hip and I took a spill in the garage this week that left two nasty bruises and some residual back pain. Just grateful it wasn't worse. I spent the morning at the middle school on Wednesday with a meeting for Marly's DC trip and then a PTSA board meeting. And then the afternoon at high school for a SAC meeting and then back the next morning for another PTSA board meeting. I did an almost 40 hour fast this week, too. Especially not fun. I didn't even have the second night of great dreams like I usually do thanks to Mr. Snores. At MOPS we had a white elephant gift exchange where I ended up with some 'merica leggings. Can't wait for an opportunity to wear those! The manatee rescue folks took the day to get a mom and her calf out of the cove due to the water being so cold. Fun to watch! Ann Marie had us over to discuss making our church better. Friday I went to HIIT, adoration then Voss' awards ceremony. He got a citizenship and honor roll ribbon. Looking for things to celebrate here. Phil and I took him out for ice cream after. Ellie went to a friend's house to practice her 16th Birthday dance (how fun is that?!) and Marly went to Marywood for her Confirmation retreat. Abby spent the night with Annabelle. So, we took Voss with us out for pizza with the Strassers. Trying all the NA beers and kombuchas! Saturday I took Ellie to dance (well, she took me) and did a run walk with SQ. Later I went back to pick up Marly and the carpool gang from Marywood. Turns out she had a great time and made new friends. We went out with a crew to see a 90s grunge band at Mustangs again. Sunday we went to mass and then fellowship (no CCD so I could finally go!) I had a sauna appointment to try it out. Basically I think it's a bunch of BS. Isn't being outside in the summertime enough to do the trick? We went out with the Strassers and younger two to Don Eduardos for dinner that night. The older two were at friend's. Here are the pics from the week.

We weren't quite back yet on Monday, the kids still had oooonnnneeee more day of holiday break. I hit the gym (since I was waitlisted for tennis) while whipping them into getting prepped for school on Tuesday. We took down the Christmas decorations. Abby got braces! She was in pain the first few days, but has adjusted now. Voss and Phil went to boy scouts, early bedtime for all! Tuesday was rough but everyone made it to school. Tennis was canceled due to cold weather. I did a barre and pilates class then met friends at a new bookstore for discussion on the 2025 Page Turner Challenge. I am waiting for the hype to die down a bit and start in a few more weeks maybe. We had a fire, burning pieces of the Christmas tree and did some DEAR time and sisters in dance. It was definitely cold all week. Que the seat warmer and blankets in the minivan! I drove the middle school carpool this week. I got to sub in for B on Wednesday and play at home with Anna, then a fun match with Sally, Maureen and Anna. Rachael, Katie and I met at Bellweather for our first show of the year, Mama Mia. It was so nice to have a fun thing in the middle of the week with this dark, cold. Tracy was able to join us for the show after running kids. Having the time of our lives dancing with ABBA. Thursday I went to daily mass in honor of my dad, dedicated by my MomCo group. I ran some errands then went for a cold run with Spot. I actually burnt my hip from the heating pad. We had a MomCo leadership meeting that night at Anne's to plan for the next semester. Friday morning, I met Jess for a walk to catch up on her life amidst the days of grief. I'm proud to know such a strong woman. I met Rachael and her mom for a WJCT lunch & learn. Fun to be with them but the speaker was a salesy chiropractor, not a discussion on stem cells like I thought we were doing. Marly and Ellie babysat, Abby and Voss went to sleepovers. Phil and I met my brother and sister at Tara's for happy hour (really SQ and I drinking soda water). We went to TCC for dinner after and met up with the Freemans and Cochrans then Matt and Tara came later. Fun night! Saturday morning, Ellie and I headed out to dance class. SQ and I went on a walk run. Later, SQ, Matt and I went to Mrs. Jannsson's funeral. It was a sweet service celebrating her life complete with awesome stories from her 3 children about what an awesome mother she was; the original free range parent. The wild brothers growing up in the farms, wrestling their mother in the yard and our old babysitters telling us stories about watching all of us. We left with smiles and warm hearts. That evening, Ellie and Marly went to a 16th Birthday. Abby and Voss had their first babysitting gig together. My siblings and I went out with the Strassers for pizza and live music. SQ, Jenny and I found a new coffee shop with great hot tea. This morning we went to mass and CCD. Now Ellie is at another friend's 16th tea party. Voss is at a friend's house. The middles are at Target with Phil. Marly has confirmation class this afternoon, family soccer and youth group. Here are the pics of the week.

Monday morning we tried to get a little something done. Phil went to work. I went to a HIIT class. Then we packed up and headed up to Jekyll Island to camp with friends and bring in the new year. We were the first in our group to arrive up there and get settled in. The gnats were awful at first but then it got cooler and they went away. We had great friends who brought all the camp gear and set up fires (Taylor with his axe!), JoHo trailered all of our bikes and we just sorta showed up and enjoyed it. It was a great way to bring in the new year! The weather was perfect. We did cheat the 2nd night and got a hotel room. On new years day, we took a polar plunge in the Atlantic then warmed up in the hot tub before heading back to town. I tried to make a pork roast but I didn't get it started early enough so we just had collards and black eyed peas to bring luck and prosperity in the new year. Abby babysat for the Kochs, Voss had Miles over to play. Ellie disappeared with Addison for at least a day. We met Matt, Tara and P down in St. Augustine for the Night of Lights. It was still very crowded despite it being a weekday after new years but I'm still glad we went. Phil scored a place right by the main park with no wait and live music. It was so cold but Kilwin's hot chocolate hit the spot! On Friday I was very busy with a Nutcracker PR recap meeting, adoration, run to the post office and then a steroid injection. It actually made my hip feel worse for a few days. The verdict is still out. I visited my pal, Tracy. Phil and I had a movie night in, watching The Town and eating General Tso's chicken. Ellie had her first dance class of the season back in Fruitcove on Saturday morning. We did a family movie day and saw Moana 2 that afternoon. I went to my friend, Cheryl's "We survived the holidays" party. Dryanuary is in full swing, boring as ever. Sunday we got up and went to 8:30 mass. It was not easy and we were late. Gone are our days of sleeping in! We celebrated the Epiphany and reflected on all the wonderful gifts we've received. We met SQ and the boys at the Timuquan Nature Preserve and got junior ranger badges and hiked to Ft. Caroline. Then, we picked up lunch and met Matt at the Hicks' for some cousin time. We played family soccer that afternoon then I took Ellie to a friend's 16th Birthday party on the Southside. Me sitting in my car in a parking lot listening to The Reading List and updating family videos. We have so much to be thankful for walking into 2025; I just hope we can figure out a way to come together in our country in the next month. Here are the photos from the last week.

Monday I got up and went to HIIT class, trying to keep up some sort of routine. The kids were all too happy to veg. Marly went to work with Phil and then to her besties for a sleepover at the beach. I did some last minute shopping, card deliveries and settling my Nutcracker week dance apparel debts. Ellie and I snuggled and watched Christmas Sail. My sister, SQ hosted us for family dinner that night, her famous beef stroganoff. Christmas Eve I went to a barre class then WD, lots of people also doing last minute grocery runs. Phil and Ellie test drove some cars! We went to Uncle Matt's for burgers and ultimate frisbee. It was a new normal not having parents down the street for Christmas. At one point, I almost broke down at their house but then Matt told me to drink a beer, we grilled and then sweated it out in the front yard playing frisbee. It was good. We exchanged family gifts that afternoon. Coupons are always my favorite: no fighting, ubering (starting in April from Ellie!) NYC was our gift, but I did get them little keepsakes to remember our trip. Sweet to see them gifting to each other. The Nixons hosted a Christmas Eve open house, complete with reindeer games for the kids. I loved catching up with my pal, Katie who has been living in Spain all semester. Santa did make an appearance bringing the kids some of their favorites. 7am was still an early morning. We took it easy eating cinnamon rolls and sausages. We all served at 10:30am mass. It was not at all crowded and I loved singing all the carols. We were all antsy and crabby on Christmas day until Aunt Suzanne came over to share our surf & turf lunch. We snuggled and watched Christmas on the Ranch (and maybe snoozed through a bit of it). SQ went back to work. We went to Sunny's Hanukkah party. Matt came over later for a nightcap, our new neighbor. It's true what they say about the days after Christmas kina slushing by. I'm not quite sure what I did. I went for a run. Abby babysat the Kochs. I checked the kids grades and flipped out on 3/4 of them. We spent the day at the Ritz Carlton; lunch and walking on the beach. We met the Stuckey's for pizza then Keith, Chris and Taylor met us at the Bier Hall. Making the most of the last month before Dryanuary. We had a late night with the Stuckey's at Mellow (pizza to pizza). Friday, Kerri and I played tennis with Bunny and Lucretia (and beat them!). Phil and I got massages. We had martinis with the Hogans at TCC and ended up at Lillians. Saturday Ellie had friends over. We did a sibling night out margarita crawl ending at Lillians again. Sunday we slept in, played family soccer then went to mass for the feast of the holy family. The kids went home to pack. Phil and I met the Strassers for the last night out on the town at TCC. Wine in the living room, yes please. Here are the pics of the week.

It's one of those times when I look back on the week and wonder how I got all the things done. Amazed with myself. Monday started easy with sipping my coffee watching all the kids leave for school then tennis clinic then WD. I spent the afternoon listening to Christmas music and writing Christmas cards. I picked up Ellie from the library bus stop and scored an awesome pair of book socks for my swap gift. Kathleen and Sunny hosted a wonderful book club complete with a charcuterie uterus. We read the New Menopause and there were so many great conversations. I could have stayed all night but thinking we had a tennis match in the morning, I dipped. Turns out the courts were so wet from the night before the match was canceled. I was wondering how I would have had time to play anyway. I did a barre class and more card writing instead. The girls had gift swaps at dance and friends and all. the. teachers. At one point, I stayed up until midnight embroidering and then woke back up to do a few more before school in the morning. Whew! Wednesday was early release. I was at the middle school early for the general PTSA meeting, helped get the teacher cookie swap underway then went to high school for the Blue Ribbon celebration. Ellie and I did a thrifting run that afternoon then hosted my mom, brother and gf for steak and Caesar salad. Thursday I got up early and whipped up a chili then headed to high school for the teacher holiday luncheon soup swap, an all day affair. It made it all worth it when one of Ellie's teachers gushed about his embroidered handkerchiefs in the soup line. I made it to the Y2K Christmas MomCo party rocking my Britney Spears era. Friday was STEM day in the morning and class holiday parties in the afternoon for Voss. QT with him for sure. And then we had the neighborhood progressive party that evening; a perfect night for the luminaries. I hosted a taco bar with Grincharitas. Saturday morning Abby and I took Spot for a run (working on her speed for track try outs) then the girls and I went to Steph's mother daughter gingerbread party. After Voss had a super soccer sleepover with Chris, Phil took him golfing, really golf cart riding with the Strasser guys. We worked on drinking water between our wine with the ladies to prepare for the marathon partying ahead. Ellie and Marly went separate ways babysitting. Phil and I ubered with the Strassers to the Harmon's epic Viva Las Vegas Christmas party. We were met by Elvis and Flaminco dancers at the door! My body was sore from dancing, kudos to Sunny for outfitting me in style. Saved by the Strassers calling our uber home, it was SO MUCH FUN! Sunday morning the partying continued with Angela's My Favorite Things party. Of course Peter Attia was my gift. I came home with bracelets, lotions and lip gloss. Family soccer to work it all out. Addison joined us for the Sacred Heart Penance service and the 4th week of advent mass. Chipotle for dinner and then I truly crashed. What a week! Here are the pics.

We started the week with an early morning mass for the Immaculate Conception. I let the kids get a treat then I took them all to school. It made for a very productive day. I went to flag raising with Voss then tennis clinic. I did a quick WD run then headed downtown for the last part of load in at the theatre. The hard part was done that morning but I helped inventory merchandise to sell in the Nutcracker boutique. I don't really know my job description as VP of external affairs, so this is my year of figuring it all out. Tuesday I drove out to the beach again for tennis, after taking the kids to school. I didn't run over metal this time thankfully. I did lose again. Maureen and I won the first set 6-2, then lost the second 0-6 then the third 2-6. So frustrating! We couldn't figure it out. I miss the coaching on Tuesdays! I barely had enough time to shower and change then picked Marly up early to tour a high school. She liked it and is going to audition for dance. So, we'll see! She and I headed to the theatre for the Act I tech rehearsal. I shadowed Ali and did some ticketing things for sponsors and artistic directors. Then, Ali and I drove to the airport to pick up the sugar plum fairy and cavalier. I got back in time to watch Marly rehearse. We had just enough time to pick up CFA before it closed. Wednesday, I had a relaxing morning with HIIT and writing Christmas cards. I did a Walmart run then all the kids came home. I took the girls to Act II tech rehearsal. This time McDs on the way home, too late for CFA, Thankful for my neighbor who took Voss to trombone practice and out to dinner. Thursday, Ellie got to skip school. She had a school show in the morning. Twelve hundred kids, a great first show! We came home for a few hours then back for the Community Service night. I was stressing about a charity not picking up their tickets. Not quite the numbers I was hoping for but it still looked good. Ellie and I went to dinner with the principal dancers and artistic directors that night for a delicious Bb's dinner. Friday, all the girls got to skip for two more shows. The school show was a smaller group. We came after the first show and I went to adoration. A perfect spot of silence in the midst of a busy week...and St. Lucy's feast day! That night was opening night and Santa's 100th show. The Kukla family and my mom came in that evening. We popped in to welcome them after the show. Saturday morning, Voss and I picked up the Kukla kids for some play time before the matinee. Then, back up to the theatre for the last round of shows. The girls had a whole fan club of people for the matinee and it looks like a floral shop in our house now (which is so nice). They had the cast party after the matinee. The rest of us went to Mellow for a bite then I went back up to the theatre for Ellie's last show. The middle girls came home for a break and time with the Kuklas. I got to be the ticket fairy and give the unused hold tickets to people sitting high up in the back. My sister brought the middles back to the theatre for the patron party. At this point, we were all wiped out. It was a fun party, still. We TikToked and Ellie had a brave convo with an artistic director. We slept in and went to CCD and 10:30 mass. All the kids locked in to get school work done. Phil and I went on a last minute date to the Jags game. Since they are so horrible this year, it was easy and cheap. We allllmost won, cardiac cats! We did a family rosary (minus Ellie who went to sleep early scoring her 12 hrs!) then bedtime. Phil and I went to the Brick and Casbah (live jazz music) with the Strassers. A little rose to kick off the pink week! Here are the pics of the week.

We thankfully made it home and to bed late so Tuesday morning came early and we brought that NY cold with us. I headed to the beach for a tennis match (running over some kind of metal plate on my way...I'm so grateful it held until after my match and I could make it back to the westside- after a stop at a tire place at the beach- to get it patched up on the house). Kerri and I lost in the third set 7-5. We almost had it! I ended up doing a late run to the grocery store after dropping off the girls at the Angels for Allison open house. Beef stroganoff for dinner- yum! Wednesday I hosted my Women Supporting Women brunch, an annual affair bringing amazing women together during the crazy holiday time to just relax, connect and support each other. A bit of dance, trombone and walking with friends and then Phil and I went to the TCC Open House. Fun conversations and catching up with old friends brought us to Lillians past closing time driving the Lobster King home with a bloody face. Thursday was my 45th Birthday! I woke up, sipping coffee in the living room while everyone ran everywhere then got a massage by my most amazing, doula, Sherry. She upgraded to hot stones and a chocolate face mask. She's the best! I went to MOPS to hold babies and make a craft then left early to go to my party. Steph hosted a gorgeous lunch with fabulous women. We sat at a long table on the river and everyone told me how wonderful I am. A total love fest. My heart grew ten sizes. I could have sat at the table with them all weekend. I had to pick Ellie up from school, do a dance drop off then headed downtown for opening night of the artist series. Rachael, Tracy, Katie and I had tasty cocktails and dinner at Bellweather then went to the performing arts center to see Ain't Too Proud- The Life and Times of the Temptations. We were dancing along to all the hits of my childhood...make me think of Aunt Susan. It was a great day to be alive! Friday morning I headed downtown to be in the background (and orchestrate a TikTok) of the Nutcracker main performers on Channel 4. I went to adoration and mediated on how grateful I am for all I have; A luxurious hour of silence. I spent the rest of the day getting the house back together, laundry, cleaning up from my party, unpacking, oh my. I tried to put up outside Christmas decorations but got depressed because our upstairs windows have all been sealed shut so no wreaths up top. No such thing as smart tea lights with an app. So we look a little Grinchy. I'm thankful for all the poinsettias out there. We dropped all the kids off at Christmas in Avondale then headed to Epping for Phil's bank party. I'm so proud of all they've accomplished. It was a fun night that went late. We slept in on Saturday and had breakfast with Santa at TCC. It used to be such a stressful event but this time I found myself sitting in the living room just watching the chaos. Ellie went to her last Nutcracker rehearsal of the season. Marly went to grand finale rehearsal. I finally started my online Christmas shopping. I picked up my friend, Emma for the high school PTA party. I was bummed to leave early but we met out husbands on the rooftop of Gemma for oysters. This morning we went to mass and CCD, breakfast at TCC then had a relaxing afternoon. Voss went to a soccer skills clinic. Abby and Marly went to Target. Ellie did homework all day. Marly had Confirmation class. Sushi for dinner and family movie night. Here are the pics of the week.

Monday I got in for tennis clinic (although not with who I was playing with the next day) then listened to the rest of Rose Code while repainting the bottom trim in the house. Elizabeth did a marvelous job hosting book club, lots of conversations happening at the same time. Tuesday Maureen and I beat Palencia in enough time for me to make it to Voss' Thanksgiving lunch at school. I picked up Abby early from school for an ortho consult. She's getting braces in January and has until then to stop sucking her thumb. That night was a Friends of party for the middle school. We went out for pizza after across the street with a fun crew. Wednesday I went to HIIT class then had lunch with Steph. Marly went to her friend's play. Phil went with Ellie to her swim banquet. She got a Varsity letter. Voss had trombone. Abby had dance then youth group at CFA. Thursday Ellie drove herself to school. I had a PTSA meeting there (they always last so long) then snuck out for a MOPS meeting (after picking up a check from the book fair, yay!$$$$) then later back to pick up Ellie from school. I made a pot of chili and cornbread, perfect for the blustery weather we had at the end of the week. Friday we had a middle school PTSA meeting for breakfast then I did some hostess gift shopping, adoration, a run then visited my cousin who just had open heart surgery. Ellie and Marly babysat at the beach for a wedding on both Friday and Saturday night. Phil and I met up with the Hogans and Strassers and took JoHo's boat to the Oyster Roast. It's an awesome event benefiting the Riverkeeper. It was a COLD night, especially on the boat but we had a great time. Saturday morning we had a family breakfast and told the kids about their surprise Christmas gift (and my Birthday gift!) and then took down the Thanksgiving decorations and started decorating for Christmas! This is the earliest ever! I drove the angels to Nutcracker then Phil met me and swapped kids so I took the pages and sprites and the angels came home. SQ and I walked. That night Phil and I had dinner at the Napoleons, delicious sausage soup by the firepit. This morning we all served at mass then did CCD. We went to the Nixon's to celebrate Mark's Birthday with more oysters. Abby and Marly are at youth group. It just occurred to me that Voss' science project is due so we scrambled to the soccer field by sunset to do the ball curvature experiment. What a scamble! Here are the pics of the week.