I began the week with a meeting at Phil's bank (finally seeing the new space) to hopefully have the Nutcracker account moved there. Marly had a dentist appointment to fix a chipped tooth, which she broke off the following day. Can't get back in to fix it until next week. Another problem for another day. Tuesday I put together a breakfast for the stakeholder SAC meeting at Abby's school then left early to go to a DCCPTA meeting then back to clean up the breakfast items. That night, my mom was a no show for dinner. Turns out she went to a movie with friends so that worked out. I went to a barre and pilates class again on Wednesday, then lunch with Steph to catch up and make fundraising and travel plans. We did a last minute night out with the crew to celebrate JoHo's Birthday. Late night mid week! Thursday, I got 3 new tires on the minivan then took Voss for his annual check up. He's all good! That night I met some PTA friends to see the Library documentary. It was depressing. We had a nightcap at the Greenhouse. After listening to a podcast on empathy and doing a long ruck walk the next day, I was somewhat recovered. Friday I took mom to adoration. I finished Home Front. Phil and I worked concessions for the opening night of Ellie's Multicultural Dance concert then had a date at TCC. Saturday morning the guys left for a Cub Scout camping trip. I went to a HIIT class then watched friends play tennis. Marly babysat all weekend. I picked Abby up from a sleepover and we headed to meet Aunt Suzanne and watch the final night of Ellie's show. She was one of the leaders for French ballet. It was such a neat show- shouting "Ubuntu" together as a crowd was quite therapeutic. Over tired teens meant I had all 3 daughters melting by the end of the night. I ended my night with some wine watching the final episode of Season 4 Bridgerton. Perfect. Sunday morning, I let the girls sleep in. The guys came home and went right to bed. I went to CCD and mass by myself then crashed the Freemans lunch date. We all went to see the older girls company recital that evening. They always do such a good job. Tara made a reservation for all 11 of us to have dinner at Anejo. That's how we ended the night. It was fabulous. Here are the pics of the week.

Monday was Presidents Day. With no decent current president to celebrate we just enjoyed the day off. Ellie and I got up super early and went to tour USF. There was all this hype over taking an actual scheduled tour. They were sold out so we got on the waitlist and were able to get in. It was okay. I am going back to my original plan of her touring by staying with friends and family because the canned tour got old after a while. On the way out we asked if they track tours and they all looked like we were nuts. Well, we enjoyed the day in the Tampa area then scooted down to a gorgeous waterfront restaurant in St. Pete for lunch. We listened to The Boyfriend and Freida made our day. Soooo good! Everyone was back to the grind on Fat Tuesday. I had my check up with Carl and am good to go. I usually forget that I even had the surgery, which is nuts. He did confirm, no tennis until April, which is still a bummer. Voss got a tooth pulled and I made it to Marly's HS SAC meeting. One of those days when the timing worked out and I was able to go from thing to thing. Mom, along with Fr. Pradeep and Tom, a parish fundraiser all came for dinner. Shrimp/chicken bowls, which was not too exciting. I did run out of white wine. I did a 36 hour fast to kick off Lent and try to kick away Dementia. I went to a barre and then pilates class, a call with our financial advisor then later a SAC meeting at Ellie's school. I picked up Voss, Phil picked up Abby and we met at mass for ashes. Thursday we had a jiu jitsu instructor teach us some self defense techniques at MomCo. That evening, Abby, Marly and I met friends for an early dinner then headed to the Episcopal dance concert. I love all their lyrical dances! So fun sitting with all my pals in great seats, thanks to Steph! Friday  we had a call with our insurance company trying to get a new roof, I had a meeting with Al, our marriage counselor for tips on being with Phil, then a Nutcracker meeting then to the POW MIA museum to see the new S-3 being installed. We were supposed to have dinner with friends but luckily they bailed. I wasn't feeling well and went to bed with some theraflu at 9pm. I just needed a good night of sleep. I was better on Saturday. We took Voss to his Pinewood Derby race. His car won the whole pack trophy! So awesome! Phil played in a tennis match. I took a walk then watched The Gilded Age. That night, Ellie went to celebrate Charlotte's Birthday. The middles and I met my sister and went to the Extravaganza, a showcase of all the art at Marly's school. It was an awesome show! Sunday morning the kids altar served, Ellie and I read. She had a friend over who came with us to breakfast, too. Ellie and I went to the Benton's the watch the closing ceremony of the Olympics. Marly went to a bible study potluck. Voss went to Top Golf for Will's Birthday. Phil played soccer. Abby lived her best life home alone. Here are the pics of the week.

That bump on my eye last week turned into a full on shiner by Monday. Smooth. Real smooth. Thank goodness for Abby's concealer, my heart sunglasses and some downtime this week. On Monday I got to go with Ellie on a AP psychology field trip to Seaworld! There was a bit of drama with almost missing the bus (she thought we had more time than we did) but it worked out and we had a gorgeous day riding roller coasters and spending the day just us two. I was back at her school on Tuesday for a PTSA meeting. It was one of those feel good tiger mom meetings where we played the 'pass the ball of yarn' game demonstrating how connected we are while talking about how much we appreciate each other. Add in some pastries from a local bake shop and it was real chicken soup for the soul. I snuck out early to hit the grocery store and do all my Monday chores a day late. Due to the shiner, I stayed out of the gym and got in some long power walks. I even took a few youtube piano lessons. I was in a slump with nothing good to watch (post Heated Rival depression) and two depressing books to listen to: 1984 and Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea also that I still can't do any high intensity exercise and Phil and I fighting over vacationing. Voss was home sick with a cold for two days this week, too. There were some dark moments. To brighten things up, I made love notes for people to write on each others doors upstairs and baked strawberry cookies from scratch. Mom came for dinner and wasn't a huge fan of the chicken alfredo, but the rest of the family was. I gave her some other leftovers to take home for later. We are worried about her forgetting to eat as she's lost some weight so we got Lauren's Luscious Bites to start bringing her dinner each week, too. Dementia 2.0 is hitting differently this go round. The girls and I met up downtown for Mrs. Doubtfire. The show is not aging well in the last few decades. Just not funny like it was in the 90s. I still loved time with friends, though. Thursday I had lunch with Jess and Steph. That was another highlight that reset my attitude for the week. Friday was a marathon of a day. I tagged mom on her way out adoration as I was walking in (not much communication there), stopped at the nursery for flowers and spider plants (no toxins!). I took my future SIL to the airport then headed to middle school for the valentine dance. Whew. It was loud. I spent all the time pulling kids with exact change out of line to make the concessions line move faster. Quick PTSA meeting and then I headed to a PTSA Galentine party. Abby got a ride home with a friend (detour to a HS soccer game). Back with the tiger moms for a night of great food and drinks, bunco, lots of laughs and great convos. I stopped to meet up with Phil and friends for a nightcap on my way home. They had all come from the elementary school dance. Phil was a bouncer on the dance floor. Lots of loud, running kids...I think I chose the right dance! Marly had Langley over. Ellie had a babysitting gig. Saturday was Valentine's Day. It was a nice, chill day. I think Phil and I tried harder to be loving. I went to his tennis match. They lost but it was a great match. My friend, Rach came up to hang for a bit, too. We met the kids for lunch at CFA. Later, Phil and I had a pizza and movie date watching It's Complicated. We loved it! The older kids babysat, the younger kids hid. Sunday we all slept in and had a chill morning, so we could enjoy the music at evening mass. We had family bfast at TCC. The guys played soccer. Voss went bowling with Zachary. That night, we met the Hogans and Strassers back at TCC (same table and server) for dinner and drinks. We crashed Ellie's Galentine dinner with friends. Here are our pics of the week.  

February is here! Monday I did all the usuals. Driving Marly's carpool this week. It was so cold, I drove Voss and Isabel to school, too. I went back to the gym for my first HIIT class post op. There were a few things I didn't do. WD and then getting the house back in order. I took Abby shopping for some winter clothes (poor girl is so used to only getting hand me downs). Tuesday I went with Voss on a field trip to watch an ice hockey game. Cue the Heated Rivalry conversations. I spent the rest of the week being absorbed in that series, trying so hard to step back out again. Whew! Mom came for dinner and we had pot roast, all these cozy comfort foods with this cold, dark weather. I went to a barre class and ran errands. Marly stayed home sick from school one day. I met some high school friends out for drinks one night. So fun catching up with everyone, and finally out of Dryanuary! Thursday we had Noelle at MomCo, always sharing new info each time I see her. Friday, I got up early with Voss to take him to meet the bus for the Islands of Adventures field trip with the patrols. That night Marly babysat. Ellie took us to the Benton's Olympic party to watch the opening ceremonies. We each choose a country to represent. I made a Danish pork stew over mashed potatoes. Such a fun night with a great group and tasting bites from all over the world. Saturday morning I got up to take Marly to an audition for a summer intensive. Luckily, the group came to Jacksonville. We'll find out within 2 weeks if she gets in. That afternoon I met my siblings for margaritas and live music. The sun finally came out again. I ended up hitting my eye on the corner of the bar chair and now I have a shiner. Not so much fun. Sunday we went to mass, CCD then bfast at TCC. It was super bowl Sunday! Phil picked up fun food at Publix and we watched from our living room. Loving the Bad Bunny halftime show. Here are the pics of the week.

It was another cold week with some freeze warnings. We didn't see any snow flurries but I hear people did. I began the week going to my friend, Emma's mom's funeral. Bernadette fought pancreatic cancer for 8 years! It was nice to support the Bentons and catch up with friends on the drive to the Daytona area, but not fun to be in this phase of life. I went to a SAC meeting at Abby's school then a warm soup lunch with a friend, Christie getting her psyked to sign up for her own hip surgery. Mom came for dinner for salmon asian bowls, I tried something a little different. She was impressed with my orchid, who is blooming for the 2nd round (so proud of myself, too!I went to see the Housemaid movie with April on Wednesday. A few twists, but it mainly stuck to the book. Love this twisty author! Abby became a teenager on Thursday! She wasn't feeling 100% with a cold going around. She took a little snooze in the car with me for lunch after a treat from Wawa. I raced back in time for Voss' awards ceremony. He got perfect attendance, As (and 1 B+), citizenship and the reading award (Hatchet is still sitting unread by his bed). It was the big fundraiser for the middle school that night at Lillians to raise enough money to apply for a blue ribbon school. So, Abby skipped dance and we did that with some of her school friends instead. She was ready to go to bed after about an hour. Phil was not. Luckily, Abby felt better the next day. I had my last PT session that morning (just 3 moves I'm not allowed to do {yet}, went to adoration with mom and then lunch at Steph's. I dipped out early for Voss' vocabulary parade then headed back to middle school to pick up a van full of 7th graders for Abby's party. We walked around the mall a bit and then headed to see Zootopia 2. It was a cute movie. We came home, had pizza and watched the 2nd Wicked Movie. Some girls were picked up, 3 stayed for a sleepover. I was happy to retreat to my hibernation cave. Phil tried to take Voss to a soccer skills clinic on Saturday but went to the wrong place so took him to a cub scout derby car workshop instead. Marly went to Target. Abby went shopping with Mimi. Ellie did a last minute babysitting gig on Friday and a friend's Birthday on Saturday. I sat on the couch and watched the entire new Bridgerton drop in one setting. I felt a kina depression after. Phil and I went on a date to the Ecuadorian restaurant, Chancho King and then tried to get hot chocolate after, but there's no seating in Dutch Brothers so we just came home. I rewatched the first episode of Bridgerton with Ellie and we all were asleep by 9:30. Maybe this cold is making us all want to hibernate! Sunday we went to mass (love this week's readings especially with the state of the world right now!), CCD and then family TCC breakfast. Instead of planning a romantic spring anniversary trip, Phil and I spent the afternoon fighting about it. I retreated to my cave and finished reading Gather. The guys played soccer and then the middle two stayed up too late watching the Grammy's. Here are the pics of the week.

Kicking off the season of Birthdays in our house, Voss is up first! Another cold week so he got a ride to school all week. I had Bentley's aunts help with after school pick ups Tuesday and Wednesday so I could go to SAC meetings at high school. Marly's school ended up being a stakeholder meeting and I was quite surprised to see them beating Ellie's school in a few categories! Mom had dinner with us on Tuesday for salmon. It felt like a Monday due to MLK being the day before. It was a nice, quiet day getting everything back in order. I added in a 2 mile walk to my daily PT routine. I finished a steamy book, How to be a Wallflower and in the final season of the Closer. Wednesday I had lunch with my high school pal, Alex and caught up. Thursday was Voss' 11th Birthday! Marly woke up and made him pancakes and he opened gifts from his sisters and cards from family. After high school carpool, I met the Nutcracker marketing team for a breakfast with Channel 12 to go over our stats. We had a decline in ticket sales this year (yet more in development) and we think it was the walk up crowd. We need to figure that out. From there I brought lunch to Voss and donuts for his class. He's the morning news anchor this week (not at all thrilled) but getting lots of attention. I had PT with Nick then went back to fill up a minivan of 5th graders (from 2 different schools)- stressing about Abby's bus being late- thus making me late to meet the base CO for Voss' Birthday party. We got a VIP tour of the control tower and radars. It was super cool. The kids loved it! Then had cake and time to run around the static displays until sunset. I think Voss was wiped out and sad to have it all end. I told him we'd celebrate all week. Friday was STEAM day at his school. I worked the 5th grade sing along to an Australian sea shanty talking about teamwork. I took Marly to meet up with a friend for dinner then Phil and I had a hot date to plan spring break. We brought home dessert for the kids. Dryanuary means my sweet tooth is out of control! Saturday morning Marly came with Phil and I to the gym then we just had a chill day. That afternoon I filled up the minivan with 7th graders and headed out to the masquerade Cotillion ball. Happy I went back for my noise canceling ear buds! I was definitely icing my hip when I got home. Phil went out with my brother and sister and had a wild time on the town. This morning we went to mass, CCD then a family breakfast at TCC, spying Matt and Tara on the way out. Today another chill day while the guys went to play soccer. Here are the pics of the week.

A lot of chill happening this week. I am almost finished with the Closer series, inspiring me to plan a trip to LA! I'm finally leaning into taking it easy and just enjoying it. Marly dog sat for the Applegates. She and Ellie chose to spend the night there all week so the evening were quiet. It did take me a few days to realize they were doing that. I went to flag raising and WD on Monday. Later, a Dream Party that afternoon for the Nutcracker first dream of the year. I went to a PTA board meeting on Tuesday and had mom for dinner for shrimp and chicken bowls. She does not like our Dryanuary plan this month. Phil went out of town to Ocala for the later part of the week so it was just the littles and I (and the animals). It got COLD! No bike riding for Voss and full carpools in the am and pm. I got hit with a head cold mid week that knocked me down a few days. More couch time! I skipped MomCo to keep my germs at home. Marly and I went to the senior choreography dance concert at her school Thursday night. I had another PT sesh with new exercises using a band, leg lifts and balancing. Mom and I went to adoration then I went to get a mammogram. Pretty much back into a routine, just no tennis or exercise classes. The weekend was super chill. I loved it! Lots of sitting in front of a fire and planning the next four trips I'd like to take. None of which are approved by HP. We went to dinner with the Freemans on Friday. I tried not to let my hip monopolize the conversation. Saturday we went to family day at the gym (with the older two). I walked a mile on the treadmill then did my PT. We did a body assessment that says my metabolic age is 57! Oh no! That night we had the Nutcracker board appreciation dinner at Bonefish. It was such a great year with the team! We made $165,537.50 (gross)! We doubled the school show ticket sales and got $7K more in development! Proud of our great work. We had a nightcap with Matt and Tara. Sunday morning we went to mass on a cold, rainy day then coffee and donuts after. Phil and I went to Brittney's baby shower. Two Brittney's having a 4th child, baby girl, after 3 boys! One in mass and then one at Lillians. This epic shower turned into an all day party, we didn't leave until 6pm (when it began at 11am!) scooped up the kids for dinner and met the Strassers at TCC. Just wow! Monday was MLK day. We went to another family morning at the gym to do the indepth body assessment, In Body. Then, bfast at First Watch. I drove Abby and her pal to Target, Marly and her pal to the Town Center...all great time to finish the book club book, Riding Like the Wind, in time for bc at Heather's later that night. Here are the pics of the week.

Monday and Tuesday were teacher planning days so the kids had a few more days to schlep around. Ellie took my to my post op appointment on Tuesday and I'm cleared to drive and do outpatient PT. Good to know I'm getting back into the swing of things...yet I'm impatient to heal. I signed up for tennis clinic and PT Scott said nope. Back to my over doing it and then spending the next day icing on the couch. I am making a dent in the The Closer series. Mom came for dinner on Tuesday for They all went back on Wednesday and I had a quiet morning of drinking coffee on the porch. It was wonderful. Phil drove the high school carpool for the short week so I didn't have to jump back into things. I had lunch with my friend, Ali and then a MomCo leadership dinner. This is me easing back into it. Thursday I did drive the middle school carpool bc I had a PTSA meeting and then hung around for the tour. That night was an open house at elementary school....trying to get everyone to lock back in. Friday I went to adoration, lunch with AM and then later my first outpatient PT appointment with a new set of exercises. That evening Phil and I headed to Marywood for an Engaged Encounter weekend. We really had a dream team with the Andersons and Fr. Donal (cracking us up with his language and jokes all weekend). We were inspired by 15 couples working to prepare for a sacramental marriage. A lot of sitting with my leg up, practicing sitting using both hips (not shifting) and sharing our talks and getting to know the couples. I started The Correspondent and finished My Friends. We met friends directly at Lillians to watch the Jags loose the playoff game, in that last bit. Then home to get everyone set for the week. Here are the pics of the week. 

Monday was a super chill day, 8am PT with Alan for me then Abby and I catching up on Stranger Things and just chilling around the house. Oodles of screen time, squabbling siblings, junk food galore. Tuesday we headed up to Jekyll to ring in the new year. Mother Nature took heed of my surgery recovery and freezing temperatures had us cancel our campsite reservation and book hotel rooms. We first met up with the Nixons and Strassers for lunch then did a bit of a bar crawl before checking into the hotel. We met up with the VanWies, then the Hogans met us at the Wharf for dinner. Gorgeous lights all over the island. Kids running around, girls making up dances, the moms ended the night drinking wine and working on a puzzle in the lobby. NYE the guys all rode bikes, the teens found acai bowls, the moms drank champs on the porch on the ocean while answering thought provoking year recap questions. Some of us went out for a Mexican dinner. Some of us made it to watch the ball drop (eat grapes under a table) and toast (with apple cider). It was a fabulous get away with friends. Not sure how we'll go back to camping now! We took our time driving back, stopping for an OG family lunch. Abby and I got picked up that night to see the Stranger Things finale. SO GOOD! Phil had one day back to work. I had more PT with Alan. The kids have been having sleepovers and play dates with friends. I hardly saw Abby all weekend. She became a member of the Bertoch family. Ellie had a whole minivan of people here one night and then disappeared for the next two days. Voss was gone all afternoon one day with Miles. Marly had her pal, Elise over for a sleepover. So many kids in and out. I've been glued to the TV (sometimes icing my hip) watching The Closer. Phil and I had a few dates, Saturday night (after mass with mom) and then Sunday morning for bfast at TCC. I stupidly wore rainboots with a heel that night and I was back on the couch with an ice pack. We met Suzanne, mom, Matt and Tara to watch the Jags (win again!) and hear all about their new ENGAGEMENT! Phil made it 4 days for this year's Dryanuary. Here are the pics of the week.

All the kids are out of school. It was a nice, quiet Monday with nowhere to drive while everyone slept in. I got my butt kicked in Joe's last HIIT class (for me) for a while then went to WD for holiday essentials. The kids all had a dentist appointment (won the lottery with that timing) then we headed to Aunt Suzanne's for a family night of her famous beef stroganoff, broccoli salad and I insisted everyone do a JC Penny photo shoot TikTok. I came home early for my surgery antibiotic prep and to get a good night of sleep. Marly and Abby stayed with Aunt Suzanne and Mimi to see Christmas lights and have a sleepover. Phil and I got up early the next morning and headed downtown to check in for my hip replacement surgery. There was a lot of waiting around first. We probably didn't need to be there so early. But there we were. Then, I got locked and loaded. I was warmly welcomed by Wendy. Put to sleep by Dr. Kramp (didn't even stay awake long enough to watch anything). Carl did an amazing anterior replacement and put in this bionic contraption. He also found a 1.5 inch random ball of "fragments" rolling around my joint. I woke up to Wayne chatting about life in Jamaica. And then me obnoxiously singing the praises of the whole Freeman family! Sherie walked me back to Day Stay then aftercare with Mary Jane. PT Matt and Tim had me walking down the hall with a walker! Dartez helped me get in the car. It was the best experience ever! I was snuggled on the couch with the family watching Christmas movies and eating soup in no time! Thankful for my pal, Jenny taking the younger two ice skating while we were gone all day. The older two spent time with friends, enjoying the break. On Christmas Eve we vegged all day. Scott came over to do some in house PT, easy exercises and paperwork. In and out watching the Hallmark channel. Phil took the kids to the Pet Store to give them our Christmas gift, fish. They each picked one out then Phil and I got sucker/cleaner fish. That evening we went to the Nixon's open house and picked up my mom. They are so nice to host us all. Santa came that night and I was on the couch and ready when everyone came downstairs on Christmas morning. I got a break when Phil took the kids and my mom to mass. I watched the archbishop of Boston preside mass on TV. Fr. Pradeep brought me communion. We went to my mom's later and made a Caesar salad from scratch (my dad's recipe), Matt brought a beef tenderloin. Marly made Jesus' Birthday cake. It was nice to be together as a family. Back on the couch for me. I thought I had an infection, but really it was freezer burn from using the kids' ice packs. Woops. The weekend has been a blur of oodles of screen time, play dates with friends for the kids, Mojos delivery from the Flanders, I started sleeping in a bed and have been waning off the narcotics. I ditched the walker for mass on Sunday. Popped in with mom and Suzanne at Lillians to watch the last quarter of the Jags win! We had a happy hour with the crew to discuss our NYE plans and then a nightcap at Lillians. Trying to get used to my new hip. Merry! Merry! Here are the pics of the week.