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.   

What a week! I spent a lot of time running from school to school. The last week of school for the year and everyone was locked in and the festivities were on. I went to my last tennis clinic for a while, WD and then had book club later that night. I loved discussing Harry's Trees and doing our fun ornament exchange. I came home and prepped for the high school soup swap on Tuesday. The logistics of making a soup, keeping it going and then going and coming back were impressive. After driving carpool to the middle school I went back to pick up Voss after his patrol work and then bring him to middle school for a tour. It's time! Abby had an ortho appointment, just a few more! We had mom for a salmon dinner that night. Instead of an early night, I met Jenny up at the gastro for a nightcap. Wednesday I had my last tennis match for a while all the way in Ameila. It was such a good match; deuce almost every game, 5-7 and then 4-6 we played great but not enough. Still so good. From there I went to April's gift wrapping party. One of my faves. Forced me to get all the teacher gifts done and then April had all the fixins. It was a nice afternoon. Loved listening to the Red Notebook this week. That night was my tennis party. We had a lovely time with new and old friends, of course I closed that down. Thursday was the middle school PTSA meeting, then Marly's school's teacher caffeine cart...but the art school added in voice major holiday carolers to the party. It was like I was at a dinner theater! Then back to the middle school for their teacher cookie swap. That night was mom's Christmas party. We were all so skeptical at first, but then decided to lean in. It was nice to have a party there again and the turnout was impressive, especially UE and AS! Phil threw together an after party at the Casbah...no bellydancer pics this time, though. Friday I ran around getting the last teacher gift ready (meltdown at Target, I hate that place) and picked up all my meds. I had to do some deep breathing in the car to get into the right headspace. Then, I went to our LAST elementary school holiday party! CFA running late with the nuggets, ornament craft, frozen chocolate, reindeer games and karaoke (I loved it way more than Voss!). Ellie left for the weekend to work a mini Camp I Am Special. So proud of her. That afternoon was pretty chill and then the German holiday market with the Stuckeys. Saturday morning I went to an incredible PTSA brunch with gifts galore, delicious lunch and left feeling tingly all over. I met my middle girls at the mother daughter gingerbread house party. Steph always hosts the best get togethers. We stopped at a friend's art open house and bought a gift then raced home to set up the luminaries for our neighborhood party. We switched up the progressive dinner this year to make a cul de sac party and it was a huge success...biggest turnout! We snuck out of there to go by boat to the Osbourne's pig roast. I spent a lot of time by the fire on the river. It was magical. Sunday we went to mass, dropped Abby off to work a party. Marly counted all of her cash from her weekend of babysitting. The 3 of us went to bfast then Marly and I went back to help decorate the church for Christmas mass. I dropped she and Soph at Target. That evening I took 2 and 4 to a luminary party then drove around to look at Christmas lights. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Click here for the pics of the week.

Another Nutcracker in the books and I don't know who had more fun! The week began with me driving Marly's high school carpool. It was one of those mornings that perfectly aligned so I was able to do all the things. Starting with Justin from The Florida Theatre being there when I showed up at 8:15 to unload merchandise boxes. I was able to go to flag raising and then tennis clinic then WD. I took Voss to cub scouts that night. Phil stayed home from work and was not feeling well. He threw away my Christmas cookie I had been saving. Grrr. Tuesday I hosted my annual Women Supporting Women party. A time for friends to come together and just chill and love and support each other during this very stressful time for women. It was a great day! That night we went to the penance service at church together as a family. Deep breaths, leaning in and getting our souls cleaned up. Wednesday I played in a match at home with Susan and we lost. 0-6 spanking in the first set and then we got 3 games in the 2nd set. Bummer but still happy to be out there! That night was the tech rehearsal. I was too busy talking and passing out Christmas cards and did a crummy job of filming the girls' dances. Luckily, friends did a better job so I have some footage to post in the video section. Thursday I chose to go to HIIT class and have lunch with Voss instead of the first school show. I went in for my pre-op and bloodwork and EKG (all normal) getting ready for my new hip. The village helped so I could go right from there to be early for the Community Service night show. I got to walk around the dreamer from Dreams Come True in the dressing room before the show and then see some of the groups I gave tickets to. I think my numbers were still under 1,100, despite the 1,800 I gave out. Happy to see some new groups in the mix, though. Friday was odd for me still driving carpool without Marly in it. She and Abby got to sleep in to prepare for their first school show. Both of the school shows were sold out, kudos to our new social media gal! Awesome vibe and excited kids! I brought my girls back to school after the show and enjoyed quiet at home. I listened to The Separation of Church and Hate and gave it all the stars! I'm now listening to Elsewhere and The Time Hop Coffee Shop, both advertised as great holiday reads. I'm impressed by neither so far. That night we went back for the girls gala performance. Then, Marly went to dinner with her friend, Elise. Abby and I went to dinner with the principal dancers and Clara. So fun, but a late night! Saturday morning, Phil played tennis, I did a HIIT class then met for breakfast. We all went back downtown for the matinee performance. I loved seeing it all from the front row! It was hard on Ellie so between she and Eboneezer Phil, the vibe was low that afternoon. I went back to pick up the middle two from the cast party then turned around to go back to the last show. No need for me to be home with the negatives. Ellie drove the middles back for the patron party. Exhausting but so much fun! Somehow we all got up to serve at mass the next morning. Then had the last CCD class of the year. We did a family breakfast. Ellie got a babysitting gig. Marly and I hadn't had enough so we went to check out the First Coast Nutcracker performed with the symphony. The dance director at her school does this one so she wanted to check it out. We still like Community better but there are some great dances in there! My brother hunted quail and invited us to share for dinner. So we ended the night planning Christmas week while drinking wine in the hot tub. Here are the pics of the week.

The first week of Advent and we are in full swing of holiday mode. This week I drove the middle school carpool. Kind of a crazy week, I never went IN the school. Tennis and WD as usual on Monday. I worked on Nutcracker Community Night a bunch and of course Christmas cards. I did sculpt, Walmart and mom for dinner on Tuesday. Wednesday, Susan and I played together and won at the Yards. I listened to a highly recommended book, Isola, that I didn't think was THAT great...based on a true story bumped it up a star. I had an updated x-ray appointment with Carl that afternoon. My surgery is booked. I'm getting a new hip for Christmas! That night was our first holiday party, the Open House at TCC. They always do such a great job. So many people to catch up with in one space. It's a little overwhelming. We closed it down, as usual. I came home with a gorgeous flower arrangement. Thursday was MomCo, a toy swap...I offloaded some hand me down clothes. My mom took me to lunch that afternoon to Trents for my Birthday. Love the fried oysters. That evening I ubered to Phil's bank party to meet up with him. It was a nice gathering, he gave a good speech. I just wish we could have rotated around tables a bit. Friday was my 46th Birthday! I played with Kelly at San Jose. We lost, but it was a great morning to be out there. I had a chill afternoon enjoying a quiet house. It was so nice of Avondale to host my Birthday party, Christmas in Avondale. We started at Mojos for dinner and ended at Aubree's for chocolate martinis. It was a fun night. Ellie got up to take the SAT. Voss and I rode bikes to the patrol fun run...and he won the race! It was so awesome seeing him fly through the finish line! I'm so proud of him! I drove Nutcracker carpool that afternoon, the last rehearsal! That night we did a friend dinner at TCC, the perfect thing to do on cold, rainy night. It might be the best friend dinner ever with high, low and learns for the year. We kept it going at Lillians which meant Sunday was painful. We did CCD first and then mass. The girls babysat and then we all met up for supper with Santa. Marly asking Santa for a boyfriend had us all cracking up. Here are the pics of the week.

We are still basking in the glow of our NYC trip last Thanksgiving, that is felt good to be home this year. No travel, no traffic, no crowds. We had lots of rest and down time, which was wonderful. There were just two days of school this week. I drove Marly's carpool and one day it was just her and I. Easy peasy. Voss was awarded reader of the month at flag raising on Monday, although the Hatchet is still sitting unread by his bed. Tennis and WD as usual for me, with a big shopping trip preparing to cook all the sides at Thanksgiving. I made all the kids pick their favorites to make and look up recipes. That night, Ellie was inducted to the National Honor Society. Phil and I are so proud of her and took her to dinner to celebrate at Maggianos. It was a special night, just the three of us. Tuesday I went to the sculpt class and then helped at the dessert buffet at Ellie's school. It was just too much dessert. I walked around after convincing teachers to take home whole cakes or pies. That night I hosted a ladies hot tub night with my sister, Jenny and Lauren. It felt great to soak my hip! Wednesday was a quiet morning. I listened to this Oprah video about cutting off family members. Fascinating. I convinced Phil to come with me to a HIIT class and then we went back for a family dinner. Marly spent the night at Langley's and was ready for an early bedtime. I picked my mom up from the airport after a quick visit to Pensacola. I was impressed she had no travel delays and was able to navigate a layover in ATL. On Thanksgiving my mom came over right at 8:30am and we watched the Macy's Day parade....from the living room. There was a lot of hustle and bustle in the kitchen while everyone made their sides. I did mess up Marly's pies by getting evaporated milk instead of condensed milk. Suzanne and the boys came over around noon. She made the turkey and stuffing. I assisted while she carved and we all sat down to eat. It was nice to catch up with my Godson, home from college. Lots of dishes to wash. Suzanne and I drank red wine and watched the inappropriate family movie of Bad Moms Christmas. It was wonderful and I was in bed by 8:30....really to curl up with Harry's Trees, which I loved. We all slept in on Black Friday. I spent the morning making turkey soup from the bone broth and turkey sliders to take to UE's. We picked up mom and went to the Hicks' for a cousin after party. That night we headed up for Amplified Avondale, live music all over the street. The weather dropped but we snuggled up and headed out. So much fun with friends hearing all the bands. We had another chill day on Saturday. Voss finishing his science project, me getting the middles to do math. I sent out the neighborhood party invites and got a start on the Christmas cards. Later, we went to the Freemans to watch the FSU-UF game and head out for the boat parade. Glad we had that to distract from the game. The weather was perfect for the parade and then the fireworks. It's my favorite! We met the Bentons after at Lillians and kept the party going. We slept in on Sunday, went to breakfast then I went to an Advent retreat that afternoon. The rest of the family met me for mass and then a sushi dinner. A wonderful kickoff to Advent. Here are the pics of the week.

I was stressed this week trying to move mountains to go to my Uncle Carl's funeral. I'm sad to say it didn't happen and no one from our family was able to make it over there. This week I drove the middle school carpool. It worked out for the SAC meeting there on Tuesday. Monday I went to tennis clinic then WD. My hip is really hurting these days. I'm ready to schedule surgery. I'm thinking January. Stay tuned. I spent the afternoon speed reading the book club book, Unlikely Animals. I did not like it. But made a Black Sabbath shirt and wore my tat sleeve to book club that night at Elizabeth's. She did such a nice job hosting as always. After the SAC meeting on Tuesday, I went to a PTSA meeting at Ellie's school, with delish snacks. I had a one on one bootcamp class that afternoon. Mom came over for a salmon dinner. She's doing okay. Dementia looks much different on her than it did my dad. Wednesday Jane and I played tennis again together. We ended up loosing in the 3rd set this time. Bummer! That night I went to dinner and to see Clue, our first artist series show of the season. It was just okay. Really, I regret not going to Ellie's swim banquet instead. She got the coach's award! Thursday we had MomCo, a meeting on gratuity. I changed a diaper and am grateful I don't have to do that every day anymore. From there I went to the LAST elementary school Thanksgiving lunch with Voss. It felt right. Steph picked me up and we learned about collagen growth at the CMA open house. Phil picked me up from there and we went to the Kipp fundraiser, the cause of many of our fights for the last few months. I'm glad it's over. Friday I went to pilates and then had a chill day reading Harry's Trees. I loved listening to the Unhoneymooners! The Freemans picked us up by boat to go to my favorite fundraiser, an oyster roast for The Riverkeepers. Such a great event for an awesome cause. Saturday morning I did Will's HIIT class then we had a chill day. Odd to not have a soccer game or Nutcracker. Abby went to Legoland with her pal, Annabelle. I had a cocktail with Tara then Rachael picked us up for Julie's Birthday party. Night out with new pals and already walking through a Christmas light display! Marly and Voss subbed in to altar serve, just the incentive we needed to get to mass on time. The guys played soccer. We went to the Nixon's for Mark's Birthday party, another oyster roast! Here are the pics of the week.

The kids didn't have school on Monday or Tuesday. Monday was a weather day but we were so lucky with no hurricane this year so it was a day off. Tuesday was Veterans Day. Abby and I spent those cold days working on this great, new puzzle I got from the book summit. It turned out to be really tough and maybe we cheated a bit in the end. I made a squash soup one day and a hamburger soup the next. The weather was cold and it felt great to be snuggled inside, sipping soup and hot chocolate and puzzling. Voss worked on this science project: which soda goes flat first? With Marly as carbonation taste tester. Ellie went to Orlando to stay with cousins and tour UCF. On her way back, Phil left for Orlando for a work training. I went to tennis clinic and a tough sculpt class. Voss had his parents vs players soccer match on Tuesday night- we won 4-0! The coach said nice things about Voss' commitment when giving him his trophy. It was very sweet. I got to play with Jane on Wednesday and we did pull out a win, but it was messy with some drama calls and a third set. That night was my last FOS party. I stayed until the end, reminiscing and meeting new (and old) friends with incoming students. It's always such a great event. Thursday I went to a HIIT class then saw the Bruce Springsteen movie with April. That night we had a PTSA zoom call and then I snuck out for a bit for the MomCo Friendsgiving. Friday was a packed pilates class and then our last Nutcracker board meeting before the big show! Phil came back that afternoon. We went to the Benton's to catch up over charcuterie, fire pit and hot tub time. Saturday morning started early with Voss' last soccer game of the season; what a great game it was! Abby and I went to the book fair downtown. I made her write and recite poetry. I'm proud of her for stepping up and doing something she didn't want to do. I drove her Nutcracker carpool that evening. It took 3.5 hours to pick up, hang in the parking lot and then drive everyone home. I'm glad I don't have to do that every time. I went to my friend, Lauren's divorce party and it was so much fun! Women empowerment karaoke, delicious spread, friends I haven't seen in a while and laughing so much my abs are sore! Sunday morning we went to mass, CCD then Phil got us tickets to the Jags game. It was our first every family tailgate and time together at the game and we won! It was perfect! That night we met at Lillians to finally eat our lobsters from our trip this summer. The cook did an amazing job making them, fried and grilled with all the fixings! It was a great night catching back up with the Lobster crew. We did miss Kevin. Here are the pics of the week.                                                                      

I love Mondays; a nice chill day with a quiet house to get everything back in line. I drove Abby's carpool and poor Bentley was out all week sick. I went to tennis clinic then WD. That night I went to a town hall with our school board rep. Lots of bragging about how our district is an A. I did a lot of listening. Tuesday I had a chill morning then went to bootcamp (just a solo class) later silent book club (but I brought the wrong book to read). Wednesday I played tennis with Catherine again and we lost again. I wish we could practice with our partner ahead of time. The West Jax Rotary gave a special honor to my dad so we went to lunch to accept it. It was a sweet, family lunch. Mom came for an early dinner then Phil and I went to watch the kick off to the tennis member guest exhibition match. We ended up at Lillians after for the Calcutta to bet on teams. Thursday morning I walked crying toddlers around outside for MomCo and heard a bit from the first aid speaker. That night was Anna and my first match, the hard one. A bit of drama bumping us back up to the 3.5 instead of the 3.0 where I registered us. We lost the match 2-6 and then 4-6 so it wasn't so bad. Then fun watching and sipping wearing our 6-7 shirts. Friday was a special Veterans Day flag raising for Voss. We had a low key morning then back up for more tennis. Anna and I had a 1pm match and did much better (without the night lights). We won 6-4, 7-5 so that was close but fun. More sipping and watching. Phil played in the open with his friend, Tyler. They lost 2 and won 1, so fun to watch! The girls came up to watch and cheer. Saturday morning was chill with coffee in the living room for a chat with the kids. We went to Voss' soccer game on a perfect fall afternoon. They won with an awesome corner kick with perfect placement for a goal for Voss. We ubered to Porchfest with the Strassers to see Inspection 12 on Taylor's cousin's porch. What a fun night in Springfield! Fabulous live music on every corner. I think we left way too early. We went back to Lillians to watch the FSU game. Nothing to see. We should have stayed in Springfield. This morning we had mass and CCD then bfast at TCC. Voss had a game at Bolles with the other league....frustrating for all of us. We came home and got take out and watched Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and then some family videos. A relaxing Sunday evening rolling into a 4 day weekend. Here are the pics of the week.