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.   

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.