MLK weekend

Usually on MLK day I would be returning from my girls' weekend with Amy and Dana.  This year, we had to reschedule, so I'm enjoying a day at home with the kids.  It good to slow down and even better to reflect on this day in particular.

Just a few days ago it was 65 degrees in Nashville.  Today it's 25.  I am not pleased.

In non-weather related news, Matt had a great weekend playing in the middle Tennessee 9-10th grade Gold band at MTSU.   He had been in Mufreesboro since Thursday night (missed school on Friday), working with a guest conductor and playing with the best freshman and sophomore band students in the mid state.  Because of his audition in the fall, he has also qualified to be in the All-State band come April. So proud of him.  GG and Gus drove in for the concert, and we all agreed it was outstanding.  And he looks pretty sharp in a tuxedo!

Meanwhile, Gracie was having a pretty awesome weekend herself.  BFF Alex was in from Los Angeles for the long weekend.  She joined her and a bunch of other friends for bowling and karaoke at Kings Bowl on Friday night.  Then she came over on Sunday afternoon and spent the night before leaving back for California this afternoon. They went to the mall, made TONS of slime, watched movies, ate snacks and took loads of pictures (and got me to help, too).  They even helped me change the marquee at Woodland, but not before personalizing it for themselves first. 

That message only stayed up long enough to take the picture.  Then we had to change to something else!

Love seeing these sweet girls back together.  They have been friends since they met at My Gym when they were 14 months old.  Gracie misses her more that you can imagine, but I'm so grateful that they still get to see each other and have technology to help them keep in touch on a daily basis. 

And they're pretty cute, too.

Merry Christmas

It's hard to believe that Christmas is upon us.   The last few days have been a blur.   But they have been a blur filled with good friends, family, fun and of course, the end of finals.

Praise God on that last one!

The kids finished school on Thursday at noon.  Never seen such happy kids get in my car.  We were so ready for the break.  And I definitely include myself in that "we!"

Our dear friends (and former neighbors), the Clark family arrived from Virginia that afternoon.  It was such a wonderful gift to have them here. The kids picked up like they had seen each other just a few days ago, instead of a few years ago.  We saw Star Wars, ICE! at Opryland, took them downtown Nashville, a Vanderbilt basketball game and just hung out at the house.

Lina, David, Cooper and Cole arrived Friday night.  David and the boys joined us all at the Vandy game and dinner at SATCO.  A large gaggle of loud kids ensured we made it on the scoreboard several times, which made all the kids happy.  They even won a free pizza.   Oh, and Vandy won, too!

On Saturday night we had our extended crew, plus B's family over for dinner.  The house was brimming with people and a good time was had by all. We were so sad to wake up this morning and have to say goodbye to the Clarks.  They had a long drive ahead of them, but thankfully, it was an uneventful one and they are home safe and sound.

Of course, there was still a lot to do today.  Bassam took our kids and the nephews to JumpStreet while I did some last minute wrapping and got the house ready for tonight's festivities.  I also made a Target run.

They were putting out the Valentine's Day stuff, y'all.

Tonight we had my parents, Rundi, plus Bassam's family all over for dinner.  Afterward, GG, Gus, Rundi and our crew finished the evening at St. Andrew for Christmas eve worship.  It was a long day, but I'm always so glad to end it at church.

Of course, I forgot to take pictures.  Again.

As I kick myself for that, I did grab a couple of our tree tonight.  The calm before the storm, I suppose.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

Wildcats and sleepy dogs

It's been a bit since I've checked in.   Just enjoyed a fabulous weekend with our favorite Kansans!  For the first time ever, Kansas State (where I got my master's degree) was playing Vanderbilt in football, so Amy and her family came down for the game.  

Amy wasn't alone.  There were 15,000+ K-State fans in the stadium! Purple Power!   In the end, the Commodores got the win, which was a big coup since K-State was a ranked team.  Even my husband, who bleeds black and gold, said he felt a little bad about the win because the Kansas State fans were all so nice.

But probably not *that* bad.

In addition to the game, we also enjoyed playing tourists in and around Nashville with our friends. Amy booked a super-fun golf cart tour of the city, we ate yummy barbecue and then I took them down to Lower Broadway and to the Parthenon.

In addition to Amy's husband Brad and their two girls, Raegan and Chaney, they also had a sweet exchange student, Lucy (from Berlin) with them.   All the kids hit it off in grand fashion, but not surprising, the girls especially.  I found this sweet picture from the game on Gracie's phone this morning.

Raegan is on the far left, then Gracie, Chaney and Lucy.  

Wish they could have stayed longer, but am so happy for every minute we had!   Vandy and K-State match up again in 2020 . . . so we'll be headed to Manhattan, Kansas!

In other decidedly less fun news, I mentioned about a week and a half ago that we are having problems with Charlie's disrupted sleep schedule.   Basically he goes to sleep at the normal time, but wakes up somewhere between 1-4 a.m., and is not only alert, but is anxious and even a bit agitated. He went to the vet and there is nothing physically wrong with him.  The doctor thinks we are probably dealing with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, which is basically a condition related to the aging of a dog's brain.  

Doggy dementia.

We've tried exercise at night, Benadryl before bed and keeping him awake after dinner.   So far, nothing has worked.  The vet recommended a supplement that is supposed to help the brain function for senior pets.   We're not seeing a lot of improvement yet.  One night he slept through the night again and we thought he'd had a breakthrough, but the next night he was up at 3 a.m. again.   

Y'all, I'm tired.  It's like we have a baby again. 

Think good thoughts for Chuck.  And us.  

Friendship . . .

It's Friday.

Can I get a "Whoo hoo!"

Book Fair is in full swing.   Still have next week to contend with, but it's going well and we're selling a lot of books.  A LOT, y'all.

And I dressed up as Clifford the Big Red Dog for the last time.   Can I get another "Whoo hoo!"

Glad for this weekend and a little bit of down time.   Matt has a football game tonight. Gracie has her pal, Alex, spending the night so they are upstairs giggling up a storm.

We found out last month that Alex is moving to California at the end of the end of the school year.   Gracie was devastated.  I say that like her devastation is in the past.  It's not.  She tears up almost every time she talks about it.   They've been friends since they were in diapers and next year they were going to finally be back at the same school.

Such sweet, beautiful friends.

It makes me a little sad hearing them carry on upstairs--knowing they won't be able to do this a year from now.   Thank goodness for email and FaceTime.  I know it will help, but won't be the same.

So for now, as we should with all our relationships, we enjoy the time we have.

Mrs. O

A sad day today as my dear friend Heather lost her mom to Multiple System Atrophy, a rare neurological disorder that affects both the autonomic nervous system and movement. 

Heather has been part of my "inner circle" since I was 12 years old.  We grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois together and ended up in Nashville together as adults.  With that long friendship, also comes a special relationship with her family.   I can't begin to calculate how many hours were spent in her living room when Heather, Betsy and I were tweens (although we certainly didn't use that word back in the day!) and teens.   Her parents were always great fun and her mom loved to tell a good story.  In fact, after we all left for college, we counted on her for our Downers Grove updates.  If something was happening, no doubt Mrs. O had run into someone at "the Jewel" (the grocery store) and gotten the details.  She also faithfully read our hometown paper cover-to-cover, so she didn't miss much.  She was practical, loving and had a great sense of humor.  Over the years, my parents became good friends with Heather's parents, too.  They loved to all go out for breakfast together.   My parents enjoyed their company as much as I did. 

While my heart breaks for my friend and her family, I am grateful that her mom is at peace.  And certainly heaven is a little more lively with an angel like Mrs. O in its midst. 

Big Mike

My first job out of graduate school was working as hall director at North Central College.  I lived in a small apartment on the first floor of a freshman women's hall, worked crazy hours, was paid terribly, and did I mention I lived with 300 18-year-old-women?

While it was a great learning experience (as you can always say years later!), the best part was meeting my friend Michael Johnson (aka "Big Mike") who was also a first year hall director.  He was also a recent graduate, paid terribly and worked crazy hours--but lived in a building of upperclassmen.   Despite these similarities, we were also opposites in many ways . . . I ran a tight ship in my buildings, had eyes on advancement and never missed a deadline.  Mike is decidedly more laid back than I am, rarely stressed about anything and would be the first to tell your that he was a bit lazy in those early years. 

Ying meets Yang.  

We became great friends and have stayed that way for 17 years, although it had been almost 7 years since we had seen each other.  He has been in Denver for 6 years now, but his travels brought him to Nashville and I was lucky enough to get to have breakfast with him yesterday at Pfunky Griddle and lunch today at San Antonio Taco Company.  Seriously, I love people who travel with a list of restaurants they want to visit when they are in town.


As crazy as September has been, I'm so glad that I've been able to visit with so many old friends this month.    They are truly good for the soul!

"As seen on TV"

4 days later and I almost watched news this morning.   

Almost. 

When I turned on Good Morning America I heard the oh-so-annoying term "fiscal cliff" and figured I was ready to rejoin the ranks of those following current events.  But then the anchor said, "But first, here's the latest on the school shooting in Connecticut."

Click.

I'm not ready. 

In other news, Matthew returned to school today.  I ran a couple errands and managed to uncover all the hidden Christmas gifts around the house.  I didn't go so far as to wrap anything, but I know where it's all at.  Hallelujah!  Really, you have no idea what a big deal this is for me.  I have a list of things still needed to buy. It's longer than I would have liked, but Christmas is still a week off, so no worries, right?

Sure, some of those gifts are for the bus driver and other school people, which really means I need to have them in 2 days.  But a lot can happen in 48 hours.

Or so I keep telling myself.

Gracie had a her pal Alex over today after school.  The self-proclaimed "BFF's" have had a ball screaming and giggling for the last 2 hours.  I don't have to have her home for another half an hour or so, for now I'm enjoying the sweet, albeit loud, sounds of 6 year old girls.    For some reason, the word "underwear" is particularly funny to them today.  The girls also showed their love for items advertised on TV as they exchanged Christmas presents.  Alex gave Gracie a "dream lite" and Gracie chose "Stompies" slippers for Alex.  If you don't know what either of these items are then you don't watch the Disney Channel.  

Or buy Christmas presents at Walgreens and "other fine retailers." 

Isn't it ironic . . . .

Isn't it funny that it is the mildest winter that anyone can remember in Nashville and on the very weekend that our dear friend Tammy comes in from MIAMI, the high is 34 degrees?

BRRRRRRRR!

There were a a few flurries, but not enough to entertain the kids (although they did go outside this morning and tried to throw the snow dusting that was on the deck). 

If it's going to be this cold, we really should get a decent snow along with it.   I'm with the kids on this one.

As for Tammy, she would prefer we return the mild weather that we had less than a week ago.  

Can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man . . . .

Today was a 1/2 day of school for my kids.  And by "a 1/2 day of school," I mean a 1/2 of sing-a-longs and Christmas parties. 

Lucky for  my kids, there was no letdown coming home after a sugar-filled party at school because Bennett and Renn were waiting for them.  After lunch, some time on the Wii and outside play, we decided to decorate gingerbread men I picked up at Trader Joe's.    Although each oversize cookie came with a tube of frosting, sprinkles and some candies, the extra tub of frosting and large amounts of M&M's and Dots I had came in very handy.   The kids had a ball loading down their gingerbread men (and women!) with goodies.  There wasn't a single piece of candy or sprinkle left when we finished.

Surprise!!

The kids had the best Christmas surprise when they came home from school this afternoon and found their friends Bennett and Renn visiting us from Virginia.  It was an oh-so-hard surprise to keep the last few weeks (for all of us--Beth and Bill didn't tell their kids either!), but totally worth it! 

Thanksgiving Eve

There's nothing like spending Thanksgiving Eve with a gaggle of girlfriends that you've known since grade school to remind you how thankful you are for good friends.  I had the best time seeing "the girls" even though it was a sad reminder of how much I miss seeing them on a regular basis.  

And a wine bar in Downers Grove -- who knew? 

Love to all my friends--near and far!

I *heart* my friends

When it comes to friends, I am a lucky gal, even thought most of the girlfriends I hold dearest to my heart live in exotic far away places like Virginia, Illinois and Florida (slight bit of sarcasm!).   Okay, Florida is kind of exotic (it is Miami, after all!), but my point is most of them don't live in Nashville.  While I miss their companionship on a regular basis, I know that if I call, they will be there for me and vice versa.   Some of them I have known since 2nd grade others I have met as recently as the last 5 years.

Beth hosted an impromptu gathering of the DGN girls at her new place last night and I got to catch up with her, Betsy, Jenni, Mindy and even Michelle by phone.   It makes my heart smile that I can fall right back into the folds with them, even thought it's been months since I've seen them.     We really need to get those girls to road trip down to Nashvegas some weekend so Heather and I can host 'em for Southern fun!

Shop 'til ya drop!

It has been an exhausting and over-the-top fun weekend!!! 

Dana arrived on Friday morning (and so did her bag --nice surprise, since her flight was cancelled the night before and she couldn't get it back!).  We started our adventure right after leaving the airport, grabbing a huge breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then hitting the Lebanon Prime Outlets when they opened.   I hadn't been out there in years.  When I wanted to "outlet shop" in the past,  I always went to Opry Mills, but of course, the flood in May took care of that.    Our biggest haul came from Gap Outlet, which was also our first stop.   We headed back to Mt Juliet for a very late lunch and did part of the Providence Marketplace, which has similar stores to Cool Springs.  Bassam thinks it's bizarre, but seriously. . . . we can easily spend over an hour in Target together (and we did!).

Saturday was spent closer to home.  Sutton made her first trip to Trader Joe's and then we hit Anthropologie and Jake's House in the Hill Center in Nashville.  After that, it was back to Franklin and Brentwood for Kohl's, Hobby Lobby, Target (yes, another one!), TJ Maxx/Home Goods, etc. 

I look forward to this weekend for months.  The time always zooms by, but it's fun from start to finish.   And it's funny, the shopping is really just an activity that we do while we're talking, laughing and catching up.  I mean, really, if you can do those things and score an insane deal on a pair of pants at the same time, isn't that just a bonus?

Love you, Amy & Dana . . . and miss you already!

It's here!

One of my favorite weekends of the whole year is here ---my annual trip with Amy and Dana! And this year we're in NASHVEGAS!!!

The good news is Amy made it in yesterday afternoon! Horray! 

The bad news?   Dana was CANCELLED with for no apparent reason!!  We've been doing this for 13 or 14 years and it has never happened.   And the cancellation was on her end. . . . not due to weather or anything here. 

But there is a silver lining . . . . she is due to land this morning at 8 am and then we're off for a fun day of shopping and talking!!

Whew!

The end of the weekend is nearing. 

But not really.    They cancelled school for tomorrow.   A rarity for December, but not Nashville winters as you probably know.   We got somewhere between 1.5 -2 inches of snow, I suppose.   But tonight it's supposed to be freezy cold, so they are expecting very slick roads in the morning.  Yuck.  

Tammy hopped on an earlier than expected flight this afternoon . . . thank goodness.  Her 6:30 flight ended up being cancelled tonight.  She got on the last on-time flight out of Nashville to Florida.  I miss her already ---but am glad she is home safe. 

Yesterday, we went to see ICE! at Opryland.   As always . . . . AWESOME!  And cold.    This year's theme was "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."  Not my favorite Christmas show, but loved the exhibit just the same.  It was our first visit out to Opryland since it reopened.  Sad to see the mall abandoned--minus Bass Pro Shop, which appeared to be slap packed. 

This morning was the Christmas program at church.  All the kids did great.  Matthew played Joseph and Gracie was the angel who shouted, "Don't be afraid.  I bring good news!  Today in the City of David a Savior was born.  Christ the Lord!"   I was a proud momma of both kids.  I was also a relieved director.   I love working with the kids on the Christmas program, but I am always a ball of stress as I have to come up with an idea and write the script, then once again the week of the performance.  I don't know why -- it always turns out great.  I mean, cute kids singing Christmas songs never disappoint.  Throw in costumes and the random things that happen when little ones are involved and it's even better.

 As today was our first real snow,  I took the kids over to Kenrose this afternoon  to sled on the big hill while Bassam was back at work.   Soooooo fun.   Did I mention soooo cold, too?   I was glad to have snow pants and boots for the kids.  Honestly, I was wishing I had them, too. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent decorating the gingerbread houses . . . finally.  Had a hard time keeping Gracie from munching all the candy, but I think they turned out pretty fabulous anyway.  Matthew had a great idea to use Oreos on the roof, which looked neat.  Of course, the fact that he and Gracie had to eat all the cream centers was a real sacrifice. 

Technology and teddy bears

As you might remember, young Matthew created quite a Christmas list a couple weeks back.   It included everything from a laptop computer and iPod to Darth Vader costume and ping pong table.  Later he even added a cell phone.  But not in that 13-year-old-wanting-a-cell-phone-kind-of-way.  I'm convinced what he likes about it is that Bassam's has a GPS that he thinks it's fascinating. Same with the iPod. Doesn't necessarily want to listen to the music, but loves the games (like Connect Four) that I have loaded on to my iPod touch.  Hello!??!  That's why you have a DS, son!

Anyway, he came home from school proudly announcing that he had made HIS OWN laptop, cell phone and iPod (the iPod is the one with the GMV on it --games, music, videos) during ArtMart.    Seriously?  This kid cracks me up. 

 In other news, it was a dream come true for the kids (ESPECIALLY Gracie), when they got to make their first Build-a-Bear tonight.   Remember, Aunt Tammy is in town and all bets are off.   I'm pretty sure she had as much fun as they did picking out the animal, filling it, and of course picking out the clothes and accessories (especially that last part!).

Gracie picked out Clarice from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (who she calls "Cra-lice!").    Clarice already says things like "I'm Clarice,"  "You're cute," and "Hi!"  Gracie added a chip that also had her say "I love you!"  She picked out a collar of bells and an adorable polka dot dress. I managed to steer her away from the rack of shoes and other stuff.

Matthew chose the Star Wars bear.  It's blue and has the original Star Wars emblem on one foot.   The sound chip he chose to add was the Star Wars theme (very cool!).  He picked out an Obi-wan costume, although he calls it Anakin.  Of course, he also has a light sabre.   It's quite cute. Originally, he was leaning towards the Frosty the Snowman doll and wanted to put the Stars Wars music in that. I think he ended up making a much better choice!

Warm up

Tammy came in tonight to spend the weekend with us!  Yay! So excited!  Bassam is also on call, which is less than ideal, so I have my fingers crossed that the fine people of Nashville will hold off on appendicitis, free air and perforated this-and-that until after she leaves.  

Compared to the previous days, it was positively balmy today going up to 45.  Matthew go to outside for recess and I could totally tell the difference.   My kids just need fresh air and to run around.   After school, he went outside again and ran around with the boy who lives behind us.  He also shot a beebee gun for the first time. I was not nuts about this, but the mom called and ask beforehand if it was okay. She was out there with him--and I knew he really wanted to try so I said okay.   He declared it "wasn't that fun," but I think it's because he couldn't hit the cans!

Goodbye!

Today we said GOODBYE to the Clark family. The kiddos were none to pleased to see the moving truck in front of their house early this morning. The truck didn't pull out until around 6 and they are getting up very early tomorrow morning and hitting the road for Virginia.

Even though we will see them in a month or so when we vacation at their family beach house, it was very sad to say goodbye. It was even sadder to watch my children say goodbye, especially Matthew!

Good luck, friends! See you soon!

The great Croc(odile) hunt . . .

No one was happier than me when my kids announced they didn't want new Crocs this summer. I firmly believe they are the ugliest shoes ever made. Their redeeming qualities (and they are big ones) are that they can be washed in either the dishwasher or washing machine and that kids can put them on easily themselves. That's about it. And despite being ugly, I think kids can get a pass for wearing them. And maybe medical professionals.

Maybe.

Both Matthew and Gracie picked out Keen sport sandals this spring which although pricey, rock my world. You can get 'em wet, they protect the toes and they look kinda cute and sporty, too. But alas, they get a funk after a bit and need a good wash and air dry. A couple weeks ago my friend Beth mentioned that for our vacation at their beach house next month Crocs are really ideal for the kiddos....especially because Helou kids DO NOT wear flip flops. They are too uncoordinated to wear this kind of footwear (I wish I was kidding, but I am not!). And admittedly, there have been trips to the pool where I missed their quick slip-on-ability.

Despite being sold in two-size intervals (i.e 7-8), neither Gracie or Matthew's old Crocs still fit. So the search for ugly shoes . . . I mean Crocs . . . . began. We have Crocs kiosk in the mall. Gracie wanted bright pink ones. Nope, nothing in her size. They had one color in Matthew's size--muddy brown. Now the shoes are ugly, but do they have to be THAT ugly? We passed. We checked Stride Rite, Dillard's, Macy's and Dick's. Sizes and colors were very picked over. Later in the week I went so far as to pick up possibilities at REI and Academy of Sports, not to mention some knock-offs from Target. But I just couldn't get the sizing right. While toddlers came in 2-size intervals, "big boy sizes" ran 3. In other words, the next size up for Matthew was 1-3. The kid just wears a 1 1/2, so you can imagine how big they were. I finally found some of the newer Crocs that came in single sizes at Academy. While they didn't have any for Matthew, I did find a pair for Gracie that I brought home in a size 10.

But of course, they were too small. The Target ones were too big on Matthew and the pink ones for Gracie were really an objectionable color (not really hot pink--more neon). So back they went, too.

In my last ditch effort (and yes, I know I could order them online, but believe it or not it was going to be from two places to get what they wanted), I went to Green Hills mall today where we found some straight size 2 shoes for Matthew. And when we went back to Academy to return the non-fitting pair, Gracie decided to choose these slimmer looking, bright pink mary janes with a bejeweled yellow flower. For Crocs they are actually kind of cute.

I'm so over these shoes.

On a much more serious note, we had the Clarks, plus Bill's parents over for dinner tonight. The reality has set in that they will be moving in two days. Even though we will be vacationing at their place in a month, losing them as neighbors is truly hard for each one of us. Bennett was Mathew's first good friend. Gracie and Renn, despite being a year apart, are birds of a feather. And Bill, Beth, Bassam and I are all great friends, too. While we are so happy for Bill finishing his training at Vanderbilt and having the opportunity to move back closer to their families, we are selfishly sad for ourselves. We are most worried about Matthew, who although outgoing, sometimes struggles to find someone that "gets" him. Bennett has been his partner in crime for some time now and I know he will miss him terribly.

Shop til ya drop!

Greetings from Kansas! Dana, Amy and I are having THE BEST time! We didn't hit the road yesterday until almost 11 am. However, we didn't get home until 11 pm either so the day was not wasted. There are an obscene amount of bags sitting in Amy's family room right now. The sales are crazy good. Lots of "50% off the clearance price" type of sales. We love it!

Shopping aside, I am feeling so recharged being with my girlfriends. And we're staying at Amy's new house in Kansas which is awesome. I am wickedly jealous of the massive amounts of storage she has, including a full basement that has a rec room, 2 bedrooms, a laundry room and several storage closets. Clearly when they were building houses in the 1960s, they had a good appreciation for the need to store stuff. Love it!!

Congrats to my sweet Matthew for scoring his first 2-pointer at basketball today!!!!!