I think the word for April will be “survival.” Christina is taking ten dance classes, Robin is on two cheer teams plus tumbling with two competitions coming up on the same weekend, I am teaching a NAMI class, and Billy just took on five new clients, all meeting after school when all the driving happens. Add in some extras like plumbing and car repairs, and you have the most excellent recipe for an epic tornado. Let’s get on with it, then.
Category: March 2025
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March 30
Talk about a lesson in patience. We finished four bracelets, but actually made 11. There were tears. And somehow we keep going back for more.
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March 29
Every year I attempt to make this garden beautiful. I know I’ll never make it look as nice as my dad would, but I at least try to make it presentable without letting anything die. I know the pentas does ok, and heather has done well before, the roses seem to hold up… so I’m hoping we do ok. Impatiens are new this year, but I think they’ve done ok too in the past. Keeping my fingers crossed.
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March 28
I’m hanging in in the March Madness bracket, still holding on to first place. I want to stay up all night and watch all the games, but let’s face it. I can only have so much fun in one day.
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March 27
I am at a point where I cannot take on one more thing. I hate admitting that I can’t do it all and there isn’t anything I DON’T want to do, which makes it hard to adjust the load. This is not a new story. One of these days I’ll learn the lesson. Won’t be today.
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March 26
Today wasn’t really different from any other, but I found it so draining. I did some minor damage to my car, which is frustrating. But… Robin had a good tumbling class. She is moving on to level 3 skills next week and I think she’s excited. The cheer practice afterwards was not as fun. Coach ended practice early, angrily and abruptly, when something wasn’t working the way she wanted it to. Robin wasn’t even sure what it was. Oh well. Try again tomorrow.
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March 25
I co-facilitated another NAMI class tonight. It went pretty well, but I struggle to feel that I am doing good. All I can do is push through. Which is the same message I’m giving myself when it comes to running. I am going backwards in terms of progress, but I will just keep pressing forward. Eventually I have to get un-stuck. For now, though, sleep. I am fucking exhausted.
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March 24
Among the many things we did over the weekend, we finally hung my dad’s painting. This was always my favorite and I’m so thankful to have it now.
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March 23
This weekend was incredibly productive. Billy and I hung my dad’s painting, I went food shopping, Billy cleaned out the garage, I did laundry, I updated my website for the first time in a month, Christina finally finished putting together her book for publishing, a gift we gave her for her TENTH birthday well over a year ago, I cooked dinner for the first time in more than a week (it was delicious), and we played Trivial Pursuit. I signed up for two more races, but they are on weekends with dance competitions, so I may not be able to make it. We’ll see! Back to the usual grind tomorrow. Not excited about it.
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March 22
Today was ultra productive. Went to the gym, unpacked and broke down boxes from Aunt Cathrine, washed the sheets and towels and made the bed, washed the car, took down St. Patrick’s Day decorations and put up Easter decorations, booked a hotel for Robin’s end of season cheer competitions, made dinner, made a shopping list, took a shower… Tomorrow is food shopping and laundry and hanging artwork. I’m tired.
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March 21
I dragged everyone back to Cafe Du Monde one last time before heading home. I wanted one last beignet before we left. I thought everyone would be excited to join me, but there were a lot of grumpy people. Billy and Robin didn’t even eat any. Don’t care… I can still taste it and it was worth it. I didn’t want to leave. Such a phenomenal trip. One of the best.
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March 20
I have had such a great time with my family this week. Today we rode the St. Charles streetcar to Audubon Park. The kids – Robin – ran to the playground and played there for half an hour. I had honestly thought the playground days were over a long time ago, but they proved me wrong today. We walked around the Garden District, bought some candy and baked goods, and came back for an amazing meal at House of Blues. This town has SOUL. I love it.
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March 19
Today’s big adventure was a steamboat cruise to the Chalmette Battlefield, where the Battle of New Orleans occurred in 1815. I knew next to nothing about the War of 1812 before, and now I know next to almost nothing. It was still interesting, and now I can say I took a steamboat down the Mississippi River.
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March 18
We did a historical walking tour of the French Quarter, where I learned the difference between what is “Cajun” and what is “Creole,” and how awesome Marie Laveau really was. We had beignets and did some shopping and finished the day with a fancy Italian dinner at a place Robin chose. Our feet and legs are tired, but we’re ready for tomorrow!
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March 17
We arrived in New Orleans with enough time to have a nice dinner and take in a rooftop sunset by the pool. All we know for sure that we’re doing tomorrow is having beignets. Anything on top of that is a bonus.
Year in Photos 