Long day of driving after a very busy weekend with very little sleep. The last 3 1/2 hours on I-10 were a slog. Came home wired and excited to talk about the weekend, but now I think I can sleep for a month.
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January 19
We had a great time in the French Quarter today. We did some shopping, went to the Voodoo Museum, walked down Bourbon Street, and got to stand outside the timeless Preservation Hall. How cool must that place have been in the 40s with people like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald playing there? One day I hope I’ll get to see a show there. Robin’s competition is almost an afterthought on this trip. It went by way too fast!
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January 18
Robin and I had a great day. We had trouble locating Cafe Du Monde. After a bunch of wrong turns, we found ourselves in the middle of a cruise ship terminal and at a loss. A nice security guy pointed us toward the outlet mall and we walked around there for what felt like forever. We had given up and decided to go to a second rate beignet place when we walked right into it. Robin’s beignet cherry is officially popped. I think we are going to have to go every day of our trip now. Robin and her team killed it at her competition today. So proud of them. And we finished the night at House of Blues. It was so fun! And delicious!
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January 17
Long drive to New Orleans today. We ate at Waffle House! Robin was blown away by the fact that we crossed into another time zone. I was blown away by the fact that Robin knew New Orleans is in Louisiana. And now we’re here and I am going to sleep!
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January 16
Some days rush past without a moment to think about what’s happening. I feel like a frenzied cat, trying to make sure everything is taken care of for this weekend – connecting Billy with Christina’s friend for her sleepover, getting Christina’s costumes together for her dress rehearsal on Monday, showing Billy how to make a cinnamon bun with a center part in Christina’s hair, making sure dance waivers are signed and turned in, making sure Robin is packed, not to mention wrapping up at work all the way up to the last minute before dance and a day off tomorrow, dinner, shower… I do not have to do all these things. Billy is a capable human being willing to help. I absolutely have a control problem and I acknowledge that. Sometimes I forget to work on it. Hey, but I did delegate something at work at the last minute. That took something out of me, but I did it. Win!
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January 15
Robin had her last cheer practice before this weekend’s competition in New Orleans and they hit it in one shot. We cheered on Cobalt, the level 3 team, who was struggling a bit more. Even though they struggled, the support and cheering on in that room was tangible. I’m excited to see what happens this weekend, even if it’s not totally the outcome we want. So proud of these kids, all of them. Especially mine.
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January 14
We played Phase 10 tonight, which Robin reminded us is her absolute favorite game of all time. Christina came from behind and won it all. And Pinot was an excellent spectator.
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January 13
Two things: I ran my first 30-minute interval in years this morning and actually felt energized afterwards. And two, I was so cold watching Robin’s cheer practice that it took over an hour once I got home to get the feeling back in my hands and feet, even with socks, slippers, hoodie, fleece jacket, and king sized comforter on me. It was only 48 degrees outside, but for some reason it was unbearable. That is all.
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January 12
It’s been chilly lately. Today it was under 50 degrees when I went outside with the dogs, but in the sun it felt warmer. I always forget when I’m inside how rejuvenating it is to be outside, even lying in dead grass looking at the dead flowers in my garden. Jackson gets it.
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January 11
We removed all traces of Christmas today, except for the outdoor lights. Usually by the time we put away the Christmas stuff I’m ready, but this year we did it later and I wished it could have lasted a little longer. Christmas just seems to have gone by in a flash. So far January just feels like Not Christmas. But I did finish making this pair of socks for Christina. Now Robin wants a pair.
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January 10
Robin made dinner for me tonight while I was at dance with Christina. She did a good job, too! Beef burritos with rice.
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January 9
I made this blue sweater for Pinot in less than two days while also working full time and going to cheer and dance because we wanted him to have Penn State colors to wear for the semifinal football game tonight, and you can kind of see it on him. The effort was for naught, because Penn State lost in the last seconds of the game, thanks to a gimme interception thrown by Drew Allar that resulted in a field goal, leaving 7 seconds on the clock for Penn State to try to tie. It was a sad ending to an otherwise good game, and I’m sad that I stayed up so late to watch it. Maybe if I had worn something with a Penn State logo on it, that would have helped. So it’s probably my fault.
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January 8
I completed my 28-minute run interval today for the first time since before Christmas, I think. I just haven’t been able to get over the 20-minute hump. I slowed down my pace on the treadmill (barely) and decided to watch something I haven’t already seen. I think it kept me out of my head enough that I wasn’t so focused on the fact that I was running. My heart rate was lower, and honestly, I probably could have gone longer. What was I watching? “Queer Eye.” Love that show.
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January 7
Tuesdays are the best. Made meatball subs for dinner, kicked everyone’s ass at Uno No Mercy all night long, and started knitting another sweater for Pinot. It’s Penn State blue, so I am on a mission to finish it before the Penn State game on Thursday. One day? While I’m working and taking people to cheer and dance? NO PROBLEM.
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January 6
I finally stopped turning on our Christmas lights yesterday, even though it makes me a little sad. I love Christmas lights. It feels like Christmas only lasted 20 minutes this year. And when it ended, it just ended. We’ll at least have our tree until the weekend, anyway. Then I guess it’s time to move on and see what’s next.
Year in Photos 