Did my run on the Baldwin rail trail this morning. I had hoped to do somewhere between 2-3 miles, but after a mile I was toast. You know why? I was running way too fast. I have no idea how to get myself to run at an easy pace. But at the end of 2.7 miles, my average pace was faster than normal and I stopped to walk at least five times. It just feels so much more fun to go fast. At the very least it was beautiful. It was yet another perfect weather day. I’m just going to go with it.
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November 15
We went to the Jacksonville Fair today. I haven’t been to a fair since Robin was a baby. Highlights for me included my deep fried Twinkie and a ride called the Hydra, which was by far the scariest ride I have ever been on. It spun and swung and went just a little bit upside down. Robin wasn’t having any of that, but Christina liked it. We saw a bunch of the shows too, including a sea lion show and pig racing. I could have stayed another couple of hours to go on more rides, but I think the food and rides were catching up with everyone. I’m so glad we went.
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November 14
I had a horrible night of sleep last night and I have been fighting exhaustion all day. But I did make two octopuses and finished reading Journey to the Center of the Earth. I feel like that has earned me my rest tonight!
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November 13
I broke my brain today trying to think too much. It’s open enrollment season, which comes with all sorts of questions about HSAs and FSAs and copays and coinsurance and in-network and contributions and disbursements and dude, seriously? And then we also decided to scratch off another activity card to do over the Thanksgiving break. Seriously, what were the odds we would scratch off a visit to Universal Orlando? That was zero parts part of my plan. I mean, I was 100% confident there were no theme parks inside this box. But the scratch-off card has spoken. And I will be picking up pieces of my brain for weeks.
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November 12
I’m always so happy when Robin’s red rose blooms. Which is twice so far. She picked it out this spring and it makes me happy to see it. I hope it survives the winter.
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November 11
We were going to go to the fair today, but with temps in the mid-50s, it was pretty chilly to be walking around and going on rides. Plus, Billy had to work and he wanted to come too. So instead we painted pottery at the mall, and we’ll try the fair this weekend when the weather’s warmer, even though it’ll probably also be much more crowded. I took entirely too much time painting my piece and I still didn’t quite finish. I am too painstaking with the details. I think everyone had fun, though. Now back to work and school tomorrow. Boo.
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November 10
I had to get my semi-annual jewelry inspection, so took the girls to the mall and then to their first-ever experience at Dave & Buster’s. It was a pretty good day. Christina finally has some pants, and not a moment too soon since it’s supposed to dip below freezing tonight. They had Guitar Hero at the arcade, so I was happy. I think everyone had fun, especially Billy, who didn’t have to go to the mall.
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November 9
Rosina and Dion came up to join us in a chocolate pizza-making class at Sweet Pete’s. The whole affair was disappointing because they were halfway between fall decorations and Christmas and it just looked messy instead of magical. And the class was disappointing because all they did was pour chocolate on a plate and tell us to put candy on top of it. Don’t think I needed to spend $22 per person for that. But… the chocolate and candy were tasty, so at least there was that. We went out to European Street afterwards and rebooted the beer challenge we started a few years ago. Dion was up to something like 42 out of 125. I was up to 8. I have a little catching up to do. I’m up to the challenge.
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November 8
Billy and I went to a history storytelling show by the person who leads the podcast, “History That Doesn’t Suck.” It was pretty good. He talked about American history from the formation of the United States through the end of the Civil War. Hearing about both stories as part of the same story really shows how we have grappled with the same issues literally for centuries. Today we don’t call it slavery, but it’s the same fight between the same people. It was really interesting and I enjoyed it. I thought for sure that Billy and I would be the youngest people there by far, but there were a lot of younger people there. It’s heartening to know there are younger people still interested in history. All I can hope is that we can all learn something from it.
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November 7
Making octopuses was not inspiring enough for me, so I decided to make blank notecards for the Kindermarket too. I’m making sets of four using my own photography and they’re coming out so well. They look so professional. If I had more time and money for supplies, I might try to build an inventory and rent space at an upcoming seasonal market to see if I can make any money at it. I am just a little too lazy to deal with all the logistics of card acceptance and taxes and all the rest. But I am having fun making stuff for someone else to sell. I hope it brings in good money for the PTA.
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November 6
Spent the evening feeling kind of down. Something happened at dinner that turned Robin’s good mood suddenly sour, and when I asked her what happened, Billy kind of scolded me, saying she won’t answer if I keep nagging her. So I felt shut down by Robin and shut up by Billy. I’ve been having a hard time picking myself back up from it, which is silly because it was really a little thing, but it stung. Now Robin is sleeping next to me and I feel about 2% better. I still wish I knew what the fuck she was thinking about at dinner. But at least she likes me enough to sleep next to me.
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November 5
Got a squeaky clean bill of health at this morning’s annual checkup. Sadly the news didn’t come with a reduction in medications, but I guess it’s good to know they’re doing what they’re supposed to. When I was checking in, I had to fill out a psychiatric evaluation and I think it’s the first time in my life that I answered “not at all” to all of the questions. It’s still weird, but I guess I’ll take it!
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November 4
Robin and Christina stayed after school today for cheer tryouts. Sounded like it went pretty well, although I have my doubts about Christina’s participation since, you know, she takes 10+ dance classes every week. It doesn’t leave a lot of time for cheering at basketball games. But I couldn’t deny her sweet face when she looked so forlorn at not completing the tryout, so she goes back for day two on Thursday. Robin seemed to particularly enjoy it – I think deep down she still loves cheer and misses it. I’m so mad at her prior coaches for ruining it for her. But let’s see what happens. Anything Robin does that is not sitting in her dark bedroom is a good thing in my book.
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November 3
I went to bat for one of my employees today and I hope it works out. Made delicious barbecue chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight – had to get the grill going early to finish in daylight. I am not a fan of setting the clocks back. Started reading Journey to the Center of the Earth in the car while Christina was at dance. Billy asked me why. Why not? It’s free on the app and I’ve never read it and it’s a classic… all good reasons in my book (no pun intended).
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November 2
I dragged the kids to the zoo today. What a beautiful day to walk around the zoo! Also, it costs like four times as much to go there than I remember. And not totally worth it, in my opinion. But we did have fun and we saw a lot of animals. It was good to get out of the house.
Year in Photos 