~1~ The other ballet moms (and one dad) and I were discussing driving in Texas.  Beyond the complaints of Texas drivers (really, I don't see what they're talking about), we started talking about driving on two lane roads.  Texas is large.  We have a lot of land between towns.  Most of these towns are connected…

~1~ It's cold again.  And, I mean really cold.  Okay, you Northerners who are snickering.  It's cold for Texas.  When your average lows are your highs, it's cold.  The wind is pretty wicked too.   ~2~ I've become addicted to Sudoku.  I can only do the easy ones though.  My dad can whip out an…

~1~ I need to get back on track with my blogging.  The greater issue is that I need to get back on track with everything.  January is always a difficult month because it takes me forever to recover from Nutcracker and the Christmas season.  Hopefully, by the end of the weekend, I'll be able to…

~1~ Ben returned from TDY this evening.  He had no sooner walked in when I walked out.  I put dinner on for him and the children.  I needed to get to the craft store for some fabric and other notions.  And, I needed to do it without children so I can think.  It's not that…

~1~ The ballet moms were talking today and we realized that we are at the one month mark.  Exactly one month from today will be our first Nutcracker performance.  Ack! ~2~ Honey was sick earlier this week.  She woke up Tuesday and didn't go straight to a book.  That added with a 100.4 fever clued…

~1~ We are in the midst of Nutcracker season.  We all love it.  Sister loves to be a part of the rehearsals and fills in for any missing ballerina.  Honey is loving her part as a bunny.  From what I have seen, it will be a great battle scene.  Pumpkin will participate next year.  She's…

~1~ The weather has finally turned a bit.  The morning was wonderfully cool with a nice breeze.  I say that now, but tomorrow when we stand outside during our 40 Days for Life prayer vigil time, I might be complaining instead.  My children think I'm torturing them by making them say all twenty decades of…

~1~ It's been a while since I've done this.  I had started my post for Quick Takes when my dad called to let me know about Erin.  I haven't been back in the groove since then.  I can't imagine how Patrick is right now. ~2~ Today is the anniversary of the the death of Major…

~1~ We had a full 36 hours of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.  When the rain started early Tuesday morning, I woke Ben to turn the sprinklers off.  I suppose I could've done it myself, but I hate the garage in the best of times and at 5:45am, it was not the best of times.…

~1~ It's been a while since I've done one of these.  It's hard to get a routine going when Ben's home but that's okay.  We needed the break in our "routine".  We'll be starting back to a more normal life on Tuesday. ~2~ Ben flew to Boston today to pick up a car his mother…