Long-Time Friend

Once upon a time, in the fall of 1987, I met Kat in class at Mission Junior High.  Over the years, we went to different high schools and colleges in different states (her Texas, me Nebraska), but we always stayed in touch.  Even after we got married, we stayed in touch - especially when we lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth area at the same time and in the Baltimore/Washington DC area (again, at the same time).  

Julia and Evelyn sometimes get confused about how they are related to Kat - is she an aunt? friend?  The girls have always known Kat as someone to look up to and write to and talk to, which shows what an integral part she is in our family.

Even though she now lives in Austin, Texas and I live in Massachusetts, we still stay in close contact with each other.  So here's to 26 1/2 years of friendship...and (at least) another 26 1/2!

Austin Food...Day Two

Where to go for lunch today?  The original County Line BBQ in the Hill Country!  It was almost warm enough to sit outside, but Kat and I get chilled easily, so we cozied up with Ross in a booth inside the restaurant instead.

 As is to be expected at a top-notch BBQ joint, everything was crazy delicious.  My beef brisket was tender and flavorful, the homemade bread was amazing, and the side dishes were crazy-good.  I couldn't eat everything (or else I would have popped!), but I sure tried.

 After doing a bit of shopping at a mall, we headed into Austin proper for a sweet treat - Amy's ice cream.  I went for the white chocolate with peanut butter cups sprinkled on top.  Not only is the ice cream super delicious, but the way they serve it is fun, too.  They flip the scooped ball of ice cream in the air and do some pretty cool tricks to catch it.  Fun and yummy!

Austin Food...Day One

Where was my first stop after Kat picked me up from the airport?  Chick Fil A!  Oh, how I miss having one close to us in Massachusetts.

 It was a chilly, cloudy day in Austin, which put all of us in the mood for hot soup.  What could be better than Vietnamese pho?

Travel Time

This morning I left our house in the wee hours of the morning (4:30 a.m., to be exact) to catch a flight to Texas.  My travel companions today?  My purse and a chai latte.

 My first stop in Austin, Texas...Chick Fil A!  I went all out for today's lunch - the original sandwich with Chick Fil A sauce, waffle fries, and a peppermint chocolate chip shake.  Mmmm!

Parent Watch Night at Ballet

Usually when I post pictures of the girls doing ballet, I show you their best poses.  I decided to mix it up a bit this time, and I took some wacky pictures of Julia.

 She is such a character, that one!

 I tried really hard to get a smiling picture of Evelyn, and this is the best I got.  When I would gesture for her to smile, she would shake her head and look all serious.  But I got an almost-smile out of her!

Good Morning!

This morning's sunrise was so beautiful, I just had to take a picture.

More Snow

When we moved here last summer and asked Massachusetts natives if it they got much snow in the winter, the resounding answer was, "Not much."  Even by my growing-up-in-Nebraska standards, they do get a lot of snow here in the winter.  We had a drought over Christmas break, but since early January, there has always been snow on the ground.

Today we got another seven inches of snow.  And it was heavy, wet snow.  It took me about an hour and a half to scoop most of the driveway.  I had my ear buds under my ear muffs, turning the chore into a cardio and strength-training workout.  

What did the girls do on their snow day?  Played with their friends across the street...