Holly and Kristine go to Fairfax

The Honors College at Mason had a big shindig last weekend. It was part of their "we love you, now love us back and come here" schpiel.  Holly's already committed; the event was for both committed and undecided students.  Holly and I drove up the day before, on Saturday.  It was drizzly and damp.  This is the second time I've Pricelined a hotel in Fairfax.  Decent rooms, decent prices, but both have had views of the hotel's lower level rooftop.  Well worth it, though.  And there's always construction in Fairfax (quiet on our weekend visit).

We had plenty of time to kill and had laid out several shopping stops.

Trader Joe's.  Our first visit. I was expecting something quite a bit more upscale.  Just to be sure, we even visited a second store.  A lot of the frozen food looked good, so maybe that's something to keep in mind for next time.

We stopped at TJ Maxx to look at purses.  At Nordstrom's The Rack, I found jeans, and Holly and I each bought a scarf.

We ate at Holly's favorite place, Wild Chicken.  We shared a whole chicken and fried yuca.  And we really ate the whole, amazing thing.

Foggy, misting driving to the Mall.

Back at the hotel.

On Sunday morning, the "Celebration of Excellence" began with light pastries, juice, and coffee.  As the students registered, they were given a packet of stuff, including a very nice writing notebook and a(nother) green Mason mini-backpack.  Holly now has three, and I'm thinking she can wallpaper her dorm with them eventually.

400 students and their parents crowded in, even going up in to the balcony.  We listened to several speakers and a panel of students.

We were split into two groups, and it was our turn to eat and check out some of the academic and student booths that had been set up for us.  The was a nice buffet spread out in the dining room, along with live music on stage.  It was quite amusing to see each of the students head for empty tables, one kid and parent per 8 seat table. Eventually, though, there were no empty tables, and they had to sit with other people. Overall, not a hugely social group.  :D

Holly had prearraged to meet her hopefully-new-because-they-requested-each-other roommate, Allie.  We found Allie and her mom and went on the tour together. It was a nothing-new tour, but it did give me yet another opportunity to become completely and utterly lost on campus. I even had a school map.  Thinking back on it, though, I should have used my phone to display a close up satellite map, and I bet that would have been perfect.

As soon as the ceremonial stuff was over, we bolted for the car in an effort to beat the mad rush.  Mission successful.

Getting on the highway to head home, we were surprised to see such a back up of traffic 25 miles out of DC heading into the city. On a Sunday afternoon.  

We had a pretty good drive home--blue sky, light traffic, although driving into the sun glare all afternoon became quite tiring.  An exciting weekend and lots of stuff to look forward to in the next six months or so.

Uncle Al

Allan J. Holtz, of Allentown, passed away on February 20, at the age of 72. He was the son of William and Grace (Sewards) Holtz. He would have been married to his loving wife Barbara (Motko) for 44 years this coming April. Allan graduated from Allentown High School in 1958 and then attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He served with the U.S. Army as a medical photographer, worked for the Morning Call, and then went on to be a photographer for PP&L for 30 years. He was a musician, playing with The High Society Ragtime Band and The Music Makers as well as many other groups. Allan was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Survivors: Wife, Barbara; two daughters, Marie Holtz and Laura Flynn and husband Ben; two brothers-in-law, Joseph and wife Kathy Motko and Michael and wife Sherry Motko; sister-in-law, Sister Loretta Motko. Services: A calling will be held on Tuesday, February 26, from 11 a.m., until a Blessing Service at 12:30 p.m., both will be at Weber Funeral Home, 1619 Hamilton St., Allentown.

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So glad that Holly and Trevor had the chance to get to know Uncle Al. We've visited several times since moving to Virginia.  A sweet, gentle, funny, and kind man, he was loved and will be greatly missed.

Animal House

Holly took these a few days ago. Lucky is old, 12, and hanging in there.

Pumpkin saw the suitcases out and knew something was up. She tries to look cute, perhaps hoping Holly will not leave. Or else bring her along.

Eye C U

Trevor has been concerned about his eyesight for the past few months.  I made him an appointment to visit the eye doctor.

He's always had excellent vision and did fine at the informal "tests" at the pediatrician's office when he was little. He's always been the "eagle eyes" of our family, and he's never been to a real eye doctor before.

Holly's been so many times that I can't believe Trevor has never gone along. Apparently not, though, as he wanted confirmation that he could keep his clothes on.

His appointment was this morning. It was very quick.  Yes, his right eye is worse than his left eye.  But he doesn't need glasses.  His right eye "only" normal, 20/20.  His left eye is still 20/10.

Always worth double checking through when it comes to your eyes. 

And now, for this message

I'm here.  I've just had a rough couple of months.  Came home after a great day at work today to find a long letter from Georgia's dad that makes me cry all over again.  Exhausted, tried laying alongside the Princess Dog, but I finally switched sides.  After I woke, I found a text from Trevor on my phone with this:

I guess turnabout's fair play!  I've posted enough silly pictures of him over the years, and this one makes me laugh. 

I asked Robert to come see it, and he replied, "Who do you think told him to take the picture?  Couldn't you hear Holly and Trevor shrieking with laughter?"   Well, no.  I was sleeping!

Anyway, a great laugh that I needed tonight.

Valentine's Day

Holly let me know well in advance what she wanted for Valentine's Day:  a giant stuffed animal, a bunch of candy, and an iTunes card.  Trevor said he also wanted a giant stuffed animal, but Rob and I weren't sure we believed him.  We got them both stuffed animals and candy--iTunes will have to wait.

I bought Robert candy also, and he bought me a lovely orchid--hot pink, of course!

TeenPact

On Monday, I dropped Holly and Trevor off in Richmond for TeenPact. I'm so glad they had the chance to go one last time together, especially since Trevor ended up coming home sick last year (his first time attending).

Robert and I had a quiet and quick week at home. I worked both full days that they were gone. The house stayed very clean and was almost too quiet. Actually, it was nice for a couple of days, but it would get old very fast!

Robert and I tried a new(ish) Vietnamese restaurant in town. I was asleep every night by 10pm and up each morning by 6 without my alarm. I liked going to bed early and waking up early--BUT I am glad I can stay up much later most nights with Holly and Trevor. I'll have p-l-e-n-t-y of time to sleep in about five years, and I'm sure I won't enjoy it nearly as much.

We drove up to get them on Thursday. I always enjoy the end of the TeenPact session. This was Robert's first time listening to the mock legislative session, hearing the wonderful speeches given by a handful of kids who won senate seats during the week's mock election, and watching the graduation ceremony.

So the kids went to TeenPact all dressed up, but they'd only let me take pictures -- well, they didn't let me take pictures, so I just have a few taken on the sly. From the back!

More from December, Part Two

Taking ornaments down from the Christmas tree, I was struck by such a wave of sadness when I came across the ones Georgia gave me years ago.

I was there for Christmas in 1988.

Sweet Star, 1988

 For as long as I knew her, she loved animals--from strays she would turn into pets, to the bears she'd hope to see when visiting Glacier National Park.

And I was there for Christmas in 1989.

I was there for 1990, too. It was the last Christmas I would spend in California.  I don't think I have an ornament from her that year.  It was her baby's first Christmas, and I know she would have been so busy with him!

I wasn't there for 1991, but she still sent me this--a last and perfect addition to my small collection.

So bittersweet.  I'm so thankful  have these to pull out every year. I've always smiled and remembered earlier times when I see these. But now there will be an underlying sadness too, for my wonderful friend whom I miss so much . . .

Christmas Day

(Catching up and writing this almost six months later. While I had blogged a few notes and save, it's still a rather pieced together and disjointed post.)

The annual Christmas Eve photo.

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(Robert's mom is here with us for Christmas.)

8:30 a.m.   Jean: "Well, it's not like when the kids were little on Christmas morning!"  Robert, Jean, and I have been up for more than an hour, but the kids sleep on.

On the plus side, I can take advantage of this time to prepare some of the food for later today . . .

?? Begin opening gifts.  Trevor opens the first present.  As he begins, I see that it's a package of socks for Holly.  I stop him and ask him to check the tag.  Yep, it says it's for Trevor.  I wrapped it; I wrote the tag. I'm off to a great start this morning!

Lakota--aka The Princess--has claimed her spot on the couch, complete with a pillow for her head.

Lucky in his favorite spot, on his favorite cushion, where he can see everything going on.

Holly opened a box of candy from Aunt Barb and Uncle Dave.  She lifted off the top and found this.  So cute and clever!

Apparently, it's been an exhausting morning for some!

12:00 noon Present unwrapping done, kids looking at various things, Trevor and I ate lox and bagels for breakfast; Jean, Robert, and Holly had pastries.

1:00 p.m. Ham cubes -- done.  Now to begin jello pretzel salad.
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Conversation between me and Jean.

Jean: I don't know why they'd do that on a Sunday.

Me: Except that today is Monday.

Holly, from the other room:  Um, today is Tuesday!

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Listening to the epic Bing Crosby White Christmas CD, the best Christmas CD ever!

4:30 p.m.  Ha, I guess I should have started the meat an hour and a half ago.  We'll see how this turns out.  Late, in any event!

We have collectively talked to Barb and Dave, my Dad and Sherry, Mike and Valerie, and my mom.

7:30 p.m. Dinner of standing rib roast w/horseradish sauce, swiss chicken bake, new red potatoes, cheesy mashed potatoes (at the kids' request), spinach madeline, corn, cranberry nut bread, and raspberry pretzel jello salad.  Adding in the chicken casserole seemed odd, but the kids weren't super interested in the prime rib, and it actually turned out to be a marvelous addition.  We need to keep this in mind and do it again.

Good thing it's cold out on the sun porch, because not everything is fitting into my refrigerator!

Merry Christmas!

More from December, Part One

We've had the most amazing sunrises this year.

Participated in my loopy friends annual ornament exchange.  Sharon sent me this cute little sled and a sweet card.

A small section of our dining room table centerpiece.

Holly's Chinese writing.

Morning mist and jet trails.

Robert's mom came out for Christmas. She was here for two weeks or so.

Holly and Trevor's annual Christmas-by-the-tree pic

Sad week

GEORGIA LEE JONES BIASCA 

8/15/63 - 12/18/12 

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6/81

Besties before it was a word.

undated/late 80s Christmas

undated/late '80s Christmas

undated/late '80s Christmas

undated/late '80s Christmas

undated/late '80s summer

6/88? 6/89?

Beautiful bride.

12/89 Christmas

Debbie was pregnant; Georgia was too, although she didn't know it yet.

8/90

I visited Debbie after Stacey was born in June. Georgia's Matt was born mid-September.

12/90

The last Christmas we were together.

12/94

Debbie and Georgia came out to see baby Holly,

leaving their own babies at home to come and see mine.

D, G, and I spent a day up in Breckenridge.

12/94 

Right before they left to fly back home.

 Holly and I flew out to California in the spring of 1996.  We stayed one night at Georgia's, and it was so much fun for all three of us to be together with all of our kids. That was the last time we were all together.

We kept in touch by phone only after that, although there was a period of a few years when I couldn't speak to her.  When I finally called her again, she picked up like nothing had ever happened.  She was like that.  She loved to talk about the old times, and between the two of us, we could piece together many memories.

Debbie, Robyn, and I have acknowledged that we knew this phone call would come. So while not a complete surprise, still such a shock.

Georgia lost a lot of battles here.  But that's not the end of her story.  Talking to her two years ago, she told me that she believed in God, believed everything in the Bible, and that she believed Jesus came to die for her.  Because of her mobility problems, she had difficulty going to her church on her own, but I know there were times she would read her Bible at home.  I can take some comfort in knowing that she is walking easily, dancing and running even, pain free, again smiling genuinely from her heart--and she is FINALLY AT PEACE.

Oh, God, we are going to miss her . . .   ::crying again::

CRAZY day

3:00 Holly has Chinese final, an online interview with teacher but is unable to access website. Hysteria and panic.

3:01 Trevor unable to find dress blues shirt for CAP Christmas banquet. Panic and mayhem.

3:02 Robert has to leave for Charlotte to meet Jean's plane. Flees the madness at home with everything in a panic.

3:03 I leave work early (as planned). I sit in the parking lot to return a call to JMU admissions. The admissions counselor tells me that Holly needs one more credit in upper level math to be competitive.  He says that because she is homeschooled, she has the flexibility to get this done, which would not be the case if she were in public school.  He says she can begin in January and that he would only expect her to complete a majority of the work.  After all, he tells me, public school classrooms don't necessarily finish their books.  He says that if she is still interested in JMU, that we can decide what curriculum to use and let him know by mid-Jan.  Meanwhile, Holly's early admission application will be turned over to regular admission.

I took this all as a good sign.  He was very nice, and if they weren't interested, they certainly could have just denied her application.  He also told me that he appreciated the 26 page course description that I attached to her transcript, that they frequently end up contacting parents to find out more about their curriculum.  This was nice for me to hear.

4:00 On the way to Charlotte, Robert gets a call that the rental house has a leak under the kitchen sink.

4:15 I get home.  Holly was able to get through to her teacher finally and complete her interview.

4:16. I find Trevor's shirt and throw it in the laundry.

Holly and I drop Trevor off at his CAP banquet, eat dinner at Cheddar's (yum!), and wander the mall until it was time to get Trevor.

9:15 We get home.

9:16 Holly checks email and learns that she got a 95% on her Chinese final!

9:17 Holly opens an email from University of Denver congratulating her on being accepted into their class of 2017!!

ROLLer coaSTER of a day!!

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(Holly got her first acceptance last week from George Mason.  Exciting times!!)

Recipe - Pumpkin Soup

No, it does not include the cat.

I've made this several times over the past few months.  It's pretty easy, and it's healthy.  Trevor and I scarf it down (although Robert and Holly won't eat it).  I've tweaked the recipe finally to where we like it, so I'm writing it down to replicate it next time.

PUMPKIN SOUP

1 generous T. oil (1 turn of the pan)
3 T. butter
1 bay leaf
4 ribs celery, diced
2 medium yellow onions, diced
salt and pepper
4 T. flour
1-3/4 t. poultry seasoning
1/2 t. ground coriander
2 t. hot sauce, or to taste
7 c. chicken stock
2 cans cooked pumpkin puree (15 oz. cans? Whatever one pie uses.)
12 oz. can evaporated milk (I use fat free)

Garnish:
freshly grated nutmeg
craisins

Heat a medium soup pot over medium to medium high heat. Add the oil and melt the butter. Add bay, celery, and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 6 or 7 minutes until tender. Add flour, poultry seasoning and hot sauce to taste, then cook flour a minute. Whisk in chicken stock and bring liquid to a bubble. Whisk in pumpkin in large spoonfuls to incorporate it into the broth. Simmer soup 10 minutes to thicken a bit then add in evap milk.  Reduce heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve.

Garnish with nutmeg and craisins.

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This recipe was adapted from Rachael Ray's Pumpkin Soup Recipe.

Past week and a half

Trevor was sick, Holly caught his cold, followed by Robert.  Robert used to have a super-charged immunity to stuff like this, but that's been one downfall with a change in his meds a few years ago.  The irony is that I have not caught this cold (or most others), despite being around germ-spreading little kids three days a week.  I'm not complaining though!

Trevor ended up with a load of math homework, while Holly worked diligently to wrap things up before the end of her classes in the next two weeks. This meant a lot of late nights on the couches with computers; it was kind of nice to watch. 

Lucky seems to be going through an older time right now (it seems to come and go). Instead of sleeping a lot, he's been more watchful.  Such a sweet old guy. We've been so blessed to have him as our dog. He still thinks he's a puppy.

Lakota has stopped herding the cats but still continues to torment Pumpkin.  I don't know what the deal is; she'll sleep on the same bed as Vader and leave him alone. She was out front with Robert yesterday, saw the cat across the street, and bolted.  She FLIES. The cat jumped up a half-story retaining wall, with Lakota jumping right behind her. She finally treed the cat, springing repeatedly six feet off the ground.  LOL

We finally gave Duck Dynasty a try.  Trevor's comment was that it was just like setting up a video camera in Callaway, and after watching an episode, I had to agree. 

The start of December brought a few days of lovely summer weather. We celebrated appropriately with summer barbecue food. And I pulled my flip flops out of my summer shoe box (and wore them)!

We have been pulling out Christmas decorations slowly. Lights are up outside, and we're getting ready for Jean's visit in 10 days.

We paid Holly's dual enrollment tuition today.  $1755 for three classes in spring semester, and that's not counting books.  (falls over in a dead faint)  Virginia has one of the costliest community college systems in the country.

Holly and I shopped at the mall today, picking up a few clothing items for her, along with a Christmas present (darling shoes!).  It was nice to just wander and hang out with her for a few hours.

More from November

 Two very different pictures to add!

Another stunning sunrise.  I've said it before, but one thing I missed while living in the woods was seeing the sun rise.  We were surrounded by trees. I desperately missed THIS and am so thankful so see it again!

Someone in the family passed on this older photograph.  My grandmother was one of five girls and two(?) boys. I had the privilege of meeting all of the sisters and knowing several of these wonderful women.  I don't know when this picture was taken; they always seemed old to me, and this is how I remember them.  However, since my great-grandmother died in 1960, it was taken at least several years before I was born.

My grandmother, Florentine ("Turpy"); Genevieve ("Auntie"); their mother Rose Droppelmann Connor; Kathleen, the oldest; Virginia ("Ginger"), the youngest; and Gertie.  Gertie was the last living sister, passing at the age of 99 last year.