Holly registered for next semester's classes: Chinese 102, Intro to Sociology, and Russian 101. Russian was a last minute choice, so she's not 100% committed to it, but it will be easier to drop later than add.
I've been off of work since last Monday and don't go back until Wednesday.
My dryer died a sad death the day before Thanksgiving. We bought a new dryer that won't be available until next Wednesday. Merry Christmas to me! (At least it wasn't my washer, dishwasher, or microwave, and at least I can get a new dryer.)
We had a lovely Thanksgiving at home with just the four of us. I made Alton Brown's turkey, which cooks at a high temp for a short time and then continues to roast at a moderate temp. It cooked quickly and tasted great. I think it was the first turkey that we haven't stuffed, but I made our tried-and-true dressing, which everyone liked. We also had Make Ahead Gravy, mashed potatoes, Spinach Madeline, Pretzel Jello Salad, and tried a new recipe, Orange and Lime Sherbet Cake.
Friends came over for appetizers Friday night.
Robert and I finally chose AND HUNG artwork for above our couch. This was a record for us, as we've lived here for (just) 2.5 years. Usually we can never agree/find something we like, and the wall is naked forever. And the best part was that it was less than $40 total. (Merry Christmas, Robert!)
We have old friends (who are in reality quite young) from Colorado who are now living in Pennsylvania. They spent Thanksgiving in Charlotte and stopped by today for brunch on their way home. Such a blessing to see Dan and Christine (and Sam!) after five years! I wanted to be sure to have something for everyone (especially Sam!). We ate: bagels and cream cheese, quiche, banana bread, grapefruit, and had a Swiss granola bar. We were thrilled that they stayed for a couple of hours, as they are in the middle of traveling with a six year old. So enjoyed catching up and reconnecting in real life!
Unfortunately, Trevor was sick and didn't make an appearance. This was his "bad" cold day, and I'll spare the public details. :/
Some nice days and good times, but in general, a not-so-great month. :(
Monday, November 26, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Sunday Date
I bought tickets a few weeks ago to see The Homecoming, the original Earl Hamner screenplay that was the basis for The Waltons TV show. Friends of ours were in the play, and I figured between that, the fact that the play had a Christmas theme, and knowing that Robert likes The Waltons, it wouldn't be too hard to drag him along.
We've never been to anything put on by The Bedford Town Players.
In fact, the last time I went to any kind of play was when Robert's mom had season tickets to The Little(ton) Town Players. I'd agreed to go with her for season. It ended up being a lot of fun. She had a set date, and I enjoyed our time out together.
The Homecoming was held in a wonderful theater that is part of the Elks Home campus in Bedford. Tickets were reasonably priced, and we had wonderful seats in the fourth row on the end. The play was terrific, and I appreciated knowing the characters from the TV show. It was a blast to see our friends in the starring roles (Olivia and ClayBoy), along with their quiet daughter as one of the noisy Walton children. The Elks Home puts on an amazing Christmas light display, and they were already in the thick of preparations.
We stopped at Walmart, where I spotted my first sun dog. I've heard of them before but never seen one in real life with my own two eyes.
We've been wanting to eat at Liberty Station--for several years! But it will have to wait, as we found they are closed on Sundays. We headed for Mexican food instead. Gorgeous day, changing leaves.
Sun going down.
Fall in Virginia is beautiful.
In fact, the last time I went to any kind of play was when Robert's mom had season tickets to The Little(ton) Town Players. I'd agreed to go with her for season. It ended up being a lot of fun. She had a set date, and I enjoyed our time out together.
The Homecoming was held in a wonderful theater that is part of the Elks Home campus in Bedford. Tickets were reasonably priced, and we had wonderful seats in the fourth row on the end. The play was terrific, and I appreciated knowing the characters from the TV show. It was a blast to see our friends in the starring roles (Olivia and ClayBoy), along with their quiet daughter as one of the noisy Walton children. The Elks Home puts on an amazing Christmas light display, and they were already in the thick of preparations.
We stopped at Walmart, where I spotted my first sun dog. I've heard of them before but never seen one in real life with my own two eyes.
We've been wanting to eat at Liberty Station--for several years! But it will have to wait, as we found they are closed on Sundays. We headed for Mexican food instead. Gorgeous day, changing leaves.
Sun going down.
Fall in Virginia is beautiful.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Election Day!
What a fun day! (Night was a different story, but whatever.)
I dropped Holly off at her English class and went grocery shopping. I had decided that we needed to celebrate the first time Holly got to VOTE! with a special, patriotic dinner. She's been waiting for this day for a couple of years, excited to know that she would turn 18 just weeks before a presidential election.
After class, we stopped at the polls.
When Holly got her passport last year, we first had to get her State ID updated through the DMV. At that time, unknown to us, the DMV included a space in our last name, effectively changing it from "McGowan" to "Mc_Gowan." Based on this information, her passport was subsequently issued with the name "Mc_Gowan." This was eventually brought to our attention earlier this year when Holly returned to the DMV to get her learner's permit.
Although the DMV acknowledged THEY had changed the spelling of her name in 2011, and THEY were the reason that her passport name was essentially misspelled, they were REQUIRED BY LAW to use the name on her passport. Their only saving grace was that they acknowledged the ridiculosity of it all.
And Holly's name would not come up at the polls. She was directed to another table, where the Election Judge made a telephone call to Some Person Who Held All Power. They asked Holly for her Social Security Number. Seriously? What 18 year old knows their SSN? At some point, it dawned on someone to use a space in her name, and PRESTO, she was able to return to the first table, where they pulled up her misspelled, space-filled name. They checked her off, gave her her piece of paper to exchange for her vote, and sent her across the gym.
Then one of the pollworkers shouted, "First time voter!" and all of the pollworkers began clapping and cheering.
I was thinking, You have got to be kidding! To her credit, Holly continued walking, totally ignoring them. Poor girl! On the plus side, she will never be a first time voter again!
Our patriotic dinner later that night was lovely:
Blue cheese burgers with red onions
Red, white and blue potato salad
Blue tortilla chips with red salsa and white queso
Cherry limeade
and Strawberry ice cream with fresh sliced strawberries for dessert
Just as we have since the kids were little, we watched the news coverage at night, coloring in our printed maps with red or blue crayons as each state's winner was announced. It was a fun day and a nice family celebration, despite the really crappy outcome.
I dropped Holly off at her English class and went grocery shopping. I had decided that we needed to celebrate the first time Holly got to VOTE! with a special, patriotic dinner. She's been waiting for this day for a couple of years, excited to know that she would turn 18 just weeks before a presidential election.
After class, we stopped at the polls.
When Holly got her passport last year, we first had to get her State ID updated through the DMV. At that time, unknown to us, the DMV included a space in our last name, effectively changing it from "McGowan" to "Mc_Gowan." Based on this information, her passport was subsequently issued with the name "Mc_Gowan." This was eventually brought to our attention earlier this year when Holly returned to the DMV to get her learner's permit.
Although the DMV acknowledged THEY had changed the spelling of her name in 2011, and THEY were the reason that her passport name was essentially misspelled, they were REQUIRED BY LAW to use the name on her passport. Their only saving grace was that they acknowledged the ridiculosity of it all.
And Holly's name would not come up at the polls. She was directed to another table, where the Election Judge made a telephone call to Some Person Who Held All Power. They asked Holly for her Social Security Number. Seriously? What 18 year old knows their SSN? At some point, it dawned on someone to use a space in her name, and PRESTO, she was able to return to the first table, where they pulled up her misspelled, space-filled name. They checked her off, gave her her piece of paper to exchange for her vote, and sent her across the gym.
Then one of the pollworkers shouted, "First time voter!" and all of the pollworkers began clapping and cheering.
I was thinking, You have got to be kidding! To her credit, Holly continued walking, totally ignoring them. Poor girl! On the plus side, she will never be a first time voter again!
Our patriotic dinner later that night was lovely:
Blue cheese burgers with red onions
Red, white and blue potato salad
Blue tortilla chips with red salsa and white queso
Cherry limeade
and Strawberry ice cream with fresh sliced strawberries for dessert
Just as we have since the kids were little, we watched the news coverage at night, coloring in our printed maps with red or blue crayons as each state's winner was announced. It was a fun day and a nice family celebration, despite the really crappy outcome.
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Friday, November 02, 2012
More from October
Going back through photos and backdating these pictures from October that I didn't blog earlier.
Annette made cupcakes to mark the first year anniversary of Joyce's passing. It was such a sweet idea!
I took advantage of the beautiful fall days to get photos while waiting for Holly at a few of her classes.
The end of the soccer season and the team photo.
A few pictures from the soccer banquet.
Pumpkins for Halloween.
Annette made cupcakes to mark the first year anniversary of Joyce's passing. It was such a sweet idea!
I took advantage of the beautiful fall days to get photos while waiting for Holly at a few of her classes.
Beautiful fall foliage
Gorgeous downtown Roanoke
The end of the soccer season and the team photo.
A few pictures from the soccer banquet.
Wonderfully creative soccer field dessert that someone brought. (Not me though!)
Pumpkins for Halloween.
Trevor's vampire
Holly's Ang
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)