Family visit

20 August 2025: Got to spend some time today with my parents, Erin, Krista, and Isla. We celebrated my dad's 79th birthday a few days early, too.

Christmas: Part 2

29 December 2024: Hosted Erin and company, Tara and the boys, and my parents today for Christmas: Part 2. Pretty great time!

(this last one taken--obviously--shortly after everyone left)

Christmas 2024

25 December 2024: Blessed to spend the day with Erin, Eric, and the girls (and the dogs, one of whom was insistent on some face-licking...).

Here comes Christmas...

29 November 2024: After spending last night at the McNetts', it was quite nice to wake up and spend some time with them, including helping them decorate the tree. I think I'll put mine up tomorrow, a bit earlier than usual, but not much. Feels like we need all the light and joy we can muster.

Thanksgiving 2024

28 November 2024: 

[Catch-up post]

So thankful to have these four in my life and for the chance to spend the day with them.

The girls invited me to spend the night and watch Christmas movies with them, which delighted me. We watched Mickey's Christmas Carol, Frosty the Snowman, and Home Alone. Just a really lovely, cozy day. 

"Reading anything good?"

5 September 2024: This is kind of a cheat, since the thing I am writing about happened yesterday, but it's been making me smile today. I called Krista and Isla to find out how school was going and then asked them each if they were reading anything good.

Krista's answer was pure Krista: she had checked a book out from the library about mythologies from around the world.

Isla's answer: The Big Book of Butts, also from the library.

I told Hannah that story and she said, "The two sides of your brain!" Ha!

Sweet Frog Meet-Up

22 July 2024: 

[Catch-up post]

Caught some great synergy yesterday as Tara, Jeff, Evan, and their new puppy passed right through Martinsburg on their way to Oklahoma for Colin's graduation from basic training. So Isla, Krista, and I met them at the Sweet Frog just off 81 for a quick visit. Really lovely that it worked out!

It's called "New Romantics"

21 July 2024:

[Catch-up post]

Isla introducing me to her third favorite Taylor Swift song on the first night of her and Krista's visit. We also painted nails, made ice-cream sundaes, and watched silly TV. 

Street Fest 2024

29 June 2024: What a great day today was! This morning, I had a volunteer shift at Street Fest. Then I can home to meet Erin and the girls, who finally met Jo. That went swimmingly, of course. And we went to Street Fest. Hot as heck, but fun. 

Easter 2024

31 March 2024: Marshmallow Peeps are not my fav, but they helped my carrot cake look good enough to impress some of my *actual* favorite peeps. 

So very blessed to get to spend every Easter with Erin, Eric, and the girls. 

"The Bleakening"

23 December 2023:

[Catch-up post]

Made to NY in pretty good time on Saturday. That evening, I was thrilled to introduce Krista and Isla to Bob's Burgers, specifically to "The Bleakening." 

Thanksgiving 2023

23 November 2023:Some pictures from Thanksgiving at the McNett house.

With Krista and my silly veggie turkey.

Doing the "mashed potato" at dinner.

The chefs with their work.

Art with Isla.

Just hanging with two of my favorite people.

My kind of math...

19 October 2023: Erin texted me this picture today, explaining that Krista had to write her own word problem. Amazing.

My influence, continued...

16 July 2023: 

[Catch-up post]

"Yes! Toilet, toilet, toilet!" --Isla and Krista yesterday morning, as we watched a toilet-smashing episode of Is It Cake. I literally heard about that moment--with the toilet--on a podcast I listened to on the drive-up and knew it would be a hit. I know my audience. 

My influence...

14 July 2023: Little trip to NY coming up for Aidan and Colin's graduation parties. Erin and the girls are already up there. Erin sent this dispatch earlier.

I mean, in the long run, my legacy of TV influence on them better be more than this, but I am not ashamed. 

Easter 2023

9 April 2023: 

Thanksgiving 2022

24 November 2022:

A decade of Krista...

11 November 2022: Krista turned 10 today, which is hard to believe. When I spoke to her today, I said, "I can't believe it's been ten years since you arrived!" 

"Neither can I!" she said.

"A decade!"

"A decade of Krista!" she added. 

Love that kid so much. 

Quarantine pop-over...

23 August 2022: My parents are in the area this week and Erin and the girls drove out to have lunch with them today for my dad's birthday. Of course, I couldn't join them, but they all swung by after so we could exchange gifts (my gift for my dad, "Annie and Sugie's" birthday gift for me) and they could drop off a take-out dinner. I stood on the porch in my mask and my parents stood in the driveway, with Erin and the girls on the lawn by the sidewalk. It was nice to see them because (already!) I am feeling a bit lonely. "Over three more days to go?" I said to myself not too long ago?

Of course, I am not alone completely. Had a good phone conversation with Vogel, texts from friends, and Wes is always here. (BabyCat also lives here.)

Speaking of BabyCat, this gift (again, "from" Annie and Sugie) is a custom-made depiction of my reticent little queen. It's a reclaimed slate from a barn in Beverly, MA (where Lucy Larcom is from!).

Bald Eagle State Park

4 July 2022: 

[Catch-up post...]

Got to do some swimming, boating, and tubing. Nice way to spend the 4th when it's hard to feel that great about the country right now.