Kelly Times Two

Today, like most days when Hannah gets home from school, she proudly told me that she had finished all of her homework. She is such a diligent student and I never have to remind her to do any of her work. She is extremely responsible and takes a lot of pride in her work and does really well in school.  She has never been tardy or absent from school and never wants me to schedule doctor or dentist appointments during school hours.  I had been busy all day hosting a jewelry party for my good friend, Sue, a stylist for Stella & Dot.  I was exhausted and had an annoying headache that had been bothering me since last night. Hannah rode her bike home from school, came inside and got her backpack out, and was going through her Tuesday folder so I could look over her graded papers and sign off for any handouts that came home.  She eagerly asked me if I would read her November writing assignment and I was too busy at the time, and my head was killing me so I told her I...

My family grew up with a few regular dishes that Mom used to fix all the time, including a rather mediocre tuna casserole.  At the time, we ate it and didn't complain, but the thought of it now, makes most of us lose our appetites. (Sorry, Mom!  We still love and appreciate you.) Several years ago, a coworker shared her recipe with me, and I've made a few changes to it and fed it to my family dozens of times since. It might turn out that some day my kids will feel the same and joke about it, but in the meantime, I'll share it with the world.  It's pretty tasty to me, and very convenient since I usually have most of the ingredients on hand. Baked Tuna Pasta Casserole with mixed vegetables 3 cups (8 ounces) uncooked rotini pasta 12 ounce can of tuna, drained 2 cups (8 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup milk 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning (or 1 teaspoon curry season...

I'm such a weird adult, I actually love my birthday! It's exciting to have lived for half a century so far and I have so many incredible memories and friends and family surrounding me. My three sisters came to visit this past weekend and we had a blast celebrating. Our weekend plans included going to an opera, Madama Butterfly, joining two other friends, Carol and Kelly, then being pampered at the luxuriously relaxing Lake House Spa at the Lake Austin Spa, dinner out at one of my favorite places, Hudson's on the Bend, then to a movie at the iPic theatre at the Domain. My friend, Sherrie, also dined with us at Hudson's. It was the longest time I had ever been separated from Isaac, and Kelly stayed home with him so I could have a nice time. He brought Isaac to me at the restaurant, then took him home after we ate, and met up with us at the movies. Melody and Molly, two of Lindsey's friends who live in our neighborhood and were in show choir with her...