September 19-26, 2022

Life. It just never stops and seems like we can’t ever catch a break.

This week Ally developed an infection in her big toe, looks like an ingrown toe nail. It hurt a lot, we soaked it, she went to school but the 2nd day her toe was swollen, hot to the touch and looked clearly infected. The pain woke her up at 430am. So she woke me up. 

We were able to get her into the doctor and she got a prescription for antibiotics.

But she missed most of a day of school. 

On a positive note her volleyball team continues to win. But on Friday one the girls took a bad fall and they had to end the game and she was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Ally was really freaked out by the entire experience. Thankfully it was Friday night and she could take it easy over the weekend. Her teammate is going to be ok. 

We had some family time getting our nails done on Saturday and Sunday I watched football while the rest of my family napped. Then Becky and Ally played PS5 for a while. 

Pretty typical after school look. On the couch, with her cat. 

I went to her volleyball on Wednesday. Ally is the 3rd player in on the left side. (Coach is in the pink shirt.)

At the end of the game the players on the bench all huddle together to cheer for match point. 

Friday morning. I laughed at Ally being so flexible she put her foot up on the back of the couch to tie her shoe!

It felt like Fall. Ally even brought a coat to school.



Saturday, Cloey was cuddling, hugging her lamby.

So happy to see us when we got home from the nail salon.

Sunday naps

We got our pottery back.

Ally had today off for Rosh Hoshana. Her pets were very happy.

September 12-18, 2022

Not much to report. And not many pictures. 

Ally has school 8-3 every day. Practice is after school. Varsity Volleyball practices 430-600 on Monday & Tuesday, 315-445 on Wednesday & Thursday and 400-530 on Friday. BUT when they have a game it’s a different schedule that day. So basically the schedule changes weekly. Last week they had 2 games and this week they have 3. Ally has not had much playing time but she said it’s ok. She’d rather be on the bench with varsity then play a lot on JV. She feels her skills are improving and the other players are much more serious. They won their first 2 games and last year on JV they did not win a single game all season. 

Ally met with a new nutritionist that she liked, also had an appointment with her eating coach and of course weekly therapy and one other medical appointment. If you’re counting that is 4 appointments last week! This week it’s back to 2 and we hope to keep it at 2 most weeks. 

Cloey is struggling with Becky and Ally gone all day. So she gets lots of love when they are home.

Becky got her 2nd COVID booster and her flu shot on Monday and had a pretty bad reaction. She was sick for 2 days. Ally and I decided to just get our booster on Saturday and other than a sore arm we were ok. We will get flu shots in a few weeks. 

An Ipsy package came.

Ally was so excited we got a load of her favorite bread at Panera. She ate 3 slices with dinner every night.

Friday casual look in sweatpants. She had an away game after school and wasn’t going to get picked up until 7pm. She was glad to have sweats and not jeans.

Cat and dog sharing space to be near Ally. It never gets old.

Cloey really wanted some of Ally’s pasta.

First week of 10th grade!

Wow. Ally is a sophomore in high school. The first week has gone well. There are lots of new kids in her grade and Ally is thrilled about that and feels pretty good about making some new friends. 

But the very best news is that she made the varsity volleyball team. This is a goal she set for herself last Spring. She joined a club team, went to camps the summer and it paid off. We are so proud of her.

Tuesday was the first day of school. The day started with 90 minute volleyball practice so Ally went to school in her practice clothes. She changed after practice and met up with me for “registration” which was kind of crazy, lots of parents and kids getting some information about school programs, Ally got her picture taken for her school ID, and best of all she got a locker! We are so happy. Now she doesn’t need to carry her shoes to and from school each day for practice. 

Wednesday morning. It’s hard to get up with Cloey so cuddled in.

Becky’s first day outfit.

Wednesday was “orientation day” lots of get to know each other games and a 10th grade service project. 

Thursday was the first day of classes. I posted this to Facebook and Ally’s kindergarten teacher commented that she has the same smile as when he taught her.

So I looked it up and check it out! She does have the same smile and head tilt. 


Friday her volleyball team had a scrimmage after school. Ally came home and collapsed. Her pets want to be near her always.

Saturday Ally had 2 volleyball practices, 9-11 and 1-3 with lunch and a break at school between them. 

She came home, napped and showered and then we went over to Andy’s house to meet up with some friends for dinner.

I went inside to tell the teenagers it was time for dessert and found 4 of them like this. Erik playing piano, Andy accompanying Erik on the trumpet, Sophocles playing Minecraft and Ally on the floor playing on her phone. 

Ally, Violet & Stella.

We’ve been friends for a long time. 12 years now. So good to get together.

It was a fun, and exhausting week. 

Happy Birthday Aunt Beth

Beth’s birthday was the first day of school. Not ideal for celebrating with us. So Beth agreed to come over for brunch the day before her birthday (Labor Day) to celebrate.

They had mimosas 

Becky made waffles and there was fruit and whipped cream too!

After our meal they played Ticket to Ride.

Cloey wanted to play too.

Cupcakes and singing.


And a birthday photo!

The last days of Summer Vacation 2022

It was certainly the summer of time together. And time with our pets.

Sleeping on the way home from The Cape.

A nap when we got home.

Daisy.



Cloey loves to snuggle with Ally especially in the morning.


My family.

We’ve been watching Amazing Race, it’s a great family show to watch together.


Daisy and Cloey snuggled up to Ally.

Puzzle Goal Achieved.

After failing to complete the 1000 piece puzzle in Flagstaff Ally and I set a goal to do one at home. 

We started before we went to Cape Cod.

My job is always to sort the pieces. 

Daisy is never far from Ally. 

We worked on it when we got back a few times. 

But Friday night Ally texted me at 1045pm to say she was working on it again. So I went to join her. 

And we did it. Finished it at 1207AM. We were so tired. But it felt really good.

Now I have to decide whether to start another 1000 piece or stick with 500.