This and That from the beginning of January

I'm writing this from my desk in Shreveport, or as my router name says "MCR West."   I am here for another week or so, then it's back to Georgia for about 10 days, then back to Shreveport until the end of April.  Oh, there is this big chunk of March when I am heading to Brazil aboard my beloved Crystal Serenity, but that is for later.

Only two people have looked at my Georgia home since August, so it looks like it will take some time in selling the old place.  We shall see, we shall see. It's waaayyy down on my list of things to accomplish in 2013.

Before she left to head back to Georgia Tech, I got this cute photo of Alix.



Come on--shouldn't EVERYONE have  her Chemistry lab coat monogrammed?

Alix and I switched cars for a while, as I needed to make a "big" haul to Louisiana.  All my clothes, my desktop computer, my jewelry cases, my painting and sewing supplies...well, basically most of my life.



Try as I might, I couldn't seem to get more than a few hours' sleep.  So I quit tossing and turning, and just got up and went.



You know, it's not bad driving on the interstate at 4am!!!

First thing I did on Monday morning was join a gym!



The Captain and I have a gym workout buddy arrangement.  We report to each other daily on whether we went (actually, why we DIDN'T go if we did not), and what we did.  Keeps us accountable and on track to make 2013 the BEST YEAR EVER.

I've really enjoyed the past two weeks, getting back to walking, discovering water aerobics and kick-starting myself a little at a time.  Being back in a pool is GREAT- and a good way to meet some new people.

Alix had her 19th birthday--the first one away from me away from home....



But her peeps made sure she was celebrated!!!!!!

We have a lot of family birthdays in January.  First up was Ed.



Remember that Ed is notoriously camera shy......(insert evil big sister laugh here).

Niece Ella, however, is not.



Cousins Buzz and Ashley and their girls joined us, and I got lots of pics of Buzz and Julie across the table from me.



Julie still has a protective brace on her elbow from the New York debacle, but at least her cast is off!

My mother knows that Ed really doesn't like attention drawn to himself.  Which is why she made sure he had a cupcake complete with candle and a round of singing.



 We are evil that way.

He was a good sport about it all.  I do believe he's getting better with age!

Mary Cecile, Emerson and Julia loved their cupcakes.



And Ella....well, Ella has that "you're coming home with ME, baby!" that she always has where chocolate is concerned!



My mother's birthday followed on the 20th, and we had a lovely brunch with Kris and her son Jack, but, alas, no photos.  It's just one of those things!