Five Brown Kids

Scotia got in her first crash.  She was driving my car home from school when she bumped someone pulling out of the parking lot.  Here's the text: No big deal right?  Everyone was safe...minimal car damage.  I submitted an insurance claim, took it into the shop for a quote (that was reasonable) and then scheduled a time to take it in to get fixed.  A few days after I dropped it off I got a notice from my insurance that the car was TOTALED!  They opened up the hood and I guess the frame was damaged. The cost to repair was astronomical... they dumped all the removed parts in the front seat, had me come in to get all my possessions and then towed it away for parts/repair???  Who knows.  I had 7 days to buy a new car before my rental car ran out.  I grabbed the exact same model, just a newer version...  unfortunately no blue ones to be found anywhere.  So, dent in hood and now I own a fabulous, new to me car! Best kind of "totaled a car"...

 Taye is doing fantastic at nursing school.  He's been waiting for this moment since high school and is learning in leaps and bounds.  He's so invested now!  He likes his classmates, his favorite teacher is super funny and easy to get along with.  He loves clinical and learning to take care of patients. First semester wraps up this week!  And next month they start giving shots etc!  His lone complaint is not having his friends around - he's def a social creature. (Although this is def an advantage too, because he can really focus on studying)  His best friend from high school is working on his pilot's license and does private flights all over the country.  This spring he is flying a Raleigh man back and forth to South Dakota once a month to set up a bar before the big motorcycle convention there this summer.  So Taye got to hang out with an old friend for a fun night out and can look forward to a few more visits! Yay! 

 Scotia swam another season of high school swim.  Her relay team made it all the way to states again!  Hanging with her swim friends is Scotia's favorite part of life. 

  Went to a dog adoption center with a friend Went to school dance with Grandma and Dad.   First hike with Rosie. Still riding horses. Still playing ball.  Carpool silliness

Because we long ago earned some serious vacation time we are planning regular outings and getaways.  Courtney's access to super affordable time share rentals make this an easy win!  (Although she couldn't come on this trip because her grandma passed away and she went to the funeral.) Foggy walk on the beach.  Crocodile Rocks Piano Bar.  A dueling pianos bar is my new favorite entertainment! Huntington Beach and a quick tour of the Atalaya Castle.  I love to tour old houses of the rich and famous but this is the first time I desperately wanted to live in one of those buildings.  The connection between indoors and outdoors was fabulous, and while beautifully designed was so simple.  I'm obsessed.  Saw two little alligators.  January is still a little chilly.  Carleen gave me a quick hair trim. 

 Just hanging out around here - waiting for spring. Taye calls regularly with cold weather updates and new nursing knowledge. He is doing great!  Rosie is still being a dog.  Sara and I picked up 17 bags of trash on Martin Luther King Day.  Blythe is playing basketball.  Scored 8 points at her last game.  During a cold snap some puddles froze and the girls were delighted to play on the ice!