… a family to celebrate milestones together like my mama’s 70th birthday, inter-generational Canasta and Uno, surprise visits from old friends, Christmas trees in November, turkey hats, marching bands, living room slumber parties, an over-sized Adirondack chair, magic shows, invisible giggling flautists, introducing armpit farts to 4 year olds, a car chase, a plaque of appreciation for 50 years of mom service, a cake made of dollar bills, cousins who can’t get enough of each other, unseasonably warm weather, and no sign of Louise the Pig Puppet.  As if our hearts weren’t full enough, the day after returning to Fayetteville our friends Russell and Cheryl lovingly drove me three hours to see an ear surgeon in Little Rock, my one and only local hope to end the pain that has plagued and confused me for the past six months.  My long overdue ear surgery is set for February 11th, filling me with exactly equal doses of hope and fear.  Driving across Arkansas at the end of that long day, daydreaming about the future with friends who are as close to family as friends can be, and already reminiscing about the past few days, ’twas easy to be thankful.  And another thing: When I picked up Huck from school the next day he was excitedly telling his friend, “So after her ear surgery she’ll be able to swim underwater with me!” followed by a fancy leap in the air to punctuate his good mom-news.

Here’s hoping.

A Spontaneous Salina Sally Visit!

A Spontaneous Coleman Sighting at Beautiful Botanica Gardens!

The Original Hottman 5

The Grand and Great-Grandchildren, minus Hayden

A couple of hot middle children.  Seriously, it was hot outside!

Click here for my very favorite video ever:

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