Office conversion!!

 We had to convert our office into a bedroom for Steve's mom. We first had to clean it out, as Steve was bringing in tools he uses that can't be outside and was storing them in the office. We still have a glass curio case and an old stereo to sell or re-locate in there, but I will be working on selling those items on FB. 

We purchased a $150 white bed, with 4 drawers under the bed for Steve's mom. We took out the desk and used the cabinets as a headboard since she didn't need the head board the bed came with. That went up in Celina's room. Although, we used her full size matress for the new bed for Steve's mom. 

I also purchased two gray curtains and small rods for the glass doors into the office/bedroom. She needed a easy to reach plug in for her cell phone, so I got one of those lamps with the dimmer and cell plugs in at the base for next to the bed.

 I'll have to purchase another set of full sheets, matress protector pad and maybe some decorative pillows and a warmer blanket for the bed. We also need to install the curtain rods on the doors and get the curtains shortened at the bottom. 

I'm taking Claudette to get her hair colored at the salon at noon and after a manicure / pedicure. 
We will change on and off every 4 days with Steve's brother having her stay with us and them. She doesn't want to be home alone all the time. 

Not sure if she will want to go home and stay eventually, but for now this is what we are doing. She has a heart valve replacement procedure coming up in November and will have recovery days anyway. So it will be at least a month to switch back and forth. The only thing we have yet to add is a shower on the main level for her. We can convert our 1/2 bath and add a shower on the back side by extending out the bathroom and laurndry room behind the house. Which if this is long term we will do in the spring. Right now, she has gone home to shower or can at his brother's house. We will figure it out as time goes on. 

The plan is to eventally rent out her house. There is too much to do for fixing it up, a huge tree to remove, a fireplace brick to fix on the outside, painting and get rid of all inside. All can be put in a storage garage and gone through slowly or over the year go through it little by little. No rush on this either and it might not happen till after she is gone anyway. It does provide extra income for her and our kids eventally, which is the better plan long term. Seems like houses rent for $3K a month and they cover utilities, but we would still need to do repairs and of course cleaning and the renting out. At least snow and lawn would be taken care of by the renters which would be less for us to do all the time. 

Wayne Nelson 10/23/2026

 Wayne Nelson 10/23/26 1:27a.m. Rest in peace 

My father in law was a kind man of very few words and he never needed many. He showed who he was in how he treated people, with kindness, patience and a quiet steadiness that made you feel at ease around him. He loved his family more then anything. He showed up was always there and listened. Wayne was the happiest at a table with good food and with people he loved around him. Every day, he made time for his birds, filling feeders and watching them come. It was a small, gentle ritual that said a lot about him. 

After his heart attacks last August, we were given one more year with him. We are so thankful for it. 

Wayne leaves behind a family that will miss his quiet presence, steady heart and the way he made us feeel like we were enough just as we are.  We will dearly miss his presence in our lives. You taught us that love doesn't need a lot of words, it was enough in just a kind look. 

Rest easy wayne, we will think of you everytime a bird lands at the feeder and when the table set, and the people you loved are together, we will save you a seat in your memory.

10/23/2026 1:27a.m💔

Hot Pot!!

We had hot pot last night for dinner. Soo much food and plenty of veggies left over. We ate all the beef. Pork was just so so. I think next time we'll pass on that and stick with beef. Loved all the veggies!  

Such a fun meal too. 

Last few days of 90+F in October!

Since it got up to 90 both on Saturday and Sunday, then Monday 80*F, I set up our tent in the back yard for a few more days of sleeping outside. We never turned on the AC, so sleeping outside in the tent seemed like a cooler idea. It was still hot during the night since it only cooled down to the 70's. Last night was the best night for sleep as I woke to 55+F temps, which felt amazing to sleep bundled under 2 sleeping bags and a smaller blanket under for warmth and of course Zoey our dog pressed up against me for added warmth for both of us. She actually wanted to be under some of the covers. Steve gave up half way throught the last night as Zoey choose to lay on his side and take up all the leg room. Of course once he went inside she moved over!  

I'll be putting away the tent today. That was the last night of 2026 sleeping outdoors. I'll wait till spring if we go somewhere in April or have a nice few days to enjoy warmer weather. 

Back yard leaves are falling fast now. It won't be long before the trees are bare. It is pretty but fall and winter are my least favorite times of the year with winter Dead last! 

Thursday Evening out!

We went to the Vikings training area. They always have the trees decorated year round. We usually only go in winter, when its super cold and don't want to be out long to take photos. It was nice to walk the tree lined row and snap some not rushed photos.  

Dinner with friends. Of course I took the photo and forgot to ask the waiter to take a group shot with me included. Oh well, there's me above in my selfie! 

Stillwater. Fall biking

 We biked 20 miles starting in Stillwater. This is the prettiest trail we have ever rode our bikes on. It was a very hot 90 degree day, but being the trail was mostly tree covered and was in between a gully, we had wind and cooler air. A beautiful day to bike! 

Horses along the way, with a seperate trail next to the bike trial for them. 

Celina rented a bike for the day to keep up with us. 

After Stillwater was having their fall festival-Octoberfest, we had a few drinks and shared a very large soft pretzel with cheese and mustard. 

October Weekend.

We went back up to Sauk for the weekend on Saturday. Got our tent up and finished pulling up the dock out of the water just in time before the rain started. 

Sunday Fall camping at Sauk

We hardly are ever there in the fall when the leaves are turning colors. 

It was a bit chilly at night but we had foam down over the air matress and I tried to block the top with more tarps over the screen part on the top. It did fall down but was still around the edges. It was a perfect day on Sunday. We packed up and headed for excelsior around noon to watch the Vikings play at 3 at Back Channel brewery with the kids. 

Saturday while it rained all afternoon we went to Goat Hill Brewery and had pizza, then to a winery on the way back and last to Babbits in Sauk for more wine then to dinner at Birchwood resort. 

A perfect way to spend a rain filled day.