My electric RAD bike!!!

My bike arrived around 2pm yesterday! Nice how I didn't have to wait till the end of the day for it to be delivered. I actually was able to get the box inside and open it up. 

I spent the next hour, taking off all the packaging, and reading the manual. 

I got the bike all put together with the help of Rad's Utube video. I still have to change out the seat but will try the seat that came with the bike first. 

The new seat might be too big? It does have springs, so I am sure more comfortable going over bumps on dirt roads. 

It rained all day yesterday and froze on the trees. Thankfully, the roads kept melting and nothing was icy. I ended up going out to the store around 3pm to get bike grease. 

The trees and everything outside was super pretty with all the ice. It stuck around last night, so still icy on the trees and I'm sure the roads are a little slick this morning. I won't be leaving the house till 2:15pm today to work for a short hour. Easy day!

The ground still has snow, but Saturday its going to warm up to 50! 

I might be able to get in a bike ride, if it's all dried up on the roads. I'm not going to risk getting my new electric bike wet on the first ride out! 

 

Ugly Snow!!

 We woke up to this outside!! Dirty spring snow! Sooo done with white! Bring on the green! We'll even take brown grass!! 

Glad it won't be sticking around for very long with temps at 50 this weekend! 

At least I can enjoy my spring flowers in bloom this morning! That was a big surprise since I just got these a few days ago and they weren't even near to blooming. Trippled in size in just 4 days! 

I also am trying to re-grow some bib lettuce. I see others doing it and figured why not try?? No change yet, but it's only been two days. I've tried growing this before without any luck but this time, I'm using tooth picks to kept it upright and will change out the water to keep it fresh. Fingers crossed it works!! 

I'm going to be cat sitting Diago Friday - Tuesday. I am getting more customers!! Love cat sitting as it's easy just two feedings a day and $35 per day! A little easy side hustle for some extra cash! Now I'm up to three customers for doggie day care and cat sitting. I hope to keep expanding on this as its a great side business! Plus, I love animals, so a win/win for everyone. I just won't be able to do weekends in the summer unless my kids are home and want to take over any jobs. I'll figure that out as it comes. 

I know, I talk about my bike every day! lol.. (This is not my brand of bike, nor the bike I'm getting).

Well, I have the delivery for today!!! Of course I have a all day delivery window. I do know its on the truck, so hopefully I don't have to wait all darn day! I am super happy that today is the delivery date, because I rescheduled work due to the freezing rain/snow today. I will be home all day to sign for my delivery. There is zero chance I will not be home to sign for my bike! That to me is gold!

So, I've been excited to get my bike. Which I have to tell others. Steve's mom was complaining about me buying this bike. Why is it that men can buy stuff and no one questions them spending money on themselves, but when I do.. its like I'm being selfish! I give the kids my gift cards for b-day and xmas, buy them stuff but not myself. Steve goes out every week with the guys spending close to $100 weekly while . Plus, has a gym membership. So my $1700 purchase for myself, is a drop in the hat compared to what he spends on himself. But yeah, call me selfish! I'm sure these comments come because we just got Logan's college bill of $6K. We want Logan to help with some of the amount and they think I should have paid more with the $1700! I guess I need to give up everything I want too! But not Steve! Really?? Okay my rant of the day! 

Monday.. See you in May!

 We said good bye to Logan at the train station this morning. At least the sun was out! It's supposed to rain/snow with rain starting Tuesday night on to Wed-Thursday! Yuck! We won't see Logan again till May when Celina graduates in all 6 week! I'm sure the time will go by fast as Monday's seem to come fast after a weekend! 

Logan worked all last night till 2am on his project. Of course he waited till the last minute!  

Steve kind of crushed it with Logan's heavy bag getting it out of the car. Oops! Good thing he takes photos and submits them of the project. I'm sure it can be fixed too? He has 6 hours on the train to do touchups if needed. Just not sure the glue would be dry in that amount of time? 

Zoey was wanting lots of treats last night. She always grabs a sock and wants to trade for a treat. I didn't want to give in and she will never give in, so eventually I do give her a treat when she asks! 

Kendra and the family got back from their spring break trip late last night at midnight. Its a long drive from Florida to home! They managed to do it in two days I think. She said it was green from Missouri on down. 6 Hours away it looks like spring! Not at home! Just brown ground and soon more white snow on the ground too! Yuck! I'm ready for spring and summer. I did purchase a few plants for myself. Tulips, daffodils and one other purple bulb growing plant, along with some basil. They are all growing in the front window. 

My bike should arrive on Tuesday before the end of the day. Someone must sign for it and of course, that's my busiest work day this week! I'll be able to put it together inside, but won't be able to ride it till the weekend. Still don't know when the accessories will be delivered via UPS?? 

I ordered another stairs for Zoey to get up and down off our bed. Of course this one is more money than the one they couldn't deliver and now is on backorder. That arrives Wednesday. Fingers crossed it is deliverable this time around!

I was thinking about getting a solar power Jackery 1000 for our camping trips or at least to charge the kids cell phones. We could get a cheap $300 to just charge up all the cell phones while at the lake. It's much needed as the kids sit in the car and run it to charge them up. I also mentioned just putting in electrical at the lake this summer. That requires getting a permit, paying $300 for the year, which is the min amount of $25 per month, might be more now?? Plus, digging a trench down the property line and maybe having to remove trees and roots??? Steve would run the wire and we could have the neighbor friend hook up the electric since he is a licensed electrician. In all we will need electrical anyway. Might as well, get this down this year! So do we just purchase this $300 or $1000 unit? I'd like to be able to plug in an electric blanket or the heater for camping in the spring/fall. We just need a lot more power to do that! Not sure I want to spend $1000 or more for solar panels to recharge. Might need that for the e-bikes anyway? So many decisions!! I do think we decided on the power at the lake as a no brainer this year. Guess we will find out how difficult that's going to be! I have a feeling the neighbors cleared enough trees along the property line that it's not going be a issue of roots, etc.. Just trenching rental etc.. 

Happy Birthday Wayne 83!!

I sure hope to make it to 83 and in as good of health!  

We celebrated Wayne's 83rd birthday at the brewery in Cannon falls, Tilion. We grabbed a large table and set up all the snack foods I picked up from Trader Joes, and Target! A success! 

Steve's parents said they really enjoyed the party and just going out! A win/win!!

After we all went to the pizza place in Hampton for Pizza, wings and roasted cauliflower. 

So here's me, 8 years ago. I also have old google memories from 2019 where I am much thinner! Seems covid stay home did a number on my weight gain! 

Its sad to see I worked so hard for many years to maintain my weight loss, only to gain it all back during covid. I sure try to lose weight every day and every day I seem to give up. I need to fight harder because I just disappoint myself every single day for not waking up the next day, dropping weight! I set up a plan to eat less or 1 meal a day. I just need to commit 100%, which I say I am but really don't follow though. 

I have been exercising again, which I used to do 7 days a week for at least an hour a day. I might not be up to an hour of running, but I have been running again on the cross ramp, lifting weights and doing planks. It's time to start upping my workout, but not too much where I don't want to do it! I can get back to this weight again. I can get more fit in my 50's! I don't want to miss out on things because I don't like the way I look right now! Time to make some progress! 

Back to waiting till I'm really hungry to eat. 

Back to working out more and less sitting

Back to caring about me and putting me first! 

I can do this right now for summer and on.. April, May and June! 90 days of weight loss ahead! I've got this!!

Friday night!

I took a lot of sunset pictures last night from the car ride home from dinner down in Cannon Falls. It might be cold and windy, but the sunset was amazing!  

We had a nice night out, first stop was Tilton Brewery in Cannon Falls. We used to always go to the winery, but wine kind of burns my stomach! So we had beers instead. I'm liking the red or brown ales instead of the IPA's which sometimes are bitter, more calories and higher alcohol content. After, I wanted to try a new to us Mexican restaurant in Cannon Falls, along Hyw 52. We've passed by it multiple times and I'm always reminded that we must try this place. It reminded us of our old restaurant close to home Fiesta Cancun. They are no longer in business and now a Irish restaurant is in its place. So we don't eat out Mexican food that often any longer. The food was just okay. We did love the chips and salsa and they had a great happy hour. So we might just make it for that! Drinks and free chips with Salsa and go home! 

I doggie sat Thursday and Friday with Celina's help while I worked in the morning. Mach was a good puppy but very busy wanting to go outside and back inside, never sitting down or resting for more then a few minutes total. I'm sure he was tired all by the time he was dropped off every evening. We watched him from 7am to 5pm. At least Celina got some money for dog sitting! A lot more work, then cat sitting too! 

Zoey did pretty good for the most part. She only growled a few times at Mack when he would jump up and pounce on her back and corner her wrapping his body around hers. Zoey also never wanted to be in the backyard when he was outside. In all Zoey did great. 

I'm still waiting for my electric bike to arrive!!! I checked the Fed Ex tracker and it says by the end of Tuesday. Even though the web site says 2 day delivery! Well, I ordered the bike on Wednesday! I'm super excited to get my new electric bike!! I did start looking up all the info to start an ebike rental. I think, like most business that I've started, I'm not going to think about it too hard! Just gather up all the rental forms needed, make a website and think up a name. No need to over think the process and give up on the idea. 

I keep checking the extended weather forecast to see when we can start car camping in April and what state semi close to home will be at least 50 at night. I'm always checking south of us, Kansas or west in S. Dakota. We could easily drive 4, 6 or 9 hours away for a 3- 4 day weekend to be in warmer weather. Car camping would allow us to not have to set up much as with a tent. Plus, easy to just go and hit the road. We could try stealth camping and allow us to do a semi cheaper trip without the added hotel cost. We would use the hotel money we saved for activities and going out to eat/drink! It's my frugel vacation! I'm sooo ready to try out my car camping idea! 

I'm sure Kendra and family are on their drive home from Florida today. I love these photos of the grandkids. 

Doggie Daycare!

Its kind of fun having a puppy over to play with Zoey. Mach is high energy and Zoey wasn't always having it! 

I think Zoey likes her new friend. They seem to play well together and Zoey doesn't like many dogs so its good they get along. 

Mack was pretty busy, going in and outside all morning and most of the afternoon. He finally took about a 10 minute nap and awake again. 

 

Hump Day! Good news too!

I'm doing it today!! Buying my White Rad Electric bike!! I'm just waiting for Celina to wake up so I can get the $100 student discount! I'm also getting a free helmet. I was going to spend $2K on an electric bike, but the Rad mini 2, is priced at $1400. I'm adding the more cushy seat, cell phone holder and water bottle rack. They throw in a helmet or front rack for free. I'm in need of a nice new helmet so I got that in black. Should ship in two days! Doubt I'll be riding in two days due to the weather, but I'll have it and can assemble the 4 parts and have it all ready to ride when the weather is nicer! 

We are starting with one bike and making sure its the right bike for riding on gravel roads. If Steve likes this bike too, we'll get one more. This way, should we start up or try to rent out our ebikes, we have 2! It's a start on a new business!! Fingers crossed it at least pays for our bikes! The path one day(hopefully this summer) will connect to the river to St. Paul and Hastings! This gives miles of trails to ride. Our house is right off the path and we can always build a storage shed under our 4 season porch to store the bikes, should we end up with a lot more bikes! Just testing the whole business concept to see the demand! 

Zoey got a hair cut yesterday and she looks and smells beautiful! 

Still zero progress on replacing the TP holder. I found the metric tool needed to remove the old one, but I can't figure out which way to turn to get it off. It just spins and hooks on a little, but isn't coming off and I'm not sure if I'm Turing the tool in the right direction. I gave up. Plus, where's the paint?? Did we throw it out?? Ugh!!! 

I still have the new light and of course that didn't get installed yesterday either! Maybe tonight?? 

I do have good news!! Checked my bank account and the Woman's covid Main Street grant arrived!!! Super happy about that! They said it could take 3 to 4 weeks and it arrived in about 2 weeks! Funny how last night I dreamed I found a bunch of cash in my pocket. That must have been the sigh I was getting money this morning! I'm saving most for payroll expenses and equipment purchase. My payroll will go in to savings! 

Today is bill paying day too. Never fun spending money, but its on our auto loans. Almost paid off the truck and of course my loan is now 1 year paid off and how many more to go?? Too many!! 

I really wanted to be lazy yesterday and not run on the cross ramp. I did end up running in the afternoon and felt so much better for just doing it. I even dieted yesterday staying around 1500 calories for the day. 

This week has been a very slow work week. A few of my customers are on Spring break, screwing up my work schedule and of course not getting paid. I do work Thursday and Friday! Very busy days and I advertised yesterday and picked up one new customer. It just doesn't pay as well, but that's okay its more work!!!Plus, paid for my ad. That starts next week. I was kind of hoping to start today since I'm off work, but nope! Next week along with everyone else!! 

 

S A T U R D A Y Night!

 We went out with neighbor friends Saturday night. We hit up a few breweries and played a little cribbage. Ended up trying a new Fire pizza in Hampton. 

The Pizza was excellent and we finally got to try the wings too, which came an hour later. Better late than never! 

We will definitely be back to have the pizza in this town. I think Summer out in the yard would be a great night out! 

While we were out having dinner, my phone found this Explore Sunday place very close by. Now we must go there to check it out! Today is going to be 60+F, so today might be the day we go! Plus, maybe more pizza?? 

I finally found a light the kids liked for their bathroom! Now to just get Steve to install. Maybe I should learn how to do this stuff!!! I'm still trying to find some light cover replacements for our half bathroom. I don't really want to spend $16 per cover and I need 3! 

I need to get back to This Lorraine!!! The one that ran 6 miles 7 days a week, lifted weights and did planks! 50 pounds lighter! 

I did it!!

It might not look that pretty on the inside, but you'd never know on the outside. My window coverings finally work! I used those clear 3M plastic hooks to hang the fabric on. Just made little holes with scissors and had to put duck tape on the back, so the holes wouldn't stretch out from being cut and hanging. 

 

I decided to just use a long bungee cord across the front seats and cover them with the fabric instead of trying to cover up the front windows. This provides a divider between the front seats and the back sleeping area. The bungees worked but also need some clips to hold it in place without slipping off. 

I didn't have to attach the bottoms since we can pull up my cars screen on the side windows. It also prevents the fabric from moving if we open and close the doors when getting in our out. 

When the seats are all laid out flat, we can easily stretch out full length. There will be a space between the two middle seats, which will be a good place to store out bags (clothes). We also have two foam pads that will cover the entire back of the SUV. I'll cover up the foam with a light weight carpet and put sleeping bags over the top. We can store folding chairs behind the front seat for easy access and at night put the coolers up on the front seat along with our cooking supplies. 

I'm pretty happy with how it all turned out. I've stored all the window coverings behind the front seat in the seat pockets. I also labeled all the window coverings. They all came out easily, now to see how fast I can put them back up. We also have a car/hatch tent that goes over the back with the trunk open for summer, should we decide to car camp. I think we'd only do that if we wanted to stay a night or if it was raining. I think pretty much this is strictly spring or fall car camping! I'm excited to try it out. We might need to go to the lake next weekend and spend a night! 

Zoey is off to the groomer this morning. She is looking like a furry beast! I like to keep her fur short as she won't shed as much and she just looks better all trimmed up! 

We had two really nice days of almost 60+F for March! I got outside as much as I could to soak it in. Yesterday, wasn't as sunny so not a lot of just sitting as it was more moving around and getting stuff done outdoors! 

I'm all done cat sitting for now. I'll be doing some doggie daycare on Thursday and Friday with a customers 9 mo old golden retriever puppy. I'm starting to build up a new side hustle which I enjoy! I might be also taking care of small pets, guinea pigs. I wasn't sure if I was wanting to watch dogs, but I'm changing my mind. It's easy money and I enjoy it. 

Monday, but another 60*F in March!

 I'll take another 60+F day, thank you!! It's still March, so this is warm for MN!!! We still have a little bit of snow piles around, but mostly its all gone!! Please don't snow again!!! 

We had an Explore Sunday! Went for a ride out in the country just south of us about 20 minutes away. I wanted to check out this Sandstone Chimmy park. 

We walked around and Steve climbed up on top of these sandstone structure out in the woods, surrounded by flat corn fields. 

It was nice being the only people there! On a nice weekend day, seems you can never go anywhere with out other people stopping too! 

Since we were close by the Wood fire pizza place again, we of course stopped for happy hour and more pizza! Yum. My new favorite place for pizza, wings and beer! 

We also checked out Rad electric Bikes in Hastings at an outfitter! 

I'm sold on these bikes! Now to purchase two on line, but Steve wants to check out Excel E-bikes in River Falls Wisconsin first. 

He likes the looks of a more guys bike! Minus the stars! The company is new, opened in 2020, so doesn't have the reviews etc as the Rads. Since they are cheaper then the orig electric bike I was going to purchase we might just get two. No one is going to want to ride the bike alone! Plus maybe we can rent them out to neighbors and make our money back?? We do have a path that runs behind our houses that will connect to the main bike trails to Hastings/river or St. Paul greenway that goes for miles. If it takes off with rentals, guess we could always expand to get a warehouse location in Hastings next to the river! 

Looks like the grandkids are having a wonderful trip to Florida!! I'm soooo envious of the ocean, white sand beaches!!