December 31st, 1st day of snow

 We finally got some snow on the last day of the year. Ugh!!! Wasn't wanting or expecting to wake up with an inch of snow on the ground. I'm already missing the grass! Maybe it won't stick around? I do see more days of 36 ahead and sunshine!!

Today is 12/31/23 or 123123!! weird!! 

The view from our bedroom window! Yikes!! Only and inch of snow, but it looks like more from the photo! It all started last night with freezing rain and then turned into snow sometime after we went to sleep. 

Yesterday, I decorated for NYE... here are some of the decorations. 

My first attempt at a balloon arch! I ordered the party package on line and it didn't come with the tape with holes or the sticky dots to connect the balloons. I stopped at Party City to get the tiny balloons as fillers, glad I did!! and the tape etc. I think it was an extra $14 dollars. I like the way it turned out. I could have used a few more larger balloons, but it worked! The party package had two gold curtains, which Logan and I cut in half and put those up on the window and on the entrance to the four season porch. I decorated the table and put out glasses and party favors, poppers etc. 

A cartoonish version of me. Might need to plump up my lips. lol.. 

Not Sur if I ever posted Santa Zoey? She is good enough to have the hat on long enough for a few quick photos. 

On the last day of the year.. what are we doing? 

going to the gym to do one more weight lifting workout

Cleaning the house

Going to Costco for strawberries, bananas and sparkling waters

Finding something to wear to dinner tonight

Dinner at 6:30 Chinti grill

Kids having their NYE party! I'm guessing Steve and I will just go upstairs and watch TV, then go to bed whenever?? 

New years Day 2024 we will make a big breakfast and then ?? Just have the day off from working.. Because Tuesday its back to work to earn some money! 

30th of December!!

 Saturday. What are we up to today? 

Steve has a customer estimate this morning so the gym workout is delayed until he gets home. My goal this winter is once again to lose weight for the summer. Ugh! Why oh, why did I have to gain back all the weight I lost over last winter!! I thought by now I would have started my weight loss, but here we are looking at the end of December and I have yet to start my diet. I still have all winter to lose the weight. Plenty of time if I start right away in January! I'd like to drop at least 20 to 30 pounds. Once again, I'll workout, weights and go back on the stairs in the mornings and afternoons to lose weight. I just need to start off slowly walking on the stairs so I don't over do it. I also need to cut back on calories as the main way to get the weight off. It's the hardest part to just cut back when I want to eat whatever! 

Yesterday, I finally got my calendars for 2024 all put together and dropped them off to get a binder. I'm still waiting for photos so I can glue those on to the calendars. The photos won't arrive till around Jan 2-5th, so I can't do anything about that until they arrive. 

I also looked for a new rug for our front room. Haven't found anything around $200, more like $300! Too much to pay! Plus, I didn't love any of the rugs I found. I'll keep looking! Maybe look on line too now that I know the exact size I'm looking for 7 x 12. or 8 x 12. 

Steve and I went out last night. Just to the local brewery Omni for a beer and then to get Pizza at Merics and another large beer. We always try to remember to bring extra fresh basil to add to the pizza. Makes a huge difference in taste! My basil isn't doing that great growing inside. I'll need a new basil plant and maybe some plant lights to keep it going all winter. It's been a struggle to keep all my herbs and flowers going. We still have half the winter to go! I'm not sure they are going to last! 

We have to fill out FASFA for Logan's last year of college this weekend. I need to go though all the Christmas decorations and purge. Unfortunately, we didn't get the garbage out in time and it's already overflowing. Not sure if purging more at this time is a good idea! Maybe trips to Goodwill with the stuff we don't want is a better idea?? 

Probably should make more use of my time today and get some stuff done around the house. I really have to start purging junk, but not sure where to start?? Not sure why I'm making it so complicated! I've got to figure it out and just start! 

What do I want to do to challenge myself in 2024??

Lose weight and keep it off. 

Start back up on working out daily and keep it up. Build back up to running a few miles per day. Start doing more yoga every day. 

Less waisted time on the internet endless scrolling. 

Read at least 2 books 

More camping to places we have yet to go. Hip camps, states etc..

What I want to purchase:

New stove (kitchen)

New rug (front room)

New large tent (camping at the lake)

New power source/solar for camping (lake)

Project/ Home:

Master bathroom: Redo shower/tile new

Paint basement/ finish trim around windows

Clean office/ spare room

Refresh back yard landscaping(mulch add/weeds spray/trees trim/tree solar lights)

Travel:

Camping more Wisconsin Locations (spring and fall)

Camping south states in spring

29th of December 2023!!!

 2 more days left of 2023!! 

This is our back yard view! Still no snow and it looks like it's going to stay that way until at least the 9th of January where we could get at least an inch or two of snow. For now, I'll take some green grass and some dead looking fall trees. 

Our family's new favorite new game, Mexican train dominos. 

I have this Friday off. I don't work till Tuesday, January 2nd. Steve also had the last two weeks off from work with a few mini small jobs scattered in there. He does have to work for an hour or two this morning. I'll start working on our family calendar for 2024. I am waiting for more photos, so I'll just put it together and get binders put on till the photos all arrive in the mail around January 2-5th. Once I'm done with our calendar, I'll start last years tax records and get that all in order to take to our accountant! 

We have zero plans for the rest of the weekend. I could use another pair of every day shoes. I'm wearing my shoes that I use for work and I need separate ones for every day. Steve gave me a $100 gift card to TJ Maxx/Homestore. I'm going to try using that on a new 8 x 10 rug for our front siting room. The rug we have is in need of being replaced!! I just would like to find a good deal and find something I like. Those two things need to line up! Plus, I don't want to spend a whole lot more, but I know I'll have to spend at least another $100 which is fine. Other than that, don't really need anything other than the usual stuff, food, misc supplies etc.. 

I'm always looking for camping stuff. We do need to replace one big tent for the kids this year. I'm just not sure if I want to get a dark out tent or something else? It also has to be an instant 2 min setup tent and large!! We used to have a three sided tent that worked good, but the wind would catch it and rain would get in with the top blowing up like a parachute. I defiantly do not want to get the same tent for that reason. The old tent still works, but the one side zipper doesn't work any more so you have to go in through the other doors. Plus, it's not super rain proof with that top blowing. It takes a beating catching the wind on the beach. I also would like another power source with solar panels to charge cell phones, speakers etc. I'll probably just get something before Memorial Day so we have power up there till we hook up electricity. 

Thursday and it's still the year 2023!!

 The last few days of 2023.... Zoey and her new stuffed toy

Madelyn

Back to work Wednesday! Happy Birthday Timmy

 It's back to work for 2 days this year and then I don't work again till 2024! The only time of year you can stay, see you next year!! 

We did one more day of celebration for Tim's 48th birthday. He invited us over to have pizza and carrot cake. 

All we have to look forward to is NYE and New Years Day. We have dinner reservations at Chianti Grill and then the kids are going with friends to Porter Creek. After they are all coming back to our house to ring in the new year. I purchased decorations and party favors for the occasion. Steve and I will let them have their celebration. I don't feel the need to stay up till midnight. 

I am slow to put away all the Christmas decorations. I'll probably do that the week after New Years. Looking forward to being back on an even year.  The only thing I'm worried about is November election! Let's hope it goes well again!! Scary to think what's going to happen if it doesn't! I don't even want to think about it!! 

Not much else is changing for 2024. Fingers crossed Celina has good news soon about getting hired on permanently at her job. Another fingers crossed Logan has a summer paid internship! Also Logan will be staring his senior year of college. I'm hoping his last and its not extended any longer! I'd like to be done paying for school! Celina also has her 24th birthday this year, on the 24th (Golden birthday!!) Guess we do have a few milestones and good things to happen still this winter! Summer will be filled with camping, going to the lake and boating once again. Its my favorite time of year! 

Other than working today and tomorrow. I should get the office and spare room all organized. I probably should do that and clean up the kitchen. We need to purchase some food for NY day and I will decorate the house for 2024! 

Merry Christmas 2023!!

 That's another Christmas done and gone... until next year!! 

We were at Tim and Amanda's house for Christmas Eve.  

Our Santa Fur Baby!!

Don and his brother Matt. Matt came over Christmas Eve morning to have breakfast before they left to go watch the Viking game. 

Tim and Steve. Claudette, Celina and Logan at Tim's house. 

Christmas morning, opening stockings

Claudette and Wayne opening their gifts. 

I completely forgot to take photos at dinner. Ugh!!

Here are a few I did take.. during Christmas Day. 

I made this buffalo chicken croissant wreath

Last Friday before Christmas!

 It's almost Christmas!! The last Friday and then only a few more days on Monday it will be Christmas!! 

I still have to get through my work morning, with hopefully a few holiday tips! I'm also cat feeding/watching tonight - Sunday morning. It's extra cash for the holidays so no complaint and it's easy and quick to do. 

Last night the kids and I went out to get some Pho for dinner. Delicious! I always forget how good it is. I usually never want it in the summer since it's hot soup, but it sure is good!

I made a double recipe of thumb print cookies. Didn't get around to making any other cookies just yet, but I want to make some orange crasin biscotti and some peppermint chocolate cookies. Better get on that!! 

Saw this cute ice idea for Christmas morning in mimosa's. I'll have to make up more ice! 

Kendra's Christmas card at their neighborhood barn. 

It's actually raining today. Lots of rain and zero snow in the forecast. I still can't believe seeing 50 degrees!! Just wish the sun would come out and it would feel extra warm too! Guess we can't have everything we want! It's also the shortest days of the year right now, with the sun up for only 7:47 am rise and 4:34 set, a little over 8 hours of sun light! We did start to gain daylight, just one minute today and then we keep marching up towards spring and summer! The worst is over for losing day light. Unfortunately it's going to be awhile until we actually notice the difference and its lighter for longer! 

All we have after Christmas is NY eve and NY day. We have to wait till Feb for Celina's birthday and of course Valentine's Day on the 14th. I might be able to ski if we get at least 6" of snow. Plus, I will have to start doing our taxes starting January 1st. Logan is also home till the 20th and then soon enough it will be spring break and then summer! 

We have been going on a week long south camping trip the last few years. It was only because Steve couldn't work while healing from eye surgery. He won't need any surgery this spring, but I still want to do a spring camping trip down south! We go in April, which is before it busy in any areas. Kind of nice having all the camp grounds or hip camp properties to ourselves. We just need to watch the weather and plan for where we want to check out this year. I think we want to go further into Tennessee into the mountains this spring? We tend to check the weather and make our plans last minute based on how warm or not it will be. I'm hoping we can do that again this spring! Time to plan!! 

I'm still waiting on one gift to be delivered and we need one more item before I can wrap up our gift exchange. I have photos that are coming in the mail too and it looks like one set from Walmart is on the way. I have other photos from Google that are ordered and will arrive probably after Jan 2nd. I'll have to wait to put together our calendar until all the photos arrive. 

I'd also like to order some Black and White photos for some of our frames in the house. Might need to go through them again and pick out 6 photos to enlarge and make Black and white. 

We still need to clear out the spare room/office too. It's a big project and no one seems to know where to start. Guess it's up to me to get the ball rolling. Will I feel like doing that this weekend? hum??? We do need to clean the office before Christmas so it has to be done! 

2024 - Election year!! Logan's last year of college, Celina hired on GM full time?? 

2025 -Logan graduates from college/ Steve is 60!!

2026 - Mortgage paid off /Kendra 40

2027 -Toyota paid off/pay off any other bills & build cabin

2028- I turn 60! Yikes!!! Steve's Mom turns 90!!/traveling/passive income?? 

Lots of changes, but good ones happening in the next few years. What I'm most excited about is Celina getting hired on permanently and having a stable job with time off and benefits. Logan graduating college and our mortgage paid off! Then finally building a cabin for passive income to travel. I don't want to speed up time because it goes by fast enough but I'm excited for these milestones to happen. The next 5 years are going to be filled with change, but change is good on my list! Just always want everyone to be happy and healthy throughout the years.

My resolution for 2024:

Keep working, paying off bills towards being mortgage free. 

Lose weight for summer 20 - 30 pounds

Vote

Health/exercise 5 days a week! 

 

 

 

50*F for Christmas!!

 Wish I was turning 40 again!! It's Paul's 40th birthday today! We have yet to Celebrate Evan's 10th birthday due to him getting food poisoning on his birthday. So hopefully either tonight or Friday we will get together to celebrate both birthdays! 

Last night we played more of the Domino Mexican train game. We taught Logan how to play. A fun night making some Christmas cocktails too. I added some cranberries and rosemary to the bottom of a glass with water to make it into an ice cube. Turned out really pretty for drinks. I am also making some in ice cubes with added lemon slices. 

We are having extremely warm weather for Christmas this year! 50 degrees!!! 

Can you believe this weather!! 40's and 50's and zero snow on the ground!!! It does look like after Jan 1st it will drop to the upper 20's which is probably more normal. boo!!! Not loving the rain, but its better then snow! I do love to ski, but I'm okay waiting a little longer! Now to get through the worst two months! 

Almost here!!

 Christmas and Logan coming home is almost here! One day to go before Logan is back home for the next month over the holiday break from college. Christmas is less than a week away and soon the new year 2024!! 

I finished wrapping up the stocking stuffers last night. I only have 2 gifts left to wrap as I'm waiting on one gift to arrive in the mail today. 

I got started on holiday candy making last night. Made a batch of almond pretzels and some peanut brittle. 

I'll do more cookie baking tomorrow since I have the day off from work to pick up Logan at the airport. I'll be making crasin/orange biscotti, and some chocolate peppermint cookies for sure! Maybe some of those butter spritz cookies and ?? We will see what else I feel like making. 

I also have wash towels so Logan has a few to use. Plus, find a new spot for our cook books. We also still need to clean out the spare bedroom and office. A few things left to do this week/weekend! Thankfully, we have time to do it! I'm amazed that I'm ahead of my Christmas shopping/wrapping. Usually, I'm doing it till the day before. It's nice to enjoy all the wrapped gifts under the tree for a few days before it's all unwrapped! Always looks pretty to have packages under the tree. 

I work today, so I'll be pretty tired after I'm done. I mainly just want to get the kitchen dishes cleaned up and wash those towels. Plus, I need to order photos from 2023 to print and put in our family calendar. 

Happy 10th Birthday Evan!!

 It's my grandson's 10th Birthday today! Happy birthday Evan! 

This was from last year. He is sick today with some stomach bug, so no family party for him today. Let's hope he is well in a few days. His father, Paul's 40th birthday is on Thursday, so hopefully he will be better and we can all get together at that time. 

Kendra planned a nice kids party for him with 3 of his good friends. They went to the MOA, had sushi, then took old time photos. After they had dessert at the Sugar Factory, then they did some light maze room?? 

He sure is growing up fast. 

What I did and did not do!

 Saturday was a busy but fun day. We started it off right by going to the gym for a much needed workout! Got in some weightlifting followed by a 10 min massage reward chair!

We played Pinball last night at a brewery. It was only $2 dollars for us to play 3 games, which seemed to last a long time. 

We went to the State Fair's Merry Market where they were selling crafts and had a few food trucks. I actually bought a $3 dollar big foot metal cut out that I will attach a magnet to the back of. I just need to remember where I put the magnetic tape?? I think it's in the office, so I will have to look. 

After the fair, which we weren't there for very long, we went to Nico's tacos in St. Paul. They were supposed to have a Christmas bar all decorated for the holidays. Well, come to find out, it was their Mpls location.  Ugh!! It was still a pretty cute place and really good selection of salsas. Out of 7 or 8 salsa choices we got 3, and had the bar tender pick his favorites since I had no clue what to get. The green one was SPICY! I'd probably skip that one, but loved the corn and that orange salsa on their crispy chips. We got happy hour prices so that saved a little. 

After, we just went to two other breweries in the area with one we hadn't been to before which had the pin ball machines. A fun day ending at Shamrocks in St. Paul for a really good bacon cheese burger. 

We were home by 8:30pm then I played Mexican train Domino's with the kids and their friends till 1a.m.! I won, which is always fun! No wonder I like this game! 

It's Evan's 10th birthday on Tuesday. He had a kid party Saturday and they went to the MOA, ate Sushi, then went to some light maze, followed by dessert at the Sugar Factory and finally Old time photos. A cute birthday idea! He's having a family party on Tuesday night. It's hard to believe he is already 10! 

I got nothing done on gift buying or wrapping yesterday. I have to do it all today! We are 7 days away from Christmas!! It's going to be a busy work week too, so I have to make sure to get most done today. We also have to clear out our office and clean up the spare bedroom for all the stuff in the office to be moved up there. Just moving around stuff to store! I am hoping we will purge a lot and I can sell a few items too. Time to get rid of the stuff! 

Preschool Christmas Program!!

 Madelyn's preschool/Daycare Christmas program. It was super cute with all the littles. It started off so funny with the youngest kids on stage. They were playing with the balloons, taking in the mics, dancing, running around and some crying. We had it all. They no sooner sang and then the fire alarm went off. Some kid pulled the alarm, so the program stopped until the fire department arrived to turn it off. That was LOUD! After, they continued with the program with most ages singing 2 songs. 

Kendra saved the front row for us. It was nice being able to see the kids up close. It was a packed room. 

Before the program Madelyn with the director of the preschool.