Sunday...

 Getting Christmas gift idea. This might be a good idea? You can set the temp to keep your coffee at all day long. 

What we did on Saturday... Started the day by trying to go to the gym only to find out it wasn't open. Was it because of Veteren's day? Let's hope so, because I plan to try and go to the gym today too! 

I've done an entire week of planks, and dumbbell weights! 7 out of 7 days!! Haven't done the whole week in a long time. Now to get myself to the gym at least 5 days a week! Plus, I need to start that diet plan. Just going to track calories and stay with in 1000 to 1500 per day. I need to start today! 

We started our primary bathroom project yesterday. We saved all the Menards rebate money over the last year and had enough almost $800 to purchase a new granite vanity 61" with 2 sinks and 2 new faucets. We had to spend I think around $52 of our own money on the purchase! A win/Win!! We still need to buy wood to raise up the height of the counter. I'll probably lose a few drawers since we are going with 2 bowls instead of just one. I'm okay with that as we don't really have much in the top drawers or any for that matter. It will be a huge improvement. I'll have to do a before and after photo of our bathroom. The last one to be updated!! I'm hoping the shower gets done next winter with more rebate money to pay for the tile. It's a start and a big one at that! Nice how it was basically free. 

We are also touching up our half bathroom starting today. I'm going to spray paint the existing light fixture matte black along with the last outlet plate. We will still need to finish caulking the crown molding and then paint the walls/ same color just freshen it up. The painting will be for another day, maybe next weekend so it can be all done before everyone comes over for T-day. 

I spent part of Saturday cleaning our own house. Vacuumed the main floor, wiped down the wood stairs and dusted. Washed the floors too and cleaned all three bathrooms. Plus, dusted our room and threw out all the trash. Didn't do any purging, but cleaning was much needed to keep up. I had touched up the paint on all the doors and white cabinets in the kitchen last weekend, so that's all done. 

The warm up starts today with the temps in the Mid 50's and sunny. It might be a little windy, so hard to tell if it will feel nice or not? I do have another round of leaves to mulch up in the front yard and back yard. This will be the 3rd time! I already covered the outdoor gas table fire pit with plastic for the winter and the outdoor rug was brought in awhile ago. That will probably need to be replaced next year as it was looking a little worn from being outdoors two summers. We will clear coat the deck next years as most of the paint I've gotten off. I'll do more scraping come spring to get the rest off the deck. The stairs still have a lot of paint to scrape off. That's the next project to do all summer, scraping! 

We will need to replace our outdoor table. I'll look on FB market place to see if we can get a deal since a new table is not really needed. Ours still works but it's at least 26 years old now. Time to replace or just get rid of and do an outdoor couch sectional out there instead. Although, everyone likes to eat out there at the table, so we will always need a table. 

I almost forgot to feed the cat I'm cat sitting for last night. I have two more feedings today and I'm done. We also picked up one more turkey for Steve's parents so they can have turkey after T-day too. We almost forgot that in the car. I remembered after getting ready for bed, so I got dressed and we brought the turkey in and then went to feed the cat. Ugh! 

Next week, we might go see another Tuesday cheap night movie? Just depends on if there is something I want to see? Then we have Madelyn's 4th birthday on Saturday. A neighbor friends birthday is on the 15th I think this week or else its today?? I need to get her a card and a small gift of some sorts. Other than working and enjoying the 60*F degree temps Monday- Wednesday, I'll be doing a little advertising, going to take Zoey to the park and that's about it! 

I do want to start meal planning so I'll write out a plan and post it. I've got some work to fill in what we are eating this week! Didn't realize how difficult planning meals would be!!! 

Sunday- Hamburger, mushrooms, onion and potatoes with cream of mushroom soup

Monday-  Chicken sandwiches /hot sauce with has brown potatoes (need buns) 

Tuesday-  

Wednesday- 

Thursday - left overs

Friday -  

Saturday- 

Saturday!!

 It's Saturday! No plans and extra no plans since the gym wasn't open today due to Veteran's day. Which we didn't know until we went there and it wasn't open. So instead we made breakfast, pancakes, maple bacon and potatoes. I'm stuffed! Not exactly diet foods like I planned to start. 

I also made some banana bread yesterday since I had a lazy Friday which all I did was work an hour and then make the banana bread. Just laid on the couch for ages until we had to go to the store to pick up a few items to make taco's for dinner. I'm already more productive this morning than all of yesterday. Was it the time change? I'm going to blame my lazy week on that! 

Since the gym was closed. I did my normal 1 min plank, dumbbell lifts and then got on our home cross ramp for 10 minutes or 1 mile. I should do that two more times today and burn 300 calories!! 

I'm also cat sitting this weekend. Just need to feed the cat tonight and Sunday both in the morning and at night. Easy money! Which I'll save for Christmas! Every bit helps!! It's also nice that I get tip money too and maybe some gift cards which I'll turn into gifts for others. 

Steve doesn't want to do any home projects this weekend. I just want our half bathroom painted and the light switch plate painted along with the light in matte black. He has other painting to do, so can do that at the same time. Plus, it's going to be warmer tomorrow and every thing should dry quicker. 

We still have 2 free beers at a brewery in Bloomington where we will probably go to this afternoon and we need to pick up one more small turkey for Thanksgiving, which means a stop for a beer down in Cannon Falls. 

I'm kind of done with home purge projects for now. There is plenty to do, but I just don't know where to start. Most of the projects involve others stuff and I'm not sure what can be purged and where else to store the stuff that is still needed. 

10 days till Logan is home for Thanksgiving. It's been since the last week of August that we've seen him. Glad the next time over winter break is just a few weeks after and will be home for a month. We won't see him again till spring break and then his 3rd year of college will be done. Just one year to go!!! Fingers crossed he finishes in 4 years! He might have to take one on line summer class or a class in the winter?? Or just take one extra during the school year. 

The warm up is coming in November!!

 I'm super excited to see 60 degrees in the middle of November!! All next week looks good in the 50's and 60's!! I did see lots of wind a few days. I sure hope that doesn't wreck me wanting to be outdoors, which it really could do! 

We have a gloomy Friday with only a high of 39*F today, but not much wind. Meaning I can do some advertising for our businesses. Do I want to? Not really. Should I, yep! Steve did pick up more jobs this week that will last till the middle of December. Things slow down over the holidays and pick up again after the new year in January. He also has jobs lined up for spring time. So it's just a few months to fill in until jobs are plentiful. I haven't had to advertise in years as people come back or its word of mouth, some are my clients getting work done too. 

I have to start my winter weight loss journey so this summer I will be swim suit ready! I like to start before the holidays so I don't end up gaining weight. I already gained back some of the weight I lost last winter, so it's time to get going on the weight loss. I'm getting back to the gym at least 5 days a week. Just starting out with weight lifting 30 minutes and doing daily planks/dumbbells. Plus, counting calories and watching my alcohol intake, meaning one beer or switching to seltzers. Going back to popcorn for lunch and only having one meal a day, no desserts! It worked to lose 30 pounds over winter last year and now it's time to do it again! I want to be able to wear all my jeans and clothes in my closet without having to buy more. 

Logan shared that his Architecture drawing on the bottom was in the schools magazine. They usually don't  put students work in here so he was surprised to see his. 1.5 years left of college! 

November is speeding up!

Here we are, already November 9th. This month is going fast! Maybe all of winter will go fast just like summer did! We are going to get high 50's to 60 degree temps next week and I super excited because this just doesn't happen in November in Minnesota! 

Here are the good results from voting on Tuesday. We never have voted in the off years, but glad we did as our candidates all won! The liberty for mom's that wants to ban book, white wash history did not win! At least in our district. I don't have kids in school, but I have grandkids! 

It's going to be cooler in the upper 30's today and windy, so I'll be working and then will just go to the gym after. Yesterday, I actually did a lot after work. I advertised for awhile, groomed Zoey, gave her a bath and took a shower. I never did get around to cleaning up the kitchen which I've been trying to keep up with all the dishes. They got away from me yesterday. That's on my todo list this morning. Seems keeping the kitchen dish free is quite the challenge! 

We have zero plans for this weekend. Well, maybe on Sunday watching Celina/Don play indoor soccer depending on the time. It's also supposed to start warming up on Sunday, but the parks are all closed to Deer hunters. We'll have to find a road to take Zoey on a walk and spend as much time as possible outdoors. We also have 2 free beers at a brewery in Bloomington that we can use up. We are trying to not go out to eat much since we will have more birthdays and Christmas expenses coming up in December. 

Steve picked up a few more jobs, so we have at least all of November covered and maybe half of December at this point. I'm still going to advertise a little every day it's nice out, no wind/rain or snow to build up more clients for the both of us. I also picked up a one time job for next week. That money will be saved for holiday gifts plus, all my holiday tip money. It all helps in keeping costs under control. That's my thrifty savings plan. Just cutting back eating out saves at least $200 every weekend, which adds up to $800 per month, so if we do that November and December, there's our extra holiday money! We spend far too much going out to eat/drink every month. It's our entertainment, but we can find other things todo. 

I also want to do some home projects. Spray paint our bathroom light since it's going to be on the warmer side next week. Steve has been spray painting trim and lights for customers. I just have one more light and a light switch plate I want spray painted. I'd better get on that asap when it warms up! We also need to re-paint our half bathroom to freshen it up. We have enough Menards money to replace our bathroom counter top and raise up the vanity higher as a start on our primary bathroom. Since the weather will be on the cooler side this weekend. Why not get those projects done! Now to convince Steve to work all weekend! I would love to check those projects off my todo list asap!

Happy Birthday Kendra!!

Happy birthday Kendra!!

 We celebrated Kendra's 37th birthday on Sunday with a brunch. 

I made two quiches, caramel rolls and a raspberry/white chocolate cheesecake. 

Tuesday...

 I'm officially out of my Pumpkin Spiced iced coffee. Now, I'll probably go back to a non coffee drinker. Although, I did try a coffee at the store with some creamer and I liked it. I sure don't need to get addicted to needing a coffee every morning. It is a nice warm you up drink when hot or cool you off iced summer drink. I'll just save it for once in awhile. 

It sounded like Logan has a good birthday with friends. We might not have been there to celebrate his 21st birthday, but we sent him packages and cards, plus called and face-timed him yesterday morning. He should get the last of the birthday gift packages today. We will also see him in two weeks while he is home for the thanksgiving holiday. Some of Logan's friends posted Instagram photos and I took some screen shots. 

It's going to be seasonally warmer the next 10+ days. I see some 50's which is perfect for November! Got to get out and enjoy the warmer fall weather! 

Happy 21st Birthday Logan

 My baby is now 21! Where did the time go? We won't be able to celebrate with him today since he is away at college. I did send 2 large packages of misc gifts along with a card/gift card and cash. His grandparents and sister also sent birthday stuff. Sounds like his fr

iends went out with him Saturday and he had a few too many drinks/shots. Not feeling the best on Sunday where he was going to brunch and tonight dinner with friends. All pre-birthday celebrations!! 

Some birthday pictures from over the years.....