Just a Little Springtime!

I found some really cute little spring time ideas a while back. In the little vases are bulbs and herbs are in the pots. I like the indoor spring idea.

Another Snow Day!

We had school called off for another snow day today. I kind of like having these once in a while. They were predicting a big storm coming through and this time we really did get a pretty good snow. The main reason school is called off is because of the wind. It is to start blowing and drifting. My outdoor pictures of the trees look blue, but it was so pretty out this morning. Guess if we can't have spring yet, we might as well have a good snow storm!

Winter Break!

These are the smart ones--wanting to stay in one piece

Just back from our annual weekend ski trip. We usually make our trip to Marquette but this year we went to Petoskey area instead. Warren's joined us up there. Saturday was spent skiing at Nub's Nob (the kids loved the name of that one!) and Monday we skied at Boyne Highlands. Sunday we woke up to rain (at 26 degrees out) and Meeting was canceled. The Hotel where we stayed had a nice area downstairs to curl up in chairs to visit and read. We joined Warren and Elizabeth down there and the kids hung out in the rooms. Sunday evening we ordered pizza delivered to the room for the kids and Wayne and I enjoyed eating in the restaurant downstairs. Driving home was a pain (thank you, Wayne, for driving!) with yucky roads and weather, but we made it. I'd love to head back to MT for skiing again sometime, though!

Goodbye to a dear part of our family.

We had to have our Kate put to sleep last night. She has been a part of our family for eight years so she is leaving a big empty spot. Cancer had started to spread all through her and it wouldn't have been much longer for her.

Happy Birthday, Jeanne!

Wow! 30 years old today! It is definitely making me feel old now that my nieces and nephews are turning 30! It is fun reflecting back over the years, though. Remembering my brother when he came into Gospel Meeting that Sunday afternoon. He wasn't walking--he was floating! He had a grin from ear to ear--his Jeanne Rae had arrived! Such a fun kid--wanting to learn everything. As soon as she was talking, she wanted to learn the really big words--like calculator--that was always a fun one to listen to. It was fun when Jeanne lived in Indiana and headed our way on the weekends. I think she missed the noise of a big family and came here for a dose of it! We really had a good time getting acquainted with her those years!

Anyway--I could go on and on--but I'll just say HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANNE!

New Year's (Revolutions?!)

'Tis the season for already wondering about those New Year's Resolutions! I've appreciated the earlier posts about our resolutions for the New Year, both the spiritual and natural.

As for myself--I'm already finding myself having to go back to the beginning of the month and RE-motivate myself. Between my house, weight loss (?) and exercise--it's a full time job gettin' going!

My house--organization--(oops! I'm even having trouble spelling that word!) that one is a horribly hard one for me as my dear husband can vouch for! I have the best intentions to be SO organized--and then forget all those wonderful areas where I was going to keep everything JUST SO! I like checking out the FlyLady web site, but the week she wanted me doing my kitchen I did go with the Master Bedroom instead. Kitchen should be done for a while--maybe a few things to rearrange, but not enough to worry about yet. The Master Bedroom has been the dumping ground for too much since all rooms upstairs are filled up now. (Meaning that Carlin is now in the only guest room we had.) I've been trying to learn how to down size and haven't quite figured it out yet! Thanks to Leann for the house cleaning calendars she experimented with on me I am slowly getting going there.

As for the weight loss--well--it is going, but I would like to just find the magic pill and shed it all at once. That is another thing I can thank Wayne for. He decided to sign up with Weight Watchers at Work. Quit laughing--I know he didn't need to lose much!! (Our insurance offers incentives to keep cost down so that does help.) Anyway, he reached his goal in six weeks but I told him to still pretend he needs to lose so he can keep me motivated!

Exercise--Hmmmm! Boring!!!! But necessary. I'm kind of laughing at myself over that one. For some reason I've decided I want to attempt jogging?! I have always hated jogging--go figure! I started walking when we were traveling with Wayne this summer and decided to keep it up. I can only do 1 1/2 miles out of three so far--and that is to switch off between walking and running. Must have been a moment of insanity to think this plan up!

Does This Really Save Time?

I had a request to post my latest "new toy" so here it is! I can't decide whether to call it a he or she but it usually ends up being a "he"!
Roomba is a robot vacuum that cleans my kitchen and living room area. I go to work and come back to my house vacuumed! Talk about a good idea---but, while it does clean the surface area it really doesn't do deep cleaning. It picks up what all gets tracked in from outside and cleans the top layer on the rug. One thing I can't do anymore--I can't leave things laying around on the floor. I wonder if Wayne had an ulterior motive when he ordered this??? Hmmmmm!

I'll add a bit more to this. I have it set to do the kitchen on certain days and the living area on other days. On Wednesdays I have it do the whole downstairs. There are two sensors that tell it which area to do. It is kind of cool watching it start and stop. When it starts up it has a little song it plays. When it is running out of charge it works its way back to its station and pulls up on its little docking pad to recharge itself, then it plays another little tune!

It won't fall down stairs because it senses a drop and stays away from there. It will go through doorways unless you have the sensors set to keep it from other rooms. It will do the kitchen, dining/living room, and hallway in about 1 1/2 hours. Some of my rugs it doesn't like to do so I just leave them rolled up so it won't go on them.