The New Water Cooler
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I talked to my siblings on the phone today. The ones in MI had a nice gathering with cousins last night. My brother in AZ spent his alone. One of his daughters and husband is in Japan, two were going to be with their Mom in AK, and he does not want to fly to AK in winter. Russ, Rory and I had a nice time together last night and today relaxing, eating and talking.
Ang, WTG on getting your run in this morning. That is dedication! Glad you got what you wanted for Christmas. Your family knows you well.
Marla, I hope your Christmas was great. Glad you were able to book those tickets to Hawaii. That will be something great to look forward to through the winter.
We leave for Orange Beach, AL in about 7 weeks already. Even if it is cool on the Gulf of Mexico, it will be warmer than here. I love looking at the ocean and walking the beach. Russ and I do well on car trips together and actually talk quite a bit since we aren't connected to electronics.
Tomorrow my friend and I are going to see the Mr. Roger's movie, have lunch and then go to Little Women. Two movies and lunch in one day. Russ has to work tomorrow and I'm off until the 6th.
Now that the holiday is over, relax and destress!
Jenny0 -
We just went as a family to an escape room. It was so fun!!!
One more day off.
Going so fast.0 -
Marla - Were you successful??
I hope you ladies had a good Christmas. I had a nice day with my family and nephews. There was some good natured fighting over the LEGO City Hospital set I gave them that they wanted. The two youngest were trying to grab it and proclaim it "Mine!" I'd have to say it was huge hit with them.
I got everything I need to satisfy my love of reading, crafting and chocolate. I used the gift cards I got to satisfy my love of running!0 -
I've never done an escape room. I would need a lot of help to get out. Glad you had fun, Marla.
I would agree that kids fighting over a toy makes it a hit. Nicely done!
My friend and I saw the Mr. Roger's movie. It was good but not what you think. We couldn't get seats together at Little Women so we are going tomorrow and then having lunch after.
Russ and I are going to make an appearance at a friend's New Year's Eve gathering tomorrow eve. I just made a sweet snack mix to take as our contribution. Russ doesn't want to go and we haven't gone for the last 3 years, but I said we needed to stop in since we are moving out of state in the summer. He is reluctantly going but wants a definite end time that we leave. Too funny!
Snowing today so I'm glad I don't need to drive anywhere. As soon as my snack mix is spread out to cool I will take Charlie out to pee. It's coming down steady so hopefully he will go.
I can't believe 2020 is almost here. It will be a big year for Russ and I with lots of change. If I don't get back in here by tomorrow eve have a Happy New Year's Eve!
Jenny0 -
Happy New Year ladies!!!0
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Happy New Year to you both!
I went to a movie, Little Women, today with my friend. We went out to lunch and then I came home. Russ and I are stopping in at a party later this evening for a couple of hours. I'd rather be home but feel we need to go since they invite us year after year and we've not gone for the past 3 years.
When I came out of the movie today, my car was blocked in my space by a car parking in front of me and a car behind me. The car behind me made their own parking spot by creating a 3rd row and didn't seem to care that I couldn't get out. Other cars parked next to that car creating a 3rd row that pinned in several cars. Is the IQ of the average American dropping or do people just not care and only look out for themselves? I had to go talk to the manager of the theater. He was aware of it and was looking for the owner of the car. If he couldn't find them he was having them towed. Luckily the car in front of me was pulling out and I didn't have to wait for the other to be towed.
We are starting the process of getting pre-approved for a mortgage to buy in MI. Russ just needs to find some paperwork and then we can fill out the application and send it in. My sister says they think there will be fewer houses on the market this spring which means more buyers competing for fewer homes. Ugh!
Well enjoy your evening. We will talk next year!
Jenny0 -
Happy New Year!!!
Back at work and missing being at home just lazing around.
I guess we were technically successful in the we solved the puzzles - but we needed four clues (one more than the three 'free' clues) to be eligible for the 'leaderboard'. Not that we probably would have made it, we were pretty close the hour mark. I am hoping to get us into another room tomorrow night, we'll see if we are faster now that we have a little idea of how it works. A couple of the places I balked at taking apart ended up being our clues (like the clock on the wall, the burners on the stove) - I definitely would never get any of the puzzles on my own - but my kids are pretty freakin' smart so I figured all together we would have a decent shot. It was just a lot of fun - and just doing something together made it even more fun.
My sister is on vacation so we have her dog - he is such a baby. Not age wise - just so needy and needing out all the time. He's a good boy, but I'll be glad when he goes home. Caleb goes back to school on the 6th and Zach still has one more week. Unfortunately he did end up with an 8 am class because of the mix up with his dual credit Calculus not being accepted before registration started. By the time it got sorted out the later classes were filled. Bummer for him. I hope he stays motivated and keeps up the good work. I remember 8 a.m. classes as a freshman and they were super hard to go for me too. Learning how to get up on your own is hard.
Jenny have you looked online at any places?
Good job on a successful Christmas Ang.
Yay for a short week!0 -
We are pre-approved for a nice mortgage amount so time to get serious on finding a home. Not much on the market right now but we are ready when houses begin to get listed again. We easily qualify for the range we are interested in so that is a relief. I contacted a camp ground in MI about a monthly site rental for July and August but he has not responded. I want to know we can live in our camper while we hunt for a house if we don't find something this spring. We both would like to be in MI by July 1. We watch the MLS listings and Realtor.com. Pretty slow right now.
That puzzle room sounds fun! I would need help solving the clues. Do they open the doors when time runs out if you haven't solved it?
I go back to work on 1/6. Vacation has been way too fast but then another day done gets me closer to my last day. 5 weeks until we drive to Gulf Coast which will be a nice road trip.
I thought 8am classes were hard to but I made myself get their at least 3/4'd of the time if I could get notes from someone. If not, I was there. My room mate senior year didn't go to her 8am's unless she had a quiz/test. She always had someone that would give her their notes. Drove me crazy.
The New Year's Eve party was ok. Not many guests but we knew everyone. They had noticed we hadn't been at gatherings for a long time. Someone mentioned we must be coming to say bye before we leave the state. Very true!
Well have a good weekend!
Jenny0 -
Caleb is back at school today and Zach has one more week - lucky guy!
I got so mad Friday when I got home. There was a graduation announcement from one of Bernie's older brothers kids (college). The same brother who said he didn't have our address and that's why we weren't invited to a different kids wedding this summer. Huh. I guess you do have our address (which I knew, because I send Christmas cards, confirmation invites, grad invites, etc). It just pissed me off. Also b/c Bernie left it in the spot he leaves all the mail stuff he doesn't want to deal with. Bills, junk mail, etc. Bernie gets the mail and often takes things he doesn't want me to see. But he leaves that and doesn't think I will come unglued? He thought I would want to see it. Why? Why would I give any d*!ms about it? Not even a card when Zach graduated. Not invited to the niece's wedding. But that he thinks I should care? So I did. I filled out a card and put in a gift and in the mail it goes. Just like I did for the wedding even though we weren't invited. That frickn' family can kiss my glass. So can Bernie for making the situation worse for all the years he snuck around seeing them and letting them carry on believing that I am the problem and only recently getting fed up with them.
THEN taking the tree down and finding that Bernie didn't put all the ornaments on. Because? Because it had plenty. He cherry picked leaving off some of my precious hand made ones from the boys. Why leave those off. Why do it if you can't do it the way I want it done.
GRRRRRR~!!!!0 -
Marla, sounds like a rough week. Why did you send a card and gift to his family member when they don't acknowledge your family with an invite? I wouldn't give anything even though it is the high road. They are showing they don't want all of you at the events for some reason. If Bernie wants to send something tell him to do it. Why do wives always get responsibility for their own family and their husbands with bday, graduation, xmas cards, etc.? Russ gets the mail too and gives me junk mail to open which I hate. He gives me stuff with his name on it he doesn't want to deal with. He use to hide stuff from me and sometimes he throws out unopened envelopes that are important but he doesn't look at them. I don't understand it. Irresponsible!
First day back at work. It was ok. I didn't go to the office. No reason too. I worked on my computer remotely and went to my home visits.
College vacations are always so long. I loved that! Lucky Z!
Cold weather coming...
Jenny0 -
exactly! Irresponsible and partly to blame for bad feelings - because I literally couldn't keep up with all the occasions in that family because half the time I would't know - but when I complained he would just say so don't do it. No one is making you. Yep - but it's always me (the wife) that gets the blame. No one ever blames guys for not sending cards or gifts. So infuriating.0
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Yesterday we got 30cm (roughly) of snow. It's going to be another day or two before the sidewalks are clear enough to run outside again. By the weekend they will be as there's a huge rain storm coming! As long as there's no freezing rain as part of the weekend rain! I plan to get to the gym tonight to get a run on the treadmill (better known as the dreadmill. I hate running on them.) I hope the gym isn't to crowded.
Work today has been crazy. We were closed yesterday because of the weather. For most of the day I felt like I've been rushing to get files done. It's Thursday, but it felt like a Monday! I'm looking forward to the weekend.
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TGIF!! Fast and busy week. Work has gone fine and I've met a couple of new students. Russ and I went to a retirement meeting tonight regarding school district medical insurance we can pay for when we retire, severance pay, submitting notice of retirement, etc. We have both completed our applications for our pensions and will hand deliver them next week. My notice to the district is due by Feb 1.
My sister is checking out a house for us tomorrow morning. She says it has a lot of showings and may have current offers. She's going to find out, go see it and video tape and if we have a chance, we will fly out to see it. I have a feeling they will have gotten offers and it will be under contract before we can get there. I'll know tomorrow morning. It is going to be a challenge to find a house while we still live in MN.
Ang be careful on the ice. It's my biggest fear that I will fall and get injured this winter. I don't want to have to take any sick days that aren't necessary. They are worth money to me in my severance package.
Marla, marriage and family can be hard. I hope things get better for you. You can look forward to Hawaii!
Sleep well,
Jenny
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full week - and now a long time until any breaks - boo
My Z kid leaves on Sunday. Sure gonna miss him. Just having hanging in the house was nice. Wishing and praying he has another amazing semester.
Snow moving in tonight. Hopefully minimal. Really enjoyed the mild temps the last few days.
Have a wonderful weekend!0 -
Getting colder here but the sun is out so that's a win. We were suppose to fly to MI today but weather was going to be so bad we knew they would be canceling flights in Chicago and Detroit so we didn't purchase the tickets. My sister previewed the house and gave it the thumbs up. We hope to get out there next weekend if still available.
Lots of paperwork piling up at work. It will be a busy week.
Watching Diners, Dives and Drive Inns on Food Network. He is visiting Asian restaurants and the food all looks so yummy. My favorite! The Vikings play the 49ers this afternoon so we are just having appetizers for dinner while we watch the game.
Hope you are both having a good weekend.
Jenny0 -
Shoutout to my C kid who crushed another semester. Straight A’s. Another 4.0 semester. He should have a great shot of staying in the top ten percent. What a hard worker. So proud. Solid college start for Z and super C.0
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Marla, that's wonderful! Two smart boys. They are motivated and moving toward their goals.
Busy day today and tomorrow. Russ and I will hand in our applications for retirement tomorrow at our pension offices. I need to write my notice of retirement letter and give to school district within next two weeks. We hope to go to MI this weekend to look at a house weather permitting.
Well David is out fishing in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. He said it won't be dangerous and they will stay close to land. Scientists on board studying Halibut. The boat is chartered by the scientists so they take them out and catch the fish they need to study. He will be out about a month.
Haven't heard from Jeff. He doesn't respond to my texts so I'm going to need to bug him by calling. Rory stops by for his mail and for food once in awhile.
I thought this week was suppose to get really cold but it's in the teens and 20's during the day. Heat wave!
Stay warm!
Jenny0 -
Marla - That's amazing! I wish I could have done that well when I was in college!
I went to BodyPump last night. Haven't gone in about a month. I can tell this morning.
I also got my run in this morning BEFORE work! Amazed myself in getting up on time and getting out the door. I had to. I won't have a chance to run on my lunch today, as one of the brokers through my work wants to take the one of the lawyers I work for and me out to lunch. It's my first time in the 8 years of being a paralegal, I've had a broker want to take me out for lunch. First lunch meeting ever! (I've had one with just coffee, also only after I started working here.)
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Good job Ang!
It has to be hard having your son so far away Jenny.
Caleb is trying to drop a weight class for powerlifitng for the meet that is in a couple of weeks - for the most part I think he is being smart - eating fish and fruits and vegetables at night - but I am worried he is eating enough the rest of the day - I told him to sign up for MFP so he can track and make sure he is getting enough. With the strenuous lifting he needs to not cut too much and keep his protein high.
Cold weather moving in - I know it's January but boo0 -
Turning to single digits here and colder tomorrow. Will be about -25 windchill tomorrow. We have reservations to fly out tomorrow afternoon to MI for the long weekend. We are trying to fly ahead of the snow storm that will hit MN on Friday. I have Monday off for Martin Luther King Day. We will look at a house we are interested in on Friday morning. We've studied photos and videos so if we like it we will put in an offer on Friday. Exciting!
Charlie our dog has been anxious again for some reason. He peed on the carpet and on my dining cabinet. It took me awhile to notice. I bought a Bissell Vacuum Spot Cleaner for this purpose and just tried it. We'll see when it dries if it was worth the money. Easy to use so that was nice.
WTG Ang on running before work. I can't get out of bed to exercise in the morning. Maybe when I'm retired and put my mind to it. We'll see.
Stay warm and I'll be in touch after the weekend. Maybe we will be home owners again!
Jenny0 -
Good luck on your house hunt trip!0
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Brrrr Temperature is dropping. It was some blustery this morning with the blowing snow. The temperature has only been dropping since then. Supposed to get down to around -25C. I know it's a lot colder then that out in Alberta, so I'm not going to complain to much! It will be hard to get out for my run tomorrow morning. The coldest I've run in is -17C, and that was only because it was a race I had signed up for!
Jenny - Hope you were able to get away for your house hunting trip and that it goes well!0 -
oh the snow! Oh the ice! No, no, nooooo
Stay safe and warm all.0 -
We made it home very late last night. What a busy weekend! We got to my sister's house Thursday eve at midnight. Went to bed and got up to visit house Friday morning. We liked it! It's perfect for us and checks our boxes for what we want. It needs a few cosmetic updates and touch ups but we are willing. We made an offer contingent on inspection and it was accepted. The inspector was able to meet Russ Monday morning to complete it since it is slow season and he had an opening. Lucked out! I want to extend dining room wood floors into living room so I called a wood floor guy that everyone recommended and he also met us at house Monday morning. He will be doing the job. We noticed a cracked tile on fireplace hearth so floor guy called his tile guy and he met my sister at house this morning to see if he could repair without changing all the tile. They found a few extra tiles in the garage so that worked out. He will do the job before wood floor goes in. Both guys are friends of my sister and one I knew when I was younger. I forgot how small towns work. Everyone knows one another and people will tell you who to call for different needs. It worked great and everyone was so accommodating. Russ and I browsed furniture stores and I will go back in March on my break and order what we've decided upon. It's happening!
Our flight home took forever due to air traffic at O'Hare in Chicago. I hate flying through there. We got into Mpls last night at 9:30. When we got to our car battery was dead. It was so cold! Luckily a tow truck came and jumped the car. We got home about 11pm. Early this morning (5:15) I hear Russ yelling at me that he needs my help. He fell down the last two steps and hit his face on the metal dog kennel in livingroom. Of course he did not turn on stair light. He had two cuts on his face (lucky he did not lose an eye) and one looked like it needed stitches. I drove him to ER at 5:30am. Two stitches and cleaned it out, also a tetanus shot since he was due. Crazy, chaotic weekend and arrival home.
Hope you both had a good weekend. Sounds cold where you are too.
Jenny0 -
oh gracious Jenny! Wow - congrats on the new place! The retirement place! I'm glad Russ wasn't more seriously injured. Definitely not how you wanted to start the day.
It is so cold. More ice and snow for the next four days. Boo.0 -
Did I mention ice and snow for four days? We get it, it's winter. :<(0
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Jenny - Congratulations on the new house! Glad Russ wasn't injured to bad. Hope this means he will turn a light on now!
I've had a lazy week. Not fully eating right and not running. I did 5k on my lunch today with NO walk breaks. My time is getting better which is good! I'm getting closer to that fact I can hopefully set a new PB this summer! I've got 3.5 months to go before my first 5k,0 -
Great job Ang! You are doing it! I admire that you get yourself out there in the winter and aren't a couch potato like me.
We are moving forward with the house. All inspection reports were good. Russ and I turned in our applications for our pensions today. On Monday or Tuesday I will turn in my retirement letter to the school district. All written and ready to go.
Russ is crabby but otherwise doing fine physically. We are both tired and it has been a crazy week with the house, answering mortgage emails and signing documents via email, plus work and Russ' fall. Life needs to slow down!
Well have a nice weekend. I have paperwork to do for work, haircut and color (easing me into gray), and shopping for new entry rugs, ours are gross and ready for garbage.
Jenny0 -
What a day. Up at 3 am to food prep. Hit the road for Caleb’s powerlifting meet at 4:40 am. All day at the meet. Home at 7:30 pm. Whew. I didn’t do anything but sit but I’m whipped. Caleb did ok. He’s pretty small compared to the others in his weight class but he learned a lot and PR’d his deadlift.
Later ladies. I’m for bed!0 -
I handed in my notice of retirement letter this afternoon. Yay! The only think left is to choose our medical insurance plan for next year through our employer.
In two weeks we will be in Orange Beach, AL looking at the Gulf and walking the beach. Hopefully it is at least 60 degrees when we are there. I don't care if I sit by a pool but some sun and warmth would be nice. So ready for winter to end. I'm tired of the ice and trying to stay upright.
WTG Caleb! Good for him for lifting and competing. Your boys are doing great Marla!
Temps are in the 20's here so win for us!
Jenny0
