January 10th

Today the high was estimated for 49F, but we aren't supposed to reach it until late tonight!?  It was cold at 47F according to my car, but without the wind, it didn't feel like a biting cold.  As the day progressed it became foggier and foggier.  We are anticipating our first winter storm of the new year tomorrow.

After sending my dear ones off to school, I checked the mail, and sorted it in my car.  My next stop was to pick up some potting soil, because I woke up several times last night worried about my wilting outdoor, but currently indoor plant: Ward.  His new leaves are browning and a few of his shoots were wilting. So, I bought some rich soil, and moved him to a bigger pot.  I hope he makes it through the winter, because he was thriving outside all summer!

Once I had the soil, I headed to Meijer for Billy's ice cream cake, but we decided to meet for coffee, so I stopped by the bank and then went to a thrift store to bide my time. = )  I spent almost two hours shopping, but only ended up buying a handful of books.  One of them was a Geronimo Stilton, a series I hadn't found a supplement for since May!

I went by Burger King to redeem the last of our 'prizes' a freebie chicken fries!  Then on to Panera to order some real lunch. = ) I had a gift card from my mom, so I splurged and bought an iced cookie to go with my sandwich.

Billy and I spent a nice lunch at Biggby (since we'd both already eaten) before he had to go back.

When I got home I started in on my plants (because I knew that once I went inside, it would be hard to go back out in the cold. Also, I tried out the new mower key that came yesterday.

While I was moving Ward (far left) into his new home, I also mixed in some fresh soil for my other plants.

While I was working on my 'gardening' (lol) Sarah called to see if I wanted to take in my mower.  I was excited to do so, now that I had the key!  It took us a bit for just the two of us to maneuver my lawn tractor into the bed of her truck, but we made it work.*  After checking it in, it took him a lot less time to take it out, than it did for us to get it in.  Hopefully it's something simple and cheap to fix.  At least if it takes them a while to look at it, I have the time.

After we left the repair shop, we went to Carl's to pick up an Ice Cream Cake for Billy's birthday tomorrow!

I had just enough time to sort through my catch-all (Texas) bag that had the mail, trash, receipts, thrift store purchases, etc. before running to collect my dear ones.

Fridays are a shortened piano practice time, and since Grace and Emily had both worked on their time this morning, piano practice did not drag on as long as it normally does.

Billy went out to celebrate one of his co-worker's retirement news, so for dinner we had a choice of a hot roast beef & swiss or PB&J.  Most of my children chose the peanut butter. Even going out after work, Billy was still home by 7:30, but the kids thought that was "so late. It's dark!" lol

I also had to fill out the annual forms for the kids' supplemental medical insurance.  I never regret having it ready to roll for when we file our taxes, but man is it a pain to fill out. Luckily, I had the foresight to keep last year's so it was just a matter of copying all the information that never changes. x3.

later days

*After clearing it out of the shed, naturally I had to sweep, and much to my dismay found the missing key in the leaves that were underneath the mower.  The safety pin was closed, which probably means that when I had 'attached it to my shirt' after my final mow, I had missed my shirt and it had fallen under the blade. = /

January 7th

Today was another cold day with an expected high of  38F.  It was not nearly as sunny today, which always makes it feel a little colder.

I let my children wear whatever they would like (as long as it is weather appropriate) to school.  Some days they look really cute, other days they look like I should put on a disclaimer that I didn't dress them.

We were out the door before our normal time, so the kids were able to finish the breakfasts they brought with them, versus only eating as much as they could on the way.  It was cold enough today that all 5 of them went to 'eat breakfast' in the cafeteria so they would have to stand outside.  I don't blame them. brrr.

After dropping off my little ones, I checked the mail then drove over to the lawn mower repair shop.  I gave the worker the part number, and after looking it up he said "that's a weird looking key.  no, we don't carry those." = (  So, I have to wait with fingers crossed for my amazon replacement.

My next stop was Meijer to return some things and I was almost there, when I remembered that Ms. Charlie, our housekeeper was coming today.  So, I made a trip back home to wait for her.  While waiting I poured the bagged salt into the plastic tubs, so my front porch looks much happier now. = )

I left Ms. Charlie to my empty house, and went back to Meijer. I had a tub of returnable, a return* and milk to buy, since Sam's only had one in stock when I picked up my order yesterday.  There must be something going on with whole milk, because Meijer was also pretty low!

After all my Meijer jobs, I went to drop off some recycling at Sarah's. She fed me some treats, Seven begged for the same.  After taking my leave of them, I called to check on my rings, since they are supposed to be done today.... but not yet. = (

Since I no longer needed to make a trip to Okemos I came home, just in time to schedule the next appointment with Ms. Charlie.

For lunch I had some more of the rotisserie chicken, and bread.  I also finished a load of laundry!

At 3:20 it started to snow, a lot!  It even started to stick.

The snow stopped as quickly as it came, and began to melt.  So it looked more like we had just had quick a rain shower by the time I picked the kids up from school.

For dinner we had tacos.  Well, most of us had tacos.  Apparently Billy's delicate constitution (lol) would not allow him to eat tacos so he went and bought a pre-cooked Bob Evan's fettuccini dinner.

The new collection had some more play.  This time they made a super long snake!

I did hear from the jewelers, my set should be in tomorrow morning.  I am expecting an early phone call!

I also enjoyed texting back and forth with Erin Elise for almost the entire day.  I can't remember the last time we did that! = )

Hoping to have an earlier, more leisurely bedtime tonight, because tomorrow an earlier bedtime is a must.

later days

*I purchased some special flour to make pancakes for the witcher watching party, but when my oven went out, they didn't get made.  I didn't think they would taste nearly as good if I made them 'any ole time' so I returned the flour. = (

January 6th

It was a bright and sunny, but cold day.  The anticipated high was 39F.

We were only one minute behind schedule pulling out of the driveway this morning!  Not too shabby after a very relaxed two week break from our regular schedule.

I checked the mail, possibly for the first time this year.  Then went to the bank and then to Sam's.  I was running quite early, as I had already pumped my gas and was pulling up to pick up my internet order and it wasn't even yet 9!

They had some cuuuuuuute Easter dresses out, so I bought them.  Sadly, the twins were too small for the same pattern as the big girls, so theirs are similar, but a little different.  I grabbed a rotisserie chicken (which I usually eat as my lunch) and then headed to the counter to pick up my order. Lansing sometimes feels like a small town, because I ran into one of my MOPS ladies there today!

I headed to the Dollar Tree to gather more things for our party. I found a Lisa Frank calendar at the Dollar Tree that I just had to send to Chelsea. My next stop was to pick up Sarah.  She provided me with a shipping envelope for the calendar, since I was headed the post office anyhow.

It was a short trip to the dealership to reclaim Avia's car.  Then I was off to the post office.  I mailed some German books to Brian and the calendar to Chelsea, and it was still before noon!

Once I made it home, it was time to unload the groceries and put everything Sarah had given me away.

Then I worked a little on our Amazon store, and ended up having to message Haley for help.

Once all of my chores were done, I got to work on my decorations.  I was soooooooo happy with the napkins.  Hopefully Emily and I will get to work a little on the plates tomorrow.

The afternoon felt long and quiet without my children home, so I was really excited to go retrieve them from school.

Homework took a particularly long time, maybe because we were out of the habit or maybe because they were exhausted from school?

For dinner we had 'loaded' French fries to use up the last of the ham!  I thought the were pretty good, but not amazing.  The kids ate well though.  The side of oranges were a big hit though. = )

And my evening took a sad turn when I found that someone in our household has lost the riding lawnmower key!  Sarah and I were planning on taking it in tomorrow, but without the key, I can't = (

I looked on every shirt I would have possibly mowed in (the key has a safety pin on it, so that I can hook it to my shirt while I'm putting the gutters back on, picking up branches, etc.  I also checked the machine's ignition without success.  So, I cleaned out the most likely suspect's computer cabinets: William, Grace and Juliet.  No luck.  at least their cabinets are clean now. = /

Billy braved the cold and dark with me to find the replacement part number, and hopefully we've ordered the correct thing.

Here's hoping that the key comes quickly, is correct and I can get my machine looked at before I need it again!

later days