Thanksgiving in WI

Mom, Savannah, and I all went to WI for Thanksgiving this year. It was so good to see Jake, Sasha, Patti, and the fur babies. We also got to visit Michael.

Jake made the turkey, he brined it and everything. He even got it fresh from the local meat shop we used to like to go to in WI. I don't know if it is true they chop their heads off, or what, but it sure was tasty so I didn't care to think about how it died. We also visited Door County (my favorite!) and the Christmas lights at the WPS annual show. It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be, but definitely colder than TX!

Here are some pictures:

Summer in Utah

We went to Utah to visit with family - Covid and all. It was great to get away and be back in the desert country where I grew up. We experienced new adventures a couple hours away from Orem while staying at Downata Hot Springs Resort. They had covered wagons round in a circle under a big sky. The galaxy was so bright at night. Boy, how I missed these stars at night!

Savannah and her teen cousins had so much fun together, it was hard to leave. 

At Home

So since the middle of March we've been staying home, well mostly Savannah and I. COVID-19 virus has swept over the remaining part of the planet and while the US seemed to be last in line I am not sure exactly if this is true. But I don't really care about the politics of it or who started it or how, what matters is we are all safe, we still have our jobs, and work (for now), and there is not more that we can feel blessed for.

I am ready to get back into the office however. I like my morning walks with Cowboy and not having the commute but it is hard transitioning between the two spaces. I am tempted to work more than I should even though we are not allowed overtime, in fact I even thought about it just before I started this post. I get distracted and can't focus as well as I do in the office but this is in part to my family being around. And lastly, I eat more working from home!

I am looking forward to seeing my coworkers when we are given the okay to go back. I miss this part of socializing. You know me, it doesn't take much. Just being around them during the day is socialization even if we don't talk much.

Speaking of socialization, is it terrible that I have enjoyed being quarantined for various reasons? For example, there is no pressure from family members (not that I don't love them) to visit or go places. I can also get away with not having to go anywhere. (Why yes, I am a home body). Introversion has its annoyances because I feel guilty for being this way. But it is who I am and I have to tell myself this all the time and I am not the only one!

Savannah is having a hard time - oh not with the online schooling part, she is and always has been very good about that - but she is pretty extroverted and thrives on being around kids her age. She even said she wished she had a sibling to be quarantined with so she wasn't so alone. I am glad I work at home for this but worry when I return. She applied for a job and of course due to the virus they were not hiring. Bummer deal too is that the driver license office is closed and we can't get her learners permit right now which she would love to be practicing her driving.

Here she is cutting her dad's hair and attending virtual drill with her Sea Cadet program.

I am loving the puzzles but have a hard time finding them in stock right now. Everyone else seems to have the same idea.

I miss the three of us being able to just go out though...well, dining that is...since that is just about all the DFW area in Texas has to offer. Can't miss recreational activities or outdoor nature excursions since there isn't a lot to find here. We did go on a picnic a couple of weeks ago near people/boat filled reservoir and that was nice but the lack of water and trees and country and mountain landscapes here seriously plays a role in my happiness. Texas has these things, just not where we live within an hour or two.

Because our cruise with my mom is canceled I am left with my upcoming vacation time and no plans. I love this because in years past they were already spent before I got them. I almost want to hoard them and go on a vacation just the three of us. After all it has been 10 year since we did this and it is long past due. Now this something to think about...virus or no virus. And it will be in the future after Charlie gets more vacation in September. I bet vacations are cheap right now even if we don't travel until October. But even so, I'd do an in state trip just to get to know the state of Texas better.

Saying goodbye to an old friend

He will be missed. He arrived at the end of the sidewalk on a hot summer day. Only did we know about him when the neighbor rang the doorbell and said, "Did you know there is a puppy in a crate out by your mailbox?"

He's been our Beardy boy ever since. We had a lot of fun times with him. He has many stories and mostly incidents of his accident prone self or getting into trouble with running out of the yard and attacking bicyclists and other little dogs. He loved to be outside. 

I recall how he would come up to you after you sneezed to check on you. Every time. He was a good guard dog too. Once when he was in his kennel while we were at work our house was broke into. Had he not been it would have been safe.

I miss that old roochie boy. He had a good life though. He was our pal.

Sweet 16

Sweet Savannah. She was surprised to come home to find the Happy Birthday sign and her balloons and a Pig cake. She loves pigs.  If I could, I would have had a piglet with a bow on her neck for one of her gifts. Oh that would be the best present ever, right? Instead she was stuck with two tickets to Six Flags for her and a friend, cash money, a Sims game, and a certificate that her driving school is paid whenever she feels ready to start. She chose to eat at Rosa's for dinner then we came home and had cake and gifts. She went with her friend to Six Flags over the weekend and it was perfect weather too. Such a change for a January birthday. A good change!

Isn't she lovely? This year there will be many new firsts to come I am sure.

End of 2019

We had a good Thanksgiving - mom and my brother and his wife visited. We visited Ice! at the Gaylord Texan. It was nice to see how happy my brother was. I love John for that. He is always good company. Here are a few of my favorite pictures to show you.

Mom was imitating Charlie Brown. Poor Charlie. :(

Christmas was kind of lonely this year. All the family was out of town and our company had left. But we did get to go to a small town Christmas parade with my in-laws before they went on vacation. It was a lot of fun and great weather. I love that I have my husband and daughter to share it with. Here are my favorite pictures. 

 

Great way to end the year. 

Texas Renaissance Festival

We went to the Renaissance Festival beginning of November. Believe it or not the weather was still pretty hot at this point but this is something I am learning to be normal. It was a fun experience to see all the people dressed up in Renaissance garb and all the little shops and vendors who were in character with their accents and themed stores. I will also say there were those who were not in spirit and simply threw on their leftover Halloween costumes just for attention which was pretty lame.

I tried Mead and we shared a turkey drumstick. Savannah got a hemp tattoo and we were entertained by the mud show. Wasn't what I expected (I think I was assuming it would be mud wrestling?) but it was fun!