Did We Finally Make it to Spring? (Apr.16, 2026)

It was a super busy day at work today, I barely left my office.

The sun showed up today and got to work melting the snow.

It was oddly satisfying to watch. 

I was going to work through lunch but changed my mind.

I got a short walk in on the treadmill so I don't have as much to do later to get my steps in.

Not a super long walk but better than nothing.

I fished my latest book today.

I wasn't sure where it was going to go but I did end up liking it!

Then I went back to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion.

I'm currently in Volume 5.

I love them.

I worked late, right to 5, and I managed to get everything on my to do list knocked off.

Kody brought the girls over as soon as we were home.

They were itching to get here.

Then Freya's friend's Dad called to see if she wanted to go there for a sleepover (there is no school tomorrow).

She was so excited and couldn't wait to go.

Jeremy and Theia walked down and picked her up.

So that left just Eden - it is nice to have one on one time with the girls - it will be a bit roomier in bed tonight too.

Jason is off tomorrow too so Eden is going to spend the night.

Jason used to do this with Freya and now he is doing it with Eden.

She loved it - she kept saying "Do it again Papa".

I had to get on the treadmill again in the evening to get the rest of my steps in.

I watched an episode of Everwood.

I'm slowly making it through the seasons. I'm on season 3, episode 10.

Just chilling out before bedtime.

She was snuggled up next to me which is unusual for her - I was loving it.

I had a Neo Citron again before bed but I do think I am feeling better.

The little tickle in my throat is gone so hopefully I've avoided whatever was trying to take hold.

Got all my steps in.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy.

Winter, Enough Already! (Apr.15, 2026)

Well it's back to work for me today.

Bonnie and Shennelle are both away on vacation so it will be a quiet week. 

I did not weigh in this morning - I was kind of afraid to if I'm being honest.

If I'm up too much I know it will depress me but alternately if I'm not, it will be like a license to eat more.

So I'm just going to eat well over the next few days and then proceed with my usual weigh in on Monday.

I really need to get my weight under control - I'm feeling huge.

I feel like I've really let myself down and I want to get my Mojo back but I'm struggling.

I'm going to keep trying though, if at first you don't succeed and all that!

We got so much  snow last night that Jason actually had to shovel to get to the vehicles this morning.

Hard to believe this is mid April.

It's a total winter wonderland out there.

It was super quiet at the office today.

I had meetings ALL DAY LONG.

It was impossible to get anything else done.

So the day was kind of a write off but two meetings booked for tomorrow got cancelled so I should be able to get some catching up done tomorrow.

The buses weren't running today so I picked Freya and Zepplyn up after school and took them to dance.

Then I picked them up after dance and they came to the house to visit.

When Jason got home, he washed my hair for me.

He made this whole set up in the bathroom with the weight bench so I could lay back while he did it.

He is so thoughtful (and resourceful)

Then Crystal dropped over when she finished work to braid it again for me.

The girls have gotten into wrestling.

Jason took them to Swan Palace for a late supper then took them home.

I think I might be coming down with a cold - I'm hoping this is as bad as it gets.

I did have a Neo Citron before bed - that stuff knocks me right out - It's great!

This oldie of Hunter and Alivia popped up on my Facebook memories today.

OMG - such cutie patooties!

I did manage to get all of my steps in today.

I do think my Fitbit is counting high but I'll take it.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy.

Back Home - Will Winter Ever Be Over? (Apr.14, 2026)

 Well the time has come for us to go home.

We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express near the airport - they have comfortable beds and bedding and their pillows are great too!

We only fly out at 1:55 pm so we had some time this morning.

We went out for a short walk.

It wasn't sunny out but it wasn't cold either.

Real spring weather, we've really enjoyed it.

I hope we've made it to spring back home too!

At the airport, Jason had a burrito bowl and I got a Firehouse sub but I didn't really like it (It was a bbq brisket one) so then I got a Smash burger.

Our flight was good, I listened to my book the whole time and played games on my tablet.

There was a little turbulence at the beginning but thankfully that was it.

It was raining in Edmonton and most of the snow was gone so we were happy to see that.

From the Fort on, we started seeing more snow on the sides of the road and the rain was turning to slushy sleet.

And then exactly 10km away from town, it turned to full on snow.

Unf*$%ing Believable!

It's still full on winter here.

I wanted to cry.

We've officially had snow here for 7 months straight now, no reprieve.

I am more than ready for it to be over, this is just ridiculous.

Kody messaged to see what time we would be home - Freya was asking.

We said we just pulled into town so he brought them over pretty much as soon as we walked in the door.

I got the girls these little bunny decorating kits from Hobby Lobby and Eden wanted to get to it right away.

I love how she says 'decorating my bunny'.

Freya looks so good with her shorter hair - it looks so healthy.

It's dyed a lighter color - she really likes it.

I got her an outfit and she liked it - baggy jeans and a black & white striped top.

She said when I buy her clothes she just wants baggy jeans and big t-shirts - that's what she likes now.

I was trying to get Eden to look at me for a picture but was having no luck so Jason posed instead.

When Eden saw that, shhe then wanted to pose for me too just like Papa.

I got her these cute bows at Hobby Lobby - she wanted to put them on.

Kind of hard to do with a cast but we managed.

They look adorable on her.

It was so nice to see them.

Before Kody came back, Eden was saying 'let's go to bed now'.

I felt so bad - they both wanted to stay but they couldn't because we both work tomorrow.

They were placated when we said they could come back tomorrow.

When they were leaving, she kept asking for another hug and kiss from Jason.

I think I might be getting a cold, it started with a little scratch in my throat on Sunday (my birthday) and it's just getting worse.

I popped some Cold FX - I hope it helps.

Made my step goal for the day.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy.

Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN - Casetta, The Chocolate Shoppe, Culver's and The Mall of America (Apr.13, 2026)

 We woke up to a much brighter day.

This is the view of Madison from our hotel room looking one direction.

This is looking the other direction.

It's so nice to see blue skies.

They had a pool and a hot tub in the hotel so we took advantage of that this morning.

It had a big sky light which was great - let in so much light in.

It had a nice seating area with tables.

The hot tub was closed when we got there- they were adjusting the chemicals.

So I sat in the pool and waited until they were done.

I did get some time in the hot tub so that was nice.

We packed up after that, put our luggage in the car then walked over to get something to eat.

Casetta is a highly rated soup/sandwich spot.

It sometimes gets huge line ups but that wasn't the case this morning thankfully.

You order at the counter when you go in then you seat yourself and they bring your food to you.

They make everything fresh and they have a great set up.

The make this Focaccia bread in house and it smelled amazing.

Jason ordered some soup and it came with some of that Focaccia.

The soup was a pasta e fagioli which normally isn't my favorite but this was very good.

The Focaccia was fantastic.

I ordered this spicy chickpeas dish.

It had tomato, Calabrian chili, lemon and breadcrumbs.

It was quite good too.

Turkey - Turkey, provolone, pickles, green sauce*, lettuce, tomato $12

Then I got the turkey sandwich on Ditch bread which I've never heard of before.

I'm not sure what makes it Dutch bread but it was also terrific.

Italian - Capicola, ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, oil and vinegar, salt and pepper, dried herbs, hot peppers $12.5

The Italian was Jason's pick - also fantastic.

We shared a salted chocolate chip cookie, it was ooey gooey and chewy, just the way I love my cookies!

They are so lucky, they already have green grass and leave buds popping out on their trees.

Actual real spring instead of the never ending winter we have at home.

Look at this tree, it's full of blooms already!

Another pained electrical box.

It's such a good use of blank real estate in my opinion.

You have to have them so why not make them interesting?

We went for a little walk around.

We happened upon a Chocolate Shoppe which is where we got that delicious ice cream yesterday.

Guess it must be a train.

I'm not one to pass up the opportunity to have some delicious ice cream.

Cute art on the wall.

Jason had the Munchie Madness.

And the Scotcheroo.

I had the This $&@! Just Got Serious yesterday and loved it but I wanted to try something new today.

So I had the Coconut Almond Bliss.

And the Kitty Kitty Bang Bang today.

The Pistachio Nut was the other flavor I tried yesterday.

This is seriously some of the best, creamiest ice cream that I've ever had.

This guy randomly walked by with a huge snake on his neck.

Random mural.

On the sidewalk.

Sticker Jason noticed.

We had a short walk but had to get on the road because we had a bit of a drive ahead of us.

It is about 3.5 hours back to Minnesota.

Culver's is a common fast food spot here and we've been seeing them everywhere so thought why not give them a try.

Fancy.

We got the fish and chips.

It was good.

Also tried a concrete which is like a blizzard.

I got pecans, cheesecake and hot fudge - yummy combo.

Then I dot this strawberry chicken salad which I would have loved but it had blue cheese which I'm not that into.

There was a tornado warning for the area while we were there.

The sky was looking foreboding.

We didn't see anything though.

We made it to Minneapolis and we booked a hotel by the airport this time.

Instead of driving the 20 minutes to the downtown, we decided to go to the Mall of America and do some walking through there to get some activity in.

They have a Ferris wheel right inside in their amusement park.

They had all these awesome themed climbing walls.

I think these were an addition since the last time we were here.

Yellow M&M giving a pucker.

They have a Fly Over theatre here so we decided to go to one - we really enjoy them.

We did a double header, we watched the Hawaii one.

Then we did the America one.

They let you stay right in your seat so that's awesome.

We walked around the mall, saw a Pop Mart store so checked it out.

I like all their collectables.

Some of the larger ones were outrageously expensive.

Some of the small ones were pretty expensive too.

We didn't buy anything but it was fun to browse.

This stuff is big business.

They have really awesome Lego displays.

We walked around long enough to get our steps in then headed back to the hotel.

We fly home tomorrow.

The flight is at 2 pm so we don't have to get up super early which I'm grateful for!

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!