Happy Anniversary, Darling

I haven't gotten online for this since Thursday, so I'll post it now. I had a great time with you the other night. You are my life=partner, my best friend, the chocolate chips in my chocolate chip cookies, and My darling wife. I love you.

Thursday was our 20th anniversary. for those of you with more time in, I hope you've been as blessed as I have. For thoses who haven't, I'd say work on it and it'll be fun. This is currently the best time of our lives so far. It hasn't always been good, but we've come through a lot and are having fun being together now. I am overwhelmed how great Laurie is.

I worked and she didn't thursday. She met me in Grand Forks and we went to the Bronze Boot for dinner. It is one of those restaurants that looks like it's heyday was 40 years ago. Neon framed boot and all. 50's style architecture. However, inside it is clean, and nice. Thiis place really knows how to cook a steak. They cut their own, and is a place where we go for special occasions. A nice dinner and the server, whom I believe may be one of the owners, is very nice. she brought us a double dish of ice cream, toppings and two spoons to help us celebrate.

I was just thinking about the kids on Thursday, too. Laurie and I went to Disneyland for our honeymoon and then we went there when we were in San Diego this winter as a celebration of the 20 years. But I remembered the times we took the kids, too. Jeremiah and Alex's first time right after Eliza was born and we left her with Nana. We were working for a property management company out of L.A. at the time and we told the boys we had a meeting up there and had no one to look after them all day. We left early and they slept most of the time, but we got to L.A. early amid whines of "Are we there, yet?" And them we pulled into the vast parking lot of Disneyland and the lok on their eyes was priceless. A whirlwind day running from one ride to the next and having one of the best times of my life. Jeremiah pulling the sword from the stone, eating at the Blue Bayou. All of us one my favorite ride, the Pirates of the Carribean. We went to Tom Sawyer island and as soon as we stepped off the little raft, Jeremiah took of and got lost. We found him 10 minutes later with security and wet cheeks. Alex in a stroller, fell asleep during the Electrical Parade. and screaming during the fireworks. We opened and closed it that day. It was great.

Weather or not.

Last week we had a few days of warm weather. It's still warm now if you compare it to whatb we had in February. 99% of the snow melted and everything on the outer frindges of the proprerty was flooded. It has since gone down and it's looking good. Friday before Easter I got home from work, I went in the house and only spent 10 minutes inside before going outside and spending the next four hours outside. I was just having fun. My Lilacs are already starting to sprout new growth as are our roses. Now, the Lilacs we just planted as seedlings last year. Up here as soon as the land gets a chance, it wastes no time blooming. This is something you don't get in California since it's green all year.

Yeah, it's still cold!

Wind Chill Advisory in effect until 12 PM CST Monday...

Tonight
Mostly clear. Lows 20 to 25 below. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 30 below to 40 below zero.

Monday
Sunny. Highs zero to 5 below. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 30 below to 45 below zero.

Monday Night
Mostly clear. Lows 10 to 15 below. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 20 below to 35 below zero

A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect until 12 PM CST Monday. The combination of westerly winds of around 10 mph and subzero airtemperatures... will result in hazardous wind chills of 25 below to 40 below zero for tonight and Monday morning.A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and winds will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in frostbite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken. If you must venture outdoors... make sure you wear appropriate clothing... including a hat and gloves.

And these are Sunny days and clear nights.

Last week we had a couple of days where it warmed up to 27-30 degrees. This was noticeably warmer. It's miserable and going out to feed the hayburners is a chore but y'know, when it does get warm in March or so, it will be beautiful and pretty beyond words and greener than anything in Southern California. The contrast makes it more noticeable and you appreciate it more. I can't wait 'cause I'm freezing my nose off right now.

I'm Leavin... On a Jet Plane!

We are almost out the door on our vacation to California and South Carolina. It's -7 windchill here and 70 there. I'm not sure if I can take it. If you need me, I'll be at the beach!

First Snow

It snowed late last night and early this morning. Just a dusting and most of it melted this afternoon. Temps are going back up so it'll melt but it will be back. We're leaving for California a couple of days before Thanksgiving and when we come back we'll probably go through Fort Jackson, SC where Eliza will be graduating from basic training. We got a couple of kittens recently. We needed more barn cats since the neighbor's dog comes after them. What else? Oh yeah, there's a new Lee Ann Womack album coming out. I think I'll get it.