The 700 Days of January

(1/1) Happy New Year! Nanan stayed over to ring in the new year and I made us all breakfast once we were officially up for the day. We wandered up north this afternoon and stopped to grocery shop on the way.

(1/2) I took the day off to attend to a couple of appointments. First up was the optometrist for Nanan. I've never had a doctor that flat-out refused to listen to anything I said like this one and I'll be shocked if they actually get her prescription correct. We definitely won't be going there again! After I dropped her back at home, I had my own medical appointment, at which the competent staff had me in and out with no issues. Shew, what a day!

(1/3) Today was a pretty quiet day, up until the Seahawks played. My neighborhood apparently wasn't blowing itself up and my poor dogs were absolutely terrified.

(1/4) The worst thing happened today. On their last day of vacation, the power went out and it took several hours for the wi-fi to come back. Sarah and I went for a coffee walk to get away from our whiny teenagers. It was beautiful out today!

(1/5) Back to work and school for all of us today. Dad now has random shifts/days which makes it super fun to plan around. We all got out the door and around midday C messaged if I was working at the office. He didn't realize that he was home alone.

(1/6) I worked in the office today and had seventy-billion meetings. Happy New Year, it's review time, and all that jazz. Here we go ~

(1/7) I'm so glad I have Wednesdays off and have a mid-week breather. Dad was off today too and we went to a parent session with J's counselor. I really like his counselor and think she's a way better fit for our family! Once the twins got home from school, WinCo orders were placed and I went to go fetch. It's cheaper when the boys don't go with me, but it's not the same.

(1/8) I worked from home, the boys had school, and Dad had the day off. Since Dad was home, J got to choose his fighter to take him to his appointment. He selected Dad, and since D says I owed him Jersey Mikes, I took him there for dinner when I got done with work.

(1/9) TGIF! I worked from home, Dad worked at work, and the boys had school.

(1/10) Dad had a horrendous shift that started at 5a today, and with the repaving project underway, he had to get up ridiculously early. I went to the celebration of life of the CEO of my office, who passed suddenly in November. It was an absolutely beautiful event and I don't think there was a dry eye in the building.

(1/11) I tried to sleep in today but eventually gave up and and went downstairs to listen to my podcasts with a cup of coffee. I went up and grocery shopped for Nanan and stayed to visit for a bit.

(1/12) Everybody had work and school today. I worked in the office and took another class on kiddos with PDA. The more I read/research, the more everything clicks into place.

(1/13) We all had work and school today but were all in different places due to schedule shifts. But, since it's Tuesday, Dad ordered us pizza and we were able to keep that little bit of consistency.

(1/14) Dad and I had the day off together. Dad ran errands and I had a quiet morning to myself. When the boys got home we did the Wednesday thing, and then Dad and I got caught up on our shows.

(1/15) It was a work and school day for all of us. I worked from home up until it was time to take J to his appointment. We stopped at DQ afterward which is his fave post-appointment stop now.

(1/16) Poor D was awake dealing with a bloody nose at 3am and then had another right before school this morning. Thankfully they're not lasting nearly as long as they were before his surgery, but what a pain. Dad and C went to an estate sale and Dad came home with a slow cooker cook book with some tasty looking recipes. I'm excited to try them out!

(1/17) I ran up to Nanan's today to take her to the nursery. For Christmas last year, I asked for a trip to the plant store and she has been itching to deliver. I potted up a few of her planter boxes and then headed on home. You watch, it'll probably snow next week since we bought flowers! We went to The Muse Whiskey & Coffee bar to celebrate Dad's birthday tonight. We both chose whiskey flights and found a new favorite: Westland. We had dinner at The Net Shed nearby and I opted to have my shrimp done as linguini. Everything was amazing and we really enjoyed our night out!

(1/18) Dad's birthday is technically today, but he had to work, so we opted to celebrate before and after! The boys and I had a quiet day at home. I got to play in the dirt so my heart was happy and my porch looks so pretty!

(1/19) We all had the day off for the holiday and had my brother's fam over for cards and eats. Dad smoked some cheese and we had a deli lunch (thanks, Costco!) and birthday cake for dessert. We played Cards Against Humanity and kept having to ask the twins to close their ears and not repeat what they were hearing. LOL! C tried to change the thermostat on his truck tonight and had a bear of a time. We encouraged him to stop when everything was going sideways. He was so bummed.

(1/20) I worked in the office today and Dad wrangled the boys. C took the day off to work on his truck. He ended the day waiting for the silicone to dry and we're crossing fingers that this is the fix.

(1/21) I picked up Nanan's new glasses and went up with coffee and breakfast burritos. They DID in fact manage to get her prescription right and I'm so glad we don't have to go back. We grocery shopped for her and she's all set for a bit. I got home in time to do the all important Wednesday WinCo run with the twins.

(1/22) It was a school and work day for all of us. It's review time at work for me and it feels bananas to pick out new goals when the world is on fire, but here we are. J had his appointment this afternoon, and I was happy to put away work and turn my brain off for a bit.

(1/23) I worked from home and Dad worked at work. The twins had the day off for a teacher workday. J is starting to get a cold and I'm glad he has an extended weekend to rest.

(1/24) Brr! It was a balmy 27°F this morning so I drove to the gym. After watching the news of another shooting, it was one of those glued to your phone type of days. In this dystopian reality, we did get out and go wine tasting since this was Dad's first weekend off in about a year and a half. We took ol' man Casserole with us, who vibrated with excitement the whole way.

(1/25) The twins and I had a quiet day at home and both Dad and C worked. Dad ended up having a short shift and it was nice to have him home early. I worked in the yard for a bit, but it was freezing so I didn't last too long. My roses look like they finally might be done blooming though!

(1/26) I worked from home, the twins had school, and Dad had the day off today. I got to walk my normal route in the daylight since I was home instead of at our usual dark-thirty time. 

(1/27) I worked in the office today and had all the meetings. At least it makes the day fly by.

(1/28) I had the day off today. The boys had school, but J came home early after having a rough morning. He was feeling better by this afternoon and participated in our regularly scheduled WinCo Wednesday. We had Chinese food, which we haven't had in a while, and was a nice change.

(1/29) It was a work and school day for most of us today. C went up to Nanan's to do some work and attacked the blackberries out back. He's got a lot of work ahead of him there, but said it was therapeutic. 

(1/30) We all had work and school with the exception of C. C worked up at Nanan's and further beat back the blackberries. He and F came to hang out this evening, and we had pulled pork & slaw sandwiches, which was one of those recipes out of the cookbook Dad picked up. So good!

(1/31) Oof, today was awful. D had a nose bleed that wouldn't quit and we went into the walk-in after 30 minutes of all my tricks not slowing it one bit. The walk-in couldn't get it stopped either and with it now also coming out the other side, they ended up sending us to the ER. It finally stopped when we were in the hallway waiting for a room, 3.5 hours later. Seeing a doctor took another two hours and D had to have his nose packed a second time, which was incredibly painful. The whole ordeal was nearly eight hours and we were fried when we got home.

Peace Out, 2025!

(12/1) How is it December already? I worked from home today, Dad was off, and the twins had school. D had hand therapy after school this afternoon. He much prefers the morning sessions where he misses a bit of school and gets to go to the espresso stand after. Can't say I blame him!

(12/2) I worked in the office today and Dad had the boys. The weather held for a walk in the gray, where I stumbled upon these cool shrooms. The rest of my day was meetings, as is the norm for Tuesday.

(12/3) We decided to do our Thanksgiving with the grands today since everyone was sick last week. We pulled the kids out of school and hopped on a ferry. C and his girlfriend arrived a little bit after we did. We had a delicious lunch of charcuterie including a bunch of cheeses and salmon that Dad had smoked for the occasion. Dinner was wonderful and they sent us home with lots of leftovers so we could enjoy it all over again!

(12/4) I worked from home, Dad worked at work, and the twins had school. I had a meeting right as the boys were leaving school this afternoon and I told them I wouldn't be available to pick them up like I normally do when it rains. It absolutely poured on their walk home from school, and they were not happy, to say the least. J changed right into his jammies and I had a time getting him back out the door for his appointment.

(12/5) TGIF! It was a work and school kind of day for most of us and C came home from working up at Nanan's.

(12/6) I took a class at the gym this morning and then C and I headed up to Nanan's. She wasn't feeling so hot this morning, so C & I grocery shopped for her. By the time we got everything put away, she was was feeling better and we stayed to visit. C & I began tackling her back deck and ran a few loads to the dump. We ended up making a sizeable dent!

(12/7) The boys and I had a lazy Sunday. It was yucky out, so we all bummed around doing our own things.

(12/8) I took the week off to deal with some appointments and have a breather. J had a doctor's appointment this morning and she encouraged us to squeeze a few more things in this year since we've hit our deductible. So I set about making more appointments. She suggested a class on PDA with high-masking kiddos and it was fantastic! We had a windstorm tonight and I had to connect via my cell because our internet kept going in and out. But it was definitely worth the trouble!

(12/9) It was a struggle to get the twins out the door today. We were out of tea, which is a world-stopping crisis around here. I offered up stopping by the espresso stand if that would get everybody up and out the door on time. J chose a giant eggnog with whipped cream and I thought nothing of it until the nurse called saying he wasn't feeling so hot. He looooves lactose but it doesn't love him back.

(12/10) I ran up and grabbed Nanan for our annual Santa pictures. C's girlfriend joined us this year ~ they look so cute in their cowboy hats! D wasn't thrilled about where he was standing, so he's back there looking dark and mysterious. D had hand therapy right after, but after that, we finally got to WinCo. Dinner was shared and then I ran Nanan back home.

(12/11) Dad and I had a quiet morning together after the twinadoes went to school. Poor D had a day and nothing could convince him that something equally awful wasn't bound to happen tomorrow. I took J to his appointment, and we remedied the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day with tacos when we got home.

(12/12) My company's Christmas party was this afternoon. Dad was off and was able to attend too. It was a more somber gathering with the loss of our CEO last month, who always loved a good party.

(12/13) Sarah and I walked to class this morning. I spent the rest of the day doing a whole lot of not much.

(12/14) Dad had a closing shift today and made Dutch babies for us this morning. My Sunday class is later in the morning so I got in on breakfast while it was hot.

(12/15) I worked from home today, Dad had the day off, and the twins had school. J had an appointment for another assessment this morning but after going through everything, it was determined he's had so many assessments this year that it makes sense to re-evaluate next year. Shew! D had his most favorite (sarcasm) hand therapy this afternoon. This evening we were informed about an incident at school and he is suspended for the next two days. Sigh.

(12/16) I worked in the office today and Dad wrangled the boys and helped S with a couple of things. C took D up to Nanan's to work for a few hours. D kept her company while C worked and they actually seemed to have a good time together.

(12/17) Dad and I had the day off. We kicked the day off with school for J and an 8am doctor's appointment for D. They took one last look at D's pinky and he was given the green light to wean off the splint. D decided to join us for round 2 of Santa pics with S' fam and even picked out some cherry flavored candy canes to share. I took everybody for sushi and Dad went thrifting and scored a few deals. D had his last hand therapy appointment this afternoon and is very relieved to be done with this whole process!

(12/18) Everyone had work and school except for C today. He and F were watching Netflix on the big TV, so the Xmas Corg and I got to hang out by the tree.

(12/19) I worked from home today and the boys had a half day. I had to take Dad to a medical  appointment and ended up treating myself to ramen while I waited. It was delicious!

(12/20) Sarah and I went to Zumba this morning and I went up to Nanan's to take her grocery shopping this afternoon.

(12/21) I went to the gym this morning and hit Costco and a few other stores after. I got five dozen eggs and am not sure that's going to be enough for the next few days. We took Toffee's gotcha day pictures a day late. She's been with us for five years now.

(12/22) The boys are on break and I'm almost there. Just two more shifts! I worked from home today and Dad was off. We're scrambling around here to get those last minute shopping trips in.

(12/23) I worked a half day in the office and they let us work the second half from home, which was great because I hadn't finished wrapping! We let the boys unwrap their presents tonight so we didn't have to haul them with us. The grands rented a beautiful house on Lake Stevens for the big group, and the twins and I relocated there tonight.

(12/24) Dad, C, and F arrived early to make the fam breakfast and spend the day. Dad made a giant batch of Dutch babies and we feasted. I had packed what looked like a fun puzzle, but oh man is it going to be a challenge! It says for ages 6+, so maybe I'll recruit the littlest cousins! Granddad and I put in several hours and have barely made a dent.

(12/25) Merry Christmas! Dad had to work today, but was able to join us for dinner tonight. We played another round of white elephant and C won back the frilly apron that he re-entered into the present pot. It was wonderful to hang with the whole fam! We played games, worked on the puzzle, cooked, and ate a ton!

(12/26) It was just my fam and the grands at the Airbnb for the bulk of the day. C and F commandeered the TV and continued their marathon of The Walking Dead. Granddad and I worked for hours on the puzzle but we're not gonna make it. I'm tempted to leave it here at the house as a "gift."

(12/27) Home again, home again. After we unloaded I let the kids do their stockings, and D helped the dogs with theirs. We have lots of new squeaky toys for them to destroy!

(12/28) I took the day to do nothing. I pulled the puzzle back out and pretty much started from scratch. I listened to a book and had a relaxing day.

(12/29) I went up to Nanan's briefly this morning. She's going to see a lot of us over the next few and I told her she was going to get sick of me. We had W over for a bit this evening and got to give him his presents. What a cutie!

(12/30) Sarah and I went for a coffee walk and caught up. We both have been crazy busy! S asked if I could drive them up north this afternoon. We stopped for sandwiches, which W said he definitely wanted, but which was promptly ignored/rejected in favor of potato chips. Goober.

(12/31) I managed to finish the puzzle this year! I WinCo'd with the boys and then headed up to grab Nanan so she could join us for New Year's. Dad cooked up a full turkey dinner, which was delicious. We watched the Downtown Abby movie as we waited for midnight. Peace out, 2025!