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What a lovely family you have that far outshines the difficulty your mother brings to your life! It's like life has to stay in balance. All that good is more appreciated with a "spicy" mom to bring the contrast.

Am I the only one who will be living in a northern town by tomorrow? DS left for Wisconsin at 6:00 am this morning, because a snowstorm was coming around 9am. It was one of those beautiful snowglobe kind of snowfall, but it did accumulate fast, and it was slippery. They made it home before the storm reached them in Madison.

My BIL's 6 children and their spouses and the grandchildren were all at his house today. The Arizona and California grandkids loved the snow until they got cold, then not so much. We had brunch with them and my heart is so full right now. They were my babies too, and we spent so much time together when they were growing up. We were so broke when our kids were little, but at the same time so rich in relationships. At least once a week my SIL and I would take them all swimming during the summer and I babysat her whole crew every Tuesday so she could go to Mass in peace. Like I held them, I loved holding their babies today.

DD is here until early Tuesday morning. She and her boyfriend have tossed around the idea of moving to Minnesota because it would be easier to buy a home here, and, i think DD is feeling a pull towards home that she didn't feel before. Of course we would love it, but we want her to be that is what she really wants. She would decide this summer.

As far as we know there has been no formal proposal or ring, but DS and his girlfriend are talking about what kind of wedding they want to have and even said they will probably get married in May 2027. We are delighted. She is lovely, and they are happy and peaceful together.

Tomorrow we will probably go out for coffee. Tuesday we will put DD on the plane back to Boston. For New Year's Eve, DH and I plan on going out for brunch together, and then a quiet night at home. New Year's Day we will visit some friends at their new vacation home in a cute little tourist town in southern Minnesota on the Mississippi River. Then, we begin packing in earnest for Brazil.

Oops, i meant to say car software update. It's a recall.

I made it home! And my house is blessedly chilly. It's a beautiful day and I've been to Flagstaff and back with Kirby. He's fluffy and clean and rolling around on his bed and the rugs.

I'm supposed to drive back up there for a multi-hour software update tomorrow. Blech. I may reschedule.

Great googly moogly, the crowds are everywhere today. The road to my house is poorly parked hiker cars as far as the eye can see. This is always the most crowded week of the year. Bring on 2026!

I think my dad and his wife are coming for a chunk of the month of February. We'll see...

Anyway, I think a nap might be in order! Take care all...

No big weekly trips here either. I remember when I was young mother I used to shop on the same day every week armed with a list which was prepared by studying what was on sale and planning meals around that. What a difference now. To shop for more than one dinner is unusual, though we do keep a running list of basics needed if they are getting low whi*****ludes our usual breakfast/lunch foods. I actually don't mind food shopping because I do go with a list and am fairly efficient. Like DD I don't like to plan too far ahead because we often have our plans change. My one guiding set of rules is that if I am going to cook it has to be easy, have relatively few ingredients (or it isn't easy), taste good, and last for a minimum of 2 meals for the 2 of us.