I am at the airport, getting ready to head back to Wisconsin.  I hate to go.  I was on the porch this morning drinking my juice, feeling the warm sun on my body, looking at the deep blue sky.  It looked like there was some rain in Appleton the last couple of days.  And the temperature dropping today.  So when I get to Appleton late this afternoon the car should be an ice cube when I get to it (after I remember where I parked).  I am sure a lot of scraping and swearing will be involved.   How can the weather be so different?   Just a few hours away and yet a world away.  I hate to go.

And I leave my wife behind, not that I won’t miss her.   But I think she should be able to enjoy life as much as she can, and that is not scraping, shoveling, bringing in the firewood.  Life is just so more enjoyable and social when you can enjoy the outdoors, sit with the neighbors, not worry about what to get out of the closet before you go outside.   I put socks on this morning, it might be the first time since Dec 30th.

But work and paying for our fun gets in the way!   Just part of life we need to deal with.  I am blessed to have a place to come to, and now my job enabled me to be here these 2 weeks.  So I will continue to work hard and hope I am repaid with continued flexibility on where I have my physical presence.  Life is good.

I worked a lot of hours while I was here, up early and no drive time so I can log right in.  The company comes out ahead.  And it is worth it to have the window open and look out at the palm trees.    I did make further progress on our kitchen remodel and we have cabinets on order.   More to do but making good progress.   And I will be back in a few weeks, so I have lot’s to look forward to.

Chris will have company, Marie is with her and the sisters can bond.  It is good they have those opportunities.  Hopefully they get lots of pool time and take full advantage of being here.  I know our great neighbors will be there to help them and they will make new friends before I return.

So we hope the New Year has started well for you all.  Stay away from the flu that is everywhere (sorry Jackie).  Take time to enjoy life, damn the expense, life is short.

At the pool!

view from the pool

Happy New Year all.   Our wishes that you have brought in the New Year well, and that this year may be filled with Health and happiness for you and yours.

We were lucky enough to be guests of Darren and Sheryl in Orlando.We brought the New Year in with style, great food, drinks and friendship.   Thanks D&S.   It was a great time.   Now back in the condo in time to catch Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.   Partly cloudy and a beautiful day in Florida.  I will be working from here for a couple of weeks, I see it was 2 degrees in Omro this morning.   That makes the start of the New Year even better for me!  So more notes to come but I did not want to miss the chance to wish you all the best.

Our hosts

The Kleins

Happy New Year!

Steaks coming up.