All About What's Going On With Us.

After my last post, in which I said we didn't have any snow, it should have been no surprise that we would get snow. . .twice!  In fact, the first one came less than 24 hours after I wrote that post.

On Thursday morning, we woke up to

It wasn't a lot, maybe one or two inches, but it was enough to make Aidan happy and excited and delay school opening by two hours.  And I do have to say, if it's going to be as cold as it has been, at least the snow added a little excitement and covered the brown and grey of winter!

And then on Friday, we were predicted to again get some snow of about the same amount and intensity.  Only, this time, it was in the afternoon.  So, schools closed an hour early and I even got off work about a half hour early. 

Being off a little early, we were able to head to the Ice House and have dinner a little more leisurely before Aidan's practice.  It was kind of nice. 

Aidan is goalie this week (shudder) and it takes a little longer to put those pads on.  I'll be glad when this trip down goalie lane is over. . .I don't like it.  Aidan loves it, but I don't like it at all.

While Pat got that going, I went over to the Front Desk and plunked down some big money and signed Aidan up for three weeks worth of Hockey Camp.  Whew!  It's a lot, but it's done now and I am really glad.  We now have three weeks paid for for Aidan's summer vacation.  His weeks at Winwood will be paid on a weekly basis.

And then we discussed vacations.  I think we've decided to go to Mexico again this summer.  We haven't been for a while, but we think if we go to a resort it should be pretty fun.  We're looking at where we usually go--Playa del Carmen--and at Cabos San Lucas.  We haven't made upour minds yet, but our criteria is: cost of course, plus access to the ocean, pools, and all inclusivity.  Should be fun no matter what we figure out!

That discussion lead to our other big decision:  what to do about our deck and our yard.  Both our deckand our yard need a lot of work.  So, once we get the vacation all paid for, we're going to figure out our budget to begin saving to replace the deck with the screened in porch and then later add a stamped concrete patio and possibly the hot tub that Pat wants, behind the family room area (more privacy there).  We're hoping to get started on this part of our home projects next year. I told Pat we could vacation at home next year and then that might help cover some of what we'll need for this project. 

I think we both walked away from these discussions happy and looking forward to our plans.

Meanwhile, the Man Cave is really going to be finished this year. . .we've been looking at gas fireplaces.  The room is not that big, but it gets really cold in there.  We put down slate floor, which we love and is soooo easy to keep clean.  Add that to the fact that that room is the only finished room in the completely buried part of the basement and you can understand why we want the gas fireplace.  The basement is always cool, even in the summer, but the Man Cave is almost always freezing. . .my in-laws can tell you it really must be cold if I am saying that!  : )

I digress. . .

The Man Cave is a nice room to sit and watch TV. . .albeit, we tend to watch Hockey games in there, which then makes one feel even colder.  But, anyway.  We did get the new couch for the Rec Room and I am planning on a cool activity table for Aidan to also go in there.  Then with a leather loveseat for the Man Cave, we'll be done with the basement. . .finally. . .after starting it 6 years ago!!!

One caveat in all of this:  Pat's Union needs to sign the contract before it expires in April.  I have my fingers crossed.  I really really don't want them to go on strike.  They did once before and we survived, and this time we are more prepared with a couple months worth of our expenses saved up for this, just in case. But, I really really don't want them to go on strike.

It's rough, too.  I'm not really sure why anyone wants to be in a Union.  I've never really liked them.  I support my husband in his decision to join.  Unfortunately, Virginia is a Right to Work state.  So, the Union's power is limited at best. 

And so we pray they resolve the new contract sooner rather than later.  Hopefully, they won't be like the NHL and NHLPA in the amount of time they take!!!

Whew!  It seems a bit rambly, but all of these subjects really are connected!  They are all about what's going with us. . .