Going Private

Hi,

Yes, that's right.. I'm going private from now on.. No more updates unless you e-mail me and want to see what we are doing.

Bye...

Once again...

Oh hum.... Once again I'm out of room to upload photos. I'll be switching to another account so I can by-pass the fee based photo upload. Stay tuned for my new blog page....

The Tax Man!!!

Oh, 2007 was a good year. But then again.....any year we don't have to pay in to Uncle Sam is a good year.... even yet, when we get a return...





This is one of those lucky years...our accountant called to let us know the good news!! A nice change from last years 06, pay big time to Uncle Sam!!!

I'm soooo looking forward to seeing our Tax (Refund) Returns!!

To Post or NOT

I'm not sure if I'll continue to post on this site. I can't post photos any longer and now spell check no longer works. Hummmm... If I post else where, I'll update with a new address.


New Blog Post at www.nelsonfamily08.blogspot.com/

I'll be posting everything at the new address!!!

Vegas Trip

I'm posting photos of our trip to Vegas and will fill in details later. There is just so much to write about!!

What to do when it's too cold to go out????

These past few days I've been indoors, trying not to go outside. It's just been too cold to venture out for very long or if not needed.

I've been "winter" cleaning up a storm and have gotten under the frig, range and into cabinets that were long over due to be super cleaned. There are only few places left to de-clutter. I'll start going through my closet and getting rid of unwanted clothes and junk.

History

Does the old say hold true... Does history really repeat itself? Or knowing the history...can we some how change our future?

I have often thought about this very topic...I was told once by a very good, smart friend... Not everything is Black and White, there are shades of gray too.

In our family the history of repeating itself lies in siblings. In both my mothers and fathers families they each did not get a long with their siblings in adulthood and stopped speaking to each other. I have no real knowledge of the "why" but more importantly is to acknowledge this pattern and learn. I have this same issue with my own sister, as kids we didn't really get along and now that we are adults... the rift has widened and we too no longer speak.

I'd like to end this cycle with my own children. I want my daughters and son to love each other and be there for one another. I am hoping that History does not repeat itself........time will only tell.......

FIRE = PLACE

Back on track and working on the basement project....Steve is busy at this moment framing out the fireplace. I should have photos soon to share. There will be still lots to do before it's up and running.

Roller Skating...

Roller Skating at Skateville. I spent most of the night on 8 wheels going around in a circle with Logan's hand griping mine. We skated while the lights flashed and the kids zipped by... and every once in awhile Celina would catch my other hand and skate along side of us before she dashed off to skate with her friends.

photos to follow......

All About Logan

Logan has been sick with a cough since Friday. We took him into the doctor today to find out he has a sinus and ear infection. Back on his way to being well again....

Logan is all signed up to play soccer starting the end of the month and will be swimming again in the spring. Not sure if he is looking forward to all these activities but I am!! ;)

Cookie Rally

Today,Celina and I went to the Girl Scouts Cookie Rally. Check out the photo on her Troop blog page at www.brownies2610.blogspot.com/

Fireplace

We are well on our way to finishing our basement. Today, we brought down the fireplace that had been sitting in our garage for over a year now. Steve will frame it and then we will decide what to put on the front..(stone, tile ???) decisions, decisions!! I'll let Steve decide what he would like....after all he is going to be doing the work and I just want it done!!

Take a look: It's not much but at least its a start: http://lorrainerain.shutterfly.com/action/?a=0AYtG7VqzbOWL-w&notag=1

Final, Final

8:30am the last of the basement inspections.... Update in a few minutes!! It passed in less then a minute!! This inspector didn't even check the sealant. He just looked around. Yeah!! Break open the champagne...well. not yet... there is still plenty to do.
Click on the lick to view the bathroom photos: http://lorrainerain.shutterfly.com/action/?a=0AYtG7VqzbOWL4o&notag=1

Braces

Celina had another ortho appointment today. She got a new band color of light purple and dark purple. It looks really cute, a nice change from the bright green and red that was for Christmas.

Good News, Good News.... Celina will get her braces off in 6 weeks on February 19th!!! This is a great birthday week present for her. The following week she will get her new retainer that she will wear night and day for the next 4 weeks then after that only at night. Yeah!!

Celina started out with an expander last year in the spring, it's been a little over 9 months and she will be done!!

Inspection!!!

Today was the day.... the Electrical inspector and the plumbing/final basement inspection was to be all signed off and done.

The electrical inspection at 10am went quick and smooth with it signed off in a matter of minutes. (Great News)

At 1:00pm the city inspector came to approve the plumbing and do the final basement inspection. Well, lets just say he was a very picky guy. He even noticed a outlet cover missing in our unfinished storage room. I quickly got a cover and attached it. As for the final basement it passed but not the plumbing. The only thing we need to do is put a sealant or caulking around the toilet and around the sink. Ugh!! I even had the stuff in my hand and said I'd do it right then and there. Nope, call back another day and they will check it. So, now it will be another day before all is passed on some little thing that clearly we'd do anyway. Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess the good news is that it's an easy fix that will take less then 5 minutes to do.

Look for a party invite sometime in February when we finish the floor and trim. ;)

Click on the link below to check out the bar..
http://absolutefinishing.shutterfly.com/action/?a=0BaOW7ls2csXOQ&notag=1

Hockey

The kids and I went to watch Alex play hockey last night. It was my first time actually watching a hockey game of any kind. I had lots and lots of questions. Photos are now attached, click on the link: http://lorrainerain.shutterfly.com/action/?a=0AYtG7VqzbOWL2Q&notag=1

Couples Night

It was couples night. We meet up with Cary, Patty, Scott and Adeline at Chianti Grill in Burnsville after first stopping for a drink at the Roasted Pear. It was a long 1 hour and 40 minute wait to have dinner but the food was really good. Unfortunately, the staff attitude was very disappointing. We were told at one point we were "just walk in's" which were were tempted to just walk out!! The waitress wasn't much better then the hostess or manager. To top off the night the waitress charged our friends an extra salad on their bill and wouldn't just fix it. We probably won't be back since the service was pretty poor on all ends with the exception of the waitress in the bar who was actually friendly. I still had a great time getting together with everyone. It's always great to see friends. I didn't bring my camera so I have no photos to share. : (

Progress and more...

Steve and I spent the afternoon working on our basement. There is more progress to see. I worked on cleaning up all the slate tile around the bar and then I sealed it to bring out all the browns and gray colors. It looks a lot better. I'll have to attach photos!!

Steve finished up all the electrical minus the ceiling light (covers???, Update.... They are done too!!!). We even got the last cabinet installed to hid the microwave that is above our wine/drink- frig/cooler (we still haven't purchased that).

Friday, I'm calling to get the plumbing, electrical and whole basement inspected on Monday and hopefully passed!!! We then move on to installing our fireplace and finishing the wood floor and wood trim. There will just be paint touch ups and shelf installing around the bar. The fun stuff!!!

See attached link to our new basement bathroom: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0BaOW7ls2csXKA&notag=1

The Second Day In a New Year

Here we are already on day 2 of the new year. It's back to work for most of us. The kids are still on break until Monday, January 8th.

We plan to do some cross country skiing and maybe some downhill with the kids before they go back to school next week.

More photos to follow....

January 1, 2008

What to do with the first day of a new year....

Sleep in late
Read todays news paper
Eat a late breakfast...hash browns and an apple turnover with watermelon
Work on our basement bathroom.. It's done!!!
E-mail or Blog, Wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2008
Dinner with extended family...ribs...yum....I'm so looking forward to dinner!!
A night of playing board games with the kids
and taking care of my sick little boy, Logan. He's not feeling very well today : (

And tomorrow....It's back to work and just another day in the new year...