Well, the boy's rash got violently worse (very scary), but with treatment it got better. He's still spotty, but it's not seeming to itch any more. Still sick, though. It's been three weeks. If he doesn't feel better soon, we have to skip a family trip to the cabin, too. I'm starting to be really frustrated that we get sick every time his cousins have a birthday party.

In other news, we have started clearing space in our front yard. We're partially redoing the landscaping. We want to widen the driveway to fit all three cars, and we're planning to fence the rest. Also, the plants already there and ones we'll be adding are California native, drought-resistant plants and don't need to be watered except occasionally when we get a super hot spell.

My kid thinks finding Easter eggs is the tits. Every time he nabbed one, he did a little wiggle dance. It is very possible that he might get a repeat shot at it this week before the Easter decorations get put away. Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it.

We got a dog. Her name is Fancy because she wears a tuxedo. Lots of guesses about her lineage, but the shelter had her listed as a pit bull mix. Maybe some boxer? Who knows. Anyway, she's ours, and a good fit for our family (less of a fit for my allergies, though).

January was the first time we really breathed in awhile. We went to the cabin with Bee's dad, her sister & brother-in-law, and their kids because we were having a Christmas do-over with Bee's grandparents who live nearby. It was tough, and I think it'll be awhile before we're ready to attempt another trip with everyone.

The Celebration of Life was the weekend before Superbowl, and it went really well. Tate's Oma had a bunch of wonderful people in her life, and we're hoping to be good about keeping touch with them with her gone.

Speaking of the Superbowl, a lot of my friends are still miffed that the Ravens didn't get a "holding" call at the end of the game, but honestly the Niners were about to get walloped and the power outage was a stroke of good luck for them. So we got one bit of good luck, one bit of bad. C'est la vie. There's always next year.

This weekend we're cleaning out our front bedroom. We keep going back & forth about whether we want to rent or sell this house, but we have to finish our remodel either way for us to feel comfortable moving on. So we're clearing out the front room and going to insulate/paint it soon.

I'm glad I'm not currently working hospitality, but I think this may be the last Valentine's Day I get to say that. Since I don't have to work but don't want to go out, I'm wondering what to plan for that evening. I'll definitely buy flowers, but trying to think of something interesting for us to do.

What's your plan for Valentine's Day?

It has been a tough holiday season for us, but a new year is on the horizon and I am hopeful. Wishing you and yours a happy Christmas and a joyful new year.

It's so surreal to try to do the holiday stuff and make plans when we don't know what will be happening with my mother-in-law's health. We're hanging in there, though. I really appreciate all the kind words of support, and the good thoughts kept for her.

In happier news, we're paying off my last student loan today as an early present to my mom (she's cosigner on the loan, so this will help her & my dad buy a new car).