New Year's Day 2026 Thursday

[helia]

Hello all! My time is too short to send individual greetings all around.

We have been busy at Ds + F's home. Dd30 is indeed cooking dinner tonight in the crock pot. She went grocery shopping earlier, and now also has 3 more meals prepped for their freezer. Dh and dd27 installed a baby gate, which involved buying some wood and drilling into their wall. Dh also fixed their MBR shower vent which was venting into the attic instead of outside. Dd27 also deconstructed a massive pile of cardboard boxes and organized them in a couple bigger boxes to store them until they can get them recycled. Dh and I helped her at the end. I also folded and put away laundry, tidied the baby room, organized a couple drawers of baby items, and held the baby. This morning, dh and I also had a nice coffee date with ds + F.

Our flight is at 6 a.m. tomorrow. That is 9 a.m. Michigan time -- but still. It's going to be rough to get up and out on time tomorrow.

I might peek in later tonight and be social.

[Doggedly]

I agree with kitkat: L.Ann you are so well organized! WTG!
I did take a peek at your menus to see if every day says "Fondue" LOL.

Thanks, Gma. It's a relief to see Germane acting more like herself. She is even jauntier when she's leading me to the kitchen for her treat.
That is a funny plaque, and relatable during Christmas baking. The air fried brussel sprouts sound very healthy. WTG on all that you got done, and on your self-discipline.

Good night, kitkat. We'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I'm sure that the puppy enjoyed her play time with you.

I ran out of steam and really had to force myself to bring that last load down. I was ready to just head to bed, but after an open egg sandwich I'm feeling perkier. Still my Die Hard movie has just started, so I'm probably off duty for the night.

The visits whip by so fast, don't they, helia? It has been a successful visit, lots of visiting and help for the new parents.

If I don't make it back, have a good night!


Thursday
Rolled up old runner on computer desk and removed old placemats to replace
Rolled out clean runner on half of desk
Removed keyboard and mouse
Lifted monitor with one hand and chin, and unrolled the rest of the runner
Put keyboard and mouse back on
Cleared off standing desk
Dusted it
Set it up on computer desk
Turned it 90 degrees
Realized that the standing desk is causing problems and solving none
Found that I was cut off from the kitchen
Reorganized the area under the pass through in order to clear up the way to the door
Shook out the old runner and put it in laundry
Cleaned up after dog
Breakfast for dog: she ate two out of three dog foods: yay!
Gave her extra spoonfuls of the two acceptable dog foods: yuck ptooey
Sat down to eat my own breakfast
Cleaned up after dog
Checked dog’s dish: she has eaten some
Put more yuck ptooey dog food in her dish as a reward for using her pee pad
Folded/put away the laundry from the clothesline.
Put away dry tshirts and brought more out to dry more effectively.
Put away clean dishes
Tidying
Unboxed one of my laptops to set up
Started new can of dog food: Performatrin turkey and potato which she seemed to like last time
Cut up pills for pill organizer
Gave pill to dog–yay! She likes her food enough that she ate the pill, and she is even kind of eating the formerly rejected open cans
Set up laptop temporarily on dining table
Started installing Windows
Found temporary home for box
Spiffed self
Cleaned up after dog
Started fishing things from under the desk
Worked on laptop set up
Cleaned up after dog
Loaded stairwalking cart and brought a load to basement lockers
Brought a package of TP back up
Put TP and handtruck away
Gathered kitchen and bathroom garbage
Gathered paper and bluebox recycling
Set up handtruck as cart and brought all to basement
Put handtruck away

[L.Ann]

The will stuff is a result of being executor for my mom this fall, KitKat. She had everything set except for one account where she filed the paperwork instead of sending it to the company. This made the whole process way more complicated than it should have been so I am trying to make sure my stuff is straight. I need to add DD41 to DD33’s medical power of attorney. She can not travel to stay with her sister without me if her sister isn’t on that form because her medical stuff is too complicated. At the moment it just has me and her local sister.

Only one day of fondue, Dogged!

DD33 goes to the center and I don’t have Little Bit tomorrow. A quiet day is always nice. I am hoping to go to the Wild Bird store to get a metal hanger thing so I can put up the bird feeder I got for Christmas. It is one with a camera that feeds to your phone so you can see the birds up close!

Last 2-

1- 10 minutes of moving photos off the phone
2-evening meds

Menus
Friday-chorizo enchiladas
Saturday-Thai sweet chili glazed salmon
Sunday-rest of enchiladas


Events
Friday-DD33 has center
Saturday
Sunday

Weekly House Blessing-mop dining room, kitchen and bathroom, dust, vacuum
Extra stuff-
January paperwork-my bedroom-file boxes, Little Bit’s art work—-cabinet at end of hall—-spare room- DM’s papers, organize shred box——-cabinet in living room- binders… order fire proof box
Electronic paperwork- delete email boxes, put photos on Shutterfly and delete, delete apps on my phone and DD33’s
Death book-updates, call lawyer for appointment to review will and DD33’s POAs, check POD on credit union accounts

Accomplishments
-finish book
-breakfast for me, DD33 and dog
-stretching and knee exercises
-talk to DD33 about schedule
-dress and pick up the bedroom
-meds and temp for DD33
- trash
-swish and swipe
-order plane tickets
-quick trip to return library book so it wouldn’t be overdue
-start a list for January paper sort
-20 minutes of paperwork decluttering
-walk outside
-15 minutes photo organizing
-read
-windex
-clean kitchen
-15 minutes of paperwork declutter
-set up walking app with DD33
-fondue
-Amazon order
-clean off table
-FACE
-finish kitchen cleaning
-get package ready to mail to DD41
-diet site
-walk inside

[kitkat]

Oh, I just peeked in - that birdfeeder with camera would be so much fun LAnn ! I bet LittleBit will enjoy it as well:)

[Gma]

L.ann, that does sound like a very fun bird feeder!
I need to start on my mother's stuff in January. The biggest thing will be to put her house into an LLC (Limited Liability Company) with all 4 of us children as owners. She already has the deed as "transfer on death" naming all 4 of us, so I don't think it will be too difficult. Just time consuming. Dbro has already set up 3 LLCs for his properties (in another state, with different laws), so I am hoping he knows what to do. Attorney son of one of my df's says Minnesota law makes an LLC very easy. I'll check with the courthouse probably next week. They will tell me what I need to know. If I have to get notarized signatures, that may be a challenge. The other 3 are in 3 other states. 2 will get it done without any trouble, but dsis2 makes everything a major production. (How can she have lived somewhere for more than 40 years, owned property, and not know how to do these things?)

I got a good portion of LR oak floor washed - needed to go over it 2x. Hands and knees may be a good exercise! - And an end table is emptied and needs to be refilled- or stuff needs to be redesignated to new location, which I don't know. Mostly photos and stationery. Probably better in the office, near cards, at least for the stationery. PHotos can join others in the other end table, and since I exercise in the LR (DVDs) the weights can go in this smaller one?
I am thinking out loud. Safe travels, helia. It has been a productive visit for the family.

[helia]

WTG on the oak floors, Gma. I need to join you in losing some weight.
That's a super cool bird feeder, L Ann!
Did you get the desk arrangement sorted, Doggedly? Enjoy the movie night!

Yes, we got a lot done for the young family. We also provided dinner for ds + fam all 4 evenings we were here, including feeding friends (3) who were also visiting Monday night. We had 2 nights of take out and 2 nights of cooking. They still have leftover white chicken chili from Tuesday + dd's sweet and sour chicken from tonight + 3 meals tucked safely away in their freezer.

We gassed the car en route back to the bnb tonight; AND we're pretty much packed. Everyone has gone to bed but me - it is 8:25 pm here. We're aiming to leave the house at 3:30 a.m. I'm not sure I will shower tomorrow morning; maybe I'll shower tonight?

[Bama]

I hope everyone had a wonderful first day of the year! I did. We ate and watched the Stranger Things finale. Then started Percy Jackson before our eyelids started drooping.
Now I’m in bed and need to condense several lists from today, yesterday and last week sometime to get worked on tomorrow. Posted them all here, will try to condense some. Seems odd to start work on a Friday but here we are.

December 20 list
Saturday - clean and party prep
Weigh
Emails, notifications
Water
Breakfast - sent dh out to get something
Wfd - el paisito
Walk dogs
Brush Beau
Pet chores - feed, water, scoop and refill litter
Swap out litter boxes
Dust
Spot clean floors
Vacuum
Mop
Monthlies - wipe down doors, polish cabinets, clean glass
Dining -
Storage racks - move out of the way
Laundry - my clothes need to be folded and put away, couch covers, chair covers
Bathroom -
Work on office
Kitchen -
Dw
Make pineapple pudding
Cut up lettuce
Make apple pie
Fold napkins
Foyer - tidy shelves
Living - box up fall decor, decorate mantle, find home for crate
Paper -
:30 on paper pile
Start wrapping gifts
Planner
On hold Craft - fake cupcakes with spray foam - need to find spray foam and white paint
Outside -
Cut magnolia, eucalyptus stems - seems too messy now so on hold
Soak and wash glass bottles
Shop: need gifts for dd1 and dh
Dd1 fixed spray bottle with cleaner. She’s taking cna classes and claims it’s like a catheter lol.

*Prep for party* (need to compile lists)
Menu - ham - need to thaw, turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce - put in fridge, corn pudding, cornbread muffins, rolls, lettuce and sour cream, birthday cupcakes, assorted candies, cookies, meat and cheese platter
I cheated and bought several frozen casseroles so just need to heat and eat.

Do:
Make pineapple pudding
Make apple pie
Cut up lemon

Mop
Wipe down kitchen cabinets

Dry dh’s clothes, put away
Wash last batch couch covers, dry, put away
Put different (green) covers on couch
Fold and put away covers in dryer (spring purple)

SUNDAY
Sunday
Ham in oven by 9
Shower
Dailies, mop if time
Light candles in bathroom and living room
Take Shea eggs, pu casseroles and pies and bake
Put cranberry sauce in bowl
Make lettuce and sour cream
Heat rolls in oven, butter
Lay out charcuterie, snacks, desserts
Put napkins in guest bathroom
Make Saran ball
Set out folding chair, extra yard chairs?

Wednesday list:
Dailies dust, vacuum, pets feed water litter, laundry my clothes 1 load, dh’s clothes 2 loads, still need to put away all loads
Monthlies - vinegar in dw, bleach in AC, chg ac filter, measurements
New toothbrush and flosser
Set up planner for 2026 - new habits, goals, write out bills in pay order by date, learn something new worked on some
Read
Make grocery list, ordered pu, sent dh to retrieve it and lunch
Bogo list
Check on lp album order for dd2 no update until January
Water plants
Uncover outside plants
Find stainless steel cookie sheets
Check for frying pan at mom’s
Week 1 - porch, front entry

Thursday list:
Have to’s:
Planner
Read
in progress Cook good luck meal (ham/conecuh sausage, mixed greens, corn, black eyed peas, add some carrot coins in somewhere, jalapeño cornbread, sweet tea …)

Done:
Weigh
Eat and log breakfast
Unsubscribe/report as junk/delete about 80 emails
Pet chores
Walk dogs around yard, sat in dog yard and let them run free, played ball w Beau all while mentally noting so many yard to dos waiting on me
Cooking good luck meal
Cleaned out fridge and counters of snacks and old food

[Gma]

Bama, one good thing about snow is that it covers up all the things that need to be done in the yard. And another is that I don't really need to think about doing anything for several months, until the ground thaws!
But there are 2 trees in my yard that do need trimming, and the arborists say that the winter is the best time to trim oaks, so I will be calling a trimmer sometime soon.

[Bama]

Friday, Jan 2 list

Dailies - make post it for planner
Wfd - French onion soup if have ingredients
Walk dogs
Groom dogs
Laundry - put away clothes
Take down Christmas decor, cards, pack decorations, pack tree
Paper, planner - pick habits, goals, write out bills in date order due, learn something new
Read
Craft - fake cupcakes
Outside - deal with bottles and jars, prune fig and weed around
Weeklies -
Monthlies - measurements, add vinegar to dw, clean glass, bleach in AC, chg air filter, dog meds
Check on lp order for dd2, email says delayed, no update until January sometime
Find stainless steel cookie sheets
Check for frying pan at moms
Week 1 porch, front entry - sweep, water plants, toss any dead plants, see about planting any in yard or is it too early, clean windows and door

[Bama]

Gma, you must have some hardy plants where you are. We got a foot of snow last year, it stayed on the ground for almost a week, and it either killed or stunted nearly everything. My poor gardenias (they line the front of the house) are still green but so poor looking, no leaves for about 2 feet up from the ground, where they were frozen, that I’m thinking I’ll pull them up and start fresh. We have a huge issue with briars so that’s another reason for the fresh start, to pull up all I can, wait and get any new shoots, lay down a barrier, and start over.