I thought life was supposed to get easier ~~~~

Miss me? Jen told me to get on the stick and start blogging again. Seems that life has kept us super busy and blogging was just not on my list of top things to do. But, I am going to try and catch you all up on what has been happening.

So, first of all, we really did get the bathroom done. Here is a picture of the final product. We also got the crown molding done, but don't think I have a picture of that.

Summer had us going back and forth between Illinois, Madison, and the cottage. The kids came in August and we had a fantastic week. Lots of fun, tubing, boating, eating, and just spending time together. We miss them all a lot. The good news is that they are all coming for the holidays. Naturally, we will convene at the cottage, as that is a favorite of all.

Despite the fact that the economy has been in the gutter, and we have not been able to sell the cottage, we really do enjoy our time up here. Right now we have it off the market, but will look at getting it back on again after the first of the year.

Phil's Mom has been in a nursing home for over a year now, and so it is time - for liability reasons especially - to start cleaning the house and getting it ready to sell. Phil and I have the next week to work on it, and will most likely spend our next vaca doing the same thing. Hopefully we will have it all cleaned by the first of the year, and then can sell. It is a monumental task, but are getting assistance from the nephews and Nell in acccomplishing this task.

Work has been chaotic for both of us, to say the least. Phil can't wait for 9/2/11 - which is the date he will kiss off Reynolds Smith and Hills and their ridiculous demands on his time, energy, and good humor. If anyone from RS&H reads this - it is all true. If they don't like it, tough shit. Blame me for the comments, not Phil.

My work, though usually quite enjoyable and challenging, has been not too much on the fun side lately either. We just put in a Radiology Information System, which has been difficult and extremely frutrating. The change over process and acceptance process by end-users has not gone well. But, at least it is getting somewhat - somewhat - better.

I have reached another year to mark off on the calendar. I look at it as one year closer to retirement, as long as the stock market continues to climb. Keep your fingers crossed.

My New Years resolution was to gain control of my weight, and I think I have been successful. I am down 45# and want to lose 5 more then stop. I think just might reach my goal on Wednesday morning, which is when I get to have my every 5 year colonoscoy. Go bowel prep! If that doesn't do it, nothing will! Phil has also benefitted from our change in eating habits, and has made his doctor happy with his weight loss as well. The key of course is to keep it off. We will need to keep that on our radar.

I have become addicted to Facebook and am a FarmTown farmer. Also somewhat addicting. But, it definitely keeps my mind off all the other challenges in life, and just lets me focus on plowing, planting, and harvesting my crops. Call me crazy, but, it is kind of fun. Phil even helps with it.

I will hopefully do a better job of keeping the blog updated so Jen doesn't have to yell at me.