I Love Classic Rock

Hello All!

I've been doing a lot of driving lately for work and for someone who hates to drive, it's been less than desirable.  However, I have been listening to KOOL 108 on the radio, "Minnesota's Greatest Hits,"  and that in itself has made my time on the road much more bearable. They play classic rock songs like the ones i grew up listening to with my dad.  It's fun to play trivia while i drive "Quick, who sang this and what's the name of the song?!"  good thing i have the Shazam app on my phone. I'd be screwed! I like the music and it makes me feel good. It gets the good old classic rock songs stuck in my head... Sister Christian, Landslide, Wheel in the Sky (currently stuck in my head), etc. good stuff...

anyway, that's not what i'm here to talk about. I wanted to give you all an update on my home.  Some of you have seen pics on facebook or via text messages, but i thought i would share some photos with Gran. Since i know she doesn't have facebook or texting! 

Here's a few of the bedroom!  Purple Storm and Gravity on the walls....Gravity is a gray color with a very very slight blue hue to it. I'm IN LOVE with this room now! :)

Here is the bathroom that is connected to the master bedroom...and also the upper level main bath. it's hard to get a good photo of the bathroom because of the angles of everything, but it's pretty nice. It was blue and brown before we painted it, but the brown was a really warm, reddish brown that made the room feel too warm and just....well I hated that brown. that's the best way I can describe the color. I hated it. :) We chose a cooler brown and crisp white switch/outlet covers to make the room new. I love this room too...so does Pickles...

Our next project will be to tackle the basement walls.  They are a horrible color that is a cross between spring green and split pea soup.... Dad told me Gran would probably call the room "Calf Shit Yellow"  so if that gives you any indication of the color... Here are a couple of "Before" pics...nevermind that they are blurry and there are 6 paint samples on the wall (we're not choosing any of those colors either!)  The color we're going to paint it is a Valspar color called Ivory Brown. ( 6006-1C) It was in our townhome and we really liked it there...so we're hoping it'll be nice in the basement. I'm pretty sure it will be. if you click on the link and get to the color explorer page, go ahead and type in the name or number of the paint color in the mid-upper right corner of the page where it says "Find A Color" and you'll see what we chose. anyway... here's the before pics. *Shudders*

Ok..that's enough of house update stuff. Hope you're all doing well.  ciao!

Is this door open?

God opens doors for us on a constant rotation. It's whether or not you choose to walk through that open (or revolving) door that makes the difference in your life.  I've let more of His open doors close in my face than I can count, due to fear and irrational thinking. Yet, I recall the year that all changed. Something inside me changed as I binge drank my way through my 26th birthday party.  All of the people that had become my family up north "in the cities" were there to celebrate with me or were wishing me well through calls or texts like they did every year. I felt pretty dang good.  But one thing was different this year.  Something was new this time.  Someone who had never celebrated a birthday with me before was sitting alone but brave at Brit's Pub. His ginger haircut sat quietly, and uncomfortably across the table from my big brother and his friends. "No I'm fine," he'd say, "I have to get to know them, right?"

As I moved from table to table talking with friends and family,  I watched him. He didn't make much progress in talking with Jamey, but he kept trying. He knew Jamey was important to me, so he wanted to show that he was making an effort. Even in the early stages, I loved him for that.  He was truly going to sit there all night until he had a chance to exchange a few hollow words with his new girlfriend's big brother. Looking back, it must have been so frustrating for him because Jamey was obviously not going to give this ginger kid much time; who knew how long he'd be in the picture?  No one knew, except me.

The night ended with that handsome man driving me home and making sure I got some food, water, and made it into bed alright. He tucked me in, kissed me and then I fell asleep, right away.  

Over the next few months, God opened doors for me and urged me through them. I felt almost out of control as I shared pieces of my life with this ginger haircut that I had never shared with anyone before. The good, the bad and the ugly. Never once did he run the other way. Always "I'm not going anywhere," or "you can do this; I'll be right here with you."  My hard heart began to soften. I prayed to God that this time, just this once, I could keep this man.  So many had turned on me and with them took my broken, bleeding heart only to let the next fellow be the hero who picked up the pieces and put it all back together. I couldn't bear the thought of doing that again. My heart couldn't withstand another break, not after sharing so much of myself with this man. It wasn't possible to lose him this time. Gently, so gently, God continued to whisper in my ear and press on my heart (which I now know was his way of moving me forward to heal me completely) and He gave me patience and wisdom I'd never had before. Before long, God had whispered to the ginger boy too, "Joshua, this is the woman I choose for you" (maybe He didn't say it like that, but it had to be something close) and we were engaged!

Since accepting Josh's marriage proposal, I've had so many amazing experiences.  We've been well looked after by those watching us from Heaven, those here on Earth, and in the new friendships we've made.  Our circle of friends has, without a doubt, been chosen especially for us by God.  I feel blessed every day to be surrounded by the people who love and accept us for who we are.  It's so amazing to have friendships without stipulations. That's the way it should be and my life is full. My heart, is happy and healthy. The wounds have healed and the pain is gone.  The thing that changed in me that day in the bar is that I knew, for once, that God had finally taught me all the hard lessons my youthful mind needed to know and He had placed before me, my best friend. He'd finally given me the love of my life I had been searching and praying for. I knew that my faith in Him wasn't for nothing. Without a doubt in my mind, I knew He was real. 

As I sit here in my new home that I prayed about over and over, I know it's the right place for Josh and I to be. We're surrounded by people who have welcomed us right from the start and who make up a small part of a bigger church community we are entering into. (Our house is right behind the church we were married in in September 2011, the neighbors all work there or belong to the church!) Josh and I were recently approached and asked to be "House Leaders" for the Sr. High Youth at St. Phillip the Deacon Church.  We prayed about it (How are we going to have time for this, too?!) and have accepted.  We will be hosting a small (or large?) group of high school freshmen kids into our home every Sunday (through the school year) to learn about God and eat good food and just hang out.  We're going to be making an impression on these kids' lives and I can't wait to do that with my best friend by my side. He gives me strength and courage to be the woman I am meant to be. With his love and support, I can reach out to these kids and share with them the wonders of God because He is awesome. (And so is my husband)

Each year that has passed since my 26th birthday, I've noticed that God is ever present in my life.  Josh and I thank Him daily for His love and blessings and we hope to serve Him well in our next endeavor.  I truly believe that I am a child of God and every door that he opens before me, I will walk through it. I will not be scared because He will be with me and He has provided me with strength, courage, and support through my ever-loving husband, Josh. I am not alone and I won't be, for as long as I live.

Amen.

New Beginnings...Again

Hi!  I finished my final day working at The Goddard School with the kids.  I'm officially done working there and will begin my training with Dennis and Ann Tank on August 1st.  It's been really stressful and really fun working with the little ones, but i'm ready to be done. I was starting to get in the groove of things there..and i was really good...really really good with the kids. (i've always been good with kids) but I think this Tank Goodness Cookie thing will be really great too. and I will be really good with this, as well.  My experience with Goddard has given me back my confidence that I can be good at my job. I can't wait to start the next thing!  Woop Woop!

sorry, no pics of the house yet. it's a mess in here, you guys.  you don't want to see this. :)  Soon. be patient.

xo
M

Happy 2nd Birthday Macky!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY OLDEST BABY, MAC!!! 

He is two today and I feel so blessed every day that he chose me that day in the Golden Valley Humane Society. His little tiny paw, reaching out of the cage toward me the minute I walked in, left me no other choice.  I told myself I would not leave there with a white cat, but the white cat chose me. I had no choice but to follow my melting heart and pick that little boy up and call him my own. 

He is my darling baby boy. Snuggly. Loving. Accepting. Silly. Sweet. One of the three men in my life.  His little face melts my heart into a gooey pile of love for him.  I love him with all my heart and I wanted to make my little boy's birthday a good one.

I made him some cake...(recipe) and I thought he would love it. They're always trying to steal our food, so I thought..mmm tuna, cheese, egg, shrimp..they'll love it!  But he didn't love. He tried to eat the shrimp, but he couldn't get to the meat, the skin part was too tough. Josh tried to cut up the cake to make it more edible for the boys, but it was still just too much for them. Pickles ate a little more than Mac did, but he didn't eat a whole lot more.  It seems silly because he's just a cat...but I feel terrible for making him a birthday cake that he didn't like. :( He got the extra tuna and a whole bunch of treats. (Josh and I sang "Happy Birthday" to him before he ate the cake, too...so he got a song and hugs and kisses. It was all wonderful..except the cake..he didn't like it.)  Anyway.. here are some photos and a video of the cake and the boys eating them. Enjoy and.... Happy Birthday, Baby Mac. Momma loves you so, so, so much!

Mac's Cake

Pickles' Cake

It sold!

Hello All!

It's been a while since i've posted, but things have been busy here! Josh and I accepted an offer on our town home and it has officially been sold! We didn't get the price we were asking for, but it was close, and the buyer wasn't going to ask us to pay closing costs!  we'll bring some money to closing, because that's just expected these days, but it won't be as much as we had thought.  We've also begun the process of finding a new home.  There is one we have our hearts set on...but we don't know how it'll turn out. I can't say the home is ours...because it is not. But we do love it and hope that someday it will be ours.  (sooner rather than later!)

The new job is going well. It keeps me busy all the time. seems like any free time i have, or energy i used to have at the end of the day is gone. I don't have time to meet friends out for happy hours or dinners after work because i work in Plymouth now and everyone i know works in downtown minneapolis or east of there. SO...in order to meet with them i'd have to make plans for like, 7:30 or 8pm (to allow me to get off work, fight traffic and finally get to the meeting spot) and i just don't have energy for that anymore. So...Josh is my social life.  for right now, that's ok. But i do miss my girlfriends and other friends outside of my marriage. I guess this is in preparation for when we have a little baby.  we'll probably see less of people..naturally. so i'm just getting used to it, i suppose.  

Anyway...as the story plot thickens in the epic tale of the Janos Family Home Search, I will keep each of you up to date on the newest developments. It's only fair, i suppose.  I don't have any pictures, but someday I'll get a couple for you to see!

XO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!!!

I wanted to wish a very happy birthday to my Dad.  Papa, you are the best Dad in the world and every day I am thankful for you and all that you have done for me. May your day be filled with love and may your heart be happy! I love you Daddy!

The most handsome Father Of The Bride there ever was!

Thank you for walking me slowly down the aisle. It's just how I wanted you to do it.

Thank you for telling me how beautiful you thought I was and for reminding me that I was going to make it (down the aisle without hyperventilating!) I couldn't have done it without you there.

I've been waiting for this moment for my whole life and I think you have too... Thank you for making it happen. My wedding day would not have been complete without a head bonk from my Daddy.  I love you.

Thank you for being the strong man that you are. Thank you for teaching me to be my own woman and  to believe in myself. Thank you for reminding me that it's OK to need my mom and dad. You're my hero, Dad, and you always will be. All my love...

Updates are fun!

Hi Everyone!  

Tomorrow is my final day at SPS Commerce.  It's bittersweet, but I'm really excited to finally be moving on to do something I can be proud of.  My life will hopefully feel more fulfilling.  Here's a shout out to my Momma for sending me some Tank Goodness cookies to work today. I was excited to meet Dennis and to deliver warm, gooey cookies to my friends! Thanks also to Dennis and his family for making and delivering those DELICIOUS cookies for me. I LOVED it! 

House has been showing pretty well, I think. We'll have some new feedback from our realtor this weekend so we'll know if there is anything we can do to make it move faster!  We're going to look at some new places on Sunday.  Hopefully we'll have a game plan in place to get our house sold so we can look at buying a home for our future family! I love thinking about the children I will someday have. I love thinking about creating a family home with my husband and planning a future for my someday babies.  When we finally do sell our home and find the perfect place for us, we'll have a housewarming party for all of you to come and see it! Hopefully it's warm and summery when that happens!

Anyway... Monday is Josh's 27th birthday.  I asked him what he'd like to do to celebrate, and he said he wanted to spend an evening in Stillwater!  We're going to get a hotel room and spend some time wandering around the beautiful city of Stillwater. Sunday is supposed to be rainy, but Monday is going to be beautiful. So we'll have to bring Farkle and some wine with us for Sunday night. I'm looking forward to a mini vacation away from our pristine home. I'm sick of keeping it so perfect for showings, so it'll be nice to just go and leave my socks on the floor. :)  

Welp, update ya later!  xo

The housing market...

Well, News on our house... we've had it on the market for 10 days and we've had 3 showings scheduled..only 2 have happened. We went looking at homes on Saturday and it was difficult. It was hard to look at things we loved without falling in love..and it was hard to look at all because we can't buy yet.  We looked at 4 homes on Friday and loved one of them... (maybe not enough to buy if we had been in the market to purchase...but we did like it a lot!) the rest of the ones we looked at were less than desirable.  Rooms were small or the yard was tiny or the basement was crooked/uneven.  I don't know. It's just difficult to look at homes when ours hasn't been on the market long and we haven't had enough interested in it.   BOOO!

On another note, this is my final week at SPS Commerce!!!! YAAAAY!  Next week I get the entire week to relax and enjoy my time off.  The following week I begin my life as an Assistant Teacher for Goddard!  Really looking forward to it. But it's going to be SUCH a change.  I'm super nervous!  I'll try to keep you all updated as i move into this next phase of my life! EEEK!  Wish me luck!

And The Good News Is...

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!

Yesterday I accepted a new position as an Assistant Teacher at the Goddard School in Plymouth, just 5 min up the road from my town home.  I will be working in the classroom to help the teachers carry out the day's plan and make sure the kids aren't killing one another. I'll be in the toddler classroom, so working with 2-3 year olds. I'm really super excited about this new opportunity and I couldn't wait to share it with all of you!

I put in my two-week's notice today and my final day at SPS Commerce will be Friday, May 4. I took an extra week off so I could do nothing, for a week! Then I start in my new position on May 14th. Thank you to all of you who kept me in your prayers and wished me well during this process. I am SO EXCITED to be making a positive change in my career and can't wait to tell you all more about it as I learn. After 5 years of doing something I don't love, I can finally make the change to something rewarding and fulfilling! More to come!

Welp, that's the news, Gran...you can stop wonderin now!

On another note, for those of you who don't know, we listed our town home on the market this past weekend and we've already had two showings scheduled. We'll go look at homes this Saturday..starting in Maple Grove. I can't wait! Keep you posted. So many things happening in life! WOOP WOOP!

Happy Birthday Audrey Joanne!

I wanted to wish a very special 3  year old a happy happy birthday!  Audrey, I hope you have a wonderful day! I'm thankful that you were born! Josh and I love you very much! Happy Birthday, Sweet Boo!

Update!

Hi Everyone!  So, The good news is, your prayers are being heard!!  I can't say much right now...but, I wanted you to know that this morning went well, and I will have more to tell you later..maybe next week. 

on another note...here is a collection of things my cats do...

Mac Prefers to watch the birds while standing like this.

Pickles' toys always end up by his dinner bowl

Purple sparkle ball for dinner.

Mac's favorite place to lay. as intrusive as possible!

Mom, is there a reason you're taking a photo of us? Just stop it.

Someday they'll appreciate that I caught their silly antics on camera.  They're goofs! Ok, I'm going to watch Kathie Lee and Hoda now. They crack me up!  Tune in soon...more to come!

Prayer Request

I'd like to ask for a little help.  I need some prayers sent up on my behalf for courage, confidence, patience, and maybe just a little extra attention from The Big Guy Upstairs.  I promise you that I'll explain more next week..nothing to be worried about. Only good things!!!  With your help...even more good will come of this! 

Updates to follow... (I'll pray that you can wait long enough to find out what this is about!)  Thank you all, in advance, for your thoughts and prayers! EEEEK!!!!

Movin On Up!

Well,  Josh and I are putting our town home on the market! We've decided that this place is too small for us if we plan to grow our family someday.  We're thinking that we'll look for something in the Eden Prairie or Maple Grove area, we can get a lot of house for our money out there...but we'll see. My husband seems to think we need to consider Chaska.  I say absolutely not. It's too far out...and I'm just not moving to Chaska...I'll never see my brother and Kate again.  I'm just not OK with that. 

As for now, we continue to pack up our home to make it suitable for showings. We plan to have it listed by the end of next week. (4/13ish?) Wish us luck!  

I can't wait to see everyone down at Gran's on Easter! It's been since Thanksgiving since I've seen many of you. 5 months...too long. Bursting with excitement!!!

See you all soon! xo

Happy Hunger Games - May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor

Last night, Kate and I went to see The Hunger Games at 12:01am. (I guess that was this morning.) Let me tell you...after reading all three books in about 5 days and then rereading book 1, I was SO PUMPED to go see this movie. It really was a fantastic movie!  Of course, it needed to stay within the PG13 guidelines, so there wasn't as much gore or battle detail as I had expected to see, but that aside, I was satisfied with how it panned out.  I am such a fan of Peeta Mellark that today, I find the young, fourteen year-old Megan crushing on him...Hard! Embarrassed? Nope. He's uhDORable and I will not deny that. I think everyone should read the books and watch the movies. They're so entertaining!

On another note, I recently have come across a young, budding musician (Thanks for the heads up, Ellen DeGeneres)  Her name is "Birdy" and she's 16 years old, from the UK. She's got an incredible voice and such a musical talent. She's been covering songs and giving them her own twist and musical touch.  Give her a listen. Here is her version of the song "Skinny Love"  by Bon Iver ("Bonny Bear")   

She covers songs from The Postal Service, The Smashing Pumpkins, James Taylor, Cherry Ghost, and more. She's got a lot of talent and her voice is so beautiful.  If she keeps on singing and writing songs, she'll be something really great someday! 

Anyway, I'm exhausted from having only slept 3 hours last night this morning. So I'm going to go walk around outside or something. It looks like it was a beautiful day out there. Too bad I was stuck inside all day. BOOOOO!  Enjoy the song, and I'll be back soon to write more!

Megs

Happy Birthday To My Big Brother

I want to wish the happiest of birthdays to my big brother, Jamey!  You have always been my hero and I will continue to admire and look up to you for the rest of my life! Happy Birthday. I love you!

To My Mommy...with love

Happy (early) Birthday to you, Mom!

May your day be full of happiness, laughter, and love.

You're Beautiful!

5 Years at SPS Commerce

Monday, March 19th marks my 5th year at SPS Commerce.  It seems a fairly small milestone, but it's a milestone that I'm proud of.  5 years at any job is an accomplishment, and I'm looking forward to saying that I've worked for the same company for 5 years in a row. Yippee!

Losing steam and it's only been two weeks

So I'm finding it increasingly more difficult to stick to a diet. I hate working out. I hate eating leafy greens and I despise feeling hungry.  It's so easy to get discouraged when I'm trying to lose weight.  I've been counting calories with an app on my phone, and things are going ok, but I wish I had more time to commit to working out.  

I just got a crazy idea that just might work...What if I get up at 4 am, every day...go to the gym, work out for 45 min to an hour and then come home and get in the shower? I'll just have to go to bed very early every night. Maybe this will encourage my husband to get me a DVR or TiVo so I can actually see the shows that are on at night...since I'll be in bed.  I despise spending my time at night running on a treadmill in the gym. Such a waste of time, if you ask me. Maybe this will help me have more energy during the day and sleep better at night. If I do it every morning, then I should be able to get results a lot faster. AND, I can enjoy my evenings with my husband.  Sacrifice sleep for losing weight.

yeah..we'll see how long this lasts.
What types of things motivate you?

I'm down 1 pound.  It's the little victories that keep each day interesting.

Sore Throats and Droopy Eyes

I've recently come down with a bit of a cold.  I've been taking Air Borne and Emergen-C left and right, but I feel like my cold isn't going away. I feel like it's sitting there, in the back of my throat, ready to attack as soon as I stop taking the Air Borne. I feel doomed to be sick.

I don't want to be sick because I feel like I have so much to do at work. I wish, for once, I could take a week off from work and just catch up on things in my life, from home.  There are so many things I want to do, but the only time to do them is at night after 7pm. But then there are other things I need to do, like...go to the gym.

Speaking of...I have embarked on yet another attempt to get myself back into shape.  This getting fit and dieting stuff is really hard. But I'm crossing my fingers that I can stick to it this time. I have a 5K in July to train for. If running a 5K isn't motivation, I don't know what is.  Anyway, I Just want to feel better in the back of my throat so that I can get on with my life without worrying that I'm going to get sick. Being semi-sick is exhausting! I don't like it!

Hope you're all well and getting geared up for spring. It's almost here!!

Hello Everyone!

Last night I came home from work after it snowed and rained all day and was disappointed to see that the landscaping company we (the association we pay staggering amounts into) hire to do the snow clean up and yard work had not yet been in our neighborhood. Let me remind you that it rained and snowed Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. 24 hours later, the company had not yet plowed my driveway.

Now, I don't have an issue shoveling my own snow. I'll gladly do it, but then give me back the money I paid to have someone else do it..who clearly didn't do it.

When I got off the bus there was a young man on a 4-wheeler who was trying to plow the main sidewalk (which he did, but he piled all the snow onto the road right in front of the sidewalk so there is an impasse. do i have to do EVERYTHING myself?) I thought, good when he's done with that he can come plow our driveways. I went into my house and started dinner. As i was planning to maneuver the car so i could fit the garbage and recycling bins back into our tiny garage, i saw that there were workers out there shoveling people's sidewalks. Hooray! I went out into my driveway and pulled the car out. I put the bins in the garage and then couldn't get the car back in. The snow was too icy and i needed a push. Did any of the young gentlemen standing around watching me do all this work offer to help me? Nope. They stood and stared. I reluctantly parked my car in the visitor parking and went back in my house. (thinking they'd get to plowing the driveways soon)

That's where they stopped. They disappeared from the neighborhood and weren't seen for a couple hours. i decided, Screw this! My husband needs to be able to park in the driveway, and i HAVE to get my car into the garage. I went out with a shovel and some water softener salt and began to shovel the driveway myself. In the meantime, the men came back with the plot and drove it right past my house and onto the trailer they used to cart it around. Did they stop to plow my driveway for me, since i was alone and shoveling the heavy snow on my own? Nope. They stood there and stared.

I am beyond livid that they drained our reserve funds for driveway projects this past summer and raised our association fees to astronomical numbers and then they hired a company that does a half-ass job at clearing out snow. (excuse my language) This morning when i woke up...my driveway and those around me...were STILL NOT PLOWED. Someone sent out an email saying "Maybe we should have a special assessment in order to get the driveways plowed when it snows! Or raise the dues to $500!" SO much truth to that. (and it's hilarious because they just did the same thing for fixing the driveways this summer..and raised it to $300)

I'm over this living situation. Josh and I want to get out of this place so badly that it makes us sick. But we'll have to see what the next few months brings our way. Pray that we can find a better solution!

Despite the STUPIDITY of our landscaping company and the ridiculous piles of snow and ice that are freezing onto the ground outside my home, i decided to make the best of it and create a little friend for my husband to come home to! I made us a little snowman buddy. Here's a picture of him. It was fun to get out there and create the little guy and just enjoy the snow for the 15 min it took me. now i'll hibernate the rest of the year. Thank you for listening to my story about the dummy company that can't do their job.

Hello Snowman Friend!

Hi All,
Well, on Friday i thought i would take a day off from work and head to Rochester. I texted hello to my cousin as i drove past her house. (unfortunately, she wasn't able to meet Diana and me at the mall. boo) I decided to get my hair cut by the guy who always cuts it. Mark Ryan. He's fantastic and i love going to see him. Diana met me at City Looks, she got her hairs did too. And boy did she look pretty! After the haircut, we went to HuHot for lunch. Mmmmm i hadn't been there in a long time, so it was a great lunch idea! YUM! after that, we went to TJ Maxx and shopped...and then went to get a pedicure. It was a great day spent with my bestest friend in the world! Thanks for coming up to meet me Nan. I had a terrific day with you and I hope we can do it again soon!

Here's my haircut!



On another note, i leave for San Francisco this Thursday to spend 4 awesome days with my friend Tricia! She lives out there, so I'm finally going to visit! My coworker and friend, Lorne, is coming with me. it's going to be a blast! Wish me safe travels!!!

xo

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know this is one of my favorite days of the year! Woop Woop! I love it!

I'd also like to give a shout out to my Uncle Darin. happy Birthday! Here's to you!




Today is mint. Don't you agree?

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to say that even though January has been typically Januaryish...My leg is healing veeeeery slowly and Josh's wrist is still broken! he's going in today to get it x-rayed and checked on today. We have a Ski trip with Kate and Jamey this weekend, and I'll be d*mned if i don't go on it. so...maybe i end up in a wheelchair, but I'm going skiing. I want to do something.

Hope the new year is treating you all well. I hope to get my butt back in gear after this stinkin leg heals and make myself happy. January has been a bummer of a month, but once I get through it, things should start to look up. I hope. Anyway, soon I'll try to post with a more positive spin.