Misc

Check out how tall CP is! Today he swiped my sneakers. That's my shirt he's wearing.

This weekend we finished up framing under the kitchen table area of the basement. $125 of lumber. The builder used three 2x6's stacked flat as a header above the window. I never noticed it, but it was sagging about half an inch. We beefed it up with some additional 2x6s on edge in the window frame as well as a double 2x8 header in the basement frame wall. We also added that beam that runs across.

JP has been busy baking artisan bread from her new favorite cookbook, "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day" We're both putting on weight. Who can resist fresh baked bread EVERY day?

Good Karma

On my return trip from WI, I left my portfolio on top of the self-check-in kiosk. I made a mental note to grab it, but I was so amazed that the machine printed out a real old-school cardstock boarding pass, I walked away without my stuff. In my portfolio I had all my trip notes, business cards, and most importantly, the family Kindle. Throughout my trip, whenever I had a few minutes, I worked on the book I've been reading. The thought of losing my Kindle devastated me.

I realized that I left my stuff on the ticket machine while I was tying my shoes on the far side of the security wall. It took five solid minutes to walk back around (and downstairs to the baggage claim and back up to the lobby) to the ticket kiosk (@ O'Hare). Of course, my belongings were nowhere to be found. I asked the ticket agents, the passenger herders, etc. - no luck.

I went back through security (got the full body scan this time) and met up with my group. We got on the plane and just as the door was being shut, a woman came on and asked if I was TP. "Yeah, that's me. I'm in the right seat, though." I thought she was going to try to take my seat. She asked me again and then asked if I was missing anything. "Yeah - I lost my leather folder and Kindle!" From behind her back she handed me my portfolio. I thought I would never see it again! OK, maybe It would find its way back, but most likely sans Kindle.

I try to have a positive outlook on life, and when I realized my loss, I hoped that some kindred traveller would help me. After all, it's O'Hare, right? Chicago is just about the friendliest place I know. I had a wonderful flight back to NE.

...and so it begins

After a two year hiatus, we returned to Menard's. We filled the Odyssey up with 2x4's and started on finishing the basement. One wall is done. Quite a few more to go. Anyone have a framing nailer & compressor?

Tailgating

I took advantage of an opportunity to go to the Packers / Bears game the day after New Year's. I've always admired the Packers for being able to pack 80,000 fans into Lambeau Field every game. Green Bay has a population of only 83,000 people.

New Year's Eve

This year the usual gang got together to celebrate the arrival of the new year. We all went to the lodge for dinner and then from house to house for drinks & games. (...and legal fireworks @ midnite!)