Remembering One Year Ago

It was just a year ago that we were celebrating the end of one year and start of another in Scotland!

Home for the Holidays

Tim is home and were were able to spend the holidays with friends and family. After having too much fun in Paynesville with some high school friends on Saturday night, Tim and I headed to his parents in St. Cloud on Sunday. We stopped off at Granite City Brewery to see Ann and she treated us to brunch and wine!! Very nice of her.

We enjoyed some nice wine and snacks, and a terrific meal cooked by Cy, of course. After over eating as we all doing, we moved into the basement and opened presents. As Tim's mom recieved (two!) DVD players for xmas, we ran to the video store and retrieved a few movies. We watched "Little Miss Sunshine". What a great movie!!! Tragic, sad, uplifting and emotional. Four Stars!

We had breakfast on Sunday morning and then made our way to Pville to my family. His parents and brothers (and their families) were VERY generous!!! Thanks so much for all kitchen and housewares!!

We arrived at dad's just as the 18 pound turkey was being cut up - along with great stuffing and potatoes and veg - it was the perfect xmas meal. All my siblings eventually arrived, and when the kids couldn't stand it a minute longer, present opening commenced! After all the tearing and excited expressions and thank yous, the kids and adults settled down long enough for some family pictures.

FRONT: Todd, Lori and me; BACK: Dad, Seth, Dion

Grandpa with the Grandkids!
Front: Jaida, Caroline, Laney (on Dad's lap) and Jordon
BACK: Stephen, Dylan, Dad, Gabbi, Devon and Lexy

The kids and spouses are going to get together with dad on one of the upcoming weekends for dinner. Dad is treating all of us to a meal at the Red Lobster - looking forward to it very much!

Green Dot Conversations

It's 5:50am Monday morning, and normally, I've filled my coffee cup and fixed a bowl of cereal and have sat down in front of the computer am already chatting with the little 'green dot' that gmail uses to indicate a friend is online. Our green dot conversations every morning (afternoon for him) have been a constant and a source of comfort for the both of us over the three months Tim and I have been apart. It was something little and only a few minutes a day, but it was a way for us to stay connected. Our life journey together started almost seven years ago and the Scottish leg of the journey started 2 1/2 years ago and has officially come to an end - or rather a transistion. We will resume the rest of our lives and journey - in person and together - today. Alas, our green dot conversations are over; their 'live' replacement will be welcome.