And, we start the new year off with a bang... With the snow we got late last year, it didn't really stick around. We have had such incredibly mild weather - mid 50's and the snow didn't like to hang around. So, this is what it looks like... Actually, I kinda like it. You know how I feel about the snow. The evening are still kind of on the chilly side, but the days are very, very moderate.
This picture was taken the weekend of 1/24/2026 and you can see, we don't have a whole lot of snow...
But, the road is in pretty rough shape. I sure wish the county would take a little time and even it out... The spring is always a nightmare with the mud in the ruts.
We pulled up into the driveway, and I was greeted with his huge pile of rock. Remember, I haven't been at the cabin since the summer and I was a little surprised by this. Jim says its for the completion of the septic system. We ran out of time finishing the septic runs at the end of the season last year, so this is a project for 2026.
This is the pile of "stuff" that was packed into the truck for our trip to the cabin. It had been piling up in either the livingroom in the Provo house, or outside in the carport and it was due time to take a trip south.
Here's a picture of the property from the deck. It shows the incredible lack of snow, which I don't mind at all. We had a little bit of a problem getting up the hill to the cabin - it's really shaded with trees so the road was icy, but we turned around and went up the back way and didn't have a problem.
AND... the furnace is working beautifully. We only stayed one night, but it was warm and toasty the whole time.
Last fall, I decided wanted to try my hand at making gourd bird houses. I had them drying in the carport and it seems I did something right. Jim drilled the holes and we scooped out the membrane and seeds... Nobody told us to wear masks while doing said job, and let me tell you... the dust that is created is... bitter... really bitter. I was researching how to finish these off, so we still need to drill some drainage holes, and coat them with a finish to preserve them, but I am really excited to see a measure of success. Research taught me that the birds like these in clusters, thus, the four that are going to be secured all together in the trees. It was a fun project.
And, this oak door made it's way to the cabin. I am not completely sure where it is going to end up, but I think it's the downstairs bathroom... But, I could be wrong.
And, this is about my favourite thing ever. I bought these Hallowe'en figures for the deck. I think they are about the cutest ever. Jim is not a fan, but he humours me... I also bought three Christmas dogs for the Provo house, and they look absolutely darling. Again, Jim is not a fan, but it makes me happy. The house looked so cute at Christmas with the snowflake lights, Christmas wreaths AND Christmas dogs. I had these all lined up, staring at Jim in the livingroom. I don't think he was amused...
As said before, I haven't been at the cabin in a while, and Jim has just been sending me pictures. But, actually being at the cabin, and seeing all his work in person, it looks completely different and I am absolutely thrilled and amazed at the beautiful work he has done. I didn't realize that he had put the backsplash all around the kitchen and it looks fabulous. I absolutely love it.
And, he has always taken pictures showing the far side of the kitchen and all the cabinets, and I didn't get to see the opposite side... and, it's amazing also. He does superb work.
Jim and I spent an evening at the Delta Center with friends to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Utah Mammoth... We had amazing tickets - 3rd row! We showed up ready to cheer our team on... and.... it was a complete disaster..... I was thinking that the Leafs forgot to show up... It was a total blowout - 6 -1.... Sigh... I always say I would like to see the Leafs win one more Stanley Cup before I die, but, I don't see it happening this year. So, I guess I need to live another year.
When we were sitting watching the game, I got a little text message from my grandson Coy... he gave the row and seat he was sitting in. He was waaay across the arena but, I found him! If you look three rows down, the child in the yellow/orange hoodie... that's Coy! That part of the evening was nice....
Before the game, Jim and I had dinner with our accountant Adam, and his son (can't remember the son's name) and, my friend Lori (from Toronto) and her husband. It really was a nice dinner and we really need to do it again! Thank goodness for a few good things that evening... (I know, it's a little weird going to a hockey game with your accountant, but we have been using Adam as our accountant for about 20 years and he's become a good friend. We always make the appointment, bring dinner, and we eat dinner with him, as he's preparing our taxes.... it makes the whole experience a little easier to swallow..) If you need a really good accountant, and you live in Utah...give me a shout and I'll send you his information.
My son, Brad and his son, Ben are still in hockey mode up in Alaska, and I appreciate all the pictures they send me to keep me updated. I don't know who took these pictures, but they are amazing.
This first picture is Brad and Ben..
I believe Ben is in his 2nd year at goal, and we can see his improvement every year.
...maybe we should get Ben to play goal for the Leaf's... I am almost positive he could do a better job.
...looks so cute... maybe I shouldn't call him cute.... let me reiterate.... He looks TOUGH and focused.
And, this is my son, Brad, showing his coaching skills! He looks so intense. He is totally enjoying coaching Alaska youth, and then playing on a team with adults. It's a great game for all ages... He looks a little bossy here.... I told him he was a total badass.. Giggle... (And, I love the Toronto Maple Leafs ballcap and shirt that he is wearing!)
I call this Brad's "don't even" face... Giggle.
I got this selenite piece as part of Jim's Christmas present... It's about 3' tall and I thought it would be beautiful on the hearth. It's been sitting in my office, hiding, for about 6 months, so I am glad it made it to the cabin. It is super heavy and super brittle. It really looks beautiful.
AND, I got to visit with Cosmo, the BYU mascot a week ago. We went to Brick Oven pizza for dinner and Cosmo was there... I have never really been into BYU sports, but Cosmo is a BYU celebrity.. Everybody knows Cosmo. So, this was kinda fun! Go Cougs!!!
And, here's another part of Jim's Christmas presents... Jim's saw at the cabin died just about at the end of the summer, and he was hesitating to buy a new saw. He saw one in the store, but didn't want to spend the money. I figured he would buy one in the spring. So, I decided I would get him the saw and surprise him. And, he was surprised and said I was sneaky...I was thrilled he liked it and actually wanted it. I bought it, and stored it in my office for a couple of months. When I gave it to him, he was like...."WHAT? You sneak!" Giggle
I don't have a picture, but I was so incredibly impressed with the tongue and groove work Jim and Ben have done on the ceiling. It is exceptional. When you look at pictures, it looks kind of flat. But, when you see it in person, it has so much detail and personality, I was absolutely blown away. I was sitting on the couch, early Sunday morning and just kept staring at the ceiling, in absolute amazement. I'm not usually taken with a ceiling, but this is beautiful. The craftsmanship is exception and the colour and placement of each piece is fabulous. I was absolutely blown away. Jim is such a stickler for exactness and precision.. it shows in everything from the cabinets, and backsplash and ceiling. It's absolutely beautiful.
Whenever I write a new entry on the blog, I always send it to Jim before posting - he's my editor. On this post, he questioned whether I should post something personal. We talked about it this morning, and I've decided to post how I feel, BUT, if you don't want to know, JUST STOP READING NOW. I'll never know, everybody has a different opinion on life, but, this is how I see things right now.
On a personal note.... I am one of those terrible people that is obsessed with the program, "Landman". I know, I know... the language and some of the situations are questionable, but, it is totally amusing me. In the season finale, there is a conversation between the two main characters, Tommy and his ex-wife Angela... and, I absolutely love the dialogue. Tommy is talking to Angela and he says, "I know what you want out of life... You want every meal to be memorable, you want every moment to be an experience, you want every night to be a honeymoon, and I think it's beautiful." I love this... And, this is a lot of the feelings I have about my life right now... and, in talking with Jim, he thinks it's beautiful also. This year, my New Year's Resolution is to be true to myself. I'm done with the "I'm going to lose weight" or start a journal...I want to be true to myself and uncompromising to my values and my heart.
With that, this edition ends, and the adventure continues.
Jim and Cheri
Facundo Cabral wrote songs about how suffering is a school, and pain is a teacher.
"From cradle to grave, it is a school," he'd say. "If what we call problems are lessons, we see life differently."
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