New Year, Who Dis?

Did you feel optimistic about starting 2021? A fresh new year of leaving behind the dumpster fire of 2020? As we neared the end of 2020, I started to realize that 2021 wasn't going to start much different than the crap of 2020 - social distancing / mask requirements / distance learning / no events / no friend gatherings / minimal outings / races through the grocery store / takeout instead of dining in restaurants / on and on. And then January 6th about did me in. The day of the insurrection at the U.S. Capital. I can't get over the images broadcast on TV beginning that afternoon. Remember I'm working from home, still from my kitchen table. Jay came out of his office (he's the fancy one) and told me I better turn on the TV. And then we watched. Couldn't turn it off. Couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing. Unbelievable. Is this really how 2021 shows up? New Year - who dis?! WHY!?!? Haven't we all had enough of a shit storm since March 2020? Aren't we in need of some normal life? The nightly news got even more grim with the violent mob references on top of coronavirus death tolls. The White House went radio silent. I mean, I thought it was it. How would it go on? As I recap January 2021, today (February 9) is the start of another impeachment trial of the former president for his acts on January 6. I hope when this is over everyone can start to move on. Give 2021 another chance. 

The month of January went by super fast. Not sure if it was the amount of news going on or what, but I feel like I just put the "winter" decor up and now I've already changed it out for Valentines! 

A lot of napping dog photos on my camera, so here's one for you!

I have been living in sherpas!!
(and I'm in desperate need of a hair cut and color)

My recent letterboard creation - didn't have enough letters so I had to improvise!!

I must tell you that I bought a fresh new broom and it has changed my sweeping game. What was I doing wasting my life away with an old broom? The new one is amazing. This is how Iknow I'm getting old. Especially that I took a picture of it. LOL.

BOOP!

Ella is crazy good at putting together puzzles. We did a few during the early days of the pandemic and then we couldn't find puzzles anywhere so it fizzled out. This year we started buying them early and she has gone through them so fast! Like BIG puzzles. 500 pieces, 750 pieces and even 1,000 pieces that she did in like 5 days! I never even got to help!

Ruby is obsessed with the squirrels and rabbits around the neighborhood. 

Here's a shot of her posing like a diva (and watching a squirrel outside)

You'll notice that our furniture looks all squished together in this picture - and it is. We had new windows installed on the main level, but the window in this room arrived with a crack in the frame, so we're waiting for that new window to be made and then installed. Then, we'll have to finally pick a stain color and get the main level back together! Currently, we have zero window treatments up. Lights out early with just the glow of the TV so people can't see us in here! LOL!

We have a running list of  home projects we'd like to do (I feel like we add something new every week). In January, we replaced the kitchen lighting. Here is before / after for fun:

KITCHEN SINK PENDANT LIGHT - BEFORE

KITCHEN SINK - AFTER

KITCHEN ISLAND - AFTER (no before picture - it was terrible florescent and I forgot)

Feel free to contact me for photo taking tips. LOL! I'm awesome.

In other January happenings, Jay snagged this ginormous icicle off the back roof!

And, I tried to make mac & cheese bites in the air fryer. 

Mac & Cheese bites are Ella's favorite. And they have been sold out at all the groceries around us for a few weeks now (unknown why!!). So, I found a recipe online to make our own. And I did it. But, they are not even close to as good as the ones you buy from the store. I used Kraft Mac & Cheese. I probably should have used something creamier to get a better texture. Anyway, I wanted to share a picture anyway, but I don't have much else to share! HA!