So it was back to our normal schedule last week. Allison went back to school and started Spring semester. She seems happy with her new Accounting class, English-Short stories, Geography/Science pre req.  and Art/Drawing. Apparently her artwork is so good, the instructor cannot believe she isn't an art major. Tom says she can be a business major that does art, not the other way around. She also feels better prepared in her new Accounting class and right at home in her English class as she read most of the short stories in Middle school!  She is also happy to be training and working out with her Frisbee team. The girls are getting geared up for another season. They also take time out to get together for socials, which is terrific.

Scott also headed back to school after surviving his midterms. Although he got an extra couple of days off due to the threat of snow. We lucked out and missed most of the big snow which headed up to Boston. Still, a few inches of snow, plus frozen rain and sleet made for a lousy commute to work. Scott was happy to stay home and get in more video/computer time with his friends. He also managed to attend boy scouts and robotics.

Last Saturday, Tom and Scott spent a few hours volunteering with the Boy Scout Troop  at an outdoor annual cub scout event: The Klondike Derby. Scott's troop is responsible for helping the boys cross "The Monkey Bridge"-ie rope bridge. Scott was asked to supervise the hot cocoa station this year. Much bigger responsibility. At least it was not too cold to stand outside in the woods.

Tom spent the rest of the weekend reassembling the shower in our Master bathroom. All the tiles were falling off the wall. When we remodeled the house and built on the garage, the tiles became loose and water has slowly been seeping in. We discovered that the builders had placed the tiles directly on the drywall, so no water proofing. The drywall was saturated and the tiles began falling off.

 Our very own Puppy Bowl! Ripley and Cookie enjoy Super Bowl rawhide treats during the game.

 Tom and I would prefer to remodel our entire bathroom and install a new, large

walk in shower to replace our big, unused garden tub. So instead of retiling the current shower, Tom just installed a plastic unit to get by until we are ready to break the bank and go with the upgrade. We had to pick up the parts at Home Depot on Friday. Once again I am happy to have my van. Of course none of the new parts fit easily with the old shower parts-Tom had to do plumbing and soldering and move the old faucet(the new faucet did not fit and was not in the right place for the new shower wall). And the new door was too big, so Tom had to make adjustments to that too. So several days later we have a working shower(but it won't be featured in Home and Garden I'm afraid). I think I will start shopping for a bathroom design. Looks like bathroom remodeling is the thing to do in the winter!

So besides trips to Home Depot, I also had to run errands for us and my parents. On Friday morning I met my parents at their apt with their new Estate Planning Lawyer. They had some paperwork to sign for their trust in order to make certain everything fits with Maryland law(instead of Michigan). Afterwards we went out to lunch and then a quick trip to the grocery store. I also had to  stop and get the oil changed on my van, and finish up grocery shopping this weekend for the Super Bowl. We invited our neighbors over on Sunday night to watch the game and enjoy pizza and shredded pork sandwiches. Too bad the game is on a Sunday night. It is hard to get back to work the next day. Although we weren't very thrilled with either team, we did enjoy watching the game and having our friends over for dinner. Along with our friend's puppy. We had our own Puppy Bowl!

I also enjoyed a Girls Night Out playing Bingo Friday night at our church. Church decided to try something different-A 21 and older, BYOB event. It was a big hit. We enjoyed bringing in snacks and alcoholic drinks. We also enjoyed having dinner at one of the ladie's houses right before Bingo. We did not enjoy losing all the Bingo games. Not even one winner of a door prize. But I am happy to say I was finally a big winner at the end of the night. I brought home a Spirit Wear basket for Scott's high school. He was excited that I won him a new sweatshirt, tshirt, sports bottles and travel mug. I also got a scarf and magnets for the car. I just wish it had come in a Vera Bradley bag! Oh well. You take what you get. We ladies are looking forward to another night out in February-Paint and Pinot(drink wine). That should be interesting. It is for a good cause-a high school fund raiser. We must support our schools!