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November 2026
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What a week!

Yes, I’m still not writing much, but I really want to! Seriously! Life is just a little busy right now. Well, with my 2 boys, it’s always busy. But it’s been a bit crazier than usual.

Wednesday night, we spent 4 hours-yes, 4 hours-with a guy from Champion Windows to listen to his shpiel and convince us to start a window replacement project. I think he had me sold after only 2 hours, but whatever.

Andy’s been busy preparing for some interviews today (3, to be exact) for a new position at Quad/Tech. Here’s hoping for a little bump up the ladder!

My mom had eye surgery yesterday, quite minor, but a little nerve-wracking nonetheless. But she came through with flying colors-literally! She’s a little bruised right now, but it’s more red than purple, so it doesn’t look like she’s a battered wife or anything! She just walked around the mall with her sunglasses on most of the time today. But, she was at the mall about 26 hours after having surgery, so that’s not too bad!

My awesome SIL is preparing to run her butt off in the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half-Marathon on Sunday morning. She’s been training with Team in Training, raising money for blood-borne cancers, and working so damn hard I feel lazy! I’m so proud of her, seeing her as a huge inspiration, and hoping she finishes in less than 3 hours, and earns a medal!

And one of my good friends is going through a very crappy time. His mom is being admitted into hospice care today, which, for those of you not too familiar with it, means it’s more of a comfort thing at the end of a battle with any type of terminal illness-in this case, breast cancer.

You know what? Until I put this all down in to writing/typing, I didn’t realize all the stuff going on around here. And this is just the big stuff! There’s plenty of little stuff too! So hang in there. I really want to do this, to keep you all (all 5 of you!) posted on what we’re up to. I’ll throw in some pictures every now and then, too. Just not today.

I’m still here…

…just lazy. I have all of these ambitions to put together a bunch of pictures from the holidays so you all can enjoy. But I’m just feeling blah. I hate winter after the holidays. It’s just cold. Sure, the sun is shining today and we’ve got some bright white snow on the ground, but it’s about 2 degrees right now, and the wind chill is about -25. No thanks!

So I’ll be trying to get off my lazy duff to put together some type of picture montage to share with you all. I wish I had a laptop-I’m a multi-tasker through and through, and it’s very hard to multi-task at a desktop computer. With a laptop, I could be all cozied up under a blanket, blogging to all of you, while watching Project Runway, or American Idol, or reruns <sigh> of Grey’s Anatomy on my best friend, my DVR. Alas…

Our Holiday Message

Ode to 2007

 

2007 went by in a blur.

We had plenty of fun, of this I’m sure.

 

Andy took Noah to the sunny Florida beach,

Leaving Sarah and Caden within January’s cold reach.

 

Our little Valentines, always in tow.

We spent a lot of time in February out in the snow.

 

In March we all said, “Spring has sprung!”

And our outdoor fun had just begun.

 

With Easter in April, we welcomed the bunny.

Riding bikes, playing baseball, to the park when it was sunny.

 

In May, we celebrated, in a wonderful way.

Flying out to Cali for Matte and Cathy’s wedding day.

 

We enjoyed the Quadgraphics picnic in June,

And checked out Starry Nights, lovely music in tune.

 

For the 4th of July, we checked out the parade.

And Andy and Sarah ran for Bastille Day.

 

Our August was hot, and Andy turned 30.

The boys spent plenty of time in the sandbox getting dirty.

 

In September, the boys had their first day of school.

Caden was cautious, but Noah thought it was cool.

 

Sarah’s birthday and new job in October-just the start.

Noah turned 4, and Halloween-they dressed the part.

 

The end of the Badger’s home season, stitches, and karate,

Thanksgiving in Minnesota, November was a party.

 

Noah sang in the choir, Caden wonderfully turned 2.

December and Christmas bring plenty of cheer for this crew.

 

We’re so very grateful for all we’ve been given:

Our home, health, and boys-who’ve been sent from Heaven.

 

As we look at our calendar, past the 31st date,

What a wonderful year-now on with 2008!

 

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, from the Hoffman’s!

Andy, Sarah, Noah, and Caden

Cherub choir revisited

Here’s the video of Noah’s performance from a few weeks ago. It took me a while to figure out this whole video thing!

http://www.youtube.com/v/UBWLbh7yoe0

Happy Birthday Caden!!!

Caden had his 2nd birthday on Saturday. How has it already been two years? How do I already have 2 kids, ages 4 and 2??? Am I really old enough for this (trust me, I am!)?

We started the day with French Toast, then spending some time outside in the snow. It was very cold outside, but the boys were dying to get out there. Caden wanted to play baseball, which is a little difficult wearing mittens, but Noah was able to take a few swings. Caden decided to do some shoveling, but struggled a little bit without thumbs-mittens are tough for 2-year-olds!

After a quick snow angel, we were headed back inside.

Chuck and Sara came over to deliver Caden’s present since they weren’t able to join us later that day for dinner and cake. It’s usually a crap shoot when it comes to gifts from Uncle Chuck! Here’s what Caden got:

It’s a pirate ship-shaped ball pit, complete with balls. I was a little hesitant, but I have to admit, it’s pretty cool.

After the boys took their naps, it was party time with Nana, Boppa, Grandma, Grandpa, Lizzy, and George. We had pizza, then off to open presents. Caden made a pretty good haul, including this:

He had a hard time continuing to open presents. He would just want to play with the one he had just opened! He also got some fire trucks from Matte & Cathy-girl, which he refused to leave behind when it was time for cake:

I think he had a very good birthday. Low-key, surrounded by the people he loves, and who love him. We love you, Cade-o!

We’ve been elfed!

Check us out!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1113961039

Reflecting…

Today is the last day of NaBloPoMo, thank goodness!

It’s been a little tough. I could have written more about the boys, I’m sure. But I’m a little slow on the picture uploading thing, and a little lazy, I suppose. But I don’t want to bore everyone with all of the little intricacies of our daily lives. So you ended up with some random thoughts, some more disjointed than others!

I’ll try to give more quality blog entries, but the quantity will probably decrease. I hope the few of you out there will keep reading. And send your friends!

I admit it…

…I’m not a huge Packer fan.  As a matter of fact, I don’t know if I’ve seen 10 minutes, cumulative, of Packer games this year.  I don’t really know why.  I like football.  I’m loyal to my state.  I’m glad when they win.  Mostly, I’m happy when they win because then my husband is happy!   I guess I just have other things that take priority over watching the game.  <gasp>  As if there is anything in the state of Wisconsin that can take priority over the Packers!

One of my biggest pet peeves about living in Appleton was the fact that Packer news seemed to take priority over any other news.  The lead story about 90% of the time was about something related to the Packers-even during the off-season!  There’s more going on in the world than a football game!

Judge me if you will.  Have me banished from the state.  Hey, if you’re going to banish me, send me somewhere warm!  But not to Dallas!

Three more to go

I will be glad when this NaBloPoMo stuff is over.  I’m already out of the running for any kind of prize since I missed a day early this month.  And I started a day late.  Ah, well.  There’s always next year.  Maybe.

BRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Okay, I know I live in Wisconsin, by choice, and I’ve lived here my whole life, and it’s going to get a lot colder before it gets warm again, but BRRRRRRR!!!

It was 17 degrees on my car thermometer as I drove home tonight.  I’m just not ready for this.  If it’s going to be this cold, let’s get some snow on the ground or something.

When I retire, I’m spending winter in Florida.  I’m going to be a snowbird.  You can come find me on a beach.