February 1, 2016 - Monday
27 degrees/cloudy/calm winds
Pentoga Road

And just like that, January of 2016 is gone. I'm not sorry to see it go. I hate to wish my life away, but our past Januarys haven't been too much fun, especially those of the past two years. This year's wasn't bad, not bad at all. 

Sargie and I often talk of the day when she's ready to leave the workforce, how much fun it would be to head south for the months of January and February, maybe the first couple of weeks of March... you know, just enough to take the edge off. I'm not sure we'll ever be able to afford to do that, but dreaming is free.

With all this winter talk, a notice came across my computer that there's a winter storm warning beginning Tuesday at 3 PM and continuing into Wednesday morning. Falling snow, up to 3 inches an hour, is predicted, blown by twenty-five mile per hour winds. I don't mind the snow or the winds, but now we begin to fret how to get Sargie home from work tomorrow. Naturally, she'll be driving the Blazer and when/if the storm begins, I'll call the Vision Center so she can leave immediately. Sargie will also have her overnight bag and emergency supplies packed just in case. 

Luke resent the picture of my oldest granddaughter, Abigail, holding a letter from their state senator, congratulating her for making high honors in school. It's times like these that living so far away from the grandbabies is tough. I'm so proud of Abba... what a sweetheart.

Sunday was a good one on Pentoga Road. Grady was up and at 'em and we enjoyed his company throughout the day.

Great Grandma Pennington's Teddy bear and a sippy cup of juice. What a great way to begin the day!

We had a good old-fashioned stick-to-your-ribs breakfast of fried potatoes, eggs, and of course, toast with peanut butter and jelly. It was my favorite food group Sunday morning.

Later, Grady helped to bring in wood, one of his favorite activities. I hope he remembers how much fun it can be ten or fifteen years from now when Grandpa is a bit older.

And he wasn't slow to help Grandma Sargie and Grandpa scrape the drive of melted ice and snow.

The only fly in the ointment occurred when Brutus decided he should help and grabbed Grady's shovel from him then trotted off.

But in the long run, Brutus gave the shovel back and peace and harmony was restored to Pentoga Road.

Yooper Brother Mark stopped out for a visit in the afternoon. We caught up on the news in each other's lives and solved all the world's problems. 

Macrea arrived last night and after a fun evening of supper and talking, the boys left for home. The house was straightened up and the toys plucked from the floor. Grandma Sargie and Grandpa were soon on their way to bed.

Sargie is back to work today. I have a telephone conference with Social Security this morning. I guess it's time to get that whole process started. 

I'll also be talking with my insurance agent, inquiring why my auto coverage jumped $30 a month beginning this coming year. We've had no claims, no tickets, no nothing, yet they hiked the premiums another $360 a year to cover two old cars. I'll be shopping for a new company.

Other than that, I'll be in the shop making strawberry planters and waiting for the big blizzard. It's just the way I roll because as we all know, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...