Jan 3 - Ian and I went to the Va Dept of Health (at the old Macy’s) today for a Covid test. They were open 2-6. We arrived at 1:30 and the line wrapped around the building. It was snowing and windy and hell out there.

We were able to get a number and return to our car to be called. That took until 2:30 standing outside.

Ian and I were numbers 441 and 442. They only had 500 tests today. We were tested and able to leave by 4 pm.

These are PCR tests so it will be at least two days before we get results.

Jan 5 - Ian got sick Saturday morning with what appears to be the flu. We still don't have test results back from our Monday PCR test, but he is fever-free and needs no additional insulin. He's still asleep as of now, but he's on the mend. And Shrop and I feel fine, so I'm calling that a win.

Jan 12 - Ian is back at hockey after his illness all last week (which was NOT Covid according to our PCR tests we stood in the snow for). He’s enjoying it and I’m super happy for him.

Jan 14 - Ian and I did some drawing this evening. Our prompts were woman, flowers, river, king. The first four are his and the second four are mine. His raccoon king is my absolute favorite!

Jan 16 - Every heartbeat in the house is in my bed. Maya is in the bottom left, Tobias helping Ian with his game, Cash, and Stella sprawled half on top of Cash.

Jan 19 - Our cows got out this morning when Ian woke up to realize his insulin pump had died. So I finally called Medtronic support and a replacement pump will be here tomorrow before noon. I've been fixing to get ready to call about the battery errors for over a week but today was the day! Progress!

Jan 19 - Ian and I still fit in our ski pants from two years ago, so that saves us some cash. I also found our goggles and other gear.

Jan 19 - I introduced Ian to Wordle yesterday. He got yesterday's tricky word in 4 attempts and then asked if there were any more. It's a lesson in patience for him to wait for a new word each morning.

Jan 24 - Shrop to Ian: “I love you very much. I’m proud of you. Now shut up.”

Jan 24 - Shrop to Ian: “You need to be careful. The world is not child-safe.”

Jan 24 - Shrop: “What are you thinking about tomorrow?”

Ian: “I’m thinking I’m gonna go kick some ass on the slopes … and then we’re gonna go to urgent care.”

Shrop: “That’s my boy!”

Jan 26 - Ian posted but didn't break anything! We went for x-rays last night to confirm since he said his arm really hurt. He will heal fine, he just needs to rest it.

After his backward fall on Saturday, Ian was able to get back out there and snowboard some more. By Monday, he could manage all of the greens and even did a blue trail with Travis (better than waffles).

Jan 31 - Ian and I took the dogs to Two Brothers Dog Wash after they came inside covered head to toe in mud. I also had to scrub the floors and sofas and doors and everything they touched. It was awful.

But they are gorgeous now and were given nasty duck feet as treats for their good behavior. Cash loves the feeling of the high velocity dryer and I love the effectiveness of the high velocity dryer.