Brian: Worstday? to Birthday!

Brian went to work Monday morning, and
1-he had an email from the mayor re: her blackmail efforts to expose the fact that he had some late utility bills to the paper

2-he went to withdraw his paycheck from the lawfirm account, only to find it was empty

3-(after he said, "Don't tell me, you've got a new job") his dream secretary told him she had a new job!!

He came home pretty stoked for celebrating New Year's Eve.  Because it WAS the eve of a fresh new year, we kept our plans to play games w/ some fun couples and raclette w/ them over some FINE food, while Maddie went to her 80's dance (only the 14 year-olds dressed up, Mom--that's why I took my scrunchie out), and I made 2 different kinds of chex mix, gyoza, and grilled cheese for the remaining children celebrating at home :).  Brian and I ended the night w/ our daily crossword puzzle races (we got the books in our stockings--cool). 

So, that small-business stress has owned our week, but Brian's birthday was Saturday, so we took advantage of a ksldeal (one found in Brian's stocking), and visited Crystal Hot Springs!! He had to admit it was the first time he was outdoor swimming on his birthday!! It was fun, dipping our toes in snow, then feeling that fire-tingling from the 100 degree mineral water.  Steam everywhere, and a cold (70 degrees) pool we kept daring each other to go in.  It was a fun little getaway, and really relaxing.  (Look at that dinner picture---we need relaxing!) We stopped at Smith and Edwards on the way home (a crazy army surplus, but so much more store in the middle of NOWHERE) and the kids all got to pick out 50 cents worth of candy, which they LOVED, since they had a huge 20/$1 section--it was as exciting as "A kid in a candy shop"--:).  We came home and had steak and Black Forest Cherry birthday cake for him too.  He got a heater for the shed, and some new white shirts--I know, the excitement is uncontainable around here :).