Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A merry Christmas was had by all the former MN Zacks. It was a bit chaotic as we are in the midst of our move from Vera's house to our new townhouse, but the kids did not seem to mind the mess! Tom got his beloved new Nintendo DS system and some money to buy games for it, at least when Mom gets back in town. Jim is the Lego master and also RC Monster truck man, running over everything in sight. Antonia is a princess and ballerina, and Stevie is a Power Ranger/doctor/Care Bear hugger! They are all owed a trip to Build a Bear Workshop by mom and dad, another thing that will have to wait until next week.
Because MOM is in MN, alone! That's right, I've abandoned my babies and my beloved husband to return to frigid MN for my first vacation without kids in 10 years. Yeah, it would have been nice to go somewhere with Jon, but we didn't hear anyone volunteering to take the kids for a week!!!! So I get to visit with friends and family, sleep late and without anyone jumping on me or kicking me, watch movies that don't have animated or dressed-up animals in them, and generally relax.
I saw Theresa and Luanne, friends from Elk River, the first day and then went up to Eveleth (why????) to see Luanne's new home there. Now I am in St. Paul at Ann's house, wondering how we got to be 40+ years old in the time since we met at 12. Tomorrow I go visit Grandma Wilmes in Mankato, thankful I will get a chance to do that. She is at home, though weak and tired, and it seems unlikely I will have another chance to visit with her. Then I see Dad and Steve's family for Dad's birthday tomorrow night. Mom and I will shop till we drop Friday for presents for the kids and for old time's sake, and then Ann and I are going out Friday night to see the Lamont Cranston band, a local band from the 80s. Don't worry, we won't wear big hair or flannel shirts! I want to know why belly rings and low rise jeans weren't in style when I had a flat belly and 23" waist. Why were the girls wearing boy jeans and flannel shirts then???? IT ISN'T FAIR! Not that I could dress that way even IF my belly was still flat, but still...
Did you remember that CDs and crack cocaine didn't exist before 1983? (Not that I bought the first until the 90s or the second ever...) My kids don't believe me when I tell them we didn't have more than 5 TV channels and no VCRs until I was in jr high or so.
I have been able to keep up with my printing business online at everyone else's computer, checking orders, answering emails, extolling the wonders of personalized Post-it notes...but I miss my graphics programs and can't dash off mockups to customers till I get back home. I had a big rush of orders a week before Christmas--gotta LOVE those people who order 10 sets to give to 10 people!! and then it slowed a bit. It is picking back up with business customers again, my bread and butter work. Now you all enjoy the personalized Post-its you got for Christmas, and come back when you run out!