Jessica's Rose Garden

[Gina P]

Sounds like Norman Rockwell v2.0. So good to have the holidays with family and friends.

[ChrissyRyan]

Happy new year Jess!



Chrissy

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

Thanks @Gina P and @ChrissyRyan !

Our Christmas went well. There was no drama, even with one or two duplicate gifts. Our relatives arrived back at their homes safely on 26 Dec.

Today I finished a two-year project.
I started it last year, and finished it this year.
I started it last month, and finished it this month.
I started it yesterday, and finished it today.
I started less than 24 hours ago, but I'm still going to say it was a two-year project!

We live in a rural area, and our house is several hundred feet away from the main road. Our porch light only illuminated a tiny section of the stone staircase leading to our front door, so it was treacherous at night. I installed some low-voltage lighting to make it safer. I used a 300-watt power supply and placed one light per stair, and two lights per landing. They will turn on at dusk, and turn off at 10:00pm. I need to clean up the wire routing and find some decorative stones to hide a few visible wires, but it's functional.

I hope all of you enjoyed the holidays.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

@Jessica_Rose  cc: @Susan_Rose
Dear Jessica:
First off, it is New Year's Day ... 
      ...I am wishing a wonderful 2026 for you and your Susan.

In the winter with shorter days and very long night-time darkness...  having more light outside,
especially with snow and ice all around, is a very good thing.  I also had handrails installed
on my front steps leading to my porch, and also the few steps to my deck.

All of this is especially important for older friends that come visit me.

Hugs and my warm salutations to you and Susan.

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

[Lori Dee ✅]

I installed some low-voltage lighting to make it safer. I used a 300-watt power supply and placed one light per stair, and two lights per landing. They will turn on at dusk, and turn off at 10:00pm. I need to clean up the wire routing and find some decorative stones to hide a few visible wires, but it's functional.

That's awesome. I know it is something you have been wanting to do, especially since it has been getting dark earlier. Glad you were able to get it done. Now the herd of deer won't be stumbling around, injuring themselves, and filing insurance claims against you.

😄

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

Thanks, Danielle. Even with lights, those stairs are difficult if there's any snow or ice on them. If that's the case, we'll just leave through the basement, no external stairs involved. I hope you, your friends, and your loved ones have an amazing year.

Lori, I'm glad those deer don't know the phone number of any 'injury attorneys'. Hopefully they would accept feed corn and water...

Love always -- Jess

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

I had a nice visit with Kris on January 3rd. A relaxing 4-hour electrolysis session with a nice lunch break in the middle. Kris had plans later in the day, so we weren't able to visit the indoor firing range.

On January 6th, I finally got a new crown on one of my molars. It had been without a crown since before Thanksgiving! It was sore for a few days, but now it feels fine.

Susan and I drove up to Loveland, CO over the weekend to visit Tia and Debi. Some of you may remember them. They haven't been active on Susan's Place for several years, but they used to be regular contributors. We had lunch at Applebee's on Saturday, and dinner at the Bonefish Grill. We stayed up much later than usual, but we hadn't seen each other in quite a while and had a lot to catch up on. We spent the night at their home, and had a late breakfast at Epic Egg on Sunday morning. Tia and Debi are regular customers, and the staff (and food) was excellent. We left for home around 2:00pm Sunday afternoon.

The original offer on our house in Arkansas fell through, the buyers couldn't sell their existing home. Our house went back on the market last Thursday evening, and within 24hrs we had another offer. The new offer has no contingencies, and is for an amount similar to the first offer. Although there are still several steps we need to complete, we're hopeful the sale will close by the end of February.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Maid Marion]

I found it easier to walk on snow and ice with hiking boots.

There is a scene in RED where Victoria (Helen Mirren) changes out her dress shoes for boots.  Time for business!

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

We celebrated Susan's birthday today, and now we're both really tired! Our first stop of the day was actually for me. I had ordered a few items from Bass Pro Shops a few weeks ago, and it was time to pick them up. The next stop was lunch at Cheddar's with one of our friends who lives near our old house in Monument. After lunch, Susan and I went to a local indoor firing range. I had several firearms I had not tried out, and Susan had also wanted to do some target practice. After an hour of range time, we visited our favorite hair stylist, Amy. She was able to take care of both of us today. Finally, we headed back to Pueblo and met with some friends for dinner at Olive Garden. It was a long day, and Susan said it made her very happy.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[ChrissyRyan]

We celebrated Susan's birthday today, and now we're both really tired! Our first stop of the day was actually for me. I had ordered a few items from Bass Pro Shops a few weeks ago, and it was time to pick them up. The next stop was lunch at Cheddar's with one of our friends who lives near our old house in Monument. After lunch, Susan and I went to a local indoor firing range. I had several firearms I had not tried out, and Susan had also wanted to do some target practice. After an hour of range time, we visited our favorite hair stylist, Amy. She was able to take care of both of us today. Finally, we headed back to Pueblo and met with some friends for dinner at Olive Garden. It was a long day, and Susan said it made her very happy.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Jess,


That sounds wonderful!  I am glad you two got to do all of that!


Christine

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

Thanks, Christine!

Susan said she had a great day. After staying with me for so many years, she earned it.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[ChrissyRyan]

Jess,


Happy Valentine's Day!



Christine

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

Thanks, Christine! I hope you have a fabulous Valentine's Day!

Susan and I don't really have any plans today. We had a busy week, and we still haven't had any of the birthday cake I made for her. I did surprise Susan with two snake plants this week. She mentioned to a friend that she wanted one, so I got one each of two different varieties.

We have made friends with some of the cats who visit our house occasionally. A black and white one we named 'Tux', and a cream colored one with a ringed tail we named 'Thing One'. There is another cream colored cat with a ringed tail that we named 'Thing Two'. A fourth cat we named 'Cinnamon' was the first one who accepted us. The grey cat, 'Ghost', is still a bit wary of us.

We're scheduled to close the sale of our Arkansas house on Thursday. It has been quite a drain on our bank account, so it will be nice not to have that expense any longer. I won't celebrate until everything is signed and we receive the payout.

Yesterday was my 20th Anniversary working for Progressive. Initially, I wasn't sure if I would make it past two years due to layoffs back in 2007. They are very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, and I think they are a great company to work for.

Love always -- Jess

[Lori Dee ✅]

we still haven't had any of the birthday cake I made for her.

I suspect it was because you made it?

I live dangerously, so I'll stop by tomorrow and help Susan dispose of it properly.

😘