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12/22/2025 to 01/04/2026

12/22/2025 to 12/28/2025

On Monday evening we met Vernon Anderson, my father in law’s brother, for a Christmas celebration at Sammy’s Pizza. Wednesday after work, Julie, David, Andrew, Tiffany, Steve, and I met up at Deb’s for Christmas Eve hors d’oeuvres. We had bacon wrapped scallops, ham balls, potato salad, shrimp with Saint Elmo’s Spicy Horseradish Cocktail Sauce, and a delicious Uncle Mike’s Sea Salt Caramel Pecan Kringle that David brought over. Steve recieved a pair of suspenders and David helped fit them, it was quite the show.

Gifts

On Christmas day, Debra, Steve, and Kim came over for dinner. Tiffany made her traditional Prime Rib. ☃️ Andrew recieved a pair of cross county skis from Kim.

Friday, Andrew and I went for a walk on the lake with Willow - my first time. The Ice appeared to be over twelve inches thick.

I have been presented with the possible opportunity to return to law enforcement as a part-time Police Officer with the Deer River PD. I miss being an active peace officer, I miss responding to calls, the camaraderie with fellow officers, and the satisfaction of doing what I have done for the majority of my life. I completed and turned in an application on Monday, December 8th, and then completed an oral interview on Tuesday the 23rd. Friday, I made my way to the Itasca County Records office to find a notary to kick off the large amount of paperwork that will be needed to complete the background packet.

Turns out if you don’t wear your duty belt for a long time they can shrink. I replaced my old Bianchi, Leather Sam Browne Duty Belt, #B2, size 34, Basket Weave, and Brass Buckle with a Hero’s Pride Cobra AIRTEK Basix Rugged Hook Lined Duty Belt, 2.25”, Basket Weave, Size; XL(40-46), Model # 2029WH-XL46.

12/29/2025 to 01/04/2026

After returning to the Records office at the courthouse to have more pages notarized, I dropped off my background packet, ninety-eight pages to be exact, on Monday that I had completed over the Christmas holiday weekend. Tuesday, I was fingerprinted at the Sheriff’s Office.

We celebrated New Years with the Thingelstad’s! 🥳 We met at the Timberlake Lodge for dinner. After dinner we met at our place and Tiffany hosted the official NYE Games which consisted of a set of ten games; Happy New Year Candle, Cookie face, Marshmallow Blowout, Candle Blowout (paper plate in mouth), Stack’em Up Take’em Down, Musical Candy Canes, Ping Pong Cup, Head Shoulders Knees Cup, Balloon Cup, and lastly but not least - Tic Tac Toes Flip Cup. The only game I won was Balloon Cup. Andrew was declared Champion after winning Candle Blowout, Ping Pong Cup, and Head Shoulders Knees and Cup.

NY Eve

We met at Smoke on The Water for lunch and then headed over to Mount Itasca for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing ⛷️, and snowboarding 🏂. We all had a lot of fun! I even managed to sit-on-top of Andrew while attempting to board the ski lift and then subsequently fell off of it as it left the station.

NY Day

After we closed the ski hill down, we returned to our place for Jamie’s fondue, S&S brisket, Baskin-Robbins chocolate chip roll, and lot of other treats. The Welch’s Sparkling Red and White Grape Cocktail was a hit as well. The next morning, we all met at Rapids Hotel for breakfast before saying good bye to the Thingelstad’s.

My New Year’s resolution is to change my mental vector from being disconnected in long-term thought/concern to more short-term-being-present (in the moment). Instead of thinking I’m getting older; I would rather redirect that to - I have a lot of experience that I can apply currently. I’m not old, retired, or in poor health. Adapt to the current/present and enjoy the moment.

End of blog. Thank you for reading!