Princess, I'm so happy for you and Shrek having your own home, able to do what you want to fix it up how you two like it, a reasonable drive to work, being near family, and snow country. Can't get much better than that!
Dawg, glad you had such a nice visit with family. I would imagine IL, OH and NE are plenty scenic, but I've never been to those states.
I couldn't drive hours and hours at a time anymore these days, either. I'm hoping to get up to my aunt and uncle's home up in Sacramento (NoCal) for a visit soon, but that's an 8 hour drive and my daughter will have to drive me. She doesn't know that yet, though.