Good winter's morning. Woke up yesterday with a sore throat, still here and worse today.

We are going to get socked today, anyone in the storm's path please drive carefully and safely. Leave in plenty of time.

I need to get here more, since I started working, the holidays have brought goodies and I have to say I've been eating way too much chocolates. Then my neighbor dropped off four boxes of goodies, cookies, chocolate mints, chocolate covered cherries... I'm going to bring the cookies to work today. going to try to get back on track with a few days of cold turkey phase one.

Speaking of turkey's. neighbor dropped one off yesterday, I can't imagine they think I need to eat more, truth is I need to eat less!

I'll try to get in tonight, but between the weather and the fact ds said he'd go celebrate my birthday tonight with me, I'm hoping driving isn't so atrocious as to be unbearable, I'd like a steak dinner tonight! and a strawberry dacari.

Lori, zinc lozenges really knock off a sore throat if you can get them.

We have lots of snow in the forecast too and I still have nobody booked to plough my lane. (Why the heck don't people return your call when you leave a message. Maybe I should just say "Please call me. You've won...." and then hang up.) It's a good thing I have snow tires.

I delivered some Christmas gifts yesterday afternoon and had a pleasant glass of wine with my son's in-laws. Their house was all decorated and I started to get that Christmas feeling. I'm finding it very strange to be going away for the week. I guess I'm in a rut. Next time I do this, I'll be sure to have a pre-Christmas party.

This morning I'm off to town for a haircut and a stop to register for a February quilting course, That will be my last "road trip" until Monday when I drop off the dogs and head to Ottawa for the night. Flights to Nanaimo are such that I always need a hotel night either in Ottawa or in Vancouver. This country is too darned big!

This afternoon I'll make my "baddies" and try to get them gifted as soon as possible. Trident, water and surgical gloves will keep me from sampling even one. I'm such a sugar addict that a single dried cranberry makes me want more!

Right now it's time to wake the zzzing dogs and get the day cranked up.

Good morning Yeah, we're expecting the big white too I was perfectly happy with the lovely little blanket of white we have now, don't see why we need so much more. Not that anyone asked.

Lori - Take care of that throat. Hope you get to celebrate your birthday this weekend.

Ruth - Our guy plows pretty much when he feels like it so we're just hopeing we can get out by 7 tomorrow for the bird count. Good luck with your baddies!

I'm of to work for a few hours ahead of the storm. I've missed so much office time the last 10 days because of weather that I want to get in for a few hours ahead of the heavy snow. I also have a much needed hair appointment At least the unexpected new snow tire purchase is worth it this year.

Have a good day and stay safe all you winter chicks!

Good morning, I'm still waiting for the coffee to get done. Jake has a vacation day today and decided to sleep in, and I was counting on him to have my coffee ready.

We're going to get something here today, just what, is anyone's guess at this point. Every weather forecast says something different. I know one thing for sure, if the roads are slippery, I'm staying put!

Is it your birthday today, LORIANN? If so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you are able to go out to celebrate tonight, but be very careful in that snow! I hope you find something for your sore throat, too. I find Sucrets work well for me.

RUTH, I can't believe no one has responded to your pleas for someone to plow your drive. Who does your neighbors'? You'd think they could do yours, too, while they're already there. Be strong while doing all that baking today. I was doing fine while I was busy baking, but my resolve has been showing a few cracks lately.

Coffee's finally ready!

My neighbours have short lanes and park really close to the road. Don't worry about it, Cottage. I will call again and do my poor widow act! If worse comes to worse, Doug will come over and do me with his snowblower. It's so nice to have a good friend who "shares" her husband for some things - but not all!

Loriann, is today your birthday or just a celebration? I do hope the sore throat gets better fast, the snow holds off and you can go out and celebrate.

Jazz is nutsy this morning! He has dragged two boot trays, all his toys, his bedding and all my shoes and boots from the back room into the middle of the parlour. He wants to be with me but also wants his "stuff". My house looks like a toddler liver here! Now he's trying to drag my Christmas quilt off the loveseat! Time to tidy up can corral the livestock in the back of the house.

DH was up half the night coughing and keeping me up half the night as well. As a result, we overslept this morning, which is making for a hectic start to the day. On top of it, DD1 called, she stayed over at a friend's house and her car stayed over at another friends house 15 miles away, and she needs a ride to pick it up so she can get to work. I'm sure alcohol was involved here somewhere, but she pointed out that she was doing the responsible thing by not driving...

Holiday goodies at the office are tough, another reason telecommuting has it's advantages. Although yesterday a Christmas package arrived from DH's aunt with a huge box of Lindt chocolates in it. I want to regift it right away, but the kids want to open it.
Everyone in the storm's path, stay safe!

Loriann, Happy Birthday!!! I hope you get your celebration dinner.

A weekend of cleaning and baking ahead, and then I just may be ready for Christmas. Okay, the cards never got sent, the calendars didn't get made, and DH never got off his butt and sent gifts to his family in France. This is normal for us. I'm going to make some of Kim's dishtowel angels for my friends and SILs this weekend too. I wrote that idea down last year, they were so cute.

My go-to teacher gift is one of those microwave popcorn buckets- that look like the movie theater ones. I fill it with tinsel and put in a Blockbuster gift card, some candy canes, and some packets of hot chocolate mix. I figure that's something anyone can use or give to their kids to use. I've been doing that for years, but I can only do it every other year because my kids are only one grade apart so they end up with a lot of the same teachers.

Good morning. You ladies sure get up early.

Happy Birthday Lori!! Hope you get to celebrate, but be careful on the roads.

Ruth, we have the same problem here. Seems like no one wants to work. They say they will be here and never show up or call. I made my granddaughter her favorite no-bake cookies and had to sample them. Next time I'll chew some gum.

Cyndi, be careful on the roads. I'm originally from Michigan and always dreaded driving in the snow and ice. Here in Ky, we mostly get a lot of rain in the Winter. It's in the 60's this morning, but will be in the teens by Sunday.

Cottage, I made the coffee this morning. We take turns it seems. Enjoy your day with Jake.

I need to get out to finish shopping for our Christmas dinner. I will be completely off program, but it's only for one day. We are having lasagna and made-from-scratch pineapple upside down cake. I have a wonderful recipe and reminds me of my mom. She used to make it when I was little.

Have a safe day if you venture out today.

good morning Smoodle, we were posting at the same time.

Whispering! Pam, could you post the upside down cake recipe in the Food Porn Thread? Once in a while we need to go onto Phase III.

Good Friday morning!

Busy weekend for me as always.

Happy Birthday Loriann

Schmoodle I hear ya on the treats that are coming in - I swear we are receiving something everyday, yesturday it was homemade fudge - I had a piece and then stayed away. Good luck!

Hope everyone has a great weekend

Happy Birthday, Lori! I hope you have a great day!

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We're meeting MIL for lunch today since she has been unable to see DS for a few days. I need to return some stuff to her as well....nice way to get a free lunch!

Friends over tonight for pizza/cookie decorating - I have a feeling the husband of the couple is going to think that kind of stuff is lame and not participate. Thankfully DH is the type that likes to get in touch with his childlike side - especially for our son.

Not too much else on the roster - mopping the floors this morning and cleaning up the last of the cookie dishes that I was too tired to get to last night.

Have a great day, girls! I'll pop in later to check on ya'll.

Morning, everyone! Fly-in for me! Back in the office this morning and have 1 1/2 in-office days to get through the stacks!!

FYI: GM and GP are both back at home and should be fine. Both are sleeping a lot, but they've been through a lot. PTL!!

Hi Zeff and Kim. Glad to hear your GP's are doing well.

Ruth, posted as requested.

Took forever to get in here today for some reason so not much time. I do want to thank everyone who said a prayer yesterday for me. After much thought I went home and dealt with DD and DH and now I think DD finally realizes ocassionally mom does know what's best and DH has calmed down and realizes sometimes he just has to let me handle things on my own since this is his step-child.

Hope you all stay safe out there today, what strange weather. We are at 57 right now and the weather forcasters say a high of 47 (no I didn't type that backwards!) I'm in the wrong profession!

Have a great day ladies!

Happy Birthday Lori, have a good one.
Ruth - have fun making "baddies" and getting rid of them fast. I'm not looking into the Food Porn Thread.
Cottage - Hope you finally got to enjoy your coffee and nice stay at home.
Schmoodles - kids a life time committment. I have a Lindt outlet about 10 minutes from here. Haven't been there lately.
Gonnabe - have a good busy weekend.
Zeff - your DH sounds like a wonderful dad.
Kim - with GPs getting better it will be a more relaxed holiday.
Pam920- Glad that you have a recipe that reminds you of your mom. I also have a recipe for sour cream cookies that are always the first once I start baking for the Christmas holidays.
Stephanie - so happy that you have resolved some of your problems.

me - its snowing and blowing, roasted pepper soup is on and I am just getting as much done as I feel like. We are suppose to get three major snow storms by Wednesday. Ruth, I hope your travelling plans go o.k.
sophie

Schools out till next year! Of course I'll miss all my kids by next Tuesday. They were so sweet today, especially when they were leaving and getting their hugs. My personal victory was that I was 100% OP today and I feel so much better because of it. I mentioned to DH that I felt hungover last night and he chuckled and said I looked hungover as well. He was sweet and rubbed my neck while I tried to calm my raging headache.

Lori- Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy your dinner!

Ruth- You made me laugh picturing you with surgical gloves as you bake. I have to give you credit though; I don't even want to think about baking.

Cyndi- Sorry you didn't get the weather you wanted. Maybe you should put in your order for a light covering of snow a little earlier next year.

Good evening Cottage and Gonnabe165!

Schmoodle- Just be thankful that DD wasn't driving. I know it still isn't easy, but she's trying to be safe.

Pam- We will be having lasagna as well on Christmas day. It's a tradition and everyone expects me to make it. I'm trying to decide about whether to be off plan (which will probably make me feel like crud) or to make 2 meals.

Zeff- I can't believe you are still going so strong this close to your due date. Good job- just make sure to take a little time for yourself!

Kim- Don't work too hard! You seem like you are starting to feel better. I'm sure having GPs out of the hospital helps.

Pacer- Glad things are working out with DD.

Sophie-I hope you enjoyed your soup. It sounds like a perfect compliment to your weather.