It's Friday!

This week has seemed especially busy, and I'm determined to have a restful and restorative weekend. The shopping and baking are done, so all that's left is the gift-wrapping, which is Jake's job, and that will get done this weekend.

The party preparations went well yesterday at the farm, and I left just as the first guests starting arriving, so I wouldn't be tempted by the food or the wine. There were many delicious smells wafting out of the kitchen all day, and that was a challenge in itself.

So pour a mug of your favorite morning brew and come and chat a bit before the day gets ahead of you.

Good Morning!

Cottage, I'm proud of you for being strong yesterday!

Jeff got home from the hospital late last night. My MIL's white blood count is 400. A healthy person's count is 8,000-9,000. This last round of chemo has kicked her bottom.

Today is our office Christmas party. We are going to the Red Lobster. I'm sure I can find a healthy option. I'm going to stop at a Cracker Barrel on the way home to get cool stocking stuffers.

Tomorrow is Auston's 8th birthday. Want me to tell you about his birth?

Chelby, I'm continuing to keep your MIL in my thoughts and prayers. That chemo is some nasty stuff. It always seriously messes with my mother's blood count, too, and makes her extremely anemic. Thank's for offering to share the details of Auston's birth with us, LOL! Have fun at your Christmas party today, and you should be able to find some great stocking stuffers at Cracker Barrel.

Good morning, Cottage and Chelby. I woke thinking it was Saturday and that I'd forgotten book Club. Such relief!

Linda, I bet the smell of catered food was tempting. Things usually seem better when someone else cooks it.

Michelle, I read your post yesterday about your MIL. Poor lady! That blood counts sounds really serious. Yes, do tell us about Auston's birth sometime. Was there a star?

Well, I was feeling down because of the heavy rain yesterday but at noon I decided to get over myself and drove to town. I got some new outside lights and other boring stuff and stocked up at Bulk Barn. I was home by four and it was already dark. Never mind, a week from today it'll be on the upswing towards brighter.

I'm hoping to get another load of doggie treats into the dehydrator before Donna gets here. She is set to really scrub my kitchen floor so I need to get outta there. I plan to get caught up on accounting postings and clear my desk for a while although I will have Mill donation tax receipts to write.

Time to get on with the day. TGIF and not Saturday!

Good morning friends It's a gray and very windy day here. Yikes, driving up the interstate in my little fuel efficient care when the wind is howling isn't a lot of fun. Still better than the other possibilities this time of year.

Cottage - Congratulations on your party treats success. Hope there's plenty of relaxing over your long weekend. I know you will be busy next weekend!

Chel- Thinking of all of you and hoping things look up for your MIL. Sure, tell us about Austin's birth. Everything about him is so entertaining

Ruth - Bulk Barn sounds like an interesting place. I have to admit I'm kind of liking the not snow so far. I know there will be plenty soon enough and I'll be really sick of it by March, so I can wait

Same plan today - hospital, work, visiting. Not sure if DW will get sprung today or not. The IV treatment isn't working as thoroughly as last time so now they are tweaking her meds. Everything about this stupid thing is trial and error and very individual. I've been talking the speech therapist about foods, textures, etc so I can figure out what to prep. Once again I don't know how people who don't love cooking and experimenting get through these things, but maybe I just place a higher premium on having yummy and healthy foods when healing? Today I'm bringing her a mango peach smoothie, some pumpkin chai, mashed cauliflower, pureed homemade applesauce, and a piece of that mock gingerbread. Not sure how much of that will work but she has lots of options

Time to get rolling. Happy Friday!

Good Morning

Thanks for getting us started, Linda! I hope you have a restful and restorative weekend!

Ruth, glad you didn't miss book club. I have to come here to find out what day it is sometimes, too.

Chelby, sending supportive thoughts for your MIL. Looking forward to the story tomorrow!

Cyndi, I hope your drive is uneventful. I hope, too, that some of the healthy foods you bring agree with Julie.

Yesterday was incredibly busy and I ended up with a lingering headache. It's still with me this morning and I feel like I'm trying to get sick. We've decided to skip water aerobics in the cold and head to the pool at 10 to soak and visit with friends. I have a long list of things I could accomplish at home and I think I'll just putter for awhile.

Have a great day everyone!

Morning all!

Cottage - the way you start us off - you have a way with words. You should write Hallmark cards !

Chelby - Hope your MIL starts getting well soon and that Big A has a great bday!

Ruth - have a great day

Cyn - Hugs to J. The mock gingerbread was eaten more than I thought at the office (took your advice and doubled all spices but clove - though I had no baking soda/powder so I had to use a bit of buckwheat pancake mix, lol). Consistency was off (mouse) but it was good so thanks!

As for me, I am heading up to NY in about 90 minutes. Actually, tonight in NJ at my good friend's from High School so I can give her gifts and see some friends. Then NY to see my sister, niece and nephew and give them gifts, spend some time before going to my BFF's - we're doing matron of honor duties - taking her to David's Bridal to try on dresses then meeting the other two in the wedding party to talk plans, play cards and catch up. Should be fun!

Then Sunday I see my brother and maybe father (grrr) before heading back here. Busy times. No computer either so I will see you all on Sunday! Happy weekend!

ETA: Hi Debbie! Putter away!

Quick check in for me:

Chelby hope your MIL feels better soon.

Busy at work, I finally bought some cards now have to do them this weekend and get in the mail.

Have a great afternoon

Hey, all!

Worked out with my mom and trainer this morning but had to modify stuff for my darn calf. Did some Jane Fonda reminiscent leg lifts. Ouch. Slept funny the other night so now I have a stiff neck and shoulder to balance out my bum leg Will do a bit more wrapping today and will be caught up on that until a few last gifts come next week. Been playing around with the new Facebook format. Anyone done that yet? I'm not sure I like it and it is a major time drain! Off to make some green bean fries now...

Hey everyone,
Sorry for the late check in. I did get up to exercise this morning, which was great. It's my goal to do this each day until the new year (and beyond, of course), just so I don't get sidelined by the water weight that accompanies the beginning of a new exercise routine when I do Phase 1 starting in January. At work today I accomplished a very onerous task which I had been putting off literally since April (cataloguing event photos). I am so on track to finish up ANY and ALL pending items at work before we go on break.

Now, just a relaxing evening at home...I made my kale gratin to bring to my mom's tomorrow already, so it's just a matter of getting dinner together for everyone. I am also bringing a lot of laundry to my mother's tomorrow, something I would not normally do (just don't want to hear it from her), but since our elevator is still out of commission, I don't want to pay $50 to have it done at the laundromat. I guess the nagging lecture will be work it to save $50.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Friday night!

ETA: Chelby and Cyndi, thinking of you both with your loved ones. It's really hard.
Jenne - the next time you are in the city, we should meet for coffee!