Good morning - at least I hope it is for you. We are cold as usual, but, as Beth says, weather crabbing is a sign of old age! Choose your crabby!

My chosen crabby this morning is a Keurig malfunction! The darned little cup didn't sit snugly on the spike that the water comes from so my mug was full of fine coffee grounds - the last pod of that box. I did an el cheapo and strained the coffee through a J-cloth, then reheated it in the micro! Am I addicted to coffee? YES!!!!

Nice long talk with my DD yesterday since she had the day off. (She works nights at the nursing home so daytime is sleeping time.) She's hoping to work in a trip here this summer and maybe will be here for Christmas! Money is the problem, of course, and she's too darned proud to accept any of my Air Miles. I'll keep working on that! Airfare from Nanaimo, BC to Ottawa is awful!

Trash day today so I need to get dressed soon. Jammies just don't cut it when it's this cold. In spring and summer I actually enjoy doing trash run and can hang out a while and admire the morning. These days we don't get a crack of light until nearly 7:30 so not much lingering is done.

Still need to pack away some Christmas stuff before Michelle arrives around noon. I plan to get her to carry the boxes and bins upstairs. I can do stairs OK and carry boxed OK but not at the same time! Damned lazy knees. Yes, I know where the tree stand is - the box is even labelled.

Enjoy your Thursday.

It's a balmy 22 degrees out here right now...getting into the 30's. Break out the shorts! (not) At least my kids finally found their pair of gloves, so I don't have to get more. They seem to not have the concept that if you lose a pair, you have to spend $$ to buy another one. *gasp*

The Mexican crockpot was a hit last night (of course). I was going to boil down a chicken for soup, but I know it wipes out my arms (I take off the skin first)...so bonus! We'll have roast chicken tonight, then boil down the leftovers for soup tomorrow night. Mmmmm and maybe roasted red skin potatoes....

Hope everyone has a great day!

Good morning, Ruthie, and everyone. I'm enjoying my cup of groundfree coffee while I'm snuggled under a quilt. But I've had that problem before, and had to pour the coffee through a strainer. I hope that's the only blip in your day, Ruth.

I went to Maggie's Winter Band Concert last night, and really enjoyed it. It's amazing how talented and dedicated those kids are, and they really put on a great concert! It was over at 8:30, so I drove home afterwards, rather than staying at the farm. I don't like driving on back roads at night, but it was a clear night and the roads were fine, so it wasn't bad at all.

I'll have a short day today since the family is leaving for the airport at 1pm, and they won't be back until late in the afternoon on Tuesday. I did volunteer to go over to feed the dogs and let them out to run around, but her groom and I are taking turns.

Anyone ready for a refill?

Morning! A quick post since I need to be on my way and I am posting from my kindle which drives me nuts, it's just convenient to read while I eat my omelet.

Chilly here too;DH already rolled out the trash but I will take out the recycle bin when I go.

Tammy, glad you are feeling better.
Ruth, I've noticed a bit more daylight in the afternoon which is nice.
Cottage, does this equate to a couple days off? Enjoy it.

Got to go! Happy Thursday.

ETA- guess I'm as bad as the kids, bringing my kindle to the breakfast table!

Good morning.

I'm finally packed! It took the entire afternoon yesterday. Then last night we ran errands, doing some returns, buying another luggage lock, and DH wanted a new fleece sweater. I was worn out! The only thing I didn't get to is to go through the many papers and documents, making sure we have everything, and getting them organized. Will do one last load of laundry this morning so we don't have any extra when we get home beyond the travel clothes.

BIL is picking us up a noon. Our first flight leaves just after 2pm and we probably won't get to the hotel in Quito until the wee hours of the morning. Brief overview: 3 nights in Quito, then we travel south through mainland Ecuador for a few days, returning to Quito for a couple more nights (and laundry!) before heading to the Galapagos Islands on the 23rd. Cruise is 8 days, then a very long trek home, arriving Feb 1.

Catch you all next month!

Good morning!

Karen, have a wonderful and safe journey!

I'm just getting up and had the pups out for my first cuppa coffee I'll be back later

Morning!

I am home sick today with some stomach issues so I have time to do some morning hellos!

Ruth - I'm an el cheapo too!!!
Twynn - come cook for me????
Cottage - I am not a fan of driving at night on ANY road. Glad you are safe
Beth - have a good one!
Karen - Have a BLAST!!!!!!! Be safe and remember, I have no bail money
Debbie - I am with you - off for coffee. Doesn't help that I live across from a starbucks!

Hope all have a good day! I will be sleeping (I hope) this bug off!

Good morning temps are tolerable here. Ruth I went out in my robe and jammies. Today is co-mingled recyleables. We really do share a lot about our lives here

Tammy Mexican casserole is my favorite. So easy and tasty

Linda glad you enjoyed the concert. I am not a fan of driving at night anymore.

Karen your trip sounds like it will be amazing.

Morning Debbie, Beth and chicks to come. Hope your day goes smoothly.

Nothing exciting planned today. I may go to the store DS needs milk and I veggies for snacking. Otherwise I am pretty well stocked. Joe and I had a nice dinner out. We picked this place because we both like their color scheme. Luckily the manager knew where their paint was purchased. So today I can call Sherwin Williams and get the information for Joe. Talk about romance discussing paint over dinner lol. There will be no discussion over the food porn, that's private ��

So today I am back on track, which has been pretty much my norm. I cannot believe Jaunary is half way through. If I am going to hit my goal I better really get my act together......or hope for a miracle lol

Have a great day!!!

Good morning,

It is going to hit the 40's today whewhoo! I am so excit3ed lol!

Ruth good idea to have Michelle lug the boxes up for you.

Tywnn your food sounds yummy, I made steaks and baked sweet potatoes for dinner last night yum

Cottage I am with everyone hate driving at night I just can't see as well as during the day and it bothers me

Beth enjoy your day

Karen have a wonderful time on your trip can't wait to hear how it goes

Debbie enjoy your day

Jenn hope you feel better

Jekel how is DS doing? Any plans what he wants to do?

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Good morning!

Ruth - I completely understand the grounds thing! My Keurig does that from time to time as well but normally it happens to DH and he is not happy about it!

Tammy - My son was always awful about losing just one glove. He hated it when I made him wear non-matching gloves. I would just remind him that he did it to himself! I’m such a mean momma!!

Linda - I’ll take that refill!!

Beth - Have a great day!

Karen - Have a wonderful trip!! Can’t wait to hear all about it. I’ll have to go back in the previous posts though because we don’t get back from our cruise until the 8th.

Debbie - Good morning to you too!

Jenn - Oh no, I hope you feel better soon!

Jennifer - Paint romance is the best romance!

I’m working this morning but will be taking an extended lunch break to go have coffee with an old friend I haven’t seen in years (even though we both live in the same smallish town). DH is going down to Boulder to meet some of his buddies from his military days so I figured it would be a good time to hook up with one of my old friends too! I’m sure our discussions will be much more interesting than theirs!!

Everyone have an awesome day!!

Good morning

Ruth. We drag our garbage to the curb in the mornings too. The racoons around here are too smart.

Tammy sounds like some of your energy is coming back. Its a good thing.

Linda. It will be nice to have some time off.

Karen. Bon voyage.

Everyone else have a nice day.

got to skip.
take care
Sophie