Spring had better get here soon and bring me some sunshine and flowers! I am in dire need of a break from gloom and doom.

Just after I posted yesterday I got a call that my cousin Bill died after a week of palliative care. Doesn't seem fair to lose him just 6 days after losing my oldest friend. Bill and I weren't that close but he's still family and 56 is way to early to depart! I am almost afraid to check out the local news. It's a good thing I have three cheery dogs in the house.

The Jazz alarm woke me up at 5 but I ignored it for a while! Big mistake as I had to deal with a puddle in the kitchen and the overhead light burned out the minute I turned it on. "Shoulda stood in bed."

We'll see what today brings. A friend is tapping her maple trees since it looks like the sap run will start soon. I'm too wobbly to trudge through the woods drilling holes and inserting spiles but can certainly drive her team. They'll probably be pulling the sleigh instead of the wagon because of the snow but that's OK - they are Clydesdales and their feet seem to work like snowshoes. M. was going to run the tractor and snow pusher thingie through the woods if she had time before sunset yesterday.

Let's hope today turns out as planned. I need fun and laughter and maybe Baileys in my coffee.

Good morning

Ruth I am so sorry to hear about your cousin. Try to make some sunshine for yourself. Maybe treat yourself to fresh flowers and put on music you enjoy. Since DS has left, I've been listening to a lot of music when home. Helps break the silence around here. I can just picture the Clydesdales pulling the sleigh. That must be a beautiful sight.

Yesterday was truly Friday for me as I took off today. I'm going to a retirement party tonight. I just hope I don't fizzle out before then. I want to get a lot accomplished today and tomorrow. Tomorrow Joe is coming. I am giving him a sleeper chair and a half plus an ottoman for the new house. It is in perfect condition, but we picked fabric for it to be recovered. It is red plaid currently. He is going to put it in the office when he moves in. I want to get a display cabinet or bookcase for the empty space and a small chair. The sleeper is too big for where it is. I really don't know what to wear tonight. I seriously do not own a lot of clothes at all. I may actually go out and buy a new top if I get desperate.

I am finally able to wear my skinny uniform pants!!! My efforts are paying off. I honestly think this fit but is helping me. I've been tracking my calories which I normally don't do. Seems like I wasn't eating enough! The daily fluctuations are small which is great. So I must be doing something right

How's everyone's weekend looking?

Good morning, Ruth, Jennifer and chicks to come!

We a have gloriously sunny morning and the long range forecast makes it seem spring may be coming. (it may even hit you, Ruth!) I am tempted to try to take a walk outside but there is so much ice built up I'm not sure it is safe yet. During the winter I usually walk in the halls at school; it is a 1/2 mile loop around the building.

Ruth, just the other day I was wondering about the sap run. It was so warm in December and January I thought it might be a bum year but the cold in February should have helped remind the trees about the proper order of things. Enjoy your day out and I agree with Jennifer, buy yourself some flowers! I bought myself some at Valentine's Day; they were just the cheap grocery store type but I can't believe how long they lasted. Sorry to hear about your cousin.

Jennifer, congrats on the goal weight! Sounds like you have a busy day planned. Enjoy your day off and the party tonight.

I'm not sure what today's agenda is. Maybe a book...oh, and laundry of course.

But first, coffee! Anyone else want some?

Good morning,

The sun is finally shining here, it is going into the mid 50's today so I will take it. Today is just errands and cleaning on the agenda and maybe that run to home depot today. My scale moved again in the right direction so I am happy today.

Ruth thinking of you today sounds like a fun event for you

Jekel when I used to have to wear a uniform, I didn't have too many clothes either, now I have too many but don't have hardly anything really dressy though.

Beth if you go walking outside be careful.

Have a wonderful Saturday everyone!

Good morning up early after getting home late thanks to the dogs. That's ok as I still have a lot to do before Joe comes. The retirement party was really great. Even ate pretty healthy and only one glass of wine. It was funny, no one recognized me with my curly hair! My voice was fading by the time I left. Between the music and the amount of people you had to shout just to be heard. Guess I am getting old. I did manage to do my weekly shopping last night. Thankfully I can stay home and putter around here.

I decided to cook tonight as I got a really good deal on filet mignon. Truthfully I want to stay in sweats today lol. I was all dolled up last night. I actually wore eyeshadow and painted my nails!!! I like having one day off in my super comfy clothes. Besides a nap might be on the agenda later.

Coffee is ready. Grab a mug!

Lost my post but good morning and thanks for filling my mug.

A springlike day is ahead and I see the next two weeks are all above freezing, I even see a 52ºF. Unfortunately the night temps are also above freezing - not good for the sap flow. (The sap goes up the trees in the warmth and back down when the temp drops. If that doesn't happen it just stays up in the branches and the season is short!) Lots of farmers depend on the $$ from syrup sales for seed purchases so ... poor year = grumpy farmers! I'm glad I helped Madeleine get an early start yesterday.

This has been a very hard week for me although the dogs have had a ball with Cousin Angus the Springer who is currently sleeping on my feet with his big Stuffy Dog tightly gripped in his teeth so the little dogs won't take it. Tomorrow morning, I have Quilting and his family will be home late afternoon. Although he has a ball with his two small cousins, he will go out of his mind when he sees his real family!

Not sure what today will bring except sunshine and more water in Lake Sheridan which means muddy paw time has arrived. I still have not put out my Spring wreath. Today may be the day!

Good morning Chicks Been up for awhile getting little things done. The weekends DH works tend to be non-stop chores and this weekend is no exception. I am going to my chiropractor this morning, so that will be a nice, and needed, break. Yesterday was a muffin day. I made breakfast muffins and some PB banana muffins for the week. Today I'll get my sprouted seeds planted and some cleaning done.

Ruth - So sorry to hear about your cousin. What a tough stretch
I hope this week is easier. Spring is headed here too. They've been tapping here for a couple of weeks, some people started really early because of hte weather. Not sure how it's going. I'm going to cover my gardens with plastic so they are warm enough for planting soon. I might be a little impatient

Jennifer - Napping and comfy clothes sounds like a perfect day! Enjoy

Beth - The woods are a challenge here too. We like to take Cricket on the paths behind us because she can be a free dog, but the ice is sticking to those trails. My yard is terrifying too. It really does feel like an early spring, so I can wait a little longer

Rose - Hope you got all the errands done yesterday and have a little relaxing time today.

Time to get to it. The sun is out and I need a walk later!

Good morning!

It's been a few busy days now I sm running late for work. Nice here but snow on Tuesday

Good morning,

Today is our last day of sunshine for a about 4 days. It is going to be rainy and more rainy for the next days and of course I am going in for the first 3 days of the week into work for interviews and more interviews

Yesterday, I did manage to get my errands run and scored a sale on carpet tile in the color that DD2 wanted so I bought enough to carpet the room. Now I just need to work around DD2 work schedule and sleep times to get it laid down. (she works overnights so sleeps during the daytime).

Going to watch DS play Hockey today at 1 p.m. I still need to vacuum the upstairs but did get most of the cleaning done yesterday.

Jekel glad you had fun at the party, I would stay in comfy clothes today too.

Ruth I hope most of them started early to get a bit more sap.

Cyndi hope the Chiropractor helps today. I have found that the inversion table really helps when I have an achy back, I get on it for about 10 minutes and that helps a lot.

Debbie hope your work day goes by quickly.

Have a wonderful Sunday

Good morning. I was up early and got quite a bit done in the kitchen. I've got hard-boiled eggs ready to devil, Kalyn's egg muffins for DH, and a batch of PB ricotta and almond-pumpkin muffins for the freezer. Oh, and chicken in the crockpot. There are many chores I don't do in my jammies but somehow baking muffins seems to be a natural fit.

Yesterday was fairly productive; DH decided he wanted his recliner cleaned and once the upholstery machine is out you might as well do the couch and other chairs, right? And then the living room rug. So this morning I have a clean house to admire.

Ruth, I will have to ask the locals about the sap run. We have warm temperatures as well this week and some of the lows are above freezing. Work for me but I know it can mess things up for syrup production.

Jennifer, glad you had a good time last night and found something to wear. Have a good day off; I say a nap is a must!

Cyndi, we still have snow on the ground and a thick layer of ice in the driveway; no garden prepping yet! But I did pre-order a ground cover assortment the other day. We need to redo the pavers near the back door and I thought something growing in between them might be nice. Have a productive day!

Debbie, may you have a lucrative work day!

I guess I need to refill my cup and figure out what's next. enjoy the day, chicks!