It's snowing and there's about an inch on the ground. It's going to be a long winter.

Jake is home this morning, so he had the coffee ready. I have the morning off, so I can just sit back and enjoy the snow. It's supposed to clear out by noon, so the roads should be fine.

Okay, that does it - I'm getting my snow tires put on this morning. I hate the noise but I hate sliding around even more. We don't have any snow in our forecast until next week, just very, very cold air What a good morning to have off Cottage

I've got a half work half errands day today, than an evening out at the Pub with work friends. I'll have to make my plan carefully. Morning is work at home, afternoon is Whole Foods & Trader Joe and maybe a stop at BJs for babybels (I'm addicted to those things!).

What's on your agenda for the day?

Brrr here too! After nagging CyndiM about her avatar, I decided it's time to change mine. Winterberry is only semi-Christmassy - my personal rule is no Christmas decorations until two weeks before the day.

Although I am going to be away for the week at Christmas, I will still put up "winter" decorations outside. I also will do some indoor decorating, of course - Christmas is a season, not just one day.

Time for puppy cuddling with my second coffee. That's the new routine for bit the dogs - Disney is sitting on the couch waiting right now! Jazz still can't climb up but he's working on it.

Have a Friday full of warm spots - warm, not wet!

EDTA: 'Mornin', Cyndi. Yes, get the darned tires on! Noise? Are your snow tires studded? Mine don't make noise - unless I'm going deaf!

Wooo-ooo! I got in early today, where is everyone?!? Yesterday was a page already at 7:20!!

Cottage - agreed...it will probably be a long winter. But we can't wait to go sledding! My coffee is good, how about yours? (I won some free gourmet coffee from a local roaster - yum!)

Me - I think it is a S-L-O-W day at work, which is a wonderful contrast from the rest of the week! I finally made a chiropractor appointment to, so hopefully that'll start feeling better. And I should actually gave time for a run today...I don't have much extra time lately, I'm afraid I'll start packin' it on again!

Have a great Friday everyone!

Shooooot- two more people posted while I was working on mine (and getting kids ready...):

Cyndi - Hmmm...Vermont and hating the cold....relocate?!?

Ruth - sounds fun cuddling with some puppies! I can call on my cats...they're more than willing....

Good morning, CYNDI! Are we the only ones up? That's a good idea to get your snow tires put on now, before you need them. I like being prepared. We all use the all-season tires here, but I could sure use snow tires for the roads I have to drive on! Hope you find some goodies during your shopping expedition, I can find BabyBels at my TJ's, by the way.

Oops! I see that RUTH is up. Good morning!

Ruth - Yeah, they're studded. I love my 40 mpg Echo but it is very light and I drive almost 60 miles just back and forth to work, so taking no chances. Puppy cuddling sounds like the perfect morning activity. My kitty has a similar bedtime routine. If I do anything that indicates to him that it's almost time he jumps up on the corner of the bed and meows at me until I get in there

Twynn - I moved here - from the upstate NY snowbelt. Ever lived with lake effect snow? It may be cold here but we never get that much snow at one time. I do love the mountains and pines and lack of people everywhere, so I guess I'm stuck.

Cottage - I'll have to check the price at TJ. I don't plan to keep the BJs membership because there is nothing else there we eat. It was a promotional thing so we figured we would check it out. Thanks for the tip Picking up more of that chorizo too - what a great crockpot ingredient.

Time for breakfast

Whoooo Friday!!!

Cottage enjoy your morning off.

Cyndi I hear you on the snow, I used to live in the snow belt in Michigan and sure don't miss it! We don't get alot of snow in our parts of Indiana but when we do these people don't know how to drive!

Ruth my mom always had a rule the tree never went up before my birthday (the 12th) I've broken that tradition and now put up after Thanksgiving but usually by the day after christmas I am sick of looking at it.

Twynn here's wishing you the slow day you desire!

Look at me I did personals! What does Lisa say? Hot Digity Daffodil?

Ladies my baby DD is joining the Marines. Going for her physical Monday and will sign in December. Wow do I have mixed emotions! Atleast I have until July to prepare for her going off to training. I thought I cried when I sent the oldest to college!

Hope you all have a great day, and I will check back later!

Look out weekend cause here I come!!!!

Cottage SNOW! I want to see some snow.

Cyndi be sure to take care of the snow tires

Ruth puppy cuddling on a cold day sounds great - enjoy!

Have a great Friday Twynn

Stephanie the marines. I remember when my cousin went right out of high school made him a better person in so many ways. After 3 tours in Iraq he is now retired and works for a big private co. in California (very successful)
She will definetly come out with lots of knowledge for her future. Congrats on passing your test

Zeff thanks for the helpful hints with my calf - it's not 100% but it's feeling much better today

Bit of a busy weekend - family dinner tonight at Copelands then Saturday is errands, housework and a birthday dinner to go to, Sunday will be Jags game.

Good morning to those to follow!

19 right now! High of 33? At least the sun is shining, right? I don't wannnnnnna go out in the cold! WHINE. Maybe I can get Tom to start my car for me....

Running late. Gotta get in the shower. Have a good one girls!

Well, I think I'll just keep the camera. I emailed the company and got this speedy response: I guess I missed that on the website. It was half the price of those in the store so...... Keeping it also saves me driving to town again where I would have to resist the siren call of the Chinese Buffet!

Now to just get on with it and try to resist setting up the camera for puppy pictures. I have exactly one month before I leave for Christmas with my DD and sure have a ton of stuff to do before then. I want to send the gifts by mail before then. I don't trust checked luggage and I'd have to go naked if I tried them in carry-on! I need a private jet!

Pacergal, I am sure you will be very, very proud to see your DD in the Marines but part of your heart will feel torn away when she leaves.

Gonna, want to trade lives for a month or two this winter? Or shall I just ship you some of the white stuff? Our long range forecast is for lots of it this year. At least it's not brown and stinky!

Quite stalling, Ruthie, and get on with your day!

Good morning ladies!! Happy FRIDAY!!!!!
Cottage - How nice that your DH fixed you coffee!!! If I talk my dh through the whole process he can make coffee, but then what's the point. However I do appreciate that he's trying. What did you think of tribal counsel last night?? And don't you just love Bob!

Cyndi - Sorry to hear that it's so cold and you have to put your snow tires on. Such a strange concept to me (having only lived in So. Cal.). I hope you have fun shopping this afternoon!

Ruth - That's impressive that your decorations don't go up until 2 weeks before Christmas. How long do you leave them up?? I enjoy mine so much I would hate to only enjoy them for a couple of weeks. However, I am a stickler, nothing goes up until the day after Thanksgiving.

Tywnn - Enjoy your slow day and Chiropractic appointment. I know I really look forward to my adjustments.

Stephanie - First off....congrats on passing your test! Good job! You must be a ball of emotions with your DD decision. But what an honor!!! I'm sure she will be just fine.

Gonnabe - Sounds like a fun weekend. Good luck at the game!

Lisa - Stay warm!!!!

Me - I finally had my very quiet night yesterday. It was lovely....however, it was much deserved. I took some kids on a fieldtrip yesterday, and while we were out, one of my students got caught smoking marijuana in the restroom. I was so hurt and embarrassed. We had someone come and pick him up and he's suspended from school today, however, I was not happy. I hoping today will be better all around at work.
Tonight I've got an adjustment coming my way (much needed) and then we have my schools holiday party @ Dave and Busters. Should be fun. But I've got to be home at a reasonable hour since I have USO in the morning.
Have a fantastic Friday, ladies!!!
BLESSINGS!

Ruth I just luv you to pieces

Hmac I am so sorry for you, you poor thing. Today is a new day and it will be better - God is in control

Good Morning Ladies- Been a while since I did personals, so much going on lately- mostly being that I threw out my back and haven't been sitting in front of the computer much!

Hmac- Sorry to her about your student! Sounds as if you will have a blast tonight!

Ruth-Love the new avatar- and I am hopnig for warm instead of wet as well

Weezle- Brrrrr stay warm!!!

gonnabe- sounds like a busy weekend! Have fun! who do yall play? Vikings?

Pacer- I am sure there are mixed emotions about your dd gong into the marines, but I am thankful for her and everyone else who has ever and will ever join- I have many friends in the military- and none of them are as proud as my friend who is in the marines

Cyndi- get those snow tires put on! No since in waiting any longer- I woke up to flurries here in lil ol tennessee-lol, nothing stuck but we never get any snow before January and its only december!!!

Cottage- enjoy the snow, I wish I had an inch of the stuff too since I am off today, but the small flurry I saw this morning was enough to make my day already!

Twynn- enjoy your slow day and your chiro appt!

Me- Well, I am still recovering from my stupid back going out... Its really just not fair that you can hurt yourself that badly doing nothing... I was changing the liner in a trash can for goodness sake!!!!! enough ranting about it.. I have been laying around all week thank goodness it was a very slow week at my work so I wasn't really missing anything... It will still look horrible when it comes to paycheck time though!!! oh well, better than suffering longer than I needed to- I probably shouldve went to the doctor, but oh yeah, I said I was going to stop ranting... DONE.

So, on the agenda today is cleaning up- light light housework... maybe a couple loads of laundry, making a few Christmas gifts so I can give them while we are in our hometown for Thanksgiving, I am making candle rings for a few friends... I also need to clean all the bathrooms and put away the dishes-return a movie and maybe get another

OK, off to go check out the accountability thread- you guys are making me look bad! But you're fabulous!!!!!

Heather, I'm just loving this season of Survivor! This season has been so good, and I couldn't be happier with what happened last night! That's such a shame what happened on your school outing, but you did the right thing.

I hope your back is better, rdw!

GONNABE, I'm glad your calf is feeling better today, too.

Stephanie, I can certainly understand your mixed emotions, that would be hard.

Lisa, bundle up!

Ruth, I can understand why you're keeping the camera now, that explains it. We hope to see lots of puppy pictures!

Good morning all! Sorry for being MIA the past two days. I threw my back out on Wednesday and have been unable to sit at my desk for more than a few minutes. I'm at work right now, but barely hanging on. I hope I at least make it through lunch.

On a good note, the scale FINALLY moved! I'm down 2.8 lbs from last Friday! I'm just going to do my best to keep up my exercise. That seems to be the difference.