Good morning, ladies! Sorry to have been so MIA lately, but I've just been busy. Mom is flying in on Tuesday and will be here for a week. This is a HUGE step for her as it's the first time she's actually coming to visit me. She's still not thrilled that her baby girl moved 1,200 miles away, but at least she's finally making the effort to see where I live now. I bought her plane tickets for her as a Christmas present and then surprised her with tickets to see The Rockettes and Phantom of the Opera. Speaking of...hey, Jekel, you gonna be around on Sunday Nov. 30th and Monday Dec. 1st? We'll be in NYC both days. We could grab a coffee or something if you wanted to.

Things otherwise are pretty good. Jaime and I just passed 8 months of dating. Mom really liked him (so much so that she's already hoping for a ring for Christmas, LMFAO). I had to tell her to slow down...I'm not even ready for a ring yet! Nothing against people that DO get engaged that quickly, but I feel that people tend to rush things these days instead of getting to know each other and taking the time to woo each other. I look forward to getting to know him better and becoming a part of his daughter's life...I don't want to rush into it.

I know all our Canadian ladies have already had Thanksgiving, but what's everybody in the states got planned? My roommate and I will be cooking for my mom and her parents. I think my mom still doesn't believe it's true...she's asked me at least 2 dozen times "I don't have to cook anything, right? You're going to do everything? And I can just sit on the couch and drink my wine?" Yes mother, yes to all of those, LOL

Alright, ladies, it is my Day 3 out of 4...1 more day and then I'm off for 9 days straight! So excited! What's everybody got planned for this weekend? I'll be throwing chili in the crockpot this morning and then watching my dawgs win a football game. Go Dawgs!

Good morning, Natasha, and thanks for starting us up so early. Sounds like you have a great Thanksgiving Day planned. I'm sure your Mother will enjoy just sitting back and sipping her wine.

I wish I could sleep in on Saturdays but I was wide awake at 5! Could have used it today as I am fighting some sort of cold that comes and goes. Felt cruddy at supper last night so cancelled out on Book Club.

Lots of stuff happening around the Village today as it's the start of Celebrate The Season. They did a trial run of the lights in the Park last night and it looked just great from my bedroom window. Tonight we add Mill Tours, a church dinner and strolling carolers dressed in Victorian costumes. Fingers crossed that the freezing rain doesn't happen.

I have to be on duty in the Town Hall starting at 5 and am at a loss over how to keep myself busy. We have to be open because of the washrooms and to give people a place to warm up. I may take some hand sewing and settle down in the Office. On the other hand, I could get my cookie doughs organized and do some baking in the kitchen. (My darned oven at home is not working - top element doesn't turn on. No wonder the self-clean feature didn't do a great job!)

The dogs have gone back to bed. Maybe I should too. On the other hand, I could have another coffee and finish the last chapter of the book that's due back at the library this morning.

So happy pre-Thanksgiving weekend, American Sprouts. I'll be waiting for the smell of roast turkey to waft across the mighty St. Lawrence!

Good morning.

We are getting busier at the store so I'm working more. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, Monday... I did get a new pair of running shoes that I wore to work yesterday and they might just be okay!!! Don't love the look or feel (which I think will be fine after I break them in) but my feet didn't hurt, so I think I can live with them.

Almost have the Thanksgiving menu set; waiting to hear back from my SIL. Will probably shop for that on Monday. Baking is done but not much else.

Have a great weekend.

Good morning

Organizing cookie dough???? Believe me it wouldn't last in my house lol. I am skipping baking this year. Don't need the added temptation. Now Ruth if your cookie dough needs a good home I could help

Natasha I am off!!! Monday should work as Sunday I am taking DS back to college. The tree is up just not lit yet. It is so nice mom is finally coming for a visit. A hopefully this is the first of many.

Karen glad the sneakers worked out yesterday. Hope the holiday shoppers behave.

We are going to my SIL's for Thanksgiving. I miss my traditional Thanksgivings growing up. Now with mom in VA and most of my extended relatives moved, deceased or the ex husband's Things have changed. I don't get into the holidays like I used to (I always hosted) believe me I am OK with not hosting. I love my half siblings, but our backgrounds are vastly different when it comes to holidays. Stuffing is replaced with arroz con gandules, mashed potatoes is now potatoe salad and macaroni and cheese replaces well pretty much all the turnips, yams etc. I wouldn't change them for anything in the world. Pastelles will also be served and my SIL's MIL's guacamole and mole sauce. Lol we celebrate Puerto Rican and Mexican pilgrims. We share the same father, although he is only my father in name. I grew up in a traditional Irish meat and potatoes home. My siblings with the culture of Puerto Rico. I missed a lot of yummy food growing up so as an adult I am enjoying learning and experiencing my other half.

We actually resemble each other which is cool!

Good morning!

It's nice to hear from you, Natasha, and your Thanksgiving plans sounds wonderful. I hope your mother enjoys her visit, and I do envy her for not having to lift a finger to help!

Ruth, don't you dare get sick now! We have less than 2 weeks until our vacation in Cape May. Take good care of yourself and get plenty of rest! I will miss not having your here to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with us, but look forward to the week after.

I need to go buy a vacuum cleaner (for the farm) today. I have carte blanche to get whatever I want, and I'm thinking I'll probably get a Shark, since it's just for a spare. Then I want to go to Charming Charlie's to look for accessories in red. We're supposed to decorate ourselves for Christmas for our Red Hat Christmas party, and I want to start getting ideas.

Yikes! My coffee got cold while I was typing, so I need a refill. Have a great weekend, and enjoy your day!

As you can tell, I am the tall one. Thanks to my grandpa's genes.

Good morning, chicks!
Somehow I woke up with a rush of motivation so I've started some laundry and have been making my grocery list. I will try to do my shopping early today before the stores get busy.

Natasha, good to see you! And it's great that your Mom is coming to visit.
Ruth, I hope you feel better soon. I'll look for the glow in the northern sky tonight.
Karen, shoes are tough. Too often I make do with a pair that doesn't fit quite right and then regret it. I've been trying to make better choices as I get older.

Ok, off to refill my coffee. Have a great day, chicks!

Good morning, Karen and Jennifer!

Karen, I hope these new shoes work for you!

Jennifer, for the first time ever, I'm not baking cookies for Christmas this year, either. Jake and I shouldn't be eating them, and I always end up throwing out plenty after the holidays, anyway. That's a great picture of you and your siblings, and you do all look alike!

Holy cow! I hit "post" and suddenly there was a whole flock of chicks on this beach! Good morning, Jennifer and Linda!

I slept until 7:20!!! WOOT WOOT! Jealous, Ruth?!

Nathasha - so glad everything is going well for you. Enjoy your visit with your mom!

Jennifer - what a lovely picture! My thanksgivings switched a lot moving to the south (turnip greens and roots, etc), but a lot of the dishes are good options. Yours sounds different but delicious!

Ruth - I'd be freaking out if my oven was busted. Of course, my oven repair guy is a sweetie that is a good (ex) client that had a heart transplant. His wife told me she thinks he secretly is hoping my oven breaks so he can visit .

Beth - glad someone got a rush of motivation!

Linda - when is your show? Did I already miss it?!

Karen - you have gone to a running store to get fitted before, right? Maybe go to a foot specialist? That would be horrible to always have sore feet!

I am so excited that I slept in today! Yay Saturday! I want to get the house cleaned up, and menu and groceries taken care of. I also need to make snack for bible study tomorrow night. I get tired so easily though, so I'll just do it in parts and take breaks in between. Never expected an illness like this at my age , although it's a great excuse to take a nap!

Have a great day everyone!

Good Morning

I slept in (for me) until 5….woke with a burst of energy. It's my last day off and if I get the house cleaned I can have it to myself (and count it as exercise) so I am off and running!

Natasha, thanks for getting us started and updating us on everything. I hope you have a wonderful week with your mom!

Twynn, I am jealous I hope you get all your chores done so you can fit that nap in!

Beth, I did the same thing….at least we all show up! Yay for motivation! Me, too!

Jennifer, what a lovely picture! I do see the resemblance! I'm not excited about baking this year, either. DD married a man from Mexico so now all parties have different foods, too. I don't mind some change!

Linda, hope you find some "red"

Karen, I used to work retail and loved this time of year Keeping my fingers crossed that the new shoes work.

Ruth, enjoy your festive day!

Enjoy your day everyone!

Good morning,

I slept in til 7:30 a.m. this morning, felt great! Last night I got all of the grocery shopping done for Thanksgiving. I like a lot of company for Thanksgiving but for the last few years it has just been my family. Extended family lives so far away it is hard for everyone to get together.

Today we are supposed to go to St. Louis for the light ceremony, hopefully the rain we stay away.

Natasha great that your mom is coming to visiit

Ruth I hope you feel better soon

Karen glad you found a pair that might work out for you

Jekel I see the resemble as well. We never have Turkey that is about the only thing untraditional, we always have a Ham.

Cottage hope you find something in red

Beth hope the stores are not to crazy today

Tywnn glad you will be able to fit in naps today in between your activiities

Debbie hope you to get the house to yourself today.

Have a great day everyone!

Good . rning

Natasha. Enjoy you mother/daughter time. How exciting to be in Nyc

Ruth. Christmas sounds so nice in delta. Bummer on the stove

Karen hope your shoes work out

Jen lovely picture

Linda. I wonder if you really won't be baking. Ever since I joined this forum I always remember baking up a storm.

Pearlrose. Ham is a nice option

Debbie. Tske some me time today

Beth. Have fun shopping

well I blew it last night with a very off plan meal. Today will be a challenge too. Have a nice day
take care
Sophie

Tammy. Yea on sleeping in don't overdo it

Good Morning

I'm up having me time before I head in to work. Sundays are short-I work the back room which closes as soon as the big rush is over. The thing I like the best is it's the most exercise.

I work the next three days and pick my sis up at airport Tuesday eve. We haven't decided if we'll drive all the way over but she has treatments on Wednesday....soak in the pool Thanksgiving morn and drive back over where we will have simple dinner. She flies out Friday morn and I may drive to Kansas for a dog. We shall see how it all pans out.

I'm up for more coffee! Anyone want to join me?

Good morning! I'm sitting here with my coffee and thinking about what is on today's agenda. Yesterday I managed to clean the house (I love my new floor cleaner machine- is that odd??), got groceries, helped DH fill the inside wood rack, etc, etc. Today I think I'm going to make a quick run to BJs and cook the squash for Thursday. I am looking forward to having the boys around for a few days.

Today it is overcast but has warmed up and the snow is melting, which is fine by me. In my dream world the snow would come for Christmas and leave by Valentine's Day!!

Anyone need some coffee? What's on your agenda today?

ETA- morning, Debbie!