Come one, come all! Grab a cup of coffee and a chair, the week has started and so has our Monday meeting for the week! All present please state your name and ....... addiction you kicking!

OK, so I am waiting on coffee to brew! It'll be done soon!

The temps outside are below zero, and thats without the windchill factoring in! I remembered to turn on the hot water, but forgot the cold. I have no cold going to the bathroom! I'll draw a nice hot tube!

Had ds and his gf over for turkey and sweet potatoes, and green beans last night. sent most the turkey home with ds, the potatoes and the turkey legs and wings went with his gf. I have the carcass with some meat for turkey soup!

For the first time since working here I do not feel like going in today. Perhaps its this cold, perhaps it's the few things I found out Friday before leaving.... either way, it's going to suck. I'll sit quietly in my corner and be pleasant, but quiet, today is payroll anyway and my goal is to have it done and keyed today. I've had it coded and keyed, but verifying totals usually runs into tuesday. Ann wants it sent by 3. I don't get payroll till 11, and they insist I take a lunch, can't win with this place, ann knows it takes more than two hours to do this!

Anyway, how was your weekend?

The weekend was fine but I'm not looking forward to the next two days. The weather situation is really bad out west and I can see myself stuck in a hotel in Vancouver rather than with my DD and kids. They have snow, snow, snow!

Anyhow, I'll do my odds and ends this morning and will take off for Ottawa early afternoon. Dinner with the Pypers will be fun and I'll hit bed as early as possible since I need to be at the airport by 6 AM. I hope to be in Nanaimo by suppertime but am keeping my fingers crossed a lot.

How strange to be back to only one dog! Disney spent a lot of time looking for Jazz who went to the breeder yesterday afternoon. She sure enjoyed sleeping at the end of my bed last night which sort of made up for missing her wee side-kick. I'll be sad to leave her but know she'll have a ball at the Pypers' farm, chasing cats and pigeons and trying to chase cows.

I'll be checking in while I'm away so try to behave at least as well as I do.

It's a chilly 15* here with the wind chill minus 0. (I just love that smilie!)

Yesterday we had our big family Christmas gift exchange at my brother's, which was a lot of fun. My nephew proposed to his girlfriend, finally. They'd been going together for 3 years. Nick had arranged for his gf's parents to drop in as he was proposing, and it was really touching. There were a lot of us wiping our eyes. We were all relieved that the weather cooperated, despite all the ice.

JENSKI, I pretty much could have taken the same pictures, we looked like that most of the day, yesterday. I'm glad you were able to thaw out that water pipe and get your house warmed up again!

SOPHIE, you are SO right on with the kids. They are a constant source of concern and worry for me. I hope your kid's situation improves. That's such a shame.

LORIANN, I hope your work situation isn't as bad as you dread today!

RUTH, I sure hope the weather situation out west improves! Isn't it unusual for them to be getting snow? Poor Disney must be really puzzled as to why Jazz isn't home with you. Imagine how happy they both will be to be reunited with you again when you come home. I pray you'll have a safe and very happy reunion with your DD and her family. God Speed.

More of the same here with lots of wind all day. I'm so not looking forward to shoveling my car out Our plow guy is not good at working around the car so it's a bit of a job. Luckily work understands if I'm late getting there so I'm not rushing right out into the snow.

Lori - Sorry the day will be so hectic. Sounds like a nice weekend with your ds.

Ruth - Good luck with all your travel plans! Sounds like Disney will have a fun vacation even if he will miss you and Jazz.

Cottage - Sounds like a lovely gathering

Jen - Your pictures look like mine from last weekend. Ice is beautiful if really inconvenient (a friend of ours just got her power back Friday afternoon!).

Just three work days this week so I'd better get moving. Stay warm as you can and be safe out there Chicks!

good morning ladies,

My holiday season has started and I am sooo behind. Is it really this Thursday? My next two days will be catch up days I guess. Made 3 batches of cookie dough for the kids to decorate today (something to do) while I go out and do some shopping. I am just really glad I don't have to deal with the white stuff like most of you. I would not know how to handle even just the cold part. Try to stay warm and I pray your travels are safe.

Have a great day and a safe one.

Good Morning!

Like many of you, I have a thousand things to do before Thursday. I need to clean the house, bathe the dogs, grocery shop, wrap presents, and bake, bake, bake. The baking part is good though- I finally realized that if I volunteer to bring the sweets, they can be legal. Most of the family is watching their sugar, so there won't be any complaints.

I could complain about the weather, but many of you would laugh at me. It was just over 50 degrees this am when I walked the dogs. I know that sounds like a heat wave to you, but it was almost 80 yesterday, so the change is dramatic.

Loriann- Hang in there! I know it's frustrating when you can't possibly meet all their expectations/requirements at the same time.

Ruth- Be safe and behave yourself! (or at least have fun if you don't behave)

Cyndi- Your little smilie makes me shiver! Just think of all the calories you burn while shoveling the snow.

Cottage- What a wonderful Christmas surprise!

Phxsunflower- I hope you get caught up on your errands. I'll be playing catch up as well.

Have a great day everyone!

Well, I did it. I got up in the dark, freezing cold this morning. Bundled up tight and warm and went to the gym! It has been more than 2 weeks and boy did I feel it! I got so winded so fast.
I hope you all have a great day, stay safe if you are traveling or just running around.
I have a calm about me, even though I have a million things to do to prepare for the holidays this week. I am not worried about it!

Funny story (and long I guess!). A few weeks ago DS, DD and I went shopping for odds and ends at the home improvement store. They had this train on display. I think I have mentioned before that DS is a huge train nut. The train on display was an electric train. He asked the employee walking past to turn it on for him so he could watch it go around. He stood there for the longest time watching it. When I told him it was time to go, he asked if we could bring it home. I look at the price, it was over $200! I said sorry, but that is just too much money for me. He was upset, cried some, but we left. He hasn't stopped talking about that train since that day. Two weeks ago we saw Santa, he told him "I want that black train from Menards. The one that is too much money for my mom." And what did Santa say... "OK, no problem!" WHAT?! I was done shopping and another $200 toy wasn't in the budget. So DH and I tried telling him from time to time that Santa picks a few things from their lists, that they don't get everything, but all he wanted was that train he said. Yesterday he wrote a letter to Santa and it went like this: "Dear Santa, I want that train from Menards. I promise to be a good boy. " It was killing me!! This is a big year for DS and Santa... and the thought of not having that train under the tree was killing me!! Yesterday we got the ads, and my luck, the train was 50% off. So DH and I worked it out, we found the money and held a few already purchased gifts back for his birthday. But when he wakes up Christmas morning, that train will be waiting for him and I can't wait!! I love this holiday!!

Oh... I almost forgot. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Today is my review. I feel that I am doing a good job, but you never know, and with the economy where it is I always live in fear of losing my job. I have the PERFECT job and LOVE IT! Keep me in your thoughts!!

quick drop in for me as so much has happened in the ast few days - i was hopin i could get some of your prayers as dh and i are trying to adopt a baby girl - thanks in adavance! i will keep yall posted on whats goin on and i so hope to be back to normal soon

Morning chickies!

Been gone a while (visiting the DEAR in-laws in NC), trying to catch up!

Lori - Hope this is just a bump in the road at work! BTDT!!

Ruth - Safe travels, friend.

Cottage - We're at 7 degrees right now...I'm in central PA. And that wind is WICKED! Congrats on the new family member!

Cyndi - keep warm!

Sunflower, Murphy - I hear ya, is it THIS Thursday already??!!

Jenski - good job on the train, santa!

Me - got back from our short trip to NC. Two days is just perfect. But now, my daughter's bday is today (FOUR!!), and with christmas on thursday and the party on Sunday, it's busy, busy!

And then the ds decided to get a stomach flu...so the poor dear is curled up in front of the heater . Better than on christmas day, I suppose. And hopefully, the rest of us won't get it. (we did that last Christmas...let's not make it two in a row!)

Huh....the scale was down two pounds, and we all KNOW I didn't eat like an angel at the reunion this past weekend....I'm guessing water weight. But, I'm not upset!

Gonnabe - How wonderful!! Best wishes!! A child is such a blessing!

Brrrrrrr! It is a whopping 3 out there today with a windchill of -17. Guess I should be happy we don't have any snow although we are supposed to get ice tomorrow just in time for the commute home.

Very busy weekend but I am almost done shopping, just need to pick up a gift for my mother-in-law and a couple of things to even the kids out.

Eating was horrible this weekend and boy am I paying for it today! My body said enough is enough and I feel like crud!

Yippee to a 3 day week!

Ruth be safe and have fun.

Gonna fingers and toes crossed for you on the adoption!

Stay warm chicks!

Hi chicks,
Trying to tie up some loose ends before the holiday. DD is home from school today with a sore throat. I want to get her in for a throat culture to see if she's caught it from DS. Otherwise, I am in cookie **** here, as I did my baking over the weekend. I am only off on Thursday, so makes for a busy holiday!

zeff, sorry your holidays are getting off to a stressful start. You are right to focus on your own little family's happiness.
Gonna, what exciting news! Good luck to you.
Ruth, have a safe trip and enjoy your time with your DD and family. Don't worry we'll be good.
Jenn, great job on the train! My kids always used to do that to me - decide at the last minute what they really wanted and of course Santa would never disappoint them!
cottage, sounds very romantic. What a special moment to share with the family.

Hello to all and hope everybody's week si getting off to a great start!

I figured I would take a few minute before I head to lunch and try to do some personals - it feels like forever since I've been able to.

Loriann below zero and I'm complaining about our temps - keep warm

Ruth I hope you have a safe and wonderful time

Cottage sounds like your time with family was great for all kinds of reasons

Cyndi shoveling snow brings new meaning to working out - be safe

Phx good luck with that shopping

Murphy your weather sounds like mine here in Florida - I keep wandering if santa will be delivering in shorts

Jenski keep us posted

Twynn glad you had a nice trip. Happy bday to your dd and I sure hope your ds feels better real soon

Stephanie I'm right along with you on the horrible eating - my nerves are up and down with all thats going on around me

Schmoodle hope your kiddos get to feeling better before santa comes

Thanks you guys for the well wishes. I'm trying not to get my hopes up to much but WOW! what a great Christmas gift that would be.

I only work today and tomorrow so my computer time will be limited but I will try to check in.

Looks like everyone is frozen today!

I just wanted to stop by quick and wish everyone a Safe and Wonderful Christmas

I also have to confess that I ate 3 cookies this morning and I am fighting the urge to eat a 4th. My co-worker and her sister stayed up until 4 in the morning making them and they are wonderful! Well, I'm off to NC tomorrow for the 3rd time in 3 months. I love to see family but I don't like the drive!

Gonna - Hope all goes well, prayers to you.

Ruth - have a safe trip and wonderful time with DD.
Sorry no personals today.
I have been resting for half the day because I just couldn't sleep. So little thoughts turning in my head all night and this afternoon I made up a few plates for neighbours and had DH deliver them and then made parker house rolls for Thursday.
Hope everyone is well and enjoying this very special season.
sophie