Good morning It's cold but not windy this morning. The 5 day forecast is more seasonable so I need to start thinking about changing tires. Don't want to white knuckle the drive to Boston next weekend.

Heidi - good luck braving N. Conway today! I avoid driving through there in the summer. I imagine it's pretty crowded today. Did you hit Kittery this weekend? I usually go once a year.
Sounds like a nice visit with DD and another in less than a month Enjoy your final day.

Ruth - You will have to report back on the famous Cracker Barrel breakfast Any other big plans before your flight? an uneventful and quick flight and an easy drive home.

Debbie - Is your new bike wonderful? I was so surprised by how much easier mine was than any I'd had before. And I love the big seat I'm too much of a wimp to bike in cold weather but you make it sound fun. Hope you have another sunny day today.

Kara - what a yucky way to spend the holiday! Hope it's all gone today and life is back to normal.

Twynn - Wow, what an accomplishment resisting comfort eating. Like a lot of us I have a really hard time with that one. Did anyone actually have a Norman Rockwell family?

Cat - hope you're squeezing some relaxation in there too.

Cottage - Enjoy your Sunday with Ruth. Sounds like you two have had a really wonderful visit

Pearl - Wow, I looked at my holiday stuff yesterday then left it in storage. Bet everything looks festive now.

Sophie - How was the dinner party (aside from the food porn!)? Are you 100% back from whatever nasty germs you had?

Another mellow domestic day around here. We are making good progress on the house, which really needed it. I'm going to get the porch settled for sn*w today and try to get another walk in along with the usual chores. It's been such a nice, relaxing weekend.

Hope your day moves at just the right speed, not too quickly back into the work week.

Cyndi - we hit Freeport/LLBean when Beth was here in September. I hate to try to drive in Freeport this close to Christmas. lol

North Conway traffic is awful too, but at least people don't keep stepping out in front of your car..... My husband and I love North Conway, we spent our 25th wedding anniversary cross country skiing and enjoying the hot tub there and we're going back in January for our 30th. We don't usually do much shopping when we're there though, there's too much else to do and see. Today will be a shopping and supper trip though.

Ruth, have a safe trip home!

Debbie, I'm so glad you had a nice ride, even if it was a short one. What's "HC homework"?

Heidi, I hope you got some good deals at the outlets. I have been to those outlets and they are fun!

Ruth, I'm glad you had such a nice trip. Wish we were home so I could have joined you guys!

Cyndi, I laughed about you looking at your holiday things and then leaving them in storage. I am procrastinating from digging mine out right now!

We got back from church and had leftover squash soup for lunch. Managed to eat about half a bowl. Making progress! No Sunday School or AWANA because of the holiday weekend, so we don't know what to do with ourselves. Usually we leave the house at 8:00 and don't get home until 5:00 on Sundays but today we were home by noon, and that was with a trip to the BX! Tom and Connor are playing Wii, Avery is doing who-knows-what (and she's quiet, so that's trouble), and Kadyn is having a hissy fit about doing her violin practice so I am ignoring her and posting on the board instead. I just practiced my music for the Wednesday night Advent services, which start this week. I can't believe we're in Advent already! When Kadyn gets her little tush in gear and finishes her practice, I'm going to dig out the decorations and start addressing Christmas cards. My printer is out of ink and we can't find any locally so I may be foregoing the Christmas letter this year.

Happy Sunday!

Kara

Good Morning

Happy Sunday everyone!

I slept in a little bit-which is always good-and I'm going to try to get everything spruced up so I can be flexible when the troops start moving. My living room has two cardtables in the middle where Sis and I are working on a giant puzzle. I'm going to back and forth through town while it's still early. Yes, it is cold, but we don't have ice right now so I just bundle up. I'm obviously desperate for exercise here Plus, I really need to get my bike legs back into shape. I do love my new bike, but it's much more technical. I have many new options with it but I have to keep in shape to use them.

Have a great day everyone!

Holiday Challenge. It's certainly not a habit yet, but I'm really trying.

good morning everyone,


Ruth - have a safe trip back home. Its cold here.
Cottage - I know you enjoyed having Ruth over so much. I tried having your baked oatmeal at Cracker Barrel last week but it was too late, they only serve it till 11a.m.
Cyndi - Hope you get those winter tires done soon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Debbie - Enjoy your new bike and I can't believe that you are still going for bike rides. Sad to say I never learned to ride a bike because my mother was too worried about me riding around in Montreal. There was a little boy that got killed down the street and that was always on her mind.
Kara - hope you feel better soon and I am sure the kids will fill your time up today.
Heidi - I love North Conway, we were there in June but I did shop.

me - last night's dinner was great and too much wine was consumed. It was nice because my friend helped me clean up the kitchen and I didn't have to wake up to a mess this morning. I made a dessert from the Barefooted Contessa's Paris cookbook called Pear Clafouti no butter involved just whip cream and just had a sliver. Its sort of a cross between creme brulee and a baked pancake. Very easy to make. Anyways, a walk is really on the agenda today.
take care
Sophie

Sophie, have you ever seen that episode of Friends where Phoebe admits that she never learned to ride a bike as a kid? It's funny!

Kara

We just got back from the airport after dropping Ruth off. We were both very brave there and did not cry, but I could see that her eyes were as full of tears as mine. I'm going to miss her dearly.

So! My DGD, Caitlyn, is home from college until early Jan., and she is coming out to see us this afternoon. She was out in Ohio to have TG with her boyfriend and his family last week, and just got in last night. I'm eager to see her since I last saw her when my DD and I took her up to Maine in Sept. for the fall semester.

Tomorrow it's back to the same-old-same-old, but at least we have Christmas and all it's festivities and trappings to look forward to. Right now, I'd better decide what to make for dinner.

Linda! Have fun with Caitlyn!

Kara