You are WORTH it Cafe!

Rebecca, it is definitely crazy weather all over the country. Glad your dh was still home hope he found your ID and such. Enjoy your outing after work.

Georgia, glad I could bring a smile to you. Hope your day goes quickly.

Cathy, how are things with you and yours.

me, no flurries this morning so that’s a good thing. Supposed to hit 50 today. Just a day chilling. Supposed to go out to lunch with family later.

Sorry you have the blues Georgia.

Dee- It's so odd to me that you and I are having such similar weather when we are in such different parts of the country.

We got a little bit more snow last night. I think they got more further east (closer to Boston). My basement did not flood fortunately. We did not get as much rain yesterday as I feared we might.

I am again on not enough sleep. My sleep tracker said something like "Put sleep first!" today. I got up a little earlier this morning because I had so many chores to do- shoveling, trash, laundry, etc... things that I don't have to do every day but all needed done this morning.

Got to work and realized I'd left my little case with my drivers license, campus id, and debit cards at home. Luckily a coworker was able to let me into the building and my husband was still at home when I called so he can find my case and bring it in to work. Phew!

Early release day for my daughter's school and my husband wants us to all go do something together so I guess we will both get out of work early and figure it out.

Thank you Dee your rainbows helped me smile. Busy busy and exhausting time of year.,

Have a fabulous day.

Georgia, I'm sending you some rain. It's been raining off and on here all day and is supposed to change over to snow flurries during the night as the temps drop here.

And some rainbows to chase the blues away.

Feel better my friend....

Ladies send me the rain.

I am feeling blue today so just a quick pop by to say hi.

Morning All, hope your day goes well.

Georgia, thanks for info on gingerbread.

Rebecca, I will have to check out the Lego website. Hope you got some rest. I don’t do well on little sleep either.

me, waiting to head to a doc appt and listening to the pouring rain in 30 degree temps. Hoping nothing is icing over as it is still dark here and will be for a while longer.

Edited by: DEE797 at: 12/10/2019 (07:36)

Dee- The Lego Gingerhouse might be a Lego store exclusive. If you look for it online you may need to go to their website. Price is about $99.99 US.

I am exhausted. We didn't get home until after 9pm last night and it was difficult driving in rolling fog and rain. I was supposed to take my daughter out tonight to see holiday lights (Bright Nights) but I asked her if we could postpone and she was happy to do so. We will do a couple of quick errands this afternoon and then go home after work/school. I do not function well on less than 5 hours of sleep and that's where I am at today.

We have had really warm (in the 40s) weather and the 2 feet of snow is melting quickly. It's supposed to go back to being cold tomorrow but in the meantime I hope the rain backs off before my basement floods.

Work was so busy. Heat was oppressive too. Fet are so tired today.

Gingerbread is easy to make - it is the cutting out and the putting on the tray that is hard. It is sticky.

I managed though.

Hope you stay weather appropriately dressed. Hugs

Rebecca, the Lego gingerbread house sounds really nice. Will have to look online for it. I haven’t done our cards yet either.

Georgia, I’ve never tried to make gingerbread before. Is it hard to do?

Cathy, hope all is well.

me, busy with work but have next two days off. Also need to get some shopping done. Just haven’t been motivated to do either. Today it’s near 80 today but tomorrow thru Thursday is supposed to be lows in the 30’s and highs in the 40’s.

Edited by: DEE797 at: 12/9/2019 (16:33)

Rebecca the Lego gingerbread house sounds interesting.

Yes the mechanic comes to us and I will need the suspension looked at in the new year. Just cannot fit it in this year. Too much work and places close down for 10 days over the holidays.

Some years I just type up a letter and print a few off and glue them into the cards. Saves repeating to many the same things.

Back to work and another hot day brewing. Such is our seasons this year.

have a nice day

So nice that your car mechanic comes to you!!

Have fun with the gingerbread. My daughter built a Lego gingerbread house this year (it was a set). We are always terrible at assembling the gingerbread houses. If we can find a pre-built one and just let her decorate that then we are okay but she latched on to the Lego version this year when she heard about it and there we go....

I really need to stop putting off our Christmas cards. I don't know why but they just feel like such a chore this year. Maybe it's because my mom is gone and it's one of those things that just makes it so real.

I know exactly how you feel. Some days it is just too hard to tick everything off.

My Saturday was a bit like that

What about a platter of nibblies for your Ham potluck. Cheeses, crackers, dips scattered with some dry fruits and nuts... Easy to transport.
.
I am up to date for the moment with most things in preparation for Christmas.

We are having a family gathering Sunday (Barry's side) and I am going to make a cheesecake.

I hope to make gingerbread today.
My car mechanic is coming to service the car and hopefully some rest time in between.

Have a great day.

I was a bum yesterday and did not finish my list. When my husband came home after getting the battery replaced on my car he took a long nap. I guess we were both just feeling exhausted.

Today we are going to an Eagle Scout Ceremony for our godson. Then later we have other errands to do. I managed to get out this morning and buy a few groceries.

Tomorrow night we have a potluck dinner for our ham radio club. It's being held about an hour away from our home and we are working out the logistics of getting out of work early and figuring out what food to bring etc..

Oh Dee I hear you on the freight. Last week was a nightmare for it.

Overcast smoky and hot.

I put my tree up and now looking at making gingerbread.

I have a lovely curry stew in the slow cooker.

Good restful day....

Rebecca, glad you are getting the car fixed. Hope you were able to get your chores done.

Georgia, be safe with the smoke, haze, and fires. Can’t imagine what that is like.

Cathy, hope all is well.

me, tired from working lots of freight and I’m feeling the stress/strain of getting it done in a timely manner.

Yes the fires are the worst in a few years. So much loss of bush and property and not to mention the wildlife.

But thew smoke haze is creating such health issues too. It is thick and looks like we live in industrial cities instead of our normally clean air.

I barely made it through the day yesterday whilst our as the heat was oppressive.

I managed to get all my chores done but felt exhausted by the end of my list.

Have a great day.

Georgia those fires are so bad! I have a few Facebook friends in Australia and they have been posting photos. Really scary how close to Sydney it is.

We got a dusting of snow overnight and this morning it is only in teens for temperatures. I don't think it is supposed to get even as high as 20 degrees today.

I couldn't sleep well last night and I woke up early. Hubby is out getting my car taken care of now and doing some other things. I have laundry started and a plan to do some cleaning. Have to hold off on some of it though because daughter is still asleep.

Rebecca glad the car will be fixed today for you. Vital to feel safe.

Oh my goodness the fires are getting worse and I have woken to a horrible thick smoke haze this morning. The bush about 10 Kms away is on fire. Tragic.

Really busy day with mum today so getting in early for her shopping and then taking her to visit her brother and then do my shopping and then come home to collapse.

Temps for today are 100F plus........ Already 78F at 530 am.

Hugs to all.

Georgia- Enjoy your weekend off!

Dee- Hope you don't have to work all weekend.

Cathy- How are you?

Hubby will get my car fixed tomorrow/Saturday. I will survive. Jumped it again this morning though.

TGIF for me even though it was a short work week with the snow.

After a hectic day - home sweet home.

Deer have a good day at work. It has been crazy for us.

Rebecca, sorry about your car trouble. Hope it gets fixed quickly.

Georgia, Enjoy your weekend off.

Cathy, hope all is well.

me, getting ready to head to work.

Oh Rebecca when I get a flat the car roadside assist bring one with them and change it there and then. Sorry they could not just tell you what you needed.

Frightening when it does not start.

Hot and draining here. Oh how busy yesterday was and I am exhausted. Thankfully weekend off and rest.

Have a marvellous day.

We got another dusting of snow overnight but nothing bad.

I brought my car to an auto parts store yesterday and they said the battery was bad. I wasn't sure which battery to get though so I said "Well I'll make my husband deal with it. I've got a jump starter box..." and I left. Car started fine when I left and started fine again after I went shopping at Target. At the grocery store though it failed me so I just got out the box and jumped it to get home. This morning it started just fine and I made it to work on time. Plan is to have DH take my car on Saturday morning to get the battery. That way I won't be second guessing myself about which one to get. IF I was single I'd just suck it up and do this myself but I'm going to bathe in the luxury of making a man do the job for me. :-)

Dee I hope you had a nice time.

Georgia you have a great attitude about working retail. I just remember feeling exhausted at the time.

Dee hope you had a nice time with your friend. Always helps at this time of year to have some fun.

Retail is a challenge but mostly I like it.

Rebecca sorry the black ice delayed your start time. Safety first though right?

Doing laundry at the moment and have washed down my patio. I do not start till lunch time so being super busy.

Have a wonderful time ladies.

I decided to shovel around my car yesterday after all. This morning though my car wouldn't start. I was already running late and completely stressed out. Hubby came outside and jump started it for me pretty quickly but really not how I wanted to start my day. I was 30 minutes late for work.. or rather not 30 minutes early like I usually am. UGH. Roads had black ice on them so my drive in was slow.

I am sorry for you ladies in retail. As I've said before, I've been there and done it myself but grateful not to be there now.

We start to get holiday busy at home next week. Sigh. I really should have done those holiday cards over the break but I just wasn't in to it.

Rebecca, glad you were able to stay home with the storm. How nice of your dh to have the guy plow your driveway.

Georgia, sometimes you get nice ones and some days it seems all the grouchy/grumpy ones come out together. Makes the day go slowly sometimes.

Cathy, hope all is well.

me, up early again but what else is new. Going to lunch later with a friend. So Sparking while it’s quiet.

Dee it is that time of year and my feet have this each year. I think they would have learned to cope with by now....lol

I hope you have nice customers. This season seems to bring out some horrid people. So far only one or two.

Rebecca sounds like a peaceful area you live in. Treasure that.
Oh so much snow sounds like too much work.
I would probably sleep my winters away....

Be safe.

Hot hot hot again and until at least Monday. This heatwave is so draining.

Have a wonderful day.

Husband won't let me shovel. I did go out this morning and clear off his car with a snow brush though. He bought an electric shovel which is kind of wimpy but our snowblowers.. well they died probably because he didn't take care of them properly.

Anyway... Abby got snow day #2 and we had a delayed opening.. We were supposed to go in at 10am but at 11am they hadn't plowed our road out yet. I called out and said I wasn't coming in at all. Hubby went in late, probably around noon. He left the house as they were plowing. We live on a private road and our homeowner's association pays a private contractor for the plowing. Evidently unknown to me hubby stopped the guy up the street and gave him $ to come plow out our driveway (well somewhat, my car is in the way). So that was a surprise.

We have been shopping and I have been online shopping. Probably too much. Oh well.

So I am home with our daughter today. Might work on Christmas cards. Will probably go for a walk later and get the mail (Mailbox is at the end of the road). I will resist the urge to shovel around my car etc and let hubby tackle that when he comes home if he wants to. I imagine I will be back at work tomorrow.

Last day I worked was Wednesday last week so about a week off between the holiday, weekend, and snow days.

Georgia, I hope you are doing well with the shoppers this year also. I hear you on the sore feet. Seems to be an occupational hazard this time of year.

Rebecca and Cathy, hope all is well.

me, Sparking and relaxing with a cup of tea while the rest of the family snoozes.

Dee hope you are coping with the mad rush as it builds.

Me - tired today. Sore feet. Usual for this time of year.

Have a good day.

Rebecca, do be safe shoveling the snow. Hopefully Abby can help you with it. I remember those days, so pretty to look at. Glad you are all safe at home.

Georgia, hope you are staying cool while your weather warms up.

Cathy, hope all is well.

me, hanging in there. really need to start shopping for Christmas but just haven't had the energy to do so. have tuesday and wednesday off so may do some then.

That is good to hear. Safety first above all.

Good movies or a book. Set up the Christmas tree. Oh so many things to do but never enough time.

Stay safe and watch out for that shoulder. Maybe one of those snow blower things might be in order. What do I know I have no snow problem.

Hot humid and draining yesterday. Another of the same today.

Have a nice day what ever you choose to do.

Well we are snowed in. Schools and banks all closed. Finally got the call early this morning for the university. Abby's school had announced last night. It is supposed to snow all day and possibly tomorrow too. Husband bought an extra shovel and groceries yesterday so as long as the power stays on we are good.

With my husband's bad leg and my bruised rotator cuff we may have to put Abby on shoveling duty. Usually I enjoy the exercise but I don't know how much I will be able to do. I imagine we will all do some.

In the meantime it's pretty to look at but we aren't driving anywhere today. Last night there were snowmobiles driving up and down the road having fun.

We are now in a heatwave Maximums from 90 to 100+
Minimums 71 to 75

Thank God for our air con.

Not as busy today at work but still busy.

Stay safe and comfortable Dee.

Rebecca, safe travels if needed in the snow.

Georgia, hope you get more rain.

me, today was 20 degrees colder then yesterday and tomorrow is supposed to be 10 degrees warmer then today. (Sat was 85; Sun was 63; and Mon is expected to be 75)


Edited by: DEE797 at: 12/1/2019 (17:18)

I cannot imagine anything more frightening than getting stuck in the snow.

Be safe.

Since my husband and I both work for the state university we do sometimes get snow days. The snow is just starting now and we shall see what happens. Some colleges in the area have canceled for tomorrow already- Smith and Mount Holyoke.

Dee we are fine .
We got a thunderstorm last night and some nice rain. Not enough but we are not greedy just grateful.

Have a good day.

Morning All, hope your day goes well.

Rebecca, be safe with the storm coming. Hope it’s not as bad as they say.

Georgia and Cathy, hope all is well.

me, just taking things one day at a time....

You achieved much Rebecca. Well done.

I hope you find that special gift elsewhere.

I cannot imagine that much snow. Be safe. Do you still have to go to work?

Busy busy work days and I am already worn our before the month has even begun.

Today I am have a rest day. Need it.

Have a great day and I love listening to Christmas carols.

I got our holiday cards and some new Christmas decorations yesterday. Tried to get a gift for my husband but it was sold out. Oh well. There will be other gifts. Husband worked a LONG day yesterday so now he can take today off. He was supposed to have to work overtime today. We are going out to stores that are further away from home. I am hoping with his handicapped parking pass it will help with the parking hassles. In any case we have a Christmas music station on the radio in the car and we will enjoy our riding around etc.

We are expecting 11-17 inches of snow Sunday-Monday. I have a feeling work/school may be canceled for Monday. Everyone will be buying essentials today I am sure.

Rebecca it is sad that we have adopted the Black Friday sales here and people go crazy for bargains.

It was crazy busy yesterday. I expect another busy day today.

Hope you get to buy what you need without too much drama.

Working today and then a day off tomorrow

Today is Black Friday in the USA. I didn't go out early this morning though. I have managed to get some deals online and I will go out eventually but mostly not for Black Friday stuff. I just have errands to run. Husband is working today and I have our daughter.

Enjoy your day. Grateful for your friendships.

Happy Thanksgiving! It's cold and rainy but at least it's not snowing.

Rebecca sometimes we have to spoil ourselves and you deserve it.

Yes the weather is insaner these days. Cooler (only just) today. After yesterdays humidity I will take that.

Dee best to get in and out of the stores before it gets crazy busy.

So busy with stock and it is coming out of our ears at the moment.

Happy Thanksgiving to you my dear friends. Grateful for your friendship even if we are in different countries and states.

Rebecca, money for the garage is well spent especially with the cray weather lately. Hope your workday goes quickly.

Georgia and Cathy, hope all is well.

me, couldn’t sleep....again so went to grocery store and got the last minute items we needed for the next few days. Was nice to be able to park close by and get in and out quickly with what I needed.

Weather is crazy lately for everyone I guess. We started off yesterday in the 20s and then it got up into the 50s or 60s later on. We've got rain or snow coming tonight though I think.

DH is working from home today with DD around. I am working but put myself in the parking garage (costs $) because I felt like spoiling myself instead of walking the 1/4 mile uphill to get in.

Oh Rebecca I know the lack of sleep feeling. I suffer it more than not. Sending energy to get you through.

Dee our work has been so hot lately and I just don't know what they did but it used to be cool in there.

Hot and humid today and it is only very very early in the morning. Thunderstorm predicted for later on.

Rebecca, do hope your arm starts to feel better. I hear you on the workplace being either too hot or too cold. Not a fun experience for sure.

Georgia and Cathy, do hope all is well.

me, hanging in there. have today and tomorrow off so going to enjoy and relax before having to work the holiday weekend.

Georgia- Haven't done rubs. Took some Advil and talked to a physical therapist friend last night. I may ice it when I get a chance.

We had a late night last night helping with the ham radio exams. I got to bed at 11pm and up at 4:30am for work.

Morning All, hope your day goes well.

Oh Rebecca that is awful to have even a blanket there. Brr it must get cold.

Go you on de cluttering your cubicle. You must have more room now.
Sorry your arm is still hurting. Are you using any anti inflammatory rubs on it?

Overcast today and going to be hot again. I hear tomorrow we may get a thunderstorm.

Have a positive and safe day.

It really kills me when schools are canceled and I still have to go to work. If the buses aren't running because the roads are bad then why do I have to drive?

Anyway, DH did go out yesterday and said once he got off the hill it was just rain everywhere so it wasn't as bad as I thought.

My right arm is still hurting badly but I reorganized my cubicle this morning before everyone came in. I managed to clean out enough to get rid of a filing cabinet. Yay for that.

I always have to layer clothes because my office can run hot or cold and we never know what it will be. I have a space heater, a fan, a sweatshirt, and a blanket at my desk in case I need them. Sometimes I keep a pair of sandals on hand too but at the moment I don't have any in there.

Dee I wish I could stay home on these days the weather did not behave. I like being home through rainy days.

I hate layering of clothes as you have so much to carry as you take it off

Be safe.

Rebecca, be safe with the snow and ice. Hope your dh gets some of his energy back and the exam goes well for all.

Georgia, I hear you on regrouping to be able to handle the week ahead.

Cathy, hope all is well

me, busy busy as usual. When I went to work today it was 45F degrees out, first break it was 39F and on leaving work to come home it’s 72F. This weather is plum crazy. 🤪. I also enjoy staying in when the weather is bad.

Edited by: DEE797 at: 11/24/2019 (15:36)

Dee I can imagine how busy you will be with those sales.

Rebecca I like the idea of staying home when the weather is awful outside.

I plan a lazy day today to regroup my energy for the coming week.

After a wonderful but exhausting day yesterday I need this.

Overcast but warm predicted.

We went shopping yesterday but my poor husband was wiped out. He ended up canceling his plans to go out last night. Woke up to snow and ice so I am glad we got the groceries yesterday. It is raining now and just a mess outside. I plan to stay home and do laundry and work on the holiday card list etc.

A quick but busy week coming up. We won't have a big meal here by the sounds of it but we bought extra groceries for being home more.

Tomorrow night we are helping to administer another ham radio exam. I think 5 or 6 people have said they are coming so hopefully the weather cooperates for all.

Rebecca, hope you were able to get everything done.

Georgia, sounds like you got a lot done.

me, lots to do at work. Black Friday sales will soon be here.

Rebecca hope you got it all done.

Yesterday was such a busy day for me.
All the housework and laundry and I took mum shopping. I am so proud of myself as I did it all with no pain for the first time in weeks

I also baked cookies for 2 visits today.

Have a magical day.

Georgia enjoy your 3 days off. I will have that next weekend. Well 4 days including Thursday/Thanksgiving.

We might get bad weather here tomorrow so I need to do all the things today if I can.

Time got away from us yesterday by the looks of it.

Dee have a wonderful day.

Rebecca, do take care of yourself after falling. Glad your arm is not broken. Sorry to read about the teacher. Such a loss. Black ice is horrible for sure.

Georgia, how nice that you had a Christmas party at work.

Cathy, hope all is well.

me, doing okay. Had not realized I didn’t post yesterday. Read the team thread and planned on coming back but forgot.

Edited by: DEE797 at: 11/22/2019 (16:00)

Oh my goodness Rebecca so sorry for your fall and your pain.

Be careful now till you heal.

Such tragedy and ant this time of the year. So sad for the teacher and his family.

I have only ever encountered black ice once and nearly went on a tumble. Really scared me.

We had our work Christmas party last night and it was a success.
So much fun and laughter.

Have a nice day today. I have 3 days off and so very much to do. The Christmas rush has begun. ......

Well I didn't post yesterday and it looks like no one else did either.

Abby has changed her mind about the cupcakes. She just did them for Halloween and doesn't want to do them again so soon. Maybe for the winter holiday she will do them then. We bought more sprinkles yesterday though when she saw some she liked at Walmart.

Yesterday morning was icy, black ice. One of my coworkers fell at home and is still sore. There were a couple of bad accidents on the roads. One was a fatality and I just learned this morning that the man who died was Abby's 3rd grade teacher at the end of the year. He was a long term substitute. For the last few years he has been teaching at another school. He leaves behind a wife and 2 young children. He lived close enough to us that we often pass his house and the principal of the school where he was working is a neighbor of ours. So sorry for the family and community. We are small towns here. I imagine there might be a fundraiser or something to support his wife and children.

For myself, I also fell but it was not weather related. I somehow lost my balance in my bedroom yesterday morning and down I went on my right side. I hurt my arm badly and went to the doctor yesterday morning. They decided it wasn't broken and didn't bother with any x-rays. The on-call doctor recommended a hot pack and some Advil. So I am sore but not broken.

I have caved and am beginning my Christmas shopping.

Dee simplicity now that the family is older.

Rebecca we also have a small fake tree but some years it does not come out. I do have some ornaments that do come out but I have simplified over the years.

Men!!! Why don't they do what is necessary for their health????

Have fun making the cupcakes.

Working tonight and it has been very busy indeed. Love it.

We have a fake tree that we put up in the house. The place where it needs to go though is cluttered with stuff and needs cleaned out. This is an issue every year. I don't do much in the house because of space but we do put up a tree and on Christmas eve we will put out our stockings for Santa to fill (aka me).

My husband is tired. He needs rest but he refuses to take a day off. Ugh. We have plans to go shopping on Saturday I guess. I am mixed about this. I wouldn't mind staying home instead. Abby has volunteered herself to bring cupcakes to school on Monday in honor of Thanksgiving. I will have to help her with that on Sunday. She doesn't like to operate the oven or stove even though she's old enough.

Georgia, we decorate the same way since I also work through the holidays.

Rebecca and Cathy, hope all is well.

me, up way too early on a day off but couldn’t sleep.....

Rebecca I used to do outside decorations but with no children in the house now and the neighbours I have limited to minimal decorations. I usually put a big Santa decal on the front window and subtle decorations in the house itself. Because I work through the season and no one come except for Christmas Day I feel ok with that.

Have fun choosing new ones.

Dee I hope you get some R & R time between those appointments.

You are organised. Making a menu list and preparing.
I cannot even think about those things yet.

Smoky hazy day....

Wish and pray for rain daily.

Cathy, careful with the snow and muddy conditions. Hope you and your family are doing well.

Rebecca, sounds like you have a good plan for decorating this year. Hope Abby is able to do a toy purge for you. I hear you on not being ready for Christmas. Went to work yesterday and they are already playing Christmas/holiday music. Way too early for me but then Christmas/holiday items have been out since beginning of October...with more being delivered every day....

Georgia, stay safe. I can’t imagine what those fires and the aftermath will be like.

me, have today and tomorrow off with doc appointments both days for family members. Need to sit down and write out what is needed for holiday meal and check pantry to make sure I don’t already have some of it.


Edited by: DEE797 at: 11/19/2019 (07:32)

We are getting rain here. I guess somewhere maybe to the north or west they are getting snow but it is a soggy morning at my house.

I am not ready for Christmas at all. I need to redo our holiday card list and get that organized. I talked to my daughter about her Christmas list last night. Usually we begin holiday shopping after Thanksgiving but Thanksgiving is late this year so that is throwing me off a bit. We did talk about a toy purge last night and focused on a doll house and accessories. It is a big item and it will be good to repurpose the space eventually.

I am redoing our outdoor decorations this year too. Last year animals chewed through the wires of the lights I had on the outside bushes so this year I am going to get a light projector and just use that instead. I will have a light projector or two and some inflatables. Should be easier to set up and tear down than hanging up actual lights all over the house and yard.

Cathy hello and thank you.

We are all busy bo matter what we do. It is what it is for us all.

The fires are burning and the winds just keep fanning them. Another scorching day tomorrow so conditions getting worse.

No significant rain for months yet.

I do not like muddy situations either. Have a wonderful day as best you can.

Georgia, I pray you get rain and that all the fires are out soon.

Dee, so sorry you have to work on Thanksgiving Day. You are so good to take the work you get, having to put up with some not so great work situations.

You ladies work so hard to help provide for your families. What a amazing strong women you are!

It is rainy here and then we are supposed to have icy conditions for the morning. Our snow is melting (sadly) and it is muddy! ugh! But it is always better than a hot humid buggy day.

Hope you are all having a healthy happy day.

Hugs, Cathy

Oh to have a meal prepared for you. I would love that.

I think this time of year makes us all very tired and if you got a good sleep for an hour on the couch that is good.

I hope the ice did not come.

Overcast sky and praying for some rain. Still quite smoky around the place.

Cannot believe Christmas is only 36 days away.

Not ready for it yet.

Have a great day.

I do understand where you ladies are coming from. I got my university jobs in my early 30s but prior to that I worked the holidays too.

We were supposed to get ice this morning but it's not here yet. I am hoping it misses us and we just get rain later.

I was tired yesterday for some reason and actually fell asleep on the couch for an hour. DH came home with a few groceries and didn't even wake me until dinner was ready (yes he does most of the cooking in our house since he is a picky eater).

Breeze is blowing now cooling things down. I hear you Dee - we just work all the holidays....

I hope you have a great day xoxo

Georgia, hope you have a good time with your friends.

Rebecca, I usually work the entire holiday weekend. It’s the way it is for the place I work at. Hope your day goes well.

Rebecca sometimes we have to work at the most inopportune times.

I hope it all goes fast and not too tired.

Friends have invited us for lunch on Sunday and they are down the coast with their caravan so we shall be eating out too.

It is the time of year we go out and spend way too much money for various activities.

Friday is our work Christmas party. Having it early as December is just too busy in retail with family and work commitments.

Have a good day.

Sorry you have to work on Thanksgiving Dee.

My husband is working on Black Friday which is unusual for us. Usually we both take a vacation day. He will also be working all weekend- again unusual for us.

We will go to a restaurant with my dad. He is bringing his new-ish girlfriend who my husband hasn't met yet. It's expensive to eat out but we don't like to host in our small house.

We had a full day out yesterday from 10am-7pm. DD didn't want to go anywhere today but something has come up so we will have to go for a couple of hours.

Dee anytime someone else cooks I am in for that. We retailers get so very tired this time of year and any help is amazing.

You choose what suits you best.

Just getting ready to go out.

Have a nice evening /day

Georgia, we have gift giving trees in stores here as well. You pick a tag and buy the items then give them to the store who turns them over to the organization to deliver.

Rebecca, we do a closet/toy purge as well this time of year.

Cathy, do hope all is well.

me, hanging in there. trying to get things under control as i have to work on Thanksgiving Day so trying to decide if we should have the meal the day before when i'm off work or let dh and dd make the main parts of the meal and then help with the sides and setting table when i get off work. Dh and dd cooked last year and it worked out well.

That is fantastic Rebecca.

For many many years we have trees with tags under them in major stores and you buy a gift for that age group. It is going to be a very tough year for many people this year.

The smoke is very thick this morning and I am praying for those poor people fighting the fires and also those who are struggling to save their homes.

We are going for a drive to the coast today. The fresh air should be good near the water ( I hope)

My daughter's school is doing a coat drive. I may donate an old coat to that or pick up a new one at Walmart.

Rebecca I like your charity gifts. A friend is collecting clothes and household goods to deliver up to the fire victims about 4 hours from here. So I have purged some clothes and not looking through kitchen cupboards for kitchen things to send up. I shall also be buying toiletries and such and then a few toys for the children.

We can not afford to give much but will do the best we can.

So hot again today and I will be working so we shall see how that goes with people escaping to the centres for coolness.

Have a good day.

Georgia- Sounds like you are safe from the fires but not from the smoke. I do have breathing issues and feel for all of those affected.

Speaking of gathering things though- We are starting our holiday charity type gift lists. We have a friend who doesn't have much money and she needs a new computer for example. We usually do a toy purge from my daughter's room at some point so that will be soon. I recently purged a lot of my clothes so that part is done. I'm looking at Black Friday sales for ideas for what I can buy and give to places like Toys for Tots. Walmart usually does a pretty good Lego sale for $20. I might pick up some of those. I usually also get some extra gloves and hats to donate somewhere too. Stuff like that. I don't do a lot of money gifts but I will try to get some useful things to give to local charities.

Dee sometimes doing family time is important too. Other jobs will always be there.

Yes these fires are so catastrophic.

We are gathering things to give to a friend who is going up there to donate to those who lost their homes.

Home after a busy day at work.