back from the bahamas

Ha, just kidding. Our internet was down. A car hit a pole on Thursday night, knocking our power out, and frying our modem. So, the power came back, the internet didn't. Until bright and early this morning when Larry the Cable guy came....and me, who ALWAYS gets dressed in the morning, before showing my cheery face, was still in my nightie. (Camille was stirring, and I wanted to get out of there before her little eyes blinked open and saw mommy).....so, I ran and threw some clothes on faster than I thought possible.



Anyway, this is where the cats sit to let us know how nice it is outside, and that they are thinking about coming back in....

This is Mali (her spelling request), shopping.... No, they did not really buy this stuff. Just her and Aaron having fun....and yes, they put it all back.....

Here is Aaron shoveling the snow from the back of the truck in the grocery store parking lot, so we could put the bags in the back.....he saw me with the camera, and I almost got a shovelfull of snow on me....

Our treadmill is coming today. I had thought all along to put it in the livingroom, but now the kids are saying it will be noisy, and that they don't want to excercise in front of everyone....so I don't know. We don't have much space, so our options are limited.....

The hot tub: Yes, it is outside. Paul built a sturdy little deck for it, and we had a nice little patio put in next to it....so, it is outside the back door. And it has an insulated cover. And it has a heat setting to keep it from freezing. We keep it on the low side, and turn it up when we want to use it. And yes, the electrical bill has gone up. But it is so nice......when the stars come out....the only hard thing is to get out, and walk those few steps across the freezing patio, and into the house. But if it is heated up properly, the warmth stays, and I don't find myself chilled.

Thanksgiving: M. won't be here. Sad. She will be in Canada for dinner. She said turkeys are so expensive there that some people drive over the border to get them....here, they have been 49cents a pound. I have mostly everything we need for dinner, except black olives. We have green olives, two kinds of pickles, celery, cranberry sauce, stuff for stuffing, several pounds of potatoes.....oh, I just remembered: I have to take the turkey out of the freezer! I also have everything to make pumpkin and chocolate pies, I need some apples if I want apple pies....Anyway, we aren't having any company for dinner, it will be the 17 of us. I had wanted to get a family picture, but with M. not here.....oh well. That's what happens when they go and grow up on me...

Well, busy day here....treadmill arrived, too heavy to carry in, is in driveway, so if you stop by, don't run it over....I haven't cleared a spot for it yet.....my sister in law, or should I say my friend, stopped over surprisedly (is that a word? It should be!), and brought a few things I wanted to pick up for Christmas...she stayed a bit, and the kids just loved it. Too bad she didn't have her kids with her, she could've stayed a while.

I am going to a very special place: my dear sister has seven daughters. One of her daughters is married, and just had her first baby. My lucky sister got to be there for the delivery!!! I am going to visit Mr. William Elias for the first time!!! I am so excited, and proud of my niece. She is forever a member of a wonderful new club....she is a mommy.

As soon as I get back from the hospital, I have to pack up Jonathan and Charlotte Claire, as they are invited to Toby's 4th birthday party. We wrapped up his present, a Go Fishing Game, and stuck the batteries on top, surrounded by packages of Swedish Fish.....what fun....and Paul is going to a meeting tonight, and Emily is at work, and Abigail is going to a study group, Ben is going to work, M. is of course in Canada....so Joe, Aaron, and Molly, be prepared to babysit.....I will pay you someday....I promise....and in between all this, I have two roasts (beef) that have to be cooked.....ahhh!! I need a clone. My sister is picking me up in half an hour, and here I sit. I should go prepare the meat, and brush my long tangly hair.....