Team Focker Watch, Part 12. Have we jumped the shark yet?

[cmp1111]

This is my sitter's first grandchild and I know would spoil this child rotten. Heck, she's spoils mine and they aren't even hers. Before my mom passes away she asked my sitter to be a grandma to my kids and she has done a great job and loves my kids like her own. I just wish her son and DIL could see that.
.

That's too bad.

That is scarey but glad everyone is OK and not hurt. It does sound like you really do live in a great neihborhood!

Yep!

The line at the border crossing back into Canada was LONG! They only had one booth open so the cars were really backed up. We couldn't understand why they would only have one open on a Saturday. The dollar is really strong right now and it is close to Christmas so lots of people going shopping in the States. You would think they would plan for the crowds and have more border staff on.

That's nuts! Glad you had a good trip, though!

Our newest Christmas ornament

Oh, dear.

OMG glad they were OK, but fancy leaving them alone so young without their parents cell #

That's the only part that bothers me, them not knowing the numbers - but the girls did the right thing by leaving the house with phone in hand... I'm wondering if they did know their mom's cell, but didn't call it as the neighbors took over? That seems more reasonable. Or the number may have been in the house written down, but since they left (which was the right thing...)

So, D took the boys off to basketball only to find that there was some sort of mix up and we didn't have the gym, so I guess they're on the way back. Woody wants to go swimming now, and D may take him over there, since we can't go out til late, anyway. The snow has indeed started, but it's not bad yet. Kind of pretty, and I'm not bitter because it's December now.

 

[DisneyJo]

Lori I meant to say about your Sitters DIL, that's so sad, even if you don't want contact you don't say it directly at least she has your guys

Nope, I don't mind at all. We are pretty much done with any "Christmas" stuff by the time I have to work so it is not a big deal and I get paid extra for working the holiday so I can't complain about that. It is also really dead at work on Christmas so I am pretty much getting paid to sit there and watch movies/do whatever I want. Also those of us working the holiday generally each bring in some food or a treat and we have a little Christmas celebration of our own.

The snow has indeed started, but it's not bad yet. Kind of pretty, and I'm not bitter because it's December now.

So how accurate is your 15 day weather websites? As I need it to get warmer

 

[dlwharp]

Ugh, what a day. We had 5 students from one of the local charter schools working for us. It's a school where they are in school part of the time and then gaining "real life" experience part of the time. Anyway, we threw all 5 of them out today.

Oh, Janet, that's awful. You're trying to do something good for them and they do something like that. I don't know what's wrong with some of the kids today

We live in OH, they live in WI. It's about a 10 hour drive (with kids though it's around 12).

That is a long drive - I would be a bit uncomfortable too, not knowing them and all.

So what are everyones plans for Christmas and what are you eating?

I loved reading about everyone's holiday! Fun! We do Christmas at our house and my mom & step dad, brother and our kids come over. We're usually about 10. Christmas eve I always take off work to get the table set and cook as much as I can. We basically repeat Thanksgiving dinner - turkey, stuffing, potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, cranberry, rolls - the whole works. I try to do the potatoes the day before, but this year I'm doing the turkey and stuffing the day before too and heating up for Christmas dinner (saw a segment on TV about doing the turkey early). We'll also have pickled herring and shrimp as appetizers and I'll do a pecan pie and pumpkin roll for dessert. I always love having Christmas dinner leftovers on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas). On Christmas Eve, we'll watch Love Actually and put the presents under the tree in the evening. Hopefully, Ariel won't have to work that night and she can come spend the night, so we'll all get up in the morning and open presents as usual. Then, the rest of the family will arrive about mid-afternoon. Then, we do presents - youngest to oldest (and then vice versa the next year). Aaahhhhh, then life can return to normal

My sitter has talked me into getting the kids a kitten for Christmas. I think I'm nuts for doing this, but I know the kids will love it. My best friend works at an animal shelter and will help my sitter (it's BFF's mom) pick out the cat.

Awww, but it will be so cute!

My sitter is having a really rough time this Christmas. Her one son lives in MI and is married. They are getting ready to have their first child and the DIL is putting so many restrictions on my sitter. She has basically said that my sitter can only see her son and grandson 4 times a year.

What a shame. Do you know why the DIL is being so mean?

Went shopping in the States this morning. We just went to the closest town across the border as it is only one hour each way.

Is it a whole lot cheaper to buy things over here?

Our newest Christmas ornament

Oh no! I hope Boo didn't ruin anything (or himself - or is it herself??)

So, I was sitting here this morning, thinking of getting moving, when I heard a siren, and it sounded close. D went to look out the window, and there are multiple emergency vehicles 2 houses down, where all the girls live.

We ran out the door, and went to the house between ours and the girls'. The youngest two were home alone and started a microwave fire.

That IS scary! I bet the poor mom was a wreck too. Glad you live somewhere with such good folks!

------------------------

Hi everyone. I tried to quote yesterday before I left work, but ran out of time Today we put the decorations up - so glad that is done. The tree goes up tomorrow. I did the inside and poor DH spent the day putting up the outside decorations - in the rain and snow! I tried to convince him to do it tomorrow when it is supposed to be dry, but no go. My back is already paying for all the schlepping of boxes down from the attic - ouch! I did have a near catastrophe today too - I was trying to put the Christmas quilt on the quilt hanger above the piano and the rod wouldn't push through easily and I guess I pushed too hard and the whole thing came crashing down on top of the piano and all the decorations on it. Yikes! DH is putting it back up now (with molly bolts this time). Luckily, nothing broke (but the piano is a little scratched but it will be okay).

We're just staying in and have pizza and watching a Christmas movie tonight We begged off going to our friends' house for an event she calls "Truffles" (she has a whole bunch of people over the first Saturday in December where you help her make truffle candy to give to her clients - I had too much work to do in my own house to be doing work in someone else's house this year!

I'm doing pretty good in the shopping department - all the on-line stuff is done and I think I'll take a couple of hours off this Thursday to do a Target run and I should be just about done. Now to start wrapping! I'm still working on the quilted/fabric gifts though. I haven't even made a cookie yet either. I usually make shortbread (which I can't not make because too many people count on it), sweet/sour pickles, pumpkin rolls, pizzelles, rum cakes, toffee and peppermint bark.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

O
Is it a whole lot cheaper to buy things over here?

It really depends on the item and also the value of the dollar. Big things like electronics and cars, yes, definitely cheaper in the States. Clothing and such, the prices are pretty much the same. A sweater at Gap in the States $40, same sweater in Canada is $45. So in that case no point in buying it in the States as after exchange rate, duty(taxes) at the border and price of gas to drive to the States it ends up being MORE expensive to buy it in the States. We pretty much shop in the States to get stuff we can't get up here. For instance I LOVE Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret but those stores are not up here so I have to go to the States to buy their stuff. Good news for me though is that several of my favourite American companies are opening up stores in Toronto. If they do well in Toronto they will start to spread to the smaller Ontario and Canadian towns. So hopefully in a few years I won't have to cross the border to do my shopping. We also like to stop at the grocery store in the States and stock up on items they don't sell up here. Right now the Canadian dollar is doing really well, .95 cents per $1 American dollar, so if you are bargain hunting yo can find some great deals in the States.

 

[dlwharp]

It really depends on the item and also the value of the dollar. Big things like electronics and cars, yes, definitely cheaper in the States. Clothing and such, the prices are pretty much the same. A sweater at Gap in the States $40, same sweater in Canada is $45. So in that case no point in buying it in the States as after exchange rate, duty(taxes) at the border and price of gas to drive to the States it ends up being MORE expensive to buy it in the States. We pretty much shop in the States to get stuff we can't get up here. For instance I LOVE Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret but those stores are not up here so I have to go to the States to buy their stuff. Good news for me though is that several of my favourite American companies are opening up stores in Toronto. If they do well in Toronto they will start to spread to the smaller Ontario and Canadian towns. So hopefully in a few years I won't have to cross the border to do my shopping. We also like to stop at the grocery store in the States and stock up on items they don't sell up here. Right now the Canadian dollar is doing really well, .95 cents per $1 American dollar, so if you are bargain hunting yo can find some great deals in the States.

Interesting! I know our family in Scotland love to come here to shop and I was wondering if it was just a price thing, but getting stuff you can't in Canada makes sense. That's great some of your favorites stores might be opening though!

 

[cmp1111]

So how accurate is your 15 day weather websites? As I need it to get warmer

It'll change at least 5 times before you leave. I had no warning about this - wasn't even in the forecast yesterday morning. Trust Accu-V.

We're just staying in and have pizza and watching a Christmas movie tonight We begged off going to our friends' house for an event she calls "Truffles" (she has a whole bunch of people over the first Saturday in December where you help her make truffle candy to give to her clients - I had too much work to do in my own house to be doing work in someone else's house this year!

Seriously, she asks you over to to work?

*****************************************************
D & Woody went to the gym to swim. I vacuumed (no vomit smell, new filters! ) and now I need to probably go ahead and shower. They're not back yet, and I'll need to feed the boys before we go. I called my neighbor, and we do not need to feed her DS who's doing the sitting.

Buzz is happily re-watching the second HP movie. This is as far as we can go, though - Mama's holding firm on not seeing the movies until we read the books, and we can't move onto the next book until spring.

We have not made any decision about where we're going for dinner, and now that it's dark I don't know what is happening outside!

Ah, well... Wish us luck!

 

[DisneyJo]

Oh no! I hope Boo didn't ruin anything (or himself - or is it herself??)

She's a girl we think and no she hasn't done any damage, but she still keeps trying

I guess I pushed too hard and the whole thing came crashing down on top of the piano and all the decorations on it. Yikes! DH is putting it back up now (with molly bolts this time). Luckily, nothing broke (but the piano is a little scratched but it will be okay).

Yikes, glad it was all OK

We begged off going to our friends' house for an event she calls "Truffles" (she has a whole bunch of people over the first Saturday in December where you help her make truffle candy to give to her clients - I had too much work to do in my own house to be doing work in someone else's house this year!

Wow, as CE said, she asks you to go round and do work?!?!? Fair enough if it was for charity but for her clients

I usually make shortbread (which I can't not make because too many people count on it), sweet/sour pickles, pumpkin rolls, pizzelles, rum cakes, toffee and peppermint bark.

Sounds lovely, can I have your shortbread and toffee recipes please

It'll change at least 5 times before you leave. I had no warning about this - wasn't even in the forecast yesterday morning. Trust Accu-V.

Good

We have not made any decision about where we're going for dinner, and now that it's dark I don't know what is happening outside!

So what did you do?????


We've been into town today as the girls had a treasure hunt round the mall with their youth group. D and I just wandered around and we're now exhausted, why is it you get more tired doing nothing than when you have a purpose?

 

[puggymom]

Hi Fockers, got our first snowfall in the Northeast yesterday, one pug happy, one pug not happy.

Anyhow, so I stopped by to post day 2 of my Turkey day trip and then I have to get back to cleaning and Xmas cards....

Friday started leisurely (yes no rope drops this trip) never say never....

We headed to AKL first

Then headed to AK

OK, remember I told you all about my SIL not being happy about Murph and going away for a holiday and the crack about saying hi to the dogs (and not meaning the pugs, but Goofy and Pluto)...

Everytime Murph saw one of the dogs she wanted the pic

If you look closely you can see Murph climbing in the bushes behind Goofy. It was then that a CM started yelling at her to get out.

Murph then proceeded to tell the CM the whole SIL story and the very patient CM told Murph where to go to get Santa Goofy's pic

While Murph waited I snapped pics of the trees in Camp Minnie Mickey

From there Murph wanted to see animals and we did the Pangnani Trail.

Our version of Gorillas in the Mist

Then it was off to Epcot

We stopped for lunch at Sunshine Seasons, before heading to WS for the storytellers (PSA for those heading down, print the schedule from Steve SOares site, there is no printed schedule for the storytellers, at least that I couldn't find. Without it I couldn't have seen them all)

Canada

France

Italy

Germany

Murph was getting tired at this point and found a bench to plop down on, or so I thought, when I went to get her she had gotten herself some GlueWine and was feeling fine.

China

Norway

Mexico

It was getting close to checking for our CP dinner package at Biergarten.

This was Murph's Xmas present (well the trip was Birthday and Xams combined) and she LOVES German food. If you are here for the holidays they change the show a bit for the holiday and it is really nice, beautiful rendition of Silent Night included,

Before checking in for dinner, she ordered 3 bottles of wine to go home, we had them sent to the front of the park (can't have resort delivery for booze)

We took our time eating and head out to the American Pavilion before getting on line for CP

Then it was time for CP with Isabella Rossellini.

OMG!!!! It was beautiful and so moving and I'm not religious, but WOW. Bought the CD and been listening all week.

By the time we got out of CP it was 9:10 and we had 20 minutes to get to the preferred viewing in WS Plaza for Holiday Illminations

Epcot Tree on the way

Holiday Illuminations - WOW, very nice so happy to have been able to see it.

Murph had a bit too much GlueWine though, she freaked when the Globe opened and I couldn't figure out why, she thought it was broken. Well afterwards when we turned around to leave I realized why. SHe thought the Globe was SSE

Imagine her surprise that SSE was behind her the whole time

I can't make this stuff up Fockers!

With that we got her package from the front of the park and headed back to SSR for the night.

 

[DisneyJo]

OMG too funny about Murph and the globe

I was looking at the schedule for the Christmas storytellers but it didn't look as though you could go from one to the other as they were at funny times

 

[puggymom]

OMG too funny about Murph and the globe

I was looking at the schedule for the Christmas storytellers but it didn't look as though you could go from one to the other as they were at funny times

Hi Jo, it was not easy, there was some waiting in between, but how I posted is the order in which we saw them, which was nice as there was no back tracking, we spent time wandering in the shops etc. We were on no time schedule except our ADR at 5:30.


I saw the other 3 the following day, with some jumping around though, but I did get to see them all.

As for Murph, I just chalked it up to a senior moment (and maybe a bit too much wine)

 

[dlwharp]

Seriously, she asks you over to to work?

Wow, as CE said, she asks you to go round and do work?!?!? Fair enough if it was for charity but for her clients

Yep, seriously. It's usually fun (and there is duck egg Eggnog involved), but when I'm stressed about not having my stuff done, it's just more stress.

She's a girl we think and no she hasn't done any damage, but she still keeps trying

Oh geeze, good luck with that!

Sounds lovely, can I have your shortbread and toffee recipes please

Certainly! I don't know why everyone loves this shortbread, it's not hard at all. Maybe people just think it's a lot of work???

Shortbread:
Oven to 325 degrees. 1 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 cups flour (now, I use a tad less butter and a tad more flour). Beat butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Mix in flour until smooth (don't overmix). Bake 40-45 minutes until golden. Add nuts to batter if you'd like.

------------------
Toffe: now, this is a cheater method but it is VERY good! 1/2 lb butter, 1/2 cup sugar, Saltine crackers (1 stack per cookie sheet); 10 oz. bag chocolate chips, chopped nuts (hazlenuts are good). Melt butter & sugar in saucepan (do not boil, sugar will still be somewhat crystal-ly). Line cookie sheet with Saltines - do not overlap. Spoon butter/sugar mixture over Saltines. Put in 350 degree oven for approx. 5-8 minutes. It will bubble. Take out of oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over Saltines. Let sit 3-5 minutes until spreadable. Spread chocolate to cover Saltines and sprinkle nuts on top. Refrigerate until firm. Break up in rough pieces and enjoy!

The Tree is put together (yeah, we do fake), now I've got to start putting the ornaments on. BBL!

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

The line at the border crossing back into Canada was LONG! They only had one booth open so the cars were really backed up. We couldn't understand why they would only have one open on a Saturday. The dollar is really strong right now and it is close to Christmas so lots of people going shopping in the States. You would think they would plan for the crowds and have more border staff on.

that is crazy! Glad you got some good deals though and it sounds like you had a good time!

That's terrible. I can understand their wanting a little bit of space but to restrict her to only 4 visits a year! They should be grateful that she wants to be involved with them and her grandchildren. I would kill to have grandparents like that. Mine lived in Egypt most of my life and now that they are back in the States they barely show an interest in us. Some people just do not appreciate what they have. Hopefully her DIL will come around.

I think it's just nuts to do something like that. The DIL actually writes down in a notebook each time my babysitter sees her son. It could be an hour long visit with out the DIL around and it still counts as a visit. Now that is just really really weird in my opinion.

Our newest Christmas ornament

That is too cute!

Sounds lovely and glad you get to see the kids. I didn't really want a kitten but Boo has been great you'll love it

Thanks Jo. And the kids are excited about the cat!

The snow has indeed started, but it's not bad yet. Kind of pretty, and I'm not bitter because it's December now.

We had snow yesterday as well but it didn't stick at all or last to long. But your right, at least it's December and snowing. I'm not liking it in March or April.

Lori I meant to say about your Sitters DIL, that's so sad, even if you don't want contact you don't say it directly at least she has your guys

It is crazy, but your right, my kids love her to death. My best friend called me last night and asked if I could have the kids make her something and send it in the mail to her. She was then like I would have to strangle you if you took your kids away from my mom. They aren't even related to her but I know it would hurt our sitter.

That is a long drive - I would be a bit uncomfortable too, not knowing them and all.

Thanks Deb. I still don't know what's going on with him. I'll probably e-mail tonight or tomorrow to see what he has decided. I was like 'Oh heck no!' at first but if he does take them I'll be OK with it. Just as long as the kids are cared for and have fun that's all that matters to me.

On Christmas Eve, we'll watch Love Actually and put the presents under the tree in the evening.

I love that movie!

What a shame. Do you know why the DIL is being so mean?

They've been married 2, maybe 3 years, and there has always been a tension there. I just hear bits and pieces from my best friend and sitter so I can't really say what all has gone down. It really is a shame though because to my kids she is a great 'faux' grandma.

Hi everyone. I tried to quote yesterday before I left work, but ran out of time Today we put the decorations up - so glad that is done. The tree goes up tomorrow. I did the inside and poor DH spent the day putting up the outside decorations - in the rain and snow! I tried to convince him to do it tomorrow when it is supposed to be dry, but no go. My back is already paying for all the schlepping of boxes down from the attic - ouch!

Sorry about the back but it sounds like you are making a good dent in your Christmas stuff. Your Christmas plans sound really nice as well.

******************************************************

Speaking of cats...I think we must have already adopted a stray.

My dad comes inside last night holding a cat and asked if I had ever seen it before. I honestly think it's one of our neighbors that lives across the alley but I'm not 100% sure. I asked him where he found it and he said it's been out in our garage in the cigar room. I guess my brother had been feeding it so it's hung around.

This morning DR gets up and has to go to the bathroom so I walk downstairs with him. I hear him with meowing and I told him to be quiet and he was like 'mom, it's not me!' I look over and the cat that was in our garage comes running up from the basement and out our doggie door.

Well, at least it had someplace warm to sleep last night. So, it looks like we might have a permanent outdoor cat that we'll bring inside at night when it gets colder. I gave it some food and milk this morning and it gobbled it up (you can't feel or see it's ribs though so that's a good thing) and then went right back outside to the garage. I think my brother has been calling him (it might be a her) Smoke since it likes the cigar room.

Our little town is having it's parade in about an hour. Lindsey was supposed to be in it with our church but she says it's too cold and doesn't want to. I asked if she wanted to go watch and she said yes so we need to start getting ready in a bit. I need to find gloves and hats for the kids. Why do these things alway seem to get misplaced?

No plans for tonight other than just chillin' at home. I have a few Christmas shows DVR'd that we might watch or find something on TV.

Hope y'all are enjoying your Sunday!

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Mo - Great pics! Your day there looks wonderful and to Murph and the globe!

Deb - Thanks for the recipies! The toffee one sounds sooooo good!

 

[dlwharp]

Wow, this is weird - anyone know why my quotes are coming up with the name Deb all of sudden??? I didn't change anything in my profile

 

[DisneyJo]

Shortbread:
Oven to 325 degrees. 1 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 cups flour (now, I use a tad less butter and a tad more flour). Beat butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Mix in flour until smooth (don't overmix). Bake 40-45 minutes until golden. Add nuts to batter if you'd like.

Great, I actually have some cups too As for the toffee I have no idea what saltines are

Speaking of cats...I think we must have already adopted a stray.

Well that solves you having to go choose another one

Wow, this is weird - anyone know why my quotes are coming up with the name Deb all of sudden??? I didn't change anything in my profile

I think Lori forgot your name and did the quotes like that

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Wow, this is weird - anyone know why my quotes are coming up with the name Deb all of sudden??? I didn't change anything in my profile

I think Lori forgot your name and did the quotes like that

Yes, it's my fault. ::smacking myself in the head::

Is there a Deb here that I'm getting confused with?

Sorry DENISE.

 

[jcc0621]

I had a whole reply...quotes and everything and IE went kablooey!

Let's see what I remember...since you all decided to get chatty when I wasn't around

Jo - Hope the cat is staying out of the tree. Saltines are crackers.

Mo - poor Murph!

Lessa - Sounds like you got some great deals.

Lori - Have fun at the parade and yes, there is a Deb, but she hasn't been around for a while

Denise - Glad nothing broke and no one was hurt when the quilt fell.

CE - Scary about the neighbors and the kids not knowing the cell number. Maybe it was programmed in the phone

I know V is in mourning today, so lets all send her some good vibes...FLA lost their bid to go to the championship game...they got smoked by 'Bama. Sorry V

++++++++++++++++++++++

Had a great time at Hersheyparks yesterday. Will post pics once I get them uploaded to photobucket.

Not much going on here today. I know this will shock you all, but I am doing laundry I went to the grocery store earlier, Jimmy declared pajama day, and Ji is at his mothers pulling her Christmas decorations out from under the crawl space so they can start decorating.

HAving Hot Dogs in crescent rolls with french fries and baked beans for dinner. Not the healthiest, but it is quick and easy

So, now that I am back I take it everyone left

 

[jcc0621]

Quick little tr. We left the house a little after 10am and picked up our friend Val and her 2 kids Gordon (who Jimmy has been in school with since they were 6 months old) and Rhea. We arrived at Hersheypark a little after 12:00, which is when it opened. Tickets to get in $10.95/each (kids under 3 free). OUr first stop was the Chocolate factory to do the tour where they show you how the chocolate is made, and they give you a free sample at the end You get in cars that are in a continuous loop (Think clam mobiles or HM).

The kids were fascinated or scared to death, I can't tell which

After the tour we got our free samples and hesed over to the park to get our tickets and also the tickets for the Sweet Lights tour (more in this below).

We also saw Santa (picture not scanned in yet) and his reindeer:

Roudolph was the one right in front. He has his cover on so the other reindeer wouldn'tmake fun of him

Around dinner time we headed out and went to Red Robin for dinner. Have only recently heard of them here, but the food was decent and the prices much better than in the park

After dinner we put the kids in their PJ's loaded up the car and heded to The Sweet lights ($20/car but $16 if we bought them with our park tickets). Sweet lights is a drive through light display!

Excuse how dirty the windshield was:

Headed home after this. Kids passed out in the car before we even hit the turnpike to head home. Hence why we put them in thier PJ's!

There was just enough snow to make it Christmasy, and it wasn't real cold. The only thing I would do differently is if we had the same kind of weather I would put Jimmy in snow pants. The bottoms of his jeans were soaked by the end of the night just becasue of the puddles, etc. Next year we are thinking of going up Friday night and staying until Sunday so that we have more time to do things and don't feel so rushed.

 

[englishrose47]

Our newest Christmas ornament

I just read this as I heard a loud "thud " Snoopy knocked over our whole tree

Hi Jo, it was not easy, there was some waiting in between, but how I posted is the order in which we saw them, which was nice as there was no back tracking, we spent time wandering in the shops etc. We were on no time schedule except our ADR at 5:30.

II saw the other 3 the following day, with some jumping around though, but I did get to see them all.

As for Murph, I just chalked it up to a senior moment (and maybe a bit too much wine)

Oh Mo you are just so darn cute !!! Sneaking up to those "dogs" and being truly concernedabout SSE!!!

Yes, it's my fault. ::smacking myself in the head::

Is there a Deb here that I'm getting confused with?

Sorry DENISE.

 

[dlwharp]

Yes, it's my fault. ::smacking myself in the head::

Is there a Deb here that I'm getting confused with?

Sorry DENISE.

No problem, I answer to just about anything, but I thought I did something!!

Jo - Hope the cat is staying out of the tree. Saltines are crackers.

Thanks Janet! Jo, do you have something similar in England???

Denise - Glad nothing broke and no one was hurt when the quilt fell.

Really! It was a bit scary when it happened, because I didn't know exactly what the damage was at first

Had a great time at Hersheyparks yesterday. Will post pics once I get them uploaded to photobucket.

Hersheypark inthe snow - wow!

Quick little tr.

That looks like a really fun day - even in the snow! I love the lights too - really must have put you in a holiday mood!

Go Eagles, huh, Janet! They creamed ATL!!

The tree is DONE! Feels good. Just waiting for all the kids to come. I'm doing crockpot short ribs with rice and green beans. They smell wonderful, I can't wait to eat! Hopefully, I'll get to work more on my fabric baskets tonight after they leave. Hope everyone is having a nice Sunday!