Goodbye - Hello

   This is a great statement for tonight and tomorrow...Thank you Mr. Eliot.

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~ T. S. Eliot ~


Blessings to you and yours for a Happy New Year.

Shake, Rattle, & Roll

Weather in Indiana is never predicable.  For the kids first day of school in October, they were greeted with tornadoes.  We had snow before Thanksgiving.  Ice which closed school the last day of the 2010 school year.

Still not to be topped, this morning greeted us with an earthquake, http://www.indystar.com/article/20101230/LOCAL/101230007/4-2-magnitude-earthquake-hits-north-central-Indiana?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com.  I was serving breakfast and there was a sound jolt and then a short shaking in the house.  Nothing fell, even in the china cabinet.  The kids slept through everything and LB didn't believe DH when we told him.  He had to confirm it with our guest and the internet.  Talk about a child of the 21st century.

This still won't encourage me to live on the West coast.   Our earthquakes won't have us floating off into the Pacific.  Besides I still don't like their other seasons - fire, drought, and mud slide.

Wonder what we'll enjoy from Mother Nature next year...

And the children were nestled

All snug in their beds, and after I finish the posting, the adults will too.  Why is this note worthy - because for the first time since our arrival in North Manchester, the entire family is sleeping in their own beds with the mattress that goes with each.  YEAH!!!!

Yes the unpacking continues and this weekend major progress was made with more of my sewing area settling in, DH is finding power cords for the ever growing collection of electronics, and the kids are just trying to hide and get out of helping.

Now it is time for me to enjoy a long quiet night with my pillow.....

And it continues

Today we've had another full day of light, spirit encouraging, snow.  Unlike Philadelphia, the plows were out early this afternoon starting the clearing and sanding.

We spent the day in wrapping packages, addressing envelopes, and watching holiday movies.  First round of packages are under the tree.  After the kids are in bed I'll continue the wrapping with packages for them.  I don't dare put those packages under the tree, LB would be too tempted to open packages either right away or when he thought no one was around.

Now the kids are THRILLED because the school district just called letting us know that we have a 2 hour delayed opening.  Neither has said so yet, I'm sure they are each going around with fingers crossed that school will be closed tomorrow.  I however would prefer they get their little tushes on the bus at 9:30 tomorrow morning.  A few errands remain to finish my shopping, while waiting for online orders to show on the porch, which don't need any help.  I also have a big round of sewing to start for the family.  They would be too curious about what I was working on and they would just be in the way as I work.

So as I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord the streets to clean......

Let it snow...

Our place in the snow

"Indiana is so much cooler then Philly...this is a second day of snow and it's not winter yet," states the MM.  Then she HAD to call her bff to make it known.  It's cold, snowing, and we are decorating for Christmas.  Just a perfect way to call in the holiday.





Saturday we headed to the Honeywell Center for Toyland - an afternoon of crafts, snacks, and picture with Santa.  The Honeywell Center is fully decorated so we took advantage and found several spots to take out holiday photos.  These are the ones that didn't make it for the Christmas card, so great having multiple shots to work with this year.



Sunday was the holiday concert by the Manchester Symphony Orchestra.  We missed the first half of the production due to a late check out and early arrival of this weeks guests.  With a whirlwind round of cleaning with participation from everyone, we arrived at intermission and enjoyed the MSO with the chorus from Manchester College performing the Messiah.  James fell asleep during the show, but he NEEDED the nap.  The rest of us enjoyed the music and were impressed by the vocal quality of many of the soloists.

After the concert, we headed to the local Mexican restaurant for DH's birthday dinner a day early but better then on a school night. The evening ended with a lovely meal.   I love their idea of the full celebration for a birthday - whipped cream on the face while wearing a sombrero.  Well it was a weekend full of holiday activity which was enjoyed by all.