Happy Thanksgiving!

There’s no place like home…there’s no place like home…

I made it back from Dallas late Saturday night—completely exhausted and weighing in a good 5 pounds heavier than when I left. I love experiencing new restaurants, and Dallas was full of them. We had sushi at Kunichiwa, steak at Sam and Nick’s and pasta at Maggiano’s. To say the least I’m stuffed. Tis’ the season I guess. With Thanksgiving Thursday and Christmas 36 days away, I’m finding myself keenly aware of my waistline. I actually considered fasting today—but really, who am I kidding--that idea quickly faded at 6:30 am. I think I’ll save all the weight worries until after the first of the year.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the shoe boxes yesterday!!! Rob and I loaded them up and delivered them to the church this morning. I wish I could be there when the kids open those lids and pull out all their surprises! I think what touched my heart the most was going back through the boxes last night and reading some of the notes the kids had included. Thanks again!

I’m still fighting this dreadful cold. I went to see Dr Parker Friday hoping to knock it out early, but I’m afraid I was too late. Given that and the fact the Rob and I have been going non-stop for what seems like months, our weekend was pretty low-key. Friday we rented a couple Monty Python movies and curled up on the couch. Sad to say, I don’t think we even got half way through “Search for the Holy Grail”, before we were both asleep. Saturday we watched the heart-breaking defeat to MS State, and then headed to Birmingham to get out new breakfast-nook table and chairs. Sunday was shoes boxes and laundry.

I’ll be in Dallas for a trade show this week- returning late Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed I won’t have any flight delays and that all this nasty sinus crud in my head will clear out before I have to get on a plane Wed morning.

The GRANT Dinning collection:
(You really can't tell from the photo, but the table sets up pretty high- the chairs are more like pub chairs--prefect for Rob's long legs!)

My new toy

I finally did it! I have given up my old leather Franklin Covey planner-- well, maybe. I've been looking at PDA's for years--literally years, and last week I finally bought one. It arrived last night... and so far so good. I still haven't won the battle over how to download email direct from the Gmail server, but I did score some points figuring out how to use Outlook. It takes more time than I'm used, it seems more complicated, I can't color code events, or doodle in the margins, but I still think it's worth it. I went with a Windows based model and it's got great features like WIFI, Blue Tooth and and an MP3 (like I need another MP3 player, but hey!)

Annual Food & Rum Festival ST. LUCIA

St. Lucia Gets Ready for Second Annual Food & Rum Festival ST. LUCIA - World-renowned 'mixologist' Tony Abou-Ganim, currently featured on the popular 'Iron Chef America' culinary television show, will be the big name at this year's Food & Rum Festival. Scheduled for November 1 - 4, in Rodney Bay Village, the Festival will highlight the cuisine and rums of the region and will include food demonstrations, rum tastings, live musical performances and much more.