New Year's Winter

Rime Ice on Grandfather Mountain this morning

How beautiful! And cold ...


This was at sunset BEFORE the water set in ... gorgeous, isn't it?



We spent most of the weekend officially getting Christmas out of the house and up into the attic where it waits all year long for us to release it again. So glad that project is over. I'm definitely NOT built for trying to get the ornaments on or off a 10 foot tree! Thank heavens Paul is a good sport and doesn't mind helping!



Trying to catch up on a few things, random and not:


December 29th was Paul's dad's 70th birthday! SO Happy Birthday MEL!!!!! Having had the boys with us, our posts on real life things are a bit behind the times ... but the wishes are all the same HAPPY and SINCERE!

Our friend Beth who has been in upstate NY and MA since April taking care of her mom has finally said goodbye to her as Mary passed away surrounded by love and family last week. The family had a party "Mary style" for her in her NY home where she lived for 40 + years. Rest in peace, Mary. And God Bless you Beth as you move into grief and all that comes with losing your mom. We will be here for anything you might need us to do. xoxo

Paul's niece and nephew, Sarah and Nick both celebrate their birthdays, Sara on the 9th and Nick on the 15th ... as does his brother Chris on the 15th of this month. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christopher!!! As well as Happy Birthday to you Sarah and Nick!!! My niece Hollie also celebrates her birthday on the 15th!! Birthday season is here for our family ... a zillion Capricorns in the mix. Happy Birthday Hollie! And in case you don't know, Mercury is retrogrand so mind your peas and ques when you're communicating or signing contracts!


David Evertsen in Orlando celebrates his birthday TODAY so HAPPY BIRTHDAY David!

Mandy Taylor Salguero (hope I spelled that right) ran a marathon yesterday. NOW THAT is an accomplishment! Congratulations, Mandy! I am VERY impressed, and am bowing to you in admiration and respect. You rock!

Facebook turns out to be a pretty cool tool for casual communicating for those of you who haven't yet checked it out. It certainly eliminates the unnecessary stuff and cuts right to the chase of stating random facts and talking to friends and etc. Worth a look/see if you're so inclined.

I have been following a new blogsite (littlebitfunky.blogspot.com). Very inspiring, fun and worthwhile for a read and certainly provokes some insight into things. She even has a pretty nifty swap event coming up. I love her attitude toward giving. The right ideas.

As the new year always does begin with good intentions, Paul and I have made our list of what we'd like to do when/where/how/why. He has begun sanding the edges of the floors so we can actually finish them up. One room per month, that's our goal!!! There are so many things to be done, we just picked one. Hopefully that will help us with the not feeling overwhelmed thing!

I have been mosaicing and plotting my next few projects. It feels great to want to do it again. Guess I just needed a break for a while.

The children from the Crossnore School are on holiday in Washington, DC ... actually they are calling it "classroom without walls" so I don't think it's really a holiday but more of a field trip.
We are missing the Saturday dance classes, so it will be wonderful for these two old folks when they return. Exercise is mandatory for us at this point!

Weather is promising snow this week and temps to dip to zero and below! BRRRR

Well, best go dream up some more things to do and strive for. Do hope you are all well and happy.

Till next time,
Paul & Cheri