i have had a quiet week at home. i want one or two more. need 'em! i want to build a small building on my property next summer and of course it won't be anything easy to do. i have been spanking this idea for the last three years. i finally have an approach that i like. it is complicated so i am building a scale model. that is what i have been doing this week- i need more weeks! it will be spectacular whether it is a failure or a success and there is no doubt that it will be on the front page of the new york times. check headlines in june for "big bonfire consumes strange building in burlington- arson suspected" or "very nice champagne served on deck of luv shak recently built in burlington." time for a glass of wine- spodey odey.

It's 26 right now so chilly for sure. Yesterday while Northern VT had rain all day we actually had snow all day. Though it didn't exactly pile up, there was lots of shovelling going on White Day After Christmas was enjoyed. Skiers are hopeful but there is no expectation of more snow in the days to come.

Santa was very good to all of us. The snow means I can use my new snoeshoeing poles soon.

We're heading to VT tomorrow afternoon. I hope it has stopped raining.

pat, how warm is it in northern maine? if the turkeys are taking cold showers cuz the woman of northern maine are not wearing there down outerwear- it must be hot, hot, hot! i am tempted to put the ping pong table back outdoors, that is, if it would just stop raining. my son tom has beaten me in chess too many times and the ski slopes suck. i am down to movies, eating chocolate (it is a special problem at x-mas when you work for a swiss company), and not much else. i did not get a sports car for Christmas or a case of great wine and i did not win the lottery, but i have to say that santa was good to me - hope he did a fine job for everyone else.

It's 4 0'clock Christmas Eve. Colin is home from work nd he and his dad are watching a football game. Kevin is about an hour away from home. I've a cheese cake in the oven and a turkey that's probably going to need a cold water bath to finish defrosting.

It was a warm spring like day here and the parking lots were full of cars all over town. I guess the retail business is up.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas tomorrow, Happy Monday, a great day no matter what or how you are celebrating!

Karen V, does Janice know that you are coming home for the New Year???