Off For the Weekend...

Hoping you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I wanted to post some of our photos from yesterday and today, but the computer isn't cooperating...so they will have to wait.

We are going up to New Hampshire today until Sunday, returning in time to watch the NE Patriots on TV. I may have to enroll in a chapter of bloggers anonymous because I am certain there won't be Internet.

Highlights include:

• A stroll with Howie around the Brown University Campus where Memory Lane would more aptly have been called Alzheimer's Alley. We couldn't remember where anything was.
• A wonderful meal (that I didn't have to cook) including the most delicious squash souffle I have ever tasted. Yum.
• Time with Howie's sister and her family, his aunt and uncle who we haven't seen for years.
• Sleeping in.

We did end up going to the mall today. I had vowed to stay away from all shopping today. The appeal of an incredible bargain does not outweigh the hassle of traffic, crowds and tired, cranky people (shoppers and sales people).

But a kind of tradition has established itself. When we come to visit the cousins, we also go to the mall to build a build a bear. I think I just managed to hit the timing sweet spot between the early morning insanity and the normal hour frenzy. There was no traffic (when we left they needed two police to direct traffic), we found a great place to park immediately and there were no lines in Build a Bear. The most time consuming part of the shopping expedition was waiting for Nicole to make a decision, and that is nothing new or unique to Black Friday. I can actually say it was fun.

So I am going to take a deep breath and gear up for an unplugged weekend.

Peace, Kathy