Hi Everyone,
I've been feeling guilty for not visiting you all more frequently in the past few weeks. I've been busy with some work-related things and other day-to-day stuff, and it's been taking up some of the time I would normally use for my visits. How dare life get in the way of my blogging and my blog visits. I've managed to stop by a little here and there, but not like I normally do. Just know that I hope to catch up with you all very soon. I have been reading a lot of your posts...just not always leaving comments for lack of time....which is a lame excuse, but true.
I am SOOOO ready for some warmer weather now. Rumor has it that we may see some temps in the 30's this weekend...Whoopie!! But...I won't believe it until I see it. We've been fooled before. Presently the snow has stayed at bay for the past few days...giving us a breather from shoveling ourselves out. None of you want to see me shoveling ANYTHING....it's not a pretty picture. We'll be heading into March and I'm afraid to put my snow shovel away in the garage where it hibernates for most of the year. But the first sign that we are truly heading into Spring...that sucker is gone. How have you all managed through the Winter so far? Some of you are basking in some pretty wonderfully warm weather....hard to believe from my little frozen corner of the world. Enjoy every minute! See, I'm not bitter.
I will say, if there's a silver lining to be found amidst all this wretched weather, it's that I've managed to stay cold and flu-free through it. Not so with many of my friends and family. This has been a brutal winter on so many people. I've never seen so many people down for the count with one thing or another. But I've had a little something going on this past week or so....
Remember Stony? Well, I was wondering if I'd ever hear from him again. I even thought he may have 'flown the coop' without me even realizing he left. (That would have been great.) I can't be officially sure, but I think he may be the cause of some discomfort I've had over the last week. Nothing awful....just annoying. I hear these little intruders can be just this kind of annoying. I'm still going along with the plan to get rid of Stony naturally. However, I haven't been the one fouling up the plan. He's reneging on his end. I never planned for him to take up permanent residence. If he IS still with me, I'd like to evict him as soon as possible.
Well everyone....I'm going back to work. I hope you all are well; and if you aren't....that you get well quickly. Depending on where you are....stay warm, cool, dry and safe. Most of all.....stay HAPPY. That's a place where we all want to live.
Love, Joy 
Joy, this is the thing about life that it sometimes gets in the way of our blogs. That's life, and it happens to most of us.
Posted by: jen | February 22, 2008 at 06:14 PM
It's good to hear from you and know you're okay. I admit I was wondering about Stony the other day and I'm sorry to learn he's still hanging around. I love the cat in your sidebar. Those eyes are too cool and the breathing is subtle but realistic. We all understand about getting busy and we'll be here when life slows down for you. Hope YOU have a nice weekend too.
Hugs and blessings,
Posted by: storyteller | February 22, 2008 at 07:16 PM
It's funny how we start feeling so responsible toward our blog connections. It's better to be busy than to be bored, but I hope you get a chance to relax soon.
Posted by: Travelinoma | February 23, 2008 at 02:47 AM
Yikes ... the blogblahs must be catching ... or maybe real life is catching up. At least the weather here does not require shoveling anything!
Posted by: Suzz | February 23, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Joy, so good to hear from you! I do feel a tinge of guilt as I got in the car with Steve today to head to the Naples Philharmonic (free tickets from another teacher), I actually uttered the words "It's so friggin' hot, I can't wait for the cooler weather!"...being native New Yorkers, we both cracked up!!! I consider 70 cool now...what the hell is up with that?! Miss and Love you!
Posted by: miffy | February 24, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Dear Joy ~~ I hope you are feeling better and can get that stone shifted. Your cat is cuter than mine as he has white feet. Well done. Take great care my friend, Love, Merle.
Posted by: Merle | February 26, 2008 at 06:37 AM
OK, it has been 4 days since you posted the "work" excuse. That's enough. We need you out here to referee the game and stir the bean dip. Or something... Hurry back...
Posted by: Winston | February 26, 2008 at 06:59 AM
I mean it this time. Don't make me have to come up there and find you...
Posted by: Winston | February 26, 2008 at 07:00 AM
I sure know what you mean about blogging getting in the way of work. I'm hoping this year to finally be turning around the dynamic, decidedly putting blogging in a secondary role and I don't even write and do as much as you do.
Experiencing a sense of being "responsible toward our blog connections..." as Travelinoma said, has been a surprising consequence to blogging that can complicate life, require taming.
Posted by: joared | February 27, 2008 at 03:01 AM
A lovely blog, but a lot of work, obviously! Good luck!
Posted by: Happiness | February 28, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Couldn't agree more!
Posted by: Muggins | February 28, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Tell Stony to take a HIKE!! It's time he became independent and left to live his own life.
I'm sooooooo relieved to see you say that life has interfered with your blogging. I felt I might be the only person having that problem, and now I know I'm in good company.
Hang in there, sweetie....things are bound to turn around!
Posted by: buffy | February 29, 2008 at 09:44 PM
It's about time Stony upped and left. Have a serious word with him. Threaten him with consequences if he doesn't go natutally!
Posted by: Liz | March 02, 2008 at 03:50 PM