Mortereve all!! I haven;t been here in a LOOONG time!
Did I miss the tree decorating party??

*Cor enters the Square singing "The Rain in Spain*

Actually, it should be "the Rain in Archenland", but no matter. *the Prince takes a seat at the fountain and is soon accompanied by his friend, Vern*

Mortereve all! Can you believe it? It's Exactly ONE WEEK till Christmas!!!

*Can any of you tell that Cor is a little.... excited over this. *

Hey! You're the one that informed me it was one week till Christmas.... at 12:00 last night.

*That's a matter of complete indifference!*

Really?

Anyway, it's time for a weekend catch-up post.

-------------------------

@ Lucy. Ditto. Tornadoes seem to have a allergic reaction to our county, they go around us or break apart before they reach us. Strange weather.... Yeah, we've been getting a LOT of rain this year. Especially in the past few weeks.

@ NN. Quite welcome on all accounts..... I think.

@ PogginFan. Ah, I see. Good luck on getting it completed by New Years! I've been doing well, as have the Royal Family. Glad Christmas break is finally here, though.

Nice avvie, BTW of..... P&P?

@ Djaq. That's alright, it's better than completely misspelling my name.
Of those two alternate names... I'm glad you stuck with "Djaq". Of course, there are several female names you could have stuck before Scarlett that would have worked.

The temp keeps jumping between the 30's and 50's as of late. The only things that's remained constant is the rain. *also like cold weather* Hopefully we will get at least a dusting this year. If not, I'm sure will have rain and ice.

*Very true, miss Djaq.*

@ Winter. Well, actually, we gave it to a young faun we know. He seemed pretty happy to get it. I would recommend next time letting the Jolly Old Chap in Red do his job. Might save you some trouble.

*The treats were very delicious, miss Winter! *

@ My dear Royal sister, Princess. Eh, I know what you mean..... Well, I bought a time-traveling DeLorean, but had to give it back. Also, I'm thinking of buying this really cool black ship that I saw at the harbor. It has black sails and everything!

*You're not buying that ship! Besides, isn't there a few CD's you want to get? Not to mention Christmas presents.... which you still need to buy. *

Yes, well.....

@ Fanny. Yep, Henry Higgins is name. Sounds like the beginning of some dumb rhyme, doesn't it? Anyway, I can see where it would be a more amusing song/sequence if you disliked him.

Yeah, there are so many good movies that would be even better if they cut out the cursing. *sigh*

Unfortunately, yes. We only see those relatives on holidays, so it's a little easier.

@ Betsie. Yes, I wear a fedora and I actually have a real one laying around the castle somewhere. A Indiana Jones fedora. Thank you most kindly. *bows*

Umm, we're ALL 17 year-olds.... Anyway, so you are going to a ball? What sort, if I may ask?

*Glad to hear you and yours are doing well. Actually, I have a family gathering that I'll be going to on Sunday in West Isle. Should be fun. *

@ Jojo. *nods head in agreement* Lovely hoodies, by the way!

*waves to Mel and QueenSusan*

----------------------------

Well, I think that gets everything. Now for usual Friday housework at the caste.....

*Cor and Vern exit the Square*

Just a little catch-up:

My mom was looking at the weather forecast and we're supposed to get 18 inches of snow between tonight and Saturday night.

I'm jealous! We have a paltry 6 or 7 on the ground - but we're pretty much guaranteed a white Christmas. (My parents, some 120 miles south of here, got close to 16 inches the other day; 6-foot snowdrifts made it hard for them to get out of their house or clear the driveway).

Can you believe it? It's Exactly ONE WEEK till Christmas!!!

That's right! Glad I've finished my shopping...now, just to wrap it all.

And if it's only a week before Christmas, it must be...my dad's birthday! He's 85 years young today! And because he was born so close to Christmas, his middle name is "Noel."

*offers egg nog and Christmas cookies to all*

*THUMP* A familiar figure drops into the Square, sprawled on her back, gazing up at the sky in bewilderment* Oof! Well, that wasn't exactly planned... *THUMP!* A second figure drops into the Square, sprawled on her back, gazing up at the sky in bewilderment*

Oh... Momo. You arrived.

*I most certainly did. What happened to the "nice, soft landing" you were talking about?*

Uhh... well... *clears throat* That's what hot air balloons do... or rather, are supposed to do. This was just a rare... exception.

*Sure. I still say you should've checked it over for holes first....*

How many times do I have to tell you? There were NO holes in it prior to the launching.

*Yeah. Then that explains that "phhht!" we heard while floating over Anvard. I told you it wasn't me.*

Hey! What did you expect, using a hot air balloon in the middle of the winter?

*You should have thought about that before dragging me into this whole thing.*

Anyway.... Mortereve, all! I have come to make my catchup post... with Momo this time.

*That was QUITE the entrance.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, you watched the Passion of Christ, Ben? What did you think of it? I haven't seen it yet. I heard it was very good, but... very graphic.

I just have one sibling, PoN... PrincessRosario. What about you?

Fanny: Thank you for the prayers, and the hug. School has been going well! We had our last three tests today, and get out Tuesday afternoon. Monday and Tuesday are basically just filled with Christmas programs and parties.

Ohh, and speaking of which... I get my braces off on Monday! I'm very excited.

*waves to Katana* Hello! Welcome to the Town Square! It's good to have you around. I'm Rose, Rosa, Miss R, or whatever else you wish to call me.

Why thank you, Betsie! My dad (Dr. Rosario), my moderator sister (PrincessRosario), our friend (RosarioPrincess), and I all chose that as part of our usernames. Rosario is a place we sometimes stay at for the summer, and is by far the best place ever!

Great job on the college-placement test, Jojo! I suppose you were rather nervous. Mmmf... that sounds like me. I love writing, and... err... am not-so-good in math. Not bad, but... not terribly exceptional.

Ooh, it sounds like you received one cute hoodie! You should PM me a photo. (Oh, and btw... I LOVE your facebook profile picture! It's so cute and Christmassy.)

I definitely see what you mean about parties, Poggy. I'm not a huge party person myself. I do like the school ones, however, because it's a casual thing--not something to go to in a dress and heels. We're all good friends, and just come to hang out and have fun. No one is excluded, and everyone has a good time.

*What about the time you wrapped me up in a bow and and brought me to the party? I didn't call that fun...*

Oh... don't pay any attention to Momo. She'll learn to laugh about that situation sooner or later.

*Most likely later.*

Glad to hear that your violin lessons are going well, Queen Susan! I have almost a month and a half off from lessons. And I've been doing well, thank you! Yourself?

Ooooh.... your friend met Sarah Chang? Wow. I've always wanted to go to concerts by her, Joshua Bell, and Itzhak Perlman. *wishful sigh*

*joins the group of Ever After fans*

Hello, Djaq! *sends a warm *

Horse_Lover! Wow, I haven't seen you around here in a long time. Welcome back! How have you been?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All right, that's all for now. I suppose Momo and I will be heading out for tonight.

*You have a safe departure in mind, right?*

Right. We'll patch up the balloon, and---

*Can we just... go out the normal way?*

*sigh* I guess so. Why do cats have to be so... un-adventuresome? Ah well. Cheers all, and enjoy your weekend! *disappears in a whirlwind of snow*

*Hey! Wait for me!*

*comes dancing down the lane, with something from the Nutcracker soundtrack playing behind*
*throws herself on the crystal, sparkled layer of snow and then quickly stands up, and remembers to be polite and ladylike* *forgets the idea and goes back to the snow, still*
It's wonderful to know that the Square's snow came on time, even though this part of the Midwest hasn't recieved a blanket yet. *sighs* But I sha'n't complain.

I'm not here for catchup from way back when, because once again, I'm not going to do it. But I'll try do better with this catchup!

Update RE my mom: We picked her up from the hospital Wednesday night, and she was really weak then. Thank God, as of today she's feeling much stronger but the pain is still there. They want to schedule her for surgery, but surgery isn't a good idea. Thank-you for your prayers!

Bella: Great to see you around again- although I am sorry your Mum isn't feeling well- I'll be praying!

Thank-you, dear! Your prayers are much valued!
How have you been faring of late?

*waves back to Poggy* Hullo! D'aw, thank-you for your prayers! Ditto, I hope she feels better before Christmas. Heh, thanks!
What's new for you lately? =]

*gasps* It's Bella! Great to see you around again! Wow, I'll be praying for your mom.

NG, I've missed you! Thanks a lot!
How're things? Have you gotten Christmas break from school yet?

Lovely poetry, Bent. Hope your mom feels better soon. I'l pray for her. *throws a back at Bent*

Thank-you, thank-you, dear! (For the compliment, and the prayers for my mom, and the hug.)
All prepared for Christmas this year?

*waves to Katana* Welcome! You may call me AitB, or Bella (strictly not from Twilight) *shakes hand heartily*

Mhm, that "strictly" has been added to my introductions. Because it's too true. Anyways.

*waves to Bets!!!!* How are you, dear? =]

Look at that wonderful following post, how I do love reading those!; *does her loud amount of SQUEE'ing and welcomes the hug, and returns one!* Jojo!! Why, thank-you; your's is lovely as well. I love that hue of blue, it's so fresh and reminds me of a clear day, and a bubbling creek, or fresh water. =]
D'aww, thanks! It put me in the Christmas spirit, too, to write it. Which reminds me of the tree crying to be put up as well as the decorations. I can't wait to put up the kitten's mittens and fill it with toys. Hee. ^.^

Do have the best time on your trip, dear Jo! Look forward to hearing all about it.

Hello, hello Queen S! D'aw, thanks! Yes, I've missed you, too; missed the chats and word wars. Thank goodness for Facebook, yes! Thanks! How have you been?

D'aww, thank-you, Mel for the kind word on my post and prayers!
Ditto, Christmas being so close scares me a tad. The decorations aren't up (but we might put it up today) and still Christmas shopping needs to be done. *sighs* But it'll get done! What's been going on for you?

Djaq!! Thank-you! And, thank-you even more for praying for my mom and our family!
How're you doing lately? We haven't talked in what's seemed like a while!

*Cor enters the Square singing "The Rain in Spain*

From My Fair Lady? *laughs* That part was most amusing. =]

Vern, really, I couldn't see any excitement in Cor's exclamation over Christmas. You're a shade of green, aren't you? I say you should wear a red bow, and a candy cane and you'll look spiff. (Just kidding, of course. )

Gazer, how neat about your father's birthday, and his middle name. Happy Birthday to him!
*helps herself to a cookie, with a "thank-you!"*
And I believe I'm done! Good Mortereve, everyone! *disappears singing Sleigh Ride down the lane, leading out of the marvelously decorated Square*
(If the colour I'm using is too bright in all respects, please do tell me. )

*pokes her head in*

Hello, Bella! It's good to see a post of yours again.

(If the colour I'm using is too bright in all respects, please do tell me.)

Oh, no, I like it! It looks snowy and wintery.

I'm glad to hear that your mother is feeling stronger. Hopefully she'll be completely well soon. In the meantime, she will definitely stay in my prayers!

How have you been lately? I've been doing well. I watched the (was it 1991?) version of Pride & Prejudice several days ago, and really enjoyed it.

Annnd.... Christmas is just around the corner! I get off of school next Tuesday afternoon (we have a shorter break this year), so I'm definitely looking forward to that. We had three tests today. Monday and Tuesday will just be full of Christmas activities.

Are you doing anything special for Christmas? Does your family celebrate any particular traditions?

hello!

*waves to Miss Rosario*

it's been a while since I've been in this square! how are ya'll?

poggy: I know what you mean about parties as well! I'm not big on going to parties just because it's a holiday! is it still 80 degrees in Florida?

got to go!

*waves to everyone*

*waves goodbye to Miss Rosario*

I feel like I have so much free time now that I'm not writing in every moment that I can spare.

*returns the hug* I had that free time. Now I've started another novel, with even less of a plan than the one I did for NaNo.

Outlaws of Sherwood Forest is a book by Robin McKinley. Not surprisingly, it's about Robin Hood. Cecily is Will Scarlett's sister, but you're not supposed to know that. So, if you ever read it (and it's one of my favourite variations of the tale) forget I said anything.

I'm kind of hoping to go shopping tomorrow and hope that inspiration hits me. Or I can get a T-shirt to paint a cow on. That'd be slightly more present like than stealing one of his old ones and customising it.

Vern, it's not nice to tease Cor about being excited for Christmas. Some of us need to see others being excited before we can get excited ourselves.

*accepts egg nog from gazer* I had egg nog ice cream last time I was at Culvers. It was tasty! And happy birthday to your father!

Bella: I wouldn't say I've been up to much. Of course, since I do some stuff every day, how am I to know if that'd actually be of interest? The most interesting stuff I can think of is that I'm writing another novel (almost to 20,000 words!) and that last week was spent practicing for the Church Christmas program. (Procrastination! Yay!) My sisters and i played 'The First Noel' on handbells, and one of my sisters and I played a recorder and piano duet of 'Good Christian Men Rejoice'. This week was a busy one at work. People are coming in for last minute Christmas cards.

Miss Rosario, is that the P&P with Jennifer Ehly and Colin Firth? Or a different one? Did you think anything other than just "That was really good?"

*scampers into the Square and brushes snow out of her hair and off her clothes* Well, we got some snow! We have around six inches of snow outside and we're supposed to get more later today. I'm so glad it's Saturday now - no school for the next couple weeks! Woot!

Mel, I know how you feel - I still have lots of presents to wrap too. Christmas is really coming up fast this year.

Djaq, I agree, it's so annoying when the book/movie you want at the library is checked out. I've been trying to get the City of Ember movie at the library for the past two months, but every time I go there, it's checked out. *sighs*

*waves to Horse_Lover* Hello!

PrinceCor, we gots tons of rain back in the fall, but actually today we just got our second snow in December! We usually never get snow till January.

Stargazer, 6 or 7 inches is still a lot of snow! That's about how much we have now, but it's snowing right now and it's supposed to snow for the rest of the day, so we'll probably get more...

Miss Rose, that's wonderful that you get your braces off on Monday! Just in time for Christmas, too.

Bella, our Christmas break is starting on Monday, so we'll be having the next two weeks off. I'm so excited! A break from all my schoolwork will be nice.
Btw, I LOVE your avatar, it's so pretty and Christmasy!

~Lucy

*Comes riding up in a carriage With a black and white paint pulling the carriage* Hey Everyone! How do you all like my Paint? I just bought it and had it shipped from France *Looks over at Sarge Lil Joe's horse and laughs* I bet you don't have as good a horse as mine Lil Joe! You probably bought yours at a farmer's market I bet Mine could be you in any race! I would probably make twenty miles when you made one
Ok Enough picking on Lil Joe, Joe Hoss told me to pick on you you can go and give him what for but i myself am not going to argue with him because I could be as flat as a pancake if i did!

Spoiler

( No one tell Lil Joe but I paid Hoss fifty dollars to tell me to do it! )

Hey All!!!! How is it going??????

A bit of Catchup.....

*THUMP* A familiar figure drops into the Square, sprawled on her back, gazing up at the sky in bewilderment* Oof! Well, that wasn't exactly planned... *THUMP!* A second figure drops into the Square, sprawled on her back, gazing up at the sky in bewilderment*

Oh... Momo. You arrived.

Lol Love your Entrance! *Waves to Momo and Rose*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, you watched the Passion of Christ, Ben? What did you think of it? I haven't seen it yet. I heard it was very good, but... very graphic.

Wow Words can not describe! Jesus' is SO AMAZING! You really need to see it! It is graphic but it is a different kind of graphic then most graphic movies! it is a MUST WATCH!

I just have one sibling, PoN... PrincessRosario. What about you?

Talking about Siblings are yee? I bet i got you beat

*Is ashamed that there is no good entrance today* I have a good excuse though my Mom wants to get on and I always catch up then add an entrance but today I got to get off.......... *looks around* Oh Mom's talking on the phone Maybe I might be able to squeeze it in there....
Ok maybe I squeezed A bit more then i had planed

~Benjamin

*Libby walks into the sqaure at a brisk pace.....then stops and waves to all the people.*

Hello, ya'll!

*waves to Benjamin*

I just got Switchfoot's new CD "Hello Hurricane"! I love it! does anybody else like this CD?

got to go!

*runs out of the square, stops, runs back, waves and runs out of the square again*

bye! *calls over shoulder*

Mortereve, all!

*waves to Miss Rosario* I've run across a number of unusual sentient entities in my alternate-dimensional life, but I have to admit, this might be the first time I've ever met a sentient, talking hot-air balloon. Nice to meet you, Momo!

*waves to Liberty Hoffman* So, since you are clearly a big Skillet fan, I must ask you: which of their albums would you recommend? Mind you, I want a full album, not just single songs.

I shall have to work on my own entrances. Hmm...

Mortereve all!

'Tis finally Christmas vacation!!! I finished my last day of school yesterday, and I'm so excited.

Yes, I did finish my novel! Did you finish yours? Now I'm working on reading it over so I can send off for my proof copy. (I'm so excited about it!) I've been really busy and distracted lately, so it'll probably be a while. My novel makes me happy. I love the characters.

No, I haven't finished my book. But as I wasn't participating in NaNo, I really didn't have to. Yet, I did nearly double the size of my novel during the month of November. I am currently halfway done.
I'll bet you're excited. Was this the first time you did NaNo?

yes, I do apologize for stealin' yo' colour. Thank you for forgivin' this wretch. Hey, BTW, I listened to your uncle's song "One Day" and liked it really well! I also watched another vid, a trailer I think?, for one of those that you made/are in? Very cool stuff you got there! (P.S. I love the butterfly in your signature)

I'm glad you liked the song. My uncle's really talented. Yes that was a trailer I made for a talent show. I also play the main character, a very bd acting job, if I say so myself. But it was a whole lot of fun making it. All of the other actors who play in it are my family. But I only made a trailer. There's no movie that goes to it... I actually never really figured out how the story ends, but I can leave that up to my viewers to figure out. (Thanks, but I have to give credit to the NWebber who made it...)

Well I was quite shocked, because I wasn't aware P&P&Z was this popular. No, as far as I know Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters will remain in book form...for the moment. Maybe they'll treat it like a series...if P&P&Z does well, then they'll make S&S&S.

*cringes at the acronyms* Yeah, that's what I was thinking they would probably do. I just keep waiting for Persuasion and Pirates or Mansfield Park and Monsters to hit the bookshelves...

'Twas interupted after writting the above. *settles back in with a warm muffin and a cold glass of milk* Now to continue...

*shakes a finger at Princess* Hey, you can take those sunglasses off! My fingernails look just fine, thank you very much. I was wearing this red shirt and black pants yesterday, and my mom took one look at me and said, "You know, that crazy green nail polish really clashes with your outfit." Anyway, life is going great for me! My mom was looking at the weather forecast and we're supposed to get 18 inches of snow between tonight and Saturday night.

Wow, you sure do have a sense of fashion... Whoa!! That's a lot of snow. Even more than we have up here. Do you like playing in the snow?

No worries, your secret is very safe with me.

Good, good. But it would be better if I knew something about you I could hold over you. Like your real name...

She will probably have them tonight or tomorrow! I'm really praying that everything goes well!
I'm sorry that I missed coming in here to wish you a happy birthday on the day! I hope that you had a great one!!

Has she had them yet? Wow, I didn't know she was so close to having them. Is she just past her due date or have they scheduled a C-section?
Oh, that's alright. Thanks. I did have a great birthday.

Eh, I know what you mean..... Well, I bought a time-traveling DeLorean, but had to give it back. Also, I'm thinking of buying this really cool black ship that I saw at the harbor. It has black sails and everything!

You do, do you? Ehh...what were we talking about? Christmas presents? Well, if we were, then I would love to have a beautiful long red dress with matching red boots. And I wish for a horse, but that might be too expensive for a poor farm boy... now if that farm boy turned out to be a pirate, then he would have no trouble getting it for me.

I just have one sibling, PoN... PrincessRosario. What about you?

I have six siblings. My two younger sisters had accounts on the old NW, but they hardly ever came on.

All prepared for Christmas this year?

Just about. I think I only have one more person I need to buy (or make) a present for. What about you? Are you ready for Christmas?

I watched the (was it 1991?) version of Pride & Prejudice several days ago, and really enjoyed it.

Could it have been the 1995 with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle?

Talking about Siblings are yee? I bet i got you beat

Think so, eh? How many do you have?

*slips out of the Square to get another one of those yummy muffins*

*Sweeetlilgurlie peeps in*

I know Dee's real name! Just thought you should know.

Anyhow, Good Mortereve! I've been editing my NaNo Novel summary from 2008's NaNo, and I'm getting really excited about it. A suggestion after NaNo '08 finished, by Chris Baty, was to write a 20 or so page summary of your novel and then go over that and edit it extensively until you're pretty sure that the plotline of your story is in the right place.

Also, it's easier to give the summary to friends to look over than to give them a 120 page novel. So I'm having fun with that, and I think that I should have the first editing on the summary done very soon. I'm glad and excited!

Life is good for me. I've just gotten on vacation from school as of yesterday! How marvelous is that? I'm so very pleased.

How's everyone else? And, out of curiousity, and for a really random question that one of my friends told me to ask, What is Your Favorite Kind of Apple?

What is Your Favorite Kind of Apple?

Any apple with caramel or peanut butter.

I'd probably have to go with those Fuji apples. Tasty and exotic.

Hmm, write a summary of a NaNo novel? I might have to do that for my NaNo '07 novel sometime... though to what extent I can summarize "The State of Mass Confusion", which involves a whole lot of randomness, I have no idea.