ahead of me/behind me AND a transatlantic conversation!

I had an email last night, from Alice. My dear Alice. Lovely Alice!
She asked for my telephone number and I gave it to her.
She had news to share and, once we were on the phone together, we rushed right into her exciting blog development. No how-do-you-dos for us. We launched, immediately, into her news and stories of MissM and my idea for her to marry Middle!
That's the thing about internet friends. They can step into conversation with you as though they've been there all along. Seriously. Alice called just as I was stuffing my face with guacamole and tortilla chips and she took my mumbling and teeth-picking in stride! Plus, we totally fell in to step regarding our children and their accomplishments or LACK THEREOF. Just saying.
Twas a truly lovely call and, had I given myself time to consider it further, I'm sure I'd cry. Really.
But, as it is, I'm in the midst of a heck of a week!

To get you up to speed: Youngest has sufficiently recovered from a "procedure" and, with limits on his physical activity for the next couple of weeks he should be fine. We still have a couple of other medical things to attend to between now and January but I'm not expecting anything significant to develop.
It's been an extraordinary week at my office. A huge project has finished and we are celebrating.
And, during the celebration, my pal CB was promoted to a wonderful new position and this

is him at the end of his very exciting day. (I luff this photo.)

We're dining at the C's home this weekend: mussels and frites and the weather is slightly too warm for me.
An office visitor just told me that there's quite a bit of snow on 60th street right now. Of course, there are a few dozen movie vehicles too, so that explains it.