MJ called the lawyer's office in preparation for Monday's case this morning. Turns out the legal guardian who has talked to the children is involved in another case, which has overrun. As that case takes precedence over ours, the result is a last-minute adjournment - and no idea yet of the date of trial. Much teeth grinding over this from me and MJ. Another Bleak House moment but we took a decision not to get too furious, or me on brooding on the three and a half thousand mile trip to attend it.

Instead we went down by the harbour in Northport to MJ's favourite new age shop. Here I bought MJ a little necklace with the stylized figure of a woman drawing down the moon.

Then had a good meal and a drink in a local restaurant called Main Street. Actually had a really pleasant afternoon. It was very bright and cheery with the snow reflecting the light from a blue sky. MJ met an old neighbor, who has a job as a traffic attendant, whose wife's wake she attended a week or so ago. He was very upset still, MJ gave him a big hug. Ironically, after our meal we discovered a ticket on her windscreen.

Collected Kate and Jack. Jack took at least an hour to get over the utter dejection of losing a chess match to a first grader. He cheered up later when we played heroscape. Kate having a noisy playdate. Later all slumped tiredly watching TV, including a documentary about the 10 scariest places in the US which we all laughed at.

Below the yard - and house - in snow.