Yep. Pinkeye.

Yeah. I'm gonna try not to declare my health anymore. On the heels of my last post, I contracted Pink Eye. I was going to write about it at the time, but each time I tried to compose something, it just came out a bunch of profanity. I gave it up as a bad job.

Went to taiko last night, and did my best, which was sometimes spectacularly crappy, but sometimes nearly accurate. I'm still playing catch up. I have hopes that I'll at least get back to my usual level of proficiency, even if it was never that great. I was excited to learn Matsuri Taiko left-handed. Whee!

Wanna hear a weird little story? Well, we were going to take the dogs to have their toe nails clipped just before Christmas, since we were taking them to Josh's mom's house with us. Unfortunately, I started doing the vomit thing, and Josh can't take both of them alone. (You will recall, of course, that Callie came to us very VERY not leash trained.) The toenail event was rescheduled for yesterday. All four of us, plus the two dogs, went to Wentzville in the truck. At Petsmart, Jake was more well behaved even than usual, and Callie was bonkers. She pulled, and wandered, and wrapped Josh up in the leash. She was awful during the clipping, too. I had told Josh that I wanted to get her a harness. She's going to pull, anyway, we might as well not have to worry about strangling her, on top of everything else. After checking out, we put Callie in the harness. What do you think happened? She walked sweetly and quietly out to the car, without even pulling! Darn those Humane Society girls! I asked them specifically if she had been walked with a harness and they said they had done both! They could have mentioned that she did infinitely better with the harness. But it was funny. And I just love it when you purchase something and know right away that it was a good idea.

About the "truck": During this recent cold, the fuel gauge froze and broke. We now use the tripometer to determine if it's nearing time to add gas to the car. And did I ever tell you that the locks broke? It's a beaut'.

Been watching Firefly with Josh. I like it. That Captain Hammer can actually act. Anyway, lots of lovable characters. And now I must watch Serenity again.

Today we are going to do some cleaning. This is good. All this squalor is getting very stifling. I think we're also going to remove the Christmas decorations.

I want to go out. I have several invitations, even. But it's looking like I will have to decline. Josh is still working second shift. Still working Thurs - Monday. He's working New Year's Eve (and day, too). I was going to go to my mom's for her New Year's party, but Josh will be getting back home right at midnight, and it doesn't seem nice. I've also declined another invitation already, but didn't say either way to our neighbors down the street. Maybe that's a good compromise? But I shudder at the thought of hauling the kids down the block without help. Really none of these are the "out" that I want to go, anyway.

Well, enough about me. What did you think of 2010? I keep trying to remember, but it's hard to get past knowing I've been sick since my birthday. I think it was good. Josh got his new job this year. Can that be? Wow. It's only been 7 months. Seems like forever. Grant started Kindergarten. We got Callie. We went to Colorado to see Brother.

Next year, I hope to be in better shape and better health. I also want to learn a little conversational Japanese so that when our visitors come from Osuwa Taiko, I can be somewhat of a help. I plan to start working after they return to Japan, so I am hoping for good things from that, too. I hope Abbie likes school when she starts in the fall. Before that, though, I hope the swimming lessons go better than last year.

Next year, I hope the country can finally turn it's head to education, and that something sensible can be done about health provision. I hope people can be a little bit more considerate, without stalking around in high dudgeon, ranting at people who do not/cannot/will not consider their every feeling above his/her own. It's getting ridiculous what people think is their due, versus what they think is their duty. I also think we need to clean house in congress and get rid of pretty much everyone and start over. Grudge matches are the opposite of productive. Next year, I hope we can take the fashion industry far, far away from the 1980's. I made plenty of jokes about it yesterday, but 80's clothes were unprecedentedly ugly. There is really no reason to re-visit them. Oh, and I want to not hear about any movie and it's record breaking ticket sales, unless they are factoring in the fact that the price of tickets keeps increasing.

That wasn't great, but I was very distracted. It's getting very busy here.

And now....let the housecleaning begin. Hugs to you all! I hope your day is a good one!!

Merry!

I'M NOT SICK! Hold your applause, please.

It's true, though. I am healthy! Now all I have to do is get the smoke out of my house, and all will be well.

Merry Christmas to all who observe. And to those of you who do not: Happy snowy Saturday in late December! Today was good. Unpleasantness was minimal, and cute moments plentiful. Life is good.

Yesterday we spent the morning at Josh's mom's house. My color wasn't quite right, but I was able to eat, so that made me happy. Besides, nobody is interested in what I look like, anyway. The food was good, and we got leftovers, which made me happy. Plus, we were given presents, too. Very generous of everyone, and we are grateful. I now welcome any crock pot recipes!

Josh left to go to work in the snow, and then we left somewhat later. The weather was kind of weird. It really didn't get bad until very near our exit, so I'm not sure if any of my friends were inconvenienced by it. Our neighborhood was actually quite scary, but we made it. Then, I unloaded the car, put the dogs in the back and the kids in the front and shoveled the driveway. then, Grant and Abbie made a snowman. He was funny. He kind of looked like a blob of whipped cream with eyes. Some neighbors came by, and we threw snowballs until we started to get cold, then it was inside to the hot chocolate!

After a dinner of leftover ham, we set out stockings and cookies. Santa got good cookies this year (if only my tummy had been better, I could have shared some): Pepridge Farm Veronas, my oatmeal toffee ones, a few that the kids decorated, and selections from Sara Pelikan's cookies.

At Josh's house, Santa always took one bite of each cookie and left the rest. Have you ever heard of anything so wasteful, bad mannered and ridiculous? At my house, he left suspiciously large crumbs, and thank you notes.

The kids ran out about 5 something, after we were accidentally awakened by something falling in Grant's room. Grant is now the proud owner of lots of Bakugan, and lots of Bionicles (among other things) and Abbie has dolls of all shapes and sizes, including a Rapunzel Barbie from the movie Tangled. Josh actually liked the wireless networking adapter I got for him, and we've already watched Ponyo, and How to Train Your Dragon (twice).

Josh left around 1, armed with brownies and bacon smokies for the Christmas Feast at work. Before that, we had our steaks. Josh didn't get the kind I wanted, and the ones he got instead were super fancy ($$), so I asked if he wanted to sear them for me. (This is because I am to fragile to lug the huge cast iron pan around. Plus, he just likes it.) The preparations seemed in order. Then, when the time came, large billows of gray smoke flowed from the kitchen, and set off several of our smoke detectors. At least I don't have to worry about the batteries being dead. It would seem that Josh marinated the meat in Yoshidas without ever saying so. For those of you who don't know, Yoshidas is an Asian style sauce that is high in sugar, which you don't really want to put directly onto a hot surface...because it burns.

In the past few hours, I've been scrubbing all the kitchen surfaces, trying to get out the smell. I've had the windows open a lot, too. The meat tasted really good, despite a bit of charring, but I won't be able to eat it after smelling it all day and night. Good thing I didn't wear myself out cleaning for "Santa" last night, eh?

I got tabisocks in my stocking!!!! So, naturally, there is no taiko tomorrow morning. Oh, well, it's probably just as well I wait until Tuesday to show them off, with my delicate immune system. But I am currently NOT sick. (Whee!)

Tomorrow is Boxing Day, otherwise known as the Feast of Stephen. Will you be taking anything to Goodwill? We aren't doing it tomorrow, but are planning our "boxing" for next week. The actual purging of un-needed items, etc., might actually happen on a nicer day, but the collecting and boxing part is scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday.

Okay, I'm not procrastinating this deep look into the past year and the future one, but it is now time to put Grant and Abbie to bet with their haul. I wish for you the happiest of Christmas nights. Sing and rejoice!

I love Christmas carols...

Are you kidding me?

Yesterday was the first day that I really felt alright. I wasn't over the infections, but I could feel myself just starting to feel better. I was so excited about taiko, but nervous, too. I warned Andrew that I might get tired and have to sit out....but I never really did! I made it all the way through practice, even though we started with the 6-minute drill. I got a blood blister, so I didn't wear Gran's fancy gloves home, but I was still very cheerful.

When I woke up this morning, I wasn't very sore, either. I did have a headache, though. Yesterday I started to really catch up on my Christmas cards, and I thought today I might do some more, and a load of laundry. Then, the plan was to eat out, get Grant a very belated haircut, and take the dogs to have their toenails clipped.

Instead, I started throwing up just after lunch.

One sickness to another, I guess. I don't know why I bother to be crushed. I should be expecting it, at this point. Crushed I was, nonetheless, and Abbie and I are staying home, while the boys eat out and get haircuts. The dogs will have to wait for me to feel better, sadly.

Abbie had a great time at dance on Monday. There are presents under the Christmas tree. On the whole, life is pretty okay. And now Grant is done with school until January, so I don't have to be too worried about the weather. Well, except for the sakes of my traveling friends and family. (Be safe!!)

Well...on that note, I shall go lie down. Love to you all. You can tell me your aspirations for 2011 if you want, but I'm not playing today. Maybe next time, though.

5 Days and Counting

Weekend is over. Not that it felt like a weekend. Thursday did, though. Josh was home all day, and Grant was snowed out of school. Josh worked his new schedule Friday and yesterday, and is there today. I don't really know what he thinks, yet.

Me and the kids made snowmen out of construction paper. I helped with detail stuff, but they were largely on their own. And now they are having hot dogs and fruit and goldfish crackers for dinner (don't scoff, we had fillet mignon for lunch, so there!) and I'm having Jello, because my throat is still swollen. So much ouch. But I have the feeling that I might start getting better tomorrow. That's good, because I couldn't swallow my fancy lunch, so I had to put it in the fridge.

To appease your curiosity, the meat was on sale at the butcher. We also got Josh some Krakow, which was very, very not on sale.

OW! (Just yelled at the dog.)

We are watching Frosty the Snowman, in honor of our recent creations.

Josh went this morning to help our friend Johnny move into his new house. All our friends are moving into fancy houses. This one came with 3 acres. I didn't see it, though. Me and the kids and dogs stayed home. I saw Josh for about 20 minutes for lunch, and then he went off to work. No fun for the sicky.

Christmas approaches. Are the people around you starting to get a crazed look in the eye? Just asking. Christmas may be ridiculous, but I'll tell you one thing: no one would be out there putting money back into the economy for any less reason, with all this cold weather. But that doesn't mean I like the way Christmas is presented. I feel like the kid in the old cartoon, "I'll eat it...but I won't like it!!"

Tomorrow is a school day. We have three of those, this week. I'm not really sure what this week is going to be like, actually. I think we are going back to the butcher at some point, and then Grant will be off on Thursday, and Friday we will go to Josh's mom's house. Josh will have to leave at 1 to go to work. I'd like to leave in time to make it home before dark. I wonder how easy that would be. Not very, I'd imagine.

And what will I do on Christmas Day after Josh leaves? At one point, I had decided to grab a neighbor or two and go caroling. Doesn't that sound kind of nice? Well, the swollen throat thing is making that pretty impossible. That reminds me, I had wanted to go to Herman this December to see the carolers there...but this was the last weekend before Christmas. Maybe next year, if I'm not sick again. Jenn would go with me, wouldn't you, Jenn?

Next time, perhaps we should discuss highlights of 2010, and our personal and world hopes for 2011. Start thinking. This will be on the exam. Oh - pardon my joke. Some of you might be a touch sensitive to the word "exam" at this time of year.

Well, I don't know what time it says I wrote this, but many minutes have escaped while the writer was a-writing. I need to supervise some brushing of teeth and tuck in some tired children. It is a school night, after all.

Hoping that all is well in your heart and home. Take care, and wash your hands often!

December Snow Days

I thought, since my sinuses were much less painful, and my ears might actually be normal again, that after a night's sleep, I would wake up today very much on the road to recovery. Instead, I was feverish last night, and don't really know how I am today, but it sure doesn't feel better. Especially not in the throat area.

I'm still a slacker with the Christmas greetings. If your last name ends with the letter G or anything past it alphabetically, I haven't got to you yet. If it starts with A-F and you haven't heard from me, that means I don't have your correct address. Here is a complication: I found a box of real cards. Should I still continue with the home-made ones?

Today is the second of two snow days in a row. Well, this being Missouri, they are actually ice days. You can skateboard on my driveway without a skateboard. Well, as long as you are wanting to go down hill.

Wow. My throat is ballooning again. It makes me dizzy.

Here's something I've been thinking about: When was the last time you heard of someone having a still birth? Two of my friends were put through this misery, and both this week. My heart bleeds for them! And here comes the problem: What is the correct thing to do when informed of a couple's infant child not surviving past delivery?

In times past, if a friend failed to write a letter of condolence when you experienced a loss in the family, that person was dropped from your acquaintance. It was just the custom; when someone you knew lost a family member, you wrote a letter. You knew what to do. It was kind, but it was also expected. But America is not like that. We've abandoned a lot of customs that were in place to insure the relative comfort of all in sticky situations. Now I find myself in a situation where I am supposed to consider the delicate feelings of grieving parents, which includes not being able to politely bring up the subject to find out what would be most appreciated, just in case what would be appreciated is not re-opening the wound by bringing up the subject. I am left, in one case, to the practice of asking my mom to ask her best friend what she thinks her daughter would like done or not done in the situation, and then waiting to hear back from her. The whole thing is uncomfortable and awkward in addition to being painfully sad.

Americans are experts at making easily navigable situations into awkward ones. How about this one: A gentleman walks through the door. There is someone behind him, and he pauses to hold the door. Then, he sees that the person is female. Now he has a small stroke as he mentally runs around like a chicken with his head cut off out of terrible fear that the woman, whom he was merely trying to consider, will be offended that he held the door for her. "Why couldn't it have been a 95 year old man with his arms full of shopping bags?" Men don't seem offended when I hold the door for them, if they are immediately behind me as I go through it. Why is the reverse true? (Not that I personally have ever been offended when someone was trying to do me a no-strings-attached kindness.) It would seem that customs of all sorts are considered Politically Incorrect these days. It saddens me. Most of them are designed to avoid offence, not create it. A little bit of tolerance is required by the recipients of these politenesses for them to function as intended. People around here just want to be offended. So they are.

Today is Josh's first day on his new shift.

Nearly done with the photo DVD. I printed out a sample and found a few mistakes. I think they've been corrected, but I haven't done another sample yet.

It looks like more bad weather is scheduled for Monday. Very depressing. This week has been a little depressing. Illness...inclement weather...death....

At least there's no shortage of chicken soup, here.

I wasn't feeling too great, but I was going to go to taiko anyway last night, until Josh fell down going to warm the car up. Then I was informed that it wasn't safe enough and to stay home. I almost argued, but it was good advice, so I didn't. Besides, I was to tired and sick to argue....much.

It's been really, REALLY hard being home with the kids yesterday and today. I can't count how many times I've said, "Don't pick your nose. Get a Kleenex," or, "Don't grab. Ask nicely," or, "We don't talk like that. If you can't say it nicely, don't say it," or, "No climbing. You're too big for that," or, "Leave the dog alone," or, "What did I just tell you?!?!!" All my friends are telling me to get rest. HA!

Oh. I didn't have the chance to tell you. Monday night I was at dance with Abbie, and while I was sitting with a book out in the parents' waiting room, one of the other girls' grandmother struck up a conversation with me. While we were talking, she actually told me that I should read books for a living! She said that once I was reading a book to "some little boys" (that would be Grant and Keegan) and it was so interesting that even though she was in another room, the grandmother stopped what she was doing to listen. Is it a sign? My secret ambition is to read books on tape, you know. (Although, obviously, not a very well kept one.) If you have any sort of clue how one embarks on this sort of career, please let me know. So far, my best idea is to attempt to get the local radio station to allow me to read a few commercials for experience. But I still don't have any idea of a next step after that.

Have you seen a movie called Mumford? It's cute. We also saw Public Enemy the other day, but didn't find it enjoyable, really. The acting was incredibly good, of course, and the costumes, scenes and weapons were exactly to period. The plot was...seeming to lead somewhere, but didn't ever make a definite point. It raised a few proposed Meanings, but never actually supported anything. And there was very nearly character development, but then not. There weren't enough face shots in the beginning to even get a good bearing of who was on which team, but otherwise the camera editing was decent. One of my biggest problems was with the Christian Bale character, Agent Purvis. He's very into his work, and very bent on catching the bad guy. When urged, he is completely ruthless and cares nothing for the collateral damage his manhunts cause. In the end, we have no reason to suspect that his heart is changing (or shockingly little), but then in the ending credits we are informed that he resigned a year later and eventually "took his own life" to quote Andrew's favorite suicide phraseology. I'm all for characters surprising you, but during the movie, please, not after. Grr. We also saw Plunket and Macleane. It was actually pretty good, too. Squalid, vulgar, gruesome at times, and the characters can miraculously shoot accurately with pistols that were not accurate themselves, but otherwise a decent film, and even grimly funny.

Well, as much as I would like to say more, I'm starting to feel pretty un-well. But I do hope that all is well where you are, and that you are happy and healthy. If you have some tender thoughts to spare for my friends who lost babies, I would be grateful. I think of them often, with a heavy heart. I would so like to send flowers. Then again....

Oh, and it's the weekend for some. Have a good weekend!

Winter Illnesses and Winter Clothes

My back doors are frozen shut. Both of them. I tried thawing the upstairs one with a hair dryer, but so far no luck.

As an update, my Infected Head is progressing, I think my ear is finally better, but the throat infection is stubborn, and hasn't improved yet. Sinuses are...a little bit improved, but far from "better". No sleep again last night.

Did I tell you that we bought Ponyo for Abbie for Christmas? Well, when I went to put it in the bag with the others, I couldn't find it. I looked and looked and took everything out of the corner and tried to look behind the night stand and dresser. I was really starting to get worried. Then I remembered some liquid motion toys I'd bought in the summer and intended to save some as stocking stuffers. Ponyo was in with them. I probably moved the box 6 times during the search without ever having opened it, since I "knew" what was in there. So, it took 3 days, but Ponyo has been found, and is now in a more reasonable place.

I bought Josh some stocking stuffers, finally. I actually have enough presents to wrap a few and get them under the tree.

Grant has a sinus infection, too. I'm not sure about Abbie.

Abbie has dance tonight. Wish she had a long sleeved leotard, but she doesn't. You know, I may have said that her Observation Night was "cute", but I'm not sure I was telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I'm actually horrified at the sorts of "dance" they are teaching the Pre-dance class. Lots of gyrating and "shake it". Is this just what happens when two 15 year old girls teach the class? And here's poor Abbie wanting me to teach her the steps to The Nutcracker in classical ballet (which, in case you couldn't tell, I don't know).

Saturday was when we got all the weather. Rain first, and then cold wind and snow. This is actually a tad unusual for Missouri. Usually we get rain that turns into snow. The subtle difference is very important. Rain that turns into snow turns into sleet and ice right in between, but rain that stops and then begins as snow is much safer for driving. Except for the wind. It was extremely windy, and so cold that the snow blew across the street like sand. It was safer Saturday, though, than yesterday when I went to buy groceries. I slid all over the place on the slush, and my fingers took hours to thaw, even though I had gloves.

GLOVES! My wonderful and sweet grandmother has gifted me all her remaining gloves! My mother and I both have the same sized hands as when she was in her 20's and 30's. Gran can't wear the gloves anymore, so they were passed on to me. I'd tell you about them, but I might drool. Oh, why not? I'll get a handkerchief. They were bought in Spain (with, I believe, two exceptions) when the husbands were assigned there. My grandfather and two of his good friends bought lots and lots of gloves for their wives....at 5 dollars a pair. Isn't that incredible? Gran says she used to have colored ones, but doesn't know what happened to them. I got the remaining blacks, whites and browns. (Suits me!) There were 8 pair of 4 button gloves, two pair of 8 button, and two pair of 18 button, one with musketeer, and one without. Several of them were in beautiful, soft leather. I've been wearing a little cloth pair of 4 button black. This morning I wore them and put knit mittens over them and was still freezing, but when it's 3 degrees and dark out, there isn't much more that one can do.

It was so cold at the bus stop. And Grant doesn't have any boots this year.

At the party on Saturday, I was asked what sort of job I'm going to get next year. I said I didn't know. As if that wasn't pathetic enough, I was then asked, "Well, when you were in school, what job did you want your degree for?" Did I mention that I have an English degree? It sucks to be me.

In my next life, I'm going to be a beautiful and charming polymath, noble, scrupulous, wise beyond my years and extremely talented in music and athletics.

I'm not going to feel any better for several more days, so I don't know why I'm still putting off cookie baking and card writing. I'll try and get motivated, but I am making no promises! This weather is really not of the motivating sort.

I wonder why Josh isn't home yet.

I wish you all a successful day. Stay warm, if at all possible!

Medicine Head

Ha, ha, ha! I had all the answers a minute ago. Let me tell ya'! My brain contained the How To Behave Your Whole Life manual for everyone from the President down! But I'm on cold meds. So...it's gone. Woops.

I'm quite offended just now, actually. See, I'm still sick. In fact, I'm getting worse and worse. This could, if not controlled, escalate into a man cold. No sleep for me last night. But...though rest is what I need, I am not allowed to have it anymore. Because (some of you have already guessed, I am sure) Josh has caught the cold. He has to work overtime tonight, so I am kicked out of my room. Hope I have everything I need. I think I'm going to start keeping a spare toothbrush in the hall bathroom.

Maybe I'm only slightly offended.

I still have things on my Wednesday list that aren't done. Fortunately, they are both cooking chores. I'm going to try to redeem myself by getting at least one of the items made today. The cookies might have to wait, though. I'm also behind on laundry, but when am I not, these days?

There were emergency vehicle sirens this morning. Lots of them. From about 6 to nearly 7:30. I tried to find out what was going on, but there isn't really a way to look online for news that is happening in Warrenton. There were a few things going on today in other places, but nothing that made me think I'd found the reason for what I heard.

Abbie wants a skating party on her birthday. Well, the weekend after, anyway. I'm looking into it, and there is just a lot more to consider than I ever thought about.

Did I mention that my Brother had a job interview? He's waiting to see if they make him an offer. Also, my mom has been offered several teaching positions, now that Columbia College offers an English degree, but she is waiting to see if her other job can afford take her on permanently.

DVD project is coming along. I have 4 slide shows made, am finishing selecting photos for the last one, and then I just have to make a menu screen, add the videos and put it all together.

It looks like my neighbors are digging up one of their big pine trees today. I wonder why they picked today to do it? They're going to want the wind break over the winter, aren't they? And it was perfectly healthy. And they chopped all the branches off first, so I know they don't want it as a Christmas tree...

Wow. I'm dizzy. I think the couch is calling me.

Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of Eggnog! Ew. Don't like Eggnog.

Dear Panera Bread baked potato soup from Costco, wheat bagel, and 3 decadent Lil' Smokies sausages,

I adore you. You were the best lunch ever - almost too good to eat! (Almost.) I shall never forget the moments we shared. Thank you for brightening my life.

-Me

Guess what I have!

If you guessed from the following list, then you are correct. All other answers are either incorrect, or not really interesting enough to make the list.

a. A sore throat.
b. 2 pairs of socks on my feet. (one pair are knee socks, one ankle)
c. A summons to jury duty next week.
d. Taiko tonight
e. A stack of Christmas stationary that is not depleting as fast as I'd hoped, but is underway.
f. A sleeping husband.
g. Three shirts on.
h. A full tummy and a happy smile.

Abbie's dance class had Observation Night last night. It was cute. Abbie seems reasonable attentive, but less coordinated than I had originally thought. And she does things at the wrong speed. We should practice at home, now that I know what to do. I took some video clips for the Annual photo DVD.

Speaking of which, I am WAY behind on that this year. Woops! I'm actually behind on everything. I have no presents for Josh, no stocking stuffers, and Grant's present has been decided on, but not purchased. Not to mention the list of mandatory presents for Josh's family.

Grant is eating school lunch for the first time today. He's all excited. Pretty awesome, considering that his mommy dropped the ball on making lunch and didn't notice until we were getting coats on! Two years from now, he'll be rolling his eyes and fussing at me. But not today! Today he thinks that hot lunch is an adventure.

I'm secretly on a quest for a women's' shirt that is neither a turtleneck nor leaves 4-ish inches of upper chest exposed to the elements. I want a nice, warm, still girlie looking (as opposed to digging in Josh's shirt drawer), crewe neck, wintertime shirt! Why is that so difficult to come by? The only choices I've found are large, shapeless and unflattering, or have a neckline heavily depending on my scarves being ultra warm.

So, I guess I haven't mentioned that Josh's schedule is changing in two weeks. Unless you are Rosemary and have taiko in the evenings, it's really not so bad. Josh would make breakfast for the kids, and put them on the bus, but would be gone in the evenings. They would have to give up watching Star Wars while Abbie and I are at dance, because Josh would be gone, and Grant would be coming with me. The unconfirmed upside would be Josh having weekends off. Well, we'll see if it happens, first. There are lots of "if"s and "hopefully"s involved, but the suggested plan is that a few weeks after he has changed schedules, Josh will become the Lead for that shift. Then, next time a Lt. job opens up, they can give it to Josh, and all looks correct on paper. I've said it before, but.....we'll see.

So, right before Christmas, let's assign Rosemary for Jury Duty, at the same time that we take Josh's "at home during business hours" schedule away, causing Rosemary to wonder who on Earth can watch Abbie while she is off dispensing justice? Not to mention someone to watch her kids while she goes off to play taiko. Is this starting to sound familiar to anyone else? Geh.

But if that's the worst news I've got, it's not such a bad year, eh? And the soup helped my sore throat very much.

I think I'm going to have to find a new source for news. Surely there is something more important than What Holiday Specials Say About You going on today. Besides, I read it and it was stooooooooopid.

I wonder if I will get a fancy surprise package in the mail today. I don't have a magic 8 ball, but I'm guessing that if I did, it would be saying, "Don't count on it."

I'm so happy that it's a sunshiny day! Because 20 degrees is just so depressing when it's overcast. :P

So many possibilities!

When faced with a bowl of Lucky Charms, you could:

1. Eat the cereal, just like you eat any other cereal.

2. Eat all the oat pieces first, then giggle maniacally at the prospect of eating a bowl full of colored marshmallows.

3. Pick a color, perhaps your favorite, and eat both oat and marshmallow pieces while avoiding the Chosen Color, until then end, when no other colored marshmallows exist.

4. Eat your least favorite colored marshmallow first, so as to not have it bother you while you finish your cereal.

5. Eat all the broken and mal-formed marshmallows first, then admire your soggy, but aesthetically perfect cereal before finishing it (as long as you are not too squeamish).



The halls are decked, dearies! So far the new dog has not eaten any ornaments, although her tail is strategically placed for batting them off the tree in fits of joy. Letters to Santa are next on the list!

Made brown sugar cookies yesterday and used my collection of cookie cutters. As can be expected, some turned out better than others.

I've been browsing Sockdreams.com. *drool!*

Had the tilapia with some of the famous family Swiss Green Bean Casserole. It's Josh's favorite, and since he wasn't with me at Thanksgiving, hadn't had any yet this year. Abbie only ate the cornflakes off the top, but otherwise it was a success! Everyone ate the fish, and I was even asked if there was more.

The computer is finally backed up, and I even am almost done with the Christmas picture for "cards". I'm going to add a border and print it out.

Hope you are feeling festive!

Food and Shopping

I'm not sore from taiko last night!! HA!

A horrible thing has happened. I bought a gigantic jar of Nutella. So you should all come over right away and have wheat bagels with Nutella before I eat it all and have to buy an entirely new wardrobe of mu mus. Actually, I am considering using it for some of the Christmas parties I'm going to as icing for cupcakes or brownies. Thoughts?

And speaking of cupcakes, poking Hershey kisses into yellow cake mix cupcakes is not really that special. I recommend just eating the kisses. I was going to bring the results of our experiment to taiko if they had turned out spectacular, but they were just kind of "eh".

I am disproportionately excited about the breaded tilapia we got at Costco. I like fish occasionally, but my mom doesn't. Even though she doesn't even eat dinner (she prefers a late lunch around 2 or 3), my mother doesn't cook anything she doesn't like, and I never learned to make fish because of it. I'm one of those people who likes to watch first, and then try something, unless it is a big casserole, which are not hard to get right. So, yay for the sample ladies.

I spilled hot tea down my neck trying to get into the car when my back wasn't good. I don't recommend.

Ooo! I'm going to put on the documentary about Ireland that we checked out from the library the other day.

Santa is going to bring Abbie a bumblebee pillow pet, and Grant the How to Train Your Dragon movie. And Mommy and Daddy are going to get (have already got, in fact) the movie Ponyo for Christmas, and Grant will be getting 2 Bionicles. Now, what should I get for Josh?

It's cold out. Very. I'm going to have to get my red teas out, because zillions of blankets aren't helping much at night. I wasn't always such a weenie. I don't know what I'll do when I'm old. I shall be forced to move back to Yuma!

This documentary is GREAT! It's the Destination Travel Guide: Ireland. Produced in 2003 and narrated/hosted by Ian Wright. He's slightly irritating, but not too bad for one of these. You should check it out from your library. I think I'll watch it now.

Happy Friday to you!