Boxes, boxes. Everywhere boxes.

We are packing up our house!!!  Wow, do we own some books.  I mean, it's a little ridiculous.  And I love it.  It makes me want to do the happy dance!!!!  ...until I am boxing them up.  And same with dishes, but don't tell Josh.

You know what I love about nerds?  I love the way nerds love.  Unlike his foil, the Nerd never looks over his shoulder before he declares, "That is SO COOL!!!!"  Bless the nerds. 

I am the worst taiko member ever right now.  But I warned them all.  I will be a real taiko player again beginning June.

I am so depressed that I have to work tomorrow after all the boxing we've been doing. 

Love you all!  I will have a new house in 3 weeks! 

Superlong Wednesday

Okay.  Everyone give me a few minutes so I can....talk...to......myself. 

On that note:

Dear Excretory System,
  You're right.  12 hours is a little much. Sorry about that.  Feel free to call me names.  Yes, like that.  I deserve it.  And that.  And...now, wait a minute - that was a little uncalled for.  It wasn't on purpose, you know.  I promise to drink lots of water.  Yeah, okay, enough with the name calling.  I'm leaving.
Me

Long day.

Got up, got ready for work, took the kids to school by 7.  Went to work until 2.  Picked up the kids.  Drove back over the same roads and took kids to music.  This is usually the part where I drive home. 

Not today.

Josh had borrowed his dad's truck with the intention of moving some of our furniture this Saturday, but because there is snow in the forecast he wanted the truck back.  Josh hadn't driven the truck to work, so he had to go home, get the truck, and go to his parents' house.  And I had to take the kids to dinner, and then drive over there to pick Josh up before I could go back home.

Last night I stayed late after taiko practice to help wrap up the oodaiko.  It will be shipped to California for re-heading.  I am the liaison between our group and the man who does the re-heading.  Somehow that became "person who has volunteered to deliver the oodaiko in its giant case to the freight location".  Sadly, I couldn't do that until Monday, so we are making other arrangements.  I did help package the drums, though, and came home super late.  Why is it always the night before an early day?

I started today tired.  I am most certainly tired right now.

The kids have their clothes on inside out and backwards.  They have just put spoons under their pillows.  Why, you ask?  Because they are going to do a snow dance to encourage school being snowed out.

Hee!


Are you singing Christmas carols?  You know....I've heard a lot about this approaching weather.  Maybe I should look that up....

Another Day

Well, it is a new day full of new cares and new circumstances!

Sort of.

I am still expected by all, including myself, to secure a fantastic job, super hero style, and make all our troubles go away.  Josh has sold stock to start paying off his student loans and recently acquired credit card debt..  For those of you who have not been following along....that would be the down payment for our next home.  Looks like I'd better get used to this school district.  But I'll think about that tomorrow at Tara.

In the meantime, I have been applying at temp agencies again.  Even though my last temp company was only a partial success.  Not much choice, really.  The latest job I've been all excited about is a library assistant job.  I called when the position closed to ask when I should hear something, and was told that only internal applicants would be considered, unless they were unable to fill the position.  Then and only then were external applicants to be considered. 

How does one get to be an internal applicant, then, if not by applying for jobs posted????

There is so much housework to do, it's kind of frightening.  I've done the floors, but they need to be done again.  That's the way housework is, though.  A woman's work is never done.

I've been doing lots with photos lately.  There is, of course, the JFest and Springfield photos to archive, as well as photos from Saturday's workshops.  There are photo galleries to make on the web site, and on Facebook.  There are PR photos to be separated out and labeled with photographer names.  And then Dad was asking why I hadn't sent out vacation photos yet, so I did that, too.

And I've been voted the official meeting minutes secretary of the Dashi Committee.

I don't know what to start with, chore-wise.

Two songs.  Same name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Sk85vQlZA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZjh66KPDwk


Did you know the new Pink Martini album is out?  Well, what are you waiting for?

This weekend is the Versailles Apple Festival.  Gotta charge up my camera batteries!

Aaand procrastination over.  Time to clean this house.

Yawning Day

Not sure how it is possible that someone as tired as me got only a few hours of sleep.  Maybe I am sensitive to the "Supermoon".  I don't know how you could have missed hearing about it, but it appears especially large just now - plus is full.  One of the times I was up last night, I paid it a quick visit.  It really did look big.  It was also very bright.  It was impressive.  Part of me is glad that I was able to see it.  The rest of me, however, is darned tired.

Well!  Taiko performed at the St. Lou Fringe.  We had standing ovations both days from small but energetic audiences.  I wish I felt better about my contribution to the shows.  I don't feel like I was much of an asset.  Or maybe I'm just feeling sensitive and low.  It shouldn't be surprising.  I am quite sleep deprived.

Really, though, I don't feel like I've been much of a success lately.

Still no word from potential employers, and yet I am still applying somewhat regularly, and looking nearly constantly.

This week, we are having a day off of taiko on Tuesday, and on Thursday we are having a meeting.  Grant has a ballgame tonight, and Abbie has one on Wednesday.  Both are out of town.  Friday I am at a rare recreational taiko event, and Saturday we go to Rolla to see Peter Pan!

After that, we will go to Versailles for the 4th of July.  I am bringing a fruit salad that I enjoy.  Probably, I will bring the ingredients and assemble it there, so as to be extra fresh.  Possibly I should bring something else, as well.  I will have to look into that.  Something simple, like juice, maybe? 

Lookie!  I own these: 
  http://www.sockdreams.com/products/socks/critter-socks/sock-it-to-me-sloths:11515

I am currently reading Terry Pratchett again.  Theresa lent me Thief of Time, and when I finished it I picked up my copy of Night Watch.

Sarah Addison Allen's new book, speaking of books, will be out in February. I am conflicted, though.  I have all of her books in paperback, and you know how I am about keeping the set together.  That part of me wants to buy the paperback....which will come out much later.  However, as a re-reader, I am not sure how I ended up with all paperbacks in the first place!  She is one of my favorites!  When I win the lottery, perhaps, I will get the hard cover boxed set.

I meant to buy a lottery ticket...

Master Awesome and his little girl are so incredibly cute!  They were playing last night and sent me pictures.

Josh bought Despicable Me for the kids.  ....and the Star Trek Movie boxed set for himself.  This is what happens when I am unavailable for the weekend.  The upside is that I watched Star Trek The Motion Picture for the first time since I was little.

I must find something to make for an early lunch before swim lessons.  Hope today is good to you!  (I hope today is good to me, too.)

Chamomile = Energy in Adversity

No Wing Zone

Hello, Friends. How are you? I am tired, but doing okay. We are watching Celtic Woman: A New Journey. Sorry, no Superbowling at my house today.

It does feel strange. I always used to throw parties for the Superbowl, but these days Josh works Sundays, and so.... And so I'm left with a craving for Mansnacks.

We had a party yesterday and no one came. Depressing. Our neighbors were here, and Johnny, but he wasn't feeling well and left early. We had wine and played Zombie Fluxx, and it was fun. Everyone was gone by 10:15, so we watched The Princess Bride under my favorite electric blanket. Josh takes these things personally, though. His work buddies didn't show, so he's not bringing bacon smokies for the Superbowl today. Well, he claims the two events are unrelated.

Josh and I watched The King's Speech the other night, after Mom picked up the kids. We bought goofy candy, too, for Valentines' Day. We thought the movie was okay. Very well acted, but I thought it depicted a somewhat one-sided friendship, especially there at the end.

We are still looking for our dream jobs. If Josh can get his, then that frees me up considerably, and then, once happily employed, we can find a house in the area we want to be (etc, etc...). Well, it's a lovely thought. And winning the lottery wouldn't hurt, either.

I feel like salmon flavored cream cheese and Ritz crackers. I don't have any, but that's what I feel like.

The kids aren't really watching this DVD, but I am. That Miraid Nesbit is such a DOLL! She just looks like she is having so much fun up there. It's contagious. Did you ever notice that she holds her bow funny? Well, she's amazing, so I won't question it, but she holds it so far up! I'm surprised her instructors didn't train her away from it.

Well, I'm tired, tired and tired. I think I might be almost healthy again, too.

I hope you all enjoy the Superbowl! Eat some comfort food for me! I think I need to go on a diet after my weekend of overindulgence. By the way, if you are one of the ones I sent the recipe for cauliflower pizza crust to, our great friends in K.C. made it and pronounced it AMAZING! Thanks to my cousin A for that!!! So glad to share, and I almost have Josh convinced that we should try it, too!

Do I really have to work tomorrow at 5:30? Boo.

Extra big hugs to my friend Laura C, and Master Awesome. And you.

Can Hardly Keep My Eyes Open!

Why am I so tired? My eyes are trying to close without my permission.

And who ordered this snow? I am not interested in snow. If you ask me, it should have the decency to know it has overstayed its welcome and not come back until early December, at the very least.

We took Jake to the vet for his regular visit. He got his shots, and has an ear that is getting infected. And his teeth are really bad, as usual. We also got Jake and Callie's toenails trimmed. Callie did much better this time than last time.

We had brunch at IHOP, too, which was quite yummy. I love waffles with strawberries. Abbie loves bacon. Grant loves chocolate chip pancakes. Josh loves....whatever he had. It was gone before I had a chance to look!

The new car started acting funny on the ride home. Here's what we think: when the snow plow did the PetSmart parking lot, it threw snow into our hubcaps. I can actually verify this. This caused the wheels to act as if they were out of balance on the way home. With luck, there is no lasting damage and the car will function as expected when the snow melts. What do you think are the odds?

Did I tell you the special news of today? Tylar and Bethany have a beautiful new daughter named Lily, as of 4:30 this morning. I am super excited. Can't wait for one of us to visit the other. Happy Birthday, Lily!

I've folded a huge load of kid clothes and put them away, but that is really not enough to make me feel like going to bed at 1:30.

I watched Casablanca the other night.

I have to give the kids baths and do some packing for our trip out of town. And I have to not forget Grant's medicine and dance tonight. Not so easy when you're this tired!

I must overcome! Wish me luck as I go draw a bath for bather #1. (This is pretty bad. I just wrote "Wish me Lunch.")

*giggle*

Sunday, yawning.

I am so exhausted on so many levels, I'm not surprised that I've been a touch emotional this morning. I don't mean that I've been weepy, but for such a short time, I have experienced quite a range of them.

This weekend really deserves the "Long Version", but as I said....I'm tired. It starts, I guess, with me being worried about the weather.

Monday, I babysat Izzy and Alivia for the last time, Josh worked overtime and Grant joined me and Abbie at dance. Grant played with Keegan, and there was a new girl whose mother...bothers me, but I can't quite put my finger on it. She's....hard. That's the best I can do. She's a type, but I don't have a word for it. There weren't many kids at dance that day, but the good news is that Abbie's tap shoes came in. And...it was rainy. When I got Grant from the bus stop that afternoon, Abbie and I got soaked to the skin on any part that wasn't directly covered by the giant umbrella. I was a puddle from the knee down, and my hair curled itself. When we went in and out of dance, though, it was only a light rain, and nothing too serious.

Tuesday was my performance. I left to get Michelle before Grant was even home, and we performed at Oak Hill Elementary school. I enjoyed it, I guess. I was a little sorry that the audience was as small as it was. There were maybe 25 or so kids, and fewer parents. The teachers, though, were enjoying the show just as much as anyone else, and that made me happy. Plus, there were sandwiches left over from the meeting and we were given them as we were packing up. It was wonderful.

Wednesday I had planned to cook, but after talking to my grandmother (She called to ask which way my Aunt was driving to Versailles. Why do people think I've been told these things??) I found out that there was no room at the inn for anything (the inn being the oven), so I had extra time. We went to lunch with Josh, instead. We had Culver's, and it was wonderful. It was still rainy, which was a problem. I spent half the day looking at the weather on the internet to find out if the 20 degree weather was going to get here before the wetness left.

Thursday morning, Callie woke up around 5 to go out, and everyone got up, so I just started the day an hour early. It was still 40 degrees, so I went ahead and packed the car and left before it had a chance to cool off. We got to Versailles in the mid morning, but were by no means the first there. I helped Gran get serving dishes and such, and when my Aunt Kathy made applesauce, I helped. I have to say, it felt weird that that was the only cooking chore I really did. (Making tea doesn't count. Especially when they are bags.) Oh, I almost forgot, I helped get Hannah's macaroni and cheese started, too. We were all so surprised that she didn't bring a dessert! She usually picks up desserts. And I was pleased that her Travis came.

Yes. The guests. Ben and Lisa came, but couldn't bring their dogs. It's a shame, but probably for the best. There wasn't much room! Amy, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bob were there, and Uncle Bobby, Aunt Betty and Mackenzie, both of my parents, Uncle Tim, Aunt Laurel, Sky and Kelsey, Uncle Pete, Aunt Rose and Hillary, and Aunt Nanny, Hannah and Travis, as I said, and Brother. Miss Laura also came, as she usually does, and my mom's Aunt Betty. I wasn't expecting Ms. Mary Francis to come, but she did (old friend of the family). My grandmother was also there, as she was the hostess. Oh, and I almost forgot me and the kids. Is that 25 people? I think it might be. And everyone brought TONS of food. We were very much over the top with food. and I didn't get any leftovers. A pity, but not too bad. I think they ended up with the right people, for the most part.

Nothing too exciting occurred. Aunt Rose left the keys in the truck, and Hillary's dog danced on the lock button. Amy and Brother had to go and break into the truck. It took a while, and the audience was large. Since it ended well, we can call it entertainment. The really funny thing is that the same thing happened to a different guest with a different dog two or three Thanksgivings ago.

My mother kidnapped my children and took them to Rolla. She wasn't the first to leave, but nearly. Mackenzie went in her car, too. Brother and I stayed overnight and had breakfast with Gran and Uncle Pete in the morning. We said good-bye to Aunt Kathy's family, but funnily, most of them came back to the house one more time. Not long enough to have lunch, though. In the late morning, Brother and I left for Rolla. We had dinner with my mom and dad, Mackenzie, Uncle Bobby and Aunt Betty (and the kids). After dinner, me and the kids helped mom decorate her tree, and sang carols. I love carols.

Have you ever eaten white truffle oil? We had scrambled eggs with white truffle oil for breakfast. Brother gave a little bottle to mom and to me. It's very distinctive, without being overpowering. Now that I have some, I'm going to have to find some recipies that use it. It's very fancy.

I left with the kids around 11:30. Brother followed a few hours later. Poor Josh had a good time with his mom on Thanksgiving, but Callie was awful while I was away. She made potty messes in the house, and dug in the trash....the last night, she even ate my books. Yes. She ripped up two of my books completely, and mangled another one, and left tooth prints on a fourth. I am sad, of course, but the ones with my mother's handwriting in them weren't bothered, so I'm mostly relieved that it wasn't worse. Since I've been home she hasn't done a single naughty thing.

Brother and I picked up Michelle and watched movies last night. We had pizza, too. It was very reminiscent of Columbia, only the accomodations (and the pizza) were better. We saw the original Clash of the Titans, and a really horrible 70's B Sci-Fi cult classic, called Dark Star. Brother left to go back to Colorado this morning, much happier than last time when he was sick.

I've invited my uncle and grandmother over on Wednesday, but I'm not sure if they will be available.

It's really been great seeing everyone. With all the dog and kid difficulties, it makes everything exhausting, but what are holidays without kids and dogs? Well, what I mean is...I like my kids and dogs. And my friends. And my family. We should get together again soon!

I'm still looking forward to a taiko karaoke party, but now the general consensus is leaning toward a "We Have Our Own Place" karaoke party. Do you think everyone will show up? That is the most important part.

Since Callie had so many issues while I was gone for Thanksgiving, I'm not even going to consider adding a Christmas tree until after the weekend. She's doing great today, but I want to make sure she's in her routine again before I add anything.

I made that CD for Uncle Pete and forgot to bring it on Thanksgiving. I'll have to mail it. Well, unless he comes on Wednesday.

Wow. I get more tired every second. Well, know that I am thinking nice things about all the good people in my life, and wishing them good health, good times and good feelings. And rest.

Have a happy last few hours of Thanksgiving break. Tomorrow we return to our routines.

The Unwilling Awake

I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. Return of the insomnia. I think I'm going to start keeping a health journal. Each day, I'm going to write down if how much caffeine I consumed, and what time(s). The same with sugar. And then how I slept. I mean, if at all. Last night was one of those nights where I never got further than a light doze that lasted only a few minutes at a time. I will also write down the phase of the moon, just in case it is somehow significant. Then, if I ever have health insurance again, and can see a doctor, I will have all the information he or she would need. And I don't mean Medicaid. There is no reason the rest of the nation should pay for me to find out why I can't sleep well.

Is it just me, or has this week been agonizingly long? It seems weeks since Sunday. I don't remember it very well. Of course, I am pretty tired....

I hit my thumb early in taiko practice with my own bacci. Then, at the end of practice, I hit the same thumb, only twice as hard. I thought I had hit it in the same spot, but now it's hard to tell. I can see two distinct and separate bruises, but on of them may have been caused by swelling and not impact. It doesn't look swollen anymore, but it is. I can't bend it all the way. Yesterday it made my stomach turn every time I brushed it against something, but today it's fine. I could play tonight. But I'm not going to practice because of my tiredness. I'm a little afraid of falling asleep at the wheel on the way home. Since Josh worked all night, he will be sleeping today, and there's no possible way for me to nap. In fact, I'm out here doing extra kid policing for noisiness.

I am signed up for two performances in June. I kinda want to sign up for a third, but I am torn about which. If I sign up for the local one (I don't me local to me...just to St. Louis), it would be the same weekend as another one I signed up for, and I wouldn't have to add complication to some other unscheduled weekend. The other performance is out of state, on a weekend that would be otherwise free for family or business or whatever comes our way. Sadly, it is the second performance that is in need of players right now. You know how susceptible to guilt I am. All they have to do is say, "We need help!" and I automatically think it's my fault.

We've been watching the Miazaki film, Ponyo. Did I tell you? It's cute-ish and strange-ish and Earth conscience-ish and slow-ish. Very typical of Miazaki and Studio Ghibli. We watch it in Japanese, of course. The acting is very charming. Ponyo and Abbie are a little bit too much alike for my total and complete comfort. Should I really show that to her? Dunno. Well, too late anyway. By the way, in the subtitling, there is a part where the little boy names Ponyo. He tells his mom, "I'm going to name her Ponyo because....." The reason is less important to me than the because. I tried to do research to see if the name means something, or represents something...but was unsuccessful. Ponyo's original name, Brunhilde, is from the Norse legend, of course, about the demi-goddess who angered her father and was kept in a ring of fire. And the character of Ponyo's mother is actually based on Kannon, the protector of sailors and "goddess of mercy". If you listen, you can hear them calling her Kannon, even though the subtitlers didn't put it in. Probably, they were afraid of confusing us un-educated westerners.

I need to buy groceries. And we are lacking funds. I think it is to the point where I will buy food with cash from my secret horde, so as to save the bank money for the next house payment. I don't know how long I can do that, but I'll try.

I'm watching the two girls tomorrow, as far as I know, and Grant has his dentist appointment in the afternoon. Then, Saturday, Brother will come to MO, but Mom says we will probably meet for dinner in Warrenton and they won't actually come to the house. She says Brother will be tired.

Tired.

Also Saturday, Josh has his orientation for Lowes in Wentzville. I have no idea what kind of schedule he will have. Maybe I should hold off on signing up for more performances.

I'm trying to remember all the things I wanted to get done today, but today is slipping away from me.

I will go and find lunch for the kids. It's a good start.

I hope you are well, happy, and enjoying the day.

Decembering

Hello! Are you thinking positive? Good! Just say no to suicide! I know it's December and all, but life goes on!

All cheerful yet? Then I'll tell you how I've been. Oh, wait. That would just ruin the mood. except it is a little funny, if you look at it the right way.

Tuesday I shot myself in the foot, figuratively. I found a rare work from home opportunity, and blew it on the test. Well, I haven't actually finished the test. I had to log out and cry hysterically because I still have no idea how to fix whatever is wrong. I am avoiding jumping back in there to complete my failed examination until I'm pretty sure I can take it. At the time, I had absolutely no sense of humor about it, but I'm starting to see the anecdotal possibilities, at the very least.

Yesterday was a blur. I needed to get lots done, and didn't. That was my day. I went grocery shopping, and it took 2 hours! I didn't even go to the pharmacy. What's up with that? And I did lots of cleaning, just not as much as I had intended. We had Asian helper for dinner. Ever try it? The noodle one is Abbie's favorite.

Today, I woke up and the kids were sick with colds. WHAT? Naturally, on the day when my mother is driving 2 hours to watch Abbie while Grant goes to the dentist to sit with his mouth open, breathing through his nose, they have colds. Ah, well. What can you do?

Mom brought an entire car load of goodies. Wrapped Christmas presents for all of us, toys for Grant and Abbie, a new dress for Abbie and a very orange winter coat for Grant, gingerbread men from St. Louis Bread Co. (6 of them), cordial cherries, tea and pirouettes (the cookie "sticks") for me, hot chocolate for Josh, tons of snacks for the kids, canned ravioli, a turkey breast and a roast, and some Uncle Ben's microwavable jasmine rice, which I am unexpectedly excited about.

I had cordial cherries for lunch.

Grant's appointment was at 12:15, and we had a longer wait than usual at the dentist office. Grant did wonderfully with keeping still. I was more than impressed. But the dentist could tell it hurt Grant, especially toward the end, so he only did the pulpotomy. I was glad I didn't back out and reschedule. Dentist said we couldn't have waited much longer. (Did I mention Grant has another abscess by that tooth? That's why.) There are still a few herds of cavities, but they now must wait until the end of January.

After Mom left the kids were both horribly mean and cranky. Abbie easily was put down for a nap, but not Grant. He's playing by himself in the basement now. I had to email and ask Josh's parents if they would still take the kids tonight, even with colds. Fortunately, his mom read it first and agreed, so I quickly thanked her and said they'd be there tonight.

I don't have any brilliant ideas for dinner tonight, so we might end up with a frozen pizza.

I still need to get stocking stuffers for Josh. What I am looking for is an opportunity. Driving home from taiko seems my only choice, and I will be pretty tired, and don't want to take even longer getting home. One hour seems enough, don't you think? We'll have to see what comes up this weekend. We have another Christmas on Saturday, and Sunday I plan to go to taiko and then spend the rest of the day making cookies and stuff.

Actually, besides the hysterical part, my week wasn't all that bad. But there is one thing I haven't mentioned. I am not sleeping, again. I don't know what it is. It's not a full moon or anything, not that I ever could definitively call that a contributor to my insomnia. I am so, so SO tired! I think I was unnecessarily short with Josh last night at least once. I'm trying to keep it together, so let's see how I do.

Oh! Here's a belated rundown on the Christmases: First was the one at Josh's paternal grandparents' house in the city. Josh spent the whole time setting up phones and other electronics for them. I brought sliced cucumber and Ruffles and put ranch dip between them (I like this plan. It embraces both varieties of holiday diets!) and spent a lot of time slicing more cucumber, as it went fast. Josh's sister, Becky, mentioned babies more than twice. I am not indecorous enough to ask directly in front of a large group, but I would speculate that she and Paul are preparing to start their family in the near future. Grandma (the one who occasionally makes hateful statements about me or my children) stayed in her room until the food was served, and the only thing I heard her say was "That's ENOUGH!" when the girls were taking pictures of her. We were given wine, Josh beer (Schafly's this year, since Budweiser sold out!) and chocolates for me. The kids picked a plastic train and a game of magnetic dinosaur bingo out of the box. And that's all that we had to take home, besides our own stuff. For those of you who may be unaware, these grandparents collect junk (it has been said that they take it from the Goodwill box at church) and give and give and give it to us when we come. LOTS. All third or fourth hand. So, I thought this year was much nicer. A great success.

Second was given by our friend, Lisa. Her brother (our dear friend) lives in Guam, and Josh claims that her family has adopted us as surrogates. This year, she also invited Heather, one of my all time best girl buddies, and her family, too. A good time was had by all, I think. The kids were restless, but charming, on the whole, and Josh took a picture of me and Heather before the wine made my face too red.

That might be a lie. My face turns red somewhere around the third sip. Don't know why. Perhaps it's endearing in some way, and excusable? Hope so, because there's not much I can do about it.

Bringing the ranch, chips and cucumber to the next Christmas party, too, and maybe a cake with holiday sprinkles, but I'm not sure yet. I had this great plan that I could bring holiday nuts because my grandmother sends them every year after Thanksgiving, but this year they haven't shown up.

Taiko! Lots of new people! We had kind of a party atmosphere on Tuesday, but that's not such a great thing. I anticipate a more organized practice tonight. I forgot to ask Josh if I can go out after. I think it will depend on how I feel, really. Unless there is something extra going on Friday that I need to be prepared for. Friday is Josh's work party. Last year it was at Brunzwick Zone XL, and included bowling, two free drinks, and a dinner for each employee and one guest (that'd be me). This year, they're closing early and having it in the break room. No spouses. [Insert foreboding music here.] *sigh* And no new job to look forward to.

Yet.

The roses Josh brought me died, as was expected, and I took the Baby's Breath and put little sprigs of it in the little Christmas tree in the kitchen. It makes for a nice effect. I recommend it as a sweet ornament. I might go so far as to buy some next year.

Are you singing Christmas carols? You should. I'm sending you all great, big, warm hugs. Remember - December can't last forever! (Then we just have to get through January and February!) Just get me to crocus season!!!