Instructions

Season's Greetings

The first winter party in our current home went well, I think. I only forgot a few detail to put out before I became too distracted. Good food. Good friends. VERY generous gifts - really too much but greatly appreciated.

Nearly perfect, except for a couple of incidents -
one uninvited guest who showed up early and empty-handed, drank the entire 6-pack of IPA that Daniel had brought as a gift to Monster, and ate half the roast beef. The couple who sent him here arrived late, though they themselves were gracious guests who even brought cake and did not hog the food or drink. Not sure how to deal with that situation yet, whether to just have a chat with someone about manners or just make alterations to future guest lists.
One older friend was in an automobile accident on the way to the party. Monster picked him up and brought him to join the party and try to relax after all was taken care of at the scene of the accident. Joy gave him a ride home at the end of the night, since she lived in the same part of town. No one was injured in the wreck, so we are all thankful that is is only the bother of dealing with insurance companies and civic entities to deal with afterwards.

Christmas Eve was spent in AL visiting with Monster's family and eating out in Birmingham.

This morning, we opened gifts, and discovered a new way to keep any squirrels of the bird feeders - and it has been QUITE a show of birds of many species this morning. Titmouse, cardinal, bluejay, downey woodpecker, hairy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers (odd name, since their bellies aren't red), chickadees, mocking birds, sparrows, goldfinch, etc. We need more suet blocks for the feeder. :)

little rant

Monster is much better - he looks and talks 100% well again. He is suffering from some depression now just because of his circumstances. It's a hard reality check for him on his lifestyle and finances. He still has to regain some physical strength and he has to realize that all of the things he thought he could put off until later are now no longer an option. Rather than pointing out the obvious, I'm letting him find out on his own so I'm not associated with all of the negatives.

I'm trying to deal with his negative attitude about everything now while not giving into it. Needless to say, he's good at making everything I do, plan, or enjoy impotent now. He doesn't listen to me at all now but I can still urge him on by bringing in friends to back me up. He was completely against putting up lights around the house, so a pal came over last night and the two of us put up lights together while he grumbled downstairs. He could not stop BOTH of us from working on the house. Call it peer-pressure therapy. It is my best tool for a peaceful home now. Friends have no idea what a HUGE help they are just by being here for me to do the necessary things.

This is awesome

blue evening

Experiencing a slight case of the blues tonight, but all is well at home. Probably just a bit of fatigue.

Tomorrow is Monster's checkup with the neurologist. I wish I could be there to hear what his doctor has to say but, alas, I'll be at work.

Tomorrow night, joining friends Mr. & Mrs. Damaged Goods to remember Wayne from Code Blue at Maddys.

Wednesday, I get to watch Pushing Daisies for the first time in three weeks.

Thursday, maybe dinner with friends.

Friday, house-cleaning, followed by sleep.

Saturday, hopefully, holiday party at a friend's house.

send money

Open Clamshell Packaging with a Can Opener

be calm.

Slow day at work. Boss is out today and tomorrow and when he's not in, work ceases. This place is, at the end of the day, run as a one-man show. Things will bottleneck until he returns on Friday.

Had a paranoid moment when Chaz phoned to ask for the house number, explaining that he had tried to reach Monster via cell phone and there was no reply. I waited a couple of minutes (might have been in the shower) and called the house phone. He answered. He's fine. He was puttering around downstairs away from the phone.
I still worry when he's home alone.

Catch-22: Analysis

about the writers strike

tackling the leaves before the rain comes

Looks like it's going to rain tonight.
Fortunately, my friend Lisa came here today, along with her beau, and Lisa and I got up on the roof together with John's mega leaf blower while her sweetie started raking the yard. The dismount was much more difficult, but we made it back off the roof in one piece. Not a moment too soon tonight. We raked as many leaves as daylight and the number of bags I had allowed. And then, the rain started.
There is, however, still much to do but our most immediate needs have been taken care of today.