The garden looks great, the house is organized and clean, company arrives tomorrow, and my energy levels are, on a scale of one to ten, about minus fourteen ... I can do this,
right?

Apparently, the number of fresh vegetables you have I your house is a good indicator of whether or not you are likely to be wildly overweight. Given that I am in the excellent range - 15 or more - there is something wrong with the system, given that I am still 15 pounds over the ideal BMI.

Sounds like Cub promise,doesn't it? But my dad meant that what is required of us is that we do the best we can under whatever circumstances, and at all times. It is a pretty high standard, and I don't know anyone who manages that all the time. I know some that come close, and it's impressive ( Read more... )

The living room is knee deep in wrapping paper, boxes, tissue paper, bags and lists, but the shopping itself, barring a couple of minor balance items, is done, alleluia. Basil has taken up residence in an overturned box, clearly the cat cave of choice, Molly has taken to hiding under the tree, and Pesi has gone to watch the news. I am gathering ( Read more... )

So this year we are trying to complete Christmas shopping in November, as December is pockmarked with Christmas concerts, various appointments, and a couple of previous engagements, so the theory is, do it now and we will not be panic-stricken in December. I like the theory, but it hasn't been proved yet.

If I were Mayor Rob Ford's doctor, I would be seriously concerned about his blood pressure.

I have seven missives out there, four to family, three to friends, and not a single one has replied, for almost a week. Either my email is kaput, or I have somehow managed to offend a bunch of different people. It has been raining all day, the thyroid specialist can't see me until more than a month after my prescription runs out, I have tried low ( Read more... )

they wait every day for me to come out and replenish the bird feeder. Cheerfully squabbling with each other, they mob the feeder and the piles of seed on the ground, the mourning doves moving through them like llamas through sheep. the jays scream warnings every time a cat arrives, and the cardinals wait for the rush to die down a bit ( Read more... )

Everyone in the family is coming here for Thanksgiving on Sunday. Woohoo! Better get started on the preparations ...

Monkey bread is an excellent choice for a cooking project with small girls. Highlight of the week, which has otherwise been difficult. a friend has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, underwent surgery, and is still in ICUS after six days. Not good.