My family member's surgery went well and they are recovering.  It will be a while before things are activated and we learn about real results.

I finally made a batch of cookies, no bakes to be exact, last night, but at least we have some cookies for Santa.  I want to make some chocolate chips, maybe later today, but we'll see.  I'm sitting here with a cat cuddling me so I haven't made the move to get to work in the basement, that is at the top of my list.  I need to put things away and organize some odds and ends down there before I can bring the Christmas bins back down to put them away.

Fortunately, no catecism this week, so we can do church tomorrow morning w/o it being the very early or very late mass.  That gives me the rest of the afternoon and evening.  I did delay the to do list this morning by running to Big Lots. I had planned on going after Avery's jujitsu class, but she wanted to skip - which is ok since we hit quite a few classes this week and it's prb best to keep her away from others with the cough she is currently presenting.  Regardless, Big Lots closing all locations is the second biggest loss to me, out done only by losing Value City so many years ago.

Still a few more items to arrive and/or wrap, but most everything is otherwise in order for Christmas - just the cleaning.

Waiting for more word on a close family member today... who made a big leap to restore their hearing.  Praying cochlear brings joy and restores things that they didn't know they were missing.

I keep picking up my phone between other activities.  We've gotten into a routine where we go to Jujitsu on Saturday mornings.  Today I made a batch of blueberry muffins first thing to fuel the kid up before we went.  I also started cleaning up a bit in the kitchen, moving everything off of the island and gave it a more detailed scrub. By some miracle I was feeling motivated still when I got home.and I continued this effort, dumping everything out in the catch all basket that normally sits on the island.  From there I got distracted with the pantry and cleared the top two shelves in order to reorganize.a bit.  A few things were tossed into the trash or to the birds, an item I was looking for a while back was found, and most importantly, I made space for my instant pot, so I no longer need to carry it up from and down to the basement between uses -- which are frequent.

While I worked on this Avery was putting some of the ornaments on the tree.  #win  She's happy there are ornaments, I didn't have to do it, and if someone thinks it looks sparse they'll pardon it.

I also posted a few things to a local Mom's group offering them for free.  Several are new items with tags... no bites.  Trying to get rid of anything anymore is near impossible.  I used to just take things to the City Mission in town, but that location closed.  I have a bag of clothes upstairs to donate -- at least those have a destination as the cat rescue I adopt/volunteer with has donation bins that earn them money.

Speaking of cat rescue, yesterday was two weeks since Jackson left.  It sounds like he's made some progress, which is good.  Due his shyness they did offer an extra week to the adopter.  Here's hoping the next week shows him blossoming even more.  I just know once he relaxes and shows his cuddliness it is all over.

I don't know how the girl who used to have most of her Christmas shopping done by September (I made my money in summer months) has become the girl who: 21 days before Christmas only has the tree up with lights - no ornaments, is still waiting for gifts to arrive, still needs ideas for a few people, hasn't wrapped a single item, hasn't put the rest of the outdoor stuff up, and not a single cookie has been made.

I am seriously thinking about just adding tinsel to the tree (it has some gold tips built in) and calling it a day.  It has been so cold, getting things into the ground likely won't happen out front.  I need to take a proper lunch hour to get some things wrapped.  I think part of my issue is that I no longer buy, wrap, and mail gifts to Texas, so no need to have everything in order extra early to get things shipped out Dec 1.

I also wanted to record that I had yet another dream of the long long ago - somehow it blended a lot, it was supposed to be college residences, I had been gone for a while but came back, I was preparing to gather up the stuff I had left there -- including a bunch of furniture that was my mother's, and of course -- he was there w/ her.  He told me to leave, told me that he'd never marry her.  Other friends from back then that I've long since realized were "friends" only because of my presence were dismissive as I tried to say goodbye to people.  It was one of those dreams that seems to have gone on for a rather long time.  There was one that was a friend before that timeframe that is the reason why I went to school where I did, he was the only one there for me in the dream -- and boy did I appreciate that hug, even after I woke up.

Santa run successful!  I lucked out and there wasn't a single person waiting today when we went to visit with Santa.  The girl wasn't too pleased, but was eventually convinced to put a pretty dress on to go.  On our way back I was compelled to stop for a sweet treat (yes, yes, this needs to stop).  I ended up leaving there with a full ice cream cake that the lady offered me for free because someone cancelled their order.  Happy Thanksgiving to me!

I have expressed my love for my little town before and I love the Canonsburg Christmas event.  I missed Oktoberfest this year w/ our September cruise, so I was extra looking forward to it.  I even had penciled in a near-by sister coming to go with.

Unfortunately, she's had to cancel ... and now I am likely to lose my Canonsburg Christmas to another get together in his family.  I care about his family, but 5 get togethers in a month and a half - most of which being more than an hour drive each direction is exhausting.  Nevermind the fact that this was my only planned family get together for the holidays.  My parents are long gone.  I see family basically when someone dies or my sister comes in from Texas.  I'm feeling weepy about it.  I always get my moments through the holidays... it's just hitting a bit early this year.

It's beginning to look more like Christmas... and winter.  We saw our first flurries on Thursday.  There was a light dusting in the morning and a bit more in the air, but all melted off by evening.  I pulled out the wreaths and put them on the windows this morning.  I feel obligated to leave the pumpkins out front until Thursday, so I guess I'll put the other Christmas yard decorations out next weekend.

I have also ordered Avery's "big gift" on an early black Friday deal this morning, so my Christmas shopping for her is done.  I need to get things for a few other people, but since my sister and I have backed off with our purchases holiday shopping is much less stressful.

I typically get something for myself for Christmas - so what will that be this year?  I already purchased myself a glass lid for my instant pot under this guise, but I'm also eyeballing a Dyson handheld to make vacuuming the stairs easier.  With my shoulder issues (if you recall the left arm has been trying to freeze up for like 7 months now) and frequent muscle tightness/issues I am looking for ways to be less likely to hurt myself.

The girl has been sleeping beauty this weekend, sleeping in really late.  Yesterday we skipped Jujitsu due to a birthday party we would have otherwise been late for.  I had to wake her just in time to get dressed and go.  Today she's zonked on the couch beside me as I type.  Should I wake her to try and visit Santa before post-Thanksgiving mayhem?  Maybe I should plan to go on Wednesday afternoon since she gets out of school early that day?  It's prb going to be way busier than I'd like either way.

Round two of taking a melon baller to remove more flesh today.  They took two from around where a previous sample was removed.  At least it's done.  This time things are bit less comfortable post procedure, but I'll survive this part -- I just want to get the same negative results.

On a brighter note, I got a call the other day from the fire company -- turns out I won with one of my lottery-based calendars!  A check arrived today.  Good timing as I will have more medical bills arriving shortly.

I have how many days until Christmas?  Well crap.  The good news is we know what we are going to get for Avery, and we have ideas for relatives that ask and for Santa - now to spot it at a price that makes me leap.  Santa is officially at the mall, so we need to find a time to get up there this coming weekend before the insanity begins.  I guess I need to put a few dresses on her and see what fits/can be used as a holiday dress.  Every year she's in a weird limbo between sizes this time of year that seems to resolve itself in January or February.

The weather was a bit chilly last week, but we had a decent day yesterday.  I should have gotten my Christmas wreaths out over the weekend, but that didn't happen.  Maybe if I pull them off of the storage rod and bring them upstairs I can squeeze it in over lunch one day this week.  I guess there is no rush until after Thanksgiving and removal of the pumpkins from the front of the house.

Jackson visited the vet last week to check his mouth/teeth.  Since then he has been taking steroids to settle things down in there so we can get a better diagnosis.  He seems to be more at ease, so I'm hoping he's feeling better.  He sure loves laying on my lap.  I really can't wait to find him his forever family and permanent lap.

I can feel that I was stretched out yesterday.  It doesn't hurt, but I'm aware of it.  Honestly, I feel like I will get results similar to my monthly massages - which are actually less expensive and, let's be honest, more relaxing.  Ask me again in a couple more days.

I got up a bit earlier today than I would have liked, I'll attribute it to being a bit tender.  I'm using this window of time to bake up some squash and to relax on the couch.  I need to get in gear after we return from Jujitsu this morning and get the Halloween decorations into their bins and away.  I think I may pull out some Christmas now (minus the tree)..

I booked one cruise for next summer using the next cruise booking I made while on Icon.  They continuously evolve these programs, and not in favor of the person booking, that's for sure.  While I appreciate a lower deposit being taken, there is little other benefit to doing a next cruise booking.  In theory I got an extra $100 off the price... but the price they calculated differed from what I was able to see online if it were a new booking.  I also had to push back to still get the $225 onboard credit that was showing for this sailing when walking the booking process online.  I think I'll stick to just booking what I find when I find it.

I also just ordered glasses online for the first time!  At my last visit my script didn't change, so to save a few bucks I stuck w/ my current glasses.  They're comfortable, I like the way they look, and the styles that were available weren't quite what I wanted.  Hopefully I made the right choice on lens coating through Zenni.  I am pleasantly surprised how easy it was to calculate my PD w/ their tool and to enter my script.  Fingers crossed.

A neighbor recently went to the StretchLab and raved about it, so it's been on my mind.  Between my shoulder, tight neck, periodic lower back, tight calves, and recent tight forearms I thought this might be an interesting thing to check out.  I go for a massage once a month as 'maintenance' otherwise I end up so tight that I will have a side of my neck spontaneously feel like it's shredding and I can't turn my head for a few days.  This isn't something that happens because I slept funny, I've literally had it occur when I was sitting at a red light relaxed in the driver seat.  It feels like a charlie horse or cramp comes on with a wave of pain and then ow and movement restrictions for days.

Anyhow, so I booked myself an intro visit for early Friday afternoon (fortunately it's a decent price to give it a try).  I am posting this pre-visit as a bit of a reminder to report what I thought of it since my posting is often sporadic.

I also never followed up on my ... do I call them biopsies?  Both came back ok, but the doctor has requested that I (non-urgent) return to get a larger sample taken.  Now that bits are nearly healed I will be heading in two weeks for that.  Fortunately, there was a bit of discomfort during healing, but nothing substantial.

Avery's free trial at Jujitsu/Muay Thai has ended and she agreed that she wants to continue, so that's exciting.  It's been 10 days and I already see her gaining confidence in what she's being asked to do.  The fact that there is a smile on her face the whole way though the Jujitsu classes is icing on the cake.

Finally, I want to give an updated on our foster Jackson.  He has been here for a while now.  He's started to really enjoy sitting in my lap and cuddling.  He's such a sweet boy.  The good news is his name has come up amongst several folks applying to adopt in the past week, so I am hoping he has something happening in the near term and can get on with his forever.

I know I have friends and acquaintances who strongly disagree with me - or former "friends" I guess as I lost two of them on facebook in the past 24 hours, and yet I celebrate today -- not with a desire to offend the people who disagree, but because I too had fear of the alternative and strongly feel this is the best path for our country.

In 2016 I didn't vote for him, I went third party.  I woke up in the middle of the night and saw the numbers in Pennsylvania and my heart sank, I really did not want Hillary to win.  In 2020 I voted for him gladly.  In 2024 I was not only excited to go vote but I was doing his dance all day and my stomach turned all day with anxiousness and eagerness.

Ultimately, I want what is best for all of us.  I want our country to be free and prosperous.  Either way, it doesn't matter who is in office, but rather who is King and He continues to reign and continues to love each and every one of us.

There have been so many lies and twisted words in the past so many months.  I'm so glad the telephone calls, texts, door knockers, fliers, billboards, and youtube ads are over.  I believe he will do what he has promised and is capable of doing so... let's see what happens.  (Caveat, he never said he was going to do some of the things claimed I'm not talking about those things).

I'm not stupid.  I know the path forward isn't all sunshine and rainbows.  I am pleasantly surprised that we aren't hearing reports of things being on fire, honestly.  I think we'll see the wheels that have been turning to prop up the economy pulled out from under just in time to blame everything on the new guy (after 4 years of blaming everything on inheriting things from the previous guy).  God please protect us.

Today a check for $1000 showed up from my insurance company.  I had left a voice mail earlier in the week and hadn't heard back from them.  I don't want to sound ungrateful, as that was such a wonderful surprise...but, what about the $400 car rental?  Like I said, this is a nice relief.

A few months ago I had my yearly appt w/ my lady doc.  She noted something she wasn't sure about, asked if she had mentioned it before (because it wasn't in my records), and asked if I wanted her to take a sample/biopsy or if I wanted to see a dermatologist.  I already had the derm appt scheduled and the thought of getting numbing in my nethers and having a core sample taken didn't seem too appealing, so I waited.

Well, today was the derm appointment.  I ended up getting numbed and a core sample taken.  Fortunately, I hadn't allowed it to bother me up until this appointment, but now I get to wait for a week to see how big of a deal this is.