Yesterday was a 2 hour delay, today is a day off.  I'm so jealous of my kid it isn't ok.  I did change my alarm and got an extra hour this morning since they cancelled before I went to bed last night.  Admittedly on Tuesday it was pretty gross in the afternoon.  There wasn't a lot of snow, but they didn't seem to have touched it.  We had made our attempt to go to Muay Thai but when I saw how backed up the highway was in both directions we turned around and came back to the house.

Today being cancelled means that voice lessons are cancelled.... again.  I at least waited to place my Giant Eagle order and was able to place it as a delivery instead.  How on the first day of their weekly sale (at 10am) do they not have the main thing I was ordering from them to obtain?  Shenanigans.  At least they had packs of ground beef at a good price.  I'll be bagging that up and putting it into the freezer given the spotty availability and ever increasing prices.  I wanted to get more boneless chicken thighs than I did but the price wasn't right.

To those having their babies today - take advantage of store pickup and delivery.  What a game changer.

Aside:  I have not seen the crows since my last post.  But we have tons of beautiful birds coming to the feeders on the back porch and the cats, especially Barnabas, are loving it.

Back in Johnstown I suddenly had crows bringing bones to the bird bath on my deck.  I'm all for a token of affection, but can you not bring something my dogs will eat and get sick from?  Focus on shiny things, thanks.  I don't recall doing anything to gain their affections, but I know that's a thing - they have a great memory.

I have often watched the two big crows that live nearby here.  They keep to the front of the house, leaving the bird bath and feeders on my deck alone (at least so far).  Today I made a grocery run after getting Avery on the bus as the snow was starting to fly again - yes, I bought milk and bread.  No eggs.  No one can afford those these days.  Regardless... when I returned I saw the two crows making a mess of the trash across the street.

I figured this was my opportunity to try and make friends.  At the cost of 2 hot dog buns I got to watch them trying to figure out how to pick up more than one piece of bread at the same time and monitored as they flew the bread up to the roof of the neighbor across the street.  As I watched I was waiting to see them drop the bread and it roll off the snow covered roof.  Clearly, I underestimated them.  They put the bread into the gutter and plucked pieces off from there.  While they eventually flew off with a few wads of bread and I was successful distracting them from making a mess of a neighbor's trash, they also left some behind.  I hope they return so I'm not left with the guilt of being the root cause of my neighbor's gutters being crammed with bread.

Two very separate things to comment on today...

1. Sex and the City
2. Plows and Driveways

I fully understand how seeing the word plow might make you think they're related.

Topic 1:  I've started to rewatch this show on Netflix.  Yes, there is that little on that interests me.  I know it's not quality, but I need something on that makes me want to fall asleep and it works well.

I didn't recall how insane Carrie is.  She just plain tortures Big with her insanity.  No wonder he doesn't want to marry her.  Was I really that blind to this when I was younger and watching the show?  I've also noticed the subtle sadness that is behind Samantha's mask of promiscuity.  It really is a sad -- and probably even more accurate today -- portrayal of dating pressures.  While exaggerated, I can see the truth in the situations (e.g., Miranda wondering what is wrong with a guy that is so eager to get together after meeting her, Charlotte failing to follow her own rules to establish boundaries).  Don't watch it, it's awful, really.  Worse still is when they comment about being 30-something and you feel incredibly old rather than thinking they were so much older than you.

Topic 2:  We finally have a decent amount of snow.  Scrolling facebook, likely due to the different things I follow that demonstrate I'm officially old, I see PennDot's post about how to shovel your driveway so you don't get snow dumped in it.  Um, yeah, right.  I'm still traumatized from the house in Johnstown and I've been gone for 8 years.  They looooved to come around that corner scooping up slop and fill my driveway with it.  Note that I say slop - that freezes right up like concrete.  There were times I couldn't get out w/ my 4WD even after digging and digging.  Then you come home at the end of the day and they've filled the driveway again.

All that to say (once again) I love it here.  Not only do we not get as much snow as I did in Johnstown, but by like magic the plows here clear the roads without plowing me in.

Snow day number 2 for the kid - last week there was a 2 hour delay.  We didn't get as much snow as I was expecting, but the pressure change is ensuring I am miserable w/ the weather.

We did a bit of running around yesterday, so I didn't get all of the Christmas down and away but I did go back out last night before the snow started to pull down as much as I could outside.  The wreaths also came off of the windows and were stored, so that's something.  I enjoy having the lights from the tree, so I don't mind it being up for a few more days.

One of the stops we made yesterday was for me to cash in on winnings from the local fire company's 2024 calendar.  Nov 17 I won where I scored $250.  On Dec 30 I won a prize from Sportsman's Warehouse.  I had a pack of 10 calendars that I won when they were doing tip boards to get them gone late last year in addition to an individually purchased one - but go figure both winnings were from the same calendar/number.  I'm not exactly the muzzle loader type of gal, so I took the gift card.  Needless to say, Sportsman's Warehouse isn't exactly the easiest place for me to spend $400 - but it was still fun to walk around on a buying binge even if I left w/ half of it still on a gift card.

The last day of "the holidays" and here I am up way too early again and under the thumb of demands put on my time by others.  Is there a way for me to learn how to say "no thanks" and not be the a-hole?  4 "free" days off from work between Tgiving and New Years and all friggin 4 were booked with "obligations".  I'm so over it.

Dear non-working and retired people,

Those of us that do work want to keep our days off for ourselves.

Thanks,

Me

 2024 is done.  I am hopeful for 2025, despite the insanity going on across the country and around the world -- but first, let's take a look back at 2024.

Adventures with the Two-legged Child:

Fortunately, with me working from home and her being a good kid, not using "daycare" was an option for summer break.  This year we skipped the public pool passes.  Instead Avery did two weeks of lessons there at Camp Splash.  That, along with two weeks at vacation bible school and two summer cruises helped to fill her summer.  There was a few weeks left in the summer where I let her sleep in and veg a bit, but we did have a few school-work-esque papers I had her work on most every day to keep her brain engaged.  There was also plenty of time outside playing on the swing set, riding bikes/scooters, and playing with neighbor friends.

We did not get to Kennywood or Idlewild this year, but we did take two summer cruises, and a third in September where she was out of school for a week.  The first was a 9 nighter, just the two of us out of Baltimore.  It was touch and go if we would depart from there after the Francis Scott Key bridge incident/collapse.  Avery and I got to enjoy Bermuda, Nassau (on a pirate ship), and Cococay.  Then in July her Dad, Nonno, and Nonna joined us on a short 4-nighter to Canada (Halifax).  Finally, in September we took in the brand new Icon of the seas out of Miami and I was pretty impressed with the ship.  Again we visited Cococay and did a quick near the port walk in St Maarten - here the ship was definitely a destination onto itself..

For Halloween she broke from her streak of superheros and I've actually spotted her playing with stuffies as well as her cars -- heck, she's even asked for makeup.  I see her forming her own style.  She got her first hair color this summer as we added temporary blue to the ends.

Avery has begun voice and Jujitsu/Muay Thai lessons and seems to be enjoying the later quite a bit.  Here too she seems to be a quick learner.  She isn't as big of a fan of catechism this year as she was last year - but she manages to impress me raising her hand with the right answer on questions I don't expect her to have the answers to (way to go CCA).

Her grades are good and we have found our routine with the demands of first grade homework, etc.  She remains at CCA.  This year I chaperoned a field trip to the Science Museum and got to see her enjoy the day with her classmates.  She is getting pretty decent at reading, has started adding and subtracting double-digits, and doing well with clocks and money.

Last year I noted that I wanted her to swim freestyle on her own and she's mostly there.  I also said we wanted to start karate, so that's another win.  We also went to the Pittsburgh Botanical Gardens (on a crazy hot day) and loved it, not that this makes up for our lack of adventuring.

We have spent half the year fighting against a plantars wart.  The teeth didn't seem to want to come out as quickly as I would have expected (so paying for the higher dental plan didn't get put to use as I expected).  In total she has only lost 3 teeth - two on the bottom earlier in the year and only one top front tooth in recent months.

Fuzzy Children:

Sadly, I lost Saffy this year.  She had her ups and downs, good days and bad days, a rough patch midway through the year when she had an eye rupture, and then a sudden downhill that was undeniable and left me making that decision.  The worst part is I had to do it while we were away on a cruise and I couldn't be right there with her holding her paw.  Thank God for video chat, but I remain sad that I couldn't be at her side and I pray she forgives me.

Zero grieved Saffy, which earned him some points with me.  He seems to be doing ok at this point.  He's still crazy but has more moments of calm and has been rewarded by not needing to be in the crate every time I leave.  If he's having a sassy day I don't dare leave him out though, as I don't need him torturing the cats while I'm gone.

Church and Barnabas have been well.  They are a great pair.  Lately they have started sparing a bit more than in the past, but the seem to enjoy each other's company. They aren't the type to snuggle up with one another, but I have caught them twice.  Barney and Church both take their turns cuddling up near me at night, especially as things have begun to cool off.

Our fosters Summer and Pickle left early this year, but Jackson remained until quite recently.  Actually, as a write this he is still foster to adopt with a would-be Mom and I am hearing about his achievements.  He took a while to get comfortable enough with me, but when that switch flipped he was all about cuddling on laps.  Jackson is the sweetest, most gentle boy.

All About Me:

I lead a pretty boring life, this part should be short.

The most notable things were the passing of my brother in Ohio and spending half a year getting my car fixed and getting partially reimbursed after someone without a license ruined my trip to get some coffee.

I got to visit with two friends on separate occasions that I haven't seen in a very long time.  That was nice.  I miss having the kind of friends you hang out with on the regular.

I had my worries after a few medical appointments.  Fortunately, all came back clear.  My left shoulder has been sassy since ... May? -- nowhere near the pain of the right shoulder when it froze, but I'm pretty sure it's the same situation with less loss of motion at this point.  Really hoping this unfreezes soon and I don't need to go through pointless physical therapy and medical intervention to get relief.  I also have things I need to do that I can't tend to properly without reaching above my head.

I hate to say it, but it's true... I think I'm at the heaviest I've ever been - I may have matched what I weighed when very very pregnant with Avery.  I need to get my act together.  The thought of being this far gone and how long of a process it will be to get back where I want to be is depressing.

Other News:

The house, as of the end of October is paid in full.  That wasn't very long ago, but the funds that would normally go there are being stacked to prepare for some repairs/upgrades that are long overdue here at the house.  I'm telling you it's falling apart.  My cold water faucet in my bathroom isn't working right now, probably a plugged up cartridge.  The pull string came out of the light over the basement sink (my shoulder is preventing me from reaching up there to change the light fixture).  The stove threw an error the other day, so it is getting the side eye every time I turn it on at this point.  The carpet is still falling to bits and bubbling - I want this to get done as soon as I have the slush fund I want - but I'm already overwhelmed and frozen at the decisions that need to be made..

What did I achieve here and cross off the ever growing list? Very early this year I replaced the flooring in the upstairs bathrooms and laundry room.  I like how it looks/functions.  Do I love it?  Meh.  I switched out the mailbox, so it is completely vertical and shored up.  I also evened out some dirt outside to avoid twisted ankles as you step off of the concrete.  I also upgraded the kitchen faucet.  Pretty short list, kind of sad, right?

I did get one wave of things out to the curb for whomever wanted them.  I easily could have done this 4 times and still had things to purge.  There is so much I need to clear away.

My garden was a bit underwhelming this year despite extra buckets.  I don't think starting the seeds in the basement does much for me.  The volunteers I got from other people grew faster and larger than my coddled seeded plants.  I can at least say that the asparagus attempt has a plant that didn't die.  It isn't something you can harvest from immediately, so this is a long-game goal.

Looking at 2025:

I have my glass of sparkling white.  I know it's early, but I don't have anything going on ... and I'll probably be in bed by midnight.

I'm not going to lie, I'm excited for some political changes to take place.  I'm praying that we will see some positive change. I still feel like I need to hold my breath... waiting for the next thing to hit us.

I get to put more money into retirement in "catch up" funds starting this year.  As old as that makes me feel I'm looking to max things out again including this extra amount.  I'm also going to focus on maxing out my contributions to my HSA, which I hadn't previously understood the power of.

There are always cruises on my to do next year list.  To celebrate my milestone birthday I want to do something a bit special.  I'm still eyeing Alaska cruises, but I haven't booked it yet and may not go that route.  We do have one booked for next August already and one of my best friends is coming with her family!.

In the garden I want to give something different a go.  A neighbor had success with brussels sprouts -- should I try growing those?  Hopefully the asparagus I started last year will winter over - it is a multiple year process.

I am sure this year will see a new foster or two.  As much as I appreciate the break, it's kind of weird to not have a foster here right now.

As to the house - it will be time for the flooring upgrades.  This may expand into some other mods in the living room and kitchen as it seems 'logical' to do the things on my mind at the same time or before the flooring.

It's been a quick year... My biggest goal is just to hold on to each day and try to savor the bits and pieces.

I don't know how but we didn't blow away last night.  The hill on which my house sits gets crazy winds.  My first nights in this house I was terrified by the crazy wind and house noises (I guess I deserved it moving into a new house in February).  The wind comes up the hill and hits right at the corner where my bedroom is.  Last night was easily one of the top 3 gusty times here.  One of those required me to get roof repairs.  I was (very pleasantly) surprised when I walked outside this morning that I had all of the siding on my house.  I guess I'll take the wind over snow.

Earlier in the evening when the wind was picking up I could feel gusts of draft hitting my feet while I sat at the dinner table.  Energy star home my arse.

I never did make more than no bakes, but we still managed to put enough on a plate to make Santa happy.  Avery is loving her main gift from Mummy and Daddy.  The best part of this gift is that it opened the door for accessories, but at Christmas and for future gifts.  She and I both are enjoying the Goose Game.  Santa brought her several items, tops among them being the one item I know she asked him for (and she reiterated it on her top 3 list she gave me the day before Christmas).  The weather has been clear; while snow makes it look like Christmas I am always grateful to not need to be driving around in it.

Zero got a replacement collar.  It's been a while since he's destroyed one so I took the risk and told Santa Paws to go ahead and get him another with his name and my telephone number on it.  Barnabas finally got his first one with name and number too.  The cats and dog got more treats and toys, they must have been good this year.

Since we had Avery's Nonni here on Christmas day things got cleaned up decently in advance leaving me the space I so desperately needed yesterday and today to unwind.  Yes, I did work even though I was scheduled off, but not full days.  

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.