I had a moment the other day that made it clear how far I've come in the past eight years. I know I'll never be the same and I'll never be 100% over my past, but this moment made me feel a little more hopeful. You see, I was in a store and there were packs of 2 hanes pocket tee shirts. Seems pretty innocuous, no? Well, the pack at the front had a different but dark green color and a nice deep gray. There was a day when that would have dropped into my cart quickly as 'approved colors'. Instead of that thought saddening me and bringing tears - for the first time I smiled and silently sent my Merry Christmas wishes off into the distance.

I simply couldn't resist taking in the sun and temperate weather yesterday. I headed to the Miche meeting in Snow Shoe as I had planned but stopped off in Altoona despite mother having other plans and ran into a store or two. Then headed off two exits early when I returned to the Jingle and hit the mall for another store or two. I can claim myself successful in obtaining several more Christmas gifts that were lingering on the list. This also means I am done with the stores - the insanity that has already ensued in the shopping centers is enough for me, and it's not even black Friday yet.

Today, there are floors to be scrubbed and things from the kitchen to be cleared away and boxed for the work that is soon to resume. Of course my regular weekend cleaning is on the list once again. Time to get in gear so I can reward myself with a little time with people I haven't seen in a while for dinner, but boy is it tough to get motivated when you look across to the love seat and see a wiped out dog lounging her Sunday away.

Major joy last night! I found the third episode of the Walking Dead on Amazon last night, that and a free credit with VOD had me watching the show I foolishly missed on Sunday.

Between yesterday and today I managed to settle in on a deal to get some of the work done around the house that must be crossed off to prepare for the worst case scenario. So that will be well underway in the near term.

Tonight I could sit here and watch the cuteness that is Saffy intently observing (from a distance of 6 inches) Vixen gnaw on the squeaky she just ripped out of a toy... but maybe instead I'll go curl up in my warm bed and toss in a DVD that has been waiting to be watched for quite some time. Lots to do this weekend - gotta get the mind and body ready to rock.

Got some unexpected happy today... work went fast enough since I was busy, and while I had planned to just come home and chill with the girls I instead headed out to catch up with my Mithy and my buddy Addie. Truly had a smile on my face the whole time. Good job on the breeding Mithy, good job... but watch out, cause she has the same taste in men as I do. She concurred with me that the guy at the next table (without the ring and sitting by himself) was hawt. Course, I didn't have enough long islands in me to say a word (is there enough long islands in the world?)

Home long before 9pm... slowly lifts hand to forehead.

"L"

Eh, at least I didn't miss my show. Gotta watch southpark tonight, they've got an Alton on there!!!

Which TV atrocity offends me more...

- Soap operas are now doing product placements and yes, they're incredibly bad, even worse than the acting in the shows themselves normally is.
- Sarah Palin's Real Alaska. Seriously you make me want to leave the country and grow a penis as to ensure we have NOTHING in common. Between this and her daughter on dancing with the stars (no, I don't watch that crap either), you can't tell me this isn't a strategy to make us fall in love with them. If America is stupid enough to be lulled into voting for a 'tv star' I guess I should start packing now before we have Vice President Jessica Simpson. Stupid women unite!

nom nom nom. Tonight was a sushi buffet at Nyko's. I think I have to admit I _enjoyed_ the eel (a la black dragon roll). Eel just looks nasty and slimy, but it's good. I've had it before, but the memories were from well over a year ago, tonight I tried several things I wouldn't normally order. The best part was, by far, just having a good bullshitting session w/ some coworkers. If I didn't have to get up and go to work tomorrow I'd say this evening was perfect.

A gift of love... 6 days of Christmas all in one order at a great discount when you use the November special: buy 2 of anything and get 4 items at half off, 1 of anything and three necklaces.

• First, the Love Story Ankle Bracelet - $25. Cute and flirty... perfect for the teenager on your list.
• Key to My Heart Keychain - $30. A cute gold and silver accent made to go with you everywhere and remind her of you everyday.
• Heart to Heart Bracelet - $46 but half off at $23. This is one of my very favorite items in the catalog. Given as a gift all your beloved need do is hear the light jingle to feel your presence or look down to see the hearts at their wrist.
• Heartbeat Necklace - $28 regular price... only $14 as a half off. I think this one is perfect for a tween or pre-teen on your list.
• Peekaboo Necklace - $22... but only $11 as a half off! This shorter length is made for the young'ns on your list. With the toggle they can put it on themselves.
• For Keeps Necklace - $46, but $23 as a half off. A bold statement of love that will go with everything from jeans and a tee to a slinky black dress.

Take $10 off any order THROUGH ME by Thanksgiving... go here:
http://www.liasophia.com/sites/johnstownjudy/catalog-intro

Get the 6 styles featured above (w/ $10 off) for only $116 - that's a $81 savings and less than $20 per gift!

When the alarm goes off tomorrow I might argue otherwise, but the night out w/ Johnny, Cathy, and Beff was a nice reprieve. Have I mentioned before how good the Backdoor Cafe's $5 drinks are? I so don't know why I don't make the haul across town more often.

Happy Veteran's Day, and thank you to those who have given of themselves and their loved ones for the sake of us all.

I was up a little later than normal today, but early none the less. Spent my day off with mom as she is once again not feeling well, going on two weeks now for this 'spell'. She was having a heck of a time breathing after very little exertion despite being on her oxygen the whole time, but she still packed up the tanks and we headed to talk to the supply place. While it doesn't seem like she'll be doing the trip that inspired this latest push it DOES sound like there is a good chance of her getting a portable concentrator to replace the tanks. I'll just be happy to know she has a little more flexibility when we can get her the other contraption.

She agreed the amazingly warm day and fresh air was a good thing and she even suggested we then head next door to the Paperback Cafe where we had a quick bite to eat - a rather yummy chicken walnut salad sammie. A couple of loads of laundry, a grocery run, cooking up some wanna bey Rey's chicken fajitas, and a game of Scrabble later, and I'm back in Jingletown pooped. I'm thinking tonight might be another early night.

I sought out distraction and headed to the movies. First up was Saw 3D. This is what, like the 5th or 6th in the series? Meh. It was all in the same vein, nothing groundbreaking. A decent distraction. Then I grabbed a quick bite while reading the Twilight book I'm in and went back for Paranormal Activity 2. I like how they made the story wrap around the first film and I think I liked it more than the first. Not that I got more than one little jump from the film... cursed desensitization, but it was good.

Now I'm home and waiting for 10pm and the second episode of The Walking Dead. If blood, demons, vampires, and zombies can't distract me from myself I'm doomed.

This is why I stay so busy it's obnoxious. I could do some light cleaning, but I won't. I could get stuff together for next weekend's purse event, but I won't. I am sitting here waffling in my head what to do. I'm lamenting missed opportunities and sad once again that as soon as I share a photo communications come to an immediate and abrupt close. Is it really time to be PMSy and sad already? It can't be.

I came home tonight planning to be a big slacker - a real night off. Well, that just wasn't in the cards. After a couple of phone calls I was in the midst of quite a few Miche and lia tasks, but that's okay, at least I feel like I accomplished something tonight, even if I didn't get to sit and read as intended... and my "dinner" just beeped in the microwave.

My worst fears on the to do list are allayed. No need to take down the cabinets and no huge unexpected items added to the list... well, okay, maybe the painting of the basement, but that could go pretty fast.

Fresh gooey brownies, an open bottle of black and blue wine, a roaring fire - tonight was a good night.