Wow, that's some test for anyone, much less a 14-year-old. Emmett is very tough.

There's free Crossfit at my gym, but I feel kind of intimidated by it. I prefer my climbing.

I've been on hold with the pharmacy for 40 minutes now. What in god's name is happening there? I just want to refill a prescription! Why won't it let me do it automatically?

Man, Emmett is badass.

ita, that's ridic.

She had to quit because the skates were hurting her feet

I'd get better skates! I can't imagine NOT skating now. It brings me pure joy.

Still. On. Hold.

Insane.

i'm seriously impressed by Emmett. kid is a force!

A tip someone gave me, I'll be trying this Turkey day. Turkey cooks more evenly at 325 or 350 uncovered in oven, but can spatter and require the oven to be cleaned. Covered in foil at higher tempererature can avoid mess but cook less evenly. Today's regular paper bags have toxins that can be absorbed by food if used for cooking. Solution: buy parchment paper. Cook turkey as though uncovered, but cover with parchment paper to avoid mess. Sounds good to me, don't see downside. well worth the cost of the paper. I suspect I'll have to change paper every time I baste but that's OK with me.

Happy birthday, Sparky!

I am preparing to leave town for a fortnight and stressing out about leaving my house/cats for that long. Brilliant bonus: the friends/neighbors i've been trying to con into cat sitting (they have a toddler and an infant, and thus can handle evenings but not crazy mornings, but my jerks require two feedings, for they are special snowflake kitties)have relatives in town next week and nowhere for them all to sleep.....

enter perfect solution! some of their relatives stay in my house, keep the heat and water flowing, feed the things that want feeding and water the things that wants watering. Now i only have to shell out for a part-time cat sitter for one week instead of two. Schweeeeeet. A little strange to have my first use of guest room be when i'm not home...so i'm typing up an information sheet and trying to remember all the little quirks that a stranger sleeping in my home might need. Meep! Good thing that friend/neighbors have spent LOTS of time in my house (including helping with the initial remodeling) so they already know many of the quirks and can advise.

Also very very very glad that i have the day off before flying out, so i can actually clean and restock everything so friend's family doesn't think i'm a total slob who lets her cats run rampant.

At 70 minutes, I can't really hang up and lose my place, but damn if it's not cricking my neck.