Without Chores and Responsibilities being met to a certain level Privileges will be lost, and below a certain level, there will be addition Consequences.

If only I could do that to myself.

True 'dat.

So, what should we cook this week? As of right now we are having Christmas dinner with my in laws, which means same old same old (probably ham and turkey both - same as Thanksgiving.) But other than that we are feeding ourselves. I am thinking latkes (and, um, sausages - maybe I will get chicken ones so it's not Wrong) maybe Friday. Lasagna Saturday? Or Boeuf Bourguignon (which is a lot of work but seriously good?) I would like to splurge on a Buche de Noel from the Bonbonnerie (http://bonbonerie.com/downloads/menus/cakes_2011_12.pdf - pdf) but I neglected to pre-order for Christmas.

This post brought to you by I'm not actually all that hungry I don't think, but if you took me to Whole Foods right now the damage would be serious.

ION, today I am also making weekly responsibility charts. good times. They include definitions of chore, responsibility, favor, bonus, privileges, and consequences. Trying to build on the idea that responsibilities & chores are just the normal stuff that has to get done. Above that is favors, things done out of kindness and bonuses, things done for reward (usually cash).

Oh god I desperately need to get on this train.

Also, thinking about food is more fun than writing notes for Christmas cards.

I'm grocery shopping (online) right now!

This week:

• roast chicken w/ potatoes/carrots/etc
• spaghetti pie
• leftovers
• pizza night
• grilled cheese/tomato soup
• LATKE PARTY
• salmon w/ cumin and guac, cilantro-lime slaw

Ooh, grilled cheese for one of our work nights is a good one.

Sad now. This amazingly cool bookstore in Evanston is closing soon: End of the road for Evanston's celebrated Bookman's Alley

The final chapter is being written in the 31-year history of Evanston's celebrated used bookstore, Bookman's Alley. Owner Roger Carlson recently decided to close the doors to his secluded oasis of literary treasures and antique memorabilia.

Citing health issues, declining business and the urging of his family, the 83-year-old Carlson plans to sell off much of his 60,000-plus books and artifacts — probably by the end of March.

...

Though hidden from the bustle of downtown traffic, Bookman's Alley has attracted a loyal following of bibliophiles, drawn to the rare collection and ambience carefully crafted by Carlson over the years.

"Once you walk in the door, you're hooked," said Northwestern University history professor and longtime customer Henry Binford. "It just goes on and on, and it's all different. Every room is visually and sensually something different."

...

Each room in Bookman's Alley is jammed with books and artifacts, from World War II uniforms and propaganda posters to ship models and a 19th-century printing press. Customers won't find a coffee shop, but there are plenty of antique couches and chairs in which to sit and thumb through books.

Chicagoistas, check it out before it closes!

CJ is TOUGH. Man walks down a mountain with a tampon up his nose to stop a nosebleed, people know he ain't afraid of nothing.

Due to oversleeping and then wandering around in a cold-medicine haze all day, I've accomplished exactly nothing on the must-get-done-today list. So presents will be wrapped and cards written tomorrow, and all mailed out on Monday. Good enough. I can barely even concentrate enough to watch tv right now, never mind doing Christmas stuff.

I realized today that I'd forgotten to make my car payment, which gave me a brief jolt of terror. Normally it's set up to pay automatically, but since I'm switching accounts and I refinanced the loan with the credit union, I stopped the autopay and then of course I forgot. It's about a week late now. Hopefully they won't come repossess my car before I can get there on Monday morning.

I realized today that I'd forgotten to make my car payment,

Ooh, thanks for reminding me. I think I have a day or two left.

My day thus far: Went to the hair dresser, and I now have short hair and no more Chemo Curl, and no more roots. YAY (and this is nothing against curly hair--it was cute when it was all curly, but less so when only some of the ends were)

I came home from my hair appointment to find that the landlord had decided my apartment (which he was showing to people) needed a poinsettia plant on the front table to brighten it up, and then left it there.

Have I mentioned that Dita will eat anything?

So I called him to say thanks but no thanks and he told me he thought he had rented the place already, and might be able to give me some of the January rent back if I am really out on the 20th, which is the current plan.

Which would be awesome, except for the fact that we are still waiting for the bank to finalize something, which they may or may not do in time for us to actually close before I leave for Tucson.