Yeah, that's too much for plan-but-NEED-PLAN me at this point.

I can totally dig it! I'll look for your gate.

I am so ready to be on vacation.

Comfort food to me was tamales, enchiladas, posole and gorditas (mild, because I couldn't handle the heat as a kid.) None of which my mother made, but most of my friends' families did, that was the food culture. I descend from irish immigrants back to the Revolutionary War and swedes in this last century. And I can only eat 2 bites of mac&chees before being done.

(That said, my youngest neph? He is built from mac&cheese. )

Thank goodness for early bird check in. I almost totally forgot to check into my flight. Of course, I probably would have been more likely to have remembered if I hadn't paid the $10 not to have to check in 24 hours before on the dot.

msbelle, do you want me to fill out applications for you? I can easily remember how awesome you are in moments when you might forget.....

I'm so sorry msbelle. You know that we all believe you are awesome and would hire you in an instant, right?

I'm at my parents place. Indentured elfdom has begun. The tree is up, but undecorated. And I wrapped most of my gifts. However, one look at my nephew told me that the vintage western shirt I bought him is WAY too small. I am not sure what I will do.

I'm so sorry msbelle. You know that we all believe you are awesome and would hire you in an instant, right?

This is true.

I would hire you to be my dentist even though I'm very sure you don't know how to drill teeth. That's how much confidence you inspire!

Ugh, msbelle, I'm so sorry. It sure sounds to me like they were just looking for an excuse, in an effort to balance their books, like smonster said. I'm sure it's really hard not to take it personally, but seriously, they sound like major assholes and that is NOT reasonable to fire someone over tiny stuff like that.

ION, we just saw Melancholia, which... I kind of just need to look at pictures of kittens for a while now. Good thing I have the internet at my disposal! Am twiddling my thumbs waiting for M to get up from his computer, so I can sneak over to his desk and grab a blank CD without him noticing, so I can burn the Xmas mix I made for him and stick it in the little care package I made him for his solo drive to OKC tomorrow. So, while I'm waiting... kittens!

Thank goodness for early bird check in

Oh yes. Though I didn't avail myself of it for this flight (as it is, I'm B1) because the B'ham flight is usually not full, and only 2 hours. I can even handle an unlikely middle seat for 2 hours.

So very sorry, msbelle. Completely pulling for you.

Helped my mother do the first half of her Christmas shopping today; second half scheduled for Friday. 'Twas nice.

Was at the dojo earlier today and my first Sensei - Sensei Zack was back. He had moved on from our dojo over 2 years ago to be the lead Sensei at another dojo and I've seen him at tournament. He is back teaching at our dojo for the next while. His sister was in a horrible car accident and he is fighting for custody of her infant daughter, at least until she is able to care for her again. Right now the kid is with social services. Zach is in his young (maybe mid) 20s and has a fiance (who is wonderful). I told him we would be happy to babysit if needed and that he could use my name if needed in going through the court paperwork.