Sara, check Land's End's down stuff. It goes on sale and that is when I got my calf length hooded coat, so light and so warm and will not smell like wet dog when wet.

The tree is un-lighted and half down and I am watching Feautball.

Perkins, report. please.

My winter coat is so bulky, but it is seriously warm. I would like to buy a nice looking coat, but I'm not sure I'm that sort of person, because then I would probably go out and tromp around in the mud. My mother in law did give me a really lovely (secondhand, but still) leather jacket this Christmas. I should try that out.

I do want to do the post holiday spending thing and I really really can't afford to. For me it is just city hangover, because I just don't get exposed to the advertising and the stores and the buildup of I wanting stuff so much. But now I'm home and I still want.

Would a down coat squish down small to fit in your locker? That sounds like a good idea.

Don't get spendy, Liese! There will still be stuff you want when it is a more responsible time to spend (unless right now IS a more responsible time to spend, I don't know your financial life, I'm just assuming).

Apparently, I don't sweat the playoffs. I'm enjoying the hell out of this game but it isn't stressing me out. Nice.

I'm watching Avatar out of the corner of my eye, and some of the graphics are really really beautiful, but it screams of so much wish fulfillment. This is why I used to write fantasy stories before I turned ten. It's better written than those, but seems like it's coming from exactly the same (not actually interesting outside of yourself) place. No, that's not accurate. It just seems more like primal impulses than like an actual story yet.

But it's *really* pretty. It must have been amazing in 3D.

I did tell my friend to buy any new furniture now (she wants to replace a bunch of stuff that is just too bulky for the rooms in the new house, despite it being more sq ftage) because if she waits until she moves in, she'll get so caught up in the HOUSE stuff, she likely won't want to spend the money on furniture. IME.

I'm glad I replaced my computer and bought the futon BEFORE I knew I was moving (by a mere matter of months.) Cause otherwise I might not've.

I did get a new bed (queen!) but that's partially because I knew I'd want to have a spare bed, and my old one would work. Though after almost 15 years, I should replace that too.

But I feel like I should get a real bedframe for mine, first. EHN.

Avatar the movie, ita?

I spent today judging writing for a bigtime secondary school writing contest. I read mostly portfolios and the ones that were really good were amazingly good. I am just happy I didn't have to read middle school humor or science fiction.

We went a little yam happy yesterday -- I bought 10 lbs for $3. For tomorrow, I baked steel cut oats with some sweet taters. OH HOLY JESUS it's good. It tastes like sweet potato pie. I don't get it. It's actually as good for me as any steel cut oatmeal (made with skim milk and 1/3 cup brown sugar in the entire casserole (2 cups dry oats). Nothing that is healthy for me should taste that good.

I'll freeze it into pint or half-pint canning jars for breakfasts later.

I am telling you baked oatmeal is the bomb.

Apparently, I don't sweat the playoffs. I'm enjoying the hell out of this game but it isn't stressing me out. Nice.

Well, sure, Brees, Sproles, and Graham saw to that.

Recipe? I love pie for breakfast and if it's actually oatmeal that tastes like pie that would probably be good for me.

Eta: First half I was relaxed, Nora. It was weird.

Avatar the movie, ita?

Yup.

Okay -t,

Toast 2 cups of steel cut oats with 1 tbls of butter in a dutch oven. Once it smells toasty, push the oats to the side and melt another tbls of butter in the center. Put 2 yams worth of yam mush and brown for about 2 minutes (or one can of pumpkin). Add 1/3 cup brown sugar and cinnamon, clove, ginger and nutmeg (1 tbls of each except less of the cloves). Stir it all until it browns and is fragrant (like 3 minutes). While still on the burner, add 2 1/4 cup of milk and 2 3/4 cup of water, a splash of vanilla, and a pinch of salt.

Bake in a preheated oven (375) for 35 minutes. When you pull it out it will look overly liquidly. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then stir. The liquid will incorporate.

If I had pecans, I'd glaze them and put them on top, but that would be so decadent!