Oh, heck. I forgot about Merriment. I went to Doggies and Donuts, then my neighbor helped me pack and clean for a while. Then I realized I hadn't eaten, so she made me come have some gumbo (NOM, Y'ALL) and now I'm watching the LSU/UGA game at their house. Got another nasty headache, unfortunately. And I've got a lot of moving/cleaning left to do, boo. It always takes so much longer than I think. Nora, I actually shamed J the porch sitter into coming and helping for a bit!!

I've been watching the Roller Derby World Cup all weekend. But tonight, we brave the freezing rain for drinks with friends.

I got MOST of the office clean, and will attack the rest in a bit.

Le sigh. We are gonna be without internet/cable for a week or two, between the plane tickets and another unexpected has-to-be-paid-NOW bill. Our cable's already out; I dunno why internet hasn't been cut off yet.

So if I go grey, that's why. E-me, call me, text me; I can check my messages via phone, and will be heading to a friend's house every day to get wi-fi and get work done, until we get paid again on the 15th.

'Tis the season. But I have a fucking root. (Just not, soo, root access!)

And goddammit, no Leverage!!!

Argh. After replacing the handle on our front hall toilet, I've discovered that the problem is actually that the overflow tube has completely broken off from the flush valve, so the tank can't stay filled. With no way to get to a hardware store today, I've "fixed" it temporarily with some duct tape. Debating calling a real plumber to replace it. It's something I *could* do myself, but do I really want to?

Can you afford it? Are you sure you can fix it? What's the cost-benefit ratio of plumber vs. PITA, Jessica?

I also dithered over toys for children I don't know, since I'm going to a concert that's a Toys for Tots benefit tomorrow. By the time I eliminated Barbie, war toys, Disney princesses and things with lots of small parts that I thought the parents would curse me for, there wasn't a lot left. I bought a teddy bear and a "take it with you" Toy Story coloring book.

Toilet insides aren't usually difficult, as long as there's a parts kit that matches. I've had a few older toilets that had insides completely foreign to the hardware store and the plumber.

By the time I eliminated Barbie, war toys, Disney princesses and things with lots of small parts that I thought the parents would curse me for, there wasn't a lot left.

Basically, but I totally caved. It's a secret santa thing through work, and the girl asked for art supplies or dolls, so I got her the big box of crayons and some paper and just a few Disney princess stickers. On the action figures front, I just couldn't buy anything that came with a big gun.

I bought a set of wooden blocks for Toys for Tots. I'd wanted to get Lego, but the store didn't have any of the big buckets of Lego, just the little kits for making specific things.

Tree is up and being decorated.

Matilda and Emmett are both wearing Santa hats. (Hers is pink with a built-in rhinestone tiara.)

Xmas songs are playing.

Hot chocolate will be had tonight.

Just FYI, breaking down at the parents' when the parents have basically no knowledge of mental health issues - not recommended.