Hope you have a lovely visit, sarameg

Pix sending good vibes to Wilson, I'm sorry it's been such a cluster

We had a nice brunch at the Sycamore Kitchen and the day ended well, with my kids' first official viewing of The Wizard of Oz. Most of the rest of the day has been awful, with Frances throwing a royal fit over everything about her life, as she has the cruelest parents in the world, we are awful and love her brother more and she never gets anything ever and we don't understand her and ugh! And then Cody has been fuming in response, which is of course the reaction she's hoping to get. And I've been torn between annoyance at both and deep wells of empathy for them. I wish the holidays weren't so stressful.

Timelies all!

Have to brave the mall and Toys 'R US for the last few holiday gifts. Sigh...

This morning, Noah and K had a blow out in the minutes I was in the bathroom. I came out and he was stomping around the house then fiddling with the locks because he was going to leave since we don't want him here. In his arms were his lego foam sword, three bags of treats and two books.

Oh kid. We've all been there.

He's a pretty good packer, at least?

I'm excited for my fancy-theater movie plans later, but man, there is no good way for me to get there, especially on a Sunday. If I can't scam a ride out of my mother, I guess I'll just take an Uber.

I'm excited for my fancy-theater movie plans later

Our theater for Star Wars had the swanky barcalounger seats. I had a malfunction halfway through the movie because I shoved my purse between my left hip and the seat (they are extremely wide seats), and I shifted position, which made my purse hit the switch that puts the seat's foot up and down, and the foot suddenly went all the way down.

Tim was so engrossed in the movie that he didn't even notice.

I had a malfunction halfway through the movie

You're like a Wallace and Gromit cartoon.

I crashed last night around 9pm and woke up super early. I've already showered and eaten breakfast, so I bought at 10am ticket to see Star Wars. After that, I'll hit the grocery store for a couple of things to tide me over until I fly out again on Wednesday.

And then I shall become one with my couch.

Yay shrift back safe! Yay amyth feeling recovered!

I am awake and need to pack my stuff. I hate figuring out what to pack--I'm so good at work packing and so bad at personal-trip packing.

Oh Kat, I have so many memories.

Thanks for all the support everyone. I love this place.

Now that I've been convalescing for two weeks, I've suddenly got a million things to do in three days. My apartment is a super-mess, I have to pack for twelve days in NY, I have to get myself in the frame of mind to return to work tomorrow after almost two weeks off (I don't even want to think about what's waiting for me there, and I only have two days to catch up). Another thing I don't want to think about: I haven't checked my bank balance in a couple of weeks. I'm sure there's all kinds of crazy shenanigans going on up in there, and I don't want to deal. I did a lot of panicky Amazon Prime shopping to get all my Christmas shopping done while I was laid up, and I dropped $700 (my deductible) the day of the surgery, plus I got my Christmas bonus in there somewhere, and I don't know how it all shakes out. All of my bills are paid automatically (including my rent) and I'd get a text message from my bank if I were overdrawn, but I have literally no idea how much money I have right now. I need to get on that.

Plus, Christmas in NY has taken a stressful turn because my friend Terry's mom had a fall and then had a brain bleed, and is now in a coma, so he had to fly to Mississippi Friday night, and won't be back until at least Christmas night. He says that she's stable, but they don't know if/when she'll wake up, so the whole family (esp. his dad) are very stressed and sad, understandably. Meanwhile Gabe, being a priest, is full-tilt in one of the busiest work times of the year for him, so our communications have been very brief. Basically, texts like, "Yes, still want you to come! Looking forward to seeing you!" But I don't know his work schedule yet for Wednesday (when I arrive), or Christmas Eve. All I know is that we are going to see Star Wars on Christmas Day (with Nanita! Yay!) and then out for Chinese. And then on the 26th, I'm off to Long Island, because Terry and Gabe have friends coming in from London, and I have family and pseudo-family obligations.

Things I have accomplished (to make myself feel better):

All shopping done (though smonster, I ordered your presents from etsy over a week ago like an idiot, and none of them have arrived, so I may have to mail them to you later)

Three neighbors prepared for caring for Javier

Had early Christmas with C's daughters and they loved their gifts!

Javier went to vet and up to date on vaccinations

Got broken Apple TV replaced free of charge

All prescriptions filled

List made of everything I need to pack

Laundry done

Went to friend's brunch yesterday whom I only see once a year. Today I'm going to see my friends' six-month old twins whom I've only seen twice since they were born which is terrible! We live so close!

Everything else: needs to be done in next 72 hours. Too much to list! Ack!

You've done a lot! I'm going to say you only barely need to catch up at work -- anything urgent has been handled already. And you've got money in the bank! Perfect.

I've done some cleaning in the kitchen and bathroom, laundry, made hard boiled eggs for deviled to bring to work on Tuesday, egg salad for lunch (two cracked), and maybe that's it. I have Tuesday and Wednesday after work, and Thursday morning, to get everything done, and I'm going to tell myself that's plenty. And in other justifications, if I vacuum now, I'll just have to do it again anyway, right?