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?

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

You've accomplished a ton of stuff!

I think you are right, Jesse, on all counts!!

eta: Thanks, Steph, I feel better! I think I've just gotten too used to watching Netflix all day, and now I have to DO THINGS. Wah.

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.

Been there! D's never gotten further than the lobby, and 90% of the time he just sits on the landing outside our front door. Unfortunately it scares the shit out of Aeryn when he threatens to run away (it's the ONLY thing that scares her), so it's a balancing act to reassure her that he doesn't mean it while also ignoring him so we don't feed the tantrum.

So K deals with Noah very differently than I do. I got him a bag to put his stuff in. She took him out of the house (to get coffee and iced tea before our 5K this AM). Before she started the car, she asked him, "So where am I taking you?" He didn't respond so she asked again. Then he apologized.

I finished my last 5K of the year. I have participated in a 5K every month this year which has been my new years resolution. I am SLOW, but I've done it. It wasn't until October, though, that I actually started training (in part because I'm stupid and I was injured until June with plantar fasciitis). The ones later in the year were so much easier! I also started participating in the Hogwarts Running Club which has been hugely motivational for me and I've done a fair number of virtual races. In fact, I'm doing a Run to Oz marathon right now and I probably will finish it today (I have 0.3 miles left).

Next year's goal? K, my friend Candice and I are splitting 2016 miles throughout 2016. My goal will be to just get through it.

Parents of the board, I salute your courage!

Harvey sends his best purr-vibes to Wilson.

All you busy people are making me want to nap. I tripped at work yesterday, landing with all my weight on my right knee. I'm pretty sure bruising and soreness are the extent of my injuries. At this point in my life sometimes the fear that sort of thing inspires is bigger than the injury itself.

amyth, sending out the vibes for Terry's family.

I think your 5K resolution is awesome, Kat. I am bad at resolutions as I always let myself down so I do better if i present them to myself as goals, not resolutions. But I should make a resolution to finish a full draft of my novel by the end of 2016 or I fear it will never get done.

We spent the morning at the park, between Tai Chi, tennis, and basketball (although only the boys played that last one). It was the right thing to do as we are all in a better space now. But now I need to buckle down and get some Xmas grocery shopping done so I am not blindsided by Thursday. And meanwhile DH needs to get some tools so he can get back to work on the house projects. And did I mention we are down to one car? We'll see how this one pans out.

Love the monthly 5k resolution, it was such a good one for me! I think I did 11 races this year--didn't end up doing one in Feb or December, did two in November. But a friend asked me to do the New Year's Day resolution run with her, so on it goes!

I'm on my way to the airport...don't get to Indy until 1am, ugh.