NoiseDesign, I hope you got some relief. I've found doing some back/shoulder stretching helps my occassional pain. I suggest getting a foam roll pillow and lying down on it, centered on your spine with your arms spread (Jesus pose). It's been no end of help with my shoulder issues.

That and drugs.

xpost from Natter

Video of Matilda on the trampoline at Circus school.

Thanksgiving was had. Only a few teary moments, my cousin who I dind't think was going to come over (due to his family commitments) came and it was nice. He's the peditrician (or My Cousin the Doctor) and he played with my nephew. He's good with babies.

Dinner was. omigod. Everything was great. The Cranberry Tangerine Conserve I thought I messed it up, but we added some white sugar and water, thinned it out, and then finished it off with fresh tangerine juice. There was almost none left.

Usualy the cranberry stuff is the main left over.

People brought more than I thought they would/ And in a Thanksgiving miracle one aunt had 2 folding tables we could use. We needed them.

We had for main dishes -- Baked Quail with Potatoes, Fried Turkey, Roasted Chicken with Sausage Stuffing/Dressing, Spiral Cut Ham. Gravy

Sides: Maple Glazed Carrots, Stuffed Acorn Squash, Sweet Potato Casserole (two kinds since two people brought them), Green Beans, Creamed Corn, Ambrosia, Waldorf Salad, Fresh Navel Orange Slices (from my uncle's orange tree), Potato Rolls, Brown N Serve Rolls, Dressing, Cranberry Tangerine Conserve.

I think I forgot something.

Dessert: Sweet Potato Pie and Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, y'all. I am currently in Arkansas with the in-laws.

ND, Mr. Jane has recently pinched a nerve in his back. The doctor gave him pain killers and anti-inflammatories. The only thing that really seems to be working though is one of those excersise machines that flip you upside down.

We have had a stressfull past few days. Mr. Jane's back, and then Monday our oldest dog started having seizures. Tuesday she had 4. The vet has her on medication that seems to be helping, so keep your fingers crossed for her.

ugh, ND, sorry about the back crap. It's so... life-interfering. I hope it's easing up on you.

Dinner is done and I am itching to go back home. I am just never really comfortable in my parents' house- there is just way too much stuff and way too much mess. We'll leave tomorrow morning- my mom has to work so it doesn't much matter when we leave.

I got an awesome guilt trip by the master today though- my grandmother, while giving directions to drive her home, responded to my reassurances that I knew where I was with "Well, it's been so long since you've been here, I didn't know if you still knew the way." Heh. Well played, Grandma. Well played.

One of my parents' cats is really sweet and adorable and snuggly- the other one tended toward grabbing my ankle with his claws and biting me on the shin when I wasn't paying sufficient attention to him. He was very aggressively affectionate before he sacked out in his rocking chair. I kept calling them both Taz all day though. I miss my guy!

Alrighty, that's enough rambling- time to go to sleep soon! Did I say soon? I meant now.

cereal to give dog~ma to DJ's pup.

So, still no coup. State of emergency around the airports, but we're at school and everything's normal.

Hope everyone had a nice Turkey Day?

Meanwhile, I thought you might be entertained by my kids' version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, which they just now composed:

1) A squirrel in a pineapple tree

2) Airports closed

3) Barking dogs

4) Jumping frogs

5) Yellow shirts

6) Tuk tuks crashing

7) Tourists talking

8) Markets floating

9) Flags a-flapping

10) Peacocks flying

11) Elephants playing

12) Monks a-praying.

Meanwhile, I thought you might be entertained by my kids' version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, which they just now composed:

I approve of numbers 1, 3, 4, 10 and 11. And 9, because I like the Thai flag. They came up with it to prevent anyone showing disrespect by hanging it upside down. (The previous design had an elephant, which possessed substantially greater disrespectability.)

Dinner was really, really, really good. Fun people and did I mention the food?

I'm watching Dr. Horrible right now, but immediately following, I will retire to my bed and digest like an anaconda who just noshed a hippo. Lord, I can feel the coma coming.

~ma for all. And blessing for a safe Fay.

I like the Thai flag. They came up with it to prevent anyone showing disrespect by hanging it upside down.

Ok, now I'm picturing the Thai flag as a big "This End Up" Arrow.