Thanks, you guys! I just went to a basically empty Trader Joe's, where I learned that the horseradish pub cheese they now have there is not the same one they used to carry, but is the same one they have at my supermarket, except way cheaper. Good one!

We're going to COSI (the science museum) in Columbus, to meet an old friend I haven't seen since she came to my wedding, 11.5 years ago! Also we hope to go to Katzinger's Deli, where we always used to stop on the drive between Cincinnati and Cleveland.

They moved COSI right across the River a few years ago. The new location is HUGE and fabulous. We love it and I miss being able to take the kids there regularly.

Katzingers is love. Of course, so is Thurman's Cafe and Schmidts. German Village has the best places to eat! God, I miss Columbus.

Happy Birthday, Jesse, Theo and Rayne!

Happy birthday, Jesse!

Happy birthday, Theo!

Happy birthday, Rayne!

We are rich in TJ's gift cards, so we'll have to make a run sometime this weekend. Jesse's practically empty one sounds like a good one to go to.

Highlights of Christmas:

Emmett and Matilda contemplate the portrait EM's friend did from an old photo of the two of them

Dude, SHOES.

Snoopy pillow.

Wee darkling princess

I made a thing! (Original here)

Jesse's practically empty one sounds like a good one to go to.

I would guess that your local will not be crowded if you go right now!

My freezer is so full right now, I will barely have to grocery shop for weeks. Theoretically. But I have plenty of meat and cookies, at least...

damn. My head hurts. I have to got Big Lots to get plastic containers in an attempt to constrain the mess.

Happy birthday to Jesse, Theo and Rayne!

I'm paralyzed by indecision.

I'm more paralyzed by the desire to not do much at all today. It's the last day with the cousins (unless we decide to go up there for NYE), so we might go see The Princess and the Frog.

When did Matilda start to look so very much like Emmett? It must have been all along, but in those pics it is so very apparent.

I think Hec said something about wanting more cat videos.

Yes, I did. I said, "I want more cat videos shoved up tommyrot's ass."

I say this with affection, not hostility.

Oops, I just remembered I was going to give Matilda that Violet (from the Incredibles) doll I bought at the Disney store in the Chicago loop when I went there with you way back when. Also, I served coffee to my MiL yesterday in the Edna Mode coffee mug I got on that same shopping spree. It seemed indulgent at the time but those Disney store goods have proven durable.

When did Matilda start to look so very much like Emmett?

They do both have the mien of my mother's dominant genes showing through.

Happy birthday, Jesse, Theo and Rayne! As it is boxing day I expect you all to don gloves and duke it out for Queen of Boxing Day honors.

Thanks, all! I have my mouthguard ready.

In other birthday news, man, my grandmother is a pain the ass. I love her dearly, of course, but she just called, and when I said hello, she opened with five minutes on how she couldn't get in touch with me. She couldn't read the new number I wrote into her address book, she didn't know she could still call me at my old (cell) number, my parents weren't home, she didn't know I wouldn't be there, blah blah blah. I mean, seriously.

And yet, she did get you, right? So what's the big? And why so important to get you right now?

Just back from Big Lots where I bought lots of plastic boxes to store toys.

Science question - when we bring Grace home, she comes with tanks of pure oxygen. For a full day, it's 4-5 tanks. Driving with them is kinda scary. I'm sure we are supposed to have a hazmat sticker, but we don't.

And, if we are rear-ended, they will be torpedos. So do we store them side to side or front to back?

Also, Grace has an attachment that requires a use of 4 liters of oxygen. It lets 72% of the 02 escape so she gets her 28% 02. Isn't it possible to use less flow (like maybe 1/2 liter) without the attachment. Granted, we wouldn't guarantee that she's getting 28%, but we'd need fewer tanks. How would we mathematically figure it out?

(Noah came home without the attachment and he needed oxygen and he was on 1/4 liter per hour flow.... it was much easier that way).

And yet, she did get you, right? So what's the big? And why so important to get you right now?

This is what I'm saying.