The pictures from the Jerusalem F2F were awesome. A perfect example of why I love this board, even if I don't post much. And Seska, I'm glad they are BEng nice to you. My stomach is a little in knots for you.

Ahhhhhhhhh. I feel so much better. KBD's recliner, stocking cap pulled down over eyes, heating pad on shoulder, cat on lap, and Tara Brach on my iPod. I feel like a wet noodle, as my mom would say. The absence of pain is a marvelous thing.

For anyone interested in Buddhism, meditation, or just non-judgmental awareness, I really recommend Tara Brach. Her free podcasts do amazing things for my anxiety.

And then we came back and the dog peed in the dining room. Not while we were gone; after we got back.

Well, of course. If he does it while you're out, how are you supposed to get the point? Whatever point his little dog brain thought he was making, that is. Because I'm sure it was something.

Umm, Gumbo Shop. I want to go back to NO. But my next vacation, wherever it is, I'm going to take my planning example from Nora and make sure it's a foodstravaganza.

You can bet I bookmarked Nora's post. If she's reccing a restaurant, I wanna go!

Stephanie, thanks. My evening is improving as the new year approaches (11.35pm here), mainly because we went back to the place where we're staying. Less stressful.

Before I run off to toast new year with temporary flatmate (The Girl is napping and swears she'll be awake in 20 mins - heh), I'm popping in to wish you Buffista types a really good 2010. It's been a lovely not-quite-year getting to know you all, topped off by the amazing joy of getting to meet two stars from the shining galaxy of b.org people. Happy New Year, Bitches.

LOVE the Israel F2F photos!

Had to skip to exclaim:

Ate Chinese food at 5 Happiness

Oh, that makes me very happy! That was our CHinese place after Kung's closed - love the duck.

Have marked Nora's post or lesurely nostalgic reading and link clicking...

Thank you for posting the pictures, Shir!

I do still feel like hell, and I had a low fever at the doctor's office, so I guess I wasn't overreacting by going in to see him.

I hate sitting in the doctor's office and arguing with myself over whether or not I'm sick enough to be there. I'm always worried that the doc will say something along the lines of, "You have a cold. Geez, lady, deal with it like the rest of the world does and stop wasting my time." Which has never happened but I always worry about it. More often than not it's, "You really should've come in sooner". And that's my round-a-bout way of saying that I'm glad you got yourself into the doc, Tep.

Actually, here's a dose of health~ma for all the Bitches. Sounds like we could use it.

No real plans tonight. DH is at work and will probably be exhausted when he gets home. That's ok, though. We're having his parents over tomorrow for a postponed Christmas lunch / dinner, so I've been cleaning today in preparation for that. I'm fairly exhausted already. Someone at work asked if I was doing anything special and I said, "Hell yeah! We're partying like fuckin' rockstars! Right up until about 10p or so and then we'll probably go to bed." I tell ya, we're just a couple of geezers.

You mean you aren't going to show up here with Suzi and Kelly and surprise me?

It's your turn, you know.

Happy New Year to all Buffistas. Or:

As the leftover flower children (still fairly plentiful here in Olympia) would say: "Hippy New Year".

As the woman who raises rabbits about eight blocks from here would say: "Hoppy New Year".

As the retired Marine Sargent at the Senior Center would say: "Hup Hup Hup Huppy New Year".