Well I just got a bill for $200 from the medical center here from September. I'm getting it because I'm "past due" but this is the first time I heard about it and I have no idea what it could be for.

And of course I can't talk to anyone until Monday. The only thing I had done was blood work around that time.

I went to a polar bear plunge this morning. I didn't go in the water -- I stood by the side and held towels and robes and stuff for people who were going in. Then I went to the reception, but I left after a few minutes, because I was starving and there was absolutely nothing vegan except for the celery sticks with the buffalo wings.

Robe handlers are critical! By the by, I'm doing the polar bear again this year for the animal rescue benefit. I promise not to spam too much but will probably post about it a time or three. Anyone Chicago-proximate who wants to join my team? You don't have to go in (but it is fun, in that adrenaline fueled kind of way.)

Polar bear plunge? It's sunny and 75 degrees here, homies.

::high-fives Nora::

The nap kind of helped. Not sure when I'll reschedule my crafting time for. Gonna have to figure out dinner soon, and something for brunch tomorrow.

Polar bear plunge? It's sunny and 75 degrees here, homies.

Bah. (It actually wasn't anywhere near as cold as it's going to get here. It was warm enough that, with a winter jacket and gloves, I was OK with standing outside for about an hour and a half. Come February, I seriously doubt I'll be able to do that.)

My mother has requested that I add some more expensive items to my Amazon wishlist, because most of what I've got is books and DVDs and stuff like that, and she wants to give me at least one bigger Chanukah present. What expensive things do I want? I kind of want a new TV (I still have an old-style non-HD TV, that I've been figuring I'd replace once it broke, but Toshiba must make good products, because it's lasted way longer than I would have expected) but I think that might be more expensive than she's looking for. What other expensive stuff do I want?

Anything cooking-related, Hil?

I just looked. I found a couple of Le Creuset things that looked pretty, and some Fiestaware casserole dishes.

A new winter coat?

sj, your thing about preferring SoA to Xmas stuff made me bark with laughter.

Happy to help.

I'm with you, kind of alternating between YAY and OH GOD OH GOD MAKE IT STOP.

On which one?

Would you like a food processor, nice blender, or fancy crockpot? Spendy makeup or skincare? I actually let my mom buy me makeup this year once i settled on a color palette from bare minerals and she was thrilled.