but I did get a card from him and his wife. It was very sweet and just what I needed. He was mushy (which he never is) and said that the enclosed check was for me to "treat myself and buy something special".

That's really nice, Suzi. He might not want to talk about it but he seems to have heard you and is trying. Which, really, is a lovely thing. I hope it makes you feel better.

I love Trader Joe's daffodils. All of their flowers that I get, really. But the daffs are just great way to remember it's Spring-ish. And, like their wines, they are a dollar less in California. So I always seem to have fresh flowers because my Mom shows up with something every week or two. And alstroemeria last forever if they weren't crushed.

I have a Sunday with nothing I have to do. No hundreds of miles of driving. I am thinking nap. My couch is fairly loudly suggesting it.

I approve of this decision.

I myself have built a fire and while I am desultorily doing some household chores that built up while our guests were here, I intend to putter most of the day.

And watch hockey. It's hockey day in America.

That's awesome, Suzi! Good for him. And for you!

NAP, NAP, NAP. It's my plan after I finish baking these cookies, anyway.

And watch hockey. It's hockey day in America.

But it's Daytona qualifying day! Can it be two sports things in one day?

Hmm. I don't know that it can. Is a dilemma.

My plans for the day had been to do a little gardening and then walk over to the library to return a book and then have lunch near there, but then I did something sufficiently bad to my ankle that I think my plans have changed to icing, then napping.

I was awake at 3am, up at 5. Heating pad on my hip which helped some. Finished a book. The two hissy-slappy-fighty cats got on the bed with me at the same time, and I got to witness them headbutting and purring at each other, now I know the truth, big drama boys. Finally fell asleep again, and woke up at noon. I think that counts as my "nap" today.

Yesterday I was really busy and got more done than I usually manage. And my back didn't hurt hardly at all! I suspect that cutting out bread almost entirely has had something to do with how much less pain I'm in lately. I don't know why but it's the only change I've made. Inflammation, maybe? But going from 8-10 Advil and maybe a couple Tylenol and Salonpas patches a day to keep the pain to a low roar, to a couple aspirin for almost no pain at all? That's significant.

Today, I was going to go for a walk along the river, but it's FREEZING out. So I think I'll go for an adventure indoors instead, and venture up into my attic for the first time since I moved here four years ago.

Oooh, attic adventure, nice! And yay naps for everyone taking them.

I feel all accomplished because I cleared off half of my breakfast bar and washed some dishes. I still need to do some laundry and wash more dishes (always always there are more dishes to wash) but I have to work tonight so there is a limit to how productive I am going to try to be.

I have dishes and laundry in progress, and I ordered some fretwire and a fret saw. (I blame your husband for this latter, Beth) Which totally counts as work.

I also have mild cramps, but am working on the premise that if I just keep moving they won't catch up with me. This is utterly scientific, so don't argue with me.

My spate of creativity continues, so I'm going to ride that sucker out as long as it lasts. Probably most of it is crap, but hey, how else do you get to the good stuff?

I really just want to read my library book, but I set some goals to have things done before Tim gets back from camping: wash the dishes, firebomb the horror that is our bathroom, and go get groceries. All together, it shouldn't take more than 2 hours, but I still resent having to be a grownup. Meh. I need a minion.