Connie I'm sorry this is hard. Take care of yourself.

I snapped at Will over our Christmas Eve plans. I didn't mean to but it was right when I was off work and I was stresed.

I decorated a little bit and cleaned some. And grocery shopped.

I found pumpkin bread, but not quick bread, a yeast pumpkin bread, it was pretty good.

I still have to wrap presents and do more cleaning. I took pictures of my decorations. It's not much but I like it. I was going to add a few more touches but I ran out of room.

Laura, I am relieved and happy to hear about your nephew.

I'm sorry, Connie.

It sucks, Connie. I'd like to say "It'll be ok," but after losing someone you love so much, "ok" might as well be on a different planet sometimes.

It'll be a whole new and different sorto of "ok" eventually.

At least that's what I tell myself at these times. So far it has been true.

I'm sorry, Connie. I have several people in my life that are also dealing with their first holidays after a loss. That first year is always the most difficult, but you're in my thoughts.

My sister is trying to teach my mother how to use seamless.com. This should not be nearly as difficult as it seems to be.

Reading about people's Christmas vacation plans made me want a vacation of my own. So I decided that this weekend I'll go to my parents and pretend for 24 hours or so that I'm on vacation, bringing books I want to read, eat a lot, and pretend that the radiator is a fireplace.

That sounds like a lovely vacation, Shir.

ETA: Harvey does seem to be improving after his cortisone shot. His back legs have not been working right. With the collapsed disc in his back, the nerve signals are not getting through to command the muscles correctly (that's how I understand what the vet explained) so he has been dragging himself around using the strength of his front legs, and occassionally doing a crab-crawl with his back legs. Today one of his back legs is functioning almost normally, while the other seems to still go sideways. I got him a medium sized, soft-sided dog kennel to confine him when we can't watch him. Vet said restricted activity would help the healing process. I don't mind him dragging himself about from room to room, but I don't want him trying the stairs. If he fell... that would be bad. We put the kennel in front of a heat grate. Frequently he will drag himself around the house then head back to his little house on his own. I'm so grateful.

Cats like hiding places.

edit: And thanks for the thoughts. This year, Planet OK is a vastly different place than it used to be. But with the right throw cushions, a little paint, it probably won't be too bad.

Boss has told us all to Go Home, so I'll be heading out as soon as I finish getting my stuff together. In case I don't see you, have a wonderful holiday, All!