It was 32 degrees at our house this AM. When I got to the Y, there was no lifeguard, which felt like a mixed blessing (Oh! I don't HAVE to get it). But he showed up 5 minutes later and then all was goodish.

My classroom is 63 degrees, which is a problem, but I'll survive it.

AND my 3-D printer showed up today. So excited!

You have a 3D printer? Fancy!

Hrm, I should pour another coffee and start grading.

This just in: Cats i choose to ignore their owner's voice. Shocking news from National Geographic.

I think I'm going in for another nap after hunger woke me up. Had to turn off the light because it was making my face hurt.

I should run up to the store at some point in the break in this weather. I'm almost out of juice. But, face hurt.

Oh sarameg, such a bummer of a headache.

Good luck all the buffistas with weather related woes. Seems like the whole country is having issues! It's chilly here too, but after running the heater on high for several days, finally decently warm in my house. Though I may change that thought when I try to work and sit still not snuggled under a blanket today.

Driving to work was fine, directly out of my driveway at home and then the driveway into work were the two bad areas. I have already had a call from mac that the dog pooped in the house. ugh.

I hope that guilts him into actually going OUT with the dog when he wants her to go, also doing the chores I told him to do today.

Work is BLAH. big boss here. No business, so all the tedium work I usually like to space throughout a week. I am actually doing the MOST onerous task first. The one I am least organized on and that leaves me the most open for criticism as I start to send out the emails concerning it. DIVE IN seems to be my motto. Well and also GET THIS OFFA MY PLATE. OH, and big boss just complimented my first email out on the subject, so YAY!

It's 36 degrees here, and I'm cuddled in sweats on the futon. I should get some exercise, but I'm still full from late-night fries and drinks with my sister & father, and see above re: 36 degrees out.

I do need to get to the post office today, and do some Christmas cards. And some wrapping, even.

Tomorrow I get to celebrate my birthday by ... taking my dad to the urologist. I'm hoping I won't need to talk to the doctor with him, because I suspect whatever the issue is, is one I don't want to hear about.

Speaking of Dad, yesterday he decided that the best use of his time on a Sunday afternoon two weeks before Christmas was driving to the mall. Which he did, and then he forgot where he parked the car. And he didn't have his cell phone on him, so he called us from the security guard's phone at B&N. So my sister & I had to spend half an hour driving all over the parking garage looking for his very nondescript car. Dad was sure it had been stolen.

We eventually found it in the 15-minute parking zone ten feet from the first-floor entrance to the mall. With the window open. Parked askew.

I really wish we'd gotten a year or so of Dad being fully functional and able to enjoy his life after Mom passed; but no such luck.

This Christmas will be the year of trying to get Dad to give up the car. That'll be fun.

Here's some really good news.

My friend Frances went home to Cincinnati for Thanksgiving with her Keeshond (think small collie who just got a blowout). On T-day, Esme somehow ran out the front door. They've been searching for her ever since, setting out cameras and live traps, tracking dogs, the works.

Last night Frances gave up. She'd already taken an extra week off from work and had to come back to Chicago, sightings had dropped off, none of the food had been touched for several days. Cinci has been having snow and cold and freezing rain.

And somehow, as of this morning, Esme is found! I don't know the story yet, but they're at the vet getting checked out - and getting a bath.

Consuela, all I can say is that I really understand what you're going through. So, SO much.