The First Christmas after a loss is a fine time to totally break up tradition and habit by travel or other means.

After my mom passed, the kids and I spent Christmas Eve with my dad and then flew down to Disneyland on Christmas for a few days. It was the break we needed.

Jilli, we have an instant pot that we use constantly. It is the best thing. Potroast, chili, soups in general, curry...Ours also does yogurt, so I've been making yogurt on the regular.

It's possibly a bit of a cult, so, you know, plenty of recipes out there.

I was greeted at the back door this morning by one of the alley cats with all the skin and flesh from his lower law peeled off—at first I thought the whole jaw had been ripped away. Thankfully he's the one alley cat friendly enough to tolerate being picked up and put in my car for an emergency vet visit. Apparently he's otherwise OK and this is something they can theoretically fix with surgery, but man did it look horrifying.

The nurse at the vet's was really trying to sell me on taking him home after surgery, but I'd have adopted him months ago if adding another cat to my living situation were feasible.

I decided to take a sick day today. I feel guilty about it because I don't feel that bad, but I've missed out on two fun things the last couple of days because I didn't feel well enough for them so I figure I'm due. And getting another couple of hours of sleep this morning has been amazing.

Aw, kitty. I'm glad your looking out for him as much as you are able to, Matt.

It's good that the cat has you to help him, Matt.

-t, I hope you feel better soon.

Here's the little fella before he got his disfiguring injury: [link]

Poor little cat! You're a good soul, Matt.

Aw, he's a cutie, Matt. I'm glad he knows he can come to you when he's sick/injured.

After my mom passed, the kids and I spent Christmas Eve with my dad and then flew down to Disneyland on Christmas for a few days. It was the break we needed.

Yeah, my problem right now is I'd be on my own. Trying to think of a destination that won't break the bank or be grim by myself.