The tree stays up until Epiphany. I'm not Catholic, I just like the tree. Mine isn't even decorated, except for a string of tinsel. It's got fiber-optic lights in its branches, so it twinkles in colors.

Solidarity, msbelle, I also am doing work-work today. Because if I don't, tomorrow will be a manic panic that isn't pretty. Our print schedules don't take holidays or weekends into account.

I am also keeping the tree up until Epiphany.

I made the bread. It was the right call. It was easy, the house smells delicious, and I get to have happy thoughts of ita to help me ring in the new year.

That sounds like an excellent call.

I had a delightful evening and morning with Polgara and family including an amazing ride home (amazing because I didn't have to take the train), and am going to another party shortly with my mother.

I just helped a neighbor move his gigantic 85 lb. speakers up two flights of narrow stairs. Ended up panting, dizzy, and headache-y afterwards. Getting heavy stuff up to our floor sure seemed easier when I was 38!

Today I have cleaned the living room and kitchen, made a shipping list for cookie making, and then hit the store. Now I'm home with a heating pad and thinning ill be lucky to get one batch of cookies rather than the 4 I had planned on. I have baked zero cookies this holiday season which is NOT ON!

We went out to brunch, even though it is 25 degrees outside. When we got home, our charmingly idiosyncratic thermostat had decided not to work, and it was 56 degrees inside. I am now under three blankets, with a heating pad on my back, while waiting for it to warm up. Winter is such bullshirt.

You're a good neighbor, Matt.

Last night I went to bed at 7:30pm after dosing up on NyQuil. I got up at 2:30am for more NyQuil. I woke up super congested, so I've been pouring hot tea down my throat all morning. I suspect I may be calling in sick tomorrow.

I did manage to drag myself to the farmer's market and grocery store yesterday before I collapsed, so I have plenty of food to eat, including a slow-cooked ancho chile-rubbed pork roast.

My big plan for the day is going to the movies with the family.

it is 77 here

The tree is down, disassembled, and in the storage shed. After taping up the box I noticed the stand (which is normally stored in the box) was still under the tree skirt. This year the stand will be wrapped in the tree skirt and stored in the cedar chest, because like hell I'm un-taping that rapidly disintegrating tree box.

A Dogs 101 marathon is making my afternoon relatively enjoyable.

I was hoping to photograph today, but I stepped outside, and it was 18°, and I went NOPE. I haven't shot a roll of film since November.

I did a short little workout (inside, because it is 9 degrees in the tundra outside my front door), washed the dishes, and did a load of sheets so we can flip the mattress and start 2018 with clean sheets. Now I have a handful of work to get out of the way before tomorrow.

This is better than all those New Year's Days in my 20s and early 30s that I spent hungover as hell, regretting my poor choices.