Aidan had been an gone after church. He took out my garbage and a random space heater, and moved four boxes of books to the back porch to be picked up December 18. I gave a poncho to Maria and a book to her mom

Landlord supplied appliances seems to vary by where you live. When I lived in NY it was common that the tenant brought their own appliances, but in other states it was always landlord supplied. Also, super pretty fridge!

I am considering, well pretty much already decided, to get an artificial Christmas tree. I have had live trees for the last 64 years, but I am over it. Mom always made a big deal of a real one. My nephew in NY just stomps through the forest and finds one he likes and drags it home. I live in Florida where the trees come from thousands of miles away and generally drop their needles as we drag it into the house. This one is 7-1/2 feet tall and has all the lights on it. [link] My only grumble is they aren't LED lights. I could get the same tree with no lights for $60 less, but then I have to string my own lights, which I am also over doing. Of course this won't happen until after Thanksgiving so I have some time to decide. I didn't like the pre-lit LED trees as much, they tended to be thinner and not as real looking.

I am considering getting a Christmas tree. Which I dint think I have had for 20 years, but I have ornaments.

The appliance thing is hazy in NY. I have had both, current landlord will supply them, but if I want better than a 40 year old fridge,or if I want a dishwasher it is OK and I can take it with me when I leave. I also have to point out that my rent is $525. Which I am guessing is really low compared to other parts of the country.

You'll also notice a lot of difference in your electric bill with a newer-than-40-year-old fridge, so there's that, too.

However, if your rent includes electric, that would really be a great deal.

Yes, here you have to spend at least twice that for rent. And it certainly wouldn't have an attic!

My salary is also commensurate with our cost of living here, but I have been at $525 with no increase for about 10 years. I started at $495. If I wanted to buy a tiny house on a highly trafficked street,my mortgage would be less than that. We are an outlier.

I grew up with real Christmas trees, but now I have an artificial one and some Frazier fir-scented candles. Less bother and expense.

One of the great benefits of having a cleanish house is taking pictures of my kitty. I am enjoying that today as she totally destroys any attempt I make at straightening boxes or bags.

I was sort of thinking I only have Aidan for this year, because he is planning to go off to college. So Ihave one year to have a real tree and get it hauled up and taken out.

Sophia, do you think the kitten would leave the tree alone?