So I am now going to make mashed rutabaga, mashed cauliflower and sweet potatoes to go with ham. I already made greens (with bacon). I can't get a straight answer out of my mom if there will be other sides (like maybe she is hiding them from me because I can't eat them!)

Renewed license achieved!

On the downside, plumber charged $475 for visit, fetching small fancy brass part, and now says that the hot water tank has to be replaced for like $6K+.

Hoping panicky roommate who is onsite is not being misled. At the least, a second opinion (and quote) is advisable.

Theo, I was going to suggest you look at getting a heat pump, but it would be more expensive (at least in the short term), and it looks like most of the rebate programs have expired.

Oh no, Atropa! I am so sorry to hear you are in that level of pain. Backs were indeed poorly designed.

My SIL decided once again that I was to provide a meat lasagna as well as a vegan dish. So I am buying a frozen lasagna, but will still make a super tasty pasta/capers/broccoli/beans dish I like.

I am off to the grocery store. Take pity on me.

I am off to the grocery store. Take pity on me.

I kind of need to go to the grocery store but we only need like two things and not super-urgently.

I keep having to remind myself that my 3rd Night of Hanukkah is most people's Christmas Eve and I should not expect my co-workers to respond to things! But we sent the kids to skating camp for the day and I'm getting so much work done!

Jessica I have been cursing all these work people for working while their company (our client) is actually closed, but then I'm reading the emails, so?

My sister and I made molasses cookies and dough for the brown butter chocolate chip cookies (they have to rest in the fridge). We may also make a third kind. We shall see. Tonight we do dinner with the family and exchange presents. My father is in a rehab wing of the nursing home but apparently we are allowed to check him out for dinner. And my brother is a 36 year old man who didn't bother to buy any presents. So I'm not giving him one. Hmph. But apparently last Christmas while I wasn't here (was holed up with my broken ankle), he and my sister very nearly came to blows so...fingers crossed we can keep a lid on it tonight? We only spent about 20 minutes with him yesterday.

Yesterday was an interesting experience in mail delivery. Somehow the Costco book of values and three Christmas cards were soaking wet! I had to carefully peel envelopes away from cards and prop them all up to dry.

Loved the return address from the Ho-Ho-Holts. Thanks dcp and Aurelia too. It is very merry getting Christmas cards again, I was sad that went out of fashion so suddenly. Glad we thought of doing cards this year.

Ho Ho! I'm working. Many of my practices are open, if not all. They changed something in the ePrescribing system and it is a big mess, but I've only had one call about it which indicates how much staff cares today.

I did run to the grocery store. Cars crawling around the parking lot waiting for someone to leave. What a mess. Once I got inside it was okay and I got all my stuff, and a bit more so I wouldn't have to do it again.

The grocery store California roll did not satisfy and I may have to have a couple cookies now.

My mother TODAY tells me that she really likes the lavender candle I got her last year. #1, I wish I'd known this earlier. #2, I have no idea where I bought the fucking thing.

Hahaha, braising yes. Sorry to disappoint, Tep. I'll work on how braiding might work for next time...

Hooray renewed license! Sorry about the hot water tank, I hope you can find a cheaper solution.

Yowza, meara, good luck with all that.

I have one thing I need to get done today (empty my trunk so I have room to transport my parents' luggage to the train station tomorrow) but staying with the cat under the comforter is so nice. Baby It's Cold Outside could be rewritten to be about me not wanting to get out of bed very easily.