{{hugs}} to everyone who needs them. This fucking year.

I'm mostly doing okay, but I am worried about a lot of people, both those I know and those I don't. The fuckers in the Senate apparently want people to be evicted after Jan 1, and they are this close to shutting down the government again.

We had our first covid case in the office last week, and it turns out the guy was there the same day I was. But I never saw him, never spoke to him, and it's been ten days. So I guess I'm fine?

I will say that I don't know how single people without pets are able to get through this year. The Boss has been a life-saver, although she does bark far too much.

I am feeling very "need to do things for other (aka get outta your own head)" so if anyone on here is in need of an online shopper assistant LET ME KNOW. Ideally I would be able to find local merchants in whatever town the gift is needed that could 1) deliver, 2) hold for pick-up , or 3) mail (local has to be better than cross country).

This need not be Holiday related - you need something - you want something.

when I finally went to the grocery store yesterday, I nearly had a panic attack because people were not respecting even one foot of distance let alone six.

I got really twitchy about how many people were in the waiting room when I went to get my physical this morning. (Honestly, everyone was spaced 6 feet apart or more, but it just felt like a lot of people. Plus, doctor's offices are where sick people go! One dude was talking to the receptionist about how he had Covid in November, all casual-like.)

feeling bad about the weight I've put on

See above, re: physical. But Awesome Doctor didn't say a word about it, so that was nice. The only criticism about my quarantine 15 is in my own head.

I'm glad you're getting Christmas Eve off, msbelle!

I'm up, showered, and dressed. I've eaten tacos for lunch. I've got a hunk of beef in the slow cooker. Laundry's going. I'm going to sit on my couch and drink a giant mug of tea while playing Animal Crossing.

going to sit on my couch and drink a giant mug of tea while playing Animal Crossing.

That sounds lovely. I am trying to watch the Mandalorian finale, although it's hard because my living room is pretty sunny and the show is very dark...

Been skimming a bit. My condolences to David and sj. Travel safe, Kristin. I just don't know how you all cope with things over there right now.

I’m bucking the trend. Lots of stress and other stuff but I’ve actually lost a little weight during Covid.

I see all of you and wish there were anything I could do.

I'm about to be on vacation for two weeks, thanks to my job, but I'm carrying so much leave time, I've stopped accruing, so I guess I'm going to take a week in February for no apparent reason, because I would like to get what they owe me!

Timelies all!

Thursday is officially a holiday at my workplace, but I will be going in anyhow. (There are patient samples scheduled then.) Hopefully I won't have to be there all day.

I'm so sorry about your friend, David, and your uncle, SJ.

My friend and I decided way back in June that whatever coping mechanisms you've built up to deal with your life, this year is finding a way to knock those coping mechanisms out from under you.

I've been bucking two trends: I have lost some weight, mainly weight I had gained since my mom died, and I am burning through vacation time. I'm using 6.5 days around Christmas and after that I have 2.3 days left until the end of March. I started out with 26 in April! It's mainly because I've been travelling with my nephew to see my dad, and he works 5 days on and 5 days off, so holidays and weekends are meaningless in his travel schedule.

ION, yesterday, I put out birdseed for the first time this winter. Today I looked out and a rat was eating it. I had squirrels last year, but never rats before. They've been doing road construction for six months, so I'm blaming them. I'm a little worried about the fact my house will be empty (and catless) for two weeks. What if the rats move in? and have a party?