My friend and I were complaining because apparently San Diego will be the hottest place in the US on Christmas...we'll stop now.

I'm glad you're home, JZ.

I was driving back from PA today ( to pick up Matt) and watching the temperature reading drop on the dashboard and then the rain turned into snow as I was making my way. It was weirdly magical. I know that's what happens when it gets cold enough, but there it was, changed in front of me.

Here in Seattle it's been cold all week, with snow from Monday and Tuesday gradually getting compacted into ice on the streets. The last two days the highs were in the 20s, and we've watched at least a dozen cars attempt our steep street only to go sliiiiidinggg backwards down the hill. Today is freezing rain, supposedly turning to rain by late afternoon as it finally warms up. I'm hoping the street will melt in time that I can get to the grocery store tonight and beat the Christmas Eve rush. We've got plenty of food, but are lacking a few key ingredients for our traditional holiday meals, and we're approaching a critical shortage of Diet Dr Pepper.

My friend and I were complaining because apparently San Diego will be the hottest place in the US on Christmas...we'll stop now.

I hope your feet don't get too sweaty in those tight diamond shoes. (I say, while noting the temperature has *increased* to –3.)

The weird — yet unsurprising — thing is that in one week, on NYE, the high here will be 61. I'm happy about it, but oh my god the planet is dying.

We’re going to attempt to do NYD at our place if we’re all heathy by then. I spent yesterday calling to change the date on a bunch of things including the pre party cleaning service.

I'm sorry about the ick and the change in plans, si.

I’m trying to remind myself that this is not a failure in adulting. It’s just crap timing. The flu really hit ltc’s class hard. One of her friends was in the hospital for a week. It’s the worst flu I ever remember her having. Luckily lots of out of state people have been sending in gifts, and I’ve been letting her open them as they come in, which has been distracting her.

Epic, I’m glad you were able to get the information you need to make you feel more comfortable with everything.

Epic, so glad you like the new surgeon. Sending healing, hopeful treatment thoughts your way.

JZ, I'm so glad you're home (and, yeah, bruh, nice try, but...) Sending you healing, hopeful treatment thoughts to you, too.

sj, hugs to you and your family. My mom just got over Covid and now has rebounded and has it again. I hate she's stuck at home over Christmas.

My knee is nothing compared to cancer. Let's start there. But it is annoying and uncomfortable. I was able to do a Telehealth with my PCP earlier this week so he could try to expedite the MRI from my insurance company. He officially diagnosed me with "derangement of the knee," which I was convinced he was making up and couldn't stop laughing about. I keep picturing my knee running around, all rabid and crazed. Anyway, we won't know more until we get the MRI, but it's looking increasingly likely it may require surgery. It's stopped getting better and has thoroughly plateaued, and I still don't have range of motion beyond about 90 degrees. Doc says he's suspicious there may be some loose cartilage in there or some such. With it being the holidays, I'm just hoping I can get the MRI before I go back to school and the initial orthopedic referral as soon as possible. If I'm going to need to take some time off, I need to figure out what that looks like, especially since I was awarded a fellowship to the National Key West Literary Seminar and am supposed to be there Jan. 11-16.

Surgery no fun, but I did chuckle at your deranged knee.