I don't know about New Years cleaning, but in the past two years I've engaged in frantic My Lease Is Over cleaning and Relatives Are Coming To See The New House cleaning at the end of December.

A quick update for those not on FB:

Dad is in rehab and doing a little better. He has a long way to go. Acts of kindness that made today better:
-Laura and DH asking Drew what comfort food they could give me when I finally got back to their place after a 12-hour caregiver marathon day; they greeted me with chicken tikka masala and love.
-Hec's generosity
-Cousin Laura helping me find someone willing to foster Sonny while Dad goes through rehab — for free (her friend lost his dog recently and is thrilled to spend time with Sonny)
-My mom and Aunt Susan conspiring to send me a giclee of Susan's gorgeous moonlit owl painting.
-James (dad's part-time caregiver) spending time with Dad at the hospital so I could run around making sure Sonny had a quick vet visit to get some new meds (my sweet dog brother is finally getting his doggy Prozac...all praise doggy Prozac).
-Local Florida friends agreeing to check in on Dad every day while he's in the rehab facility this week so I can go back to LA to teach this week (I'll be coming back out next weekend to transfer Sonny to his temporary foster home and to check on Dad's progress). I couldn't have left if I didn't have trustworthy friends checking in on him.

There were more, I'm sure, but I'm very (very) tired, and I need to try to sleep. I'm grateful for my community so I can go home for a few days, sleep in my own bed, spend time with ND and our beasts, and not miss any more work than I need to.

(Basically, I choose a group of nonprofits I want to donate to, assign one to each of my goals and/or habits I want to strengthen, so meeting my step goals supports the Southeastern Raptor Center, spending time in prayer/meditation plants trees, etc.)

Oooh, I like that strategy!

Cousin Laura helping me find someone willing to foster Sonny while Dad goes through rehab — for free (her friend lost his dog recently and is thrilled to spend time with Sonny)

That's such a good solution to a tricky problem!

I’m so glad to hear about getting a foster for your Dad’s dog, Pix. That’s been on my mind.

So glad a foster was found that’s gotta be a weight off everyone’s mind. Best of luck, Pix.

Right now I'm taking her out at least every hour and she pees every time, often more than once a trip.

That sounds medical. Or am I misremembering Birdie's age?

That sounds like a good thing for Sonny.

No, you're right, she's 11, Cass, so it's not a puppy issue.

Sounds like things are moving in a positive direction, Pix.

I have a cup of coffee by my side, a purring cat on my lap, and no place in particular that I need to be in the next few hours. It’s a good way to start the day.

Ugh this morning has been hard. He's no different, maybe a little worse, and I just don't have confidence this nursing home is going to take good care of him while I'm gone. Not that I think he's going to be neglected or abused; they just aren't going to be monitoring him the way the hospital was, and he isn't on fluids anymore. I hate this so much. But I have to go today for at least a few days. And I do have people here who will check in on him. But I feel like I'm abandoning him.

I have about had it with hooples and their firecrackers. Tonight will be the worst yet, too.