Christmas Frenzy

I enjoyed a visit to my family last week and pretended that Christmas was approaching with no pressure....in fact, the only pressure I feel is the one I put on myself. It's like the frog in hot water.....the move of Christmas to before Halloween has been so gradual, that it seems that it has always been there....but its real meaning has been lost to all but those who keep Christ Mass in their hearts. I truly enjoy being with the young people in the family and catching up with the adults. I feel blessed to have a few close friends and people around me that I love. The No Gifts to Adults seems an affirmation that what's really of value is shared experiences...celebratilng each other instead of "things"....suits me just fine.....

The housing market stinks....I've delayed getting my house on the market...doesn't seem to matter since houses aren't selling for much.....there are 1200+ homes on the market in this small area....C'mon new President and get us moving in the right direction....

I close up work by Dec. 15...then I'll take time off and explore other options...what a great feeling to have that freedom! I am thankful for the experience and have come to appreciate the need I have to continue to work at something meaningful.....

Julie and I will celebrate Christmas in New Bern among friends....each day is a gift.....

Grumpy, Sneezy and Snow White

I noticed a distinct difference in my disposition as the sunlight diminishes with the approach of winter......I become sneezy, then grumpy (the former being a medical condition brought on by allergies and the latter a personality quirk brought on by light deprivation) Maybe I'd be better off sleeping thru the winter a la Snow White????

I'm gearing up for the long trek to Ed and Gay's for Thanksgiving...If I didn't miss them so much, I'd stay here and cook a turkey for Julie...I have to get ready psychologically for the 9.5 hour drive....Maybe I'll trade my car in and drive back in a "new" one...

.I plan on giving my goodbye notice to work before I break for Thanksgiving...the AHA moment came as I was driving back to New Bern from Newport on a dark, winding, unmarked road and as I passed a prison in the middle of godknowswhere, my fuel light blinked its warning.....I had logged 58 miles on this trip (no mileage reimbursement) with a 45 minute journey each way (no pay for travel) and made $34 before taxes for the 4 hours I was gone....with a partial gas fill costing $32......good thing I had already bought catfood for the week! I've never been a superior math person, but that moment with the blinking light in the middle of a dark nowhere led me to question the accounting consequences of this part-time job....DUH! (see??? I told you I was grumpy!)

As we say in North Carolina, "Have a Blessed Day, Y'all........

Back to the Future

I finally entered the HDTV flatscreen era....just bought a 37" Toshiba which I will pick up Monday and depend on the kindness of my sailing buddy to set up! I still need a good antenna (no, I do NOT want cable) but anticipate that I will be receiving more than my current 4 channels (Oh, the stress that comes with multiple choices!)

I have my little Jack Russell McCormick visiting "The Puppy Spa" (aka, my home) this weekend....I couldn't ask for a better boy to guard me and help me with yard work. Julie contests this belief, rather strongly at times, but so far, I have kept them apart and McCormick still has all his body parts.

The fall has done fallen in the South....we have cool days and even cooler nights; the real blessing is a decrease in humidity. Of course I do have 2.38 tons of leaves falling daily on the ground surrounding my house.... and I do recall celebrating the sale of Medford with the thought that my leaf-removal days were over...ah well, there are always ironic turns in one's life plans.

I am still ministering to the needs of the NC Easter Seals people...Anyone want a slightly used intensive in-home worker?

Home Again....to Julie (not Toto)

It's amazing how fast time flies when I'm in Florida. After a 2 hour flight delay, we took off from Orlando Sanford and had a direct flight to Kinston. I must admit that when I'm catless, my mood changes. Snowy is such a Sweetie....Ed is right, she does remind me of Julie. Julie hasn't quite forgiven me yet for my breach of etiquette in leaving her for 10 days.....I'll have to give her extra TLC for a while....she's wandering the house moaning right now...mea culpa!

While I am greatful to have avoided an 11 1/2 hour drive, the waiting is tiring, so I am looking forward to a great night's sleep with my kitten in our bed tonite.......Good night.......

Snow White Rules!

I met Snowy this visit and am so happy she found a loving home! She is mellow for a year old kitten and has a delightful little voice. Her yellow eyes are blinky and inquisitive. I am still baffled by her choice of resting places: the hard surfaced counter, an uncushioned piano bench, my luggage, the windowsill ....what ever happened to padded and comfortable? She has managed to share the futon with me during the night even though she eschews "lap cat" status.....anyway, she has Ed in her "paws" and he's loving it (the mark of a true feline!)...

welcome to the family!

Floridays

Back in sunny (?) Fla.....Have been here for 9 days and am preparing for a return to New Bern. I'm afraid the old adage that the longer you live the faster time flies is all too true; it seems as if I just arrived! I did meet some wonderful people this time: Tammy, Ed's friend and Kim, Dominic's fiancee. I also visited with Anita....she's really adapted well to Florida living.

I will be flying home tomorrow; it sure beats the 11 1/2 hour drive! I hope Julie is fine; I'm sure she'll be interested in Snowy's scent all over my luggage!