Monday

Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone!  It's nice to be remembered, just not so good to be a year older.  I'm waiting for the first of the cold fronts to come through; by the end of the week, it'll actually be cold here.  Some people are rejoicing since it's the Christmas season but, you know me, if I can't wear shorts and a tee shirt..............

I have most of my decorations up.  Haven't started cards except for the 8 cards I sent to Ireland the other day (and no, they all didn't go to Celtic Thunder; I actually have friends there).  I have them; I have my letter sort of written......  There will be no presents this year for anyone; there is no money and in any case, since the birthday presents I sent this summer weren't even acknowledged, I see no reason to send  presents.

Two more weeks but the year is still giving and giving.  Washer is on the fritz; going to the laundromat.  I went to get new spark plugs in my car b/c it was backfiring under the hood and they told me I also needed a new wheel bearing in my right rear wheel for the tune of $439.  Looked at them and said that I don't have the money; got new spark plug wires and plugs instead.  My son said that I can't do highway driving b/c the bearing might heat up and weld itself to the wheel causing it to seize and lose control of the car.  Said to take it for a second opinion.  Well, Tire Kingdom wouldn't even look at it b/c it's a Subaru!  So I called my Subaru dealer; they won't look at it for free and the cost to repair the bearing is $405.  I have half the money thanks to an insurance check and a consignment check I got today but I have to wait until Jan 9 for my SS check to come in before I have enough for the rest.

My friend with cancer is home which is a lot closer than the hospital, thank heavens. She's getting PT, radiation and chemo.  They know that some of the tumors have shrunk.  However, she was in the hospital last week b/c of very low BP and an infection from having a catheter in for too long.  She knows that if she goes into the hospital I can't go see her b/c it involves highway driving. We're having Christmas together.

I have another friend in another town who's now in the VA hospital in Tampa with severe stomach pain.  They're not sure what's wrong with her.  I told her that I can't go see her either.  Ditto for a friend in another town who wants me to help her with her yard sales; her home is in foreclosure.

Still hoping I don't get sick before the new year b/c my insurance is now worthless thanks to the hospital group dispute with it.  When will this all end?

I was so stricken by what happened Friday as you all were.  I had the TV on as the news broke and then left it on.  As a former teacher, this struck close to home; I was assigned to elementary schools at the end of my career and we had lock-down drills all the time.  However, what really got to me was the President's remarks; to see him lose his famous cool just about undid me (haven't cried in ten years but close to it on Friday).  The shooter's grandmother lives about 30 miles north of here.  I've signed 4 petitions on the White House website calling for control/conversations about gun control.  I agree with what the President said at the memorial service last night too that this has got to stop and I hope he stands by his pledge to do everything he can to stop it.  I went to a singles' dance Friday night to get away from it.

I won Vicki Lewis Thompson's contest a month or so ago and received a book and a $25 donation to an animal group of my choice.  I suggested to her that she give it to a shelter helping the animals displaced by Hurricane Sandy and she gave it to North Shore Animal League in NY.  She thought it was a terrific idea!  The book is called Rescuing Christmas and contains a story by her, Catherine Mann, and Kathie DeNosky.  They all have animal themes.  I'm reading Vicki's right now and am enjoying it a lot.

Well, it's time to turn on the lights.  I also want to hang the drapes I had lengthened in Feb so I'll be ready for the cold weather tomorrow.  Hope you all have a wonderful week and get all your shopping done!

Trudy