days_unfolding

I like this Holland America Japan and China cruise, but I was thinking of 2027 for a Japan cruise, not 2026. I'll have to see if they could cut me a deal because I'm on one of their cruises now. The cruise itself isn't that expensive, but the airfare would be (around $1700).

I’m trying to figure out what’s on the docket for today. I have a massage at 3:30 PM and a facial at 8. I want to give myself a pedicure in case I want to go swimming tomorrow. Maybe I’ll talk to the future cruise person about the Japan-China cruise. I should find out what Vacations to Go’s price would be, though, because they are usually cheaper. Got a speedy quote from them ($3667, not including airfare). Now to see if Holland America would do better.

One thing that I like about the staterooms is that they have clotheslines in the bathrooms. I have some shorts and a t-shirt soaking in the sink.

I burned the roof of my mouth on hot pizza in Miami, and it still hurts when I eat.

I think that it’s nap time.

The toilet in my room isn't working. Called, and they said that they were having "a tech problem".

I left my purse at breakfast. As I was leaving the room, a guy working on the ship said for me to go to Guest Services. It was there and everything was in it. Bless the honesty of my fellow passengers and the crew.

I looked at the cruise-line branded stuff and am trying to decide what I want. They have a coffee mug that I like, but I’m afraid that it would break. A water bottle? I forgot mine. They have a nice zip-up hoodie, but do I need another hoodie? I could wear it on the plane flight from California though.

Yeah, I think that I like this cruise. It feels less crowded than the other one, and the Aging Frat Boy Quotient seems lower. I go on a cruise to relax, not party, although there are some folks drinking their breakfast. Cruises are very relaxing, and the sights come to us (or so it seems).

Took a bunch of debit and credit cards out of my wallet and put them in the safe in my room. I don't need them here.

Well, hell. Went to take off the old nail polish off of my toes, only to find that the nail polish wipes that I bought don't have nail polish remover on them. I have no choice but to get a pedicure now.

I went down to the future cruises desk. It wasn’t open. It will be open later in the cruise. I gather that I can get a shipboard credit if I book with them, but I’m dubious about the price.

I’m at the spa now. I made an appointment for tomorrow for a manicure and pedicure. It’s at 5PM, which is later than I would like, but that’s what I get booking at the last minute.

My pet sitter is very worried about Mimi. And she can’t find Lily. She wants me to come back, but I explained that I’m on a cruise ship. I’ll look into ways to get back, but I’m not hopeful. There is a flight from Cartagena, Columbia in two days. But I want to talk to the vet first. I don’t know what to do.

(She also managed to blame me and the dog (?) for Mimi being sick. Never mind that I took Mimi to the vet a couple of weeks ago.)

Had my massage. My brain was whirring, so I wasn’t in a receptive mood. But she upsold me to a hot stone massage. I guess that it helped my tight muscles. She said that it did. She also asked me what I did for my tight muscles between massages, and I said ”…nothing?” She thinks that I should get one of those massaging shower heads, which is do-able. (I really should start up yoga again.) And she sold me some body oil because my skin is dry (it is) and some foot cream. My neck does feel loose now.

Okay, I found a reputable service to get me from the cruise terminal to the airport in Columbia. Now I see how things play out.

I think that facials are largely the placebo effect, but the glop that she was putting on my skin must have hydrated it some. I got a new moisturizer to try. And she told me to drink more water.

I was thinking that I needed to have laundry done if I take the flight from Cartagena. But they want 24 hours, which is cutting it a little close. But I have some clean jeans. I could wear jeans, a t-shirt, and buy the Holland America hoodie and be presentable enough. It’s no worse than what other people wear on planes. If I wind up staying, then I will have laundry done.

I want some late-night nosh.

The Internet is out on the ship. Bah.

You needed an engineering degree to figure out the shower. I finally figured out how to turn the water on (it wasn't obvious) but could not figure out how to get the shower on. So I took a bath and stuck my head under the faucet to wash my hair. And I almost wasn’t able to get out of the bathtub!

I took a lot of sweet rolls at breakfast. Then I discovered a place that would make me pancakes (which were quite good). I left with a contraband napkin full of sweet rolls. Waste not, want not.

I'm fighting the impulse to skip my shore excursion and go back to sleep. Note to self: don't book shore excursions at the beginning of a trip when you know that you will be tired. Now I'm thinking nap and wander over to the spa to see if I can get a manicure. Napped. Dug out my suntan stick in case I want to read in the sun.

I’m staying out of my room because I remember from the last cruise ship that they get upset if they can’t make up the room. I thought that lunch was at 11, but it looks like 12.

They’re playing the movie Conclave at 2 and 8:30. I would like to see that.

I had a moment of missing my dog. And I’m a little worried about Mimi. She’s been somewhat unsteady on her feet. But the vet said that she was okay, probably.

The room was made up. Now it’s nap time. I think that I’ll go for the later showing of the movie.

The pet sitter is sending me pictures of the cat food cans that she found under the cabinets and fridge. Not exactly restful.

Hmm. They put out a call for blood donors to help with a medical emergency. I had problems understanding the Captain on the PA, but it sounds like they are evacuating the ill person?

Read some of my book: Shift by Ethan Kross. It’s about using and managing emotions. It’s interesting so far.

I’m getting a little frustrated because the restaurant does not keep its posted hours.

Oh! They’re having introduction to pickleball tomorrow! I’ll be there!

My pet sitter can’t find Lily. She has to be there somewhere.

The Sweet Spot counter guy is always disappointed that I don’t want cookies. Ice cream, yes. I asked for one scoop and he gave me two.

Impressions so far: Holland America charges for everything. I spent more money getting the same amenities that I had last time, although this cruise is for two weeks, not one. Both staterooms were nice. The food was a little better on Celebrity, I think, but comparable. The ship is a lot quieter, which is nice, and there weren't late-night revelers (or at least, I didn't hear them).

I'm waiting to go to the movie, so I think that I'll post.

I had breakfast in the hotel. I’m not very hungry though. Took an Uber to the tour starting point. I’m here way early.

I met the tour guide and we waited for a couple. The tour guide was knowledgeable and we saw a bunch of Art Deco buildings. I tripped and fell near the end. I left the tour before we went to the gift shop; I blamed my knees, but I was just tired.

Napped for three hours in the hotel. Tried to look up the cruise terminal for tomorrow. I finally found it, but they didn’t make it easy. Door dashed some stuff from Walgreens. Had a rather good pizza in the hotel.

I’m going to make it a very early night.

Impressions of Miami: lots of people walking dogs. Lots of mopeds and motorcycles, I guess because of the good weather. Would I come back? I don't know. The Art Deco buildings were my draw to Miami Beach. It might be nice to go to the beach proper.

I ordered a "dusk to dawn" light bulb for the porch for delivery from Lowe's. I completely forgot to get a light bulb.

Fuck. I overslept until after 6 AM. The zap things went off, but I incorporated them into my dream. It’s doubly annoying because I woke up at 3:30 but went back to sleep. I’ll need to skip choir to get things done. Anyway, I should get cracking.

I forgot to mention yesterday that my neighbor came over to say “Hi” to Bella, and Bella gave her a kiss through the fence. Then her husband came over, and Bella hid behind me :) She said that a neighbor’s dog might be a good playmate for Bella.

Speaking of Bella, she got into the magnets for my cruise ship door. Sigh. I hope that she didn't swallow one.

My choir director is SO nice. I told her that I wouldn't be at choir tonight, and she said to have a safe trip and happy practicing!

I booked WiFi and another "fine dining" restaurant on the ship. Sheesh, the second restaurant was expensive, but filet mignon is calling my name. Or "surf and turf". This trip, I'm indulging myself.

I'm looking at Japan cruises for 2027. I'd prefer one that also includes Hong Kong, a "bucket list" place. Holland America has one that goes all over Japan, but no Hong Kong. Norwegian has one that I like, but no Hong Kong. Hmm. I like this one on Norwegian.

We have a toilet paper winner. The Who Gives a Crap? recycled paper is strong and soft and recycled! I do want to start the process for getting a bidet when I come back though. I need to have an electrical outlet put in near the toilet.

I was looking into food when I arrive in Miami. Uber Eats has food while DoorDash does not. I found something that I like, but I don't know if it will be open late because I'm getting in late. I'll find something.

I ordered another alarm for under my pillow to get up early on Wednesday.

Ugh. The weather in Chicago on Wednesday, the day of my flight, is supposed to be rainy and windy, with possible snow. Worst case, I leave a day later and miss my Miami tour.

I booked a conference in Chicago in May. I'll have to see if people are available to connect with. I also booked a conference in Atlanta in June.

I'm trying to decide whether to do the U of I's Student Farm's CSA for produce. I probably won't be set up for growing vegetables until late in the season. By the way, I found some raised boxes that I like for growing produce.

I’m plugging away at the kitchen and making progress. Bella and Oliver are very manic and are (not!) helping. Lily wants to go down in the basement. Bella was being manic beyond belief, so I shut her in the bedroom to calm down and give the cats a respite. It worked; she's a lot calmer.

I'm still working on the kitchen but have made tons of progress. I brought some mail upstairs, and Mimi started meowing, so I decided to post.

Oliver went into the poke bowl bag and fell off the kitchen table :) Now Bella is shredding the bag.

Crap. I was changing into my pajamas when Oliver tried to jump on my lap, lost his balance, scratched up my leg, and drew blood. I hissed at him and he backed off. Lily was sleeping through it all. She is a champion sleeper. I need to do laundry, but Lily is sleeping in my laundry basket, so I’ll get up a little earlier to do it.

Damn, my leg hurts. Oliver really did a number on it.

Crud. I apparently didn’t pay for my drinks package on the cruise, so I need to do that in the morning (done).

I signed up for the Yazio weight loss app.

Discovered that tickseed plants need full sun rather than shade, so I guess that I’ll plant them on the sunny side of the house.

Overslept and woke up at 8 AM. There were a lot of dog walkers out when I was out with Bella. One dog really wanted to play with Bella. The walker complemented Bella on how well behaved Bella was, and I told her that Bella is shy with other dogs. She asked how old Bella was, and I said, “a year”.

Got us all fed. I put the clothes in the dryer only a few minutes ago, so I’m going to just slap on some makeup for my lesson and shower later.

Sigh. Bella plays rough with Oliver, so he turns around and picks on Lily. She can give as good as she gets though. Mass chaos.

My singing lesson was good. She gave me a bunch of music theory homework. And we practiced some more complicated sight-reading lessons. I need to remember to pick a song from choir to work on for next time.

It’s really warm out (currently 48F). Bella likes it.

The local “Stand Up for Science “ group is looking for volunteers to organize a protest, but I’m going to be gone.

Hmm. I should donate to the local LGBTQIA group (done). I was wondering if they were going to have any protests. They also have an “aging” group that intrigues me. I also need to set up monthly donations to the ACLU because they’re filing most of the court cases against Trump’s actions (done). I’m trying to donate to the national LGBTQ Task Force, but I keep getting an error.

I need to replace my Echo Spot because it fell in Bella’s water dish and now it’s malfunctioning. Sigh.

Bella is ready for a nap. So am I. Overslept my nap. I was dreaming that I was living with my dad.

Saw the tree-obsessed neighbor while I was out with Bella. He was happy that I’ll be taking the tree down when I have the garage built. He liked Bella, but Bella didn’t like him. She was barking at him. People like dogs though.

Bella chewed off the end of my shoelace while I had the shoes on! Jesus, dog.

I’m reading the BBC. It’s scary how many votes were cast in Germany for the Nazi party. Dark times ahead.

I saw a really pretty garden with bushes and lavender. Maybe I’ll plant lavender in the area by the side of the driveway-to-be.

Got us all fed. Now Oliver was playing with my shoelaces. Sigh. He’s looking like such a grown cat though!

I’ve decided to work on packing tonight and tomorrow night. I ordered some jars for my moisturizer creams. Found some nice shorts that need to be washed. I also found a swimsuit with a wrap-around skirt. That would be good for the pool on the ship. Cleaning on the rest of the nights this week.

I’ll need to find a new housekeeper because mine is busy this coming weekend.

Oh wow. I saw some beautiful thornless roses on a Facebook ad. That would be great for the side of the garage.

I’m about to take a shower and have Bella, Oliver, and Lily in here. Yikes! Oliver just left.

Just ordered more pairs of underwear so that I can pack them and still have some to wear this coming week.

Bought a “cruise-approved” power strip and some magnets for my door. It will make it easier to find my cruise door with them!

Need to do laundry, but Lily is snoozing in the basket. I guess not.

I’m going to do some packing while my hair dries and then take Bella for a walk. Though hmm, she’ll need to go soon. She was snoozing though. Maybe I’ll post.

I bought some reef-safe sunscreen because I’ll have a full two weeks in the sun. Got my makeup organized for the cruise.

I had to take Bella out for an emergency pee and poop run, and now it’s feeding time. I’ve decided to get up early and walk Bella before we go to the vet. It would be good if she’s tired out. I’ll set up wake-up calls to make sure that I get up.

My prescriptions are ready for pickup, so I need to go on Tuesday.

I hope that Pete Buttigieg runs for president next time, but I hope that he does what is best for his family though. These are scary times to be running.

Woke up with my alarm at 7.

I had Lily and Bella attending my shower. I took off my pajamas to go into the shower, when I felt a dog nose on my butt. I laughed and told Bella that I didn't need my butt sniffed. But yes, she's a dog.

Yikes, I had an RSV vaccine scheduled for tonight, but it was scheduled for Lincoln! Oops! I rescheduled it locally for tomorrow. I'm taking Bella to the vet today, so that's enough health care.

Got the car cleaned out (well, I threw stuff in back, but it could use a good cleanout). Got the harness on Bella and adjusted it somewhat, but she wasn't cooperating.

Oh man. I got the harness on Bella, and she was tolerating it fairly well. I got the leash on her, which she was less thrilled about, and got her to the car. Then she balked on getting into the car. She got in once and I got out to close the door, and she came back out. I tried again, and she pulled--and pulled her harness off. I didn't know that was possible, but her legs were up on the seat. She hung around though, and I managed to get her into the yard. I have a new appointment for Monday, and we'll work on getting into the car with treats involved.

I seriously need carbs. I have a Walmart order coming tonight. Well, it came this afternoon, and I loaded on carbs. I saw a post on Facebook that said that Walmart is contributing to Project 2025. I'm fairly dependent on Walmart. Maybe I can switch to Meijer?

Bella was looking guilty/sad. I told her that I wasn't trying to get rid of her, just take her to the vet. I petted her, and she perked up a little.

Lily snuck upstairs while I had my hands full of carbs. I've been letting her nose around, but Mimi just saw her and is growling. No screams though. (She screams at Oliver.) Lily seemed unimpressed, but she respected Mimi’s space. Lily liked the tree window. Lily liked it up there and ran in again when I fed Mimi, so I picked her up and took her out of there.

I’m trying to buy a ramp to make it easier for Bella to get into and out of the car. I’m getting an error, so I’ll try later from my laptop.

I’m feeling tired but wired, so I should get stuff done and get to bed earlish. I hate to disturb Bella though. She’s clearly exhausted. I did get up and so did she.

I opened some Amazon boxes for my trip. I shelled out for a new Kindle because the one that I have is large and meant for annotating books. I usually read books on my phone but don’t want to run my phone battery down while I’m traveling. I got a small Kindle Paperwhite. The Kindle figured out who I was based on my WiFi, logged in, and downloaded all my books automatically. Pretty slick, Amazon. I’m charging it up. I need to clean out my travel backpack and start packing stuff in it.

Practiced piano and spent some quality time with Zara, who has been getting short shrift. I need to keep it up.

Got the recycling bin filled. I need to get up early to get the bins out and to take flattened boxes out (which will take a while).

Reading the effects of the funding withdrawal from universities is making me sad. I work for a university, but not in research, so I’m probably okay. But I wonder what I can do for the university. They have been saying business as usual for the time being.

I’m going to investigate getting a Lithuanian (EU) passport after I get back from my trip. I want to keep my options open.

Someone is looking for a large dog bed on Buy Nothing. I’m going to wash Bella’s old one and give it away if it comes out okay.

I stayed up until 1 AM messing around. Exactly what I don’t need to be doing. I’ll set “quiet hours“ on my phone right now. When I was getting ready for bed, Bella was lying flat on the floor and Oliver was yawning. I can get the hint.

Woke up at 8 AM. It’s snowing and looks completely uninviting to run errands. Bella went out, peed, and wanted to come back in. I’m thinking about a Plan B for errands. I’ll be at Ulta next Friday to get my brows done and can buy makeup then. I need to look at my other errands. I can get some stuff on Amazon. Actually, I found some eyeshadow and such on Amazon too.

Lily is showing me her belly. New frontiers in dog grossness: I had to pull dangling poop from Bella and wash smeared poop off of her butt. Did I say “Gross!!!” Oliver is looking out the window at the snow.

Ordered makeup on Amazon. Ordered some chicken wire (there’s a small gap in the fence) for delivery from Lowe’s.

I think that it’s nap time. I had Bella, Oliver, and Lily in the bedroom for a while, which did not look restful. Bella chased Lily out, and Oliver decided to see what Lily was doing. Whew. NOW it’s nap time.

I just realized that I need wire cutters for the chicken wire. Sigh.

Napped. While I was out with Bella, my colleague and her daughter delivered my Girl Scout cookies. I’m making lunch, so cookies for dessert!

I’m feeling like I need another nap, but I’m probably just groggy.

Fuck. The remainder of my Lowe’s items are in a pickup locker at Lowe’s. I wanted all my items delivered, not just the first one. I can’t get there before Tuesday. Well, maybe Monday after choir. I reordered them for delivery.

Took another nap and overslept. Now it’s shower time. I need to feed the hordes too.

I’m preheating the oven for pizza and cleaning the kitchen floor. Bella does not like me cleaning the floor and bit me hard enough to hurt. Lily, on the other hand, likes the cleaning.

I used my Apple Watch to find my phone, which had fallen on the floor. It worked well, but it took me a while to realize that I needed to log into the phone to get the beeping to stop.

Oh crap. Lily ate some tomato sauce off of the pizza. I Googled and got some bad signs to watch out for. My bad; I didn’t put the pizza away fast enough. So far, she seems okay though.

I swapped out the recycling bin inside for an empty one. And Lily went down into the basement. Sigh.

I’m starting into my night routine and will get up early. The "quiet hours" on my phone worked well. Sometimes I overrode them, but I did spend more time cleaning than I usually have. I'll leave them turned on.

I need to make a list of things that I want an electrician to do: motion-sensitive light on porch, outdoor outlets, Nest thermostat and doorbell, outlet in bathroom for bidet, outlet near fish tank….Huh. Should I get the ceiling fan in my bedroom replaced? Might as well because it would be nice to have in the summer.

I didn't get up early to get the recycling out. I need to get it loaded up on the weekend.

Ran out and deposited my check. It's cold out (0F/-18C wind chill this morning), but seeing the temperatures that sunshine_two is dealing with shamed me into going out. It wasn't too bad. However, there was ice glued to my windshield that took forever to get off. I want to have the money available this weekend to go get makeup for my trip. I'm also wondering if I should get my brows waxed and laminated (booked an appointment in a week). Should I get my nails done? Booked an appointment right before the trip. I need to remember to give myself a pedicure too.

Had my therapy session. She's glad that I want to expand my social network. I told her about the political group and also that I want to join the Unitarian Church after I get back from my trip. I also found a tropical fish group that I might join. I wonder if I could join the Friends of the Urbana Library?

Submitted a grocery order.

I think that when I retire, I want to work on a database for planting flowers if I can get the data. Meanwhile, I’ll add entries on my Hotmail calendar.

Fed the dog and myself. I’m about to feed Oliver and Lily. Then I need to corral Oliver to 1) feed Mimi and Zara and 2) bring one of the recycling bins inside the back door so that I can throw stuff in it at 1 AM if I want to (done).

Bella is whining because the cats don’t want to play with her. I told her that if someone larger than me pinned me, I wouldn’t want to play with them either. This is tough for her doggy brain to comprehend. She ran laps around the building until she got tired though.

I should get Bella a job breaking down boxes. She’s good at it, but she tends to break them into small pieces.

Oliver and Lily are filling out nicely. They’re a lot more shaped like a grown cat.

I think that I want to wait for my grocery order (between 9 and 11 PM) and then go to bed. I think that I’ll put stuff on my calendar in the meantime.

I ordered a couple of hardcover books to read on the plane. The rest will be on the Kindle. (I should find my Kindle so that I don’t run down my phone. Oh, I need to pack my battery bank. I need to make a packing list.)

Having a recycling bin inside was a great idea. I have 2/3 of a bin filled. I’m working on Bella’s “lair” outside of the kitchen. She thinks that this is a game and is nipping me. Sigh.

I received my grocery order. I’m going to go up and post and feed the hordes. What is Bella barking at? It's a mystery.

I put wallpaper on my laptop that relates to the cruise (Panama Canal, Puerto Vallarta, Miami). I looked for one with a sloth (Costa Rica), but all the ones that I saw were AI representations. I'm getting excited!

I’m going to subscribe to the local paper when I get paid again. I’ll probably do digital so that it doesn’t pile up (and save a tree, says the person who is going to cut down the trees in her back yard).

Ugh. I looked away for one moment, and Bella snatched Lily’s food. I’m going to have to shut Bella in the bathroom before feeding them. SHE HAS FOOD! I AM NOT STARVING HER!

I’ve been playing with a cool app called Seedtime, which tells you when to plant vegetables and herbs in your area (and when to harvest them). I’m using the free version, but there is an upgrade to plan your space, etc. I wish that they had one for flowers too. It did tell me when to plant sunflowers. I guess that’s because people harvest the seeds. It doesn’t tell you when to plant fall crops though. Hmm, it says to start tomatoes from seed when I’ll be gone on the cruise. I guess that I can buy plants. I could start basil from seed though.

Woke up a little before 10 AM. Bella was chasing Lily, who went skidding on the table and knocked down a soda bottle. They seem to have quieted down now.

Hmm. I got a New Yorker tote. I can put my music in it for choir, since I don’t know where my treble clef bag went.

Perfect. I let Oliver out of the bathroom (he tries to get outside when I take Bella out and tries to get upstairs) and Bella walked in. I closed the door when I fed Oliver and Lily. It went much better.

Bella was playing with Oliver, and she plays rough. Oliver was trying to bite her ears. Good kitty. You train her.

Napped. Ate lunch. I need to shower and get dressed because I don’t want to get water on my pajamas while I’m emptying the fish tank.

Got my COVID tests and face masks. I wonder if I should take the masks with me on the cruise. Or at least on the plane.

Bella inhales her wet food. (She gets dry food in the morning and night with wet food at dinner time.)

Bella pulled one of my plants off the counter and munched the pot. I bought a new pot for it. I need to remember to fill the pot, give the dirt time to warm up, and repot it. It might be beyond saving, but I’ll give it a shot.

Corralled Bella while I feed Oliver and Lily. Now we’re all fed. Everyone is snoozing except me. I shut the door to the bathroom so that I can go up and down the stairs to the upstairs while carrying water.

I've been emptying the fish tank, but Mimi demanded lap time. I exist to serve :)

I might as well post, given that I have Mimi on my lap. My plans are to empty the fish tank, use the shims to get the water level straight, and fill it up again. Then work on the kitchen.

Got the flannel sheets and flannel duvet cover on the bed. They’re so soft! Zara came in partway through but decided that she didn’t like what was going on. Later, I came in to go to bed, and she was happily curled up on top of the comforter with the flannel cover. Now she's glued to it except when she wants food :)

I had problems falling asleep. I got up once because I realized that I scheduled my piano lesson at the same time as Dial-A-Carol. I ate oatmeal and finally fell asleep. And overslept, sigh. I have to find the box with the "Sonic Boom" alarm.

Yeah, I think that staying home over Winter Break is a good idea. Hard to believe that I work Monday, and then I'll be off!

Very quiet at work. My boss told me to "feel better" when I went out sick yesterday, which was nice.

I'm about done with Walmart delivery. They dumped my groceries by the gate, and I had to go across my lawn with slippers on. How hard is it to put them on my porch?

I just emailed the real estate guy about the closing date on Mom's house. He said "sometime this week".

Ugh. My back and shoulder hurt. I shouldn’t be this sore shortly after a massage. Showered, so at least I'm clean.

Went down to get the mail and found a Jenny Craig order. I need to cancel them, but at least I'll have a stash. I'm now thinking of doing a bunch of cooking and freezing stuff next week, when I'll have time. I'm getting a bunch of emails from Costco, but no card yet. I plan to bring the cars up to Costco for gas because, why not? And maybe I could get new windshield wipers for the Honda there. And investigate moving my prescriptions, although it's convenient having them down the street. Maybe not.

I think that getting a used aquarium is the right idea. I priced new ones and geesh. Expensive. And I'm getting only a 20-gallon tank! Though I also want a 55-gallon tank for the library room. Actually, I found a used 50-gallon tank that I like, but I'd need movers to move it. And I need someone to check that the floor is stressed for it.

I've decided that I don't like the prescription face cream that I've been using. (It was making my skin flake.) I'm trying something new from Dermstore, and we'll see how I like it. But the shipment is delayed.

I forgot to say that I'm proud of myself. I had been having problems with the sound on the laptop that I had on the digital piano. I bought two computer speakers to try to fix it, but they didn't help. Eventually, I got rid of the laptop and swapped in my mom's laptop. So I still had the speakers, but didn't need them, so I gave them away on Buy Nothing! It's a drop in the bucket, but still, I'm pleased with myself.

Hmm. I had been thinking of getting a used grandfather clock for the library room, but now I'm thinking that I should move the Buddha in there and put a wall clock (with chimes) above it. Also cheaper. Though I wanted a "Namaste" hanging above the Buddha. And maybe, above the aquarium-to-be, I want one of those maps where you can rub off the paper on the country if you have visited it.

I got my Beaches calendar for by my computer. December is Maui. Excellent. I just need a nail with which to hang it. I need to make a list of things to get done over break.

I was eyeing the treadmill. I think that the first errand on my list is to get the small Smart TV for in front of my treadmill. I'll watch The Golden Girls and The Big Bang Theory while exercising!

I found the “Sonic Boom” clock! Good because I need to get up early tomorrow because the house cleaner is coming tomorrow morning. I also found my hatchet, which should go in the basement.

Now I’m eating dinner and putting the Jenny Craig meals away (done).

Hmm. Holland America is trying to upsell me on dining. They have a steakhouse and an Italian restaurant. I need to think about it.

I'm back from Dial-A-Carol. This apparently was Pros night. There was a group that was singing in four-part harmony and sounded fantastic! (One of looked embarrassed when she saw me listening, but I don't know why.) And there was a young woman who must have been a singing major. (In fact, I think that she might have been at the carols concert?) I was somewhere in the middle. I'm usually on tune if I know the song, but I don't sound as polished. I just bought the sheet music and a couple of CDs of "traditional" Christmas music. I'll work on them during break. Driving home, I felt full of love for Champaign-Urbana because there are so many fun things to do here.

I'm sitting for a moment with Mimi, and then I need to tidy up the kitchen and bathrooms for the house cleaner. Oh, I think that I'll post because I'm here. No one needs the blow-by-blow of my tidying :)