I’m starting the new monthly thread this time around; it’s the final one for 2024.

White Rabbits!

I’m starting the new monthly thread this time around; it’s the final one for 2024.

White Rabbits!

The final month of the year, Wow it went fast! :o

Santa fun run in town today in aid of the local children’s hospice. In previous years participants were given very cheap felt Santa suits to wear, but this year it was a t-shirt instead. Much more useful. I plan to wear mine to work one day.

We also did a little Christmas shopping this afternoon.

The final month of the year, Wow it went fast! :o

Every year seems to fly by quickly!

Anyways, this afternoon we put up the holiday lights on the front of our house. We plan to decorate inside too, but we’re gonna do that next weekend.

I’m starting the new monthly thread this time around; it’s the final one for 2024.

White Rabbits!
Belated White Rabbits to you all!

Every year seems to fly by quickly!
I have to start writing the cards out soon.

I have to start writing the cards out soon.

I say that to myself every December! Gotta make a list, then make sure I have everyone’s address up to date.

I say that to myself every December! Gotta make a list, then make sure I have everyone’s address up to date.
Things are easier, I send cards to those in my address book. Simply putting it, no address, no card.

I have my cards & address labels. Now I just have to put them together.


Cat

I have my cards & address labels. Now I just have to put them together.


Cat
I am just like you, just still need to write them out.

I am just like you, just still need to write them out.
As today is the 3rd of December, I will write three of the cards before I sent my next reply here.

It will more tomorrow.

As today is the 3rd of December, I will write three of the cards before I sent my next reply here.

It will more tomorrow.
I have just realise on how bad my handwriting is.

Busy at work recently for various reasons. Coming up to the end of term though and then three weeks off work.

Last night and tonight I was helping do make up at our annual carol service. The students recreate various works of art as tableaux on stage while there is a relevant bible reading, poem or carol. This year I was doing various “men” (it’s an all-girl school) so I was painting on stubble/beards and wrinkles.

I have my cards & address labels. Now I just have to put them together.


Cat

I am just like you, just still need to write them out.

Same with me! I am going to mail several of them, and possibly hand out a few to my friends at church.
Btw I revived the Christmas Card Exchange thread again.

Same with me! I am going to mail several of them, and possibly hand out a few to my friends at church.
Btw I revived the Christmas Card Exchange thread again.
Hopefully writing more out today.

I spent the morning, very busy, here and there, checking on important matters.

Hopefully writing more out today.

I spent the morning, very busy, here and there, checking on important matters.
I better start writing more cards now.

I better start writing more cards now.

I will try to do that next weekend so that I can get them out before too long.

I have started on my holiday shopping. I ordered a gift for my mom earlier this week and it’s supposed to arrive next week. Today I received an email saying that it was just shipped today.

On Thursday I spent the day at a training course on running the science support provision in a school, including safety with chemicals, legal requirements and managing people.

Yesterday was Dai’s birthday. Elizabeth and her boyfriend Paul came to join us for a meal at a Latin American restaurant. We had a nice time. It was the first time Jean had been out of the house since she returned from hospital a couple of weeks ago.

On Thursday I spent the day at a training course on running the science support provision in a school, including safety with chemicals, legal requirements and managing people.

Yesterday was Dai’s birthday. Elizabeth and her boyfriend Paul came to join us for a meal at a Latin American restaurant. We had a nice time. It was the first time Jean had been out of the house since she returned from hospital a couple of weeks ago.


Happy Birthday, Dai.


Cat

On Thursday I spent the day at a training course on running the science support provision in a school, including safety with chemicals, legal requirements and managing people.

Yesterday was Dai’s birthday. Elizabeth and her boyfriend Paul came to join us for a meal at a Latin American restaurant. We had a nice time. It was the first time Jean had been out of the house since she returned from hospital a couple of weeks ago.

Belated birthday wishes to Dai.

Going to a Christmas parade tonight.


Cat

Going to a Christmas parade tonight.


Cat

Enjoy.

I attended a holiday-themed concert this evening. It was enjoyable. :)

I will try to do that next weekend so that I can get them out before too long.
Listening to Christmas music helps me in that task.

Listening to Christmas music helps me in that task.

That’s good. O0 I never thought of that.

Still, yesterday I was able to write out two of my holiday cards, both of which will be mailed to out-of-state recipients. All the other cards I plan on sending will be mailed within the state of California.

I also plan on handling some out. In fact, yesterday I handed one out to a nice lady at church (possibly close in age to me; I met her earlier this year).

My basement is being worked on. They are putting down a barrier to keep moisture from coming up through the slate slabs that are on the floor. There are a few of the slabs that I tell people that is where the dead bodies are buried. Unfortunately, the slabs will be hidden under the barrier. I like the slabs.

They are also going to replace some of the pillars that are holding up the house. These pillars are basically trees-still with the bark on them. But today, they noticed that the beam that the pillars are holding up, also needs to be replaced. Cha-ching! Cha-ching! The house slopes and doors don't close. The joys of living in a 150 year old house.

There is some crawl space that had a heating duct that needed to be removed so the basement guys could get in there. My heating guy came on Friday to do that. He had to turn off the heat for a bit so I was freezing. Today, when the basement guys showed up, the duct was still there. (I didn't check the work on Friday.) I called my heating guy and told him the situation. He was able to get a couple of guys out right away to take care of the ductwork. The thing is, that ductwork was for the old heating system and wasn't in use. It is gone now and doesn't need to be replaced.

All of this is going to cost me more than I had planned. But it needs to be done. It should have been done when we bought the house 11 years ago.


Cat

After a hectic 24 hours I finally got to be online.

The basement didn't cost me as much as I thought-this time. They didn't do the crawl space because it will take longer than they had planned for. So, they will be coming back (when the weather is warmer) and work on that.

It has been raining all day and they could see where rain was coming in which was pretty much the reason why I hired them in the first place. So, when they come back to work on the crawl space, they will address the water issue.


Cat

Tomorrow (Friday) my workmates and I are going out for lunch together.

After 14 years, my printer decided it was time to retire. I think it is probably just a clog. I tried to clean it but it still doesn't want to print. I read that printers last about 3-5 years. I definitely got my money's worth and it was a great printer. Photos printing was outstanding. Guess what I am going to get for Christmas.


Cat

Last day at work today until early January.

Busy yesterday and early part of today clearing the decks at work and making things safe. Then it was the staff pantomime in the hour before lunch.

Tomorrow I am Morris dancing in the nearby city. I am hoping that the weather is drier than it has been all week.

After 14 years, my printer decided it was time to retire. I think it is probably just a clog. I tried to clean it but it still doesn't want to print. I read that printers last about 3-5 years. I definitely got my money's worth and it was a great printer. Photos printing was outstanding. Guess what I am going to get for Christmas.


Cat

Well it’s great that your printer outlived its expectations. Most of my appliances aren’t that lucky.

Well it’s great that your printer outlived its expectations. Most of my appliances aren’t that lucky.


It just seems like everything is going. This year I had to replace my microwave, my living room rug, the pillars that hold up my house, and now my printer.


Cat

Gonna decorate our tree today.

There was an open house at a local b&b hosted by the Historical Society. It is a mansion made mostly of marble. Beautiful building. It was built a few years after my house. It was built by relatives of Ethen Allen (can't recall how they were related). It has changed hands over the years and the owners now are really doing a wonderful job of the upkeep. That is where I will be staying when they spray foam my basement.


Cat

There was an open house at a local b&b hosted by the Historical Society. It is a mansion made mostly of marble. Beautiful building. It was built a few years after my house. It was built by relatives of Ethen Allen (can't recall how they were related). It has changed hands over the years and the owners now are really doing a wonderful job of the upkeep. That is where I will be staying when they spray foam my basement.


Cat
Does the mansion have an expansive gardens?

Does the mansion have an expansive gardens?



Nope.


Cat

Spent all day shopping for a new printer and I am no closer to deciding which one I want. I know what I am looking for but finding one with all the features I want with good reviews is proving to be hard. Maybe instead of buying an all-in-one, I should buy a couple-one for printing and one for scanning.


Cat

My holiday shopping is complete. Now all I need to do is wrap the gifts.

As for decorating, I still have to put more ornaments on the upstairs tree. When that is finished I will take pictures of both trees.

Does the mansion have an expansive gardens?



https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a81e4e_48e1bdcfe88e47888f01e1b83c244737~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_685,h_385,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/CIMG0782_JPG.jpg


Cat

It just seems like everything is going. This year I had to replace my microwave, my living room rug, the pillars that hold up my house, and now my printer.


Cat


It sometimes seems to happen like that.

My holiday shopping is complete. Now all I need to do is wrap the gifts.

As for decorating, I still have to put more ornaments on the upstairs tree. When that is finished I will take pictures of both trees.


I still have a few presents to buy. Try to work out what I might by Dai.

We haven’t put the tree up yet. I am trying to persuade Dai to buy a new one, perhaps a slightly taller one.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a81e4e_48e1bdcfe88e47888f01e1b83c244737~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_685,h_385,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/CIMG0782_JPG.jpg


Cat
An impressive building, I can imagine sitting on the porchway talking etc.

Later this week I will be leaving for a family Christmas break, on a road trip along the coast of Europe by the North Sea. I am not sure when I will be online next.

Best Wishes and Season Greetings to you all!

Later this week I will be leaving for a family Christmas break, on a road trip along the coast of Europe by the North Sea. I am not sure when I will be online next.

Best Wishes and Season Greetings to you all!


Have a great trip, Philip!  :)

Later this week I will be leaving for a family Christmas break, on a road trip along the coast of Europe by the North Sea. I am not sure when I will be online next.

Best Wishes and Season Greetings to you all!


Safe travels.


Cat

Later this week I will be leaving for a family Christmas break, on a road trip along the coast of Europe by the North Sea. I am not sure when I will be online next.

Best Wishes and Season Greetings to you all!

Have a good trip.  :)

I have a tooth that has been dying for years. A few weeks ago it was supposed to be taken out but it was decided to wait until after the holidays. Now it is really killing me. I'm gonna to call the dentist tomorrow. I'm supposed to be taking a trip on Saturday.


Cat

I have a tooth that has been dying for years. A few weeks ago it was supposed to be taken out but it was decided to wait until after the holidays. Now it is really killing me. I'm gonna to call the dentist tomorrow. I'm supposed to be taking a trip on Saturday.


Cat

Good Luck.  :)

Called the dentist office. She is going to call me back after talking to the dentist.

I knew this was going to happen. I said it was going to go on a three day weekend. Close-during the holidays and they are not open many days in their he next week.

If they take it out today, that means celebrating Christmas with a gaping hole in my mouth. If they don't take it out, I will have a tooth there but be in pain. I don't like either scenario.


Cat

Called the dentist office. She is going to call me back after talking to the dentist.

I knew this was going to happen. I said it was going to go on a three day weekend. Close-during the holidays and they are not open many days in their he next week.

If they take it out today, that means celebrating Christmas with a gaping hole in my mouth. If they don't take it out, I will have a tooth there but be in pain. I don't like either scenario.


Cat


Is it in the front?

Is it in the front?


Yup. Front bottom.


Cat

Called the dentist office. She is going to call me back after talking to the dentist.

I knew this was going to happen. I said it was going to go on a three day weekend. Close-during the holidays and they are not open many days in their he next week.

If they take it out today, that means celebrating Christmas with a gaping hole in my mouth. If they don't take it out, I will have a tooth there but be in pain. I don't like either scenario.

Cat


Oh, ouch!!!  :(  Hope you get some relief quickly.

Still waiting to hear from the dentist. Don't know what will happen because they are closed tomorrow.


Cat

Called the dentist office. She is going to call me back after talking to the dentist.

I knew this was going to happen. I said it was going to go on a three day weekend. Close-during the holidays and they are not open many days in their he next week.

If they take it out today, that means celebrating Christmas with a gaping hole in my mouth. If they don't take it out, I will have a tooth there but be in pain. I don't like either scenario.


Cat

Hope you feel better Cat.

In a way, it was good that the dentist do didn't call back yesterday. I was-and still am feeling like crap. I thought it was just a minor cold but then it got worse. Last night I was running a fever. I am supposed to take a trip tomorrow. Depending on how I feel when I wake up tomorrow, I just might have to cancel. The good news is that the tooth hasn't been bothering me too much but that is because I am hardly eating-which makes the scale be nice to me.

There are some things I have to do today but not too much so I can take it easy for most of the day.


Cat

Hope you feel better soon Cat.

I have a cold but it is just at the annoying runny, tickley nose stage.

For the past few weeks we have been reading though, and editing, various sections of Elizabeth’s doctoral thesis.

Yesterday I gave it a final reality check before she submitted it electronically. Fingers crossed now for the viva voce exam in the new year.

For the past few weeks we have been reading though, and editing, various sections of Elizabeth’s doctoral thesis.

Yesterday I gave it a final reality check before she submitted it electronically. Fingers crossed now for the viva voce exam in the new year.


I did that for my sister's book. It is nice to have another set of eyes reading, rereading, editing, & making suggestions. Carlos & I used to do that for each other even if it was just a letter or sometimes even a post on this message board.


Cat

I have decided to cancel my trip today. I still feel like crap.


Cat

I have decided to cancel my trip today. I still feel like crap.


Cat

Sorry to hear that. Sending well wishes your way.

I have decided to cancel my trip today. I still feel like crap.

Cat


:(  Feel better, Cat

I have plans to bake some holiday cookies today. I’m all finished with decorating and gift wrapping.

I have decided to cancel my trip today. I still feel like crap.


Cat

Hope you feel better Cat.

Last Sunday at church, I handed out Christmas cards to a few of my friends there. Today, two of said friends gave me cards! :) (Actually, the first card was from a duo of friends - a mother and daughter - that I normally sit with; both of them signed their names on said card. The second card was from a woman I’ve gotten to know since last fall; she signed the card with her name and her husband’s name.)

Didn't do diddly squat today. Still feel like crap but things are draining. However, I think my tooth is infected. They already gave me antibiotics in case things went wrong when they remove it next month. Gonna start taking them today.  I better get an appointment tomorrow- I just hope I can get a ride to that appointment.


Cat

Didn't do diddly squat today. Still feel like crap but things are draining. However, I think my tooth is infected. They already gave me antibiotics in case things went wrong when they remove it next month. Gonna start taking them today.  I better get an appointment tomorrow- I just hope I can get a ride to that appointment.


Oh my!    :(  Hope you can get in quickly.  Take it easy in the meantime.

Didn't do diddly squat today. Still feel like crap but things are draining. However, I think my tooth is infected. They already gave me antibiotics in case things went wrong when they remove it next month. Gonna start taking them today.  I better get an appointment tomorrow- I just hope I can get a ride to that appointment.


Cat

Hope You Feel Better.

Sinuses are still draining but I think the worst of this is over (I hope).. As for my tooth, the original appointment was for the 10th-removal & bridge put in on the same day. Then the dentist who was going to do it is no longer there and they aren't even open on that day. They rescheduled it to the 28th of January. Yeah, it's not going to last that long. So they made an appointment for next week to have the tooth removed. I still have to wait until the 28th to get the bridge which means I will have a gaping hole in my mouth for the month of January. At least-hopefully, I won't be in pain.



Cat

Sinuses are still draining but I think the worst of this is over (I hope).. As for my tooth, the original appointment was for the 10th-removal & bridge put in on the same day. Then the dentist who was going to do it is no longer there and they aren't even open on that day. They rescheduled it to the 28th of January. Yeah, it's not going to last that long. So they made an appointment for next week to have the tooth removed. I still have to wait until the 28th to get the bridge which means I will have a gaping hole in my mouth for the month of January. At least-hopefully, I won't be in pain.


* SIGH *

So, today was my first time working on Christmas Eve. Had a good day; got everything done before we were all dismissed at 3pm (Pacific time). Now I get to take it easy before I have dinner with my parents; this evening we have plans to attend a Christmas Eve service.

I finished decorating the Christmas cake yesterday. It gave me a muscle work out mixing the food colouring into the fondant icing. I could have bought ready mixed red icing but I didn’t need 500 grams of it.

We went to a carol singing event in the park in town. We go most years. The war memorial is a carillon bell tower. The carillonneur plays the carols and we sing along. Sometimes the timing goes a bit awry. This year someone with a very strong voice stood near us. He paid no attention to the music, the conductor or the instructions as to which verses to sing making it difficult at times to stay focused.

I had a very pleasant holiday today with my family. :)

Finally feeling normal and now to catch up on everything I didn't do for the last week. I am wrapping up the gifts that should have been given last weekend, now are going to be sent via USPS.  Most got paper- which is easy to ship but the three youngest and the significant others got gifts. I have a lot of boxes for shipping but not big enough for one gift so I have to "create a box" and wrap it in brown paper. I am hoping to send them all out on Monday.


Cat

Busy day at work today, preparing for the end of the month, end of the quarter, and the end of the year. Lots of work needing to be done.

Belated Merry Christmas everyone.

My Christmas European Road Trip was wonderful, visiting Dunkirk and Lille in France, and Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges in Belgium.

I will be back online, when I can.

All best the best for the season.

Belated Merry Christmas everyone.

My Christmas European Road Trip was wonderful, visiting Dunkirk and Lille in France, and Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges in Belgium.

I will be back online, when I can.

All best the best for the season.

Glad to hear it went well. Please continue to take care in all you do.

Belated Merry Christmas everyone.

My Christmas European Road Trip was wonderful, visiting Dunkirk and Lille in France, and Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges in Belgium.

I will be back online, when I can.

All best the best for the season.


Glad to hear it's been a good trip.  Belated Merry Christmas to you, too - and Happy New Year!

Belated Merry Christmas everyone.

My Christmas European Road Trip was wonderful, visiting Dunkirk and Lille in France, and Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges in Belgium.

I will be back online, when I can.

All best the best for the season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Phil, hope you come back soon. :)

They finally pulled that tooth today so I am now officially a redneck with a gaping hole in my mouth. My mouth is very sore. The one thing I was very worried about was not being able to whistle. I can still whistle-yay!

I have a month for this to heal and before they put the permanent replacement in.


Cat

Busy day at work, doing everything necessary to prepare for end of month, end of quarter, end of year. I hoped we would be done before the usual time that we finish, but there was so much to do that we all needed to be there until the usual end time.

Then I went out for dinner with my family; now we’re back home. Later on we’ll play some games.