It's so dry

The other day I mentioned to Judy C. how I hesitated to say something for risk of ruining it, but my knees seemed less bothersome. They are still stiff, but not angry at me. Strange, I know. My thinking is that perhaps the humidity being less (barometric pressure changes) is having a positive affect on my joints. One negative effect (I am having a dilemma with the "a" and the "e" proper usage...) with dryer, heated air is the dry skin. I seriously need some moisturizing lotion!

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Justin came into my room this morning, looking all disheveled from sleeping, with a dour look on his face, and making growling noises. At first I wondered if someone outside or upstairs woke him up. I asked him why he looked so surly, to which he replied, "...another synonym...". Ahhh, I get it! I said, "Why do you look so grumpy?" and off we went to Grumpy's for breakfast. My sly and clever boy!!!

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Justin and his friends went to the late morning showing of "Red Dawn", newly released re-made version of the movie by the same name. I never saw the original, at least I don't think so, and I am glad his pals could go and I  don't have to! At Judy's the other day, Mike S. remarked that it has been 15 years since he has been inside a movie theater. How does that happen? 

                                   

He only recently bought a DVD player in order to watch a political DVD he ordered. Good for him catching up to technology. Now all he needs is a gas line hooked up to his range and he'll be able to bake. He doesn't like microwave ovens either...What a character! At least he has a cell phone and knows how to use the text feature.

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Yesterday the mailman delivered to my door a box with my Advent cards in it, and two catalogs. As he handed them to Justin he said, "Sorry, no checks today---only catalogs." By this time I had come to the door and greeted him as he was walking off. I laughed and said, "He gets a hug and kiss when he brings me a check!" I thanked him for delivering the box to my door for me. I think he is not afraid of me anymore! 

                                                  

Now I could get busy and work on the Advent cards for the kids at church. Sadly, it didn't take very long for me to complete my task. Not enough kiddos at church anymore....We have one guy who is six years old, and the next one in line will be a one-year-old soon. Eli would not  yet appreciate an Advent card so he will have to wait a couple years for his.

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I made an executive decision, with which Justin is okay as long as I am. No Christmas tree is being put up and decorated this season. Wow! Instead, I will put up the table-top tree and perhaps a few other pieces to make the house festive. Since I am leaving so early in the month for WI and not coming back until after New Year---well, I just decided not to do it. He is a teeny bit relieved, as he is the guy to put up the tree and then take it down. Recently Justin has been looking at the catalogs which come at some regularity, finding trees that go up more easily, store more readily, and so on. This time he won't have to mess with it at all. 

                                     

The reason I am going 'home' so early in the month is to be in town for the major cultural event---the Lutheran High sacred concert at the Capital Civic Center. Not only is the concert marvelous, but it's a great opportunity to see folks I haven't seen since the year before. Old classmates, my former teachers, other people from the various congregations. 

                                 

Last year I had the chance to meet at this concert one of my Facebook friends, in the flesh, instead of only via the Internet! Love it! It is a great way to kick off the Christmas season, even if it's more than two weeks before Christmas! Messing with my schedule there, guys!

It must be the weekend

Justin and I were talking about this yesterday---how we are mixed up about what day it is. Besides having church two of the days, having the big dinners and 'holiday' feeling, it just felt like a Sunday afternoon to us. The only thing was---no football! That was our give-away. 

I got upset because the network where I usually catch my early evening dose of "Seinfeld" had a movie playing instead. Wait just a minute there!!! Justin said, "Oh, if only you had a giant box of DVD's in the family room to watch...." and offered to grab a disc or two of "Seinfeld" for me. Thanks anyway, Sweets, I will be okay. 

                                   

                                   This episode is called "The Subway"

Justin said he was messed up, too, so it is not just an 'old lady' thing here. He had to chuckle, getting things lined up for work even though that wouldn't happen for a couple more days! Originally he'd had plans to go with his friends for the evening, but people got tuckered out so scratched the outing planned. His boss swung by to pick up some games to play on his newly purchased XBox but didn't want to come up for a visit. Wanted to get home to play!

                                        

One of my favorite things about the feast days are the classic green bean casserole and real mashed potatoes. I did have potatoes at Judy's and at The Club, but did not have the casserole. Fortunately, I had the ingredients to make my own batch, as well as potatoes. At Judy's Thursday, she was telling me how she doesn't care for mashed potatoes with the skins on. I do, however, and rather appreciate some lumps. "Sticky, but good.." was how my little niece, Lisa, described my mashed potatoes as a child. Sticky but good is right! Made for a good dinner last night, too, with the leftover Wimpy meat to compliment the beans and mashed potatoes.

My day began quite early as I made the jaunt down the street to Sun Tire to have the car checked. The guy I spoke to said to bring it right in before they got busy so I was in their door before 8:00 a.m.! Nick was at the counter when I walked in and said, "We just saw you the other day..." so I explained to him what the deal was. 

A fellow walked in and Nick handed him my keys. Just like that! I asked, "Does he know what he's looking for?" Nick answered, "He does if you tell him..." This was confusing to me, and I asked, "Must I go out there and talk to him?" Nick told me that was the guy I spoke to on the phone so he already knew what to look for. I know it was early but really, that was confusing! How should I know that only Nick and Ray are the ones who answer the phone. And who is Ray???

Anyway, I got situated in the wait area, again with the History Network on, and began to read my book. In less than 20 minutes, Ray came in and handed me the keys, saying, "There you go...." I got him to explain to me what was going on, why I was smelling exhaust in the car. It seems some overspray or overfill got on the engine cover (nodding and looking like I understand...) and he did his best to clean things off. Ray said I might smell it a little bit as it works out of the systems but "it won't start a fire or anything..." I hadn't even considered that!! Thanks very much, Ray!!

                                   

By shortly after 8:00 a.m. I was back home and watching the rest of the news. Should have gotten Justin up to go have breakfast but instead enjoyed a lovely ham sandwich on a home-baked roll. He brought these goodies home with him the night before from his father's house. I should have shared my pumpkin pie with him but didn't. Perhaps today I should make him a pie, spreading out our holiday feast for the entire weekend!